Catholic organisations have responded to the Albanese Government’s Budget, acknowledging commitments to health care and foreign aid, but recognising more must be done to address the root causes of poverty and inequality in Australia.
Catholic Social Services Australia’s executive director Jerry Nockles offered a measured response to the Budget.
“While we recognise the Government’s efforts to provide some relief in these challenging times, the Budget falls short of the strong leadership needed to truly serve the common good,” Dr Nockles said.
CSSA acknowledged several initiatives announced in the Budget, including tax cuts for all Australians from July 2026, the commitment of $689 million over four years to reduce the cost of medications listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and energy bill relief measures.
However, CSSA maintains that these measures do not go far enough in addressing the systemic issues facing vulnerable Australians and reflect a piecemeal approach to policymaking.
“We had called for an increase in the rate of JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, and related payments,” Dr Nockles states. “The absence of significant movement on income support in the Budget is a missed opportunity to give millions of vulnerable Australians breathing space and demonstrates a failure to consider the broader implications of policy decisions on the entire community.”
Catholic Health Australia praised the Government’s $8.5 billion investment in Medicare over four years, public hospital funding, and transparency measures aimed at reducing Australians’ out-of-pocket medical costs.
“This investment in Medicare is a critical step toward addressing long-standing pressures on primary care services, as well as reducing the pressure on public hospitals,” CHA chief executive Jason Kara said.
“It is also very heartening to see bipartisan support for enhancing access to affordable primary healthcare.”
CHA also supports the Government’s additional investment of $1.8 billion in public hospital funding as part of a “one-off funding boost” to maintain continuity under the National Health Reform Agreement. This will be critical to ensuring the stability and sustainability of Australia’s hospital sector, particularly given escalating demands and workforce pressures.
Caritas Australia welcomed a commitment of $5.1 billion in Overseas Development Assistance – an increase of $135.8 million from 2024-25 – while raising concerns about growing international instability and need.
Caritas Australia interim CEO, Kirsten Sayers, said, “The Australian Government has made clear its commitment to support a peaceful, stable, and prosperous world for all.
“In line with this, the Budget includes some welcome investment into the futures of our brothers and sisters in need overseas – in the Pacific, in Myanmar, and further afield through the Humanitarian Emergency Fund.”
FULL STORY
Federal Budget 2025 falls short of strong leadership required (CSSA)
Caritas Australia welcomes aid increase and Pacific investment in Federal Budget (Caritas Australia)
