Newman plucks asset cost out of air: Labor
Premier Campbell Newman has been accused of making up how much his government will raise through its controversial decision to lease public assets.
Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk promised an extra $40 million in tourism funding while in Airlie Beach on Thursday, adding to her list of modest promises in the Queensland election campaign.
But she also used the announcement to attack Mr Newman over his assets leasing program, which the government will use to pay for its much more expensive election promises.
Mr Newman has said the government could expect a lot more than the $37 billion initially projected, with some reports saying the increase could be as much as $10 billion.
"One minute the LNP is selling $33 billion, the next minute they're selling $37 billion worth of assets. Now it's $47 billion," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"He is plucking figures out of the sky.
"This is a desperate attempt when he ... said during the first week of the campaign that he may not be able to get value for money."
Ms Palaszczuk announced that $40 million would be spent over four years to help increase tourism jobs, counter cuts of about $20 million to the industry and attract visitors from key markets such as China.
The Labor leader has also committed to give the tourism portfolio to a senior minister in her cabinet if elected.
Ms Palaszczuk will decide her deputy - a spot made vacant by retiring Mackay MP Tim Mulherin - after the election.
She also backed the return of arguably Queensland's most famous tourism slogan: "Beautiful one day, perfect the next".
Queenslanders go to the polls on January 31.
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