Simon Birmingham and Jim Chalmers on a big spending budget

Politics with Michelle Grattan · May 12, 2021 · 21m

This year's budget, handed down on Tuesday, boasts plenty of winners and minimal direct losers. Spending is lavish, with the government doing its utmost to avoid offending voters.

The big spending commitments include:

- $17.7 billion for aged care over five years

- $2.3 billion for mental health

- $1.7 billion in changes to childcare

- $1.1 billion for women's safety

- $1.9 billion for the rollout of the COVID vaccine

- $20.7 billion in support for business through tax breaks

- $2.7 billion in new apprenticeships

- $15 billion over a decade for infrastructure

- $1.2 billion for the promotion…