Hume MP Angus Taylor defends 'short and long-term' budget

Mr Taylor, who holds the seat by a 13 per cent margin, says many of the investments are long-term but cost of living pressures can't be ignored.

"The pain people are feeling at the bowser is incredibly real so a targeted and temporary reduction in the fuel excise, particularly in a region where we drive more than most people, a 22 cent reduction is important to help people make ends meet," he said.

"We're coming out a pandemic and two years that have been as dramatic for Australians as anything since the Second World War and so we have to be aware of the challenges that's creating."

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He was referring to a halving of the fuel excise to 22c for six months, which was expected to save a family with two cars $700 over the period.

Mr Taylor said up to 40,000 people in Hume would benefit from the $250 one-off payments to pensioners, job seekers, concession cardholders, veterans, carers and some self-funded retirees. Up to 71,000 would also see relief through tax offsets.

He and the government have denied the gains would be wiped out by inflationary and interest rate pressures. Mr Taylor said it was incorrect to say wages weren't rising and argued people were receiving more either through promotion or moving to higher-end jobs. In addition, worker shortages were fuelling higher pays.

In the regions, people have complained about rising rents due to the 'tree-changer' drift. The MP maintained the Home Guarantee Scheme, which doubled the number of places to 50,000, would ease affordability pressures.

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A $95.6m allocation for planning and scoping of Picton's bypass and Picton Road's upgrade is the electorate's main big ticket project. State government planning is expected to be completed by mid-2024.

Independent candidate for Hume, Penny Ackery has taken a swipe at Mr Taylor, saying it was "too little too late" after nine years as member. Mr Taylor hit back saying the "$3.5 billion" in infrastructure investment across Hume was at an "unprecedented level" and the government was "getting things done."

Money is also allocated to passing lanes on the main southern rail line to resolve conflicts between passenger and freight train movements.

There is no funding for high-speed-rail between Sydney and Canberra. Mr Taylor said the federal government was awaiting the state's feasibility study but stood ready to support rail projects "where they made sense."

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On other fronts, councils in Hume would receive funding from the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, which had increased by $500m. The money can be used on roads, bike, paths, community and sporting facilities and the like. Phase three allocates:

Mr Taylor said councils in his region would also benefit from increases in other infrastructure programs like disaster assistance, the $40m Bridges Renewal Program, increased road funding and $800m in mobile blackspot funding over five years.

The Regional Accelerator Program allocates $2bn over five years for infrastructure, manufacturing and industry development, skills and training, research and development, and education.

"There is additional regional funding and we'll seek to tap into that for council projects," he said.

Mr Taylor said Goulburn Mulwaree and other councils had benefited from these programs, including for the Towrang Bridge, Goulburn Performing Arts Centre and the city's irrigation re-use scheme.

"The Sydney to Canberra corridor is phenomenally attractive and you have got to get these services and infrastructure in there. The budget locks that it," he said.

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The MP has also spruiked business incentives such as a $120 tax deduction for every $100 spent on training employees, wage subsidies for employees that took on trades trainees and a 20 per cent tax deduction for expenses and depreciation associated with digital take-up.

Asked about Ms Ackery's campaign for Hume, Mr Taylor said he was focused on his achievements and plan.

"I stand on my track record. The region is in fantastic shape. It has strengthened and have investment across all levels of government," he said.

"We have people wanting to live here...and phenomenal growth in jobs and amenities. That will continue to be my focus...I plan to do more."

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