Qld: Policy costings charter a "stunt": Springborg

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2008
Qld: Policy costings charter a "stunt": Springborg

By Gabrielle Dunlevy

BRISBANE, Dec 4 AAP - The Queensland opposition is opposing a charter to make the cost
of election promises transparent despite a previous call for similar laws.

The proposed charter of budget honesty laws would give taxpayers a better idea of the
spending, Premier Anna Bligh told parliament on Thursday.

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg argued it was the government's way of interfering
in opposition business.

He condemned the laws, which would allow both the government and opposition to get
a treasury costing on their policies, as a "stunt".

Ms Bligh acknowledged the opposition had introduced a similar bill in 2003 - but then
took a swipe at their policy costings so far.

"The figure keeps climbing, but earlier this month they had already clocked up $64.5
billion ... across the forward estimates, that would cost each and every Queenslander
an extra $15,000 in tax," she said.

"This week they added another $1 billion to the tally ... they've promised everything
from boot camps to the undergrounding of power lines.

"If they believe in transparency and honesty, if they have nothing to hide ... I expect
the support of the opposition in the passage of this bill."

Mr Springborg said the government could not be trusted to cost its own policies, naming
a series of blowouts.

His 2003 private member's bill had called for the state's balance sheet to be disclosed
to the opposition during an election campaign.

The new charter would see the treasury go where it was not wanted.

"This is about political interference in the opposition's business, quite frankly,"

Mr Springborg told reporters.

The opposition would have its policies costed by an independent accountant, he said.

The legislation will be introduced to parliament when it resumes on February 7, and
would likely be passed in March.

Ms Bligh said she wanted to campaign with the charter in place, suggesting the election
that is due in September could be called after March.

The practice of independently costing policies is already done at federal level and
in all other states and territories except South Australia and the Northern Territory.

AAP gd/ahe/jfm/de

KEYWORD: CHARTER WRAP

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