Queensland state budget 2024: 50c fares and $1,000 energy rebates favoured over surplus in pre-election spend
Treasurer Cameron Dick makes ‘deliberate choice’ to put budget into deficit to fund temporary cost-of-living relief including cheap public transportFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastThe Queensland treasurer, Cameron Dick, says the government made a “deliberate choice” to put the budget into deficit in order to fund a series of temporary cost-of-living measures ahead of the October election.Heavy discounts will be applied to public transport fares, electricity bills and car registration fees in 2024/25, culminating in a $2.6bn deficit, the government announced in Tuesday’s budget. A “trial” plan for 50c public transport fares lasts only six months and will end three months after election day.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Continue reading...

Treasurer Cameron Dick makes ‘deliberate choice’ to put budget into deficit to fund temporary cost-of-living relief including cheap public transport
- Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
- Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast
The Queensland treasurer, Cameron Dick, says the government made a “deliberate choice” to put the budget into deficit in order to fund a series of temporary cost-of-living measures ahead of the October election.
Heavy discounts will be applied to public transport fares, electricity bills and car registration fees in 2024/25, culminating in a $2.6bn deficit, the government announced in Tuesday’s budget. A “trial” plan for 50c public transport fares lasts only six months and will end three months after election day.
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Continue reading...