Opposition claims budget benefit

DANDENONG is expected to benefit from the 2008-09 State Budget released by Victorian treasurer John Lenders this week.
But the Opposition claims that the budget outcomes are a result of its pressure on local MPs in the safe Labor territory.
Dandenong Hospital will share in $350 million for capital works on public hospitals and local migrants from the Horn of Africa can expect extra settlement support through a $1 billion social justice package.
That same package will also include support for families with disabled children.
Relief will also come for drivers using the Pound Road and South Gippsland Highway roundabout, with an upgrade included in the 2008-09 budget.
But Upper House MP for the South Eastern Metropolitan Region Inga Peulich this week said that results such as the Pound Road intersection upgrade were due to pressure applied by Opposition MPs.
“The Brumby Government was taking hit after hit on the issue of traffic congestion at the roundabout.
“They had to do something as it was becoming politically damaging,” Ms Peulich said.