Not gonna lie, I love an election. It’s kinda like New Year’s Eve—a time to re-evaluate life as we know it, grand promises being made (that we probably know won’t be kept), and so much drama.
The 2019 Federal election is already shaping up to be a doozy; literally no one is asking Tony Abbott to be PM again, and yet he’s said he will if he’s asked; former Liberal PM Malcolm Turnbull has been sending tweets that seem like support for Labor; and Pauline Hanson revealed she blames climate changes on whatever killed the dinosaurs.
But petty drama aside—do you know who you’re voting for?
As important as it is to vote (check if you’re enrolled here), it’s just as important to make sure your vote is informed.
So Zee Feed presents—as plainly as possible—the ultimate 2019 Election Liberal, Labor and Greens comparison. Read on to explore the policy areas that you actually give a shit about.
The election is on Saturday May 18, and I’ll continue to update this article with new information until we head to the polls.
If you want to know about a specific policy area, send me an email and I’ll do my best to dig up some info. And if you want help decoding the spin, bullshit and lies that all parties are guilty of, keep an eye on the Guardian’s interactive election policy guide (which was so helpful when writing this piece) and the ABC’s FactCheck, which verifies claims made by those sneaky sneaky politicians.
Trust me, while it might seem like an effort to get informed, rewarding yourself with a democracy sausage on election day makes it all worthwhile.
CLIMATE CHANGE 🌏
Liberals
- A $2 billion “climate solutions fund” over 15 years, dedicated to reducing emissions (note: that’s actually a $70m decrease from the original proposal in February). The 2030 target is to reduce emissions by 26 per cent below 2005 levels
- Expansion of the Snowy River Hydro Project and the Tasmanian MarinusLink ‘Battery of the Nation’ Project
- Taxpayer support for a NSW coal upgrade project and a feasibility study for a low emission coal plant in north Queensland
Labor
- Labor are proposing that we keep some of the policies from the Liberal’s NEG plan: mainly, regulating the electricity sector in order to reach an emissions reduction target of 45% by 2030 (50% to energy to come from renewables)
- If the Libs don’t agree, they’ll give a $10 billion boost to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (which invests in clean, renewable and low emissions technology and companies)
- Setting targets for electric vehicle sales (50% of new sales by 2030) and setting a standard for vehicle emissions – 105gms of Co2 per kilometer (matching the US) which car retailers would have to abide by (e.g.: balancing the sales of low emissions and high emissions cars to keep them under the total)
Greens
- The Greens wanna do it all! Setting a carbon price, stop thermal coal exports by 2030, shut down all coal-fired power stations by 2030, create a government-owned energy retailer (for the whole country) that would be required to provide a cheaper, cleaner power option than the current private retailers in each state, 90% of renewables by 2030
- Ban on internal combustion vehicles by 2030, 17% tax on ‘luxury’ fossil fuel cars to cover the cost of removing all rego fees, import fees, GST and stamp duty on electric vehicles (making them about 20% cheaper)
YOUTH EMPLOYMENT & JOBS 🤑
Liberals
- Giving casuals the right to request permanent full-time or part-time work from their employer (but it’s not a guarantee of the work… just the right to ask for it.)
- Creating 250,000 more jobs for young people in the next five years
- $58 million to help young people access vocational training, including setting up 10 training ‘hubs’ where youth can undertake training directly linked to a skills need in the area (in the worst youth unemployment areas e.g. Gosford and Shepparton) as well as 400 Vocational Education and Training Scholarships worth $17,500 each in chosen locations for individuals to study anything from Cert III to Advanced Diploma.
- Doubling the incentive payments to employers to take on apprentices, plus a $2000 payment for the apprentice, in skills shortage areas
Labor
- Reverse Sunday and Public Holiday penalty rate cuts for retail and hospitality workers
- Lift minimum wage by changing how the Fair Work Comissions sets the rate… but they haven’t said by how much
- Ensure jobs are advertised in Australia first to stop “abuse” of 457 Visas by businesses employing foreign workers
- Commit to 10% of all jobs on Government contracts to go to Australian apprentices, as part of the 150,000 new apprenticeships it wants to create
Greens
- Increase both the Newstart and Youth Allowance payments by $75 a week
- They want a firm increase to the minimum wage, to make it at least 60% of adult median wage
EDUCATION 🎓
Liberals
- $4.6 billion in spending for Independent and Catholic schools, which includes setting up a new funding model from 2020 that will split funding 80/20 to non-government and government schools, respectively
- Freezing the expansion of commonwealth supported uni places for two years and a review into the performance-based funding schemes for unis
- Inquiry into Freedom of Speech on campus, to help promote “freedom of expression” and prevent the “stifling of public debate” at university
(Question: do we even think that this is a thing?)
Labor
- $14 billion over 10 years to public schools, $250m to Catholic schools and no 80/20 splits
- Stopping the freeze on Commonwealth supported uni places to add another 200,000 spots
- $1 billion for Tafe and vocational training, plus removing fees for 100,000 Tafe students
Greens
- 25% of Government schools funding to go to public schools, providing them with $4.6 billion over the next four years
- Free Uni and Tafe for undergrads! Plus a 10% increase in university funding
HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH & MEDICARE 💊
Liberals
- $416m towards youth mental health and suicide prevention strategy, which includes setting up 30 additional Headspace services and reducing wait times for access
- A special $5.5m fund for mental health services in Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland for people affected by natural disasters
- $5m towards suicide prevention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Labor
- Expansion of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, so that every drug recommended by experts will be listed and funded
- Unfreeze funding for Medicare, which will increase the number of services provided on bulk billing and reduce out-of-pocket expenses
- $115 million plan for Indigenous health, which includes $30 million specifically for youth mental health and suicide prevention for the community
Greens
Ensure that dental care is fully covered under Medicare (so they can bulk bill like GPs do)
FIRST HOME BUYERS & HOUSING AFFORDABILITY 🏚️
Liberals
- UPDATE: PM ScoMo has announced a plan for first home buyers to be able to get a loan with just a 5% deposit (as opposed to 20%) with the Government backing remainder of the deposit amount, and no lender’s insurance to be paid, in an effort to help FHBs get on the property ladder. This would be limited to just 10,000 FHBs a year, with a salary cap of $125,000 for individuals and $200,000 for couples.
- The Liberals oppose Labor’s proposed changes to negative gearing
Labor
- UPDATE: Labor has agreed to match the Liberals First Home Buyers incentive program if they win the election.
- Getting rid of negative gearing for investors who buy existing properties from 2020—by reducing the tax breaks for property investors, Labor believe this will help first home buyers get into the property market. However, negative gearing would still apply to newly built homes
Greens
- Want to remove all negative gearing and captain gains tax breaks on investment properties