This budget matters-not because it’s about politics, but because it’s about people’s lives.
Most hardworking Queenslanders don’t have the time to follow every debate in this place or every headline in the media. But there is one day when even the busiest people stop and pay attention.
Budget day.
Because it answers a simple question- is life about to get easier, or harder?
This Budget is about respecting the effort of everyday Queenslanders-those who get up early, take risks, and keep our communities going. And it starts with something simple: letting people keep more of what they earn.
Unlike the Federal Labor Government, the former State Labor Government, and our local council- we are not introducing new taxes, and we are not increasing taxes.
In fact, we’ve gone the other way.
We’ve abolished the patients tax, and we’ve removed stamp duty for first home buyers, breaking down one of the biggest barriers to home ownership.
Because aspiration should be rewarded.
Right now, the Federal Labor Government is sending the opposite message-they are killing aspiration.
They’ve introduced a sneaky death and divorce tax, and people now feel that no matter how hard you work or how much you sacrifice, getting ahead will only get harder.
Taxing people going through one of the hardest times of their life is a low act. What are they going to introduce next? Probably a tax to kids who get money for loosing a tooth from the tooth fairy.
The budget they handed down is a kick in the pants for small business owners, for mum-and-dad investors, and for every Australian who still believes in having a go.
That’s not the future we’re building in Queensland.
I believe this is a Budget for the regions.
While Brisbane the capital will always attract significant investment, it is encouraging to see record investment flowing into regional Queensland.
That reflects the Crisafulli LNP Government’s strong focus on regional Queensland.
That commitment is reflected in the make-up of our government’s Cabinet, with 3 Brisbane-based Ministers and 16 Ministers drawn from across regional and outer suburban Queensland, we are a team that reflects the breadth of this state.
In contrast, when you look at Labor, both in government and now in opposition, there are 15 Brisbane-based Shadow Ministers and just 4 from regional and outer suburban Queensland.
That contrast tells its own story. Labor is heavily centred on Brisbane, while the LNP is built on representing the whole of Queensland.
This is why we are sinking our teeth into projects happening in our region.
I am pleased to share what this budget means for Far North QLD.
Power prices will fall between 7 to 10 per cent for typical households and businesses.
Parents will get a $150 Back to School Boost for primary students and $200 Play On! sports vouchers.
Regional Patients travelling for health care will get an increased fuel subsidy of 45 cents a kilometre.
We know crime is a major issue requiring more detention capacity. The new Woodford Youth Detention Centre will deliver 112 beds across two campuses. Our government is investing over $2 billion to expand adult prisons, fund POLAIR helicopters, upgrade Cairns Courthouse, and boost programs, school initiatives, and frontline police numbers statewide.
We are also Delivering a 50 Cent Cairns Airport Bus Service. I want to thank everyone who shared their feedback on this project. This was a nail biter in anticipation waiting, and I am so proud to see it included in the budget.
My community has also fought tooth and nail for a safe pathway between Brinsmead, Redlynch and Freshwater for nearly a decade, and I am pleased that funding is in the budget for this important project.
I am very pleased to see funding for the Cairns Western Arterial Road. Ignore the misinformation from the Member for Cairns— the funding is in the budget. The reason there’s no project cost in QTRIP is simple: the contract hasn’t been awarded yet. Unlike the former Labor approach, we don’t lock in a figure before going to market. We invite competitive bids to ensure value for money. This project will be fast-tracked and delivered by the 2032 Olympics.
As a tourist town, where 1-in-7 people are employed in tourism, it’s vital we attract investment into our region. No Government in Queensland’s history has invested more in tourism than the Crisafulli Government.
Just yesterday, we saw the Member for Cairns jump on his social media and once again try to rewrite history when it comes to tourism funding in this state.
The former Labor Government and the Member for Cairns who was the tourism minister at the time, had a secret plan to slash tourism funding by 95 per cent. Ninety-five per cent.
They spent a decade talking about tourism while planning to rip the guts out of one of Queensland’s biggest industries in the lead into the Olympics.
Queenslanders rejected that approach in 2024.
They voted for a government that backs the industries that back Queensland.
A Government that understands tourism isn’t just about holidays.
It’s about jobs.
It’s about small business.
It’s about regional communities.
That’s why we are continuing to deliver Destination 2045.
That’s why we are investing in world-class tourism infrastructure.
Because while that opposite planned to cut tourism, we are backing tourism.
And when you back tourism, you back Queensland.
Mr Speaker this budget speaks for itself.
Across Far North Queensland, we are receiving record breaking investment.
It demonstrates what can be achieved when regional communities are heard.
The Speaker has reviewed and approved the remainder of my speech on the budget for incorporation.
As such, I ask that the remainder of my speech be incorporated into the Record of Proceedings.
Other budget news includes nine schools across Barron River including Redlynch State College, Freshwater State School and Kuranda District State College and a further eight schools across Cairns are receiving important investment to upgrade and modernise their facilities.
This includes a new Performing Arts Centre at Whitfield State School and a new multipurpose hall and computer laboratory for Freshwater State School. These investments are about making sure our students have access to modern, high-quality learning environments that support their education, creativity and future success.
Access to high-quality healthcare remains one of the most important issues in regional Queensland.
The budget includes a record investment in Health, our record $1 Billion investment into the Cairns Hospital, plus the Queensland Ambulance Service (000) call centre and Cairns Hospital Transit Lounge expansion.
The Cairns Hospital expansion will deliver additional beds, expanded outpatient services and increased capacity to meet the needs of our growing population.
We are delivering a new Adolescent Mental Health Inpatient Unit, expanded hospital transit lounge, investment in the Far North Operations Centre, including $20 million this year, strengthening ambulance coordination and emergency response across the region.
Importantly, this Budget also expands perinatal mental health services, with a $111.15 million statewide investment delivering new mother and baby beds, supporting families across Queensland, including in Far North Queensland.
I am pleased to see our Government investing heavily in our tourism industry, something that is in stark contrast from our former Government.
They created the epic Wangetti Fail, which we are fixing and will continue to fix with funding allocated again this year for this vital project.
We are securing more aviation access, attracting more major events and creating new reasons for visitors to experience every corner of our great State.
There is also funding for the new Turtle Rehabilitation Centre on Green Island supporting Jenny and the team who do an incredible job rescuing and rehabilitating turtles.
We have budget for the Connecting Queensland Fund, supporting Cairns Airport to attract more flights into our region as well as investment continuing into the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park upgrades and the Tourism Infrastructure Fund to support major tourism and eco-tourism projects in our region as part of Destination 2045.
In addition, there is also funding for the Great Barrier Reef, Yellow Ants Eradication Program and more Land and Sea Rangers.
And of course, the much-debated Cairns Marine Precinct, another Labor fail that has been left underfunded and overblown for years. Our budget delivers funding for this vital project which will drive jobs and long-term economic growth with funding included in this budget.
Cairns is also set to shine at the Olympics and beyond as our Barlow Park Stadium will receive an upgrade, transforming this popular park into more than just a grass pitch with a track.
The stadium will be able to accommodate thousands more to support regional events, broader sporting participation, and the delivery of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Another crown gem of Cairns, the award-winning Cairns Convention Centre will also receive funding to replace plant equipment and make upgrades to the facility.
I am confident this budget will also continue to ensure my local community sports clubs and organisations receive funds through the Gambling Community Benefit Fund which has delivered over $1.5 million to Barron River clubs in just 18 months.
Disaster preparedness is also vital for our region.
This Budget also strengthens emergency preparedness and disaster response including $3 million investment in Airbridge Resilient Network Infrastructure, ensuring reliable communications during disasters and emergencies with the incredible Arni Trailers that the SES will now be able to disperse in advance to locations expecting a major weather event.
We are also investing $8.5 million to replace the Cairns Fire Communications Centre, strengthening coordination and ensuring frontline responders have the tools they need to respond effectively.
Major upgrades to the Machans Beach Community Hall, Stratford Bowls Club, and investment into upgrades to the Holloways Beach, Yorkeys Knob, Kuranda and Koah Community Halls will continue in this budget.
We know after Jasper how important these halls were, and they all deserve investment.
This Budget also delivers continued investment in community safety.
It supports a stronger, more coordinated response through policing, prevention and early intervention. We are investing over $100 million in child protection and family services across the Cairns region, supporting foster care, residential care and family support programs.
There is also continued investment in domestic and family violence services, providing counselling, court support and prevention programs.
Importantly, the Regional Reset program, backed by $4.2 million, will deliver targeted intervention for young people at risk, helping to break the cycle of offending.
This Budget takes meaningful steps to address housing pressures and support vulnerable Queenslanders in our region. The housing crisis has left Queenslanders struggling to keep a roof over their head and pushed home ownership out of reach for many.
This Budget strengthens the foundation of our plan to build Queensland’s future, fast-tracking the rollout of the Residential Activation Fund, including projects like Mount Peter, and unlocking underused government land for new homes.
At the same time, we are investing in social and community housing across Cairns, expanding supply so more people have access to a safe and secure place to call home.
Additional support is also being delivered for frontline housing and homelessness services, providing critical assistance with accommodation, outreach and pathways into longer-term housing.
At a local level, this is backed by targeted investment within the Barron River electorate, ensuring our community benefits from this broader program.
This Budget also invests in energy infrastructure.
There is $8.5 million for maintenance at the Barron Gorge Power Station, ensuring reliability.
And $145.2 million is being invested in energy network upgrades across Cairns, supporting growth and reliability.
Fuel security is another important addition to this year’s budget with $19 million invested in the fuel security plan to unlock the Taroom Trough as well as $146 million to unlock critical minerals across Queensland.
Fuel security has been a longstanding challenge for Far North Queensland, where distance and supply vulnerabilities have seen my community, small businesses and tourism operators hit hard.
I welcome these additions to the Budget, which will help strengthen supply, improve reliability and reduce pressure on local industries and households.
This is an important step toward building a more secure and resilient future for FNQ.
What really stands out in this Budget is how different it is from what Queenslanders have seen in recent years.
We are open for business. We back the risk-takers, the job creators, and the hardworking people who want to get ahead. Because we believe the role of government isn’t to take more — it’s to create the conditions where people can do more.
Compared to the previous State Government, the contrast is clear.
This is a budget focused on stability, responsibility and long-term outcomes, not short-term fixes.
This Budget strengthens the foundation for a fresh start in the face of significant national and international pressures.
It delivers on our election commitments and reflects a clear plan to build Queensland’s future while supporting families doing it tough.
We are continuing the important work of budget repair, addressing programs and services left unfunded while maintaining lower debt, reducing deficits and setting a clear path back to surplus.
When we came to government, we uncovered the true state of the finances, including a significantly larger projected deficit. Since then, we have worked to improve that position and restore confidence in the state’s economic management.
This is a responsible and forward-looking Budget. Rather than short-term measures, it delivers targeted, sustainable support.
This Budget delivers meaningful outcomes for Barron River and Far North Queensland.
It progresses long-awaited infrastructure.
It supports better healthcare.
It addresses the housing supply.
It strengthens the response to youth crime,
It delivers meaningful cost of living relief, the largest ongoing cost of living support package in the state’s history.
It invests in tourism and economic growth.
It prioritises community safety.
And it continues supporting education and opportunity.
Most importantly, it demonstrates that our region is no longer waiting on the sidelines.
Projects that were once discussed are now being delivered.
Investments that were once promised are now progressing.
I look forward to continuing to work with Ministers, local councils, community organisations and residents to secure ongoing funding for the projects that matter most to our region.
The 2026 budget will deliver more sod turns, more projects and more announcements as we continue to deliver for this region.
Because when Far North Queensland succeeds, Queensland succeeds.
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