Migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia has welcomed measures announced by the federal government in its 2025 budget which provide cost of living relief, support for diverse communities while promoting social cohesion and maintaining Australia’s commitment to resettling refugees.
CEO of migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia also welcomed budget measures that supported access to healthcare, especially for women, as well as cost of living relief for vulnerable families and communities.
“We welcome the measures in the budget that support migrants and refugees and their communities, who are among the most vulnerable to cost of living pressures and barriers to accessing healthcare,” Ms Scarth said.
“The government’s investment in extending bulk billing and keeping medicines affordable will be welcomed by the communities we work with and support.
“The tax cuts delivering $268 a year to families and the extension of power bill relief, saving households $150 a year, will also have a positive impact,” she said.
Ms Scarth said the health measures in the budget would be felt in diverse communities.
“We know that people from diverse communities can struggle to access healthcare, so the $8.5 billion boost to Medicare aimed at extending bulk-billing target of nine out of ten GP visits by 2030 is welcome,” Ms Scarth said.
“Also welcome is the $650 million in the budget for urgent care clinics and the $573 million for women’s health. The measure to limit the costs of prescriptions on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to no more than $25 will help many families.
“The women’s health measures are particularly important because they focus on areas such as contraception, endometriosis and menopause care,” she said.
AMES Australia also welcomed the $178.4 million investment in the budget over five years to strengthen social cohesion, including $10 million for independent multicultural media and $44.8 million in grants for community projects.
The budget also commits $21.4 million to strengthen support for victim-survivors of sexual violence, which builds on existing programs aimed at improving access to critical legal and non-legal support for victim-survivors.
And it allocates funds to maintain Australia’s world-leading refugee programs.
“The budget maintains Australia’s commitment to settle 20,000 refugees each year at a time when many countries are closing their borders to those fleeing war or persecution, and while an increasing number of global conflicts are driving record human displacement,” Ms Scarth said.
“Overall, the budget is inclusive. It recognises that when people feel they are valued members of society, there is a dividend in stronger social cohesion and a stronger society,” she said.
For images, interviews and more information please contact AMES Australia Media Advisor, Laurie Nowell at nowelll@ames.net.au on 03 9938 4031 or 0498 196 500.