State debt collectors in Queensland will be out in force in a crackdown expected to recoup $612m in unpaid fines and taxes over the next four years.
Delivering its state budget on Tuesday, the government has directed the Queensland Revenue Office to “ensure every avenue is pursued” in collecting unpaid fines and taxes.
The crackdown is projected to boost state coffers by $612m over four years.
The move comes as the state’s deficit eeks up to $8.84bn this financial year, up from the forecast $8.58bn.
The major cost of living offer in the budget is a $50 increase to the Back to School Boost, lifting the credit to $150 for each school-aged child – the credit can go towards expenses like uniforms and excursions.
The government has also promised to make permanent and legislate the $0.50 public transport fares.
Power bill rebates for 700,000 low-income households have also been increased by 3.4 per cent, taking the subsidy to nearly $400.
Announced over the weekend, the government has also frozen bulk water prices in the southeast, which it says will save households $130 over the coming two years.
Premier David Crisafulli said the budget solidified cost of living measures.
“It’s not sugar hits. It’s locked in for the long term and it’s our way of playing a small part in easing pressure in what are national cost of living pressures that people are feeling,” he said.
More to come