Arabic version: ميزانية ACT تكشف عن ارتفاع الأسعار وتأجيل خطط الفائض
The ACT budget papers have unveiled significant changes, indicating rising rates for most households and a delayed budget surplus. According to ABC News, the government’s decision to scrap a controversial health levy has provided some relief, but overall rates are set to increase by an average of 5 percent for most residents.
The health levy, initially set at $250, faced backlash, prompting a reduction to $100 before its complete removal. This change was made possible through additional funding secured from the Commonwealth under the National Health Reform Agreement. However, the budget reflects significant rate increases, with some suburbs experiencing hikes as high as 19 percent for units and 13 percent for homes in specific areas.
Housing remains a central focus of the budget, with the ACT government proposing to abolish stamp duty for all first home buyers starting in July. This initiative, aimed at alleviating housing stress, also extends exemptions to pensioners and certain other groups. Additionally, the government plans to enhance housing availability in the “missing middle” category by reducing lease variation charges and eliminating stamp duty on new unit-titled properties.
However, the budget deficit for 2026-27 is projected at $323.4 million, which is a decrease from the previous year but not as significant as initially forecasted. The anticipated return to surplus has been pushed back to 2028-29, a year later than previously expected. The government is also delaying several infrastructure projects to alleviate budgetary pressures, prioritizing those already underway to save an estimated $700 million over four years.
In a move towards modernization, the ACT plans to develop a digital driver’s license system, committing over $1.7 million towards this initiative over the next two years. While the timeline for completion remains unclear, the government aims to provide further details later in the year. Additional plans to implement motor vehicle registration indexation have also been postponed until the 2027-28 budget due to rising fuel costs.
