FEDERAL Member for Bowman Henry Pike has launched a strong attack on the Federal Budget, claiming it delivers higher taxes, rising debt and little meaningful investment for the Redlands.
Mr Pike said Australians would face an additional $50 billion in taxes over the next four years, including around $15 billion in higher personal income taxes, alongside changes affecting housing, small businesses, farms and investments.
“At a time when families are already under enormous pressure, this Budget asks Australians to pay more while getting less in return,” Mr Pike said.
“The Government’s heavily promoted $250 tax offset barely scratches the surface when the average mortgage holder is paying around $29,000 more a year under this Labor Government.”
Mr Pike said the Budget failed to deliver major infrastructure commitments for the rapidly growing Redlands region, despite increasing congestion and pressure on local services.
“There are no major commitments for the road and transport projects our community urgently needs,” he said.
“The next stages of the Wellington Street duplication remain unfunded despite clear community demand and worsening traffic congestion across the city.”
Mr Pike warned the removal of key local funding programs would leave councils and community organisations facing a major shortfall.
“The axing of programs like Local Roads and Community Infrastructure and Stronger Communities is a major blow to the Redlands,” he said.
“Those programs delivered more than $16 million for practical local projects, sporting clubs and community organisations. That funding is now gone.”
The Bowman MP also raised concerns over cuts to mobile infrastructure funding, particularly in the wake of recent telecommunications outages experienced during Cyclone Alfred.
“At the very moment communities are demanding stronger resilience and emergency connectivity, the Government is winding back support for mobile infrastructure programs,” he said.
“Reliable mobile coverage is not a luxury. During emergencies, it can be the difference between safety and isolation.”
Mr Pike said bay island communities including the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, Coochiemudlo and North Stradbroke Island continued to miss out on many regional funding programs.
“Our island communities face many of the same challenges as regional Australia, yet they continue to miss out because of bureaucratic classifications rather than genuine need,” Mr Pike said.
He also criticised the Budget for failing to address what he described as a growing legal burden on councils responding to native title claims.
“There remains a major imbalance in native title funding, with governments funding claimants while councils and communities are left to carry the legal costs of responding,” he said.
Mr Pike acknowledged previously secured Coalition investments under the South East Queensland City Deal would continue, including upgrades to local sporting infrastructure, the planned Dunwich ferry terminal upgrade and funding tied to Brisbane 2032 Olympic infrastructure.
However, he said the broader Budget lacked a long-term vision for outer suburban communities such as the Redlands.
“Redlanders needed targeted investment in roads, infrastructure and genuine cost of living relief,” Mr Pike said.
“Instead, this Budget delivers higher taxes, fewer local programs and no serious plan for the future of growing outer suburban communities like ours.”
“I’ll continue fighting for practical investment that improves local infrastructure, strengthens community resilience and eases the pressure on local families.”
