Zero New Cases Continue! Queensland's Steady Recovery Plan for the Next Stage Announced
Today, 16 June, over the past 24 hours Queensland has recorded zero new Covid-19 cases. Queensland currently has 5 active cases, has carried out 254,554 virus tests, and has a cumulative total of 1,065 confirmed cases.
Following the nationwide protests over the past fortnight, compared with the recurring outbreaks seen in New South Wales and Victoria, Queensland's outbreak control has been steady and orderly, holding at zero new cases for several days running and allowing all residents worried about a second wave to breathe a sigh of relief.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today announced the government's next stage of economic recovery plans to support employment, business and industry across Queensland. Ms Palaszczuk said: "Queensland's leading response to the outbreak means we are now ready to recover."
"Under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must prepare Queensland for the difficult road ahead and set out a clear, responsible and comprehensive plan for our economic recovery."
"Today's new package shows that our focus remains on Queensland's jobs and economy."
She said: "To fight the pandemic, we committed to more than A$6 billion in assistance packages. Last month, we released our economic recovery strategy, setting out a plan to kick-start the economy and get Queenslanders back to work." "Now, in stage two of the strategy, we have announced further measures targeting small businesses, tradespeople, farmers, first-home buyers, seniors, taxi drivers, tourism, and artists and musicians."
1. Property and Home Ownership
The government has again committed to a A$15,000 grant scheme for Queensland first-home buyers, on the condition that first-home buyers purchase a new home valued at under A$750,000. In addition, the government will also provide a new A$5,000 Regional Home Building Boost Grant for any newly built home outside South East Queensland. This grant will be on top of the existing A$15,000 First Home Owner Grant, and Ms Palaszczuk confirmed that the A$15,000 First Home Owner Grant will also be extended. She said: "This will mean that regional Queensland first-home buyers, together with the support of the federal government's grant, can receive up to A$45,000 in grants for a new home."
In addition, the government has also committed A$100 million to invest in the Housing Construction Works for Tradies project, aimed at building new social housing in Queensland.
Local councils in South East Queensland will receive an additional A$50 million in funding to reinstate a community stimulus program supporting small works and projects.
A$10 million will be provided to around 2,000 seniors and people with disabilities, who will receive additional grants of up to A$5,000 to help them upgrade their homes, such as strengthening safety measures, repairs and maintenance. A further A$1.175 million will be allocated to build regional training infrastructure to improve TAFE campuses.
2. Small Business
The Queensland government will allocate a further A$100 million to help small businesses stay in operation, with grants of up to A$10,000. She said: "To support regional recovery, more than half of the funding will go to small businesses outside South East Queensland."
"Our support for small business won't stop there — we are already taking additional measures."
3. Agriculture
The Palaszczuk government will invest A$5.5 million to use new technology to improve biosecurity and food safety, helping to build Queensland's reputation as a trusted, high-quality supplier to global markets.
4. Tourism
Air travel is an important part of boosting tourism and will deliver significant economic benefits, and the government will invest A$15 million to support the aviation sector. This program will support and encourage domestic tourism spending in Queensland and enable air capacity to recover more quickly.
5. Resources and Energy
The Palaszczuk government has committed to invest A$10 million to boost exploration activity for new economy minerals and promote the development of new technologies.
6. Arts and Culture
The Palaszczuk government will provide A$22.5 million in funding to help support the recovery of the arts and culture sector, of which A$11.3 million will go towards offsetting revenue losses in the music and performing arts sectors.