The Government is also pushing ahead with an early budget – breaking a recent tradition of delaying the economic statement until September in an election year.
Instead, new Treasurer Stephen Mullighan will hand down this year’s statement on Thursday June 2, with estimates hearings to be held later the same month.
Labor Premier Peter Malinauskas was elected party leader just over three weeks after Labor’s 2018 election loss – but approaching three weeks since last month’s poll, only one member of the Liberal party-room, rebel backbencher Nick McBride, has thus far even confirmed their candidacy for the forthcoming ballot.
Marshall is expected to confirm the date for the ballot later today – with the pressure on to bring it forward to as early as next week.
Leader of Government Business Tom Koutsantonis told the Opposition was “taking extended leave and deciding the state doesn’t need an Opposition any more – but that’s not our problem”.
“It’s been almost three weeks and there’s still no leader, still no deputy leader, still no shadow ministry,” he said.
“We’re pressing ahead – my message to the Opposition is: the holiday’s over, get back to work.”
Tom Koutsantonis. Photo: Tony Lewis / InDaily
Mullighan said in a statement the Government was “very keen to get on with our agenda and delaying the budget into the next financial year risks departments being left in a state of paralysis”.
“We did the work in Opposition, we releasxjmtzywed detailed costings for our policies, which were independently verified – so we are in a position to hand down our budget in June,” he said.
