4.40pm
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Anglicare regional director Michael Oerlemans said there needed to be a focus in the federal budget on support for those on low incomes, particularly women re-entering the workforce.
"I think there are actually ways to invest in economic development that meets the needs of our vulnerable and more disadvantaged families," he said.
"For example, I think it's really important to continue to invest in social and public housing."
Mr Oerlemans said he was concerned about plans to make housing loans available to people on low-incomes with smaller deposits.
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"I think there's risks in that, but I do think we need to invest in women, particularly disadvantaged women," he said.
"I would certainly think that increasing the general rate of JobSeeker, beyond the $50 increase they actually provided, is important to keep on the agenda."
2.15pm
Be.Bendigo chief executive officer Dennis Bice said the federal government needed to continue to provide support for the business community as part of the nation's ongoing recovery from the pandemic.
"Investment in infrastructure is important - it creates the jobs we can get people into.
"That investment needs to be ongoing, because jobs are critical."
He said training opportunities needed to be directed towards what industry was looking for.
Continued investment in infrastructure, in jobs, and how that support is to be framed, has never been more important, Mr Bice said.
Earlier
The City of Greater Bendigo has urged the federal government to speed up the COVID-19 economic recovery by stimulating jobs growth, cutting taxes and reducing the cost of living.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will hand down the budget in Canberra on Tuesday night.
Expectations are low for any significant funding for infrastructure projects in central Victoria, although the government has already announced an extra $15 million for upgrades to the Calder Highway.
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"It is not often the federal budget directly funds major projects at the local government level," council chief executive Craig Niemann said.
"We have applied to the latest round of the Building Better Regions Fund for the airport terminal expansion project, however that funding is not expected to be announced through the budget process.
"We expect the budget will continue to focus on supporting the economy to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, so any initiatives that grow jobs and reduce tax and the cost of living will have benefits for families and businesses locally."
Mr Niemann also called for the government to continue its support for financial assistance grants and dedicated roads funding for local councils.
"Continued flexibility in how these funds can be applied will be a great help," he said.
Central Victorian aged care advocate Ruth Hosking has previously called on the federal government to do more in this year's budget to support the sector.
Mr Frydenberg has promised a much-needed $10 billion-plus aged care package spread over four years, as AAP reports.
While larger than what has been speculated in the media, it is still seen by some as inadequate after years of neglect in the sector.
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The Royal Australasian College of Physicians points out the royal commission into aged care estimated successive government cuts had already left a shortfall of almost $10 billion annually.
"The findings of the royal commission were damning," RACP spokesman John Maddison says.
"They mandate a more significant commitment from government that makes delivering all their recommendations possible - not a temporary boost that kicks the can down the road."
- with AAP
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