By MARK COULTON, PARKES MP
Our farmers will be the ones to pay for Labor’s biosecurity protection levy which was introduced to Parliament last week.
The levy will charge Australian farmers for the biosecurity costs importers pose bringing their product to Australia, however the bill introduced lacks any detail of the cost to farmers or how the levy will be collected.
Farmers already pay more than their fair share of taxes, and this is just another cost that will ultimately be passed onto consumers at the checkout – further increasing the cost of living for Australian families.
Flawed housing bill
Last week I spoke in Parliament in opposition to Labor’s Help to Buy Bill, which will allow first home buyers to purchase a property with just a two per cent deposit. The shared equity scheme will effectively see the Government become a 40 per cent part owner of your house.
There are so many unanswered questions around how this will work – what if you want to renovate the house or sell it later on?
I’m not opposed to schemes that help people get into homes – home ownership is an important aspiration that will help secure families’ futures. However, the Coalition’s proposal of allowing people to use part of their superannuation – their own money – for a deposit to get into the housing market is a much more sensible solution.
There are a lot of other issues that the government could be dealing with that would stimulate the construction and purchase of homes – such as encouraging more young people to take up an apprenticeship so that we’ve got the skilled workforce to build more homes, or opening up Crown Land so that our towns can expand – without setting up a scheme where lying next to you in bed is the Federal Government as a part owner in your home.
Thoughts with Palestine
My thoughts remain with all those impacted by the devastating war in Gaza, as I continue my calls for an urgent ceasefire.
Last week I met with representatives from Caritas Australia who updated me on the humanitarian crisis on the ground, which is terribly concerning. Food is critically low and people have a lack of access to the most basic of needs: clean water, safe shelter and medical care.
I also spoke in Parliament about my support for the people of Palestine, having spent eight days in the West Bank a number of years ago, seeing first-hand the suffering as a result of this decades-long conflict.
I never wanted to see this situation become a topic of political division in Australia, but unfortunately, it has become just that. All I ask is that we don’t take sides. We must not forget our humanity and we must look for a solution.
Funding on offer for local festivals
I encourage community festival organisations and regional arts workers in the Parkes electorate to apply for the latest round of the Festivals Australia program.
We’ve had success in the past, with festivals like the Broken Heel Festival in Broken Hill and the Pave the Way to Gular festival in Gulargambone receiving funding under this program.
Up to $150,000 is available for individual arts projects or festivals that invite community participation and audience engagement. Projects can include, but are not limited to, a parade, performance, workshop, installation or exhibition.
Applications for Round 18 of the Festivals Australia program close on 18 March. For more information visit: https://www.arts.gov.au/funding-and-support/festivals-australia
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Farmers will be forced to foot the bill
Mar 6, 2024
By MARK COULTON, PARKES MP
Our farmers will be the ones to pay for Labor’s biosecurity protection levy which was introduced to Parliament last week.
The levy will charge Australian farmers for the biosecurity costs importers pose bringing their product to Australia, however the bill introduced lacks any detail of the cost to farmers or how the levy will be collected.
Farmers already pay more than their fair share of taxes, and this is just another cost that will ultimately be passed onto consumers at the checkout – further increasing the cost of living for Australian families.
Flawed housing bill
Last week I spoke in Parliament in opposition to Labor’s Help to Buy Bill, which will allow first home buyers to purchase a property with just a two per cent deposit. The shared equity scheme will effectively see the Government become a 40 per cent part owner of your house.
There are so many unanswered questions around how this will work – what if you want to renovate the house or sell it later on?
I’m not opposed to schemes that help people get into homes – home ownership is an important aspiration that will help secure families’ futures. However, the Coalition’s proposal of allowing people to use part of their superannuation – their own money – for a deposit to get into the housing market is a much more sensible solution.
There are a lot of other issues that the government could be dealing with that would stimulate the construction and purchase of homes – such as encouraging more young people to take up an apprenticeship so that we’ve got the skilled workforce to build more homes, or opening up Crown Land so that our towns can expand – without setting up a scheme where lying next to you in bed is the Federal Government as a part owner in your home.
Thoughts with Palestine
My thoughts remain with all those impacted by the devastating war in Gaza, as I continue my calls for an urgent ceasefire.
Last week I met with representatives from Caritas Australia who updated me on the humanitarian crisis on the ground, which is terribly concerning. Food is critically low and people have a lack of access to the most basic of needs: clean water, safe shelter and medical care.
I also spoke in Parliament about my support for the people of Palestine, having spent eight days in the West Bank a number of years ago, seeing first-hand the suffering as a result of this decades-long conflict.
I never wanted to see this situation become a topic of political division in Australia, but unfortunately, it has become just that. All I ask is that we don’t take sides. We must not forget our humanity and we must look for a solution.
Funding on offer for local festivals
I encourage community festival organisations and regional arts workers in the Parkes electorate to apply for the latest round of the Festivals Australia program.
We’ve had success in the past, with festivals like the Broken Heel Festival in Broken Hill and the Pave the Way to Gular festival in Gulargambone receiving funding under this program.
Up to $150,000 is available for individual arts projects or festivals that invite community participation and audience engagement. Projects can include, but are not limited to, a parade, performance, workshop, installation or exhibition.
Applications for Round 18 of the Festivals Australia program close on 18 March. For more information visit: https://www.arts.gov.au/funding-and-support/festivals-australia