Treasurer Scott Morrison has released his third budget – or the fifth of the Abbott-Turnbull governments if you prefer – and it is clear this will be the last budget before the next federal election.
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In theory the current parliament could go to late 2019 but pretty much every believes Malcolm Turnbull will go to the polls later this year or early next year at the latest.
Certainly it feels like a pre-election budget with a lot of giveaways to small business, corporations and pensioners, all of whom are likely to support the Coalition.
One of the main features is a gradual flattening of the tax rate over the next seven years and by 2024 someone earning $41,000 a year will be paying the same tax rate as someone earning $200,000 – in each case 32.5%.
While a simpler tax system is to be applauded and paying less tax is something we all like, there is a big difference between either end of that scale and it makes our system become more American, and likely, less fair.
The government has announced $1.6 billion over four years to allow 14,000 more older Australians to remain in their home for longer through more high-level home care places. For those in aged care, an extra $82.5 million will be directed to improve mental health services in the facilities.
As for regional and rural areas, one of the good things is the $83.3 million Stronger Rural Health Strategy which will make it easier for medical students to study in country areas and aims to place more doctors and nurses in the bush and train 100 additional GPs.
Sadly for us in North West Queensland, however it is only regional centres in Victoria and New South Wales that will benefit from this scheme.
As usual, our federal member Bob Katter has gone missing in action when it comes to important lobbying for our region which got absolutely nothing specific in the budget.
It really is about time he retired or if he doesn’t listen to reason, it is about time we voted an LNP or Labor MP so we have a better chance of getting some government funding.
Canberra isn’t listening to Bob – Derek Barry