Latest news with #Medicare-subsidised
The Advertiser
18-05-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
'Waiting too long': bulk-billing push amid high costs to see specialists
People in the Hunter health network are much less likely to attend a specialist than wealthy Sydney areas, prompting a call for "fully bulk-billed specialty clinics" in the region. The cost of seeing a specialist and long wait times to book appointments are causing widespread anger and frustration. Professor Jennifer Martin, of University of Newcastle, said "bulk-billed specialty clinics and outreach services" were needed in the Hunter. She said this was especially the case "for specialities that are under-represented and difficult to access". Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data showed specialist attendances in the Hunter network were 89.3 per 100 people in 2023-24. This means that, on average, 89.3 Medicare-subsidised specialist visits were made for every 100 people in the network, which includes New England and Central Coast. This was below areas including Northern Sydney (123), Central and Eastern Sydney (118.7), Nepean Blue Mountains (108.5) and South Western Sydney (103.4). Professor Martin, president of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), said "people in rural and regional Australia, including in the Hunter, are waiting far too long to see medical specialists". "Many are forced to travel long distances for specialist consultations, while others are simply missing out altogether," Professor Martin said. "There aren't enough generalists who are well supported to go to regional sites and stay." In recent industrial action, doctors highlighted long waitlists for specialists in endoscopy, ENT (ear, nose and throat) and gynaecology in the Hunter. Long waits for orthopaedic and gastroenterology services have also been reported. Meanwhile, GPs have raised concerns that their fees are publicly available in Medicare reports, but specialists' fees are not. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said recently that a re-elected Albanese government would "help Australians find the best value" among specialists. Mr Butler promised to "fix the former government's failed price disclosure tool, the Medical Costs Finder". The $7 million project would "analyse annual Medicare, hospital and insurer data for every common medical service". It would display the average fee that each specialist doctor charged, alongside the national average for that service. "Fees can vary widely across specialists, even for the same procedure in the same part of Australia," he said. Professor Martin said access to healthcare and being able to afford it were key issues. "Unfortunately, Medicare rebates over many years have not kept pace with inflation, impacting both patients and doctors," she said. "Additionally, governments control the supply of specialists through training places and scarcity impacts costs." She said the federal government "needs to expand bulk-billing incentive payments to specialists as well as GPs for key priority populations". This included those in rural and remote areas who "experience higher rates of complex and chronic diseases than people in the cities". "Publicly-funded access to specialists will have a positive flow-on effect from investing in preventive health." She said this would ease hospital pressures and "expand access to the communities who need it most". Professor Martin urged the federal and state governments to "invest more in growing and supporting the medical workforce". The Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding found there were "insufficient financial incentives" for city-based specialists to "relocate to rural or regional areas". In the inquiry report, released last week, Dr Nicholas Spooner said the staff specialists' award was "out of date in regard to remuneration and other conditions". Dr Spooner, director of emergency medicine at Wyong Hospital, said this included "paying staff specialists less than other jurisdictions" and not paying them for "on-call work or overtime". People in the Hunter health network are much less likely to attend a specialist than wealthy Sydney areas, prompting a call for "fully bulk-billed specialty clinics" in the region. The cost of seeing a specialist and long wait times to book appointments are causing widespread anger and frustration. Professor Jennifer Martin, of University of Newcastle, said "bulk-billed specialty clinics and outreach services" were needed in the Hunter. She said this was especially the case "for specialities that are under-represented and difficult to access". Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data showed specialist attendances in the Hunter network were 89.3 per 100 people in 2023-24. This means that, on average, 89.3 Medicare-subsidised specialist visits were made for every 100 people in the network, which includes New England and Central Coast. This was below areas including Northern Sydney (123), Central and Eastern Sydney (118.7), Nepean Blue Mountains (108.5) and South Western Sydney (103.4). Professor Martin, president of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), said "people in rural and regional Australia, including in the Hunter, are waiting far too long to see medical specialists". "Many are forced to travel long distances for specialist consultations, while others are simply missing out altogether," Professor Martin said. "There aren't enough generalists who are well supported to go to regional sites and stay." In recent industrial action, doctors highlighted long waitlists for specialists in endoscopy, ENT (ear, nose and throat) and gynaecology in the Hunter. Long waits for orthopaedic and gastroenterology services have also been reported. Meanwhile, GPs have raised concerns that their fees are publicly available in Medicare reports, but specialists' fees are not. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said recently that a re-elected Albanese government would "help Australians find the best value" among specialists. Mr Butler promised to "fix the former government's failed price disclosure tool, the Medical Costs Finder". The $7 million project would "analyse annual Medicare, hospital and insurer data for every common medical service". It would display the average fee that each specialist doctor charged, alongside the national average for that service. "Fees can vary widely across specialists, even for the same procedure in the same part of Australia," he said. Professor Martin said access to healthcare and being able to afford it were key issues. "Unfortunately, Medicare rebates over many years have not kept pace with inflation, impacting both patients and doctors," she said. "Additionally, governments control the supply of specialists through training places and scarcity impacts costs." She said the federal government "needs to expand bulk-billing incentive payments to specialists as well as GPs for key priority populations". This included those in rural and remote areas who "experience higher rates of complex and chronic diseases than people in the cities". "Publicly-funded access to specialists will have a positive flow-on effect from investing in preventive health." She said this would ease hospital pressures and "expand access to the communities who need it most". Professor Martin urged the federal and state governments to "invest more in growing and supporting the medical workforce". The Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding found there were "insufficient financial incentives" for city-based specialists to "relocate to rural or regional areas". In the inquiry report, released last week, Dr Nicholas Spooner said the staff specialists' award was "out of date in regard to remuneration and other conditions". Dr Spooner, director of emergency medicine at Wyong Hospital, said this included "paying staff specialists less than other jurisdictions" and not paying them for "on-call work or overtime". People in the Hunter health network are much less likely to attend a specialist than wealthy Sydney areas, prompting a call for "fully bulk-billed specialty clinics" in the region. The cost of seeing a specialist and long wait times to book appointments are causing widespread anger and frustration. Professor Jennifer Martin, of University of Newcastle, said "bulk-billed specialty clinics and outreach services" were needed in the Hunter. She said this was especially the case "for specialities that are under-represented and difficult to access". Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data showed specialist attendances in the Hunter network were 89.3 per 100 people in 2023-24. This means that, on average, 89.3 Medicare-subsidised specialist visits were made for every 100 people in the network, which includes New England and Central Coast. This was below areas including Northern Sydney (123), Central and Eastern Sydney (118.7), Nepean Blue Mountains (108.5) and South Western Sydney (103.4). Professor Martin, president of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), said "people in rural and regional Australia, including in the Hunter, are waiting far too long to see medical specialists". "Many are forced to travel long distances for specialist consultations, while others are simply missing out altogether," Professor Martin said. "There aren't enough generalists who are well supported to go to regional sites and stay." In recent industrial action, doctors highlighted long waitlists for specialists in endoscopy, ENT (ear, nose and throat) and gynaecology in the Hunter. Long waits for orthopaedic and gastroenterology services have also been reported. Meanwhile, GPs have raised concerns that their fees are publicly available in Medicare reports, but specialists' fees are not. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said recently that a re-elected Albanese government would "help Australians find the best value" among specialists. Mr Butler promised to "fix the former government's failed price disclosure tool, the Medical Costs Finder". The $7 million project would "analyse annual Medicare, hospital and insurer data for every common medical service". It would display the average fee that each specialist doctor charged, alongside the national average for that service. "Fees can vary widely across specialists, even for the same procedure in the same part of Australia," he said. Professor Martin said access to healthcare and being able to afford it were key issues. "Unfortunately, Medicare rebates over many years have not kept pace with inflation, impacting both patients and doctors," she said. "Additionally, governments control the supply of specialists through training places and scarcity impacts costs." She said the federal government "needs to expand bulk-billing incentive payments to specialists as well as GPs for key priority populations". This included those in rural and remote areas who "experience higher rates of complex and chronic diseases than people in the cities". "Publicly-funded access to specialists will have a positive flow-on effect from investing in preventive health." She said this would ease hospital pressures and "expand access to the communities who need it most". Professor Martin urged the federal and state governments to "invest more in growing and supporting the medical workforce". The Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding found there were "insufficient financial incentives" for city-based specialists to "relocate to rural or regional areas". In the inquiry report, released last week, Dr Nicholas Spooner said the staff specialists' award was "out of date in regard to remuneration and other conditions". Dr Spooner, director of emergency medicine at Wyong Hospital, said this included "paying staff specialists less than other jurisdictions" and not paying them for "on-call work or overtime". People in the Hunter health network are much less likely to attend a specialist than wealthy Sydney areas, prompting a call for "fully bulk-billed specialty clinics" in the region. The cost of seeing a specialist and long wait times to book appointments are causing widespread anger and frustration. Professor Jennifer Martin, of University of Newcastle, said "bulk-billed specialty clinics and outreach services" were needed in the Hunter. She said this was especially the case "for specialities that are under-represented and difficult to access". Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data showed specialist attendances in the Hunter network were 89.3 per 100 people in 2023-24. This means that, on average, 89.3 Medicare-subsidised specialist visits were made for every 100 people in the network, which includes New England and Central Coast. This was below areas including Northern Sydney (123), Central and Eastern Sydney (118.7), Nepean Blue Mountains (108.5) and South Western Sydney (103.4). Professor Martin, president of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), said "people in rural and regional Australia, including in the Hunter, are waiting far too long to see medical specialists". "Many are forced to travel long distances for specialist consultations, while others are simply missing out altogether," Professor Martin said. "There aren't enough generalists who are well supported to go to regional sites and stay." In recent industrial action, doctors highlighted long waitlists for specialists in endoscopy, ENT (ear, nose and throat) and gynaecology in the Hunter. Long waits for orthopaedic and gastroenterology services have also been reported. Meanwhile, GPs have raised concerns that their fees are publicly available in Medicare reports, but specialists' fees are not. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said recently that a re-elected Albanese government would "help Australians find the best value" among specialists. Mr Butler promised to "fix the former government's failed price disclosure tool, the Medical Costs Finder". The $7 million project would "analyse annual Medicare, hospital and insurer data for every common medical service". It would display the average fee that each specialist doctor charged, alongside the national average for that service. "Fees can vary widely across specialists, even for the same procedure in the same part of Australia," he said. Professor Martin said access to healthcare and being able to afford it were key issues. "Unfortunately, Medicare rebates over many years have not kept pace with inflation, impacting both patients and doctors," she said. "Additionally, governments control the supply of specialists through training places and scarcity impacts costs." She said the federal government "needs to expand bulk-billing incentive payments to specialists as well as GPs for key priority populations". This included those in rural and remote areas who "experience higher rates of complex and chronic diseases than people in the cities". "Publicly-funded access to specialists will have a positive flow-on effect from investing in preventive health." She said this would ease hospital pressures and "expand access to the communities who need it most". Professor Martin urged the federal and state governments to "invest more in growing and supporting the medical workforce". The Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding found there were "insufficient financial incentives" for city-based specialists to "relocate to rural or regional areas". In the inquiry report, released last week, Dr Nicholas Spooner said the staff specialists' award was "out of date in regard to remuneration and other conditions". Dr Spooner, director of emergency medicine at Wyong Hospital, said this included "paying staff specialists less than other jurisdictions" and not paying them for "on-call work or overtime".
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First Post
02-05-2025
- Business
- First Post
PM Albanese vs Peter Dutton: Who Australia will vote for tomorrow? A look at poll promises
Australians will vote on Saturday in a close-run national election marked by concerns over the cost of living and housing affordability, as well as trade tensions triggered by US President Donald Trump's tariffs. read more A voter walks past election posters for the Australian Labor Party outside a pre-polling centre in Sydney on May 2, 2025, ahead of Australia's federal election scheduled for May 3. (Photo: AFP) Australians will vote on Saturday in a close-run national election marked by concerns over the cost of living and housing affordability, as well as trade tensions triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Here's how Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's centre-left Labor party and the conservative Liberal-National coalition, led by Peter Dutton, compare on key policies: HOUSING Labor: Would let all first-time home buyers enter the property market with a 5% down payment and has pledged to spend A$10 billion ($6.40 billion) to build up to 100,000 new homes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Liberal-Nationals: Would allow first-time home buyers to access up to A$50,000 from their government-mandated retirement savings for down payments. Mortgage interest payments would be made tax deductible. It has also pledged A$5 billion to fund housing infrastructure. HEALTH Labor: Has pledged A$8.5 billion for an extra 18 million subsidised general practitioner visits each year as part of strengthening Medicare, the universal healthcare system, along with A$1 billion for more free-of-charge public mental health services. Would open an additional 50 free urgent care clinics to ease pressure on hospitals. Liberal-Nationals: Has matched Labor's A$8.5 billion funding boost to Medicare, pledged A$400 million for youth mental health services, and plans to double Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions to 20 from 10. ECONOMY Labor: Would give taxpayers a one-off, instant A$1,000 deduction for individual work-related expenses and cut student debt by 20%. It also passed legislation to cut the lowest marginal tax rate before calling the election. Liberal-Nationals: Has vowed to undo Labor's tax cuts and instead introduce an offset that would let taxpayers earning up to A$144,000 receive up to A$1,200 in tax relief. Would lower fuel costs by A$0.25 per litre (0.26 gallon) for 12 months by reducing government duties. Wants to shrink the public service by 41,000 jobs through a hiring freeze and natural attrition, which it estimates would save A$7 billion each year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ENERGY Labor: Committed A$2.3 billion to subsidise household batteries to store solar power and pledged to extend rebates on energy bills for households and small businesses. Announced an A$2 billion increase in clean energy technology funding through its green bank to achieve a majority-renewables grid, which would be backed up by power from gas, batteries and hydropower. Liberal-Nationals: Aims to bring down gas and electricity costs through a reservation scheme forcing liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters on Australia's east coast to sell a portion of their uncontracted gas into the domestic market. Pledges to cut 'red and green tape' for new gas projects and fast-track a decision on extending the life of Woodside's North West Shelf LNG plant. Long term, wants to build a nuclear industry with seven plants across the country. Nuclear power is currently banned in Australia. DEFENCE Labor: Has not pledged any new defence funding, pointing to an existing commitment to an A$50 billion increase over the next decade that would boost spending to 2.3% of gross domestic product from 2%. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Liberal-Nationals: Would spend A$21 billion more than Labor over five years to reach 2.5% of GDP within five years and 3% within a decade. Has pledged A$3 billion to acquire extra joint strike fighter jets. MIGRATION Labor: Has not announced any election pledges specific to migration. Liberal-Nationals: Promises to cut the permanent migration programme, now at 185,000 per year, to 140,000 for two years, then 150,000 in year three and 160,000 in year four. Also would cut net migration by 100,000 below Labor's yearly levels and reduce the number of international students commencing at public universities by 30,000 per year. ($1 = 1.5635 Australian dollars) (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
The Star
02-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Factbox-Policies of Australia's political parties at a glance
FILE PHOTO: A sign points towards ballot boxes at a pre-polling place in Sydney, Australia, April 30, 2025. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo (Reuters) -Australians will vote on Saturday in a close-run national election marked by concerns over the cost of living and housing affordability, as well as trade tensions triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Here's how Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's centre-left Labor party and the conservative Liberal-National coalition, led by Peter Dutton, compare on key policies: HOUSING Labor: Would let all first-time home buyers enter the property market with a 5% down payment and has pledged to spend A$10 billion ($6.40 billion) to build up to 100,000 new homes. Liberal-Nationals: Would allow first-time home buyers to access up to A$50,000 from their government-mandated retirement savings for down payments. Mortgage interest payments would be made tax deductible. It has also pledged A$5 billion to fund housing infrastructure. HEALTH Labor: Has pledged A$8.5 billion for an extra 18 million subsidised general practitioner visits each year as part of strengthening Medicare, the universal healthcare system, along with A$1 billion for more free-of-charge public mental health services. Would open an additional 50 free urgent care clinics to ease pressure on hospitals. Liberal-Nationals: Has matched Labor's A$8.5 billion funding boost to Medicare, pledged A$400 million for youth mental health services, and plans to double Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions to 20 from 10. ECONOMY Labor: Would give taxpayers a one-off, instant A$1,000 deduction for individual work-related expenses and cut student debt by 20%. It also passed legislation to cut the lowest marginal tax rate before calling the election. Liberal-Nationals: Has vowed to undo Labor's tax cuts and instead introduce an offset that would let taxpayers earning up to A$144,000 receive up to A$1,200 in tax relief. Would lower fuel costs by A$0.25 per litre (0.26 gallon) for 12 months by reducing government duties. Wants to shrink the public service by 41,000 jobs through a hiring freeze and natural attrition, which it estimates would save A$7 billion each year. ENERGY Labor: Committed A$2.3 billion to subsidise household batteries to store solar power and pledged to extend rebates on energy bills for households and small businesses. Announced an A$2 billion increase in clean energy technology funding through its green bank to achieve a majority-renewables grid, which would be backed up by power from gas, batteries and hydropower. Liberal-Nationals: Aims to bring down gas and electricity costs through a reservation scheme forcing liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters on Australia's east coast to sell a portion of their uncontracted gas into the domestic market. Pledges to cut "red and green tape" for new gas projects and fast-track a decision on extending the life of Woodside's North West Shelf LNG plant. Long term, wants to build a nuclear industry with seven plants across the country. Nuclear power is currently banned in Australia. DEFENCE Labor: Has not pledged any new defence funding, pointing to an existing commitment to an A$50 billion increase over the next decade that would boost spending to 2.3% of gross domestic product from 2%. Liberal-Nationals: Would spend A$21 billion more than Labor over five years to reach 2.5% of GDP within five years and 3% within a decade. Has pledged A$3 billion to acquire extra joint strike fighter jets. MIGRATION Labor: Has not announced any election pledges specific to migration. Liberal-Nationals: Promises to cut the permanent migration programme, now at 185,000 per year, to 140,000 for two years, then 150,000 in year three and 160,000 in year four. Also would cut net migration by 100,000 below Labor's yearly levels and reduce the number of international students commencing at public universities by 30,000 per year. ($1 = 1.5635 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Sam McKeith and Christine Chen in Sydney; Editing by Edmund Klamann)
Straits Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Policies of Australia's political parties at a glance
FILE PHOTO: A sign points towards ballot boxes at a pre-polling place in Sydney, Australia, April 30, 2025. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo Australians will vote on Saturday in a close-run national election marked by concerns over the cost of living and housing affordability, as well as trade tensions triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Here's how Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's centre-left Labor party and the conservative Liberal-National coalition, led by Peter Dutton, compare on key policies: HOUSING Labor: Would let all first-time home buyers enter the property market with a 5% down payment and has pledged to spend A$10 billion ($6.40 billion) to build up to 100,000 new homes. Liberal-Nationals: Would allow first-time home buyers to access up to A$50,000 from their government-mandated retirement savings for down payments. Mortgage interest payments would be made tax deductible. It has also pledged A$5 billion to fund housing infrastructure. HEALTH Labor: Has pledged A$8.5 billion for an extra 18 million subsidised general practitioner visits each year as part of strengthening Medicare, the universal healthcare system, along with A$1 billion for more free-of-charge public mental health services. Would open an additional 50 free urgent care clinics to ease pressure on hospitals. Liberal-Nationals: Has matched Labor's A$8.5 billion funding boost to Medicare, pledged A$400 million for youth mental health services, and plans to double Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions to 20 from 10. ECONOMY Labor: Would give taxpayers a one-off, instant A$1,000 deduction for individual work-related expenses and cut student debt by 20%. It also passed legislation to cut the lowest marginal tax rate before calling the election. Liberal-Nationals: Has vowed to undo Labor's tax cuts and instead introduce an offset that would let taxpayers earning up to A$144,000 receive up to A$1,200 in tax relief. Would lower fuel costs by A$0.25 per litre (0.26 gallon) for 12 months by reducing government duties. Wants to shrink the public service by 41,000 jobs through a hiring freeze and natural attrition, which it estimates would save A$7 billion each year. ENERGY Labor: Committed A$2.3 billion to subsidise household batteries to store solar power and pledged to extend rebates on energy bills for households and small businesses. Announced an A$2 billion increase in clean energy technology funding through its green bank to achieve a majority-renewables grid, which would be backed up by power from gas, batteries and hydropower. Liberal-Nationals: Aims to bring down gas and electricity costs through a reservation scheme forcing liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters on Australia's east coast to sell a portion of their uncontracted gas into the domestic market. Pledges to cut "red and green tape" for new gas projects and fast-track a decision on extending the life of Woodside's North West Shelf LNG plant. Long term, wants to build a nuclear industry with seven plants across the country. Nuclear power is currently banned in Australia. DEFENCE Labor: Has not pledged any new defence funding, pointing to an existing commitment to an A$50 billion increase over the next decade that would boost spending to 2.3% of gross domestic product from 2%. Liberal-Nationals: Would spend A$21 billion more than Labor over five years to reach 2.5% of GDP within five years and 3% within a decade. Has pledged A$3 billion to acquire extra joint strike fighter jets. MIGRATION Labor: Has not announced any election pledges specific to migration. Liberal-Nationals: Promises to cut the permanent migration programme, now at 185,000 per year, to 140,000 for two years, then 150,000 in year three and 160,000 in year four. Also would cut net migration by 100,000 below Labor's yearly levels and reduce the number of international students commencing at public universities by 30,000 per year. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
02-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Policies of Australia's political parties at a glance
May 2 (Reuters) - Australians will vote on Saturday in a close-run national election marked by concerns over the cost of living and housing affordability, as well as trade tensions triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Here's how Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's centre-left Labor party and the conservative Liberal-National coalition, led by Peter Dutton, compare on key policies: here. HOUSING Labor: Would let all first-time home buyers enter the property market with a 5% down payment and has pledged to spend A$10 billion ($6.40 billion) to build up to 100,000 new homes. Liberal-Nationals: Would allow first-time home buyers to access up to A$50,000 from their government-mandated retirement savings for down payments. Mortgage interest payments would be made tax deductible. It has also pledged A$5 billion to fund housing infrastructure. HEALTH Labor: Has pledged A$8.5 billion for an extra 18 million subsidised general practitioner visits each year as part of strengthening Medicare, the universal healthcare system, along with A$1 billion for more free-of-charge public mental health services. Would open an additional 50 free urgent care clinics to ease pressure on hospitals. Liberal-Nationals: Has matched Labor's A$8.5 billion funding boost to Medicare, pledged A$400 million for youth mental health services, and plans to double Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions to 20 from 10. ECONOMY Labor: Would give taxpayers a one-off, instant A$1,000 deduction for individual work-related expenses and cut student debt by 20%. It also passed legislation to cut the lowest marginal tax rate before calling the election. Liberal-Nationals: Has vowed to undo Labor's tax cuts and instead introduce an offset that would let taxpayers earning up to A$144,000 receive up to A$1,200 in tax relief. Would lower fuel costs by A$0.25 per litre (0.26 gallon) for 12 months by reducing government duties. Wants to shrink the public service by 41,000 jobs through a hiring freeze and natural attrition, which it estimates would save A$7 billion each year. ENERGY Labor: Committed A$2.3 billion to subsidise household batteries to store solar power and pledged to extend rebates on energy bills for households and small businesses. Announced an A$2 billion increase in clean energy technology funding through its green bank to achieve a majority-renewables grid, which would be backed up by power from gas, batteries and hydropower. Liberal-Nationals: Aims to bring down gas and electricity costs through a reservation scheme forcing liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters on Australia's east coast to sell a portion of their uncontracted gas into the domestic market. Pledges to cut "red and green tape" for new gas projects and fast-track a decision on extending the life of Woodside's ( opens new tab North West Shelf LNG plant. Long term, wants to build a nuclear industry with seven plants across the country. Nuclear power is currently banned in Australia. DEFENCE Labor: Has not pledged any new defence funding, pointing to an existing commitment to an A$50 billion increase over the next decade that would boost spending to 2.3% of gross domestic product from 2%. Liberal-Nationals: Would spend A$21 billion more than Labor over five years to reach 2.5% of GDP within five years and 3% within a decade. Has pledged A$3 billion to acquire extra joint strike fighter jets. MIGRATION Labor: Has not announced any election pledges specific to migration. Liberal-Nationals: Promises to cut the permanent migration programme, now at 185,000 per year, to 140,000 for two years, then 150,000 in year three and 160,000 in year four. Also would cut net migration by 100,000 below Labor's yearly levels and reduce the number of international students commencing at public universities by 30,000 per year. ($1 = 1.5635 Australian dollars)
