Independent Member for Indi, Helen Haines, has made the case for significant investment in projects that benefit communities in the electorate in her submission to the federal government ahead of the May budget.

The key themes of Dr Haines’ Indi Budget Submission reflect the widespread concerns of the electorate right now including increasing regional housing supply, providing cost-of-living relief and improving health outcomes.

She is also advocating for funding for the upgrade of the Benambra Corryong Road.

“This is a priority of the Towong Shire with $40 million sought for the delivery of stage one of the project,” she said.

Dr Haines’ detailed funding proposals have been created in partnership with local councils, regional development groups and community stakeholders such as Albury Wodonga Health, Alpine Resorts Victoria, Tourism North East and TAFE.

“The federal budget is a critical time for the government to invest in projects that are feasible, have merit and are supported by the community,” she said.

“My budget submission makes recommendations for measures that address common needs across the electorate, as well as projects that would create notable impact in specific regional communities.

“I also call for the federal government to pledge extra funding to the redevelopment of Albury Wodonga Health, to deliver on the single site hospital our region deserves.”

Dr Haines has advocated fiercely for funding to address the housing crisis in regional and rural Australia. In her budget submission, Dr Haines urges the government to establish a $2 billion Regional Housing Infrastructure Fund to build basic infrastructure needed to support new developments and social housing infrastructure.

The budget submission also contains a suite of measures designed to ease cost-of-living pressures including:-

• substantially increasing the rates of income support payments and rent assistance

Other measures proposed by Dr Haines include:-

• funding initiatives that reduce energy costs for households and small businesses
• more primary health care relief to lower healthcare expenses, and
• the continuation of fee-free TAFE

“I am hearing from people every day that cost-of-living pressures are mounting,” Dr Haines said.

“No-one should have to choose between putting food on the table and seeing a doctor. The government must do more to incentivise bulk billing.”

Each of Indi’s nine local government areas are championed by Dr Haines’ in her budget submission.

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 21 March 2024.