[citation needed] The government will invest more than $22 billion for "Nation Building Infrastructure" in transport, broadband, clean energy, universities and health care.

[11] In his formal response to the budget, Turnbull announced opposition to the reduction in private health insurance rebates, proposing that the funds be sourced by raising the tax on cigarettes by 3 cents instead.

Family First Senator Steve Fielding criticised the government for breaking its election promise to maintain private health insurance rebates.

[10] National Seniors Australia and ACOSS welcomed the increase to age pensions, but raised concerns that sole parents, the young and unemployed had been ignored.

Surveyed consumers anticipated that stimulus payments in the form of cash bonuses were no longer an option for the government, and their expectations of a turnaround during the following five years dwindled.