Brisbane, June 23 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
The Queensland Government has announced a series of measures in its 2026-27 Budget aimed at improving services and infrastructure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities while expanding support for women and multicultural initiatives.
In a joint statement, Treasurer David Janetzki and Minister for Women, Women’s Economic Security, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Multiculturalism Fiona Simpson said the Budget allocates $167.2 million for women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships, and multicultural programs.
A key initiative is the allocation of $73 million for 21 new public health and critical infrastructure projects through the Closing the Gap Priorities Fund, which is designed to improve essential services in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Queensland.
The Budget also includes continued investment in programs supporting women’s workforce participation, including the Women’s Career Grants, the Jobs Academy and the Empowering Queensland Women Grants.
To strengthen social cohesion, the Government has committed $3.75 million to the Multicultural Connect grants program to upgrade community halls, meeting places and sporting facilities used by culturally diverse communities. A further $1.53 million Social Cohesion Package will support initiatives, including the African Village program.
The Queensland Government said the Budget focuses on delivering practical outcomes by improving infrastructure, expanding public services and supporting stronger, more resilient Indigenous and multicultural communities across the state.