Graham Matthews, Melbourne
The Victorian state budget handed down on May 4 was headlined by an increase of $2 billion in spending on health. The ALP government also promised an extra 250 teachers over two years. Yet the budget includes an attack on Victorian pensioners, who for the first time will be required to pay 50% of their car registration fee.
The 2004-05 Victorian budget also offered minimal relief to first-time home buyers, who were granted a $5000 cash bonus on homes valued at up to $500,000. State government stamp duty on houses valued at $250,000 remains in excess of $10,000, however.
Other spending increases announced in the budget include $33 million for the implementation of a means-tested biennial dental check for children from pre-school age to year 8, and a reduction in the cost of transport concession cards for tertiary students from $80 to $8 per year.
"The state budget spending spree is aimed at winning votes for Labor in a federal election year", Linda Waldron, Socialist Alliance candidate for the federal seat of Gellibrand, told 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳. "While the increases in funding for services are welcome, they don't go far enough. Free dental treatment should be extended universally, not just to children in poor families. Public transport should be provided free for all, and be paid for by a special levy on business.
"The budget — with a half-million-dollar suplus — comes on the back of the government crying too poor to lower student/staff ratios in public schools, or patient/nurse ratios in country hospitals."
The Bracks budget was handed down only days after the nurses and teachers settled pay disputes with the government. In both cases, the government conceded pay-rises far smaller than those initially claimed and refused to concede on staffing levels in schools and hospitals.
From 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly, May 19, 2004.
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