30/03/2022 

The Federal Budget has once again ignored the needs of Ipswich, the Somerset Region and Karana Downs area.

Federal member for Blair, Shayne Neumann, said nothing in this Budget makes up for a decade of attacks on wages, job security and Medicare.

"This is not a Budget to build a better future," Mr Neumann said.

"The defining features are pay that won't keep up with prices and almost nothing to show for a trillion dollars in debt.

"It completely ignores the needs of the fastest growing region in Queensland, with no mention of the funds allegedly committed for the South-East Queensland City Deal.

"There is nothing across the forward estimates in relation to the Federal Government's contribution to the 40.4 million deal with the Somerset Regional Council.

"Rather, the Budget is a ploy for an election, not a plan for a better future."

Mr Neumann said local people need a pay rise, not a patch job that leaves them 1,355 worse off.

Mr Neumann said that the billions of dollars sprayed around on the eve of an election won't go near topping up the 5,275 for every Australian, compared to the last Labor Government.

"There's a cash splash before the election and at least $3 billion in secret cuts after - the Government must come clean about the cuts buried in the Budget papers.

"If the Government is defeated in May, its parting gift to Australians will be an increase in petrol prices in September, pay not keeping up with prices, a trillion dollars in debt, and rising interest rates.

"On top of that, our local region will have no investment in crucial infrastructure to meet our rapid growth and help us build back better following these devastating floods.

"Scott Morrison is asking Australians for another three years but hasn't made any meaningful steps to addressing the aged care crisis and haven't funded a National Anti-Corruption Commission."

Mr Neumann said the Treasurer Josh Frydenberg talks about delivering what he promised is the same Treasurer who made 'Back in Black' mugs before the last election and is now admitting to deficits as far as the eye can see.

"The same Treasurer who has abandoned millions of dollars he promised for carparks in his own electorate, let the Emergency Response Fund sit idle, paid tens of billions to companies that didn't need it, and mismanaged the books of the most wasteful government since Federation.

"Scott Morrison will do and say anything before an election - even his own Ministers don't trust him to deliver what he promises.

"After all the challenges and sacrifices made during the pandemic, floods and, bushfires, local people need and deserve a better Budget for a better future, but they didn't get one from Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg.

"An Albanese Labor Government has real policies to ease the costs of living, strengthen Medicare, deliver cleaner and cheaper energy, a better NBN, cheaper access to child care, fee-free TAFE to tackle the skills crisis, and a Future Made in Australia."