April 1, 2022
Education Choices see page 17 A dream come true
(Ivan Kemp) 273935_04
Geelong stand-up comedian Tim Young will achieve a long-held dream this month when he performs his own solo show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. About 20 years after he first took the stage at an open mic night in Brisbane, Young will present his debut solo show, Tangent, at one of the world’s largest comedy festivals until April 10. Young said it was a dream come true to perform at the festival after his 2020 show was cancelled due to the pandemic. Tangent has been described “a love letter to the tangent” in which Young spends the hour-long performance trying to tell just one single story, while getting distracted with humorous anecdotes along the way.
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Mixed reaction to budget By Ash Bolt Geelong residents are set to benefit from moves to address the rising cost of living, but there was little other benefit to the region in the federal budget, according to Corio MP and deputy opposition leader Richard Marles. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on Tuesday handed down the budget, which included several short-term measures to address cost of living pressures. Among those was a six-month cut to the fuel excise – from 44.2 cents per litre to 22.1 – which Mr Frydenberg said would result in a drop in fuel prices. The budget also included a one-off $420 tax break for people earning less than $126,000 per year added to the low and middle income
offset from July 1, while welfare and pension recipients, concession card holders and some self-funded retirees will also receive a one-off $250 payment. “This budget’s new cost of living package is responsible and targeted, delivering cheaper fuel, cheaper medicines and putting more money in the pockets of millions of Australians,” Mr Frydenberg said. However Mr Marles said there was very little in the budget that would benefit Geelong residents. “This will be a budget that many in Geelong are disappointed by,” he said. “There is no investment by Scott Morrison and the Liberals across Geelong and the region.” G21 Geelong Regional Alliance chief executive Giulia Baggio welcomed the relief
measures in the budget. “The increase in the cost of living is felt very acutely in the G21 Geelong region,” she said. “Our communities are very car dependent and the sharp rise in petrol prices puts immediate stress on household budgets. This leaves fewer dollars to cover the rising cost of food, housing and other essentials. “The immediate budget relief is welcome. We hope to see a commitment to longer term solutions when the election campaign gets under way. “In particular, our growing communities are calling for heavy investment in a variety of transport infrastructure to give people the option of using public transport, to cycle or walk, all of which are very limited at the moment.” City of Greater Geelong deputy mayor Trent Sullivan added the city would lobby for more
targeted funding in the lead-up to the election. “The budget recognises that many households are struggling with cost-of-living increases, and there are several short-term initiatives that will assist in this area,” he said. “We also welcome ongoing funding for key infrastructure projects in the region, which are being delivered via the landmark Geelong City Deal. “Securing federal support to deliver the infrastructure our rapidly growing communities need remains a key focus for council. “We look forward to seeing more targeted commitments for our region, aimed at ensuring Geelong’s long-term economic, social and environmental sustainability, in the upcoming election campaign.”
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