THE federal government budget released last Tuesday will deliver jobs, growth and some exciting opportunities for the Calare electorate.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Some of the highlights included the $5.5 billion jobs and small business package. We’ve cut the company tax rate by 1.5 per cent for incorporated businesses with an annual turnover up to $2 million.
Sole traders, trusts and partnerships will also get a 5 per cent tax discount if they have an annual turnover up to $2m, plus gain the ability to immediately deduct assets they acquire that are valued up to $20,000 for tax purposes.
All in the name of creating jobs.
For agriculture, and in addition to the $333m drought assistance, $70m will become available from July 1, 2016 to assist primary producers claim accelerated depreciation for water facilities, fodder storage and fencing.
Families also gained a boost from the budget with a $4.4b package, including $3.5b to reform childcare assistance, helping parents to go back to work.
National security was also front and centre, gaining $1.2b, and the government’s $50b infrastructure program is set to continue.
Calare received more than $9.4m from the national stronger regions fund, gaining two projects out of 51 nation-wide.
One will be the construction of a wastewater treatment plant and a recycled water scheme in Parkes ($8,725,000), with the other the redevelopment of CareWest Community Connection Centre in Orange ($747,000).
Our electorate was also allocated $150,000 per year for the next two years as part of the stronger communities program, which will fund small capital projects in local communities.
Calare councils will receive double their roads to recovery program allocations for 2015-16, an investment worth more than $10m.
All in all, I believe this budget is a fair and measured response to the pressures faced by all Australians.
LOCAL councils in Calare will benefit from the delivery of the latest round of funding under the Australian government’s financial assistance grants program.
More than $8.5m in untied funding will be distributed to Calare’s eight councils, helping them focus on local priorities and projects that our communities need most. Funding allocations are Bathurst Regional Council ($1,578,472), Blayney Shire Council ($602,062), Cabonne Shire Council ($1,121,280), Lithgow City Council ($1,155,396), Forbes Shire Council ($1,208,660), Oberon Council ($589,248), Orange City Council ($1,139,775) and Parkes Shire Council ($1,380,340).
The 2016/17 federal black spot program is now open and accepting applications. I encourage you to contact your local councils should you believe there are relevant road black spots in your area.