Morrison ‘must back Gold Coast’
PRIME Minister Scott Morrison needs to “genuinely back” the Gold Coast in Tuesday’s federal budget, according to the city’s only Labor MP.
City leaders have called for a wide range of projects which must be prioritised in the Coalition Government’s eighth budget, with small business support measures, social housing and infrastructure for the 2018 Commonwealth Games all topping the list.
Mayor Tom Tate said the Gold Coast was Australia’s small-business capital and he called for greater support to make them flourish again.
“I strongly encourage a small-business focus in the federal budget as small business Australia-wide carried the burden of the downturn from COVID-19 because many are a long way from recovery,” he said.
“Our city is Australia’s small-business capital with more than 66,000 small, family-owned businesses registered.
Given our national economy has rebounded quicker than anticipated, post-COVID, the rewards should flow to small business.
“I also encourage the federal government to fund investment in large-scale nation building infrastructure, including high-speed rail in the SEQ corner, and bring forward capital works expenditure on major roads, should we be successful in being named host destination for the 2032 Olympics.’’
Already announced extra funding for light rail stage 3 will be in the budget while Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will unveil a $1.7 billion injection into the childcare sector.
Gaven Labor MP Meaghan Scanlon has called on the government to fix the “broken” housing and agedcare systems, labelling the budget a test of Mr Morrison’s faithfulness to the Gold Coast.
“The Gold Coast is Australia’s sixth largest city and Tuesday will be a test of whether or not the LNP take this city for granted or genuinely back investment in our community,” the state MP said.
“Now is the time for Scott Morrison to listen to our community and fund the recommendations of the Aged Care Royal Commission.
“They need to implement minimum staffing ratios, raise the minimum wage for our hardworking aged care staff and be transparent about government funding in the sector.
“Too many Gold Coast families have been let down by a broken system.
“We also need genuine action on housing affordability.”
Ms Scanlon appealed to the city’s federal MPs to “step up and make sure Canberra contributes its fair share”.
Other MPs across the city are hoping for emergency housing, better infrastructure, and heavy rail connecting the Gold Coast Airport and Varsity Lakes.
Federal housing minister Michael Sukkar has already promised $124.7 million Australia-wide to let states “meet their social and community housing responsibilities”.
The government has also promised to help fund the 2032 Olympic Games with the state.
Emergency housing, improved road infrastructure and support for tourism also topped wishlists for Gold Coast state MPs.
State Opposition leader and Broadwater MP David Crisafulli said the budget needed to be “the catalyst for protecting the lifestyle Queenslanders love” through delivering infrastructure.
“Too much of the State Government’s road and transport spending is in the never-never and I’m hopeful federal infrastructure dollars can jolt the state government into earlier action,” he said.
Burleigh MP Michael Hart said he hoped to see better funding for mental health with a special focus on eating disorders.
He also called for aid to remediate and supply suitable infrastructure for the Burleigh headland walking trail.