Queensland state budget 2024: 50c fares and $1,000 energy rebates favoured over surplus in pre-election spend

A Queensland family could receive as much as $10,000 in household cost-of-living relief from the 2024-25 budget, treasurer Cameron Dick said. Photograph: Jono Searle/AAP

The Queensland treasurer, Cameron Dick, says the government made a “deliberate choice” to put the budget into deficit in order to fund a series of temporary cost-of-living measures ahead of the October election.

Heavy discounts will be applied to public transport fares, electricity bills and car registration fees in 2024/25, culminating in a $2.6bn deficit, the government announced in Tuesday’s budget. A “trial” plan for 50c public transport fares lasts only six months and will end three months after election day.