Budget delivers relief for Central Coast

The Albanese Labor Government has handed down its second federal budget with a $14.6 billion cost-of-living relief package, a continued commitment to strengthen Medicare, and supporting local small businesses - a budget that Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid, says delivers cost-of-living relief for the Central Coast.

10 May 2023

 

FEDERAL Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid MP says the budget assists Australians doing it tough and sets our region up for success.

 

“This federal budget has been carefully calibrated and is targeted towards addressing the rising cost of living, without significantly contributing to inflation,” Dr Reid said.

 

“There have been a range of measures announced to address the rising cost of living, and I am pleased the Albanese Government can provide this support because of our disciplined and responsible approach.

 

“The guiding principles of our economic policy has been relief, repair, and restraint. Australians will be able to see this filter through to their household budgets as we address the cost of living.

 

“The Federal Government is mindful of Australians on the Central Coast struggling with the cost of living, while there is more work to be done, I am confident measures announced in this budget will help ease the pressure.

 

“Our nation-building and cost-of-living measures announced by the Albanese Government since we took office, measures like cheaper childcare, cheaper medicines, and fee-free TAFE, will continue benefiting the people of the Central Coast.”

 

Member for Dobell, Emma McBride, said that families and businesses across the Central Coast are set to benefit.

 

“This is a Budget that delivers on our promises, provides cost of living relief for our community, and build a more secure economy into the future,” said McBride.

 

“The Budget includes a $14.6 billion cost of living package over four years that will ease pressure on Australians while putting downward pressure on inflation.

 

“We’re supporting people on the Central Coast doing it tough right now with historic investments in Medicare that will see more people able to access bulk billing GPs.

 

“We are tripling bulk billing incentives, which will see immediate benefits to more than 11 million Australians.

 

“New funding for housing will see more people able to afford rent or buy their own home.

 

“With wage raises for aged care workers we will return dignity to work for those who care for our oldest Australians.

 

“This is a Budget that will support the Central Coast without driving up inflation.

 

“Labor has also announced a new Energy Price Relief Plan that will provide relief for more than five million households.

 

“I know that this will make a real difference in household budgets – helping families in our community.”

 

Significant measures to assist Australians in this federal budget include $3.5 billion in Medicare to incentivise general practices to bulk bill again, $3.5 billion in energy subsidies for eligible households and small businesses, a 15 per cent pay increase for aged care workers across Australia, $4.9 billion for support payments like the Jobseeker Payment and Youth Allowance, meaning an extra $40 per fortnight for eligible recipients, and raising the age cut-off for the Parenting Payment (Single) from 8 to 14 years.

 

The $14.6 billion cost-of-living relief package, announced by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, targets those areas where price pressures have been the most acute in our economy. "It will help with energy bills, reduce out of pocket health costs and increase Commonwealth Rent Assistance as well", said Jim Chalmers. "So, we've prioritised those most in need, by expanding the single Parenting Payment and increasing the base rate of JobSeeker as well. And on top of this we are funding a 15 per cent pay rise for our aged care workers.

 

"We've prioritised what's affordable and we've tried to support the most vulnerable people, but there is also a lot in this Budget for middle Australia more broadly."

 

The Treasurer said that a higher bulk billing incentive so more Australians can access free consultations from their GP is a really central component of what's new about the Budget. "It's tripling of the bulk-billing incentive for millions of Australians," he said.

 

The cost of medicines has been cut and there is cheaper childcare starting on the first of July.

 

Key figures for Dobell:

 

• The higher bulk billing incentive will support GPs to bulk bill around 84,875 eligible Australians in Dobell.

 

• The Government is increasing the base rate of income payments like JobSeeker Payment, Austudy and Youth Allowance payments for eligible people. This will support around 7,225 people in Dobell to benefit by $40 per fortnight.

 

• From September, around 520 eligible single parents in Dobell will be able to receive Parenting Payment (Single) until their youngest child turns 14, up from 8 years old. Eligible single parents will be $176.90 better off each fortnight, receiving a base rate of $922.10 per fortnight compared to the current JobSeeker Payment rate of $745.20 per fortnight.

 

• Around 9,460 households in Dobell are currently eligible for maximum Commonwealth Rent Assistance rates. Households receiving the maximum rates will benefit by up to $31.36 extra in CRA per fortnight from September 2023.

 

• The Albanese Government’s NDIS Budget initiatives also include $73.4 million to better support participants to manage their plan within budget so they can access their supports in a flexible way to better achieve their goals. This will help around 5,114 NDIS participants in Dobell.

 

Also announced in this budget is funding to ban the sale of vapes, which will only be sold in pharmacies and with a prescription from a GP.

 

“This is a sensible decision by the Albanese Government to protect Australians, especially younger. Vaping is a significant issue in high schools and the federal government is acting,” said Dr Reid.