Federal budget provides important relief, but more must be done to reduce poverty

The federal budget was handed down on 14 May. While we welcomed many of the cost-of-living initiatives the Treasurer spoke about on budget night, there is a lot more that needs to be done before Australia is truly a fair place for everyone.

You can read our media release here .

Some of the positive measures were increasing rent assistance, growing early childhood and aged care wages, lifting support for carers, paying superannuation on parental leave, reducing tertiary student debts, boosting access to healthcare and reforming the Stage 3 tax cuts so they are more equitable. We believe these measures will help everyone, especially the people we work with every day at BSL.

We were thrilled to see funding for the extension of the Saver Plus program  and welcome continued investment in the Youth Transition Support program, which supports young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds to access education and employment opportunities.

Read More:  Saver Plus 21st birthday

Unfortunately, there is a long way to go. People trapped in poverty who need the most support will find some relief in this budget but are still being left behind and need a commitment to long-term and life-changing reform. Executive Director Travers McLeod explains:

While BSL is pleased to see the Government adopt some recommendations from the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee, we are disappointed no further changes have been announced to the base rates of Jobseeker and its indexation, or to the Activity Test for the Child Care Subsidy.   

The budget signals substantial reform ahead in employment services, the early years, support for people with disability and accelerates the skills and training agenda for Australia’s future workforce. Over the next twelve months, we encourage the federal government to be as brave and ambitious in these areas as they have been with the Future Made in Australia agenda and to set out a clear reform timeframe.

BSL would like to see the government apply the same ambition, pace and scale as it has to Future Made in Australia to social services reform to improve the lives of those experiencing poverty and generate large economic and social dividends for all.