By Cam Lucadou-Wells
The 2018-’19 Federal Budget delivers on income tax relief, roads and in-home aged care but gives a “handout” to big business and banks, says Holt MP Anthony Byrne.
The Labor opposition MP said the income tax cuts were welcome “financial relief” for residents in desperate need.
“Working families” were struggling under low wages growth, higher costs of living and cuts to penalty rates, he said.
Mr Byrne noted more of the roads funding should have been directed to the Casey region.
He criticised the $80 billion “tax handout” to big business and banks which “Australians pay for it with cuts”.
Among the hits was ending the energy supplement for pensioners and increasing the pension age to 70, Mr Bynre said.
He also claimed there were large cuts to schools, TAFEs and hospitals, and a freeze on Medicare rebates for specialists.
Flinders Liberal MP and Health Minister Greg Hunt said the income tax relief of up to $530 rewarded middle and low-income earners,
“Nearly 68,000 taxpayers from all around the electorate of Flinders will benefit under our plan to reduce cost pressures on household budgets.” Mr Hunt said.
He said more than 19,000 small businesses in Flinders would benefit from the continuation of the $20,000 instant asset write-off policy.
Mr Hunt said health and hospitals funding rose by 30 per cent, and that needs-based school funding had jumped by 50 per cent per student in the past decade.
“Our plan for a stronger economy benefits all Australians.
“After record jobs growth, the proportion of working age Australians now dependent on welfare has fallen to 15.1 per cent – the lowest level in over twenty five years.”
