My government’s pledge is to keep taxation lower for families and small business, stand behind our farmers and work to create and fill jobs, whether you are leaving school or wanting to transition to new or part time employment.

$1 billion in tax revenue has been returned to Farrer over the last five years, and with a well-managed economy this type of commitment to regional Australia can continue.

Whether that’s for Albury’s PCYC to help update their change rooms, $4m to build a new radiation and oncology treatment centre for Griffith, new Murray river crossings at Moama and Swan Hill or funding to  build an animal-proof fence around Wentworth Aerodrome – there are many more examples below*.

Getting back to a budget surplus also means we can deliver tax relief for families and small businesses, guarantee increased funding for schools, deliver better health services and our regional infrastructure needs.

With local election discussion dominated by water, I need to give you my assurances on dealing with the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

The Plan has flaws and needs sensible changes for it to work better for our water communities.

Others argue about suspending water trading and re-attaching water to land. My focus is about protecting the value of irrigator’s assets and working closely with the NSW government to secure more allocations.

We must build flexibility into the management of environmental water over the longer term.

A Labor Government, with support from the Greens and Independents, risks lifting my 1500gl cap on buybacks, abandoning investment in water saving infrastructure and scrapping the test on social and economic impacts.

Now is not the time to turn back!

*Returning the Morrison Government to office means we can deliver upgrades like these, not only in Farrer but right across the nation.

• $7.9m to help complete the Davey Rd Interchange with the Hume Freeway

• Over $4m for new radiotherapy/oncology centre at Griffith to service patients in MIA

• $1.4m to the Narrandera Sportsground clubrooms, change rooms and medical area

• $496,000 to assist in the upgrade of the Leeton Showgrounds

• Solar Panel & Battery Installation, Jerilderie Sports Club ($155,405)

• Sports Advancement Initiative Tocumwal Golf and Bowls Club ($64,993)

• Shade Sails/Viewing Area Corowa Golf club ($35,125)

• Solar Panels 2018 – Corowa Rowing Club ($35,799)

• Surface upgrades to three of Albury’s high use sporting parks ($250,000)

• Resurfacing of two tennis courts at Burrumbuttock Tennis Club ($50,000)

• $368,000 for Finley R&D facility to help develop a new drought/low water strategy

• $1m funding boost for Drought Communities Hay, Balranald. Berrigan & Federation

• Up to $1m for communities severely impacted by the Basin Plan inc Pooncarie (Lower Darling), Coomealla, Wentworth, Hay, Denemein, Deniboota & Berrigan

• $50,000 into the Gurdwarah Singh Sabha Society to host the annual Sikh Games

• $200,000 towards ‘Boys to the Bush’ assisting disadvantaged young males

• $60m to build a new bridge and Murray crossing at Swan Hill.

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