The Morrison Government continues to ignore the people of Brand, delivering a Federal Budget that falls well short of what is needed to create jobs and boost our local economy.

Families living in the cities of Rockingham and Kwinana should be feeling safer and more secure after Tuesday’s Budget.

But they’re not.

This Government will rack up $1 trillion of debt that will take decades to repay, but the Budget doesn’t do enough to create employment, fails to build for the future and leaves too many Australians behind.

It contains no fresh spending on crucial infrastructure projects in Brand, such as the long-delayed Karnup Train Station.

Karnup has been a priority for more than 10 years, but it’s still on the drawing board because the Liberals have refused to contribute a cent of federal funding for it (despite the McGowan government’s willingness to do so).

Other projects that missed out in Brand include an upgrade to the Thomas Rd freight link and the Baldivis Sporting Complex.

These are all projects that would create locals jobs in a region where the unemployment rate is above the national average.

I have continuously asked the Federal Government to help fund these projects.

The Budget also fails to deliver any assistance to families through childcare or any investment in education for school children.

The Local Schools Community Fund, which provided grants of up to $200,000 to schools in the 2019-20 financial year, has been cut from this year’s Budget.

In addition, more than 10,000 people receiving Jobseeker wage subsidies in Brand have had their payments cut.

The Budget is particularly tough for unemployed people aged over 35, who have been deliberately excluded from hiring subsidies. This will adversely affect women trying to return to the workforce.

It is beyond belief that the people of Rockingham and Kwinana have been left behind yet again.

I will continue to advocate for the people of Brand, even if this Government has no plan for them.