FAMILIES and small businesses were the big winners in last Tuesday’s federal budget with the announcement of a $4.4 billion families package and a $5.5 billion jobs and small business package.
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However, the aged and veterans who receive a pension would also benefit.
Changes announced in the May 12 budget mean more than 170,000 pensioners who have modest assets would have their pensions increased by an average of $30 a fortnight.
The greatest change, however, was the reversal of last year’s measure of linking pension increases to the Consumer Price Index.
‘‘The government is providing more assistance to pensioners with modest means and, at the same time, is being responsible by making the age pension more sustainable,’’ Paterson MP Bob Baldwin said.
Mr Baldwin said by reversing last year’s budget measure, the Abbott government was holding to its pre-election promise to give recipients of the Defence Forces Retirement Benefits and the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits the best indexation arrangements.
‘‘Our commitment is ensuring that members of the veteran community receive appropriate support and entitlements is ongoing,’’ he said.
The Great Lakes roads will also benefit from the budget announcements.
The council would receive $1,504,678 through the Roads to Recovery program for the 2015-16 financial year.
The money would be used to fix council-maintained roads throughout the local government area.
The council will also receive $1,688,446 through the Financial Assistance Grants program.
The Paterson electorate will receive $150,000 a year for two years, to support projects that deliver social benefits.
“I will be consulting closely with eligible organisations in Paterson to identify high priority projects,” Mr Baldwin said.
“Between $1000 and $20,000 will be made available to reputable, not-for-profit organisations for local projects.’’
