Home grant to double

MARK KENNY, POLITICAL EDITOR, CANBERRA, AND AGENCIES THE first-home buyer grant is expected to double to $14,000 when the Government announces a financial stimulus package Cabinet is hammering out today. Federal Cabinet is now meeting to sign off on a massive financial stimulus package reportedly worth billions of dollars. A spokeswoman for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd confirmed the meeting. It is expected the government will announce its plans ahead of the opening of the ASX at 9.30am. Pensioners and families can expect increased payments and tax cuts will be brought forward in the spending spree designed to prime the economy. There will also be special fast-tracked funds for state and local projects ready to go, such as school extensions, and for local government works. Senior sources say the Government will open its Budget... [read full story]