David Crisafulli hits out at Palaszczuk government’s new mental health levy
David Crisafulli has gone on the attack over the Palaszczuk government’s new tax in the middle of a “full-blown cost of living crisis”.
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Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has gone on the attack over the Palaszczuk government’s new mental health levy, warning it will hit the hip pocket of every Queenslander.
Delivering his budget reply speech on Thursday, Mr Crisafulli announced a future LNP government would stump up 50 per cent funding for a new passenger line between Beerwah and Maroochydore.
And the LNP leader also revealed that he would have a dedicated Minister for Women’s Economic Security if wins the 2024 election.
Mr Crisafulli used the speech to hit out at the new mental health levy, questioning why the government was hitting the state with a new tax in the middle of a “full-blown cost of living crisis”.
Businesses with an annual wages bill of more than $10m will have to pay a 0.25 per cent levy under the new measure – while those that pay more than $100m in wages annually will have an extra 0.5 per cent levy.
“It will impact the cost of almost every good and service and we have to be upfront about that,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“The government told Queenslanders at the last election it would not introduce new or increased taxes to pay for their plan.
“Let’s be upfront. This is a tax on Queenslanders and should have been foreshadowed with Queenslanders before the last election.”
Treasurer Cameron Dick has repeatedly suggested he hasn’t broken any promises, because he claims he didn’t make any promises to business.
Mr Crisafulli also confirmed a government he leads will commit to 50 per cent funding for a passenger rail service on the Sunshine Coast that would stretch from Beerwah to Maroochydore.
The LNP says the move would connect the growing region to the rest of South East Queensland ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
It is understood the Labor government will also likely commit to a 50 per cent funding share for the rail project because of their commitment for a 50-50 funding split with the Commonwealth on the Olympics.
Meanwhile, the LNP leader also committed to creating a Cabinet portfolio that will be responsible for women’s economic security.
Mr Crisafulli said the woman who would hold the role would be part of a “three person economic team” that would include the Treasurer and Finance Minister – with two of the three roles to be held by women.
“The reality for women in our state is Queensland has the second worst gender pay gap in the country of 15.6 per cent, higher than the national average of 13.8 per cent,” he said.
“While NSW improved their gap from 13.4 per cent in November 2020 to 12 per cent in November 2021 ours went up to 15.6 per cent.”
Whitsundy MP Amanda Camm is currently the LNP spokeswoman for women’s economic security.
Editor’s view: Will Crisafulli live to regret blurted-out promises?
Having already staked his election as premier on crime figures, David Crisafulli added another two pledges, writes the editor.
LNP ramps up the rhetoric as health prescription pushes $600m
Ambulance ramping will be below 30 per cent by the end of the LNP’s first term in office and the elective surgery waiting list will stop growing after the first year, Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has vowed.