But the 2022 budget was silent on higher wages for aged-care workers and stopped short of a major step up in efforts to reduce Australia’s carbon emissions – two policy areas that have emerged as major losers.
UnitingCare Australia national director Claerwen Little said it was an “absolute disgrace” that aged-care workers received a minimum hourly wage of $21.
Climate Council economist Nicki Hutley said the budget was a “massive missed opportunity”.
Here are this year’s budget winners and losers.
Budget winners
Millions of taxpayers
- The low-and-middle-income tax offset (LMITO) has been increased by $420 per person in 2021-2022
- 10 million taxpayers with annual incomes up to $126,000 will benefit
- The top payment will rise from $1080 to $1500, while the smallest payment will increase from $256 to $676
- The expansion will cost the budget $11.9 billion – up from $7.8 billion.
Motorists
- The 44.2 cents-per-litre petrol excise has been halved, to 22.1 cents, for six months
- Bowser prices will fall by 22.1 cents per litre over the next two weeks
- The ACCC will ensure retailers pass on the tax cut to motorists.
Apprentices and their bosses
Apprentices, trainees and their employers will receive $1.3 billion in wage subsidies and cash payments over the next five years in a bid to boost Australia’s skills pipeline
Apprentices and trainees in priority industries (which are yet to be confirmed) will receive a $5000 payment, split into four instalments every six months for three years
First- and second-year apprentices in priority industries will have 10 per cent of their wages paid by taxpayers through to 2025-26, falling to 5 per cent in their third year
It comes in addition to $365 million in wage subsidies for all apprentices and trainees that will be paid out over xjmtzywthe next three months under extended COVID measures.
Small business owners
- Small businesses with an annual turnover of less than $50 million will from Tuesday night be able to deduct 20 per cent of the cost of training their employees
- Frydenberg said this means for every $100 a small business spends on training their staff, they will get a $120 tax deduction
- Similarly, small businesses will be able to deduct 20 per cent of the cost of purchasing equipment to digitalise their businesses, such as portable payment devices, cyber security systems or subscriptions to cloud-based services
- An additional $53.9 million will be spent to continue COVID-19 business support payments and pandemic leave disaster payments
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Budget losers
Aged-care workers
- The budget is largely silent on the aged-care staffing crisis, which experts say is being driven by low wages and torrid working conditions across the sector
- No additional money was outlaid by the government to boost wages for these workers
- Funding for the sector still falls short of what was recommended by the Aged Care Royal Commission, despite an additional $468 million for the industry in this year’s budget
- That funding injection largely focused on the creation of an additional 15,000 training places, but advocates said that means little without higher pay rates.
Emissions reduction and climate
- The government has failed to lift its 2030 emissions reduction target from a 35 per cent reduction to 50 per cent, despite calls from the international community and climate scientists across the country
- A reduction in the funding profile of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will see government expenses under its energy component fall by 15.4 per cent from 2022-23 to 2025-26
- The budget pledges $446 million over five years for various programs designed to encourage low-emissions technology and energy reliability
- About $247 million of this funding has been directed to hydrogen projects, while $50.3 million will be spent on investments in the gas industry
- Electric vehicles did not merit a single mention among the 2022-23 budget measures.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese will deliver a detailed budget reply on Thursday.
– Stephanie Richards, Matthew Elmas/The New Daily
SA is “essentially MIA” from federal budget: Haese
Business SA CEO Martin Haese. Photo: Kelly Barnes
South Australia’s peak business lobby group has slammed the federal budget as “short-sighted” by failing to address the skills shortage that is stifling the economy.
Business SA chief executive Martin Haese said he hoped to see long-term plans addressing skills shortages crippling small business.
But he said while the budget did have some glimmers of positive news, that didn’t go far enough.
“We needed this budget to invest in business for the long term,” Haese said.
“We hoped that there would be some tax reform, particularly an FBT waiver, which would act as a stimulus to economic recovery.
“The skills shortage is a massive issue across Australia. This has been consistently raised by our members and the broader business community. This budget certainly lacks depth for the number one issue facing business right now.”
Infrastructure spending has grown by $18 billion with $2.9 billion set aside for South Australian projects.
The cornerstone of this spending will be $2.3 billion for the North-South road corridor from Darlington to Anzac Highway.
Another $200 million will be spent to ease traffic congestion caused by the Glenelg tram line at the intersection of Marion and Cross roads.
The government bypassed regional SA, with country areas missing out on almost $7 billion in funding. The state will also reap $7 billion in GST payments over 2022-23, up by about $500 million.
While he welcomed the infrastructure spending, Haese said SA had been short-changed on big-ticket projects.
“South Australia is effectively MIA in terms of significant regional infrastructure investments,” he said.
“When you unpick the figures, we get a $2.8 billion share of the $17.9 billion total national investment, and of that $2.26 billion is already committed to completing the North-South Corridor.
“We have been disappointed with a lack of game-changing infrastructure spending in SA in the past, and we were hoping for funding for big projects like the efficient and safe passage of west-bound freight vehicles around metropolitan Adelaide as Portrush Road is at capacity.”
NDIS launches court action against Integrity Care
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has launched Federal Court action against Integrity Care, the disability service provider responsible for employing Ann-Marie Smith’s now jailed carer.
The NDIS Commission is seeking a financial penalty from Integrity Care and has commenced civil penalty proceedings in the Federal Court.
The Commission’s statement of claim alleges numerous failures of Integrity Care to provide adequate care and support to an NDIS participant.
Integrity Care was the employer of Rosa Maria Maione – the sole carer responsible for Smith in the lead up to her death in April 2020.
Smith passed away in hospital after being found in her home suffering septic shock, multiple organ failure, severe pressure sores and malnourishment.
The 54-year-old had been found to be living in squalid conditions in her own home, largely confined to a cane chair, while under the care of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Maione, 69, pleaded guilty to Smith’s manslaughter and was earlier this month sentenced to six years and seven months in prison.
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner Tracy Mackey said Smith’s death is “tragic and continues to shock and sadden many people across Australia”.
“NDIS providers have very clear obligations and we will take action when providers do not meet those obligations,” she said in a statement.
The latest statement of claim represents the second Federal Court proceeding initiated by the NDIS against Integrity Care.
After its initial investigation of the case, the NDIS Commission revoked Integrity Care’s registration and issued a banning order against it.
The Commission also fined Integrity Care $12,600 for failing to notify the NDIS about the death of Smith, despite a requirement to do so within 24 hours.
Earth moves again for Adelaide
A magnitude 2.8 tremor rattled parts of Adelaide last night, less than a month after a magnitude 3.8 tremor shook the Hills and suburbs.
GeoScience Australia reported the epicentre of the earthquake was around Mount Barker at about 7pm last night.
More than 2000 reports were made within 90-minutes of the quake, which was felt as far as Gawler.
It comes just three weeks after a magnitude-3.8 tremor was recorded on March 6, rattling Adelaide with an aftershock a few hours later.
Zelenskiy to address parliament
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy will address Australia’s parliament on Thursday night in a bid to inspire further action against Russia.
But questions are being raised about the timing of the address, which will be delivered two hours before Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese is slated to deliver his budget reply speech.
Zelenskiy has addressed numerous parliaments as he implores the West to take further action to combat Russian aggression more than a month on from the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian president recently accused the West of cowardice as his country fights to stave off Russia’s invading troops and he pleaded for more fighter jets and tanks to defend his country.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne said on Tuesday the “catastrophic humanitarian toll” was rising in Ukraine following Russia’s “egregious” invasion last month but stopped short of labelling President Vladimir Putin a war criminal.
Head century sparks Aussie victory in Pakistan
South Australian batsman Travis Head has scored a sparkling century while spinner Adam Zampa caused havoc with the ball to lead an undermanned Australia to an 88-run ODI victory over Pakistan in Lahore.
Head, playing his first ODI since 2018, cracked 101 off 72 balls opening in the absence of David Warner to lift Australia to 7-313 in Tuesday’s series-opener.
In reply, Pakistan was bowled out for 225 in 45.2 overs despite the best efforts of opener Imam Ul Haq (103 off 96 balls) and captain Babar Azam (57 off 72 balls).
Zampa finished with 4-38 from his 10 overs in a standout display as Australia took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Head also snared 2-35 off six overs in a surprise cameo with the ball, but it was with the bat that he inflicted most damage.
The 28-year-old brought up his ton off 70 balls, cracking three sixes and 12 fours.
It was the fastest ODI century by an Australian against Pakistan.
Ben McDermott added 55 off 70 balls as Australia raced to 1-171 in the 25th over, but the run rate then slowed due to the regular fall of wickets.
