FEDERAL Treasurer Peter Costello hands down his eleventh Federal Budget next week, so Star asked Hobsons Bay residents what would be at the top of their Budget wish list.
Malcolm, a 44-year-old businessman said cash for roads was a Federal Budget issue that had a direct and very noticeable impact on people living in the western suburbs.
“I’d like to see some improvements to the roads. Major roads should be upgraded.
“Hobsons Bay has always been a bad place for roads. It’s a safe Labor seat so I wouldn’t be expecting too much from this Liberal Government,” he said.
Malcolm, as with many respondents, said the soaring price of fuel was an important budget issue.
“Fuel will have an impact on families. I feel sorry for anyone trying to run a couple of cars and support a mortgage.”
Malcolm also hoped the Treasurer would address the rising cost of health care and insurance.
“People not being able to afford medical insurance is always a worry,” he said.
Max is a 32-year-old property developer from Altona and knew exactly what he wanted from Mr Costello.
“Less tax! Less capital gains tax. The government makes more on a development than we do.”
Max said the present capital gains arrangement created unfavourable conditions for Australian developers, forcing many to seek opportunities overseas.
“This government has been promising to do something about this for years. They’ve got to do something now. It’s a joke.”
Fuel prices also featured on Max’s list.
“They need to make things a little easier for everyone. People are really struggling out there.”
Max said he had plans to start a family in time and thought the Federal Government should do more to increase and improve public child care services.
Neighbourhood House worker Jelena, 43, said as far as the budget was concerned the status quo suited her just fine.
“Actually, I’m content. How much money can a person need?
“Nice stable jobs lead to a nice stable economy. When you’ve got a job and your health, what else do you need?”
Lyn, 61, of Altona works at a major Melbourne university and said lower taxation was at the top of her Budget wish list.
“With rising petrol prices and the cost of goods in the supermarket, I’m finding it hard to make ends meet.”
Lyn wanted to see a lowering of the fuel tariff as part of the Costello budget.
“I would like the cost of petrol to be less.
“I think the Federal Government can help with the amount of tax they draw from it.
“With the budget in surplus as it is, they can afford it,” she said.
Lyn believed keeping interest rates down was important, and said keeping the economy “healthy and strong” was the only way to achieve this.
She thought this was an area in which the Howard Government had done well during their time in power.
