While the costello audit remains as expected a politically bias report into how terrible the previous labor government treated the queensland economy. The actual state of affairs in comparison to other australian states remains questionable. Things that need to be taken into OVERALL account need to reflect the GFC, resources (PP & Mining) wide spread flooding, cyclones and most likely the wild fires the state has/will need to fund recovery.
After time, no matter which side of the political specturm, all government waste money and funny enough there is never any shortage of private businesses lining up to grab as much as they can.
The Newman government has slashed significant funding to capital works, regional services and programs, many of which are contracted by the private sector, the delayed fall out of this into the private sector will be 12-18month and is difficult to estimate.
The cuts that are most disturbing are to the limited emergency services (QFRS, Ambos, EMQ etc) in regional areas. In two weeks time after the redundencies take effect, when you are travelling in the regions and have an accident or require emergency help - Good Luck !!