Category: cost of living

So, it’s Federal Budget Day, and while the government tried to ease us into their cutting of the NDIS and there being little offered directly to the poorest to help their situation, there’s a few little interesting nuggets that tell you a lot about the government of the day.

One is the news that the Feds will give payments of about $6000 to community housing providers for each person on Youth Allowance or youth rates of DSP they house. This isn’t a nice little bonus to encourage them to rent to younger people, but a payment to stop them overtly discriminating in who they give tenancies to. You see, because they can only take 30% of your payment as rent, they don’t get as much from those on youth rates so they’re more likely to give a house to an older person on DSP or Aged Pensions. Obviously since there’s such a massive waitlist (in NSW the priority waitlist has increased from 5800 households in June 2021 to 12478 now) they’re not leaving places empty.

Of course, the government could look to lessen how far behind youth are starting when trying to get rentals by increasing the payments for all adults to the same rates by payments (Youth rates go to you turn 22)… I mean the Fair Work Commission has started making changes to youth pay rates for some awards this year. I don’t see much out there being cheaper if you’re 18-21 than if you’re 22….

we worked very hard to get over a dozen Labor MPs to break ranks in the lead up to the 2023 budget, but since then have heard from MPs that they're not allowed to bring it up anymore

— Jeremy Poxon (@jeremypoxon.bsky.social) 2026-05-11T03:04:21.523Z

This idealist wants to still see ALL payment rates ABOVE the poverty line. But it seems that those Labor MPs willing to break ranks to ask for such things have been told to shush, Labor doesn’t do that.

There’s talk there might be a $200-$300 tax break for all tax payers… in 12 months. Other things like shifting around tax brackets a little are always talked about – but I will of course come back to the idea that maybe lifting the tax free threshold would be a better place to start since it helps everyone on a wage and not just the top end. I’ll also add in that it’s kinda shitty that the tax free threshold is below the poverty line and they poorest lose out on tax and reduction in their welfare payments well before they peep the poverty line.

I completely understand why the government has baulked at the gas tax changes that were near certain before Israel and the US went at Iran, there are relationships to maintain and security of diesel supplies etc etc. I do think though this is why they HAVE to go bold on Capital Gains Tax and perhaps negative gearing this year, and perhaps revisit the gas takes when there’s less global uncertainty. Trump is not making an end to their trip to Iran look like it’s happening soon, even if they do ignore Israel’s intentions in Lebanon to make it the new Gaza and expand towards their Greater Israel ideal… I got petrol today and while it’s hovering about the price it was at the end of February with the excise cut, I think it’s gonna start creeping up again soon since there’s no end in sight. I don’t think Chalmers will extend the excise discount, so it’ll jump at the end of June too…

Anyway, my goal at the start of the year to food blog my way through the year went quickly when mum has her strokes, and it’s been a full one, slow but long three and a bit months since. I’ve had Everyplate meals most weeks, but switched over the buying bull chicken and mince or thanking Dad for handing over his meat tray winnings other weeks – either because money’s been tighter or because I’ve felt adventurous enough to do a week’s meals myself but have regretted that about 50% of the time when that week has had long or mentally taxing days.

We’re starting to look towards what the next step is for mum, had a builder out with the OT yesterday to see what’s possible in terms of making access to the house easier and get an idea for redoing the bathroom as an open wet room. Dad and I have been starting to assist with Mum’s personal care more in the hospital and had a more formal training session with the physio on using the sling lifter today. She may need to go into a nursing home in the short term while we get the house done, but we’re still hoping to get her home full time and get the equipment and care support she needs. She’s going to get a wheelchair soon that she can then be transported in, so I’ll get Bruce onto finding a vehicle for Dad and us to transport her so we don’t have to rely on taxis.

So, I was just back from visiting two food pantries and Aldi last week when a friend used the word “Welfaremaxxing” and I figured it could apply to us stretching our payments well beyond what most could by being creative in our purchases and other ways of feeding our families. But I would love to be able to have my meal kits to make my brain that little less taxed, and to not have to spend a whole morning using the privilege of having a car and good physical function to make sure I have enough cash to pay for the bills that can’t be worked around will free bread and zucchini.  Unlike many who can’t drive, don’t have a car, buses don’t go to the new warehouse the government’s funding for a foodbank, or are living in tents by the old station because they couldn’t get a rental and are only able to heat their food because a charity gave them a camp stove.

There’s being frugal and then there’s knowing that the government should be doing more to house and feed people rather than outsourcing it to charities and the individual.

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