Federal Member for Dobell, Emma McBride, said there were clear winners and losers in the 2021/22 Budget, but the northern end of the Central Coast had been left behind again.
She said the Government announced spending on building better regions, but they’ve handed down yet another Budget which failed to deliver for the north of the Coast, despite a rapidly growing population.
“The Government is spending $1B across the country on local roads and not a single cent on the northern end of the Coast.
“There is nothing to clear bottlenecks like the Pacific Highway through Wyong and Bryant Dr through Tuggerah, so locals can get around safely and open up investment to boost local jobs.
“The Coast deserves a plan for jobs, and after eight long years of this Liberal Government, wages are going backwards.
“As JobSeeker is cut and JobKeeper is wound back, local people need more support.
“There were 6,266 more people looking for work in March (2021) than before Covid.”
“The Central Coast deserves proper investment from the Federal Government to boost local jobs, clear the infrastructure backlog and help renters and buyers as they struggle with housing affordability.
McBride said that while funding for aged care was welcome, the Government’s announced home-care packages were over two years.
“It won’t clear the current waiting list, while others join the end of the queue,” she said.
“There are currently 1,109 older people on the Central Coast waiting for care, with many waiting up to 12 to 18 months.
“And the Government’s funding announcements for aged care won’t lift nurses’ wages or provide better conditions,” she said.
Sue Murray