
Olympics host on debt mission in 'responsible' budget
A cost-of-living cash splash is set to be reeled in as a state government looks at long-term budget repair before hosting an Olympics.
Queensland's Liberal National government is vowing to hand down a "responsible" budget for 2025/26 on Tuesday after winning the 2024 election and ending Labor's nine-year reign.
Treasurer David Janetzki is looking to chip away at Queensland's projected total debt of almost $220 billion ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Games.
"It will lay the foundations for a fresh start and it will be delivering for Queensland," he said.
The first LNP budget since 2014, when Campbell Newman was in power, will look very different to the former Labor government's last budget, which featured a big cost-of-living cash splash.
Queenslanders were treated to $1000 energy rebates and a 20 per cent reduction in car registration costs, along with frozen government fees.
Labor initially said total debt would blow out to $172 billion by 2027/28, including projected deficits for two financial years before returning to surplus in 2026/27.
However, in Mr Janetzki's mid-year budget update in January, debt was forecast to exceed $217 billion by 2027/28.
That led to credit rating agency S&P Global revising its outlook for Queensland from stable to negative, potentially threatening its AA+ rating.
If the rating is downgraded, it will increase the cost of borrowing and make it harder for the government to secure debt funding.
Queensland's revenue has also been hit hard by a $2.4 billion reduction of GST revenue in 2025/26 and falling coal royalties.
Neither Mr Janetzki nor Premier David Crisafulli would be swayed on whether the debt figure would change in Tuesday's budget, despite a pre-election promise that the red line would improve under the LNP.
But ahead of the release of the budget on Tuesday, it was revealed that the government will help first home buyers secure a home worth up to $1 million under what's being billed as the most generous shared equity scheme in the country.
Singles earning up to $150,000 and households with two adults earning up to $225,000 will be eligible to take part in the $165 million Boost to Buy program, according to the Courier Mail.
Under the program, the government will take up to 30 per cent equity in new builds and 25 per cent in existing homes, up to a value of $1 million.
Mr Crisafulli would not confirm if there would be a return to surplus in the government's first term.
The premier ruled out any cuts to the public service, promising it would be properly resourced.
The government wants to deliver structural support to services in four key areas - health, housing, crime and cost of living.
It has already announced almost $150 million to better equip the police force with tasers, tyre deflation devices and body-worn cameras.
Families with kids aged five to 17 can claim a $200 voucher to help with sports expenses, costing the government $62.5 million a year for four years.
"It will deliver targeted, responsible cost-of-living support for those who need it most," Mr Janetzki said of the budget.
A cost-of-living cash splash is set to be reeled in as a state government looks at long-term budget repair before hosting an Olympics.
Queensland's Liberal National government is vowing to hand down a "responsible" budget for 2025/26 on Tuesday after winning the 2024 election and ending Labor's nine-year reign.
Treasurer David Janetzki is looking to chip away at Queensland's projected total debt of almost $220 billion ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Games.
"It will lay the foundations for a fresh start and it will be delivering for Queensland," he said.
The first LNP budget since 2014, when Campbell Newman was in power, will look very different to the former Labor government's last budget, which featured a big cost-of-living cash splash.
Queenslanders were treated to $1000 energy rebates and a 20 per cent reduction in car registration costs, along with frozen government fees.
Labor initially said total debt would blow out to $172 billion by 2027/28, including projected deficits for two financial years before returning to surplus in 2026/27.
However, in Mr Janetzki's mid-year budget update in January, debt was forecast to exceed $217 billion by 2027/28.
That led to credit rating agency S&P Global revising its outlook for Queensland from stable to negative, potentially threatening its AA+ rating.
If the rating is downgraded, it will increase the cost of borrowing and make it harder for the government to secure debt funding.
Queensland's revenue has also been hit hard by a $2.4 billion reduction of GST revenue in 2025/26 and falling coal royalties.
Neither Mr Janetzki nor Premier David Crisafulli would be swayed on whether the debt figure would change in Tuesday's budget, despite a pre-election promise that the red line would improve under the LNP.
But ahead of the release of the budget on Tuesday, it was revealed that the government will help first home buyers secure a home worth up to $1 million under what's being billed as the most generous shared equity scheme in the country.
Singles earning up to $150,000 and households with two adults earning up to $225,000 will be eligible to take part in the $165 million Boost to Buy program, according to the Courier Mail.
Under the program, the government will take up to 30 per cent equity in new builds and 25 per cent in existing homes, up to a value of $1 million.
Mr Crisafulli would not confirm if there would be a return to surplus in the government's first term.
The premier ruled out any cuts to the public service, promising it would be properly resourced.
The government wants to deliver structural support to services in four key areas - health, housing, crime and cost of living.
It has already announced almost $150 million to better equip the police force with tasers, tyre deflation devices and body-worn cameras.
Families with kids aged five to 17 can claim a $200 voucher to help with sports expenses, costing the government $62.5 million a year for four years.
"It will deliver targeted, responsible cost-of-living support for those who need it most," Mr Janetzki said of the budget.
A cost-of-living cash splash is set to be reeled in as a state government looks at long-term budget repair before hosting an Olympics.
Queensland's Liberal National government is vowing to hand down a "responsible" budget for 2025/26 on Tuesday after winning the 2024 election and ending Labor's nine-year reign.
Treasurer David Janetzki is looking to chip away at Queensland's projected total debt of almost $220 billion ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Games.
"It will lay the foundations for a fresh start and it will be delivering for Queensland," he said.
The first LNP budget since 2014, when Campbell Newman was in power, will look very different to the former Labor government's last budget, which featured a big cost-of-living cash splash.
Queenslanders were treated to $1000 energy rebates and a 20 per cent reduction in car registration costs, along with frozen government fees.
Labor initially said total debt would blow out to $172 billion by 2027/28, including projected deficits for two financial years before returning to surplus in 2026/27.
However, in Mr Janetzki's mid-year budget update in January, debt was forecast to exceed $217 billion by 2027/28.
That led to credit rating agency S&P Global revising its outlook for Queensland from stable to negative, potentially threatening its AA+ rating.
If the rating is downgraded, it will increase the cost of borrowing and make it harder for the government to secure debt funding.
Queensland's revenue has also been hit hard by a $2.4 billion reduction of GST revenue in 2025/26 and falling coal royalties.
Neither Mr Janetzki nor Premier David Crisafulli would be swayed on whether the debt figure would change in Tuesday's budget, despite a pre-election promise that the red line would improve under the LNP.
But ahead of the release of the budget on Tuesday, it was revealed that the government will help first home buyers secure a home worth up to $1 million under what's being billed as the most generous shared equity scheme in the country.
Singles earning up to $150,000 and households with two adults earning up to $225,000 will be eligible to take part in the $165 million Boost to Buy program, according to the Courier Mail.
Under the program, the government will take up to 30 per cent equity in new builds and 25 per cent in existing homes, up to a value of $1 million.
Mr Crisafulli would not confirm if there would be a return to surplus in the government's first term.
The premier ruled out any cuts to the public service, promising it would be properly resourced.
The government wants to deliver structural support to services in four key areas - health, housing, crime and cost of living.
It has already announced almost $150 million to better equip the police force with tasers, tyre deflation devices and body-worn cameras.
Families with kids aged five to 17 can claim a $200 voucher to help with sports expenses, costing the government $62.5 million a year for four years.
"It will deliver targeted, responsible cost-of-living support for those who need it most," Mr Janetzki said of the budget.
A cost-of-living cash splash is set to be reeled in as a state government looks at long-term budget repair before hosting an Olympics.
Queensland's Liberal National government is vowing to hand down a "responsible" budget for 2025/26 on Tuesday after winning the 2024 election and ending Labor's nine-year reign.
Treasurer David Janetzki is looking to chip away at Queensland's projected total debt of almost $220 billion ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Games.
"It will lay the foundations for a fresh start and it will be delivering for Queensland," he said.
The first LNP budget since 2014, when Campbell Newman was in power, will look very different to the former Labor government's last budget, which featured a big cost-of-living cash splash.
Queenslanders were treated to $1000 energy rebates and a 20 per cent reduction in car registration costs, along with frozen government fees.
Labor initially said total debt would blow out to $172 billion by 2027/28, including projected deficits for two financial years before returning to surplus in 2026/27.
However, in Mr Janetzki's mid-year budget update in January, debt was forecast to exceed $217 billion by 2027/28.
That led to credit rating agency S&P Global revising its outlook for Queensland from stable to negative, potentially threatening its AA+ rating.
If the rating is downgraded, it will increase the cost of borrowing and make it harder for the government to secure debt funding.
Queensland's revenue has also been hit hard by a $2.4 billion reduction of GST revenue in 2025/26 and falling coal royalties.
Neither Mr Janetzki nor Premier David Crisafulli would be swayed on whether the debt figure would change in Tuesday's budget, despite a pre-election promise that the red line would improve under the LNP.
But ahead of the release of the budget on Tuesday, it was revealed that the government will help first home buyers secure a home worth up to $1 million under what's being billed as the most generous shared equity scheme in the country.
Singles earning up to $150,000 and households with two adults earning up to $225,000 will be eligible to take part in the $165 million Boost to Buy program, according to the Courier Mail.
Under the program, the government will take up to 30 per cent equity in new builds and 25 per cent in existing homes, up to a value of $1 million.
Mr Crisafulli would not confirm if there would be a return to surplus in the government's first term.
The premier ruled out any cuts to the public service, promising it would be properly resourced.
The government wants to deliver structural support to services in four key areas - health, housing, crime and cost of living.
It has already announced almost $150 million to better equip the police force with tasers, tyre deflation devices and body-worn cameras.
Families with kids aged five to 17 can claim a $200 voucher to help with sports expenses, costing the government $62.5 million a year for four years.
"It will deliver targeted, responsible cost-of-living support for those who need it most," Mr Janetzki said of the budget.
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Courier-Mail
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Housing concession wars: Aus ‘most attractive' handout revealed
In a daring move, an Aussie state is shaking up the housing concession wars, giving the 'most attractive in the nation' chance to house hunters to buy their first home. The move, announced in the Queensland budget by treasurer David Janetzk on Tuesday, has seen wide support from real estate lobby groups in the first LNP state government budget here in a decade. MORE: Brutal honesty sends 46-year Aus family home viral All the tax write offs Aussies can claim MORE: Mayor lands massive $1.15m payday ATO's dragnet: Millions of side hustles face shock tax bill The scheme will allow 1,000 buyers to land their first home off just a 2pc deposit as part of a $165m 'close the deposit gap' program, with the government sharing the equity load up to 30pc for new homes and 25pc for existing homes – and access expanded for workers that earn up to $150,000 or couples bringing in up to $225,000. The program – which opens for expressions of interest in a week (July 1) – covers properties up to $1m across Queensland to take into account record price surges since the pandemic – a threshold that's $250k jump on what LNP campaigned for during the election period. Given the government expects to raise over $45b in taxes from the property sector over the next four years, Real Estate Institute of Queensland head Antonia Mercorella came out in support of the initiative as well as future reform. 'With suitable income eligibility thresholds of up to $225,000 for couples and $150,000 for singles and a statewide property value cap of $1m, the scheme reflects modern property prices across Queensland and makes it the most attractive in the nation.' MORE: Cash-strap student turns $40k to 38 homes Govt pays $3.3m for unliveable derelict house Property Council Queensland executive director Jess Caire also welcomed the move to a more housing focused budget. 'Responding to the housing crisis is clearly a focus of this budget with significant spending allocated towards creating new supply, community housing and helping first home buyers get their foot in the door of the housing market,' she said. 'The $165m Boost to Buy scheme was an ask in our 2024 Be a Queenslander election campaign and an initiative that will help many Queenslanders realise the dream of home ownership.' Ms Mercorella said Brisbane local government area median house prices had already passed the million-dollar median mark, while Greater Brisbane was close, with units also surpassing the $700,000 level across the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. 'The generous cap ensures the scheme is relevant in all corners of our state including high-demand areas like Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast, where the median house price now sits above $1m. Without this adjustment, the scheme risked being out of touch with the reality faced by many first home buyers today.' MORE: Rate cut windfall: Aus big bank's shock new forecast Shock as city's distressed home listings surge 36pc in one month She did not expect the program to distort property demand given FHBs made up a small share of overall market activity, but said it 'may assist in rebalancing housing pressure by helping some renters transition into ownership'. 'I don't think we can underestimate the material impact this can have on thousands of lives and for generations to come.' Among the areas still on REIQ's wishlist for the state was stamp duty reform in favour of a land tax-based model, and abolishing stamp duty for downsizers over 55. 'We've seen a promising start with some relief for first home buyers through higher stamp duty concession thresholds, abolishment of stamp duty on new builds, and the removal of restrictions on renting out rooms, and now we'd like to see some relief extended to people at the opposite end of the housing cycle – downsizing Queenslanders.' 'We're hearing calls to remove barriers that delay older Queenslanders from downsizing – a stamp duty exemption would achieve this and also, in turn, allow younger families to upsize.' MORE REAL ESTATE NEWS

ABC News
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ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
Queensland Treasurer David Janetzki aims for hope amid uncertain times in ambitious state budget
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