The Women s Budget Statement promises $3.4 billion to address inequality. Women s advocates see a really significant missed opportunity . David Adams
Gender equality advocates have welcomed the $3.4 billion in Federal Budget funding for women s economic and personal security, but say the measures should go further.
The Women s Budget Statement promises to expand childcare subsidies, superannuation, and housing guarantees, with the goal of increasing government support for Australian women.
But at just 1% of the Federal Budget s $589 billion in spending measures, some rue a really significant missed opportunity to address systemic inequality.
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Gender equality advocates say new measures included in the $3.4 billion Women s Budget Statement are a welcome start, but radically underestimate the structural issues hindering the economic and personal security of Australian women.
Real GPD growth - 4.25 per cent TAX CUTS - $7.8b providing up to $1080 in relief in 2021-22 for singles and $2160 for couples that are low or middle-income earners. This will be available to more than 10 million people when they lodge tax returns in 2022. - $20.7b in tax relief for businesses over the forward estimates by extending current schemes. Includes a program that lets tradies write off the entire cost of new machinery and equipment until June 30, 2023. - $225m in tax relief for small brewers and distillers. The budget should mean a little more money in your wallet. WOMEN - $261.4m over the next two years to boost frontline services and initiatives that fall under the Australia s National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children. States and territories asked to contribute further funding.
The focus on women comes after a difficult three months in which the Morrison government was rocked by allegations of sexual assault and the poor treatment of women in the federal Parliament.
The Sunday Age last week - aims to encourage more parents to return to working either four or five days a week and targets low and middle incomes families earning $130,000 or less who have more than one child in childcare.
Minister for Government Services and Minister for the NDIS Linda Reynolds, Minister for Families and Social Services and Minister for Women’s Safety Anne Ruston, Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne and Prime Minister Scott Morrison during the cabinet women’s taskforce meeting at Parliament House in Canberra on April 6.
Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
The health package includes $100.4 million over four years to improve cervical and breast cancer screening programs and $95.9 million for new tests under the Medicare Benefits Scheme for pre-implantation genetic testing of embryos for specific genetic or chromosomal abnormalities prior to pregnancy.
Budget 2021: What we know so far
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Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is putting the finishing touches to a budget that will continue to focus on economic recovery from the coronavirus-induced recession, try to improve the governmentâs standing with women and address the crunch posed by the ageing population.
After being moved to October last year because of the pandemic, the budget returns to its usual second Tuesday in May timeslot, this year on May 11.
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But while the economy is recovering more strongly than was expected last year, Mr Frydenberg has pledged to continue the big spending to underpin job creation, especially for industries that remain affected such as tourism.