The Federal Member for Bowman Henry Pike has criticised the Federal Budget, saying it delivers higher taxes, mounting debt and little meaningful investment for the Redlands.
Mr Pike said Australians were being hit with an additional $50 billion in taxes over the next four years, including around $15 billion in higher personal income taxes, alongside changes impacting housing, small businesses, farms and investments.
“At a time when families are already under enormous pressure, this Budget asks Australians to pay more while getting less in return,” Mr Pike said.
“The Government’s heavily promoted $250 tax offset barely scratches the surface when the average mortgage holder is paying around $29,000 more a year under this Labor Government.”
Mr Pike said the Budget contained little for the Redlands despite growing population pressures, worsening congestion and increasing demand on local infrastructure.
“There are no major commitments for the road and transport projects our community urgently needs,” he said.
“The next stages of the Wellington Street duplication remain unfunded despite clear community demand and worsening traffic congestion across the city.”
Mr Pike warned the removal of key local funding programs would also leave a significant gap for community organisations and councils.
“The axing of programs like Local Roads and Community Infrastructure and Stronger Communities is a major blow to the Redlands,” he said.
“Those programs delivered more than $16 million for practical local projects, sporting clubs and community organisations. That funding is now gone.”
Concerns were also raised about cuts to mobile infrastructure funding following recent telecommunications outages during Cyclone Alfred.
“At the very moment communities are demanding stronger resilience and emergency connectivity, the Government is winding back support for mobile infrastructure programs,” he said.
“Reliable mobile coverage is not a luxury. During emergencies, it can be the difference between safety and isolation.”
Bay island communities continue to be overlooked, with Southern Moreton Bay Islands, Coochiemudlo and North Stradbroke Island still excluded from many regional funding programs.
“Our island communities face many of the same challenges as regional Australia, yet they continue to miss out because of bureaucratic classifications rather than genuine need,” Mr Pike said.
Mr Pike further criticised the Budget for failing to address the growing legal burden on councils responding to native title claims.
“There remains a major imbalance in native title funding, with governments funding claimants while councils and communities are left to carry the legal costs of responding,” he said.
Mr Pike acknowledged that previously secured Coalition investments under the South East Queensland City Deal would continue, including upgrades to local sporting infrastructure and the planned Dunwich ferry terminal upgrade, alongside funding linked to Brisbane 2032 Olympic infrastructure.
However, he said the broader Budget failed to provide a credible long term plan for communities like the Redlands.
“Redlanders needed targeted investment in roads, infrastructure and genuine cost of living relief,” Mr Pike said.
“Instead, this Budget delivers higher taxes, fewer local programs and no serious plan for the future of growing outer suburban communities like ours.”
“I’ll continue fighting for practical investment that improves local infrastructure, strengthens community resilience and eases the pressure on local families.”