Labor to condemn Crisafulli Government for credit downgrade, calls for Olympic costs

The Labor Opposition will today condemn the Crisafulli LNP Government for overseeing a credit rating downgrade fuelled by uncertainty around Olympic infrastructure.

In a motion to Parliament condemning the LNP, Labor will also move to force the Crisafulli Government to reveal all costs associated with Olympic infrastructure, which have been kept secret from Queenslanders.

S&P Global last week downgraded Queensland’s credit rating for the first time since 2009, pointing to the huge uncertainty surrounding the cost of Games venues and associated infrastructure.

The unwanted downgrade comes almost two years after David Jantezki said “I don’t want to be a Treasurer that has a rating downgrade on my watch. It’s that simple”.

The Crisafulli LNP Government’s wrong priorities and wrong decisions have led to this downgrade.

While the LNP gave Adani a $500 million tax holiday, spent almost $50 million on advertising themselves and are building an aquatic centre no one recommended, they’ve delayed hospital builds and slashed homelessness and domestic and family violence funding.

The Opposition has repeatedly called for the Crisafulli LNP Government to be open and transparent about the costs of games venues and associated infrastructure.

Quotes attributable to Queensland Labor Leader Steven Miles:

 “The credit downgrade means one thing - Queenslanders will pay more, and get less.

"Premier David Crisafulli promised to be open, transparent and accountable because that’s what Queenslanders deserve, but sadly haven’t seen.

“Queenslanders deserve to know how much of their money is being spent on Games infrastructure, because right now, they’re in the dark.

“S&P Global are concerned about future blowouts that could lead to another downgrade in years to come.

“The Crisafulli Government should be condemned for their decision making that has led to the first credit downgrade in 17 years.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Deputy Leader Cameron Dick:

"Queenslanders deserve to know how much the Olympic and Paralympic Games are really going to cost because they are the ones who will pay if the projects blowout. 

"David Crisafulli and his Treasurer's poor fiscal management has already resulted in a credit rating downgrade and an Olympic size blowout could result in another. 

"Queenslanders deserve clarity and certainty about the cost of Games venues and associated infrastructure. 

"That's why it's essential Queenslanders are given exact figures on how much each Game venue will cost, the exact cost of all associated Games infrastructure, and when and by how much those estimates might change in the future."