A list of the government's budget promises in the lead-up to tonight's announcement.
HEALTH
- Boost funding for mental health services in regional Queensland by $75 million
- $40 million for the construction of community care centres for mental health patients in Nambour, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Hervey Bay and Toowoomba
- $33 million for acute and sub-acute beds in Hervey Bay, Toowoomba, Bundaberg and Maryborough
- $1.7 million for support services in north and far north Queensland
- $12.1 million for a 12-bed day centre at Townsville Hospital
- $82 million in new health investments in regional South Australia, including major redevelopments of the Mt Gambier and Port Lincoln Hospitals
WELFARE
- $27 million to boost Australian prisoners of war benefits
- Around 900 surviving PoWs to get a $500 a fortnight benefits boost
- Boost will be tax free and indexed annually to inflation
- Boost won't affect pensions or any other benefits received by veterans.
- $47.1 million package to overhaul of the welfare-to-work system
- Teenage parents will have their welfare payments cut if they don't return to school to finish year 12 when their baby turns one
- Young parents must attend Centrelink meetings six months after their baby is born to prepare for a return to school
- Around 4000 young parents will be subject to the new rules under a trial the government will start in 10 disadvantaged communities from January 2012
- Participants will have their payments, worth up to $625 a fortnight, cut if they don't go back to school after a year at home
FAMILIES
- Families could receive up to an extra $4200 a year for each eligible teenager that stays in school.
- The measure will cost $771.9 million over five years
- Increased rental assistance of up to $10,700 a year for low income families from January 1, 2012.
- About 23,000 families will either receive Rent Assistance, or receive extra Rent Assistance, up to $3600 a year
- 28,900 families will be eligible for FTB Part B up to $2900 a year
- An increase of the proportion of the low-income tax offset (LITO) from 50 to 70 per cent. It means those with an annual income of $30,000 will get an extra $300 during the year in their regular pay.
EDUCATION
- $425 million worth of teacher bonuses
- About 25,000 teachers - or one in 10 - will get bonuses of $5400 to $8100, with the first payments to be made in 2014
- Extra $200 million for students with disabilities
ENVIRONMENT
- $1000 off the solar panel subsidy
- Solar panel subsidy reduced to around $3700
- Promise to name the actual carbon price by July
- Introduce a carbon tax in mid-2012 with a fixed price before transitioning to an ETS within five years
CHARITIES
- $500 million boost for Australian charities and not-for-profits commission
PENSIONERS
- People who receive the maximum rate of pension will receive a free set-top box as Australia moves to a digital television network. The scheme, costing some $309 million, will include installation and instruction on how to use them
SMALL BUSINESS
- A $5000 write-off on the purchase of a new motor vehicle. This comes on top of the $5000 instant asset write-off that is due to come in 2012/2013, and funded by the minerals resource rent tax
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