REGIONAL areas such as the Southern Downs are the heart of the Federal Government's budget, according to Federal Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott.

Mr Scott said the electorate would benefit from the Coalition Government's commitment to bush communities, infrastructure, job creation and small business.

"This Federal Budget is an infrastructure investment in the Maranoa to unlock our economic capacity and make this electorate an even better place to live and do business," Mr Scott said.

"This Liberal National Coalition Government is building a stronger future by delivering the largest Infrastructure Investment Programme in Australia's history.

"In the Maranoa, this investment will create jobs and growth with funding to upgrade the Warrego and New England highways, start work on the Inland Rail, target dangerous section of roads and allocating funding to local governments."

BACKPACKERS TARGETED UNDER HOCKEY BUDGET

Mr Scott said Australia's beating heart was our farmers and small business with the government committed to growing these sectors.

"Farmers will be able to write-off the accelerated depreciation of water assets, fodder storage and fencing from July 1 next year. This is in addition to the $333 million drought support package announced at the weekend," he said.

"Small business will also receive a 5% tax cut and will be able to claim an instant tax deduction for any work-related purchase up to $20,000."

Mr Scott said the National Disability Insurance Scheme was a new way of providing support for people with permanent and significant disability, their families and carers and was a step closer to reality in the Budget.

"For many families in rural communities, there's limited supported housing for people with a disability. When the time comes and they can no longer live with their parents, they're forced to move away from everything they've ever known to receive care," he said.

"The 2015 Budget commits $695 million for the NDIS for the next financial year, in line with the government's commitment to continue the trial sites and to prepare for the full scheme rollout from July 2016. The federal and state governments are working to finalise the NDIS roll out details to fully cover participating states and territories by 2019-20.

"As the only Federal Member of Parliament living west of the Great Dividing Range, I believe it's my duty to make sure those who live in rural and regional areas get our fair share during this difficult economic climate and this Budget is a win for the Maranoa."

Mr Scott said there was a number of programs guaranteed funding within the Maranoa including:

• Up to $1.285 billion - with $316.65 million to be provided in 2015-16 - in funding for the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing, a national freight corridor which will grow the Maranoa's agricultural sector and mining developments.

• More than $100 million as part of the $300 million Federal contribution towards the Melbourne - Brisbane Inland Rail Preconstruction Works to significantly improve freight movements - including agriculture and coal - within Maranoa including the South Burnett, Southern Downs, Western Downs and Surat Basin.

• $3 million towards the New England Highway Safety Works Package under the National Highway Upgrade Program.

•  Construction of a New Heavy Vehicle Rest Area at Cunningham's Gap under the Heavy Vehicle and Productivity Programme.

• Bridges Renewal Programme: Kogan Creek Bridge near Dalby and the Sandy Creek Bridge near Warwick.

• Black Spot Programme targeting dangerous sections of local roads: $608,400 investment in the Southern Downs and Granite Belt regions.

• Stronger Communities Programme: $150,000 per year, for two years, to fund small capital projects in the Maranoa electorate to deliver social and economic benefits to local communities.

• Roads to Recovery Programme: $350 million per annum will be spent to extend the programme until 2018-19, assisting local governments to maintain and upgrade local roads. During 2015-16, local governments will receive a double-payment.

• National Stronger Regions Fund: This fund will deliver $1 billion over five years to promote economic development through capital infrastructure projects in regional Australia.

• Regional Development Australia: Funding of $3,860,085 will be provided to the 12 RDA committees in Queensland.

•  Remote Airstrip Upgrade Programme.

• Remote Air Services Subsidy Scheme.