The local Liberal Party MP hailed last night’s federal budget as great for jobs, roads and education.
On the other hand, local Labor MPs dismissed it as unfair for struggling Macarthur residents.
Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said the Federal Budget was committing infrastructure funding – including on construction of Badgerys Creek airport – to ensure benefits for generations to come.
“I know many people working in the construction sector and supporting businesses will welcome such strong federal investment in our community infrastructure,” Mr Taylor said.
The 79 schools in his electorate will benefit from the Turnbull Government’s new $18.6 billion needs-based schools funding plan, Mr Taylor said.
The Liberal MP, who is also the assistant minister on cities, welcomed the plan to establish a new government owned company charged with ensuring Western Sydney Airport is operational by 2026.
“Local residents are already being employed on road upgrades around Badgerys Creek with an estimated 9,000 direct jobs to be created by the early 2030s,’’ Mr Taylor said.
He also welcomed Budget measures such as the $50 million commitment to Appin Road upgrades, with work to start in the 2017-18 financial year.
Mr Taylor also pointed to a $53 million commitment to Narellan Road – ongoing in 2017-18.
But the local Labor MPs, Dr Mike Freelander in Macarthur and Anne Stanley in Werriwa, painted a very different picture of the budget delivered by Scott Morrison last night in federal parliament.
Dr Mike Freelander said, “this budget will hurt many people in Macarthur.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“This budget is a continuing attack on working and middle class Australians while big businesses get their tax cut,” he said.[/social_quote]
Ms Stanley said: “Despite a commitment to build the airport, this budget contains no funding for any supporting infrastructure, like a rail link, meaning residents in the South West Sydney will only suffer worsening congestion when the airport construction gets under way next year.
“This budget simply proves that this Government is big on talk but very short on real action for the people of Werriwa,’’ Ms Stanley said.
This budget is a typical Coalition give away to the rich and their mates. I can see the massive line up of future homebuyers to put an extra $300 per week out of their pay into their super so that they can get Turnbull’s head start in buying a home.