- Baby bonus lump sums make way for monthly instalments
- By Geraldine Mitchell
- The Herald Sun
- 01/01/2009 Make a Comment
- Contributed by: The Rooster ( 258 articles in 2009 )
PARENTS of babies born from today will miss out on the lump-sum baby bonus and, instead, will be paid in fortnightly instalments.
The Federal Government confirmed that changes to the $5000 baby bonus come into effect today and would be paid in 13 instalments of about $385 every two weeks.
An income test also will apply, with the payout limited to families who earn $75,000 or less in the six months after a baby's birth.
Families Minister Jenny Macklin said it was equivalent to a combined income of $150,000 a year. She defended the changes, saying about 94 per cent of families would still qualify.
"What we want to do is make sure families are receiving regular payments over a six-month period to help them while the bills come in," she said.
Also from today, seniors will receive concession tickets for travel interstate. Until now, Seniors Cards have only applied to home-state public transport.
Ms Macklin said $50 million would be offered over four years to states and territories to provide concessions to all Seniors Card holders.
"For example, seniors who travel to Melbourne will receive cheaper fares and enjoy the unique experience of seeing the inner city and suburbs on Melbourne trams. They will also get concession fares on bus and train travel."
She said eventually more than three million Australians with cards would benefit.
The Maternity Immunisation Allowance also will be split into two separate payments.
Ms Macklin said payments would be made when a child was immunised from 18 months to two years, and again from four to five.
She said the changes would encourage parents to have their children immunised before starting school and brought the payment more into line with the National Immunisation Program.
Treasurer Wayne Swan said the changes were part of the Government's reform agenda, adding all year the focus had been on building a more modern competitive economy and making things fairer for families, pensioners and carers.
"These new initiatives include large chunks of our plans for an education revolution, improving the health system, and ensuring families get a fair go. They are also a reminder that a lot's been achieved in 2008, but there's still so much more to do."
The Federal Government confirmed that changes to the $5000 baby bonus come into effect today and would be paid in 13 instalments of about $385 every two weeks.
An income test also will apply, with the payout limited to families who earn $75,000 or less in the six months after a baby's birth.
Families Minister Jenny Macklin said it was equivalent to a combined income of $150,000 a year. She defended the changes, saying about 94 per cent of families would still qualify.
"What we want to do is make sure families are receiving regular payments over a six-month period to help them while the bills come in," she said.
Also from today, seniors will receive concession tickets for travel interstate. Until now, Seniors Cards have only applied to home-state public transport.
Ms Macklin said $50 million would be offered over four years to states and territories to provide concessions to all Seniors Card holders.
"For example, seniors who travel to Melbourne will receive cheaper fares and enjoy the unique experience of seeing the inner city and suburbs on Melbourne trams. They will also get concession fares on bus and train travel."
She said eventually more than three million Australians with cards would benefit.
The Maternity Immunisation Allowance also will be split into two separate payments.
Ms Macklin said payments would be made when a child was immunised from 18 months to two years, and again from four to five.
She said the changes would encourage parents to have their children immunised before starting school and brought the payment more into line with the National Immunisation Program.
Treasurer Wayne Swan said the changes were part of the Government's reform agenda, adding all year the focus had been on building a more modern competitive economy and making things fairer for families, pensioners and carers.
"These new initiatives include large chunks of our plans for an education revolution, improving the health system, and ensuring families get a fair go. They are also a reminder that a lot's been achieved in 2008, but there's still so much more to do."
Source: https://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24861161-661,00.html
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