The Government's $900 cash bonus to workers!

by **Barnsy** » February 3rd, 2009, 3:04 pm

Latest update to the financial crisis.....more money to us tax payers to stimulate the economy!

Media Release
$950 one-off cash bonus to support jobs

03 February 2009

The Rudd Government today announced five key $950 one-off payments for low and middle income households and individuals.

The Government is providing these cash payments to immediately support jobs and strengthen the Australian economy during a severe global recession.

These targeted cash bonuses are a key element of the Government’s $42 billion Nation Building and Jobs Plan to support up to 90,000 Australian jobs.

To immediately stimulate the economy in the shortest possible time, five groups of one-off cash bonuses will be paid in March and April 2009.

These five key bonuses include a:

* Tax Bonus for Working Australians of up to $950 paid to every eligible Australian worker earning $100,000 or less. This will support up to 8.7 million individuals.
* $950 Single Income Family Bonus to support 1.5 million families with one main income earner.
* $950 Farmers' Hardship Bonus paid to around 21,500 drought affected farmers and farm dependent small business owners receiving exceptional circumstances related income support.
* $950 per child Back to School Bonus to support 2.8 million children from low- and middle-income families.
* $950 Training and Learning Bonus paid to students and people outside of the workforce returning to study to help with the costs of education and training.

To support jobs in the middle of a severe global recession the Government must stimulate the economy in the most immediate manner possible.

That is why one off cash bonuses to people and families who are doing it toughest are a key part of our Nation Building and Jobs Plan.

These one off cash bonuses reflect the weight of economic authority – including the advice of the International Monetary Fund – that targeted one off payments rather than generalised tax cuts spread over a lengthy period are more likely to be consumed, and thus provide a more effective economic stimulus and provide more support for Australian jobs.

There will be no quick fixes, but the Government is determined to act swiftly and decisively to support Australian households, growth and jobs.

These cash bonuses will stimulate consumption quickly, supporting economic activity and jobs until our nation building initiatives have an impact.

This $12.7 billion package is a major economic initiative to deal with these extraordinary economic times and is in addition to the Economic Security Strategy that the Rudd Government delivered in December 2008.

Tax Bonus for Working Australians

The Government will provide an up-front, lump-sum tax bonus of up to $950 to around 8.7 million Australian workers earning $100,000 or less.

A lump-sum payment of up to $950 will be made to eligible taxpayers from April 2009. The bonus will be available to Australian resident taxpayers who paid tax in the 2007-08 financial year after taking into account available tax offsets and credits.

The bonus is subject to an income threshold test which determines that a:

* $950 bonus will be paid to eligible taxpayers with a taxable income of up to and including $80,000;
* $650 bonus will paid to eligible taxpayers with taxable incomes exceeding $80,000 and up to $90,000; and
* $300 bonus will be paid to eligible taxpayers with incomes exceeding $90,000 up to and including $100,000.

Taxpayers will not need to apply for the payment. The Australian Taxation Office will automatically make the payment after determining eligibility.

Single Income Family Bonus

The Government’s Single income Family Bonus will provide an up-front, one-off bonus payment of $950 to approximately 1.5 million families who receive Family Tax Benefit Part B (FTB-B). The bonus is intended to provide additional assistance to families with children that have one main income earner.

The payments, which will be made automatically by Centrelink in the fortnight commencing 11 March 2009, will be non-taxable and will not be counted as income for social security purposes.

The small number of families who claim FTB-B as a lump sum, will receive their one-off payments from Centrelink in 2009-10 and 2010-11 after their 2008-09 tax returns have been processed by the Australian Taxation Office.

Families who are eligible for FTB-B on 3 February 2009 will receive the Single Income Family Bonus.

Farmer’s Hardship Bonus

The Government will provide $20.4 million in 2008-09 for an up-front, one-off payment to farmers and rural-dependent small business owners receiving exceptional circumstances related income support.

A lump-sum payment of $950 will be made to people who, on 3 February 2009, are receiving:

* Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment for Farmers;
* Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment for Small Business;
* Interim Income Support for Farmers;
* Interim Income Support for Small Business;
* Transitional Income Support; or
* Farm Help Income Support.

The payments will be made in the fortnight commencing 24 March 2009, to approximately 21,500 recipients and will provide additional support to groups of Australians who are in hardship. These payments will not be taxable and will not be counted as income for social security purposes.

Back to School Bonus

The Government’s $950 Back to School Bonus will provide a one-off, up-front bonus to be paid to families eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A (FTB-A) on 3 February 2009 for each eligible child of school age (aged 4 to 18 on 3 February 2009).

This will help meet education costs for the 2009 academic year and is in addition to and separate from the Education Tax Refund.

The Back to School Bonus is expected to help 2.76 million children aged 4 to 18 in just over 1.5 million families across Australia.

Training and Learning Bonus

The Government’s $511 million Training and Learning Bonus provides an up-front, one off bonus to eligible students to assist with the costs for the 2009 academic year. It also provides a temporary (until June 2010) additional incentive for social security recipients to return to education and training.

The Training and Learning Bonus consists of two categories:

Category 1

* A one-off $950 bonus for recipients of: Youth Allowance (students and apprentices); Austudy; ABSTUDY and related payments
* The one-off bonus will also be available to recipients of Sickness Allowance and Special Benefit (under age pension age).
* If a student attracts the Government’s Back to School Bonus they are not eligible for the one-off $950 Learning and Training Bonus.

Category 2

* A temporary supplement (from 1 January 2009 to 30 June 2010) to the Education Entry Payment (EdEP) of $950. This is in addition to the existing EdEP payment of $208, which provides assistance with the costs of training courses, for income support recipients who are returning to study.
* A temporary extension (from 1 January 2009 to 30 June 2010) of the EdEP to Youth allowance (other); and
* A temporary relaxation (from 1 January 2009 to 30 June 2010) of the requirement that recipients must have been receiving social security payments from 12 months to 1 month.

Around 440,000 students and people returning to study will be paid this one off cash bonus.

by **Sunboost** » February 3rd, 2009, 3:07 pm

Who's gunna spend it on their E-Series :roll:

*cough Gill*

by **[Sterling]** » February 3rd, 2009, 3:10 pm

but yet, people on the dole got $1000 around christmas time-ish...but the people who actually work for it get less..

by **Allen** » February 3rd, 2009, 3:12 pm

Awesome, $950...

That'll pay the rent for a month...

by **thebeast.** » February 3rd, 2009, 3:13 pm

what do u have to do to get it. like apply or does everyone get it thats under the 100000 a year mark

by **Dansedgli** » February 3rd, 2009, 3:16 pm

Sundeep wrote:Who's gunna spend it on their E-Series *cough Gill*

$950 can buy a new E series.

Thats a month worth of rental mortgage for me and maybe 175 litres of lpg for the mav.

by **Commando** » February 3rd, 2009, 3:18 pm

Does that mean students who are also in the workforce may receive $1900 (2 x $950)?

by **Malakai** » February 3rd, 2009, 3:21 pm

Sweet deal...

There is a sour side to it though. The payment is aimed at stimulating the economy which means that you are meant to go out and spend it. But people like me that will put it away into savings or pay off some debt are going to diminish its effectiveness.

I don't know about anyone else but I have been watching the US and other world economies very closely over the last several months. I think doing that gives us here in Australia a glimpse into the future. I am battening down the hatches as far as my finances go. So this money is going straight into my cash savings.

by **Allen** » February 3rd, 2009, 3:26 pm

Commando wrote:Does that mean students who are also in the workforce may receive $1900 (2 x $950)?

I hope thats the case... If so, I fall under 3 catagories!

by **EFFalcon** » February 3rd, 2009, 3:46 pm

free money.. win!

by **mooseman** » February 3rd, 2009, 3:46 pm

I believe they do add up together. Thats what the bloke on the news said anyway. He metioned that single income large families could be looking at a few thousand dollars.

by **Stengord** » February 3rd, 2009, 4:05 pm

You ripper!

by **LTDHO** » February 3rd, 2009, 4:22 pm

You get one bonus, so single mums making under 100k who work on the farm will not get 4 x 950.

$950 to bills! Swoit

by **Frost** » February 3rd, 2009, 4:38 pm

Sucks to be self employed. :cry:

by **ClassicAU** » February 3rd, 2009, 4:47 pm

This sounds great, but when is this actually happening? In the media release posted above its says "from April 2009" which could mean god knows when! But then a report in the Herald Scum is saying its actually happening in the next few weeks?

by **Nikk O'lass** » February 3rd, 2009, 4:53 pm

Whats a good engine managment system for under 950?

by **wicksy** » February 3rd, 2009, 5:11 pm

i will def be looking into this, once i find out how to go about it

by **fordbaby** » February 3rd, 2009, 5:18 pm

it will come at a brilliant time for us, just when our bubba is due and im not working so every little bit will help.

hmmmmm i wonder what john will spend his money on????................. cars.......

by **hXc_Cam** » February 3rd, 2009, 5:40 pm

Dansedgli wrote:
Sundeep wrote:Who's gunna spend it on their E-Series *cough Gill*

$950 can buy a new E series.

With plenty of change to buy headgaskets and other goodies

by **slo_sprint** » February 3rd, 2009, 5:41 pm

Sweet, bring on the alcohol, strippers and cocaine.*

* Note one or more of the above mentioned aren't true

by **Hybrid34** » February 3rd, 2009, 5:52 pm

Seems like its pretty good for everyone, but what I don't understand is the labour government is dishing out this money that liberal have saved up over the years, and they were talking about the past few days that the government is close to hitting 'rock bottom' or the 'thin red line' on their budget...I don't get it (not to mention a crisis)..

I read an article in the paper the other week about the financial crisis and Santa Rudds Christmas present hand out

"Everyone kept talking up the hardtimes ahead, yet people were clicking their heels in the air after Kevin Rudd starting throwing dollar bills around like he'd just won Tattslotto. More than $10Billion was spread around by Kev, to first-home buyer and families and pensioners mainly.

"The truth is we are going through the worst financial crisis in our lifetime...there will be tough times ahead", he told the nation, while popping between the party ballons.
Obviously he hopes the recession will be undergoing major surgery. once the anesthetic kicks in you won't feel a thing.

Not having a rant about receiving money either, it just intrigues me that Mr Ruddy and splash money around so willy nilly...

by **Commando** » February 3rd, 2009, 5:56 pm

slo_sprint wrote:Sweet, bring on the alcohol, strippers and cocaine.*

* Note one or more of the above mentioned aren't true

Sif not drink!

by **Malakai** » February 3rd, 2009, 5:57 pm

Nikk O'lass wrote:Whats a good engine managment system for under 950?

My Microtech cost $995 without the upgrades I had added on.

by **bigdude101** » February 3rd, 2009, 6:06 pm

So do under 18 checkout attendants on $7k a year get this rebate?

by **purped** » February 3rd, 2009, 6:12 pm

well if you stop an think about it
if there's no one spending there's no jobs simple
he's doing this so you keep your jobs not end up on the rock an roll

he could be a tight ass like lib's an sit back an watch people suffer

im no expert just my thought's

by **shane-ed** » February 3rd, 2009, 6:24 pm

i know i might sound like a retard in saying this but i think im eligable...
im a 1st yr apprentice who deffinatily earns under 100,000K,
money for me?

by **Commando** » February 3rd, 2009, 6:24 pm

I'm not spending my share.

by **CaRtZ** » February 3rd, 2009, 6:30 pm

Sundeep wrote:Who's gunna spend it on their E-Series

most likely! :twisted:

by **CaRtZ** » February 3rd, 2009, 6:35 pm

Hybrid34 wrote:Not having a rant about receiving money either, it just intrigues me that Mr Ruddy and splash money around so willy nilly...

according to my old man who is 70yo so has seen a bit, when Labour gets into power they manage to make the country poor but seem like its doing well. then the Liberals get in, speend yrs and yrs fixing it to the point its doing great, then Labour gets back in and does thier thing

by **Nikk O'lass** » February 3rd, 2009, 6:46 pm

Shits Oriental Cars wrote:
Dansedgli wrote:
Sundeep wrote:Who's gunna spend it on their E-Series *cough Gill*

$950 can buy a new E series.

probally 9 E series

by **nommic** » February 3rd, 2009, 6:48 pm

Hybrid34 wrote:Seems like its pretty good for everyone, but what I don't understand is the labour government is dishing out this money that liberal have saved up over the years, and they were talking about the past few days that the government is close to hitting 'rock bottom' or the 'thin red line' on their budget...I don't get it (not to mention a crisis)..

Most financial analysts or economists see no problem with going into debt, in fact a lot were calling for the government to spend up BIG a few months ago and not worry about a budget deficit.

Also with the pre-xmas cash bonus thingo - it had a REAL effect. I noticed it at my old job. Several people quite openly told me they were spending their xmas government money, which was exactly what the government wanted (instead of people saving the cash bonus given to them).

Unfortunately though, there are only so many tricks the government can pull before we are pulled along inexorably with the rest of the world. We are a minnow at the mercy of much larger forces.

by **private9** » February 3rd, 2009, 6:53 pm

LTDHO wrote:You get one bonus, so single mums making under 100k who work on the farm will not get 4 x 950.

$950 to bills! Swoit

Hmmm, I read it as you get what you're eligible for, so that single mum under 100k working on a farm should get the full 4 x 950.

I hope so anyway

by **donno** » February 3rd, 2009, 7:05 pm

Commando wrote:I'm not spending my share.

+1. Shares (or save) FTMFW.

Buy 1 ECU now or 5 in 5 years time. Easy choice.

by **slo_sprint** » February 3rd, 2009, 7:47 pm

Commando wrote:
slo_sprint wrote:Sweet, bring on the alcohol, strippers and cocaine.*

* Note one or more of the above mentioned aren't true

Sif not drink!

guess again.

by **67rce** » February 3rd, 2009, 7:52 pm

SIKKKKKK NITROUS FOR MEEEEE....... Thanks K.Rudd for allowing me to get the funds to purchase a Nitrous Kit

PC Here i Come

by **Phillis** » February 3rd, 2009, 9:12 pm

oh god...studio monitors or invest it....argh..

i have a feeling in a few months there will be a lot more e-series out there with a lot more HP

by **holmsy** » February 3rd, 2009, 9:25 pm

fuckin ey.
i got a bonus comin up for bein an apprentice and hopefully this payment as well. so should be able to get car fixed

by **speed.freak** » February 3rd, 2009, 10:21 pm

bigdude101 wrote:So do under 18 checkout attendants on $7k a year get this rebate?

Yes, im wondering this also. $950 would be nice

by **Frost** » February 3rd, 2009, 10:22 pm

People dont understand the whole world has a fooked outlook at the moment, the US is in 10Trillion in debt, the chinese have to spend some comunisit money, countrys like iceland are asking other countrys for cash.

The economy is fucked because of things like, connex, Telstra, privatised public services and wankers in the USA. with there 10million per annum plus bonus's for sitting on the board of GM, GE and Ford saying, Yes I want a 8.7lt SUV so lets put them into mass production. Or bringing some guy from overseas to run an already failing company. (Telstra)

The fact the government will put us into deficit doesn't mean we wont get out again, eventually taxes will go up etc. Remember it was the liberal government that introduced GST, that then put a TAX on a TAX and sent fuel to nearly $2 a lt. it was the Budget surplus gained from large Tax's and Fuel excise that never got used on our roads. It was the liberal government that we elected into power for getting some army dudes to jump on a boat and throw some people over board. It was the liberal government that started to kill the car industry by dropping import tax.

Insted of spending money on flying around K-Rudd should just buy First Class seats on commerical aircraft (Australian owned of course - QANTAS). Insted of Driving V8 Caprices not on Gas KRudd should be in an AU Taxi, so should all the MPs. The AU taxi has proven its worth and they have transported millions of people without missing a beat and no one has ever complained at the comfort of an AU Taxi.

And it was funny about the Christmas bonus to familys. It was reading that pokie spending went up in the December month also liquor sales.

But $950 It will go straight back to the government for me to pay fines haha.

by **needfordspeed** » February 3rd, 2009, 10:28 pm

Sundeep wrote:Who's gunna spend it on their E-Series *cough Gill*

lol EAD fag

I don't work...I probably won't even get it!

But fair point, i'd probably spend a bit of it on my car, only coz it needs money spent on it though.

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