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Commission of Audit report: key points Commission of Audit report: key points
(4 months later)
PrivatisationPrivatisation
The commission recommends the privatisation of ten The commission recommends the privatisation of ten major entities, including Australia Post, the Australian Mint, Snowy Hydro and the Australian Submarine Corporation. It also proposes that a raft of agencies be abolished, merged and reworked.
major entities, including Australia Post, the Australian Mint, Snowy Hydro and
the Australian Submarine Corporation. It also proposes that a raft of agencies
be abolished, merged and reworked.
Who it will hitWho it will hit
It depends on the basis on which the entities are It depends on the basis on which the entities are privatised, but in concept, consumers who access services from government, such as postal services, will in future be getting their service from a private provider.
privatised, but in concept, consumers who access services from government, such
as postal services, will in future be getting their service from a private
provider.
Federal-state relationsFederal-state relations
The commission recommends that the tier of government The commission recommends that the tier of government closest to the people accessing the service delivers and manages the service. In practice, this would see the states and not the Commonwealth become the major player in public service delivery. It proposes a quasi state income tax to fund the delivery of services, replacing the block grants Canberra currently gives the states to run health and education.
closest to the people accessing the service delivers and manages the service.
In practice, this would see the states and not the Commonwealth become the
major player in public service delivery. It proposes a quasi state income tax
to fund the delivery of services, replacing the block grants Canberra currently
gives the states to run health and education.
Who it will hitWho it will hit
Predominantly, the states, politically. This change Predominantly, the states, politically. This change would make state governments more politically and practically responsible for services they aren't currently responsible for. The proposal will concern advocates who prefer that services be delivered according to national templates and uniform standards.
would make state governments more politically and practically responsible for
services they aren't currently responsible for. The proposal will concern
advocates who prefer that services be delivered according to national templates
and uniform standards.
PensionPension
Aged pensions should be more Aged pensions should be more tightly means-tested, applying to recipients in 2027-28.
tightly means-tested, applying to recipients in 2027-28. Means-testing including the family home in some cases. Value of the family home considered in the test if it has a value over $750,000 for a couple and $500,000 for singles in today’s dollars.
Means-testing including the The eligibility age should be linked to 77% of life expectancy at age 65 from 2033. This would see the eligibility of the pension rise to 70 in 2053.
family home in some cases. Value of the family home considered in the test if New indexation of 28% of average weekly age rather than male average to ensure it rises more slowly.
it has a value over $750,000 for a couple and $500,000 for singles in today’s Who it will hit
dollars. People under 54 years who will be coming of age if the changes are introduced in 2027.
The eligibility age should be
linked to 77% of life expectancy at age 65 from 2033. This would see the
eligibility of the pension rise to 70 in 2053.
New indexation of 28% of average
weekly age rather than male average to ensure it rises more slowly.
Who it will
hit
People
under 54 years who will be coming of age if the changes are introduced in 2027.
Aged and superannuationAged and superannuation
Tighter Tighter testing on the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card by adding deemed income from tax-free superannuation to income test.
testing on the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card by adding deemed income from Extending the preservation age (currently 55 years going to 60) to 62 by 2027.
tax-free superannuation to income test. Then tying the superannuation preservation age (at which you can access) to five years below the aged pension.
Extending Who it will hit
the preservation age (currently 55 years going to 60) to 62 by 2027. People 49 and under seeking to access superannuation by 2027.
Then tying
the superannuation preservation age (at which you can access) to five years
below the aged pension.
Who it will
hit
People 49
and under seeking to access superannuation by 2027.
Pensions and NDISPensions and NDIS
Income test Income test for Carers Allowance, limit Carers Payment to those whose work capacity is affected by carers responsibilities and limit one carer supplement payment per carer per year.
for Carers Allowance, limit Carers Payment to those whose work capacity is Tighten disability assessment and participation criteria for disability support pension, particularly those under 35 with some work capacity.
affected by carers responsibilities and limit one carer supplement payment per Impose sustainability on NDIS by slowing down the phase in, even though it will require re-negotiation with the states.
carer per year. Amend NDIS governance by creating a prescribed agency with chief executive officer.
Tighten Impose contracting arrangements in disability services to force competition in NDIS.
disability assessment and participation criteria for disability support
pension, particularly those under 35 with some work capacity.
Impose
sustainability on NDIS by slowing down the phase in, even though it will
require re-negotiation with the states.
Amend NDIS
governance by creating a prescribed agency with chief executive officer.
Impose
contracting arrangements in disability services to force competition in NDIS.
Who it will hitWho it will hit
All All disabled people, carers
disabled people, carers
Paid Parental Leave and ChildcarePaid Parental Leave and Childcare
PPL should PPL should be capped at average weekly earnings.
be capped at average weekly earnings. Company surcharge of 1.5% on biggest companies should be maintained.
Company Cost savings should be put towards extended childcare, including “in-home” care (nannies) not currently subsidised.
surcharge of 1.5% on biggest companies should be maintained. Split assistance for childcare should be streamlined into a single system and means-tested.
Cost
savings should be put towards extended childcare, including “in-home” care
(nannies) not currently subsidised.
Split
assistance for childcare should be streamlined into a single system and
means-tested.
Who it will hitWho it will hit
All women All women above average weekly earnings will potentially lose Abbott’s higher PPL payments.
above average weekly earnings will potentially lose Abbott’s higher PPL Childcare payments will potentially decrease for all families.
payments. Families who can afford nannies will be part-reimbursed.
Childcare
payments will potentially decrease for all families.
Families
who can afford nannies will be part-reimbursed.
Family Tax BenefitsFamily Tax Benefits
Family Tax Family Tax Benefit Part B will be abolished and only sole parent families will receive a supplement.
Benefit Part B will be abolished and only sole parent families will receive a
supplement.
Who it will hitWho it will hit
Families Families where one parent stays at home to look after children.
where one parent stays at home to look after children.
MedicareMedicare
Co-payments Co-payments of $15 for all Medicare funded services, with safety net payment of $7.50 for more than 15 visits a year and $5 for concession card holders.
of $15 for all Medicare funded services, with safety net payment of $7.50 for Higher income earners should take out private health insurance for basic services to replace Medicare.
more than 15 visits a year and $5 for concession card holders. Encourage states to introduce a co-payment for less urgent emergency department visits.
Higher Increase the general extended Medicare safety net threshold from $2000 to $4000.
income earners should take out private health insurance for basic services to Audit the Medicare benefits schedule to replace expensive items with cheaper alternatives.
replace Medicare. Deregulate private health insurance, including allowing health funds to vary premiums to account for “lifestyle” factors like smoking.
Encourage
states to introduce a co-payment for less urgent emergency department visits.
Increase
the general extended Medicare safety net threshold from $2000 to $4000.
Audit the
Medicare benefits schedule to replace expensive items with cheaper
alternatives.
Deregulate
private health insurance, including allowing health funds to vary premiums to
account for “lifestyle” factors like smoking.
Who it will hitWho it will hit
Everyone Everyone accessing health services.
accessing health services.
Pharmaceutical Benefits SchemePharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
Co-payments Co-payments for all medicines.
for all medicines. A new independent authority to oversee all listings.
A new Open pharmacies to competition.
independent authority to oversee all listings.
Open
pharmacies to competition.
Who it will hitWho it will hit
Everyone Everyone who buys medication.
who buys medication.
School and Higher EducationSchool and Higher Education
Transfer of Transfer of all policy and funding responsibility for schools to states.
all policy and funding responsibility for schools to states. The commission questions the funding increase under the Gonski model.
The All commonwealth funding should be delivered in three non-transferable buckets, government schools, private schools and Catholic systemic schools.
commission questions the funding increase under the Gonski model. Annual per student funding from 2018 – indexed by weighted average of Consumer Price Index and Wage Price Index.
All Require states to publish how they allocate school funds, more national and international testing, publish student outcomes consistently.
commonwealth funding should be delivered in three non-transferable buckets,
government schools, private schools and Catholic systemic schools.
Annual per
student funding from 2018 – indexed by weighted average of Consumer Price Index
and Wage Price Index.
Require
states to publish how they allocate school funds, more national and
international testing, publish student outcomes consistently.
University students should pay 55% of the cost of an average bachelor degree, compared with the 40% they pay currently.University students should pay 55% of the cost of an average bachelor degree, compared with the 40% they pay currently.
Who it will hitWho it will hit
StudentsStudents
Rural Disaster ReliefRural Disaster Relief
Abolish the Abolish the Farm Finance Concessional Loans Scheme as it encourages farmers to take on more debt.
Farm Finance Concessional Loans Scheme as it encourages farmers to take on more Abolish the Disaster Recovery Allowance, which provides short term income support to employees, small business and farmers who experience loss of income.
debt. Abolish the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.
Abolish the Make grants based on each disaster paid at between 25-33% of estimated reconstruction costs.
Disaster Recovery Allowance, which provides short term income support to
employees, small business and farmers who experience loss of income.
Abolish the
Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.
Make grants
based on each disaster paid at between 25-33% of estimated reconstruction
costs.
Who it will hitWho it will hit
Smaller Smaller farmers accessing concessional loans.
farmers accessing concessional loans. All residents affected by natural disaster including floods, cyclones, bushfires.
All
residents affected by natural disaster including floods, cyclones, bushfires.