The Federal Member for Macarthur, Dr Mike Freelander MP, welcomes the Albanese Labor Government’s 2026 Budget as it is focused on cost-of-living relief, housing affordability and the long-term fiscal sustainability of our nation, especially during these challenging global times.
Dr Freelander believes the Budget is focused on improving outcomes for all Australians, with the most significant tax and housing reform packages since the early 2000s.
There is a $1,000 instant tax deduction for workers for their work-related expenses and for small businesses, the $20,000 instant asset write-off is being made permanent from 1 July 2026.
The Federal Government is also tackling the housing crisis, with negative gearing being restricted to newly built homes from July 2027 through reforms introduced in the Budget.
The long-standing capital gains tax discount will be replaced with a new, inflation-indexed system for future investments, with existing investments grandfathered into current rules.
These important reforms are on top of the current social and affordable housing policies of the Federal Labor Government, with over 500 new social and affordable housing being built in Macarthur.
Over 10,500 Macarthur residents benefit from Commonwealth Rent Assistance, which the Federal Government has increased by over 50% since 2022.
There have also been over 2,500 Macarthur residents who have been able to purchase their first home through the 5% Deposit Scheme introduced by the Albanese Federal Government.
In healthcare, Dr Freelander welcomes the Federal Labor Government’s record investment into healthcare services, which includes $6.5 billion for NSW Hospitals for a total of $64 billion over 5 years.
This important investment will help improve facilities and outcomes for patients and staff, especially for those in local hospitals such as Campbelltown, Camden and Liverpool.
Introduced by the Albanese Government last term and having proved increasingly helpful in easing pressure off our hospitals, Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are now permanent.
There have been over 31,100 visits to the Campbelltown Urgent Care Clinic since it opened in December 2023, which means less presentations and strain on our hospital Emergency Departments and more accessible treatments for people of all ages.
New drugs for treating prostate cancer, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, bladder cancer, and other conditions will be added to the PBS with $5.9 billion being spent over the next five years on new listings.
This is on top of the Cheaper Medicines policy of the Federal Labor Government, which has provided over 2.2 million cheaper scripts in Macarthur; meaning medicines and treatments are more affordable and accessible for Macarthur residents.
For Senior Australians and those in Aged Care, Dr Freelander welcomes the delivery of more residential aged care beds and improved home care supports. This includes $1 billion to restore full funding of "personal care" (such as showering) for all care recipients in the Support at Home program.
The Member for Macarthur, as a long-time advocate for greater transport infrastructure for the region, welcomes the $50 million investment for priority upgrades to the rail line between Sydney and Canberra, including the line from Central to Macarthur and from Macarthur down through the Southern Highlands to Canberra.
With our outer-metropolitan region ever expanding south, this investment will help improve public transport options for workers, commuters and cargo.
This is a brief snapshot of a pragmatic, well-planned Budget that will help level the playing field for more Australians, deliver better healthcare and infrastructure outcomes for our region and help ensure no Australian is left behind.
Quotes attributable to Dr Mike Freelander MP, Member for Macarthur:
““For too long, Australians of all ages have been affected by the unfair housing market, the complicated tax system and underfunded healthcare services of governments past.
“This Budget does a wonderful job at improving opportunities for more Australians to enter the housing market, for better healthcare services, for a fairer tax system and for long-term infrastructure investments that will benefit our region and people for generations to come.
“There is more to do, and I will continue to advocate for better health, infrastructure and cost of living outcomes for our area, but this Budget is really important in addressing some of the key concerns of our time.”
