PM’s key answers

LIA BICHEL
MENTAL health, carbon tax, education and troops in Afghanistan.
These were some of the hot topics when Prime Minister Julia Gillard and 13 ministers attended a community cabinet in Berwick last week.
More than 500 residents from City of Casey, Cardinia Shire and City of Greater Dandenong attended the event at Timbarra College on 16 May, where they were given a chance to ask questions during the public forum about issues important to them.
Casey Council wrote to the Prime Minister earlier this year inviting the Federal Government to host a Community Cabinet in Casey.
La Trobe MP Laura Smyth said the event was an important day for residents to have a say about the issues affecting the country and to talk directly to the Prime Minister and Ministers.
“This has a direct impact on our local community in the south east growth corridor,” Ms Smyth said.
“It’s extremely disappointing that while the Federal Government is investing so much in education, Ted Baillieu is determined to cut funds for our TAFEs and opportunities for our young people looking for skills and jobs.”
A local resident asked what the Federal Government had planned to improve the mental health system as suicide was a big issue the City of Casey and surrounds.
“This is an incredibly important issue and one we responded to in the budget prior to this one,” Ms Gillard said.
Minister for Health Tanya Pliberseck said there had been a significant investment into mental health in the budget prior to the one release this month, which included $40million for Victoria.
Climate Change Minister Greg Combet was asked about the carbon price and explained how it would work and said the household assistance package would leave most residents better off through personal tax cuts or direct payments.
Ms Smyth said the household assistance package would leave around 12,000 families across La Trobe with increased family payments.
“It will mean that around 17,000 pensioners in La Trobe will get extra financial support. It will also make a difference for anyone earning less than $80,000 a year, who will see tax cuts of up to $300,” Ms Smyth said.
Ms Gillard also heard from worried residents about the impact of the TAFE spending cuts announced in the State government’s budget. Earlier in the day, the Community Cabinet met with representatives from Monash University, Berwick and Chisholm TAFE about education in the south east. They heard that Victoria’s TAFE cuts could mean up to $30million less for Chisholm TAFE.
Ms Gillard and the ministers also met for one-one-one meetings with local community organizations and council members.
City of Casey Mayor Sam Aziz, Cr Wayne Smith and representatives from council highlighted key advocacy priorities for the municipality with Ms Gillard.
“Council spoke to the Prime Minister about opportunities to improve broadband infrastructure in Narre Warren North, Narre Warren South and Berwick; about funding to contract the Casey Community Resource Centre in Narre Warren and about the establishment of a National Urban Investment Fund to support investment in vital community infrastructure in growing communities,” Cr Aziz said.
“Representing a Melbourne Growth area herself, the Prime Minister indicated that she understands the challenges faced by a rapidly-growing municipality. After a productive meeting with the Prime Minister, council looks forward to strengthening the working partnership with the Federal Government to ensure the infrastructure and services residents need are delivered.”