31 January | Queensland Government Update January 2025

We have had a busy start to the year in Queensland with Premier David Crisafulli and his government needing to fulfil its 100 Day Plan commitments over the summer break.

Here are five things the PremierNational team think you need to know about government and politics in the Sunshine State this January!

Following media and opposition criticism, Treasurer David Janetzki released the delayed Mid-Year Fiscal and Economic Review. This prelude to the first Crisafulli Government budget paints a tough picture with a $218 billion debt projection, an increase in capital costs of $22.6 billion and a budget deficit deterioration from $2.6 billion to $4.9 billion.

With the LNP making commitments regarding budget discipline, a rejection of cutting costs, or raising taxes, this places a lot of pressure on this June’s budget.

Last year’s first sessions of the new Queensland Parliament focused on law and order, with the passing of the Crisafulli Government’s Making Queensland Safer Laws. The government has announced that laws to abolish stamp duty on new homes for first home buyers, will be the first priority of Parliament returning next month.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese started the year in Queensland with pseudo-campaign events up and down the coast – with a key first policy announcement being a return to an 80:20 funding split for upgrades to the Bruce Highway with the Queensland Government.

In other federal news, Nationals Hinkler MP Keith Pitt announced his immediate resignation from the Parliament, leaving the seat vacant heading into the election, and Peter Dutton focused on winning seats back from the Greens, holding a rally with Maggie Forrest’s supporters in Ryan and announcing former Brisbane MP Trevor Evans will attempt to re-take Brisbane.

Brisbane City Council’s Brisbane Metro bus rapid transit started this month with a phased roll out beginning with services between the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) and the University of Queensland.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has proposed Metro expansion projects as part of the transport and infrastructure planning for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, including Brisbane Metro services to Carseldine, Springwood, Capalaba and the airport.

A lower-key announcement for the start of the year saw moves towards establishing an Office of Social Impact within Queensland Treasury. The Office’s first major task will be to create a roadmap for social enterprise and impact investing in Queensland, in collaboration with investors, community, faith groups, philanthropies, the private sector and social entrepreneurs and will then go on to oversee an $80 million Social Entrepreneurs Fund.