Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland has had her say on the Federal Budget announced earlier this week, saying the lack of investment in regional areas, particularly in Victoria, will be devastating.
Ms Cleeland that the Federal Labor Government failed to mention mention road, rail, dam, bridge, infrastructure or agriculture in their budget speech.
“They are out of touch with the pressing issues in regional communities,” Ms Cleeland said.
“We already have serious concerns about investment in regional roads and infrastructure, and this budget announcement just adds to that.
“Our roads are severely deteriorated. Since the October floods we are still seeing several issues and a lack of effort to repair them.
“We have a rising road toll and it feels like the out-of-touch Labor Government is ignoring these high fatality rates in favour of city-centric investment with big-spending and big-taxing.”
Ms Cleeland said the announcement failed to provide much optimism for the upcoming Victorian State Budget, set to be confirmed on Tuesday, May 23.
“Labor is making it harder for Australians with this budget and the expectation is that this will continue with the State Budget,” Ms Cleeland said.
“We needed a federal budget that reduces inflation and reined in spending to combat the cost-of-living crisis facing all Australians.”
As Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Ms Cleeland said the lack of health investment was a bad omen for the State Budget.
“We’ve seen several cuts to health spending announced this week and it seems that more are on the way in the State Budget,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Hospitals, particularly in regional areas, are in a dire state and in need of consistent funding. This Budget does not bode well for Victoria’s already under pressure health system.”