cuts, cuts, cuts: a breakdown of the 2014 federal budget

 

The government has put forward its scheme to get the budget back into surplus, the contribute and build budget, so named by Joe Hockey. Here is a break down of some of key points in the budget.

Health and science

The government has proposed $50 billion worth of cuts to health and hospital funding over the next ten years.

If you need to visit your GP or use out of hospital pathology or imaging services like x-rays, you will soon have to pay a Medicare co-payment of $7 to do so. For concessional patients and children under 16 this $7 fee will only be implemented for the first ten services each year (a total of $70) after which the fee will be waived.

People will also pay approximately $5 more for medication through changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

The government has proposed that $20 billion will be given to the Medical Research Future Fund. Other science organisations such as CSIRO, Australia’s nuclear science body, ANSTO, the Australian Research Council, and the Institute of Marine Science will incur massive cuts over the next four years. The government is also set to save $850 million over the next five years by terminating science programs.

Climate change

The government will strive to achieve a 5 per cent reduction in carbon emissions.

Students and education

Public funding for university courses will be cut by 20 per cent and universities will have the option to set their own tuition fees. Graduates will incur higher interest rates and be forced to pay off their loans sooner.

The government will expand subsidies to diploma, advanced diploma and associate degrees.

The Gonski funding plan will only be run for four years under the Liberal government.

Public Broadcasting

The ABC and SBS will lose 1 per cent of their annual funding over the next four years (roughly $43.5 million per year). The Australia Network has been unfunded.

Families

Single parents will lose the Family Tax Benefit B payment once their youngest child turns six instead of eighteen. The income threshold will also be reduced to $100,000 for this payment. Both Family Tax Benefit A and B payments will be frozen for two years.

Indigenous affairs

The government has proposed a $500 million cut to indigenous programs over the next five years by updating the administration of over 150 indigenous programs. Funding will be cut to The National Congress of First Peoples and will be reduced to The Torres Strait Regional Authority.

Senior citizens

The pension age will be raised to 70 by July 2035. Pensioners now have to claim a lower amount of money ($30 000 per year) from their assets when they claim the pension.

Holders of the Seniors Health Card will lose the Seniors Supplement, which is $876.20 per year or $1320.80 for couples.

The $7 co-payment to visit the GP will affect Pensioners and with untaxed superannuation now counting towards the income test the Senior’s Health Card will be more difficult to gain.

People with disabilities

Many people on the Disability Support Pension will have their eligibility reviewed with those people under 35 facing tougher criteria to remain on the pension. People on this pension who can work up to eight hours a week to any capacity will be reintegrated into the workforce in compulsory work programs.

Unemployed

Unemployed young people under 30 will only be able to claim Newstart for six months per year, and will have to take part in Work for the Dole programs for 25 hours a week if not studying or training. Young people will not be able to claim Newstart until the age of 25.

The Arts

There will be large cuts to Arts orginisations, which will be cut by $87.1 million.

Australia’s foreign aid

The government is set to cut $7.6 billion out of the foreign aid budget over the next five years.

Public service

16,500 Commonwealth public servant jobs will be cut. 70 Federal agencies have been abolished and some agencies may face further cuts or closures.

High-income earners

For only three years, high-income earners will face a 2 per cent Debt Levy (a tax), if they earn more than $180 000 per year.

Diesel fuel tax

Petrol prices will rise by almost 4 cents and raise $2.2 billion over four years.

Mining sector

Mining companies will be given $100 million over the next four years for minerals exploration. Mining will not incur an increase in the diesel fuel excise.

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Joe Hockey has stated that all Australians have to bear the burden to get the budget back into a sustainable position. Do you think the government’s federal budget is fair? Or are there some who are harder hit by it?

How will the budget effect you, Lipsters?
Share your thoughts with us in the comments!