Queensland Budget brings modest support for families and small businesses

• Modest measures to boost household finances 
• Small businesses benefit from range of initiatives  
• Boost to Buy program won’t solve housing shortage  

Queensland Treasurer David Janetzki has handed down a Budget focused on family finances and modest cost-of-living measures. 

The Budget also brought a range of encouraging initiatives for small businesses, says Australia’s largest accounting body, CPA Australia. 

CPA Australia says the Crisafulli government’s commitment to reduce red tape and streamline services for small businesses as part of a $130 million Small and Family Business First Action Statement is welcome.  

“Reducing regulatory burden is a critical element to improving productivity and giving business owners more time to focus on their business,” CPA Australia’s Business Investment and International Lead, Gavan Ord, said. 

“Many small businesses, particularly those with high energy demands, are feeling the squeeze. Small businesses are vital to the Queensland economy and most Queenslanders will know a small business owner struggling to make ends meet. 

“The range of small business initiatives announced in today’s Budget is a positive step. Targeted government support is essential to help these businesses navigate the current economic challenges. 

“However, time will tell whether this support is sufficient to encourage a significant number of Queensland’s 495,000 small businesses to invest in the innovation and technology needed to grow and thrive.”  

Mr Ord also welcomed the government’s commitment to establish a $1 billion digital fund to help streamline access to government services.  

Boost to Buy  

Mr Ord said the Boost to Buy shared equity program, designed to help Queenslanders get into the housing market, is well-intentioned but may contribute to increasing demand and higher prices. 

“While supply remains weak, any increase to demand will probably drive up the cost of homes. Though Boost to Buy may help a small number of Queenslanders enter the housing market for the first time, it’s more urgent to increase supply to address the housing crisis,” he said. 

“It’s encouraging to see the government commit to allocating $1 billion of the $2 billion Residential Activation Fund by June 30, 2026, to allow councils and developers to build the infrastructure that is needed to prepare land for development.  

“It’s crucial to strike the right balance between policies that help individuals get into the housing market and ensuring there is adequate supply to meet demand.” 

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