Jason Wood (La Trobe, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I too wish to speak in this debate on the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2015-2016 and related bills, in particular on the benefits to my electorate of La Trobe. But first we need to go back in time and have a look at what Labor left the Abbott government. Labor delivered $191 billion in deficits, plus $123 billion in deficits over the next four years, that is the period from 2013-14 to 2016-17.

This budget shrinks the deficit from $50 billion this year to $3 billion in 2017-18. Under our Economic Action Strategy, debt will be $277 billion lower in 10 years—I repeat, $277 billion lower in 10 years—than it would have been under Labor government policies. In 10 years, we will be saving $16 billion in annual debt interest. This saving is more than the annual cost of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme; more than the annual cost of the National Disability Insurance Scheme; more than the annual expenditure of higher education—so it is an incredible saving.

We are doing our job to repair the budget and build the future. We are doing this by investing in infrastructure—a record $50 billion in critical road projects, rail, ports and airports—and, sadly, as a Victorian I must say that I am devastated that the East West Link project will not be going ahead under the current state Labor government with Daniel Andrews, but the great news is that $3 billion is still on the table with the federal coalition. We are also abolishing the carbon tax to grow the economy and save households on average $550 next year alone. We are helping apprentices with concessional loans to help them to complete their training; it is vital that we help young people. We are helping small businesses create jobs, cutting the company tax by 1.5 per cent and reducing red tape costs by $1 billion per year. We are introducing a special $20,000 tax deduction for small businesses investing in equipment and materials, from hairdressers to tradies. We are pursuing free trade agreements, such as those negotiated with South Korea and Japan, to help boost our exports. These are the facts when it comes to health: over the next four years, the Australian government funding to the states for public hospitals will increase by 40 per cent, and total spending on health will increase by more than $10 billion a year over the next four years.

These are the facts on schools: the government is investing $64.5 billion in schools over the next four years—over $1.2 billion more than Labor would have spent. Between 2013-14 and 2017-18, annual funding from the Australian government to schools will go up by 34 per cent—a $4.6 billion a year increase. These are the facts when it comes to pensions: pensions will not be cut during this term of parliament. The pension will continue to increase twice a year, as it always has since indexation was introduced under the Howard government. Aged pensioners will benefit significantly from the carbon tax being scrapped, which will save households on average $550 next year alone. The family home will not be included in any pension asset test.

Now I would like to look a bit closer to home in my electorate of La Trobe. Once again, I am very proud to say that, midway through this current term, we have continued our motto of listening and delivering. In the last federal budget we had delivered three major projects in La Trobe. I congratulate those who put the project applications together. In total, I believe that there were over 400 applicants and 51 of those were successful. Three of our local councils came up with successful applications.

Bunjil Place is actually in the seat of Holt, but I am very proud to say that I worked with the Casey council on this project. It was formerly known as the Casey Cultural Precinct. The federal government has committed $10 million to this project. The Casey council is putting in an amazing contribution of $110 million for this project. Sadly, the state Labor government has made no contribution. The CEO, Mike Tyler, told me that the $10 million put in by the federal government will decrease the amount of interest the council has to pay by reducing the loan term from 30 years to 21 years. If the state Labor government were to contribute $10 million, that would further decrease to 16 years, which would take great pressure off local council ratepayers such as those living in Narre Warren, Narre Warren South, Berwick et cetera.

During construction, this project will create an amazing 1,200 jobs, and that is what we truly need at the moment, considering the Labor Party is not backing the East West Link in Victoria. This will be a premier arts destination for the outer south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. It will include a theatre, a studio space, a function centre and a regional art gallery. I again acknowledge the CEO, Mike Tyler, for his hard work. I also acknowledge the Mayor of Casey, Mick Morland, as well as Deputy Mayor Louise Berkelmans, Councillor Rafal Kaplon, Councillor Wayne Smith, Councillor Geoff Ablett, Councillor Susan Serey, Councillor Rosalie Crestani, Councillor Gary Rowe, Councillor Amanda Stapledon, Councillor Damien Rosario and Councillor Sam Aziz. The reason I have mentioned all of these councillors is that this is truly an amazing project. I doubt whether, in Australia, there will be any project where a council contributes $110 million. For all those who have been involved in Bunjil Place, I congratulate you, because this is really going to be a fantastic local community project.

We also delivered funding for the Emerald Community Hub—$1.5 million. This will have enhanced capacity to provide existing and new training courses, including accredited training of radio operators—and that is very important up in the Dandenong Ranges each fire season. It will provide courses enabled by a new commercial kitchen. It will provide an arts space to promote the local art community. Again, we were very much involved in the past, funding the Gem Community Arts Centre and also the Emerald Secondary College's performing arts, which has just been fantastic for the local area. An incubator hub for local businesses is also part of the Emerald Community Hub, as is the promotion of local tourism, which is very important to small business. The hub also includes facilities to provide enhanced mental health services and allied health services, and accessible community space for local residents and social recreation groups. I would like to thank the CEO of Cardinia Shire, Garry McQuillan; we met with him several times on this project. I would also like to thank councillor and Mayor of Cardinia Shire, Leticia Wilmot, Councillor Tania Baxter and Councillor Brett Owen, as these three are councillors for the ward the Emerald community hub will fall within. I must thank all the other councillors, too, because it obviously comes down to the votes. All councillors want to look after their wards first, but they acknowledge this is a fantastic project.

From the Emerald community I would like to thank Ray Spencer, representing the Emerald Mechanics Institute, and Russell Soderlund, representing the Dandenong Ranges Community Bank, which very generously contributed $250,000 to this project. Above all, I thank all of those involved in the Emerald community hub. This is a project which is being led by the local community.

We were also, under this current budget, very proud to announce that the Belgrave Multipurpose Health Hub will receive $3.835 million. This will include council's maternal and child health services and youth services. Regarding youth services, I have again advocated very strongly that I would love to see a headspace service offered from the Belgrave health hub; mental health issues are a huge issue in Australia and, in particular, up in the Dandenong Ranges. We will also see aged and disability services, Inspiro Belgrave services and the Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service. I would like to thank the Mayor of the Shire of Yarra Ranges, Maria McCarthy, for all her support; Lyster Ward Councillor Mike Clarke, who is newly elected and who has been a great support; Inspiro CEO Karen McPeake, Director of Social and Economic Development Ali Waistie, with whom I have had numerous conversations, and the Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service for all the fantastic work they have done for so long. I still recall, back in the days when Alan Fincher was the mayor of Yarra Ranges—we met on the site; it was one of those projects I never saw get off the ground, but the great news is this project will now be going ahead.

The very interesting thing about these three vital projects for La Trobe is they were sourced from the National Stronger Regions Fund. I am very saddened to hear that the Labor government has come out in opposition to all these vital projects. I just cannot believe it. Why would they oppose these vital projects in my electorate?

Another hugely beneficial funding source for my electorate has been the Dandenong Ranges Environmental and Bushfire Reduction Grants Program. Again, I must thank Greg Hunt, the Minister for the Environment. He understands all too well how important the issue of bushfires is in my electorate; on the other hand, weeds are also a huge issue. People sometimes say weeds cause bushfires; they do not cause bushfires, but if you have a mountain ash or any other sort of gum tree, and you have ivy going up it, during a fire that is like a runner straight up the tree. That is why we need to address the issue of blackberries, and sycamores too, which sadly are all through the forest. This is a fantastic program. This program is unique as it allows works to be done across public and private land by community groups like the 'friends of' organisations and the CFA. When I attended various CFA public meetings, that was a big issue they had. They could look after crown land, but they could never look after private property. This does both.

The first result from round is that 29 projects have been approved. Out of the 29 projects, there are 22 different community groups and organisations coming together to complete works across the Dandenong Ranges. These include: Agribusiness Yarravalley—I know Tony Smith, the member for Casey, did great work with out there; Cardinia Shire Council, CFA Belgrave Heights and South; the Chandler Hill Parkcare Group; the Emerald Tourist Railway Board—they put a great submission in; the Friends of Baluk Willam Nature Conservation Reserve; the Friends of Ferny Creek; the Friends of Harbury; the Friends of Hazel Valley Group in Tecoma; the Friends of Sassafras Creek; the Friends of Sherbrooke Forest; the Holly Hill Community Fireguard group; the Johns Hill Landcare Group; the Macclesfield Fire Brigade, Monbulk Landcare group—again, I know Tony Smith worked with them and the same with the Montrose Environmental Group; the Friends of Selby Conservation Reserve group; the Sherbrooke Community School; the Sherbrooke Lyrebird Study Group; the Southern Dandenongs Landcare Group; the Southern Ranges Environmental Alliance; and StopPitt. This round of grants comes to the very exact figure of $1,033,912. Sadly, the state Labor government have ripped out all their funding for weed management through the Dandenong Ranges, which is not only going to be bad for those trying to look after our beautiful environment; it is also going to create more of a fire danger. I really hope they reconsider that decision. With this project I would like to thank Steve Thuan from the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority for all his hard work in working with all the groups.

I would finally briefly like to talk about a big announcement we had with the opening of headspace at Fountain Gate. I must give the member for Holt, Mr Anthony Byrne, a plug. He has been a tireless worker in preventing youth suicide in his electorate and also in La Trobe. This is one of those issues we have worked tirelessly together on. The great news was that two weeks before the federal election we had the funding approved. I was so glad to be there at the official opening and see this beautiful premises. I say 'beautiful' because it is a really nice-looking venue which has been opened. That will address issues such as mental health concerns for young people, youth suicide, under-age alcohol consumption, depression and anxiety. It was a great day. I must give Chris Tanti, the headspace CEO, a great mention for all he has done in youth suicide prevention to combat the awful scourge of suicide.

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