PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull was seemingly in election mode as he used a crowded Raby Bay meet and greet to hammer home his budget message.
Mr Turnbull spoke for about 20 minutes, with a hard sell about job building in his election-style budget.
He was mobbed by school children, local politicians and Redlanders pushing their causes as he was introduced to the crowd by Bowman MP Andrew Laming.
Mr Turnbull was also welcomed by mayor Karen Williams, the Quandamooka people of Minjerrabah and town crier Max Bissett.
Cr Williams handed Mr Turnbull a petition supporting council’s attempts to buy Birkdale bushland owned by the federal government, which had been mentioned in the budget.
Mr Turnbull said the budget had delivered what they had promised in 2016 which was to ensure stronger economic growth, with more and better jobs and deliver essential services.
“We are spending more money than ever before [and] we’re continuing to put the resources we need to deliver those essential services,” he said.
“We’ve reduced business taxes for small and medium companies up to $50 million turnover.
“That benefits thousands of businesses in this electorate and millions right across the country, many of them very small businesses.”
Mr Turnbull said a lot more than half the private sector workforce worked for businesses with turnover less than $50 million a year.
“Those businesses are overwhelmingly Australian owned, family owned businesses.
“Lower business taxes mean more investment, more employment and that’s what we’ve seen last year, 415,000 more jobs in Australia. The largest jobs growth in our history.”
He said more than 10 million taxpayers would benefit from tax relief in the budget and personal income tax reforms would be important in future.
“They are particularly important for the spirit of enterprise, investment, entrepreneurship that drives the economy here in Queensland and right around the country.”
Mr Turnbull said the budget was in better shape than previously because more people were employed and paying tax.
“We have the lowest percentage of people of working age on welfare in 25 years.
“I reckon that’s a great achievement because the best form of welfare is a job.”
Speaking about reform for older Australians, Mr Turnbull said the government was ensuring more places for high level home care for people to age at home.
Acknowledging Adani mine protesters who heckled from a distance during his speech, Mr Turnbull said: “Thanks, comrades, good to see you there … It’s a great country, that we’ve got so many diverse opinions.”
Among the organisations and businesses on show during the visit were the Sycamore School, The Cage, Traction, the Polish Visual and Performing Arts Festival and Walker Corporation, developers of Toondah Harbour.
