THE Commission of Audit report is a valuable contribution to public debate and policy formulation.
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But it’s also a reminder of the fiscal disaster left to us by Labor.
The Coalition, in 2007, left a clean set of books with money in the bank, but today, after five of the worst deficits in Australian history, Labor’s legacy is debt projected to at least $667 billion.
That’s $25,000 for every Australian man, woman and child, and it is $10 billion a year in interest repayments alone.
While obviously this report is currently focused on next week’s budget, it is an incredibly comprehensive document that people would be well-advised to read thoroughly.
It puts on the table issues which, as a nation, we should be discussing.
Clearly its place in next week’s budget exists and there will be some parts that are in the budget, some that will not and some that will partially be included in the budget.
This is a report to the government, it is not a report by the government. It is not a series of decisions by the government.
However, beyond that, it is full of the practical economics of governance and policy, and people who want to be part of a debate going long past next week’s budget should familiarise themselves with the issues in it.
I’ve taken Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications, Paul Fletcher, around to parts of the electorate to hear about our mobile coverage and blackspot issues and concerns.
In addition to members of the community, we have also spoken with local government representatives to ascertain where the areas of need are.
Mr Fletcher is responsible for allocating funding from the Government’s $100 million Mobile Coverage Programme to improve mobile phone coverage in outer metropolitan, regional and remote communities around Australia.
I personally invited him to visit the electorate to ensure Calare’s mobile issues were on the table.
The Department of Communications continues to accept nominations of locations to be included in a database of areas reported to have poor or no mobile coverage.
Locations can be emailed to mobilecoverage@communications.gov.au.
THE annual Orange Apple Festival is happening again from May 9-11.
It’s a fantastic celebration of all things apple.
Orange is renowned for its ability to grow juicy, delicious apples, something that has been happening since 1829.
It’s our region’s unique soil, climate, geology and topography that make it an ideal growing environment for apples, as well as many other agricultural pursuits.
If you’ve ever tasted an Orange apple straight from the tree you would agree that we have the best apples in the world!
There are a variety of events planned, but if you can’t make it be sure to pick up a juicy Australian apple or even an Orange cider and enjoy what this fruit has to offer. The program of events is available at www.orangeapples.com.au.