Chief Minister Michael Gunner urged to give budget answers at next Public Accounts Committee meeting

THE Country Liberal Party’s Treasury spokeswoman Tracey Hayes says Chief Minister Michael Gunner must give Territorians answers to budget-related questions at tomorrow’s Public Accounts Committee meeting in Parliament House.

The Country Liberal Party’s Treasury spokeswoman Tracey Hayes says Chief Minister Michael Gunner must give Territorians answers to budget-related questions at tomorrow’s Public Accounts Committee meeting in Parliament House. Picture: Che Chorley

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THE Country Liberal Party’s Treasury spokeswoman Tracey Hayes says Chief Minister Michael Gunner must give Territorians answers to budget-related questions at tomorrow’s Public Accounts Committee meeting in Parliament House.

Ms Hayes, who is running against Mr Gunner in the seat of Fannie Bay at the coming Territory election, said the Chief Minister had declined to answer any budget-related questions at the last PAC meeting and, if the same occurred this time around, the whole process would be shown to be a complete farce.

CLP Treasury spokeswoman Tracey Hayes. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“The Chief Minister and Treasurer should be able to answer questions about the state of the Territory’s finances,” Ms Hayes said.

“There are a range of specific questions the CLP Opposition requested ahead of last month’s special PAC hearing relating to the forecasted debt and deficit position of the Territory, and the Chief Minister didn’t answer them.

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“Well he’s now had another month and now is the time to step up, and again we are calling on him to provide answers to Territorians on the shape of the Territory’s finances.”