First Labor Budget Delivered In 10 Years

Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced this years’ Federal Budget on Tuesday night, aiming to address cost of living issues in a number of ways.

Promising to build one million new homes, increase paid parental leave to 26 weeks, provide cheaper prescription medicines and an additional $4.6 billion boost to childcare subsidies, the new budget will undoubtedly make a big impact on living costs around the country.

Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox, however, says he is concerned that there is not enough set aside for his electorate which spans from Mackay to Townsville and includes all of the Whitsundays.

“Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised if he won government, there would be “no one held back, no one left behind”,” he said.

“In Labor’s first Budget, 30 per cent of Australians who live in regional and rural areas, including Dawson have been held back and left behind.”

Expecting drastic increases in grocery bills, Mr Willcox states that the average family worse off by at least $2000 by Christmas.

“Groceries are eight per cent higher, not just because of natural disasters, but also because of Labor’s foolish political decision to scrap our Ag Visa,” he said.

“Supply has been slashed because farmers and processors are only working at around 60 per cent capacity, which has put upward pressure at the checkout for families in Dawson.

“Retail electricity prices are predicted to go up by 50 per cent, while the $275 promised by Labor to reduce electricity bills is now gone.”

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SNAPSHOT

• 1 million new homes built

• Paid parental leave increased

• Cheaper medicine available

• Bigger childcare subsidies

• Tax rates flattened to 30 per cent for people earning between $45,000 and $200,000