Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips has welcomed Tuesday night’s responsible Federal Budget delivered by Treasurer Jim Chalmers which she says provides a range of measures to help South Coast residents doing it tough.
The centrepiece of the Budget is two more tax cuts to every Australian taxpayer in 2026 and 2027, adding to the first round that Labor delivered in July last year.
But there are several other significant initiatives as well that will make a meaningful difference for Australians.
“I know cost of living is biting hard, and that’s why the Albanese Labor Government is delivering more tax relief for every Australian taxpayer, more energy bill relief for every household and small businesses, plus cheaper medicines, a well-deserved wage increase for aged care nurses and stopping unfair non-compete clauses,” Mrs Phillips said.
“I’m thrilled that, after working alongside the community for additional health care measures, a re-elected Albanese Labor Government will deliver a new federally-funded Medicare Urgent Care Clinic for Nowra, taking pressure off our very busy Shoalhaven Hospital Emergency Department.
“And I know it will give my community peace of mind to know that, under a re-elected Albanese Labor government, the Batemans Bay clinic will be open 18 hours a day - the longest operating hours of any clinic in the country.
“That's free urgent care for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions, available from 6am until midnight every day.”
Mrs Phillips said, as part of the Albanese Government’s $792.9 million boost to women's healthcare, the South Eastern Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic at Milton would be expanded to provide menopause and perimenopause services.
“Women’s health is a priority for me and I’m so proud to support our local endo team that is changing the lives of women of all ages from Helensburgh to the Victorian Border,” she said.
Through the 2025–26 Budget, the Albanese Government is continuing to provide regional Australians with the support they need today, while helping them to build a better future.
The Albanese Government is investing in education, housing and creating more regional jobs through the Future Made in Australia plan.
“Our young people have lots to celebrate in this Budget too, because we’re making it easier to buy and rent a home, training more tradies with free TAFE and we’re investing in every stage of education, including a 20 per cent cut to student debt and putting all public schools in Australia on a path to full and fair funding,” Mrs Phillips said.
“We are strengthening digital connectivity, with funding to complete the NBN fibre network which will provide improved access to premises across Gilmore.”
Mrs Phillips said providing quality aged care was essential in regional communities and, to properly reflect the value of work performed by aged care workers, the Government would provide $2.6 billion in the Budget to fund further increases in the minimum award wage for aged care nurses, commencing from 1 March 2025.
“This builds on the $15.1 billion invested to support earlier award wage increases since 30 June 2023,” she said.
The Albanese Government is improving the accessibility and affordability of early childhood education and care with the introduction of a 3 Day Guarantee from January 2026, meaning families will be eligible for three days per week of child care subsidy, and families with First Nations children will have a greater entitlement of 100 hours per fortnight of subsidy.
“To support those extra places, we’re injecting $529.6 million over four years from 2024–25 (and an additional $1.2 million in 2028–29) to establish new child care services and to increase the capacity of existing services in regional areas like Gilmore,” Mrs Phillips said.
The Government is keeping regional Australia connected through aviation services.
“We’re working with Rex’s administrators to ensure regional communities don’t get left behind by extending the administration process, guaranteeing regional flight bookings, securing Rex slots at Sydney airport, and supporting the bidders in a second sale process,” Mrs Phillips said.
“These commitments recognise the critical role Rex plays in keeping the South Coast connected and supporting local producers, jobs, medical services and tourism.”
The 2025–26 Budget continues to invest in the people of regional Australia through initiatives that help with cost-of-living pressures, support access to education and training, and strengthen social support.
“Currently, 35 per cent of existing Free TAFE enrolments are in regional locations, and ongoing Free TAFE means affordable and accessible training opportunities for tradies, child carers, mental health workers and nurses, which is fantastic,” Mrs Phillips said.
She said Kiama, Shoalhaven and Eurobodalla councils would benefit from increased support to maintain local roads thanks to the doubling of Roads to Recovery funding – which is progressively increasing from $500 million per year to $1 billion per year, plus increased road Black Spots funding.
Funding for defence and the defence industry is set to flow on to the Shoalhaven region, and builds on the awarding of a $313.5 million contract with Sikorsky Australia to maintain the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter fleet.
“This contract is anticipated to generate 75 new jobs, including 20 apprenticeships, sustaining up to 275 highly skilled, well-paid jobs at the company’s maintenance and logistics facility in Nowra, which is a huge for boost for our area,” Mrs Phillips said.
“I’m committed to supporting our defence personnel and the many veterans that reside in Gilmore, so I’m pleased significant funding has been included in the Budget to ensure veterans and their families thrive in their lives after service, regardless of where they live.”
The government is investing a further $33.6 million in the Clontarf Foundation, enabling it to support up to 12,500 First Nations boys and young men across 162 academies in 2026, including at Shoalhaven, Vincentia and Moruya High Schools.
Mrs Phillips welcomes the Government’s committed $20 million in 2025-26 for initiatives to encourage consumers to buy Australian-made products which will support Australian-owned businesses, including those in regional areas like Gilmore.
Photo: Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips with Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Finance Katy Gallagher.
