2025-26 Federal Budget provides some wins

Federal Budget provides some wins, and focus now on Federal Election campaign: Advance Cairns

March 25, 2025 (Cairns) – Advance Cairns today said the 2025-26 Federal Budget delivered some welcome investments but left significant gaps in funding for critical initiatives that will drive long-term economic productivity in Far North Queensland.

Advance Cairns, the leading independent economic development and advocacy organisation for Far North Queensland, acknowledged key funding announcements, including $87.5 million over three years from 2025–26 in additional funding for the Cairns Water Security – Stage 1 project. However, the lack of broader funding commitments for the region’s strategic priorities was disappointing.

“We welcome confirmation of funding for the Cairns Water Security project, which is a vital investment in our long-term water supply and liveability,” Advance Cairns CEO Jacinta Reddan said.

“As well, the additional $70 million to seal the remaining 11 kilometres of the Kennedy Developmental Road between The Lynd and Hughenden is a welcome investment in regional connectivity and road safety.

“We are pleased to see that the Prime Minister’s commitment in Federal Parliament last month has been confirmed with funding committed to finish sealing of this alternative inland route.”

“We repeat our calls to undertake this work as a matter of urgency during the coming dry season.

“With the Bruce Highway between Ingham and Cardwell cut off yet again – the confirmation of additional funding into this key North-South transport and heavy freight route – is vital.”

Advance Cairns welcomed the $7.2 billion to upgrade the Bruce Highway and repeated its earlier calls to prioritise this section of the highway (between Ingham and Cardwell) with frequent closures during the current wet season resulting in a multimillion dollar economic and social cost to the economy of the Far North.

Ms Reddan reaffirmed Advance Cairns’ commitment to advocating for critical initiatives, including health services, road connectivity, and the full funding and expedited delivery of the Common User Facility shiplift at the Cairns Marine Precinct.

“With the federal election just a few weeks away, we will now be shifting our attention to securing bipartisan support to fund these major investments required in the Far North.

“Key to this is a much-needed investment in boosting our healthcare system by training more medical professionals in the region.

“We are pleased to see additional Commonwealth Supported Places at medical schools in regional and remote Australia across the board.  With a strong focus on encouraging medical students to pursue careers in general practice, particularly in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia, we are very keen to see what this means for James Cook University.

“As well, the Budget announced Government will uncap medical Commonwealth Supported Places for First Nations students to support the growth of more First Nations doctors which we expect would deliver material benefit to our region,” she said.

Advance Cairns is specifically calling for James Cook University to receive 100 Commonwealth Supported Places for its Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), phased over five years (2026-2030) to support training and recruitment of Cairns-based clinicians.

“But we also want to see the additional $27.5 million towards the CQUniversity CBD campus supported by both major parties as this expansion is essential for training critical allied health professionals such as nurses and physiotherapists.

“A healthcare system that offers access to medical practitioners and allied health professions is vital and we know that those trained region tend to stay in region.”

This additional funding for CQU would bring the total federal contribution to $77.5 million to deliver the campus in line with its original scope.

Other initiative identified by Advance Cairns include:

• $180 million for Savannah Way Road projects, prioritising upgrades between Mount Surprise and Croydon, including the Gilbert River Crossing.

• $22 million for a study into alternative routes to the northern Tablelands.

• $12 million for further upgrades to Cairns’ three shipyards.

• $50 million to deliver a state-of-the-art Aviation Maintenance Training Facility within the Cairns Airport Eastern Aviation Precinct, incorporating a 10,000m² common user hangar to be operated by Cairns Aviation Skills Centre.

“We would expect to see bipartisan support for these important projects in the lead-up to the federal election,” Ms Reddan said. “These investments will enhance our liveability, sustain population growth, and foster economic development while strengthening our position as Northern Australia’s strategic hub.”

Advance Cairns Chair Nick Trompf echoed this sentiment, urging political leaders to commit to funding these initiatives.

“Far North Queensland plays a crucial role in the national economy and in our strategic engagement with the Pacific,” Mr Trompf said. “We need to see long-term investment in infrastructure, defence capability, and workforce development to ensure the region remains a powerhouse for trade, tourism, and national security.”

“As always with Budgets, the devil is in the detail, and we look forward to further analysis on specific implications for our region,” he said.

Looking ahead, Advance Cairns is focused on ensuring that these unfunded priorities gain support from both sides in the lead-up to the federal election.

“We look forward to raising these issues at the 2025 Federal Election Candidates on the Couch forum on April 16, 2025, in collaboration with Tourism Tropical North Queensland,” Mr Trompf said. “This will be a key opportunity for the region’s business community to hear directly from the two major party candidates vying for the critical seat of Leichhardt and to gain insights into their commitments and vision for Tropical North Queensland.”

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