While acknowledging the need for urgent cost-of-living relief, Kate says the Opposition's response offers short-term sugar hits without real long-term solutions—especially for regional communities like Gilmore.
“There's clever politics here—but the Budget Reply is a five-week plan, not a plan for the next five years, the next generation, or the real challenges facing communities like Gilmore.”
“Halving the fuel excise might deliver quick relief, but cutting taxes on the fossil fuel industry and weakening transport funding undermines the infrastructure regional Australia urgently needs. These short-term fixes won’t lower power bills, put food on the table, or tackle the deeper pressures people are facing.”
The Budget Reply includes $1 billion for gas projects, cuts to the public service, and vague commitments on housing. Kate says it leaves communities like Gilmore behind when what’s needed is real investment in homes, health and local infrastructure.
“If either major party truly cared about the next generation, housing would be front and centre. But there's no new investment, no regional plan—just a headline-grabbing cut to migration.”
Kate says the ongoing support for the fossil fuel industry—while failing to link climate action with cost-of-living relief—completely misses the mark.
“This is a great budget for fossil fuel companies—not for people trying to keep the lights on. Power bills and insurance premiums are climbing, and climate disasters are already hitting our communities. Public money should support—not delay—the energy transition. Solar and wind are proven, job-creating technologies. Instead, they’re doubling down on gas, which pollutes our air, raises our bills, and pays minimal tax.”
She notes that nuclear energy barely rated a mention, with no funding attached—suggesting even the Opposition doesn't take its own plan seriously. “Gilmore needs clean, affordable energy now—not more delays while costs rise and opportunities pass us by. The fact that neither side mentioned climate change says a lot.”
Kate says she'll support good policy from any side—but won’t back anything that leaves Gilmore further behind.
“Don't get too excited, Gilmore. After years of being overlooked, it's still unclear what we're actually getting. Andrew Constance is making big promises—like millions for local sporting groups—but they’re not in the Budget. Unless the Coalition wins majority government—which is looking highly unlikely—these pledges can't be delivered, even if he’s elected. Our community deserves honesty, not headlines that lead nowhere.”
Key Issues Kate is Available to Discuss
Cost-of-Living Pressures
- Halving the fuel excise is a political sugar hit that vanishes after 12 months—it does nothing to address long-term pressures on housing, food, or energy
- Scrapping Labor's $17 billion in tax cuts and $1.8 billion in energy rebates risks longer term structural support for low- and middle-income households
- Kate is calling for lasting investment in renewables, regional transport, and food affordability
- The instant asset write-off extension negotiated by the independents is welcome for small business—but the Budget Reply offered little else in the way of small business support
Energy Transition and Disaster Recovery
- $1 billion for gas infrastructure and a plan for taxpayer-funded gas projects is investment in the wrong direction.
- Scrapping of $33.7 billion in renewable energy support (Clean Energy Credits + Rewiring the Nation)
- Nuclear remains unproven, expensive ($8–10 billion each), and the budget reply doesn't even canvass credible
- There is no proposed funding for mitigation, adaptation or prevention of natural disasters. Despite disasters costing Australia $13.5 billion a year—and communities like Gilmore on the frontline—there’s no plan for long-term resilience
Housing and Regional Recovery
- No new housing investment—only cuts to migration and a ban on foreign buyers
- Scrapping the Housing Australia Future Fund will delay critical housing projects
- Kate backs localised housing strategies: social housing investment and support for diversity of approaches including modular builds, regional build-to-rent, and support for key worker housing and low-income renters
Mental Health and Regional Equity
- Rebated psychology sessions will remain inaccessible without local workforce investment and action on unaffordable gap fees
- Kate supports broader reform focused on community-based care, early intervention, and workforce development
Public Services
- 41,000 public service jobs on the chopping block—potentially worsening delays in Medicare, Centrelink and NDIS
- Experience shows these cuts often lead to costly outsourcing rather than savings
- Bans on remote working has significant Impacts on the considerable remote workforce in the region
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To arrange an interview or request a quote, please contact: [email protected]
Notes for Media:
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Pronunciation: Kate’s surname, Dezarnaulds, is pronounced ‘Dez-ar-know’.
Media Assets
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Photos of Kate available here. More available on request.
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Campaign video: https://youtu.be/3pt46SbCB4I
About Kate Dezarnaulds and Her Campaign for Gilmore
Kate Dezarnaulds is an independent candidate for Gilmore, committed to delivering practical, community-driven solutions for the South Coast. A local business leader and advocate for regional investment, Kate is focused on fixing real issues, including improving infrastructure, strengthening local economies, and ensuring government funding reaches the people who need it. Kate’s campaign is built on listening to the community, advocating for transparency, and working collaboratively to achieve meaningful change. She believes that Gilmore deserves a strong, independent voice in Canberra—one that puts people before politics.
For more information, visit kate4gilmore.com.au or follow Kate on socials: @kate4gilmore (tiktok: @kate.4.gilmore)
Authorised by Kate Dezarnaulds, Independent for South Coast Pty Ltd, 3/68 Albert St, Berry NSW 2535