Today’s State Budget is a missed opportunity for government to provide real relief for the current challenges and lay the foundation for long term business confidence.

Business Chamber Queensland has warned businesses are under significant strain with the steepest decline in confidence in 20 years and this budget does little to address those concerns.

Business Chamber Queensland CEO Heidi Cooper said while the Chamber acknowledges that today’s budget prioritised stability in a time of uncertainty, there were few direct measures to improve the business operating environment and increase confidence.

“2026 is a pivotal year for Queensland but a combination of rising fuel costs, supply chain insecurity, cost of living pressures, inflation, restrictive regulatory burden, low productivity and higher interest rates has pushed business confidence lower than levels seen during the Global Financial Crisis,” Ms Cooper said.

“We welcome the reduction in energy prices for businesses and the continuation of business-enabling infrastructure, including CopperString and the Bruce Highway, both of which we advocated for.”

But Ms Cooper said the budget failed to address many of the challenges being experienced by business.

“Queensland businesses are telling us they want real relief – relief from record high costs, an ongoing tight labour market, a restrictive employment landscape, supply chain challenges and a tough regulatory environment, all compounding to put pressure on productivity and confidence. This budget doesn’t provide that relief.

“This budget was a critical opportunity for the government to give businesses the confidence to invest, hire and grow,” Ms Cooper said.

Among its more than 70 recommendations, Business Chamber Queensland had called on the State Government to reduce the payroll tax threshold from $1.3 million to $1.5 million to support small businesses.

While the government acknowledged the burden of payroll tax and the urgent need for reform, it hasn’t happened.

“Businesses are the powerhouse of the state’s economy and play a critical role in job creation and economic growth.

“We called for a budget that focused on profitability and productivity.

“Queensland businesses have been very clear. Confidence has plummeted and they are looking for direct measures to improve the business environment today and for the future.

“This is not a budget that backs business to thrive,” Ms Cooper said.