Lucy Wicks (Robertson, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The coalition government is investing in my electorate of Robertson in a significant way, with 600 Commonwealth jobs to be located in the Gosford CBD. This is a game changer for the Central Coast. We are doubling the number of Commonwealth jobs that we said we would relocate to Gosford in our growth plan from 300 to 600. These 600 jobs, with the Australian Taxation Office making up around half of this number, will, in turn, help to drive even more activities for local cafes, local restaurants and local businesses. In a region with tens of thousands of commuters who leave early in the morning and return home late at night to their families, this is welcome news. Local graduates will also be able to benefit from the opportunities that ATO graduate programs provide. Planning for the purpose-built facility in the Gosford CBD has already started. We want this to happen as soon as possible. Having a Commonwealth agency as a tenant in Gosford boosts investment and provides secondary employment through increased economic activity. It could also help create jobs in its construction phase.

I am proud of this budget and I am proud of this government. We are addressing one of the biggest issues we face on the Central Coast—the need for more jobs. Six hundred new jobs is a game-changer. It will help build a strong, prosperous future for a region I am passionate about and will continue fighting for.