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The Queensland Government is trying to capitalise on Sydney's sky-high property prices by making a brazen pitch to convince families to move north where property is more affordable.
Tax per capita
- NSW: $3,936
- QLD: $2,691
- (via Qld Budget papers)
Median house prices
- Sydney: $1,000,500
- Brisbane: $513,000
- (via CoreLogic June 2017)
Unemployment rate
- NSW: 4.7
- QLD: 6.3
- (April 2017, Department of Employment)
It has launched the "Queensland Move Up in the World" advertising campaign which spruiks the benefits of cheaper houses, shorter commutes and sunnier weather.
But the state's Treasurer Curtis Pitt also tried to convince potential future sunshine state residents of the advantage of switching State of Origin teams, presenting two Sydney families who are making the move with Maroons jerseys.
"The one thing we know is if you come to Queensland, you're going to get more affordable housing, lower state taxes and you're going to get a better rugby league team," he said as he stood in front of Sydney Football Stadium.
But Sydneysider Joe Prince, who is moving to Cairns this week with his wife Rachel and their three daughters, was not sold on switching teams.
"Absolutely not, and I'll still go for the Sharks too," he said.
His wife Rachel said there would be many lifestyle benefits of moving.
"There's a lot in Sydney, but you just don't utilise it because there's so many people on the roads and everyone is so busy all the time, so I feel the lifestyle change will be great for everybody," she said.
Julian Lamb, who is planning a move to Brisbane with his wife Nicolette and their three daughters, said cheaper housing was the driving factor behind his family's decision.
"We want to be homeowners and we just can't afford it in Sydney, it's half the price for a four bedroom house in Brisbane," he said.
Mr Lamb said his only concern was finding work, but he believed there were enough opportunities.
"So we're going to take the risk and we think it will pay off," he said.
Topics: state-of-origin, housing-industry, offbeat, qld, sydney-2000