Next week is Budget Week, the 5th Budget to be delivered by the Abbott /Turnbull Governments and its why this week the Government has been busy with a string of prequel announcements and authorised leaks. There will be tax cuts for craft beer brewers, cash for a few projects in marginal Government electorates and days of speculation around personal income tax.
This wont distract from the elephant in this years budget room: Will the Government persist with its plan for an $80 billion tax cut for big business?
It is now well conceded that the money won by big business wont be diverted into workers pay packets or to new job creation but this hasnt deterred the big business lobby or their mates in the Coalition. If they proceed there will be less money available for health, education and infrastructure simple as that.
Other questions for the Government Will they ditch the plan to shift the pension age to 70?Will they lift the Medicare rebate freeze which is seeing out of pocket health costs continue to rise?
And while all of this has been going on theres been some other big things that have come up that have flown under the radar:
- David Gonski released a second report on Australian Schools
- The Chair of AMP resigned after more scandals rocked this once highly revered company
- Labor announced it will phase out the trade in Live Sheep
- The Trump administration provided a permanent exemption from its tariff hikes for Australian Steel manufactures.
And locally
Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education, Amanda Rishworth MP joined Sharon Bird and I to meet with local educators to discuss the impact of the Governments preschool and childcare changes on local families. Read more here...THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES IN THE ILLAWARRA ARE IN FOR A RUDE SHOCK COME JULY 2
Hillview Sculpture Biennale
In the old days Hillviewat Sutton Forrest was the summer retreat for the Governor of NSW. Now it's a heritage listed property dedicated to developing local artists. Last Sunday Hillview was converted into a sculpture park with over 100 artworks for the Annual Hillview Sculpture Bienallie. The Hillview Sculpture Biennale is open until Sunday 27 May from 9am to 5pm at 7277 Illawarra Highway, Sutton Forrest.
Cricket Hall of Fame Bowral
Shout out to the Cricket Hall of Fame in Bowral who held their end of season event last weekend. Great to catch up with the last remaining Invincible, Neil Harvey, who shared some cricket yarns. Neil regaled a packed house at the Cricket Hall of Fame in Bowral with stories of the Invincibles Team and his first tour of England where he had to borrow a bat, gloves and pads because he didnt own any. In a message that wasnt lost on anyone he reminded us that in those days we were paid nothing.
Congratulations to Careways Dapto - successful recipients of the CUA Mutual Community Grant for their Community Sensory Room at the Horsley Community Centre.
What's coming up
Wings Over the Illawarra - This weekend will see another Wings over the Illawarra at the Illawarra Regional Airport Australias best annual airshow returns on Saturday and Sunday, 5 and6May. Gates open Saturday at 9 am and 10 am on Sunday with airshows commencing from 10.30am. Check out the program on the website here.
