Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey has welcomed Treasurer Scott Morrison’s 2018 Budget and said the Government is now on target to deliver a surplus next year, twelve months earlier than expected.
“There are a number of Budget announcements which will directly affect people living in Grey and I am pleased we have further funding for programs we have done very well from in recent times,” he said.
“I am especially delighted with the announcement of $160m for the duplication of the Joy Baluch Bridge.
“The multi-billion dollar aged-care package and tax relief for low and middle income earners are also great news items from the Budget.
“I have been raising problems of delivering aged care in regional areas with the Minister for Aged Care Ken Wyatt for some time and am delighted he is taking significant action with the Treasurer announcing $144m to assist the viability of regional aged-care facilities.
“The extra 14,000 new home-care packages can be added to the 6,000 created in December enabling more older Australians to live in their homes for longer.
“Low and middle income earners are set to benefit from lifting of tax thresholds from July by between $200 and $530. In three years those benefits flow through to other tax scales and in year five the 37c rate will be abolished and 94% of taxpayers will pay a top marginal rate of 32c in the dollar.”
Mr Ramsey said other highlights of the Budget include-
- Extending the $20k instant asset write-off for small business.
- The Parental Income test for access to Youth Allowance for independent students will be relaxed with the threshold of combined parental income increased to $160,000 for one child and $10,000 more for every additional child.
- The extension of the School Chaplaincy Program on a permanent basis.
- The announcement of $200m for a third round of the Building Better Regions Fund which during the five years in Government with the previous National Stronger Regions Fund has delivered $27m to Grey.
- A fourth round of the Stronger Communities Program
- The increase in the Work Bonus program will enable aged pensioners to earn $300 now a fortnight without affecting their pension.
- Record funding for roads, education, disability services and health funding.
- The Government will invest $550 million in the Stronger Rural Health Strategy which will strengthen local health services and deliver more Australian doctors in rural Australia.
This Strategy will deliver around 3,000 additional doctors for rural Australia, more than 3,000 additional nurses in rural general practice and hundreds of additional allied health professionals in the regions over 10 years.
“This Budget is a responsible, measured plan for all Australians and will pave the way forward to Budget surplus.
“I see real opportunities for Grey. The economy is taking off, record jobs growth is lifting Government receipts and paying the bills. I am very pleased that from next year we will have fully reversed the legacy left to us by Labor and will begin paying off the debt.”
Media Contact; Leonie Lloyd-Smith 02 62774967 Canberra 08 8633 1744 Port Pirie Office.
May 8, 2018
