Differing Views On Fund Priorities

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday May 14, 2008

GR

LAST night's Federal budget failed to deliver the big ticket items and in a double blow, scrapped a regional funding program, Paterson MP Bob Baldwin said.

Mr Baldwin said constituents could feel disappointed by the absence of capital funds for the F3 link road.

"They have a $21 billion in surplus and major projects are not delivered," he said.

Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon said Labor's first budget needed to tackle inflation to take the heat off interest rates.

"The personal income tax cuts are very much targeted at low to middle income earners our key income brackets," he said.

Charlton MP Greg Combet said it was a "fantastic budget" that confirmed funding for a GP super clinic and clean coal projects.

Newcastle MP Sharon Grierson said the Calvary Mater PET scanner Medicare licence had been funded.

She said there was also $15.7 million for the Weakleys Drive Interchange.

Shortland MP Jill Hall was unavailable for comment.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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