This year’s Budget strengthens the foundation for a fresh start, in the face of significant international and national pressures.
This Budget delivers for Queenslanders and it focuses on three key areas:

1)MAKING QUEENSLAND SAFER

This Budget is strengthening the foundation for safety where you live with stronger laws, more police, new early intervention and rehabilitation, better resourced courts, more domestic and family violence prevention, child protection and child safety reform, and more support for victims of crime.

Our plan to make Queensland safer is already starting to deliver positive early signs. Victim numbers are down 7.2% in the first year of Adult Crime, Adult Time, compared with the previous year.

• $80M Circuit Breaker Sentencing – our new court-ordered remote rehabilitation-focused detention for youth offenders
• $7.2B Making Queensland Safer – By recruiting even more frontline police and continuing the rollout of the resources they need, including load bearing vests, body worn cameras and portable radios.
• $250M Keeping Our Kids Safe – implementing the In Plain Sight recommendations, with a new Queensland Protection Commission to identify offenders and keep our kids safe in childcare, in school and in the community

2)BUILDING QUEENSLAND’S FUTURE

This Budget is strengthening the foundation for infrastructure for our future with new and upgraded hospitals, new schools and TAFE Centres of Excellence, the Energy Roadmap, more homes and generational road and rail.  The Housing Crisis left Queenslanders struggling to keep a roof over their head and put home ownership out of reach for many.

• $2B Residential Activation Fund – The fund boosts construction of essential housing infrastructure like water connections, lighting, stormwater and roads so we can build more houses.
• $5.7B Social and Community Housing – Right now work is underway on a record 6,500 social and affordable homes across Queensland
• New Schools – Our investment includes delivering 22 new schools, 9 of which are special schools across the State which will provide better education outcomes and more choice for parents.
• Bruce Highway – We’re getting on with the job of fixing the Bruce Highway, with work underway on projects from Cairns to Gympie.R

3) BETTER SERVICES THROUGH A STRONGER ECONOMY

This Budget is strengthening the foundation for relief you can rely on, health services when you need them, a plan to restore sovereign capability, and a boost to ecotourism.

For too long Queensland’s economy was crippled by fiscal mismanagement and lack of respect for Queenslanders’ money with budget blowouts and blackholes under the former Government. An uncertain tax and regulatory environment saw investment flee the State and Queenslanders struggle under the weight of broken promises of new and increased taxes. Service delivery deteriorated, and youth crime, health, housing and cost of living crises were impacting Queenslanders’ daily lives.

This Budget delivers the largest four-year cost of living relief package in Queensland’s history

• $8.8M Healthy Kindy Kids – providing free vision, hearing and speech development checks so our kids have the best chance at being ready for school.
• Hospital Rescue Plan – with 3 new hospitals, 10 expansions, more beds and extra health workers
• Energy Roadmap – The Australian Energy Regulator has confirmed energy costs on the Default Market Offer will fall between 7.2% and 10% for households, and between 10.4% and 14% for small businesses next financial year. We’re demanding retailers pass on these savings to Queenslanders.
• $150 Back To School Boost – Our expanded $150 Back to School Boost can go towards essential items including books, stationery, uniforms and excursions.
• $200 Play On! Sports Vouchers – Every child aged 5-17 is eligible for a $200 Play On! Sport Voucher that can be used on summer or winter sports.
• Permanent 50c Fares locked-in law – We’re locking-in law Permanent 50 Cent Fares because we know Queenslanders rely on them.
• $50M Growing Our Ag Industry – Through the Sowing the Seeds of Farming Innovation Fund farmers will have access to cutting edge innovation and technology helping to boost Queensland’s primary production output to $30 billion by 2030.
• $146M To Unlock Critical Minerals – Former mine sites with high-value critical minerals will be re-commercialised to extract critical minerals from abandoned mining tailings, as part of unlocking the emerging sector.
• $19M Fuel Security Plan – We’re fast-tracking the Taroom Trough and backing new refining and storage capability right here on Queensland soil
• $330M Reef Conservation – The Great Barrier Reef is one of Queensland’s greatest natural assets, injecting $9 billion each year to our economy and supporting local jobs.

To learn more about what this Budget delivers for you, visit https://budget.qld.gov.au

As always, if you have any State issues you would like to discuss with me, don’t hesitate to contact my office.

Address: 1/2434 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach, 4218, QLD
Phone: 07 5600 0100
Email: mermaid.beach@parliament.qld.gov.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raystevens.mp
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/raystevens.mp

Cheers Ray

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Research continues to show that skills and qualifications are one of the strongest drivers of employment outcomes. At Enterprise and Training Company Limited (ETC), they apply this insight by placing participants into purpose‑built training pathways, supported by PPS services and consistent engagement, ensuring learning translates into real workplace impact.

As an award‑winning, not‑for‑profit training provider with more than 35 years of experience, ETC partners with employers to deliver practical, industry‑relevant training that goes beyond compliance.

Whether you’re upskilling existing staff, supporting traineeships and apprenticeships, or creating meaningful work placement pathways, ETC delivers classroom‑based learning led by trainers with real‑world industry expertise.

ETC (RTO 6998) offers Certificate III to Diploma qualifications across Business, Retail, Hospitality, Community Services, Disability and Aged Care — helping organisations build confident, capable teams that drive long‑term outcomes.

Enquire today at  1800 007 400 or download the 2026 Course Guide:https://etcltd.com.au/training-courses/course-guide/.

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Treasurer David Janetzki handed down the Crisafulli LNP Government’s second Queensland Budget today, framing it as a “foundation for a fresh start” at a time of genuine economic challenge. At the Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce, we have been closely watching the papers — and our verdict is measured: there are real wins for Gold Coast businesses, but also significant concerns that our members cannot afford to ignore.

Click to read full document

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The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s fastest growing cities.

In the past decade, the population has grown by more than 25 percent. House prices have more than doubled. Rental vacancy sits at around one percent. That is not a statistic. In any serious housing market, it is a crisis. There are more people arriving every month than there are homes to put them in, and the gap is not closing.

Click to read the full article

Gold Coast_Chamber_Article

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Queensland Day is our State’s birthday, it’s the day we broke free from New South Wales 167 years ago, but we noticed when we came to Government, it’s a date in the calendar that wasn’t getting the attention it deserves. It is our day to celebrate everything that we love about the Sunshine State, and this year QLD Day will be bigger and better than ever before! https://qldday.initiatives.qld.gov.au/

Queensland Made On The World Stage
Queensland made was on the world stage at Australian Manufacturing Week earlier this month with the Crisafulli Government drawing the trade show to the State for the first time in the event’s more than 20-year history.  The week-long exhibition attracted almost 7000 attendees from across Australia and the globe to see first-hand world-class manufacturing businesses and industry-leading products.

From food and beverage production, aerospace, Technologies and Queensland’s cutting-edge mining equipment, the exhibition showcased the strength of Queensland’s industry and demonstrate its capabilities on the world stage.

Manufacturing is one of Queensland’s largest industries, contributing more than $29 billion to the economy and through the five-year Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Strategy. We are investing heavily in the sector, through the $79.1 million Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Grants Program and with the addition of two new Manufacturing Hubs across the state in Toowoomba and on the Sunshine Coast.

We will continue to support local manufacturers and create a globally competitive and future-ready manufacturing industry that drives the state’s economic growth.

World-Class Gold Coast Tourism Attractions
The Crisafulli Government has thrown its support behind plans to deliver bold, world-leading tourism offerings on the Gold Coast including plans for Australia’s largest zipline tour and a new surf park. These two new Gold Coast attractions are being delivered through a shared commitment from the Crisafulli Government and private sector partners to strengthen tourism.

It’s just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland’s future and getting on with the job of taking the State’s tourism industry to the next level.  A $4 million commitment has been made to the Numinbah Escape Project which will deliver Australia’s largest zipline tour, mountain biking and bushwalking trails, abseil and buggy tours and guided bush experiences as well a 34-site tourist park, 10 glamping tents, amenities and a permanent cafe.

The Crisafulli Government has also made a $4 million contribution towards the first stage of the Palm Valley Gold Coast project, which is backed by retired surfing world champion Mick Fanning.

Push For Power Prices To Fall
The Crisafulli Government is demanding energy retailers pass on the full savings from the Australian Energy Regulator’s final Default Market Offer (DMO) to every household and business in South East Queensland.

Last week’s final DMO has confirmed power costs will fall between 7.2 and 10.7 per cent for households and between 10.4 and 14 per cent for small businesses next financial year, with the Crisafulli Government’s Energy Roadmap contributing to the power price relief – the largest bill reductions in over a decade.

South East Queenslanders are in line for the largest drop in prices – if the energy retailers pass on the savings in full – outstripping both South Australia and New South Wales which are also subject the DMO.

As always, if you have any State issues you would like to discuss with me, don’t hesitate to contact my office.

Phone: 07 5600 0100

Email: mermaid.beach@parliament.qld.gov.au

Address: 1/2434 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach, 4218, QLD

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raystevens.mp

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/raystevens.mp

Cheers Ray

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New appointments for Queensland Investment Corporation

The Board of Queensland Investment Corporation will be bolstered with new appointments of the Honourable Peter Dutton and Michael Choi OAM.  The appointments are designed to put a greater focus on developing investment areas of critical minerals and defence industries.

Queensland is home to 51 of the world’s most sought-after critical minerals and is making a major bid for Australia’s critical mineral agreement with the United States.  The Honourable Peter Dutton will bring his expansive government and defence industry experience, to provide strategic advice on accelerating development through the flagship Sovereign Industry Development Fund.

Former Beattie Government Assistant Minister Michael Choi OAM will bring broad experience in the critical minerals sector, as the government seeks to secure international investment into the emerging critical minerals sector.

Criminalise AI ‘deepfake’ abuse

The Crisafulli Government will slam shut a loophole and introduce new laws to criminalise the creation of ‘deepfake’ sexually explicit images of a person without their consent using digital technology, as part of its commitment to make Queensland safer.  Advances in technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), have made it easier than ever to create hyper-realistic images and videos that falsely depict real people.

Highly accessible AI tools can now generate sexually explicit content without a person’s knowledge or consent – a growing concern in Queensland schools – with harmful content being generated to cyber-bully.  To ensure Queensland laws keep pace with technology, the Crisafulli Government will criminalise the creation of intimate images of a person through digital technology without their consent, closing the loophole that has allowed perpetrators to evade accountability.

Inquiry to probe impact of Federal environmental legislation

The Queensland Productivity Commission will conduct an inquiry into the impacts of the Federal Government’s environmental legislation (EPBC). The independent inquiry will investigate stakeholder concerns about compliance costs, delays and uncertainty for Queensland businesses, and the impacts of resources projects being excluded from the National Interest Fast-Track Assessment Pathway. The QPC inquiry will examine economic impacts, risk to jobs, cost-shifting to states, impacts on major projects, and the consequences of the changes for agricultural production, land value and land management.

Applications open for 2026 Export Awards

Queensland businesses encouraged to apply for 2026 Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards, with applications open until June 12, and finalists announced in August.

The awards are one of the highest achievements in Queensland’s $138.9 billion export industry. For more information visit www.exportawards.gov.au

As always, if you have any State issues you would like to discuss with me, don’t hesitate to contact my office.

Phone: 07 5600 0100

Email: mermaid.beach@parliament.qld.gov.au

Address: 1/2434 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach, 4218, QLD

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raystevens.mp

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/raystevens.mp

Cheers Ray

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Queensland Submits Plan to Fix GST Distribution

The Crisafulli Government has delivered a blueprint to fix the nation’s flawed GST distribution system and ensure states that develop industries in the national interest receive their fair share. Queensland’s submission to the Federal Productivity Commission inquiry into the 2018 GST distribution reforms demonstrates how the existing system is unfairly punishing the Sunshine State for contributing to the national economy and fuel security while rewarding states which restrict or block development.

Despite having the nation’s highest net interstate migration and increasing demands for essential services, Queensland was short-changed again in Canberra’s GST carve-up after being allocated less GST in 2026–27 than 2023-24, compounding the significant challenges left by the former Labor Government after a decade of fiscal vandalism.

In contrast, the national GST pool has grown by nearly 20 per cent, Victoria’s GST is up 47 per cent, Western Australia is up 43 per cent.

Independent advice by the Queensland Productivity Commission found Australia’s GST system creates poor incentives for growth-enhancing policy and allocates less GST to each Queenslander today than 2002–03, in real terms.

Queensland State Redistribution

A report on the proposed redistribution, which includes maps showing the boundaries of the 93 proposed electoral districts, the names and boundary descriptions of all proposed electoral districts, and the Commission’s reasons for redistributing the State in the way proposed, is available on the QRC’s website at redistribution.ecq.qld.gov.au.  Final boundaries will be published in June 2026

Exploration Opportunities – Oil, Gas, Coal And Vanadium Projects

At the beginning of March 2026 tenders opened for 18 new areas to explore for petroleum, gas, coal and vanadium. Included was further petroleum and gas exploration across the Cooper/Eromanga and Bowen/Surat Basins to help secure future domestic supply.

Four of the petroleum and gas areas will be released subject to an Australian Market Supply Condition, ensuring any gas produced from those tenures is supplied to the domestic market to put downward pressure on energy prices.

The release followed the appointment of preferred tenderers to explore for petroleum and gas in the Cooper/Eromanga basins and the Taroom Trough, bringing more than $100 million of new exploration activity into the State and importantly, into regional Queensland.

It is the second time the Crisafulli Government has released land in the Cooper Basin since taking office, after Labor effectively locked up the gas-rich area.

We’re sending a clear message that Queensland is open for business, and we are serious about securing long-term energy supply for Australian households and businesses.

Making Queensland Safer

The QGSO Crime Report, Queensland, 2024-25, released today, provides a snapshot of the first six months of the Crisafulli Government’s landmark Adult Crime, Adult Time laws, showing overall crime fell by 1.2 per cent in 2024-25, compared to the previous year under Labor.

The report reveals the immediate and significant impact of Adult Crime, Adult Time, including:

• A 9.9 per cent reduction in the rate of break-ins, compared to 2023-24;
• A 10.6 per cent reduction in the rate of robbery, compared to 2023-24;
• A 5.6 per cent reduction in the rate of stolen cars, compared to 2023-24.
• The majority of robberies, break-ins and stolen cars are no longer being committed primarily by youth, for the first time in half a decade;
• A 16.7 per cent drop in the number of youth offenders compared to 2023-24;

The Crisafulli Government’s plan to make Queensland safer with more police, stronger laws, early intervention and rehabilitation has already delivered a 7.2 per cent reduction in victims of crime in Queensland in 2025, compared to the previous year.

As always, if you have any State issues you would like to discuss with me, don’t hesitate to contact my office.

Phone: 07 5600 0100

Email: mermaid.beach@parliament.qld.gov.au

Address: 1/2434 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach, 4218, QLD

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raystevens.mp

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/raystevens.mp

Cheers Ray

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Nation leading paramedic role
In an Australian-first, a new Queensland Health paramedic role will be introduced, allowing paramedics to deliver care in Queensland Health’s hospitals and health services across our State’s most remote communities.  When Remote Hospitals Paramedics are not responding to emergencies in the community, they will be able to work collaboratively alongside doctors, nurses and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers to deliver more care in more places. The nation-leading initiative responds directly to findings from the Crisafulli Government’s Workforce Gap Analysis, which highlighted the depth of the health workforce crisis inherited after a decade of neglect under Labor.

Biggest QBuild apprentice intake in almost 25 years
A 46% increase on last year’s intake, 79 new apprentices have joined QBuild showing the Crisafulli Government’s focus on backing apprentices who will help deliver and maintain the homes, infrastructure and public facilities our growing State needs. Selected from almost 2,000 applicants the new apprentices will train as carpenters, electricians,
painters, plumbers, refrigeration mechanics and cabinet makers. Based at QBuild depots from St George to the Gold Coast, Longreach to Palm Island and Thursday Island ensures these apprenticeships, skills, jobs and delivery are reaching communities across the state.

Skilling Queenslanders for Work

We are Skilling Queenslanders for Work, investing in training that’s faster, smarter and closer to home. This $45 million is changing lives by giving job-seekers a fresh start – and we’re proudly backing 182 projects including 22 new providers across our state. We are giving Queenslanders the tools and training they need to step into jobs, and securing a
pipeline of skilled workers in health, construction, hospitality and community services – jobs in demand.

Electoral reforms
In line with the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to put victims first, criminals serving a sentence of imprisonment or detention for one year or more will no longer be eligible to vote in state or local government elections, or referendums. The Crisafulli Government has also delivered on its election commitment to level the playing field for political donations, with new legislation allowing both trade unions and property developers to make donations for state election campaigns. Labor’s ban on property developer donations at a state level was always at odds with Recommendation 20 of the Crime and Corruption Commission’s Operation Belcarra Report, which focused on local government elections.

As always, if you have any State issues you would like to discuss with me, don’t hesitate to contact my office.

Phone: 07 5600 0100

Email: mermaid.beach@parliament.qld.gov.au

Address: 1/2434 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach, 4218, QLD

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raystevens.mp

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/raystevens.mp

Cheers Ray

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The Business Basics grants program provides support to businesses to increase core skills and adopt best practice.

The program offers $7,500 (excluding GST) in funding. If successful, funding is paid upfront on approval. Successful applicants don’t have to co-contribute to this grant but must pay for any related expenses in excess of the $7,500 grant funding.

Applicants can apply for funding for grant funded activities under the following priorities:

1. Professional business advice
2. Strategic marketing services
3. Website build and upgrades.

The program is administered by the Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business (CDSB).

Find out more – https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/support-services/financial/grants/business-basics-grant

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I attended a briefing & site tour of the proposed Miami Creative Industries Precinct ahead of its planned public expression of interest release in the second quarter of 2026. The project represents a significant development opportunity for the Gold Coast, and the upcoming announcement is expected to attract considerable stakeholder and community interest.  The movie / film industry is a rapidly growing economic sector for the Gold Coast employing hundreds of people across many areas.

Productivity Commission 

The Crisafulli Government commits to reforming this sector strangled by red tape and union indulgence.  Independent Queensland Productivity Commission report finds productivity in construction sector has dropped by 9 per cent since 2018, resulting in 77,000 fewer new homes.  A major ‘industry reset’ is needed with labour productivity growing by just 5 per cent in 30 years.  The Crisafulli Government has already delivered reform including permanently axing Labor’s Best Practice Industry Conditions which would have cost $20.6 billion. Productivity under the previous Labor Governments Light Rails 3 project was down to only 2 ½ days per week, literally taking twice as long to complete.

Land Activation Program

The LNP Crisafulli Government is launching a nation-leading Land Activation Program to fast-track homes and address Labor’s Housing Crisis.   EDQ-led program will release under-utilised government-owned sites across Queensland.  The former Labor Government’s failed Ground Lease Model proposed spending $1.7 billion of taxpayers’ money for just 715 dwellings.  The Land Activation Program is part of Crisafulli Government’s commitment to give more Queenslanders a place to call home and deliver one million new homes by 2044, driven by the private sector.

Crime on the Gold Coast

There is still an unacceptable level of crime on the Gold Coast for business and homeowners, due in part to repeat juvenile offenders.  The Crisafulli Government will continue to introduce new laws to address this ongoing problem of youth being released inappropriately by the current judicial system.

Market Accelerator Program

The Crisafulli Government has launched a new Market Accelerator Program to help Queensland businesses compete on the global stage by diversifying into new markets and seizing new opportunities. Up to $30,000 in matched funding is now available to assist Queensland businesses fast-track their export plans, convert global opportunities, and expand into new international markets. The funding is available to eligible small and medium-sized exporters accessing a new market and to those applicants who have experienced previous limited export success in a market but are yet to fully capitalise on the market opportunity. This program is part of a suite of programs being delivered under the Crisafulli Government to support Queensland exporters respond to complex international export challenges, bolster export capabilities, accelerate growth and build resilience and leverage off investment opportunities that may arise from their innovations. Applications are now open and will close on 4 March 2026. Click the link to find out more: www.tiq.qld.gov.au/export/grants-and-assistance/market-accelerator-program

As always, if you have any State issues you would like to discuss with me, don’t hesitate to contact my office.

Phone: 07 5600 0100

Email: mermaid.beach@parliament.qld.gov.au

Address: 1/2434 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach, 4218, QLD

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raystevens.mp

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/raystevens.mp

Cheers Ray

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