Budget must deliver for Wide Bay
9th May, 2011
Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss has released a 2011 Budget list for Wide Bay, calling on the Gillard Labor Government to fund improved services and infrastructure for local communities to help restart the Wide Bay economy.“The Government should use this Budget to fund new infrastructure and projects to support the local economy, create jobs and improve community services,” Mr Truss said.
“Families, pensioners and businesses in Wide Bay want relief from rising cost of living pressures. They want policies that will restore a strong, confident economy and end the waste, mismanagement and excuses of the Gillard Labor Government. We need action on roads and transport, health and hospitals, the Mary Valley and the environment, community infrastructure and services.
“The Gillard Labor Government knows that the Cooroy to Curra section of the Bruce Highway is the most dangerous section of Highway in Queensland and it must be a priority. The Budget must make an immediate funding allocation to commence construction of the four lanes from Cooroy to Sankey’s Road (Section A) to improve the safety and efficiency of the Highway. The Budget should also reinstate the former Coalition Government’s commitment to complete the four laning of the whole Cooroy to Curra section by 2020,” Mr Truss said.
“The Gillard Government promises health reform, so the Budget should improve services at the Maryborough, Gympie, Murgon and Noosa Hospitals. Local hospitals need a better share of funding so that people can access the care they need, close to their own homes and communities, without having to travel to Brisbane, away from their family and friends.
“The Sunshine Coast, Fraser Coast, South Burnett and Gympie Regional Councils also deserve more funds to repair and upgrade local roads,” Mr Truss said.
“The environmental, economic and social needs of the Mary Valley that were highlighted to the Government through the campaign to stop the Traveston Crossing dam also require support. The Budget should support projects to assist in the renewal of the Valley.
“Funding should also be provided to assist in the conservation of koalas and research into the diseases that affect them,” Mr Truss said.
“The Wide Bay region faces particular challenges. A special regional development pool of funding for the Wide Bay area should be established to support local projects. This should offer flexible, targeted assistance to councils, service groups and businesses to help them capture opportunities to create jobs, strengthen the regional economy and enhance local communities.
“Funding to upgrade telecommunications is also essential so that mobile telephone and digital television reception can be improved for coastal and inland communities.”
Mr Truss said that the Government’s capacity to fund new infrastructure and better services has been made more difficult by its wasteful spending habit.
“The Gillard Government’s debt is now approximately $162.6 billion. The people of Wide Bay will have to pay off their share of the Government’s debt, so we should be entitled to a share of the spending on the services and programs we need,” Mr Truss said.
“Unfortunately for all Australians, Treasurer Wayne Swan, having blown the Budget surplus and plunged the nation into debt and deficit, has zero credibility when it comes to delivering a plan to restore our nation’s finances. Critically, Mr Swan’s Budget will not include any details of Labor’s proposed Carbon Tax, which will impact on every household and business in Wide Bay and stands to undermine every forecast and prediction contained within his Budget.”
