Levy ‘hits hip pocket’
CRISAFULLI WOULD FUND TRAIN LINE, SUPPORT WOMEN
It will impact the cost of almost every good and service and we have to be upfront about that
DAVID CRISAFULLI
OPPOSITION Leader David Crisafulli has gone on the attack over the Palaszczuk government’s new mental health levy, warning it will hit the hip pocket of every Queenslander.
Delivering his budget reply speech on Thursday, Mr Crisafulli announced a future LNP government would stump up 50 per cent funding for a new passenger line between Beerwah and Maroochydore.
The LNP leader also revealed that he would have a dedicated minister for women’s economic security if he wins the 2024 election.
Mr Crisafulli used the speech to hit out at the new mental health levy, questioning why the government was hitting the state with a new tax in the middle of a “fullblown cost of living crisis”.
Businesses with an annual wage bill of more than $10m will have to pay a 0.25 per cent levy under the new measure – while those that pay more than $100m in wages annually will have an extra 0.5 per cent levy.
“It will impact the cost of almost every good and service and we have to be upfront about that,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“The government told Queenslanders at the last election it would not introduce new or increased taxes to pay for their plan.
“Let’s be upfront. This is a tax on Queenslanders and should have been foreshadowed with Queenslanders before the last election.”
Treasurer Cameron Dick has repeatedly suggested he hadn’t broken any promises, saying he didn’t make any promises to business.
Mr Crisafulli also confirmed a government he leads will commit to 50 per cent funding for a passenger rail service on the Sunshine Coast that would stretch from Beerwah to Maroochydore.
The LNP says the move would connect the growing region to the rest of southeast Queensland ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
It is understood the Labor government is also likely to commit to a 50 per cent funding share for the rail project because of its commitment for a 50-50 funding split with the Commonwealth on the Olympics. Meanwhile, the LNP leader also committed to creating a cabinet portfolio responsible for women’s economic security.
Mr Crisafulli said the woman who would hold the role would be part of a “three person economic team” that would include the treasurer and finance minister – with two of the three roles to be held by women. “The reality for women in our state is Queensland has the second worst gender pay gap in the country of 15.6 per cent, higher than the national average of 13.8 per cent,” he said.