Some additions in this week’s federal budget have been welcomed as a step in the right direction by Shepparton organisations that help those in need, but they believe changes may not go far enough to ease the financial pressure for some.
Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project executive officer Amy Robinson said an increased reliance on people servicing basic needs had been apparent to Lighthouse and other local community services.
“Our community has been doing it tough, this budget is a step in the right direction but may not go far enough,” she said.
Shepparton Salvos Major Scott Smallacombe also welcomed some of the additions in the budget, but said others needed to go further.
Ms Robinson did, however, welcome the investment in education and health support in particular.
She said changes to Medicare that should allow more GPs to bulk bill — particularly in regional areas — were needed for local families.
“The limited access to bulk billing clinics is providing barriers for older residents and our at-risk families who cannot afford the co-payment to access timely medical support, hence putting greater pressure on visits to the emergency department,” she said.
Mr Smallacombe agreed this would help.
“It does have a day-to-day impact,” he said.
“This means more doctors may be willing to bulk bill, which may make a difference.”
Mr Smallacombe said an increase in the number of medications of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme would also be helpful to many in Shepparton.
“For people on a lower income, some of the medications required are very expensive,” Mr Smallacombe said.
“Often it’s the difference between getting medication or having a social life, or getting the medication or the kids being able to go on a school trip.”
New funding to the tune of $500 million for prevention and early intervention initiatives promoting wellbeing was encouraging, according to Ms Robinson.
The announcement of a 15 per cent increase in rent assistance would be welcome for some, but Ms Robinson said more needed to be done.
“The 15 per cent increase in rent assistance was welcome news for those lucky enough to have access to safe and stable rental accommodation but notably will apply only to those on the maximum rent assistance payment,” she said.
Mr Smallacombe said anecdotally he had seen rents increasing in the Shepparton area since the October floods, as demand outweighed the number of properties available.
He said this increase would help meet the rises many had seen in their rental charges since that time.
Both Ms Robinson and Mr Smallacombe also felt more needed to be done for those on JobSeeker payments.
An increase of about $40 a fortnight was announced in the budget.
“The increase in JobSeeker is a step in the right direction but unfortunately does not go far enough,” Ms Robinson said.
“The $2.85 a day increase results in those most at risk still living well below the poverty line.”
“This equates to $2.85 a day. It’s not a cup of coffee or two litres of milk,” Mr Smallacombe said.
“We think it will help, but it will not take them from a position of needing our services.”
Both organisations also welcomed the budget’s announcement of cheaper childcare and that single parenting payments eligibility would continue until the youngest dependent child turned 14, raised from eight years of age.
Ms Robinson said the changes would allow more single parents to earn more income through work without affecting their single parent payment.
“Measures like this promote single parents’ ability to engage in the workforce and successfully transition to increased employment as children grow older,” Ms Robinson said.
“For a number of people we see regularly it will make a difference,” Mr Smallacombe said.
“(Under the old rules) when they hit eight, the drop a parent goes through in trying to support their family is substantial.”