The Albanese Labor Government has handed down its second federal budget with a $14.6 billion cost-of-living relief package, a continued commitment to strengthen Medicare, and supporting local small businesses.

Federal Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid MP says the budget assists Australians doing it tough and sets our region up for success.

“This federal budget has been carefully calibrated and is targeted towards addressing the rising cost of living, without significantly contributing to inflation”. Dr Reid said.

“There have been a range of measures announced to address the rising cost of living, and I am pleased the Albanese Government can provide this support because of our disciplined and responsible approach”, Dr Reid said.

“The guiding principles of our economic policy has been relief, repair, and restraint. Australians will be able to see this filter through to their household budgets as we address the cost of living”, Dr Reid said.

“The Federal Government is mindful of Australians on the Central Coast struggling with the cost of living, while there is more work to be done, I am confident measures announced in this budget will help ease the pressure”, Dr Reid said.

“Our nation-building and cost-of-living measures announced by the Albanese Government since we took office, measures like cheaper childcare, cheaper medicines, and fee-free TAFE, will continue benefiting the people of the Central Coast”, Dr Reid said.

Significant measures to assist Australians in this federal budget include $3.5 billion in Medicare to incentivise general practices to bulk bill again, $3.5 billion in energy subsidies for eligible households and small businesses, a 15 per cent pay increase for aged care workers across Australia, $4.9 billion for support payments like the Jobseeker Payment and Youth Allowance, meaning an extra $40 per fortnight for eligible recipients, and raising the age cut-off for the Parenting Payment (Single) from 8 to 14 years.

Also announced in this budget is funding to ban the sale of vapes, which will only be sold in pharmacies and with a prescription from a GP.

“This is a sensible decision by the Albanese Government to protect Australians, especially younger. Vaping is a significant issue in high schools and the federal government is acting”, Dr Reid said.

ENDS