Prime Minister Julia Gillard today said the 2011-12 Budget would deliver on a number of key election commitments made during the 2010 election.
The Government has already met more than half of its 2010 election commitments in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO).
The 2011-12 Budget continues to deliver major policy initiatives committed to during the election in areas such as health, education and infrastructure.
Most of all, it honours our election commitment to return the Budget to surplus in 2012-13, which will underpin our long-term economic success.
Major election commitments delivered in this Budget include:
* $771.9 million over five years to support families cover the costs of raising teenagers and encourage them to stay at school;
* $425 million to reward great teachers through performance-based bonuses and $18.1 million to encourage bright, highly skilled professionals into a teaching career, over the next four years;
* $222 million for the expansion of the school chaplaincy program to up to 1,000 additional schools;
* $20 million to provide mentoring for trade apprentices to help them choose the right training pathway and supporting them to complete their training.
A complete list of election commitments delivered in the 2011-12 Budget and previously in MYEFO is attached.