The Albanese Government’s first budget has been handed down by the Treasurer tonight.
The previous Coalition Government’s wasted decade in office, resulted in skill shortages, stagnant wages and a trillion dollars of debt. The budget will begin the process of fixing this almost ten years of neglect.
Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King has said that the budget delivers on election commitments for the Ballarat electorate whilst also providing cost-of-living relief to families.
“Cheaper child care, increasing paid parental leave to 26 weeks and reducing the cost of medicine will help reduce the pressure on household budgets.”
The budget will also include investments to address skill shortages and build a stronger, more resilient economy in the long-term, by providing 20,000 additional university places and 180,000 fee-free TAFE places.
“These investments will provide opportunities for locals to get trained for jobs that are needed and for businesses to access the skilled workers they require,” Ms King said.
Fixing regional roads
In a win for locals, the budget includes $10 million for a business case to understand the best solutions to upgrade the Western Highway between Melton and Caroline Springs.
‘Like everyone in the west of the state, I know this stretch of road and its traffic problems very well.’
‘Working with the Victorian State Government we will investigate the most appropriate way to upgrade the Western Highway so locals can get home more quickly and safely, and allow businesses to more easily move goods from the regions to the city,” Ms King said.
The Albanese Government is also committing funding to fix rural and regional roads, by providing $750 million to local government through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
“You don’t have to drive far to know that investment in regional roads is desperately needed. This investment will support councils, like Golden Plains Shire Council, Hepburn Shire Council and the City of Ballarat to deliver vital road works across our region.”
Community infrastructure
The Albanese Government has delivered on its election commitments, with funding provided in the budget for important community projects.
In addition to $4.5 million that will go towards the redevelopment of the Sebastopol Senior Citizens Centre, tonight’s budget has delivered on $3.2 million of election commitments towards community infrastructure.
This includes:
- $750,000 towards the Linton Recreation Reserve resurfacing
- $500,000 to upgrade lighting at the Woady Yaloak Recreation Reserve
- $350,000 towards the construction of the Maude Pavilion project
- $750,000 towards Stage Two of the Doug Lindsay Recreation Reserve
- $365,000 for the Mineral Springs Reserves Development Program
- $500,000 towards the Glenlyon Recreation Reserve Pavilion.
The budget has also confirmed the delivery of an Urgent Care Clinic in Ballarat and a Community Battery in Daylesford.
“I am proud to deliver these important projects, that will leave a lasting benefit across our region,” Ms King said.