By Luke Voogt
Local Labor MP Richard Marles has slammed the Federal Government’s budget failure to match $153.2 million in state funding for a City Deal.
“The City Deal has come to nothing as (Liberal Corangamite MP) Sarah Henderson has failed again to deliver,” the Member for Corio said.
State Government last week announced the $153.2 million for a convention centre, the Shipwreck Coast and central Geelong redevelopment in its latest budget.
But the federal budget failed to match the City Deal with Commonwealth funding.
“It’s disappointing that Geelong has been left with thin gruel and not much else in this budget,” Mr Marles said.
“The Liberal party is clearly more interested in putting its own interests before the people of Geelong and the country,” Mr Marles said.
State Labor MPs also slammed the lack of funding.
“Sarah Henderson is out of excuses,” Geelong MP Christine Couzens said.
“She needs to finally admit she simply can’t deliver for Geelong.”
The chief of municipal alliance body G21 described the lack of funding as “odd” after the “build-up by the Prime Minister and his government.“
“City Deals are a Turnbull Government concept and initiative, after all,” Elaine Carbines said.
“It is true that a City Deal is yet to be fully finalised. However, it’s expected that a deal will be locked down soon.”
But Ms Carbines welcomed $20 million to expand Avalon Airport and $50 million for rail duplication between Geelong and Waurn Ponds stations.
Ms Henderson said 65,558 residents and 16,921 businesses in Corangamite would benefit under the budget.
“Many will receive a new offset of up to $530 a year under our plan to reduce cost pressures on household budgets,” said Ms Henderson.
The $20,000 instant asset write-off continues another year for incorporated and unincorporated businesses with turnovers of up to $50 million and $5 million respectively.
“We are delivering tax relief with a focus on low and middle income earners, infrastructure investment and responsibly returning the budget to balance,” Ms Henderson said.
The budget also included a new $45 million tourism infrastructure fund for the region.
