The Baillieu Government has delivered a crushing blow to the dreams of young Geelong and Surf Coast families hoping to one day own their own home.
Announced in today’s budget, the Baillieu Government has cut the First Home Buyers Bonus for families looking to purchase their first home.
Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP said this decision by the Baillieu Government is a huge blow to young families.
“This funding cut will cause many Geelong and Surf Coast families to reconsider buying or building a home, and for some it will simply mean it is beyond their reach.
“It is a dream for many Victorians to one day own their own home, and today the Baillieu Government has shattered that dream and destroyed potential construction jobs in the region.
“This decision is bad news for local builders and those who depend on the housing and construction market for their job.
“The bonus is essential to the growth of new suburbs such as Armstrong Creek and many new developments around the Western Victoria region.
Victorians are looking to Ted Baillieu and his government to act on protecting their jobs and to stimulate the Victorian economy, Ms Tierney said.
“Mr Baillieu has failed this test of leadership and delivered a budget of excuses and no solutions.
“Investment in rural and regional Victoria is almost non-existant.
“For Geelong and Surf Coast residents, it means residents will not see the promised second hospital built by this government, and we will continue to sit in traffic jams and on over-crowded trains as this government refuses to lift a finger to ease congestion problems between Geelong and Melbourne.
“Only three new school projects over the entire region of Western Victoria have received funding and these projects are only part redevelopments of one primary school and two secondary schools.
“Whilst the Portarlington Primary School, Geelong High School, Birregurra Primary School and Apollo Bay P-12 have been ignored yet again by the Baillieu Government.
“This budget was a chance for Ted Baillieu to stem the flow of Victoria’s job losses and invest in infrastructure to stimulate our economy, and provide buffers for Victorian families.
“However Mr Baillieu has again showed that this government is asleep at the wheel while Victorians lose their jobs and lose hope for a better future,” Ms Tierney said.