Budget time - putting Fremantle first
06.05.09
Labor candidate for Fremantle Peter Tagliaferri today called on both the State and Federal Governments to make sure local residents living in and around Fremantle benefit from next week's budgets.
Mr Tagliaferri said he wanted to make sure Fremantle and surrounding suburbs did not miss out, particularly at a time of great economic uncertainty.
"I will be looking to both the State and Federal Governments to deliver on some key projects for local residents mainly focused on jobs, crime prevention, law and order, education and more public open spaces," he said.
"I urge the Barnett Government to follow the Federal Government's lead and support local infrastructure projects to boost the local economy and provide certainty to local workers and businesses."
Mr Tagliaferri identified specific funding priorities as follows:
Federal budget - 12 May
- Crime prevention funding: $500,000 to fund Stage 2 of the CCTV system including a mobile CCTV camera to respond to and deter anti-social behaviour and crime. Currently there are 9 CCTV cameras in the area. In 18 months, more than 530 incidents have been reported.
- Return of Cantonment Hill site to the people of Fremantle: The Cantonment Hill site has significant historic, military, environmental, indigenous, cultural and social significance for the people of Fremantle. It will provide a free public open space with lookout and picnic and sporting areas for families.
State budget - 14 May
- Protecting local health services at Fremantle Hospital: Adequate funding for Fremantle Hospital and a guarantee that health services including catering, cleaning and some orderly services at Fremantle Hospital are not privatised as part of the three per cent budget cuts.
- Community safety: Support the establishment of a major police 'hub' in Fremantle. The hub would be a base for general policing including CIB, traffic, lock-up facility and specialist services for the port city such as Australian Federal Police and Australian Customs Services.
- Powering our schools using renewable energy: Funding to install photovoltaic panels at all schools to capture solar power to offset rising energy costs. When schools are closed, excess power will be fed into the State's electricity network.
"The Government must adopt a state-wide strategic approach and it must be proactive in protecting WA jobs," he said.