Push for more federal funding

221177_01 Cr Jasmine Nguyen

Max Hatzoglou

Brimbank council has asked the federal government for more funding ahead of the election in order to support the community on important issues and projects in the future.

Mayor Jasmine Nguyen said the funding is required to help young people build careers and provide a better future for the community.

“In the lead up to the federal election due in the coming months, we want to make sure that the prime minister has Brimbank on his mind and in his sights,” Cr Nguyen said.

“Our community needs federal funding and support for a range of important issues, from upgrading Albion Station and fixing the Calder Freeway, to impacts associated with the Melbourne Airport Masterplan and Third Runway, helping our young people build careers, and giving them a future by addressing climate change.”

Cr Nguyen stressed the importance of receiving better support from the government.

“We can’t do it alone, and our community deserves better than what it has received from the Federal Government in the past,” she said.

“We’ve called on state and federal treasurers to contribute hundreds of millions in their upcoming budgets, and now, with an election coming, the focus is on the feds to do their bit.”

Earlier this month, the council said it would focus on calling out funding discrepancies as it was suffering from continual underinvestment.

“Our focus is on calling out the grant funding inequity and making sure the West gets its fair share of federal government funding.

“Brimbank is suffering the impact of historic underinvestment. To uplift and revitalise our community, we need investment for a number of key priority projects.

“We’re working hard to seek election commitments from major parties on Brimbank’s priorities and we are determined to ensure they will be addressed by the retained or incoming federal government.”