Budget proves a fizzer for Cairns
A STATE Budget 16 months out from an election was unlikely to produce a string of new pledges for Tropical North Queensland.
And so it played out last week as Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad released a statement with few new infrastructure re-announcements – except for a welcome $30 million-plus pledge to build Wangetti Trail from Palm Cove to Port Douglas.
Changes in payroll tax to benefit small business, particularly in the regions, were also a positive.
Advance Cairns and other groups have been advocating to the Treasurer about such a change in light of the Victoria Government halving the rate of payroll tax for regional businesses.
On the health front, the recurrent budget for the Cairns and Hinterland Health and Hospital Service received a 6.9 per cent boost to hit $1 billion for the first time.
The reality of the electoral cycle is that next June’s Budget will be the centrepiece for the Palaszczuk Government’s 2020 re-election bid – in the same way the Federal Budget in April set the scene for this year’s surprise win by the Morrison Government.
The general public is understandably cynical when it comes to this plethora of promises in the lead-up to every election. While we get frustrated at times, our energies are best spent ensuring commitments are secured when State Cabinet’s eyes and minds are open to investment opportunities.
It’s a classic example of the old adage: Fish where the fish are.
So as 2020 rolls around, Advance Cairns will be relentless in its pursuit of signature regional projects for which we are seeking State funding, including the Cairns University Hospital ($90 million), Nullinga Dam ($425 million), duplicating the Cairns Western Arterial ($365 million), Gulf Savannah Way sealing ($37.2 million) and the Cairns Gallery Precinct ($13.3 million).
The State also needs to fasttrack release of the detailed business cases being finalised for both the Cairns Convention Centre refurbishment/expansion and Nullinga Dam.
Advance Cairns was disappointed the State did not provide the $90 million for Cairns University Hospital in the recent Budget (given a $60 million Federal pledge in January).
The silence relating to the university hospital came despite the best efforts of Cairns MP Michael Healy and the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service chairman Clive Skarott.
The noise will be deafening if the 2020 State Budget does not contain funds for the hospital as well as the other list of priorities – and voters at the ballot box will be able to have the final say.
AS 2020 ROLLS AROUND, ADVANCE CAIRNS WILL BE RELENTLESS IN ITS PURSUIT OF SIGNATURE REGIONAL PROJECTS FOR WHICH WE ARE SEEKING STATE FUNDING