The price of water in south-east Queensland will be frozen for the next two years, Premier David Crisafulli has revealed.
It was one of several “cost-of-living” measures the premier announced on Sunday ahead of the Queensland budget, due to be handed down 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 patient travel subsidy for fuel costs in regional areas would be increased by about a third.
He added the Energy Roadmap would deliver cheaper energy.
“Every time someone has looked at an expense it’s continued to go up, and we’re doing everything we can to make sure that we can play our role in reversing that,” Crisafulli said, flanked by Treasurer David Janetzki and Small and Family Business Minister Steve Minnikin at the Kenrose Bakery in Carina.
“Every change we make is about reducing regulation. How can we reduce taxes, how can we cut a break for people?
“That’s been our mantra since we came to government, it’s what we promised we would do, and we have no intention of using … global pressures as justification to break those promises.”
The bulk water charge is the price charged by the state government for water – presently set at $3.517 per thousand litres – but customers pay additional fees added by retailers to cover distribution and other services.
Those additional fees that make up part of a water bill could continue to increase.
Janetzki said the bulk water charge freeze would save families about $130 over the next two years, and save businesses between $50 and $300 depending on how water-intensive their operations were.
The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme fuel payment will increase from 34¢ per kilometre to 45¢ per kilometre, amid heightened oil prices.
Changes will also be made to reduce the amount of time it takes to process claims.
The premier effectively ruled out changes to the payroll tax system in this budget. Reform has been supported by businesses, the LNP membership and Crisafulli himself on several occasions.
“We desperately want to do something about it,” he said.
“We also have a really big issue in terms of budget repair as well, and we have very few levers … payroll tax is about one in four of the dollars of the budget.
“Every step we’re taking is about trying to find a way to help people out, and I put payroll tax as one of the things that I’d love to be able to address in the future.”
Labor’s shadow treasurer Shannon Fentiman said the premier was breaking a promise by failing to deliver “universal” cost-of-living relief, while risking a credit downgrade for the state.
“Their addiction to spending on consultants and contractors shows that this is a government who is absolutely not interested in delivering for Queenslanders,” she said from Parliament House on Sunday.
“Their four point cost of living plan is pretty underwhelming … Queenslanders right now are struggling to pay the bills.
“He said twice that there would be universal cost of living relief. He has broken that promise.”
Fentiman added a Labor government would save money by cutting the amount spent on advertising.
“I cannot drive down the road without seeing a blue billboard … advertising for the government right now – or the ‘new government’ as all the ads say – it’s outrageous.”
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