Queenslanders will benefit from increased health and education spending, small businesses will receive tax relief and major infrastructure projects will create thousands of jobs with the release of the Turnbull Government’s 2016-17 Budget.
Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said Queensland families and businesses had emerged major winners despite the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s attempts to label Queensland the “forgotten state”.
“This do-nothing Palaszczuk Labor Government needs to stop blaming Canberra for its own inadequacies in delivering for Queensland,” Mr Springborg said.
“Scott Morrison’s first budget will deliver better outcomes for Queenslanders, with schools to receive $3.7 billion in 2016-17 and the state’s public health and hospital system receiving up to $3.6 billion.
“While the Turnbull Government has a plan for driving jobs and growth by providing sensible tax relief for small business and investing in much-needed infrastructure, Queensland Labor has no economic plan after almost a-year-and-a-half in government.
“Queensland will benefit from a huge $3.6 billion GST windfall over the next four years, with state GST revenue forecast to hit $16.6 billion by 2019-20.
“It’s time for the Palaszczuk Labor Government to stop crying poor and ensure Queenslanders get the much-needed job-creating projects and improved frontline services they need.”
Mr Springborg welcomed the Federal Government’s almost $11 billion investment in major road and rail projects across Queensland between 2013-14 and 2019-20.
“It’s there in black and white – funding for the Ipswich and Gateway Motorways, the Bruce and Warrego Highway, Moreton Bay Rail Link and Inland Rail – and Labor has no base for its claim the Turnbull Government refuses to fund much-needed infrastructure,” he said.
“These projects will create much-needed jobs for Queenslanders and show the benefit of having a government that has a comprehensive plan for securing jobs and growth, unlike the frozen at the wheel Palaszczuk Labor Government.”
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