Bert Van Manen (Forde, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'm pleased to stand in this House in this adjournment debate and talk about the budget that was delivered by this government earlier this month. I'm very pleased to share with the House that it's been very well received by the constituents and businesses in my electorate of Forde. Interestingly, the only ones that are actually complaining are those ones wearing red shirts and campaigning for the Labor candidate, but that's fine—they can complain all they like, because that's actually all they do. As far as the residents are concerned, the budget delivers. This government is delivering on its commitment to live within its means, to create a stronger economy for more jobs, to keep our borders safe, to guarantee essential services and to encourage and reward hardworking Australians.

When Australians live in a stronger economy, it provides them with choices and the opportunities for the future that they not only want but deserve through their hard work and effort. I have assured my constituents that this budget includes tax relief measures for so many working Australians so that they can keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets. At the end of the day, the money we receive as governments through taxes is not our money; it is the money of hardworking Australians who go out every single day to earn a living, build wealth and build this country for the future, not only for current generations but for generations to come. That is why it's so important that this government is seeking to move the budget back towards balance and surplus.

In my electorate of Forde, in South-East Queensland, we have a diverse range of small businesses, service industries and hardworking families. Some 74,000 taxpayers in my electorate of Forde will stand to benefit from the low- and middle-income tax relief announced in the budget. This means that a high school teacher on $75,000 in the electorate of Forde will have an extra $530 in their pocket as a result of this year's budget and an extra $3,740 in their pocket over the first seven years of this tax plan. A workshop manager on $88,000 will have an extra $575 in their pocket, an accountant on $87,000 will have an extra $530 and a fast-food operator on $42,000 will be $350 better off.

But, importantly, whilst we're ensuring that Australians pay lower taxes and fairer taxes, this budget also guarantees the essential services that the families in my electorate of Forde rely on. We are doing this by increasing total health and hospital funding by some 30 per cent. With schools we are delivering 50 per cent on average increase per student in school funding. Every school in my electorate of Forde will be better off, with more fair, needs based funding for every student and school. Interestingly, those opposite have got nothing positive to add and continue to tell a litany of mistruths in this space of health and education funding.

In the past year, residents and businesses alike across my electorate have noticed that our economic plan is working. In 2017 we saw a record 415,000 jobs created across the country. As part of that we have seen 140,000 people transition from welfare to work. It's been said many times in this House that the best form of welfare is a job. The reason for that is that it gives people self-confidence, it builds their skills, and it gives them the opportunity to create wealth and stability for their families. That is why a strong economy that creates opportunities for people to work is so very important. One of the big drivers of that is the small to medium businesses in our economy. They benefit in this budget and previous budgets through tax cuts for small to medium businesses up to $50 million and also the extension of the instant asset write-off, which benefits some 15,500 local businesses.

See this speech in context