Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips is adamant the Federal Budget announced on Tuesday night contains significant initiatives that will make a meaningful difference to South Coast residents doing it tough.

Not surprisingly, Liberal candidate Andrew Constance said the Budget was about the Labor Party trying to be re-elected at the upcoming poll in May rather than looking after the national interests.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Friday morning that the election will be held on May 3 and Gilmore is expected to be one of the closely contested seats in the nation with Community Independent Kate Dezarnaulds and The Greens' candidate Debbie Killian also throwing their hat into the ring.

With Labor holding onto Gilmore by the slimmest margin of any electorate at the last election, the bonus for the South Coast residents is that the government, or the Coalition for that matter, cannot ignore the seat at Budget time.

Phillips said the centrepiece of Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ Budget was the offer of two more tax cuts to every Australian taxpayer in 2026 and 2027, adding to the first round from last year.

“I know cost of living is biting hard, and that’s why the Albanese Labor Government is delivering more tax relief for every Australian taxpayer, more energy bill relief for every household and small businesses, plus cheaper medicines, a well-deserved wage increase for aged care nurses and stopping unfair non-compete clauses,” she said.

Phillips said the Budget’s $792.9 million commitment to boost women's healthcare would mean the South Eastern Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic at Milton would be expanded to provide menopause and perimenopause services.

“Women’s health is a priority for me and I’m so proud to support our local endo team that is changing the lives of women of all ages from Helensburgh to the Victorian Border,” she said.

Constance countered by saying the Gilmore electorate “can’t afford three more years of our local Fiona Phillips MP and the Albanese Labor Government”.

“This is a Budget for an election, not one for our country’s future,” he said.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher.

“At a time when living standards have suffered the biggest collapse on record and when the security environment is the most dangerous since the Second World War, Labor’s Budget has failed to deal with the economic and national security challenges our country faces.

“The Budget confirms that the South Coast communities have been left poorer after three years of the Albanese Labor Government.

“A Liberal Government will always better manage the economy so we can pay for essential services and keep our country safe and secure. We will invest in upgrading local roads, invest in community safety, and support local businesses and jobs.

“The Liberals have a plan to strengthen our economy and get Gilmore and Australia back on track.”

Phillips said young people would be better off after this Budget was handed down because it would be easier for people to buy and rent a home, while a 20 per cent cut to student debt would help ease the financial burden that comes with higher education.

“We are strengthening digital connectivity, with funding to complete the NBN fibre network which will provide improved access to premises across Gilmore.”

She added that the government’s commitment to ensuring regional airline Rex stays afloat and supporting the sale process would be a huge boost for South Coast residents.

“These commitments recognise the critical role Rex plays in keeping the South Coast connected and supporting local producers, jobs, medical services and tourism.”

Phillips added that Kiama, Shoalhaven and Eurobodalla councils would benefit from increased support to maintain local roads after the government doubled the Roads to Recovery funding to progressively increase from $500m to $1 billion per year.

The Shoalhaven is set to benefit from the awarding of a $313.5m contract with Sikorsky Australia to maintain the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter fleet.

“This contract is anticipated to generate 75 new jobs, including 20 apprenticeships, sustaining up to 275 highly skilled, well-paid jobs at the company’s maintenance and logistics facility in Nowra, which is a huge boost for our area,” Phillips said.