Federal Member, Russell Broadbent has welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s Budget that continues the plan for a stronger economy and delivers locally.

Mr Broadbent said the Budget delivers lower taxes, local jobs, guarantees essential services like roads, health and education, with mobile phone reception and community groups across the electorate also set to benefit through this year’s Budget announcements.

“Local households will benefit from immediate tax relief of up to $1,080 for low and middle income earners and up to $2,160 for a dual income couple to ease cost of living pressures.

“We are also backing small business by increasing the Instant Asset Write Off to $30,000 and expanding its access, benefitting 3.4 million businesses.

“This year’s Budget also delivers record health spending of $81 billion in 2019-20, increasing to $89.5 billion in 2022-23 and locally on the Bass Coast is delivering $3.5 million towards Bass Coast Health priorities.

“This funding for Bass Coast Health will help locals receive the treatment and care they require close to their family and support network and will also include important ophthalmology equipment for the Phillip Island Health Hub.

“Addressing youth mental health is a focus of this Budget with the Government boosting mental health funding by $736.6 million, with $461.1 million focussed on addressing youth mental health and suicide prevention.

“Locals will also benefit through additional medications, such as life-saving cancer medications continuing to be added to the PBS, saving patients thousands of dollars per script.

“While we are delivering for health, the education system will also receive a boost with $30 million for the Local School Community Fund that will allow communities to fund projects such as upgrades to libraries, classrooms and play equipment,” Mr Broadbent said.

The Budget will also deliver a record infrastructure investment of $100 billion over the next decade, with Mr Broadbent welcoming the inclusion of a further $200 million towards a fourth round of the Building Better Regions Fund, $22.7 million for a fifth round of the Stronger Communities Programme, as well as the roll-out of the $272.2 million Regional Growth Fund and the $222.3 million Regional Jobs and Investment Packages which will help unlock economic opportunities, create jobs and strengthen communities.

“We’ve already benefitted through the Building Better Regions Fund with an early learning centre in Warragul and a new life saving club at Cape Paterson and this additional funding will help ensure that key infrastructure projects can be continued to be delivered across the electorate into the future.

“The Stronger Communities Program has been delivering for local communities from Meeniyan to Wonthaggi and Neerim South to the Bass Coast, and I am pleased that our community will continue to benefit through this program.

Mobile Blackspots will continue to be targeted with a further $160 million delivered into the Mobile Black Spot Program that recently ensured a new tower for Berrys Creek.

“Better connected communities are essential in our regional area and ensuring we have a strong economy will provide the basis to invest in this vital infrastructure.

“This Budget is about easing cost of living pressures, guaranteeing essential services and delivering new infrastructure for our community,” Mr Broadbent said.