Cairns state budget 2025-26 lunch hungry for detail in funding buckets

The hard work to make Queensland’s budget deliver for the Far North starts now, with the 163-page document’s lack of detail creating opportunities, industry leaders say.

Cairns business leaders listen to Queensland Treasurer David Jantezki deliver his post budget speech at the Chamber of Commerce members lunch, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

The hard work to make Queensland’s budget deliver for the Far North starts now, with the 163-page document’s lack of detail creating opportunities, industry leaders say.

But at a Cairns business lunch address on Tuesday, treasurer David Janetzki described his financial plan as a “calm and methodical” repair job following claims of “funding cliffs” created by the previous government.

“Tourism investments was $165m in the budget dwindling down across the (forward estimates) to an unbelievable $8m,” he said.

“When you’re looking at one in seven Far North Queenslanders employed by the tourism sector, we had to make sure that funding was done.”

Queensland Treasurer David Jantezki has delivered a post budget speech to Cairns business leaders at the Chamber of Commerce members lunch, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

But despite the treasurer’s 20-minute address, Far North advocacy leaders said there was “always room for more funding” and multiple questions to be answered.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Mark Olsen said the budget listed multiple buckets of funding, across a broad range of topics, but the “hard work” to direct those streams towards the Far North “starts now”.

“The treasurer and the state budget clearly shows they have created buckets for future development and growth, whether it’s the residential activation fund, it’s the Connecting Queensland Fund, it’s the roads bucket, we really need to be continuing our hard work, and the industry needs to be backing their industry bodies over the next 12 to ensure that our region gets its fair share,” he said.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce chief executive Patricia O'Neill, Advance Cairns chairman Nick Trompf, Queensland Treasurer David Jantezki, Advance Cairns chief executive Jacinta Reddan, Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Mark Olsen and Cairns Chamber of Commerce president Enver Selita the Chamber of Commerce members lunch, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Certainly the budget provides the opportunity, but it is up to us to make those opportunities a reality here. We need a strong voice.

“We welcome the investment in the Barron River Bridge, but we’re really looking to see what’s next; where is the Western Arterial Rd?

“What is the plan for the Peninsula Development Rd … so the devil is always in the detail.”

Mr Olsen said other questions still requiring answers were the exact funding allocation for the promised Barlow Park upgrade, and the government’s motivation toward investing in a high performance centre in conjunction with the North Queensland Cowboys.

Queensland Treasurer David Jantezki, Minister for Finance Ros Bates and Assistant Tourism Minister Bree James speak on a panel at the Chamber of Commerce members lunch, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

Advance Cairns chief executive Jacinta Reddan said there had been discussions by the LNP government around “building a more resilient” hospital and moving the health service’s helipad away from the Esplanade, “but there’s no funding for it”.

“There’s been funding set aside for refurbishment, but that’s ongoing funding,” she said.

Ms Reddan also reminded the state government that building the ship lift at the Common User Facility wouldn’t “get any cheaper”.

“So, if the project’s going to require more money, (the treasurer) is going to be the one that makes that decision.”

Cairns Chamber of Commerce chief executive Patricia O’Neill said the business sector welcomed a number of measures in the budget including streamlining procurement policies, five-day payment terms for enterprises engaging with the government and “easier navigation through red tape processes”.

Originally published as Cairns state budget 2025-26 lunch hungry for detail in funding buckets