Five minute guide to Commission of Audit proposals to change our lives

THE Federal Government’s Commission of Audit has proposed to drastically change how we live our lives. Here’s a quick guide.

THE government’s Commission of Audit has proposed to drastically change how we live our lives.

It’s not the Budget but the audit has made a strong case for change and gives the government options.

The Commission’s underlying argument is convincing: the Commonwealth is living beyond its means and to continue doing so is not an option.

The audit argues the only way to make big savings is to cut major programs.

Here’s a five minute guide on how.

COMMISSION OF AUDIT: Cut, cut and then cut some more

AUDIT REPORT ANALYSIS: Federal Government wastefulness exposed

HEALTH

Co-payments ... Going to the doctor would change markedly. Picture: Thinkstock

RIP MEDICARE: Proposals would revolutionalise health care

USING the public system would become more expensive

THERE would be co-payments of up to $15 to see a doctor

THOSE earning over $88,000 would effectively be denied access to Medicare

THE cost of prescription medications would rise by $5 for general consumers

MAKE it tougher to get the Seniors Health Card

JESSICA IRVINE: Broader GST raises more in a year than levy in four

TERRY MCRANN: Relax, Audit Commissions proposals will stay that way

DAVID PENBERTHY: We pander to bludgers instead of rewarding effort

WELFARE

NDIS too costly in today’s economy ... The Prime Minister Tony Abbott opens NDIS in Geelong. Picture: Mike Dugdale

TIGHTEN eligibility for the age pension, but only for new recipients

A PERSON’S home would be included in a means test, but only it’s value above $500,000 for singles and $750,000 for couples

LIFT the age of entitlement to 70 by 2053

SLOW the rate of introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme

EDUCATION

Major changes to education ... Hand responsibility for public schools to states. Picture: Thinkstock

HAND responsibility for public schools to the states

SEPARATE pools of funding for public, Catholic and independent schools

SLASH the size of the Federal Department of Education

MAKE uni students pay 55 per cent of their degree, up from 41 per cent now

FORCE those with study debts to start paying back sooner

FAMILY TAX

Family dependency on government handouts cut ... Axe Family Tax Benefit B for all but sole parents. Picture: Thinkstock

AXE “Family Tax Benefit Part B”, which currently provides up to $4241 a year to 1.6 million families

HOWEVER, provide a payment equal to FTB B to sole parents with children under eight years old

FOR all but low-income households, tighten eligibility for Family Tax Benefit A, which provides up to $10,600 to 1.9 million families

BRINGING down the paid parental leave cap to $57,460. Tony Abbott wanted it to be $150,000 but this week proposed a $100,000 cap

EXPAND childcare assistance through a single, means-tested payment

EXTEND childcare assistance to nannies

BUSINESS

MP George Christensen is a firm believer of the ethanol rebate ... The audit commission wants it scrapped.

GET rid of many schemes assisting auto, steel, ethanol and clean energy

AXE rural financial counselling, the small business advisory services program and some export schemes

“GENUINE market failure” needs to be proved before financial support is given

THERE should be a focus on “targeted support for research and development” where the private sector wouldn’t do it otherwise

JOBS

Lower the minimum wage ... Force relocation to areas of higher employment. Picture: Thinkstock

ULTIMATUM: Move for work opportunities or lose benefit welfare

LOWER the minimum wage to “improve job opportunities”

MAKE young singles aged 22 to 30 relocate to “higher employment areas or lose access to benefits after a period of 12 months”