Queensland deserves fair share from Canberra

In tonight’s budget I want to see Queenslanders finally receive a fair share from Canberra of the taxes they are paying.

Around 80 per cent of taxation revenue goes to the Federal Government and it’s only fair to ask that the taxes Queenslanders pay be reinvested in Queensland.

We are investing $46.3 billion on infrastructure over four years with $7.4 billion over the same period from the Morrison Government.

The Queensland Government is investing more than $5 for every dollar received from the Morrison Government for infrastructure.

If Queenslanders are to receive a fair share we need to see in tonight’s Federal budget:

Infrastructure

- Funding for Cross River Rail, the biggest project in generations. The Federal Opposition has committed $800 million for construction and $2.2 billion in total.

- To match my government’s commitment of $200 million with $800 million a year for the Bruce Highway to boost funding by $1 billion a year. We welcome the Morrison Government finally matching our $36 million for the Townsville Ring Road Stage 5.

- For a fair share on the M1. If 80:20 funding is good enough for New South Wales it’s good enough for Queensland.

- For all of the $176 million for Rookwood Weir to be in the forward estimates this time - along with all of the promised funding for:-

• The M1
• The Rockhampton Ring Road
• The Gold Coast Light Rail stage 3; and
• Beerburrum to Nambour rail

... not funding in the never never.

- For a $500 million advance to help meet rebuilding costs next financial year.

- To meet the funding gap under their own Urban Congestion Fund on the Centenary Motorway, Ipswich Motorway, M1 interchanges and Gympie Arterial. For the full $20 million of funding for the Bribie Island road promised in the Longman byelection. 

- For the Federal Government to recognise climate change and match our $20 million commitment for seawalls on five islands in the Torres Strait. 

Services

- The funding Queensland is owed under the National Health Reform Agreement for Queensland hospitals of more than $300 million. 

- For the reinstatement of the National Partnership Agreement for long-stay older patients in public hospitals to support the cost of supporting people who should be in aged care. 

- For the Federal Government to transition the more than 400 patients with a disability in our hospitals but are ready for discharge and support the costs of supporting these patients of $500,000 per day.

- Ongoing funding for kindergartens ($88 million a year) and the reinstatement of funding for dental care of $8.7 million a year.

- For the Federal Government to fund at least half of the costs of the NDIS considering they increased the Medicare levy to pay for it.

- For the $245 million owed to Queensland for TAFE and training; and

- For the $200 million owed under the National Partnership on Remote Housing
 

ENDS

Media contact:

Zoe Russell (Premier's office) - 0439 982 347