TRANSCRIPT
In Parliament House, Opposition leader Peter Dutton began his budget reply speech by telling MPs Australia is at its "sliding doors moment".
"Every election is important. But this election matters more than others in recent history. It's a 'sliding doors' moment for our nation. A returned Albanese Government in any form won’t just be another three bleak years - more economic mistakes will take a lot longer to recover from, setbacks will be set in stone and our prosperity will be damaged for decades to come."]]
Mr Dutton has made his pitch to Australians, promising he'll focus on immigration, housing, health and community safety if he's elected as the next Prime Minister.
"Tonight, I commit a Dutton Coalition Government to the following. We will introduce four critical pieces of legislation on the first sitting day of the next Parliament. 1. The Energy Price Reduction Bill; 2. The Lower Immigration and More Homes for Australians Bill; 3. The Keeping Australians Safe Bill; and 4. The Guaranteed Funding for Health, Education and Essential Services Bill. This is my signal to Australian people of what my priorities will be in government."
Stressing his commitment to tackle the rising cost of living, Mr Dutton also announced several relief policies if the Coalition wins government.
"A Coalition government will halve the fuel excise for 12 months. And then will review it. And we will make sure that comes in on our first day our parliament sits."
The Coalition also plans to abandon Labor's $20 billion Rewiring the Nation Fund, the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, and $16 billion of production tax credits for critical minerals and green hydrogen.
Mr Dutton also promised the Coalition would scale down the size of the public service, and instead invest in critical services.
"In line with our national interest, we will continue to invest in essential services and critical areas of the economy – like health, aged-care, veterans’ support, the NDIS, Indigenous affairs, childcare and defence. We won't cut frontline service delivery roles. We will ensure the services Australians rely on are sustainable."
In terms of reducing the cost of energy, Mr Dutton says his government will invest $1 billion in a Critical Gas Infrastructure Fund to increase gas pipeline and storage capacity.
He also says the Coalition will cut the permanent migration program by 25 per cent, and implement stricter caps on international students.
The Coalition will also offer a $400 million funding to support youth mental health.
Labor has responded to Mr Dutton's budget pitch, with Education Minister Jason Clare saying the Coalition will make Australians pay more tax.
"I know it sounds unbelievable, but it's true: if Peter Dutton wins the election, you will pay more tax. So the stage is now set. If Labor wins the election, your taxes will be lower; if Peter Dutton wins the election, your taxes will be higher."
The federal election is set to be held on May 3.
