The release of the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) today has confirmed no area of government expenditure is immune from the Abbott axe. At the centre of the cuts in our region is the scrapping of funding for the Ballarat Freight Hub.
Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King said by abolishing $9.1 million allocated in the May budget towards Stage 1 of the project – the Treasurer showed the Abbott Government was turning its back on critical job-creating infrastructure.
“Mr Hockey has not only potentially stalled a major infrastructure project in our region, he has pulled the pin on local job creation and economic growth,” Ms King said.
“Development of the freight hub has previously enjoyed support by every level of government – identified as an essential part of the Ballarat West Employment Zone and critical for employment in Ballarat as the city continues to grow in the years ahead.
“The cut in funding puts the future of the employment zone at risk, along with a projected 9000 new jobs and $5 billion in economic output each year.
“This decision further demonstrates just how out of step the Abbott Government is with our community by failing to understand the importance of the project for our region.
“In its first 100 days the Abbott Government has turned its back on important community infrastructure, the NBN, the car industry, childcare workers, school funding and maintaining Medicare Locals.
“The Liberals have marked this period in office with a series of cuts that are hurting our community.”