The Albanese Labor Government’s Budget hurts Australian families with a new $153m food tax over three years, right in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.

Federal Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster labelled the new tax on Australian farmers as disgraceful, lumping farmers with around two thirds of the bill for biosecurity risks imposed
by foreign importers.

“It is absurd for Australian farmers to pay for the recklessness of competitors and importers,” Dr Webster said.

“This is one of two hits on farmers and families alike, because those costs will be passed on down the line to mums’ and dads’ hip pockets through even higher food prices at the checkout, at a time when families are struggling to put food on the table.”

The Albanese government is increasing the road user charge on truckies by 18 per cent over three years, another cost that will hit the family budget.
“If a trucking company has to pay more, they will recover it elsewhere in the supply chain, from farmers or shoppers,” Dr Webster said.

“Consumers need to understand that every product they buy at the supermarket is brought on a truck, or maybe more than one, so their purchases will cost more.”

Labor’s failure to address regional issues in Tuesday night’s budget was in full display, with no plans for further funding for the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, and
the end of the Stronger Communities Program.

“These two cuts add to the pain from Labor rebranding and reduction of Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) grant funding and the axing of Community Development Grants. Labor
is ripping vital local funding out of community hands, particularly the Stronger Communities Program which was an open grant process that allowed local groups to apply for funding on
merit,” Dr Webster said.

“Smaller projects like playgrounds or repairing sporting facilities will fall by the wayside,” Dr Webster said.
“Yet again Labor prioritises the big ticket items, the big ribbon cutting opportunities, not the vast number of smaller community funding needs.”
Labor is also putting a razor gang through the $120 billion infrastructure pipeline, putting all regional programs in doubt.
“The Albanese government is ripping away the tools we need to produce more and efficiently deliver the goods on your table,” Dr Webster said.
Dr Webster said Labor’s child care policy does not create one new place in regional Childcare Deserts such as Charlton. Nearly 50 per cent of Mallee families live in a Childcare desert.
“Towns such as Charlton desperately need help, but Labor hasn’t prioritised funding their Long Daycare Centre. Charlton is in a Childcare Desert,” Dr Webster said.

“Parents need child care in their town so they have the choice to get back into the workforce.”

“While Labor prioritises affordability of child care in metropolitan settings, accessibility is the desperate need in the regions that they have failed to address.”