Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan on Tuesday announced the federal budget for 2010/11 and said the budget should be back in surplus by 2012/13, three years earlier than forecast last year. Under the new budget, Australian troops in Afghanistan will be armed with increased fire power and vital rocket detecting technology as they wage an increasingly bitter conflict against Taliban insurgents. The government has been committing an extra 487.1 million dollars (437.8 million U.S. dollars) for enhanced protection for the 1550 Australian soldiers, most operating in the dangerous Oruzgan province, during 2010/11. That included improved technology to clear roads of dangerous improvised explosive devices, better armor and increased firepower for Bushmaster vehicles, improved body armor for soldiers, new night vision equipment, additional explosives detection dogs and better intelligence, sensor and reconnaissance capabilities. Defense department chief finance officer Ian Prior said this was all in response to calls from troops on the ground in Afghanistan. Another 9.7 million dollars (8.7 million U.S. dollars) will also be spent to counter the threat of home grown terrorism. That will include funding for measures to identify those at risk of radicalization and support de-radicalization and rehabilitation programs. Attorney-General Robert McClelland said the government wanted to build a strong and resilient community able to resist development of terrorism and violent extremism. Other measures to be funded include engaging with communities to improve resilience and social cohesion, developing mentoring programs for at-risk youth, examining the role of the internet in the radicalization process and improving the response to violent and extremist messages. A new Renewable Energy Future Fund will also be established and injected with 652.5 million dollars (586 million U.S. dollars) over four years by the federal government under its expanded 5.1 billion dollars (4.58 billion U.S. dollars) Clean Energy Initiative. The government was also allowing exploration costs for geothermal energy to be eligible for a new resource exploration rebate. Proceeds from the new fund will go towards the development and deployment of renewable energy projects including wind, solar and biomass. The government said it will also use the fund to engage with individuals and corporations to help them reduce their energy consumption. It said the fund would complement its target for 20 percent of the nation's energy to come from renewable sources by 2020. The mining and construction sectors were set to be the chief beneficiaries of 300 million dollars (269 million U.S. dollars) of funding to address skills shortages. The government has announced a major overhaul of the apprenticeship system which will allow high-achieving apprentices to complete their training more quickly. Of the 300 million dollars (269 million U.S. dollars) in funding to address skills shortages, 200 million dollars (179.5 million U.S. dollars) will go to providing up to 39,000 additional training places. Workplace Relations Minister Julia Gillard said sectors with emerging skills shortages, including the infrastructure, construction, renewable energy and resources industries, would be the main beneficiaries of the new fund. It will focus on helping mature-aged Australians secure new jobs, and builds on the Productive Aging package announced in February. The government has also announced a fundamental shift in the way the apprenticeship system works with it to be based on competency instead of the duration of the training. Under the new system, which will cost 20 million dollars (17.9 million U.S. dollars) to implement, high achieving apprentices who meet competency requirements will be able to reduce the length in their training. Gillard said the changes would increase supply of skilled labor without jeopardizing training quality. 'Over the last 50 years we have seen some of the traditional trades die out as new trades emerge,' Gillard said. 'The Rudd Labor government will create an apprenticeship system that produces highly skilled workers to meet current shortages and emerging industries and provides the foundation for a career.' The program has been focused on supporting apprenticeship places in traditional trades experiencing skill shortages. Under the immigration reform, the government announced an additional 9150 places for the employer-sponsored migration program which will be balanced by a cut of 3600 general migration places. An additional 200 visas in the business skills category will also be offered in 2010/11. The changes, announced in the budget on Tuesday, will see the overall skilled migration intake boosted by 5750 places. Immigration Minister Chris Evans said the reforms were aimed at delivering a more demand driven skilled migration program. 'The updated focus will help further assist employers by ensuring they have access to applicants with skills in high demand that cannot be met from domestic sources,' Senator Evans said. 'Foreign skilled labor is an important driver of economic growth and contributes to increased productivity and labor force levels. It also benefits migrants by ensuring they have a job with a direct match to their skills on arrival in Australia.' Also, under the new budget, low income tax offset has raised to 1500 dollars (1344 U.S. dollars), income tax reform to allow an option of using standard deductions instead of receipts and accountants. Primary health care will receive new funding of 772 million dollars (691.8 million U.S. dollars) for primary care and General Practices (GP), 355 million dollars (318 million U.S. dollars) for GP super clinics and expanding existing clinics, 523 million dollars (468.7 million U.S. dollars) to train and support nurses. Small business to receive instant asset write-off for small business assets under 5,000 dollars (4,480.7 U.S. dollars) plus company tax rate falls to 29 percent in 2013/14 and 28 percent in 2014/15. 