Queensland Premier claims federal policies are besieging small businesses

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli used a business-leader breakfast to denounce the Albanese government’s recent policies as a coordinated assault on small enterprises. He singled out the botched credit-card surcharge ban, the Tax Office’s move to block credit-card payments on tax debt, proposed reductions to worker holiday visas and reforms to trust taxes. Crisafulli also argued that Queensland receives a disproportionately low GST share, contrasting its treatment with that of Western Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.

The speech came as the LNP government entered the second half of its term and faced heightened scrutiny over child-safety issues and ambulance ramping reforms. He called for a more pragmatic approach to migration, emphasizing economic rather than ideological motives. Crisafulli concluded that finding a middle ground on energy and infrastructure could usher in a “golden age” for the state.