Editorial: Five things Queenslanders can look forward to in 2025

There’s no question 2024 was tough for Queenslanders, but the state has abundant reasons to adopt a positive frame of mind in 2025, writes the editor.

Queensland will be a key battleground for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right) and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton at the federal election.

It has not quite been our “annus horribilis’’ – the Latin phrase for “horrible year’’ which Queen Elizabeth II popularised in 1992 as she gazed back over the wreckage of her family’s scandal-plagued year.

Yet there’s no question 2024 has been a tough year for Queenslanders.

We have weathered a housing crisis, stubborn inflation, a seemingly never-ending series of horrific crimes, many committed by juveniles, and a spate of deluges in the north and the south of the state to round out the 12 months.

Amid all this pain we’ve been subject to a highly fractious political climate culminating in the election of a new state government in October.

Yet hope springs eternal.

Just as the crowds at South Bank always deliver a heartfelt cheer as fireworks light up the skyline to welcome in the New Year, this state has abundant reasons to adopt a positive frame of mind as 2025 kicks off today.

Firstly, the newly minted LNP government under David Crisafulli has appeared willing, so far, to keep its election promises, at least as far as its 100-day plan for reinvigorating the state goes.

Premier David Crisafulli’s youth crime laws will face their first test. Picture: John Gass

But the rubber will hit the road in a few months’ time when Crisafulli’s “adult crime, adult time’’ approach to dealing with juvenile offenders begins showing up in crime statistics.

Crime in this state is a brutal reality, not a media beat-up.

In June this year, Australian Bureau of Statistics figures showed 300,000 Queensland residents became victims of crime in just one year as the state was crowned the nation’s “crime capital.’’

Any evidence of a reduction in crime will bring enormous relief for Queenslanders and vindication for Crisafulli and his team.

If nothing changes, or crime rates increase, an angry electoral backlash will begin immediately.

It will be fuelled not only by a Labor opposition anxious to make this LNP government a mere political aberration, much in the manner of the Newman government’s (2012-15) interruption of Labor’s three decades-long hold on power.

Ordinary punters, who clearly gave the LNP a mandate to tackle juvenile crime, will also be deeply disappointed, angry and resentful and willing to give voice to their anger in the 2028 poll.

Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock will hopefully give Queensland homeowners some interest-rate reprieve.

Secondly, the looming federal election will put the national focus on Queensland, which will be a key battleground.

With campaigning likely to begin in a handful of weeks, both Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will soon be traipsing across this state attempting to win favour with the voters.

That means, among other things, that Queensland can put the spotlight on the Bruce Highway and attempt to secure genuine funding commitments to fix a dangerous, often flood-bound highway which is a national disgrace. The state government wants a return to an 80-20 funding split, but we will see.

Thirdly, those long-awaited interest rate cuts which will give mortgage holders some much- needed breathing space are likely to arrive this year.

Inflation, which reared its head soon after the arrival of Covid-19 in 2020, was back down to 2.8 per cent in the September quarter, a welcome drop from the June figure of 3.8 per cent.

If the trajectory continues, the Reserve Bank, which kept the cash rate at 4.35 per cent in the final meeting of the year, is likely to begin a series of cuts which many believe will begin well inside the first half of this year.

Reece Walsh (left) at Brisbane Broncos training

Fourthly, we’re likely to get our footy mojo back this year with head coach Michael Maguire (we hope) returning the Broncos to premiership contenders, while the Cowboys and Dolphins should be there come September.

The Brisbane Lions look like continuing their fairytale run, entering 2025 as flag favourites after their 2024 triumph, and the Gold Coast Suns are building momentum under Damien Hardwick.

Fifthly, and finally, we have Olympic and Paralympic dreams to pursue, and we have every reason to believe 2025 will be the pivotal year in our quest to stun the world when we host the Games in 2032.

The Premier’s 100-day review includes establishing an expert panel to map a pathway forward, and a March deadline to finalise the vision for this historic event.

If we can get some clarity around the main stadium, and some assurance that associated infrastructure will be created with a view to legacy rather than merely meeting the needs of a two-week event, we can unite and move forward with confidence in planning this sporting festival which will pump economic lifeblood right throughout the state.

Each year brings new opportunities. We believe 2025 will bring an abundance of them and hope each and every one of you, our readers, will share in the opportunities presented by living in this extraordinary state.

Happy New Year!

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here

Originally published as Editorial: Five things Queenslanders can look forward to in 2025