Tens of thousands of government workers had been sacked by an arrogant LNP, our economy was struggling and state funding for projects in Western Queensland had been stripped to help pay for Campbell Newman’s ego-tower in Brisbane.

Fast forward to January 2016 and the economic data shows that after just one year of a Labor Government, Queensland is now better positioned for success.

We’ve worked hard to right the wrongs of the LNP years and restore business and consumer confidence in our state.

In fact, Queensland is now forecast to have the highest growth rate of any Australian state in 2015-16 at 4% leaving NSW behind on 3%.

Despite being a minority Government Labor has had 12 months of achievements because we know the importance of a steady economic hand, public consultation and sensible policy.

What the LNP forgot when they called a snap election this time last year is that no political party is mightier than our democracy – January’s poll results reminded all politicians of that.

Combating high unemployment in the Outback is a challenge Labor won’t shy away from and one of the Palaszczuk Government’s most significant achievements is to have created an extra 50,800 new jobs in Queensland since the election, with the state’s unemployment rate now at a near two-year low.

This has been achieved despite some challenging global economic conditions, which highlights the underlying strength and diversity of Queensland’s economy. 

My focus will remain squarely on getting this positive economic story to translate into jobs and opportunities for all of Queensland’s regions, like Western Queensland.

To keep local tradies on the job over the Christmas holidays you will have seen works underway on schools right around the region including Cloncurry, Mount Isa Special School, Normanton, Winton, Doomadgee, Happy Valley and Mornington Island as part of our $178 million school works program for 2015-16.

This was absolutely necessary after the LNP wilfully ignored critical maintenance needs. 

In 2016 we will be working to continue developing and diversifying our economy by supporting new industries and innovative investment in the jobs of tomorrow.

My first Budget allocated more than $832 million for infrastructure improvements for the Outback as part of a statewide capital works spend of more than $10 billion in 2015-16 which is estimated to support around 27,500 direct jobs.

Critically, the July Budget was designed to deliver the biggest surplus in more than a decade, with the first reduction in general government sector debt in nearly 16 years.

And our economic plan is working.

Last month I delivered the Mid-Year Fiscal and Economic Review which showed our Budget measures will save Queensland taxpayers around $1.45 billion in interest repayment savings over the next four years – compared to the LNP’s last Budget which forecast debt to balloon to more than $80 billion this financial year.

Under the Palaszczuk Government total state debt is not even forecast to reach this level by mid-2019, in fact in 2015-216 it will be $235 million lower this year than what we forecast just six months ago.

State Treasurer Curtis Pitt