Our plan for a better future for the Parkes electorate

The Budget, which was handed down by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg this evening, focusses on providing cost of living relief, creating more jobs, guaranteeing essential services and keeping Australians safe.

“This Budget marks the next stage in leading Australia’s strong economy into the future and proves the Coalition Government is continuing to deliver for the people of the Parkes electorate,” Mr Coulton said.

“Unemployment levels in the Parkes electorate remain at record lows, as our agriculture, mining and construction sectors continue to go from strength to strength.

“However, risks to the outlook remain, with the pandemic and the invasion of Ukraine all putting pressure on the cost of living for Australian households.

“That’s why we’re helping Australians deal with these cost of living pressures by delivering more jobs and putting upward pressure on wages, providing a one-off cost of living tax offset and a one-off cost of living payment for Australians most in need, reducing the pressure of high fuel prices on household budgets, reducing out-of-pocket expenses for child care, delivering more affordable energy, helping aspiring home buyers and reducing the cost of and increasing access to medicines.

“We’re also making record investments in health, education and other essential services; building roads, rail, dams and the renewable energy technology that we’ll need for our future; and investing in stronger defence, borders and security.”

Mr Coulton said this year’s Budget includes a dedicated regions package, which will broaden and strengthen regional Australia to drive the growth of our economy into the future.

“The Coalition Government believes in regional Australia - our economic base - which is why we are continuing to fund the services and creating the opportunities that people in capital cities take for granted,” Mr Coulton said.

“We’re backing small businesses by reducing red tape, providing tax cuts and incentives for small businesses to upskill their employees, as well as a $1 billion package to encourage small businesses to go digital.

“Regional telecommunications are essential to thriving regional and remote communities, so I’m pleased that this Budget includes $1.3 billion for improved connectivity. A new $811.8 million Connecting Regional Australia initiative will expand mobile coverage, support technology improvements, improve accessibility, and resilience to natural disasters, while a $480 million investment will upgrade the NBN Fixed Wireless and Satellite networks.
 

“I’m particularly excited to see 80 more Commonwealth supported places in rural and regional medical schools have been funded, while access to regional MRI machines will be increased through extended Medicare rebates, including for Broken Hill.
 

“We’re also investing in critical aeromedical outreach services, including $33.3 million for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, $18 million for CareFlight and $4.1 million for Little Wings.

“A $500 million investment will drive growth and innovation in our regional manufacturers through a new Regional Accelerator Stream of the Modern Manufacturing Initiative, while changes to migration and visa settings, the creation of a flexible and efficient single Pacific Labour Mobility scheme and expansion of the AgMove program will encourage more workers to move to the Parkes electorate and fill the high number of job vacancies in our region.

“I’m also pleased to see an additional $500 million to extend the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program, which will support more community infrastructure projects, boosting local jobs and driving the economic growth to make our nation as strong as possible as quickly as possible.

“A further $22.7 million for an additional round of the Stronger Communities Programme (SCP) will deliver more funding for small capital projects in the Parkes electorate.
 

“A $17.9 billion boost to infrastructure commitments in this year’s Budget includes funding for key roads in the Parkes electorate, including $264 million for heavy duty upgrades along the Newell Highway north of Moree, an additional $14.6 million for the Pooncarie Road to Menindee Upgrade, and an additional $20 million for future priorities within the Toowoomba to Seymour corridor as part of the Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) initiative.

“Our investments will create local jobs and new economic opportunities for locals, lifting their standard of living and enabling them to pursue their dreams.”