Recommendations in the federal government’s Commission of Audit would severely impact the western suburbs community, according to social service providers and local politicians.
Opposition leader and Maribyrnong MP Bill Shorten said the plan would punish local young job seekers by removing income support, while cutting the education and training programs they need to help gain employment.
‘‘The Abbott government’s Commission of Audit is nothing more than a blueprint for broken promises,” he said.
“It’s their plan to punish local young job seekers by removing income support, and then cutting the very education and training programs they need to help them gain employment.”
He said the plan would make sure Maribyrnong families get less while millionaires get more, with a proposed $15 GP Tax costing Maribyrnong residents more than $12 million annually to see their doctor.
The Commission of Audit was an election commitment made by the Coalition to assess the role and scope of government.
It was chaired by Tony Shepherd, president of the Business Council of Australia.
Treasurer Joe Hockey is yet to reveal which of the proposals he will accept or reject when he delivers the 2014/15 budget on Tuesday night.
Gellibrand MP Tim Watts said the Commission of Audit would mean an end to the “fair go”.
“The Commission of Audit recommendations hit families in Gellibrand where it matters most – in health, education, aged care and job security,” he said.
Mr Watts said thousands of pensioners in Gellibrand would be forced off the pension and the attack on the minimum wage would create an army of working poor.
“Tony Abbott’s Audit Report would take Australia back to the days before the Sunshine Harvester Decision, when our sick, elderly and vulnerable were on their own.”
The federal budget will be delivered on Tuesday night.
