Shayne Neumann (Blair, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Queensland Times newspaper today says: 'Ipswich backs Swan's budget'. Community and political leaders across the board have welcomed the federal government's budget as positive for the Ipswich community. In fact, Ipswich Chamber of Commerce President Brett Kitching said:

… while more help for small business would have been welcomed, the budget was quite positive.

He went on to say:

It appears it has been directed to make life easier and give more spending power to families …

…   …   …

From a general business point of view that's a good thing.

Discretionary spending power of families will increase as soon as the grants commence. Most of that money will find its way through to business."

The article went on to say:

Similarly, Ipswich Business Enterprise Centre manager Tony Axford said with 65% of all ABN holders in Ipswich classed as micro enterprises, the focus on families would help the majority of Ipswich business people.

It continues:

"That funding will trickle into those small retailers such as Top of Town, Orion and Goodna," Mr Axford said.

"Those three areas are hurting in the retail area in Ipswich. I believe this will allow people to spend rather than save."

The point of the matter is that the coalition have failed the people of Ipswich. Not only have they failed to support the Ipswich motorway but also, as we saw yesterday, if they were on this side of the bench they would have denied the schoolkids bonus to the over 11,000 families in Blair who will benefit from it. The situation is that 2,100 families in Ipswich and Somerset will get funding that they did not get before. (Time expired)