Queensland’s 2025–26 State Budget may come with new branding, but for communities in the Bancroft electorate, it’s clear the government has simply repackaged a long list of Labor initiatives without delivering real reform or new local investment.

Despite the headlines, this budget recycles many of the programs announced under the previous government — and fails to deliver the new projects and services our community urgently needs.

Health & Hospitals

While the government boasts about its $33.1 billion health budget and the so-called Hospital Rescue Plan, much of this was already in motion under Labor. There is no timeline for the recommencement of the Redcliffe Hospital Expansion and upgrade of the health services that locals rely on.

The people of Bancroft were hoping for real investment in local health infrastructure — not just reheated press releases and delays.

Cost of Living

Yes, families will welcome the $100 Back to School Boost (but how’s $100 adequate?) and the renamed “Play On” sports vouchers will continue. 50 cent fares will be permanent. But let’s be clear: these were Labor policies, continued without innovation.

At a time when cost of living is front of mind for most Queenslanders, energy rebates have been cut for everyone other than pensioners. In more bad news, the 20% discount Labor introduced to vehicle registration will not continue past September.

What’s missing? Real reform. There's no structural relief for renters, no fuel price relief, and no long-term cost-of-living strategy for working families in Deception Bay, Burpengary East or North Lakes — just temporary band-aids.

Housing

The government is still quoting the same housing targets announced years ago. Meanwhile, waitlists are blowing out and crisis accommodation remains hard to access.

There is no plan to fast-track affordable housing in growing areas like Burpengary East and North Harbour, with no new funding for social and affordable housing. This budget needed urgency, not recycled figures.

Infrastructure

The budget’s $116.8 billion infrastructure plan includes upgrades to the Bruce Highway and Southeast Queensland rail projects — but again, most of these are carried over from previous budgets.

There’s no new transport infrastructure for Bancroft. And no fast-tracked improvements for Bancroft like the widening of Deception Bay Road, despite securing a $20M commitment from the former government for early works.

There’s no real solution in this budget for growing congestion through North Lakes. The northern corridor is booming — but this budget ignores it.

Education

The 15 new schools included in this budget were all part of Labor’s forward estimates. No new schools for the Bancroft electorate. No additional upgrades to existing campuses.

After Labor secured the land last year, there has been no money allocated from this budget to build the new primary school in Burpengary East.

With local enrolments surging, this was a chance to invest in North Lakes, Burpengary and surrounding suburbs — but the government has failed to act.

Community Safety

A $5.2 billion law-and-order spend sounds big, but Queenslanders want outcomes. Youth crime remains a top concern for families across Bancroft — yet there's no detail on local initiatives, extra police stations, police beats, or specific crime prevention measures in our suburbs.

The figure of 1,600 new recruits is regurgitated from the last budget handed down by Labor.

Losers: Local Communities and Missed Opportunities

This budget fails to deliver for key groups:

• Bancroft families, who needed continued cost of living support and new local projects — not hand-me-down policy.
• Small businesses, who received virtually no support in this budget.
• Northern suburbs, where infrastructure hasn’t kept pace with growth.
• Renters, left with no meaningful rental reform or protections.

Conclusion: Queenslanders Deserve Better

The government has handed down a budget heavy on recycled announcements and light on local action. Bancroft residents expected bold leadership and real investment — but what they’ve received is a copy-and-paste of Labor’s old ideas, dressed up with a new title and colour.

Even though this budget falls short, I’ll keep fighting to ensure our community gets the infrastructure, services and support it truly deserves.