Federal budget needs to balance cost of living pressures and economic development
Ahead of the release of the 2023-24 Federal Budget, Townsville Enterprise hopes to see the Albanese Government commit to Defence investment, the green energy transition, housing and workforce attraction.
Townsville Enterprise CEO, Claudia Brumme-Smith said the Albanese Government has already made several announcements ahead of the budget but now we need to see the next phase of those investments committed to on paper.
“The Deputy Prime Minister’s announcement of the $1.2 billion upgrades for Lavarack Barracks and RAAF Base Townsville is something we advocated for through our Houston Smith Review submission and when we were in Canberra. Also, Minister Plibersek’s recent announcement of $163.4 million for the Australian Institute of Marine Science,” Mrs Brumme-Smith said.
“Now we need to see the next phase of these investments committed to on paper and in the budget tonight.
“We know the green energy transition is a priority for the Federal Government and Townsville has what the world wants when it comes to critical minerals and processing. The North Queensland Hydrogen Consortium led by Townsville Enterprise continues to advocate for funding for green energy projects including hydrogen and the green energy transition and associated incentives.
“We also raised on our recent delegation to Canberra that the region needs more healthcare workers and medical placements, so we hope to see the Albanese Government commit to this tonight.
“As well as more housing, not only to address our current population but expected growth from the region’s project pipeline, including the State’s recent announcement to own and build CopperString.
“Workforce and skilled migration were also on our agenda in Canberra. With the anticipated 40,000 new jobs over the next decade, we need to plan to fill these positions.
“We recognise this budget will focus on easing cost of living pressures and rightly so – we need short term measures to support the country through these challenges, but in the long term we need a thriving economy. There is no better investment for government than Townsville North Queensland.”
