Family in focus for pandemic response

THERE will be more spending money in families’ pockets, a vote of confidence for the Brisbane Olympic bid and a focus on creating jobs, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has promised, but the economic recovery depends on a proportionate response to COVID outbreaks.

Mr Frydenberg said this year’s “pandemic budget” was braced for more cases to arise but warned states that sustained lockdowns would have a “significant impact” on communities and the economy.

There will be a focus on getting unemployment to below pre-pandemic levels, with new training measures targeted at young people and the longterm unemployed, as well as record federal investment in building roads and rail.

The treasurer, who will hand down his third budget tomorrow night, said the budget was designed to secure the economic recovery and get people into work.

“We have a historic opportunity to drive the unemployment rate back to where it was pre-pandemic, and then even lower,” Mr Frydenberg said.

In a message pitched at premiers keen to impose border restrictions, he said it was important states took a proportionate response to risks created by new outbreaks.

With a nod to reports low and middle-income tax relief of up to $1080 for people earning up to $90,000 was on the way, Mr Frydenberg said there would be good news for families. To help get unemployment below 5 per cent, there will be measures to support youth and the unemployed.

“This is a budget that will create jobs and guarantee essential services in Queensland while helping to keep Queenslanders safe from COVID,” Mr Frydenberg said.

“My focus, the government’s focus, is on creating more jobs in Queensland.”