Federal Budget 2018: Big on promises but scant on delivery

THIS year’s Federal Budget was exactly what we’ve come to expect from Malcolm Turnbull and his Treasurer Scott Morrison – it was big on promises by scant on actually delivering them, writes Deputy Premier Jackie Trad.

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THE Federal Budget was exactly what we’ve come to expect from Malcolm Turnbull and his Treasurer Scott Morrison.

It ignored critical projects like Cross River Rail and the Townsville Port, failed to renew partnerships in remote indigenous housing, early education and …

It was big on promises but scant on delivery, with important projects like M1 funding not funded for another four years. Of course, we’ve seen this all before.

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Last year there was the $10 billion rail plan that appropriated nothing until 2019-20. Before that there was the $5 billion NAIF which to this day has not spent a single cent on a Queensland project.

This Budget proves that Malcolm Turnbull only has a plan for his re-election, not a plan for our nation, turning windfall revenues into nothing more than a pork-barrelling exercise.

But, and I’m sure many, many Queenslanders would agree with me here, I’m not fooled.

We need a Federal Government who will genuinely commit to the critical projects that Queensland needs to deliver jobs and grow the economy.

We need a Federal Government who will join with us to fund the frontline services our state needs as we grow.

We need a Federal Government who understands the unique challenges of a diverse, decentralised state like Queensland.

Who wants the best for all Queenslanders, whether they live in Brisbane, Barcaldine or Bamaga. We need our fair share.

But instead we got this Budget. Light on detail, light on vision and light on for Queensland.

Jackie Trad is the Deputy Premier of Queensland.