Budget winners and losers revealed

Faced with Victoria’s budget debt, the government has earmarked help for families with young children but has rejected election promises.

Labor shortages have delayed the launch of free community health and mental health centers, but a $700 million shared equity program to help people buy homes has been extended for a year.

Among the winners in Tuesday’s budget were the families of 700,000 public school students; their guardians will receive $400 for uniforms and after-school activities, and the government’s “free glasses for kids” program will be expanded.

Treasurer Tim Pallas says the $11 billion forward-estimated investment represents the “largest-ever investment in our health care system.”

First Nations Australians will receive a $273 million investment, including $42 million for better heritage laws and $51 million for Aboriginal decision-making in schools.

The shared ownership program has increased the price of eligible homes in the regions. The government will now take equity in homes worth up to $700,000, up from $600,000.

On the other hand, the sick days scheme for casual workers during the Covid-19 pandemic will come to an end.

Under the program, temporary workers received five days of paid sick leave, but that will end next tax year.

The Labor government went into the last election promoting reform after establishing a Royal Commission into Mental Health, but significant staff shortages delayed its implementation.

Travelers also suffered losses.

The budget admitted that construction of a rail line to the airport is at an impasse and is officially four years behind schedule.

The state debt is mounting and a burden on generations of Victorians. Interest alone will exceed $25,000 a day within four years as the debt reaches $187 billion.