Ley responds to federal budget

The budget focuses on providing cost-of-living relief in the form of tax cuts for all taxpayers, alongside investment in Medicare, education and infrastructure.

But Ms Ley said she was staggered to see a federal budget which completely forgot to include anything for regional Australia.

“The label I’m mostly hearing on this latest Labor budget is ‘underwhelming’. I would add the word ‘staggering’,” Ms Ley said.

“There is no ongoing funding for the vital Growing Regions program, Stronger Communities program, Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program and the Regional Precincts and Partnership program.

“There was literally nothing extra for the road work and maintenance NSW that our local councils are crying out for.

“The Albanese Government is continuing with wildly expensive water buybacks instead of allowing us to get on with farming and food production. And they remain hell-bent on a renewable energy path instead of a sensible energy mix.

“So, what’s Labor’s answer? A tax change giving you 70 cents a day in one year’s time, and an energy rebate which is a fraction of the cost of your power bill.

“Labor also seems to forget 30 per cent of Australians live outside the capitals, and we all get a vote on election day.

“Under a Coalition Government, regional Australia will again receive its fair share of funding and get back to the core business of good government, for all Australians.”