The time has come for the Palaszczuk-Gordon Government to reveal its economic and jobs plan after the Federal Government handed down a positive budget for Queensland.
Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said Federal incentives for small business, investment in job-creating infrastructure and record health and education spending had left Labor with no more excuses.
He said additional funding combined with a massive $5.6 billion increase to GST revenue meant the Palaszczuk-Gordon Government had no one to blame for not being able to deliver quality frontline services and create job opportunities for Queenslanders.
“We know they have no plan. Now they have no excuses,” Mr Springborg said.
“All we have seen from Labor is scare-mongering and crocodile tears but the facts speak for themselves.
“The Palaszczuk-Gordon Government’s attempt to use the Federal Budget as an excuse for not having a plan of their own will no longer wash with Queenslanders.
“As a government claiming to be pro-jobs, it should be a huge concern for Queenslanders that the Premier refused to even talk about frontline jobs yesterday.
“The spotlight is now on Premier Palaszczuk and her Treasurer, Curtis Pitt to come clean and reveal their plan for Queensland.”
- Queensland hospitals will receive an extra $819 million from 2014/15 to 2018/19
- Queensland schools will receive an $876 million increase from 2014/15 to 2018/19
- Queensland will receive an extra $5.6 billion in GST revenue
Deputy Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek said a $300 million drought-assistance package and the $5 billion funding package for Northern Australia was also a welcomed boost for regional Queensland.
“The Federal Government has delivered a budget that is fair for Queensland and should put an end to the misinformation being spruiked by this inexperienced Labor Government,” Mr Langbroek said.
“It is time for Labor to explain exactly how it will pay down debt and continue to deliver frontline services and jobs for Queensland.
“Business confidence is down, unemployment is up and Labor’s core election pledge to merge energy companies has been exposed as a dud.
“Playing the blame game will no longer be an option for this Palaszczuk-Gordon Labor Government.”
FAST FACTS
Key projects for Queensland include:
- Bruce Highway: up to $6.7 billion with $500 million provided in 2015-16
- Gateway Motorway North: up to $929.6 million with $50 million provided in 2015-16
- Toowoomba Second Range Crossing: Up to $1.285 billion with $316.65 million provided in 2015-16
- Warrego Highway: $508 million with $101.5 million provided in 2015-16
- Cape York Region Package: $208.4 million with $48 million provided in 2015-16
- Moreton Bay Rail Link: $518.4 million with $102 million provided in 2015-16.
Commonwealth Funding Summary
Year | Total funding to Queensland (including GST) | GST payments to Queensland | Funding to Queensland for hospitals | Funding to Queensland for schools (Total Students First funding) |
2014-15 | $21.2 billion | $11.7 billion | $3.0 billion | $3.0 billion |
2015-16 | $23.1 billion | $13.0 billion | $3.2 billion | $3.3 billion |
2016-17 | $26.3 billion | $14.9 billion | $3.3 billion | $3.6 billion |
2017-18 | $27.8 billion | $16.5 billion | $3.6 billion | $3.8 billion |
2018-19 | $28.0 billion | $17.3 billion | $3.8 billion | $3.9 billion |
Increase from 2014-15 to 2018-19 levels | 32% – or $6.7 billion – increase | 48% – or $5.6 billion – increase | 27% – or $819 million – increase | 29% – or $876 million – increase |
(Source: 2015-16 Budget)