Releasing a new expert report, Treasurer Jim Chalmers cautions extra help for Australians doing it tough had to be weighed against other fiscal challenges.
has signalled that Labor MPs and advocates for welfare recipients should curb their expectations about big new spending in next month’s budget, as an expert committee called for tens of billions more on unemployment payments, rent assistance and childcare subsidies.on Friday, the treasurer cautioned that extra help for Australians doing it tough had to be weighed against other priorities and fiscal challenges.
The report called for more action after last year’s $40 increase to the JobSeeker base rate, arguing the payment should be equivalent to 90 per cent of the age pension. The report said any negative effect on incentives to work were “likely to be small”. It said Labor should abolish the childcare activity test and make a minimum of three days of early childhood care available for every child.Designed as an incentive for parents to return to work, the activity test determines how much government-subsidised care families are eligible for, based on hours worked by parents. The test has become a hurdle for some women to return to work.
The full recommendations would be too costly for the budget. Increasing JobSeeker to 90 per cent of the age pension, up from about 70 per cent, would cost at least $24 billion over the four-year forward estimates period.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers signals budget welfare boost unlikely as government strives for surplusThe government has all but ruled out further welfare increases, before receiving a pre-budget report from its advisory committee.
Read more »
Treasurer Jim Chalmers embarks on legacy-building merger reformsHow the treasurer’s merger reforms end up working in practice will be known in just a few years. Whether they achieve their economic objective will not be known for decades.
Read more »
Treasurer Jim Chalmers urged to prioritize long-term solution for aged care fundingThe upcoming budget announcement by Treasurer Jim Chalmers will determine the sustainability of the aged care industry. The new Aged Care Act, recommended by the Royal Commission, will focus on residential care and support standards. Chalmers should not opt for a short-term fix, but rather prioritize a robust model for the next 50 years and beyond.
Read more »
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says Middle East conflict could impact InflationFederal Treasurer Jim Chalmers says fresh hostilities in the Middle East are a 'genuine threat' to our economy, with any spike in global oil prices set to impact the cost of petrol.
Read more »
Treasurer Jim Chalmers stares down NSW funding threat in GST rowNSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey says an inequitable GST allocation will likely cost the state its remaining two AAA credit ratings.
Read more »
Australia to slash tariffs on Ukrainian goods to help country's war effortDuties on Ukrainian made imports will be cut to zero, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said.
Read more »