AS the State Budget fallout continues, two left-wing representatives have weighed in.
A budget to “keep the lights running” was how preselected Greens Goulburn candidate Iain Fyfe described the announcement.
A missed opportunity was how Labor Branch President Jason Shepherd saw it.
Mr Fyfe listed the privatisation of public assets, transport and education as focal points for budget criticism.
“(The budget) is a lot of business as usual,” he said.
“Education wise it seems that private education is still getting better increases than public education… Primary school capital expenditure is going to be down by $42 million and its things like that which are disappointing… “The privatisation of poles and wires is a concern for us,” Mr Fyfe continued.
“We believe it’s just trying to get a splash of money to impress the voters at the next election.
The other concern is the TAFE education system which is being undermined more and more and privatised… another example of a key public service being lost from public hands over time.
“Privatisation is bad, the public education and TAFE undermining is bad; and the lack of concern about public transport is bad strategically.”
Despite the criticism, Mr Fyfe said he was pleased with the Government’s decision to put more money into child protection. He would, however, like to see more of a focus placed on prevention.
A Gundaroo resident, Mr Fyfe was announced as the preselected candidate for Goulburn in April.
Despite the fact the State Election is still some nine months away, he said he was keen to become more vocal within the community.
“I’m planning to get out and about as much as possible and will be working in conjunction with a great group of young people,” he said.
“There is a lot of interest in Goulburn and certainly regionally in terms of what the Greens are doing and what they represent in contrast to Liberal, Nationals and Labor.
“Fundamentally the Greens are looking longer term. The concern of the future generations is a major concern for us. We know we have to look after their future; it’s not just about lifting the standard of living right now to great heights.”
------------Labor weighs in… “A lot of the damage has already been done but I would have thought they would have tried to unwind some of the hurt,” Local Labor president Jason Shepherd said.
“It looks like the budget has just increased what they’ve already been up to. Yes it’s not as bad as what it could have been but with the Federal Budget what it is and with the election coming up they were very careful, but not without an agenda… “The underfunding of health; the cutting of TAFE teachers; rising of TAFE fees; the privatisation of the electricity networks… none of these things are good for Goulburn.”
Of major concern to the branch president was the future for young people in regional areas, following the pressure of federal budget welfare changes and the state budget’s announced TAFE cuts.
“By cutting courses, raising student fees and teachers losing their jobs; How is that any good for the young people?” he asked.
“Especially with federal budget earn or learn scheme. These young people are going to be out of welfare payments for six months but where are they going to learn? “It’s not a matter of growing up and going away… The community is more than money and bottom line. If you can’t provide for people in the bush what’s the point?”