The Queensland 2024-25 Budget had a busload of announcements including a handful of cost-of-living measures.
Treasurer Cameron Dick handed down the Budget in Parliament on Tuesday, 11 June, outlining a $2.746 billion turnaround from the forecast to a $564 million surplus in 2023-24.
“We know Queenslanders are facing challenges balancing their household budgets. That’s why we brought forward urgent cost-of-living relief to help,” Mr Dick said.
“By addressing short-term pressures, the Government is safeguarding a future for everyone, particularly our most vulnerable.”
Cost-of-living announcements included:
– $1,300 electricity bill support for all Queensland households from July 2024 with a higher $1,672 rebate for vulnerable households.
– 20 per cent reduction in vehicle registration fees for a 12 month period.
– A flat fare of 50 cents per trip across all Translink public transport services from 5 August 2024 for 6 months.
– $200 FairPlay vouchers for sport and active recreation activities for up to 200,000 Queensland children.
– $15 million for the School and Community Food Relief to provide healthy food for children during school days.
– Food, emergency and financial relief to support Queensland families in need.
The Budget announced $1.1 billion for the newly established Queensland Fire Department and $60 million in annual funding for the State Emergency Service.
A record $4.379 billion was allocated to Police and Community Safety, an increase of almost $700 million – or 15 per cent – over the last financial year.
The Miles Government has also promised a $26 billion investment in renewable energy over the next four years to support the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.
For the Lockyer Valley and Somerset regions, the government made the following announcements:
– $1.4 million to upgrade infrastructure and equipment at Gatton Smart Farm to support horticulture, productivity and profitability.
– $13.1 million in 2024-25 to continue planning and investigatory works for Somerset Dam improvements to comply with dam safety standards and ensure a safe and secure water supply.
– $2.2 million in 2024-25 out of a $12 million total spend to deliver a new hall facility for Kilcoy State High School.
– $33 million in 2024-25 out of a $67.1 million total spend towards safety upgrades on Gatton – Helidon Road, including road widening, installing wide centre lines, dedicated turning lanes, audio tactile line marking, new signage and removing roadside hazards.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said the State Budget delivered no new local projects for the Somerset region.
“I can’t believe how bad this budget is for my region,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“I can safely say this is the worst state budget for the Nanango Electorate I have ever seen.
“There’s no new funding for the D’Aguilar or Brisbane Valley Highway and still no acknowledgement that we need a realignment and new intersection at Buaraba Creek Road.”
Mrs Frecklington said she was disappointed there were no anti-hooning measures for Dundas and Coominya.
“Local residents have had enough of the blatant, frequent and ongoing hooning on their roads, but no funding has been assigned for measures to stop this dangerous and anti-social activity,” she said.
“And what about Cormorant Bay Café?
“When it comes down to it, Cormorant Bay Café is a State-Government owned asset and in 2019 Seqwater promised half a million dollars to refurbish the building.
“What has happened to this funding?”
