The Federal Budget delivers for the residents of Ipswich and Somerset region with strong support for families, aged care, veterans, schools, TAFE training and childcare – as the Morrison Government continues its sound management of COVID19 and returning the nation to economic prosperity.
Local region Senator Paul Scarr said the Budget would provide nearly 70,000 taxpayers in Ipswich and Somerset with tax relief of up to $2,745 this year – a result of the Government’s decision to extend the low and middle income tax offset to 2021-22 and bring forward Stage 2 of the Government’s tax relief plan.
“The Coalition is putting more money back in the pockets of the residents of Ipswich and Somerset while providing them with better services and opportunities right across the board,” Sen Scarr said.
He said tax incentives would allow around 12,800 businesses in Ipswich and Somerset to write-off the full value of any eligible asset they purchase. Around 2,800 businesses in Ipswich and Somerset would be able to use the extended loss carry-back measure to support cash-flow and confidence.
“This has helped businesses invest more in the local economy and create local jobs. The JobKeeper payment supported 4,200 businesses and 23,200 employees in Ipswich and Somerset to help them through the pandemic and keep them connected to their place of work.”
“The tax-free Cashflow boost has helped around 3,200 small and medium businesses providing $130 million in payments to help businesses in Ipswich and Somerset to stay afloat,” Sen Scarr said.
He said an extended and expanded JobTrainer Fund would support more places to upskill job seekers and train young people.
“We already have 1,375 apprentices in Ipswich and Somerset and these new measures will lead to more opportunities for apprentices and trainees with expanded wage subsidies,” Sen Scarr said.
Sen Scar said 16,675 Age Pensioners and 5,982 carers in Ipswich and Somerset received three support payments since the start of the pandemic totalling $1,250.
“Hospitals, schools, aged care, Medicare, mental health, and disability support services will always be guaranteed under the Morrison Government which is providing additional investments in respiratory clinics, pathology testing and tracing, and the continuation of telehealth services. In Ipswich and Somerset there have been 394,596 telehealth consultations through Medicare since the start of the pandemic and these services are now being extended.”
Sen Scarr said the Morrison Government was committed to funding every medicine on the PBS recommended by the medical experts, putting lifesaving treatments within the reach of every Australian.
“In this Budget we are listing more medicines to treat breast cancer, lung cancer, osteoporosis, migraine, eczema and asthma. In the past year there have been 2,367,318 free or subsidised medicines delivered in Ipswich and Somerset through the PBS.”
Budget funding for public schools in Ipswich and Somerset continue to increase as a part of the Quality Schools Package. Funding increases for local schools in Ipswich and Somerset are available from: www.education.gov.au/school-funding-estimator
“We’re increasing funding for preschools in Ipswich and Somerset and making childcare more affordable and accessible. Childcare reforms in this Budget will directly benefit over 1,700 families in Ipswich and Somerset,” Sen Scarr said.
“This Budget delivers record funding for Aged Care to help the 21,243 seniors* living in Ipswich and Somerset. This investment will deliver more home care places, more funding for residential aged care and increases the amount of time resident are cared for while strengthening regulators to monitor and enforce the standards of care.” *(Figures based on most up-to-date data available as at May 2021)
Sen Scarr said the Federal government invests more than $11.5 billion/year supporting 325,000 veterans and their families. The 2021–22 Budget builds on this with an extra $702.6 million targeted at health, support, and importantly suicide prevention – with $23.3 million to continue the successful Wellbeing and Support Program, which provides intensive case management for highly vulnerable veterans transitioning from military to civilian life or who have complex care needs.
Sen Scarr said suicide prevention was a key focus with the Prime Minister recently announcing the establishment of a Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, with $28.9 million provided to enable DVA to support requests from the Royal Commission and from the National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention.
He said under Labor, childcare fees more than doubled over six years. To redress this, the Morrison Government was increasing funding for preschools in Ipswich and Somerset and making childcare more affordable and accessible and directly benefit over 1,700 families living in the region.
- “We’re making childcare more accessible and affordable to help families balance work and parenting responsibilities. The Child Care system is targeted so those who earn the least receive the highest level of subsidy (85%). Those who work, train or study the most get the most hours of support.”
- A family on $50,000, both parents (or a single parent) working with two children under 6 in long day care, three-days-a-week at $100 a day. They are more than $3,000 a year better off.
- A family on $94,000, both parents (or a single parent) working, with two children under 6 in long day care two-days-a week at $100 a day. They are around $1,500 a year better off.
- A family on $150,000, both parents (or a single parent) working, with two children under 6 in long day care three-days-a week at $100 a day. They are around $1,000 a year better off.
Families earning $189,390 or less are no longer limited in their level of subsidised Child Care. This benefits around 85% of families. Low income families earning up to $69,390 who do not meet the activity test have access to 24 hours of subsidised care per child, per fortnight. Families can see how they will benefit at: www.dese.gov.au/early-childhood And find information about fees, vacancies, and quality ratings through www.childcarefinder.gov.au
Media Contact: Senator Paul Scarr – Bruce Mills 0408 713 610
