Dear resident,

Last week in the Federal Parliament the Morrison Government handed down the 2020-21 Federal Budget.

The importance of this Budget to provide targeted support and drive our nation's recovery cannot be understated.

Unfortunately, what was delivered, in most part, were lack lustre, headline seeking announcements that will rack up a trillion dollars in debt. Without creating enough jobs, failing to build on the future and leaving too many in our community behind.

We are faced with the prospect that 160,000 more Australians–including hundreds of Bean residents–will join the jobless queues by Christmas, it is simply not acceptable that so many were ignored by the Morrison Government.

For example, if you are over 35: this week your wage subsidy was cut; in March your wage subsidy disappears; if you’re then unemployed you get $40 a day and forced into poverty; then you will compete to get a job with people who will have their wages subsidised. This is not fair.

In contrast, Labor's plan delivers a stronger, fairer and more secure future for all Australians.

Labor Leader, Anthony Albanese, outlined part of our plan to achieve this in the Budget Reply last week, including Labor's commitment to:

Making quality child care a right for all, not a luxury for some. The Working Family Childcare Boost will support women's workforce participation and put more money in the pocket of working families. I have provided more detail below.

Creating jobs for today – and training our people for tomorrow. Delivering an Australian Skills Guarantee that will train thousands of workers by ensuring one in ten workers on major government projects are Australian Apprentices.

Rebuilding our manufacturing sector and powering our recovery with clean energy. Including, establishing the Rewiring the Nation Corporation to rebuild and rewire our national energy grid. It will create thousands of jobs. Fixing the transmission grid is technology neutral and will allow the market to drive least cost, new energy production.

You can read Anthony Albanese's Budget Reply in full here.

I will continue to advocate for a fair and equitable approach to support those who need it at this difficult time in our community.

I would look forward to hearing what you think about the Federal Budget or any other Federal Government matters.

You can connect with me on social media, through my website or email on the links below.

Early childhood education and care

A highlight of the Budget Reply was the commitment of an Albanese Labor Government to deliver the Working Family Childcare Boost to cut child care fees and put more money into the pockets of working families.

Under this plan, Labor will:

Scrap the $10,560 child care subsidy cap which often sees women losing money from an extra day’s work;
Lift the maximum child care subsidy rate to 90 per cent; and
Increase child care subsidy rates and taper them for every family earning less than $530,000.

This means 97 per cent of all families in the system will save between $600 to $2,900 a year. No family will be worse off.

Parliamentary business

While the last week of Parliamentary sitting week was characterised by the Budget and Budget Reply, I had the opportunity to speak on a number of matters.

Vale the Hon Susan Ryan AO, a remarkable campaigner for fairness in education, the status of women and the aged.
The 100th birthday of local resident Joe Mullins, a decorated World War II veteran.
A thank you to local indigenous organisations who participated in the recent Bean Closing the Gap forum.

Pain Management

As Co-Chair, of the Parliamentary Friends of Pain Management, I was pleased to join the Governor General and Mrs Hurley to officially launch the group that will help raise awareness of the challenges faced by those living with chronic pain conditions. The group recently launched the National Pain Services Directory.

Landcare for our Future

I joined the Southern ACT Catchment Group and Farrer Ridge Parkcare Group identifying and removing weeds from the ridge. The Landcare for our Future program has been supported by Bean electorate grant funding. New members are always welcome. Find out more.

National Archives of Australia

On UN International Day for Universal Access to Information 2020 it was apt to be at the official reopening of the refurbished National Archives of Australia. The Archives connect us with the nation's memory, our identity and our understanding of history.

Go Raiders!

What a fantastic result for the Canberra Raiders last Friday. We will be with them as they take on the Melbourne Storm this weekend and hopefully progress through to the Grand Final.

The ACT Election–record numbers early polling

The ACT electoral divisions of Brindabella and Murrumbidgee in the Bean electorate will play a crucial role in the outcome of the ACT Territory elections. If you have not already voted, you can do so at one of the early voting centres before 16 October, or at one of the many local polling places this Saturday 17 October.

Community information

I have recently launched two bulletins:

The Bean Business and Community Grants Bulletin–you may be involved in a business or community group who can benefit.
Information kit for pensioners and seniors–with information about benefits, support services and organisations that support seniors in their retirement.

Click on the images below to request a copy through my website.

Thank you for taking the time to read this update, I hope it was informative.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the Federal Budget and any other Federal Government issues.

Copyright © 2020 David Smith MP, All rights reserved.

You can contact my office:
+61 2 6293 1344 | 205 Anketell Street, Greenway, ACT, 2900 | david.smith.mp@aph.gov.au

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Authorised by David Smith, ALP, Canberra.