Queensland budget: Treasurer Cameron Dick accused of recycling promises

Treasurer Cameron Dick has refuted claims he is engaging in “cruel trickery” by recycling old budget announcements.

Treasurer Cameron Dick has slapped down suggestions he has recycled old announcements before delivering a “groundbreaking” state budget on Tuesday.

Mr Dick, who will hand down his third budget as Treasurer, was accused by the Opposition of engaging in “cruel trickery” by announcing a social housing milestone in the days leading up to the budget.

LNP Leader David Crisafulli said Monday’s announcement of 1200 new social and affordable homes had already been flagged, but unfunded, in last year’s budget.

“At a time when Queenslanders are living in their car and living in a tent the last thing they want is budget trickery,” he said.

“They want a plan to deliver housing solutions in their hour of need.”

Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick. Picture: John Gass

However, Mr Dick said the LNP’s criticism was unsubstantiated.

“We made a groundbreaking investment decision last budget to create those funds including for housing,” he said.

“Now we’re announcing the delivery of that … that’s what governments do.

“We make our announcement and then we deliver.”

Questions were also raised about the pledge to revolutionise Queensland’s rail network, which Mr Crisafulli said would not deliver any additional tracks.

The Treasurer insisted all announcements were new and he has promised to deliver a “groundbreaking budget”, but has remained tight-lipped about whether he will defy the powerful Queensland Resources Council and increase mining royalties.

The resources council has campaigned against the government’s plan to increase royalties, warning it would put regional jobs at risk.

Mr Dick said revenue measures would be revealed when he releases the budget at 2pm on Tuesday.

“It’ll be a budget of the likes of which we have not seen before in Queensland and I’m so excited to deliver it,” he said.

Mr Crisafulli said the budget must deliver “real money” to address health problems, social housing and cost of living relief.

“What this budget needs is to chart a vision for the future, that has never been more important,” he said.