Royal stop at church, zoo on Easter Sunday

THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are set for a big day five of their royal tour that includes attending an Easter Sunday church service and a visit to Sydney's Taronga Zoo.

The royal couple - and Prince George - are spending their final day in Sydney before they fly to Canberra for a well earned day off on their whirlwind 10-day tour of Australia.

While in Sydney the Cambridges have already visited the Opera House, the Blue Mountains, the Royal Easter Show, Bear Cottage children's hospice, and a surf life saving demonstration at Manly beach.

The pace doesn't slow on Sunday, with the royal couple due to attend an Easter Sunday morning church service at St Andrews cathedral.

As well as attending the service, the couple is expected to sign the First Fleet Bible - a historical King James Bible brought over on the First Fleet in 1788.

The bible has previously been signed by the Queen, Princess Diana, Prince Philip and Prince Charles.

From church, the royals are due to make the short trip to Taronga Zoo for a stop at its bilby enclosure - named after Prince George as part of the nation's gift following his birth.

Bilbies are marsupials and are the largest of the bandicoot family. The zoo says its bilbies act as a symbol of friendship between Australia and England.

The Cambridges are also scheduled to feed tree kangaroos, walk past giraffes, enjoy a bird show, and take in the Rhino conservation display at the zoo.

Taronga Zoo director, Cameron Kerr, said the royal visit was a "wonderful opportunity" to raise awareness about Australia's native animals.

"Bilbies were once found right throughout Australia, but are now threatened in the wild (and) Taronga is part of a national breeding program ... to provide an insurance population to safeguard this species into the future," Mr Kerr said.

"Taronga is incredibly proud to be part of Australia's gift to Prince George and we look forward to introducing their Royal Highnesses to our bilbies."

William has an interest in animal conservation and earlier this year joined forces with his father Prince Charles to film a video calling for the world to act now to save endangered animals.

This royal tour comes 30 years after Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, visited Australia and New Zealand for six weeks with William when he was Prince George's age.

The trip, which will be the Duchess's first official visit to Australia, follows Prince William's last official visit in March 2011 to Queensland and Victoria.

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Swag maker among guests at royal reception

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have arrived in Brisbane to another strong crowd reception. Source: AAP

A GRAZIER, a swag maker and an Olympian are among the 224 Queenslanders invited to meet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Barry Hughes, from the farmers' advocacy group Northhead, wants to tell Prince William about the plight of drought-stricken Queensland producers.

"I know he's well and truly aware of the issue otherwise I wouldn't have been invited," he told AAP.

"I know he'll give some kind words of compassion."

The last time William was in Queensland, it was to console victims of the 2011 floods that devastated parts of Brisbane and Ipswich.

Olympian Sally Pearson says she's met the Queen and it will be "an absolute honour" to meet the Duke and Duchess.

Pearson, who is dressed in a stylish knee-length orange dress, doesn't have anything in particular to say and says she'll only speak to them if they seek her out.

"I know the protocol," the gold medallist laughed, as guests waited for the royal couple to arrive at Brisbane's South Bank precinct.

"This is the future King and Queen, it's so exciting."

Jean Madden, who runs Street Swags, will give the Duchess a swag on behalf of her charity, and a dress designed by Sasha Drake "on behalf of all the women in Queensland".

"I've met the Duke before and spoken about my charity, hopefully he'll remember me and I'll have a few minutes with Duchess this time."

The royal entourage arrived at the reception venue at 2.13pm.

An estimated 9500 people were waiting for the couple to emerge, and they didn't disappoint.

The couple, despite running behind schedule, have rewarded the wellwishers who have been waiting to in 28 degree heat.

Outside the reception venue, the South Bank parklands are packed with royal watchers, some draped in the Australian flag, others carrying memorabilia from Prince William's 2011 wedding to Kate.

Among those hoping for a brush with royalty is 87-year-old great-grandmother Jennie Cushway, who has seen three generations of the royal family in Brisbane over the years and is hoping to glimpse a fourth on Saturday.

The Brisbane widow says she'd love to add William and Kate to her list.

"I really wanted to see them, I think they're great," she told AAP.

"I might give them a little bow. I only hope I can see them and get nice photos."

She saw the Queen in February 1954, a few months after her coronation, and glimpsed Prince Charles touring Griffith University as a bachelor in the late 1970s.

She said she'd also seen the late Queen Mother and Prince Andrew with his then wife the Duchess of York.

The royal couple will make a brief public walk after the reception, where Kate will pause to chat with the crowd and accept more bouquets of flowers.

One young bub in the crowd, 10-month-old Grace, grabbed the media scrum's attention with her pink "Marry me George" t-shirt, and grand feathered head wear.

She teamed the shirt with a flouncy pink skirt but looked a little unamused about being in the middle of an excited, swollen crowd.

Another veteran royal watcher, Helen Jackson, 70, arrived with her husband Gavin at 7am to secure a prime position near the convention centre entrance.

Mrs Jackson saw Prince William three years ago as he comforted Ipswich flood victims, which included her daughter.

"I have met the Duke before ... I just wish him all the best," she told AAP.

"I stood in the background because it was for the flood people that lost their houses and I stood back."

Even self-confessed republicans couldn't stay away.

One, Agnes Delos Santos, has spent seven hours waiting for the royal couple's public walk.

"This is history, their visit to Brisbane," the 42-year-old theatre nurse told AAP. "It's just good to be here and see them."

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Show stoppers for William and Kate

THE Duke of Cambridge picked up a tip for Halloween, the duchess shared one of Prince George's favourite meals, and they met a sheep with a special royal connection.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge got a taste of regional Australia on Friday in more ways than one when they visited Sydney's Royal Easter Show on Good Friday.

At the popular district exhibits display, the couple checked out the winning display, from the northern region, which might have been proud of its soft Alpaca wool.

But Kate commented on the fleece for other reasons.

"The princess said (the Duke) should put some on his head," said Lyn Cregan, 67, from Glen Innes.

"She pointed at him and said 'You need it more than me.' He laughed."

When Ms Cregan revealed she used hair lacquer on the pumpkins to give them extra shine, the Duke said he would try the trick next Halloween.

While admiring piles of root vegetables in the South East Queensland display, Kate told preserve maker Diana Lisle that George is particularly fond of sweet potatoes.

Hundreds watched the couple move through the hall, viewing exhibits from producers from across NSW. The displays are the largest of their kind in the world, with more than 10,000 fresh pieces of produce on display.

The couple tasted wild berry and macadamia nougat and chocolates, and scores of presents were pressed into their minders' arms, including half a dozen Easter eggs, baby clothes, fudge and tea.

A trolley was brought to cope with the flow as the crowds passed them books, Possum Magic and Peppa Pig toys, and bouquets.

The couple unveiled a plaque in the new Southee and Badgery Pavilion, home to the Show's arts and crafts, fashion and style and flower and garden displays.

Kate, a keen photographer, paid special attention to the pavilion's photography display.

She told Alison Renwick, former chair of the arts and crafts pavilion, that she enjoyed taking photos, and painting and drawing.

"She said she doesn't get much time for it anymore," Ms Renwick said.

But it was Cox Pavilion that seemed to hold special interest for William, who in March completed a University of Cambridge 10-week course in agricultural management.

There they met Fred the six-year-old ram, who had been taught to bow for the occasion, and watched shearers in action.

Wool from Fred's Merino fleece went into a suit that was presented to the Duke on the occasion of his wedding.

At the Wool for School exhibit, Kate met last year's winner, Sophie Aylward, from Kinross Wollaroi School in Orange, whose winning design was a blue woollen dress for the Duchess.

The couple were due to sign the Show's visitors book on leaving, but made time to receive posies on their way out.

They didn't, however, have time to pick up a Bertie Beetle showbag.

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Royals highlight of Easter Show

Big crowds have greeted Prince William and Kate at Sydney's Royal Easter Show. Source: AAP

THE Sydney Royal Easter Show could have been renamed the Cambridge Royal Easter Show on Good Friday.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made a two-hour visit to the show at the Sydney Olympic Park on a perfect warm autumn Sydney day.

The show, which was founded in 1822, attracts close to 900,000 visitors every year. And it seems many of them were there on Friday, greeting the royal couple with wild cheers and applause.

Kate wowed by wearing a white cotton lace dress by Australian designer sisters, Nicole and Simone Zimmermann.

However, like many eight-month-olds, Prince George was deemed too young to see the show - but it didn't mean he was forgotten.

While admiring piles of root vegetables in the South East Queensland display, Kate told preserve maker Diana Lisle that George was particularly fond of sweet potatoes.

And there were plenty of presents. A trolley was brought to cope with the flow as the crowds passed books, Possum Magic and Peppa Pig toys and bouquet after bouquet to the royal visitors.

The couple were greeted by the president of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, Glenn Dudley, and his wife, Jennifer, before being taken to look at a fresh food display in the main exhibition dome.

A female security guard collapsed just before the royals arrived and was loaded into an ambulance.

It might have been the bright sunshine. It might have been the royal effect. Australians have warmed to William and Kate on this trip.

"They're such a lovely couple. They're so much in love," Margaret Bryant from Cowra told AAP.

She and her pals Margaret Wright and Marie Whiteman - all in their 80s - arrived in Sydney at 3am (AEST) to see the royals.

The royals saw sheep shearing, vegetables, showbags, skateboarding and snakes.

They also unveiled a plaque in the new Southee and Badgery Pavilion, home to the Show's arts and crafts, fashion and style and flower and garden displays.

At the Wool for School exhibit, Catherine met last year's winner, Sophie Aylward, from Kinross Wolaroi School in Orange, whose winning design was a blue woollen dress for the Duchess.

The couple were due to sign the Show's visitors book upon leaving, but made time to receive posies from a trio of girls and finally a bunch of red and yellow roses from Jessica Badman, 30, and her one-year-old daughter Alivia, on their way out.

Ms Badman, from the Blue Mountains, said the Duchess asked her whether Alivia was walking yet and said her outfit was beautiful.

"I can't believe that just happened," said an overwhelmed Ms Badman. "It's just like talking to a girlfriend, she's absolutely lovely."

Then it was back on the Australian tour merry-go-round as the royals were whisked off to Manly for their second engagement of the day.

Just another day on the royals' wild ride around Australia.

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New car affordability at a 38 year high

NEW car sales should remain high in 2014 due to the strong Australian dollar and healthy competition between manufacturers.

New car sales dropped by 0.3 per cent in March, seasonally adjusted, with 92,168 cars sold across the country, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday.

Over the year to March, sales were down 2.8 per cent.

Despite the recent fall, new car sales remained healthy, driven by strong sales of sports utility vehicles which were up almost five per cent, CommSec economic Savanth Sebastian said.

"Via a combination of a strong Australian dollar, rising wages and price competition between car manufacturers, car affordability stands at the best levels in 38 years," Mr Sebastian said.

"With cheap car finance readily available and the job market still in decent shape, Aussie consumers haven't been reluctant to update their rides.

"Car sales should remain historically high over 2014."

But it will take stronger conditions in the job market to push the market even higher.

"While car affordability is the best since the mid 1970s, people need certainty on job prospects before committing to major purchases," he said.

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NZ shares rise as Genesis debuts

NEW Zealand stocks have risen after shares in the partially privatised Genesis Energy soared as much as 18 per cent in its debut listing on the NZX.

That buoyed other listed energy companies in the process.

The NZX 50 Index rose 12.799 points, or about 0.3 per cent, to 5103.348 on Friday.

Within the index, 22 stocks rose, 17 fell and 11 were unchanged. Turnover was $149.6 million, which excludes Genesis, which is not part of the index as yet.

At $1.81, Genesis closed 17 per cent higher than its listing price of $1.55.

Fellow state-controlled generator-retailer Meridian Energy rose 1.7 per cent to $1.175 while Mighty River Power advanced 1.1 per cent to $2.21.

Contact Energy, which was fully privatised in 1999, gained 1.5 per cent to $5.58 while Infratil-controlled TrustPower climbed 1.2 per cent to $6.53. Auckland lines company Vector increased 1.6 per cent to $2.49.

"The final mixed ownership IPO has ended with a real bang for investors," said James Smalley, director at Hamilton Hindin Greene.

"A number of institutions saw the writing was on the wall with regards to demand for Genesis stock versus the amount of stock that was on offer and realised if you were underweight in that sector and expecting to correct your weightings with the Genesis IPO that wasn't going to happen so we did see a bit of buying."

Tech stocks, hammered in recent days, showed some recovery. Diligent Board Member Services led the benchmark index higher, up 6.7 per cent to $4.75, Pacific Edge rose 1.7 per cent to $1.17 and Xero gained 3.4 per cent to $29.00.

Fletcher Building, New Zealand's largest listed company, fell 0.9 per cent to $9.62 and Telecom dropped 0.8 per cent to $2.63.

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Sydney sunshine and cheers for royals

THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have left behind dreary New Zealand for sunny Sydney, with Kate dressed to match.

Prince William, Kate and baby George emerged onto the tarmac at Sydney Airport on Wednesday afternoon to be greeted by sunshine, a bit of wind and the governor-general, prime minister, the NSW governor, and the waiting media.

Kate, who favoured jewelled-coloured coats in New Zealand, wore a short-sleeved, form-fitting, buttercup yellow dress by Serbian-born, London-based designer Roksanda Ilinic as she carried George down from the RAAF plane.

William opted for a classic navy suit.

Little George - in a spotless white romper suit, with smocking on the front - was again a star, seemingly trying to shake hands with the governor-general's wife.

The eight-month-old perked up a little after he was handed off to his father but took little interest in the gathered dignitaries.

Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and wife Lynne, NSW Governor Marie Bashir and her husband Sir Nicholas Shehadie, and Prime Minister Tony Abbott and wife Margie, welcomed the royal family to Australia.

But outgoing NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell, who had been slated to part of the welcome party until his shock resignation on Wednesday morning, was absent from the tarmac.

Twenty-two-year-old Joscelyn Sweeney from the NSW beach town of Vincentia had the honour of presenting the duchess with a posy of vibrant native flowers.

She told reporters she had been looking forward to the royal encounter "forever and ever", after her mother wrote to tell the duke and duchess they had become role models for the young woman, who has Down's syndrome.

But there were no nerves before Ms Sweeney's chat with the duchess, she said.

"She's so nice," she said.

"And I brought a book for Prince George to read."

But others missed out.

Mum Leanne brought a brood of children and a bunch of tulips but was forced to watch on from behind a heavy security contingent.

"We were going to throw them over the barbed wire but we didn't get there," she joked.

After the informal welcome, the royal couple headed straight for the Opera House for a civic reception. Thousands waited on the forecourt to cheer wildly as the couple arrived.

Both Kate and William waved to the crowd, but weren't able to meet and greet with the throng.

Monica, 54, said Kate looked "beautiful inside and out".

"I'm here to see Kate. I don't care much about William. I wanted to see if she looks as good in real life as she does in the magazines," the St Ives resident told AAP.

Before stepping inside, Kate and William took in some of the stunning sights of Sydney Harbour on a gorgeous, sunny autumn afternoon.

Inside, William made a short speech praising Australia.

They were then scheduled to be taken by police boat to Admiralty House where they will be hosted by Sir Peter.

The royals spent the past 10 days in New Zealand where, despite rainy, cold weather for all but two days, they charmed the New Zealanders.

In Australia, they'll visit the Blue Mountains, Taronga Zoo, Amberley RAAF base, Brisbane, Manly Beach, Uluru, Adelaide and Canberra.

They'll end their visit by attending Anzac Day services in Canberra on Friday week.

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State budget will hurt WA households

HOUSEHOLDS will be slugged by the West Australian budget because the state government "maxed out" spending on big projects and increased public sector wages, the new treasurer warns.

Mike Nahan, who replaced Troy Buswell as treasurer last month after the later allegedly hit several vehicles while driving home after a wedding, blamed the ailing budget position on falling revenue from sources such as payroll tax and iron ore mining.

Mr Nahan said that as revenue fell, spending on hospitals and a new stadium had racked up large debt.

He said capital investment was needed because of the state's strong population growth.

"We maxed out the spending because that's what the population wanted us to do," he told ABC Radio on Wednesday.

"The mistakes have been there but they haven't been pivotal."

Among the mistakes was the state government's "unrealistic deadline" for the Fiona Stanley Hospital and the botched Muja power station refurbishment, Mr Nahan said.

With the construction phase in WA having peaked, leading to softness in revenue flows, the state had to run "leaner and harder", he told Fairfax Radio.

Standard & Poor's downgraded WA's credit rating to AA+ in September last year, saying there was "limited political will" to implement Mr Buswell's "Fiscal Action Plan" to arrest mounting debt.

Mr Nahan warned it took eight years to get WA's AAA credit rating back after the Labor government lost it 1991 and the state was now dealing with a more volatile revenue stream.

He also blamed the state's weaker balance sheet on substantial public service wage increases for police, nurses and teachers.

Future pay rises would be at the inflation rate of 2.5 per cent, he said.

A freeze on public sector hiring and job advertisements will run until July 1, saving tens of millions of dollars, Mr Nahan said.

Exceptions would be made for some employees like police and specialist doctors, he said.

Mr Nahan said households would not be hit too harshly overall in the budget, but conceded a promise to keep electricity price increases in line with inflation would be broken.

In the lead-up to last year's state election, Premier Colin Barnett pledged to keep electricity price rises "at or around the rate of inflation".

But Mr Nahan said on Wednesday that the government would "struggle to meet inflation".

He said that one of the most "painful" things the government had to do was increase the price of electricity by 80 per cent over six years while the subsidy had blown out by 200 per cent.

He insisted the "household basket" of charges by the state were the lowest in the country.

He told reporters the "fundamental problem" of the electricity industry was the cost.

"We are going to strip the costs out of the system rather than just pile it onto consumers," he said.

The budget will be delivered on May 8.

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Qld public servants 'linked to crime gang'

AT least one Queensland government employee is allegedly part of a drug syndicate accused of smuggling $18 million worth of cannabis across the state in recent months.

Police allege the criminal network sourced cannabis from Victoria and distributed it to the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Townsville.

Detective Acting Superintendent Scott Knowles said at least 1.5 tonnes of cannabis had been transported in the last 12 months, with most of it flown to Brisbane's airport.

He said the alleged offenders made more than 40 trips to Queensland from Victoria, packing up to 25 kilograms of drugs into suitcases.

"Given the security of the airport, it's an interesting turn of events that they can bring this amount through," he said.

"They secreted it quite well to avoid drug detection dogs."

One or more Queensland government employees were involved but Supt Knowles declined to say which department they worked for.

"We did identify a link between this organisation and a person or persons in a government department," he said.

"We have certainly closed down the Queensland chapter of this syndicate."

The matter has been referred to Queensland's Crime and Misconduct Commission, which investigates criminal activity in the state's public service.

The 12-month police operation - known as Kilo Zurich - seized cannabis and amphetamines, valued at more than $1 million and $222,500 in cash, and included investigations in NSW and Victoria.

It's also alleged the syndicate had a $6 million portfolio of expensive real estate, heavy machinery, cars, boats and caravans, which have been confiscated.

A stash of stolen property came from a Guanaba home, on the Gold Coast hinterland, last month.

Twenty-one people from Queensland, NSW and Victoria have been arrested.

More than 40 charges have been laid, including trafficking dangerous drugs, supply of dangerous drugs, possession of dangerous drugs and drug utensils.

Police say more arrests are expected.

Extradition orders are being made for interstate offenders to face a Queensland court under the Newman government's anti-bikie law, known as the Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment legislation.

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Tech start-ups call for government support

ADVOCATES of Australia's tech start-up sector have called on governments to do more to support the fledging industry.

A report from industry group StartupAUS warns Australia significantly lags behind other developed economies in investment in the sector.

Australia invested just $4.50 per capita in venture capital for start-ups in 2013, compared to $120 in Israel, $85 in the US, $20 in South Korea and $15 in the UK.

"Over the last two decades many countries have recognised that high-growth, technology-based businesses are important drivers of economic growth and a growing number of governments have responded by launching programs to systematically invest in the creation and support of high-growth companies," the report says.

"Australia has not kept pace and has under-invested in catalysing and supporting its high-tech industries."

StartupAUS' report points to research commissioned by Google Australia which found the tech start-up sector could be worth more than $100 billion to the Australian economy, and make up four per cent of gross domestic product within 20 years.

StartupAUS is calling on governments to help create a suitable economic climate to foster growth in the sector, by increasing subsidies and reducing regulatory barriers.

It argues that while Australia has produced a string of highly successful tech start-up companies, including Freelancer and Atlassian in recent years, many entrepreneurs and businesses had to leave the country in search of success.

"We have witnessed a concerning trend for fast-growing Australian technology companies to leave Australia in search of talent, capital and more favourable regulatory environments."

The report also argues a stronger tech sector would help diversify the Australia economy, relieving some of its reliance on the mining sector.

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Super should be an income, not a lump sum

THE federal government needs to encourage retirees to use their superannuation as an income stream rather than a lump sum withdrawal, industry experts say.

the government runs the risk of being forced to further subsidise retirement income if it doesn't provide better options, the Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research has said in a submission to the government's financial system inquiry.

"The absence of options to access superannuation savings as gradual income forces the lump-sum culture on people who may not want it," CEPAR director Professor John Piggott said.

"We know people who retire early may not have as much money as they anticipated. When the lump-sum runs out, they revert to the pension system or try to re-enter the workforce."

There is growing speculation that changes to the pension system will be included in the upcoming federal budget, as part of measures to reduce spending.

CEPAR said there needs to be a focus on financial planning for retirees, with the population aged 65 and over expected to reach 7.2 million by 2050.

Superannuation would serve a greater purpose as an ongoing income stream, its inquiry submission said.

It is likely that drawing on a lump sum has become an attitude adopted by retirees as a result of tax benefit incentives, CEPAR said.

Changes to policies and regulations could help to develop "an income mentality", it said.

Mercer retirement business leader Guy Thorburn said the industry needed to help people understand the income-producing capability of their superannuation.

"We need to be helping and encouraging people to use their superannuation to generate an income through retirement," he said.

"We should make sure as an industry that we come up with products that make it attractive for people to maintain their benefits as an income rather than take it out as a lump sum."

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Kiwi holds gains ahead of Yellen speeches

THE New Zealand dollar has held its gains against the greenback amid speculation Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen may clarify the US central bank's view on starting interest rate hikes.

The kiwi traded at 86.81 US cents at 5pm in Wellington, little changed from the start of the day or the Friday close in New York. It was at 86.37 cents on Friday in Wellington.

The trade-weighted index was little changed from 8am at 80.45, up from 80.02 on Friday.

The New Zealand dollar surged to a three-year high after the release last week of minutes of the Fed's last policy meeting, which showed policy makers were concerned that projections for an interest rate rise were overstated and could be misconstrued by the market.

Dr Yellen is scheduled to present her opening remarks by video conference to the Financial Markets Conference in Georgia on Tuesday and deliver a speech on monetary policy and the economic recovery on Wednesday in New York.

"There's a good chance of some elaboration (on the minutes) and a bit of backtracking on that, some softening of stance," said Imre Speizer, senior market strategist at Westpac Banking Corp.

That "might just pull the US dollar back a teeny bit and keep the kiwi up at these levels".

The kiwi traded at 62.64 euro cents from 62.70 euro cents at 8am in Wellington and from 62.16 cents at 5pm on Friday.

It traded at 92.39 Australian cents from 92.43 cents at the start of the day and 92.09 cents on Friday.

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Qld to spend $6m on state budget campaign

A MULTIMILLION dollar advertising blitz and online survey was launched by the Newman government on Sunday to step up the public debate over plans to sell some assets.

The Newman government is spending $6 million on its "Strong Choices" campaign as it battles against unions over its proposal to offload up to $32 billion worth of assets.

The television, radio and print ads promotes a new interactive website "People's Budget", which will give Queenslanders the opportunity to give feedback on how to wipe up to $30 billion worth of debt.

Treasurer Tim Nicholls says it is an unprecedented level of community consultation, but emphasised it's not a poll.

Only broad results will be made public after the survey ends on May 19.

"We know that some of those choices are difficult," Mr Nicholls said.

"But unless we do not make those choices, we will not be able to grasp the future that beckons so tantalisingly over the horizon."

The online survey details Treasury's estimates on how much money can be raised through potential asset sales or long-term leases.

The Gladstone and Townsville ports and the Mt Isa Rail line could fetch $1.69 billion.

Just over $3 billion could be earned by selling electricity generators CS Energy and Stanwell, its Meandu mine, and Ergon's retail business.

Half a billion could be gained from selling the water pipeline which services mines around Mount Isa.

Another $28.4 billion could be made from allowing private investment in Powerlink, Ergon and Energex to pay for infrastructure upgrades in return for a slice of equity.

Queensland Council of Unions president John Battams says the government's exaggerating state debt to strengthen arguments for asset sales.

"The government continues to use gross debt instead of net debt, it includes debt by government-owned corporations," Mr Battams told AAP.

"Our net debt is sustainable and comparable with the other states.

"This is just an attempt to sell off assets to the big end of town which supports the government."

Shadow treasurer Curtis Pitt says the LNP, not taxpayers, should pay for the "scare campaign".

"From its first day in office, the LNP has been planning asset sales despite saying before the election it had an economic plan that did not rely on asset sales," he said.

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Orangutan boardwalk opens at Perth Zoo

A boardwalk has been built at Perth Zoo's orangutan enclosure to bring people closer to the apes. Source: AAP

ORANGUTANS nest high in trees, so it makes sense for Perth Zoo to build a two-metre high boardwalk around its orangutan exhibit to bring visitors closer than ever to its apes.

It has taken six months to build the $3.6 million boardwalk around the zoo's 12 Sumatran orangutans.

The revamped exhibit includes a soundscape of the orangutans' natural environment, more than 2000 plants to create a rainforest atmosphere, and some informative signs explaining conservation efforts.

The 125 metre-long boardwalk was built using renewable and recycled materials, including reconstituted decking from recycled milk and other plastic containers mixed with sawdust from plantation-grown pine.

Environment Minister Albert Jacob said the boardwalk was an improvement on the old exhibit, which left visitors at ground level, looking up at the primates.

"The boardwalk design also allows four extra vertical poles to be linked to the main towers with climbing ropes," he said.

"This increased space will encourage the orangutans to spend more time up high which is better for their health and strength."

Primate supervisor Holly Thompson said the apes were curious about their new exhibit.

Orangutans are critically endangered in the wild, with habitat destruction being a major threat to their survival.

Perth Zoo runs an internationally renowned breeding program, which has bred 29 orangutans since 1970.

It released two zoo-born orangutans into the wild in 2006 and 2011.

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