THE BUDGET AND CUNNINGHAM 5 MAY 04

[Clark, Allen (M. Organ, MP)]

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WHAT CUNNINGHAM NEEDS IN THE FEDERAL BUDGET

Treasurer Peter Costello needs to concentrate on jobs, education and
health rather than personal income tax in his 9th budget next week,
member for Cunningham Michael Organ said today.

"The government's comprehensive off-the-record briefing of selected
journalists over the past few weeks strongly suggests that the budget is
headed for some good old fashioned pre-election pork-barrelling and
that's just not good enough when there are pressing social needs to be
addressed",  Mr. Organ said.

"With Wollongong unemployment the nation's second highest, a regional
job generation scheme is a must."

"Public education needs a massive funding injection; the University of
Wollongong needs at least 500 new fully-funded places and approval for
its medical school, while writers are relying on the continued funding
of the Educational Lending Right scheme."

"In health the government must accredit Wollongong hospital's MRI
machine for Medicare rebates, and restore funding for the Commonwealth
Dental Scheme.

"And if they want to match the ALP they'll need to commit significant
environmental funding to coastal protection." 

"Increased defence spending and another milkshake and sandwich tax cut
is just what the opinion polls show the voters don't want, but given
Howard's record of listening to the people that's what we're likely to
get", Mr. Organ said.

More from:
Michael Organ MP 02 4228 3666, 0439 442 550
Allen Clark (Media Adviser) 0439 464 439
www.michaelorgan.org.au - where you can subscribe to all the Greens
media releases with Greens media



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