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We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respect to Elders no longer with us, who fought tirelessly for respect and justice, and Elders today who continue to inspire and lead in the hope for a better future for our nation.

Dear <<First Name>>,


It’s been a busy couple of weeks!


Earlier this month I spent two weeks in Canberra for Senate Estimates. Estimates takes place a couple of times each year, and it's an opportunity for Senators to ask questions of government departments and authorities about the Budget and how public funding is being used.


We’ve been focused on how the Albanese Labor Government’s Federal Budget for 2024-25 will support Australian families doing it tough. I’ve included some detail below.


Importantly, today marks 10 days until the beginning of the Albanese Labor Government’s cost-of-living tax cuts. I am proud to be part of a government committed to delivering real cost of living relief to all Australian taxpayers.


Please don't hesitate to get in touch with my office if you have any questions on (03) 9070 1920 or Senator.Stewart@aph.gov.au.


Yours sincerely,


Jana Stewart

Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba

Senator for Victoria

The Albanese Labor Government’s 2024-25 Budget is easing cost of living pressures on Australians.


Under the leadership of Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Finance Katy Gallagher, Australia has soared in global rankings for budget management. Our economy is now ranked second in budget management worldwide.


Tax cuts

On July 1 this year, the Albanese Labor Government will deliver a tax cut for every Australian taxpayer, and 3.5 million Victorians.


Energy Bill Relief

From 1 July 2024, more than 10 million households will receive a total rebate of $300 and eligible small businesses will receive $325 on their electricity bills throughout the year. This will automatically be applied to your bill.


Housing

A $6.2 billion boost to housing in this Budget takes the Albanese Labor Government’s total housing investment to more than $32 billion. This includes funding fee-free TAFE places in construction  to get homes built sooner, increased housing support for women and children fleeing domestic and family violence, and funding for the repair, maintenance and improvement of housing in remote Indigenous communities.


Health

The Albanese Government is also investing $2.8 billion to strengthen Medicare by providing additional Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, more free mental health services, higher Medicare rebates for many common medical tests, and an over $160 million women’s health package. We’re also delivering a five-year freeze on co-payments for PBS medications for vulnerable Australians.


You can read more about Labor’s Budget for every Australian at: budget.gov.au

Senator Stewart with Senator Jess Walsh (Committee Chair) and Senator Deborah O'Neill (Economics Committee Member)

Following the success of the Victorian First Nations leaders Delegation to Canberra in late 2023, a second Delegation of Victorian First Nations leaders will be travelling to Parliament House on Wednesday, 26 June 2024. This will be an important opportunity for Aboriginal Leaders in Victoria to speak directly to political decision-makers.


I will keep you updated on developments in this space.


In the Senate Legal & Constitutional Affairs Committee Estimates, I spoke to Australia's new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss.


Commissioner Kiss is a Kaanju and Biri Wiri woman from Cape York Australia, and began work as Social Justice Commissioner on 3 April 2024.


Over the next six months, Commissioner Kiss will conduct a listening tour across our communities and listen to input from First Nations Australians to better inform her plan forward. You can read more about Commissioner Kiss’s priorities here.


I pay my respects and sincere thanks to Aunty June Oscar AO, the outgoing Commissioner, for her outstanding contribution during her time in the role.

Parliament will return from June 24, 2024.


There are a number of ways I can assist you and your family as your representative in the Senate. New resources are now available on my website, including a Seniors & Pensioners Information Kit and the Little Black Book of Scams.

Both resources are free to read online.
To request a physical copy of these resources, call or email my office via 
Senator.Stewart@aph.gov.au or (03) 9070 1920.