For Australia’s most vulnerable, the budget didn’t do nearly enough

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has unapologetically sold his budget as one for “middle Australia”, undoubtedly with an eye towards swing voters at the next election.

But in doing so, he continues a sorry tradition of Australian governments neglecting those not well off enough to qualify as middling. 

What help there is for those on Struggle Street remains shamefully paltry.

Middle-class welfare?

Chalmers’ main pitch to “middle Australia” was his $300 energy payments, available to all Australian households. Some commentators, such as Rachel Withers, denounced this policy and the lack of targeted support for low-income earners as “middle-class welfare”.

I, however, find this particular insult irksome.