Federal Budget 2024/25
Treasurer Jim Chalmers was given the task to improve the Australian economy without fuelling inflation, amidst weak and uncertain domestic and global economic outlooks. The key message appears to be aimed at supporting cost-of-living and a “Future Made in Australia”.
Whilst there is a forecast for $9.3bn surplus, there are significant deficits forecasted thereafter, fuelled substantially by what the Treasurer has called ‘unavoidable spending’, suggesting that tough decisions may need to be made by future governments. It could be argued, that the government of the day generally never look beyond the next election cycle.
In the next two weeklies we will have a run through on few measures that were announced.
Investing in a Future Made in Australia – Critical Minerals & Clean Energy
$22.7b will be put to work over the next decade to build a future made in Australia, with a goal to maximise economic and industrial benefits of the net zero transformation.
The future made in Australia package is expected to help Australia reach net zero by 2050. As net zero promises draw nearer, the budget focuses on supporting the energy transformation and taking advantage of the opportunities that will be brought through the transition.
The budget has allocated funds over 10 years to accelerate investment in industries such as hydrogen, green metals, low carbon liquid fuels and manufacturing of clean energy technologies, including in solar and battery supply chains. The framework will guide private sector investments and direct money towards projects that either make significant contributions towards reaching net-zero emissions or help to shore up Australia against supply chain disruptions.
The government has committed funds to critical minerals production tax incentive effective 1st July 2027 to support refining and processing of critical minerals (including lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements). Other funding for critical minerals included strategic investments in priority critical minerals projects and planning, carbon capture and storage and clean hydrogen.
These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to leverage the global green energy shift and reduce dependence on Chinese supplies of critical materials, which are crucial for technologies significant to national security. The Foreign Investment Review Board highlights the risk of supply chain disruptions due to the scarcity and geographical concentration of critical minerals.
Winners –
Health Care
$2.8bn committed to strengthening Medicare in addition to a raft of measures focused on urgent care clients.
Aged Care
Funds will be used to support and develop new regulatory frameworks, improving workforce conditions, pay improvements and fast-tracking visas to attract workers. Modernising the aged care sector with AI technology and digital infrastructure will hopefully improve efficiency and in turn improve the experience for both workers and the aged care community.
Pharmacy
There will be a freeze on indexation of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) general and concessional co-payments until 31st December 2025 and 31st December 2029. Local pharmacies will also benefit from the removal of a $1 optional co-payment on PBS medicine sales. The optional discount is commonly taken up by sector giants such as Chemist Warehouse and has been used to grow market share. The discounts will be phased out through adjustment to indexation.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
More funds committed to support sustainability, compliance, quality, and safeguard measures within the scheme. An extension of the previous budget, notable additions in this budget are focused on reducing fraud and ensuring the scheme remains sustainable for future generations.
Fit and Healthy Australia
Total funds committed $1.3bn to support various cancer preventions, screening, and treatment, eliminating HIV transmission and funding for elite and community sports programs.
Winners –
Agribusiness
Live sheep exports to phased out by the 1st of May 2028. The budget includes assistance to support the export trade until its retirement. Other initiatives include support for drought management and adaptation to climate change.
$20,000 instant asset write off extended to 30th June 2025 for SME (with annual turnover of less than $10m).
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No changes to previous concessions that allow agribusiness to deduct full spending on water infrastructure, fencing and fodder storage assets.
Winners –
Property and construction
Housing Measures
New residential housing supply has been unable to keep up with demand. Labour and material shortages are significant contributors to the supply-side, whilst high net immigration has supported an increase in demand. As such the affordability for both renters and buyers alike has been a challenge. With 1.2 million new homes to be built over the next 5 years there will be a lot of busy builders.
The government will develop a 10-year strategy called the “National housing and homelessness plan” to deliver short, medium, and long-term actions needed to address the supply and demand issues in the housing market.
The government has also quoted, they expect a reduction in net overseas migration by 110,000 people over forward estimates from 1st July 2024, which will help reduce the demand for housing.
Spending Measures
Subject to the states and territories signing new agreements, the new measures will deploy funds to support new housing infrastructure, social housing and homelessness services and training for new construction workers.
The government has also announced lower foreign investment fees for foreign investors purchasing existing Build-to-Rent properties (conditional on the property continuing to be operated as a Build-to-Rent development). Property Council Australia estimates this could unlock 150,000 apartments over the next 10 years. Other measures include $1.9bn in funding for community housing providers to deliver social and affordable housing under the Housing Australia Future Fund and the National Housing Accord.
Infrastructure spending
Committed ongoing spending for new priority projects, existing projects in the infrastructure investment program and ongoing maintenance of roads and safety programs.
Winners –
You can access the full Budget overview here.
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The information presented is solely for educational purposes and is of a general nature. Material and information has been extracted from The Commonwealth of Australia Budget Papers and maybe subject to change at the Governments own discretion.
Alex, Anu and the team.
This report has been prepared by Alex Henderson & Anu Souvannavong
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