The Miles Labor Government budget has allocated $52 million for existing and new grant programs to boost manufacturing in Queensland over 2024/25.
The Made in Queensland Grant Program, which has allocated funds to operators such as Packer Leather and Merino Country Australia, will continue with $20 million of new funding invested in Queensland manufacturers.
Made in Queensland has provided funding for 129 manufacturing projects over the past seven years, creating more than 6,400 good jobs and generating more than $128 million in private sector investment.
The Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program (MHGP) has received a funding boost of $5 million, ensuring an investment of $33.5 million for Queensland’s manufacturers.
Over the past three rounds funding has helped manufacturers in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, and Gold Coast regions to become more productive and build advanced manufacturing capabilities.
Queensland’s manufacturers will also benefit from the $7.1 million Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Grant Program (MEEG) and the $10 million ReMade in Queensland Grant Program which is funding manufacturing and recyclers for projects using recycled materials for manufacturing.
Deputy Premier and Treasurer Cameron Dick said the investment aims to boost jobs and production.
“Queensland has a proud manufacturing history and the Miles Labor Government’s 2024-25 Budget ensures its future is even brighter."
Meanwhile, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA has welcomed a suite of measures to address the cost-of-living crisis, but highlighted a lack of support for small businesses doing it tough.
The major cost-of-living announcements included spending $150m to make all public transport journeys 50 cents, slashing vehicle registration costs, freezing all government charges including the cost of a driver's license and a $1000 discount on electricity bills for families under an expanded energy rebate scheme.
ARA CEO Paul Zahra said the measures will alleviate some pressure for struggling households, with flow-on benefits for the retail sector.
“Whie the measures announced in the Queensland Budget won’t solve the cost-of-living crunch, they will provide some much-needed temporary relief for households – which could flow through to the retail sector.
Zahra said the ARA is disappointed there weren’t further measures in place to support struggling small and medium sized retailers.
“It’s very difficult for businesses right now, particularly smaller retailers. They’re simultaneously dealing with rising costs across the board and reduced spending.
“We welcome further funding for the previously announced Queensland Small Business Strategy, which will provide grants and funding for small businesses – and would have liked to see more initiatives in this space.”
The ARA also expressed disappointment that the Queensland Government opted against including additional funding for road and transport resilience funding.
“After multiple natural disasters, the Queensland supply chain remain fragile and susceptible to disruption. We are advocating that governments invest substantially in supply chain resilience, to help address the more frequent and severe impacts of climate change."