Throughout 2020, the Government acted to protect lives and livelihoods. The 2021-22 Budget sets out the next step in the Liberal-National Government’s plan to secure our economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our plan for the country is delivering for Canberra, and for everyday Canberrans, by creating jobs, guaranteeing essential services, and building a more resilient and secure Australia,” Senator for the ACT Zed Seselja said.

“Our plan is delivering jobs in Canberra.”

“Unemployment in the ACT has fallen to 3.4%, because we have put the right mechanisms in place to create jobs in the private sector, and because we have grown the public service by more than 7,500 positions since 2019-20, around half of which will be in Canberra, as we have worked dynamically and decisively to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Our national institutions are also receiving a $70.9 million Budget boost. Our institutions welcome millions of visitors through their doors each year, supporting a vibrant hospitality and tourism sector in the ACT.”

Funding for our national institutions includes:

• $2.0 million for National Film and Sound Archive
• $34.6 million National Gallery of Australia
• $9.9 million National Library of Australia
• $6.0 million National Museum of Australia
• $1.6 million National Portrait Gallery of Australia
• $16.8 million Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House

“We are dedicated to ensuring Canberrans have access to the health systems they deserve, by more than doubling funding for our hospitals to a record $461.2 million in 2021-22, and we continue to see the highest ever investment in education for the Territory, with $379.3 committed for the upcoming financial year.”

“This Budget is good for families. 4,640 Canberra families will have greater choice with our $1.7 billion childcare boost, putting more money back in families’ pockets.”

“More than $1.5 billion has been committed for infrastructure across Canberra since 2018 in an absolute bonanza for Canberra in spending from the Liberal-National Government, providing a much-needed economic injection to our economy and supporting jobs.

“Projects like the duplication of William Hovell and Gundaroo Drive, upgrading the Tuggeranong Parkway and the Monaro Highway, not only create local jobs, but also improve the everyday life of Canberrans who use those roads,” Senator Seselja said.

By extending the $1,080 Low and Middle Income Tax Offset, thousands of Canberrans will receive tax relief in 2021-22.

“The October Budget forecast an expected 200,000 ACT taxpayers would receive up to $1,080, or $2,160 for dual income families, in their 2020-21 tax returns, injecting more than an additional $200 million into the ACT economy later this year.

“Importantly, I am proud that in this Budget we are delivering $8 million towards the establishment of an Australian Capital Territory Asbestos Disease Assistance Scheme, to support Canberrans who have developed an asbestos-related illness after living in a Mr Fluffy home.”

The Liberal-National Government’s HomeBuilder program outstripped Treasury expectations, with more than 2,800 Canberrans taking part in the program. Our plan for economic recovery continues to back Australians getting into their first home, with 10,000 new places added in 2021-22 for the New Home Guarantee, and the First Home Super Saver Scheme cap lifted to $50,000.

The Government is delivering $354 million in this Budget to support women’s health, including perinatal and postnatal mental health.

We are committing an additional $17.7 billion to significantly improve our aged care system – bringing our investment in aged care to a record $119 billion over the next four years.

“This is a plan for the country that delivers for Canberra.”