Queensland LNP leader David Crisafulli commits to adopting Labor budget before it is released

David Crisafulli has committed to honouring all social programs and infrastructure projects laid out in Labor’s budget next week.

Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli. Picture: Liam Kidston

Queensland’s Liberal National Party leader David Crisafulli has committed to adopting Labor’s budget without knowing what is in it for the entire first term of his government if elected in October.

In an extraordinary move to stave off Labor attack advertisements about spending cuts, Mr Crisafulli said he would honour commitments made over the forward estimates in next week’s state budget, including all infrastructure projects and funding to social services.

The state Opposition Leader has been running a small-target strategy in the lead-up to the October state election with the LNP in the box seat to win government after nine years of Labor rule.

But Mr Crisafulli’s pledge on Tuesday, to continue funding Labor projects and programs over the four-year forward estimates, is a step further in an attempt to separate himself from former LNP premier Campbell Newman who oversaw mass cuts to the public service between 2012 and 2015.

“I know the government’s trying to run a scare campaign saying otherwise, but if things are in the budget, they’ve got to be honoured for the stability of the public service and for Queenslanders to have a sense of trust,” Mr Crisafulli said. “So let’s be really clear about that.”

Asked to clarify if an LNP government would not touch funding for capital projects and social services, Mr Crisafulli said: “Yup. And that is how it should be and that’s the way that you give stability”.

Labor ran a scare campaign throughout the 2020 state election campaign, claiming the LNP would cut thousands of public ­servant jobs if re-elected and has begun ramping up similar rhetoric ahead of next week’s state budget. Treasurer Cameron Dick, who has been leading attacks on Mr Crisafulli claiming he was “laying the groundwork” to make deep spending cuts if elected, said the LNP’s leader’s pledge to commit to Labor’s budget “simply doesn’t add up”.

“David Crisafulli needs to explain how he can deliver the same budget with extra promises, while lowering revenue and debt,” he said.

“Without cuts or asset sales, it is impossible.”

Mr Crisafulli has said debt and taxes would be reduced under an LNP government, but the opposition will not release its debt-­reduction strategy or tax plan until after the June budget. He has also ruled out asset sales.

“What will change is the culture of waste and blowouts,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“What will change is the culture in the public service, where they’re not being trained and feeling valued or supported it to do their job. And what will change is return of the productivity commission to make sure that we value taxpayers money.

“But when projects are in the budget, they’ll be honoured.”