Transport workers say the federal budget failed to deliver a plan to ensure the recovery and growth of Australia's vital aviation industry as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
And the aged care sector says following more than 900 deaths due to the virus, and continuing health risks to staff and residents, the budget "fiddled around the edges" of the crisis in the sector.
The budget included $6 billion for a winter response plan, with a combined spike in COVID-19 and influenza infections predicted in coming months.
A further $1 billion will be spent on extending the vaccine rollout, as people prepare to receive their second booster dose, while $546 million will go towards extending the Medicare Benefits Schedule for pathology items used for COVID testing.
The budget papers showed COVID-19 community transmission will continue, with a predicted new Omicron wave expected to see increased rates of absenteeism and put pressure on supply chains.
Intermittent Omicron waves are also predicted beyond winter but high vaccination rates are expected to lessen the impact.
While public health measures such as density limits and physical distancing are likely to be phased out, the budget has forecast such measures could be reimposed in a targeted way as a response to future outbreaks.
Transport Workers Union national assistant secretary Nick McIntosh said there was still a lot of uncertainty in the aviation sector, which has been smashed by COVID-19.
"Part of any plan for aviation must include practical measures to reduce COVID risks in airports, including the provision of free and accessible rapid tests for aviation workers," he said.
Tourism and Transport Forum CEO Margy Osmond said while a $9 billion investment in public transport was welcome, the budget was "conspicuous by the absence of any significant new support for the tourism sector" as it seeks to rebuild to pre-COVID levels.
The United Workers Union said deaths of aged care residents with COVID-19 highlighted the continuing litany of failures in the sector, with the budget doing nothing to address the crisis.
LATEST 24-HOUR COVID-19 DATA FROM ACROSS AUSTRALIA:
NSW: 25,235 cases, 15 deaths, 1301 in hospital, 46 in ICU
Victoria: 11,749 cases, seven deaths, 280 in hospital, 18 in ICU
Queensland: 10,626 cases, five deaths, 393 in hospital, 15 in ICU
Tasmania: 2472 cases, one death, 22 in hospital, two in ICU
Western Australia: 9754 cases, three historical deaths, 208 in hospital, six in ICU.
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