2023-2024 Federal Budget - Dawson Wishlist
Federal Member for Dawson is calling on the Albanese Labor Government to help families with the cost-of-living crisis in the upcoming May 2023-2024 budget.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised if he won Government, there would be “no-one held back and no-one left behind.”
But in Labor’s first budget Australian’s living in regional and rural area’s including Dawson have certainly been held back and left behind.
“In the October 2022 budget, we saw regional programs cut including the Energy Security and Regional Development Plan, Regional Accelerator Program, Community Development Grants Program and Building Better Regions Fund, Agricultural Shows Development Grant Program and Agricultural Show and Field Day program.
There was also no cost-of-living support for families struggling with interest rate rises, rising energy bills, and grocery increases.” Mr Willcox said
“I would like to see the Albanese Government take the regions seriously and show some empathy in their upcoming budget by including the following:
· $275 electricity reduction to all Australian households as promised.
· The Ag Visa restored so farmers can supply food to Australians.
· Road Blackspot funding restored.
· Funding increased towards making the Bruce Highway safer.
· Delays to funding for the Mackay Ring Road removed.
· Additional Childcare positions for regional areas
· $5 million for Veteran Wellness Centre and Mackay RSL
· Mobile phone Blackspot funding restored.
· More funding to the State Government to combat Youth Crime
· Increase in funding for mental health services i.e.: a headspace in the Burdekin.
· VMR Whitsunday – Head Quarters Upgrade
· More funding to the State Government for regional health
· Remove red tape and unrealistic impediments for Aged Care services.
· Funding and a plan to address regional Australia’s workforce shortages.
· Funding restored to Tourism Australia who support our local tourism operators.
· An urgent plan for the housing crisis – not one that will take 10 years to make a difference.
· A priority on road water infrastructure projects
“I would also like to see the Stronger Communities and Volunteer Grant programs continued as these give our community and sporting groups the opportunity to improve and upgrade.” Mr Willcox said.
Rural and regional Australian’s just can’t keep taking the hits. We are tired of being treated like the poor cousins of the cities.
We need Prime Minister Albanese and his Labor Government to take us seriously and show that they listen to our needs by including us in their May 2023-2024 budget.