Qld the boom state, with more than 20,000 to cross the border annually

Queensland will gain the most residents fleeing other states in coming years, with more than 20,000 set to cross the border annually.

The state is also set to grow faster than previously thought, surpassing 5.5 million residents within one year rather than two, according to the federal budget released by Logan-based treasurer Jim Chalmers on Tuesday night.

The budget offered no new details on the rest of the $1.8 billion south-east Queensland City Deal, which is still tied up in plans being hashed out by governments.

But despite a looming review of national infrastructure schemes, some projects in the fast-growing region appear to be safe for now.

Included in the budget was confirmation that both the Beerwah to Maroochydore rail extension and Kuraby to Beenleigh faster rail upgrade remain funded to the tune of $1.6 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively. The Borumba pumped hydro plant near Gympie will receive an undisclosed sum.

As the region prepares to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the federal government will contribute $1.1 billion in total over the next four financial years for venue infrastructure.

Queensland will see the largest net interstate migration increase of any Australian jurisdiction over the coming years.Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

The maximum federal Games contribution will be $3.4 billion over 10 years, including a capped investment of up to $2.5 billion for the development of Brisbane Arena, and up to $935 million towards 16 new or upgraded minor venues.

Despite Australia as a whole experiencing a drop in migration due to the pandemic, Queensland’s population growth is tipped to remain strong and pass the 5.5 million mark some time in the first half of 2024.

This will be helped by the balance of those exiting and entering the state, leaving Queensland with 28,900 more residents this financial year, and more than 21,000 across each of the next four – the largest net cross-border increase of any state or territory.

NSW is set to lose more than Queensland gains over the same period – something its new premier has put down to cost-of-living pressures and higher pay – while Victoria will only pick up 2000 to 3000 extra residents.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath is gearing up to launch her latest campaign to “poach” health workers from interstate, while Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced a $20,000 relocation bonus for experienced police officers earlier on Tuesday.

But with housing pressures and living costs biting, Chalmers’ budget also featured a $5.7 billion Medicare funding boost aimed at lowering the cost of visiting a doctor, along with increases in rent assistance and income support, plus electricity bill subsidies in partnership with the states.

In state parliament earlier on Tuesday, Palaszczuk reiterated calls for more federal funding to boost access to GPs and help patients in public hospitals move on to aged care or disability support.

She also called for funding for transport infrastructure, including Bruce and Pacific highway upgrades, faster rail to Logan and the Gold Coast – along with planning for stage four of that city’s light rail – and Sunshine Coast rail upgrades.

Palaszczuk pointed to the state’s disproportionate share of properties – 7400 – that are set to fall off the National Rental Affordability Scheme by 2026, a gap Treasurer Cameron Dick previously said there was “no way” the state could fill.

Dick will deliver his government’s ninth budget in just over a month, on June 13. Little detail of that has been revealed so far, other than a promise that it will include “further cost of living relief” above the $175 electricity rebate already announced.

The following day, Brisbane City Council will deliver its own budget, which last year passed $4 billion for the first time and lifted rates by 5 per cent.