2003-04 Commonwealth Budget – Budget at a glance

Fiscal outlook

This Budget continues the Government's commitment to sound fiscal management.
The 2003-04 Budget provides for an underlying cash surplus of $2.2 billion while delivering personal income tax cuts.

The Australian economy is expected to enjoy solid growth in a very difficult international environment.
Growth in 2003-04 is forecast to be solid at 3¼ per cent.
Inflation should be moderate at 2¼ per cent through the year.
The unemployment rate should be steady at around 6 per cent.

Australian taxpayers will share in personal income tax cuts worth $10.7 billion over the next four years.
Personal income tax thresholds will be raised and additional assistance for low income earners will be provided through an increase in the low income tax offset from $150 to $235 per year and an increase in the income level from which the offset is reduced.
For example, a taxpayer earning $35,000 per year will have a reduction in the tax they pay of $208 per year, a taxpayer earning $55,000 per year will save $448 per year; and a taxpayer earning $75,000 per year will save $573 per year.
The changes will mean Australian taxpayers can keep a higher proportion of the earnings they receive after tax, providing improved incentives to pursue work, advancement and higher skills.

Increased spending on defence of $2.1 billion over five years from 2002-03.
$1.1 billion over five years from 2002-03 to augment logistics and support funding for a range of ships, aircraft and land-based specialist military equipment, and ordnance purchases.
$645 million over three years from 2002-03 for Australia's contribution to disarming Iraq and involvement in post-conflict rehabilitation and reconstruction activities.
$157 million over the next four years for a Special Operations Command to enhance Australia's capacity to respond to threats to national security.

$411 million to further upgrade Australia's existing domestic security arrangements, including:
$148 million to upgrade critical security infrastructure at Australian airports, ports and nuclear research facilities;
$152 million to enhance the capacity of Australia's security intelligence agencies to respond to security threats; and
$111 million to upgrade protective security services.

$1.5 billion over four years growing to an extra $870 million each year to strengthen Australia's higher education institutions.
$775 million over three years from 2005 will increase baseline funding. From 2005 universities will be able to set their course fees lower, as well as up to a maximum of 30 per cent above standard HECS rates.
A new Higher Education Loans Programme from 2005 to improve access to higher education.
$210 million over four years to schools for projects that deliver better learning outcomes for disadvantaged students.

$42 billion to the State and Territory governments for public hospitals under the new Australian Health Care Agreements.
$917 million over five years to make health care more affordable, particularly for concession cardholders and veterans through the A Fairer Medicare package.

$160 million over four years to provide better employment outcomes for people with disabilities.
$62 million overs four years for 1,000 additional places per year in the Community Development and Employment Project programme for Indigenous Australians.

$150 million over five years to encourage additional investment in R&D in the pharmaceutical industry.
$379 million in 2006-07 to facilitate forward planning for longer-term research and development projects.

Around $740 million over three years in drought relief to provide direct financial assistance, personal counselling, employment services, as well as tax relief.

Reforms to the fuel excise system to promote long–term sustainability and support production of cleaner fuels.