A NESSAGE FROM ADAM BAILLIE

I am pleased to share with you several important measures in the 2025–26 Queensland Budget that will directly benefit seniors living in our local community.

This Budget delivers targeted support to ease cost-of-living pressures, improve health care access, and enhance wellbeing and safety for older Queenslanders.

I know how important it is for seniors to feel secure, supported, and confident in the services available to them — and this Budget reflects those priorities.

Key initiatives include:

Boosted Electricity Rebate

The Electricity Rebate Scheme will increase to $386 in 2025–26 to help reduce energy bills for eligible seniors.

Annual indexation will resume, ensuring fairness and long-term value.

Hospital Rescue Plan

The Townsville University Hospital will be expanded with at least 165 new overnight beds as part of the Hospital Rescue Plan.

Faster Elective Surgeries through Surgery Connect

The Surgery Connect program will deliver 30,000 additional elective surgeries this year in partnership with the private sector — ensuring you get the care you need when you need it.

This Budget will also see the Crisafulli Government continue to invest in tackling youth crime in Townsville by:

Delivering a new Crime Prevention School in Townsville

To re-engage youth who have disengaged from mainstream education and are at risk of falling into crime.

Additional District Court Judge for Townsville

Delivering an additional District Court Judge plus ancillary staff, as part of the Faster Justice Plan.

Making Queensland Safer laws roll out

$7.2 million over 4 years to provide additional justice system resourcing in Townsville to support the implementation of Making Queensland Safer laws.

These are real, practical measures that will make a difference in your everyday life.

Whether it’s feeling safer where you live, lowering energy costs, delivering shorter wait times for treatment, improving access to scans and surgeries, this Budget is about putting people — especially seniors — first.

As always, if I can assist you with any state government matter or help connect you with available rebates or services, please do not hesitate to contact my office on

4766 4100 or via email townsville@parliament.qld.gov.au.  

Regards

Adam Baillie MP

Member for Townsville