<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>With the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/federal-election-2025/" rel="" target="" title="federal election campaign"><span>federal election campaign</span></a><span> well under way, both Labor and the Coalition have unveiled a slew of policies in an attempt to attract voters.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Unlike in 2022, when Anthony Albanese ran a "small target" campaign and there were relatively few significant differences between the major parties' policy offerings, there are some notable contrasts this time around.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Here are the main election promises made by Labor and the Coalition in the lead-up to the 2025 election.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-election-2025-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-campaign-movements-appearances/bfab28d5-dcd6-472f-81fb-aec452631930" rel="" target="" title=""><strong><span>Where Albanese and Dutton have been on the campaign trail</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Housing</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>With Australia in the midst of a </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/housing" rel="" target="" title="housing"><span>housing</span></a><span> crisis, both parties are </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-election-2025-labor-and-coalition-housing-policies-explained-expert-commentary/413d9d4e-1774-403a-a106-36919fc1b0c9" rel="" target="" title="leaning heavily into the area as part of their pitches to voters"><span>leaning heavily into the area as part of their pitches to voters</span></a><span> – although economists are generally united in the assessment that policies will just </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-election-2025-labor-and-coalition-slammed-for-dismal-economic-plans/2c08b250-cd08-4527-b25b-ee64f5ad5880" rel="" target="" title="increase demand and drive up prices"><span>increase demand and drive up prices</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Labor</span></strong></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/federal-election-2025-policy-promises-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-housing-tax-energy-health-explained/69f5f5d2-2fff-4aa3-b10e-8ce7d707a50f" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Labor will allow first-home buyers to get into the property market with just a 5 per cent deposit without having to pay lenders mortgage insurance (LMI).</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It has also promised $10 billion in funding to build 100,000 properties specifically for first-home buyers, and has matched the Coalition's pledge to ban foreign investors from buying existing homes for two years.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It will also continue a series of other housing policies enacted this term, including the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/housing-australia-future-fund-what-is-it-how-will-it-work-explained/f718f1a5-4336-4f01-b829-1dc933f12515" rel="" target="" title="Housing Australia Future Fund"><span>Housing Australia Future Fund</span></a><span>, </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-budget-2025-government-expands-help-to-buy-scheme/ed00602b-49c3-453f-a736-bd4bc442f6f7" rel="" target="" title="Help to Buy scheme"><span>Help to Buy scheme</span></a><span>, and National Housing Accord target of building 1.2 million homes by mid-2029.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-election-2025-key-seats-labor-path-to-victory-anthony-albanese/68b7c864-a7cd-4a5c-9b5c-c09306dd633d"><strong><span>The key seats that could give Labor a second term in government</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Coalition</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Coalition has promised to make the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-election-2025-peter-dutton-liberal-party-promises-cost-of-living-tax-relief/d5cb2c5f-eb18-4ca1-86e5-4c1b1e2215cb" rel="" target="" title="interest payments on the first $650,000 of a mortgage for a new home tax deductible"><span>interest payments on the first $650,000 of a mortgage for a new home tax deductible</span></a><span> for eligible buyers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It will also allow people to withdraw $50,000 from their superannuation for a home deposit, and has allocated $5 billion for a fund to speed up essential infrastructure in a move it says will support 500,000 new homes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It has also promised to ban foreign investors from buying existing homes for two years, scrap the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, and reduce migration intake by 25 per cent.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-election-2025-labor-and-coalition-housing-policies-explained-expert-commentary/413d9d4e-1774-403a-a106-36919fc1b0c9" rel="" target="" title=""><strong><span>House prices will skyrocket by $159k if buyers pull super, expert warns</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Tax and cost of living</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Contrasting </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/tax" rel="" target="" title="tax"><span>tax</span></a><span> relief has been front and centre since the first day of the campaign, with Albanese and Peter Dutton arguing they have the better plan to handle the cost of living.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Labor</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Labor went into the election fresh off the federal budget, when it announced a </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-budget-2025-tax-cuts-for-every-single-australian-taxpayer-how-much-explained/c555c098-f451-44f1-9865-8c67e732074b" rel="" target="" title='"modest" tax cut'><span>"modest" tax cut</span></a><span> worth about $5 a week when it's introduced in 2026-27 before doubling to $10 a week the year after.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>At the party's official campaign launch, Albanese also announced an automatic </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-election-2025-labor-government-promises-ten-billion-dollar-package-five-per-cent-deposits-first-homebuyers/c18c8817-5660-4134-b16c-7700e25c738f" rel="" target="" title="$1000 deduction all workers will be able to claim"><span>$1000 deduction all workers will be able to claim</span></a><span> instead of having to lodge individual claims and receipts for multiple deductions.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-election-2025-key-seats-liberal-national-coalition-path-to-victory-peter-dutton/68be44b3-ddca-4431-8270-eaacd71de087"><strong><span>The suburbs that could make Peter Dutton prime minister</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Coalition</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Coalition has promised to repeal Labor's tax cuts, instead promising to </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/peter-dutton-pledges-fuel-cost-reduction-budget-reply-speech/af8c0d7a-b3dc-4c0d-a587-67ebf4710050" rel="" target="" title="halve the fuel excise for a year to provide cost-of-living relief to motorists"><span>halve the fuel excise for a year to provide cost-of-living relief to motorists</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It has also offered up a temporary tax offset of up to $1200 for low- and middle-income earners who take home less than $144,000. This will only apply for the 2025-26 financial year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>EXPLAINED:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-election-2025-tax-policies-instant-deduction-labor-offset-coalition/9694cf0e-e5a7-4d34-9d3c-00b4e22b9eca"><strong><span>What the two major parties' new tax proposals would mean for you</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Energy and climate</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Perhaps the most significant policy difference between the two major parties is on energy, thanks to the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-election-2025-peter-dutton-coalition-nuclear-power-plans-explained/2aa01872-3156-4a5e-86fa-662bc90b0bf0" rel="" target="" title="Coalition's push for Australia to embrace nuclear power"><span>Coalition's push for Australia to embrace nuclear power</span></a><span>. </span><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Labor</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Labor has pledged to </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/anthony-albanese-promises-further-power-bill-relief/05094902-6485-4ef7-afa3-ffda07c21cc0" rel="" target="" title="extend the energy bill rebates rolled out in the 2024 budget for another six months"><span>extend the energy bill rebates rolled out in the 2024 budget for another six months</span></a><span>, providing households with an extra $150 in savings.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It will continue to roll out renewables to meet Australia's energy needs, with the goal of solar and wind making up 82 per cent of the grid by 2030, with gas and other fossil fuels "firming" up supply.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's also announced a </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/labor-announces-23bn-dollar-cost-of-living-household-battery-pledge/9c80c115-f29b-4f3c-8894-1ff1ee0f8659" rel="" target="" title="$2.3 billion fund to cut the cost of installing battery storage"><span>$2.3 billion fund to cut the cost of installing battery storage</span></a><span> by 30 per cent.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Labor has existing emissions reductions targets for 2030 and 2050 (a 43 per cent cut and net zero respectively), but hasn't committed to a 2035 goal. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-election-2025-what-happens-if-i-dont-vote-fines-explained/4072839f-8f0b-453c-b81f-bc104d1f3ae9"><strong><span>The severe penalties for anyone caught voting twice</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Coalition</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The centrepiece of the Coalition's energy plan is its proposal to construct seven nuclear reactors around the country.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It says all of the plants would be operational sometime in the 2040s, and </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/nuclear-plan-costings-announced-federal-opposition-peter-dutton/e8666798-ce23-4ac2-8ead-ba6d01c3b33b" rel="" target="" title="would cost $331 billion"><span>would cost $331 billion</span></a><span> – although the modelling used for that figure relies on Australia needing and producing significantly less energy than Labor's plan.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is also planning to ramp up gas production to meet the energy shortfall in the interim as coal plants shut down and the reactors are built, announcing a $1 billion fund for infrastructure expansion.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It will also introduce an </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/coalition-reveal-pitch-to-cut-energy-bills-by-3-per-cent/9c00eca2-d8b0-420d-83fa-1cf94504eafe" rel="" target="" title="east coast gas reservation"><span>east coast gas reservation</span></a><span>, forcing local producers to keep more gas in Australia instead of selling it overseas, and fast-track approval for the North West Shelf gas expansion.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Coalition has not set emissions reduction targets. While it has previously talked of scrapping and reviewing Labor's 2030 goal, it says it is committed to net zero by 2050 and the emissions reduction targets Australia signed up to at the Paris climate conference.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Coalition has also pledged to repeal the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, which encourages car makers to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles and penalises companies that exceed a set emissions cap.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>EXPLAINED:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-election-2025-peter-dutton-coalition-nuclear-power-plans-explained/2aa01872-3156-4a5e-86fa-662bc90b0bf0" rel="" target="" title="Peter Dutton wants a nuclear future for Australia. Here's what that might look like"><strong><span>Peter Dutton wants a nuclear future for Australia. Here's what that might look like</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Health</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Labor has leant heavily into health – particularly Medicare – during the campaign, seeking to target Dutton for his previous stint as health minister.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Labor</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Many of Labor's signature health policies were announced before the election campaign began, including an </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/free-doctor-visits-labor-promises-universal-bulk-billing-if-elected/603d7c81-9a52-4290-8eff-dc0b81645c1f" rel="" target="" title="$8.5 billion Medicare boost to significantly increase bulk billing"><span>$8.5 billion Medicare boost to significantly increase bulk billing</span></a><span> rates, and </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/pbs-medicines-government-pledges-to-slash-prices-election-promise/dee4257d-2ebe-4c2d-beb0-0ddd1ba424c9" rel="" target="" title="reducing the cost of medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme"><span>reducing the cost of medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme</span></a><span> (PBS) from $31.60 to $25.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Labor will also spend $644 million to expand the Medicare urgent care clinic network with 50 new centres, and $1 billion to build or upgrade dozens of walk-in mental health facilities and train 1200 new workers in the sector.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-preferential-voting-system-explained-everything-you-need-to-know-house-of-representatives-senate/4f4ac1a2-1913-44c5-ad68-2572f095b444"><strong><span>Explained: How Australia's preferential voting system works</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Coalition</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>For the most part, the Coalition has matched Labor's big health policies, promising to back the $8.5 billion Medicare funding and cut to PBS medicine costs.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>On mental health, it is promising $400 million for youth services, and will permanently reintroduce the pandemic-era policy for 20 subsidised mental health sessions for people with a mental health care plan, up from the current 10.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-election-2025-the-top-five-issues-affecting-young-voters/060827d6-2dec-4d06-8b78-f7c156fb1831"><strong><span>'Politicians beware': Young voters eyeing these five key issues</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Education</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Education is another area that Labor has sought to target, particularly in relation to childcare and student debt.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Labor</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Labor has promised to </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/albanese-government-to-reduce-student-debts-under-new-plan/8565a4ad-cbf5-4338-a1db-97aa6739799d" rel="" target="" title="forgive $16 billion in student debt on June 1"><span>forgive $16 billion in student debt on June 1</span></a><span> – a 20 per cent cut for everyone with an outstanding HECS-HELP or other similar loan.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It will also establish a $1 billion fund to build and upgrade 160 childcare centres, in addition to its move to </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/subsidised-childcare-guarantee-activity-test-scrapped/33ed5f92-99b9-4d1b-b6c4-115a0ceb9ee7" rel="" target="" title="provide three days of subsidised childcare for all families"><span>provide three days of subsidised childcare for all families</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Labor will also continue to provide fee-free TAFE places.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Coalition</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Coalition will set a target of having 400,000 apprentices and trainees and incentivise businesses to provide those positions.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-election-donkey-voting-what-is-it-explained/beaa248f-0b1a-4240-a266-e72155467053"><strong><span>Even the AEC doesn't know how many 'donkey votes' are cast at the polls</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Workplace</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A focus on workplace policies has somewhat faded as the campaign has progressed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Labor</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Labor will </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-budget-2025-non-compete-clauses-job-contracts-to-be-banned/4080b874-06f3-4873-b98d-4e581d0f554e" rel="" target="" title="ban non-compete clauses"><span>ban non-compete clauses</span></a><span> for workers earning less than $175,000 a year to make it easier for people to change jobs.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Coalition</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Coalition has promised to shrink the size of the public service by 41,000 workers over five years through a hiring freeze, natural attrition, and offering voluntary redundancies.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It has previously promised to repeal the right-to-disconnect laws introduced in the last parliament, although has said it would keep Labor's same job, same pay legislation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It had been promising to force public servants back to the office, but </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/peter-dutton-work-from-home-backflip-opposition-leader-explains-policy-change/7bad2870-336c-47fb-807b-90d48569c931" rel="" target="" title="scrapped that policy one week into the campaign"><span>scrapped that policy one week into the campaign</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><strong><span>Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple App Store</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>.</span></em></strong></div></div>