A LIBERAL government would create a Department of State Growth, cut 650 public sector jobs and make more money available for more elective surgery and tourism marketing, Opposition leader Will Hodgman vowed today.
Delivering his budget-in-reply in State Parliament, Mr Hodgman said his party would cut nearly $500 million in waste and non-essential spending and boost growth by amalgamating the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources and the Department of Economic Development.
He also announced plans for a super bureaucrat, to be known as the Co-ordinator General, to aggressively chase investment and jobs growth in the state.
They would also slash spending on senior public servants, consultants, ministerial cars and government boards and committees, Mr Hodgman said.
Unveiling what he described as his "Road map to Recovery and Growth", Mr Hodgman said the priorities of a Liberal government would be basic services, cutting waste, building essential infrastructure and boosting economic growth.
If elected, the Liberals would abolish the government's motor vehicle registration increases, restore TAFE and extend high schools to Year 12, Mr Hodgman said.
Fines would go up 10 per cent and criminals would have to pay an increased levy upon conviction.
Liberal Treasury spokesman Peter Gutwein projected a deficit of $268 million in the 2012-13 financial year, returning to surplus in 2014-15.
He said that even under the Liberal's plan, the state would slide into net debt, although it would not be as deep as under the Labor-Green Government.
