THE BUDGET THREAD

[nero_bolt]

Have your say on the budget and what you think of it after its released.

[debra9275]

Just a few hours away from " the big squeeze" I hope it's better than we expect & not worse lol

[azureline**]

Anything so far? I am confused about the PBS, does that mean my FIL will have his pensioner discounted meds doubled? $91 pm currently.

[cherry*135]

People pay extra ($7?) for Dr visit and ($7) for blood tests and for other things assoc with Dr visit.. Plus $5 more for prescriptions.

Plus higher petrol costs to drive to the Dr's.

Not sure how that affects pensioners, health card holders.

I think the Medical Research Fund is a lot over ambitious (the surcharges above are used to fund this fund). It is going to be the highest funded one in the world.. can Australia afford that?

[lakeland27]

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@am*3 wrote:

People pay extra ($7?) for Dr visit and ($7) for blood tests and for other things assoc with Dr visit.. Plus $5 more for prescriptions.

Plus higher petrol costs to drive to the Dr's.

Not sure how that affects pensioners, health card holders.

I think the Medical Research Fund is a lot over ambitious (the surcharges above are used to fund this fund). It is going to be the highest funded one in the world.. can Australia afford that?

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  for the most part (going on  form)  the money will not be spent and at the end of the financial year it goes back to general revenue.

[*elizabeths-mum*]

He just specified it is card holders as well for the first ten visits in a year. I am assuming free after that?

[cherry*135]

I agree, it won't achieve much in the long term, would be unsustainable or change of Govt next election would ditch it.

Medical Research is very,very important but to aim for the Best & Biggest in the world is not sensible.

WINNERS:

Ballerinas

$1 million for ballet students' boarding accommodation

[cherry*135]

Did they leave the Health Fund 30% co-payment from the Govt alone? I heard him mention it but didn't catch what he said. whether it was no change, frozen or what.

[bella_again]

OMG they scrapped the Pensioner Education Supplement I won't be able to afford to get the girls to TAfe now, well done Mr Hockey 😞

[izabsmiling]

I'm sorry Bella, that's so wrong

[cherry*135]

Not good, bella. I hope there is some other study initiative introduced that your girls can get instead.