Budget an election trick, says Webster

MEMBER for Mallee Anne Webster has slammed the Federal Budget, saying it falls short on roads funding, health and cost-of-living pressures.

“This is a tricky Budget from a tricky government that seeks to deflect blame for rivers of red ink while delivering nothing for regional Australia,” she said.

“Labor pretends it never said 97 times before the last election that power prices would permanently come down by $275.

“The Budget provides $75 relief payments for two quarters, a band-aid for a gaping wound. Australians are smarter than that.

“They know their power prices have gone up $1300 under Labor due to mismanagement of energy policy and a reckless railroading of renewables across Mallee and other regional electorates.

Dr Webster also accused the Federal Government of trickery.

“This is a Budget with cheap, election eve tricks of a $5 a week tax cut and two $75 quarterly energy bill relief payments,” she said.

“Meanwhile, Labor’s Government spending-driven home-grown inflation crisis will continue.

“Today the Treasurer sought to blame Labor’s debt and deficits on ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, President Trump, wars in Ukraine and Israel or the former Coalition Government, and voters are seeing right through that.

“Regional Australia has missed out with no new funding for the Stronger Communities program, Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program, Growing Regions program or the Regional Precincts and Partnership program, critical to building community infrastructure in regional Australia.”

“Federal debt will cripple our economy.”

In the Coalition’s Budget in Reply speech last night, Opposition leader Peter Dutton announced an elected Coalition Government would provide a 50 per cent cut per-litre to fuel excise for 12 months.

Under a Coalition Government, petrol and diesel excise rates will reduce from 50.8 cents to 25.4 cents per litre for one year.

A household with one vehicle filling up once a week will save around $14 a week – an average benefit of around $700-$750 over 12 months (based on a 55-litre tank).

National Party leader David Littleproud also took aim at regional spending.

“Labor has no new funding for the Stronger Communities program, Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program, Growing Regions program and the Regional Precincts and Partnership program, critical to building community infrastructure in regional Australia,” he said.

However, Labor Senator for Victoria Jana Stewart, who is Swan Hill born and raised, said it was a “responsible” budget.

She said it helps with the cost-of-living and builds Australia’s future.

“Under Labor, inflation is down, incomes are strengthening, unemployment is very low, interest rates are coming down and now growth is rebounding solidly as well,” Ms Stewart said.

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FARMING bodies have mixed reviews of the Federal Budget.

“The Budget contains some commitments to support agriculture and regional Australia,” National Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said.

“However, more must be done to fully support the sector’s goal of reaching $100 billion in farmgate output by 2030.

“Australian farmers were looking for stronger commitments to help them operate sustainably and remain globally competitive.”

Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said it was overall an “underwhelming” budget for Victorian farmers.

He said investments into rural childcare facilities and the commitment to develop a National Food Security Strategy were welcomed.

“In this election year, we must see major investments into fixing our crumbling rural road network and ensuring there’s adequate resources to manage the renewable energy transition,” he said.