Springborg rips $30 million out of the engine of Government

A $30 million cut to the State Government ICT budget would have a disastrous effect, Information and Communication Technology Minister Robert Schwarten said today.

In calling on his shadow spokesperson Ray Stevens to come clean about where cuts would be made, Mr Schwarten said taking $30 million out of the ICT spend would mean some programs had to be slashed.

“Mr Springborg nominated ICT as the area he wanted to cut most and as such shows his ignorance about the necessity of ICT to our government.

“At the moment the Queensland Government is implementing the biggest consolidation of ICT services ever and a cut to the ICT spend now will compromise this and in the long run cost Queenslander dearly,” he said.

Mr Schwarten said no government department could function without significant ICT systems.

“Any cut to the ICT spend is a cut to services – it means for example child protection systems, Department of Housing rent collection systems, bill paying, employee payment, police data – you name it, it will be compromised.”

“It’s not some sort of bolt-on luxury option, it is the bedrock of business for government.

“Combined with a cut of 12,000 public sector jobs the State will struggle to provide basic services to Queenslanders if these cuts proceed.

“I call on Ray Stevens to either have the courage to stand up to Springborg or tell us what he intends to cut.

“By taking $30 million out of ICT to pay for his unfunded, irresponsible promises Mr Springborg is taking a sledgehammer to the engine of government.

“It’s up to Mr Stevens to stand up for the ICT industry in Queensland and stop him,” Mr Schwarten said.

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