Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Deputy Premier Jackie Trad reveal details of the government's $4 billion coronavirus relief package.
Addressing media on Tuesday morning,Ms Palaszczuk said an expansion of community screening,contact tracing and 13 Health services would also be included.
"We know that over the coming weeks and months there is going to be a huge demand on our hospitals,not just in Queensland but nationwide,"she said.
A further $300 million will give cost-of-living relief to households"doing it tough",in the form of a credit of up to $200 for water and electricity payments,building on the $50 asset dividend already announced.
Also doing it tough are businesses,particularly after the decision this week to close a number of those deemed non-essential. Treasurer Jackie Trad said about 51,000 workers were estimated to have been affected.
"As the country moves towards even more restrictions in order to stop the spread of coronavirus,we do expect to see more,"she said.
"It is a fast-moving train. That's why our package is focused on industry and it's focused on businesses of all sizes,and it's focused particularly on workers."
Ms Trad revealed that small and medium businesses would receive both a three-month payroll tax holiday and a further six-month deferral. Coupled with previous announcements,this means no Queensland business affected by the pandemic will have to make a payroll tax payment this year.