Thousands protest as Newman's measures upset mining firms, federal Govt and unions
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has laid down a series of gauntlets that have opened confrontations with the federal Government, miners, unions, health workers and teachers.
Thousands yesterday protested at the axing of 14,000 public servants and cuts to services announced in Newman's first Budget on Tuesday.
In Canberra, the federal Opposition was also feeling the impact, with increased Queensland mining royalties undermining its attack on Prime Minister Julia Gillard's mining tax and adding to discomfort from education cuts in New South Wales.
Federal Labor has already turned Queensland's slash-and-burn budget against Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, warning that Newman's cuts were just a forerunner of what to expect from a Coalition Government. "This is what Liberals do," Treasurer Wayne Swan told Parliament. "They take the axe to health and education."