John Quiggin predicts Queensland public service would need to lose similar amount to 14,000 jobs Campbell Newman cut to cover promisesA reprise of the unheralded mass cuts to the Queensland public service of the Campbell Newman era is the only way the Liberal National party can pay for its 2017 election promises, according to a prominent economist. “The promises made by the LNP can be delivered only through large, unannounced cuts in general government expenditure,” Quiggin said in a blog post on Tuesday. The LNP shadow treasurer and campaign spokesman, Scott Emerson, responded on Wednesday by pointing to the party’s “public service of excellence” policy and “a commitment of no forced redundancies”. Nicholls, who as treasurer under Newman oversaw the public service cuts and an ill-fated pitch to privatise state energy and port assets, maintained neither policies are on the card this time. Quiggin said the LNP plan would lower revenue by lifting the payroll tax threshold, freezing car registration fees, and lowering dividends from state-owned power assets.

Source: The Guardian November 08, 2017 05:48 UTC