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This year’s Federal Budget included increases to the tax free threshold and superannuation changes that will make a real difference for women in low paid work. But in a time of global economic uncertainty, the Government missed an important opportunity to drive dollars towards programs that could safeguard Australian households from violence, poverty, and homelessness.
Equality Rights Alliance wrote a Pre-Budget Submission that was endorsed by sixty three women’s organisations. We suggested an Affordable Housing Growth Fund to help keep a roof over the heads of Australia’s lowest income families, as well as shifting the housing industry’s focus onto more affordable housing for everyone. A simpler Child Care subsidy needn’t cost an extra cent, but would make it easier for women juggling paid work and family responsibilities. The National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children was a great announcement in 2011, but needs funding for programs that will promote the cultural change we need to stop gender-based violence.
We were warned that this would be a tight Budget, with the Government promising a surplus. So we also suggested ways to increase revenue by almost $2b, with little or no effect on Australia’s middle and low income families. We were pleased to see decreased tax breaks on superannuation contributions for people earning over $300,000, as additional tax revenue is very much needed to fund services for low income families. But it is disappointing that Government has missed this opportunity to invest in the future of Australian society through more affordable housing, and cuts to important services such as $4.5m from the Family Violence Prevention Legal Services Program.
A national economic surplus is not much comfort to the 44,000 Australian women who couch surf every night because they don’t have a safe, secure, affordable place to live. Ensuring superannuation is paid to every worker, including those earning less than $450 a month, is good for women retiring in twenty years, but it’s not going to help a woman on Newstart Allowance who can’t get back into work without access to after school care for her kids. Protecting the Budget surplus will cost Australia financially and socially, as we deal with the fallout of homelessness, poverty, and violence.
Equality Rights Alliance is Australia’s largest network of organisations advocating women’s equality, women’s leadership, and recognition of women’s diversity, and is led by YWCA Australia.