Latest news with #StevenMiles
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
'Temu version': opposition lashes visionless budget
A state opposition has detailed how it will solve the housing crisis after labelling a government's budget a "sad state of affairs". Queensland Opposition Leader Steven Miles has taken aim at the Liberal National government's first budget since 2014, claiming it lacks vision and duplicates Labor's ideas. Mr Miles said Labor's 50-cent fares initiative, health checks for kindergarten kids and sports vouchers were all implemented in the LNP budget unveiled on Tuesday. "It's just a Temu version of what we had planned," he told parliament in his budget reply on Thursday. "This budget ... lacks vision, it lacks delivery, and it fails to prepare our state for the future. "It's a sad state of affairs." Amid a plethora of jabs criticising the LNP for the record $205 billion debt by 2028/29 while lacking cost-of-living relief, Mr Miles put forward the opposition's plan to solve the housing crisis. Labor proposed extending its land tax concession indefinitely, matching NSW's recent commitment, if the party won the next state election in 2028. It means land tax will be reduced by 50 per cent for build-to-rent developments that include at least 10 per cent affordable rental homes. "By extending the land tax concession here in Queensland, we will further cement the Sunshine State as the place to invest," Mr Miles said. Queensland Labor introduced the concessions in 2023, ensuring they were available for 20 years. NSW's land tax concessions were set to end in 2039 but were indefinitely extended in its state budget this week to increase investment and supply. The LNP committed more than $8 billion in the Queensland budget to improve housing, including its landmark "Boost to Buy" program to provide 1000 first-home buyers 30 per cent equity on new builds and 25 per cent on existing. Mr Miles slammed the signature policy for being too small to make a difference, saying it helped about one per cent of first homebuyers a year. "Experts say it won't distort the market, because it is too small to make any measurable difference," he said. Labor also pledged $10 million to help social organisations scale up their food production and distribution to keep up with the demand on food banks. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie labelled the opposition's reply "underwhelming", criticising Mr Miles for spending the majority of his speech condemning the LNP. "It was an embarrassing budget reply speech with no new initiatives," he told parliament. "They've got no views for the history, for the future of Queensland." The budget reply came after the state parliament rammed through laws to ensure Brisbane 2032 venues, including the centrepiece Victoria Park stadium, were exempt from local planning laws. Games infrastructure will not be subject to 15 planning laws, including environmental and heritage protections, with final sign-off given to the state government not local councils. Mr Bleijie vowed to have major Olympic projects under construction "pretty soon". "You're going to see a lot of work in a very short period of time," he said on Thursday. The new laws also mean energy developers will need to undertake community consultation before renewable project approvals. The passing of the laws earned the ire of activist group Save Victoria Park, which says the government "closed its ears" to community outrage. A state opposition has detailed how it will solve the housing crisis after labelling a government's budget a "sad state of affairs". Queensland Opposition Leader Steven Miles has taken aim at the Liberal National government's first budget since 2014, claiming it lacks vision and duplicates Labor's ideas. Mr Miles said Labor's 50-cent fares initiative, health checks for kindergarten kids and sports vouchers were all implemented in the LNP budget unveiled on Tuesday. "It's just a Temu version of what we had planned," he told parliament in his budget reply on Thursday. "This budget ... lacks vision, it lacks delivery, and it fails to prepare our state for the future. "It's a sad state of affairs." Amid a plethora of jabs criticising the LNP for the record $205 billion debt by 2028/29 while lacking cost-of-living relief, Mr Miles put forward the opposition's plan to solve the housing crisis. Labor proposed extending its land tax concession indefinitely, matching NSW's recent commitment, if the party won the next state election in 2028. It means land tax will be reduced by 50 per cent for build-to-rent developments that include at least 10 per cent affordable rental homes. "By extending the land tax concession here in Queensland, we will further cement the Sunshine State as the place to invest," Mr Miles said. Queensland Labor introduced the concessions in 2023, ensuring they were available for 20 years. NSW's land tax concessions were set to end in 2039 but were indefinitely extended in its state budget this week to increase investment and supply. The LNP committed more than $8 billion in the Queensland budget to improve housing, including its landmark "Boost to Buy" program to provide 1000 first-home buyers 30 per cent equity on new builds and 25 per cent on existing. Mr Miles slammed the signature policy for being too small to make a difference, saying it helped about one per cent of first homebuyers a year. "Experts say it won't distort the market, because it is too small to make any measurable difference," he said. Labor also pledged $10 million to help social organisations scale up their food production and distribution to keep up with the demand on food banks. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie labelled the opposition's reply "underwhelming", criticising Mr Miles for spending the majority of his speech condemning the LNP. "It was an embarrassing budget reply speech with no new initiatives," he told parliament. "They've got no views for the history, for the future of Queensland." The budget reply came after the state parliament rammed through laws to ensure Brisbane 2032 venues, including the centrepiece Victoria Park stadium, were exempt from local planning laws. Games infrastructure will not be subject to 15 planning laws, including environmental and heritage protections, with final sign-off given to the state government not local councils. Mr Bleijie vowed to have major Olympic projects under construction "pretty soon". "You're going to see a lot of work in a very short period of time," he said on Thursday. The new laws also mean energy developers will need to undertake community consultation before renewable project approvals. The passing of the laws earned the ire of activist group Save Victoria Park, which says the government "closed its ears" to community outrage. A state opposition has detailed how it will solve the housing crisis after labelling a government's budget a "sad state of affairs". Queensland Opposition Leader Steven Miles has taken aim at the Liberal National government's first budget since 2014, claiming it lacks vision and duplicates Labor's ideas. Mr Miles said Labor's 50-cent fares initiative, health checks for kindergarten kids and sports vouchers were all implemented in the LNP budget unveiled on Tuesday. "It's just a Temu version of what we had planned," he told parliament in his budget reply on Thursday. "This budget ... lacks vision, it lacks delivery, and it fails to prepare our state for the future. "It's a sad state of affairs." Amid a plethora of jabs criticising the LNP for the record $205 billion debt by 2028/29 while lacking cost-of-living relief, Mr Miles put forward the opposition's plan to solve the housing crisis. Labor proposed extending its land tax concession indefinitely, matching NSW's recent commitment, if the party won the next state election in 2028. It means land tax will be reduced by 50 per cent for build-to-rent developments that include at least 10 per cent affordable rental homes. "By extending the land tax concession here in Queensland, we will further cement the Sunshine State as the place to invest," Mr Miles said. Queensland Labor introduced the concessions in 2023, ensuring they were available for 20 years. NSW's land tax concessions were set to end in 2039 but were indefinitely extended in its state budget this week to increase investment and supply. The LNP committed more than $8 billion in the Queensland budget to improve housing, including its landmark "Boost to Buy" program to provide 1000 first-home buyers 30 per cent equity on new builds and 25 per cent on existing. Mr Miles slammed the signature policy for being too small to make a difference, saying it helped about one per cent of first homebuyers a year. "Experts say it won't distort the market, because it is too small to make any measurable difference," he said. Labor also pledged $10 million to help social organisations scale up their food production and distribution to keep up with the demand on food banks. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie labelled the opposition's reply "underwhelming", criticising Mr Miles for spending the majority of his speech condemning the LNP. "It was an embarrassing budget reply speech with no new initiatives," he told parliament. "They've got no views for the history, for the future of Queensland." The budget reply came after the state parliament rammed through laws to ensure Brisbane 2032 venues, including the centrepiece Victoria Park stadium, were exempt from local planning laws. Games infrastructure will not be subject to 15 planning laws, including environmental and heritage protections, with final sign-off given to the state government not local councils. Mr Bleijie vowed to have major Olympic projects under construction "pretty soon". "You're going to see a lot of work in a very short period of time," he said on Thursday. The new laws also mean energy developers will need to undertake community consultation before renewable project approvals. The passing of the laws earned the ire of activist group Save Victoria Park, which says the government "closed its ears" to community outrage. A state opposition has detailed how it will solve the housing crisis after labelling a government's budget a "sad state of affairs". Queensland Opposition Leader Steven Miles has taken aim at the Liberal National government's first budget since 2014, claiming it lacks vision and duplicates Labor's ideas. Mr Miles said Labor's 50-cent fares initiative, health checks for kindergarten kids and sports vouchers were all implemented in the LNP budget unveiled on Tuesday. "It's just a Temu version of what we had planned," he told parliament in his budget reply on Thursday. "This budget ... lacks vision, it lacks delivery, and it fails to prepare our state for the future. "It's a sad state of affairs." Amid a plethora of jabs criticising the LNP for the record $205 billion debt by 2028/29 while lacking cost-of-living relief, Mr Miles put forward the opposition's plan to solve the housing crisis. Labor proposed extending its land tax concession indefinitely, matching NSW's recent commitment, if the party won the next state election in 2028. It means land tax will be reduced by 50 per cent for build-to-rent developments that include at least 10 per cent affordable rental homes. "By extending the land tax concession here in Queensland, we will further cement the Sunshine State as the place to invest," Mr Miles said. Queensland Labor introduced the concessions in 2023, ensuring they were available for 20 years. NSW's land tax concessions were set to end in 2039 but were indefinitely extended in its state budget this week to increase investment and supply. The LNP committed more than $8 billion in the Queensland budget to improve housing, including its landmark "Boost to Buy" program to provide 1000 first-home buyers 30 per cent equity on new builds and 25 per cent on existing. Mr Miles slammed the signature policy for being too small to make a difference, saying it helped about one per cent of first homebuyers a year. "Experts say it won't distort the market, because it is too small to make any measurable difference," he said. Labor also pledged $10 million to help social organisations scale up their food production and distribution to keep up with the demand on food banks. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie labelled the opposition's reply "underwhelming", criticising Mr Miles for spending the majority of his speech condemning the LNP. "It was an embarrassing budget reply speech with no new initiatives," he told parliament. "They've got no views for the history, for the future of Queensland." The budget reply came after the state parliament rammed through laws to ensure Brisbane 2032 venues, including the centrepiece Victoria Park stadium, were exempt from local planning laws. Games infrastructure will not be subject to 15 planning laws, including environmental and heritage protections, with final sign-off given to the state government not local councils. Mr Bleijie vowed to have major Olympic projects under construction "pretty soon". "You're going to see a lot of work in a very short period of time," he said on Thursday. The new laws also mean energy developers will need to undertake community consultation before renewable project approvals. The passing of the laws earned the ire of activist group Save Victoria Park, which says the government "closed its ears" to community outrage.
The Age
2 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Miles gets the blues with ‘Temu' Labor budget in reply speech
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.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Miles gets the blues with ‘Temu' Labor budget in reply speech
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.
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Queensland government passes first censure motion in 13 years after eight Labor MPs ditch budget debate and flee parliament to regions
Eight Labor MPs, including Opposition Leader and former Queensland Premier Steven Miles have been slapped with the first censure motion in 13 years after abruptly fleeing budget hearings. The Queensland LNP government handed down its first budget on Tuesday, promising new cost of living relief measures. The budget was headlined by a $100 voucher for families with school aged children replacing those introduced by Labor last year, and a new shared equity scheme for first home buyers allowing buyers to enter the market with a deposit of as little as 2 per cent. Treasurer David Janetzki who railed against rising debt in opposition projected the states debt would remain at historic highs and likely pass $205 billion by 2028-29 with the budget also set to record a $9 billion deficit in the coming financial year. However, instead of attending budget hearings in the state's parliament on Wednesday morning, eight Labor MPs including Opposition Leader Steven Miles and senior shadow frontbenchers skipped town and travelled to a range of locations including regional Queensland, Cairns and the Sunshine and Gold Coasts. The move prompted a furious reaction in parliament, with Premier David Crisafulli blasting the string of MP's for holding their own respective press conferences while parliament sat. "I see a lot of vacant seats surrounding the leader of the opposition," he said. "This place here is where you want to turn up and do some work, Queenslanders expect you to turn up and do some work." Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the MPs absence was the 'biggest farce' he'd seen in his 16 years as an MP and labelled Mr Miles a 'Judas goat.' Leader of the House Christian Rowan also launched a stinging rebuke and branded the opposition as 'lazy' and not up to the 'great responsibilities that are bestowed upon them.' 'Our democratic institution needs to be treated with the dignity and respect it deserves,' he said. The government then unprecedentedly moved a censure motion against the Opposition to express the houses condemnation of the stunt, with the motion resoundingly passing 49 votes to 26 in the LNP's favour. A censure motion was last moved in the Queensland parliament in 2011 when former Premier Anna Bligh accused the LNP of dodging debate for 20 minutes, allowing her government to ram through three pieces of legislation unopposed. Steven Miles ardently defended his team's desertion and said his party had made a 'deliberate choice today to make sure that Queenslander knew how this LNP government had let them down.' Mr Miles said the budget was 'bad for regional Queensland' and stated his imminent budget reply would be the 'most detailed ever delivered by first-year opposition and will outline a plan to improve housing affordability and investment". The contingent of Labor MPs who missed the morning session included shadow police minister Glenn Butcher, shadow energy minister Lance McCallum, shadow environment minister Leanne Linard, shadow tourism minister Michael Healy, Greenslopes MP Joe Kelly and Bundaberg MP Tom Smith. After question time concluded shadow attorney-general Meaghan Scanlon travelled to the Gold Coast while Bart Mellish went to the Sunshine Coast. When pressed as to why he had decided to spend a night in Cairns Mr Healy said, 'it doesn't matter how I vote, the government have the numbers' and added it should 'happen more.' 'The (budget) Bill hadn't even started being discussed,' Mr Healy said.
ABC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Queensland government moves censure motion, condemns opposition absences from parliament
Queensland's opposition leader has been labelled a "Judas goat" after a string of Labor frontbenchers skipped part of state parliament, resulting in chaotic debate in the House. Shadow police minister Glenn Butcher, shadow energy minister Lance McCallum, shadow environment minister Leanne Linard, shadow tourism minister Michael Healy, and Greenslopes MP Joe Kelly all missed the morning session, including question time, claiming their time was better served in the regions. The government moved a censure motion, the first since 2011, against the opposition to note the parliament's official disapproval of the absences. In fiery scenes, Premier David Crisafulli gave a stinging assessment of the missing Labor MPs in the House. "I see a lot of vacant seats surrounding the leader of the opposition," he said. "This place here is where you want to turn up and do some work, Queenslanders expect you to turn up and do some work." Opposition leader Steven Miles defended his team in parliament, which he said was informing voters of failures in the state budget, delivered yesterday. "The LNP might think governing is all about Brisbane and all about the parliament, but on this side of the House we will continue to and in fact never apologise for travelling around the state and spending time in regional Queensland," he said. "We made a deliberate choice today to make sure that regional Queenslanders knew how this LNP government had let them down." Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie went on to attack Mr Miles in parliament, labelling the absences the "biggest farce" he'd seen in 16 years as an MP. He dubbed the opposition leader a "Judas goat" — a reference to a goat trained to lead other animals to slaughter. Speaking in his Cairns electorate, Mr Healy said he was best served talking to locals. "It doesn't matter how I vote, the government has the numbers, what I need to be doing is representing the people up here." Mr McCallum, an Ipswich-based MP, said he was in Mackay to convey Labor's concerns about the state's finances. "As part of a robust democracy, it is very important that the opposition holds the government to account, and we're going to take it to David Crisafulli and the LNP and call them out for their broken promises, which is what this budget is full of," he said. Member for Gladstone, Mr Butcher, said he was in Rockhampton to call out a "bad budget" and would be returning to parliament on Wednesday afternoon. "We will be sitting till midnight every night this week, so there's plenty of time to go through and do the discussion on the budget we need to," he said. The opposition's lone Gold Coast MP Meaghan Scanlon left parliament early to deliver a press conference in her electorate, Gaven. She said the move was to communicate budget cuts during her "lunchbreak" and that she would return to Brisbane later on Wednesday. "We've had MPs on the ground making sure communities know the damage that's been done in this budget," she said. Former Labor MP and Queensland speaker, adjunct professor John Mickel, said there was no rule requiring politicians to attend parliament. He said the opposition was prioritising political messaging over the House. "Labor in the last election did not just do poorly in the regions, they did badly in the regions, and you can't win Queensland, you can't win government back unless you do well in the regions," he said. "I have an old-fashioned view that when parliament is sitting, the executive is held to account, and they are held to account in the first instance in question time." He noted parliament provided a space to scrutinise the government and its budget. "That's where you can ask the treasurer about his budget, where you can ask ministers about their budget and why they haven't spent or misspent money in regions," he said. "It is a better look if they're all there, challenging the government." In a post on X, formerly Twitter, in 2023, now shadow health minister Mark Bailey called out Greens MP Amy MacMahon for leaving parliament early. Current shadow emergency minister Nikki Boyd and former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also criticised the South Brisbane MP. Responding to comments defending Ms MacMahon, Mr Bailey doubled down. "Calling out an [sic] Member of Parliament for not turning up to Parliament while it is sitting is accountability & scrutiny." Wednesday's censure motion passed with the votes of the government. The last such motion occurred in 2011, when Labor premier Anna Bligh censured the opposition for being absent from the chamber for debate, allowing her government to pass three pieces of legislation without debate.
