Treasurer Cameron Dick’s pre-budget tax ‘promise’ for residents, but businesses sweat
As next week’s budget looms, Treasurer Cameron Dick has left the door open for tax changes, but reiterated a ‘promise’ that everyday Queenslanders won’t suffer.
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Treasurer Cameron Dick has left the door open for tax changes on business and industry in next week’s state budget, but reiterated a “promise” that everyday Queenslanders won’t suffer.
Mr Dick on Monday twice refused to rule out tax changes on businesses and industry when he delivers his fifth state budget on June 11.
“We promised no new or increased taxes on Queenslanders and that’s our promise and that’s what we have delivered consistently,” he said.
When asked why he would rule out new or higher taxes on Queenslanders, but not business or industry, Mr Dick said revenue measures would be introduced in eight days.
“Just stand by,” he said.
“I didn’t make a promise to big coal companies.
“I didn’t make a promise to big corporations.
“Of course we’re looking to keep revenue manageable within our fiscal principles.
“That’s what we’ve delivered in successive budgets and we will stick to that fiscal principle in this budget as well.”
Mr Dick in 2022 faced criticism for raising mining royalty tiers and introducing a gambling tax without consultation.
Tuesday’s pre-election budget is expected to feature new cost-of-living measures as the state government attempts to shift polling showing it is on track to lose the October election.
Previously announced measures including 50c public transport fares and half-price Airtrain fares will be funded in the June 11 budget.
The government’s flagship $2.5bn energy bill rebate measure was funded from this year’s budget.
“We’ve made a series of announcements, obviously because we’ve put cost of living front and centre and it’ll be front and centre in the budget on the 11th of June,” Mr Dick said.
“We are doing more work to see what we can do to assist Queenslanders.
“Providing relief for national and global cost pressures … that will be the centrepiece in our budget in eight days’ time.”
Mr Dick last month flagged a $3bn deficit in the budget, with borrowings expected to be used to fund pre-election cost-of-living relief.
The Treasurer told parliament he was making a choice between “whether to prioritise people or numbers on a balance sheet; to decide who comes first – ratings agencies or Queensland families”.
Business Chamber Queensland used its state budget submission to plead for the government to offer relief to struggling companies.
“It is also very important to recognise the same cost-of-living issues that are being experienced in the community are also being experienced by businesses,” Chamber external affairs manager Catherine Hughes said.
“In many ways, the same pressures that are being experienced around the kitchen table are also being experienced around the business table.”
Business Chamber said its survey found almost 90 per cent of businesses said insurance-bill relief would have a significant effect on their business.
Originally published as Treasurer Cameron Dick’s pre-budget tax ‘promise’ for residents, but businesses sweat
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