In the News
Monday, 14 May 2012
Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke MP, welcomed Michelle Rowland’s confirmation (Rouse Hill Times 9/5/12) that she opposes her Labor Government’s policy not to fund the North West Rail line.
“This Labor government has yet again sidelined the priorities of Sydney’s North West but there may be some good news to come off the back of this decision, Mr Hawke said.
Greenway Labor MP Michelle Rowland has stated this week she disagreed with Infrastructure Australia’s recommendations not to fund the Northwest Rail Link and supported Premier Barry O’Farrell pledge to build the line. “There is no argument that it has to be built” she said.
Mr Hawke says “I have repeatedly called on this government over the last four years to fund this important project and time upon time they have provided no funding commitment. At a minimum the Federal Government should behave responsibly and allow the NSW State Government to set the infrastructure priorities for our State.”
Mr Hawke will this week submit a motion on notice without Federal interference to Parliament calling on the government to change their position and provide the $2.1 billion directly to the NSW government without strings attached. “Given Michelle Rowland’s recent comments, I will be asking her to second the motion and commit her support to this motion calling for the Federal funding to be allocated on a proper basis”.
“If Michelle Rowland supports this motion, I am confident we can get it passed and place significant pressure on the Federal government to do the right thing by North West Sydney and her electorate. In light of her recent public comments I look forward to sitting down with her, working together to get this rail link built. I look forward to a bi-partisan approach towards fixing one of the biggest infrastructure problems in NSW,” concluded Alex Hawke.
Wednesday, 09 May 2012
The Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke MP, said the Budget is a major disappointment for residents of Mitchell.
“This year’s Budget demonstrates no plan to build a stronger economy, repay debt or create secure jobs”, said Alex Hawke.
“It’s a confused budget. All it delivers is more borrowing, more taxes, record debt – and the world’s biggest carbon tax.
Five days before the last election, Julia Gillard promised “there will be no carbon tax under the government I lead” and this year’s Budget 2012 is Australia’s first carbon tax Budget.
“The world’s biggest carbon tax is about to hit families, jobs and investment at the world’s worst time.
“The carbon tax will act as a wrecking ball across the local economy and we will all be paying for it through increased prices, higher energy bills and pressure on local businesses
Alex Hawke said he was also concerned about the government’s announcement that it will seek to increase Australia’s debt ceiling to a record $300 billion – four times higher than it was in 2008.
“This is another increase in our nation’s credit card limit. We will see net government debt climb to a record in 2013-14. That is an increase of almost $40 billion since last year’s Budget.
“And by 2015-16, the government will be spending over $8 billion a year or around $22 million a day on interest payments alone.
“We are now paying the price for Labor’s four record deficits which together total $174 billion.
Alex Hawke said he was concerned that the Budget papers forecast a rise in unemployment to 5.5 per cent.
“Last year’s Budget promised 500,000 new jobs over two years, but the Government now expects to miss its target by 300,000 jobs. Meanwhile the Government is cutting $200 million out of jobs services programmes.
Alex Hawke said Mitchell residents want a government which can deliver an economic strategy to build a stronger Australia, reduce cost of living pressures and create secure jobs.
“Instead they have a government mired in chaos and a Prime Minister with no judgment. Australians will be asking themselves: how long will this one last?”
The Federal Budget is a major disappointment for residents of Mitchell. “This year’s Budget
demonstrates no plan to build a stronger economy, repay debt or create secure
jobs”, said Alex Hawke.
“It’s a confused budget. All it delivers is more borrowing, more taxes, record debt – and the
world’s biggest carbon tax. Click here to read more....
Monday, 07 May 2012
The Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke, has reiterated his call for the Gillard Government to provide funding for critically needed infrastructure in North West Sydney. This follows reports that Infrastructure Australia has formally rejected a request from the State Government to fund the North West Rail Link.
“This is a complete disgrace. Federal Labor has built no infrastructure for four years in Sydney and they continue to put political priorities over transport priorities, Mr Hawke said.
“During the 2010 election campaign the Gillard Government made a commitment to jointly fund the Parramatta to Epping rail link with the New South Wales Government.
“There was much cynicism when the Prime Minister announced the Parramatta to Epping rail link – ten days before the election. The announcement took many in the New South Wales Government by surprise and some consider it was cobbled together in a rush to satisfy a political problem rather than assist residents in Northwest Sydney.
“We expect the Gillard Government to honour its commitments, “concluded Alex Hawke.
Friday, 4 May 2012
The Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke MP, said he expected next Tuesday’s Budget will produce an artificial surplus and will do nothing to help Mitchell families and businesses.
“This will be a ‘cook the books’ budget rather than a ‘kitchen table’ budget”, said Alex Hawke.
“The Budget will be all about Julia Gillard and Wayne Swan’s future rather than the futures of local families and business who are about to be hit with the world’s biggest carbon tax”.
“The Government has been borrowing $100 million every day and we are now paying the price for Wayne Swan’s waste and mismanagement.
“I expect the Government will claim to deliver a nominal surplus, but this is only because the Government is shuffling billions off the balance sheet. The Government has even shuffled the multi-billion NBN off its balance sheet.
“Labor has cooked the books and artificially boosted the budget position by $10 billion. The real starting point for next week’s budget is not a $1.5 billion surplus but an $8.5 billion deficit.
“Families don’t pretend the credit card bill or the car lease is not in the family Budget, but somehow the Gillard government can pretend billions of dollars in wasteful spending is not occurring and not in the Budget.
“I am sure we will also see more broken promises. Julia Gillard promised “there will be no carbon tax under the government I lead” and she promised to protect the private health insurance rebate. She broke her word to the people of Mitchell just like she broke her word to Kevin Rudd.
Alex Hawke said the Budget will be the first ‘carbon tax budget’ that will be delivered on the eve of major electricity and gas price increases and price increases to private health insurance due to changes to the private health insurance rebate.
“Double digit electricity prices will skyrocket from 1 July due to the world’s biggest carbon tax and this will flow on to price increases on all of the necessities of life.
“The price of food, transportation, clothing, eating out, dry cleaning, council rates and every item in household budgets will go up and up. The only items that will have no carbon tax will be imports as the carbon tax acts as a reverse tariff.
“The Government’s broken promise on the private health insurance rebate will also see the cost of private health insurance increase by up to $1,000 a year. It will also increase pressure on the cost of premiums and increase waiting lists at public hospitals as people quit or downgrade their private health insurance.
“The real impact of this year’s budget on Mitchell households and business will be felt after 1 July when the world’s biggest carbon tax commences,” concluded Alex Hawke.