Kindergarten will be free across Queensland, the state government has confirmed ahead of releasing its budget that it says is “absolutely focused” on cost of living pressures.
The Palaszczuk government had flagged the free kindy measure in May before confirmation of the move on Tuesday morning, hours before the state budget is to be handed down in parliament in Brisbane.
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“We’re making kindy free – for everyone,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk tweeted.
“It will save families around $4600 a year, easing national cost-of-living pressures.
“And it’ll give every little Queenslander the best start in life.
“We surveyed over 6500 Queenslanders and 98 per cent said free kindy would help them and their families with cost of living relief. Free kindy also supports parents getting back to work.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (left) and Treasurer Cameron Dick (right) are preparing to hand down the 2023-24 state budget.
Credit: Darren England/AAP
The Palaszczuk government has also previously signalled various rebates to ease the pain of rising bills and interest rates.
Among them is expected to be an increase in the existing $175 energy rebate.
The measure will be more than welcome in regional Queensland after residents last week were hit with the highest electricity increase in the country of 29 per cent.
Inflation relief
The premier on Monday said billions of dollars would be allocated towards cost of living measures.
Treasurer Cameron Dick also promised funding boosts for health, housing and police.
“This budget will be all about housing, health and of course delivering better community safety and improving the cost of living,” he said.
– With AAP
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