*Pic: Andrew Wilkie speaks during the meeting
The Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, has spoken at a grassroots forum organised to demonstrate the widespread opposition in the community to the Federal Budget.
The meeting was organised by Julieann Canty, a 61-year-old Lenah Valley woman who has been on the disability pension for almost four decades due to a brain tumour and associated chronic pain.
After her rent is paid she has $135 a fortnight left to pay for groceries, doctors’ visits and medicine. She has already put off seeing her GP to practise for the introduction of the proposed $7 co-payment.
Mr Wilkie said unfortunately Ms Canty’s situation is commonplace and the Federal Budget will hurt millions of Australians unless it’s rejected in full by the Parliament.
“That’s why I’m prepared to stand up and vote against the Appropriation Bills to force the Government back to the drawing board to produce a kinder and fairer Budget,’’ he said.
“This Federal Budget is one of the most breathtaking attacks on disadvantaged people modern Australia has witnessed. It’s also a breach of trust by the Federal Government.
“But despite their loud protests and handwringing, Labor and the Greens continue to be willing to sell out their communities and wave the Appropriation Bills through the Parliament and into law. I again urge Labor and Greens to reconsider their position.
“Every government has the right to try and implement the platform it took to an election. But no government has the right to wage an ideological crusade against the poorest and most disadvantaged members of the community.’’
