Queensland Budget 2019-20

[ozbob]

The 2019-20 Queensland Budget will be tabled in State Parliament on Tuesday 11 June 2019

Queensland Budget Website > https://budget.qld.gov.au

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1129985689527955457

[ozbob]

Short extract from a 2 page article in today's Couriermail by Steve Wardill ' A tale of what could have been '

Steve is not that happy with Government judging by some of his tweets of late, so some caution perhaps.  Still it is a little concerning ..



" According to some insiders, companies who tendered for one CRR project have been told in recent days that it had been postponed  .. "

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1132098000715624449

[Stillwater]

So, let's get this right ... Ms Trad wants mining companies, out of the goodness of their hearts, to pay $33.3m a year for the next three years into a regional infrastructure fund in exchange for her not taxing them an additional $33.3m a year for three years by means of a royalty tax hike.

Is this so she can spout some sort of 'no new taxes' voodoo economics spiel?

It has been reported that the 'charity offer' has been made to existing mining companies and won't apply to Adani.   

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/jackietrad/status/1137191276133044225

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1137563370150744065

[ozbob]

[Stillwater]

That would be $23 million for 2019-20 and for the four years beyond.  (That's five years of spending in total.)

Averaged out, that is $4.6 billion each year for five years.  In the next financial year (2019-20), a huge chunk of that goes to CRR.

AND the $4.6 billion includes infrastructure funding from the feds, which Queensland appropriates into its budget while at the same time saying Canberra does not give enough money to Queensland.

Ms Trad wants to shout a big number at us ($23 BILLION!), when the reality is about $2 billion on new infrastructure (after taking account of CRR commitments), which translates into about $1.6 billion of state money for financial year 2019-20.

[Stillwater]

Millions of dollars for rail, just not passenger rail.

https://www.9news.com.au/national/discount-win-for-miners-in-qld-budget/f41f74d7-4e78-4df7-85d6-a39e1a363a12

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1137603514123767809

[ozbob]

Millions of dollars for rail, just not passenger rail.

https://www.9news.com.au/national/discount-win-for-miners-in-qld-budget/f41f74d7-4e78-4df7-85d6-a39e1a363a12

The Mount Isa line has been ' announced ' a number of times now ...

More spin and bluster in the Queensland Budget 2019-20 than Clive's fast rail to everywhere ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1137609739989180417

[Stillwater]

How much of the Mt Isa Line 'new work' is residual improvements as consequence of flooding (i.e. emergency restoration money).

[Fares_Fair]

Q E A S Queensland Economic Advocacy Solutions report on the Queensland Budget.

GSP = Gross State Product

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1136915285150015488?

NSW spent $24 billion on infrastructure last year.
QLD spent $5 billion on infrastructure last year.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> There will be challenges but Queensland budget 2019 is not 'bad news'

Treasurer Jackie Trad has not ruled out increasing Queensland's $83 billion debt bill to address a $3 billion budget hole caused by natural disasters and lost revenue challenging the state's accounts.

But she said Queenslanders should not expect a "bad news" budget, promising the Palaszczuk government's fifth edition would "stay the course".

"We are going to continue to stay the course around investing in our state through new infrastructure projects, particularly to create jobs, particularly in regional Queensland," she said.

"They [Queenslanders] can expect that we will continue to roll out and deliver the services that they need in health and education."

There will be several pressures on this year's budget, to be handed down on Tuesday afternoon, including the cost of natural disasters ($1.3 billion), a decline in stamp duties ($1.32 billion), and lower GST revenue ($800 million less over two years).

Ms Trad said those budget holes would mean less revenue.

"But it also means that we have to potentially think about how we can do things in the most effective and efficient way possible," she said.

The state will be left to go it alone on Cross River Rail after the Coalition won the federal election, meaning Queensland will miss out on $2.2 billion pledged by federal Labor for the project.

Asked whether this year's budget, her second, might be "bad news" - to make way for more palatable figures next year ahead of the October 2020 state election - Ms Trad disagreed.

"No, I think it's wrong to assume that this is going to be a bad news budget," she said.

"Yes, we've got some challenging economic conditions. We've got a hostile federal government ... we're simply not getting our fair share on a whole range of funds, whether that's funding for hospital activity that's already done which they should pay us according to the national agreement, whether it's about building houses in remote Indigenous communities and whether it's about infrastructure."

In December, the Mid Year Fiscal and Economic Review forecast total debt would rise to $83.51 billion by 2021-22.

Ms Trad would not say whether the state's debt bill would rise even higher but said Queensland would continue to manage borrowings in a "stable and sustainable" way and use debt to invest in infrastructure.

"We've seen every jurisdiction, including the Commonwealth jurisdiction, uses debt to fund non-recurrent projects and Queensland is no different," she said.

"We've been absolutely clear that what we do is we use our borrowings to invest in economic infrastructure that is vital for our community, for our economy.

But Ms Trad did commit to returning a surplus in this year's budget.

She left the door open to introducing new taxes but said there would no impact on Queensland households.

"I won't rule things in or out at this stage ... all will be revealed on Tuesday," she said.

"The Premier [Annastacia Palaszczuk] made it very clear that we were all about making sure that we were keeping the cost of living down for Queenslanders."

Last year's budget included five new taxes, which were expected to rake in more than $650 million by 2021-22.

This year's budget will include a record $19.2 billion spent on health - an increase of $929 million - and an additional $17.1 million over four years for the shark control program.

Hollywood A-listers and blockbuster movies will be lured to the state with $30 million for Queensland's Production Attraction Strategy.

There will be $5 million over two years for LED lights at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and $2 million to assess options for a new First Nations Cultural Centre in Brisbane.

In October, Brisbane Times reported the state government was exploring the potential for a world-class centre featuring Indigenous history, cultural and art perched by the Brisbane River.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1137866710982070272

[Stillwater]

Budget includes $2m for scoping study for new prison at Gatton.

State must consider how prisoners' families (many of them on welfare) will be able to get too and from Gatton to visit their loved-one in jail.

As usually happens, mum and the kids move to the town where the prison is, for the duration of husband/dad's prison term.

State should be prepared for the social consequences, such as the need for more public housing at Gatton.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/jackietrad/status/1138239980369612807

[verbatim9]

The likelihood of more public investment into Gatton will result in regional rapid rail stopping at Gatton brought forward

[ozbob]

Budget Papers https://budget.qld.gov.au/budget-papers

TMR --> https://budget.qld.gov.au/files/2019-20%20TMR%20SDS.pdf

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1138304336109268992

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1138305789582385152

[ozbob]

This the replacement for the ' performance measurements '
Wait for it ..
' Customer experience ratings ' 🙄🥳#qldpol pic.twitter.com/irG1AvpLq6

— RAIL_BoT_Forum (@railbotforum) June 11, 2019

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1138310370924191744

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> State Budget funds upgrades across north Brisbane

North Brisbane roads, train stations, hospitals and schools will be upgraded with funding announced in today's State Budget.

UPGRADES to north Brisbane roads, train stations, hospitals and schools have been funded in the 2019-20 State Budget announced this afternoon.

Road funding includes $5 million for planning and design of the Beams Rd level crossing at Carseldine, $4 million for noise barriers along Gympie Rd at Aspley, and $53 million for the Northern Transitway which will deliver continuous bus lanes between Kedron and Chermside stations to free up Gympie Rd.

A further $6.7 million has been allocated for ongoing train station upgrades at Boondall, Geebung, Northgate and Virginia, and $14.6 million for ongoing construction of The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) Adolescent Extended Treatment Facility.

School funding includes $450,000 to refurbish Craigslea State High School, $350,000 to refurbish Sandgate District State High School's special education block and $100,000 to upgrade Boondall State School's playground.

A further $50,000 has been allocated to conduct a parking feasibility study around Boondall State School, following strong lobbying by the P&C.

The funding commitments have been welcomed by local state members.

Bart Mellish (Aspley) said residents along Gympie Rd would welcome the new noise barriers.

"The Department of Transport and Main Roads conducts road traffic noise assessments to ensure noise is managed appropriately into the future," Mr Mellish said.

"Gympie Rd has been flagged as an issue, which is why we are investing $4 million to install noise barriers. These works will take place between Darwin, Ellison and Gympie Roads and Ellison, Webster and Gympie Roads."

Anthony Lynham (Stafford) said TPCH Adolescent Extended Treatment Facility would help provide the best treatment and support for young people with complex health needs.

"The Palaszczuk Government will invest a total $41.3 million on the new 12-bed facility because we want to help patients recover and return to their family, friends and communities," Dr Lynham said.

Leanne Linard (Nudgee) welcomed the funding for Boondall State School.

"We know a quality education requires quality facilities, and that's not limited to classrooms," she said.

"School playgrounds allow students to learn a range of skills vital to their development."

In relation to the parking feasibility study, Ms Linard said, "Safe pick-up and drop-off at the school has been a concern raised with me by parents since I was elected.

"To be able to deliver this funding for the school to make a plan for improved safety in the future is wonderful."

More than 100 car spaces will be added to Geebung and Virginia train stations, complementing the $5.6 million accessibility upgrades to Boondall station.

"Queenslanders are backing public transport like never before and station accessibility is vital to its continued growth," Ms Linard said.

A further $280,000 has been committed in planning funds for an expansion of the Northgate train station park 'n' ride.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/DebFrecklington/status/1138311848644603904

[ozbob]

^

https://twitter.com/NickBehrens1/status/1138302794069303296

https://twitter.com/NickBehrens1/status/1138306018478252032

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1138315936300093442

[ozbob]

[Mr X]

$700mil for an extension of the SE busway from 8 mile plains to Springwood is good but it seems kinda pricey.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=152879708106388&story_fbid=2366037816790555

[Stillwater]

In the Budget Highlights Ms Trad signs her name simply 'Jackie' 

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Opinion: Jackie Trad out of touch with the reality in Qld

The image of Queensland painted by the Treasurer in her State Budget address bears no similarity to the reality on the ground, writes Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington.

I BARELY recognised the state that Jackie Trad described when she handed down her Budget.

According to her, Queensland is a land of plenty with jobs galore and debt firmly under control.

I think Jackie Trad needs to get out of her South Brisbane electorate more often.

The truth is that much of Queensland is hurting badly.

Unemployment is far above the national average, with a jobs crisis across regional Queensland and much of the southeast.

Growth is stalling, and barely one in 10 businesses in the southeast are optimistic about the future.

Construction work has collapsed to a 13-year low. Business confidence is at rock-bottom.

Almost 160,000 Queenslanders are looking for work.

Many more have no idea how they will pay their bills or provide for their kids.

After five years in power, all Labor is delivering is higher taxes, more debt, less jobs and less infrastructure.

In just two Budgets, Jackie Trad has piled almost $3.5 billion of new taxes on to Queenslanders.

These taxes have hit motorists, miners, punters, small businesses and homeowners.

The single biggest tax – the waste tax – will smash thousands of small businesses again.

But the construction industry will be hardest hit, with tradies paying an extra $100 every time they take a ute-load to the dump.

Every dollar Labor takes hurts the economy and destroys jobs.

Nowhere has ever taxed its way to prosperity.

Despite this tax grab, Queensland is spending a smaller share of its revenue on infrastructure than every other state.

When Labor does spend, it's mostly in South Brisbane – the site of Cross River Rail.

The regions' infrastructure needs have been ignored.

At the same time, Labor has gone to war with the resources industry that Central and North Queensland counts on for new jobs.

The regions have been ripped off twice over by Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Labor is anti-resources, anti-regions and anti-jobs.

And while Labor pursues its job-destroying agenda, debt is soaring to $90 billion.

Palaszczuk and Trad will be long gone by the time our kids and grandkids have to settle Labor's debt.

We can't afford to go on like this. We can't afford Labor, full stop.

Unlike Labor, the LNP has already outlined a plan to get our economy back on track.

I'll be adding to that plan in Parliament tomorrow.

There is a path out of Labor's mess – but the Palaszczuk Government must be sent packing before we can take it.

Deb Frecklington is Queensland Opposition Leader

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Private sector contribution to Cross River Rail revealed

The private-sector contribution to Cross River Rail has been revealed as Treasurer Jackie Trad announces a $13 billion infrastructure cash splash across the state.

THE private sector is set to inject an almost $1.5 billion whack of cash into the Queensland Government's pet Cross River Rail project.

Treasurer Jackie Trad unveiled $12.94 billion in infrastructure spending in yesterday's State Budget — up over 10 per cent on the previous year — including $1.48 billion to begin major construction work on the rail project in 2019-20.

This expenditure is part of a four-year plan from the Government to invest $49.5 billion in infrastructure across the state.

Budget documents also revealed for the first time the private contribution to Cross River Rail, with the project barely receiving a mention from Ms Trad in her speech to State Parliament.

The private sector will chip in $1.479 billion to the project, while the State Government will continue to fund its share with $5.409 billion set aside under its promised public-private partnership.

Unlike in previous Budget speeches, Ms Trad only made one mention of the southeast-based project in her address to State Parliament yesterday.

Instead she homed in on the regions, where about 60 per cent of infrastructure money will be spent next financial year.

This included $60 million for the Mackay ring road, $29.1 million for the Rockhampton northern access, $68.2 million for the Cairns southern access and $186 million to widen the M1 on the Sunshine Coast between Caloundra Rd and the Sunshine Motorway.

The Government will also allocate $102.8 million to the construction of the North Queensland Stadium and $46.3 million for the Smithfield bypass.

"This year the capital program will invest almost $13 billion in job generating infrastructure, directly supporting more than 40,000 jobs," Ms Trad told State Parliament yesterday.

"And more than 25,000 or 63 per cent of those jobs will be in regions outside of Greater Brisbane."

Ms Trad's Budget pledge to spend $49.5 billion in infrastructure projects over the next four years is up from their previous four year commitment delivered in last year's Budget of $45.8 billion.

"Building infrastructure creates good jobs in construction," she said.

"But it also builds our economic capacity, attracting new industry and private investment."

Central Queensland will receive the most infrastructure funding outside the southeast next financial year, with the government set to spend $1.121 billion on projects.

The Townsville region is in line for $930.7 million in infrastructure funding, while the far north Queensland region, which includes Cairns, is slated to receive $967 million in funding.

In the greater Brisbane region, which includes Brisbane, Redland, Ipswich and Logan, the infrastructure spending will reach nearly $5.25 billion.

The Government is forecasting about 99 per cent of the budgeted capital purchases from 2018-19 to be delivered — compared with an average of 85 per cent in the five years from 2012-13 to 2016-17.

Southside commuter Marcel Coquerand stands to benefit "massively" from the Cross River Rail project, which would lessen the clogged and congested commute he faces every day.

Living in Holland Park, he currently catches a bus to the city, but with Cross River Rail he could transfer at Boggo Road when the project is up and running.

"It would mean less bus congestion, a faster route and more options because I could transfer to get on the CRR," he said.

"It will be benefit commuters, with less people on busses because they have better transport options and generally less congestion."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1138469047320887297

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> State budge fails to allocate any money towards Gold Coast light rail

One of the Gold Coast's most vital pieces of infrastructure — the light rail — was allocated exactly $0 during yesterday's State budget. Here's the disappointing reason why.

THE Palaszczuk Government says it will wait for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to "step up to the plate" before officially committing money to Stage 3A of the light rail.

The tram extension was a stunning omission from yesterday's State Budget.

A business case has been completed for the link from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads. However, the federal and state governments cannot agree on funding split.

"The issue we have with light rail is in terms of the Federal Government fund for this important infrastructure project," Treasurer Jackie Trad said yesterday.

"It doesn't materialise for a number of years and what the government is proposing in terms of the share of the infrastructure funding is not even 20 per cent.

"So they are expecting both council and state to do the heavy lifting when we are already doing heavy lifting in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton. They should step up to the plate."

The Morrison Government last year committed $112 million to the extension, about 16 per cent of the $709 million total cost. State Government and Gold Coast City Council argue it is not enough.

State Government wants the Feds to tip in an extra $157 million to meet its percentage commitment for Stage 1.

Mayor Tom Tate has called for a compromise of an extra $45 million: "While I'm disappointed light rail was not included, I'm confident the conversation between the state and federal governments will continue.

"When I hand down the budget (this week) you will see that we have committed the same funding for 3A as we did for stages one and two. I call on everyone to make light rail Stage 3A a priority."

Despite the funding dispute, new Department of Transport and Main Roads figures in the State Budget reveal the popularity of the trams continues to increase.

Nearly 10.9 million trips were taken on the light rail in the 2018-19 financial year, exceeding the 10.2 million forecast in last year's budget.

It is tipped to increase in the coming financial year — with about 11.16 million trips expected in 2019-20.

The popularity of the light rail has also helped lift the overall number of public transport trips across southeast Queensland, up 3.28 million beyond expectations.

Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce president Martin Hall said he was disappointed: "It is very disappointing there could be yet more sabre rattling in regards to light rail funding and potential delays.

"We need to get this project moving properly."

A Federal Government spokesman said zero funding in the State Budget was not surprising and they urged Labor to "get serious about this project so we can get on and build it".

Queensland LNP leader Deb Frecklington said the light rail "budget snub shows the Gold Coast is no priority for this out-of-touch Labor Government".

"Annastacia Palaszczuk is delivering less infrastructure, but more debt. The money is on the table from the Federal Government — the only people holding this project back are Annastacia Palaszczuk and Jackie Trad."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TMRQld/status/1138568167611965440

[Stillwater]

The State Budget includes:

$60 million for the Mackay ring road
$29.1 million for the Rockhampton northern access
$68.2 million for the Cairns southern access and
$186 million to widen the M1 on the Sunshine Coast between Caloundra Rd and the Sunshine Motorway.

Please journos, ask this question: Ms Trad, of these sums -- $60million, $29.1 million, $68.2 million and $186 million -- what proportion is state money and what proportion is federal money?

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

Ministerial Statements

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2019/2019_06_14_DAILY.pdf

Budget, Public Transport

Hon. MC BAILEY (Miller—ALP) (Minister for Transport and Main Roads) (9.53 am): This week,
the Palaszczuk Labor government delivered its fourth record Transport budget and one that will see
$23 billion create more than 21,500 jobs and deliver the public transport infrastructure that our state
needs. Queenslanders are all aboard. After a record 182 million trips across South-East Queensland
last year, Queenslanders are on track to take even more journeys on buses, trains, ferries and trams.
The Palaszczuk Labor government knows how important public transport is to connecting
Queenslanders with jobs, education and essential services. Over the past 12 months, we have rolled
out 54 new generation rolling stock trains, opened the Townsville Bus Hub, started work on new park
and rides and continued our Fairer Fares, saving passengers $165 million.

This year's budget builds on our record public transport patronage that we have achieved, with
confidence coming back to public transport. That includes $250 million for a new inner northern busway,
major overhauls for six southside stations and, of course, the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail—a project
that will unlock the rail bottleneck, reduce travel times and deliver more trains more often. We will also
deliver more than 20 new bus stops for Mackay, a $2.5 million investment for bus priority on Nicklin
Way and $4 million for the Ormeau park and ride upgrade.

As part of this budget, the Palaszczuk Labor government will also develop an Australian-first
smart ticketing system. We are investing $371 million over the next four years to roll out world-leading
global technology that will make catching public transport easier than ever before. For the very first
time, Queenslanders across the state will have the same public transport ticketing system. Soon
Queenslanders will be able to use their smartphones or watches, their debit cards, or their credit cards
alongside the choices of go card or paper tickets to take public transport. This system is being
implemented successfully in Chicago, New York and Vancouver. It will give more options for the record
number of commuters taking our public transport system.

The Palaszczuk Labor government's positive record on public transport investment is clear. We
built the Coomera to Helensvale rail duplication, we built the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2 in record
time and we are now delivering Cross River Rail. It is time the federal LNP got on board as well. Victoria
has received 80 per cent of federal funding for a $700 million rail project, but in Queensland the federal
government offers us only the scraps, with the lowest ever offer for light rail and a refusal to stick to its
own funding rules for the Sunshine Coast rail upgrade.

While the Leader of the Opposition and those other members opposite refuse to stand up for
Queensland and meekly agree with Canberra underfunding our maroon state, this Palaszczuk Labor
government will always fight for Queensland's fair share and will also deliver new public transport
infrastructure. We will always back commuters and passengers all the way.

[ilovebrisvegas]

I'm dizzy from all that spin...