“THE only thing that is on the rise in the ACT is our debt, which will be $17.4 billion by 2026-27 and our rates which are also due to increase,” says Acting Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson.

“Interest payments alone to service the debt will be $614 million a year by 2026-27 and it is disingenuous for the Chief Minister to imply the budget is returning to surplus, something he has failed to do in 12 years as treasurer.”

While the ACT Labor-Greens government was spruiking investment in areas such as health, education, housing and police, Hanson pointed to the money that has been systematically cut by the government over the last decade.

“This same government has ripped hundreds of millions out of health, education, housing, policing and city services and put it directly to the tram,” he said.

“If the intent is to spend billions upon billions on a tram, it is impossible for this government to fix what they have broken, and this budget is further proof of that.

“Canberrans should be very concerned about the decline we are seeing in the ACT and the only increase they will see is in their rates bill along with fees and charges.”

Hanson said the budget was yet another in a long line by the Chief Minister full of “deception and spin” from a government that had continually over promised and under delivered.

“Despite countless budget announcements and promises from this government over the last decade, outcomes across health, education, justice, city services, housing and cost of living continue to decline,” he said.

“This budget contains the same tired promises Canberrans have been hearing for over a decade and it is at the point where it is difficult to believe what they say.

“The ACT continues to have a broken health system including the longest emergency department wait times in the country; schools are run down and bursting at the seams along with a teacher shortage crisis; housing affordability is among the worst in the country with record homelessness; we have less busses on the road than we had in the 1990’s and our suburbs have never looked worse.

“The Canberra Liberals are also hearing from a lot of people who are concerned about cost-of-living pressures and whilst this government is slightly increasing some concessions, which is welcomed, the Chief Minister continues to triple our rates and leave behind a large number of aspirational Canberrans who are feeling the pinch.”