Queensland Budget 2019-20: The winners and losers

Treasurer Jackie Trad has delivered a big spending 2019/20 state budget, that she says "unashamedly" targets the regions.

It's a shift from last year's budget, which was pitched at "all Queenslanders".

After regional Queenslanders made their concerns about jobs clear at the federal election in May, Ms Trad is spending big on those who live outside of Brisbane to keep local economies moving.

The budget includes a big ticket $49.5 billion infrastructure spend over four years.

"Today I deliver a Queensland budget unashamedly focused on our regions," she said.

Despite lauding an $880 million operating surplus this year, largely off the back of mining royalties, and forecasting modest surpluses for the next four years, the state is sliding further into debt, predicted to reach a massive $90.7 billion in 2023.

The Treasurer was unapologetic, saying it's necessary to keep people employed and the state's $350 billion economy turning.

WINNERS

HEALTH

This sector will get $900 million more funding than last year, bringing the sector's overall budget to $19.5 billion.

The aim is to meet increasing demand across the state and to improve hospitals in growing population areas such as Ipswich, Logan and Caboolture.

$80 million will go towards suicide prevention measures, including $7 million for Indigenous mental health and wellbeing.

SCHOOLS

Spending has increased in this sector too, by $500 million.

An extra 22 state schools will be built in growth areas by 2021/22.

Some classrooms will get cooler too, with $100 million to be spent on air conditioning in schools across Queensland over four years.

REGIONS

The Treasurer says the infrastructure spend will support an estimated 25,500 jobs outside of greater Brisbane.

She said the gap between unemployment in the regions compared to Brisbane had narrowed from 2.5 per cent to 0.7 per cent in recent years.

SMALL BUSINESS

The payroll tax threshold rising is good news for small to medium business, meaning an extra 1500 companies will pay no tax.

There's also a discount for regional firms that employ 85 per cent local workers.

LAW AND ORDER

To fund more officers on the beat, and build and upgrade police stations, the government will spend $2.6 billion.

$618 million has been allocated for a new 1000-bed men's prison to be built at Gatton, west of Brisbane, planned for completion in 2022-23.

There's also $27 million over three years for additional beds at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre and $111 million over four years to make privately run prisons public again.

LOSERS

DEBT

The Treasurer has been unapologetic about delivering another 'borrow to build' budget, putting more on the state's credit card to create jobs, provide services and stimulate the economy.

She says a $7.3 billion increase in debt this year is both manageable and necessary to keep people employed and the state's $350 billion economy turning.

By 2023, Queensland's debt is expected to reach a whopping $90.7 billion.

BIG BUSINESS

Larger companies with a payroll higher than $6.5 million will pay an extra 0.2 per cent in tax.

Land taxes and surcharges for companies and trusts will also go up.

With AAP