http://sidsidebottom.com/pdf/media/August_2010/familypayments_040810

Campaign Media Release LABOR MEMBER FOR BRADDON SID WELCOMES BETTER ACCESS TO FAMILY PAYMENTS Federal Labor Member for Braddon Sid Sidebottom today welcomed the commitment that a re-elected Gillard Labor Government will improve access to family payments.

The move will help families cope with cost of living pressures, particularly for large and unexpected household expenses.

The Gillard Labor Government understands that many families are struggling to manage the household budget.

Unexpected expenses can cause big headaches – for example, when the washing machine breaks – and many families are forced to use credit cards or take out a loan.

To help families meet these costs, arrangements for advance payments of family tax benefit entitlements will be simplified and made more flexible, including: From 1 July, families can receive a larger advance on their family tax benefits or around $312 for a family with one child under 12, or $625 for a family with two children under 12.

From 1 July parents of new babies who receive the Baby Bonus will also be able to receive $500 of their payment upfront.

“The Gillard Labor Government understands that families are doing it tough and facing cost of living pressures,” Mr Sidebottom said.

“But Tony Abbott’s Coles and Woolies tax would push up the price of groceries, petrol and electricity.

“The choice is clear – between Julia Gillard who will help families with cost of living pressures, and Tony Abbott who would add to family grocery bills.”

4 AUGUST 2010 COMMUNICATIONS UNIT: Phone: (02) 9384 2220 | Fax: (02) 9264 2213 MR SIDEBOTTOM’S OFFICE: Phone: (03) 6431 1333 or 0458 311 355 www.alp.org.au AUTHORISED N.MARTIN for the ALP, 5/9 Sydney Ave. Barton ACT.