I held my final listening post for the year in Ararat recently. It was the 101st one I did in Wannon this year. Thanks to everyone who came along during the year to share their issues and concerns.
Your key concerns are shared throughout the electorate, with the cost of living and the lack of funding for regional and rural roads topping the list. The lack of affordable, quality childcare is also a major concern for working families in our communities.
Cost of living update
After nearly three years of the Albanese Labor government now, the latest statistics continue to show that Australians are poorer. Since the 2022 election:
• Our living standards have fallen by 8.7%. This is the largest fall on record.
• Interest rates have risen 12 times causing interest payments on mortgages to triple, costing Australians with a typical mortgage an additional $50,000.
• Prices have increased by 10% (May-22 to Oct-24)
• Gas is up 32%
• Electricity is up 31% (before taxpayer funded rebates)
• Financial and insurance costs are up 18%
• Rents are up 16%
• Food is up 12%
• Education is up 11% and
• Healthcare is up 10%.
Roads update
Did you know that the Albanese Labor Government has committed $2.2 billion to the Melbourne Suburban Rail Loop? Meanwhile, it has cut more than $80 million from our roads and nearly halved the roads maintenance budget, leaving roads across Wannon to crumble before our eyes.
I have launched a petition urging the Federal Government to immediately restore the funding stripped from our roads. You can sign it on my website: www.dantehan.com.au.
Childcare update
Wannon families are facing critical challenges in accessing childcare.
The reality is stark. Childcare costs have risen by 10.7% over the past year and many families are struggling to find a place at all.
This has serious knock-on effects. Some parents are not able to go out to work, reducing household incomes that are already stretched, while a reduced workforce negatively impacts small businesses.
The Coalition supports an early childhood education system which provides support to families who need it most.
The former Coalition Government undertook the biggest childcare reforms in over 40 years. It locked in ongoing funding for preschools and kindergartens and increased access for more than 280,000 children. We want to keep growing access, especially in the regions.
The election due next year provides an important choice. If the Coalition is elected, our focus will be on strong economic management to take the pressure off inflation, interest rates and your household budgets so as we can invest more in our roads and especially in access to childcare.
ENDS
Published in the Ararat Advocate
