This week’s Morrison Government sets the nation on course to secure Australia’s strong economy with a focus to create more jobs and set the country up for future prosperity.
As a result of the hard work of the Federal Government and many in Durack during this challenging time, I am thrilled that there will be some direct tax benefits out of Budget 2021-22.
“Around 60,500 taxpayers in Durack will benefit from tax relief of up to $2,745 this year. This budget extends the low- and middle-income tax offset to 2021-22 and brings forward Stage 2 of the Government’s tax relief plan. This is additional to the Government’s Tax Plan that has already benefited 74,400 people in Durack,” Ms Price said.
'‘An extended and expanded JobTrainer Fund will support 500,000 new places to upskill jobseekers and young people. We already have 4,335 apprentices in Durack and these new measures will lead to more opportunities for apprentices and trainees with expanded wage subsidies,” Ms Price said.
In support of Durack agriculture and a broad range of businesses, the Morrison Government is continuing tax incentives that will allow around 20,000 businesses in Durack to write off the full value of any eligible asset they purchase.
“As well, the 160 million Agricultural Supply Chain Improvements - Package 1 will cover a lot of the Durack Ag regions creating the opportunity for various rail upgrades and local roads impacted by grain freight and other heavy industry. There is a total commitment of $530 million for major infrastructure roadworks crucial to agriculture, tourism and resources across Durack,” Ms Price said.
As a member of the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Women’s Sub-Committee, I am particularly proud of this budget’s investment of $3.4 billion in women’s safety, health, and economic security.
“This includes almost $354 million for women’s health including more than $100 million for improvements to cervical and breast cancer screening programs. Importantly for rural and remote women, the Breast Cancer Network Australia also has more funding to operate its advice helpline,” Melissa Price said.
Assisting Durack families, there is a very welcome increase to childcare subsidies available with more than one child aged five and younger in childcare, and the removal of the $10,560 cap.
The Morrison Government is providing additional investments in respiratory clinics, pathology testing and tracing, and the continuation of telehealth services. In Durack there have been 135,463 telehealth consultations through Medicare since the start of the pandemic and these services are now being extended
“The record investment in Aged Care will help the 18,182 senior Australians living in Durack. This investment will deliver more home care places, more funding for residential aged care and increases the amount of time residents are cared for while strengthening regulators to monitor and enforce the standards of care,” Ms Price said.
“At the other end of the age spectrum, unfortunately suicide remains the leading cause of death for Australians between the ages of 15–44 years. The Morrison Government has recognised this, by investing $2.3 billion in the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan to lead landmark reform in mental health support and treatment for Australians in need. This includes treatment centres for adults, youth and children through the Head to Health and headspace programs,” Ms Price said.
With Durack’s large Indigenous population, I welcome some of the very constructive job and education reforms.
“To ensure employment services fit the changing job market in remote Australia and meet the unique needs of job seekers in remote communities, the Government will introduce a new remote jobs program in 2023. It will replace the Community Development Program (CDP). This new program will be developed in partnership with communities and will complement the broader New Employment Services Model being rolled out in the latter half of 2022,” Ms Price said.
I welcome the steadfast leadership of Prime Minister Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg which has created a budget for our times as the economy continues its pandemic recovery, with many benefits for my Durack constituents.
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Media Contact: Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.