Emma McBride

from CCBA April-May Edition 2021

Terrigal Boardwalk

Next Budget a test for the Government Next Budget a test for the Government

 EMMA MCBRIDE

THE 2021 Budget will be an important test for the Federal Government on its ability to deliver jobs, infrastructure and support to the people and businesses of the Coast.

Budgets are about priorities and this budget will be no diff erent. The only question is whether the Government will choose the Coast or continue to leave it behind.

Disappointingly, it is well known that our community has been overlooked by the current Government.

The NorthConnex project, which has improved travel times for thousands of Coast commuters, was funded to the tune of $412.3M by the former Labor Government.

The Government has enjoyed the limelight when it recently opened, but the project would never have got off the ground without Labor’s initiative in 2013.

Risk as vaccine roll out delayed

Major infrastructure will generate the jobs and opportunities to encourage more investment, training for young people and economic activity for local businesses.

However, there is not a single project on the Coast on the Government’s current infrastructure priority list. This is not only a lost opportunity for our community, but it means too many locals leaving the Coast to chase job and training opportunities elsewhere.

The Central Coast is also a popular place for older people to live, in fact one in fi ve locals is aged over 65 years. It can also be a tough place to fi nd residential aged care or more support at home when you need it most.

Two aged care homes on the Coast have closed their doors and there are currently 1,109 older people waiting for a home care package in our community, many who have been waiting for more than 12 months. This leaves older people, their families and carers at risk, especially as the vaccine roll-out has been delayed.

The Aged Care Royal Commission laid bare the neglect of older Australians and locals on the Coast deserve better. The Government must properly invest in aged care in the May Budget–no older Australian should die waiting for care.

If we are to successfully re-boot the local economy after the COVID recession we must encourage businesses to invest and re-hire.

The withdrawal of JobKeeper and cuts to JobSeeker have not inspired confi dence. Business NSW Regional NSW Director Paula Martin has noted that more than 5,000 local businesses face uncertainty following the end of these two important schemes.

Many SMEs in retail, hospitality and tourism will be in limbo because the Government turned off the tap on March 31.

These businesses are yet to fully recover and remain vulnerable to closure. It has left many people struggling to aff ord rent, food and other essentials, stretching community services.

Unfortunately, most targeted industry support to date has neglected the Coast, with airlines and far-fl ung destinations enjoying favourable Government subsidies. Meanwhile most workers and businesses on the Coast have been left to fend for themselves.

This budget is an opportunity for the Federal Government to invest in people, infrastructure and jobs on the Coast. Let’s hope this Government gets it right for the fi rst time in eight years.