Latest news with #StateBudget
West Australian
2 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Newdegate's Trey Westlake speaks on Labor's shortfalls on regional issues at 2025 Y WA Youth Parliament
A budding young leader from Newdegate caught the attention of policymakers when his committee's regional recovery bill passed unanimously at the 2025 Y WA Youth Parliament. It was Trey Westlake's second consecutive year in the Youth Parliament. He stepped up as shadow minister for agriculture, food and fisheries as a member for Roe at the Legislative Assembly in Perth, on July 7-10. The 16-year-old introduced the producer resilience and recovery insurance scheme on behalf of his eight regional committee members. It would establish a State-run insurance scheme to cover damage costs caused by natural disasters for primary producers to claim, which was unanimously passed. As a first-time shadow minister, his ministerial speech highlighted that the recent State Budget dedicated no funding, processing infrastructure support, a workforce transition plan or farmer assistance for the live export transitioning, despite the WA Government stating they disapproved of the ban. Trey's private member statement discussed 'the current Government's lack of meaningful investment' in the Roe electorate, underlining poor phone reception, unreliable power and frequent outages, inadequate road quality, education and health care. 'The people of Roe aren't asking for handouts. They are simply asking for respect, investment and support,' he said. Royalties for Regions, which started in late 2008, drove his adjournment debate. The scheme promised that 25 per cent of WA's mining and resource royalties would be reinvested into regional communities, but Trey said in 2017 the fund had been 'dismantled and reallocated'. He said the royalties are now used to fund programs that would have been paid for by consolidated revenue, 'that's not regional investment, that's a government padding its books to claim a $2 billion surplus'. The Year 11 student said he returned to the program because he was determined for policymakers to hear regional people, shedding light on key issues and perspectives. This year's event recorded one of Youth Parliament's highest regional numbers with 12 of the 59 participants aged 15-25 travelling from outside the metropolitan area. Trey also got the opportunity to deliberate central discussion points with MLA Peter Rundle and three training days on April 26, May 24 and June 21 to learn about committee rules, amendments and a general overview. Mr Rundle said that 'we need good young leaders in our society' and it was important to cater for all generations and connect with the new wave of younger voters. 'I'm really lucky to have someone like Trey who is keen and interested and it's great to have him be part of (Youth Parliament),' he said. 'He's got a very good handle on how people in the regions and agricultural industry feel, and living with his family in the bush and having gone to school in the regions, he understands the challenges as well.'
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Southern Railway sanctions pedestrian underpass near Thokkottu Olapete, says U.T. Khader
Southern Railway will construct a pedestrian underpass near Thokkottu Olapete soon, said U.T. Khader, Speaker and MLA for Mangaluru, here on Monday. Mr. Khader said residents had been demanding an underpass for a long time, as they were finding it hard to cross the railway lines and reach Olapete. 'The Southern Railway recently sanctioned ₹2 crore for the project. Bids to take up the project have been floated. Works are likely to start shortly,' he said. Mr. Khader said officials have assured of completing a railway underpass at Mahakalipadpu in Mangaluru at the earliest and opening it for traffic by this November. The Speaker said he has asked the Ullal City Municipal Council (CMC) to conduct a drone survey to identify the areas through which rajakaluves passed in Ullal town. Mr. Khader stated that following recent heavy rains, many houses in Ullal city were inundated. Residents expressed their ire over the encroachment of rajakaluves. 'I have asked the council to conduct a drone survey of the rajakaluves at the earliest and mark their area. Necessary action should be taken to clear the encroachment later,' he said. Residents affected due to waterlogging should be paid adequate compensation, the Speaker added. Additional PU college Mr. Khader stated that the State government will approve another government pre-university college for girls in Ullal. Tentatively, the new college is expected to be located in Melangady. In the 2025-26 State Budget, ₹17 crore was sanctioned to the Minority Welfare Department for the residential PU college for girls in Ullal. 'This college is likely to come up in Panaje. We also want day scholars to study here. It has been planned to offer science, commerce and arts streams in the residential college,' he said. Mr. Khader said the government PU college in Deralakatte, which started as a co-education college two years ago, has become a girls-only college from the 2025-26 academic year. Nearly 1,000 students were studying in this college. The government PU college in Harekala also has a good number of students. A total of 1,300 students were studying in classes from 1 to 12 in Karnataka Public School in Montepadavu. The Speaker said he has asked the government to permit the opening of an English medium pre-primary section in eight government primary schools in his Assembly constituency.
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Another Assembly sitting possible, says Masidi
Published on: Monday, July 21, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jul 21, 2025 By: Jonathan Nicholas Text Size: Masidi delivering the Chief Minister's speech at the award ceremony. Kota Kinabalu: There is room for another State Legislative Assembly sitting before the state elections due later this year, said Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun. He stressed the need to table the 2026 State Budget to ensure continuity of government operations. Advertisement 'The budget can be presented either before or after the 17th State Election. But it must be tabled to avoid disruptions to government services early next year. 'For example, we must ensure civil servants are paid and government programmes can proceed as planned. 'Even if elections are called early, there is still enough time to table the budget in November as usual. 'However, if the assembly is dissolved later, we believe we still have a window in December to convene and table the budget before the year ends so there are no hiccups,' he told reporters. On Sabah's fiscal negotiations with the federal government, Masidi acknowledged that both parties have laid their positions clearly. 'Sabah has put its cards on the table, what we want and what we expect. Likewise, the federal government has also presented their side. 'Leaders like Fadillah and Jeffrey have already given their statements. What has been agreed so far will be brought back for respective internal deliberations before both sides return to find mutually acceptable solutions,' he said. Masidi said while Sabah understands the complexity of federal-state fiscal issues, the state will not compromise on what is already enshrined in the Constitution. 'As far as Sabah is concerned, we stand by our previous statements. What is constitutionally provided for cannot be compromised. Sabah deserves to get what it is entitled to,' he said. He acknowledged that the current economic climate does not lend itself to 'a generous attitude' from the federal side. Meanwhile, Masidi said the 'Most Outstanding State' award, while prestigious, is not a declaration that Sabah has already achieved excellence but an acknowledgement of the state government's tireless efforts to move Sabah toward a level of development that had long been elusive. 'What was recognised was not that we've reached the peak, but the commitment and progress made by the government to bring Sabah to a level we have always struggled to reach,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
BBMP begins work under ₹100 crore-worth project to upgrade 75 junctions in Bengaluru
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has finally issued work orders for improving 75 prominent junctions in the city, at an estimated cost of ₹100 crore. The project has been divided into 15 packages, and contractors are expected to finish work within the next six months. The project Suraksha Mission - 75 was announced in the 2023-24 State Budget by then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, along with several other schemes to mark 75 years of Indian Independence. However, the project did not take off for two and a half years to be revived recently. Work has finally begun on the selected junctions. M. Lokesh, Chief Engineer, Road Works, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), said the project will mainly focus on making these junctions safe for both motorists and pedestrians. 'We will undertake geometry corrections to streamline traffic, avoid accidents, and make it safe for pedestrians. We are also looking at beautification of these junctions,' he said. Apart from putting bollards for pedestrian pathways, lane markers, zebra crossings, and other road markers, civic officials will also clear adjacent shoulder drains to prevent flooding, build ramps, provide some seating arrangement, and wherever there is space, put up fountains, ornamental plants, and lighting to beautify these junctions. Water fountains will help keep the air fresh and reduce pollution, officials said. Some of the prominent junctions selected for intervention under the Suraksha Mission - 75 include K.R. Market, Nayandahalli junction, BEL Circle, Tin Factory, Jalahalli Cross, Sumanahalli junction, and Basaveshwara Circle among others. Srinivas Alavilli, Fellow, World Resources Institute (WRI), India, which collaborated with BBMP on Surkasha Mission - 75, said that the junctions were selected after careful study of accidents and fatalities, especially of pedestrians. 'These interventions will not only make design corrections, but will add several features that will provide both safety and comfort for pedestrians,' he said. Apart from these, BBMP has also taken up road geometry corrections atop underpasses at Mehkri and C.N.R. Rao Circles, where the civic body will take up beautification works, sources said. BBMP will take up work to improve 20 more junctions using funds from the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). Work is on to identify junctions to be taken up for interventions under this programme, sources said.
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Budget may be tabled before Sabah election: Masidi
Published on: Sunday, July 20, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jul 20, 2025 By: Jonathan Nicholas Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun ( pic ) said another State Legislative Assembly sitting may be held before the next Sabah election to ensure the 2026 State Budget is tabled. He said the budget is crucial to maintain government operations, including civil servant salaries and ongoing programmes. Advertisement Masidi noted that the budget could be presented in November as usual or in December, depending on the timing of the assembly's dissolution. On fiscal talks with the federal government, he said both sides have shared their expectations and will continue discussions to reach a fair outcome. Masidi also welcomed Sabah's recent recognition as Malaysia's Most Outstanding State 2024, describing it as a reflection of the government's efforts toward long-term development. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
