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Budget 2008-09 - Honouring our Promises

In this Budget, the Government is:

providing a $55 billion Working Families Support Package to reward families and help them cope with rising costs;
meeting its commitments in areas including education, health, infrastructure, climate change and defence; and
investing in the future with three nation-building funds - the Building Australia Fund, the Education Investment Fund and the Health and Hospitals Fund. Read more...

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Budget delivers on Labor's commitments
Labor's first budget honours its commitments to the Australian people. It marks the end of reckless, short term spending, and the start of responsible investment to prepare for future economic challenges.

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$1 billion boost for disabled & carers
This $1 billion Rudd Government commitment for people with disabilities and their families includes an extra $100 million in capital funding to build up to 35 new facilities accommodating up to six people each.

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Responding to the rural health crisis
An audit of Australia’s rural and regional health workforce has revealed a dire state of affairs.The Government's response is to embark on a comprehensive overhaul of the rural health programs, starting now.

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Historic arrangement to protect Kokoda
Australia and PNG have reached an historic arrangement that meets the needs of local villages while protecting the deep emotional & historical significance the Kokoda Track has for Australians.

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A service centre for 0-5 year-olds
Kevin Rudd's proposal for Australia in the 2020 is to create universal, high quality, affordable Parent and Child Centres for all 0-5 year old children to provide real, practical assistance to working families.

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A national FuelWatch scheme
The establishment of Australia’s first National FuelWatch Scheme will promote competition and help motorists buy the cheapest petrol, at the cheapest petrol stations, at the cheapest times.

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Closer cooperation on climate change
Australia and China have stressed the great importance they attached to the issue of climate change and their willingness to strengthen cooperation to jointly meet the challenge.

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Forward to Fairness bill proclaimed
The proclamation of the Transition to Forward with Fairness Act reflects the Rudd Government's election commitment and is the beginning of the end of the Liberals' extreme Work Choices laws.

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Better protection for the frail aged
In response to figures on aged care facilities under the previous government, the Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, has outlined a range of tough measures to improve quality and protect frail and aged Australians.

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National Binge Drinking Strategy
Binge drinking among young people is a community wide problem that demands a community wide response, including a new emphasis on young people taking greater personal responsibility for their behaviour.

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Teen Dental Plan has July 1 startup
With its Teen Dental Plan, the Rudd Government will offer eligible families up to $150 towards the cost of dental checkups for each of their teenage children - thus honouring another major election commitment.

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The First 100 Days booklet
The booklet: 'The First 100 Days - Achievements of the Rudd Government' presents an overview of the pre-election commitments that have been implemented and other work of the first three months.

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Buying back water for the Murray
There have been 11 consecutive years of dry conditions and six years of record low inflow on the Murray, yet this will be the first time the Australian Government has ever directly purchased water.

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2020 Summit Steering Committee
The Independent Steering Committee for the Australia 2020 Summit will help select participants for the key discussion areas. Every Australian has the opportunity to nominate to attend this Summit.

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Australia 2020 Schools Summits
Today’s school students will be the parents, the business owners, the farmers, the educators and the leaders of 2020, and it’s vital that we harness their energy, ideas and vision about this nation’s future.

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Sorry to the Stolen Generations
For the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families and communities, and for the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and their families, we say sorry.

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Bank switching made easier
The new Account Switching Package will increase competition among banks, put downward pressure on prices, and make it easier for families to judge their banks’ actions and, if necessary, change banks.

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Delivering a Digital Education Revolution
Every Australian child deserves a world class education. The Digital Education Revolution will ensure that all students in years 9 to 12 have access to information and communication technology.

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Fixing homelessness a national priority
It is unacceptable that, on any one night, 100,000 Australians (including 10,000 children) are homeless. Labor will develop a comprehensive plan to tackle homelessness as a matter of national priority.

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ACCC inquiry into grocery prices
The Rudd Government has directed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to commence a formal inquiry into grocery prices to ensure working families are getting a fair deal at the supermarket.

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Petitions reform to strengthen democracy
Labor's plan to create a Petitions Committee is an important reform which will strengthen the democratic rights of citizens and ensure that Parliament is listening and responding appropriately.

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Ratifying the Kyoto Protocol
The first official act of the new Australian Government is to sign the instrument of ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. It's a clear demonstration of Kevin Rudd's commitment to tackling climate change.

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Labor won the campaign, outright
In a National Press Club speech, ALP National Secretary Tim Gartrell says Labor's election win explodes the notion that oppositions don’t win elections but that governments, for whatever reason, lose them.

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Kevin Rudd's victory speech
Kevin says: "Let us be the generation that seizes the opportunities of today to invest in the Australia of tomorrow. That’s our mission statement. And I want to do it by us all working together as one."

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Selected News

Abolition of the unjust TP visa
Chris Evans - Media Statement - 15 May
Green loans for Aussie homes
Peter Garrett - Media Statement - 14 May
$2.3 billion for climate change
Penny Wong - Media Statement - 14 May
Helping with schooling costs
Julia Gillard and Wayne Swan - Media Statement - 13 May
Personal income tax cuts
Wayne Swan - Media Statement - 13 May
$2.2 billion for housing
Jenny Macklin and Tanya Plibersek - Media Statement - 13 May
Rescue for the Reef
Tony Burke and Peter Garrett - Media Statement - 13 May
The Education Revolution
Julia Gillard - Media Statement - 13 May
Maternity services review
Nicola Roxon - Media Statement - 10 May
Free bowel cancer tests
Nicola Roxon - Media Statement - 8 May
Fair treatment of asylum seekers
Chris Evans - Media Statement - 7 May
Quick action on skilled migration
Chris Evans - Media Statement - 5 May
$100 million extra for Qld health
Kevin Rudd - Media Statement - 4 May
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