The Budget Bottom Line

Budget08

Investing in Australia’s Future

For more information go to www.alp.org.au;

Investing $40 billion in three new funds to build a strong, modern and prosperous Australia

Building Australia Fund – $20 billion for roads, rail, ports and communications infrastructure

Education Investment Fund – $11 billion to fund universities, TAFEs and education needs

Health and Hospital Fund – $10 billion to fund the renewal of Australian hospitals and medical research

Braddon projects bonanza

The Rudd Labor Government and Sid Sidebottom will deliver more than $90 million in election commitments during its first term in office.

Braddon Budget Projectsat a glance -

Jobs$12 million Enterprise Connect Centre$500,000 for Business and Employment, Devonport

Infrastructure$500,000 Oakleigh Park Overpass, Burnie$2 million Formby Rd, Devonport$1 million Port Sorell Main Rd$700,000 King Island Freight Equalisation

$30 million rail upgrade Burnie-Wiltshire

Tourism$12 million Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme$185,000 Table Cape Lighthouse Tourist project, Wynyard

$175,000 King Island Food and Recreation Trail Project

Health$7.7 million for a new cancer treatment unit with a preference for it to be located in the North-West

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$10 million for better patient transport with a focus on the NW CoastUp to $5 million GP super clinic, DevonportUp to $2.5 million GP after hours clinic, Burnie$1.25 million Sisters of Charity, Devonport$60,000 Penguin Medical CentreSpecialised Autism Centre based in the North-West servicing TasmaniaMedicare Licence for MRI machine at the North-West Regional Hospital.

Federal Funding for the Mersey Community Hospital

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Community Infrastructure$3 million Burnie Waterfront precinct$1.8 million Ulverstone Wharf and Showground$1 million Mersey Bluff, Devonport$200,000 St Brigids Hall, Wynyard$300,000 King Island TV reception

Sport and Recreation$750,000 Ulverstone to Turners Beach pathway$125,000 Somerset Soccer Club$720,000 Circular Head Community Recreation Centre$30,000 CH Little Athletics Centre$200,000 Port Sorell Surf Club extension

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The Budget Bottom LineSid Sidebottom MP - ...for a fair go in Braddon1300 135 547 Ph 03 6431 1333 Fax 03 6431 5680 Email [email protected] 2, 32 Wilmot Street, Burnie 7320 Tasmania PO Box 908 Burnie

budgbottom.indd 1 26/05/2008 10:17:34 AM

Delivering for Working FamiliesA $55 billion Working Families Support Package

Tax cuts for working families valued at $47 billion from 2008–2012

Kevin Rudd’s new 50 per cent Education Tax Refund worth $4.4 billion

Lifting the Childcare Tax Rebate from 30 per cent to 50 per cent

For more information go to www.alp.org.au;

Budget08

Budget support for familiesBaby Bonus

From July 1, 2008, the baby bonus will increase to $5000 for eligible families. It will now be means tested and available only to families with an income up to and including $150,000. It will also now be paid in 13 fortnightly instalments over the six months from the date of claim.

Child Care Tax RebateFrom July 1, 2008, the rate of Child Care Tax Rebate (CCTR) will increase from 30% to 50% of out-of-pocket expenses for approved child care costs. The rebate will now also be paid quarterly, with the first payment from October, 2008.

Education Tax RefundEligible families will be able to claim a 50% refundable tax off-set every year for key education expenses up to:

$750 for each child un-dertaking primary studies (maximum refund of $375 per child, per year)$1500 for each child under-taking secondary studies (maximum refund of $750 per child, per year)

Families receiving Family Tax Benefit (Part A) with children attending primary or second-ary school or whose children receive Youth Allowance or another relevant payment will be eligible for the Education Tax Refund.

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The education tax refund will apply to expenses incurred from July 1, 2008 and will be claimed upon lodgement of a 2008-09 income tax return.

Increase to low-income tax offset

From July 1, 2008 part-time workers will be able to earn up to $14,000 without paying tax – up from $11,000 currently.By 2010-11 a typical second-income earner will be able to work 14 hours per week without paying any tax.

Tax breaks ease pressure on NW families

Did You Know?Helping to reach the Aussie Dream

From July 1, 2008, if you are saving for your first home, the Gov-ernment will contribute 17 per cent for the first $5000 you save each year. This is for each individual saver, helping to improve housing affordability and reach the great Australian dream.

Juvenile DiabetesFrom November 1, 2008, eligible people under 18-years old with Type 1 Diabetes will be able to access a subsidy between $500 and $2500 (based on gross family income) to purchase an insulan

pump .

Personal income tax cuts will ease the pressure on work-ing families in Braddon.The cuts will help families meet rising costs which they can’t control.From July 1, 2008, families can expect to receive -

$20.19 each week with a single income of $40,000

$21.15 each week with a single income of $80,000; and$31.73 each week for families on a combined income of $100,000 with the primary earner on an income of $60,000.

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The Budget Bottom Line


THE Rudd Government and Sid Sidebottom delivered a $90 million budget bonanza for the people of Braddon on May 13.

The budget measures represent the delivery of a majority of Labor’s promises from the 2007 election campaign. This is one of the best budget results ever for our region.Funding commitments stretch from one end of Braddon to the other, and across all sectors of the community.Sid was pleased to see so many of the great projects in Braddon recognised in Wayne Swan and Kevin Rudd’s first budget.

“It must be recognised that we are delivering a majority of our commitments in our first year in government,” Sid said.“This is a result of the hard work of community groups, councils and other key people who put so much into our region.Projects listed for funding under the $176 million Better Regions program

Sid and Kevin Rudd deliver $90m plus

include $3 million for the Burnie waterfront and cultural precinct and $1 million for development of the Mersey Bluff at Devonport.Circular Head’s community recreation centre will get a $750,000 boost, and $200,000 will go to the Port Sorell Surf Life Saving Club.The Ulverstone showground and wharf redevelopment will kick-off with $1.8 million, with another $750,000 for a walkway from Turners Beach to Ulverstone.

King Island will receive $171,000 for a food and recreation trail, while $200,000 will go into a new multi-purpose community centre at Wynyard.

Another $500,000 has been allocated for a rail crossing at Oakleigh Park in Burnie, with $125,000 to revamp the Somerset Soccer Club.

On top of the Better Regions funds, King Island will get a digital television project worth $300,000 to deliver five channels to many people on the island.

“This is one of the best budget results ever for our region.’’

Did you know? Budget at a glanceBaby BonusFrom July 1, 2008, the Baby Bonus will increase to $5000 for eligible families.

Landlords and RentersFrom late 2008, landlords will be entitled to a rebate of up to $500 to install insula-tion. Insulation can slash more than $300 off annual energy bills.

Green LoansBy early 2009, eligible families will be able to apply for Green Loans of up to $10,000 to improve the energy and water efficiency of their homes. Items for purchase under the loan scheme include solar panels, rainwater tanks and grey water recycling systems, insulation and shading devices, solar, heat-pump and high efficiency gas hot water heaters and lighting.

Seniors Transport ConcessionsBy January 1, 2009, all State Government Seniors Card holders will be able to access travel concessions on public transport anywhere in Australia

Returning to workFrom July 1, 2008, part-time workers can earn up to $14,000 without paying tax - up from $11,000 currently

Budget08

The Budget Bottom Line The Budget Bottom LineSid Sidebottom MP - ...for a fair go in Braddon1300 135 547 Ph 03 6431 1333 Fax 03 6431 5680 Email [email protected] 2, 32 Wilmot Street, Burnie 7320 Tasmania PO Box 908 Burnie


The Budget Bottom LinePrinted by Print Domain, 36 Smith

Street, Smithton, Tas 7330

Authorised by Sid Sidebottom, 684

Forth Rd, Forth, Tasmania, 7310

The budgetfor seniors

The Rudd Government has com-mitted $5.2 billion in additional funding for seniors in the budget – this is three and a half times more than the amount pledged by the Howard Government in the 2007-08 budget.Senior political reporter Laurie Oakes noted this week that claims seniors got nothing in the budget was patently false“Seniors got a $500 bonus and an increase in the utilities allowance from $107 to $500. That means pensioners get an extra $900. Low income “working families” got a bit over $1000. Comparable treatment” Mr Oakes said in his political colum, in the Mercury Newspaper.As a result of the budget seniors will benefit from the following initiatives:

Utilities AllowanceFrom March 20, 2008, the Utili-ties Allowance increased from $107.20 per year to $500 for eligible seniors. It is now also paid quarterly.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has promised to examine ways to deliver increased financial security in the longer term to seniors. The Government is establishing a comprehensive inquiry into the

Supporting pensioners(pensioners more than $400 better off)

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Before After0

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1200Telephone Allow ance (internet)Utilities Allow anceSeniors Bonus

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$ 695

$ 1132

Prime Minister promises inquiry into finance for seniors

I’m on a DisabilitySupport Pension. What do I get?

Utilities AllowanceThe Rudd Government has extended the Utilities Allowance to those on a Disability Support Pension for the first time ever.

Telephone AllowancePeople currently receiving a Disability Support Pension are entitled to an increase in Telephone Allowance from $88 to $132 if they have a home internet connection.

Disability ServicesThe North-West Coast will also share in $1 billion in additional funding allocated for disability services across the country.

whole of the taxation and welfare systems.This inquiry responds to the recommendations of the recent Senate Report into cost of living pressures on seniors.

Did you know?Volunteers

From July 1, 2008, volunteer organisations will be able to apply for petrol vouchers un-der the Federal Government’s Volunteer Grants Program.

Breastfeeding MumsBy December 2008 breastfeed-ing mums will be able to call a national toll-free 24 hour hotline to access advice on breastfeeding.

One Stop Green ShopYou will soon be able to access a One Stop Green Shop online, which offers information on all federal, state and local govern-ment environmental programs that promote sustainability at home.

Local Sporting ChampionsFrom July 1, 2008, junior athletes, both individuals and teams, will be able to apply for grants of up to $500 or $3000 respectively to cover costs associated with travel to significant sporting events, or to purchase equipment.

Sid Sidebottom MP - ...for a fair go in Braddon1300 135 547 Ph 03 6431 1333 Fax 03 6431 5680 Email [email protected] 2, 32 Wilmot Street, Burnie 7320 Tasmania PO Box 908 Burnie

Under John Howard Under Kevin Rudd

Telephone Allowance

Singles and couples receiving the aged pension or holding a Commonwealth Seniors Health card are entitled to an increase in the Telephone Allowance from $88 to $132 if they have a home internet connection.

IndexationThe Government will index pen-sions by the Consumer Price In-dex, or 25 per cent of Male Total Average Weekly Earnings – which-ever is greater.

Seniors lump sum payment

Eligible seniors will receive a $500 lump sum payment, in the same way they received it last year. This payment will be made before June 30.

Seniors Concession Allowance

The Seniors Concession Allow-ance has increased from $218 to $500 per year for holders on a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

Supporting Pensioners



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The Budget Bottom Line