Suicide prevention: Lifeline to get $33m boost in federal budget

Lifeline is being given more than $33 million in this year's budget to support the charity's phone services.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaks at a Lifeline luncheon in Sydney on Monday, Dec. 14, 2015. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

Malcolm Turnbull's government will commit $33 million to Lifeline. Source: AAP

Mental health service Lifeline is being given a $33.8 million cash injection to boost its telephone service.
The funding from the Turnbull government in this year's budget will help the charity answer more calls and support the training of staff.

"Sometimes it's hard to reach out for help but during times of need Australians should know someone will be available to hear their concerns and offer them help," Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Sunday.

Illicit tobacco is also in the Turnbull government's sights in this year's budget, with a new taskforce to crack down on the trade.

Tuesday's budget will include new powers for the tax office to charge tobacco duties and a new requirement to obtain a permit to import tobacco.

Revenue raiser


There will also be a taskforce, led by the Australian Border Force, to enforce the changes across other agencies.

The government believes the measures will generate $3.6 billion in revenue.
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann is confident they can raise that much.

"Based on all of the advice and all of the information in front of us that is the additional revenue number over a four year period," he told Sky News on Sunday.

The changes follow the 2016 budget announcement of an annual 12.5 percent rise in tobacco excise.

The government says it has seized an estimated 98 tonnes of illicit tobacco this financial year alone.

Had it been sold legally it's expected to have netted the taxpayer almost $90 million in revenue.





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Published 6 May 2018 8:16am
Updated 6 May 2018 9:25am


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