A post-Budget Review saw nearly 40 Team Nathan volunteers gather at Sorrento Beach on Wednesday evening to discuss the 2025 federal budget. While the major parties hosted expensive fundraisers, charging up to $5,000 per person, we asked people to chip in just $5 – because we believe everyone should be able to participate in our democracy.

Alan Langford, retired Bankwest Chief Economist, shared his expert take on the budget, noting the surprise inclusion of an additional personal income tax reduction. Starting 1 July 2026, this will see the lowest rate of income tax reduce from 16% to 14% by FY28, at an estimated cost of $17.1 billion over the forward estimates period. Alan noted that while it's refreshing to see tax relief directed at supporting Australians in the lowest tax bracket who are doing it toughest, this measure mainly offsets bracket creep and doesn’t represent a structural change to the tax system.

Australia's government debt remains modest compared to other advanced economies, a positive in the current environment, but a potential global trade war poses risks. Federal net debt is projected to reach $556 billion (19.9% of GDP) by June 2025 and grow to $768.2 billion (23.1% of GDP) by June 2029.

Headline inflation is expected to drop to 2.5% in FY25 before temporarily jumping to 3% in FY26 as cost-of-living measures phase out. Alan contemplated the possibility of further rate cuts should underlying inflation sustainably return to the target band by mid-2025, as the budget suggests. It’s well understood, though, that global uncertainty will play a heavy role in the RBA’s decisions. This highlights the importance of fiscal responsibility by both the Government and the Opposition to put the Australian community’s interests first, rather than continuing to play politics with our livelihoods and standard of living.

Major spending initiatives include:

• $1.8 billion for energy bill relief in 2025
• $1.8 billion for Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme listings
• $8.5 billion over five years for bulk-billing incentives
• $1.8 billion to reduce hospital Emergency Department wait times
• $1.2 billion for cyclone recovery assistance
• $3.6 billion for early childhood educator wages
• $17.7 billion for aged care worker wages
• Increased education funding under Gonski reforms

Although spending will increase deficits, by default, some measures do help to address housing affordability, such as support for the construction workforce, and the Housing Australia Future Fund. Others, such as strengthened renters' rights and increased rent assistance attempt to address the cost-of-living impacts associated with the housing crisis. However, these only modestly target root causes. We need to hold bolder conversations on tax reform, without fearmongering and party politics generating disinformation, particularly on Capital Gains Tax and negative gearing. No one will benefit from destabilising the housing market, but steps can absolutely be taken to address the run-away unaffordability crisis.

Electing a Community Independent is the best way to disempower the two major parties’ self-interest! The hardworking people of Moore want to work towards and contribute to a better future for the next generation as well as our own. I call on both sides of Parliament to put their own self-interests aside, when such significant consequences are at stake. We should be contesting ideas, not misinforming voters.

At the event, I discussed the areas where I hope to see greater investment in future budgets, especially in preventative mental health. As a psychologist, I see Australians struggling with mental health challenges when they haven’t been able to access the support that’s needed. We need to boost funding for early intervention, expand access to affordable psychological services, and build more supportive communities to reduce the need for more costly and less available crisis treatment.

I'll keep fighting to make mental wellbeing a national priority by pushing for budgets that empower communities to support each other, from victim-survivors of domestic and family violence through to those who have experienced bullying or other life stressors such as sudden losses or trauma. Quality mental health support, with an empowered and adaptive workforce can address Australia's critical mental health needs, and deliver accessible mental health care to our whole community. We need to think beyond medical treatment, and include connected communities as part of the plan.

Further pre-election sweeteners may still be announced, but this budget sets the stage for a close contest as Australians weigh the offered relief against long-term economic challenges. As an Independent I believe we can hold whichever party forms government to account to make sure they put our interests first, rather than their own.