Coal royalties have helped the Queensland Government deliver a record $12.3 billion dollar surplus in this year’s state budget.
However, it will be short lived with the state’s finances expected to dip back into the red next year.
The Government making the most of the windfall, with a $1.5 billion dollar electricity rebate, which will see every household receive at least $550 off their power bills.
Health, Police, Education and Infrastructure were also big winners in the Budget.
Meanwhile, this is what four local State MPs for Ipswich, Bundamba, Jordan and Ipswich West had to say about the 2023-24 Budget.
IPSWICH
Cost of living measures are at the forefront of the 2023-24 State Budget — that’s according to the Ipswich State MP Jennifer Howard.
Ms Howard (pictured below) says the Budget has placed the spotlight on addressing the everyday struggles of Queenslanders, especially the pressure faced by young families.
Her comment comes as $645 million will be spent on free kindy for Queensland families capped at 15 free hours a week.
Further family support, $2.7 million will be spent over two years to expand the pre-school breakfast program and $4.8 million for a new swim start program with 30,000 valued at $150 each to teach kids under five how to swim.
Meanwhile, The long awaited Ipswich to Springfield rail corridor has received a $3.375 million funding boost in the Budget.
Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard says the Queensland Government has matched the Federal Government’s commitment to undertake a formal business case.
“The Ipswich City Council will contribute a further $750,000 bringing the total investment to $7.5 million.
“This is in addition to the $2.5 million allocated to the project in 2020 to undertake an options analysis,” she says.
BUNDAMBA
The Bundamba State MP Lance McCallum has described the 2023-24 Budget as a ‘Fair Go’ Budget due to its cost of living relief measures.
Mr McCallum (pictured below) says all Ipswich households will receive a one off rebate taking $550 off their power bill.
“Concession card holders will receive in the order of $1000 while small businesses get a $650 rebate,” he says.
Meanwhile, Ipswich’s iconic Swanbank precinct is to be transformed into a $54.4 million Clean Energy Hub.
Bundamba MP Lance McCallum says this is a landmark move for Swanbank, which is set to become the south-east’s very first Clean Energy Hub, starting with $41.5 million to support the installation of a 250MW battery.
“We’re also investing in a turbine upgrade and other overhauls at Swanbank, and this is exactly why we can continue to keep power prices down and at the same time provide our local households with nation-leading rebates,” he says.
JORDAN
The Jordan State MP Charis Mullen (pictured below) says this Budget is all about ‘listening to the people of Queensland’.
“We’ve responded to some of the issues that we know are important to people like cost of living but also responding to investment like health care and infrastructure – particularly for our growing Ipswich region.
The Springfield based MP says there’s some great infrastructure in the electorate, in particular the work on the Centenary Motorway.
“We have $6.5 million to deliver what is a significant upgrade to exit 32, near the Orion Shopping Centre.
“We are looking at duplicating that from two lanes to four lanes,” she says
Ms Mullen says that we are really fortunate to have an incredible spend on Health Budget this year.
“We are looking at another $915 million for the operation of the West Moreton Hospital and Health service, which is really fantastic.
“And what that means is this financial year, we will see the opening of the Ripley Satellite Hospital, which will have that minor injury and health clinic,” she says.
“We are going to have the mental health facility open and construction is underway on the new public hospital at Springfield,” Ms Mullen says.
IPSWICH WEST
Ipswich West State MP Jim Madden says he’s happy how the Budget provided for his electorate in reducing cost of living pressures.
Mr Madden (pictured below) says that a number of infrastructure projects were also announced in the Budget including for local schools and police.
“$16.2 million will be spent on Rosewood State High School, Leichhardt State School, Walloon State School, Amberley District State School and Ipswich State High School.
“$4 million worth of funding has been confirmed for the new police station at Rosewood,” he says.
Meanwhile, The Ipswich West MP says the Southern Queensland Correctional Centre received a $341 million funding boost for construction works in the 2023/24 Budget.
“Once completed, the expansion at a total cost of $861 million, will see an extra thousand-beds added to the correctional centre near Gatton.
“The facility will also house male prisoners while the women will move into the older part of the jail,” he says.
For more details on the 2023-24 Budget click the following link: https://budget.qld.gov.au/regional-action-plans/ipswich/
