Jane Prentice (Ryan, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to clarify some aspects of the 2014 budget. The coalition's budget will continue to support Australian families and encourage them to participate both socially and economically in order to build a strong, sustainable economy and to secure the future of Australia for our generation, our children and our children's children.

The coalition government has a difficult task to ensure that our welfare system remains a safety net for those most in need. Moving the threshold of the family tax benefit part B from $150,000 per annum to $100,000 per annum for the primary income ensures that our welfare system is sustainable and can target those families who are the most vulnerable. I have actually had a constituent call my office who will lose the FTB part B and they told me that although extra money is always appreciated and helpful, they sometimes feel that they do not really need it in the same way as other families do to simply put basic food on the table and pay for essential services. And, in light of the budget crisis left by Labor, it is important that their tax dollars are spent wisely and go to those families who are the most needy.

I wish to make it clear that no government ever wants to have to introduce a difficult budget, but a responsible government realises when it is necessary and acts accordingly. You cannot fix the economy if you do not fix the budget.