FAMILIES and individuals in Blair will receive significant cost-of-living assistance through a package of measures.
The package will include tax cuts for 80,000 local taxpayers, $150 energy bill relief for every household, increased social security payments for around 50,000 recipients, and a 3.5 per cent pay rise for minimum wage workers.
These initiatives by the Federal Government aim to ease financial pressures and provide meaningful help where it’s needed most.
Around 50,000 people in Blair who receive social security payments will benefit from a 2.4 per cent increase to payment rates, thresholds, and limits.
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said that addressing cost-of-living pressures remained the Government’s top priority.
“We understand that many in Blair are still facing tough financial challenges – which is why these measures are vital,” Mr Neumann said.
He highlighted that thousands of Blair residents would see increased social security payments, helping families cover essential costs like raising children.
In addition to social security increases, Mr Neumann pointed to the Government’s broader efforts to ease financial burdens on local families.
Those efforts include ongoing tax cuts, higher wages, reduced student debts, more affordable medicines and targeted energy bill relief.
Mr Neumann also criticised the State Government for failing to deliver on its own cost-of-living promises.
“It’s disappointing that the Crisafulli Government has scrapped energy bill relief for most households and raised vehicle registration and licence fees in their latest State Budget,” he said.
“The Federal Government is stepping up to fill that gap and support families across Blair.”
Specific payments include Family Tax Benefit Part A maximum rates rising to $227.36 per fortnight for children under 13, and $295.82 for children 13 and over – benefiting nearly 17,000 families in Blair.
Family Tax Benefit Part B maximum rates will increase to $193.34 per fortnight for around 13,600 families, or $134.96 for families with a youngest child aged five or older.
Paid Parental Leave income limits will also rise to $180,007 for individuals and $373,094 for families, enabling more parents to access this support.
Mr Neumann said these adjustments built on previous measures delivered by the Albanese Government such as cheaper child care, fee-free TAFE, student debt relief, support for renters and homebuyers, more affordable medicines, and expanded bulk billing – all aimed at making life more affordable for Australians.
