Buy votes now, pay the price later

As reported in today’s Courier Mail, Labor’s $9.1bn cost-of-living promises may sound like a quick fix, but leading economists warn they will only fuel inflation and saddle future generations with massive debt. Premier Steven Miles is offering short-term relief measures like $1000 energy rebates, 50c public transport fares, free school lunches, and state-owned services, all while borrowing heavily to fund these expensive promises.

While the 50c public transport fare is being sold as a ‘win’ for those in Brisbane who live near public transport, the truth is, it’s a hidden cost to taxpayers. Urban voters may rejoice, but rural Queenslanders will end up footing the bill. This so-called “discount” doesn’t just magically appear—it’s funded by taxes, meaning everyone in Queensland, even those who never use the service, will pay for it. One Nation calls this out for what it is: a false economy. Taxpayers are subsidising city services they don't benefit from, and it's a burden rural communities can’t afford.

As experts have warned, this spend-now-pay-later mentality is nothing more than political pork-barrelling—buying votes with promises today while sticking future generations with the bill. Treasurer Cameron Dick admitted that Labor’s election promises will push Queensland into an operating deficit for at least the next two years. The result? Future taxpayers will be left paying for today’s short-term relief, but by then, the damage will be done.

Prominent economist Saul Eslake highlighted that these handouts don’t just waste public money—they could actually worsen inflation, undercutting efforts by the Reserve Bank of Australia to lower interest rates. His advice? Take a targeted approach by helping those who truly need it, such as low-income residents, through direct rebates on essentials like electricity and council rates—not blanket giveaways that everyone will end up paying for.

The better long term approach would be to lower this taxes across the board, and provide an electricity network with low cost, base-load power that can fuel economic development and prosperity.

AMP’s chief economist Shane Oliver pointed out that Labor’s kind of reckless spending complicates efforts to manage economic stability. As Oliver put it, “You can’t just subsidise your way out of inflation.” Yet, that’s exactly what Labor is attempting, in a desperate bid to win votes. He also criticised the timing of these measures, describing them as “good old-fashioned pork-barrelling,” lacking any solid economic foundation.

The economists are united in their concern that, although Labor's promises might seem appealing now, they will come at a great cost down the line. It’s not just cash deficits today—it’s our children and grandchildren who will be paying off this debt tomorrow.

For Queenslanders who believe in financial responsibility and long-term solutions, One Nation offers a better way forward. While Labor and the LNP engage in an arms race of spending, One Nation advocates for common-sense policies that truly serve all Queenslanders, not just the city elite. We believe in putting your hard-earned tax dollars to work for your community, not throwing them away on city-centric subsidies that leave rural Queenslanders worse off.

It’s time for a reality check. We can’t keep spending money we don’t have, and we certainly can’t allow the government to mortgage Queensland’s future to win a few votes today. Queensland deserves better, and with One Nation, we’ll fight to make sure you get it.