STATE DEBT
Page: 9772
Mr BARRY O'FARRELL: My question is directed to the Premier. Given his pledge to deliver "honesty, transparency and accountability", how does he justify his refusal to explain the blow-out in State debt to $42 billion, or $6,000 for every man, woman and child in the State? When will he level with the community about the State's finances and tell us how much more debt Labor intends to dump on our children, or does he still not have the time or the inclination?
The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Bathurst will cease interjecting.
Mr NATHAN REES: This question has come from a gentleman who went to the last election with Coalition promises amounting to $7.2 billion. A few days later, he revised that figure to $9.8 billion. His independent auditor of those promises was unable to be found and was not returning phone calls. Finally, we had the photocopier breakdown when the Leader of the Opposition was asked to outline his fiscal plans and the promises he had made to the people of New South Wales. The Leader of the Opposition's record on this issue is atrocious. He has more front than Woolworths in asking that question. The Government has said that it will deliver—
The SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the Opposition will cease interjecting.
Mr NATHAN REES: We have said that we will deliver a robust response to the fiscal challenges that New South Wales faces. We will do that on 11 November, when Treasurer Roozendaal brings down a mini-budget. Further to the Leader of the Opposition's claim that I said I have neither the time nor the inclination, the rest of that quote was "at this time". The immediate priority for this Government is to get the State's finances in order and to deliver a mini-budget. Of course, in due course, we will outline the reasons the budget estimates were out. The immediate priority is to deliver a mini-budget that is robust and sets up this State for the financial challenges it faces.
The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Murray-Darling to order. I call the member for Terrigal to order.