A Reflection on the 26/27 Budget
Today's op ed is by Nicky Sloan, CEO of Community Industry Group, the peak body for not-for-profit social services across southern NSW
The Federal Budget handed down by Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivers a mixed result for the community. There are some welcome investments in aged care, housing and support services, but there are also missed opportunities to better support people doing it tough.
As we are well aware, many older people across the region are impacted by hospital bed block, so one of the strongest measures is the $3 billion commitment to help build 5,000 new residential aged care beds each year. This, alongside increased Accommodation Supplements for aged care providers caring for large numbers of supported residents, will hopefully encourage providers to invest in bricks and mortar to house more older people. With Australia’s population ageing rapidly, these investments are an important step toward improving access to care and easing pressure on the system.
The decision to remove consumer contributions for showering, dressing and continence support under the Support at Home program is also a positive change. It should make it easier for older Australians to get the help they need earlier, stay independent for longer and avoid unnecessary hospital visits, particularly in the Illawarra where we know our providers top the state in keeping people at home longer.
Additional funding for dementia care is another encouraging announcement, including $200 million for 20 new Specialist Dementia Care Program units and expanded hospital-to-aged-care dementia support services.
Housing measures in the Budget also offer some promise. The new National Youth Housing Supplement is expected to create more social housing opportunities for young people at risk of homelessness, while proposed changes to Capital Gains Tax discounts and Negative Gearing could help improve housing supply over time.
At the same time, there are still significant gaps. Around 200,000 people remain on waiting lists for Support at Home packages, and it is not yet clear where the new packages will be directed to meet growing demand. There was also no new investment in the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, despite its important role in helping older people stay connected and living safely at home.
The Budget also stops short of increasing payments such as JobSeeker and Youth Allowance, leaving many Australians continuing to live below the poverty line. Concerns also remain about proposed changes to the NDIS and the impact they could have on people accessing essential disability supports.
Overall, this Budget includes several positive and practical investments that will make a real difference. But many people and communities are still waiting for the broader reforms and support needed to keep up with the rising cost of living, housing pressures and growing demand for essential services.
