Queenslanders have been promised today's state budget will feature "billions of dollars" for cost-of-living relief, along with boosts to health, housing and police.
"I can assure Queenslanders that we are absolutely focused on the cost-of-living pressures that they are experiencing," Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said yesterday.
The government has indicated the budget will address gaps in regional maternal health and the hot-button issue of youth crime, as well as the availability of social and affordable housing.
READ MORE: Victims of Hunter Valley wedding bus crash identified?
Yesterday, Palaszczuk announced a further 500 social homes will be built as part of the government's Build to Rent program.
This morning, the government revealed the budget will include a boost for parents with $645 million to make kindergarten free for every family from the beginning of 2024.
The measure will save families of kindy-aged children about $4600 a year.?
Kindy is a government-approved education program for children in the year before prep, the first year of primary school.?
The premier said about 8000 kindy-eligible kids do not currently attend a kindergarten program.
About 50,000 children will now be able to attend kindergarten for free across the state, in addition to the 14,000 who already receive free kindy.?
It's also anticipated there will be some form of energy bill rebate for concession card holders, with energy retailers warning they will be passing on another spike in prices from July 1.?
The government's pockets will be well-lined from higher coal prices and higher-rate tiers for royalties but the budget will still need to balance any spending with the potential inflationary impact.
READ MORE: How you can save thousands on your energy bills?
Treasurer Cameron Dick will hand down the 2023-2034 Queensland budget this afternoon.
LNP opposition leader David Crisafulli will deliver a budget reply speech on Thursday.?
Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.