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Gippsland › Latest news › Russel Northe MLA

State Budget falls short for Morwell electorate

Poor policy settings and budget decisions contributed to the current high level of unemployment in the region.

By Portal Admin - 27th May 2018 - Back to News

Member for Morwell Russell Northe said that yesterday’s State Budget was disappointing for the Latrobe Valley with very little focus on creating much needed jobs for the region.

Whilst the Treasurer stated in his speech that 41,000 new jobs had been created in Regional Victoria, the reality is that in Latrobe City unemployment has risen from 7.3% to 8.8% in the last three years under the current Government. Unfortunately, the 2018/2019 State Budget does very little in supporting local job growth.

The current State Labor Government had previously abolished a number of successful local economic development programs and also imposed an extra $252 million of costs upon some of our largest employers. In my view, these poor policy settings and budget decisions have contributed to the current high level of unemployment in our region.

"We have now seen Hazelwood Power station close its doors and as a consequence businesses and home owners have had to contend with a massive rise in energy bills," said Mr Northe

"The Government’s Power Saving Bonus program does nothing to quell the concerns many locals have following the closure of Hazelwood. The Government handout of $50 does not replace the high-energy bills people are encountering or the loss of one’s job. You cannot replace that with $50. "Mr Northe said.

Add to this the doubling of water prices under the previous Labor Government then one well understands the cost of living pressures many families and businesses are experiencing.

It is pleasing to see some payroll tax relief for eligible regional businesses with the threshold increasing to $650,000 and the payroll tax rate reducing to 2.425%. However, this does not outweigh the significant cost of living increases they have had to endure in recent years.

"The Treasurer announced $40.6 million for three rural alcohol and drug residential rehabilitation treatment facilities including one in Gippsland. Detail is scant on where the actual location will be; however I reiterate the need for such a facility for the Latrobe Valley," said Mr Northe.

$9.7 million was announced in last year’s State Budget to identify and plan for a Gippsland facility, but at this stage, it is unclear if the $9.7 million is included in the $40.6 million or whether it remains a separate pool of funding. Either way such a facility is desperately required in the Latrobe Valley.

"There appears to be no new measures in the 2018/2019 State Budget that will address the ongoing debacle of inadequate Gippsland V/Line services." Mr Northe said.

Commuters who are regularly contending with delays, cancellations and overcrowding on carriages deserve to know how the Government is going to reduce travel times and improve punctuality.

There is nothing in the Budget that will provide Gippsland commuters with any confidence that situation will improve in the near future.

"It is pleasing to see funding provided for previously announced projects such as the Traralgon Secondary School and Latrobe Special Development School. There has been wonderful advocacy from supporters of both Schools and to see funding incorporated in the Budget is a great outcome for those respective School communities," said Mr Northe

I note funding for an upgrade to TAFE facilities including the Morwell campus. Despite an embarrassing gaffe in the Budget papers whereby Morwell is referred to as ‘Morewell" we do hope that these future improved facilities will lead to better educational outcomes and enhance employment opportunities for local students.

Unfortunately, a number of worthy local projects and organisations did not receive funding in the 2018/2019 State Budget. These include:

• New V/Line peak services.
• A new fire station for the Newborough CFA
• The redevelopment of the Traralgon Court House
• Pathway lighting for the link between Yinnar township and Recreation Reserve
• Recreation facility upgrades at Traralgon South Recreation Reserve
• Funding for Barrier Breakers and Gippsland Carers
• Upgrade of tennis facilities at the Yallourn North Recreation Reserve
• The redevelopment of Yallourn Newborough Soccer Club pavilion
• A facilities master plan for the Flynn community
• Funding to assist in the sealing of Blacktank Road, Glengarry and Creamery Road, Yinnar
• A recreation facility master plan at Boolarra Recreation Reserve
• School crossing improvements at Tyers Primary School

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com

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