RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS - Queensland Parliament ...

31 Oct 2012 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2271
the table are so spurious and are such complete and utter fantasises that it is breathtaking. All the
matters were either addressed during the hearing or in my letter dated 11 October 2012. I refer the
member for the Mackay to the hearing transcript and the tabled documents.
Before I conclude, I will address a couple of the things that the member for Mulgrave just said. I
do not recall ever saying it was fun to see people lose their jobs. That was the implication of what he just
said. I totally reject that. He also said words to the effect that I said that 20,000 people had to be sacked.
I challenge him to produce that quote because I did not say that either. I said that we had 20,000 more
people than we can afford. I said that we would be fighting to save jobs. That is why we have achieved
an outcome where we are seeing 14,000 positions lost in the QPS. We have done everything we can to
get it down to that level.
The point about this is that the people of Queensland should look at what these people opposite
say because it does not stand up to scrutiny. Their modus operandi is spin, it is verballing and it is
constantly saying things that are frankly not true. By saying them again and again and again they
ultimately hope that over time it will punch through. It is a cynical political game. It is a cynical political
Labor game. I think they must do training courses in how to do this. But, sadly, we will have to deal with
that. I urge honourable members on this side of the chamber to do everything they can.
I conclude by again thanking the Finance and Administration Committee, particularly the
chairman, for their work in scrutinising the budget and the manner in which they undertook this scrutiny.
I sincerely thank all those staff of the parliament, the department and the government who contributed to
the estimates process.
Mr GULLEY (Murrumba—LNP) (4.01 pm): I speak today about the estimates proceedings as a
member of the Finance and Administration Committee. I specifically refer to the estimates proceedings
of Tuesday, 9 October and the committee’s examination of the Appropriation Bill 2012 as it relates to the
Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
I note for the benefit of the House that my first estimates question in my parliamentary career
related to the Premier’s open data initiative. As a corporate accountant in a prior life, I understand the
benefit that full and frank reporting has for all stakeholders. In this regard, I applaud the Premier’s
initiative of the open government e-revolution. That will give Queensland society and commerce new
and unprecedented information to drive new benefits and wealth for Queenslanders. The government
that I campaigned for is living up to its promise of open and accountable government.
During the election campaign I was proud to campaign on the pledge to revitalise front-line
services and hence my second question to the Premier was about his plans to renew the Queensland
Public Service. I would like to say to members that I was very pleased to hear of the establishment of
the Public Sector Renewal Board to identify and implement the best state government services in
Australia.
My next question to the Premier was with regard to the preparations for the G20 summit in
November 2014. I point out to members that I was pleased to hear about the creation of the G20 state
planning unit. As the member for Murrumba, I am looking forward to the benefits for my electorate.
Back to my accounting experience in reporting and disclosure, my final question to the Premier
was in relation to the progress in the development of the new ministerial code of conduct. As someone
with corporate governance experience, I was fully satisfied with his response.
In the afternoon we moved to the examination of the Appropriation Bill 2012 with regard to the
areas of responsibility of the Treasurer and Minister for Trade. The Treasurer’s opening comments
about the cost of living gave me great comfort. When I am out and about in my electorate of Murrumba
that is arguably the most important topic for my constituents. I am pleased that this issue remains high
on the Treasurer’s agenda.
My first question to the Treasurer was with regard to the sale of QR shares. I was pleased to be
told that the sale will save this state $180 million in interest. I note this against the member for
Mulgrave’s suggestion that we keep those shares and only make some $60 million per year in
dividends. As a corporate accountant in a prior life, may I say that I prefer the Treasurer’s decision.
Members will see a theme today where I draw upon my prior background. Normal commercial
practice when one takes over a new entity is to review the quality of financial reporting, particularly the
balance sheet and borrowings. There should be no surprise that I asked the Treasurer about the
appointment of the Commission of Audit and note the independent Office of Treasury’s statement to the
incoming Treasurer was as follows—
Queensland’s fiscal position and outlook is unsustainable and restoration must be an urgent priority for this term of government.
Armed with that comment, I commend the Treasurer’s decision to fully audit the financial health of the
Queensland government.