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Some of the items hidden in the endless numbers may raise eyebrows, others provide an enlightening look at how your tax dollars are being spent.
Here’s what you might have missed in tonight’s budget.
If you’re in a rush for a holiday, Australia will have a new fast-track passport process from July 1. For an additional $100, applications will be processed in five business days.
The government expects to earn $27.4 million over five years from it.
National Firearms Registry
The register will be developed over four years from 2024-25 with $161.3 million in government support.
“Once established, police will know where the firearms are, who owns them and what other risks to the community and police may exist,” the budget document said.
Costly clearing backlog at Service Australia
The Government has committed $1.8 billion over three years to additional frontline staff at Services Australia.
They will help “stabilize” backlogs and service standards, as well as improve cyber security.
It is the largest part of the $2.8 billion the government has committed to upgrading the service in multiple areas.
Australian support in Ukraine
Budget documents reveal how the $144.3 million donated to Ukraine over the two years from 2023-24 was spent.
$100 million has gone to help Ukraine buy military equipment, including drones, generators and boats, as it fights the Russian invasion.
$43.5 million was spent on short-range air defense systems.
And $800,000 provided the Ukrainian army with three medical grade oxygen generators.
The National Online Government Portal will need $508.3 million over four years (and $139.6 million annually) to remain “sustainable.”
The funding will also be used to develop its capabilities and maintain an independent board to advise on improvements to myGov until 2027-28.
The debate around January 26 has become more heated every year, but the government has continued to support it.
It will provide $16.2 million to the National Australia Day Council over four years, including $10 million to support Australia Day community events.
An amount of $23.1 million over four years will go to a bilateral social security agreement with the Eastern Republic of Uruguay.
Social security arrangements allow Australia to share the cost of providing post-retirement income support to people who have split their working lives between the countries.
Australia has 32 other social security arrangements currently in force.
Fifty years ago, Cyclone Tracy battered Darwin in December 1974.
Now the capital of the Northern Territory has received $600,000 to erect a memorial to the victims of the storm.
The government provided a loan of $600 million to the government of Papua New Guinea.
The loan was requested by the PNG Prime Minister following a projected budget deficit for 2023.
A $39.9 million fund will see Australia look for “safe and responsible” ways to adopt AI technology.
This will include a new advisory body and blocking national security risks.
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