Queensland’s Treasurer says the state is officially in an economic recession, laying the blame clearly at the Opposition’s feet.

But he’s come under fire from the LNP and the business community.

Saffi Kerezsy reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Breaking the news to Parliament this morning, the Treasurer said the state hadn’t experienced any economic growth over the last two quarters.

He said Queensland had only experienced two previous recessions in 1991 and 2009.

Curtis Pitt, Queensland Treasurer: “Mr Speaker, it troubles me to advise the house that we are in the third occasion in Queensland.

Despite this, he said he was positive about the upcoming state budget.

Curtis Pitt, Queensland Treasurer: “We won’t let this data define Queensland because there is cause for optimism.”

But the business community has hit back, saying it doesn’t trust the Treasurer’s claims.

Nick Behrens, Chamber of Commerce and Industry: “The Treasurer’s emphasised that he wishes to be positive in relation to the Queensland economy, yet in our view is talking the economy down through saying we are in recession, when it remains to be seen whether or not that is the case.”

He says the Treasurer should wait to see the official numbers.

Nick Behrens, Chamber of Commerce and Industry: “The chamber’s view is that the Australian Bureau of Statistics is the official umpire of whether or not the Queensland economy is in recession. Our view is that Queensland treasury numbers typically are used for political purposes.”

And embattled independent Billy Gordon broke his silence, delivering his maiden speech.

He paid tribute to his Indigenous heritage and addressed his critics, saying they’d painted him as a person that he’s not.

Saffi Kerezsy QUT News.