How and when Qlders can get $100 for nothing

Treasurer David Janetzki has hailed a new era of “targeted and responsible” cost of living measures with Labor’s big energy rebates, rego discounts and other help now a thing of the past.

Rebates for Queenslanders in the state budget are few and far between this year.

Families will get $100 per primary school child each year and vulnerable Queenslanders will receive a small bump in energy bill relief in a budget bereft of major cost-of- living support.

Treasurer David Janetzki has hailed a new era of “targeted and responsible” cost-of-living measures with Labor’s big spending energy rebates, 20 per cent vehicle registration discount and other generous hip pocket help now a thing of the past.

The flagship measure of Mr Janetzki’s first budget is targeted at families with school-aged children.

From January 1 every school student attending Prep to Year 6 – regardless of the type of school they attend – will get $100 to spend on books, uniforms, and excursions in direct relief for families.

It will cost the budget $250 million each year and means a child attending a school in the most disadvantaged community will get the same financial help as a child whose parents pay a premium to attend a private school in Brisbane.

Treasurer David Janetzki. Picture: John Gass

Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the measure would help drive attendance and engagement.

“Supporting families to obtain the stationery, books and resources needed will set their kids up for success and have them looking forward to starting the school year,” he said.

“Cost-of-living relief should be long-term and that’s why the back to school boost will be delivered each and every year.”

P & Cs Queensland chief executive officer Scott Wiseman praised the government’s “commitment to education” and support for people struggling.

“We’re very pleased with the $100 back to school voucher, which provides immediate relief for our struggling families out there,” he said.

Power bills for vulnerable households will fall on average $386 this year after the government unfroze the indexation on rebates.

“This modest cost-of-living relief, frozen by the former government in 2022, will be indexed every year under the Crisafulli government,” he said.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli (right) and Treasurer David Janetzki arrive to address the media at the state budget media lockup at Parliament House in Brisbane. Picture: Dan Peled

The budget also allocated $250.5m over five years for $200 vouchers to make children’s sport “more affordable and accessible”.

Having already downsized their home due to cost-of-living pressures mother Rebecca Smith, 37, was disappointed that Labor’s $1000 energy rebate was not extended by the LNP.

“We’re in a considerably smaller place, not running as many appliances and we’re still really shocked when our electricity bill arrives,” Ms Smith said.

“It will definitely affect our family budget – $1000 is a lot of money – so we’ll just have to make the cuts somewhere else.”

Ms Smith (pictured) stopped work to be a full-time carer for her son Ziggy Frazer-Smith, 3, who has an extremely rare and terminal disorder – Pearson’s Syndrome.

Surviving on a single income from her partner Ms Smith welcomed the $100 back to school boost.

“Our hope is that Ziggy can go to his local state primary school when he’s older,” she said.

“With the soaring costs of all his medical appointments and groceries, any little bit of support would help.”

Originally published as How and when Qlders can get $100 for nothing