The federal budget was patently unfair and largely ignored the needs of Illawarra residents, federal shadow treasurer Chris Bowen has said.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Labor member for McMahon made the comments ahead of a scheduled visit to Bomaderry, on Sunday afternoon, to discuss Opposition Leader Bill Shorten's budget response and issues affecting the region. He described the budget as "just as unfair as last year's", noting it did little to address issues facing the people of the Illawarra.
"I think that the Illawarra largely got ignored," Mr Bowen said.
"There is only one program funded in the Illawarra that I am aware of, and for an area with such high unemployment you would like to see the area getting a bit more attention.
"There is nothing in the budget at all [regarding] a proper and sensible plan about unemployment and we certainly think that is one of the areas where a lot more needs to be done."
Mr Bowen welcomed the government's investment in the National Disability Insurance Scheme and its proposed small business package, which would provide small businesses with a 1.5 per cent tax cut and immediate tax deductions for equipment purchases valued at less than $20,000 each.
However, he said more needed to be done to encourage people to train in the science, engineering and mathematics sectors and "create skills for the future".
Reflecting on feedback about the budget, Mr Bowen singled out changes to paid parental leave entitlements as a big disappointment for people. "Their attack on paid parental leave is just insulting. Abbott's ambush really upset a lot of mothers and planning-to-be mothers," he said.