WHILE the state budget may give the appearance of rivers of gold flowing through Queensland, I have sounded a warning that could see promises undelivered.
The budget documents forecast a 60 per cent reduction in royalties for the 2023-24 financial year, a reduction that could leave projects uncompleted or even abandoned before work begins.
Undoubtedly, the extra $10 Billion in coal royalties are responsible for many of the projects and programs announced in the budget.
My concern is that, once that river of gold dries up, projects will either be left half-finished or completely abandoned.
There are a lot of projects in the electorate that are only partially funded and then there is a long list of projects completely ignored.
There’s no funding for a CT Scanner at the Ayr Hospital for example, no funding to upgrade the TAFE college to train our young people for jobs and no new funding for the Bruce High- way.
In the 2022-23 financial year, the Queensland government earnt a whopping $18.288 Billion from royalties and land rent.
Of great concern is the fact that the budget documents forecast a reduction of 60% in the 2023-24 financial year and a further 20% the following year.
The budget should be about more than glossy brochures.
You really have to dig down into the details and also ask whether the government will actually deliver on its promises. While the budget contained measures to address spiralling cost of living.
