This
budget builds stronger foundations for a better future. It does three
things: provides cost-of-living relief, makes our society fairer, and
secures our economy for the future.
That’s
why it:
After
a decade of waste and mismanagement under the Liberals, we’re
making responsible and disciplined choices that will put our economy
and society on a stronger footing.
Our
approach to this has been all about helping Australians under
pressure right now, while building for the long term.
THIRD - Dr
Remy Davison, Jean Monnet Chair in Politics and Economics,
Faculty of Arts, Monash University media release,10 May 2023:
“The
2023-24 budget’s centrepiece is a $15 billion cost-of-living
package and a return to surplus for the first time since 2007.
“But
this is not the kitchen-sink, big-spending budgets of yore. Budgets
now must be lean, mean, with much less green.
“But
the core reason why spending has been wound back is due to the “I”
word. Yes, inflation.
“This
is a high-wire balancing act. On the one hand, the Treasurer was
compelled to ameliorate the cost-of-living crisis, particularly for
precarious, low-income earners. On the other hand, Jim Chalmers could
not resort to the direct fiscal injections that characterised the
Rudd and Morrison governments during the global financial crisis
(GFC) and the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively.
“Instead,
the Treasurer has been compelled to implement a degree of austerity.
An expansive budget would run counter to the monetary discipline the
RBA has enforced, with 11 interest rate increases in the past 12
months.
“The
modest $4 billion surplus is a flash in the pan; a nod to
inflationary pressures. A deficit of $13 billion is already forecast
for 2024-25, although deficits will be lower for the next several
years.
“Despite
the surplus, there’s still an underlying structural deficit. In
other words, in the absence of windfall revenues from high resources
prices and virtually full employment, recurrent budgetary outlays
will exceed revenues going forward, unless explicit cuts are made.”
FOURTH - Dr
Blair Williams, lecturer in Politics & International
Relations, Monash University, media release,10 May 2023:
“The
Albanese government has framed the 2023-24 budget as one that leaves
no one behind, which includes a $14.6bn cost-of-living package.
However, for many struggling Australians, who are forced to choose
between paying the bills, rent or putting food on the table, this may
not be enough.
“Welfare
has been increased by a minimum of $40 a fortnight, with more for
those aged over 55. While it is particularly welcome to see an
increase to the Youth Allowance - the largest since 1998 - this will
still leave many young Australians trying to make do with less than
$50 a day.
“This
budget marks a clear departure from the ‘blokey’ Coalition
budgets of previous years, with the focus instead moving to the care
economy and women’s economic participation.
“Expanding
access to the Single Parenting Payment is a welcome move, which will
predominantly benefit single mothers. Likewise, the 15 per cent pay
rise for aged care workers is a much-needed move, as the pandemic has
made quite clear. However, while the government has made early
childhood education more affordable and accessible, early childhood
educators are still largely earning minimum wage.”
FIFTH - Associate
Professor Johnson George, Centre for Medicine Use and Safety,
Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, media release, 10 May
2023:
“The
government is investing into clamping down on the black market for
vapes, which is fantastic. It’s important to ensure funding is also
channelled toward helping those who have become dependent on vapes.
“Vaping
addiction has become prevalent, especially among young people, so
efforts need to be directed toward improving access to subsidised
evidence-based treatments for vaping cessation with management
support from healthcare professionals.
“When
it comes to smoking, evidence-based treatment approaches and
behavioural counselling have to be promoted as first line - there is
no place for vaping as an evidence-based smoking cessation strategy
in the management of nicotine dependence.”
SIXTH - Professor
Ariel Liebman, Director Monash Energy Institute, media release,
10 may 2023:
“The
refocusing of the government’s efforts on important climate change
mitigation and emission reductions is heartening and very welcome. As
is the recognition that consumers need relief from the exorbitantly
high energy prices from recent times.
“However,
much more should be invested in the emissions reduction space and
that could be funded by a fully revamped Resource Rent Tax.
"The
investment towards clean hydrogen is a great first step as part of an
acceleration towards a ‘Net Zero’ economy. But we shouldn’t be
complacent that the electricity sector transformation is simple and a
lot more should be done to address complex new grid operational
challenges. This requires an investment in infrastructure for both
transmission and storage as well as in research and development to
operate new renewables-dominated power systems.
“Australia
is on the frontier of operating renewable-dominated grids and there
is an urgent need to invest in the domestic development of
future-proof solutions.”
SEVENTH - Professor
Yiannis Ventikos, Dean, Faculty
of Engineering, Monash
University, media release,
10 May 2023:
On
renewable energies
“The
budget touches on important topics relating to technology,
innovation, industry and engineering education. The emphasis on
renewables, both as an overall direction with substantial resource
allocated, but also specific technologies, like hydrogen, are indeed
very positive steps in tackling the greatest challenge of our times.
“Universities
will inevitably be the grounds where training to fill skills gaps and
support innovation in renewable energy will be delivered. A clearer
role, and well-defined resources for universities to deliver this
would be welcome in the next iteration of this budget.”
On
the 4,000 Commonwealth supported university places to support AUKUS
“A
very positive uplift to the defence budget and substantial upskilling
in the technical and business work force relevant to the demands
stemming from the AUKUS agreement, with 20,000 new jobs, 4,000 of
which will involve new training at university level, in Commonwealth
Supported Places.
“It
is essential that these additional university places span the
spectrum, from undergraduate to masters to PhD, to create the right
mix of specialisations and skills that will be necessary to support
the AUKUS program.”
On
manufacturing
“Support
for technology and technological education to building sovereign
capability, enhanced productivity and support for knowledge-intensive
manufacturing would be an important and welcome addition. The core
role that STEM subjects and university education plays in this front
cannot be understated.”
EIGHTH - Australian
Treasurer & Labor MP Rankin Dr. Jim Chalmers, Twitter,
10 May 2023:
