Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley (pictured) has provided the following summary of the main budget items impacting local residents.
● Another $36,800 to the Finley Research and Development facility.
● $1 billion to extend the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
● The Federal Government has allocated an extra $250 million on local projects in Farrer since the 2019 election.
● About 66,900 taxpayers in Farrer will benefit from tax relief of up to $2745 this year. This is a result of the decision to extend the low and middle income tax offset to 2021-22 and the decision to bring forward Stage 2 of the government’s tax relief plan.
●The tax-free cashflow boost has helped about 6600 small and medium businesses providing $262 million in payments to help businesses in Farrer to stay afloat. Additionally, about 5500 businesses in Farrer will 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 to create local jobs.
● Rural Financial Counselling funding over the next four years, including $10 million for Southern NSW.
Aged care:
● $630.2 million to improve access to quality aged care services for consumers in regional areas.
● $13.4 million to establish regional offices to improve advice to government.
● $6.5 billion to release 80,000 additional home care packages.
● $3.9 billion to increase the amount of front-line care (care minutes) delivered to 240,000 aged care residents and 67,000 who access respite services. This will be mandated at 200 minutes per day, including 40 minutes with a registered nurse.
● $216.7 million to grow and upskill the workforce and enhance nurse leadership and clinical skills.
Other spending:
● An additional $250 million for a sixth round of the successful Building Better Regions Fund.
● $28.2 million for the Stronger Communities Programme – funding between $2500 and $20,000 for small capital projects that deliver social benefits for local communities across Australia.
● $114 million Telehealth services extension until at least the end of the year. There have been 276,157 Telehealth consultations through Medicare since the start of the pandemic and these services are now being extended.
● $130.4 million Regional Connectivity Program — extra funding for expanding mobile phone and wireless connectivity across the country.
Announced in the last 12 months:
● The Government will temporarily allow student visa holders to work more than 40 hours per fortnight, as long as they are employed in the tourism or hospitality sectors. From January work limitation conditions on student visa holders have been temporarily lifted to allow them to work more than 40 hours per fortnight if they are employed in the agriculture sector.
● The government will maintain the 2021-22 Migration Program planning level at 160,000.
● Family and skilled stream places will be maintained at their 2020-21 planning levels.
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