MP calls for rural budget statement

Independent MP Cathy McGowan believes rural residents deserve to know how government policies affect them.

That's why her first private member's bill seeks to have the government include a budget statement outlining how its measures impact on regional Australians.

Ms McGowan said a rural and regional ministerial statement has been included in every budget since 1996, expect for 2006.

She said the absence of such a statement in last year's budget caused great concern to her constituents and throughout regional Australia because of proposed changes to pensions, youth payments and higher education.

"It has been sorely missed," she told the lower house on Tuesday.