Government fees and charges to be cut in real terms

• Queensland Government fees and charges will be indexed in line with wages growth at 3.4%, well below inflation.
• Growth in standard car registration bills expected at 2.5%, less than last year.
• Penalties and fines to indexed to inflation at 7.7%

Queenslanders will be spared from the impacts of high inflation on the cost of government services, with the Government Indexation Rate (GIR) set in line with wages growth at 3.4%, compared to 3.5% under the Newman Government.

The increase in total registration costs for a standard vehicle will be even lower at 2.5% in 2023-24, reflecting a lower increase in compulsory third party insurance (CTP) premiums and levies.

This compares to a 3.0% increase in registration costs last year (2022-23).

With inflation running at 7.7%, this decision will deliver a cut in typical car registration costs of 4.8%, in real terms.

It also means the cost to register a car in Queensland will continue to be lower than in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.

Penalties will continue to be indexed in line with inflation, reflecting the need to maintain the deterrent value of punishments in real terms.

Quotes attributable to Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick:

“Queenslanders are experiencing significant cost of living pressures.

“That’s why we are lowering the rate of indexation on car registration costs compared to last year, meaning those costs will fall in real terms.

“By setting government indexation at 3.4%, in line with wages growth, we are ensuring that unavoidable fees and charges remain affordable.

“We are setting indexation well below the rate of inflation, which compares the approach of the previous Newman Government which locked in indexation at 3.5%, regardless of inflation or cost of living pressures faced by Queenslanders.”

ENDS

Media contact: Geoff Breusch 0417 272 875