Appropriation (Parliament) Bill 2024

As Premier, spoke strongly in support of the budget, highlighting cost-of-living relief measures including power rebates, 50-cent fares, and infrastructure investments.

“I rise to speak in support of the 2024 state budget, my first as Queensland's Premier. In it I am doing what matters for Queensland now with immediate cost-of-living relief.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

As Deputy Premier and Treasurer, moved that the bills be read a second time, introducing the budget focused on cost-of-living relief and infrastructure investment.

“I move—That the bills be now read a second time.”— 2024-06-13View Hansard

As Deputy Leader of the Opposition, criticised the budget as a 'four-month election budget' and attacked the government's record, but acknowledged LNP would support the cost-of-living measures in the appropriation bills.

“That is why we are seeing now the cost-of-living measures that they have proposed and that we will support in the appropriation bills we are debating today, because we know how tough Queenslanders are doing it at the moment under the Labor government.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

As Leader of the Opposition, delivered budget reply supporting cost-of-living measures but criticising the government's record on housing, health, youth crime and cost of living. Announced LNP housing policy and cancellation of Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro if elected.

“The LNP supports the cost-of-living measures in this budget as an inevitable cost of nine years of planning failures. The difference is that we will also embark on a new plan—a plan that seeks to address the long-term causes of Queensland's cost-of-living crisis.”— 2024-06-13View Hansard

Defended the budget as delivering for his electorate, citing investments in schools, health, and cost-of-living relief including 50-cent bus fares.

“The answer is a resounding yes. We have invested in every single state school in my electorate—new or upgraded classrooms, tuckshops, halls, playgrounds, air conditioning, solar panels, manual arts blocks, sporting facilities, and the list goes on.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Strongly defended the budget's cost-of-living measures and criticised the opposition's housing policy as copying Labor initiatives while blocking federal shared equity scheme.

“We are providing $1,000 in electricity rebates, plus $300 from the federal government, making a total of $1,672 for vulnerable households. We can do this because we own our assets; we did not sell them.”— 2024-06-13View Hansard

Criticised the government's infrastructure failures on the Sunshine Coast and lack of transparency, while welcoming LNP housing policies.

“This Labor government cut, and they cannot say when they will put it back in. They have not woken up to the fact that its absence is actually a tourniquet around the Sunshine Coast related to livability, economic development and safety.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Criticised the budget as an election-focused cash splash rather than addressing long-term issues. Announced LNP would restore Queensland Productivity Commission and introduce stamp duty abolition for first home buyers on new dwellings.

“The fundamental test of this budget was whether it would be an election budget for the next four months or a budget for Queensland's future for the next four years and beyond. It is an obvious question, and this decade-old government has answered it clearly: it is all about the election.”— 2024-06-13View Hansard

Argued the LNP's failure to oppose the budget means they are committed to supporting Labor's social service policies for the next four years.

“This is because the Leader of the Opposition said last week that he was signing the LNP up to the Labor Party policies. They cannot say that this is a matter of simply convention of not blocking supply; they have been signed up to the policies of the Miles Labor government.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Strongly defended the budget's energy investments and attacked the LNP's announcement to scrap the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro project, arguing it would cut 3,000 construction jobs and harm clean energy transition.

“Today they have repeatedly announced that they will cut the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro project. The LNP cuts list just got bigger and bigger.”— 2024-06-13View Hansard

Criticised the budget as a 'four-month election budget' that fails regional Queensland, particularly the Burdekin electorate which contributes significant royalties but receives minimal investment.

“Make no mistake: this was a four-month election budget, a big-spending budget to buy votes. Queenslanders will not be fooled because a leopard does not change its spots.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Welcomed school funding and some local projects but criticised the push towards renewables and lack of funding for community centres. Called for inland highway from Cairns to Tablelands instead of Barron River bridge upgrade.

“While we welcome the electricity rebate, which is welcomed by every Queenslander, there is a huge difference in household electricity bills in regional Queensland compared to Brisbane.”— 2024-06-13View Hansard

As Minister for Agriculture, praised the budget's cost-of-living support and investment in agricultural initiatives, biosecurity and rural communities.

“The state budget handed down by the Treasurer on Tuesday is an outstanding Labor budget, one well suited to today's economic climate. It is a budget that provides the most comprehensive cost-of-living support ever delivered by a Queensland government.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Strongly supported the budget's health investments and cost-of-living relief, criticising the opposition for having no health policy announcements in their budget reply.

“I was listening keenly to the Leader of the Opposition's budget reply speech. I was waiting to hear just one idea about health and to see just one dollar committed... There is nothing on the piece of paper.”— 2024-06-13View Hansard

Criticised the budget as a desperate bid to survive the election, while acknowledging some welcome investments like Common Ground supportive housing in Southport.

“While I am sure many Queenslanders will welcome some of the cost-of-living relief measures touted by the Treasurer, I am also sure that most Queenslanders will see them for what they are—a last-minute desperate bid to secure votes on 26 October.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Strongly criticised the government's housing record, citing 43,000 people on social housing waiting list and failed Housing Investment Fund. Praised the opposition leader's housing policy announcements.

“There are currently 43,000 Queenslanders on the social housing waiting list, and that figure increases year on year. On Labor's watch, building approvals are 25 per cent below the 10-year average and new housing lot approvals have fallen by around 30 per cent.”— 2024-06-13View Hansard

Praised the budget's cost-of-living measures and support for renewable energy, particularly pumped hydro.

“This is a budget about cost of living and my electorate, like everywhere else, feels that first and foremost. I do not think that there would be a member of this House who has not heard that message loud and clear.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Defended the budget's cost-of-living measures and progressive coal royalties, criticising the LNP's housing record when the member for Everton was housing minister.

“This is a government that is looking out for Queenslanders where they need it. Because we own our energy assets, we are able to provide at least $1,000 off power bills, with a $1,372 rebate for pensioners and concession card holders.”— 2024-06-13View Hansard

As shadow environment minister, criticised the government's lack of environmental ambition while expressing concern about Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro impacts.

“This is a budget all about getting a decade-old Labor government through the next four months until the state election; it is not one focused on setting a vision for the next four years or beyond for our state.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Criticised the government's record on youth crime, health, housing and cost of living. Argued the electricity rebate merely disguises the truth that energy has become more expensive under Labor.

“During all of the years of crises—the youth crime crisis, the health crisis, the housing crisis and the cost-of-living crisis—there is one constant. They all tie back to one thing: they are all the direct result of a government that has been so consumed by itself that it has not kept an eye on what is happening to Queenslanders.”— 2024-06-13View Hansard

Praised the budget for delivering cost-of-living relief and contrasted it with the LNP's record of cuts.

“I congratulate the Treasurer and the Premier on delivering a proud Labor budget that is 100 per cent focused on doing what matters for Queensland and for the people of Pumicestone.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Called the budget a desperate vote-buying exercise, criticising the government's failures on housing, health, crime and cost of living over nine years.

“This is a desperate budget by a desperate Treasurer hoping a deliberate pork-barrelling cash splash will drag a flailing, on-the-nose government from the abyss of an election defeat on 26 October.”— 2024-06-13View Hansard

Criticised the budget as a desperate cash splash that neglects Ipswich, while welcoming LNP housing policies.

“Make no mistake: this budget is nothing more than a desperate cash splash to distract from the pain the Palaszczuk government and the Miles Labor government—new, old but definitely the same Labor government—have inflicted on Queenslanders for nearly a decade.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Highlighted the budget's cost-of-living measures and local investments in her electorate including the satellite hospital, mental health facilities, and school infrastructure.

“Whether it is for our little ones with free kindy or our young people in terms of skills and training with free TAFE and apprenticeships, or whether it is discounts off car rego, energy rebates or seniors rebates and concessions. They are absolutely massive.”— 2024-06-13View Hansard

Praised the budget for taking action on cost of living and criticised the LNP for copying Labor policies.

“There are smiles for miles in the Stretton electorate, thanks to this historic budget. It is a budget that is all about doing what is right for Queensland and the people of the Stretton electorate.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Criticised the budget as vote-buying, highlighting debt growth from $72 billion to $172 billion over nine years. Called for infrastructure investment in the Scenic Rim electorate.

“Queenslanders need to know that this budget is all about trying to buy votes. It is for the next four months—nothing more, nothing less. Labor will do and say anything to stay in power.”— 2024-06-13View Hansard

Criticised the budget for failing to deliver for the Gympie electorate while attacking government failures in health, housing, and agriculture.

“The budget is proof that the government's real priorities are about power—on re-election—not Queensland. Year after year, it has boasted about record budgets, yet Queenslanders are worse off and there is less to show.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Praised the budget for delivering on education, healthcare, cost-of-living relief and local election commitments in his electorate.

“I am very proud to rise to support this budget. It speaks to the values of the Labor Party. It speaks to the values of this government.”— 2024-06-13View Hansard

As Minister for Employment and Small Business, praised the budget for delivering cost-of-living relief and infrastructure investment for Ipswich.

“This budget is a budget that delivers on what matters for Bundamba, it is a budget that delivers on what matters for Ipswich and it is a budget that delivers for what matters for Queensland.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Criticised the budget as only addressing the next four months rather than fixing underlying issues. Welcomed LNP's announcement to scrap Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro and praised housing policy announcements.

“This could have been a budget for the next four years. Instead, it is only for the next four months.”— 2024-06-13View Hansard

Criticised the budget as irresponsible spending to cling to power, comparing it to the final Beattie-Bligh government budget.

“This is not the first budget of a new government; rather, it is the 10th budget of a tired old government. In those 10 budgets Labor has added $100 billion of debt, going from $72 billion to $172 billion by the end of the forwards.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Highlighted the budget's cost-of-living measures including energy rebates, FairPlay vouchers, 50-cent public transport fares and progressive coal royalties funding these initiatives.

“I think it is only fair that if mining companies are making super profits then their royalty rate reflects that. These resources belong to every single Queenslander and I believe that every single Queenslander deserves to get the benefits.”— 2024-06-13View Hansard

Praised significant infrastructure funding for Caloundra including Direct Sunshine Coast Rail and local facilities.

“This funding represents the biggest transport infrastructure project the Sunshine Coast has ever seen. All it took was state and federal Labor governments—and two MPs in the member for Nicklin and me—who were actually willing to do the work.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Thanked the government for local funding allocations but criticised the green energy infrastructure program and Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro as environmentally destructive. Welcomed opposition's announcement to scrap pumped hydro.

“I am glad to hear the opposition say today that they would scrap that idea. We do not want that in the electorate of Mirani.”— 2024-06-13View Hansard

Criticised the budget as focused on the next four months rather than the next four years, attacking the government's record on health, crime, and housing.

“Over the last 10 years this government have borrowed $100,000 million more than they have collected. That is how much more they have spent to not be able to deliver health services, to cause our housing crisis, to cause the crime crisis, to not have the police on the beat.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Supported the budget's cost-of-living measures and highlighted investments in First Nations initiatives including the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry and Treaty Institute.

“All of these cost-of-living measures and many more can only happen because we have made multinational mining companies pay their fair share and we have kept electricity assets in public hands.”— 2024-06-13View Hansard

As Minister for Housing, defended the Homes for Queenslanders plan and criticised the LNP for copying Labor's housing policy.

“We want every Queenslander to have a safe, affordable place to call home, and that is why one of the first things the Premier did was outline his Homes for Queenslanders plan, within only a matter of months of becoming the Premier of this state.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Criticised the budget as an election budget focused on re-election rather than fixing crises, while highlighting failures in housing and biosecurity.

“It is clear that this government does not value agriculture. Lack of support and regulatory burdens translate into higher prices at the check-out.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Highlighted budget investments in Far North Queensland including water security, energy, health and education infrastructure.

“The budget bills before this House set out how the Queensland government is supporting good, secure jobs, providing record investment in housing, upgraded and new infrastructure and significant cost-of-living relief for Queenslanders.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Criticised government failures on housing, crime and health while welcoming LNP housing policy announcements.

“As I travel across my electorate—whether it is doing my regular roadsides in the afternoons, doorknocking, doing letterbox drops or during storm clean-ups—I continually hear the frustration of so many residents when it comes to the issues facing them.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Praised the budget's cost-of-living relief and significant investments in roads, police and health infrastructure for Thuringowa.

“I believe this is a budget for the future and one that delivers the largest cost-of-living relief for my hardworking mums and dads in Thuringowa.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Praised the budget for delivering cost-of-living relief and mental health funding, while criticising the LNP's record on mental health.

“This budget is a budget that delivers on what matters for Queenslanders, and we are backing them with this budget.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Praised health and education investments, Cross River Rail, and 50-cent fares as transformational policies.

“I think this is one of the most cut-through policies in decades that I have seen in public life. Everybody knows about it. The level of support is huge.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Praised the budget as Labor's best yet, highlighting cost-of-living relief, energy plan, and transport investments.

“We in the parliamentary Labor Party stand up every day for jobs, housing, health, infrastructure education and action to ease the cost of living, which is a hallmark of this government when times are tough for Queenslanders.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Praised the budget for delivering cost-of-living relief particularly to outer suburban families in Logan.

“This is a budget that is proudly Labor and one that I am proud to take back to my electorate, because this is a budget that will make a difference to people in my electorate.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Praised the budget for strengthening Queensland's economic position and delivering for the diverse Toohey community.

“I am grateful, as the member for Toohey, to speak about how this bill will strengthen the strong foundation the Miles Labor government has created not only for my community but for all Queensland.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

Defended Labor's record in the Redlands and praised cost-of-living relief measures and sporting infrastructure investments.

“On Tuesday, the Miles Labor government delivered a budget that is doing what matters for the good people of Capalaba. When I speak to the people of Capalaba, the No. 1 issue I hear about is the cost of living.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard

As Treasurer, defended the budget in his reply speech, attacking the LNP's lack of costings and defending progressive coal royalties and renewable energy investments.

“I am pleased to commence this address in reply by reaffirming that the Miles Labor government is doing what matters for Queenslanders. We are providing nation-leading cost-of-living relief to help Queenslanders navigate uncertain times.”— 2024-06-14View Hansard