Federal budget delivers record $12.1 billion for Queensland, largest ever state allocation

Queensland has secured $12.1 billion in federal budget commitments — the largest Commonwealth allocation to any single state in Australian budget history — with the majority directed toward Brisbane 2032 Olympic infrastructure, the Bruce Highway upgrade program, renewable energy transition support, and health and housing investments that will benefit every corner of the state.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Queensland's exceptional allocation reflected both the state's disproportionate share of nationally significant infrastructure requirements and the federal government's confidence in the Queensland government's project pipeline and delivery capacity. "This is not just spending — it is investment in Australia's future infrastructure that happens to be located in Queensland," he said.

The Olympic infrastructure component accounts for approximately $4.2 billion, covering venue construction, Athletes' Village development, and transport upgrades in the Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast venue catchments. This funding is structured as a direct Commonwealth contribution to the venue development authority, supplementing the Queensland state government's $3.8 billion commitment.

The Bruce Highway upgrade program, which has been progressively funded by Commonwealth and state contributions over more than a decade, receives an additional $1.8 billion for the next stage of duplication and safety improvements between Brisbane and Cairns. The highway, which carries more freight and tourists than any road in Queensland, has a long-standing safety profile that successive state and federal governments have been working to improve.

Premier Steven Miles described the federal allocation as a recognition of Queensland's central role in Australia's economic and social future. "Queensland is where Australia grows. This budget is the Commonwealth's acknowledgement of that fact," he said.

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