Budget verdict – single mother

Sarah MacPherson, Melville

Sarah has a 19-year-old daughter living at home, and is in the process of starting up a technology-based business.                
 
What Sarah wanted:
Measures to help vulnerable in society, such as pensioners, carers and single parents;
. Increased taxes on cigarettes and alcopops;
. Stimulus packages for small startup companies;
. Maintenance of the First Homeowners Grant boost;
. Investment in education;
. Dumping of the GST charged on sanitary products.
 What she got:
. Increased pensions – by $32.49 for singles and $10.14 per couple.
. The pension age lifted to 67 between years 2017 and 2023.
. First Homeowners Grant boost to remain until September 2009, but to be halved after that.
. Opening up university places for additional 50,000 students over four years from next financial year.
. $437 million over four years to boost number of disadvantaged students at university.
. A 50 per cent small business tax break for eligible capital expenditure.
Her verdict:
“I suppose the first word that came to mind was ‘predictable’,” Sarah said.
 
“The rise in pension age means many of the battlers will have to battle a little longer.
 
“But if you look at the current global economy, they probably haven’t done too badly – they can’t please everybody”

www.watoday.com.au

Advertisement

Read Full Post »

Budget wish list – single mother

Sarah MacPherson has a 19-year-old daughter living at home.

“I think people should be realistic that we’re in unusual economic times and that the government might need to hand down an unusual budget to respond,” she said.

“I really hope the Government looks after the most vulnerable in society, the pensioners, the carers, single parents.

“I’m happy for them to increase taxes on cigarettes and alcopops, because the youngsters with the alcopops and cigarettes are just a horror, aren’t they?”

After a long period as a PAYE worker Sarah’s career is in transition as she looks to start up a technology-based business

She says that in the current economic climate, where people may be losing their jobs, the Government needs to provide
stimulus packages for small startup companies.

On the broader economy, Sarah says first homeowners are the only segment of the housing market keeping the “crucial” building industry afloat right now.

“I would look at them to continue the first home owners grant to stimulate the economy via house sales,” she says.

“I do have quite a few friends with kids older than (my daughter) and they’re all trying to get in before the end of June, because the Government has only promised the boosted grant until then.”

Sarah believes Treasurer Wayne Swan’s mooted investment in primary school infrastructure will provide economic stimulus in the short term, and benefit society in the long term.

She also says the GST charged on sanitary products should be dropped immediately.

“That’s an absolute necessity for women.”

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/budget

Read Full Post »