"To the end of December, expenses exceeded revenues by $736 million. That is, the ACT Government exceeded the full year deficit forecast of $681 million in a mere six months." JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED reveal what the treasurer won't.
Jon Stanhope
Jon Stanhope was Chief Minister from 2001 to 2011 and represented Ginninderra for the Labor Party from 1998. He is the only Chief Minister to have governed with a majority in the Assembly.
"It's clear the conclusions of the expert are at odds with the government's. It's also…
"It is an open question whether the Assembly will be able to force the government to return to the fundamentals of public financial management." JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED return to excesses of the fiscally failing ACT Government.
"Should Canberrans celebrate the highest growth in the economy or worry more about the highest rates of taxation and an increase in debt of almost $4000 for every man, woman and child," ask JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED.
"The recordings reveal disturbing and deeply concerning aspects of the Housing ACT appeal process – it appears the panel resolved, prior to the hearing, that the decision to evict Yvette Van Loo should stand," writes JON STANHOPE.
Previous administrations have balanced budgets, provided above average service delivery, kept taxation at or below average rates, built infrastructure – all without accruing debt. What's changed? JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED know the answer…
JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED offer the government a 'silver bullet' to budget success: end the dysfunction by complying with the financial management laws and copping the consequences.
"Canberrans are being asked again to believe that in two years’ time there will be a surplus. And, yes, pigs may fly." JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED despair at the government's farfetched, hollow promises.
"Interest increases by $179 million and is forecast to rise beyond a billion dollars in 2028-29, growing at an astounding rate of 20.4 per cent a year." JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED return to Treasurer Steel's furtive Budget Review.
"The unbroken string of planned and actual deficits puts Mr Barr in a unique position – that is, the worst financial manager in Australia." JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED invoke the wisdom of the Micawber Principle.
The truth? The budget has in fact gone backwards from the forecasts issued by Treasurer Chris Steel around six months ago. JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED say the $632m budget turnaround claim is a joke.
"On average, net debt rose by more than $5 million a day, every day, including weekends and public holidays, and Easter and Christmas!" If you read only one of JON STANHOPE & KHALID AHMED's columns this year – this one will shock you!
