Analysis: LNP’s longwaited, ‘fully costed’ campaign promises arrive, but without the actual costs

The LNP’s would-be treasurer David Janetzki has finally fronted the campaign cameras for his big moment, but the release of the costings were terribly light on detail, writes Hayden Johnson.

The LNP’s shadow treasurer David Janetzki has finally fronted the campaign cameras to release the LNP’s costings. Picture: Liam Kidston

Emerging from his campaign burrow, shadow treasurer David Janetzki is pinning the LNP’s economic management on a weekly rendition of Kumbaya.

Mr Janetzki – the nicest guy in Queensland politics – finally fronted the campaign cameras on Thursday afternoon for his big moment – the release of the LNP’s costings.

Dripping with motherhood statements about “empowering” and “growing” the public service, Mr Janetzki’s costings are focused on not upsetting anyone.

He promised economic maturity, stability and measure under the LNP, but the shadow treasurer’s noble themes were quickly pulled apart by an enthusiastic press gallery waiting weeks for the numbers.

In a nutshell, the LNP will save $6.8bn by “flattening” the growing spend on consultancies, but Mr Janetzki hasn’t bothered to say how much some critical election promises will cost.

Not a single dollar in spending for its so-called credible energy plan, nor extension of Sunshine Coast rail to Maroochydore before 2032, were included.

In a theme of bipartisanship, Mr Janetzki’s key policy was the establishment of a Queensland Government Consulting Group – modelled on one done by federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers.

It’s designed to reduce the growing reliance on costly consultancy reports and will be implemented straight after the LNP asks a consultancy for help with its 100-day Olympic Games infrastructure review.

After almost four weeks of declaring promises were “fully costed, fully funded” – these LNP costings were terribly light on detail.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli and David Janetzki on the campaign trail. Picture: John Gass

Mr Janetzki crows about saving $1bn by axing Labor’s Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro facility, but can’t say how much the LNP’s smaller versions would cost.

There’s no money for that big new dam Opposition Leader David Crisafulli promised either, because it won’t start until after the next election.

The costings did prove, as predicted, Labor’s claim the LNP plans to cut 17,000 public servants is rubbish – though it’s unlikely to stop a desperate party from howling about it.

Mr Janetzki’s Kumbaya approach to economic management – offending nobody – isn’t enough to manage this $98bn economy.

If elected on Saturday, Treasurer Janetzki will be forced to bang heads and upset people.

He summed up Thursday’s costings announcement well when, speaking about the plan for the LNP’s smaller hydro projects, said “there is no certainty over any of it”.

Couldn’t have said it better.