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Tony Abbott unveils measures to support apprentices and retirees Tony Abbott unveils measures to support apprentices and retirees
(25 days later)
Tony Abbott used his Coalition campaign launch on Sunday to commit to university-style trade support loans of up to $20,000 for young apprentices, $200m for dementia research and the indexation of income thresholds on the commonwealth seniors’ health card.Tony Abbott used his Coalition campaign launch on Sunday to commit to university-style trade support loans of up to $20,000 for young apprentices, $200m for dementia research and the indexation of income thresholds on the commonwealth seniors’ health card.
In his campaign speech at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre in Brisbane, the opposition leader also committed a Coalition government to achieving a budget surplus of 1% of GDP within the decade and defence spending of 2% of GDP.In his campaign speech at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre in Brisbane, the opposition leader also committed a Coalition government to achieving a budget surplus of 1% of GDP within the decade and defence spending of 2% of GDP.
The Coalition is hoping its trade support loans will encourage more of the estimated 60,000 people starting a trade next year to finish their training. One in two apprentices fail to complete their electrical, plumbing, carpentry, cooking, welding or mechanics apprenticeships.The Coalition is hoping its trade support loans will encourage more of the estimated 60,000 people starting a trade next year to finish their training. One in two apprentices fail to complete their electrical, plumbing, carpentry, cooking, welding or mechanics apprenticeships.
Those who finish will receive an immediate 20% discount on the loan, which is spread over four years.Those who finish will receive an immediate 20% discount on the loan, which is spread over four years.
“This is a hand up – not a handout – for people who will meet our skills needs for the next 40 years,” Abbott said. “Choosing a trade, no less than going to university, is a good way to make something of your life.”“This is a hand up – not a handout – for people who will meet our skills needs for the next 40 years,” Abbott said. “Choosing a trade, no less than going to university, is a good way to make something of your life.”
The loans would be repayable at the same income thresholds as loans for university students, so apprentices would not have to repay any money until they were earning a certain level of income.The loans would be repayable at the same income thresholds as loans for university students, so apprentices would not have to repay any money until they were earning a certain level of income.
Plumbers, diesel mechanics, electricians and fitters would be targeted by the trade support loans to fill shortages identified on the national skills needs list.Plumbers, diesel mechanics, electricians and fitters would be targeted by the trade support loans to fill shortages identified on the national skills needs list.
The capped amount of $20,000 would be split into annual payments of $8,000 in the first year, $6,000 in the second year, $4,000 in the third year and $2,000 in the fourth year.The capped amount of $20,000 would be split into annual payments of $8,000 in the first year, $6,000 in the second year, $4,000 in the third year and $2,000 in the fourth year.
Abbott also committed himself to a measure for older voters, to offset concerns among retirees that his paid parental leave scheme will affect shareholder returns due to a levy on top Australian companies.Abbott also committed himself to a measure for older voters, to offset concerns among retirees that his paid parental leave scheme will affect shareholder returns due to a levy on top Australian companies.
Abbott said an incoming Coalition government would index the income thresholds on the commonwealth seniors’ health card (CSHC), which would cost $100m over the next four years but deliver benefits to more pension-aged retirees.Abbott said an incoming Coalition government would index the income thresholds on the commonwealth seniors’ health card (CSHC), which would cost $100m over the next four years but deliver benefits to more pension-aged retirees.
The CSHC provides cost-of-living assistance to retirees who do not qualify for the age pension. It provides benefits such as concessional rates on the pharmaceutical benefit scheme (PBS), travel concessions, bulk-billed doctor’s visits and the seniors’ supplement.The CSHC provides cost-of-living assistance to retirees who do not qualify for the age pension. It provides benefits such as concessional rates on the pharmaceutical benefit scheme (PBS), travel concessions, bulk-billed doctor’s visits and the seniors’ supplement.
The CSHC threshold has not risen since 2001. Indexation on the current threshold of $50,000 income for singles and $80,000 for a couple would occur every September, including in this financial year.The CSHC threshold has not risen since 2001. Indexation on the current threshold of $50,000 income for singles and $80,000 for a couple would occur every September, including in this financial year.
Abbott also committed an extra $200m to research into dementia, which affects one in four Australians over the age of 85.Abbott also committed an extra $200m to research into dementia, which affects one in four Australians over the age of 85.
It is estimated around 300,000 Australians currently suffer from dementia with 900,000 at risk of the disease in 30 years’ time as the population ages.It is estimated around 300,000 Australians currently suffer from dementia with 900,000 at risk of the disease in 30 years’ time as the population ages.
The Coalition’s policy would support new researchers in dementia, allocate priority funding for research projects, oversee the link between research and care for dementia patients and invest in research infrastructure.The Coalition’s policy would support new researchers in dementia, allocate priority funding for research projects, oversee the link between research and care for dementia patients and invest in research infrastructure.
“The best people to find treatments and cures for this insidious disease are our world-beating medical researchers,” Abbott said.“The best people to find treatments and cures for this insidious disease are our world-beating medical researchers,” Abbott said.
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