I know that people throughout our community are doing it tough. That’s why this year’s Federal budget is so important. Our community is right to have expected cost of living relief.
However, I am concerned that the budget will not do enough to help people throughout our area manage the worsening cost of living crisis. In just the last few weeks, I have heard from residents who have been slugged with a 41% increase in their electricity bill compared to this time last year. I’ve also heard from another constituent who recently received a more than 50% rise in his home and building insurance premium.
People across the community are telling me that they are having to tighten their belt. Unfortunately, the Government is doing the opposite. This budget has added $315 billion of new spending – that’s $30,000 of extra spending for every Australian household. Additionally, far too much of that spending is going to projects that won’t truly help people across our community.
I will however support some measures which will have a meaningful positive impact for people across the Berowra electorate. They include funding to add life-changing and life-saving medicines to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the extension of measures to support women and children escaping domestic violence, and money to every Australian family to help them with soaring power prices.
I’ll also be calling for the Government to support measures proposed by the Coalition in Peter Dutton’s budget-in-reply speech. Those include measures to limit migration to help manage the housing affordability crisis, increase workforce participation, and support small businesses by extending the value of assets eligible for the instant asset write-off.
As your local member, I am focused on getting Australia back on track, to keep our nation safe and secure and to make life easier and better for all Australians.
