Dick aims at state misses in spending

THE Palaszczuk government has doubled down on its criticism of Canberra, fuming that Queensland received less funding for roads and rail projects despite the state growing at a rapid rate.

Treasurer Cameron Dick had already slammed the federal budget as a “rotten rip-off” based on the previously reported $1.6bn of transport infrastructure investment allocated to the Sunshine State compared to $3.3bn and $3bn for NSW and Victoria respectively.

State migration added 30,000 residents to Queensland last year, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics, compared to population losses of 19,000 and 13,000 in NSW and Victoria respectively.

But the Queensland treasurer (left) said the Budget was “worse than first feared” as it was revealed the $1.6bn won’t be delivered within the four years of the forward estimates.

“Tonight, we have learned the truth – only $807.5 million of that supposed $1.6 billion, barely half of the amount promised, is in this budget,” he said on Tuesday night.

“Scott Morrison is holding Queenslanders to ransom, saying they’d have to vote for him in at least two more elections before we’d see the money he promised.

“By comparison, the Liberal states of NSW and South Australia get $1.4 billion and $2 billion in this budget.”

Mr Dick said the sharp rise placed pressure on housing, hospitals, roads and schools. He demanded Mr Morrison “end his rotten rip-off of Queensland” in the budget.

“South Australia had net interstate migration last year of just 98 people,” he said.