Dr Mike Freelander MP, Federal Member for Macarthur, welcomes this evening’s Budget which provides much needed cost of living supports for workers, families and businesses, illustrating the Albanese Government’s commitment and vision for the Australian people going forward.

This budget embodies the belief of no one being left behind, and after nearly a decade of neglect under the Abbott/Turnbull/Morrison Government’s, the Albanese Government is committed to fighting for all Australians.

Importantly, a $3.5 billion funding boost for Medicare will benefit more than 11 million Australians, which will incentivise GP’s providing free consultations.

This is the largest increase to the bulk billing incentive in Australian history and is a win for patients, a win for GP’s, a win for specialists and a win for our hospitals.

We are also providing a long overdue15% pay increase for more than 250,000 aged care workers across the country and $55.3 billion over four years into early education to help more than 1.2 million Australian families by making childcare more affordable.

We are also investing in early educators by providing $72.4m over five years to support their skills and retain and train more early childhood educators.  

Further, 57,000 single-parent payment recipients will benefit by increasing the cut-off age from 8 years old to 14, which will ensure single mums, dads and their children will be better off.

Those on Jobseeker, Austudy and Youth Allowance will receive an increase of $40 a fortnight and those aged over 55 will receive an increase of $92 a fortnight to their JobSeeker payment, which reflects the difficulties that this age group experiences in gaining employment and having lower superannuation balances, the vast majority of which are women.

In a major win for preventative health, the Medicare rebate will be extended for heart health assessments, with heart disease being Australia’s biggest killer, with one Australian having a heart attack or stroke every 4 minutes.

As co-chairs the Parliamentary Friends of Preventative and Public Health with Dr Helen Haines MP, Dr Freelander welcomes this investment in heart health.

Macarthur schools will also benefit from the Budget, with 10 schools in Macarthur receiving funding through a $32 million grant to upgrade school infrastructure and equipment, such as refurbishing classrooms, installing air-conditioning, or building new outdoor learning spaces.  

These schools are Oran Park High School, Airds High School, Thomas Reddall High School, Ruse Public School, Gledswood Hills Public School, Ingleburn Public School, Eschol Park Public School, Sarah Redfern High School and John Therry Catholic College.

Regarding other cost of living pressures, up to $3 billion in direct energy bill relief will be delivered for eligible households and small businesses in partnership with the states.

This is real relief, right off your power bill, right when you need it.

Additionally, we are investing $1 billion in double-glazing, solar panels and other improvements through low-cost loans that will make homes easier and cheaper to keep both cool and warm and benefit our environment.

This is a good start and there is much more to go, however Dr Freelander and the Albanese Government are working hard for the people, businesses and environment of Macarthur.