[Greens-Media] play today, worry tomorrow

[Manderson, Roland]

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ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey MEDIA RELEASE
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10 May 06


Federal budget: play today, worry tomorrow

The Federal Government's budget delivers short term rewards to working families but invests little in the social sphere and forgets about the environment according to Greens MLA Deb Foskey.

"At a time when research shows that the gap between rich and poor is wider than it has ever been, the Federal Government has failed to invest in the services which make life better for all of us" Dr Foskey said today.

"An investment in social housing and public dentistry programs, two things that would significantly improve the lives of our poorest people, were glaringly absent."

"Also absent is increased support for long day care, something that single parents trying to make their way in the new industrial relations environment desperately need."

"Today I heard politicians and the business community say that the budget would be good for Canberra. I agree, investment in national institutions like the National Library, National Science Centre, Old Parliament House and the Australian National University is good for Canberra people as well as the of Australia."

"The Federal Government's focus on terrorism will lead to a new ASIO office building in Canberra - hopefully in one of the town centres that is crying out for employment - and, along with an ever enlarging Commonwealth Public Service, more jobs."

 "The Stanhope Government hopes 7000 new Commonwealth jobs will soak up the cuts from the ACT public service mooted for the ACT Budget but it may simply result in an accelerated poaching of the ACT's most prized public servants, who are constantly leaking into the federal sphere."

"Funds of $500 million for the Murray Darling system are welcome, but we must remember that billions of dollars have already been thrown at the Murray Darling with little to show for it. It's politics and lack of commitment that is the problem, not money shortages alone."

"It is unclear how the Murrumbidgee will benefit from that, and without a representative on the Murray Darling Ministerial Council there is little the ACT can do to increase attention to the river system we are part of."

"You'd never know there was a looming oil crisis or that climate change demands action by listening to our local and federal ACT politicians. The budget is in denial about these trends and locks us into further dependence on selling non-renewable resources, like uranium."

"This a budget which wants people to keep on spending but it robs our children of the choices the Federal Government claims are its responsibility to deliver" said Dr. Foskey.


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Roland Manderson   Media Advisor
ACT   Greens    MLA  Deb  Foskey  
Legislative Assembly for the ACT 
ph(02)62050551      m 0412241379
==== www.act.greens.org.au ===== 
  
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