Both local MPs, Dr Mike Freelander and Anne Stanley, have welcomed the 2026 federal government budget handed down on Tuesday night.
Dr Freelander said he believes the budget is focused on improving outcomes for all Australians, and it contains the most significant tax and housing reform packages since the early 2000s.
He welcomed $1,000 instant tax deduction for workers for their work-related expenses and the $20,000 instant asset write-off for small businesses being made permanent from July 1 this year.
The Member for Macarthur, as a long-time advocate for greater transport infrastructure for the region, also gace the thumbs up to budget’s $50 million investment for priority upgrades to the rail line between Sydney and Canberra, including the line from Central to Macarthur and from Macarthur down through the Southern Highlands to Canberra.
He said the budget is also tackling the housing crisis, with negative gearing being restricted to newly built homes.
“For too long, Australians of all ages have been affected by the unfair housing market, the complicated tax system and underfunded healthcare services of governments past,’’ Dr Freelander said.
“This budget does a wonderful job at improving opportunities for more Australians to enter the housing market, for better healthcare services, for a fairer tax system and for long-term infrastructure investments that will benefit our region and people for generations to come.
“There is more to do, and I will continue to advocate for better health, infrastructure and cost of living outcomes for our area, but this budget is really important in addressing some of the key concerns of our time.”
The member for Werriwa, Anne Stanley, welcomed the additional $300 million allocated in Tuesday’s budget to further upgrade two roads in her electorate.
“We have committed an additional $200 million for Fifteenth Avenue, the Liverpool to Airport Transit Corridor, adding to the $500 million already committed by the Albanese Government, and taking our total commitment in this critical project to $700 million,’’ Ms Stanley said.
“Tuesday night’s budget also included an additional $100 million for the Elizabeth Drive – Priority Sections Upgrade which builds on previous funding of $400 million.
“This new funding of $300 million for the infrastructure that we need in Western Sydney is especially important with the opening of the Western Sydney Airport later this year.
“This is great news for our community of Werriwa, and I’m delighted that Minister Catherine King has listened to my calls to continue to support our local infrastructure,’’ Ms Stanley said.
South Western Sydney Public Health Network acting chief executive officer Amy Prince said it was pleasing to see the Federal Government’s ongoing investment in Strengthening Medicare, continued access to healthcare for older persons and the new Thriving Kids reform.
“While we of course welcome the government’s commitment to healthcare funding for our more vulnerable community members, a greater focus on primary healthcare, and in particular GP workforce and sustainability pressures, will be welcomed in the future,” she said.