Federal candidates and Townsville Enterprise react to federal budget

North Queensland politicians and advocacy groups have shared their opinions on Treasurer Jim Chalmers Budget, highlighting what it does include but also what has been overlooked for the North.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivers his budget speech at Parliament House on March 25, 2025 in Canberra, Australia. The budget is expected to return to deficit after two years of surplus, focusing on cost-of-living relief measures, including extended electricity rebates and increased healthcare spending, while also addressing economic challenges and potential voter concerns ahead of the upcoming federal election. (Photo by Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images)

North Queensland was “not even an afterthought” in this year’s budget according to Liberal MP Phillip Thompson, who called out the lack of specific funding and projects for each region.

The federal member for Herbert said this was the Budget that Labor “definitely did not want to have”.

“This is the first federal budget that didn’t have the Treasurer of the country name electorates or name roads or name things that we are going to get funded in the budget,” he said.

Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson, speaks to the media at the press conference held at Townsville's local Disaster Management Centre on Friday February 7. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“To re-announce the Bruce Highway funding, which I think is a good announcement, but not talking about where will be fixed first, where will funding be allocated, I think is a bit of a let-down.”

Mr Thompson said the main takeaway was that Townsville was snubbed and said it “was clear” that the government hadn’t listened to stakeholders.

“It’s a bad budget that doesn’t support people and it didn’t name or announce anything for our area,” he said.

Townsville Enterprise chief executive Claudia Brumme-Smith wants to see Big Rocks Weir built. Picture: Supplied.

“We aren’t even an afterthought, we are just not a thought.”

But Labor candidate for Herbert Edwina Andrew defended her party’s offering as “responsible”.

“Under Labor, every taxpayer in Townsville will get more tax relief, every household in Townsville will get more energy bill relief, and every PBS script in Townsville will cost no more than $25,” she said.

Townsville Enterprise chief executive Claudia Brumme-Smith said she welcomed the focus on cost-of-living relief and funding for the Bruce Highway, but wanted to make sure Townsville saw its “fair share” of road upgrades.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 26: Australia Treasurer Jim Chalmers talks to the media at Parliament House on March 26, 2025 in Canberra, Australia The budget is expected to return to deficit after two years of surplus, focusing on cost-of-living relief measures, including extended electricity rebates and increased healthcare spending, while also addressing economic challenges and potential voter concerns ahead of the upcoming federal election. (Photo by Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images)

She said Townsville Enterprise would also continue working to ensure some of the $13.5 billion disaster recovery funding laid out in the Budget will be seen up North.

“We will work closely with the Federal Government to ensure Townsville North Queensland is well-positioned to receive support, particularly given our recent weather impacts,” she said.

“Recent flooding and disasters have further highlighted the urgent need for investment in resilience measures.”

On the disaster recovery funding, Mr Thompson said it was disappointing to hear after stories of Townsville locals struggling to be accepted for disaster payments after it was finally announced that the whole LGA would be covered.

“Unfortunately it appears to be very little consistency in who is being considered or eligible despite assurance from them that the broader Townsville region would be covered,” he said.

EDWINA ANDREW

Ms Brumme-Smith said the delivery of CopperString by 2029 remained the “highest priority” and unwavering support from both Federal and State Governments was still needed.

“Townsville, North Queensland’s economy is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by $42.2 billion in investment, with 58 per cent linked to the nation-building CopperString project,” she said.

With housing another critical issue, Ms Brumme-Smith said the $33 billion housing fund to boost housing supply was a welcome step.

Originally published as Federal candidates and Townsville Enterprise react to federal budget