Cowper candidates have their say on federal budget

There are four candidates vying for the seat at the federal election - the Nationals' Patrick Conaghan, Independent Rob Oakeshott, United Australia's Alexander Stewart and Labor's Andrew Woodward. 

Each candidates was asked to share their thoughts on the federal budget.

Below are their responses. 

Pat Conaghan, The Nationals

Tens of thousands of people in Cowper will be beneficiaries of the 2019 budget through the bringing forward of increased income tax cuts, many by the maximum of $1080 that applies to incomes from $48,000 to $90,000.

Small businesses, which are the lifeblood of the community, will also benefit from the bringing forward of tax cuts to a maximum 25%, while education, health and infrastructure spending hit new record levels.

These are the sorts of outcomes that can only be achieved through prudent Coalition economic management - and it's all been done without tax increases.

Rob Oakeshott, Independent

We get to the end of another parliament with no surplus delivered but promised.

Debt in the past six years is higher than the previous 118 years combined and taxing at 23.9% of GDP is on the higher side.

On the upside, the expansion of the small business asset write-off and the tax breaks in 13 weeks are good, as is the cash-splash on energy prices.

It appears to be a stimulus budget which is part pre-election vote buying but also part reflective of dark clouds around the economy.

Alexander Stewart, United Australia

I welcome modest tax relief for persons earning under $126,000 per year, especially those under $90,000 per year, in order to make up for sluggish wages growth for many years.

However, there is almost nothing for self-funded retirees and pensioners.

While I welcome the expansion of apprenticeships, there is little to address youth unemployment across the nation.

I don't see anything that would bring down power bills for households or industries struggling under electricity and gas prices that are among the highest in the world.

Andrew Woodward, Labor

The final budget of the Abbott Turnbull Morrison Government confirmed they have little to offer the people of Port Macquarie, Coffs, Kempsey and the mid-north coast.

We heard nothing new from the government on addressing our youth unemployment crisis; lowering the 2,000 plus aged care home package waiting list; making housing more affordable; fixing the NBN or accelerating renewables and reducing electricity prices.

There are four critical issues in this election locally - addressing unemployment, acting on climate change, reducing inequality and bringing integrity back to government.

With this budget, they're none from four.

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