The policies of Australia's major political parties in a single glance

Australians will cast their votes on Saturday, in a tight-run national vote marked by concerns about the cost of housing and living as well as the trade tensions caused by U.S. president Donald Trump's tariffs.

Compare the key policies of the Liberal-National Coalition led by Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese’s Labor Party, a centre-left party.

HOUSING

Labor:

The government has promised to spend A$10 Billion ($6.40 Billion) on building up to 100,000 homes.

Liberal-Nationals:

First-time homebuyers would be able to use up to $50,000 of their mandatory retirement savings to make down payments. Tax deductions for mortgage interest payments will be available. The government has also committed A$5 billion for housing infrastructure. HEALTH

Labor:

As part of the strengthening of Medicare, Australia's universal healthcare system has pledged A$8.5billion for 18 million additional subsidised general practitioner appointments each year. It also allocated A$1billion for more free public mental health services.

Opened 50 additional urgent care clinics for free to relieve pressure on hospitals.

Liberal-Nationals:

Has matched Labor’s A$8.5 billion funding increase to Medicare. Pledged A$400 for youth mental health and plans to double the number of Medicare-subsidised psychological sessions from 10 to 20. ECONOMY

Labor:

It would give taxpayers an instant, one-time deduction of A$1,000 for work-related expenses. Student debt would be reduced by 20%. Before calling an election, it also passed legislation reducing the lowest marginal rate of tax.

Liberal-Nationals:

Has pledged to undo Labor’s tax cuts, and introduce a tax offset which would allow taxpayers earning between A$144,000 to A$1,200 to receive tax relief.

Reduced government duties would lower fuel prices by A$0.25 (0.26 gallons) per litre for 12 months.

It wants to reduce the public sector by 41,000 positions through a hiring ban and natural attrition. This, it says, would save A$7billion per year. ENERGY

Labor:

The government has committed A$2.3 billion for the subsidisation of household batteries that store solar energy and promised to extend rebates to households and small businesses.

The green bank announced a 2 billion A$ increase in funding for clean energy technologies to create a grid that is primarily renewable, but also includes gas, batteries, and hydropower.

Liberal-Nationals:

The scheme aims to reduce gas and electricity prices by forcing LNG exporters along Australia's east cost to sell some of their gas that is not contracted on the domestic market.

The pledges include reducing "red and green" red tape for new gas projects, and accelerating a decision to extend the life of Woodside’s North West Shelf Liquefied Natural Gas plant.

Long-term, the company wants to create a nuclear industry in Australia with seven reactors. Australia has banned nuclear power. DEFENCE

Labor:

Has not committed any new funding for defence, but has referred to a commitment of A$50 billion over the next decade to increase spending from 2% to 2,3%.

Liberal-Nationals:

Spending A$21 billion over five years more than Labor to achieve 2.5% GDP in five years, and 3% GDP within a decade. Has committed A$3 billion for the purchase of extra joint strike fighter aircraft. MIGRATION

Labor:

Has not made any specific election promises about migration.

Liberal-Nationals:

The permanent migration program, which is currently 185,000 migrants per year, will be cut to 140,000 in two years. This will then increase to 150,000 for the third year and finally to 160,000 for the fourth year.

The government would also reduce net migration by 100,000 below Labor’s annual levels, and the number of international students starting at public universities each year by 30,000. (1 Australian dollar = 1.5635) (Reporting and editing by Edmund Klamann in Sydney, Sam McKeith, Christine Chen)

(source: Reuters)