Budget 2017

Thursday, September 24

‘Walk the dog’ fund to “empower” local communities

You know better than politicians and bureaucrats what your suburb needs, Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis argues, so he’s giving $40 million to “neighbourhoods” to spend as they wish – gazumping the traditional role of local councils.

Centrelink drug testing risks "dooming" unemployed to homelessness

The Federal Government’s plans to to withdraw Centrelink payments from unemployed people with drug dependency risks “dooming” many to homelessness and crime, welfare groups have warned.

Treasurer Scott Morrison delivers his federal budget speech in the House of Representatives. Photo: AAP/Lukas Coch

Budget 2017: Morrison's spend and hope plan for Australia

The Medicare Levy will be increased, Australia’s biggest banks will pay billions of dollars in new fees and Centrelink clients will be drug tested under contentious new measures announced in Treasurer Scott Morrison’s second budget.