TRACEY HAYES
​MEDIA RELEASE
27/05/2020

Gunner Government must answer Territory finances questions at Public Accounts Committee this week

Second time around no excuses at the special Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearings. The Chief Minister and Treasurer should be able to answer questions about the state of the Territory’s finances, CLP Treasury spokesperson and candidate for Fannie Bay, Tracey Hayes said today.

“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. 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,” Ms Hayes said.

Over two months ago, the Chief Minister and the Treasurer promised to provide transparency to Territorians. However, to date neither Minister has provided any update whatsoever on what the Territory’s books will look like at the end of this financial year or any forecasts of our skyrocketing debt, Territory income, expenses and the deficit.

“The long-term financial crisis that has been developing for the past three-and-a-half years under Labor’s mismanagement is spiralling unmanaged. Just how bad things look is anyone’s guess at this point, with the Chief Minister continuing to hide behind the flimsy excuse that he cannot possibly update Territorians until after the election—even though other jurisdictions like Tasmania have delivered a gold star standard for accountability compared to the Territory’s bottom of the class,” Ms Hayes said.

“The PAC is the Government’s preferred scrutiny solution and an opportunity to do the right thing and provide Territorians with clarity on our financial position. Last time, the Chief Minister declined to answer any budget-related questions and, if the same occurs this time around, the whole process on Thursday will be shown to be a complete farce,” Ms Hayes concluded. 

Contact: Tracey Hayes 0419 845 024

THE COUNTRY LIBERAL PARTY