Mr Neumann said the LNP State Government talked a big game, but their first budget was more a false start than fresh start for Ipswich, and a litany of broken election promises for the region.

“Despite the rhetoric, the reality is Ipswich has be

en neglected in this budget and it’s a slap in the face for struggling local families,” Mr Neumann said.
“There are number of smaller commitments and projects, like funding for hospitals, schools, community facilities and roads, which is to be welcomed.

“Some of these measures, like new schools, hospital expansions and Brisbane Valley Highway upgrades, were existing funding commitments inherited from the former Labor State Government and appear to have been rebadged.

“In addition, it’s pleasing to see the Crisafulli Government back in the Federal Labor and former State Labor Government’s Help to Buy housing programs with their similar ‘Boost to Buy’ shared equity scheme.

“That said, Boost to Buy will only support to 1,000 homes, compared to 40,000 homes under Help to Buy, so will help far fewer people, and the budget has no concrete plan to address social and affordable housing in the region.

“What’s more, this budget is full of broken election promises with cuts to vital cost of living relief that will hurt Ipswich families, including cuts to household energy rebates and increases in car rego and licence fees.”

Mr Neumann said that despite the Premier’s recent comment about the need for an Ipswich infrastructure plan, the State Budget was more a boulevard of broken dreams with no plan for Ipswich and no big-ticket transport items.

“There was no matched funding for Federal Labor’s $200 million commitment to the Amberley Interchange, and while there was $4 million for a detailed business case for a Second River Crossing, they have failed to match the former State Labor Government’s $146 million commitment towards construction of a bridge,” he said.

“On top of this, there were no updates on the Mount Crosby Road Interchange, Bremer River Bridge and Ipswich Motorway – Darra to Oxley upgrades, or the Ipswich-Springfield rail line business case.

“The sad irony is, not only is this ‘L plate’ LNP State Government failing to deliver much-needed road upgrades, which the Federal Labor Government and former State Labor Government funded last year, but they're making it more expensive for locals to drive their cars on these roads.”

Mr Neumann pointed out that while the Crisafulli LNP Government was cutting cost of living relief, the Albanese Labor Government was stepping up and delivering on its election promises to roll out more support from this week.

“This is more responsible, meaningful hip-pocket help for local households from energy bill relief, to an increase to minimum wages to longer paid parental leave, new incentives for apprentice builders and more,” he said.

“In our second term, the Albanese Government will continue to help local families with the cost of living, continue the fight against inflation, strengthen Medicare and build a stronger economy.”

Background
From 1 July, the Albanese Government will deliver a range of cost of living relief measures, including:

• Every household and around one million small businesses will receive a further $150 in energy bill relief before the end of the year.

• Households and businesses looking to lower their energy bills will be eligible for around 30 per cent off the cost of installing a battery system alongside solar energy, with the Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries
program.

• The National Minimum Wage and award wages will increase by 3.5 per cent from 1 July, benefitting up to 2.9 million Australians on low and award
wages.

• Employers’ minimum required contribution to employees’ superannuation
accounts will rise to 12 per cent.

• Paid Parental Leave (PPL) will increase to 24 weeks, individual and family income limits will increase, and superannuation will be paid on all Government PPL.

• New tradies who take up apprenticeships in housing construction will receive $10,000 in incentive payments, on top of their wages.

• In addition to cutting 20 per cent off student loan debts for 3 million Australians, the Government will increase the amount that people can earn before they are required to start paying back their loans to $67,000, subject to the passage of legislation.

• Commonwealth Prac Payments start for nursing, midwifery, teaching and social work students.

• Important social security payments will increase by 2.4 per cent.