fiscal management, unlike the $96 billion deficit the last Labor government left the Coalition in 1996,” Mrs Hull said.

“Whilst there have been positive announcements made in the Budget – including child care and education – contrary to promises made by this Labor government, Australian people have had little assistance from this Budget to help battle rising costs of living such as petrol, groceries,

private health insurance and home interest rates.

“This government has had the benefit of over $17 billion surplus left by the Howard government.

“Yet we have witnessed a budget with higher spending, higher taxing and higher unemployment – according to Treasury forecasts there will be 134,000 new unemployed in the first year as a result of this Budget.

“I have never expected key line items in any Budget. I do expect that funds will be applied when needed, however, I do have doubts that will happen if the current trend of the government is to continue.

“Rural and regional Australia makes up one third of the population and we have suffered two thirds of the cuts from this Government.

“In three key areas – regional development, communications and agriculture – Labor has stripped more than $1 billion from regional and rural Australia.

“Labor has abolished the Regional Partnerships and Growing Regions programs, saving funding already committed to Labor’s election promises and there will be no new money for regional projects until late 2009 (in time for the next election campaign).

“In the Riverina electorate there are many organisations and councils with applications submitted for assessment under Regional Partner-ships and many more with plans to apply for funding grants and the loss of this program will make it very difficult for these communities.

“Existing agricultural programs worth $334 million have been replaced with those worth only $220 million, nearly all of which relate to climate change and there has been no commitment made to Exceptional circumstances beyond 2009-2010.