Lisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to share the words of Women's Health Loddon Mallee Executive Officer Linda Beilharz, who said that 'the federal budget has failed rural women'. She said that after hearing about the measures in the budget:

I feel depressed, really, because of the indication that the budget gives to the values that are held by the government and what that means in the investment that we've made in women's health in the region.

She said that this budget 'will take us backwards' in terms of preventative health measures. Ms Beilharz said that the budget would decrease the disposable income for the most vulnerable, particularly women, and ensure that the cost of living increases.

Loddon Mallee community health, Loddon Mallee health and Loddon Mallee women's health stand united in their concern with the budget. Rural women are being left behind by this government. They are being forgotten, whether it be in health, education or jobs. Predominantly it is women who work in the not-for-profit sector. They are the ones whose jobs are on the line because of funding cuts by this government delivered on budget night. It is the women who work at the ATO in Bendigo whose jobs have been cut. It is women who work at the Australian Institute of Management whose jobs have been cut. It is women who work for Youth Connections in Bendigo. Their jobs have been cut. I agree with Linda: this government has forgotten rural women.