STORY - "Return to hope"

Aurora invited Bryan Dunn, former Director of Centacare Newcastle, to comment on the May Budget.

Many sat in awe of the commitment and generosity of parents and carers portrayed in the ABC Four Corners program ‘In My Shoes’. As the program closed on the eve of the Budget many would have hoped that the Rudd Government would do something to help those families who give, and go on giving.

On the whole, we were not disappointed. Indeed it would be difficult not to give the first Labor Budget in 12 years the nod, overall. Expenses seem to have been cut where possible, taxes increased where excusable and services better tailored for the people who need them the most.

It wasn’t just a Budget that reintroduced the notion of means testing. As the Executive Director of Catholic Social Services Frank Quinlan said, it was also an opportunity for the Government to do some necessary ‘needs testing.’ And there are many in need after the last 12 years of Government.

There are many positives in the Budget: the provision of more intensive support for people who experience serious barriers to employment, and a relaxation of breaching regulations which in the past further marginalised many disadvantaged people on income support. Instead, those who would be breached now have the option of intensive assistance to fulfill their obligations. Broad tax cuts will especially benefit those on low or middle incomes. The bonus for pensioners, funding to assist the homeless and especially the expansion of the definitions governing payments to carers are all most welcome developments.

Concurrently with the Budget, the Government has announced an Inquiry into Better Support for Carers. This Inquiry is of critical importance in developing a workable system of support for carers into the future. Let us hope the Government is sensitive and responsive to the ongoing concerns expressed by the National Carers Coalition.

This is not to say that everyone was a winner.

More investment in dental care for low income and disadvantaged Australians and greater investment in public and community housing are ongoing needs.

Mental Health services also require continuing support. Initial Commonwealth funding in this area has been essential but on its own is not a ‘fix’. We might be gradually filling the holes that have been left in the mental health system but the success of dealing with this challenge long term will depend almost entirely on how the Prime Minister and his Health Minister Nicola Roxon are able to leverage a new approach to federalism and renewed relationships with the states. The implications that mental illness has for participation, employment and Rudd’s stated agenda of social inclusion will be an important measure of the Government’s success.

Considering the need in this area in particular, many could be forgiven for wondering whether the $21 billion surplus could be put to better use. But surely this isn’t about financial hoarding? A large surplus and incessant talk of ‘expanding our productive base’ might have been necessary features of this Budget, but there is room in it for big social thinking.

The announcements of three investment funds in health, infrastructure and education signify at least the temporary end to short term politics and they give us all an opportunity to be part of the process of policy development. If these funds are truly to be an investment in the future, if they are being held back to ensure that their implementation is “got right”, then we should take that as an open invitation to be part of the next three years of our country’s development.

This should represent to everyone concerned an opportunity to make sure the many plans that these funds will service in the future do not go awry.

This was an important Budget for the Rudd Government and they may have got the balance right. But while there is money in the bank and people in need, we should remember that next year’s Budget will always be more important. Let’s hope we can think big, work together and have something to be even more pleased about this time next year. This is the era of consultation, of 2020 thinking: a time of hope for a compassionate Australia.

Bryan Dunn

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