FED: Baby bonus means test kicks in on Jan 1

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-2008
FED: Baby bonus means test kicks in on Jan 1

The federal government's new baby bonus means test kick's in New Year's Day.

From tomorrow .. the bonus will only be available to families with a combined annual
income of less than 150 thousand dollars .. saving the government around 350 million dollars.

The bonus will now also be paid in fortnightly instalments .. replacing the lump sum payment.

The changes are among a number of federal changes to come into force tomorrow .. including
.. new federal-state funding arrangements .. to be backed up by legislation when parliament
resumes.

A new National Disability Agreement also comes into force .. aiming to improve services
for people with a disability .. their families and carers.

New child protection protocols start as well .. to allow for better information sharing
between Centrelink and state and territory agencies.

The government's national plan to increase organ donation will swing into action ..

and changes to evidence laws will better protect vulnerable witnesses such as children.

Same sex couples and their children will benefit from the end of discrimination in
the Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme safety nets.

Maths and science university students will benefit from lower fees .. but truckies
will be slugged with an increase in the heavy vehicle road user tax.

AAP RTV ag/crh/fdf

KEYWORD: CHANGES FEDERAL (CANBERRA)

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