2024 Federal Budget Response
May 15, 2024
The Uniting Church in Australia welcomes the clear commitment in the Federal Budget to relieve cost of living pressures for Australians, while noting more needs to be done for the most vulnerable in our community.
Assembly General Secretary (Interim) Rev Lindsay Cullen said it was pleasing to see the budget handed down by the Albanese Government yesterday included investments in rent assistance, household energy prices, superannuation on paid parental leave, those needing family violence supports and recipients of medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
“We are thankful that this Federal Budget has sought to address crushing cost of living pressures currently forcing many Australians to make difficult decisions"
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“We are thankful that this Federal Budget has sought to address crushing cost of living pressures currently forcing many Australians to make difficult decisions,” said Rev Cullen. “We welcome a range of other measures to support vulnerable Australians.”
“In seeking to provide this much-needed support and relief, we call on the Government to ensure its delivery of measures is targeted to those who are most in need.”
A change to the Jobseeker income support payment will mean that people who are partially able to work will be able to access a marginally higher rate, an increase of $54.90 a fortnight. While noting this change, Rev Cullen said far more is needed.
“While an increase to rent assistance and an energy rebate for households will provide some relief, it is disappointing that calls to raise the general rate of Jobseeker have been ignored. This limited increase amounts to just $3.90 per day. This is not enough for people to afford life’s essentials or lift them beyond the poverty line.”
“In the current climate, we might wonder whether some of the funding newly committed to defence would be better spent providing short term income support and security to Australian job seekers.”
The Budget includes a welcome range of measures aimed at increasing economic empowerment for First Nations people, headlined by a $774m investment to build skills, experience and create jobs in remote Australia and a commitment to address the housing crisis in the Northern Territory.
However, despite the Albanese Government’s promise to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart, it is disappointing that no funding commitment has been made towards progressing a treaty process or Makarrata Commission. The Uniting Church remains committed to the full implementation of the Statement.
The Assembly also welcomed measures to boost local manufacturing of solar panels and the green hydrogen industry, part of its flagship Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund.
It is also pleased to see the Escaping Violence Payment made permanent, and a commitment to pay superannuation on paid parental leave – both good news for women.
In UnitingCare Australia’s response to the budget, National Director Claerwen Little welcomed measures that will make a difference to thousands of people across the country but expressed concern about delays in aged care reform.
“We welcome the commitment to fund a pay rise for aged care workers and the extra $87 million for workforce, recognising the important role they play in caring for older Australians. We also welcome the 24,000 homecare packages announced tonight, but we remain deeply concerned for the 50,000 Australians still waiting.
“More work is needed to ensure every older Australian can access the care they need, when they need it. Aged care reform is unfinished business, and we call on the Government to introduce the new Aged Care Bill to Parliament as soon as possible.”
UnitingCare Australia had welcomed the Government’s pre-Budget announcement that it would establish the Escaping Violence Payment (EVP) as the new and permanent Leaving Violence Program. The EVP had been delivered by the UnitingCare consortium since 2021 and provided support to almost 60,000 people during a two-year pilot.
Frontier Services National Director Rob Floyd said it was pleasing to see investment in a Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program and in disaster preparedness, but questioned whether the Budget went far enough in other areas.
“It remains to be seen whether more general packages relating to the crucial issues of mental health, housing and access to services will be sufficient to assist people who need support across rural and remote Australia.”
UnitingWorld welcomed funding to address the climate crisis in the Pacific, but expressed disappointment in a largely unchanged budget for overseas aid.
“We welcome the direction of funds to climate initiatives in the Pacific and for the Green Climate Fund (GCF),” said National Director Dr Sureka Goringe. “The Pacific Resilience Facility and the South-East Asia Gender-based Violence Prevention platform are excellent initiatives.”
“However, we are sad that in a time of humanitarian turmoil and climate catastrophe, the overall aid budget has not increased in real terms.”
The Government has increased funding support for refugee settlement services, and new measures to provide emergency financial assistance and Medicare support to people displaced by the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.