Brisbane, June 29 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
The Queensland Government has unveiled a range of measures aimed at improving women’s economic security, healthcare, housing, workplace participation and community safety as part of the 2026-27 State Budget.
Treasurer David Janetzki and Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security Fiona Simpson said the Budget delivers practical initiatives to help women at different stages of life while supporting families, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and culturally diverse communities across the state.
The Women’s Economic Security Statement outlines investments to help more women enter and remain in the workforce through expanded Women’s Career Grants, the Jobs Academy program for women over 40 returning to work, and initiatives encouraging women to pursue careers in manufacturing, engineering and other STEM fields. The Budget also includes funding for female entrepreneurs, social enterprises and leadership programs.
The Government has committed further support to help families manage cost-of-living pressures through continued kindergarten funding, increased school support, sports vouchers, financial counselling and childcare initiatives designed to improve workforce participation.
Housing measures include additional social and community housing, expanded services for women experiencing domestic and family violence, assistance for older women facing housing insecurity, and support for first-home buyers through the Boost to Buy scheme.
The Budget also allocates funding to strengthen community safety through new domestic and family violence prevention initiatives, expanded legal services, additional specialist support programs, police resources and measures to improve victim protection.
Women’s healthcare has also received significant investment, including expanded maternity services, additional health workers, improved access to breast screening, endometriosis treatment, reproductive health services and free period products in schools.
Regional, rural and remote communities are also expected to benefit through improved healthcare, education, employment pathways and maternity services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, alongside locally delivered support programs.
According to the Government, the Budget also includes investments to improve public health infrastructure in Indigenous communities, expand multicultural community grants and strengthen programs supporting women’s financial independence and participation in the state’s economy.