- 2023-24 State Budget delivers vital cost of living supports and boost to community services for vulnerable Queenslanders
- Additional money for food relief and an expansion of school breakfast program to support families in need
- More support for communities, with new and improved neighbourhood centres to deliver more services for vulnerable people
The 2023-24 State Budget will deliver vital cost of living supports, including more funding for food relief for vulnerable Queenslanders and their families, and a boost to frontline community services supporting people in need.
The State Budget includes a $3 million investment to boost food relief services, including $315,000 additional funding for Foodbank Queensland to provide more critical food relief and a $2.7 million expansion of the state's popular school breakfast program over 2 years.
Community services, particularly neighbourhood centres, will also benefit from the 2023-24 State Budget.
The Budget builds on the significant funding provided for neighbourhood centres in the 2022‑23 State Budget, particularly in the construction of new centres and upgrades to existing centres - $39 million over three years.
This includes a total investment of $4.6 million to build Rockhampton's first neighbourhood centre, which is anticipated to begin construction in August.
It also includes the delivery of the expanded Community Connect Worker program announced in the 2022-23 State Budget, which means 20 additional specialist community services workers for neighbourhood centres to support vulnerable Queenslanders, on top of the 12 existing workers.
Quotes attributable to Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:
"We know that many Queenslanders and their families are doing it tough right now, and this State Budget is focused on delivering relief and more supports for those most impacted by the rising cost of living.
"The 2023-24 State Budget funding boost for food relief is just one way our government is supporting those most in need.
"Foodbank do some amazing work in our communities, and I know the $315,000 funding boost for critical food relief will be a welcome boost for many families.
"This funding is in addition to the $3.3 million cost of living relief package I announced in December as part of our Housing Summit Outcomes.
"The $2.7 million to expand the school breakfast program into more Queensland schools is great news for vulnerable families.
Quotes attributable to Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick:
"Queensland's strong economic performance means we're able to provide more cost‑of‑living support to vulnerable Queenslanders and their families.
"This includes making sure families have food on the table and children from vulnerable families are able to benefit from a healthy, nutritious breakfast at school.
"Our continued strong investment in high quality community and social services across the state is also reflected in this Budget, which delivers more services and upgraded community service infrastructure across the state."
Quotes attributable to Minister Leeanne Enoch:
"I've travelled around the state and seen firsthand how school breakfast programs are making a real and profound difference to the education of children who need these healthy, nutritious meals the most.
"I'm also pleased that the State Budget will build on our significant investment in Neighbourhood and Community Centres announced in last year's State Budget.
"This is great news for Neighbourhood Centres such as Birch Street Community Hub in Cairns, which benefitted from a record funding operational uplift of more than $107,000 and a $2.85 million investment to replace the existing centre with a brand new, purpose-built facility.
"The State Budget also includes additional funding for our Public Intoxication Service Program.
"Following our $10 million boost for this program in Cairns, including the expansion of the Lyons Street Diversionary Centre, the 2023-24 State Budget will boost public intoxication services in Mt Isa.
"This investment of $6.1 million over two years includes $4 million to expand the local diversionary centre to better meet the needs of women accessing the centre.
"These services support some of our most vulnerable community members at risk of harm due to intoxication in public places."
Explainer/fast facts and/or further information:
2023-24 State Budget highlights for Communities:
- $315,000 for Foodbank to deliver critical food relief
- $2.7 million to expand the school breakfast program
- $2.1 million to expand diversionary services in Mt Isa
- $4 million to expand the diversionary centre in Mt Isa
