The Albanese Labor Government has handed down its Federal Budget, which honours commitments made at the election while acknowledging the challenges facing the economy and the Budget. Delivering responsible cost of living relief that won't add to inflation, such as through cheaper childcare, longer Paid Parental Leave and cheaper medicines, while investing in a stronger and more resilient economy, through fee-free TAFE, additional university places, cleaner and cheaper energy, and a future made in Australia. That is our plan. The Budget details our plan to tackle our workforce shortages, the escalating housing crisis and fix our crippled aged care system - putting the care back into aged care. I am proud to be part of the team that is working to make us more resilient to natural disasters, helping us to build back better and invest in cleaner, cheaper energy. Tonight's Budget also sees millions of dollars in local infrastructure delivered, like the Milton Ulladulla Bypass, the Nowra Bypass, a full headspace for Kiama, a Radiation Therapy Centre in Moruya and a Eurobodalla Emergency Operations Precinct. I know that local people need help getting back on their feet – we want help with everyday costs, we want local roads fixed, serious action to address our escalating housing crisis and improvements to the health system. This Budget delivers that in spades. I am proud to work for you in our nation's Parliament to build the future we deserve, in this place we love. Thank you to everyone in our community who has worked hard to make these vital local projects a reality. Delivering these commitments is our joint success story, and I am proud to have helped you secure the projects we need now and into the future.
Getting the right balance
This Budget delivers cost of living help that doesn't add to inflation through our five point cost of living plan.
Cheaper child care - making child care cheaper for around 4800 local families, supporting parents and carers, and increasing workforce participation.
Cheaper medicines - cutting the cost of prescriptions by 29 per cent, helping more people afford the medications they need.
Expanding Paid Parental Leave to 6 months, the biggest boost to Paid Parental Leave since it was created by Labor in 2011.
More affordable housing - delivering the most significant housing reform agenda in a generation and building 40,000 new social and affordable homes across Australia.
Getting wages moving - changes in both Workplace Relations and Employment will ensure greater access to secure, well-paid jobs, benefiting workers, businesses and the Australian economy.
This is a $7.5 billion package that helps put money back in people's pockets, boosts productivity and grows the economy. It is carefully targeted and carefully timed to avoid placing additional pressure on inflation.
We are taking action now to address the skills and workers shortages facing our economy, lifting workplace participation and investing in the capabilities and capacity of our economy.
This Budget strikes the right balance for the economic situation we are facing, delivering for Australians while responsibly getting the Budget back on track. Finally, we are beginning to build the future Australians deserve.
Improving local health services
A $2.9 billion package will drive an innovative revamp of Australia’s primary healthcare system. Medicare will be strengthened, reaffirming its integrity and intent as a cornerstone of the health system. The budget will also address workforce shortages in regional and rural Australia through an $185.3 million Rural Workforce package. We're also delivering a $3.9 billion package to ensure older Australians in care are treated with the respect they deserve. Local people deserve to be able to access the same quality health services that those in the city do. That's why, as part of the Budget, I am delighted to be delivering:
A full Headspace for Kiama to ensure young people get access to the early intervention mental health services they need.
A Radiation Therapy Centre for the Eurobodalla to ensure cancer patients can access quality, vital cancer treatment facilities close to home.
A Medicare Urgent Care Clinic for the Batemans Bay region to ensure people can get access to the bulk billed urgent medical care they need, without having to wait hours at over-burdened hospital emergency departments.
A Birthing on Country Centre of Excellence in the Shoalhaven to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and families get access to the best possible maternity care for generations to come.
Restoring bulk billed video telehealth psychiatry consultations for rural and regional Australia.
Fixing our roads
Our roads are so important to our every day lives. I've been proud to work with the community over the last several years to bring forward funding for the Princes Highway, invest in the new Nowra Bridge and support councils to fix many local road blackspots.
But we still have a long way to go. That's why I have worked hard to ensure the Budget provides funding for some of the critical roads projects we need now:
$752 million for the Milton-Ulladulla Bypass to ensure this project is delivered as quickly as possible.
$32 million for the Nowra Bypass to start the pre-planning works and get this long-overdue project started. I will continue to pursue the NSW Government for the $8 million it promised for the bypass in April.
$40 million for Shoalhaven City Council to fix local roads and ease the financial burden on council in the wake of the recent weather.
This is on top of millions of dollars of support the Albanese Government has given to local councils to respond to the recent flooding events under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. I will continue doing everything possible to support our councils to repair local roads.
Improving disaster resilience and telecommunications
After the bushfires, I vowed to do everything possible to ensure we were better prepared for any future disasters we may face.
Since then, I have worked closely with the now-Minister for Emergency Management to shape many of our national policies on disaster management thanks to the input of so many local people and organisations. Our Disaster Ready Fund detailed in the budget is a direct result of this work and the advocacy of our community.
The Budget sets aside up to $1 billion over the next five years from 2023-24 to mitigate potential disaster loss and damage.
The bushfires showed the dangers in our second-rate telecommunications infrastructure - so we are investing now to improve our disaster resilience.
An Emergency Operations Precinct for the Eurobodalla to make sure our emergency services can plan for and respond to disasters more efficiently.
$971,000 for fireproof telecommunications for the South Durras community and the Mt Wandera transmission station.
Fixing mobile blackspots including along the Princes Highway from Ulladulla to Tuross Head, and in Worrigee, Kangaroo Valley, Jamberoo and Lilli Pilli.
Upgrading to full-fibre NBN for 1.5 million premises across the country, including the South Coast.
$1 million for Shoalcoast Legal Centre to support victims of bushfires and floods.
A community battery for Maloneys Beach for more equitable access to renewable energy, cheaper electricity bills and greater energy security during fires and floods.
Delivering community infrastructure
I love our community - because of the people, because of our organisations, because of our spirit.
I am absolutely delighted that this Budget is delivering critical support for local community infrastructure.
$7.5 million for the new Sanctuary Point District Library for a state of the art learning, business and community facility for the Bay and Basin region.
$5.5 million to upgrade the Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club.
$1.5 million for the connecting community waterways project Shoalhaven Rivers.
$638,000 to invest in the expansion of Jindelara Cottage to provide permanent accommodation for people with a disability.
Investing across industry
We need more workers across a variety of sectors. The Budget is delivering significant support across education, energy, agriculture and Defence.
I am delighted that the Budget delivers:
An additional 936 university places at the University of Wollongong to train more teachers, nurses and engineers.
$24 million for Structural adjustment and transition in the South East Trawl Fishery.
$20 billion to rewire the nation.
$1.9 billion Powering the Regions Fund to make sure traditional and new industries in regional Australia can harness the economic opportunities of decarbonisation.
$270 billion investment in Defence’s capability over the decade to 2029-30.
Investing in a better future for Defence personnel, veterans and families, by responding to important recommendations put forward by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
$20.8 million nationally for the government to be prepared for the next drought and to increase adoption of established drought resilience research, so we are ready to support farmers and communities when they need it most.
$302 million nationally to support sustainable agriculture practices and assist land managers to engage in carbon and biodiversity markets.
Proud to be your MP
I am proud to be here delivering the infrastructure we need now and into the future. I look forward to working with you and across our community as these projects become reality.
And this Budget is just the beginning.
If you would like any further information about anything contained in the Budget, please don't hesitate to contact my office on 4423 1782 or email me at Fiona.Phillips.MP@aph.gov.au.
