The Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL) welcomes the Federal Government's focus on intergenerational equity and fairness in the Federal Budget. There are big reforms in tax, health, support for children and housing, with major reforms flagged in other areas, such as employment. Together these can create a fairer economy and grow trust in our democracy.
"This is a Budget that does not duck the difficult issues", said Dr Travers McLeod, BSL's Executive Director. "We know our tax, housing, and social security systems have grown inequity and undermined our social compact. The Budget elevates the national focus on fairness and should accelerate a shift towards a more equal society."
"Our democracy is weakened by growing inequality and people feeling disconnected from communities and the economy. When the wealth gap widens without reforms to improve the lives of those who need it most – it hurts morale, it erodes trust, and it splinters society."
"Our tax and social security systems should grow human capability and national prosperity. More Australians will be trapped in poverty and left behind without extensive tax reform. It is reassuring to see the Federal Government make this a priority at a time of global uncertainty."
BSL welcomes positive announcements for people and communities we work with, including:
$285.6 million for improvements to employment services and to support future reform of this system, together with $299 million to expand the Remote Jobs Program.
$85.2 million to accelerate skills recognition for migrants.
$182.6 million for a safer and more effective child support scheme for children and parents.
$171.1 million for the Children and Family Support program.
$1.2 billion on Closing the Gap commitments, including $27.4 million to reduce costs for essential goods in remote areas.
$1.7 billion for additional aged care beds and supplements, $389.8 million for much needed improvements to make the Support at Home Program fairer, and $1 billion to ensure essential personal care is fully funded under the program.
$59.4 million for a community housing rental supplement for young Australians experiencing homelessness.
$2m to expand the Hoops for Wealth financial capability program.
$7.7 million to extend the Economic Pathways to Refugee Integration program to boost refugee employment.
$1.8 billion to embed Medicare Urgent Care Clinics into our health system, together with additional funding for public hospitals and $5.9 billion to make medicines more affordable through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
BSL values the hard work and collaboration between partners to advance and secure support for these announcements, including the Activate Australia and HomeTime campaigns.
On disability reform, BSL recognises governments across Australia are working together to establish Thriving Kids, support more inclusive communities, and embark on difficult changes to sustain the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). All places and services need to be more inclusive, and general and targeted supports need to be designed and established. We acknowledge the anxiety and uncertainty in the community about what these changes will mean in practice for people currently accessing the Scheme. It is vital the Government takes the time to ensure these changes are directly informed by people with disability and implemented with great care and transparency.
BSL is disappointed the Budget did not lift the adequacy of the Jobseeker payment, contrary to the recommendations of the Federal Government's independent Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee (EIAC), although is pleased to see several EIAC recommendations taken forward and adopted. We continue to be very concerned by the acute pressures experienced by those with the least resources – and the lack of targeted relief.
BSL particularly welcomes confirmation the employment services system will be reformed. This is an essential step to growing national productivity and capability, support full employment, and create more meaningful opportunities to participate in our economy.
BSL looks forward to working with partners across government, business and the community sector on the reforms announced in the Budget.
"If designed and implemented well" Dr McLeod said, "the reforms announced tonight can empower more people in Australia to live the lives they aspire to and generate structural change to our systems and make services better equipped for the future."
