Queensland misses out on fair share in Federal Budget

The Morrison LNP Government has failed to deliver Queensland’s fair share in tonight’s Federal Budget and has put funding for critical infrastructure on the backburner.

Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said that the Budget locks in cuts to Queensland schools, hospitals and apprenticeships and training.

“Let’s be clear, the $45 billion announcement in surpluses over the forward estimates is at the expense of projects and services for Australians and particularly people with a disability,” Ms Trad said.

“The federal budget was fundamentally unfair for Queenslanders.

“There’s only one way to put it – Queensland is missing out.

“There was zero funding for Cross River Rail which will get people home faster and deliver thousands of jobs across our rapidly growing region.

“While the LNP continue to ignore Cross River Rail, they are spending billions on similar projects in Victoria and New South Wales.

“Across the state, they say they’re spending $2.6 billion more on infrastructure but a massive $2.3 billion of that is more than four years down the track.

“Queensland is growing and we need that investment now, not way out in the never-never.

“Queensland is also set to lose out on $1.8 billion in GST revenue over the forward estimates.

“There wasn’t a cent for critical programs like the National Partnership on Remote Indigenous Housing, which will disproportionately impact some of Queensland’s most disadvantaged communities.

“There is also no allocation for the money owed to Queensland for services already provided in our TAFEs and hospitals.

“What’s clear from this budget is that Scott Morrison only has a plan to try and get re-elected, not a plan for the future of Queensland.”

/Public Release. View in full here.