Why Geelong is important
GEELONG has always depended on a thriving economy.
Throughout its history, it’s been part of Australia’s engine room.
It is a strong community and a resilient one. One that embodies the spirit of having a go and getting a go.
My government has always known how important the Geelong region is — when Geelong is strong, so is the nation.
Disappointingly, Mr Albanese has ignored the Geelong region. He has ignored it during this campaign, not visiting it once – despite having travelled the length and breadth of Australia.
I have visited the region five times since December.
The future of Geelong matters deeply to me and my government.
The people of Geelong deserve better than a Labor Party whose first priority in government would be to scrap regional funding.
I am genuinely optimistic about Australia’s future. I have confidence in Australians and I have a great confidence in our economic plan for the Geelong region.
The Liberal plan is a plan for more jobs, lower taxes, better roads, cleaner energy, record health investments, and stronger national security.
It will create 1.3 million new jobs over the next five years including 450,000 new jobs in regional Australia.
Our plan lowers tax for Australians and puts in a place a shield against costof-living pressures.
It does this by lowering taxes, making childcare more affordable, providing cost-of-living payments for pensioners and carers, freezing deeming rates, cutting fuel excise and making medicines cheaper.
We also lower taxes for small businesses with the small business tax rate at its lowest in half a century – 25 per cent down from 30 per cent.
We are investing in the skills of Australians with record funding for apprenticeships and trainees. There are a record 220,000 apprentices currently in training, and our plan supports 800,000 new training places.
Our plan prioritises the essential services that Australians rely on – with continued record funding of hospitals, Medicare, mental health programs, telehealth and an additional 2900 medicines on the PBS.
An integral part of our plan for a strong economy is affordable, reliable and clean energy. Energy that will power Australian businesses in the years ahead, while reducing emissions to achieve net zero by 2050, and reducing household electricity bills.
It is also a plan that will help Australians save for a home deposit by allowing first home buyers to invest a responsible portion of their superannuation savings into their first home.
And locally, our plan invests in the infrastructure you need such as mobile phone blackspots, and road upgrades to the Great Ocean Road, the Barwon Heads Rd and the Dairy Supply Chain Rd.
Better transport is vital for people and for freight. That’s why we have and will continue to make investments in rail – with the Geelong rail line, Murray Basin freight rail and the Warrnambool rail line.
This election is a choice between a government with a plan and an Opposition without a plan. It is a choice, between a strong economy and an Opposition that would weaken it.
Our plan will:
DELIVER more jobs and working towards unemployment below 4 per cent; PROVIDE tax relief for workers and small businesses;
INVEST in roads, rail, water infrastructure and renewable energy technology; MAKE record investments in health and other essential services; and,
INVEST in stronger defence, security and borders.
This is the choice before you.
I am asking for you to support Stephanie Asher, our Liberal candidate for Corangamite, so we can keep building a strong economy for a stronger future.