Says Kevin Andrews “just another step towards addressing Labor’s debt and deficit”.... what will the catch cry be when Australia looks at LNP self indulgent spending?. THE Abbott government will reap $2.7 billion in savings after its social services bill was passed by the Senate yesterday. The bill will tighten the Disability Support Pension and the family payments system. From January 1, DSP recipients will generally be paid for up to only four weeks in a year if they are absent from Australia. Also, $3 million will fund support for young carers who look after people with a disability, with physical or mental health issues, or older people in need of care. From July 1, the Family Tax Benefit Part B primary earner income limit will be reduced from $150,000 to $100,000 a year, and the FTB Part A amount eligible for each child will no longer be used in calculating a family’s higher income-free area. Income from superannuation will be included in the federal seniors health card income test, with grandfathering provisions applied to existing cardholders. Access to relocation scholarships will be restricted to students moving to or from regional areas. Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews said getting the bill through was “just another step towards addressing Labor’s debt and deficit”. “We continue to take responsible steps to ensure that the social security system is targeted to support those most in need and is sustainable to support future generations,’’ he said. “The government is committed to the budget and will work to progress our remaining budget measures.” Labor, Bob Day, David Leyonhjelm and Ricky Muir supported the bill, while the Greens, Nick Xenophon and Jacqui Lambie from the Palmer United Party opposed it. The rest of the PUP abstained. theaustralian.au/national-affairs/abbott-to-save-27b-with-social-service-bill/story-fn59niix-1227126272592
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 19:24:34 +0000
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