Nothing New in Federal Budget

Labor MP Delivers Nothing New in Federal Budget

14 May 2008

The Member for Bega Andrew Constance has labelled the efforts of Labor MP Mike Kelly to claim budget wins for the area when the projects were signed off financially under the previous Liberal Government and Prime Minister as poor political form.

Andrew Constance Member for Bega

“The community has been enormously frustrated in the delay of these projects by the incoming Labor Government. The funding should have been honoured months ago and I want to recognise the Pambula Surf Club and Bega Footy Clubs for sticking with it.

“To now try and make out under the guise of the Federal budget that the new Labor MP is delivering is a bit rich. It’s poor political form,” Mr Constance said.

“The Labor MP needs to be held to account for any regional partnership projects that were funded under the previous Liberal Government to now have the cheque ripped up by Rudd’s razor gang. Are there any local projects now in tatters because of Dr Kelly and Mr Rudd?” he asked.

“There is no new projects for the region in the budget,” Mr Constance said.

“Dr Kelly also needs to explain why there is no funding for the Pambula Pool project and which other local job creation projects have missed out,” Mr Constance said.

“He also should explain if there have been any public service job losses in the region as well,” Mr Constance said.

“Labor have also failed to allocate the much needed $45 million for the Bega Bypass, and is stalling as they try to work out how to deal with the political fallout from the NSW Government’s refusal to sign up to the project.

“I am happy to confirm that a new State Liberal Government will work with the Federal Government to fund the bypass,” Mr Constance said.

“The budget surplus is $21.7 billion and that is money that should be allocated to vital infrastructure such as the Bega Bypass and Pambula Pool,” Mr Constance said.

“The Howard Government left a legacy of billions of Australian taxpayers dollars for Wayne Swan and Kevin Rudd to spend,” Mr Constance said.