THE HON EMMA MCBRIDE MP
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR RURAL AND REGIONAL HEALTH
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR DOBELL

GUIDELINES RELEASED FOR NEW REGIONAL GRANTS PROGRAM

The Albanese Labor Government has handed down its Budget, and families and businesses across the Central Coast are set to benefit says Emma McBride, Member for Dobell.

“This is a Budget that delivers on our promises, provides cost of living relief for our community, and build a more secure economy into the future,” said McBride.

“The Budget includes a $14.6 billion cost of living package over four years that will ease pressure on Australians while putting downward pressure on inflation.

“We’re supporting people on the Central Coast doing it tough right now with historic investments in Medicare that will see more people able to access bulk billing GPs.

“We are tripling bulk billing incentives, which will see immediate benefits to more than 11 million Australians.

“New funding for housing will see more people able to afford rent or buy their own home.

“With wage raises for aged care workers we will return dignity to work for those who care for our oldest Australians.

“This is a Budget that will support the Central Coast without driving up inflation.

“Labor has also announced a new Energy Price Relief Plan that will provide relief for more than five million households.

“I know that this will make a real difference in household budgets – helping families in our community.”

Key Dobell Figures:

• The higher bulk billing incentive will support GPs to bulk bill around 84,875 eligible Australians in Dobell.
• The Government is increasing the base rate of income payments like JobSeeker Payment, Austudy and Youth Allowance payments for eligible people. This will support around 7,225 people in Dobell to benefit by $40 per fortnight.
• From September, around 520 eligible single parents in Dobell will be able to receive Parenting Payment (Single) until their youngest child turns 14, up from 8 years old. Eligible single parents will be $176.90 better off each fortnight, receiving a base rate of $922.10 per fortnight compared to the current JobSeeker Payment rate of $745.20 per fortnight.
• Around 9,460 households in Dobell are currently eligible for maximum Commonwealth Rent Assistance rates. Households receiving the maximum rates will benefit by up to $31.36 extra in CRA per fortnight from September 2023.
• The Albanese Government’s NDIS Budget initiatives also include $73.4 million to better support participants to manage their plan within budget so they can access their supports in a flexible way to better achieve their goals. This will help around 5,114 NDIS participants in Dobell.