
(Australian Associated Press)
MAJOR CHANGES TO FEDERAL LAWS IN 2016:
* FAMILIES
– removal of childcare benefits, rebates and the Family Tax Benefit A end-of-year supplement from parents who don’t immunise their children (except for medical reasons)
– Fee assistance for up to 3000 families to subsidise nannies.
– Women’s safety package including funding for programs and trial of GPS trackers for perpetrators
* SUPER/TAXES
– New cap on superannuation income that can be excluded from social security income tests
– Rental income to be included in the aged care means test for new and some existing Residential Care recipients
– Multinational tax avoidance laws
* HEALTH
– pharmacists will have the option of giving a $1 discount on prescription medicines
– no more prescriptions for over-the-counter medicines like paracetamol and aspirin
– radiation therapy cancer treatments and lipectomy (lower body lift after weight loss) added to Medicare
* POSTAL SERVICES
– Ordinary postage stamp to go up from 70c to $1 on Jan 4
* YOUTH
– All early school leavers need to look for work if not studying full-time, or work and study for 25 hours/week
* VISAS
– Work and holiday visa holders allowed to get a second visa if they work in tourism, hospitality or agriculture in northern Australia for three months
* EDUCATION
– $80m strategy to improve indigenous school attendance in remote communities
* PASSPORTS
– Passports for 16 and 17-year-olds will be 10-year instead of five-year and cost the same as adult passports