Stimulus package gets thumbs up

3 Feb 2009, 8:33 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Business, unions and welfare groups have overwhelmingly welcomed the federal government's plan to spend $42 billion to keep the economy afloat in the face of the global recession.

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Business, unions and welfare groups have overwhelmingly welcomed the federal government's plan to spend $42 billion to keep the economy afloat in the face of the global recession.

Most state governments say they support the package, which promises $12.7 billion in one-off bonus payments to immediately stimulate the economy and $28.8 billion of infrastructure spending on schools, roads, rail safety, home insulation and public housing.

The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) and the Business Council of Australia (BCA) praised it as quick and simple, and deserving of strong support.

Spending 'critical'

"The package targets consumer spending, which is absolutely critical to our near-term economic prospects, and boosts capital expenditure - looming as one of the real casualties," Ai Group chief Heather Ridout said.

BCA chief Katie Lahey said the package was a substantial economic stimulus that should have an immediate impact on demand.

ACTU secretary Jeff Lawrence said it was the right plan for difficult circumstances but he said more needed to be done.

"Australian workers at the moment are feeling pretty insecure and this is a plan to deal with that insecurity," Mr Lawrence said.

Benefits 'should increase'

But Australian Council of Social Service chief Clare Martin, and UnitingCare, were both disappointed the package failed to increase unemployment benefits by $30 a week.

"It is only fair that people who are unable to find work get adequate assistance and support," Ms Martin said.

Catholic Social Services executive director Frank Quinlan and Anglicare Australia executive director Kasy Chambers both welcomed the package saying it was well timed and targeted low income earners.

Australian Local Government Association president Geoff Lake applauded the announcement, saying it would be a boost to local communities which are facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

"The injection of additional funding for community facilities at the local level is without precedent and will mean a boost for jobs in local communities hit by the economic slowdown," Mr Lake said.

States pleased

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said there would be no delay in spending the funds on schools, roads and housing while Victorian Premier John Brumby said it was about "jobs, jobs, jobs".

South Australian Premier Mike Rann said it was "a terrific first wave response".

NSW Premier Nathan Rees said the state stood ready to spend and ready to build with the federal government.

"This is a bold and vital plan to help us fight our way out of the most challenging set of economic circumstances the world has faced since the Depression," Mr Rees said.

 

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where's the Aussie community spirit?

Sim - from Queensland, 4 years ago

To Shelley and Anne Anderson: Do you receive a pension or part pension? This is welfare! 
Do you have children in child care? Child care is subsidised welfare for the wealthy.
The majority of people on the dole genuinely want to work.
Our world is changing and things are different from "your day", you are out of touch. Welfare when I need it but everyone else is a bludger!!!

i agree

cassandra - from thornli wa, 4 years ago

Well this stimulus package will help us parents out a lot as I am now a mother of four and I am married but what people fail to see is how much you spend on the kids and every cent is worth it....
Maybe some of the working class citizens would love to swap for a week or two just to see how we the poorer citizens make do with the money we do get handed out to us with school fee, expensive school books, rent, food you just manage to make do till the next payment wake up people we need help ok.

welfare country

anne anderson - from brisbane, 4 years ago

All these handouts for welfare bludgers and their kids - I'm sick to the teeth of all the fringe benefits they get here's some of them: rent assistance, telephone, health care card, handouts at xmas, and now more handouts with Rudd's package.
No wonder they don't wanna look for a job.
No wonder all these immigrants are coming over here in boat loads.
Australia the welfare country.

whingers

kris - from bris, 4 years ago

To the whinger on 12.2.09... first of all you have no idea how people these days live...
I am a single mum to 3 kids, and the measly little bit of money we get from the government may just see us through to the next week if were lucky...
try living a day in our lives and see just how rich we "are"...
all i can say is get over yourself and grow up!!!

STOP YOUR WHINGING

Glen - from Brisbane, 4 years ago

Me and my partner have 3 children and one on the way, we both work our guts out week in and week out, this stimulus package is a godsend, and couldn't come at a better time, with school fees, uniforms, stationary, mortgages, cost of fuel, cost of groceries, and living, all on the rise, and too add to it all youve got to worry about job security.
I wish people like WHINGER SHELLY (below) would give some of us MIDDLE CLASS working families a break!!
...BOOHOOHOO SHELLEY, KEVIN RUDD'S MY MAN!!!!!

miss

florence - from tasmania, 4 years ago

Ever since i was a kid i have been going without.
My mum was a low income earner, and I rarely had anything the other kids had... now I have my own kids and due to mental illness (not my fault), I am unable to work, now I'm still going without cause I make sure my kids have everything.
This stimulus package means I might be able to get something nice for myself!!!

Shelley this ones for you

Mel - from Perth WA, 4 years ago

In response to your comments Shelley, I don't know who the hell you think you are.
I'm a 27-year-old female, I have a mortgage and I work bloody hard for my money and so does my partner, it's about time the government handed out some benefits to people earning under $80,000 a year.
You survived without handouts because obviously it was a different era, and a matter of fact I'm certainly not lazy - get your facts straight before carrying on.

bothered mother

BJ - from Perth, 4 years ago

Times are hard and I am happy about this money, but will it really help us in the long run?
It might pay the bills and stock up on food but it won't last, and today's problems aren't going to be fixed overnight.
And all those slackers who refuse to get a job, get the money and still sit on their ass drinking and blowing it on drugs are more than happy to keep getting hand outs.
As a married mother who would prefer to work than get hand outs, it p***** me off - all those bums shouldn't get a cent.

ms.

lucinda - from tas, 4 years ago

You musn't have kids then, if you don't realise how much money it takes to raise one.
They are hard work and the money doesn't go to waste.
People should realise that the money we get for our kids goes to our kids.
I'd go back to work if I could, but:
1 there is no work that suits the hours I'm able to work so that I don't have to put my baby into care, and
2 it wouldn't make much difference to us we'd still be struggling with everyday bills and living expenses.
So bring on the help we need all we can get.

if its broke, fix it.

Beck - from Dunedoo, 4 years ago

Kevin is trying to fix what Howard broke, same as Bush and Obama - Bush broke it, Obama's gotta try and fix it. 
I admire these 2 men and the task at hand it would be no easy feat.
Yes hand outs have been freely put out.
People worry about it being spent on booze and cigarettes.
So why not recieve most of it in vouchers for food, power and fuel - that would suit my hubby and I fine.
The hospital system, roads and climate change are big factors we look at too being as we have 2 kids and another on the way.

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