CanDo's Cost Cuts

The following press release from the PremierThe Honourable Campbell Newman was sent out yesterday.


First Newman Government Cabinet Meeting focusses on cost of living savings

The focus of today’s first Newman Government Cabinet Meeting was action to deliver the LNP’s Lower Cost of Living for Families Package for Queenslanders.

Premier Campbell Newman said cost of living in Queensland had skyrocketed under Labor and the LNP Government’s focus was to act immediately to start addressing cost of living issues.

Premier Campbell Newman said at today’s meeting, Cabinet had resolved to move forward with regulation to freeze private motor vehicle registration for three years from 1 July 2012.

“Cabinet also formally approved the reinstatement of the principal place of residence stamp duty concession from 1 July 2012, which will save Queenslanders up to $7,000 when they purchase an average family home,” Mr Newman said.

Mr Newman said Cabinet approved plans to halve the previous Labor Government’s scheduled fare increases in 2013 and 2014 to 7.5 per cent, and to implement a new weekly nine journey cap on the go card, so the 10th journey and any additional journey a commuter takes each week will be free commencing 1 July.

“By making these changes, we are delivering real public transport and cost of living savings for Queenslanders,” Mr Newman said.

“Cabinet also resolved to remove Labor’s flawed waste levy, which was a huge slug on businesses, families and councils - and we will be looking at alternative funding streams to deliver an industry driven waste strategy as part of the budget process.”

Mr Newman said Cabinet also looked at some options to address the issue of high electricity costs for Queenslanders.

“As a first action, the LNP government will legislate to ensure carbon tax costs can be displayed on Queenslanders’ electricity bills by 1 July to coincide with the introduction of the Carbon Tax,” Mr Newman said.

“That means people will get to see the real cost of the Carbon Tax on their electricity bills.”
Following Cabinet consideration today, the Queensland Water Commission and Treasury will also deliver an accelerated review of bulk water prices, with options for a new price path to be brought back to Cabinet by 31 May 2012.

The Newman Government committed to a Lower Cost of Living for Families Package prior to the election, which included:
· Freezing or lowering the standard domestic electricity tariff and showing the cost of the Commonwealth’s carbon tax on electricity bills;
· Reducing the cost of water for families in South East Queensland;
· Freezing family car registration fees for the next three years;
· Halving the two scheduled increases in public transport fares and making the 10th and any additional journey each week on the go card free;
· Abolishing the waste levy from 1 July 2012;
· Re-introducing transfer duty concessions for the principal place of residence.

10 April 2012 Media Contact: Kylie Jacobson 0419 850 223