Few Surprises In State Budget

December 1, 2020

Queensland is the only Australian State, other than Western Australia, to record positive economic growth this financial year, Treasurer Cameron Dick told State Parliament on Tuesday.

“Our economy is bouncing back strongly thanks to Queensland’s incredible health response to COVID-19 and with the border re-opening to Victoria and Greater Sydney today, we look forward to welcoming more visitors back to our beautiful State,” Mr Dick said.

The Treasurer delivered his 2020-21 State Budget in Parliament on Tuesday afternoon.

There were few surprises in the speech, with projects either already announced or partially completed.

Highlights for the South Burnett area include:

$125,000 to upgrade the Koondaii circuit walking track in the Bunya Mountains National Park

$41.6 million to refurbish existing infrastructure and develop future mining areas at Meandu Mine

$118.4 to replace and refurbish existing infrastructure at the Tarong power station

$1.6 million over three years to upgrade agriculture and animal husbandry facilities, including new exclusion fencing and sheds, at Kingaroy State High School

$23 million out of the $92.5 million total spend for the redevelopment of Kingaroy Hospital

$675,000 out of a $4 million total spend to deliver new town reservoir tanks for the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council and replace and upgrade other critical water treatment infrastructure

$10.1 million out of a $10.9 million total spend to construct a new hall, a new administration building and a Youth Hub at Murgon State High School

The previously announced $40 million for the Wellcamp Entertainment Precinct is also included in Budget allocations although no Federal support for the project has been confirmed.

Mr Dick said total Queensland debt would hit $130 billion by 2023-24.

However, he indicated that Queensland was in a better position than either NSW or Victoria, with the total debt-to-revenue ratio in Victoria at 226 per cent, in NSW at 195 per cent and Queensland at 172 per cent.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said thanks to Queensland’s strong health response, the State economy was in a better position than others.

“This Budget will support our economic recovery from the global COVID-19 pandemic by supporting jobs and supporting Queensland communities with investment in infrastructure as well as Queensland manufacturing and supporting our regional centres,” the Premier said.