Labor’s budget of broken promises and more taxes will make life harder, especially in regional Australia.
Federal member for Nicholls Sam Birrell says families, farmers and small businesses will be impacted by Labor’s broken promises on tax which betrays the trust of Australians and will see regional Australians pay more.
“This is a Budget of broken promises, higher taxes, more debt, lower living standards and fewer homes for Australians,” Mr Birrell said.
“The Albanese Government’s spending is still out of control, and they are raising taxes and cutting from regions to fund it.”
The Coalition is opposed to these higher taxes because they are an assault on aspiration.
“Labor’s new taxes will see 35,000 fewer homes built and small business, the engine room of our economy and the businesses that support local communities, will be hit.”
“The argument that this is about intergenerational equity is a fallacy because young Australians are going to be paying for this governments reckless spending for most of their working lives.”
Across the Budget, regional Australians face at least $11 billion worth of cuts, including:
• $6.15 billion cut from the Inland Rail project,
• $4.7 billion cut from infrastructure spending,
• $103 million cut from the National Water Grid,
• $191.6 million cut from pest and disease, regional trade and drought funding for farmers, and
• $21.4 million cut from regional communications funding.
After more than a year of highlighting the lack of funding in key regional grant programs Labor has finally funded new rounds for Growing Regions (projects up to $15M) and Stronger Communities (smaller community projects up to $20,000)
“For too long councils and community organisations have been starved of any opportunity to even apply for funding,” Mr Birrell said.
“While this is welcome, these regional grant funds are not enough to build the productivity enabling infrastructure needed in the regions, instead regional infrastructure spending is again being cut by Labor.”
Mr Birrell said $3 million to support the operation and maintenance of long-range fire capability at the Puckapunyal Military Area is also welcome.