Federal Budget 2008-09: Janelle Saffin delivers for Page

While those on a full disability support pension are reeling from Wayne Swan's slap in the face (which saw them excluded from any cost-of-living mitigation bonus), those who have spent years on the public dental service waiting list are in flat despair and many others on the NSW North Coast are wondering about the Rudd Government's commitment to tackle climate change in light of the poor funding spread contained in this year's budget papers.

However, what cannot be gainsayed is the commitment of the Labor MP for Page, Janelle Saffin.
Ms. Saffin made sure that all funding promises (scattered like confetti across the Northern Rivers during the 2007 federal election campaign) were remembered.

The Northern Rivers Echo yesterday.

Southern Cross University has received a one-off grant of $5.2 million as part of the Australian Government’s $500 commitment to universities announced in the federal budget.
SCU vice-chancellor Professor Paul Clark said the grant came at a time when the university needed to expand facilities at its Lismore campus. He said the funding would provide support for high quality education, student amenities such as childcare, and boost SCU’s research capacity.
Other grants announced in Tuesday night’s budget include $7 million over two years to fast track radiotherapy services at Lismore Base Hospital. This is on top of $8 million already committed to the project.
There’s also $250,000 in recurrent funding for the Lismore-based Northern Rivers Business Enterprise Centre, $200,000 for the proposed Lismore Homeless Shelter, and $140,000 to upgrade the Browns Creek pumping station and flood levee as part of the Lismore Flood Management Plan.
The grants comes on top of $2.22 million in family support programs announced for Lismore in April.
In other areas $13.6 million has been allocated to begin work on the $90 million Alstonville bypass, while $100 million will be brought forward in 2008/09 for the Pacific Highway bypass at Ballina.
Casino will receive $3 million for development of the town’s community centre, and a further $2 million for the revitalisation of the town centre.

In The Daily Examiner on the same day.

The district's biggest win comes with an $18-million injection into upgrading the Grafton Base Hospital over the next 12 months.
The funding will be used to build a new accident and emergency department as well as establishing three new operating theatres.
This funding will no longer be tied to a hospital board being established at Grafton Base Hospital.
Grafton will also get its GP super clinic as part of a $275.2 million fund which will establish 31 clinics of its type throughout Australia.........
"We have also kept our promise of a $2 million grant for the Yamba Indoor Centre even though the local council has downgraded this project from $7.8 million to $4 million."
The good news for South Grafton residents is Skinner Street will receive a $1-million revitalisation package.
The fourth big pre-election promise was money for an upgrade of the Grafton saleyards and once again the Government has delivered with a $125,000 grant.

Rudd and his ministers may disappoint, but so far Janelle Saffin is showing she is good value.