TUESDAY night’s Federal budget delivered little in the way of immediate benefit to Wellington shire apart from the direct cash to families for education expenses.
Only time will tell if Wellington shire businesses will gain sufficient benefit from the cash handouts to compensate from the Federal Government’s decision not to lower the company tax.
The business community was looking to the government to distribute the mining tax by a promised reduction in company tax from 30 per cent to 29 per cent.
However the refusal of the Opposition and the Greens to support the tax cut resulted in another broken government promise.
Despite the lack of big ticket items in the budget mayor Peter Cleary was confident the shire would prosper through the government’s ongoing programs including the RAAF Base East Sale expansion.
“The Federal Budget offers little targeted programs or infrastructure developments for the Wellington Shire community,” Cr Cleary said.
“Of course we’re disappointed; however, council recognises that both the State and Federal Government’s have to cut the cloth to respond to challenging economic circumstances.
“The $25 million allocated in 2012/13 for the RAAF Base East Sale Redevelopment is a positive sign of continuing investment and viability of this critical defence facility.”
For more read Friday’s Gippsland Times.
