Central Coast families are set to benefit from a range of cost-of-living relief measures and increased access to bulk-billed GP appointments outlined in Tuesday’s Federal Budget.
Increases to JobSeeker payments and Commonwealth rent relief, along with Medicare improvements, will see the pressure ease slightly for thousands of the region’s residents.
The budget allocates $3.5B to help GPs provide free, bulk-billed consultations to pensioners, concession card holders and under 16-year-olds, with around 84,875 people in Dobell and 73,130 in Robertson set to benefit.
An increase in the base rate of income payments like JobSeeker, Austudy and Youth Allowance by $40 per fortnight, while being criticised is some quarters as being too little, will provide some relief for around 7,225 people in Dobell and 5,195 in Robertson.
More than 650 single parents regionwide will be able to switch from JobSeeker to receive Parenting Payment (Single) until their youngest child turns 14 (up from 8 years old), with around 520 eligible singles in Dobell and 135 in Robertson.
These single parents will be $176.90 better off each fortnight, receiving a base rate of $922.10 per fortnight compared to the current JobSeeker Payment rate of $745.20.
A rise in Commonwealth rental assistance rates will see almost 14,000 households receive up to $31.36 extra each fortnight (9,460 in Dobell and 4,320 in Robertson) and NDIS budget initiatives are also expected to benefit thousands in the region.
Member for Dobell Emma McBride said the budget delivers on the Government’s promise to provide some relief for cash-strapped families while building a more secure economy into the future.
“The Budget includes a $14.6B cost of living package over four years that will ease pressure on Australians while putting downward pressure on inflation,” McBride said.
“We’re supporting people on the Central Coast doing it tough right now with historic investments in Medicare that will see more people able to access bulk billing GPs.
“We are tripling bulk billing incentives, which will see immediate benefits to more than 11 million Australians.
“New funding for housing will see more people able to afford rent or buy their own home.
“With wage raises for aged care workers we will return dignity to work for those who care for our oldest Australians.
“This is a Budget that will support the Central Coast without driving up inflation.”
McBride said Labor’s new Energy Price Relief Plan would provide relief for more than five million households.
“I know that this will make a real difference in household budgets – helping families in our community,” she said.
Member for Robertson Gordon Reid said the budget would help Coasties doing it tough and set the region up for success.
“This budget has been carefully calibrated and is targeted towards addressing the rising cost of living, without significantly contributing to inflation,” he said.
“The guiding principles of our economic policy have been relief, repair and restraint.
“Australians will be able to see this filter through to their household budgets as we address the cost of living.
“The Federal Government is mindful of Australians on the Central Coast struggling with the cost of living.
“While there is more work to be done, I am confident measures announced in this budget will help ease the pressure.”
Reid said measures like cheaper childcare, cheaper medicines and fee-free TAFE would continue to benefit the region.
Also announced in the budget is funding to ban the sale of vapes, which will only be sold in pharmacies and with a prescription from a GP.
“This is a sensible decision by the Albanese Government to protect Australians, especially younger ones,” Reid said.
“Vaping is a significant issue in high schools and the Federal Government is acting.”
Other budget initiatives set to ease the burden for Coasties include: $3.5B in energy subsidies for eligible households and small businesses; a 15 per cent pay increase for aged care workers; 60 days’ worth of medicine for the price of a single prescription for chronic sufferers; extra JobSeeker support for over 55s (down from 60); an expansion of the first home guarantee scheme allowing family or friend groups to buy a home with 5 per cent deposit; and low-cost loans for improvements to make homes easier and cheaper to keep warm and cool.
Terry Collins