Improving Support for Carers Bill 2014 (Passed)

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I am trying to work out numbers at the moment.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I guess the sums Senator TNF's amendment generates would be quite hard to come up with...

But anyway, I like the spirit of the bill. It will of course require numbers to look at, but I like the bill as it stands, I believe this is a sensible approach.

Senator TNF's negotiation strategy remains interesting. My original proposals became extremely expensive. This is a positive and likely Budget-neutral response.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Senator, I personally do not oppose relatively high taxes on the rich. But we have reached a level, that, if increased even more, would generate nothing but the flight of capital into private fonds and to the Cayman Islands or whatever. The result would be less revenue rather than more.

It would generate cash flight, again, benefiting accountants and tax attorneys not the people we need to help. Just as cutting taxes has a decreasing benefit, the same is true of just upping taxes to cover everything.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

While in other circumstances this effort would indeed be a good idea, I worry that with the recent spending spree we would be able to pay for this considering that we don't even know the impact of past educational and health care reforms. And since I am strongly considering signing the most recent education bill (it shouldn't take long), it would mean expense after expense that we might not be able to pay.

Considering the Education Bill is a loan program and Senator Cranberry's calculations suggest it is Budget-neutral to positive over the longer term, I'd be concerned if you were to dismiss this due to a possible short-term Budget blip.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

It's not a dictatorial move to reclaim what has been stolen from the working class in the first place.

... good to know we remain on topic.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I object on the grounds of feasibility

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

NAY

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Give me 24 hours - I'm getting some numbers together.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Ugh... why are these numbers so hard to find?!?!

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Here is a compromise... basically a complete re-write

Improving Support for Carers Bill 2015

1. In order to recognise the significant sacrifice made by those who care for friends and family who are unable to provide complete care for themselves, it is necessary to increase the support provided to them in the form of services.

2. $450million will be provided to the regions each year to increase the support services provided to carers.

3. The break-up of the funding pool will be based on regional population and will be indexed annually based on inflation.

4. This Bill will be reviewed at least once every three years to determine the efficacy and suitability of these measures. The Senate can, however, choose to review this program at any time.

5. The funding provided in this Bill will commence from 1 May, 2015.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I'd be okay with a final vote.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

AYE

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

While not ideal, I'm thrilled to see this now enacted.