Miles gets the blues with ‘Temu' Labor budget in reply speech

Sydney Morning Herald

5 days ago

Queensland Opposition Leader Steven Miles has blasted the Crisafulli government's first state budget as full of broken promises, while claiming credit for many of its measures and announcing some new ones of his own.
In his first budget reply speech on Thursday, the former premier said the best parts of Treasurer David Janetzki's budget were continuing Labor initiatives.
'It's just a Temu version of what we had planned,' Miles said of the budget during his 58-minute speech in parliament.
'Labor's 50¢ fares, our signature transport policy. Help to Buy – a Labor initiative. All of the capital program is Labor's – just less of it and delivered later.
'Health checks for kids? Labor policy. Fair play vouchers? That was ours too. So we welcome all of those things.'
Miles used the speech to announce some new Labor policies, including a $10 million commitment to assist the community services sector store, refrigerate and distribute food to vulnerable people across the state should Labor be returned to power in 2028.
'It's not the answer to the growing problem that is food insecurity, but it's one way I know we can make a practical difference,' he said.
What had been a 20-year commitment to reduce land tax by 50 per cent for build-to-rent developments in 2023 would also be extended.
'The rental market is continuing to tighten and vacancy rates remain incredibly low – that's why driving this kind of investment is what we need,' he said.