This Federal Budget delivered a mixed bag of proposals, with some positive developments in revenue, housing, education and health. And after three years, the dreaded $13B of Zombie bills have been abandoned.
However, various harsh social security measures show that the Government continues to penalise people for being on a low income, with expansion of income management and cashless debit cards, drug testing of people who are unemployed and stricter eligibility criteria for payments.
The budget contains no relief to address the poverty experienced by people on social security in a labour market where long term unemployment has tripled since the GFC and where youth unemployment is at a record high.
