Labor should be making decisions in the national interest, but instead we see another budget that focuses on the wrong priorities.
Instead of focusing on the fight against inflation, better services, the housing and cost of living crises’ – we see a pre-election Labor budget.
Federal Member for Groom, Garth Hamilton said Labor had once again failed Queensland and let down the people of Toowoomba and the Darling Downs.
“The reality of this budget is Anthony Albanese and Chalmers have been working up plans on how to spend more money and how to fuel inflation, while leaving people behind.
“Last year, they told us we couldn’t afford to deliver the upgrades on the New England Highway, they ripped money out of road safety programs and Inland Rail.
“Yet in this budget they have announced big new spending such as a $100 million election slush fund and an extra $3.25 billion for construction of Victoria’s North East Link toll road.
“Meanwhile roads in our community crumble and motorists remain at a high risk because of Labor’s wrong priorities,” Mr Hamilton said.
Other big spending commitments in the budget included a $1 billion bet on a foreign quantum computing firm and a $1 billion bet on solar manufacturing.
Mr Hamilton said the people of Groom had some really simple requests for the budget: lower cost of living, investment in roads, rail and health services.
“It is a very disappointing budget for our national economy and local community.
“Last night we saw $17 billion in extra spending. Most of it going to the big cities, at the expense of the regions, ahead of the election.
“We need a budget that restores budget discipline and our standard of living,” Mr Hamilton said.
ENDS.
Media contact: Greta Dwan 0414 211 908
