Treasurer Cameron Dick has blasted the Morrison government over its pre-election budget, claiming Queensland has been snubbed. FOLLOW QUESTION TIME LIVE
Queensland has been snubbed by the Morrison Government with its big-spending pre-election budget favouring other states, Treasure Cameron Dick said.
Mr Dick, responding to his Commonwealth counterpart Josh Frydenberg's fourth budget, declared the Coalition's focus was firmly on re-election.
“This is a budget for the next six weeks, not the next four years,” Mr Dick said.“Instead of giving Queensland our fair share, Scott Morrison has clearly decided that he needs votes more in other states than in Queensland.
“He’s spending big in those states, and in doing so showing his scorn for Queenslanders."
Mr Dick said the federal government had cut $21m in health funding since last year with budget papers revealing Queensland's share would fall from $6.25bn last financial year to $6.22bn.
However, the shortfall is due to a significant cut in funding for the state's Covid-19 public health response, which falls from $526m to $105m.
Commonwealth investment in Queensland hospital services has increased from $5.62bn to $6.02bn.
Queensland Parliament will today resume debate about extending the chief health officer's powers until October 31.
Question time will begin about 10.15am.
Opposition frontbencher Dale Last has asked Disability Minister Craig Crawford whether claims from former state government media advisor Neil Doorley – who said he was asked to background against a rural firefighter boss – were correct and if so who asked him.
Mr Crawford said he was not correct.
– Domanii Cameron
Opposition MP Lachlan Millar has asked Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni whether he inhibited the former state archivist's investigation into the use of private emails by other ministers.
Mr de Brenni said the matters had already been investigated by independent QC John McKenna and a report "has been publicly available".
– Hayden Johnson
Manager of Opposition Business Andrew Powell has asked the Attorney-General whether any of her staff had requested advice to remove CCC chair Alan MacSporran.
The Attorney-General said she was "not aware" of any request.
"I'm happy to ask my staff and get back to the member," she said.
– Hayden Johnson
Hill MP Shane Knuth has asked Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon why neighbouring landowners were given “little to no notice” given before Parks and Wildlife Services shot branded and unbranded cattle in Cape York.
The Minister said she would look into the matter.
– Domanii Cameron
Greens Leader Michael Berkman has asked Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman whether the government will hold public hearings into allegations facing Star Entertainment Group, and if it remains suitable to hold a casino licence.
Regulatory inquiries have revealed allegations of money laundering and bribery within Star – with its CEO Matt Bekier resigning in the wake.
Ms Fentiman said AUSTRAC and Queensland Police Service was continuing its own investigations into the operation of Queensland casinos.
"I do take the allegations of money laundering very seriously," Ms Fentiman said.
"The government will carefully consider the allegations."
– Hayden Johnson
Opposition frontbencher Tim Nicholls has asked the Attorney-General whether she or any of her staff sought advice from the Crown Solicitor about removing Alan MacSporran as chair of the Crime and Corruption Commission.
"No, I requested no such advice," Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said.
Mr MacSporran resigned in January after a damning Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Commission inquiry revealed significant failings inside the watchdog.
– Hayden Johnson
Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie has asked Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman when she signed off on legal assistance being provided to former deputy premier Jackie Trad.
He also asked how much it was costing.
Ms Fentiman said the indemnity guidelines made it clear it was the Crown Solicitor who made advice to the Attorney-General of the day on such matters.
The Attorney-General did not answer Mr Bleijie's question.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has previously suggested she was unable to currently reveal the cost due to the legal indemnity guidelines.
– Jack McKay
Opposition backbencher Michael Hart has asked Housing Minister Leeanne Enoch whether she inhibited the Public Works Minister from allowing the state archivist to investigate private email use by other ministers.
The question was ruled out of order.
– Domanii Cameron
Opposition frontbencher Fiona Simpson noted the claims of former State Archivist Mike Summerell who said he was not allowed to investigate the use of private emails by other Palaszczuk Government ministers following Mark Bailey's conduct.
Ms Simpson asked Mick de Brenni, who was responsible for the state archivist at the time, if his claims are correct and if so "who stopped the investigation?"
The question was diverted to Leeanne Enoch, who now has responsibility for the role of state archivist.
Ms Enoch said she was unaware of the particulars of the incident. "I can talk to the times when I've been responsible for the Director-General who was responsible for the state archivist," she said.
Ms Enoch said the Crime and Corruption Commission's investigation into Mr Bailey's use of private emails "had terms of reference which were very clear".
– Hayden Johnson
LNP frontbencher Tim Mander has asked Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni to explain what he claimed was a conflict of interest at a QBCC board meeting.
Mr de Brenni said the QBCC had very robust practices in place to manage conflicts of interest.
He said he had been assured by the chair of the board that all conflicts had been properly dealt with, including the matter raised by Mr Mander.
– Jack McKay
Record high pre-polling will make the state election harder to call on the night, with experts urging caution over the final numbers.
That David Crisafulli has lost most of his lead as preferred premier reminds us that campaigns still matter, writes Paul Williams.