Whether it is the best or worst of times, we are in the middle of two budgets that show us just how our governments can serve or fail us.
After four years of being ignored by the Abbott-Turnbull Federal Governments, Ballarat rightly has a long list of projects that need government funding.
“We have significant projects crying out for funding – with job creating projects like the Waste-to-Energy projects in Hepburn and Ballarat and the Racecourse Reserve in Bacchus Marsh ready to go.
“The Ballarat Sports and Events Centre is a major project that has been overlooked by this government. With proper federal funding it could become a major regional hub, bringing jobs, tourists and facilities to Ballarat.
“I would hope to see greater support from the Government to make sure regional students can access University – denying our kids equal opportunities to access education is denying them the chance to build a better future. Unfortunately, what we’ve seen so far from this government just makes it harder for regional kids to afford university at all.
“Rather than pushing cuts that will hurt the most vulnerable people in our community, Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison need to drop their tax cuts for big business, and crack down on multinationals that don’t pay any tax whatsoever.
“The State Government has shown how important Ballarat and our region are with promises for better services and infrastructure that will benefit Victoria’s west.” Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King said today.
“These projects include bringing 600 new jobs to Ballarat, investment in schools across our region, improved train services, a new Ballarat based mental health facility, better road maintenance and road upgrades in Bacchus Marsh and Miners Rest alongside investments in farming, biosecurity and water.
“Our state government is delivering practical results for our region and it’s about time Malcolm Turnbull followed their example.
“Rather than focusing on saving his own job, Malcolm Turnbull should follow the Victorian Government; stop his cuts to health and education and fund measures that will create jobs in our region.”
05 May 2017