JULIE OWENS

Opportunity has been missed in latest Budget

 JULIE OWENS MP

IWANT you to imagine for a moment that you’re the Treasurer. You’ve got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest to get through the pandemic, stimulate the recovery and lay the groundwork for what comes next. What would you do?

I‘m asking this question because I think the Morrison Government missed a real opportunity with this Budget.

On the Labor side we recognised the need for cooperation to pass some important measures. But we do have concerns – particularly as Parramatta and other parts of Western Sydney are some of the hardest hit by COVID-19 in the country.

Despite spending over $200B dollars during the pandemic and increasing debt to one trillion dollars, the Government is withdrawing support too early. This risks slowing our recovery - and there’s no real plan to invest in the future.

The Budget includes some generous support for businesses – but they can only get it if they’re in a strong enough position to employ new people and invest in new equipment.

Struggling businesses like travel agents, arts companies, bus companies and restaurants are left to rely on JobKeeper, which has already been reduced and will be cut altogether in March.

Businesses that are able to hire will only receive the wage subsidies (JobMaker) and apprentice support for a maximum of one year.

Obvious places to invest public money for long term gain like social housing, aged care and childcare – what has become known as the ‘Care Economy’ - are missing from the mix, as is the fastest growing group of people on unemployment benefi ts, women over 50. And there is nothing to address climate change, or insecure work, or to reverse savage cuts to the public sector.

Donate and Deliver

Meanwhile, in our community, more and more people are putting their shoulder to the wheel to donate and deliver food to the many people left out altogether like international students, temporary and skilled visa holders.

Soon they’ll be joined by the over 12,000 people in the Parramatta electorate relying on unemployment support, which will revert to $40 a day on January 1. And who knows how many of the estimated 30,000+ local workers on JobKeeper will need relief when their payments are cut a few months later?

There are some that will be helped by the budget, but I fear for the many once-viable businesses that have been eff ectively shut down; families that had been fi nancially solid, now facing increasing debt; and residential property investors facing real loss of rental income.

I really hope that this plan to drive growth through encouraging businesses to employ and invest at this rather uncertain time works. I really do.

But there could have been so much more. There is nothing in the budget that is a surprise. No vision to re-shape our economy or communities. It really is business as usual – just on a bigger scale – and these are not normal times

So – if you were the Treasurer how would you invest to build the community, society and economy that you want your children to grow up in?

I’ve added a survey to my website asking this question, and I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please scan the QR code on the left and let me know what you think.

Julie Owens Bulletin

Help for young people

Young people in our community are bearing the brunt of the unemployment crisis. At the same time, they’re being asked to make big choices about the future. I’ve put together a ‘youth kit’ that covers education, employment, finances, and health and wellbeing to help young people (school leavers - 25) navigate this exciting, but often challenging time of life. If you’d like a copy, visit julieowens.com.au/youth or phone my office on 9689 1455 and we’ll post one out to you.

…and seniors!

I’ve also updated my ‘seniors kit’ with information about coronavirus and local services that can help you get through this difficult time. If you’d like a copy, please phone my office on 9689 1455 and we’ll post one out to you.

JP Services

Pensioners and Seniors INFORMATION KIT

This kit is provided with the compliments of: Julie Owens MP

YOUR LOCAL FEDERAL MEMBER FOR PARRAMATTA

Address: 1/25 Smith Street, Parramatta NSW 2150Mail: PO Box 395, Parramatta NSW 2124 Tel: (02) 9689 1455 Email: julie.owens.mp@aph.gov.au Web: www.julieowens.com.au @JulieOwensMP JulieOwensMP

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided. Payment rates in this guide are current from May 2020.

Coronavirus office closures have caused a shortage of JP services in Parramatta. My office is organising COVID safe JP services at Club Parramatta on Wednesdays and every second Friday between 10:30am and 1:30pm. Bookings are essential – please call us on 9689 1455 to make an appointment. You can find a list of other JP services currently available in Parramatta on my website: julieowens.com.au/jp Demand is pretty high, so if you’re a local JP who can help, please contact my office on 9689 1455.

Take my Budget survey Ta

I want to know what you think we I wa should be investing in to build a sho stronger community, society and stro economy in Parramatta. Please visit eco julieowens.com.au/budget2020 julie or scan the QR code for my survey – it scan only takes a couple of minutes to only complete. com