Queensland budget focuses on IT, infrastructure projects
IT and infrastructure projects will be the focus for Queensland over the next few years with the state budget allocating billions of dollars for technology and infrastructure investments.
Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser released the 2011/12 budget earlier this week, with IT projects at the forefront of funding for sectors such as health, emergency services and communications.
According to the budget release, more than $60 million will go to the health sector to “continue the replacement and upgrade of information and technology equipment to provide future capability”, while more than $208 million will be used to fix the inadequate Queensland Health payroll service.
Some $60 million will also go to ambulance services for new equipment and to upgrade communications technology, the fire department will receive $44 million for new facilities and ICT improvements, and the Queensland Police Service will receive more than $50 million to develop ICT platforms and refresh current technology.
More than $60 million will go to the health sector to “continue the replacement and upgrade of information and technology equipment to provide future capability”, while more than $208 million will be used to fix the inadequate Queensland Health payroll service.
Some $60 million will also go to ambulance services for new equipment and to upgrade communications technology, the fire department will receive $44 million for new facilities and ICT improvements, and the Queensland Police Service will receive more than $50 million to develop ICT platforms and refresh current technology.
Money for infrastructure also formed a key part of the budget with future infrastructure and reconstruction projects on the cards. “Our infrastructure investment will clock in at $15 billion—more than Western Australia and more than Victoria. The program will support almost 93,000 jobs,” said Fraser.
Fraser recognised the need to continue investment in resources. “[The Reserve Bank] see the investment boom coursing through the veins of our state, and of Western Australia and running through the Australian economy as a whole,” he said. “The Co-ordinator General has more than $55 billion worth of projects on their books as businesses are rushing to purchase a piece of the action.”
