In his reply to the Budget, Peter Dutton, the leader of the Liberal-National Party (LNP) Coalition, criticized Labor’s 2024 Budget as irresponsible and expressed concern about the country’s current issues, particularly crime and immigration. Dutton highlighted the rising cost of living and inflation as serious problems facing Australia, attributing them to the government’s inability to control spending and its reckless energy policy. He accused Treasurer Jim Chalmers of proposing excessive and wasteful spending.
Dutton focused on key areas that are considered strengths for the Coalition, such as energy, immigration, small business, and law and order. He criticized Labor’s intervention and regulatory roadblocks, which he believed were stifling the economy and hindering business growth. Dutton pledged that the LNP would not burden large firms with the responsibility of monitoring emissions from every small business they deal with, aiming to create certainty for the 2.5 million small businesses in Australia.
Regarding energy policy, Dutton reiterated the Coalition’s commitment to nuclear power. He argued that nuclear power could generate high yields of energy while minimizing environmental damage. He dismissed Labor’s plans for extensive solar and wind energy projects, claiming they were unnecessary. Further details of the Coalition’s nuclear plan are expected to be released in the coming months.
Dutton also addressed housing affordability and proposed measures to address the accommodation shortfall. He claimed that the current government had allowed a significant number of immigrants into the country without sufficient housing construction. To alleviate this issue, Dutton suggested reducing permanent migration numbers by 25% for the first two years and implementing a ban on foreign investors and temporary residents purchasing existing homes for two years. He aimed to free up more than 100,000 additional homes over the next five years and restore the dream of home ownership.
In addition to addressing housing concerns, Dutton proposed reducing the number of foreign students studying at metropolitan universities to ease rental market stress in major cities. He acknowledged that this approach might not be favored by CEOs and big businesses but emphasized that his priority was restoring home ownership opportunities.
Dutton recognized the critical shortage of general practitioners (GPs) and pledged to invest $400 million to incentivize junior doctors to train in general practice. He aimed to bridge the projected gap of 11,000 GPs by 2031 and ensure better access to medical care for Australians.
Turning to law and order, Dutton drew on his experience as a former police officer to highlight the importance of tackling crime. He proposed uniform knife laws across the country, empowering police to stop and search individuals and limiting the sale and possession of knives to minors and dangerous individuals. He also vowed to toughen bail laws for Commonwealth offences and make it a criminal offense to use technology to harass intimate partners or family members.
Dutton expressed concerns about the criminal activities on the internet, including explicit and violent content. He pledged to introduce laws making it an offense to post criminal acts online, with offenders facing up to two years’ imprisonment. He supported Labor’s decision to trial age verification measures and vowed to extend them to social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
In terms of taxation, Dutton promised lower, simpler, and fairer taxes for all Australians. However, he did not provide specific details, stating that they would be revealed closer to the next election. He confirmed the Coalition’s intention to reinstate higher tax breaks for high-earning Australians that were changed in a previous revamp.
When questioned about spending cuts, Dutton mentioned the $13 billion allocated for tax credits in green hydrogen and critical minerals as a starting point. He also stated that the Coalition would reduce the size of the public service by 36,000, estimating savings of $24 billion over four years. He emphasized that no other opposition leader had detailed $40 billion in spending cuts.
In conclusion, Peter Dutton’s reply to the Budget highlighted the Coalition’s strengths in areas such as energy, immigration, small business, and law and order. He criticized Labor’s fiscal policies and proposed alternative solutions to address key issues. Dutton’s focus on nuclear power, housing affordability, crime prevention, and internet safety demonstrated the Coalition’s commitment to tackling pressing challenges and providing practical solutions for Australians.
