UPDATE: More details emerge on Hinkler budget spend

It comes as Hinkler MP Keith Pitt warns jobseekers will need to “take the gig” they are offered.

AERIAL IMAGE: Bundaberg and the Burnett River.

UPDATE:

Jessica Grewal

More details have been released about Hinkler’s share in the Federal Budget spend and the potential impact of changes on local lives.

The $10.8 million in Hinkler Regional Deal funds flagged in the budget papers is not new money but instead completes the $71 million spend previously across multiple projects.

The former is set aside for the Bundaberg Port and rounds out the total deal spend which has seen the Federal Government partner with local councils on projects like the Hervey Bay hospice and Boundary Rd extension.

Hinkler MP Keith Pitt said while the State Government had taken its “sweet time” to support projects under the deal, its late arrival to the roads funding party meant other projects including the Bundaberg to Childers overtaking lane, Quay St in Bundaberg, Torbanlea Pialba Road and Bargara Road upgrades were also moving ahead.

$35 million has also been committed in this week’s budget to upgrade the intersection at Pialba Burrum Heads Road and Hervey Bay Maryborough Road.

Asked about the $30 million commitment to the Cashless Debit program, which takes in Hervey Bay and Bundaberg, Mr Pitt said about $2 million would cover “data collection’ but like his federal colleagues, remained tight-lipped about how the remaining portion would be spent in practical terms.

According to the budget papers, the government will “look at creating employment opportunities” for those in the trial sites.

He did say there was never a more important time for every eligible Australian to be working and, in response to concerns about the difficulty many employers, particularly those in the hospitality industry were having in attracting staff, referenced strengthened mutual obligation reporting rules for Centrelink recipients which he said would effectively result in a requirement to “take the gig’ offered.

Mr Pitt said the budget was packed with good news for the region’s seniors, apprentices and low to middle incoming earning families.

He said $18 billion in new funding had been committed to “significantly improving” a system which would benefit more than 36,000 locals.

“This investment will deliver more home care places, more funding for residential aged care and increases the amount of time resident are cared for while strengthening regulators to monitor and enforce the standards of care,” he said

He also hoped the extension of the Job Trainer and Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements programs would help more young people get into trades which matched the region’s industries and saw a major opportunity in the construction industry amid the current Hinkler home-building boom.

Mr Pitt said the 2021-22 Budget was about “securing Australia’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and building the future”.

“Throughout the pandemic we saw record levels of support from the Government for families, businesses and industries which saved lives and livelihoods.

“As we continue on the path to recovery and the economy bounces back, that support will continue.

“Around 47,800 taxpayers in Hinkler will benefit from tax relief – $1,080 for individuals or $2,160 for couples – which means more money in their pocket.

“To cut the cost of living for around 1,230 families in Hinkler and to help boost workforce participation, the Government is making an additional $1.7 billion investment in childcare.

“Child care subsidies available to families with more than one child aged five and under in child care will increase and the $10,560 cap on the Child Care Subsidy will be abolished.

“Further mental health funding will provide a new network of 40 Head to Health centres and more services through Medicare, as well as additional support for children under 12.

“A two-year trial of a new Escaping Violence Payment for women leaving a violent relationship will provide women with access of up to $5,000 in financial assistance, including a cash payment, to establish a home free from violence.”

See the NewsMail tomorow for the reaction from the region’s State MPs.

EARLIER:

Melanie Whiting

Bundaberg has received mixed results in Australia’s financial blueprint, securing millions for a future-proofing infrastructure project, while missing out on funding for another.

The Federal Budget has earmarked $10.8m for the Hinkler Regional Deal in 2020-21.

But the budget papers did not show any further funding allocations for the deal over the next four financial years.

The Hinkler Regional Deal investment will co-fund local infrastructure projects with Bundaberg Regional Council.

The budget papers did not show any specific allocation to the East Bundaberg Flood Levee.

However, the Federal Government’s controversial cashless debit card trial has been given a cash boost to continue across the four current trial sites including Bundaberg.

The trial continuation was listed as part of a $30m Job Ready Package to “provide additional support to uplift and upskill cashless debit card participants across four sites to help secure meaningful and long-term employment”.

Our region should benefit from broader funding pledges including:

– A share in $630.2m for high-quality services for the elderly, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other special needs groups.

– The region’s natural beauty will be on display as part of a $348m plan to boost the attractiveness of regional Australia as a place to live and work.

– The Rebuilding Regional Communities Program will allocate $6.1m nationally to help restart and support community-led activities that were restricted during COVID-19.

– People living in our area will also be able to stay in contact under a national $84.8m Regional Connectivity Program. The cash boost is set to deliver improved broadband and telecommunications to more than 80 locations across regional Australia.

– The government will spend $1bn nationally to extend the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program to 2022-23. This will support regions like ours through the upgrades of local roads, footpaths and community infrastructure.

– A further $1bn will be provided for projects that will upgrade roads and save lives.

– The region’s farmers and community will get a share of $172.5m under the $5bn Future Drought Fund to adopt better risk management practices and new technologies.

– Locals will also benefit from the expansion of the government’s $1 billion Building Better Regions Fund. An extra $250m will be added for a sixth round, aimed at building stronger communities by creating more jobs, economic growth and infrastructure.

– News Regional