• Gutwein refuses to acknowledge his debt and deficit budget
• Gutwein needs to admit to the state he has placed Tasmania’s finances at high risk
• Gutwein’s budget sets records for spending and places Tasmania at high risk
The first step to solving a problem is to admit you have one.
The Treasurer’s problem is the debt and deficit he has inflicted on the Tasmanian people, even during a time of booming Federal payments.
Today in Question Time, Treasurer Peter Gutwein refused to face up to the realities of his budget. It is a budget of debt and deficit.
Shadow Treasurer Scott Bacon said Treasurer Gutwein is unable to answer simple fiscal questions about his record-spending, high-risk budget.
“Today in Question Time the Treasurer refused to answer simple, straightforward, direct questions about the State’s finances,” Mr Bacon said.
“There has never been a bigger disconnect between the rhetoric of a Treasurer and the reality of the State’s fiscal situation.
“The Treasurer is lying to Tasmanians about the state of his budget.
“He would not answer even the most basic of questions, including a question about why a press release exposing his failure to maintain Tasmania’s credit rating has been removed from his website.
“He is an utter disgrace.”
Questions Treasurer Peter Gutwein will not answer:
Question to: TREASURER
From: BACON
My question is to the Treasurer.
Treasurer, a very simple question requiring a very simple, honest answer.
Treasurer, what is Tasmania’s estimated Underlying Net Operating balance for 2019-20?
(Answer is $82.6 million deficit)
Question to: TREASURER
From: BACON
My question is to the Treasurer.
Treasurer – again – a straightforward question that requires a straightforward, honest answer:
What is the estimated general government fiscal balance for 2019-20?
(Answer is $252.4 million deficit)
To: TREASURER
From: BACON
My question is to the Treasurer.
Treasurer, what is the estimated general government cash balance for 2019-20?
(Answer is $222.6 million deficit)
To: TREASURER
From: BACON
My question is to the Treasurer.
Treasurer, can you provide a straightforward and honest answer to a direct question:
What is the total estimated deterioration in the general government net debt position over the forward estimates?
(Answer is $570.8 million deterioration)
Budget Facts:
• Over 70% of the additional $1.1 billion in new revenue from Federal payments, most of which is at-risk GST.
• $800 million in new operational spending with more kept hidden in years five and six.
• Billions of GST dollars at risk from Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison.
• Tasmania at risk of going into general government net debt for the first time since 2005.
• Almost $200 million in underlying deficits over the forward estimates.
• Still no fix for health, housing or child protection.
• Failure to heed Moody’s expenditure warnings.
Scott Bacon MP Shadow Treasurer