Federal Budget must deliver for Queensland

The Turnbull Government needs to deliver for Queensland, particularly in the areas of health, education and infrastructure, in its Federal Budget tonight, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

The Premier said Queenslanders expected the Federal Budget would include:

• continued assistance in the recovery from Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie;
• support our growing economy by investing in the infrastructure our state needs, and not what the Federal Government wants, and
• show the Federal Government’s commitment to providing fair funding for essential services such as health and education.

“We all know that Queenslanders were short changed in last year’s Federal budget,” she said.

“The Federal Budget last year failed to restore Commonwealth funding for our schools and hospitals, and it failed to invest in key infrastructure projects.”

“It also failed to provide certainty for 21 national partnership agreements. The agreements are worth more than $1.7 billion and support important social and economic services for Queenslanders.”

“Without these agreements, there are major implications for our State budget in meeting the funding gap for essential social services.”

“I also call on the Prime Minister to commit to investing side by side with my government to advance Queensland’s economy through nation-building infrastructure, including Cross River Rail.”

“Delivering critical infrastructure is a shared responsibility. It creates jobs and contributes to economic benefits that extend beyond our state.”

Other Federal Budget allocations are expected for:

 1.   full restoration and long-term funding arrangements for health and educationfunding;

2.   provide urgent advice on the future of expiring agreements, in particular, priority agreements in:

• Early Childhood Education 
• Skills Reform – important in light of the decision to abolish 457 visas and replace with a Temporary Skill Shortage visa
• Remote Indigenous Housing with the inclusion of Cherbourg, Yarrabah and Torres Shire as part of a new agreement.

3.   real housing affordability reform through removal of capital gains tax and negative gearing;

4.   commit to a gas pipeline to facilitate new Queensland gas field developments in the Galilee and Bowen Basins as part of a long-term package to tackle problems and price pressures in the national energy market; and

5.   expedite payments from the DisabilityCare Australia Fund to ensure successful implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Premier's office) 0417 263 791