House passes Budget

The 2004 National Budget was approved by the House of Representatives on Wednesday night. Emphasising national security, health, education and the social sector, the $22 billion proposed package includes a new Special Crime Fighting Unit, social programmes, housing subsidies, tax breaks for pensioners, more access to the disability grant (at age 18 years), more school buses, expanded Chronic Disease Assistance Programme, new energy-sector tax regime, and tax increases on gambling and gasoline. The Budget will go to the Senate on Tuesday at 10 am.