Focus on the BIG picture.
Friday, May 09, 2025
Outside the box.
Australia's Future Under Anthony Albanese's Second Term: Key Pledges and Initiatives
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese leads Labor into a new term with significant commitments across health, housing, education, and environmental policies.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Party have secured a second term following the recent federal elections, entering office with ambitious promises amounting to billions of dollars across numerous sectors.
In the realm of health, the government aims to expand access to medical services for all Australians and introduce incentives for medical practices to boost bulk billing rates.
A 24-hour '1800MEDICARE' service is set to be launched, allowing patients free access to after-hours general practice telehealth consultations.
Additionally, there will be an increase of 50 urgent care clinics by June 2026, complementing the existing 87 clinics currently in operation.
Special clinics for women experiencing conditions like pelvic pain or menopause are planned, and certain medications, including oral contraceptives and drugs for endometriosis and IVF, will be added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Most PBS prescription costs will be capped at $25, while the existing cap for concession card holders will remain frozen until June 30, 2029. Enhanced funding will support the establishment of over 100 mental health clinics and training for more than 1,200 mental health professionals.
In industrial relations, Labor intends to enshrine worker protections into law and ban non-compete clauses, facilitating job mobility for workers earning under $175,000.
Housing initiatives include the expansion of a 5 percent deposit scheme, enabling every first home buyer to qualify without income limits or caps.
The government has pledged to construct 100,000 new affordable homes specifically for first home buyers, with construction set to commence in the 2026/27 financial year.
More first home buyers will also be eligible to access a program allowing them to buy with a 2 percent deposit if they provide the government a 30-40 percent stake in the property, with income caps increased to $100,000 for individuals.
To enhance women’s safety, the government will fund electronic monitoring initiatives for high-risk perpetrators and is exploring financial liability for perpetrators regarding social security debts incurred by victims due to abuse.
Funding will be directed toward intensive behavior change programs for men and boys, as well as the refurbishment and construction of crisis and transitional housing for women facing domestic violence or homelessness.
On the cost of living front, Australian households and businesses will receive credits on their power bills in two installments of $75 over the last six months of 2025. Taxpayers will also be allowed to claim a flat rate for work expenses starting in the 2026/27 fiscal year, eliminating paperwork requirements.
Labor has proposed changes to the tax rates which would provide savings for anyone earning over $45,000.
Measures against price gouging are also being introduced.
Education commitments include fee-free TAFE education becoming permanent, with a significant number of Australians expected to benefit.
Starting in July, borrowers under the Higher Education Loan Program will be required to begin repayments only once they earn at least $67,000.
Incentives for apprenticeships in the construction sector will provide financial assistance throughout the training process, and there will be investments in programs to encourage students to learn Asian languages.
In childcare, Labor has committed to providing more support by scrapping the activity tests that require parents to work or study to qualify for childcare subsidies.
In immigration policy, the government will increase visa application fees from $1,600 to $2,000, along with a slight reduction in the permanent migration intake from 190,000 to 185,000 places for the 2024/25 year.
On environmental concerns, Labor plans to establish a federal Environmental Protection Agency and implement a National Vehicle Emissions Scheme aimed at reducing high emissions from vehicles.
Additionally, the government promises to work on initiatives focused on energy savings that could significantly lower household energy bills.
In the realm of health, the government aims to expand access to medical services for all Australians and introduce incentives for medical practices to boost bulk billing rates.
A 24-hour '1800MEDICARE' service is set to be launched, allowing patients free access to after-hours general practice telehealth consultations.
Additionally, there will be an increase of 50 urgent care clinics by June 2026, complementing the existing 87 clinics currently in operation.
Special clinics for women experiencing conditions like pelvic pain or menopause are planned, and certain medications, including oral contraceptives and drugs for endometriosis and IVF, will be added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Most PBS prescription costs will be capped at $25, while the existing cap for concession card holders will remain frozen until June 30, 2029. Enhanced funding will support the establishment of over 100 mental health clinics and training for more than 1,200 mental health professionals.
In industrial relations, Labor intends to enshrine worker protections into law and ban non-compete clauses, facilitating job mobility for workers earning under $175,000.
Housing initiatives include the expansion of a 5 percent deposit scheme, enabling every first home buyer to qualify without income limits or caps.
The government has pledged to construct 100,000 new affordable homes specifically for first home buyers, with construction set to commence in the 2026/27 financial year.
More first home buyers will also be eligible to access a program allowing them to buy with a 2 percent deposit if they provide the government a 30-40 percent stake in the property, with income caps increased to $100,000 for individuals.
To enhance women’s safety, the government will fund electronic monitoring initiatives for high-risk perpetrators and is exploring financial liability for perpetrators regarding social security debts incurred by victims due to abuse.
Funding will be directed toward intensive behavior change programs for men and boys, as well as the refurbishment and construction of crisis and transitional housing for women facing domestic violence or homelessness.
On the cost of living front, Australian households and businesses will receive credits on their power bills in two installments of $75 over the last six months of 2025. Taxpayers will also be allowed to claim a flat rate for work expenses starting in the 2026/27 fiscal year, eliminating paperwork requirements.
Labor has proposed changes to the tax rates which would provide savings for anyone earning over $45,000.
Measures against price gouging are also being introduced.
Education commitments include fee-free TAFE education becoming permanent, with a significant number of Australians expected to benefit.
Starting in July, borrowers under the Higher Education Loan Program will be required to begin repayments only once they earn at least $67,000.
Incentives for apprenticeships in the construction sector will provide financial assistance throughout the training process, and there will be investments in programs to encourage students to learn Asian languages.
In childcare, Labor has committed to providing more support by scrapping the activity tests that require parents to work or study to qualify for childcare subsidies.
In immigration policy, the government will increase visa application fees from $1,600 to $2,000, along with a slight reduction in the permanent migration intake from 190,000 to 185,000 places for the 2024/25 year.
On environmental concerns, Labor plans to establish a federal Environmental Protection Agency and implement a National Vehicle Emissions Scheme aimed at reducing high emissions from vehicles.
Additionally, the government promises to work on initiatives focused on energy savings that could significantly lower household energy bills.
