The Times Australia
The Times Australia

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Albanese to call election on Friday as Dutton pledges fuel tax relief and national gas plan

  • Written by Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra




Anthony Albanese is set to announce on Friday that Australians will go to the polls on May 3, after he makes an early morning visit to Governor-General Sam Mostyn.

The prime minster’s timing means Thursday night’s budget reply from Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will be quickly overshadowed. A day of Senate estimates scrutiny of the budget will be also be scrapped.

In his budget reply, Dutton announced a raft of proposed spending cuts and several new measures. The one big handout, a year-long halving of the fuel excise rate, had been foreshadowed ahead of the speech.

Dutton announced a Coalition government would introduce a National Gas Plan to secure a domestic supply of gas, and invest $1 billion in a Critical Gas Infrastructure Fund.

The gas plan would be aimed at ensuring the local supply, putting downward pressure on prices in the medium term.

Meanwhile, Dutton’s proposal to cut the excise on petrol and diesel came under sharp attack on Thursday from the government.

The excise plan is the opposition’s counter to the government’s $17 billion tax cuts announced in Tuesday’s budget, which were rushed through parliament on Wednesday night. Dutton said the “so-called tax cut ‘top up’ is simply a tax cut cop-out”.

Other Coalition initiatives announced by Dutton include a new target of 400,000 apprentices and $400 million for youth mental health.

A Coalition government would cut Labor’s $20 billion Rewiring the Nation Fund, the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund and the $16 billion production tax credits. It would also reverse the 41,000 increase in Canberra-based public service.

In his speech, Dutton declared the election was “as much about leadership as it’s about policy”.

“The choice is clear at the next election,” he said, declaring he would be “a strong leader and a steady hand – just as John Howard was.

"I will make the tough decisions – not shirk them. I will put the national interest first. I will lead with conviction – not walk both sides of the street.”

He said he had “real life experience”, pointing to his police force service and time as a small business owner. He was “someone who came from a working-class background and knows the value of hard-work and the aspiration that drives Australians.”

Dutton declared the Coalition would “provide the moral and political leadership needed to restore law, order, and justice”.

“Under Labor, you will get the same weakness of leadership that has compounded crime and emboldened antisemitism on our streets,” Dutton said.

He said that “All too often, this prime minister is too weak, too late, and too equivocal”.

Homing in on the energy issue, Dutton said “under the Coalition, energy will become affordable and reliable again”.

He said “the only way to drive down power prices quickly is to ramp-up domestic gas production.

The Coalition would "prioritise domestic gas supply, address shortfalls, and reduce energy prices for Australians”.

“We will immediately introduce an east coast gas reservation.

"This will secure an additional 10% to 20% of the east coast’s demand – gas which would  otherwise be exported.

"Gas sold on the domestic market will be de-coupled from overseas markets to protect Australia from international price shocks.

"And this will drive down new wholesale domestic gas prices from over $14 per gigajoule to under $10 per gigajoule.”

The Coalition’s investment of $1 billion in a Critical Gas Infrastructure Fund would increase gas pipeline and storage capacity:

“We will put in place ‘use it or lose it’ stipulations for gas drilling companies – so offshore gas fields are not locked-up for years.

"And we will ensure we will have a fit-for-purpose gas trigger to safeguard supply.

"This plan will deliver lower wholesale gas prices which will flow through the economy.”

Dutton said this election was “sliding doors moment for our nation”.

“A returned Albanese government in any form won’t just be another three bleak years. Setbacks will be set in stone.”

Read more https://theconversation.com/albanese-to-call-election-on-friday-as-dutton-pledges-fuel-tax-relief-and-national-gas-plan-253241

Coalition’s campaign lacks good planning and enough elbow grease

Whatever the result on May 3, even people within the Liberals think they have run a very poor national campaig...

The Times Features

How weight stigma in maternity care harms larger-bodied women and their babies

According to a study from the United States[1], women experience weight stigma in maternity care at almost every visit. We expect this experience to be similar in Australia, ...

10 Ways to Make Money Online and Provide Financial Stability

The possibility of earning money online has reached unprecedented heights. The proper strategy enables anyone to begin earning money. You don't need fancy degrees or special skil...

The Power of Exterior Design: How Facades Influence Property Value

First impressions count when it comes to real estate, and nothing quite sets the tone for a property like its exterior design. A building's facade is more than just an aesthetic ...

The Best Adjustable Bed and Mattress Packages for Comfort

The appropriate bed and mattress are essential for establishing the perfect sleep environment. If you seek a way to upgrade your sleep experience, adjustable bed and mattress pac...

Designing a Modern Home: Features That Will Make Your Dream House Stand Out

Designing your dream home is an exciting journey, and for many, it’s an opportunity to create a space that reflects their personal style, functionality needs, and modern trends. ...

Client Dinners Done Right: Tips for Meaningful Engagement

Client dinners offer more than just a meal—they’re an opportunity to build lasting business relationships in a more personal and relaxed setting. Done well, these dinners can str...

Times Magazine

Top Benefits of Hiring Commercial Electricians for Your Business

When it comes to business success, there are no two ways about it: qualified professionals are critical. While many specialists are needed, commercial electricians are among the most important to have on hand. They are directly involved in upholdin...

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

LayBy Shopping