Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said the 2020-21 state budget was a missed opportunity for communities doing it tough.
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Large areas of the electorate have been overlooked in this year's budget, including those struggling the most financially with the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic," Ms Kealy said.
"The government seems to have concentrated many of its priority and big-ticket projects on Melbourne and has not paid enough attention to rural and regional areas," Ms Kealy said.
Data released by financial analytics consultancy Taylor Fry in early November revealed cuts to JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments had an immediate impact on the finances of Australian households.
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Since March, Taylor Fry has been tracking the financial impact of the pandemic by postcode.
Its recent financial impact scores revealed postcodes in the Wimmera were among the most financially impacted.
A score of 6.5 or greater, achieved by parts of Horsham, West Wimmera and Hindmarsh Shire's, represents the greatest financial disadvantage, as at October 2020, from the coronavirus pandemic.
Ms Kealy said residents in border communities have been largely shunned by the budget.
"West Wimmera residents have had the dual challenges of lockdowns and border closures, yet there was not a cent in the budget for them," Ms Kealy said.
Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes said the budget delivers on things that are most important to regional Victorians.
"Whether it's investing in our country hospitals, schools, businesses or farms, we are a government that wants regional Victoria stronger than ever before," Ms Symes said.
The government's education investment was welcomed by Ms Kealy, who said she was pleased to see Rainbow P-12 College, Horsham Special School and Natimuk Primary School share in funding.
The Warracknabeal Education Precinct, to co-locate three schools, will be completed following confirmation of funding in the budget.
"I commend Warracknabeal teachers, students and families for taking up this fight and never giving up," Ms Kealy said.
Despite the multimillion dollar education spend in the electorate, Ms Kealy said Lowan received no health funding and very little cash for roads.
"The government set aside $2.8 billion on roads, yet we will receive $4 million for the Henty Highway from Horsham to Lascelles," she said.
"This is a drop in the ocean for a road spanning about 145 kilometres."
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