Lyne forgotten in regional funding bloodbath
Federal Member for Lyne, Alison Penfold, has despaired the 2026–27 Federal Budget for failing to recognise the unique challenges facing regional Australia, warning Labor has delivered a bloodbath of a budget that leaves regional and rural communities like Lyne behind.
Ms Penfold said that despite making a detailed pre-Budget submission outlining the urgent needs and priorities of the electorate, the Albanese Government has failed to listen and fund key local priorities.
“Budgets can make or break the ability of our region to thrive, and this Budget lets us down big time,” Ms Penfold said.
“It's the worst budget that I’ve ever seen.
“Labor has ignored our needs as of one of the oldest electorates in the country.
“In terms of local services and infrastructure, there is no funding for the roads and grade-separated interchanges on the Pacific Highway which our communities need.
“They have stripped $21.4 million from regional telecommunications funding making the challenge of addressing mobile and internet blackspots even harder.
“$103 million has been cut from the National Water Grid – the pool of funds that had the potential of providing funds to MidCoast Council for the Kiwarrak Off-River Water Storage Project to secure the Manning’s long term water supply.
“On health, it’s crystal clear that the Albanese Government has abandoned any care and concern for our health needs. In a funding commitment of $1.8 billion for Urgent Care Clinics, there is no funding for one in Taree despite the clear case that has been presented to them over the past 12 months. And embarrassingly for the Government in the budget papers, they even failed to include the Maitland Urgent Care Clinic in a list of regional UCCs that they say have been funded.
“There is a pittance for aged care which won’t even scratch the sides of the Support at Home Waitlist, or address provider and workforce shortages in the regions.
“Worse still, our older and hardworking Australians are hit by this Budget through a higher tax burden as a punishment for aspiration, working hard, paying off homes and building security over decades.
“Not only are they now crucifying older Australians, but they are also closing off the same investment and retirement security to their children and grandchildren through the tax changes.
“The Albanese Government has spent weeks leaking its budget and cuts. I’ve had people reach out to me from all ages with their concerns, outrage and distress. Take the cuts to the private health insurance rebate, it’s a tax on older people, and just yesterday I had a constituent reach out to say how she thought she was doing the right thing by always having private health insurance but now feels totally betrayed and misguided by this Government.”
Ms Penfold acknowledged several measures that are in line with her pre-budget submission ask. This includes $2 billion for critical enabling infrastructure for housing such as power, water and sewerage, an additional round of the Stronger Communities Program, further funding for the Growing Regions Program and an extension of the Local Sporting Champions programs.
“A few small positives do not excuse a Budget that has fundamentally forgotten communities from the Hunter to the Hastings,” Ms Penfold said.
“Labor has essentially made the decision to defund Regional Australia.”
“They should hang their heads in shame.”
ENDS