Regional communities deserve better than this Budget

Last month’s Federal Budget confirmed what many people across our region are already experiencing on a daily basis. Australia is headed in the wrong direction.

I’ve been out and about visiting families, farmers, young people, small businesses and community groups across our district to listen to people’s reactions to the Budget. The conversations were honest, practical and reflective of a deep concern for the future.

People are working extra hard and making sacrifices in a desperate attempt to get ahead, yet their standard of living keeps falling.

One of the strongest reactions came from older Australians worried about the Government’s decision to cut the rebate for private health insurance for over-65s.

Retirees who have done the right thing all their lives, worked hard, paid taxes and maintained private health cover to ease pressure on the public system, now fear they’ll no longer be able to afford health insurance when they need it most.

At the same time, they’re anxious about cancelling it because they’re either already ill or they worry about needing treatment in the future and having to join long waiting lists to get it in the public system.

Some pensioners in particular now face unimaginable choices between health insurance, heating and in some cases, even eating, with one constituent telling me she is already down to one meal a day as it is.

Others slightly better off, tell me that they will no longer be able afford any ‘nice-to-haves.’ Holidays, meals out, entertainment of any kind will all be out of reach. It is not the retirement anyone deserves after a lifetime of working and paying taxes.

Small business owners also voiced frustration at the Budget. From family-run shops to local
contractors and manufacturers, many are complaining about rising energy prices, higher
insurance costs, workforce shortages, more taxes and more red tape.

Instead of backing aspiration, Labor’s Budget places greater pressure on those trying to build a
decent future for themselves and their families.

Farmers raised similar concerns with many also aggrieved by a government that spends at
record levels, especially in metropolitan areas, while critical regional infrastructure priorities
such as roads, rail and water security are continually overlooked.

There was also significant concern about proposed changes to capital gains tax and the
increasing tax burden on savings and investment.

Young Australians already face enormous barriers to home ownership and financial security.
Policies that discourage investment or punish people for building assets will only make that
challenge harder.

Hidden within the Budget papers is also what can only be described as a 30 per cent inheritance
tax by stealth, targeting family trust structures commonly used by farming families and small
businesses to pass assets from one generation to the next.

Since Labor was elected, Australia has experienced the biggest fall in living standards in the
developed world.

Debt is forecast to pass $1.25 trillion. Younger generations will carry this burden for decades.

Let’s be very clear about why our country is in this sorry state.

Labor can’t manage money so they’re coming after yours.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ so-called Budget reforms are not reforms at all. They are revenue grabs.
Labor has created deep problems in the economy, and now ordinary Australians are being
forced to pay the price through higher taxes, rising costs and reduced opportunity.

The message I am hearing loud and clear from local people is that this attack on their standard
of living is unsustainable. It is a message Canberra should listen to carefully.

Regional Australians have no appetite for more broken promises and more taxes.

They need affordable energy, better infrastructure, stronger healthcare services and policies that reward those who want to have a go, who want to get ahead, who want to save for the future.

The Coalition knows there is a better way.

Angus Taylor’s Budget in Reply outlined our plan to help you keep more of what you earn, to restore your standard of living, bring down debt, back small business and secure Australia’s future.

We will:

• End Labor’s inflation tax by indexing income tax thresholds to inflation.
• Cap migration based on how many homes Australia builds.
• Bank resource windfalls to pay down debt and build national infrastructure.
• Reserve welfare payments and the NDIS for Australian citizens.
• Deliver more fuel, more storage and more security for Australia.
• Allow small businesses to immediately write-off assets costing up to $50,000.
• Commit to a whole-of-nation National Security Strategy and at least 3% of GDP on defence.
• Repeal Labor’s taxes on housing, savings, investments and small businesses.

I will continue fighting for our region and standing up for the people of Wannon.

ENDS

Contact: Sandie Gustus M | 0408 564 232 E | sandie.gustus@aph.gov.au

Published in the Hamilton Spectator