Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King today said people in our community can’t afford a repeat of last year’s Federal budget on Tuesday.
“The 2014 budget was a disaster,” Ms King said.
“The last year saw failure after failure from the first Abbott budget – with cuts to families, cuts to pensions, cuts to education and of course cuts to health and the failed GP tax.
“People in Ballarat need to see practical assistance from this government. Funding for youth unemployment programs like Youth Connections reinstated so our young people can get back to work.
“Tony Abbott needs to restore concessions for pensioners and seniors in next Tuesday’s Budget, and reverse its cuts to the indexation rate of pensions. Leaving pensioners $80 a week worse off is just punishing the vulnerable.
“We need to see real assistance for local manufacturing, so dozens of small businesses that provide auto industry parts can remain competitive or transition into new markets like renewable energy.
“We hope to see support for creative industries in Ballarat, like Federation University’s Research Innovation Centre so we can build new industries and generate new jobs for the region.
“Our communities expect that funds are forthcoming for local projects like the Wendouree Sporting Precinct and the Trentham Hub project.
“We have yet to have confirmation of any funding for mobile phone blackspot projects. Areas like Blackwood and Glenlyon are all waiting for funding to improve mobile phone coverage and it is imperative that the government put money into this infrastructure before the next bushfire season.
“They need to restore previously allocated funding for projects funded under Labor’s Nation Building Program by giving back the $7.6 million allocated for the Hallets Way section of the Western Highway.
“It is my hope that we will see measures in this budget that will have a real impact on the lives of those doing it tough in Ballarat, along with programs and funding that will stimulate our region’s economy and generate employment.”