The St Vincent de Paul Society has cautioned Australians against taking comfort from the short-term gains in last night’s Budget, with its spokesperson John Falzon suggesting that the Budget failed to “identify and address the areas of market failure and structural disadvantage in Australia today”.Dr Falzon said the Budget will not help generate equality of opportunity and “does nothing to promote a more cohesive Australia.”
The Federal Government’s 11th Budget includes $36.7 billion in tax cuts. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the Budget will deliver tax cuts of almost $120 a week to people on annual incomes of $150,000, but just $7 a week to the lowest income earners and almost $10 to those on average incomes.
“The tax cuts and other benefits to low and middle income families are welcome but they do not address the problems experienced by Australians who are structurally locked out,” said Dr Falzon.
He said the Budget did not address the failure in housing and transport affordability, which are depriving some Australians of a home and access to “fruitful” employment.
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Tags: Advocacy
