The winners and losers in Queensland's state budget

Queensland's operating deficit is forecast to reach $6.2 billion in the next financial year. (ABC News: Peter Mullins) Link copiedShareShare articleQueensland Treasurer David Janetzki has handed down his second state budget, which he says "strengthens" on the foundations the government laid last year. Here's a closer look at what the budget includes and who has come out on top. The state's operating deficit is forecast to reach $6.2 billion in the next financial year — but for the first time under the Crisafulli government, a return to surplus is in sight. The budget papers forecast a modest $619 million surplus by 2029-30, which would be the state's first since 2023-24. The treasurer credits "careful expense growth management" for the forecast, saying the government has avoided the "easy decisions" of lifting taxes, reducing services, and ending projects. By the end of the 2026-27 financial year, total debt is forecast to hit $162.6 billion. This is $8.1 billion lower than forecast in the state's mid-year budget update. The state's total debt is expected to balloon to $216.5 billion by 2029-30, which would bring with it an interest repayment bill of nearly $11 billion. Vouchers to help families pay for schoolbooks and excursions for primary school students will be increased to $150. That's an extra $50 for each Back to School Boost voucher, which the government introduced last year. This is part of the $9.3 billion cost-of-living relief in the budget, which Treasurer David Janetzki says is "targeted and responsive". The government has also committed to legislating 50-cent public transport fares. It previously promised the measure would be permanent, but putting it into law would mean any changes would have to go through parliament. As the government spruiked ahead of the budget, bulk water charges for south-east Queensland will be frozen for two years, which the government says will result in a $130 saving over two years for households. The budget also includes a bump to the fuel payment in the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme of 11 cents per kilometre, making it 45 cents per kilometre. However, there will be no increase to the scheme's overnight accommodation allowance of $70 per person, which advocates have criticised. The treasurer has maintained the government's election promise of "no new or increased taxes". Motorists will get another 3.4 per cent increase to vehicle registration — a rise below inflation, which the government has committed to for each year of this term. In recent weeks, it has also spruiked a drop in retail prices for power in regional and south-east Queensland, which it has called for retailers to pass on. The public service is continuing to grow, but the rate is slowing. Another 4,500 frontline jobs, like teachers and doctors, will be created in the next financial year. In addition, the government says currently vacant senior corporate roles will not be filled. The number of non-frontline senior executives will drop from 842 to 793 unfilled positions, saving the budget about $54 million over four years. The government has been adamant that there will be no cuts to the public service. It is a sensitive issue for the LNP following Campbell Newman's famous cuts, with the government seeking to shut down what it is calling a "silly scare campaign" by the opposition. The recent Public Sector Commission's State of the Sector report shows an increase of 8,693 full-time equivalent roles, which includes just 34 corporate roles. According to the report, 91 per cent of public servants are engaged in frontline and frontline support roles, while almost nine per cent are in corporate service positions. The budget includes $100 million in extra funding for social and community housing as the government works towards its goal of 53,500 homes for the sector by 2044. This brings the government's commitment over four years to $5.7 billion. In the lead-up to the budget, the government has also promoted its move to double the Regional Activation Fund to $1 billion. The fund, which goes towards water, sewerage, roads and power infrastructure, to prepare land for development. Last year's budget had included $500 million each year to 2027-28 for the fund. To help people get a foot in the door, the $30,000 First Home Owner Grant has been boosted for another four years at a cost of $62.5 million. The government says since the last financial 3,500 people have used the grant to buy or build a new home. In the next financial year, the government will spend $4 billion on its Hospital Rescue Plan, which it says will create more than 2,600 additional beds across the state and deliver new hospitals as well as major hospital expansions The plan is slated to cost $18.5 billion over five years. In 2026-27, the government will invest $2.206 billion in new hospitals in Bundaberg, Coomera and Toowoomba, the Queensland Cancer Plan, as well as major hospital expansions and upgrades, including

The winners and losers in Queensland's state budget

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The winners and losers in Queensland's state budget

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