HIGHER HOUSEHOLD BILLS IN 2013 STATE BUDGET

Media Release.

TUESDAY 4 JUNE 2013 

Member for Rockhampton, Bill Byrne, says the Newman Government’s second State Budget offers little to Central Queensland apart from higher household bills.

“Along with this week’s massive hike in electricity costs the 2013 State Budget if full of broken promises,” Mr Byrne said.

“This is a Budget of broken promises. After promising to cut the cost of living at the last election, the Newman Government has increased taxes, fees, and charges."

“For Rockhampton residents the broken promises to contain the cost of living will come on top of the hundreds of dollars they will be paying for the cost of council de-amalgamation."

“Unfortunately the Budget again highlights the fact the LNP is focussed on the south-east corner of the state and is ignoring regional centres like ours."

“The 2013 State Budget devotes almost three-quarters of its capital spending — 73% to be precise — to projects in South East Queensland.”

Mr Byrne said despite the Newman Government’s politicking over the Bruce Highway, it had allocated only $65 million over two years as its share of $790 million in upgrade projects between Cooroy and Curragh.

“After trumpeting its plan to spend $1 billion over a decade, or an average of $100 million a year, the 2013 State Budget shows the Newman Government is already close to $70 million short in just the first year of its funding program,” he said.

Mr Byrne said the Budget was one of higher unemployment, with the government abandoning its promise to have the state’s jobless rate tracking to 4% over six years.

“By 2016-17 it is predicted that unemployment will be 5.25% when Campbell Newman said it would be 4% by the following year,” he said.

“This is at the same time insurance taxes are up, the fire levy is up, water prices are up, and electricity prices are skyrocketing despite Campbell Newman promising to reduce the cost of living."

“All these bills were meant to drop under the Newman Government, but the Premier has simply broken his promises and thinks his huge majority insulates him from any backlash,” Mr Byrne said.