Shadow Minister Media Releases
Labor Government Abandons North Coast Families (11/11/2008)
The State Labor Government have struck a low blow today in their mini-budget by slashing funding to the area through a number of ways, Shadow Minister for North Coast, Don Page MP said.
“This mini budget has been devastating for struggling families on the north coast and has major implications for the Pacific Highway upgrade,” he said.
“This Government has received $17.5billion more than they budgeted for during their period in office and because of their incompetence, serious budget cuts are now having to be made. This reflects very badly on their economic management and the community is suffering in so many ways,” Mr Page said.
“I am very concerned that the State Governments contribution to the Pacific Highway is to be cut by $360million, delaying the contribution of much needed dual carriageway. The State Government’s contribution under Auslink II was to be $860million – now it has been cut by $360million to $500million. This means more people will die and be injured because of State Labor’s incompetent economic management.
“I have spoken to the Roads Minister personally and he advises me that the funding cuts will delay the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale upgrade and the Banora Point upgrade by a further 2 years.
“However, he advised the Ballina Bypass will not be affected,” Mr Page said.
The mini budget included the following cuts:
- School Student Transport subsidy (parents to pay $45 per primary student and $90 per secondary student)
- North Coast fuel subsidy of 8.35cents/litre to go by July 1, 2009
- Pacific Highway funding cuts of $360million and deferment of projects including the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale and Banora Point upgrades
- Closure of the Alstonville Tropical Horticulture Centre, with profound implications for horticulturalists
- Deferral of the Country Towns Water and Sewerage Program for 2 years, which could delay some vital projects
- Increased land tax for properties with a land value of more than $2.25million. This is a further disincentive for investors to provide rental accommodation and a greater burden on small businesses
- Deferment of the $40million tourism strategy, which will now start in 2009 and be spread over 4 instead of 3 years.
“Not only will parents have to pay for their children’s bus passes, they will also be paying a lot more in fuel costs if they need to drive their kids to school under the new system,” Mr Page said. (The 8.35cents/litre general fuel subsidy is to be abolished).
“Access to education is vital and is the right of every Australian child. For children in regional areas access by bus is critical for most students,” he said.
“The decision to cut the student transport subsidy will affect not only school students and their parents, but also bus operators and many schools.
“It is disgraceful that the money the Rees Labor Government will save with the student transport subsidy cut is around the same amount they are to spend on the V8 Supercar race in Sydney.
“I seriously question this State Labor Government’s priorities when they are willing to financially burden NSW families on one hand and splurge on a Sydney event from which most NSW families will receive no benefit.
“The closure of the Alstonville tropical horticulture centre will be a major blow. It will mean the loss of expertise to the horticultural industry as well as job losses with flow on affects,” Mr Page said.
The fuel subsidy scheme offered 8.35cents a litre off the cost of fuel in Northern NSW to keep the region competitive with their counterparts over the border in Queensland. This subsidy will be scrapped from 1st July 2009 with serious implications for NSW motorists and small businesses.
