Federal Budget 2024: All the weird things Anthony Albanese’s government is spending your money on – what taxpayers need to know

The Albanian government has pledged thousands of dollars for a circus school, a memorial to Cyclone Tracy, a military vehicle for Germany and a further $10 million for regional Australia Day activities.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers pledged to cut the cost of living, strengthen Medicare and build more homes as he delivered Labour’s third budget on Tuesday.

“This government will deliver a tax cut for every taxpayer, wages rising in every sector, a better deal for every working parent, fairer pay at every checkout,” he said.

“More opportunities in every TAFE and university, more homes in every state and territory, a dignified retirement for older Australians.”

But his speech lacked funding for a range of niche organizations and initiatives, including a circus school and a defense aircraft called ‘Ghost Bat’.

Here, Daily Mail Australia takes a look at some of the unique aspects of the 2024-2025 Budget that were not in the spotlight on Tuesday evening.

Ghost bat

In February, the federal government announced a $399 million investment in an unmanned aircraft system called the MQ-28A Ghost Bat.

The investment will see Boeing Defense Australia produce three new aircraft and deliver them to the Australian Air Force from 2025.

According to budget documents, the design, development and production of the aircraft will create more than 350 jobs at 200 local companies across the country.

Improved data on the Hornsby railway

The funding will improve mobile and internet connectivity on the Hornsby to Wyong railway line in Sydney’s north.

Cheaper sweet potatoes

Labor will change the agricultural levy and levy on sweet potatoes, following a request from Australian Sweetpotato Growers Inc.

From July 1, the government will reduce the marketing component of the levy and bring it from 1 percent of the sales value to zero.

This change will reduce the total tax rate on sweet potatoes from 1.5 percent to 0.5 percent.

Flying fruit circus

The government has committed $117 million over four years to ensure arts organizations can continue to operate and grow.

These include funding for NAISDA Dance College in Kariong, on the NSW Central Coast, along with the Flying Fruit Circus in Albury in regional NSW.

According to budget documents, funding for these organizations will ‘continue to provide a pipeline of artists and essential arts workers needed to secure Australia’s growing creative economy’.

Memorial to Cyclone Tracy

Labor has pledged $600,000 to build a permanent memorial to commemorate 50 years since Cyclone Tracy struck Darwin on Christmas Day 1974.

The memorial honors the 71 people who died and those whose lives were changed forever.

More than 80 percent of the city’s buildings were destroyed.

ABC’s ‘Heywire’ Contest

The Government has committed $500,000 to support the ABC’s Heywire competition, which invites young regional, rural and remote Australians to submit written and digital stories about their experiences and ideas for change.

Winners are invited to participate in the annual Heywire Regional Youth Summit, where participants will have the opportunity to present their ideas to a panel.

Ideas presented at the summit have previously been forwarded to universities, government and non-governmental organizations.

Supplying armored vehicles to Germany

Labor has struck an export deal to supply Australian-made armored vehicles to Germany.

Under that agreement, more than 100 Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicles would be built in Redbank, Queensland and exported for use by the German military.

The deal is worth more than $1 billion to the economy and will create more than 600 jobs.

National Australia Day Scholarships

The Government has committed $10 million to support Australia Day activities.

The funding includes a $4.5 million community events stream to support local councils in delivering community activities.

Regional and remote communities are targeted by the scheme as Australia Day events are often held in capital cities.