Recently, I brought together 100 local school leaders from across the Oxley Electorate. I asked them a simple question: what are your priorities for our community?
There were so many fantastic answers. I’m really excited to take their feedback down to Canberra, and keep working towards the future these young people deserve.
The students also heard from Queensland Premier (and local State MP for Inala) Annastacia Palaszczuk, who shared her unique insights on leadership. Thanks also to Breeanna Brock, CEO of the Brisbane Lions’s Women’s side, for joining us to chat about the importance of women stepping into all kinds of leadership roles.
I’ll be putting together a report on the meeting and the key issues raised by students, which I will take down to Canberra and present to the Prime Minister and key Ministers, putting the priorities of our young people on the Federal Government’s agenda.
A lot of the priorities that the students raised were tackled in the recent Federal Budget. This includes addressing the cost of living, taking action on climate change, protecting young people from the use of vapes, improving women’s equality, and much more.
This is a budget that has some fantastic news for local families, with the announcement of a $14.6 billion cost of living package. Cost of living is the number one issue raised with me when I’m out and about in the community – and this package will go a long way towards addressing this for locals. Measures introduced include significant energy bill relief, cheaper medicines (which will see some patients save up to $180 a year), and an extension of eligibility for Single Parenting payments.
Our national health system will also see significant investment, with the Government pledging measures to improve Medicare and bolster our local GP network.
I also want to highlight the government’s commitment to our incredible aged care workers. This budget will deliver a record 15 percent pay increase for over 250,000 aged care workers across the country. These dedicated workers deserve a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work, and we are delivering exactly that.
This historic pay rise will benefit registered nurses, enrolled nurses, assistants in nursing, personal care workers, head chefs and cooks, recreational activities officers, and home care workers across our community.
It’s a significant investment, totalling $11.3 billion, and reflects the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
This budget has a lot of good news for local families, and will leave everyday Australians better off. If you have any questions about the budget measures, or any other Federal Government issue, you can contact my office on 3879 6440 or at Milton.Dick.MP@aph.gov.au.
