Supporting our economy
I’ve worked hard to fight for and build our local economy in the face of serious impacts from the pandemic and bushfires.
Our economy suffered more than $260 million in immediate damage during the bushfires, with only about 20 per cent recouped through insurance payouts. The pandemic and border closures in 2020-21 dealt a second blow, with businesses across the region hit hard particularly our award-winning tourism sector which lost over $400 million in visitor expenditure. Here’s just some of what I’ve done:
Secured more than $120 million in community-led bushfire recovery projects across the electorate since 2020
Expanded the $10,000 bushfire recovery grant program across the electorate, reaching more than 1,300 small businesses
Fought for a common sense border bubble in Albury Wodonga to keep our $7.5 billion border economy moving
Pushed to expand JobKeeper to include regional Victoria during the Melbourne lockdowns, especially tourism businesses
Advocated for our local defence industries which pumps over $185 million into our economy each year and employs over 5,500
Supported personal income tax cuts of up to $1,080 for workers in Indi earning $90,000 or less per year.
I’ve also made sure Indi has a seat at the table in Canberra when it comes to national economic management. While we’ve returned to low unemployment in Indi, we’re still facing record low wage growth, rising costs of living, a skills deficit and an affordable housing crisis.
Presented four Indi budget submissions to the Treasurer showcasing more than $500 million in local shovel-ready stimulus projects
Made sure the government delivered on its election commitments, and held them accountable when they didn’t
Led business roundtables between local businesses leaders, local councils, the federal Treasurer, and the Business Council of Australia
Fought to establish a robust federal integrity commission to ensure billions in federal grant money is spent wisely and meets community need
Fought for a workable border solution when the NSW and Victorian state governments made unnecessarily harmful and poorly planned decisions to close the border during the pandemic.
A strong economic vision for Indi
From housing to petrol prices, the cost of living is going up and up. After the bushfires and pandemic, it’s time to build back stronger. We need to build our local workforce, and ensure the essentials remain affordable.
Integrity is at the heart of sound economic management. With nearly one trillion dollars in national debt, the last thing our economy needs is reckless spending in marginal seats to buy votes. We need to be sure taxpayer dollars are spent on projects will strong business cases that will deliver local jobs and growth.
I have listened to our community and developed plans that would help Indi reach its full economic potential.
Regional Housing Infrastructure Fund
Regional Australia, including Indi, is facing a major housing affordability and supply crisis. In the last two years, prices are up 33% in Wodonga, 34% in Wangaratta, and 25% in Benalla. In some of the smaller towns it’s even worse. In Euroa it’s 40%. In Bright, it’s 55%. It is out of control.
I’m fighting to establish a $2 billion fund that helps regional towns build the local infrastructure it needs like roads, street lights, water and sewerage systems, gardens and community centres to open up new blocks of land and affordable housing supply.
The Government’s existing $1 billion National Housing Infrastructure Facility has failed to deliver. Their fund has been around for almost five years, and has only spent a fraction of what it needs to with none coming to Indi. My fund will ensure new lots of land are opened up for development as soon as possible, while also ensuring we maintain what’s great about community and liveability in the regions.