20 May 2006
SO IS IT A JUST BUDGET?
Meanwhile the St Vincent de Paul Society expressed disappointment that the recently released federal budget "does nothing to promote a more cohesive Australia."
While welcoming tax cuts and other benefits for low and middle income families, spokesperson Dr John Falzon lamented that the problems of access to fruitful employment and the affordability of housing and transport were not addressed.
According to Dr Falzon governments have a responsibility to ensure the most vulnerable and voiceless members of society are able to share in the nation’s wealth and questioned how the projected budget surplus was to be used to provide future prosperity and fairness for all Australians. "How is this embarrassment of riches being invested in the social infrastructure needs of today and tomorrow, so that all will have the opportunity to participate?" he asked.
Similar concerns were expressed by the Executive Director of Catholic Social Services, Frank Quinlan who said that despite increased spending on Indigenous Australians and on metal health the budget failed to significantly narrow the gap between Australia's richest and poorest income earners, whilst Catholic Health spokesman Francis Sullivan stressed that investment in the public hospital and social services system was more important for sick and chronically ill people on pensions than personal tax cuts.
"Australia's social safety net is eroding and the plight of those who rely exclusively on public services and social service programs is being drowned out by the clamour for tax cuts" Mr Sullivan said.
While welcoming tax cuts and other benefits for low and middle income families, spokesperson Dr John Falzon lamented that the problems of access to fruitful employment and the affordability of housing and transport were not addressed.
According to Dr Falzon governments have a responsibility to ensure the most vulnerable and voiceless members of society are able to share in the nation’s wealth and questioned how the projected budget surplus was to be used to provide future prosperity and fairness for all Australians. "How is this embarrassment of riches being invested in the social infrastructure needs of today and tomorrow, so that all will have the opportunity to participate?" he asked.
Similar concerns were expressed by the Executive Director of Catholic Social Services, Frank Quinlan who said that despite increased spending on Indigenous Australians and on metal health the budget failed to significantly narrow the gap between Australia's richest and poorest income earners, whilst Catholic Health spokesman Francis Sullivan stressed that investment in the public hospital and social services system was more important for sick and chronically ill people on pensions than personal tax cuts.
"Australia's social safety net is eroding and the plight of those who rely exclusively on public services and social service programs is being drowned out by the clamour for tax cuts" Mr Sullivan said.
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