Last night, the Federal Budget was tabled in Parliament. There are almost 1,000 pages of savings and spending measures which outline the Government’s spending plan over the medium term – which is how you say ‘the next four years’ in politics.
But what does it all mean for everyday Australians, and especially those who currently live in, or are waiting to access vital public housing?
The Government already has legislation in the Parliament which attempts to deliver on their election commitment to build new social housing properties, so there wasn’t an expectation that there would be new announcements in that space.
In good news, there are some positive changes to income support payments, assistance for people renting in the private market on low-incomes, easier access to bulk billed medical appointments and help with energy bills.
None of these initiatives on their own solve the deep, structural problems driving inequality in our communities, but we hope they will go some way to easing the burden of increased living costs crippling Australian households.
Income Support increases
The cut off age for Parenting Payment (Single) is currently eight years old. This means that for a single parent, their income support payments drop from a pension rate to JobSeeker when their youngest child turns eight. From September, this will extend to 14 years old.
There will also be a $40 per fortnight increase to some income support payments:
- Jobseeker,
- Austudy
- Youth Allowance
- Parenting Payment (Partnered)
- ABSTUDY
- Disability Support Pension (Youth)
- Special Benefit
Currently, people who receive JobSeeker and are over 60 begin to receive a slightly high rate after nine continuous months on the payment. The age for this additional amount will drop to 55.
The community sector has been calling for a much larger increase – lifting the rate to $88 a day. Unfortunately the increases in this budget do not go that far.
Commonwealth Rent Assistance increases
The maximum rates of Commonwealth Rent Assistance will increase by 15%. While this will not assist people who live in public housing, it may be helpful for some of those who are on the waiting list and struggling with the high cost of private rental.
Help with Energy Bills
Eligible small businesses and households will be able to receive up to $500 off their energy bill in the next financial year.
We understand that eligible households will include:
- Pensioners,
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders,
- Family Tax Benefit A and B recipients.
Easier access to bulk-billed medical appointments
There will be more incentives for General Practitioners to bulk bill patients on low income and children, especially for people who have a commonwealth concession card and for patients under 16 years old.
Finally, it’s important to remember that changes announced on Budget night are usually subject to legislation passing Parliament and do not start immediately.
We continue to look ahead to the Victorian Budget in the coming weeks, and hope that it delivers more support for people who live in public housing and those experiencing homelessness.
If you’d like to read more, our Victorian budget submission is published online. Alternatively, CEO of Homelessness Australia Kate Colvin has written an opinion piece about the important things this Budget is missing in terms of addressing long term homelessness.