The many ways Australia will change under Anthony Albanese's second term
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Labor have won a second term — and they enter it with billions of dollars in promises made. Here's some of what has been pledged:
- Expanding the bulk billing incentive to all Australians, and introducing a new incentive for practices in a bid to boost bulk billing rates - A 24-hour '1800MEDICARE' service will be launched to allow patients access to free after-hours general practice telehealth consultations - An additional 50 urgent care clinics by June 2026, on top of the 87 already operating - Certain oral contraceptives, endometriosis medication and IVF medication will be added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) - Most PBS prescriptions to be capped at $25 (currently $31.60). The $7.70 cap for concession card holders will remain frozen until 31 June, 2029 - Funding to support the training of more than 1,2000 mental health professionals, and to train more doctors and nurses
- It says it will ban non-compete clauses, enabling workers earning under $175,000 to more easily switch jobs to a competing employer or to start a competing business
- Labor will expand its 5 per cent deposit scheme so that every first home buyer is eligible. There will be no income limits or caps on places - It has pledged to build 100,000 new affordable homes exclusively for first home buyers, with construction to start in 2026/27 - More first home buyers will be able to access the Help to Buy shared equity loan scheme , which allows them to buy with a deposit of 2 per cent if they give the government a 30-40 per cent stake. Income caps will be increased from $90,000 to $100,000 for individuals, and property caps will also be increased
- Funding for initiatives including electronic monitoring and ankle bracelets for high-risk perpetrators - Intensive behaviour change programs for men and young boys will get a funding boost - Has pledged to refurbish and build more crisis and transitional housing for women -leaving domestic violence or at risk of homelessness
- Australian households and businesses will receive an extra $150 in energy bill relief . The money will appear as a credit on people's power bills in two $75 instalments over the last six months of 2025 - Labor has , meaning anyone earning more than $45,000 will save $268 in 2026/27 and $536 the year after - Labor has pledged to make fee-free TAFE permanent - From July next year, students will not begin to repay their Higher Education Loan Program debts (such as HECS) until they are earning at least $67,000 - Apprenticeship incentives for construction workers including a $10,000 payment at intervals, with the first payment at six months and the last when they complete their training - Activity tests will be scrapped, meaning parents won't have to work or study to be eligible for childcare subsidies
- Small decrease in the permanent migration intake — from 190,000 places to 185,000 in 2024/25
- Labor has vowed to establish a federal Environmental Protection Agency - National Vehicle Emissions Scheme to come into effect on 1 July. It penalises high-polluting vehicles by setting an emissions ceiling for each manufacturer's fleet, incentivising consumers to buy low-emission vehicles, including hybrids and electric vehicles Visit the to access articles, podcasts and videos from SBS News, NITV and our teams covering more than 60 languages.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Labor wants power rebates kept as price increase looms
The state opposition has urged the Crisafulli government to reverse its position and retain electricity price rebates, saying their removal will make the cost-of-living crisis worse for struggling Queenslanders. Treasurer David Janetzki has confirmed the Miles government's $1000 electricity rebates will be scrapped in his first budget later this month. The scrapping of the rebate was last month cited as the primary reason Brisbane's 1.9 per cent first-quarter CPI increase far exceeded other capital cities. Labor Opposition Leader Steven Miles, who introduced the rebate last May when he was premier, said the LNP had promised lower power prices before the election – a promise that was set to be broken. '[Now-Premier David Crisafulli] promised Queenslanders that energy prices would be lower and he promised that energy rebates would continue for so long as they are experiencing cost-of-living pressures,' he said. 'On October 3, he said 'so my commitment to Queenslanders is that energy will be cheaper under the LNP'. They're his words.' Miles was referring to Crisafulli's promise during the election campaign that 'energy will be cheaper under the LNP because we have a plan to drive down the ongoing costs'. 'Queenslanders see the difference between a political party promising everything before an election after 10 years and not doing very much, and a united and fresh opposition that is promising long-term relief by fixing the underlying issues that are forcing up power prices,' Crisafulli said at the time.
West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
Israel, Iran, Middle East travel warning: Smartraveller tells Australians to ‘shelter' as war erupts
Smartraveller has issued an urgent warning to Australians in the Middle East, telling them to shelter as military strikes hit Iran and Israel declares a state of emergency over possible retaliation. 'Following military strikes in Iran, Australians in Iran should shelter in place and take the advice of local authorities in affected areas. See our general advice on protecting your safety during an armed conflict,' Smartraveller said in a statement online. 'Airlines may cancel or reduce their operations to and from Iran at short notice and your options to leave may be limited. Check the latest flight status with your airline or travel provider. The Australian Government may not be able to assist with your departure.' Iran has a 'do not travel' level warning according to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website. Australians in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories have been warned about the 'increased threat of military and terrorist attacks'. 'Following military strikes in Iran, there's an increased threat of military and terrorist attacks against Israel. In an attack or other armed conflict, you should take shelter (and) follow the advice of local authorities,' a statement from Smartraveller said. 'Monitor local media and public safety information updates through the National Emergency Portal (accessible in Israel only).' Smartraveller said the security situation in the Middle East could continue to deteriorate without notice. 'There may also be airspace closures, flight and other travel disruptions.' As the first Israeli strike on Tehran hit, the FlightRadar24 website tracked several commercial passenger planes turning around just outside Tel Aviv. Over Iran, flights quickly scattered — some even becoming untrackable — before later reappearing on the map in another location. The airspace over Iraq has also emptied. In Tel Aviv, flight boards have filled with 'cancelled' messages for both arrivals and departures. The usually bustling city is now under a state of emergency, coming at a time when tens of thousands of travellers are headed to the city to celebrate Tel Aviv Pride as part of Pride month. Smartraveller is warning Australians to stay away of possible additional attacks and armed conflict. If armed conflict breaks out, the travel safety group urges Australians to: They encourage Australians to stay in contact with friends or family where possible, follow instructions and to make plans to leave. The Australian Government warns it will not make the decision to leave or stay for Aussies caught up in war. 'If you want to leave, go early. Don't wait for help from the Government or evacuation flights. Conflict may escalate to a point where it's no longer safe to leave,' Smartraveller says. Australians should also contact their airline or travel agent. 'Airlines often cancel flights to locations affected by armed conflict, especially if it threatens the airport. Local authorities may shut the airport down or declare a no-fly zone. Opposing forces may take over the airport,' Smartraveller warns. When flights become sparse, costs for tickets can become astronomical. To contact the Australian Government in an emergency:
The Age
2 hours ago
- The Age
Labor wants power rebates kept as price increase looms
The state opposition has urged the Crisafulli government to reverse its position and retain electricity price rebates, saying their removal will make the cost-of-living crisis worse for struggling Queenslanders. Treasurer David Janetzki has confirmed the Miles government's $1000 electricity rebates will be scrapped in his first budget later this month. The scrapping of the rebate was last month cited as the primary reason Brisbane's 1.9 per cent first-quarter CPI increase far exceeded other capital cities. Labor Opposition Leader Steven Miles, who introduced the rebate last May when he was premier, said the LNP had promised lower power prices before the election – a promise that was set to be broken. '[Now-Premier David Crisafulli] promised Queenslanders that energy prices would be lower and he promised that energy rebates would continue for so long as they are experiencing cost-of-living pressures,' he said. 'On October 3, he said 'so my commitment to Queenslanders is that energy will be cheaper under the LNP'. They're his words.' Miles was referring to Crisafulli's promise during the election campaign that 'energy will be cheaper under the LNP because we have a plan to drive down the ongoing costs'. 'Queenslanders see the difference between a political party promising everything before an election after 10 years and not doing very much, and a united and fresh opposition that is promising long-term relief by fixing the underlying issues that are forcing up power prices,' Crisafulli said at the time.
