Last week the federal government released its Budget, and frankly, am disappointed. This Budget is yet another marketing exercise that can't re-brand the mismanagement and missed opportunities that define eight long years of this Liberal-National Government. The Budget failed to address regional GP shortages across the Hunter and didn't make any solid commitment to real wage growth and job creation. The next issue I have with this Budget is its failure to provide any commitment to increase the pension and other support payments. People across our region are struggling with the rising cost of living. and pensioners are feeling this burden more than most. Unfortunately, this government missed an opportunity to look after senior Australians and offer any substantial increase to ease the burden of rising power prices and health costs. The Budget is a shameless political fix rather than the genuine reform needed to make Australia's economy more robust, broader, and sustainable into the future. Just because the recession could have been worse doesn't mean the recovery can't be better. At the last Budget, this government promised jobs for our children. Instead of their centrepiece policy. JobMaker' created just 1,000 of the 450,000 jobs promised; Australians can't believe any jobs promised in this Budget. The PM wants to brag about 170,000 new apprenticeships, but the government's own data reveals that under his government, there are 150,000 fewer apprentices than when Labor was last in government. So this announcement is really only replacing what has been taken away. Our kids need work, they are desperately seeking opportunity, and this government is leaving them behind. Enough is enough. They won't tell you when you'l be vaccinated. They haven't secured more vaccines. They haven't come clean on the costs and risks of failing to deliver fit for purpose quarantine facilities. After eight long years of job insecurity, weak wages growth, neglect, and waste, this Budget is another missed opportunity to inwest in Australians, jobs, and their future. I want to see towns like across our region thriving again. This can only happy with real investment from a government that values workers, jobs, and regions like ours. I want to thank everyone who's been in contact with me about your concerns on this Budget and assure you I will work hard to make the Morrison government accountable to you. Many people over the past week have asked me what is the "Budget in reply speech"; this is the opportunity for the leader of the opposition (in this case Anthony Albanese MP) to present an alternative platform to the Australian people. I would encourage members of our community to listen to Mr Albanese's reply and consider what our region needs to flourish into the future. In Labors platform, we are committed to cheaper childcare for working families, secure jobs with fair pay and conditions and national reconstruction that squarely focuses on jobs - good, secure jobs. MERYL SWANSON MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR PATERSON SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR DEFENCE Last week the federal government released its Budget, and frankly, am disappointed. This Budget is yet another marketing exercise that can't re-brand the mismanagement and missed opportunities that define eight long years of this Liberal-National Government. The Budget failed to address regional GP shortages across the Hunter and didn't make any solid commitment to real wage growth and job creation. The next issue I have with this Budget is its failure to provide any commitment to increase the pension and other support payments. People across our region are struggling with the rising cost of living. and pensioners are feeling this burden more than most. Unfortunately, this government missed an opportunity to look after senior Australians and offer any substantial increase to ease the burden of rising power prices and health costs. The Budget is a shameless political fix rather than the genuine reform needed to make Australia's economy more robust, broader, and sustainable into the future. Just because the recession could have been worse doesn't mean the recovery can't be better. At the last Budget, this government promised jobs for our children. Instead of their centrepiece policy. JobMaker' created just 1,000 of the 450,000 jobs promised; Australians can't believe any jobs promised in this Budget. The PM wants to brag about 170,000 new apprenticeships, but the government's own data reveals that under his government, there are 150,000 fewer apprentices than when Labor was last in government. So this announcement is really only replacing what has been taken away. Our kids need work, they are desperately seeking opportunity, and this government is leaving them behind. Enough is enough. They won't tell you when you'l be vaccinated. They haven't secured more vaccines. They haven't come clean on the costs and risks of failing to deliver fit for purpose quarantine facilities. After eight long years of job insecurity, weak wages growth, neglect, and waste, this Budget is another missed opportunity to inwest in Australians, jobs, and their future. I want to see towns like across our region thriving again. This can only happy with real investment from a government that values workers, jobs, and regions like ours. I want to thank everyone who's been in contact with me about your concerns on this Budget and assure you I will work hard to make the Morrison government accountable to you. Many people over the past week have asked me what is the "Budget in reply speech"; this is the opportunity for the leader of the opposition (in this case Anthony Albanese MP) to present an alternative platform to the Australian people. I would encourage members of our community to listen to Mr Albanese's reply and consider what our region needs to flourish into the future. In Labors platform, we are committed to cheaper childcare for working families, secure jobs with fair pay and conditions and national reconstruction that squarely focuses on jobs - good, secure jobs. MERYL SWANSON MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR PATERSON SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR DEFENCE