Price of water in south-east Queensland to be frozen, premier announces ahead of budget
Premier David Crisafulli has announced that water prices in south-east Queensland will be frozen for the next two years.
It was one of several “cost of living” measures the prime minister announced on Sunday ahead of the Queensland budget due on Tuesday.
Crisafulli confirmed no taxes would be introduced or increased, bulk water charges in south-east Queensland would be frozen until 2028 and the sick travel subsidy for fuel costs in regional areas would be increased by around a third.
He added that the Energy Roadmap will provide cheaper energy.
“Every time someone looks at an expense, it just keeps going up, and we’re doing everything we can to make sure we can do our part in reversing that,” said Crisafulli, who was flanked by Finance Minister David Janetzki and Small and Family Business Minister Steve Minnikin at the Kenrose Bakery in Carina.
“Every change we make is about reducing regulations. How can we reduce taxes, how can we give people a break?”
“This has been our mantra since we came into government, this is what we promised we would do, and we have no intention of using global pressures as justification for not keeping those promises.”
The bulk water charge is the price the state government charges for water (currently set at $3,517 per thousand liters), but customers pay additional fees added by retailers to cover delivery and other services.
Surcharges that form part of the water bill may continue to increase.
Freezing the bulk water rate will save families about $130 over the next two years and businesses $50 to $300, depending on the water intensity of their operations, Janetzki said.
The Patient Travel Subsidy Program fuel payment will increase from 34 cents per kilometer to 45 cents per kilometer due to rising oil prices.
Changes will also be made to reduce the time it takes to process requests.
The Prime Minister has effectively ruled out changes to the payroll tax system in this budget. reformed Powered by businessesLNP membership and Crisafulli himself on many occasions.
“We desperately want to do something about this,” he said.
“We also have a really big problem in terms of budget repair and we have very little leverage…the payroll tax is about one out of every four dollars of the budget.
“Every step we take is about finding a way to help people, and I see the payroll tax as one of the issues I would love to address in the future.”
Labour’s shadow treasurer Shannon Fentiman said the prime minister had broken his promise by not providing “universal” cost of living help and risking a downgrade of the state’s credit rating.
“Their addiction to spending on consultants and contractors shows this government has absolutely no interest in delivering for Queenslanders,” he said in a statement from Parliament House on Sunday.
“Their four point cost of living plan is grossly inadequate… Queenslanders are struggling to pay the bills right now.
“He twice promised universal cost-of-living relief. He broke that promise.”
Fentiman added that the Labor government would save money by reducing the amount spent on advertising.
“I can’t drive down the road without seeing a blue billboard… it’s outrageous to be advertising right now for the government, or the ‘new government’ as all the ads say.”
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