Budget breakdown: Queensland’s $35b share of the Federal Government’s 2022 Budget

Queensland has been handed $35 billion in federal funding this financial year, with the federal government going after young voters and blue-collar battlers in particular. Here’s the breakdown of where it’s all going.

The Federal Government is going after young voters and blue-collar battlers across Queensland, promising more money in hip pockets in a pre-election Budget blitz.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg specifically called out central and north Queensland in his Budget speech as he sold the multibillion-dollar lifelines he hopes will sandbag precious marginal seats such as Brisbane and Flynn that are under threat from Labor.

With $3.7 billion in infrastructure spending this financial year, Tuesday’s Budget revealed the voters the government has in its sights as it emphasised the importance of manufacturing, cost of living and climate change.

In an attempt to woo young voters, including the 30,000 people aged between 25 and 34 in the marginal seat of Brisbane, more first home buyers will be able to crack into the housing market with a 5 per cent deposit.

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Maisie Wagner, 23, and Daniel Monsour, 23, are looking to buy their first home in Brisbane. Picture: Tara Croser.

House prices have skyrocketed in Brisbane, which the LNP holds by a margin of 4.92 per cent, and across the South East during the pandemic as interstate residents flocked to escape prolonged lockdowns.

The Home Guarantee Scheme, which will be expanded to 50,000 places per year, will also allow single parents to buy a home with a 2 per cent deposit.

“Home Builder, the First Home Super Saver Scheme and the Home Guarantee Scheme have helped make the dream of home ownership a reality,” Mr Frydenberg said.

The country’s paid parental leave will also be overhauled, allowing more families to access 20 weeks leave and to share theleave equally between both parents.

In a pitch to struggling industries that have suffered major workforce shortages throughout the pandemic, $2.8 billion will be invested in apprenticeships over five years.

New apprentices will pocket $5000 while employers who take them on will receive $15,000 in wage subsidies.

This will support an additional 800,000 training places.

Sophie Chisholm and Gregory Saunders are working in the trade industry. Picture: Luke Marsden.

Petrol bowser relief that will save drivers 22c/litre for the next six months will appeal to many Queenslanders struggling with cost of living pressures, including in the battleground seat of Longman, which centres on Caboolture.

More than 10 million low and middle income earners will get $420 back at tax time, and a further six million pensioner and welfare recipients are in line for a $250 cash bonus.

The LNP holds Longman by a margin of just 3.28 per cent and desperately needs to retain it to win another term in power.

Blue-collar workers are also a focus, which will appeal to voters in Flynn where the economy relies on aluminium and coal exports and which the LNP holds by a margin of 8.66 per cent.

The Treasurer underlined the importance of manufacturing during his budget speech, saying Covid-19 and events in Ukraine had “been a powerful reminder that we must increase our self-reliance”.

The government has pledged $1 billion for its Modern Manufacturing Strategy, saying “a modern resilient manufacturing sector is part of our plan for a stronger future.”

And it has promised $190 million for the Mount Isa to Rockhampton Corridor Upgrade in the seat.

State MP Colin Boyce, who is running for the LNP in Flynn, will go up against well-known Gladstone Mayor Matt Burnett for Labor.

Meanwhile, the tourism-reliant and Covid-decimated economy of Cairns will benefit from millions of dollars to attract more international visitors as the LNP fight to retain Leichhardt, held on a 4.17 per cent margin.

The government has also promised $1 billion for water quality protection, habitat restoration and resilience science for the neighbouring Great Barrier Reef as Warren Entsch resists retirement to run again.

Mr Frydenberg also raised the continuing plight of Queensland regions grappling with a shortage of doctors for their communities as he promised $99.3 million for more training places for medical students studying in rural and remote locations.

In another pitch to the regions – specifically Kennedy, where KAP MP Bob Katter’s support is crucial in the event of a hung parliament – $5.4 billion has been pledged for Hell’s Gate Dam.

Geotechnical drilling under way on the Burdekin River north of Charters Towers as part of the Hells Gate Dam.

However there is no money for the drought-busting project over the forward estimates, with it awaiting a business case.

In the seat of Hinkler, which borders Flynn, $600 million has been promised towards restoring Paradise Dam.

A further $1.7 billion for regional infrastructure, including $483 million to go towards Urannah Dam, was also announced.

Statewide

– $1.5m to the Katie Rose Cottage Hospice in Queensland

– $17.2m to extend funding to Heart of Australia to provide specialist medical support in regional and remote Queensland

– $678m to Outback Way in NT, Queensland and WA

– $99.3m to increase the number of medical students studying in rural and remote locations

– $14.4 million for the Phillips Creek Bridge Replacement Project

– $118m over four years to support state-type service delivery on Norfolk Island

Brisbane

– $22.5m for the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games 2032

Longman

– $5m to Caboolture PCYC

– $1.6bn for Brisbane to Sunshine Coast – Beerwah-Maroochydore Rail Extension

– $27.2m for Bruce Highway Upgrade

Fairfax

– $1.6bn for Brisbane to Sunshine Coast – Beerwah-Maroochydore Rail Extension

Fisher

– $1.6bn for Brisbane to Sunshine Coast – Beerwah-Maroochydore Rail Extension

Forde

– $1.1bn for the Brisbane to the Gold Coast – Kuraby-Beenleigh Faster Rail Upgrade

Moreton

– $1.1bn for the Brisbane to the Gold Coast – Kuraby-Beenleigh Faster Rail Upgrade

Hinkler

– $600m for Paradise Dam Improvement

Kennedy

– $5.4bn for Hells Gates Dam

– $1.7bn for water infrastructure and supply chain projects in North and Central Queensland

– $190.0m for the Mount Isa to Rockhampton Corridor Upgrade

Leichhardt

– $1.7bn for water infrastructure and supply chain projects in North and Central Queensland

– $1bn over nine years to advancing marine science for the Great Barrier Reef

– $12.4m in to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to extend fee relief to local tourism businesses

– $68.5m for the Cooktown to Weipa Corridor Upgrade

– $31.6m for the Cairns to Northern Territory Border Corridor Upgrade

Maranoa

– $126.5m for Emu Swamp Dam and Pipeline

– $36.2 million for the Wyaga Creek Flood Improvement Project

Flynn

– $600m to North Burnett region to transform irrigated agriculture

– $190.0m for the Mount Isa to Rockhampton Corridor Upgrade

Fadden

– $11.0m for the Coomera Connector Future Stages Business Case.

Herbert

– $114.4m for the Tennant Creek to Townsville Corridor Upgrade

– $19.1m for the Townsville to Roma Corridor Upgrade