The upcoming state budget in Queensland will include $45 billion in infrastructure spending over the next four years, premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and treasurer Jackie Trad have said.
Labor will soon announce its first state budget since it was re-elected in Queensland in November 2017. Palaszczuk said on May 20 she was determined to deliver a budget which matched the promises her party made during the election.
“I promised to keep growing our economy and I’m delivering,” the premier said. “This budget will see $45 billion invested in infrastructure across the next four years, building our cities and regional Queensland for the future.”
Spending will cover the building of Cross River Rail, along with roads projects, stadiums and convention centres. There will be $11.5 billion spent in 2018/19 alone, the government has said.
“The government’s four-year $45 billion infrastructure plan will deliver the right projects in the right place at the right time to meet the demands of our fast-growing state,” treasurer Jackie Trad said.
“As Queensland transitions to a more innovative, diverse and productive economy, it is vital that our infrastructure maximises our opportunities and provides long-term sustainable benefits.”
Trad and Palaszczuk pointed out the $11.5 billion Queensland will set aside for infrastructure in 2018/19 is more than eight times what the Turnbull Government plans to spend on the state’s infrastructure in the same timeframe.
“Public infrastructure is a driver for transformative change,” Trad said, “encouraging private investment and making our communities better places to live.”