Bland budget for those not considered vulnerable

The 2023 Federal Budget delivered last week could be described as bland, not relevant to those not considered ‘vulnerable’ and not directed at strengthening Australian agriculture and rural communities.

The healthy surplus of $4.2 billion is the result of higher tax revenue than expected, particularly as a result of higher iron ore, gas and coal prices.

The turnaround has been largely driven by high commodity prices, a strong job market and a boost in net migration.

However, the first surplus in 15 years will be short-lived, with a return to deficit of $13.9 billion forecast in next year's budget.

The promised and much-vaunted electricity bill relief, worth $3 billion to taxpayers, will add up differently depending on which state or territory you live and whether you are considered vulnerable.

In total, five million households and one million businesses will have their bills rebated from July 1.

The rebates are being co-funded and administered by the states and territories which agreed that the states with the highest bills will pay more.

Those to benefit include pensioners, veterans, seniors and other concession card holders, as well as recipients of the Carer Allowance, Family Tax Benefit, and anyone eligible for existing state and territory electricity concession schemes.

Those to benefit most are single parents, job seekers and those needing childcare or working in aged care.

Increases in Medicare spending again appear to be directed at the vulnerable and also all children under 16. The new Prescriptions rules have pharmacists up in arms.

Changing rules to allow people to buy two months' worth of common medications on a single prescription — up from the current 30-day limit.

Chemists across the country are against the change, saying that current medication shortages will only worsen, amongst other issues that will arise.

“The way it has been framed in the Budget makes people believe that it will save money. This is deceiving to the public,” local Pharmacist Mina said.

“The way that the Safety Net System works, they may not have to pay for medications for six months because they have already reached their threshold. However, they still will be paying the same costs in the long run.

“Another disadvantage is that it will mean patients are stockpiling medications at home, and making shortages of medications worse.

“Dispensing feed for pharmacists will be essentially halved. This is placing increasing strain on the pharmacies, small businesses no different from any other small business.

“This translates into less opportunities for employment, and an increasingly stressed, overworked staff.

“It causes less profits which will put increasing strain on a crucial sector.”

There also does not appear to be any relief for hard-working households to put the food on the table.

“Real workers need a pay rise, or some sort of incentive,” Tracy Pascoe told The Riverine Grazier.

Karen Biggs agrees, saying that real workers were the ones paying for all of the incentives announced.

“There is always going to be some segments of society that are going to miss out,” Libby Eason added.

“I was genuinely surprised that the Government managed to pull off a surplus.

“Middle class people and people with no children lose out.

“However, we can’t have it all and there has to be some give and take.”

“It would be good if they follow through with some of their promises and actually create real, notable change,” Lisa Gee added

NSW Farmers’ Association is disappointed the federal government has missed key opportunities in the federal budget to strengthen Australian agriculture and rural communities.

“Overall, the farming community (which feeds the nation) will likely feel it has been forgotten in this budget,” President of NSW Farmers Xavier Martin said.

“It’s a pity as this was a golden opportunity for the Albanese Government to show a commitment to improving cost of living pressures, not just for people in the city, but also for those of us in the regions.

“The federal budget has fallen short of expectations, particularly around the significant biosecurity threats Australian farmers face.

“At first glance, $1 billion in extra funding to strengthen biosecurity measures sounds great, however, it’s farmers that are being told to pay for it with a new ‘biosecurity protection levy’.

“Other concerning elements of the budget include inadequate spending on improving regional roads and infrastructure and the new capping of the Instant Asset write-off to assets valued up to $20,000.”

It is important that those in a vulnerable position should feel they are in a position to make ends meet.

Prime Minister Albanese promised a budget where “no one is left behind”.

Yet there is concern in the community that the budget was a missed opportunity to provide help to hardworking Australians trying to get ahead.

A missed opportunity to deal with those cost-of-living pressures that are bearing down on Australians.

Apprentices, tradies and truckies are getting hit with an additional tax, farmers are getting hit with an additional tax.

Truck drivers are considered to be among Australia’s hardest workers and say they are frustrated at an increase to the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge, claiming the extra fees will put even more pressure on their already strained finances, and they would be better off on the dole.

The federal government plans to increase the toll from 27.2 cents to 32.4 cents per litre of diesel used by 2025, which some truckies say will create "a domino effect". This too will be passed on to those trying to put food on the table.