Budget Too Cautious– CTU

Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson has described today’s budget as “too cautious”.

“Although it’s clear the finance minister wants to preserve his options after carefully accumulating a surplus, there was room for social development expenditure in this budget,” said Ross Wilson.

Ross Wilson said when the government came into office in 1999 it inherited an accumulated social deficit.

“The poverty and income inequalities that arose in the 1990s have still not been adequately addressed,” he said.

Ross Wilson said unions would welcome budget expenditure in education and growth and innovation and a number of other positive initiatives.

“The additional funding for industry training is particularly significant,” he said.

Ross Wilson identified several positive initiatives, such as funding for a tripartite skills development project, more money for employment mediation, lower costs for doctors’ visits for some, literacy initiatives and an ability for employers to tax workers’ retirement savings contributions at 21c for those earning under $38,000.

“Unions look forward to a budget next year which targets assistance to those on low incomes,” Ross Wilson said.

”There is room for this to be done as well as improving state sector capacity to deliver quality public services and decent pay and conditions for state sector workers. “

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