The Queensland Government has through the 2014-15 State Budget, reaffirmed its commitment to house the State’s most vulnerable residents and make it easier for the private sector to do business with government.

Treasurer Tim Nicholls said the State Budget included increases to community services spending, while not raising taxes or cutting services.

He said the budget outlines their plan to secure the State’s finances by making the strongest and smartest choice to reduce debt so they can sustainably invest in the infrastructure needed by the growing state, including for Queenslanders who need it the most.

Housing and Public Works Minister Tim Mander said the 2014-15 State Budget allocated almost $250 million to provide better and more accessible public housing. Pointing out how the former Labor government neglected the public housing system, leaving more than 30,000 households languishing on the waiting list, Mr Mander said the new Government has been able to reduce that figure by more than a third so far, and is also partnering with the non-government sector to deliver an additional 1800 new dwellings.

The Government will be able to help 38,000 low income households to either find or retain a place in the private rental market through housing products such as RentConnect and Bond Loans.

Mr Mander said the Government would also increase accommodation options for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness by expanding the Street to Home program and by establishing a Housing Assistance Triage System to rapidly provide people with support. He said these initiatives will play an important part in meeting the Government’s commitment to halve the current rate of homelessness by 2020.

The budget also delivers 70 new homes for completion in remote indigenous communities. These homes will play a big role in addressing overcrowding and ensuring indigenous Queenslanders have a safe place to call home.