Australians split from their families have received the devastating news that the international border will remain closed until at least mid-2022.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg predicted in Tuesday night s Budget that Australians would be banned from leaving the country for all but essential reasons until the middle of next year.
Officials assume there will then be a gradual return to normal travel after that point, but there are fears that airlines will be slow to come back to Australia, choking supply of flights and making tickets prohibitively expensive.
The further long delay in allowing visitors was also likely to bankrupt tourism-related businesses, among those few that have been able to survive this far.
Gladstone will benefit from a push to unlock more gas supply for the domestic market.
The Federal Budget 2021 has earmarked $1.5m to support a feasibility study into the electrification of liquefied natural gas facilities at Curtis Island, Queensland.
Budget papers state the Federal Government will give the funding to the Queensland government for this study in 2021-22.
The Government has also allocated $15.6m in 2021-22 for competitive grants to support gas field trials in the North Bowen and Galilee basins.
The trials will be in partnership with industry, experts from the University of Queensland and the Queensland government.
They aim to “improve geological understanding in the region, overcome technical drilling challenges, and determine gas flow rates”.
Australia’s Federal Budget 2021/22 at a Glance
The Federal Budget at a Glance
KEY FORECASTS Economic growth to rise by 4.25 percent in 2021/22 Unemployment to average 5 percent Inflation to average 1.75 percent Wage growth of 1.5 percent Net debt to rise to $729 billion
TAXATION Extra $7.8 billion in tax cuts for low and middle income earners, worth $1080 for individuals or $2160 for dual-income couples $25.1 billion of announced personal tax cuts will flow to households in 2021/22
BUSINESS Temporary loss carryback extended to include the 2022/23 income year $1.2 billion aviation and tourism sector package $1.5 billion modern manufacturing strategy
HOUSING Further 10,000 places under the New Home Guarantee for first home buyers
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg. Source: AAP/Daniel Pockett.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will deliver his third budget on Tuesday evening in Parliament, marking yet another significant turn in the government’s debt levels since he declared the budget was ‘back in the black’ two years ago.
Despite Australia’s strong economic recovery from the pandemic, tomorrow’s budget is shaping up to be one of significant government investment. The Treasurer has indicated the government will not pull back on government spending, even though the budget’s underlying cash deficit this fiscal year will be $167 billion, according to Deloitte.
The government has already announced various budget measures ahead of its official release tomorrow, and here’s what we know will be included so far.
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The Royal Flying Doctor Service is asking Central Queenslanders to dig deep and donate what they can to help expand its services.
The RFDS on Monday announced statewide infrastructure plans for a new aeromedical base to
service regional, rural and remote Queensland.
The new, built-for-purpose base at Mount Isa will replace the existing, 60-year-old facility and
allow Flying Doctor crews to deliver even greater levels of patient care.
Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) chief executive officer Meredith Staib
said the service was calling on the assistance of its loyal supporters to support the build.
“The Flying Doctor is now calling on the help of its supporters to raise $3.2 million to support the build of a new base,” she said.