Queensland’s latest budget has been branded as “nothing more than a closing down sale” by critics of the Miles government, who claim its $11.2 billion of handouts is a cynical ploy to win back public support ahead of the next state election.
State Treasurer Cameron Dick handed down Queensland’s budget on Tuesday, following a series of announcements by Premier Steven Miles which hinted the government would look to splash the cash on cost of living relief.
However, the size of those measurers took many by surprise, with the $11.2 billion in handouts accompanied by a complete freeze on all government fees and charges which will leave the state’s finances with a $2.6 billion deficit in the 2024-25 financial year.
That is a substantial loss on the $122 million originally forecast for FY24-25 in December last year, with the spending package also expected to add a further $67 billion to the state’s total debt by FY27-28.
Reacting to the announcement, Nationals Leader David Littleproud, who represents the Queensland electorate of Maranoa, told SkyNews.com.au the figures showed the state could “no longer afford” a Labor government as he suggested the handouts were really aimed at holding on to votes.
“Queensland Labor’s Budget is nothing more than a closing down sale, spending Queenslanders’ money in a desperate attempt to save some of the furniture at the state election,” he said.
“Labor’s all-renewables approach has led to electricity prices skyrocketing and ballooning our debt – forcing Labor to subsidise energy bills because families can no longer afford to keep the lights on.
“Labor has lost control of our streets, our hospitals, our housing, and now our finances. Queensland can no longer afford Labor.”
Mr Littleproud’s comments echoed Queensland shadow treasurer David Janetzki, who released a withering assessment of the budget earlier on Tuesday.
Highlighting key community concerns over cost of living, rising crime rates, health, and the cost of housing, Mr Janetzki claimed the announcement showed Premier Miles was more concerned “about his political future, than Queensland’s future.”
“Today’s budget has exposed Labor does not have the Right Priorities for Queensland’s future,” he wrote in a statement.
“It’s a Budget for the next four months, not the next four years and beyond.
“In fact, it’s just more of the same from a decade-old Labor Government that’s delivered Queenslanders a health crisis, a crime crisis, a housing crisis and cost of living crisis.
“It has never been clearer that Steven Miles cares more about his political future, than Queensland’s future.”
Those comments came after the Treasurer had delivered a defiant defence of the government’s plans, arguing the budget was “doing what matters for Queenslanders.”
“Delivering a deficit, spending more than the government collects in revenue, is not, and should never be an easy choice,” Mr Dick said.
“But in a contest between the balance sheet and doing what matters for Queenslanders, the Miles Labor government will always be on Queenslanders’ side.”
Seeking to tackle what both sides of politics say are immense cost of living pressures in the state, Tuesday’s budget increased relief measures by more than 30 per cent.
Pre-announced plans included a $1,000 energy rebate for households, with those deemed most vulnerable given an extra $372, and slashing public transport fares to just 50c, with the government also committing to a 20 per cent reduction in car registration costs and increasing the first home buyer stamp duty concession threshold.
In addition, all government fees and charges, which covers driver’s licenses, the emergency management levy, fishing permits, and transport and hospital fees and charges, will be frozen at a forecast cost of about $180 million in lost revenue.
However, Queensland MP Robbie Katter argued the measures were “pretty disingenuous”, given the state was using taxpayer funds to return money raised through taxes, while he also rubbished the supposed benefits of cheaper public transport.
“This is a predictable vote buying exercise in the south-east corner of the state. It’s altogether pretty crude,” he told SkyNews.com.au.
“Giving back our own money that they’ve taken from us through taxes and pursuing their renewables agenda is pretty disingenuous.
“Pretty rich for regional Queensland on public transport too, there’s barely enough here and there’s been no investment.”
Mr Katter added the “only part” of the budget which would contribute to the state’s future development was funding for the CopperString 2032 development, which will link Queensland’s North West Minerals Province to the national electricity grid via a transmission line from Townsville to Mount Isa.
Meanwhile, his criticism of the Miles government’s heavy investment in renewables echoed comments from the state’s shadow energy minister Deb Frecklington, who highlighted the closure of Callide power plant to claim residents would continue to pay more for power under a Labor government.
When asked about the state’s climbing debt, Mr Katter again pointed to renewables spending, as well as potential blowouts in the cost of hosting the Olympic Games, to argue it was unsurprising to see Queensland’s burden increasing.
“I’m surprised it’s not higher,” he said.