Deficit Pledge Broken
What they promised
“I’m not going to lead a government that goes into deficit, I can tell you that right now.”
- Colin Barnett, 28 April 2009What they say now
“After successive healthy surpluses, these sharp declines will take us into deficit this year.”
- Colin Barnett, 17 February 201524 Jul 2015 - The Liberals have broken their promise to never preside over a budget deficit while Premier..
In early 2009, under pressure concerning projections on spending and a possible deficit, Colin Barnett promised to never lead a government that goes into deficit.
He repeated the claims in subsequent days stating “I’m saying I’m not going to be a Premier that is going to plan on budget deficits”, and “When we draft budgets we will not be drafting budgets with deficits.”
However in the 2014-15 Mid-Year Review it emerged that WA was on track for two deficits; one in the current year of 14-15 and another in 15-16.
In the WA Government 2015-2016 Budget the following deficits were confirmed:
2014-15: $1.28 billion deficit
2015-16: $2.7 billion deficit
2016- 17: $1.14 billion deficit
WA Government 2015-16 Budget Paper No. 3 p3
The Promise:
“I’m not going to lead a government that goes into deficit, I can tell you that right now.” Colin Barnett
Promise made:
28 April 2009
Promise broken:
22 December 2014
Citations:
“No Budget Deficit while I’m Premier”, The West Australian 28 April 2009
“Barnett claims WA will avoid deficit” Australian Financial Review 29 April 2009
WA Government 2015-16 Budget Paper No. 3 p3
“Royalties leave deficit certain”, The West Australian 17 December 2014
“Barnett $1.3b in the red”, Sunday Times 21 December 2014
“Assets firesale amid deficit blowout”, The Australian 15 May 2015
“The Heat is On”, The West Australian 15 May 2015