It’s time for a fair share for regional Australia
30-January-2013
Warren Truss MP -
THE election on September 14 will give Australians a clear choice between a Labor government that is out of its depth, or a Coalition government that will take real action to improve the lives of all Australians, leader of The Nationals and Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss said today.
“The coming election offers all Australians an opportunity to vote for competence over incompetence, strong economic management over reckless spending and waste, consistency and credibility over spin and broken promises,” Mr Truss said.
“The election is also an opportunity for the regions to get their fair share of federal funding and attention.
“For more than five years now, regional Australia has been treated as the ignored poor cousin of the capital cities.
“Billions have been stripped from regional programs. We have endured the broken promise on the carbon tax, a mining tax that has delivered nothing, the roof bats fiasco, the multi-billion dollar school
halls debacle, cuts to the private health insurance rebate, and record and ever-growing national debt. This government has totally lost control of our borders.
“We know that what is good for regional Australia is good for all of Australia. When the regions are prosperous, so is our nation.
“We want to create more jobs, opportunity and prosperity to build the infrastructure we need and deserve, provide better health and education services, and enhance our quality of life.
“Most importantly, we will not rely on giant new taxes on regional businesses that savage jobs and investment to do it.
“We have a plan to get government spending under control and ensure spending is
focussed on projects that benefit the nation. That means a tax system that rewards hard work, not one that unfairly
penalises those who work hard. A world class education system, secure borders, better regional health services, a compassionate welfare system that expects personal responsibility, a strong future for our farmers and other primary industries, vibrant small business, a sustainable population, a better environment, and quality telecommunications at a price people can afford.
“This is a chance to get a fair share for the regions and a fair go for all Australians.”