Paid parental leave and Medicare services are set to receive billions in funding in next week’s federal budget.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers flagged the measures in an interview with 9News political editor Charles Croucher on Today this morning.
The government will commit $1.1 billion in super contributions for paid parental leave in the upcoming budget, then $600 million a year thereafter when the scheme is up and running.
“When mums or dads go on the government paid parental leave system, they shouldn’t be missing out on superannuation,” Chalmers said.
From July 1, 2025, eligible parents will receive an additional 12 per cent superannuation on their government-funded parental leave.
“We recognise that when people are making difficult choices about whether to have kids, we need to support them,” he said.
The treasurer also committed $3 billion to strengthen Medicare and an $8.5 billion investment in health overall.
Health Minister Mark Butler will announce today a further $227 million in funding for 29 additional urgent care clinics, bringing a total of 87 clinics to open across the country.
The clinics will offer walk-in care and operate seven days a week over extended hours, with services bulk-billed to Medicare.
“We recognise that health care and bulk billing is a big part of the cost of living challenge,” Chalmers said.
“And so we want to make life a bit easier for people. And that’s why we’re making this investment.”
The treasurer will announce the federal government’s full list of measures when he delivers the budget on Tuesday.
