The 2026-2027 Queensland Budget has a cost-of-living focus, particularly on energy prices. Photo: Queensland Government.
The Queensland Government has announced that the 2026-27 State Budget will include no new or increased taxes.
This marks the second year in a row the government has decided not to increase the burden on taxpayers.
Cost-of-living measures were also announced in the budget, including a reduction in power prices through the Energy Roadmap Price Drop, and a freeze on bulk water prices for two years in South-East Queensland.
Treasurer David Janetzki said a freeze on water costs could save average households $130 over two years and small businesses could save between $50 and $300, depending on water usage.
Other policies aimed at the hip pocket include the Back to School Boost, sports vouchers and the LNP Government’s decision to make 50-cent public transport fares permanent.
The government said the budget was being delivered at a difficult time, as economic shocks from the US/Israeli War on Iran rippled around the world.
Premier David Crisafulli said the budget delivered on the government’s core promise to help ease cost pressures on Queenslanders.
“We said we would ensure there was structural, long-term cost-of-living relief Queenslanders could rely on, and that is exactly what we are delivering in this budget,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“For too long, Queenslanders’ household bills have been a runaway train with no sign of slowing down.
“We are playing our part with structured cost-of-living relief Queenslanders can rely on when they’re doing it tough in the middle of a national affordability crisis.”
Mr Janetzki said the government was delivering lower energy costs for Queenslanders in the regions, passing on savings, while also making a pointed remark aimed at energy retailers.
“Our Energy Roadmap Price Drop will lower power prices for Ergon customers in regional Queensland after the Queensland Competition Authority announced an around 7 per cent drop for households and an 8 per cent decrease for businesses,” he said.
“If energy costs are going down, then power bills must come down too, which is why I’ve directed government-owned Ergon Energy to pass the savings on in full.
“I will start naming and shaming South-East Queensland energy retailers in my budget speech on Tuesday who aren’t passing on our Energy Roadmap Price Drop to Queenslanders.”
