The Australian government delivered the 2018-19 budget on Tuesday 8 May 2018. There has been a range of public commentary about ‘who’ will and won’t benefit from the announcements and commitments. Click here to access government factsheets about announcements relating to the Department of Social Services’ portfolio – cashless debit cards, enhanced debt collection activities, and longer waiting times for new migrants. A less well publicised announcement is that funds have been allocated for a national apology to the victims of institutional child sexual abuse. It is disappointing however that the government passed on the opportunity to properly fund the fourth and final action plan of the ‘National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children’ and has not supported the major shift in investment required to provide early, up-front support to children and families when they need help. Detailed commentary by ACOSS and other community sector agencies can be accessed from here.
