Budget 2021: AAP receives funding boost, regional in focus and ACMA gains additional support
May 12, 2021 10:13
The Federal Government handed down the 2021 budget overnight, with several areas of the media, tech and regulatory sectors to receive funding boosts.
A joint release by Minister Paul Fletcher and Minister Mark Coulton recognised that the pandemic had created ongoing challenges for the arts sector, and also outlined the importance of digital service delivery for the economy going forward.
Josh Frydenberg hands down the 2021 Budget / Twitter
Regional was a significant theme, both in terms of funding journalism in regional areas and ensuring regional connectivity, with the government committing a further $84.4 million to its Regional Connectivity Program, which will go towards 81 telecommunications infrastructure projects.
Tuesday night s Budget includes a $9billion war chest to be used for yet-unannounced purposes - sparking speculation Scott Morrison will call an early election by the end of the year.
The fine print in the budget allows the government to set aside nearly $10billion for unspecified projects which have already been approved by the federal cabinet.
But the Australian prime minister denied on Wednesday morning that allocation in the Budget has anything to do with being re-elected.
He fired up after Labor leader Anthony Albanese accused him of having no real plan beyond getting through the next election .
Among the costly Budget measures is the extension of the low and middle income offset to 10 million Australians at a cost of $7.8billion.
Australian plumbers, carpenters, electricians and farmers have been given a significant boost in the Budget - allowing them to instantly write off the cost of new equipment.
Tradesmen with their own business can buy new utes and immediately claim them as tax deductions as part of the instant asset write-off scheme Treasurer Josh Frydenberg extended for a year in Tuesday s Budget.
Farmers meanwhile can buy new tractors and claim the cost back through the government s full expensing scheme.
Any assets first used or installed by June 30, 2023 are eligible.
Tradesmen and women can buy new utes and immediately claim them as tax deductions as part of the instant asset write-off scheme. Pictured is a construction worker in Sydney on May 11
A cartoon dog may get a handout, there s a huge tax cut for video game makers and $900,000 for the nation s tuna champions .
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on Tuesday evening announced the details of this year s Federal Budget. Ten million Australians will pocket a $1,080 tax cut for another year and the country s borders will essentially stay shut until mid-2022.
But in every federal Budget the government announces how it is splashing billions in niche (but often still important) programs around the country.
Here s some of the more unusual initiatives unveiled by Prime Minister Scott Morrison s team.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced $1,080 in tax cuts for ten million Australians - and also funding for a range of niche projects