Labor Leader Bryan Green said The Liberal Government has missed a golden opportunity to reverse some of the pain inflicted by last year’s Budget.
“Despite a massive increase in revenue, Treasurer Peter Gutwein still has his hands around the throat of Government agencies that provide essential services,” Mr Green said.
“The Budget shows the Liberals are more interested in cutting ribbons than cutting waiting lists.
“Capital investment is welcome but Peter Gutwein is plain wrong when says his Budget strikes the right balance.
“It does nothing to ease the enormous pressure in our schools, hospitals, public housing and right across the public service.
“The Treasurer talks up a return to surplus next year, what’s happened to the ‘Budget emergency’?
“Around 400 people are still set to lose their jobs in this Budget.
“The job losses are part of close to $600 million in cuts are still locked into in forward estimates.
“This is at the same time the Liberals are stocking up an election war chest with $220 million.
“When Peter Gutwein says there are no more cuts in this budget, he’s not telling the truth.
“The Liberals have repeatedly broken their promise not to cut frontline jobs and community services and it hasn’t finished yet.
“A genuine opportunity to repair the damage of last year has been squandered.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader
