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Federal budget: what’s in it for Logan

The treasurer claims the latest federal budget was “made in Logan, for Logan” and would see thousands find cost of living relief.

But Forde MP and chief opposition whip Bert van Manen said the city was “completely side stepped” by its reforms.

A $40,000 boost to a swimming program for culturally diverse locals was a key piece of funding allocated to Logan City in the budget.

The relocation of the Loganlea Train Station – a project that has almost doubled in cost since 2019 – was allocated a whopping $39.4 million.

But Mr van Manen said despite lifting spending by $315 billion, the treasurer “didn’t see fit to filter any of it into our region”.

“The treasurer, whose electorate neighbours ours, should know what our region needs, yet decided to overlook us,” Mr van Manen said.

“Roads, sporting clubs, community groups and public safety measures were front and centre on my wish list.

“I outlined 12 projects of importance for our area in correspondence to the treasurer – not one received any financial support.

“It’s a disappointing budget for me and the people of Forde.”

Rankin MP and federal treasurer Jim Chalmers said the primary focus of the budget was “easing cost of living pressures for the people in our community”

“Labor’s budget was made in Logan, for Logan and communities just like ours across the country,” he said.

“With a real focus on giving people a bit of help when they need it most and creating more opportunities for people in the future.”

The 79,000 taxpayers in the Rankin electorate will receive an average tax cut of $1313, with the treasurer claiming the boost is a bigger cut than 90 per cent of them would have received under the previous government.

Under the budget, almost 11,000 Rankin households will receive a 10 per cent increase to maximum rates of Commonwealth Rent Assistance.

More than 21,000 Rankin residents will be impacted by HECS debt reforms, and almost 222,000 residents will save on pharmaceuticals due to a cost-freeze on PBS medicine.

Mr Chalmers said the swimming project would “build a stronger, more connected community”.

“The many multicultural communities in our area make a significant contribution and important initiatives like this one help us to give back to them,” Mr Chalmers said.

“Sport makes communities stronger.

“We want to get more people involved in swimming and more people involved in sport because we know that’s the key to getting more people involved in our community.”

According to the treasurer, the project aims to help “break down barriers” to participation with swimming lessons for people aged 16 and over with little or no swimming experience, available in their own language.

“This project is part of a really big investment in our community in the budget I handed down earlier this month,” Mr Chalmers said.

 

 

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