Qld unions launch anti-asset sales blitz QUEENSLAND'S unions are launching an advertising blitz against the Newman government in what they say is a "stealth" privatisation strategy in the lead-up to the state budget. Queensland Council of Unions president John Battams says Premier Campbell Newman hasn't been up front about his plan to sell state assets. Mr Battams says Mr Newman will use a damning commission of audit into the state's finances, led by former Federal Treasurer Peter Costello, to justify privatisation. "Queenslanders need to know the impacts of what Premier Newman is actually planning for their state," he said in a statement. He's virtually put all essential services on the table through the Costello Report. He might dress it up in language like 'contestability' but in reality it's all about privatisation. Television advertisements will begin screening from Sunday night. Radio commercials will also support the "Stand for Queensland" campaign in the lead up to the June 4 budget. Treasurer Tim Nicholls did not rule out privatisation being featured in the budget, but urged people to take the unions' campaign lightly. "I would discount what the unions say, because the unions are anti-anything that improves the delivery of services or any form of extracting better value for money from taxpayers dollars," he told reporters in Brisbane on Sunday. Mr Nicholls said the government had to look at different ways to reduce debt in tough economic circumstances. "I don't think anyone can deny the state's finances are in a substantially bad state of repair," he said. "We need to make sure we can continue to deliver services effectively and efficiently to the best standard possible at the price Queenslanders can and are prepared to pay," he said. He also announced the government would not reach a fiscal surplus in 2014/15 as previously promised.