BUDGET A DISAPPOINTMENT FOR GIPPSLANDERS: CHESTER
May 16, 2013
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has expressed disappointment with the latest Federal Budget.
Mr Chester said the Budget was city focused with no major regional initiatives and had let Gippslanders down again.
“The Budget is very uninspiring for people living in regional communities like Gippsland and reflects the lack of regional representation amongst Cabinet,” Mr Chester said.
“I had been hopeful that funding would be allocated to the duplication of the Princes Highway between Traralgon and Sale under the next phase of the Nation Building Program, but it wasn’t included.
“The government has also been wasting taxpayers’ money on advertising when it could be funding important projects in our region such as the redevelopment of Latrobe Regional Hospital.
“The Budget failed to restore much needed confidence in the small business sector and our local economy and employment will wear the brunt of continued uncertainty in the lead-up to the Federal election.”
As part of the Budget, total gross debt will breach the $300 billion debt ceiling within the forward estimates. The Budget produced Labor’s fifth record deficit in five years with at least two more deficits to come and more than $25 billion in higher taxes overthe next four years.
Mr Chester said the Budget highlights how difficult it will be for a future Coalition Government to get the economy back on track.
“Despite their claims, Labor hasn’t mapped out a credible path back to surplus,” Mr Chester said.”