300 new classrooms, 10 new schools unveiled in budget cash splash

The location of 10 new Queensland schools will be revealed, as the government unveils a massive education cash splash in today’s budget, that will also include promises of 300 new classrooms. FOLLOW OUR COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE

Three hundred new classrooms across more than 35 different schools will be built in a major state budget injection for Queensland children worth $541 million.

The commitment will come on top of $1 billion for 10 new schools that will be built to cater for new-growth communities, the locations of which parents will find out today.

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Teachers and pupils will score new administration buildings and amenities alongside the new classrooms, with construction set to deliver around 1600 jobs.

Premier Palaszczuk and Treasurer Cameron Dick Picture: Adam Head

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said today‘s budget would include record spending for education and health, with “a huge spend on capital infrastructure as well”.

“We know we need to cater for our growing state and we will continue to do that,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

People fleeing abusive relationships, regional communities experiencing drought and prisoners in overcrowded cells will also benefit from the budget.

The budget will contain $20m to support those experiences or at risk of domestic violence, allowing them to access safe housing.

The money will go towards additional housing available, fund specialised services to work on safety issues, and provide additional assistance packages that pay for removalists, the replacing of white goods, transport, furniture and damaged goods and enhanced security.

An additional 500 beds will be installed at overcrowded prisons.

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Treasurer Cameron Dick will hand down his second budget today. Picture: Adam Head

The additional capacity, costing $8m, will deal with increased numbers of offenders who are in custody for longer periods.

There will also be $70m over three years to deliver better water supply and security in regional Queensland through the Building our Regions Program.

It will focus on works identified by councils to improve water infrastructure.

And the government will use $11m to improve cybersecurity in government agencies, including local government bodies, and to educate its workforce on cyber risks.

Meanwhile, Opposition leader David Crisafulli said Treasurer Cameron Dick was cutting infrastructure spending by $4bn, comparing what will be spent in the four years to 2023-24 to the expected spend in the four years to 2024-25.

“Revenue has increased, and spending on infrastructure is decreasing – and so the question is where is the money going,” he said.

“My question is why would you be taking $4bn out of infrastructure at a time when you know that people are moving to Queensland?”

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli

But the government denied their claim, insisting $4bn will not be taken out of the forward estimates that was promised in last year’s Budget.

“We don’t build roads twice,” Mr Dick said.

“We won’t build Cross River Rail twice.”

The forward estimates released in today’s Budget will go through to 2024-25, when the government’s signature infrastructure project – Cross River Rail – will be nearing completion.

“The numbers are looking good for Queensland – debt will be lower, deficits will be lower and that’s the dividend that we will be returning to Queenslanders through increased services, through more infrastructure and a larger increase in jobs,” Mr Dick said.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE QLD BUDGET

– Debt and deficit figures will be smaller than the $8.633 billion deficit had been forecast for this year, and the $130b figure total debt was to hit by 2023-24 thanks to improving revenue

– Capital expenditure over four years of $52.21b

– Two per cent efficiency dividend for health services remains, but will not be increased

– $541 million to build more than 300 new classrooms, administration buildings and amenities at more than 35 state schools

– $1b for 10 new schools to be built

– Skilling Queenslanders for Work program to continue with further $320m injection, and $140 million for a revitalised Back to Work program.

– $70m over three years for better water supply and security in regional Queensland through the Building our Regions Program

– $20m for housing support for people experiencing domestic violence

– $11m for cybersecurity within government entities

– $8m to increase prison capacity through installation of 500 new beds

– $71m to bolster Queensland’s screen industry, totalling $53m over two years for the state’s Production Attraction Strategy, $4m over four years for to boost the industry in the state’s north and $10m over two years for a “post, digital and visual effects” incentive

– New drivers licence transfer fee of $78.75 for people moving to Queensland to generate $17m

– $41.3m for new racing infrastructure, funded by 35 per cent cut from Queensland‘s point-of-consumption tax

– Announcement expected on public service hiring freeze, due to finish next month

– Latest public service figures expected to be released, with a further 3800 public servants expected to be hired over the next year

– $750m savings across entire public service per year