Anthony Roberts MP, Shadow Minister for Citizenship today held a Budget Briefing to Members of the multicultural media to point out Labor’s failure to support Australia’s multicultural ideals.

“The 4% increase in the budget towards the Community Relations Commission does nothing for the Australian multicultural community and is only designed to promote the Labor Government,” he said.

“We need to deliver programs that will embrace social inclusion and we need to work towards having services and departments that are accessible to the growing culturally rich population in NSW,” he said.

“Labor’s spin-doctors tell us this budget will take NSW out of the black in two years time, that simply can’t be believed.

“With the over 65 population from culturally diverse background reaching 23 per cent by 2011, it is vitally important that we have culturally competent people and Departments that will create a socially inclusive NSW.

“The Liberal/National Coalition will create a platform where we will work with multicultural Australian communities.   We have already begun this process through the establishment of our Cultural and Citizenship Advisory Forum, our International Students Roundtable discussions, as well as our ongoing engagement with members of our culturally diverse groups in NSW.”

Shadow Treasurer, Mike Baird, said the Budget confirms the poor state of the NSW economy, with the state in recession and an expectation that 70,000 more people will lose their jobs.

“This is disappointing news for anyone in small business as the Budget, despite the claims from the Government, offers nothing to support employment,” he said.

“The Liberal/Coalition is proposing a 20 percent payroll tax cut for businesses in high unemployment areas, with a 15 percent cut for businesses in the remainder of the state for the next financial year, as part of a focused policy on job creation.

“We have also announced the creation of Infrastructure NSW to ensure major projects are delivered on time, on budget and reflecting the real needs of the community.  This includes redirecting the funding from the CBD Metro to provide rail lines to the North-West and South-West of the city,” Mr Baird said.