Despite the Chief Minister’s spin during the budget last week, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows the ACT was the only jurisdiction in the country that did not record a single surplus in the seven years before the COVID pandemic.

From the 2012-13 financial year through to 2018-19, the ACT recorded an average net operating balance of -5.1 per cent, well behind all other states and territories.

Canberra Liberals Leader and Shadow Treasurer Elizabeth Lee said during the same period New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland all recorded a surplus in every year except one.

“While the Chief Minister and his government like to blame COVID for their problems, the fact of the matter remains he has not once delivered a surplus in 11 years as Treasurer,” Ms Lee said.

“The ACT went into COVID as the worst performing state or territory with all other jurisdictions in the country much better placed to deal with the economic fallout of the pandemic.

“For too long, the Chief Minister has not been upfront with the community about the true state of the Territory’s finances, and this data once again highlights how poorly the ACT has measured up to other states and territories.

“With net debt forecast to be at $6.5 billion this financial year rising to just under $10 billion by 2024-25, Canberrans have every right to ask the Chief Minister where all that money has gone.

“Our health system is in crisis, our education system is failing, we have the lowest number of police per capita, we have fewer public housing dwellings than ten years ago, and our basic city services are not befitting of the nation’s capital.

“It was astounding last week to hear the Chief Minister clearly state that his government is meeting demand. With so many areas failing across the territory, it is clear he is either not being upfront with Canberrans or is deluded,” Ms Lee concluded.