Judi Moylan (Pearce, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Reflecting on a decade in government, it is agreeably apparent that a balance has been forged by this government between economic imperatives and improved social outcomes for the Australian community. This has been evident since the election of the Howard government. From the outset, I would like to congratulate the Treasurer on yet another excellent budget and for striking an appropriate balance between economic and social imperatives.

Australians have enjoyed a decade characterised by steady growth, low unemployment rates, low inflation and interest rates, high real wages growth and a doubling of household wealth. The impact of that success is reflected throughout the Australian community. Amazingly, it is that sort of penetration that our opponents used to dream they would achieve but never could. The evidence of success lies not only in material goods, though they are significant, as only the coalition government is honest and sensible enough to admit without the humbug. Wealth creation demonstrates energy, enthusiasm and creativity. Nevertheless, the most profound evidence of success must lie in the pre-eminence given to justice, compassion and the willingness to invest in social capital.

We inherited a social system from the previous administration that was in dire need of major investment and clearly a change of direction. Recognising the changing demographics and lifestyles of many Australians, the government has had the foresight to engage with the community and to invest in our social capital. Major investments have been made in aged care, child care and health, with particular emphasis on some of the health issues which pose a major challenge to governments and communities throughout Australia. If you take aged care as one example, we have more than doubled the number of aged care places. The number of places has gone from 141,293 when we took office to 215,760 places and rising. Considerable resources have been applied by the government to child immunisation, which was at an all-time low. According to my notes, only 52 per cent of Australia’s children were immunised when we took office; now over 90 per cent of children have been immunised. The government also invested considerable capital in Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, obesity and mental health services.

I am the chair of the Parliamentary Diabetes Support Group, of which, Mr Deputy Speaker Adams, you are an executive member. It also includes the member for Moore, the member for Blair, Senator Guy Barnett and others. We have lobbied hard to improve the outlook for people with diabetes, particularly children, and to raise awareness in the community of diabetes and of the importance of sound diabetes management practices. We have worked closely with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Diabetes Australia and other organisations. The government and particularly the minister, the Hon. Tony Abbott, have been responsive, recognising the serious health implications if we do not improve public awareness, lifestyle issues and best practice management of diabetes, which some endocrinologists say has reached a pandemic.

Some of the changes that we have sought and which have taken place include the listing of the glitazone drug which prevents the early progress of type 2 diabetics to insulin dependence, the listing of insulin pump consumables on the NDSS, the inclusion of dieticians’ fees on the PBS, the involvement of 100 children in Kids in the House two years ago and the commitment of $23 million to research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes in children. All of those measures cost money, and the government have been prepared to direct considerable money into these important health areas.

I am personally very pleased that the government has doubled the funding generally for medical research in this budget, because medical breakthroughs improve the quality of life for many in the community and they also make good economic sense. As the Treasurer said in his budget night address, Australian scientists have made many breakthroughs of international importance, such as the bionic ear, treatment of stomach ulcers and melanoma treatment. It is important that we continue to fund medical research and to ensure that the physical infrastructure for scientists is maintained. To this end, the government has committed a further $235 million.

Health and ageing has continued to be financially supported, with funding of $48 billion in this budget. Importantly, mental health—thanks to the intervention of the Prime Minister—will receive funding of $1.9 billion to address the terrible shortcomings in the treatment of people with mental illness. In raising awareness of this issue, the Prime Minister met with state and territory leaders. He took leadership of this issue and sought their cooperation with the Commonwealth to provide an appropriate standard of care.

Far too many families are in despair for lack of services to the mentally ill. Respite care is critical to carers, who struggle 24/7 to deal with the demands of caring for a person with mental health problems. Prisons have become an all too common refuge for the mentally ill with nowhere but the streets to live and without appropriate care of their health. This funding will be a welcome relief to carers and sufferers, and again demonstrates the government’s commitment to investing in social capital and in people.

I also mention the exemption of the value of long-term held rural properties for people who apply for the pension. There, value will now be excluded from the pension asset test under certain circumstances in which it is not reasonable to lease or sell the land. In an electorate like Pearce, I have many of these families. Over the years that I have represented my electorate, I have lobbied, written countless letters and made countless representations to have this situation redressed. I am absolutely delighted to see that that is the case in this budget.

With a strong commitment to families, there are increased benefits for families with children and child-care places. By 2009, the number of child-care places will have more than doubled the number that were available in 1996. Quality, affordable and accessible child care continues to be a very major factor in women accessing the workforce, and the new measures allowing child-care rebates of 30 per cent of out-of-pocket expenses up to $4,000 per child per annum will be a welcome relief for many working parents.

Maintaining competitive business requires attention to infrastructure, and $323 million has been allocated to works for major highways in Western Australia. I have appreciated the attention of the Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, the Hon. Jim Lloyd, in recognising the urgent need to upgrade the Great Northern Highway. This builds on commitments made in previous budgets, but will allow urgent works to take place early. The Great Northern Highway now carries traffic to and from Perth to the great mining and pastoral areas of north-west Western Australia. With Western Australia undergoing a major mining boom, traffic—particularly heavy traffic—has increased dramatically. The road is barely wide enough in parts to take normal traffic, let alone the large number of double and triple load trucks now using that road. There are many winding stretches of road that pass through innumerable small communities along the way, and this poses a great hazard to all road users, but in particular to school bus traffic.

Additional funding for the Great Eastern Highway is also welcome, and it will build on major works now nearing completion. Transport is critical to the efficient movement of goods and rural produce, and the government’s continuing commitment to major highways and the continuation of the Roads to Recovery and black spot programs is very much appreciated in an electorate such as Pearce. Farmers in Pearce are major contributors to the economy, with large grain and wool exports—some of the biggest exports of those products in Australia. Efficient transport routes to ports and airports to the eastern seaboard and the north-west are critical.

Australian business proprietors will also welcome reductions in business taxes and red tape, and the superannuation measures announced in this budget. Small business is a major employer of Australians and a significant contributor to the economy, and the government has a role to play in removing unnecessary legislative burdens and providing the macrosettings for a stable economic environment. There will continue to be challenges, and with economic stability and prosperity, the Australian dollar is strong. That has produced some challenges for our exporters in manufacture, agriculture and horticulture, particularly in the electorate of Pearce. If we are to maintain a diverse and strong economy, we need to continue to work with our producers to assist them to remain competitive in the increasingly global trading environment.

Part of the remaining competition in both domestic and international trade is to ensure a modern industrial relations program and a ready and responsive workforce. The government’s commitment to training and new innovation will be widely supported throughout the business community. Five billion dollars has been committed to training and skills development in the new national training agreement covering 2005-08. Recognising the need for early stage venture capital, the government will also increase the provisions for start-up capital for small, innovative firms, while easing restrictions on venture capital partnerships. With continuing good indicators foreshadowing sound economic growth, low unemployment and moderate inflation, the economy should grow at a respectable rate.

Sensible economic settings and attention to sound business policies, including taxation reform, provide benefits that flow through to the community. Certainly, the community of Pearce will be beneficiaries of this through sound economic policy, sensible and measured budgets and the balancing of economic and social capital building. This is a great budget, and I support the bills.

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