Queensland Budget: Regions to win big in $11.6 billion infrastructure boom

QUEENSLAND Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says jobs and infrastructure will be the key priorities in today’s Budget, with the majority of the $11.6 billion to be spent on capital works in regions outside the southeast.

PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk says jobs and infrastructure will be the centrepiece of the 2018-19 State Budget.

Speaking in Parliament this morning ahead of the budget being delivered later today, Ms Palaszczuk said $11.6 billion would be spent on capital works in the coming financial year.

“It alone will support some 38,000 jobs” she said.

“Our budget shows our clear direction is jobs and infrastructure.

“The two go together - they are the foundations of a strong economy.”

Ms Palaszczuk said 65 per cent of the infrastructure spend would be allocated outside of the state’s southeast.

Treasurer Jackie Trad said it would be a “traditional Labor budget” focussed on setting Queenslanders up for the future.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says 65 per cent of the infrastructure spend would be allocated outside of the state’s southeast. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

“Our $45.8 billion infrastructure spend over the next four years is critical to not only generating jobs in our state, but to also ensuring that our economy is set up to grow and diversify in the future,” she said.

“We will be spending money on infrastructure projects the length and breadth of out state.”