There was only pain in the Abbott government’s first budget last night for Don and Angela Ferris who have three girls.
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Sweeping changes to the family tax benefit alone will require them and many other Maitland families to juggle domestic finances.
“It means we’ll have to spend less either on the groceries or look at the children’s swimming lessons,” Mr Ferris, of Rutherford, said. “I love a beer, but I don’t do it much and it’s one of the luxuries I’ve already cut out.”
Mr Ferris works as a contractor maintaining railway corridors while Mrs Ferris works a few hours each week as a retail assistant earning them a combined income of about $100,000 a year.
Under the old family tax benefit, similar families were eligible for up to $172 for each child every fortnight, but tighter means testing will reduce that from July.
“We’ve received it the entire time we have been a family,” Mr Ferris said.
“It’s middle class welfare and, while I don’t necessarily agree with it, you rely on it.”
Besides keeping a roof over their heads, education soaks up a large part of the family’s income.
Two of the girls attend St Patrick’s Primary School at Lochinvar, which costs $7800 a year.
Every dollar is vital to balancing their budget.
“I sell their outgrown uniforms, which helps a little,” Mrs Ferris said.
