Live: 2013 Queensland Budget
Queensland Treasurer Tim Nicholls delivers the 2013 Budget. Promising some sweeteners to nullify the bad news already delievered to Queenslanders, Mr Nicholls addressses Parliament with his second Budget:
2:36pm: Last year I stood in this place and delivered the most important budget in a generation.
2:36pm: Journey to a fiscal surplus will be longer than we first planned.
2:37pm: We were blown off course by ex-tropical cyclone Oswald to extent of $2.5b.
2:37pm: It is not time to lament these misfortunes. It is time to pay the bill.
2:38pm: This journey has become harder since last year's budget.
2:38pm: The national economy is a fine balancing act and confidence is the key.
2:39pm: We will make Queensland the best place to invest and do business in the country.
2:40pm: This Budget makes good on our promise to deliver frontline services.
2:41pm: It is not a frivolous or fanciful Budget.
2:41pm: We won't kick the can down the road for our children to solve our problems.
2:42pm: 2011-12 economy grew strongly, recording growth of 4 per cent.
2:42pm: Growth expected to strengthen to 3.25 per cent from 2014 onwards.
2:43pm: State growth rate only second to WA and above national growth rate of 2.75 per cent.
2:44pm: Employment growth is forecast to rise to 2.75 per cent per year by 2015-16.
2:44pm: $9.3b allocated to disaster spending over 3 years from 2012-13 to 2014-15.
2:45pm: No one can deny that we inherited a debt deficit problem from Labor.
2:45pm: Debt in general government sector rises by $800m.
2:46pm: Gross debt will reach $80.1b in 2014-15.
2:47pm: We have to stop the rot.
2:47pm: Fiscal deficit of $7.7b, compared to forecast of $4.6b in 2012-13 MYFER.
2:48pm: There is no magic pudding.
2:48pm: Labor is restricting our ability to act.
2:49pm: Labor has maxed out the credit card.
2:50pm: Land tax is down 6.4 per cent in Queensland.
2:51pm: As The Premier often says 'find the solution, don't fight the problem'.
2:51pm: We forecast a fiscal deficit of $214m in 2014-15, and surplus of $1b in 2015-16.
2:52pm: Delay in reaching fiscal surplus means taxes will not be raised.
2:53pm: Qld has lowest rate of payroll tax in Australia.
2:54pm: Govt expenses in 2012-13 estimated to be only 1.1 per cent higher than in 2011-12.
2:54pm: Govt expenses to grow an average of 2.6 per cent from 2012-13 to 2016-17.
2:55pm: Govt understands shock and dismay of Queenslanders at the electricity price hike.
2:55pm: Electricity probably the single most difficult issue to grapple with to date.
2:55pm: By 2015-16 the Solar Bonus Scheme will cost Queensland households an extra $276.
2:56pm: What we are doing is controlling what we can control.
2:56pm: This is the budget that invests in key frontline services.
2:57pm: Education budget up by $707m, disability up by $64m, health up $533m.
2:57pm: Over 75 per cent of capital expenditure will take place outside Brisbane.
2:58pm: Budget makes first allocation for NDIS.
2:58pm: Extra $537m to focus on professional excellence in teaching.
2:58pm: Extra $100m to fixing our schools.
2:59pm: $384m over four years to fix Queensland Health rostering and payroll system.
3:00pm: Queensland needs to be outwardly proud and promote our achievements.
3:00pm: Need to push our 'Brand Queensland' to the world.
3:01pm: We want to work with, not compete against, the private sector.
3:02pm: Govt moving from being the 'doer' to the 'enabler'.
3:02pm: Govts have no right to be preaching to businesses about productivity and efficiency.
3:02pm: This Budget is another way point on our journey.
3:03pm: Budget continues the journey of ensuring Queensland is a Great State with Great Opportunity.
