We understand that small businesses find it difficult to obtain finance other than on a secured basis.
And that small businesses that have already obtained secured finance but wish to continue to grow also find it difficult.
With access to finance a critical issue, the new $2 billion Australian Business Securitisation Fund will start on July 1 this year.
This fund increases small business access to competitive finance by providing more funding for small banks and non-bank lenders.
A re-elected Morrison Government will also establish the Australian Business Growth Fund by providing $100 million in funding and partnering with financial institutions to enhance equity financing to businesses with annual turnovers between $2 million and $50 million.
The fund will aim to expand to $1 billion as it matures.
Maintaining a strong anti-dumping regime
The Liberal Nationals Government has taken firm steps to protect Australian industries, particularly manufacturing, from the illegal dumping of cheap overseas products.
This includes:An extra $1.1 million per year for the Anti-Dumping Commission, taking its annual budget to over $12 million.
Improved assistance for small and medium Australian businesses.
Placing a greater onus on overseas businesses to cooperate with investigations.
Improving the anti-dumping merits review process.
Delivering more timely investigations.
The Morrison Government will continue to look for opportunities to strengthen Australia’s anti dumping regime following recent consultations we have undertaken with industry to ensure it delivers a level playing field while supporting business growth, employment and competitiveness.
THE CHOICE
The Morrison Government values our manufacturing industry and understands what is needed for continued growth.
We will work with the sector to support more exports,
reducing energy costs
and support modernisation and the development of new high-value products.
Labor is offering the opposite.
Under Labor’s policies, manufacturing will be hit by higher costs
and more red tape that will drive Australian manufacturing jobs offshore.
Australian manufacturers cannot afford Labor’s economy-wrecking emissions reduction targets which will:Cost the economy $472 billion.
Slash more than 336,000 jobs.
Cut the average wage by over $9,000.
Increase wholesale electricity prices by more than 58%.
Under Labor, Australian manufacturers will face costs that their international competitors do not.
In particular, scores of Australian manufacturers will be among the 250 Australian firms targeted by Labor to reduce their emissions by at least 45 per cent by 2030.
Those firms unable to make these emissions cuts will be forced to spend millions on foreign carbon credits damaging their competitiveness in fiercely contested export markets.
Given that a large share of manufacturing is located in regional Australia, the impact on employment in regional cities and towns will be severe.
Australia’s manufacturers cannot afford Labor’s export-damaging opposition to free trade.
A Shorten Labor Government has said it will give trade unions an effective veto over trade agreements.
Labor’s union MPs are already celebrating Labor’s decision to ‘reject’ trade agreements, including those already signed with Indonesia and Peru.
This will result in sectors like the Australian steel industry missing out on promised tariff cuts.
When Labor was last in government, they did not start and finish a single Free Trade Agreement.
Crucial negotiations with Korea, Japan and China foundered, as trade unions’ riding instructions outweighed the national interest.
Australian manufacturers cannot afford Labor’s regressive industrial relations policies which threaten a return to the industrial unrest of the 1970s.
Labor’s record proves their policies will drive manufacturing jobs offshore.
When Labor entered office in 2007 there were over one million manufacturing jobs. When they got booted out in 2013, the number had fallen to 922 000: 1 in 8 jobs disappeared.
While manufacturing has a bright future under the Morrison Government, Labor’s only plan is to offer taxpayer-funded subsidies to compensate for the damage they will do to the sector.
COST
The Morrison Government’s Plan for a Stronger Manufacturing Sector includes an additional $50 million for the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund and $5 million for the Australian Made campaign.
KAP Policies
Agriculture
Returning Confidence in Food and Agriculture
Economic & Industry Policies
Special Economic Zone
A Special Economic Zone could kick start the regional economy.
Regional Queensland mining and agriculture generate billions of dollars in government revenue and economic activity.
Rising costs and South East Queensland government-imposed regulation are putting this value at risk.
Action is needed to stimulate private investment in regional Queensland.
KAP wants to implement a Special Economic Zone scheme to create incentives for new projects in areas with rich mineral, energy and agricultural resources.
This classification would enable the Government to provide special regulatory and commercial arrangements for things like regulated transport services, agricultural water allocations, energy supply, and royalties.
Under this scheme the North West Minerals Province would be provided with immediate classification.
Other regional areas will be investigated as a matter of priority.
Royalty Retention
Regional Queensland punches above its weight but gets little in return.
Regional Queensland’s mineral and energy producing areas contribute a huge amount to the state economy.
What these areas get back from the government in terms of investment in infrastructure and services is completely inadequate and disproportionate.
For example, historic estimates of Gross Regional Product show that Mackay contributed more than twice the state average and the North West contributed three times the state average.
In the 2016-17 budget, $2.65 billion was allocated to capacity enhancing investment across the state.
Of this, only $147 million (less than six per cent) was allocated to projects in North and Outback Queensland.
This chronic underinvestment is leading to poor outcomes for regional Queensland.
Unemployment in North Queensland is higher on average than South East Queensland
and population growth is slower.
As of December 2017, unemployment in Brisbane city was 4.3 per cent.
Compare that with an unemployment rate of 13.1 per cent for outback Queensland.
KAP wants a new royalty framework that ensures a greater proportion of royalties are re-invested into the regions in which they created.
We also want $1 billion allocated over the next three years for new large scale infrastructure projects in North Queensland.
Royalty Ramp Up
Queensland needs to look at a royalty ramp up to stimulate investment.
In areas captured under KAP’s Special Economic Zone policy, royalty ramp-up arrangements would be available to new large mineral and energy projects that can demonstrate a clear economic benefit to Queensland.
The royalty ramp up mechanism improves the chances of a project going ahead by providing an upfront royalty discount, and increasing the royalty rate over the first five years of the project.
Importantly, the full royalty owed to the Queensland people is paid over the life of the project.
A royalty ramp up is required to re-start major project investment in regional areas.
To ensure companies are encouraged to invest quickly, the scheme will only be available until 2025.
Additionally, conditions will be attached to any royalty ramp up agreement that require using local labour and services.
Our biggest global mining competitors such as Canada utilise generous tax arrangements to encourage investment.
If Queensland doesn’t offer similar incentives, we will lose our position as a global mining leader.
Rural Development Bank
Access to reasonably priced finance could unlock regional Queensland’s potential.
KAP wants to create a Rural Development Bank to accelerate rural and regional development.
The bank would give businesses in rural and regional Queensland the chance to get reduced interest rate loans to expand and improve their businesses.
There are lots of initiatives across different industries that go unrealised because there isn’t access to reasonably priced finance.
The major banks underservice regional Queensland because they make more money in city areas.
The Rural Development Bank would work under flexible arrangements where it can act as the sole finance provider or complement commercial lenders willing to provide reasonably priced finance.
Energy
Electricity Prices
KAP wants a range of measures that would provide immediate energy price relief.
High energy prices are crippling businesses and hurting families.
Building more power stations is all well and good
– but this will take many years, and we need immediate relief from high prices.
Immediate measures to reduce electricity prices:
Ban the Optimised Replacement Cost valuation methodology used by Powerlink, Ergon and Energex to save customers $500 million to $1 billion per annum, and permanently put downward pressure on prices;
Remove the Competitive Neutrality Fee, estimated to permanently reduce prices by at least 10 per cent;
Remove the unnecessary margins applied by Ergon to the calculation of regulated prices.
This will result in an immediate five per cent price reduction for residential and business customers;
Introduce competition into regional Queensland by allowing any retailer to deliver the state government subsidy (Community Service Obligation) currently only available to the monopoly provider Ergon Energy;
Put an indefinite freeze on the escalation of transitional tariffs used in irrigation to maintain the competitiveness of our agricultural industry.
These measures will immediately reduce electricity prices
and give households and businesses choice where they buy their electricity.
Gas Supply
Queensland gas should be supplied to Queensland first.
Globally competitive energy costs have been one of the biggest drivers of our export industries.
Over the past 15 years, we’ve seen this competitive advantage disappear as Labor and LNP governments have driven energy prices up.
Both manufacturing and minerals processing have declined.
Rising energy costs have also hit primary producers hard.
KAP wants to pursue policies that minimise energy costs for households and businesses
and restore our competitive advantage.
KAP wants new legislation to establish an automatic Australian Market Supply Condition on any new gas production in Queensland.
This will require all new Queensland gas to be supplied to domestic end users
unless it can be shown that exporting the gas will provide a greater contribution to the domestic economy.
Contribution to the domestic economy is to be measured by long term job creation (either directly or in secondary industries which rely heavily on gas as an input)
and economic value created in secondary industries.
CopperString Project
This project would literally give power to the North West Minerals Province.
The CopperString project – which would see the North West Minerals Province connected to the National Electricity Market – was scrapped in 2012.
KAP wants to see this critical project reinstated.
This project would see the construction of a 720 km high voltage electricity transmission line from a new substation near Woodstock, south of Townsville, to a new substation near Cloncurry.
The line would then extend to Mount Isa where major energy users in the North West Minerals Province could connect to the power supply.
This important infrastructure will: Provide better access to energy supply for existing projects;
Reduce the North West Minerals Province’s reliance on gas;
Reduce the cost of energy for new projects, making development more likely;
Support the development of renewable energy resources in the North West; and
Provide National Electricity Market access for the highly valuable, reliable gas-fired generation that currently exists in the North West Minerals Province.
Isolated Solar Power Scheme
Help for primary producers to install solar pumps.
It may be a shock to city people, that not everyone in Queensland is connected to the electricity grid.
Many properties in rural Queensland rely on diesel to run generators to run their homes and farms.
This is expensive and is why KAP wants to introduce a scheme for grants and subsidised loans for primary producers to install solar pumps for irrigation and stock watering, as well as rooftop solar for homes and workshops.
This initiative will be targeted at properties not currently connected to the electricity grid, to offset the high cost of diesel.
Environmental Policies
Ethanol Mandate
Let’s increase the ethanol mandate to 10 per cent by 2025.
Ethanol presents a huge opportunity for the Queensland economy.
Global demand for biofuels is increasing and local consumers are seeing the benefits of lower priced ethanol blended fuels.
KAP wants to increase the ethanol mandate from 4% to 10% by 2025.
This will provide great opportunities for producers and local manufacturers and processors,
as well as increasing demand for agricultural products.
Crocodile Management
KAP values human life above crocodiles.
KAP’s Safer Waterways Bill addresses the very real issue of Queensland’s exploding crocodile population.
These increased crocodile numbers affect public safety
and threaten the agricultural, fisheries
and tourism industries on which our regional economy depends.
KAP’s Safer Waterways Bill puts greater value on human life than the lives of crocodiles, and seeks to responsibly reduce the risk of crocodile attacks.
It aims to eliminate crocodiles from our waterways that pose a threat to human life,
while protecting crocodiles from becoming endangered as a species.
The Safer Waterways Bill gives landowners power to manage crocodiles on their land.
It would also legalise crocodile egg harvesting in Queensland, which has been successfully implemented in the Northern Territory.
This, among other economic strategies, encourages the protection and breeding of crocodiles in areas they are able to live
with no threat to human life.
Flying Foxes
KAP wants immediate action on flying foxes.
KAP is pro culling flying foxes.
Flying foxes wreak havoc across Queensland.
There are many communities where sections of parks have become completely unusable and closed because of flying foxes taking over.
KAP wants flying foxes gone from populated areas.
We want Flying Fox Removal Funding available and accessible for councils or contractors to deal with this significant problem.
Firearms Policies
National Firearms Agreement
Law-abiding firearm owners should not be punished.
KAP wants to reverse changes made to the National Firearms Agreement.
The Queensland state Labor government under Annastacia Palaszczuk, with help from the LNP, agreed to changes to the National Firearms Agreement which have a significant negative impact on licenced firearms owners.
This includes limiting the amount of ammunition that can be purchased and reclassifying leaver action shotguns making them unavailable to most licenced shooters.
These changes are based on political bias with no evidence supporting claims of an increase in community safety.
KAP will always fight to protect the rights of law-abiding licenced firearms owners.
Category H Firearms
Farmers need access to category H firearms.
Any owner of a farming operation who has demonstrated responsible firearm ownership by holding a current weapons licence of category A, B or higher has a right to own a category H firearm.
KAP wants immediate steps taken to amend the practices of the weapons licencing division of the Queensland Police, to ensure farmers have access to category H firearms.
Improved Permit System
Real time licencing will free up resources to crack down on illegal weapons.
The current weapons licencing system requires manual processing of applications for permits to acquire for category A and B weapons.
This system is slow and inefficient
and creates community safety issues.
The time taken to process an application may mean individuals who commit an offence that make them ineligible to hold a licence are not captured.
The resources required by the manual system can be better invested into front line services focussed on stopping illegal weapons.
KAP wants to introduce a real time licencing system that enables permits to acquire to be processed at the point of sale.
This will mean less resources are required to process applications
and the police and retailers will have real time data on the eligibility of individuals to hold a licence.
First Australians Policies
Blue Cards
KAP’s Blue Card bill would provide a framework that empowers Indigenous communities
and still protects kids.
The existing Blue Card system, while well-meaning in its intention, is not practical in its application to remote communities.
Numerous examples exist where individuals who have made significant attempts to reform their behaviour are faced with no hope of accessing employment due to the Blue Card system.
The current system is a significant barrier to economic development in Indigenous communities.
Robbie Katter introduced a Bill into parliament in 2017 that calls for the creation of a new class of Blue Card that applies only to Indigenous communities.
The objectives of this Bill are to provide a new Blue Card framework that empowers Indigenous communities to make decisions which best serve their interests in relation to child protection
and employment of community members.
The new framework allows Community Justice Groups to issue Blue Cards, rather than the department, who typically have no knowledge of the circumstances or the individuals involved.
Child safety would still be the number one priority under KAP’s Blue Card bill, so people who have committed offences against children would not be eligible.
Title Deeds for First Australians
We need to make sure inalienable title deeds can be issued to First Australians.
The ability for first Australian communities to improve economic opportunities is significantly inhibited by lack of legal title to land in Indigenous Community Areas.
Currently no bank will lend money for commercial development without the security of a title deed.
According to Government records, there has only been one title deed issued in 25 years.
Under the 1984 legislation, nearly 1000 title deeds were issued in a little over three years.
KAP wants to ensure inalienable title deeds can be issued to first Australians for land in Community Areas.
Alcohol Management Plan
Alcohol management plans need to be reviewed and amended.
KAP wants to review and amend alcohol management plans for Indigenous communities at risk from increased use of drugs and supply of homebrew liquor.
Targeted licencing and carriage allowances in communities at risk will ensure that drugs and homebrew do not put lives at risk
whilst promoting a responsible drinking culture in those communities.
Health
Organ Donation
KAP wants an Opt out scheme for organ donation in Queensland.
The scheme has the potential to greatly increase organ donation
while still protecting individual freedoms to make a personal choice to be an organ donor.
Infrastructure Policies
Townsville-Mt Isa Rail Line
Rail line users have been priced off the rail line and onto the roads.
The Townsville – Mount Isa rail line (Great Northern Railway) is a key piece of infrastructure.
It provides mining and agricultural producers in North West Queensland access to domestic and international markets.
Queensland Rail (QR) operates the line and Queensland Competition Authority regulates it.
The goods transported on the line stimulate significant flow on economic activity on the east coast, including through the Townsville port.
Rail line users have faced massive price increases and access issues.
This is due to Queensland government imposing an unnecessarily complex and unbalanced pricing and access regime.
Because of this, the line is now underutilised, and businesses are putting their freight on the Flinders Highway instead.
This is creating road safety and maintenance issues.
Usage charges and access arrangements must encourage more rail line usage.
The Queensland Competition Authority needs to implement a pricing framework that makes rail line usage a viable option for business.
Gulf & Cape Cattle Roads
$100 million needed to upgrade key roads.
There is enormous potential to increase the cattle industry’s value in the Gulf and Cape York.
A thriving cattle industry will provide social and economic benefits through more jobs
and better utilisation of the vast grazing country.
To make this happen, there must be access to eastern and southern markets for finishing and slaughter.
Access to these markets requires investment.
We need investment in roads so triple road trains can travel safely from Cape York to the Tablelands.
KAP wants $100 million to upgrade key roads so triple road trains can access Gulf and Cape York cattle hubs.
Rodeo Grounds & Cattle Yards
The Indigenous cattle industry and broader community would benefit from multipurpose facilities.
KAP wants to develop multipurpose facilities incorporating cattle yards and rodeo grounds across the Cape and Gulf regions.
KAP wants a pilot facility built at Cooktown before the concept is rolled out across other locations.
The facilities would be used to promote the indigenous cattle industry
and provide important community infrastructure for rodeos and other social events.
Local labour would be used to build them.
Hann Highway
Fully sealing the Hann Highway would be a game-changer for transporting freight.
The Hann Highway is a more direct and efficient route for transporting freight between North Queensland and southern states.
The highway will reduce the distances between Far North Queensland towns and Melbourne by more than 500 km.
The Hann Highway also has the benefit of reducing freight traffic on the Bruce Highway
and stimulating economic activity in western Queensland.
Approximately $40 million is required to fully seal the highway.
KAP wants state and federal funding made available to seal the remaining parts of the highway.
Galilee Rail Line
Australians must own Australian assets.
The Galilee Basin is a huge geological basin in rural Queensland.
There are plans for a rail line to be built to the Galilee, so that future mine operators can freight minerals out of the Galilee to the coast for processing or export.
It is critical that Australians own and control this asset.
The federal government is irresponsibly proposing to provide a subsidised loan to a private foreign company – Adani – to fund constructing the rail line.
This would mean Adani would own the rail line.
If the government funds the line without ownership or control, it can kiss goodbye to further mining development opportunities in the Galilee.
Australia should own the rail line,
and charge Adani to use it.
This way other miners can potentially develop projects in the Galilee,
rather than Adani having control of it.
Justice
Relocation Sentencing
A serious plan to break the crime cycle.
Crime is a huge problem in regional Queensland.
The traditional sentencing and incarceration laws are not working,
particularly for young offenders.
Magistrates currently only have two options when dealing with an offender: send them to jail or put them straight back in the community.
KAP’s Relocation Sentencing policy would give them another option.
Magistrates would be able to send offenders to a remote, approved property.
They would work on the land to learn life skills and become better society members.
This would give offenders, particularly young offenders, a chance to break the offending cycle, before they become professional criminals,
while still keeping the community safe.
Rural & Regional Policies
North Queensland Separate State
The only way to unlock North Queensland’s full potential.
KAP wants North Queensland to split from the south to create a separate state.
We think it is important to revisit the lines that were drawn on a map more than 150 hundred years ago.
Queensland was originally part of New South Wales – it was one big state.
In 1851, there was a public meeting to discuss the possibility of the north splitting from New South Wales to become its own state.
People were worried that the people governing were geographically too far away.
In 1859, the state split and Queensland was created.
For too long, North Queensland has been treated as South East Queensland’s poor cousin.
KAP believes the only way to unlock North Queensland’s massive potential, is to create a separate state.
Successive governments have had 159 years to prove that they can govern the entire state, not just the south east corner, but time and time again North Queensland gets ignored.
It’s time to redraw the boundaries and give North Queensland the chance to thrive.
Rural Pubs & Clubs
A fairer go for rural hotels.
The current liquor licencing framework requires all pubs to pay the same licence fee regardless of their size or location.
This means that a tiny pub in Georgetown pays the same licence fee as the Breakfast Creek Hotel in Brisbane.
In 2017, Robbie Katter introduced a Bill into Queensland parliament to establish a new discount licencing framework for pubs in remote areas, who will only have to pay 10 per cent of the current licence fee.
This policy recognises the important role pubs play in small towns, where they are as much a community venue as they are a place to drink.
KAP wants to see small towns and communities thrive,
and one way to help achieve this is by ensuring businesses are not stifled by unreasonable fees.
This Bill gained the support of all sides of politics, however the 2017 state election was called before it was voted on.
Robbie Katter will reintroduce this Bill in the first sitting weeks of Parliament this year.
Financial Assistance Grants
Let’s ensure regional councils are given a fair share.
Local Government Financial Assistance Grants require a review into how funding is allocated across local councils.
Regional local councils get allocated too small a portion of the pot.
Metropolitan councils get allocated funding based on a similar proportional allocation methodology to regional councils, despite the need for funds being far greater outside south east Queensland.
For metropolitan councils, Financial Assistance Grants make up a minute percentage of their annual revenue and would suffer little from a reduction in their allocation.
Regional councils rely heavily on the grants to undertake vital works
and stimulate local employment.
KAP wants a change to the methodology for Local Government Financial Assistance Grants to ensure regional councils are given a greater share.
Transport
Taxis
All we want is a level playing field.
Rideshare services such as Uber continue to operate with little regard for community safety.
They also offer limited access to vulnerable Queenslanders and people in regional areas.
The impact these service are having on Queensland taxi owners and drivers will likely lead to a reduction in transport services available with disabilities and special needs.
At the same time, rideshare services operate outside the regulations which apply to taxis, which exist to keep people – both passengers and drivers – safe.
All KAP wants is a level playing field.
We want laws that ensure rideshare operators like Uber must comply with the same safety standards and service levels that exist for taxis.
Water Policies
Hells Gate Dam
Long-term water security for Townsville.
Hells Gates Dam is a major water infrastructure project located 120 kilometres north of Charters Towers and north west of Townsville to support large-scale irrigated agriculture on the upper Burdekin River
and to secure a long-term water supply for Townsville.
The project will add significant value to the region’s agricultural sector
and broader economy through job-creation,
tourism
renewable energy potential.
KAP wants project development activities initiated and for state and federal government provide capital commitments to support the project’s construction.
Coalstoun Lakes Dam
A project to expand irrigated agriculture.
KAP wants $3.5 million for a feasibility study into the Coalstoun Lakes dam project in the North Burnett region.
State and Federal governments have overlooked the significant water infrastructure project.
This is despite its potential to expand irrigated agriculture in a region with the best volcanic soil in Queensland.
The project would involve constructing a dam and infrastructure to use the significant unallocated water in Paradise Dam, about 40 kilometres away.
The project would support hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity through increased production of high value crops, such as peanuts and watermelons.
Irrigation Development Scheme
North West Queensland has potential for irrigated agriculture to grow both high value crops and fodder crops, to support cattle finishing and processing.
Government water allocations over the past 10 years have resulted in virtually no irrigation development in the region.
The government imposed cost and conditions on water releases from the Flinders and Gilbert river systems are incompatible with development.
KAP believes there should be a number of free, non-transferrable, licences under a North West Queensland Irrigation Development Scheme.
This would stimulate irrigation development.
Eligible independent landholders on the Flinders and Gilbert river systems would be able to take up 3000 megalitres of water a year under a free licence.
Independent farm operators would be able to grow crops to support their existing livestock operations or diversify their farm income.
50,000 megalitres would be set aside from each system for the trail period of five years.
The program would then be reviewed, to determine if the uptake and resulting development warrants expanding the program.
Licences would only be provided to producers with a demonstrated irrigation plan.
They would be non-transferrable between landholders.
Landholders who successfully develop an irrigation project during the trial period, would automatically have their trail licence extended for 20 years.
THE NATIONALS for Regional Australia POLICY DOCUMENT
OUR PLAN FOR POPULATION, MIGRATION AND BETTER CITIES
Our Plan for Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Key Points
The tragedy of suicide touches far too many Australian families.
Suicide is the leading cause of death of our young people – accounting for one-third of deaths of Australians aged 15-24.
The tragic impacts are even higher in Indigenous communities.
The Morrison Government is leading a change in the way Australians and Australian governments think about suicide prevention.
Recognising that social, financial, legal, family, health and mental health factors may all play their part, we are elevating suicide prevention to a national, whole-of-government priority.
Our $503.1 million Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan is the largest suicide prevention strategy in Australia’s history.
It will ensure that government activities are coordinated, services are delivered to young Australians at risk and support is available for friends and families.
Our Plan focuses on: Strengthening the headspace network,
Indigenous suicide prevention,
Early childhood and parenting support.
We will ensure young Australians and their families get help where and when they need it by investing an additional $375 million to expand and improve the headspace network.
headspace provides youth-friendly services for the challenges facing young Australians: across physical health, alcohol and other drug use, vocational support and mental health.
To strengthen Indigenous youth suicide prevention, we will invest $34.1 million, including support for Indigenous leadership that delivers culturally appropriate, trauma-informed care as well as services that recognise the value of community, cultural artistic traditions and protective social factors.
Our support includes $19.6 million for measures to prevent Indigenous youth suicide, particulary in the Kimberley.
To support Australian parents and their children we will invest $11.8 million in a range of initiatives to help parents recognise when their children are struggling, improve mental health skills training in schools, enhance peer support networks and boost counselling support services for young people.
We are investing $15 million to create a new national information system.
This will ensure communities and services can respond quickly to particular areas affected by a high incidence of suicide and self-harm.
For Australians living in rural and regional areas we are establishing more than 20 new headspace sites in these areas and we are providing new mental health telehealth services funded through the MBS.
Our plan also includes mental health and wellbeing projects, funded through our $1.25 billion Community Health and Hospitals Program to provide vital frontline local mental health services.
We are also delivering $22.5 million in specific youth
and Indigenous health research projects as part of our $125 million ‘Million Minds Mission’ into mental health research.
These investments can only be made because of a strong economy.
Our Record
Health care is a priority for every Australian.
That’s why we have a Long-Term National Health Plan based on four key pillars: Medicare and medicines, hospitals, mental health and medical research.
Our Government was the first to designate mental health as one of the four key pillars of the health care system.
Our Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention package builds on the record $4.8 billion that we are spending on mental health this financial year alone – more than half a million dollars every hour of every day.
One in five Australians experience a common mental disorder each year and almost half of us will face some form of mental health problem during our lives.
In prioritising mental health, we’re transforming the health landscape with a determination to keep Australians safe and well.
But it’s a major challenge, demanding a huge level of resources that can only come from good economic management.
The Morrison Government has delivered $1.45 billion to our Primary Health Networks to enable them to deliver ongoing and community-tailored mental health services to Australian families.
This investment will boost crucial services such as headspace, local psychological services, suicide prevention activities and community mental health nursing.
We have also shone a light for the first time on eating disorders, which affect almost one million Australians and have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness.
We have invested $110 million to provide Medicare rebates for the treatment of eating disorders, have funded ED Hope helpline and are establishing residential eating disorder centres across the country.
In 2018, we announced new support including $96 million additional funding for headspace, $96.8 million for the Mental Health in Education Initiative, $106 million for suicide prevention programs, $102.5 million for mental health services for older Australians, and $20.4 million to support the mental health of rural communities through the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
This demonstrates our commitment to early intervention irrespective of health, age or location.
We have established the Million Minds Mission: providing $125 million through the Medical Research Future Fund for mental health research.
The aim is to reach one million people and ensure that our health system continues to provide the best, most up-to-date treatments and interventions.
Our Government has also delivered enhanced suicide prevention services.
We provided an extra $33.8 million to increase the responsiveness of Lifeline’s telephone crisis support service.
Lifeline provides crisis support services to all Australians, including those impacted by natural disasters.
We have invested $37.6 million to expand the Beyond Blue Way Back Support Service aftercare model across Australia to support an estimated 28,000 people over four years.
This service supports Australians during the three months after they have attempted suicide and have been discharged from hospital.
Under the National Suicide Prevention Leadership Support Program, the Morrison Government provided $36 million for a range of projects designed to reduce suicide among at-risk groups and to reduce suicidal behaviour.
This supported organisations such as R U OK?, Mates in Construction and Suicide Prevention Australia.
We are committed to finding better ways to prevent suicide, establishing the National Suicide Prevention Trials in 12 nationwide locations at a cost of $55 million.
We have also created the National Suicide Prevention Research Fund – a $12 million fund supporting and disseminating research on suicide prevention.
The Morrison Government’s Long-Term Health Plan is delivering a world-class health system providing patients with access to quality medical care, record hospital funding, affordable life-saving medicines and breakthrough research.
By keeping our economy strong, Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme are guaranteed.
And we can afford to make major investments like our Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan.
Our Plan
headspace
The Morrison Government will enable more young Australians and their families get help where and when they need it with an unprecedented $375 million investment in headspace.
headspace provides youth-friendly services for the challenges facing young Australians.
This includes physical health, alcohol and other drug use, vocational support and mental health services.
We will expand the headspace network by 30 – from the current 115 services to 145 by 2021, at a cost of $111 million.
This will help more young Australians, their families and friends easily access support in their local communities.
More than 20 new sites will be in rural and regional Australia to ensure equitable access for younger Australians living outside our major cities.
These services are complemented by new mental health telehealth services in rural and regional Australia available through Medicare.
We are also investing an extra $152 million in existing services to reduce wait times, improve the quality of care and assure young Australians that help is available when they need it most.
To ensure that headspace is equipped to provide specialist clinical services for young Australians at the early stages of severe mental illness, we are providing $110 million to continue the Early Psychosis Youth Services program at six headspace centres nationally.
Our innovative $2 million investment in the Young Ambassadors for Mental Health project will improve awareness of these services.
Young ambassadors with the lived experience of mental health issues will be in the community, promoting mental health literacy and showing people how to seek help.
In total we are now delivering $120 million for headspace each year.
Indigenous youth suicide prevention
The suicide rate in our Indigenous communities is a tragedy.
We will bring a concerted focus to Indigenous suicide prevention with a $34.1 million investment to help tailor initiatives that make sense for those in need.
We will provide $4.5 million to empower Indigenous leadership in suicide prevention.
Indigenous Suicide Prevention Australia will establish a national plan for culturally-appropriate care, and services that recognise the value of community, trauma-informed care and protective social and emotional factors.
Understanding the value of cultural artistic and healing traditions, our Government will provide $5 million for young Indigenous leaders to participate in place-based cultural programs.
We will also support communities with a $3 million investment in a centre of excellence in childhood wellness in the Illawarra – assisting disadvantaged children and adolescents affected by childhood trauma.
And we are investing $1.2 million for Red Dust to deliver social and emotional wellbeing initiatives in the Northern Territory.
In addition we will provide $19.6 million through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy to prevent Indigenous youth suicide, particularly in the Kimberley, tailored to breaking the cycle of disengagement and mental health issues in Indigenous communities.
Early childhood and parenting support
Early childhood and parenting support, crucial to tackling issues that could exacerbate in later life, will be boosted by $11.8 million.
We will provide $1.5 million for the Raising Children Network at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute to provide tailored, expert guidance to parents – giving them the confidence to recognise when their children are struggling and to know what to do to help.
We want children to have the best start to life – to learn the skills to manage their mental and emotional wellbeing and to know how to seek help when needed.
For this reason, the Morrison Government will invest $2.5 million in the school-based mindfulness program, Smiling Minds, as part of Beyond Blue’s Be You mental health in education initiative.
We will also boost funding to Kids Helpline by $4 million to enhance the 24/7 crisis and ongoing care it provides for children and young people aged 5-25.
We understand that young people may sometimes feel more comfortable seeking help initially from peers.
We are providing $2.9 million to batyr to boost the role of peers in encouraging others to seek help; $0.4 million for the Banksia project to expand their innovative community program and $0.6 million for a trial of peer workers in Beyond Blue’s Way Back suicide aftercare service.
In addition, we have invested in a range of youth health hubs through our $1.25 billion Community Health and Hospitals Program, guaranteeing access to frontline services regardless of where young Australians live.
National coordination
We recognise that the causes of suicide are complex and emerge from a range of social, emotional, environmental and financial factors.
We will appoint a National Youth Suicide Prevention Adviser in the Prime Minister’s portfolio to work across the whole of government to coordinate suicide prevention activities, and to help design services that make a real difference.
We are also investing $15 million in a new nationwide suicide and self-harm monitoring system.
This will provide up-to-date information so communities and services can respond quickly in areas affected by a high incidence of suicide and self-harm.
For the first time, this will allow suicide prevention initiatives to be tailored to specific localities and deployed rapidly to save and protect those at risk.
Mental health research
As part of our Million Minds Mission, we will invest $22.5 million in new health and medical research.
Of this, $12.5 million will support research into how best to bring family, community, culture and country to the centre of mental health services for Indigenous youth.
There will also be $10 million to design better approaches to managing mental health care for young people in crisis and improve digital mental health support.
Supporting all Australians
The Morrison Government’s landmark $503.1 million youth mental health and suicide prevention package complements our $275.5 million adult mental health and community support package.
Together, this $778.6 million mental health and suicide prevention investment will address gaps in the system
and deliver more frontline services for all Australians.
The support builds on our record investment of $4.8 billion this financial year alone in mental health services.
the choice
Investing in youth mental health and suicide prevention is not a choice, it is a must.
The Liberal National Government's track record in delivering a strong economy ensures we can invest in essential services such as youth mental health and suicide prevention services.
Cost
The Coalition's plans for youth mental health and suicide prevention will not place additional costs on the Budget.
Our Plan for More Jobs in a Stronger Economy
Key points
A safe, secure and prosperous Australia depends on a strong and growing economy.
A strong economy delivers more jobs,
improved living standards and better essential services such as child care, education, health and infrastructure.
A strong economy ensures our defence and security agencies have the resources necessary to keep Australians safe.
When the Coalition was elected in 2013, the economy was weak, unemployment was rising and the budget was in a mess.
Today, the Coalition is building a strong economy,
creating jobs
and repairing the budget.
We have created over 1.3 million new jobs.
A record number of young Australians and women are in employment.
Welfare dependency is at thirty-year lows.
We have brought down a surplus budget while delivering the services that the Australian people deserve, all without raising taxes.
Record schools funding, record hospitals funding, more medicines on the PBS and more access to quality healthcare.
Good economic management makes it possible to balance the budget while providing better services and tax relief to hard-working Australian families.
But there is more to do.
The Morrison Government will build an even stronger economy based on individual enterprise and aspiration while looking after Australians who need a helping hand.
In particular, we will:Create another 1.25 million jobs over the next five years,
including 250,000 new jobs for young Australians.
Deliver the largest personal income tax relief in a decade, with tax relief of up to $1,080 for single income families earning up to $126,000.
For a dual income family that’s up to $2,160 back in families’ pockets in a few weeks’ time.
Ensure Australians have the skills they need through a new $525 million skills package with 80,000 new apprenticeships
in addition to record education funding.
Establish 10 training hubs in regional areas to create better connections between local industry and schools to improve outcomes for young Australians.
Expand the Youth Jobs PaTH Program to pilot up to 10 industry-led job pathway programs to better target the training and internship experiences for young people.
Expand the successful Transition to Work service to allow young people aged 22 to 24 years to also voluntarily access pre-employment services that help prepare them for work.
Transform our employment services system to help Australians who need extra support to get a job.
Strengthen small and medium businesses by lowering business tax, improving access to finance, ensuring small business is paid on time by big business and government, and increasing and expanding access to the instant asset write-off.
Better connect people to jobs, their homes and their communities, and allow businesses to connect to domestic and global export markets through a $100 billion infrastructure plan.
Expand export opportunities through market-opening trade deals.
Continue to support farmers by giving them the tools to capitalise when times are good – and the help they need when times are tough.
This includes $6.3 billion in support for drought-affected communities and $3.1 billion to support the rebuilding of agriculture in flood-hit regions.
Ensure the Government lives within its means with disciplined fiscal management without increasing taxes.
An uncertain international economic outlook underlines the need for a sure hand in guiding the economy.
A Labor Government would mean a drastic change in economic direction.
wages and jobs.
Labor has plans that would hurt investment, productivity,
Labor would hit the economy with $387 billion in new taxes on workers, retirees, superannuation, housing and family business.
A Shorten Labor Government would easily be the highest taxing government in the nation’s history.
And when Labor runs out of money they come after yours.
Its reckless 45 per cent emissions reduction target will harm the economy,
cost 336,000 jobs
and reduce wage growth while simply shifting industry and emissions off-shore.
Under Labor, trade deals will stall.
Militant union bosses will use old-style industrial muscle to disrupt workplaces and make unsustainable demands on business that will cost jobs and our economy.
The Australian people have the choice between a Government that is delivering a stronger economy or Bill Shorten’s Labor Party that would weaken the economy.
Our record
When the Coalition came to office, the Australian economy was heading in the wrong direction.
Unemployment was at 5.7 per cent and rising.
The budget position was deteriorating rapidly, with $240 billion in deficits recorded over Labor’s six years in government.
Debt was growing by 33 per cent a year, creating an unsustainable burden on future generations
and costing taxpayers money-for-nothing in growing debt repayments.
The Carbon Tax was increasing the cost of everything.
With weak growth and a deteriorating budget, Labor had abandoned essential services, failing to subsidise life-saving drugs, and denying guaranteed funding for schools and hospitals.
Promises of tax cuts were repeatedly abandoned.
The Liberal National Government has restored the Budget and secured funding for the essential services that Australians rely on.
The economy is stronger.
Taxes are lower.
Funding for schools and hospitals has been guaranteed and life-saving medicines are again being subsidised.
Australian exports are at record levels, boosted by trade deals that have provided Australian exporters with duty-free or preferential access to an extra 1.76 billion consumers in the world’s fastest-growing regions.
Our farmers and rural communities are being supported.
More than 1.3 million jobs have been created and the unemployment rate has fallen to 5 per cent.
Wages growth is starting to increase and the cost of essential services like child care and energy are beginning to fall as a result of the Government’s policies.
Over the last 6 years, the Australian economy has grown faster than virtually all developed economies, weathering the impact of the end of the mining investment boom and, more recently, the headwinds of the drought.
We have fixed the budget mess we inherited from Labor while still cutting taxes.
The Budget delivers a healthy surplus of $7.1 billion in 2019-20, a $55 billion turnaround from the deficit we inherited six years ago.
Our fiscal discipline will ensure these surpluses exceed 1 per cent of GDP as we reach our goal of eliminating Commonwealth net debt by 2030 or sooner.
This means we can end Labor’s legacy of wasteful debt repayments and spend more on essential services
while also keeping taxes low.
Our economic plan is also laying the platform for continued strong growth.
We are delivering lower taxes for hard-working Australians because we want Australians to earn more and keep more of what they earn.
We have brought forward tax relief for small and medium businesses that employ millions of Australians.
Our improved budget position enables us to invest more in the services that Australians rightly expect.
Quality health care, aged care, disability support, child care and schools.
Improved economic security for women.
Record spending on infrastructure.
Less congested roads.
Inland Rail.
And a new Western Sydney Airport and Melbourne Airport Rail Link – breaking deadlocks that had eluded successive governments for decades.
Reforms that strengthen our federation by providing a fairer and more stable approach to the sharing of GST receipts.
Additional resources for our corporate and financial regulators to ensure our businesses do the right thing.
Our Plan
The Morrison Government will build an even stronger and more competitive economy,
with lower taxes
and more jobs.
An ambitious jobs and skills plan
The Morrison Government understands the importance of more and better paying jobs to the living standards of hard-working Australians.
In 2013, we set a target of creating one million new jobs over five years and exceeded it.
Since September 2013, we have created more than 1.3 million new jobs.
The majority of these new jobs are full-time.
More than 100,000 young Australians between the ages of 15 and 24 found jobs last financial year – the largest number in Australia’s history.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, unemployment has fallen to 5 per cent – the equal lowest level in a decade.
The percentage of working age Australians on welfare is at its lowest level for a generation.
Australians are participating in the jobs market at record levels,
including record levels of female participation.
Not only are there more women in work than ever before, the gender pay gap is at its lowest level on record at 14.2 per cent and well below the 17.2 per cent gap when Labor left office.
We know that work offers opportunity.
We are committed to job creation.
That is why a re-elected Morrison Government will create another 1.25 million jobs over the next five years.
We will do this by building a stronger economy and supporting businesses to start and to grow.
The Morrison Government is determined to build on its strong record
and get more young Australians into work.
That is why we pledge that a re-elected Morrison Government will deliver 250,000 new young Australians employment over the next five years.
One in five of our new jobs will be for young Australians.
To ensure Australians have the skills they need to drive a growing economy, the Morrison Government will invest $525 million over five years in the vocational education and training (VET) sector to better equip Australians with the skills they need for today and tomorrow.
The package of measures will include 80,000 new apprenticeships in industries with skills shortages and a doubling of incentive payments to employers (to $8000).
The new apprentices - including bakers, bricklayers, plasterers, hairdressers, plumbers and carpenters - will also receive a $2000 incentive payment.
The Morrison Government will establish 10 industry Training Hubs to address the challenge of high youth unemployment in regional areas.
The Hubs will create better connections between local industry and schools to improve outcomes for students, employers and the VET sector.
They will be an on-the-ground presence where new approaches are needed to help students transition from school to training and work.
The Hubs will facilitate additional education for trainers as well as career advice and mentoring for young people with a specific focus on traditional in-demand trades.
A career facilitator will form partnerships between industries in sectors of local skills shortages and those providing advice and education to students.
This initiative will support Year 11 and 12 students at 10 pilot sites across Australia.
State Location Youth Unemployment Rate NSW Grafton 24.3%               Gosford 13.2%NT Alice Springs 12.1%QLD       Maryborough 19.8%              Townsville 17.7%SA Port Pirie 17.6%TAS Burnie                15.8%VIC Shepparton 16.7%WA Wanneroo 16.4%               Armadale 15.4%AUSTRALIA Armadale 11.5%
The 10 regions selected for the Training Hubs will also be eligible for the Commonwealth Scholarships Program for Young Australians.
This Program will support young Australians to enter the VET sector and gain the skills they need for a successful and rewarding career.
Successful candidates will be eligible for up to $17,500 in funding, varying based on scholarship length and type of study or training, for a maximum period of three years.
Priority will be given to eligible applicants in the following cohorts: individuals who have exited from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in the previous 2 years (the age criteria will not be applicable for ADF applicants)
individuals who have exited from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in the previous 2 years (the age criteria will not be applicable for ADF applicants)
Indigenous young Australians
young Australians with a disability, and
young Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
In addition to the broader Skills Package, a re-elected Morrison Government will also build on the success of our employment programs for young people.
By providing access to training, internships and wage subsidies, our targeted Youth Jobs PaTH Program has already helped over 43,000 young Australians into a job.
The Morrison Government will expand this program to pilot up to 10 industry-led job pathway programs to build collaboration between employers and jobseekers and enhance the opportunities for young people in growth industries.
The new programs will commence on 1 January 2020, cost between $50,000 and $2 million each, and be run by group training organisations or employer bodies.
The Morrison Government will also expand access to the successful Transition to Work employment service to young people aged 22 to 24 years.
Until now, the program has been targeted at 15 to 21 year olds, helping over 32,000 young people into a job or training activity.
The expansion of access will assist an extra 2,000 young people annually.
The Morrison Government will also expand access to the successful Transition to Work employment service to young people aged 22 to 24 years.
Until now, the program has been targeted at 15 to 21 year olds, helping over 32,000 young people into a job or training activity.
The expansion of access will assist an extra 2,000 young people annually.
To provide unemployed Australians with the help they need to get back into the workforce as quickly as possible, the Morrison Government is embarking on the biggest overhaul of the employment services system in a generation.
From 1 July 2020, we will pilot a new system which provides more intensive and targeted support to those who most need help;
gives greater flexibility to those who are capable of getting their own job;
and which works better for business by giving them access to the workers they need, when they need them.
Our reforms will ensure that even more Australians can benefit from our strong economy and experience the dignity and choice that employment brings.
The Morrison Government is ensuring the VET training system is flexible and responsive to critical skills shortages as they emerge.
For example, the Morrison Government will increase the lifetime loan limit available to aviation students studying at a VET Student Loans (VSL) approved provider to $150,000, up from $104,440.
This change, which comes into force in January 2020, addresses concerns from industry that the existing combined lifetime loan limit doesn’t adequately cover the cost of training for the licences and ratings issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
This change has also been extended to those who study at higher education providers.
Boosting regional employment
The Morrison Government knows that for a strong Australia we need strong regions.
And strong regions need strong employment.
Under the Coalition, regional unemployment has fallen from 6 per cent to 5.5 per cent.
The Morrison Government is determined to ensure that young Australians in rural and regional areas have the opportunity to secure an apprenticeship
while ensuring regional small businesses have the skills they need.
That’s why we introduced a new trial wage subsidy program to support eligible new Australian apprentices located in regional areas facing skills shortages to take up opportunities in areas such as plumbing, mechanical, electrical, painting trades and hairdressing.
Under the subsidy, eligible employers will be able to receive payments based on the apprentice’s relevant award wage rates.
Subsidies are provided at 75 per cent of the apprentice’s award wage in the first year, followed with 50 per cent in the second year and 25 per cent in the third year.
The $60 million program commenced on 1 January 2019.
We are also investing in innovative local solutions to employment challenges.
Our $18.4 million Regional Employment Trials program enables local stakeholders to develop regional approaches to assist unemployed people in 10 disadvantaged regions where there are limited job opportunities.
Our Stronger Transitions package provides a targeted package of intensive assistance to retrenched workers to find new jobs and take advantage of labour market opportunities across Australia.
Through partnerships with employers, the plan offers skills and training, employment support, labour mobility and access to small business opportunities.
We will also continue to support Australian farmers with tools to capitalise when times are good – and the help they need when times are tough.
This includes the Future Drought Fund and the Drought Communities Program to help farmers, and local communities that rely on them, prepare for and respond to drought.
The Liberal and Nationals Government will also continue to support farmers, families and communities with extra support to help rebuild agriculture in flood-hit zones, particularly via the North Queensland Livestock Industry Recovery Agency.
Lower taxes
The Morrison Government wants Australians to earn more and to keep more of what they earn.
Lower taxes are a critical part of our plan to deliver a strong economy
and record job creation.
In 2018, the Coalition’s three-part plan delivered $144 billion in personal income tax cuts.
The legislated package had three elements.
To provide immediate relief to address cost of living pressures, protect income earners from bracket creep and to simplify and incentivise the tax system by abolishing an entire tax bracket.
A re-elected Morrison Government will provide an additional $158 billion in tax relief for hard-working Australians.
It represents the largest personal income tax cuts since the Howard Government.
The changes will more than double the low- and middle- income tax offset from 2018-19.
Taxpayers earning up to $126,000 a year – including teachers, tradies and nurses – will receive a tax cut this year.
For a single income family, this will mean tax relief of $1,080 each year and up to $2,160 for families on a dual income.
More than 10 million taxpayers will benefit, with 4.5 million receiving the full amount.
And the relief will flow quickly and be available to Australians after tax returns for the 2018-19 year are submitted in July.
This tax relief will lift household incomes, ease cost of living pressures
and boost spending at local businesses.
A re-elected Morrison Government will also deliver long-term structural reform by lowering the 32.5 per cent tax rate to 30 per cent from 1 July 2024.
This will cover all taxpayers earning between $45,000 and $200,000 and mean that 94 per cent of taxpayers will pay no more than 30 cents in the dollar.
Unlike Labor, a re-elected Morrison Government will place a speed limit on taxes, and ensure that tax as a share of GDP does not rise above the 23.9 per cent cap.
Taxes will always be lower under the Morrison Government.
Backing small and family business
The Morrison Government believes that small and family businesses are the beating heart of Australia’s economy.
When small businesses are healthy, all Australians are better off.
It means more jobs,
more choice, better living standards and more vibrant and connected communities.
The Morrison Government wants small businesses to prosper.
We want them to employ even more Australians.
The Morrison Government is pursuing a number of measures to strengthen small and medium businesses and the national economy.
The Morrison Government will continue to deliver tax relief to small and family businesses.
The company tax rate for small and medium-sized companies with a turnover of less than $50 million has been lowered to 27.5 per cent.
This rate will be lowered further to 25 per cent by 2021-22 as the Government accelerates its plan to deliver lower tax rates.
Similar timing applies to the increases in the unincorporated small business tax discount rate, which will increase to 16 per cent by 2021-22 (up to the cap of $1,000).
The instant asset write-off threshold has been increased from $25,000 to $30,000 and expanded to include medium-sized businesses with annual turnover of less than $50 million.
The initiative will benefit around 3.4 million businesses employing around 7.7 million workers.
The Morrison Government will make it easier for aspiring and existing small businesses to secure finance to start or expand their business.
The $2 billion Australian Business Securitisation Fund will increase access to more competitive finance following analysis that small to medium enterprises did not have access to the finance they need to start or grow their businesses.
The new pool of capital will help address this gap, as smaller banks and non-bank lenders will have access to more capital specifically for the sector.
The Morrison Government will also ensure small business is paid on time, both by government and big business.
Affordable and reliable energy
The Morrison Government’s Energy Plan will deliver affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for Australian households and businesses.
The Morrison Government has given the green light to the Snowy 2.0 project by committing to a $1.4 billion equity injection.
The project will firm up intermittent renewable energy by bringing 2000 megawatts (MW) of new renewable pumped hydro capacity into the system that will provide up to 175 hours of storage which can meet the peak demand of up to 500,000 homes.
The Morrison Government has joined with the Tasmanian Government to accelerate the Battery of the Nation and Marinus Link projects by providing $56 million for the Marinus Link interconnector – a second electricity transmission connection between Tasmania and Victoria.
To ensure a sufficient supply of reliable energy, the Morrison Government is delivering a program to underwrite investment in new reliable generation.
This will support increased competition in the National Electricity Market and help reduce wholesale electricity prices.
The Morrison Government has agreed to a shortlist of 12 projects representing a combined capacity of 3,818 MW equivalent to around 7 per cent of the National Electricity Market.
To reduce electricity costs for households, a re-elected Morrison Government will stop price gouging by energy companies.
This includes banning sneaky late payment penalties, making energy retailers pass on savings in wholesale prices and stopping anti-competitive behaviour.
A price safety net will stop big power companies ripping off loyal customers.
The Morrison Government will also provide relief for electricity consumers through a one-off, income tax exempt payment of $75 for singles and $125 for couples to around 4 million eligible social security payment recipients, assisting with their next power bill and cost of living expenses.
Building modern and productive transport infrastructure
The Morrison Government has a $100 billion, 10 year infrastructure plan to better connect people to jobs, their homes and their communities, and allow businesses to connect to domestic and global export markets.
Since 2013, the Coalition has made commitments to more than 770 major projects, as well as thousands of smaller upgrades across every local government area and region in Australia.
Over 270 major projects have already been completed, with over 160 under construction,
providing over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Investing in infrastructure projects that support the productive capacity of the economy supports growth and supports the Budget.
The Coalition’s reforms to project selection, including assessment by Infrastructure Australia for projects receiving over $100 million, will ensure benefits flow across the economy.
The Morrison Government has developed a rolling 10-year infrastructure pipeline, locking in funding over the medium-term to give greater certainty for state and territory governments to plan for new projects and for industry to invest in business and workforce capacity.
The Coalition will work with state and territory governments - who are responsible for procurement on their road and rail networks - to ensure tendering processes encourage competition.
This will ensure taxpayers get value for money,
while also building the diversity and capability of the Australian construction sector.
Creating more export opportunities through better infrastructure
Quality infrastructure is essential for the nation’s productive capacity and to better connect us to international markets.
The Morrison Government will continue to invest in the transformation of Australia’s transport corridors to open new markets to Australian businesses
and make it easier to move goods from our primary producers and industries to domestic and overseas markets.
As part of the Coalition’s $100 billion 10-year infrastructure plan, significant investments are being made in rail, road and intermodal facilities, such as the Gladstone Port Access Road ($100m), the Shepparton Bypass on the Goulburn Valley Highway ($208m) and Tranche 3 of the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation Program ($68m).
The signature Roads of Strategic Importance initiative has been increased to $4.5 billion to ensure our key freight roads efficiently connect agricultural and mining regions to ports, airports and other transport hubs, and manufacturers can connect to their market.
The Coalition will continue to deliver the $9.3 billion Inland Rail from Brisbane to Melbourne, a once-in-a-generation infrastructure project connecting regional Australia to national and international markets.
This project – already under construction – will deliver economic and social benefits across the country.
The nature of the freight task is evolving and freight volumes remain on track to double in the 20 years to 2030.
A co-ordinated national approach will drive action in investment, planning and data and technology.
To help position Australia to meet this challenge, the Coalition will finalise a National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy with all tiers of government.
Creating more export opportunities through trade deals
In just six years the Liberal National Government has embedded Australia into the major economic engines of our region.
The Government has concluded export agreements with China, Japan, Korea, the 10 economies of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP-11)1, the 10 countries of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER Plus)2, as well as Indonesia, Peru and Hong Kong.
Australian exporters now have duty-free or preferential access to 2.8 billion consumers around the world, up more than 1.75 billion since the Coalition came to office.
Australia’s free trade partners account for more than 55 per cent of global GDP, or over $44 trillion.
Our trade deals have created substantial new opportunities for Australian exporters, including our farmers, manufacturers, miners and service providers.
For example, the value of exports of fresh or chilled Australian beef to Japan has increased by 42 per cent to $1.2 billion since the Japan-Australia free trade agreement came into force.
The value of Australian exports of fresh grapes to China has increased more than 9 times to $150 million since the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement came into force.
And there’s more to come.
The Morrison Government’s export agreement with Indonesia, once in force, will provide a major boost for Australian farmers.
Under the agreement, producers of grains, live cattle and meat, dairy and horticulture, and many other products will benefit from lower tariffs and improved access to Indonesian markets.
Australian grain growers will be able to export feed grains into Indonesia tariff free, building on our substantial milling wheat exports.
A re-elected Morrison Government will prioritise the conclusion of a free trade agreement with the European Union, the implementation of the India Economic Strategy and the expansion of the Trans Pacific Partnership.
Other market-opening opportunities include a free trade deal with the United Kingdom as soon as they are ready to do so as well as a trade agreement with the 4 nation Pacific Alliance.
The Morrison Government will also help more Australian businesses to take on the world.
The 2019-20 Budget provided an additional $60 million for Export Market Development Grants to allow small and medium businesses to capitalise on these opportunities.
Ensuring the Government lives within its means
The Morrison Government has restored our nation’s finances.
This turnaround has been achieved by building a strong economy and applying careful fiscal discipline.
Real spending growth is at its lowest level by any government for half a century.
Australia’s budget is back in the black with a surplus of $7.1 billion in 2019-20.
Over the next four years, the budget will deliver $45 billion in surpluses, growing to more than 1 per cent of GDP from 2026-27.
We will reach our goal of eliminating Commonwealth net debt by 2030 or sooner.
This is a critical achievement as the interest bill on Labor’s legacy of debt in just one year was $18 billion – enough to build 500 schools or a world-class hospital in every state and territory.
The Choice
There is a lot at stake at this election.
And there is a clear choice.
A choice between a Government that is delivering a strong economy or a Labor Party that would weaken our economy.
A choice between a Government that is fixing the budget or a Labor Party that can’t manage money.
A choice between a Government that is making life easier for families by lowering taxes or a Labor Party that will put more strain on households by imposing $387 billion in new taxes on workers, retirees, families and small business.
A choice between a Government that can afford to pay for better infrastructure and services or a Labor Party that would max out Australia’s credit card.
A choice between a Government that has secured our borders and is keeping Australians safe or a Labor Party that has learned nothing from its border security failures.
An uncertain international economic outlook underlines the need for a sure hand in guiding the economy.
A Labor Government would mean a drastic change in economic direction.
A Shorten Labor Government would easily be the highest taxing government in the nation’s history.
And when Labor runs out of money they come after yours.
An economic leap in the dark
A Shorten Labor Government will be very different from a re-elected Morrison Government.
Under Labor, personal and business taxes will be higher not lower.
Labor’s track record tells you there will be budget deficits instead of surpluses.
A reckless emissions reduction target instead of a responsible one.
Policy based on envy rather than aspiration.
Union muscle rather than the rule of law.
Mr Shorten will take Australia in a very different direction.
It will be an economic leap in the dark.
Labor’s plan means fewer jobs
In the last 6 years, the Liberal National Government created more than 1.3 million jobs.
In the next 5 years, a re-elected Morrison Government will create another 1.25 million jobs.
It’s a credible promise because the Liberal Nationals have a proven record in job creation.
The opposite is true of Labor.When the last Labor Government was elected in 2007, the jobless rate was 4.4 per cent.
When Labor left office 6 years later, the jobless rate was 5.7 per cent and rising.
And there were 54,700 fewer young people with jobs.
That’s a record of job destruction not creation.
Labor’s key policy proposals will not create new jobs.
Labor’s plan for $387 billion in new taxes will strangle economic growth.
That means fewer jobs not more.
Labor’s reckless 45 per cent emissions reduction plan will kill 336,000 jobs by 2030, according to independent peer-reviewed modelling.
Labor’s plan to give militant unions the power to control workplaces will destroy jobs, especially for young Australians.
Labor will blow the budget
Since 1989-90, Labor Governments have delivered 12 budgets, but not a single surplus.
Like the Rudd/Gillard/Rudd Governments, a Shorten Labor Government will never deliver a surplus budget.
It is a habit Labor cannot break.
Labor regularly and cynically leaves massive deficits for incoming Coalition Governments to fix.
In 1996, the incoming Howard Government inherited an underlying cash deficit (in today’s dollars) of $26 billion or 1.5 per cent of GDP.
3 The Howard Government returned the Budget to surplus.
In 2013-14, Labor left the Coalition Government an underlying cash deficit of $48.5 billion or 3 per cent of GDP.
Like the Howard Government a decade ago, the Coalition has again repaired Labor’s budget mess and this year returns the Budget to surplus.
If given the chance, Labor will squander the surplus again, even with tens of billions in new taxes, as they did before.
We must not reward Labor’s cynicism.
We cannot repeat this cycle again.
We must not give up all the gains we have made.
Labor’s tax assault will weaken essential services
Labor’s $387 billion of higher taxes over the next decade will reduce the capacity of the economy to fund essential services like health, education, infrastructure and national security.
This is equivalent to an extra yearly household tax bill of $5,400 within a decade.
A potential Labor Government would be the highest taxing Australian government on record.
This would be a dangerous experiment on a scale that has never been conducted before.
When taxes rise, economic growth slows.
When growth slows, government revenue falls.
When government revenue falls, budgets slide deeper into deficit.
It becomes harder to provide high quality essential services including health, education, infrastructure and national security.
Business and consumer confidence fall.
Growth slows further.
Deficits deepen.
The cost of servicing the debt grows.
The economic downward spiral accelerates.
A Shorten Government will bow to the iron fist of militant union bosses
The Labor Party has never been more deferential to militant union demands.
Labor would put militant union bosses back in charge.
They have promised a return to lawlessness in the construction industry by abolishing the Australian Building and Construction Commission.
Last time they abolished the construction industry watchdog, days lost to industrial action in the industry increased by 660 per cent.
They would allow a return to bad behaviour by dodgy trade union bosses by abolishing our anti-corruption agency for unions and employer associations, the Registered Organisations Commission.
They would threaten the livelihoods of 35,000 owner truck drivers by promising a return of the union-friendly trucking tribunal that threatened to put them out of business.
And they are a risk to the CFA volunteer firefighters that we protected from a hostile union takeover despite constant opposition from Labor.
Labor would also completely change the rules of industrial relations.
Labor has already promised to impose industry-wide strikes, allow politicians to interfere with pay decisions, tear up enterprise bargaining, give union bosses the upper hand in negotiations, give unions the power to pilfer workers’ entitlements held in accounts they control, exempt union-run industry super funds from tax hikes, impose a union veto on trade agreements and restrict backpacker work visas that help our farming sector.
This alone will hurt jobs
and the economy.
And who knows what other changes former union leader Bill Shorten would make to keep militant union bosses happy.
Labor’s reckless emissions reductions will flatten the economy, jobs and wages
Labor’s reckless 45 per cent emissions reduction target will damage virtually every sector of the Australian economy.
Labor also wants to increase the cost of family SUVs and tradies utes by $5,000 and restrict choice of vehicles with its new car tax.
Economic modelling by respected economist Dr Brian Fisher has found Labor’s 45 per cent target will slash economic growth
, jobs and wage growth.
Over the decade to 2030, there will be a $472 billion hit to the Australian economy,
336,000 jobs will be lost and average yearly full-time wages will shrink by nearly $9000 by 2030.
All sectors, except iron ore, will shrink.
Electricity prices will nearly double under Labor’s target.
The Cost
The Coalition’s Plan for a Stronger Economy
and More Jobs will not place additional costs on the Budget.
Our Plan for Lower Taxes for Small Business
KEY POINTS
Small businesses are the beating heart of the Australian economy.
When small businesses are healthy, all Australians are better off.
It means more jobs,
more choice, better living standards
and more vibrant and connected communities.
When you work hard, build your business and invest in your community you are having a go.
And you will get a go under the Morrison Government.
That’s what the Morrison Government believes in.
That’s why we are backing small business to invest, employ more workers and grow their business.
We will lower taxes for small, medium and family businesses.
We will make it easier for them to employ even more Australians.
We will incentivise their investment in productivity-enhancing equipment.
We will expand their access to finance.
We will ensure they have the skills they need for today and tomorrow.
We will ensure they get a fair go by stopping big business abusing their market power.
We will ensure they are paid on-time by government and larger businesses.
We will lift the red tape and paperwork burden.
We will enable them to get their products to their customers more quickly with modern transport infrastructure.
We will give them access to billions of global consumers with market-opening trade agreements.
We will ensure they have affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.
We will help them seize the opportunities provided by the digital economy.
We will support their mental health and wellbeing so they can support their family, business, employees and local community.
We will support tens of thousands of Australian women through our female entrepreneurs programs.
It is part of our plan for a stronger economy that provides the settings and opportunity for business to do what it does best.
Labor do not believe in enterprise and aspiration.
Labor’s taxes are bad for business.
Small business will get hit twice.
First, Labor's higher taxes would directly hit small business.
Second, a Shorten Labor government would be the highest taxing government in Australia’s history.
That will weaken our economy and make it a harder environment for small business to operate in.
OUR PLAN
The Morrison Government is already delivering lower taxes for small and medium businesses.
Lower taxes mean more money to reinvest back into the business
and create more jobs for Australians.
The Morrison Government has already provided lower taxes to around 3.4 million small, medium and family businesses employing over 7 million workers.
We have fast tracked small and medium businesses moving to a lower corporate tax rate.
The Morrison Government has already lowered the tax rate from 30 per cent to 27.5 per cent.
And this rate will be cut further to 25 per cent by 2021-22 - five years earlier than previously planned.
Fast-tracking these lower taxes will benefit around 970,000 small and medium companies that employ over 5 million workers.
We will ensure that unincorporated small businesses receive comparable treatment through an increase in their small business discount.
This will benefit around 2.4 million businesses employing 1.9 million workers.
The Morrison Government is also helping small and medium businesses invest
And grow through increasing and expanding the instant asset write-off.
It has been increased from $25,000 to $30,000 and it can be used every time an asset under that amount is purchased.
That will enable a café to get a new fridge or grill, a plumber to buy new tools or a courier a new van.
The incentive will also be expanded so medium-sized businesses with a turnover up to $50 million can access it.
This will benefit an extra 22,000 additional businesses employing around 1.7 million workers.
The Morrison Government has set a speed limit on taxes as a share of our economy.
We are ensuring that the economy isn’t burdened with higher and higher taxes.
The personal tax relief we are providing to millions of Australians will help boost spending at local small businesses.
Haylee and Martin own a company, HM Nurseries Pty Ltd, through which they operate several nurseries in Newcastle.
HM Nurseries Pty Ltd has an aggregated turnover of $5.2 million and a taxable income of $150,000 for the 2019-20 income year.
They employ 15 workers.
To continue to expand the business, and offer delivery services to clients, HM Nurseries Pty Ltd purchases two new vans halfway through the financial year.
The vans cost $29,000 each, exclusive of GST.
Under previously announced arrangements, the vans each cost more than the $25,000 threshold for the instant asset write-off in the 2019-20 income year.
This means they would be added to HM Nurseries Pty Ltd’s small business depreciation asset pool and depreciated by 15 per cent.
HM Nurseries Pty Ltd would claim a tax deduction of $8,700 for the depreciation of the vans.
Under the new $30,000 instant asset write-off, HM Nurseries Pty Ltd would instead claim an immediate deduction of $58,000 for the purchase of the two vans in the 2019-20 income year, $49,300 more than under previously announced arrangements.
This will help the business to invest, grow and employ more workers.
The Morrison Government’s changes mean that HM Nurseries Pty Ltd pays less tax, increasing its cash flow by over $13,500.
Mark owns a company, Lat Val Pty Ltd, through which he operates a food manufacturing business in the Latrobe Valley employing 60 staff.
Lat Val Pty Ltd has an aggregated turnover of $25 million and a taxable income of $900,000 for the 2019-20 income year.
Ordinarily Lat Val Pty Ltd would be too large to access the instant asset write-off, but the changes in the 2019 20 Budget mean it can now benefit.
Lat Val Pty Ltd purchases 10 new commercial ovens halfway through the income year, at a cost of $12,000 each, exclusive of GST, to allow Lat Val Pty Ltd to expand its business and improve efficiency.
Under existing tax arrangements, Lat Val Pty Ltd would depreciate the new ovens using an effective life of 15 years.
Choosing to use the diminishing value method, Lat Val Pty Ltd would claim a tax deduction of $800 per oven, a total deduction of $8,000 for the 2019-20 income year.
Under the new $30,000 instant asset write-off, Lat Val Pty Ltd would instead claim an immediate deduction of $120,000 for the purchase of the 10 ovens in the 2019 20 income year, $112,000 more than under existing arrangements.
This will help the business to invest, grow
and employ more workers.
The Morrison Government’s changes mean that Lat Val Pty Ltd pays less tax, increasing its cash flow by $30,800.
THE CHOICE
Labor do not believe in enterprise and aspiration.
Labor's plan for higher taxes will cost Australian small businesses.
Each and every one of Labor’s $387 billion of higher taxes are bad for business.
Not only will small business suffer directly from higher taxes, they will feel the effects of the flow-on impact of a weaker economy.
Within a decade, Labor's tax hit will be the equivalent to an extra yearly household tax bill of $5,400.
That is $5,400 less to spend at local businesses.
That’s $5,400 less going back into the community.
A Shorten Labor government would be the highest taxing government in Australia’s history.
This would weaken our economy and provide fewer opportunities for small business to thrive.
Labor are proposing a dangerous experiment on a scale that has never been conducted before.
Each and every one of Labor’s new taxes will hit small, medium and family businesses across Australia.
Labor’s $230 billion income tax and $6.5 billion deficit levy will limit enterprise and aspiration.
Unincorporated small businesses will be directly hit as their business grows and incomes rise as a result of their hard work.
Small business will feel the effects if legislated tax relief is taken away from millions of Australians, reducing spending at local small businesses.
Labor’s $31 billion housing tax will reduce home values and increase rents.
Small business owners will be directly hit as they often rely on the equity in their homes to secure finance - making access to finance more difficult as the value of their homes reduces.
Small business owners will be directly hit by higher rents.
Small businesses in the construction industry will be hit with the Master Builders Association finding that Labor’s policy would result in up to 42,000 fewer new dwellings, 32,000 fewer full-time jobs and an $11.8 billion drop in building activity.
Labor’s $57 billion retiree tax will destroy the value small business owners have built up in their business.
Small business owners will be directly hit if they receive dividends from their business.
It will destroy the plans of older small business owners who have spent many years building their business,
creating jobs
and investing in their community,
with the plan to use the franking credits from their small business in retirement.
It will hit main street small businesses in communities with large retiree populations, as retirees will no longer be able to afford to go out for the club meal, purchase a coffee and cake or buy some toys for their grandkids.
Labor’s $27 billion family business tax will tax small family businesses at the same rate as large multinational companies.
300,000 small family businesses will be directly hit with a minimum tax rate of 30 per cent.
It will hurt small businesses that are using these trusts for asset protection, estate planning or to manage cash flows.
Labor’s $34 billion in superannuation taxes will punish start-up and micro business owners limiting how they can contribute to their superannuation.
Labor will no longer allow personal superannuation contributions to be deducted where more than 10 per cent of their income is from outside their business - a common occurrence if they are working another job while establishing their business.
800,000 Australians are estimated to benefit from working part time, taking a salary while establishing their business.
Labor’s $2 billion tax return tax will mean an extra cost for many sole trading businesses to comply with Australian tax laws, and because they can no longer afford it will mean they do not get the important advice they need.
Making matters worse the $387 billion tax hike doesn’t take into account Labor’s electricity and car taxes.
Small business will be directly hit as the cost of doing business is pushed up, and the car tax will mean businesses may not be able to purchase the vehicles they need to do the job properly.
The choice is clear.
Small, medium and family businesses will suffer as a result of Labor’s $387 billion plan for higher taxes.
By contrast, the Morrison Government has a proven track record of backing small and medium businesses and a plan for lower taxes for small, medium and family businesses.
COSTS
The Coalition’s plan for lower taxes for small business will not place additional costs on the Budget.
Our Plan to Support Retirees
Key points
Retirees should enjoy choice.
The reward for a lifetime of hard work should always be a long, healthy and dignified retirement.
When you work hard, save and provision for the future, nothing should stand in the way of your freedom and independence.
That’s what the Morrison Government believes.
And that’s why we’re backing retirees to achieve their goals of self-reliance and fulfilment.
We will support retirees’ independence and dignity.
We will ensure their savings are protected.
We will protect and expand access to self-managed super.
We will not undermine the value of their home.
We will not hit them with new taxes on superannuation.
Guaranteed.
We understand that not everybody will face the same circumstances or make the same choices later in life.
Our policies respect these differences: whether you’re a self-funded retiree or a pensioner.
The same cannot be said of Bill Shorten and the Labor Party.
Labor thrives on conflict, including policies to turn retirees against pensioners.
Their devastating Retiree Tax is a $57 billion tax grab that would hit over 1 million Australians.
This includes more than 900,000 Australians with direct shareholdings, 200,000 self-managed super funds and 1,800 super funds.
On average, these retirees would lose almost $2,300 a year – and more than half of them are women.
Self-managed super funds would lose $12,000 a year.
Labor claims their Retiree Tax will only slug the wealthy, but the truth is that 84% of Australians who would be affected are on a taxable income of less than $37,000.
And 50,000 pensioners in self-managed super funds would also be hit.
The Morrison Government believes in choice, freedom and dignity for all Australians who have worked hard.
Labor has no respect for those who have worked hard, paid taxes and planned for an independent retirement.
Our Plan
Our policies are already delivering for retirees and pensioners.
We are backing self-funded retirees and pensioners by: Guaranteeing no new taxes on superannuation.
Improving flexibility of the superannuation system.
From 1 July 2020, Australians aged 65 and 66 will be able to make voluntary superannuation contributions even if they do not meet the current work test requirement to work at least 40 hours over a 30-day period in the year they seek to make contributions.
For example, it means part time workers – such as a 65 year-old who works one day a week and who wouldn’t meet the current work test – can now contribute to superannuation.
Providing wage subsidies and training incentives for mature age workers.
Protecting and expanding access to self-managed super, with a plan to extend the maximum size of self-managed super funds from four to six members – enabling more families to take control of their retirement savings.
Widening choices in later years through an expanded pension loans scheme, giving around 1.8 million Australians the option to boost their income by drawing down on more of the equity in their own home.
Allowing contributions to super from the proceeds of downsizing, up to $300,000 for eligible Australians aged 65 and over.
Continuing to give self-managed super funds the flexibility to borrow on a non-recourse basis to help maximise returns for retirement.
In contrast, Labor has promised to ban this practice.
Stopping Labor’s unfair Retiree Tax.
Currently, most retirees who receive share dividends get a (franking credit) refund on the tax they have already paid via the company in which they invest.
By abolishing tax refunds on dividends, Labor’s Retiree Tax would reach into the pockets of over 1 million Australians, many being retirees and pensioners, taxing them again.
Stopping Labor’s unfair Housing Tax. Labor’s plan to abolish negative gearing as we know it will push down home values.
An independent report found house prices will fall as much as 16 per cent, or around $100,000, on a typical house in Melbourne.
Stopping Labor’s plan for four new superannuation taxes, which would hit around 1 million Australians.
The Choice
There is a lot at stake at this election.
And there is a clear choice.
A choice between a Government that is delivering a strong economy or a Labor Party that would weaken our economy.
A choice between a Government that is fixing the Budget or a Labor Party that can’t manage money.
A Shorten Labor Government would be the highest taxing government in the nation’s history.
When Labor runs out of money they come after yours.
When you take responsibility and save for your own retirement, Labor comes after your money.
Bill Shorten now describes refunding franking credits as a “gift”. (Doorstop, 12 April 2019)
Even though Labor supported this policy as recently as 2017.
Of course, in Australia we have dividend imputation – a great Labor reform – which means that every domestic payer of corporate tax in effect gets it back.
We actually refund our corporate tax to our domestic investors, something which is quite unique around the world and often gets lost in this debate. (Chris Bowen, House Hansard, 11/9/2017)
Bill Shorten and his Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen want to punish Australians who have worked hard and saved for retirement.
Their arrogant response to those who would lose out from their tax hit?
We don’t care, vote for someone else.
I say to your listener: if you feel very strongly about this, if they feel that this is something that should impact their vote they are of course perfectly entitled to vote against us. (Chris Bowen, radio interview, 30/1/2019)
Australian retirees, including the 50,000 pensioners who will be hit by Labor’s policy, deserve to be treated with respect, not hit by unfair taxes.
Bill Shorten believes retirees are a piggy bank to be raided as part of Labor’s $387 billion tax assault.
By contrast, the Morrison Government has a proven track record of respect for the independence, dignity and choice of older Australians.
We will guarantee and protect retirement savings and superannuation.
Our Plan for Lower Energy Costs for Small Businesses
KEY POINTS
Small businesses are the beating heart of Australia’s economy.
When small businesses are healthy, all Australians are better off.
It means more jobs,
more choice, better living standards
and more vibrant and connected communities.
Australia’s 3.4 million small, medium and family businesses employ over 7 million workers.
We understand power prices are hurting Australian small businesses,
preventing them from employing more people and grasping new opportunities.
The Morrison Government is committed to lower power prices while keeping the lights on.
The Morrison Government is taking strong action to lower power prices to ensure our small, medium and family businesses can continue to grow strongly.
We are already seeing results.
By mid-2019, over one million Australian families and small businesses will benefit from electricity prices falling by up to 15 per cent.
Our Fair Deal on Energy delivers affordable, reliable, 24/7 power to Australian families, businesses and communities:A price safety net to protect loyal customers and help families and small businesses make empowered and informed decisions about their energy plans.
Big stick legislation to stop the big energy company rip-offs and ban sneaky late payment fees.
Supporting reliable power by requiring energy companies to sign contracts guaranteeing enough energy to meet demand.
Underwriting investment in new reliable power generation to improve competition, including Snowy 2.0, Battery of the Nation and a shortlist of reliable generation projects.
The ACCC forecasts that underwriting new generation can reduce wholesale power prices by more than 25%.
A new Energy Efficient Communities Program will provide $50 million through more than 2,500 grants to eligible businesses and community organisations, helping them save energy and reduce their power bills by installing new equipment or reviewing and improving their energy management.
The Morrison Government has a clear plan to reduce power prices for families and businesses.
In contrast, by 2030, Labor’s reckless emissions policies will reduce the average full time wage by $9,000 in real terms, reduce the number of jobs by 336,000
and increase wholesale electricity prices by 58 per cent.
Labor also wants to increase the cost of business SUVs and tradies' utes by $5,000 and restrict choice of vehicles.
OUR RECORD
Since 2013, the Liberal National Government has:Abolished the carbon tax, saving households and small businesses $200 on electricity bills and $70 on gas bills in 2014-15.
Taken action to ban retailers from charging sneaky late payment penalties.
Implemented National Energy Market rules that will protect small businesses:Banning retailers from offering confusing discounts.
Requiring energy retailers to notify customers when their discounts are about to finish or change.
Requiring retailers to accept self-meter reads instead of estimated reads so customers are accurately charged.
Upgraded the Energy Made Easy website to empower customers to get a better deal, and invested $11.7 million in the Business Energy Advice Program, delivering practical advice to help small businesses get better energy deals and increase their energy efficiency.
Reined in the power of the electricity networks, which if Labor had done when last in Government, would have saved consumers more than $6 billion.
Supported the COAG Energy Council’s establishment of Energy Consumers Australia to represent households and SME consumers.
Secured more gas for Australian businesses through the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism.
The Liberal National Government has provide more funding and new powers to enable the ACCC to monitor electricity and gas prices.
We have directed the ACCC to hold an inquiry into prices, profits and margins in the National Electricity Market and committed $31.9 million in additional funding for the ACCC and Australian Energy Regulator.
We have also funded the ACCC to monitor the behaviour and prices of producers, exporters, pipelines and retailers in our gas markets.
Our Plan
Our Fair Deal on Energy delivers affordable, reliable, 24/7 power to Australian families, businesses and communities.
Small Business Energy Efficiency Programs
The Morrison Government’s Energy Efficient Communities Program will provide $50 million through more than 2,500 grants to eligible businesses and community organisations, helping them save energy and reduce their power bills by installing new equipment or reviewing and improving their energy management.
Eligible small businesses will be able to claim grants of up to $20,000 and high-energy using businesses up to $25,000.
Funding will support activities to help businesses and community organisations to save energy through:equipment upgrades that reduce energy consumption
investment in energy monitoring and management systems to better manage energy use
completion of energy systems assessments or feasibility studies to investigate energy efficiency opportunities
Small businesses will also be able to access a $30,000 instant asset write-off to purchase new energy-efficient equipment.
Price Safety Net
From 1 July 2019, we will permanently get rid of the ‘loyalty tax’ and lock in better deals for nearly 800,000 households and small businesses.
The price safety net will protect loyal customers and help small businesses make empowered and informed decisions about their energy plan.
For households or equivalent small businesses, changing to default market offers from standing offer tariffs could save up to $479 in South Australia, $696 in New South Wales and $660 in south-east Queensland.
Advice for Small Business
We have invested $11.7 million in the Business Energy Advice Program, delivering practical advice to help small businesses get better energy deals and increase energy efficiency.
Further information on the practical steps small businesses can take to get better deals, switching energy providers and better managing their energy use is available online at our ‘Powering Forward’ campaign (energy.gov.au).
Delivering Reliable Energy Supplies
The Morrison Government is supporting reliable 24/7 power by requiring energy companies to sign contracts guaranteeing enough energy to meet demand, and underwriting investment in new reliable power generation to improve competition.
Our investments include Snowy 2.0, Battery of the Nation and a shortlist of reliable generation projects.
The ACCC forecasts that underwriting new generation can reduce wholesale power prices by more than 25%.
The Government’s $56 million investment in the Marinus Link – a second interconnector between Tasmania and Victoria will – unlock Tasmania’s world-class renewable hydro resources.
The Battery of the Nation will bring more affordable and reliable electricity to millions of homes and businesses.
The Marinus Link and Battery of the Nation will also create 3,800 direct and indirect jobs during construction
and deliver a $7 billion economic stimulus to north-western Tasmania and regional Victoria.
This is the type of investment which unlocks opportunities for small businesses.
Regional and Remote Small Businesses
The $50.4 million Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund will support up to 50 off-grid and fringe-of-grid communities and businesses to investigate whether establishing a micro grid is cost-effective
and whether existing off-grid capabilities can be upgraded with modern technology.
A micro grid is energy infrastructure at the community level, generally in rural and remote areas, including farms, and in the mining sector and Indigenous communities.
Micro grids include generation (often a diesel generator), transmission (the poles and wires) and any storage.
Micro grids can be entirely separate from the grid or connected.
The Morrison Government’s $50.4 million micro grid program will allow communities to improve their local transmission, install community-scale batteries to support existing generation (such as solar), or upgrade existing facilities such as old diesel generators.
Moving some remote customers to off-grid supply could save hundreds of millions of dollars in network costs and reduce bushfire risks, while delivering more reliable and affordable power.
The Choice
Labor do not believe in enterprise and aspiration.
Each and every one of Labor’s $387 billion of higher taxes are bad for business.
A Shorten Labor Government would be the highest taxing Government in Australia’s history – and that’s without taking into account Labor’s electricity and car taxes.
Labor’s plan for higher taxes will cost Australian small business twice.
First, they will be directly hit as the cost of doing business increases.
Second, a Shorten Labor Government will weaken our economy
and make it a harder environment for small business to operate in.
During the last Labor Government, power prices doubled and went up each and every year.
Labor’s reckless emissions targets will drive up power prices once again,
cost jobs and reduce wages.
Labor’s policies will not reduce global emissions as businesses, jobs and wages are forced overseas.
By 2030, Labor’s reckless targets will reduce average full time real wages by $9,000, reduce the number of jobs by 336,000 and
increase wholesale electricity prices by 58 per cent.
Labor’s car tax will increase the costs of vehicles by over $4,800 and mandate EVs for half of all new car sales.
Seventeen of the top 20 vehicles sold in Australia don't have models which meet Labor's new carbon standard.
Tradies and small businesses which require larger vehicles will be hardest hit by these policies.
Cost
The Coalition’s plan for reducing energy costs for small businesses will not place additional costs on the Budget.
Our Plan for Keeping Australians Safe on our Roads
Key Points
The Liberal and Nationals Government has a plan to help make Australians safer on our roads.
Our plan to deliver a strong economy is ensuring we can guarantee the essential services Australians rely on with increased funding for schools, hospitals, medicines and roads.
Our record $100 billion investment in transport infrastructure will reduce congestion, keep our roads safe, connect people to jobs and get our produce to market.
As part of our commitment to road safety, the Morrison Government is making record investments in Australia’s road network, including:$4 billion from 2019-20 under the Urban Congestion Fund to improve traffic safety and flow and increase network efficiency for commuter and freight movements in major urban areas
$4.5 billion under the Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) initiative to support the upgrade of key regional road corridors
Improving local roads, including:                       an additional $1.1 billion for the Roads to Recovery Program
an additional $550 million for the Black Spot Program
an additional $275 million for the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program and
an additional $275 million for the Bridges Renewal Program.
The quality of our roads has a big impact on safety.
So too do risky driving behaviours such as speeding, driving under the influence, driver fatigue and, increasingly, driver distraction such as mobile phone use.
To help with safer driving options and to combat driver fatigue, a re-elected Morrison Government will:Work with state and territory governments, local councils, industry and other road safety stakeholders to develop a nationally consistent approach to new and improved pullover bays with a focus on single lane highways, popular tourist routes and off-network roads.
Invest an additional $8 million in capped grants to help upgrade the 175 existing Driver Reviver locations nation-wide to improve amenity and to support the establishment of new sites.
Invest $4 million in a Road Safety Awareness and Enablers Fund.
Initial priorities will include:$1.2 million over four years to support the Driver Reviver program to improve awareness of sites and for engagement of volunteers.
$1 million over four years to partner with industry to develop and promote programs to better educate caravan, campervan and motorhome drivers on safety awareness.
Invest $16 million to extend the Keys2drive program for a further two years to 2022-23, an initiative that provides a free theory and practical lesson to learner drivers and their supervisors.
Invest up to $1.8 million to support a one-year pilot of the Australian Safety Foundation’s Digital Road Safety Passport for Schools for Year 9 students. The pilot will cover the foundations of road safety – including getting to and from school safely.
Our Plan
The Liberal and Nationals Government is delivering national leadership on road safety through major road investments, improvements to policy collaboration across all governments and road safety stakeholders, and taking practical steps to reduce driving risks.
Better and safer roads
The Morrison Government is making record investments in Australia’s road network through our $100 billion infrastructure investment plan over the next 10 years.
We have committed to more than 770 major projects and more than 24,000 local projects across the nation since coming to government.
We established the $4 billion Urban Congestion Fund to bust congestion, improve traffic safety and flow, and increase network efficiency for commuter and freight movements in major urban areas.
We have also established the $4.5 billion Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) initiative to support the upgrade of key regional road corridors which connect agricultural and mining regions to ports, airports and other transport hubs.
Across the nation, ROSI will deliver sealing, flood immunity, strengthening and widening, and pavement rehabilitation works, as well as bridge and culvert upgrades, and road realignments.
As part of the 2019-20 Budget we are improving local roads, committing an extra $2.2 billion for key road initiatives, including: $1.1 billion for the Roads to Recovery Program
The Howard Government established the Roads to Recovery Program in March 2001 and on returning to government in 2013 the Coalition committed to expanding it once the Budget returned to surplus.
We have also made Roads to Recovery an ongoing initiative rather than a terminating program.
This brings total Roads to Recovery funding for local councils to $5 billion over the next ten years.
This funding will help local governments respond to local priorities, providing for thousands of new projects.
$550 million for the Black Spot Program
The Black Spot Program specifically targets road locations where serious crashes have occurred to reduce the risk of further accidents.
The program funds safety measures such as traffic signals, roundabouts, turning lanes, safety barriers and lighting at locations where there is a history of at least three casualty crashes in five years and at other emerging high risk locations.
Over 2,100 projects have been approved since 2013.
These projects are estimated to save around 250 lives and prevent more than 12,500 injury crashes over 10 years.
$275 million for the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program
The Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program will receive an extra $25 million a year from 2019–20 to deliver safer roads for trucks and more opportunities for drivers to rest.
This program provides funding for rest-stops, parking/decoupling bays, technology trials and other road safety enhancements.
$275 million for the Bridges Renewal Program
The Bridges Renewal Program funds the replacement of bridges to enhance access for local communities and make roads safer. In the 2019–20 Budget, we committed an extra $25 million a year.
This will build on a recent round of the program which upgraded and replaced 126 ageing bridges in rural and regional Australia.
Safer drivers
Governments have an important role in helping motorists make better decisions about the safety of their vehicle and their driving.
With human error contributing to more than 90 per cent of road accidents, we have a massive opportunity to save lives and prevent injuries by ensuring we drive smarter and safer.
Building on our investments in long-running, respected road safety programs, a re-elected Morrison Government will go further by providing $8 million in capped grants to help upgrade the 175 existing Driver Reviver locations nation-wide to improve amenity and provide for new equipment, as well as to support the establishment of new sites.
Grants could be made for a range of purposes, including the maintenance and extension of seating and refreshment facilities.
We will also provide $1.2 million over four years to support delivery of the Driver Reviver program as an initial priority under the $4 million Road Safety Awareness and Enablers Fund established in the 2019-20 Budget.
This will improve awareness of Driver Reviver sites for commuters and support greater participation of volunteers.
Priority activities will include improving community engagement and supporting volunteer training and co-ordination.
In addition to new support for Driver Reviver, the Fund will also provide:$1 million over four years to partner with industry to develop and promote programs to better educate caravan, campervan and motorhome drivers on safety awareness;
$400,000 of seed funding over two years for the Australian College of Road Safety to establish a self-sustaining International Outreach Chapter;
$200,000 over four years for sponsorship of Fatality Free Friday;
$200,000 over four years, with matching funding from state and territory governments, for a Road Worker Safety Campaign;
$200,000 over four years for the annual Australasian Road Safety Conference; and
$25,000 a year to co-sponsor (on rotation with each state and territory) Australia’s launch event of the annual National Road Safety Week.
Supporting young drivers
The Morrison Government is committed to the safety of young drivers.
We have locked in funding of $16 million for Keys2Drive to guarantee delivery of the program over the next four years.
Keys2Drive provides a free theory and practical lesson to learner drivers and their supervisors, and an educational website with supportive resources and information.
The Morrison Government is focused on increasing uptake in regional areas where young drivers in particular are overrepresented in crashes.
As a precursor to Keys2Drive, the Morrison Government will provide up to $1.8 million in additional funding to support a one-year pilot of the Australian Safety Foundation’s Digital Road Safety Passport for Schools for Year 9 students.
Tragically, children continue to die and be seriously injured not just in cars but as pedestrians.
It’s important that they understand the road rules when they are walking home from school, a passenger in a car, and ultimately as a learner driver.
The pilot will trial targeted road safety material in classrooms and online, with a view to rolling out the initiative to all 11-15 year-old students in partnership with the states and territories.
National Leadership
The Morrison Government is taking national leadership on road safety to ensure all governments continue to invest in safe road transport.
We will make road safety a standing item at all meetings of the COAG Transport and Infrastructure Ministerial Council meetings and improve linkages with other COAG Councils with an interest such as health, education and policing.
Our plan is to:Develop the next National Road Safety Strategy, with ambitious and measurable KPIs and strategies focused on reducing road trauma.
Finalise the governance arrangements across the road safety system and agree a comprehensive implementation plan for the recommendations of the 2018 Inquiry into the National Road Safety Strategy.
The the Morrison Government is making additional road safety investments including:$12 million for a Road Safety Innovation Fund;
$6 million for the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative;
$6.6 million for the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP);
$5.9 million for a new Federal Office of Road Safety to drive reforms, improve coordination and performance reporting, and promote road safety in partnership with the states, territories , local governments and stakeholders; and
$2.6 million for the Australian Road Research Board to assist local governments to assess road asset management and maintenance.
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s plan to keep Australians safe on our roads builds on our record of improving road safety, including:Under our $10 billion Bruce Highway Upgrade Program there has been a 31 per cent reduction in crashes and a 32 per cent reduction in fatalities since 2013
Investments in the Pacific Highway are delivering a safer road for the thousands of motorists who use it every day.
Fatalities have more than halved, down from more than 40 per year prior to the commencement of the upgrade in 1996 to less than 20 in recent years.
Infrastructure to improve heavy vehicle operations across Australia, including to help heavy and passenger vehicles share our road network via the $508 million Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program.
The Choice
The Morrison Government has a comprehensive plan to improve safety on our roads.
upgrading major highways and local roads;
ensuring better vehicles with the latest safety technology are on the road;
providing a suite of driver education initiatives; and
improving and increasing the number of rest areas across the nation to help keep Australian drivers and their families safe.
We have committed record funding of $100 billion for infrastructure across the country to make sure hardworking Australians can spend more time at home with their families.
Importantly, our plan for better infrastructure will be achieved without adding $387 billion of new taxes over the decade.
Because Bill Shorten and Labor can’t manage money, it can’t run strong budgets that result in investment for local roads let alone our major highways.
When last in power, Labor neglected regional road funding with flow-on consequences for road safety.
Instead of working to improve road safety and implement practical measures, Labor plans to reinstate its union-dictated Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT), which would once again discriminate against family-owned businesses and bring the trucking industry to its knees.
Our Government will stand up for small business.
We know that joining a union doesn’t make a truck safer,
but it does put up costs and threaten jobs – especially in the regions.
After abolishing the RSRT, the Liberal National Government redirected $15.6 million over four years to the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiatives program – providing grants for projects that actually improve heavy vehicle safety.
We have increased funding for this program by $6 million in the 2019-20 Budget. Labor would dismantle this program to fund the re-establishment of the RSRT.
Cost
The Morrison Government is investing an additional $9.8 million in road safety to ensure Australians get home safe.
Our Plan for Strengthening Australia's World-Class Health System
Key Points
The Morrison Government’s Long-Term National Health Plan is providing Australians with access to quality medical care, record hospital funding, affordable life-saving medicines and breakthrough research for new drugs and treatments.
Our goal is to make our health system even stronger and to ensure it is the best in the world.
By keeping our economy strong we will ensure the essential health services that Australians rely on, such as Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Medicare funding is at record levels.
Almost nine out of 10 Australians who visit the doctor have no out of pocket costs with GP bulk billing rates at a record 86 per cent, up from 82 per cent under Labor.
We are keeping the cost of health care down by increasing funding for diagnostic services such as MRIs and PET scans to detect breast cancer.
In partnership with GPs, we will improve options for more flexible care to meet the needs of patients and to keep them healthy and out of hospital with a $1.6 billion package to strengthen primary care.
Australians have access to the latest medicines through the PBS – with reduced costs on more than 2,000 new and amended medicines listings since 2013, thanks to an investment of $10.6 billion.
These medicines are saving and changing lives.
Record funding will be provided for public hospitals with an additional $31 billion from 2020-21 to 2024-25 to employ more nurses, doctors and specialists, delivering – in partnership with the states and territories – more surgeries and medical services.
With one in five Australians affected by a mental health disorder, we are expanding support services particularly for young people.
We are working to address the nation’s suicide rate with the largest youth suicide prevention plan in Australia’s history focused on expanding headspace, Indigenous youth suicide prevention and supporting children and their parents.
Australians living in rural and regional Australia have greater access to services including through new regional cancer centres, expanded telehealth services, regional clinical trial centres and increased opportunities for Australia’s rural and regional health workforce.
Our 10-year medical research plan through the $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund backs our local scientists and ensures we can quickly take life-saving discoveries from the laboratory to the hospital.
When Labor was last in Government, their budget mismanagement denied patients affordable access to life changing medicines.
Hospital funding and bulk billing rates were lower under Labor. And Labor won’t commit to the Private Health Insurance rebate.
If you can’t manage the budget, you can’t invest in essential health services.
Introduction
A stronger economy means the Morrison Government can guarantee the essential services that Australians rely on.
Our Long-Term National Health Plan is based on four key pillars: Medicare and medicines, hospitals, mental health and medical research.
Over the next four years, we will invest a further $6 billion in Medicare.
Under the Morrison Government, almost nine out of 10 Australians who visit the doctor have no out of pocket costs with GP bulk billing rates at a record 86 per cent, up from 82 per cent under Labor.
We will deliver a $1.6 billion package to strengthen Australia’s world-class primary care system, helping GPs provide better care and keep people healthy and out of hospital.
For the first time we are making Medicare available for MRI and PET scans for breast cancer with an investment of $32.6 million to benefit 15,000 patients during their diagnosis and pre-surgery planning.
This is in addition to the $198.6 million funding for diagnostic imaging to reduce the costs of vital scans and x-rays, plus a further $375 million expansion of more than 50 MRI licences around the country.
All up, our investment in diagnostic imaging totals more than $606 million and benefits all patients requiring diagnostic services.
Since coming to Government, the Liberal Nationals Government has invested $10.6 billion to add over 2,000 new medicines listings to the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS).
We are subsidising breakthrough medicines such as Spinraza for spinal muscular atrophy, Orkambi for cystic fibrosis and new immunotherapy drugs for cancer.
These are medicines that change and save lives.
We are bringing new cancer treatments to Australia such as the revolutionary CAR-T cell treatment for cancer, which has the potential to provide a cure for blood cancers.
Ensuring a strong economy has enabled the Morrison Government to deliver record funding for public hospital services.
Funding has increased by 60 per cent to a record $21 billion in 2018-19.
When Labor left office in 2013, public hospital funding was $13 billion.
The Morrison Government is prioritising support for mental health services with funding exceeding $4.8 billion in 2018-19.
This includes a $375 million expansion of headspace services and new residential centres for treating eating disorders.
We will trial eight new adult mental health centres as an alternative to Emergency Departments.
And we are supporting farmers and regional communities affected by natural disasters to ensure they get the support they need through increased mental health services including telehealth services.
We will invest $70.2 million to establish new residential eating disorders treatment facilities nationally.
This builds on the $110 million announced in December 2018 to create the first specific, comprehensive Medicare items so that people affected by eating disorders can access up to 40 psychological services and 20 dietetic services.
Importantly our $503.1 million Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan is the largest suicide prevention plan in Australia’s history and focuses on expanding the headspace network, Indigenous suicide prevention and early childhood and parenting.
We are supporting Australians who have diabetes.
Having delivered our commitment to provide continuous glucose monitoring for children at risk, we’re expanding the program to over 37,000 pregnant women and concession card holders over the age of 21.
We will invest a further $1 billion to provide core dental services for children and enable families to claim up to $1,000 in benefits under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
The Morrison Government is also expanding the National Immunisation Program to cover whooping cough vaccines for pregnant women and adolescents with a vaccine protecting against meningococcal strains ACWY.
We are also investing $12 million over the next three years to extend the reach of the childhood immunisation education campaign to encourage vaccinations which save lives and protect children from serious diseases.
Investment in medical research is critical to the release of new medicines, medical devices and disease treatments.
We will invest $6 billion to develop these new treatments and potential cures in collaboration with Australia’s health and medical research sector.
Genomics is being prioritised to develop personalised treatments for cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, ageing and dementia and mental health.
This includes $614 million for clinical trials for rare cancers, rare diseases and unmet needs.
The Morrison Government is implementing the most comprehensive rural health package in decades, which will improve access to doctors, nurses and other health care services for all Australians, especially those in the regions.
We believe that people living in rural and regional Australia deserve the same access to high-quality healthcare services as those living in capital cities.
That is why we are investing $550 million for the Stronger Rural Health Strategy, which delivers 3,000 additional doctors and more than 3,000 additional nurses and allied health professionals in rural general practice over the next decade.
In addition we will invest $100 million to establish the Rural and Regional Clinical Trials Infrastructure Program.
Our Plan
Guaranteeing Medicare
We have established the Medicare Guarantee Fund, which is guaranteeing the ongoing funding of the Medicare Benefits Schedule and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme with $36.6 billion in 2019-20.
We will increase Medicare spending by $6 billion from $24.7 billion in 2018-19 to $30.7 billion in 2022-23 – far exceeding the $19.5 billion allocated by the former Labor Government in 2013.
We have removed Labor’s Medicare Freeze with the re-indexation of Medicare and diagnostic imaging, totaling $2.4 billion from 2017-18 to 2022-23.
Record GP Bulk Billing
Under the Morrison Government, almost nine out of 10 Australians who visit the doctor have no out of pocket costs with the GP bulk billing rates at a record 86 per cent, up from 82 per cent under Labor.
Over 133 million free GP services were delivered in 2017-18 – an increase of 5.7 million from 2016-17 and 27.3 million more than Labor managed in their last year.
Supporting our GPs to provide better care
The Morrison Government will deliver a $1.6 billion package to strengthen Australia’s world-class primary care system, supporting Australia’s doctors and specialists to deliver better care for patients.
A new $448.5 million funding and service model will support GPs to provide enhanced care to patients, many of whom will have chronic and complex conditions.
This will allow Australians aged 70 and over to enter into a new type of agreement with their general practice to receive more personalised, consistent and coordinated care.
GPs and others in their practice will be able to provide consultations, referrals, scripts and test results by email, phone, FaceTime or Skype – making it easier and more convenient for patients, including those in rural, regional and remote areas.
Doctors will be supported by a $201.5 million boost to the Practice Incentives Program Quality Improvement Initiative including funding to treat aged care residents.
More Affordable Medicines
Under the Liberal National Government, more than 2,000 new or amended medicines listings have been added to the PBS since 2013.
That’s an average of one new or amended medicine listing a day, worth a total of over $10.6 billion, including $1.4 billion for cancer medicines in the past year.
Unlike Labor’s track record we have a commitment to list all medicines on the PBS after a positive recommendation from the medical experts.
The PBS is an uncapped scheme and we have provisioned $40 billion for these life-changing medicines on the PBS over the next four years.
Many of these drugs cost thousands of dollars, but are now available through your local pharmacy for $6.50 (concessional) or $40.30 (general patients) per script.
These life saving and life changing medicines include:Opdivo and Yervoy® for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma, which would otherwise cost patients $254,200 per treatment course without subsidy.
Ibrance® and Kisqali® for advanced and metastatic breast cancer are now available, which would otherwise cost up to $70,000 per year without subsidy.
Venclexta® in combination with Rituximab for the treatment of adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, which would otherwise cost $165,000 per treatment course without subsidy.
Tagrisso® for non-small cell lung cancer which would otherwise cost $88,000 per treatment course without subsidy.
Spinraza® a life-changing medicine which treats the devastating illness Spinal Muscular Atrophy is now available on the PBS, which would otherwise cost more than $367,850 per year without subsidy.
Orkambi® for cystic fibrosis, which would otherwise cost $250,000 without subsidy.
Through community pharmacies we will continue to support quality use of medicines programs such as dose administration aids and medicines checks.
LOWERING THE PBS SAFETY NET
A re-elected Morrison Government will also invest $308 million to further cut the cost of life changing prescription medicines for over 1.4 million Australians who require multiple medicines.
From 1 January 2020 the Safety Net threshold to receive free or cheaper medicines through the PBS will be lowered by 12 scripts for concession card holders and the equivalent of 2 scripts for non-concession card holders.
This change will mean that people will take less time to reach their safety net threshold saving them up to $80 per year and providing them earlier access to free medicines or medicines at a reduced co-payment.
This will be of particular benefit to families who require multiple medicines per month and pensioners and individuals with multiple chronic conditions such as heart disease, high cholesterol, arthritis, asthma and diabetes.
Greater Access to Life-saving Diagnosis, Scans and Tests
We will significantly expand access to MRI scans covered by Medicare which will help keep the cost of health care down for families, and boost the fight against cancer and other serious conditions.
We will invest $375 million in more than 50 Medicare-eligible MRI licences across the country.
We will invest $32.6 million to provide Medicare funded MRI and PET scans supporting the 15,000 Australians diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
The Morrison Government has also announced an extra $198.6 million investment in diagnostic imaging to reduce the cost of these services for patients by re-indexing more than 90 percent of services – including ultrasounds and x-rays.
This will lead to lower costs when patients see their radiologists, obstetricians and cardiologists.
It is the first time in 20 years that a government has increased funding for these essential services – once again, Labor failed to act to reduce these costs for patients.
We are providing record funding for Medicare funded blood tests by investing $2.95 billion for approximately 145 million pathology services last year alone, an 8.5% increase.
This is an increase of $572 million since we were first elected and this investment in services will continue to grow to over $3.4 billion in 2021-22.
This has led to record bulk billing rates for out of hospital Medicare pathology services – 99.3% in 2017-18.
We are paving the way for the future of diagnosis with a $500 million Genomics Mission focused on how we improve access to genetic tests that will enable more individually targeted cancer treatment.
Simpler and More Affordable Private Health Insurance
For the 13 million Australians who rely on private health insurance, we have introduced reforms to make it more affordable and easier.
These include: •Four easy-to-understand levels of cover to make it easier to compare insurance policies.
•Discounts for Australians under 30 of up to 10 per cent.
•Greater access for mental health services.
•Greater travel and accommodation benefits for regional and rural Australians.
These reforms have resulted in the lowest average premium change in 18 years.
The Morrison Government will guarantee the private health insurance rebate.
Labor’s plan for private health insurance will remove the rebate from low-cost policies and force over 65,000 Australian families to pay up to 16 per cent more for their health cover.
Record Hospital Investment
Ensuring a strong economy has enabled the Morrison Government to deliver record funding for public hospital services.
Funding has increased by 60 per cent to a record $21 billion in 2018-19.
When Labor left office in 2013, public hospital funding was $13 billion.
Under the Morrison Government funding for hospitals will continue to grow.
Under a new national hospitals agreement with the states and territories, the Morrison Government has committed an additional $31 billion in public hospital funding from 2020-21 to 2024-25, taking overall funding during this period to over $131 billion.
The Morrison Government will continue to increase funding for every hospital in every community and every state and territory across Australia, with full details available at the Department of Health Funding Facts website, health.gov.au.
Patients in every state and territory will also have access to improved health and hospital services under our landmark $1.3 billion Commonwealth Health and Hospitals Program (CHHP).
Funded projects include:$100 million for Australia’s first Comprehensive Children’s Cancer Centre at the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick;
$30 million for a new state-wide brain and spinal rehabilitation unit at the revamped Repat Health Precinct in South Australia;
$80 million for a Centre of Excellence in Cellular Immunotherapy at Melbourne’s world-leading Peter McCallum Cancer Centre;
A $25 million redevelopment of the Peel Health Campus in Western Australia and cancer treatment, elective surgery and outreach specialist services for Tasmania.
We will also invest $65 million for a 16-bed inpatient cystic fibrosis unit at the Westmead Hospital, which will integrate admission services with ambulatory care and research.
This will be Australia’s first dedicated cystic fibrosis specialist unit which will provide specialised treatment with state-of-the-art equipment, with consulting, research and diagnostic facilities all under one roof.
Medical Research Delivering Breakthrough Medicines
Investment in medical research is critical to delivering new life-saving treatments.
The Morrison Government's $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) is supporting our local scientists to turn their medical discoveries into clinical trials and revolutionary treatments.
Under the MRFF, we are committed to a new 10-year $5 billion investment strategy underpinned by four key themes: patients, researchers, translation and missions.
This includes doubling the funding for rare cancers research;
unprecedented investment in medical discoveries;
more than doubling the funding for research fellowships and record funding for research infrastructure.
Our medical research missions tackle major health challenges and support future medical advances:The $125 million Australian Brain Cancer Mission aims to double the survival rates and improve the quality of life for patients with brain cancer over the next ten years.
The $500 million Genomics Health Futures Mission aims to transform the lives of more than 200,000 Australians through research into better testing, diagnosis and treatment with precision medicine.
The $185 million Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Research Mission will improve the quality of life of older people, enhance workforce capability and improve quality of care.
The $220 million Cardiovascular Mission will improve health outcomes through prevention strategies, earlier detection and improved outcomes for patients suffering a heart attack or stroke.
The $160 million Indigenous Health Research Fund will support practical, innovative research into the best approaches to prevention, early intervention, and treatment of health conditions of greatest concern to Indigenous communities including $35 million for rheumatic heart disease.
The $150 million Stem Cell Therapies Mission will advance stem cell research that could potentially grow kidneys, repair damaged spinal cords and cure dementia.
The $50 million Traumatic Brain Injury Mission will enable nationally co-ordinated medical research to improve the recovery of patients with a traumatic brain injury and identify the most effective care and treatments.
The $125 million, 10 year Million Minds Mental Health Research Mission will assist up to one million people affected by mental illness.
Developing new drugs, devices and medical technologies takes time and requires long-term investment.
Our 10-year investment strategy and Health and Medical Research Industry Growth Plan will give researchers and industry certainty and direction.
The plan will create jobs, support opportunities for co-investing and reaffirm Australia’s reputation as a global research powerhouse.
Funding includes the development of a drug discovery centre to fast track new medicines so that our researchers can work in Australia rather than overseas.
Clinical trials for rare cancers, rare diseases and unmet needs will be a particular focus with an investment of $614 million.
Mental Health
One in five Australians experience a common mental health disorder each year and to address this we have made mental health a key pillar of our national health system.
We are spending $4.8 billion on mental health this financial year alone.
Our Primary Health Networks are receiving $1.45 billion to enable them to deliver ongoing and community-tailored mental health services.
This investment will boost crucial services such as headspace, local psychology consultations, suicide prevention activities, and community mental health nursing.
The Morrison Government is determined to reduce the rate of suicide, especially among young Australians.
We are tackling this national crisis through our $503 million Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan.
We will ensure young Australians and their families get help where and when they need by investing an additional $375 million to fund an extra 30 headspaces.
headspace provides youth-friendly services for the challenges facing young Australians across physical health, alcohol and other drug use, vocational support and mental health.
We have established the Million Minds Mission, providing $125 million through the Medical Research Future Fund for mental health research with the aim of bringing new treatments to an additional one million people, and ensuring our mental health system offers the best services possible.
We will invest $70.2 million to establish new residential eating disorders treatment facilities nationally.
This builds on the $110 million announced in December 2018 to create the first specific, comprehensive Medicare items so that people affected by eating disorders can access up to 40 psychological services and 20 dietetic services.
To strengthen Indigenous youth suicide prevention, we will invest $34.1 million, including support for Indigenous leadership that delivers culturally appropriate, trauma-informed care as well as services that recognise the value of community, cultural artistic traditions and protective social factors.
Our support includes $19.6 million for measures to prevent Indigenous youth suicide, particularly in the Kimberley.
We will invest $11.8 million in a range of initiatives to help parents recognise when their children are struggling, improve mental health skills training in schools, enhance peer support networks and boost counselling support services for young people.
We are also investing $15 million to create a new national information system.
This will ensure communities and services can respond quickly to particular areas affected by a high incidence of suicide and self-harm.
Our support builds on $110 million to continue the Early Psychosis Youth Services program at selected headspace centres to provide specialist clinical services for young people at the early stages of severe mental illness.
We will deliver a $98.6 million mental health program in schools and a range of early intervention and prevention initiatives to provide young Australians with the tools and support they need to maintain the best possible mental health and wellbeing.
The Morrison Government is also working to ensure the mental health system is comprehensive and provides coordinated, holistic care.
We are providing $114.5 million to trial eight new adult mental health centres to provide walk-in treatment and advice as a much needed alternative to hospital emergency departments.
Regional communities will also have greater access to mental health services through new Medicare rebates for telehealth support.
We are providing $43.9 million for a new perinatal mental health program to support those affected by perinatal mental illness during or after pregnancy, or grieving after the death of an infant.
To ensure that all Australian workers can maintain mental health and get early support if needed, we are investing $11.5 million in a new National Mental Health Workplace Initiative.
This will support workers and businesses – from sole traders to multinationals – to create supportive and healthy workplaces.
Supporting Australians through Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Australians are fortunate to have access to a world-class health system where every Australian cancer patient is able to receive the highest quality of care.
Each year 140,000 Australians receive a life changing cancer diagnosis.
A strong economy enables the Morrison Government to invest in record support for public hospitals, access to precision diagnosis and lifesaving cancer treatment for free as well as breakthrough medicines and new revolutionary medical research.
We are investing more than $6 billion on cancer services each year and over $2.3 billion on PBS listed cancer medicines last year alone, one in every five dollars spent on the PBS.
We will dramatically expand access to MRI scans covered by Medicare through a $375 million investment and 99 per cent of out of hospital Medicare pathology services are free.
This will help keep the cost of health care down for families, and boost the fight against cancer and other serious conditions.
We are also providing access to ground-breaking treatments such as the CAR-T therapy Kymriah® for certain blood cancers through the public health system.
This treatment has shown immense promise and could be a cure for some patients and will be extended to other conditions over the coming years.
To further support Australians with cancer we will invest significantly in cancer fighting infrastructure:$80 million to establish the Peter MacCallum centre of excellence in cellular immunotherapy and CAR-T therapy.
$100 million for a Comprehensive Children’s Cancer Centre in Sydney.
$614 million over 10 years under the MRFF for rare cancer and rare diseases clinical trials - to use revolutionary medical science to find cures for patients.
Over $180 million per year in ground-breaking cancer research funding through the NHMRC.
$32.6 million for free breast MRI and PET scans which will benefit thousands of patients per year.
Australia has one of the most effective programs to beat cancer through vaccinations and early detection:We have introduced a new vaccination which will protect against 90 per cent of HPV-related cervical cancer.
We have extended free mammograms for women between the age of 50 and 74 through BreastScreen.
We have expanded the bowel cancer screening program so that, by the end of 2019, all Australians aged 50-74 will receive a screening test kit.
To encourage them to take the test, $10 million will be spent on a new awareness raising campaign.
We have extended support for prostate cancer nurses and through the McGrath Foundation breast cancer nurses to support Australian patients in most need including those in rural and regional areas.
We will invest $20 million in an anti-smoking campaign.
Preventative Health – Immunisation
Record levels of Australian children are now fully immunised, with more parents getting the message to protect their kids with life-saving vaccines.
Our No Jab, No Pay policy has been a success with around 210,000 extra children vaccinated and is backed by a further $12 million for a new immunisation information and education campaign.
To protect new-born babies, the whooping cough vaccine has been made available for pregnant women through an investment of $39.5 million.
We have expanded access to the meningococcal vaccine providing protection against the ACWY strains through an investment of $52 million.
Preventative Health – Domestic Violence
Family and domestic violence has a profound impact on women and children’s health and wellbeing, families and communities and society.
The Morrison Government has zero tolerance for violence against women and has committed over $840 million since 2013 to reduce and prevent family, domestic and sexual violence.
As part of this a ‘Recognise, Respond, Refer’ pilot, already underway in Brisbane, will receive a $7.5 million boost to be extended across five Primary Health Network regions to train GPs and their staff to recognise and manage family violence.
A further $2.1 million training initiative will further improve the domestic violence response of GPs and primary care workers nationally.
Support for Patients with Diabetes
The Morrison Government is committed to working towards the broad prevention of diabetes in the Australian community – through research, medicines and by providing access to continuous glucose monitoring devices.
We have expanded free access to glucose monitoring devices for pregnant women, children and more adults with type 1 diabetes, saving Australians up to $7,000 a year.
Our investment over the next four years will ensure that free glucose monitoring devices are available to over 37,000 eligible Australians with type 1 diabetes.
We will also invest $54.5 million for research that will give new hope and support for Australian children and adults living with type 1 diabetes.
Preventative Health – Blood Borne Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infections
A Morrison Government will invest $45.4 million to support the implementation of the next National Blood Borne Virus (BBV) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Strategies (2018-2022).
This investment has been acknowledged as the greatest increase in funding to prevent, diagnose and treat STIs and BBVs in at least two decades.
We are able to provide record support for strategies and initiatives that are improving our collective efforts to prevent and address the impact of BBVs and STIs.
This funding will support:national awareness and prevention strategies to reduce the impact of BBVs, such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, and STIs, with a specific focus on syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia.
projects that improve diagnosis and treatment options
health professional and community education
targeted assistance to diverse and vulnerable populations including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and culturally and linguistically diverse people.
We have also provided $8 million to establish a taskforce to combat Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus-1 (HTLV-1) and other emerging communicable diseases in remote communities.
Drug Treatment and Prevention
To tackle drugs such as ice, the Morrison Government has committed more than $720 million over four years to reduce the impact of drug and alcohol misuse, with more than $544 million dedicated for treatment services.
We will continue to invest $450 million in the National Ice Action Strategy (NIAS) to help local communities, including funding for over 240 Local Drug Action Teams.
We have also delivered an extra 471 local drug and alcohol services since 2016 based on community need.
We are investing $22.3 million to support more alcohol and other drug treatment and support services in remote, rural and regional areas; an additional 65 specialist service providers will operate after-hours and on weekends in under-serviced areas.
In addition, funding of $4.3 million will provide local support for families, communities and regions struggling with the impacts of illicit drug use.
We will also invest $7.2 million establishing a take-home naloxone program to help prevent deaths associated with opioids and other drugs.
Dental
The Morrison Government will invest $1 billion over three years to support eligible Australian children to continue to access core dental services and families to claim up to $1,000 in benefits under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
This is on top of the adult program, in which an extra $100 million has been invested to ensure low-income households, including pensioners, can receive affordable public dental care.
It means an extra 180,000 services will be delivered at little or no cost to patients.
The extension of the National Partnership Agreement on dental health with the states and territories will deliver Australian Government funding of $350.3 million from January 2017 to 30 June 2020.
Women's and Men’s Health
The Morrison Government recently launched the Women's and Men’s Health Strategies for 2020-2030.
Our Women’s Health Strategy provides a $52 million investment in better women’s health with a significant focus on ovarian cancer and endometriosis.
We will invest $20 million in research to improve the survival rates for women with ovarian cancer and an additional $10 million to support women with endometriosis.
The new funding for endometriosis will raise awareness and support research to improve the treatment and understanding of this often misunderstood and crippling condition.
This additional investment brings the total funding for endometriosis under the Morrison Government to almost $15 million.
We have also provided over $27 million in new funding for more McGrath Foundation Nurses for breast cancer, particulary to support patients in rural and regional areas.
In addition we are investing $32.6 million so breast cancer patients have life-saving MRI and PET scans covered under Medicare, saving patients up to $1,500 per scan.
We will also provide $43.9 million to support the mental health of expectant and new parents through a Perinatal Mental Health and Wellbeing Program.
This will improve the services available to better support families affected by perinatal mental illness, or grieving after the death of a child.
Our Men’s Health Strategy provides more than $19 million to improve the health outcomes of all men and boys in Australia, particularly those battling cancer, mental health issues and loneliness.
We are increasing funding to support 62 prostate cancer nurses.
We are also providing the Men’s Sheds movement with over $11 million over 4 years to support their important work in local communities.
The Morrison Government is also providing $3.8 million for research to investigate the causes and prevention of male infertility which is estimated to affect one in six couples.
Indigenous Health
The Morrison Government will continue to make progress towards Closing the Gap in health outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and non-Indigenous Australians.
Funding of $4.1 billion over the next four years will improve access to health care through the Indigenous Australians Health Program.
We are working on ending avoidable blindness and deafness and improving renal health and access to dialysis.
A $160 million Indigenous Health Research Fund will deliver rapid solutions to some of the biggest preventable health challenges.
$35 million has been committed to research and develop a vaccine for rheumatic heart disease, which could save thousands of lives.
We are focused also on increasing the Indigenous health workforce, so more people from local communities can provide health services.
Tragically, the suicide rate in Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander communities remains significantly higher than in the non-Indigenous population.
We are addressing the high rate of youth suicide through our Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan, which includes $34.1 million for Indigenous suicide prevention and mental health initiatives.
Specifically $4.2 million has also been provided for the Young Indigenous Ambassadors, Yarn Safe Campaign, and a fast-tracked roll-out of the Be You program in the Kimberley.
In addition we will invest $12.5 million from the Million Minds Mission for research on the best approaches to prevent Indigenous suicide.
Landmark Rural Health Strategy
The Morrison Government is implementing the most comprehensive rural health package in decades, which will improve access to doctors, nurses and other health care services for all Australians, especially those in the regions.
We believe that people living in rural and regional Australia deserve the same access to high-quality healthcare services as those living in capital cities.
That is why we will invest $550 million for the Stronger Rural Health Strategy, which delivers 3,000 additional doctors and more than 3,000 additional nurses and allied health professionals in rural general practice over the next decade.
The Strategy also includes $84.1 million in additional funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service to provide dental care, mental health services and emergency aeromedical services to rural and remote communities.
It also includes $94.5 million for a new Murray Darling Medical Schools Network which aims to increase the number of medical students training in rural areas, and increase the number of students who then go on to practice in regional and rural Australia.
An additional $26.6 million will accommodate longer transition arrangements for the changes to rural bulk billing incentives and the Workforce Incentive Program.
We will invest $62.2 million over five years from 2018-19 to implement a National Rural Generalist Pathway.
This program will train specialised rural doctors to provide health services tailored to the needs of rural and remote communities and follows the expert advice of Australia’s first National Rural Health Commissioner.
Under the Morrison Government rural and remote patients are gaining additional access to general consultations through an extension of telehealth services with an investment of $33.5 million.
We are investing $12 million to expand the Heart of Australia mobile cardiology and health services in rural Queensland.
This funding will support the ongoing service delivery of their two mobile specialist clinics and establish a third service for Northern Queensland and the Cape York Peninsula, bringing the total number of communities serviced by Heart of Australia across Queensland from 16 to 25.
We are investing $18 million to develop a world-class rural health and medical research facility in Orange NSW that will support the needs of rural communities throughout Australia.
The Institute for Regional, Rural and Remote Health and Medical Research will focus on addressing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health inequity, supporting ageing and aged care, improving child health, promoting consumer-driven rural health research, building clinical research capacity and improving health service delivery.
The Morrison Government will invest $100 million to establish the Rural and Regional Clinical Trials Infrastructure Program.
Access and participation in clinical trials can be limited for doctors and patients in rural, regional and remote areas of Australia.
The $100 million investment from the Medical Research Future Fund National Critical Infrastructure initiative will establish state of the art physical infrastructure and equipment to provide patients with hope and access to advanced treatment options regardless of where they live.
This will also boost rural, regional and remote economies with direct industry investment in jobs.
We will also establish new regional cancer centres and drug and alcohol treatment facilities in regional communities such as Mount Gambier, Townsville, Batemans Bay, North West Tasmania, Grafton and Gladstone.
We will also provide additional mental health services and support for people affected by recent natural disasters.
People living in Northern and Western Queensland impacted by the recent floods, those affected by the fires in Tasmania and drought affected farmers in the Gippsland region will receive access to additional mental health support including through telehealth with an investment of $26.9 million.
This complements work already under way in drought affected areas under the Government’s $21.9 million Empowering our Communities Program.
These services will be delivered by local Primary Health Networks.
THE CHOICE
Medicare:
Ended Labor's Medicare Freeze.
Increased Medicare investment by $6 billion over the next four years.
Indexed rebates for diagnostic imaging for services including ultrasound and x-rays.
Opening 50 new Medicare eligible MRI licences to reduce out of pocket costs.
Labor started the Medicare Freeze and never indexed diagnostic imaging services like ultrasound and ex-ray.
Medicines:
Over 2,000 medicines listings on the PBS following recommendation of the medical experts through an investment of $10.6 billion.
$40 billion dedicated for medicines over the next four years.
Labor blocked access to medicines recommended by medical experts because Labor can't manage money.
Their 2011-12 budget statement stated that "given the current fiscal environment the listing of some medicines would be deferred until fiscal circumstances permit”.
Hospitals:
Investing an extra $31 billion in Australia’s Public Hospitals.
Established a new $1.3 billion Community Health and Hospitals Program.
Labor Delivered only $13.3 billion to public hospitals when last in Government.
Private Health Insurance:
Making Private Health Insurance simpler and more affordable resulting in the lowest change in health insurance premiums in 18 years.
Guaranteeing the Private Health Insurance Rebate.
Labor’s policy to remove the Private Health Insurance Rebate would see 65,000 pensioners and families lose access to subsidised Private Health Insurance, with their premiums expected to rise by 16 per cent.
Mental Health:
Record mental health investment of $4.8 billion a year.
New Medicare services and residential centres for eating disorders.
$503 million plan to reduce youth suicides including more headspace sites and reduced wait times.
Labor have no long-term plan to support Australians suffering mental health conditions, have made no recognition of the devastating impact of eating disorders on individuals, families and communities and no overall plan to tackle youth suicide.
Medical research:
The largest ever single investment in Medical Research through the $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund.
This includes $614 million for clinical trials for rare cancers, rare diseases and unmet needs.
Labor have refused to commit to the long-term future of the Medical Research Future Fund
The Cost
The Coalition’s plan for strengthening Australia’s world class health system will not place additional costs on the Budget.
As at the 2019-20 Budget we have invested over $339 billion in the health system over the forward estimates.
Our Plan to Back Our Multicultural Communities
Key Points
The Morrison Government is working to keep our economy strong, keep Australians safe and keep Australians together.
Australia is the most successful multicultural society in the world and our Government is working to ensure we remain a strong, prosperous and united society.
Our plan for Australia will: 1.Create 1.25 million more jobs over the next five years.
2.Maintain budget surpluses and pay down debt.
3.Deliver tax relief for families and small businesses.
4.Keep Australians safe and our borders secure and
5.Guarantee increased funding for schools, hospitals, medicines and roads that you and your family rely on, already at record levels.
All without increasing taxes.
The Morrison Government will continue to celebrate our nation’s unique multicultural heritage while strengthening our economy,
maintaining social cohesion and securing our future.
Our plan will:Reward hard work and the enterprise of migrant families and businesses.
Deliver better government services to people from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Build social cohesion with practical measures that help new migrants and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to engage in the workforce and the community.
Open up new opportunities for migrants in regional Australia.
Maintain programs to assist migrants and multicultural communities to prosper and succeed in Australia.
A re-elected Morrison Government will invest an additional $5 million in a dedicated Accelerator Support Program to assist first generation migrants looking to develop a start-up business.
New grants will support those organisations best placed to deliver targeted business education,
incubation and mentoring to people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
A re-elected Morrison Government will invest $10 million to create a dedicated network of Aged Care System Navigators to assist people from CALD backgrounds and their families in navigating the aged care system.
The Navigators will assist these families to understand options and make the right decisions when it comes to finding alternative accommodation options, securing residential care or Home Care Packages, understanding the financial implications and completing the paperwork.
Our Plan
Australia is the most successful multicultural society in the world, uniting a multitude of cultures, beliefs and traditions.
Twenty-nine per cent of Australians were born overseas, while half of our population were either born overseas or have a parent born overseas.
Our migrant heritage is an enduring source of strength, prosperity and cultural vibrancy.
Coalition Governments have contributed to our multicultural success over many decades.
The Morrison Government will continue to celebrate our multicultural achievement while preserving our economic strength,
social cohesion
and security.
We believe in equal opportunity in a fair and compassionate society irrespective of someone’s race, religion or ethnic background.
We will defend Australia’s democratic freedoms and its longstanding commitment to tolerance and the rule of law.
A re-elected Morrison Government will ensure Australia remains a cohesive and prosperous society where those who have a go get a fair go.
Rewarding hard work and the enterprise of migrant families and businesses
Our plan for lower taxes will reduce taxes on low- and middle-income earners by up to $1,080 for single earners or up to $2,160 for dual income families.
We are also reducing tax thresholds further, and reducing the 32.5 per cent tax rate to 30 percent as part of the largest tax reform in a generation.
Under our plan, 94 per cent of taxpayers are projected to face a marginal tax rate of 30 per cent or less in 2024-25.
We are delivering lower taxes for small, medium and family businesses so business owners can reinvest in their business
and create more jobs.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that one in three owners of small businesses were born overseas.
Migrant businesses employ more than 1.4 million Australians and make a huge contribution to our economy.
Our plan for small business will enable migrant businesses to expand
and create even more jobs.
Our tax plan benefits around 3.3 million small, medium and family businesses and their 7 million employees.
We have already lowered the tax rate from 30 per cent to 27.5 per cent and this will be cut further to 25 per cent by 2021-22.
We are also helping small, medium-sized and family businesses invest and grow through increasing the instant asset write-off from $25,000 to $30,000, with around 3.4 million small and medium businesses employing some 7.7 million workers now eligible.
Our other initiatives to back small business include better access to finance, red tape relief, helping small business cash flow by ensuring they get paid on time and supporting our small businesses to go digital.
As part of our big plan for small business, a re-elected Morrison Government will invest an additional $5 million in a dedicated Accelerator Support Program to assist first generation migrants looking to develop a start-up business.
New grants will support those organisations best placed to deliver targeted business education, incubation and mentoring to people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
Delivering better government services for people from culturally diverse backgrounds
The Morrison Government is working to ensure government programs and services are accessible to all eligible Australians and deliver fair outcomes for them regardless of their cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
We have guaranteed increased funding for schools, hospitals and medicines – commitments that benefit all Australians.
Nothing could be more important to keeping Australians together than universal access to world-class health care.
The Morrison Government’s plan for a stronger economy means we can continue to make record investments in Medicare, hospitals, new medicines and medical research.
We are supporting communities affected by specific health and medical needs including $3.9 million for tailored mental health support for Australians from multicultural backgrounds.
Our multicultural communities recognise the value of a good education and the opportunities it unlocks.
The Morrison Government’s strong commitment to choice means parents from CALD backgrounds have more options when it comes to giving their children the best possible start to life aligned with their values and beliefs.
We are delivering record funding for students attending state government, independent and Catholic schools, as well as early learning and child care.
Our investment of an extra $37.6 billion in schools over the next decade will ensure funding per student increases, on average, by around 62 per cent through to 2029.
We are keeping all Australians safe through new investments such as our Safer Communities Fund and our plan to reduce violence against women and children.
As part of our $328 million plan to tackle domestic violence we are improving accessibility to 1800RESPECT for people from vulnerable and diverse cohorts, including from CALD backgrounds, to ensure they have access to high quality and culturally appropriate counselling and support.
We recognise that migrant communities can face particular challenges in understanding the full range of government services and the options presented.
An area like aged care is a good example.
We know that people from CALD backgrounds are less likely to utilise residential aged care services due to language barriers faced in accessing and engaging with services.
A 2018 review of the aged care system found people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds faced greater challenges than the rest of the population when navigating the referral to services and in rating aspects of the aged care services received.
In February 2019, the Morrison Government released Australia’s first Aged Care Diversity Action Plan to support older CALD Australians to overcome barriers they may face in accessing aged care services.
A re-elected Morrison Government will invest $10 million to create a dedicated network of Aged Care System Navigators to assist people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and their families to get the services they need.
The network will comprise on-line and mobile information hubs, community hubs and one-on-one support from specialist workers and volunteers to streamline and simplify aged care service access.
These navigators will assist senior Australians and their families from CALD backgrounds to get the best outcomes from the aged care system.
They will assist older Australians and their families in understanding options and making the right decisions when it comes to:Finding alternative accommodation options
Securing residential care or Home Care Packages
Understanding the financial implications
Completing the paperwork.
Building social cohesion and community engagement
The Morrison Government is working with diverse communities to ensure Australia remains a safe and socially cohesive nation where people have a strong sense of identity, participate in our economy and are committed to Australian values.
Our plan to keep Australians together includes practical programs that build social cohesion by connecting diverse communities to Australian society and to the workforce.
Settlement programs support migrants to become self-reliant and active members of the Australian community.
For example, humanitarian migrants and other eligible migrants receive early, tailored and intensive settlement support in the first five years of their arrival in Australia.
Government settlement services assist these migrants with employment, education and training, housing, health, legal and services.
As well as increasing support for migrants to become established and integrated in their communities, we are acting across a broad front to reduce the factors that lead to social isolation.
We are supporting grassroots initiatives that foster belonging and break down barriers to social and economic participation.
With a $71 million investment over four years, we are:Expanding programs to help new arrivals settle and integrate into Australia through the National Community Hubs Program and a new round of Fostering Integration Grants.
Building interfaith and intercultural understanding in classrooms, cultural institutions and through community-driven programs.
Helping young people identify, understand and counter online hate.
Funding sporting initiatives based on the unique role sport plays in promoting social inclusion.
Providing $10 million to establish the Community Language Schools Multicultural Grants Program to provide new funding to help young Australians learn another language and connect people to new cultures.
Opening up new opportunities for migrants in regional Australia
The Morrison Government will maintain a responsible and generous migration program as part of our comprehensive population strategy.
Our plan will ease the pressure on the big capital cities while supporting the growth of those smaller cities and regions that want more people.
Australia’s migration arrangements, which focus on young, skilled migrants, have contributed enormously to our economic prosperity.
Without migration, growth in Australia’s workforce would slow dramatically and, in the longer term, would even shrink.
While permanent migration, and particularly skilled migration, has contributed to Australia’s economic success, temporary migration has also made a large contribution to our economy.
In 2017-18, for example, international students in Australia added $32.4 billion to the economy and tourism $21.6 billion, making these our third and fifth largest export industries.
The focus of the migration program will remain firmly on attracting skilled migrants to our shores who will help alleviate the impact of the ageing of Australia’s population,
fill labour and skills shortages,
and add to our diverse society.
Our strategy enhances the migration program’s focus on skills, with the number of Employer Sponsored skilled visas increasing from 35,528 grants in 2017-18 to 39,000 places in 2019-20.
Opportunities will, of course, remain for family and humanitarian migration.
There is no change to the Family stream of the program, with 47,732 places available in 2019-20.
Migration flows have tended to concentrate in our three largest cities.
At the same time, many communities in regional Australia are keen to attract a higher share of our migration intake, with an estimated 60,000 job vacancies in regional Australia today.
By encouraging them to settle and study in regional areas, the Morrison Government is opening up new horizons and opportunities for migrants in regional Australia.
Under our integrated population strategy, we will introduce two new provisional visas to encourage more migrants to settle and remain in regional areas.
These visas will enable skilled migrants to settle in and contribute to regional communities with a pathway to permanent residency at the end of a three year period.
We will set aside 23,000 places for these visas in 2019-20 – up from 8,534 visa grants in 2017-18 for people required to live in regional Australia.
The changes will mean more migrants will stay in regional Australia easing the pressure off our congested cities.
Under the two new regional categories, visas will be priority processed.
Employers who want to nominate migrants for positions in their businesses where Australia are not available will have access to a larger pool of occupations compared to those located in our major cities.
To attract Australian and international students to study in regional centres, we will also provide $93.7 million over four years from 2019-20 for scholarships for domestic and international students under a new Destination Australia program.
Changes will also be made to provide an additional one year Temporary Graduate visa for international students who have completed their studies at a regional campus of a university to ensure they can continue to live and work in regional Australia for longer.
We will also maintain programs to assist migrants and multicultural communities to prosper and succeed in Australia.
The Morrison Government provides a settlement framework to help new migrants integrate into Australian life that is widely considered best practice.
New arrivals, particularly through Australia's refugee and humanitarian program, benefit from specialised support,
including help learning English and gaining necessary education or employment skills.
The Morrison Government takes a pragmatic and responsive approach to elements of the migration program.
For example, we have implemented tailored aged care labour agreements to support migrant communities.
These changes allow aged care providers to hire overseas workers with specialised skills that will support older Australians from multicultural backgrounds.
We have has also made changes to support Australia’s religious communities through the minister of religion labour agreement making it easier for religious institutions to sponsor overseas workers, where Australians are not available.
The Coalition Government has delivered on its commitment to introduce a family reunion visa, with sponsorship applications for the new Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa now open to migrant families wanting their parents to come to Australia for up to 10 years.
The Choice
The Morrison Government has a plan to keep our economy strong, keep Australians safe and keep Australians together.
Labor has a plan for hundreds of billions of dollars in higher taxes.
This would slow the economy,
deny hardworking Australians tax relief and weigh down small businesses looking to invest
and create jobs.
A successful migration program depends on public confidence.
Labor has a failed record on immigration.
Public confidence in our immigration system nose-dived as Labor lost control of our borders.
It was left to the Coalition to take the difficult but necessary decisions to regain control of our borders and restore the integrity of our migration program.
Labor mismanaged and misused the 457 Visa program.
It was left to the Coalition to end the mismanagement and put in place a new temporary skill shortage visa that strengthens the integrity and quality of the employer-sponsored skilled migration program.
COST
The Coalition will invest an additional $15 million to assist migrants and multicultural communities
Our Plan to Back Small Business
Key Points
Small businesses are the beating heart of the Australian economy.
When small businesses are healthy, all Australians are better off.
It means more jobs,
more choice, better living standards
and more vibrant and connected communities.
When you work hard, build your business and invest in your community, you are having a go.
And you will get a go under the Morrison Government.
That’s why we are backing small business owners to invest,
employ more workers
and grow their business.
We will grow small businesses by expanding their access to finance.
We will make it easier for them to employ even more Australians.
We will lower taxes for small, medium and family businesses.
We will ensure they have the skills they need for today and tomorrow.
We will ensure they get a fair go and are paid on time
We will lift the red tape and paperwork burden.
We will build modern transport infrastructure.
We will build modern transport infrastructure.
We will give small business access to billions of global customers.
We will ensure they have affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.
We will help them seize the opportunities of the digital economy.
We will support their mental health and wellbeing.
We will support tens of thousands of Australian women through our female entrepreneurs programs and help kick-start migrant businesses through the accelerator support program.
A re-elected Morrison Government will:Support the creation of another quarter of a million small businesses over the next five years.
Invest $100 million to establish the Australian Business Growth Fund to enhance equity financing to small businesses, complementing the Australian Business Securitisation Fund.
By keeping the economy strong,
the Morrison Government is providing the settings and opportunity for business to do what it does best.
On the other hand, Labor do not believe in enterprise and aspiration.
In opposition, Labor voted many times for higher taxes for small business.
If elected, Labor will raise taxes on family businesses,
condone union thuggery,
impose unsustainable costs on small business through rigid workplace policies
and hit small businesses hardest with their reckless emissions reduction plan.
Our Plan
Backing small businesses is and always will be at the centre of the Morrison Government’s plan for a stronger economy.
Small and medium businesses make up over half of our economy and employ two-thirds of our workforce.
They donate their time, money, goods and services to build their local community.
Acknowledging the important role small business plays in our economy and community we have developed a comprehensive plan to back small and family businesses across Australia.
The Morrison Government’s plan is making it easier for aspiring Australians to start a small business and or existing small businesses to expand.
Since our election in 2013, the Liberal Nationals Government has revitalised the small business sector.
More than 230,000 new small businesses have opened their doors,
creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs.
We are committed to small business creation
– because when small businesses are created jobs are created.
That is why a re-elected Morrison Government will support the creation of another quarter of a million small businesses over the next five years.
Growing small businesses by expanding their access to finance
The Morrison Government will significantly enhance access to funds for small business across Australia.
We understand that small businesses find it difficult to obtain finance other than on a secured basis.
And that small businesses that have already obtained secured finance but wish to continue to grow also find it difficult.
With access to finance a critical issue, the new $2 billion Australian Business Securitisation Fund will start on July 1 this year.
This fund increases small business access to competitive finance by providing more funding for small banks and non-bank lenders.
We also know that access to debt financing is not the only constraint to small business growth.
Many small and family businesses find it difficult to attract passive equity investment to enable them to grow without taking on additional debt or giving up control of their business.
A re-elected Morrison Government will establish the Australian Business Growth Fund by providing $100 million in funding and partnering with financial institutions to enhance equity financing to small businesses.
The Fund will aim to expand to $1 billion as it matures.
Both of these Funds are in addition to the reforms that took effect last year which allow businesses to raise capital through crowdfunding.
The Australian Business Growth Fund
A re-elected Morrison Government will establish the Australian Business Growth Fund by providing $100 million in funding.
Partnering with financial institutions the aim is for the Growth Fund to expand to $1 billion as it matures.
It is expected to back 30-50 businesses each year with annual turnovers between $2 million and $50 million.
The Growth Fund will significantly enhance small and family businesses’ ability to access funding, filling a gap in the market that is preventing them from reaching their full potential.
Many small and family businesses find it difficult to attract passive equity investment to enable them to grow without taking on additional debt or giving up control of their business.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has acknowledged that “it’s not the absence of entrepreneurial spirit, it’s the absence of entrepreneurial finance that’s been the main factor holding that part [small business] of the economy back”.
The Growth Fund will provide patient long-term capital, enabling small businesses to grow while the owners retain control of their business.
The Growth Fund is modelled on similar vehicles in the UK and Canada.
Since 2011, the UK equivalent has invested $2.7 billion into small businesses in a range of sectors across the economy.
It will operate commercially and independent of Government.
An independent board and management team will run the Growth Fund.
Investment decisions will be made by professional managers independent of Government and performance will be assessed on a fully commercial basis according to private sector funding models.
Small businesses that receive equity funding will also be provided with mentoring, coaching and access to a talent pool of expert staff to maximise the benefits of the patient capital investment.
The Small Business Ombudsman has also called on Government to ”fast-track the establishment of the Australian Business Growth Fund to address this long-term funding gap.”
COSBOA have also provided their support for the fund: “All in all, the ABSF and the ABGF are outstanding responses to the decade long challenges of SME financing in Australia.
Once implemented, they will enable small business owners to invest in growth with consequent benefits for Australia’s future economic prosperity and employment growth.”
Lowering taxes for small, medium and family businesses
Lower taxes mean more money to reinvest into the business
and create more jobs for Australians.
The Morrison Government has already provided lower taxes to around 3.4 million small, medium and family businesses employing over 7 million workers.
We have fast-tracked small and medium businesses moving to a lower corporate tax rate: reducing the rate from 30 per cent to 27.5 per cent.
It will be cut further to 25 per cent by 2021-22 – five years earlier than previously planned.
Fast-tracking these lower taxes will benefit around 970,000 small and medium companies that employ over 5 million workers.
We will ensure that unincorporated small businesses receive comparable treatment through an increase in their small business discount.
This will benefit around 2.4 million businesses employing 1.9 million workers.
Incentivising investment
The Morrison Government is helping small and medium businesses invest and grow through increasing and expanding the instant asset write-off.
It has been increased from $25,000 to $30,000 and can be used every time an asset under that amount is bought: be it a new fridge or grill for a café, new plumber’s tools or a new van for a courier.
The incentive has been expanded to medium businesses with a turnover up to $50 million.
This will benefit an extra 22,000 businesses employing around 1.7 million workers.
All up, around 3.4 million small and medium businesses employing around 7.7 million workers are eligible.
Providing the skills needed for today and tomorrow
The Morrison Government is committed to delivering a vocational education and training system that will deliver the skilled workers
needed by Australia’s small businesses to help them grow and prosper.
The $525 million Delivering Skills for Today and Tomorrow package will strengthen the VET system
and provide small business with support to take on more apprentices in areas of skills shortage.
The package includes up to 80,000 new apprenticeships in industries with skills shortages through a doubling of employer incentive payments to $8,000.
The new apprentices – including bakers, bricklayers, plasterers, hairdressers, plumbers and carpenters – will also receive a $2,000 incentive payment.
Levelling the playing field and ensuring a fair go
The Morrison Government has put in place a range of initiatives to ensure small business gets a fair go when dealing with larger businesses and the financial sector.
These include:Reforms to competition policy (Section 46) to prevent big businesses abusing their market power.
New unfair contract legislation to protect small business.
Free, fast and binding dispute resolution under the new Australian Financial Complaints Authority.
Stronger enforcement to combat illegal phoenixing activities.
An advocacy voice in the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.
We are also ensuring easier, cheaper and quicker resolution of Australian Tax Office disputes.
Ensuring small businesses get paid on time
The Morrison Government is ensuring small businesses get paid on time.
We are setting the example, with 97 per cent of Commonwealth agency bills under $1 million paid within 30 days. From July 2019 this will reduce to 20 days.
Large businesses tendering for government contracts will be required to match our 20-day policy.
We are ensuring small businesses are not used as a bank by requiring large businesses with a turnover of over $100 million and government agencies to publish their payment information.
Lifting the red tape and paperwork burden
The Morrison Government wants small business people to spend more time growing their businesses and less time dealing with paperwork and red tape.
To make life easier, the Business Activity Statement has been simplified for 2.7 million small businesses, ASIC financial reporting thresholds have been doubled (reducing the burden on 2,200 companies) and the regulatory framework for employee share schemes has been simplified.
The Government has also provided $300 million to the states and territories to help them reduce their red tape on small business.
Investing in modern transport infrastructure
The Morrison Government is investing a record $100 billion in transport infrastructure to reduce congestion, keep our roads safe, connect people to jobs and deliver our goods to market.
Small business productivity will be bolstered with owners and their employees getting to work faster and more efficient supply chains sending products to customers more quickly.
Boosting our small business exporters
The Morrison Government wants our small businesses to capitalise on billions of global customers.
We have delivered trade agreements with China, Japan and Korea.
We have signed the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations and agreements with Indonesia, Peru and Hong Kong.
Australian exporters will also benefit from the Trans-Pacific Partnership between 11 major regional economies worth $13.8 trillion.
We are boosting our Export Market Development Grants scheme by $60 million so small businesses can harness further international opportunities.
And we have invested $20 million in Small and Medium Enterprise Export Hubs to help small businesses work together to access export markets and global supply chains.
Lowering energy costs
The Morrison Government is committed to lowering power prices while keeping the lights on.
We are providing $50 million in grants to eligible businesses and community organisations, helping them to save energy by either installing new equipment or by reviewing and improving their energy management – all contributing to lower power bills.
Eligible small businesses will be able to claim grants of up to $20,000 with high energy using businesses up to $25,000.
We are also delivering tailored advice to help small businesses find the best energy deal and identify opportunities for them to use energy more efficiently through the Business Energy Advice program.
Seizing the opportunities of the digital economy
The digital economy presents opportunities and challenges for small business.
Through the Small Business Digital Champions project, the Morrison Government is helping small businesses to learn the skills and build confidence to embrace digital opportunities.
Through the Empowering Business to Go Digital program, we are providing up to $3 million in matched funding to support the establishment of an NGO to build and enhance small business digital capacity.
We’re supporting online safety with the $10 million Small Business Cyber Security program.
Eligible small businesses can apply for grants of up to $2,100 for cyber security safety checks.
Supporting mental health and wellbeing
We understand the stresses involved in operating a small business – the responsibility for your family’s prosperity, the income and welfare of your employees and just staying on top of everything.
The Morrison Government is committed to improving access to mental health services for small business by partnering with grassroots organisation Everymind to deliver evidence-based prevention and intervention.
We have also provided $11.5 million for the National Mental Health workplace initiative to assist businesses to create healthy workplaces.
Harnessing the entrepreneurship of Australian women
The Morrison Government is determined to increase the number of female business leaders.
We are supporting 55,000 young women to become entrepreneurs through the Future Female Entrepreneurs Program, boosting digital skills and entrepreneurship and providing mentorship to the businesswomen of the future.
The Boosting Female Founders fund also provides access to early stage capital and entrepreneurial support to launch businesses of high-growth potential.
Harnessing the entrepreneurship of migrants
The Morrison Government understands the contribution of small business owners who were born overseas - with 1 in 3 owners born overseas according to the ABS.
To support more migrant businesses, a re-elected Morrison Government will invest an additional $5 million into the Accelerator Support program to assist migrants to start their own business.
This will deliver business education, incubation and mentoring to people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The Choice
The choice at this election is clear.
Labor do not believe in enterprise and aspiration.
In opposition, Labor voted repeatedly for higher taxes on small business.
If elected, Labor will raise taxes on family businesses,
condone union thuggery,
impose unsustainable costs on small business through rigid workplace relations policies and hit small businesses hardest with their emissions reduction plan.
Labor’s reckless policies will hit small business directly and hardest as they will also feel the flow-on effects of a weaker economy.
Labor’s plan for higher taxes
The Morrison Government has a clear plan to lower taxes for small business.
In contrast, Labor has a plan to impose $387 billion of higher taxes – each and every one of which are bad for business.
A Shorten Labor government would be the highest taxing government in Australia’s history.
Labor’s plan for higher taxes will cost Australian small businesses twice.
First, they will be directly hit as the cost of doing business increases.
Second, a Shorten Labor Government will weaken our economy and make it a harder environment for small business to operate in.
Within a decade, Labor’s tax hit will equate to an extra yearly household tax bill of $5,400.
That is $5,400 less to spend at local businesses and $5,400 less going back into the community.
Labor’s $27 billion family business tax is the most destructive of all the taxes on small business.
Bill Shorten wants small family businesses taxed at the same rate as large multinational companies – 300,000 small family businesses that use trusts for asset protection, estate planning and cash flow.
Labor’s collapse of the skills sector
The Morrison Government has a clear plan to revitalise the skills sector, supporting employers with a range of incentives that will be streamlined to make them easier to navigate.
Labor cannot be trusted when it comes to VET and skills.
Labor’s failed VET FEE HELP scheme left thousands of students with debts and no qualifications.
From 2011-13 Labor cut employer incentives to businesses employing apprentices a total of nine times at a cost of $1.2 billion.
While Bill Shorten was Employment Minister, the number of apprentices and trainees collapsed by 22 per cent or 110,000 – the biggest annual decline ever.
The previous Labor Government cut funding for skills and failed to commit funding to the National Partnership Agreement with the states.
Labor’s plan is to redirect funding away from private training organisations where the majority of VET students study, jeopardising student outcomes and putting jobs at risk.
Labor’s failure to protect small business and promote competition
The Liberal National Government fought hard to legislate reforms to competition policy (Section 46) to prevent big business abusing their market power.
Labor did not support a level playing field and opposed these reforms, preferring to back big businesses and big unions over the interests of small business and consumers.
Bill Shorten wanted to leave the ACCC powerless when it came to protecting small business.
Labor’s plan to reduce market access and re-write existing trade deals
The Morrison Government has delivered free trade agreements (FTAs) that have brought direct benefits to many small businesses.
Labor did not start and finish one free trade agreement when last in government.
Their new policy platform will make it even more difficult for a Shorten Labor Government to secure an FTA.
Labor has committed to renegotiating the existing trade agreements that Australian small and family businesses rely on.
A Labor Government would throw thousands of these businesses into an uncertain trading environment by opening the agreements for renegotiation.
And Labor has not released any details of which markets and tariff arrangements they’re prepared to negotiate away.
The needs of Australian exporters to access new markets will be traded off for union demands to reopen all existing agreements – placing small businesses at risk and trashing Australia’s reputation for honouring agreements.
Labor also ripped $100 million out of the Export Market Development Grants scheme which directly backs small businesses to capitalise on international opportunities.
Labor’s plan to increase energy costs
The Morrison Government has a clear plan to reduce power prices for small and family businesses, while Labor has a clear plan to increase energy costs.
During the last Labor Government, power prices doubled and went up each and every year.
Labor’s reckless emissions targets will drive up power prices once again,
cost jobs and reduce wages.
By 2030, Labor’s emissions policies will lower the average full-time wage by $9,000 in real terms, reduce the number of jobs by 336,000
and increase wholesale electricity prices by 58 per cent.
Labor’s car tax will increase the cost of vehicles by over $4,800 and mandate electric vehicles for half of all new car sales.
Seventeen of the top 20 vehicles sold in Australia don't have models which meet Labor’s new carbon standard.
Tradies and small businesses which need larger vehicles will be hardest hit by these disastrous new policies.
Cost
The Coalition is providing a $100 million equity investment to the Australian Business Growth Fund to help Australian small businesses grow.
Our Plan to Respect and Support Veterans and their Families
Key Points
Australia is proud of our veterans – the men and women who signed up to the Australian Defence Force, prepared to put their lives on the line for our nation, our values, and our way of life.
We need to do more to respect and recognise our returned servicemen and women, including those who have been involved in the more recent chapters of our military history, such as the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
If we ask men and women to risk all for our country, then it is beholden on our country to do everything we can for them.
The Liberal Nationals Government has a strong track record of delivering services and support for veterans and their families.
Our Government provides more than $11 billion a year to support around 280,000 veterans and their families, widows and children.
We will build on this record to ensure that their needs continue to be met for decades ahead.
A re-elected Morrison Government will:Ensure veterans and their families are cared for and supported through our record investments in mental health care and counselling for veterans and their families.
This will remain uncapped and demand driven.
Expand access to the DVA Gold Health Treatment Card from 1 July 2019 for members of the SEATO surgical and medical teams who served during the Vietnam War.
Invest $30 million in a network of Veterans’ Wellbeing Centres in partnership with ex-service organisations and state and territory Governments in Townsville, Darwin, Perth, Nowra, Adelaide and Wodonga.
Digitise all Second World War service records, expand the Saluting their Service grants program and work with the PNG Government to commemorate the bonds between Australia and PNG from the Second World War, particularly around the Kokoda Track, as part of the commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
Ensure veterans find jobs after their service by expanding the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program to invest $16.2 million into initiatives run by not-for-profit organisations that are helping veterans transition out of ADF service.
We will support programs run by SoldierOn, Team Rubicon and the RSL.
Exempt TPI veterans from the ‘treatment cycle’ requirement for exercise physiology and physiotherapy allied health services.
Expand access to the Defence Service Homes Insurance Scheme and the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme for veterans after they’ve completed their service.
Recognising and remembering the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families by rolling out our Australian Veterans’ Card and Lapel Pin as part of the Australian Veterans’ Covenant, ensuring veterans are recognised in our community.
Our Record
Since coming to Government, the Coalition has been implementing our 2013 Four Pillar Plan to support current and future veterans and their families:To recognise the unique nature of military service.
To retain a stand-alone Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).
To tackle mental health challenges for veterans and their families.
To support veterans through strong advocacy and welfare services.
Our Government introduced fairer indexation for military superannuants, investing $1.4 billion for fairer indexation for the Defence Forces Retirement Benefits and Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits schemes.
We’ve introduced free mental health care for anyone who has a single day of ADF service.
We’ve provided $16.1 million over four years to introduce a payment to help vulnerable veterans who are waiting on the outcome of a mental health claim.
We are delivering $2.1 million over four years for an annual health assessment for ex-serving ADF members for the first five years post-discharge.
We passed legislation to grant the DVA Gold Health Treatment Card from 1 July 2019 to members of the SEATO surgical and medical teams who served during the Vietnam War, finally recognising their brave service after nearly 50 years.
We commissioned a world first trial into the use of assistance dogs to support veterans with PTSD and ongoing financial support for the purchase of assistance dogs for veterans upon recommendation by a medical specialist.
Our Government has provided $6.7 million to develop the SoldierOn Fussell House facility, which will provide accommodation support to families of veterans accessing treatment at Concord Hospital.
We’ve helped families of veterans by extending eligibility for counselling services delivered through Open Arms to families and children of those who have served including partners and ex-partners.
We’ve provided more than $9.7 million to Kookaburra Kids to help them support children with a parent serving in the ADF or a veteran parent affected by mental illness.
The Liberal National Government has committed nearly $500 million to fund the biggest reform of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) in its 100-year history.
This will ensure the DVA meets the needs of veterans and their families for the next century.
We’ve developed the Australian Defence Veteran Covenant, in partnership with the ex-service community, to recognise the unique nature of military service and acknowledge and honour the service and sacrifice of our veterans.
As a lasting legacy to the Centenary of ANZAC, we’ve invested nearly $100 million in the award-winning Sir John Monash Centre in France and delivered the successful Centenary of Anzac commemorations.
Our Government committed $498 million over the next nine years to redevelop the Australian War Memorial.
This important project will allow the Memorial to display more of their collection and proudly tell the stories from recent years in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Solomon Islands and East Timor.
And we’ve introduced the Prime Minister’s Veterans Employment Program to promote the valuable skills and capabilities that the veteran community can bring to civilian employment.
Our Plan
A re-elected Morrison Government will continue to put veterans and their families first.
Our plan is focused on three key themes: improving veterans care and support, helping veterans live their best lives by finding jobs after their service and recognising and respecting the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families.
Improving veterans care and support
The Morrison Government recognises the importance of access to exercise physiology and physiotherapy allied health services for Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI) veterans whose conditions are often chronic and long-term.
The Morrison Government will invest $17 million to exempt TPI veterans from the new ‘Treatment Cycle’ requirements that are due to commence on 1 July 2019.
TPI veterans will continue to be able to access exercise physiology and physiotherapy allied health services under existing arrangements, which is an annual GP referral or an ongoing referral for chronic conditions.
To provide better service to our veterans, we are committing $30 million to the development of a network of Veterans’ Wellbeing Centres in partnership with ex-service organisations and state governments.
These centres will support co-location of veterans’ support services and allow for closer integration and coordination of government and non-government support, including connections with local health services, community organisations and advocacy and wellbeing support.
Where possible, investment in these centres will be focussed on enhancing or redeveloping existing facilities to meet the needs of veterans and their families.
The Centres will be established across Australia in areas with significant numbers of veterans and transitioning members by the relevant state government or ex-service organisation.
There will be:$5 million to support The Oasis Townsville.
$5 million to support the RSL WA to construct a new Veteran Central facility in Perth.
$5 million to support the creation of a veterans’ wellbeing centre at the revitalised Repat Hospital at Daw Park in Adelaide.
$15 million ($5 million each) to support the establishment, enhancement or redevelopment of centres in the Darwin, Nowra and Wodonga regions.
We will provide an additional $4 million to Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling to collaborate with the Returned and Services League to deliver a national program of mental health training to volunteers to recognise people at risk and offer intervention and support.
This measure will cost $6.2 million over four years.
We will provide $2.1 million to deliver a national program of comprehensive health checks to identify service-related illness, disease and injury associated with anti-malarial medication.
And we will extend the trial of provisional access to medical treatment by one year while the trail evaluation is being completed.
This provides access to DVA-funded treatment for common health conditions while claims are being processed, ensuring faster access to treatment and reducing the risk of further deterioration.
Helping veterans live their best lives and find jobs
We will provide $16.2 million over four years to support non-profit organisations to deliver tailored, innovative support to help veterans find meaningful civilian employment.
Initial grants have been approved for:Soldier On to deliver veteran employment services and education in Albury/Wodonga, Bendigo, Darwin, Launceston, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Wagga Wagga and Western Sydney – $6 million.
Team Rubicon to establish its unique veterans’ employment program, which focuses on the developing the skillset and qualifications of veterans through volunteer disaster response, in Perth, Darwin, Adelaide, Canberra-Queanbeyan, Lismore, Hobart, Penrith and Gosford – $3 million.
State Branches of the Returned and Services League to deliver state based employment programs for veterans – $6 million.
Recognising and respecting service and sacrifice
The Morrison Government will implement the Australian Defence Veterans Covenant that has been developed in partnership with the ex-service community and commits to enshrining it in legislation.
To help the wider Australian community and businesses to recognise and support our veterans we will roll out our Australian Veterans’ Card and Lapel Pin.
Australian businesses will have the opportunity to offer holders of the Australian Veterans’ Card special discounts or offers, helping to recognise the service of veterans and lower their cost of living.
75th Anniversary of the End of the Second World War
Almost one million Australians served in the armed forces during the Second World War.
Of those on active service, over 27,000 were killed in action or died, over 23,000 were wounded and over 30,000 were taken prisoner of war.
Mainland Australia came under attack for the first time with hundreds killed – air raids on Darwin, Broome and across Northern Australia; midget submarine attacks on Sydney Harbour and the loss of the hospital ship Centaur off Brisbane without warning on 14 May 1943, in which over 260 people were lost.
The Morrison Government believes that it is important to appropriately commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War next year, so that we can remember and understand the service and sacrifice of those who came before us.
To do this, we will:Provide $10 million to the National Archives of Australia to finally digitise all 1,062,000 Second World War service records that are yet to be digitised (around 80 per cent) to enable all Australians to discover the as yet untold stories of their relatives and how they defended our nation during times of war.
The digitised records will be freely available to all Australians wherever they live and will provide a comprehensive and authoritative source of information for students, journalists, authors, academics and families interested in knowing about the service of those who came before us.
Expand the well-known Saluting their Service Grants program by providing an additional $10 million to enable local communities to honour the service and sacrifice of our veterans, with a particular focus on commemorating service in the Second World War and beyond.
We will also increase the maximum amount available for community grants from $4,000 to $10,000 to ensure that local communities can appropriately commemorate this important anniversary.
Invest up to $10 million to work with the PNG Government and local landowners on projects to commemorate the bonds between Australia and Papua New Guinea from the Second World War, particularly around the Kokoda Track.
This could include investing in the World War Two/Kokoda collection at the PNG National Museum and Gallery;
upgrading the national World War Two memorial at Ela Beach;
building a new interpretive centre at Owers’ Corner at the head of the Kokoda Track;
funding for tourism related activities to support Kokoda Track communities, such as training and development of wildlife guides
and helping NGOs to strengthen the quality of health and education services for communities along the Kokoda Track.
Invest $154,000 to undertake Stage 2 of the successful ANZAC 360 app, which will focus on key Second World War Two battles and campaigns in South East Asia, including the Burma-Thailand railway (Hellfire Pass), the Sandakan-Ranau death march and Papua New Guinea campaigns including Kokoda.
The app will use virtual reality and 360 degree drone technology.
Invest $400,000 to undertake scoping studies to develop a new interpretive facility at or near the Bomona Commonwealth War Cemetery in Port Moresby and replace the ageing interpretive facility at Sandakan Memorial Park in Malaysia.
And we will provide funding of $500,000 to undertake a scoping study for a new memorial at Lemnos, to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australians in Greece in World War One.
The Choice
The Liberal National Government has delivered record new investment in services and support for the veteran community over successive budgets to help make up for years of under-investment by Labor.
The Labor Party failed to implement fairer indexation for military superannuants while in Government, despite their 2007 election commitment to do so.
Our $1.4 billion investment in fairer indexation ensures veterans can access a fair income after their service to our nation.
After years of under-investment and neglect by Labor, our Government has invested in the most significant reform program for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs in 100 years, ensuring that it can deliver support to veterans and process claims more quickly.
These investments are only possible because our Government has ensured we have a strong economy – and all without raising taxes.
We know that more needs to be done to ensure we are constantly meeting the expectations of our veterans and the wider community.
We are therefore firmly committed to supporting those men and women who have been prepared to join the proud ranks of Australian Defence Force and to honour and recognise their service and sacrifice.
Cost
The Coalition will invest an additional $77 million to support veterans and their families.
Our Plan for Delivering High Quality Skills and Vocational Education
Key Points
The Morrison Government will create 1.25 million jobs over the next five years, including 250,000 new jobs for young Australians.
A world-class, modern and flexible vocational education and training (VET) system is crucial to meeting this goal.
We need to ensure:Australians develop the skills to succeed in a changing labour market.
Businesses have access to the skilled workforce they need to grow and prosper.
The Morrison Government’s plan for a stronger economy will:Create another 1.25 million jobs over the next five years, including 250,000 new jobs for young Australians.
Deliver the largest personal income tax relief in a decade, with tax relief of up to $1,080 for single income families earning up to $126,000.
For a dual income family that’s up to $2,160 back in families’ pockets in a few weeks’ time.
Ensure Australians have the skills they need through a new $585 million skills package with more than 80,000 new apprenticeships.
This includes doubling the number of new apprentices supported through the Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy trial, with further investment of around $60 million.
Establish 10 Industry Training Hubs to better connect local industry and schools in areas of high youth unemployment.
Expand the Youth Jobs PaTH Program to pilot up to 10 industry-led job pathway programs to better target the training and internship experiences of young people.
Expand the successful Transition to Work service to allow young people aged 22 to 24 years to also voluntarily access pre-employment services that help prepare them for work.
Transform our employment services system to help Australians who need extra support to get a job.
Strengthen small and medium businesses by lowering business tax, improving access to finance and equity, ensuring small business is paid on time by big business and government, and increasing and expanding access to the instant asset write-off.
Better connect people to jobs, their homes and their communities, and allow businesses to connect to domestic and global export markets through a $100 billion infrastructure plan.
Ensure the Government lives within its means with disciplined fiscal management without increasing taxes.
We believe that learning through a vocational education is just as valuable as a university degree.
That’s why we are transforming the way we deliver skills, support employers and fund training.
We are creating hundreds of thousands of new apprenticeships and trainee places to guarantee a pipeline of Australian tradies and skilled workers.
Our plan will ensure that VET is responsive and flexible to meet changes in the way we work and the demand for new skills.
Labor’s track record shows they cannot be trusted with VET.
Their failed VET FEE-HELP policy was a lightning rod for dodgy providers who ripped off young Australian students, saddling them with debt and no qualification to show for it.
The Liberal National Government has restored the integrity of Australia’s VET system.
Our Plan
With a modern economy that is changing the way we work, there is a growing demand for new skills and occupations.
The Morrison Government is committed to ensuring our VET system is responsive, so students and employers reap the benefits.
We commissioned former New Zealand Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment the Hon Steven Joyce to review how Australia’s VET system can better deliver for Australian job-seekers and employers.
The Review suggested immediate steps and a longer-term roadmap.
The Morrison Government will build on our existing support to the VET sector by implementing a $585 million package to:Reduce the shortfall of skilled workers in key occupations and create up to 80,000 new apprentices by introducing a Skill Shortages payment of $4,000 for eligible employers and $2,000 for apprentices.
Further expand the successful rural wage subsidy to support employers in rural and regional Australia to take on even more apprentices.
Streamline incentives for employers of apprentices and trainees and update the skills need list to ensure it responds to labour market demand.
Address youth unemployment in regional Australia and create better connections between school students, employers and the VET sector by establishing 10 industry training hubs.
Support more young Australians to gain a VET qualification through the Commonwealth Scholarship Program for Young Australians.
Raise the profile of the VET sector and improve the career advice given to students and others transitioning to a new career by establishing a National Careers Institute and appointing a National Careers Ambassador.
Support high impact programs that create innovative partnerships between schools, tertiary providers and employers through new competitive grants.
Increase support for those with low levels of education to identify and address language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills deficits, including in remote Indigenous communities.
Give students ownership over their education records and support the lifelong learning of Australian workers by expanding the Unique Student Identifier and creating a centralised digital Tertiary Learning Repository.
Promote a nationwide approach to skills development, enhance research and analysis of future skills needs and give industry a greater role in designing training courses (by establishing a National Skills Commission and Skills Organisations across the country, starting with the growth areas of human services and digital technology (including cyber security).
Support thousands of young Tasmanians to gain new skills to boost the state’s renewable electricity generation sector and bring the Battery of the Nation plan to life.
Expand the Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy
The Morrison Government is determined to ensure that young Australians in rural and regional areas have the opportunity to secure an apprenticeship,
while ensuring that regional small businesses have access to the skilled workforce they need to grow and prosper.
From 1 January 2019, a new trial wage subsidy program began to support eligible new Australian apprentices located in regional areas facing skill shortages.
The trial has enabled businesses in rural and regional areas to take on around 1,600 more apprentice plumbers, mechanics, electricians, painters and hairdressers than they would otherwise have been able to do.
Under the subsidy, eligible employers are able to receive payments based on the apprentice’s relevant award wage rates.
Subsidies are provided at 75 per cent of the apprentice’s award wage in the first year, followed with 50 per cent in the second year and 25 per cent in the third year.
The Coalition is committed to growing regional communities and businesses and to giving young Australians more opportunities to train for a rewarding career in the regions.
That is why a re-elected Morrison Government will expand the current successful trial program and double its size from 1 July 2019, providing additional support for young Australians and small businesses across rural and regional Australia.
Skill Shortage payment
Apprenticeships provide a pipeline for skills, particularly trade skills that are essential to keeping our economy strong.
From 1 July 2019, the Morrison Government will introduce a new apprenticeship incentive to create up to 80,000 additional apprentices in Australia’s top 10 areas of skills shortage.
Eligible apprentices will receive $1,000 after 12 months of their apprenticeship and $1,000 more upon completion.
Eligible employers will receive $2,000 after 12 months of the apprenticeship, and $2,000 more upon completion.
Support for employers and apprentices in occupations of skill shortage will boost the supply of skilled workers and help businesses grow.
This new incentive will be in addition to existing incentives.
Streamline incentives for employers of apprentices and trainees – and modernise skills
The Morrison Government will establish a new streamlined system of incentives underpinned by a priority occupations list that employers can navigate easily, ensuring that current skills needs are targeted.
To boost the economy, our apprenticeships system must be able to quickly adapt to emerging skills areas such as information technology and cyber security.
The skills needs list will be updated regularly in response to changing labour market demand.
10 Industry Training Hubs
The Morrison Government will establish 10 industry Training Hubs to address the challenge of high youth unemployment in regional areas.
The Hubs will create better connections between local industry and schools to improve outcomes for students, employers and the VET sector.
They will be an on-the-ground presence where new approaches are needed to help students transition from school to training and work.
The Hubs will facilitate additional education for trainers as well as career advice and mentoring for young people with a specific focus on traditional in-demand trades.
A career facilitator will form partnerships between industries in sectors of local skills shortages and those providing advice and education to students.
Commonwealth Scholarship Program for Young Australians
The Morrison Government will establish a Commonwealth Scholarships Program for Young Australians to help more young people enter the vocational education and training sector and gain the skills they need for a successful and rewarding career.
Four hundred Commonwealth Scholarships will be available to students in regions surrounding the pilot industry training hubs to provide a comprehensive pathway for young job-seekers in those regions.
Successful students will receive scholarship funding up to $17,500, depending on scholarship length and the type of study or training, for a maximum period of three years.
Priority will be given to eligible applicants in the following cohorts:individuals who have exited from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in the previous 2 years (the age criteria will not be applicable for ADF applicants)
Indigenous young Australians
young Australians with a disability, and
young Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
A National Skills Commission and Skills Organisations
In line with recommendations of the Joyce Review, the Morrison Government will establish a National Skills Commission to build a nationwide approach to skills development that serves students, industry and drives long-term VET reform.
The Commission will undertake research and analysis of future skills needs and investigate the efficient and fair price of qualifications.
The Commission will also play a role in promoting apprenticeships, including by collaborating with industry to assess and respond to workforce needs.
Linked to the Commission, new Skills Organisations will be piloted in areas of future jobs growth.
The Organisations will provide industry-based advice and develop industry partnerships to trial new ways to develop VET qualifications.
The initial pilots will be in the growth areas of human services, digital technologies and cyber security.
National Careers Institute and National Careers Ambassador
The Morrison Government will establish a National Careers Institute to transform the delivery of career advice for Australians across the life of their education, training and employment.
This will be supported by a National Careers Ambassador who will have strong relationships with key stakeholders and raise the profile of VET.
The institute will address a current gap in quality careers information to support the transition from school to further study or training.
As the expectations of employers evolve, young people and others transitioning through multiple careers and jobs need to know what to study to match their ambitions to the demand for skills.
Innovative partnerships between schools, tertiary providers and employers
The Morrison Government will establish a competitive grants program to support high impact programs that build innovative partnerships between schools, tertiary providers and employers.
This will enable employers to play an active support role in developing the skills they need for the jobs of the future.
Grants of up to $350,000 will be available for eligible partnerships.
The National Careers Institute will administer the program.
New national program to address language, literacy, numeracy and digital (LLND) skills deficits
The Morrison Government will establish a new national program and a series of pilots to address low language, literacy, numeracy and digital literacy skills among employed and recently unemployed Australians.
One in five Australians have poor literacy and numeracy, robbing them of the fundamental skills for employment or career progression.
This program will help participants engage with further training and job opportunities.
Foundational skill levels are an even greater concern in remote Indigenous communities.
Pilot programs will be undertaken in four locations to address the needs of adults in these communities with LLND skills deficits.
The pilots will be co-designed with local Indigenous community members.
Support lifelong learning
The Liberal National Government will expand the Unique Student Identifier to all tertiary students, giving more power to students to track their education.
The Government will also create a Tertiary Learning Repository to allow higher education providers to record an individual’s education and training records.
These measures provide a necessary down-payment for developing a more flexible system of learning across a worker’s lifetime.
Energising Tasmania
With the Energising Tasmania initiative, the Morrison Government is providing additional support to Tasmanians to train in areas of priority skills.
We will partner with the Tasmanian Government to provide fee-free training, ensuring Tasmania can build a skilled workforce to power its pumped hydro capabilities, energy infrastructure and Battery of the Nation project.
This proposal will:Provide support to fund the gap between the existing state subsidy and the total course cost for training in priority skills.
Provide up to $1000 per person to cover other costs associated with training, such as books and materials, and student amenity fees, opening up training to those least able to pay.
Supporting skills in the regions
The Morrison Government is committed to supporting small businesses
and jobseekers in rural and regional areas and we understand that providing a skilled workforce will strengthen local economies and communities.
Our skills plan contains several measures targeted to address skills shortages and elevated youth unemployment in rural and regional Australia.
We will expand the Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy Trial by allowing more small businesses and apprentices in rural and regional areas to benefit.
We will establish 10 Industry Training Hubs in regional areas to forge better connections between local schools and businesses, ensuring that training courses are designed to tackle the specific skills needs of the regions and help reduce youth unemployment.
We will make 400 VET scholarships available to young Australians in regional areas.
We will establish four pilot programs in remote Indigenous communities to improve foundational language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills in those regions.
We will increase the lifetime loan limit available to aviation students studying at a VET Student Loans approved provider to $150,000, up from $104,440.
This will help to cover the cost of training for the licences and ratings issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
This change has also been extended to those who study at higher education providers.
We will invest $15 million to build a new Royal Flying Doctor Service Aeromedical Training Centre in Bundaberg.
The Morrison Government is delivering a comprehensive pathway for young Australians in rural and regional communities to take them from their education into training and work.
The Choice
Labor cannot be trusted when it comes to VET and skills.
Labor’s failed VET FEE-HELP scheme left thousands of students with debts and no qualification – and caused significant reputational damage to the sector.
The Liberal National Government has cleaned up Labor’s VET FEE-HELP mess.
We are supporting affected students and restoring integrity to the system.
Between 2011 and 2013, Labor cut employer incentives to businesses employing apprentices a total of nine times (at a cost of $1.2 billion).
While Bill Shorten was Employment Minister, the number of apprentices and trainees in training collapsed by 22 per cent or 110,000 – the biggest annual decline ever.
By contrast, the Morrison Government is supporting employers with a range of incentives that will be streamlined to make them easier to navigate.
Labor and their union mates have consistently opposed the successful trial of the Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy program, describing it as "shameful" and rewarding employers with a hand out (Buzzfeed, 2 November 2018).
Labor’s opposition to this program demonstrates their lack of interest in supporting young Australians and small businesses in rural and regional Australia.
Cost
The Coalition will invest around $60 million to support additional apprentices being employed through an expansion of the Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy trial.
Our Plan for Supporting Farmers in Drought
Key Points
No Australian Government can make it rain.
No Australian Government can make it stop raining.
But only the Morrison Government is making it a priority to build resilience against the inevitable droughts and floods that will visit our land.
The Morrison Government has made it a national priority to build support for drought-stricken communities and resilience against future droughts.
The Morrison Government approach has been built on three pillars.
First, we ensured a coordinated approach by appointing a Coordinator-General for Drought, Major General Stephen Day and the Drought Special Envoy Barnaby Joyce.
We convened a Drought Summit and developed a new National Drought Agreement ensuring a united front from Commonwealth and state and territory governments in support of farming businesses, families and communities.
Second, we ensured affected farming families and communities have the support they need.
And we will continue to do so.
Third, we acted to build our nation’s resilience against drought with a landmark Future Drought Fund.
A re-elected Morrison Government will:Invest $3.9 billion in the Future Drought Fund to prepare for future droughts.
The Fund will grow to $5 billion over the next decade and enable investment of $100 million per year in water infrastructure and drought resilience.
Continue to ensure the Farm Household Allowance is fit for purpose, making the $5m farm assets test for Farm Household Allowance permanent.
Create a new restocking and replanting concessional loan through the Regional Investment Corporation
Establish a $7 million Drought Communities Small Business Support Program
Provide extra support by providing $1 million each to an additional 14 local council areas experiencing severe drought through the Drought Communities Program
Labor has no empathy for regional Australia.
Labor does not appreciate the contribution that Australian farmers make to the national economy.
Labor even voted against the landmark Future Drought Fund.
Labor has no plan to support farmers and farm communities affected by drought.
Labor has no plan to strengthen the Australian farm sector’s resilience to drought.
Our Record
The Morrison Government has a plan for drought.
By keeping our economy strong, we are ensuring support for our agricultural industries to combat, recover and prepare for drought.
The Morrison Government understands that agriculture depends on good seasonal conditions and advantageous trade terms.
When our farmers are doing well, our regional economies are doing well.
When our farmers are doing it tough, the Morrison Government has demonstrated its willingness to act to make sure they get the hand up they need.
The effects of the drought in south-eastern Australia are starting to flow through.
Nationally, farm profitability is expected to be lower in 2018-19 than the previous two years, largely due to drought conditions.
The effects of the drought in south-eastern Australia are starting to flow through.
Nationally, farm profitability is expected to be lower in 2018-19 than the previous two years, largely due to drought conditions.
The Morrison Government has made support available for drought-stricken communities.
At the same time, we are prioritising the work required to be resilient against future droughts.
The Morrison Government is investing $6.3 billion in ongoing, immediate and long-term drought support to help farming families and communities in drought.
Our response to the drought has been shaped by the ongoing intelligence gathered on the ground by the Coordinator-General for Drought and the Drought Special Envoy.
Australia’s farmers are in the hands of the weather, and climate change forms part of this.
The Morrison Government has announced a $3.5 billion Climate Solutions Plan, which is among the largest investments by Australia in emissions reduction.
The Climate Solutions Plan will ensure Australia meets our 2030 target.
Support for farmers and their families
Farm Household Allowance (FHA) has helped more than 11,200 farmers and delivered $266.9 million in fortnightly support payments.
FHA is not just a drought measure, it helps all farmers facing financial hardship.
However, many of the farmers that access FHA do so because of drought.
FHA is relatively new, becoming available only four years ago.
During this time, the Liberal Nationals Government has made a number of changes to ensure the Allowance meets the needs of Australian farming families, whether that be putting food on the table, paying household bills or buying school supplies.
In recognition of the ongoing drought conditions, the Morrison Government also provided FHA recipients with a Special Drought Supplement payment.
The supplement was paid in two instalments of $3,600 for singles and $3,000 for each partner for couples.
Through the $30 million Drought Community Support Initiative, charities are providing around 10,000 of our farming families with cash and vouchers to help with daily household expenses.
$5 million has also been provided to the CWA to support their drought charity efforts.
The financial stress of drought brings mental stress.
The Liberal Nationals Government has also invested $29.4 million to expand the Empowering our Community and Connecting Youth Awareness raising Initiative and Telehealth Services.
We are providing $15 million in extra funding to the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal to deliver small-scale grants for not-for-profit community groups.
Support for farm businesses
Farm businesses told us that it is difficult and time consuming to sift through the web of information to find the right support for their particular needs because each program is found on different websites.
To ensure that farmers and communities can find out what support is available and where to get help, the government has funded the National Farmers’ Federation FarmHub.
FarmHub is a single trusted point of access to information and services.
It’s a one-stop-shop covering support and programs from all levels of government, industry groups and not-for-profit organisations.
The Morrison Government has provided an additional $339,000 to the NFF to expand the content of FarmHub.
The additional content will focus on farm risk management approaches, including the development of a Drought Preparedness E-checklist.
Farm businesses are able to access concessional loans through the Regional Investment Corporation.
The Morrison Government provided the RIC with an additional $1 billion to help drought affected farmers.
This funding supports the RIC’s special drought loan, helping farmers prepare for, manage through or recover from drought.
Since 2013, more than 1,600 farm businesses have had loans approved - only eight were approved the last time Labor was in Government.
The Morrison Government has established a $50 million Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme.
Farmers can use this funding for on-farm emergency watering points, de-silting of dams and drilling new stock water bores to improve drought resilience.
The Rural Financial Counselling Service has been around for about 30 years.
It provides confidential rural financial counselling to primary producers and fishers experiencing financial difficulties.
The Liberal Nationals Government has provided an additional $5 million to the RFCS bringing our total investment to $77 million. Over 4,000 farming businesses are being assisted by Rural Financial Counsellors.
Building long term resilience to drought means tackling pests and weeds. Weeds alone cost the agriculture sector $4.8 billion a year.
To help farmers and communities manage the impact of wild dogs, pest animals and weeds during drought, the Liberal Nationals Government is providing $15 million in funding for 48 projects across drought ravaged communities.
Our total investment in fighting pests and weeds has reached over $200 million.
Farmers told us they need better weather forecasting to help them plan.
We have responded with $77.2 million in funding for radars to address gaps and $2.7 million to the Bureau of Meteorology for regional climate guides provided.
These initiatives will provide farmers with more information to farmers and giving them the resources to better manage the weather and climate.
The Morrison Government cut red tape to get fodder to farms more quickly.
Heavy vehicle height and width allowances were increased for trucks carrying hay and fodder to drought areas, resulting in up to 54,000 days per year avoided in waiting for permits.
Additionally, the $75 million accelerated fodder storage asset depreciation will provide farmers the option to instantly depreciate their asset, instead of depreciating it over 3 years.
Support for farming communities
When Australian farmers are doing it tough, so do the communities that support and rely on them.
Through the Drought Communities Fund, 96 local governments have access to $1 million each to deliver local infrastructure and drought relief products.
An additional $23.7 million has been provided to fast track capping and tapping free-flowing bores across the Great Artesian Basin to ensure there is water available for generations to come.
$72 million in funding has been made available for projects in drought-affected areas through a special National Water Infrastructure Development Fund Drought Round.
Our Plan
Delivering the Future Drought Fund
No Australian Government can make it rain.
No Australian Government can protect Australia’s farmers from drought.
But the Morrison Government will make an unprecedented investment in drought resilience, preparedness and recovery.
The Government’s $3.9 billion Future Drought Fund - which will grow to $5 billion over time - will deliver $100 million per annum to a range of projects mitigating the impact of drought.
Labor doesn’t support the Future Drought Fund.
Labor doesn’t want to put in place guaranteed funding to help Australian farmers who need to prepare for and respond to drought conditions that are out of their control.
Restocking and Replanting Concessional Loans
In recognition of the impact of prolonged drought on farm capital resources, the Morrison Government will make available a new loan product to drought affected farmers for restocking and replanting purposes.
Drawing on the Regional Investment Corporation (RIC), eligible farmers will be able to borrow up to $200,000 for restocking and replanting.
Loan terms include a two year interest free period, with no interest accrual.
This will assist farm businesses immediately rebuild and restore their future viability following successive years of financial hardship brought about by harsh drought conditions.
The concessional rate of interest and flexible repayment terms over the remainder of the term will help farming families get back on their feet.
Eligible farmers must demonstrate their property is in a 10 per cent rainfall deficient area through Bureau of Meteorology rainfall deficiency mapping over at least a 24 month period and have experience of consistently failed crops or have consistently destocked for two or more years.
Fit for purpose Farm Household Allowance
A re-elected Morrison Government will continue to improve FHA to ensure it is fit for purpose.
Farmers are unlike other recipients of government support.
They have a full-time business to run, livestock to care for, crops to market and properties to maintain.
That’s why FHA has more generous assets tests and other special dispensations.
In 2018 the Liberal National Government temporarily extended the farm assets threshold to $5 million. A re-elected Morrison Government will make this permanent.
This move recognises that farmers have substantial assets but no income to meet daily expenses.
As part of the recent Budget, the Morrison Government made changes to discount or exempt the forced sale of livestock from the FHA income test when the income is invested in a Farm Management Deposit.
Farmers on FHA who are destocking will be able to retain access to income support and make long-term financial plans for their future.
Farmers on FHA who are destocking will be able to retain access to income support and make long-term financial plans for their future.
Financial Counselling for Small Businesses in Drought Affected Communities
When our farmers are doing it tough in a drought, so are the small businesses that support them.
One of the long-standing and most successful services for farmers in hardship is the Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS).
The RFCS supports our farmers to make business decisions, identifying financial and business options, developing action plans and negotiating with lenders.
A re-elected Morrison Government will commit $7 million to establish the RFCS Drought Communities Small Business Support Program.
The Program will be provided free of charge to business owners.
Supporting communities tackling drought
As part of the recent Budget, an additional $15 million has been allocated to 15 more local government areas under the Drought Communities Program.
This brings the total investment to $96 million for 96 local governments suffering drought.
Funding has been used for a wide variety of projects that help farmers and residents.
The Bollon Town Common Fencing Upgrade will renew fences for better management of stock near main roads in the Balonne Shire.
The Unsealed Road Infrastructure Upgrade will install water-filling stations closer to farmers and upgrade cattle grids in the Tamworth Shire.
A re-elected Morrison Government will continue to evaluate drought conditions and provide assistance to those Council areas in most need.
We will provide $1 million to an additional 14 Councils experiencing severer drought conditions.
Councils include:BalranaldBerriganHayRenmark ParingaUnincorporated SALatrobeMilduraYarriambiackFederationCoolamonAdelaide PlainsAlexandriaCopper CoastPort Pirie City and District
This brings our total investment under the Drought Communities Program to $110 million.
The Choice
There is a lot at stake at this election.
And there is a clear choice.
A choice between a Government that is delivering a stronger economy and a Labor Party that would weaken our economy.
A choice between a Government that is fixing the Budget and a Labor Party that can’t manage money.
A choice between a Government whose sound economic management enables it to properly fund drought support and resilience measures and a Labor Party who can’t manage money and therefore can’t deliver essential services.
A choice between a Government that values Australia’s farm sector and a Labor Party that opposed the Future Drought Fund in the Australian Parliament.
A choice between a Government that has increased Farm Household Assistance and a Labor Party that would let the program wither.
A choice between a Government that stands behind farmers in need and a Labor Party that would abandon our farmers and their communities.
No empathy, no plan, no ideas
Labor has no plan to support farmers and farm communities affected by drought.
Labor has no plan to strengthen the Australian farm sector’s resilience to drought.
Labor has never demonstrated any understanding of challenges and
Farmers and their families matter to the Liberals and Nationals.
The Morrison Government stands behind farmers in need.
The Morrison Government is prepared to provide a genuine, long term investment in drought resilience and drought proofing Australia.
Labor has no plan.
Cost
The Coalition will invest an additional $36.4 million to help farmers tackle drought
Our Plan to Showcase Agriculture: Our heritage. Our future.
Key Points
The Morrison Government has a plan to showcase agriculture and bring the city and country closer together.
Our plan for a strong economy is ensuring we can better educate the next generation and the generations to come about where their food and fibre come from.
Agriculture has always played an important role in the success of our nation – it touches all Australians.
It’s a key pillar of the economy.
Our farmers care for our land while feeding and clothing us and tens of millions more in markets abroad.
Hundreds of thousands of Australians work on the land or in related sectors in our regional towns and the major cities.
It’s an advanced and innovative industry with an exciting future.
But many of our kids don’t know or are confused about where their food comes from and we are trying to fix this.
We need to engage current and future generations about the contribution, the promise and the future of farming, show them where our food and fibre come from and encourage more young Australians to study agriculture.
A re-elected Morrison Government will invest $10 million in two new programs to bring our kids and our farms together.
We will fund primary and secondary school student visits to farms and we will establish up to 80 mobile ‘mini farms’ in urban based schools through the iFarm program.
Australia’s regional communities are the hubs supporting our farmers.
Hubs that play an important role in Australia’s economic growth.
The Morrison Government has invested in our regional communities, especially those faced with droughts and, most recently, the extensive flood event in north Queensland.
The Drought Communities Program for example, is delivering infrastructure projects that provide employment, stimulate local community spending use local resources, businesses and suppliers and have a long-lasting benefit to the communities.
More needs to be done to bring regional communities together, to keep them strong and resilient. Agricultural shows are the most authentic and accessible showcases of Australian farming.
These institutions are at the very heart of our regional communities.
They bring farmers and people from the city together.
Agricultural shows are fun, bring communities together and showcase new technology and promote competition with prized livestock.
However, many are struggling with old infrastructure making it hard for shows to go ahead and attract visitors.
A re-elected Morrison Government will establish a new $20 million Regional Agricultural Show Development grant program.
Grants will be available for regional agricultural show societies that run annual shows to upgrade and maintain existing infrastructure and to build new infrastructure.
This investment will help keep our agricultural shows running, help bring communities together and help bridge the divide between country and city.
Labor has no plan to strengthen the Australian farm sector’s resilience to drought.
Our Plan
Regional Australia makes a significant contrition to our national economy.
It has long been the engine room of the economy with around $537 billion (31 per cent) of our annual GDP coming from regional Australia in 2016-17.
When Australia’s regional towns prosper, so does the Australian economy.
But when times are tough, the Morrison Government has demonstrated our commitment to back in regional communities.
A prime example is our Drought Communities Program, which is delivering $1 million each to Councils across the country severely impacted by the drought.
The Program has supported community infrastructure and other drought relief projects.
It’s aimed at providing employment for people whose work opportunities have been impacted by the drought and stimulating local community spending.
The Morrison Government has also provided $30 million in much needed drought support to families through the Drought Community Support Initiative.
This includes up to $2,000 in cash and $1,000 in vouchers, making sure the money is spent in the local community.
After the major flood event in north Queensland the Morrison Government provided 11 of the most impacted Councils $1 million each to help them with the costs of the response and clean-up.
The significant donations made by the public to help farmers tackle drought and natural disasters demonstrate that Australians support the bush and want to make sure that our farmers have a future.
Gone are the days when large numbers of Australians had a close relative working the land.
This is resulting in a lack of understanding about where our food and fibre come from and the career and lifestyle opportunities available in modern farming and our regions.
Agriculture is more than big hats and boots.
It’s a high-tech industry with an exciting future producing the food we eat and the fibre we wear.
A re-elected Morrison Government will help promote that message, especially to our kids.
Taking kids to farms and farms to kids
Studies have found that 75 per cent of primary and secondary school students think that cotton socks are made from animal products.
Sadly, 45 per cent don’t think that bread, bananas and cheese come from farmed product and 40 per cent believe that farming damages the environment.
A re-elected Morrison Government is committed to changing attitudes to farming and addressing the gap in kids' understanding of where our food and fibre come from.
We will invest $5 million over three years to fund primary and secondary school student visits to farms and other primary production worksites.
The funding will be used for state farming bodies to sponsor government, Catholic and independent primary and secondary school visits to teach kids about agricultural production, sustainability practices and farm land stewardship.
City kids will have a hands-on, practical farm experience with the intention of gaining a better understanding of where and how their food and fibre are produced as well as the role and importance of agriculture to Australia’s way of life, regional communities and the economy.
$5 million will also be provided to the iFarm initiative for up to 80 city schools to establish ‘mini farms’: a mobile, living ‘mini farm’ that is fully integrated and computerised as an educational platform to teach students about the use of water, land and energy in food production.
Where they have little room to establish a permanent garden, iFarm is ideal for schools on small footprints, particularly in inner city locations – demonstrating how food is grown through water management, solar energy, soil quality, fertilisers, recycling and waste management.
iFarms replicate large farming practices into a small scale unit.
Showcasing agriculture
Agricultural shows are an integral part of Australian culture.
They play an important part in country life, highlighting the local strengths and bringing communities together.
This is particularly important when our regional communities are tested with extended droughts and one-in-one hundred-year weather events.
Agricultural shows started in the nineteenth century and at their core they still provide unique opportunities to showcase new technologies.
Shows also promote competition with awards for best in class or category for livestock and produce.
Agricultural shows allow people from cities and big regional centres to better understand where their food and fibre come from.
Right across regional Australia our agricultural shows are delivered each year by hardworking volunteers.
Often show societies are faced with ageing infrastructure and expensive repair bills, impacting on the quality of the show and, in some cases, forcing shows to be cancelled.
More can and should be done to support these institutions that are at the very heart of our regional communities.
A re-elected Morrison Government will establish a $20 million Regional Agricultural Show Development Grants Program.
Grants will be available for regional agricultural show societies that run annual shows to upgrade and maintain existing infrastructure and to build new infrastructure.
Regional show ground upgrades support more than agricultural shows.
This vital community infrastructure is often used for other local events, including local farmers markets, that bring communities together.
Promoting the role of farming
The Morrison Government is providing $720,000 to Agricultural Shows Australia (ASA) to utilise and mobilise the agricultural show network to enhance the skills of young people in agriculture and promote the value and role of farmers.
This funding will support the Young Judges and Paraders Program and the Young Farmers Challenge.
ASA will also use this funding to boost education around sustainable agri-food production for schools, shows and community events.
It will see ASA work with organisations like the Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia to deliver better educational material and resources.
This funding will ensure the agricultural shows movement continues to be a strong contributor to our economy, culture and communities and continues to support our young farmers and rural leaders.
Encouraging more Australians to study agriculture
The Morrison Government is providing $220,000 to Primary Industry Education Foundation Australia (PIEFA) to fund a new major study of students' and teachers’ perceptions about food and fibre production, as well as their views on the careers that are available in the agricultural sector.
The outcomes will inform future education and communication initiatives to improve young Australians' connection with agriculture and food and fibre production, and encourage young people to study agriculture.
If Australian agriculture is going to have a strong and sustainable future, we must invest in our most important resources – our people. The funding also allows PIEFA to deliver annual one-day workshops on food and fibre education for Australian school students in each state and territory.
The Morrison Government wants to get more kids excited about the job opportunities and long-term rewarding careers that agriculture offers.
This program is part of the Government’s Plan to strengthen agriculture,
support jobs
and our regional communities
and boost our economy.
The Choice
The Morrison Government appreciates the need to ensure that our children understand and value the contribution of farming.
We are invested in supporting the sector, regional communities and the future of farming.
By contrast, Labor has no empathy for ‘the bush.’
Labor under-estimates the value of the farming sector to the Australian economy.
Cost
The Coalition will invest an additional $30 million to showcase farming and agricultural careers.
Our Plan for Stronger Defence and Defence Industries
Key Points
The first role of Government is to keep Australia and Australians safe.
We are investing more than $200 billion in Australia’s defence capability over the next decade – the nation’s biggest peacetime investment in Defence.
By 2020-21, we will have restored investment in Defence to 2 per cent of GDP.
This is in stark contrast to Labor who slashed more than $18 billion from Defence, reducing Defence spending to just 1.56 per cent of GDP – the lowest level since 1938.
To keep Australians safe and secure, we need to keep our economy strong.
The Coalition Government’s strong economic management underpins the investments needed to defend Australia and protect our borders.
Our record rejuvenation of Defence includes building 54 naval vessels in Australia, modernising our Army and introducing a world-leading fifth generation Air Force.
We are maximising involvement and opportunity for Australian industry across Defence programs - from large scale projects with national reach, to local projects and contracts that support our Defence Force day to day.
Our plan is creating tens of thousands of highly-skilled, high-paid jobs throughout the country.
This is securing jobs for generations to come and ensuring the Australian Defence Force is supported by the thriving Australian defence industry they need, when they need it.
A re-elected Morrison Government will continue building Australia’s defence capability by:Maintaining our commitment to increase Defence investment to 2 per cent of GDP by 2020-21, to provide certainty for Defence planning and procurement.
Building an additional three naval vessels in Henderson, Western Australia – two Mine Warfare Support vessels and a hydrographic vessel – adding to the 31 minor war vessels already being built in WA and the 54 naval vessels being built in Australia overall.
This will bring the number of naval vessels the Coalition has committed to build (or already commenced) in Australia to 57.
Built in Australia, by Australian workers, with Australian steel – in stark contrast to Labor, who committed to build no naval vessels in Australia.
Investing $156 million to roll out a package to support further enhancing our cyber resilience and workforce – particularly across the ADF and the Australian Signals Directorate and the Australian Cyber Security Centre, as well as strengthening our broader cyber security resilience and response across small business, older Australians and families.
Continuing with the Attack class submarine project, which Labor say they are putting on ‘pause’ to once again delay and create uncertainty for our Navy and our defence industry.
Supporting our ADF personnel by allowing them the choice to contribute to their ADF Super even after they have transitioned to a new employer.
Our Record
The Coalition has a strong record of investing in and delivering what is needed to keep Australians safe.
Strong economic management has meant we can restore defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP, reversing the significant decline under Labor.
Under Labor, Defence, and thus the safety and security of our nation, was an unacceptable casualty of their inability to manage the economy.
Under Labor, defence funding was gutted by over $18 billion and investment fell to just 1.56% of GDP – the lowest level since 1938.
Under Labor 119 Defence projects were delayed, 43 projects reduced and eight cancelled.
By contrast, the Coalition Government has made over 173 project-related decisions since the release of our 2016 Defence White Paper: we’re getting on with the job of delivering the best equipment and facilities our Defence Force needs.
Australia has one of the finest militaries in the world.
A proud history, equipped with some of the best equipment and training in the world, combine for an envied reputation.
But we live in a region which is increasingly volatile.
Competition for power is growing and the threat of terrorism is clear and present.
To keep Australians safe and secure, we need to keep our economy strong.
For too long, successive Labor Governments have treated Defence like an ATM when it needed to prop up its own poor budget decisions, placing the safety and security of our nation at risk.
Only the Morrison Government can be trusted to keep Australia safe.
To do that, we are: •Continuing to deliver reliable and sustainable Defence funding.
•Continuing to renew our Defence capabilities.
•Contributing to operations at home and around the globe.
•Enhancing support for regional security.
•Building a stronger Navy, Army and Air Force.
•Investing in infrastructure and enablers.
•Building the Australian defence industry.
•Keeping Defence on the cutting edge.
•Enhancing our cyber warfare and security workforce and resilience.
•Supporting Our Defence personnel.
Our Plan
Reliable and sustainable Defence funding
Reliable and sustainable Defence funding gives Australia’s military the confidence to plan ahead and make the investments they need to keep Australia safe.
In turn, Australia’s defence industry can invest and employ more Australians.
The 2019-20 Budget maintains the Morrison Government‘s commitment to provide Defence with stable and sustainable funding growth.
By 2020-21 we will have restored Defence investment to 2 per cent of GDP.
Renewing our Defence capabilities
Under strategies laid out in the 2016 Defence White Paper, the Morrison Government is investing in the capabilities and platforms necessary to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex security environment.
Our fully-funded plan is investing more than $200 billion in Australia’s defence capability over the next 10 years, including the largest regeneration of our Navy since the Second World War.
Built in Australia, by Australians, using Australian steel.
The 10-year Integrated Investment Program laid out Defence’s plans for procurement, giving certainty to industry of the path ahead.
To deliver this ambitious program, the Coalition Government has made over 173 project decisions since the release of the White Paper.
Not only do these decisions get vital equipment into the hands of our service men and women sooner, but they also create opportunities for Australia’s defence industry to invest and grow.
Operations at home and around the globe
The Australian Defence Force is one of the most respected and effective militaries in the world.
Only the Morrison Government can be trusted to continue to invest the resources necessary to keep it that way:
We have given our ADF the power to target terrorists with lethal force (in accordance with international law).
This includes targeting support networks and improvised weapons manufacturers, as well as front-line combatants.
As part of Operation Okra, around 600 ADF personnel have been involved in the fight against Da’esh.
While we have achieved territorial defeat, Da’esh remains a threat to global security.
We’ve increased Australia’s commitment to the NATO-led Operation Resolute Support in Afghanistan (to around 300 personnel) so that Afghanistan does not again become a safe haven for terrorists.
To combat terrorism in our region, ADF training teams are building the capacity of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to combat Islamic State-aligned terrorists.
We are also expanding the ADF’s role in training select state and territory police units to respond to domestic terrorist incidents.
Enhanced support for regional security
The Morrison Government recognises Australia’s security is intertwined with our Pacific neighbours so we are stepping up actions in this vital region.
Our package of security, economic, diplomatic and people-to-people initiatives will take Australia’s engagement to a new level and Defence will play a key part:The Morrison Government has committed to building a large-hulled vessel dedicated to increased ADF engagement with our Pacific partners, especially for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
We are fundamentally changing how the Pacific region identifies and responds to maritime security threats with the 30-year, $2 billion Pacific Maritime Security Program.
This will deliver bigger and more capable Australian-built patrol boats, aerial surveillance, information sharing, and capacity building.
Building a stronger Navy
The Morrison Government is keeping Australians safe with our $90 billion plan to build 57 new vessels – the largest regeneration of the Navy since the Second World War.
This is in stark contrast to Labor, who did not commission any naval vessels from Australian shipyards when they were last in office.
We are doubling our submarine fleet to 12 Attack class submarines, building nine Hunter class frigates and 12 Arafura class offshore patrol vessels to ensure our borders remain secure and our nation safe. We are also building 21 Guardian class pacific patrol boats to help our near-neighbours.
A re-elected Morrison Government commits to building an additional three naval vessels in Henderson, Western Australia – two mine warfare support vessels and a hydrographic vessel.
All 57 vessels will be built in Australia, using Australian workers and Australian steel – creating thousands of jobs for decades to come.
More than 700 Australian businesses have already prequalified to work on the Hunter class frigates.
Around 170 have pre-qualified to work on the Attack class submarine program.
The Morrison Government has committed to building world-class new naval shipyards to construct the vessels and has established the Naval Shipbuilding College to ensure we have the right workers at the right time.
The Morrison Government is continuing our initial investment in 2017 with the University of Tasmania’s Australian Maritime College, by investing a further $30 million to create a Tasmanian Defence Innovation and Design Precinct, helping to deliver the research needed for Australia’s cutting-edge maritime defence capability.
Our commitment to construct two further mine warfare support vessels at the Henderson shipyard precinct in Western Australia is part of our new mine warfare strategy.
We will bring forward the replacement of the Huon-class mine hunters from the 2030s to the mid-2020s, as part of our new Maritime Mine Countermeasures Program (to be known as SEA 1905).
The Morrison Government has allocated over $1 billion in the Defence Integrated Investment Program to deliver the full scope of SEA 1905, including the building of the two mine warfare support vessels and investment in new mine countermeasure (including autonomous) systems.
The build of the three additional vessels will be coordinated with our existing naval shipbuilding programs in Western Australia.
This will ensure the naval shipbuilding workforce in WA continues to grow over the long term.
It’s estimated there will be around 1,000 jobs created to build the Arafura class offshore patrol vessels and 400 jobs to build the Guardian class Pacific patrol boats.
Building a stronger Army
The Morrison Government will keep Australians safe with an unprecedented investment in our Army including:A $5.2 billion project to build over 200 new Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles in Queensland and creating 1,450 jobs nationwide.
A $15 billion project to replace the Army’s M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers with a fleet of up to 450 modern Infantry Fighting Vehicles.
New weapons including rifles, pistols, grenade launchers and mortars as well as new body armour and night-fighting equipment.
A new protected truck fleet: Australian-built trailers and modules, cranes, excavators, front-end loaders, forklifts and tractors as well as aviation refuelling and fire trucks.
Building a stronger Air Force
The Morrison Government will keep Australians safe with an unprecedented investment in Air Force capability including:More than $17 billion to acquire the world-best F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. More than 50 Australian companies have shared in more than $1.3 billion in production contracts so far.
The program is expected to support over 5,000 Australian jobs by 2023.
Boosting the security of our borders with the manned P-8A Poseidon and unmanned MQ-4C Triton maritime patrol aircraft.
Infrastructure alone for this project will support over 4,000 Australian jobs.
Enhancing our ability to watch and protect ADF land forces by acquiring the MQ-9 Reaper as Australia’s first armed, remotely-piloted aircraft system.
Australian industry will provide a range of innovative sensor, communication, manufacturing and life-cycle support capabilities, as well as associated infrastructure development.
Investing in infrastructure and enablers
The Morrison Government has committed to the redevelopment and construction of new infrastructure across Defence, ensuring the ADF has the facilities it needs for operations in our region and beyond. This includes:
Over $3 billion for facilities and maintenance hubs to support new capabilities for the Navy, Army and Air Force.
Over $1.8 billion on military base and critical infrastructure renewal for the Navy, Army and Air Force.
More than $25 billion forecast investment (to 2028) to build and maintain defence infrastructure to support new and existing capabilities.
At the same time, the Government is providing $5 billion in additional funding to 2025‐26 to modernise Defence’s information and communications technology.
Building Australia’s defence industry
Our creation of a stronger, more resilient, and internationally competitive defence industry is maximising opportunities for Australian businesses to secure Defence contracts.
Hundreds of thousands of people and more than 3,000 small to medium enterprises are already employed in Australia’s defence industry.
The Morrison Government has launched the 2019 Defence Policy for Industry Participation, providing further opportunities for Australian companies to compete for work and drive the long-term development of Australia’s sovereign defence industry.
This policy builds on the success of the Government’s well-established Australian Industry Capability Program and Local Industry Capability Plan. It also extends the requirement to include opportunities for Australian industry on all Defence procurements of $4 million, and above $7.5 million for construction.
The policy ensures local Australian businesses have more opportunities to benefit from our $200 billion-plus investment in Defence capability over the next decade, ensuring we create Australian jobs and a sovereign Australian defence industry.
The policy ensures local Australian businesses have more opportunities to benefit from our $200 billion-plus investment in Defence capability over the next decade, ensuring we create Australian jobs and a sovereign Australian defence industry.
The policy also supports the Government’s long-term vision for an Australian industry that is positioned to meet Defence’s requirements and generate economic growth and jobs across Australia.
The $230 million Centre for Defence Industry Capability works closely with industry to help it take advantage of the unprecedented opportunities.
This includes the awarding of 80 Capability Improvement Grants to help companies prepare and to be more competitive to do business with Defence.
The first Australian Defence Industrial Capability Plan lays out how we will build the Defence industry Australia needs.
This includes a dedicated annual Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority grants program, providing up to $17 million to Australian small and medium enterprises to assist them to purchase essential equipment, such as enhancing cyber security, providing access to specialist training, or the ability to attain appropriate accreditations and certificates.
The Defence Export Strategy, Defence Export Advocate, $3.8 billion Defence Export Facility and $20 million annually in extra export promotion to help Australian defence industry market its capabilities to our friends and allies overseas for a sustainable Australian defence industry.
Expanding access to Efic, the Export Credit Agency, to enable Australian companies to access a range of specialist finance solutions to expand their business and help them secure export-related contracts in new markets.
Continuing to grow the Global Supply Chain program, giving Australian companies a foot in the door for greater access to global markets through the supply chains of defence prime companies.
Keeping defence on the cutting edge
Ensuring Australia has access to and control of vitally important capabilities to keep the ADF on the cutting edge of new technologies.
The Sovereign Industrial Capability Assessment Framework and the Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities establish key areas for research and development, which is then backed-up with funding to ensure they are developed in Australia.
The Coalition Government has committed $1.6 billion to ensure our Defence Forces remain at the cutting edge of technology by expanding opportunities for Australia’s innovation and research and development organisations to continue to challenge, expand and grow their knowledge base and skills:The Next Generation Technologies Fund has invested more than $130 million in long-term research programs aligned with Defence priorities, along with over 130 research activities with 24 Australian universities and 15 small and medium enterprises.
The Defence Innovation Hub has received over 820 innovation proposals and awarded more than $109 million in contracts. More than 80 per cent of investments have been with micro, small and medium businesses.
Enhancing our cyber warfare and security workforce and resilience
New and more complex security threats in cyberspace will be an important part of our future security environment.
The cyber threat to Australia is growing.
Cyber attacks are a real and present threat to the ADF’s warfighting ability as well as to the rest of government and Australia’s economy and critical infrastructure.
To counter the growing threat of cyber attack, the Coalition Government has improved our national cyber security capabilities.
Defence’s cyber security capabilities have been strengthened to protect the ADF’s warfighting and information networks.
The Australian Signals Directorate and the Australian Cyber Security Centre are at the forefront of the broader contribution to enhanced national cyber security efforts, which include better coordinated cyber security capabilities and working further with industry and academia to counter the threat of cyber attack.
The Coalition Government’s landmark $230 million Cyber Security Strategy has also been a key catalyst for change across the economy.
We have streamlined our national cyber security structures across the Departments of Defence and Home Affairs, we have invested in strong cyber defences (across government and the rest of the economy), we have spread our global cyber engagement, and we have focussed on growing a cyber-smart nation.
But there is more to do. Cyber crime continues to cost our economy billions of dollars a year, particularly impacting families, small and medium sized businesses and families.
We need to take a proactive approach to ensuring that Australians and Australian businesses can fight back against these criminals.
And we need to grow our cyber and STEM workforce to ensure that we have the right people with the right skills to fill roles across the ADF, Defence, the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), defence and other industry and the broader economy.
A re-elected Morrison Government will therefore make a $156 million investment in further enhancing our cyber resilience and workforce – particularly across the ADF and the ASD/ACSC, as well as strengthening our broader cyber security resilience and response across small business, older Australians and families.
This will be a significant further investment in the development of our national cyber security workforce, which will have economy wide flow-on impacts.
We will: Invest $80 million to expand the Australian Defence Force’s and Australian Signals Directorate’s cyber operations and workforce capabilities, by:Accelerating the creation of 230 positions for military cyber operations specialists in the ADF over the next four years, significantly enhancing existing capabilities.
By bringing forward these positions, we will be able to deliver the required number of cyber operations personnel in less than half the time originally forecast.
A targeted recruitment program will be launched to attract interested Australians.
As part of our cyber operations targeted recruitment program, building on our highly successful ADF Gap Year Program to create up to 100 new gap year positions each year that are focussed on cyber and information warfare domains to encourage young Australians, particularly women, to embark on a cyber-related career.
In 2018-19, the ADF Gap Year Program received over 5,500 applications, yet only about 10 per cent of applicants were successful in securing a position.
By building a cyber-warfare focussed cohort, we will encourage, inspire and educate young Australians in the cyber domain – ready to join the ADF in military cyber operations specialist and related roles; to join the Australian Signals Directorate in specialist cyber intelligence related roles; to join defence industry; or undertake further studies in the field.
Establishing a Countering Foreign Cyber Criminals capability within ASD and the ACSC, and drawing on the expertise of the Australian Federal Police, that will use our advanced cyber capabilities to combat the increasingly sophisticated organised cyber crime gangs.
Most cyber crimes and scams against Australians originate overseas.
This makes it difficult for domestic law enforcement authorities to investigate, prosecute, and shut down offenders.
Developing a Counter Foreign Cyber Criminal capability will create a capability to both defend against and fight back against cyber criminals overseas, including scammers, fraudsters and those involved in child exploitation.
Growing the Australian Government’s Cyber Security ‘SPRINT’ Teams, to develop cyber partnerships with owners and operators of critical infrastructure to be ready to respond to any emerging national security threats.
Create a $50 million Cyber Security National Workforce Growth Program, that builds on initiatives set out in our Cyber Security Strategy, and brings together Defence, Home Affairs, law enforcement, other government agencies, defence and wider industry, and academia under the leadership of the National Cyber Security Adviser, to further develop and implement a range of initiatives to grow the available national cyber workforce pool and inspire young Australians and students into cyber related careers.
This will build on the significant efforts we have made as a result of the Cyber Security Strategy and have significant flow-on benefits to industry and the broader economy.
This will include:Scholarships for postgraduate, undergraduate and TAFE studies directly associated with cyber security.
A minimum of 50 per cent of scholarships will be made available to female students.
Support for cyber security challenges and educational activities that are targeted primary school, high school, and tertiary students, inspiring and training them to take up a career in cyber related fields (this includes programs such as CyberTaipan, the Cyber Security Challenge Australia (CySCA), and the Cyber Experience Platform).
Development of specialist cyber security related courses, which directly meet the needs of Defence, government and industry.
Building on Questacon’s Engineering is Elementary pilot program – educating teachers about increasing student interest in engineering and other STEM field in a national rollout of the program, which will train 1,000 primary school teachers from every state and territory around the country.
Evidence suggests that getting primary school aged children interested in STEM subjects from an early age encourages them to into STEM careers over the long term.
This will help drive a STEM-cyber workforce of the future.
Development of work experience placements and government/industry exchanges to help develop the practical skills of our national cyber security workforce.
Supporting Women in Cyber mentoring and coaching programs that help promote a diverse cyber workforce.
Invest $26 million to expand the role of the Australian Cyber Security Centre to help businesses and families address cyber security issues
and helping to support the wider Australian economy.
This includes:Developing a comprehensive online cyber security training program, which focusses on providing practical cyber advice for small businesses, older Australians and Australian families.
This will help them to avoid becoming victims of increasingly sophisticated cyber criminals, especially in relation to online transactions, identity theft and internet banking.
Expanding the ACSC’s 24/7 hotline for reporting cyber security incidents to include a dedicated helpdesk for small and medium sized businesses, older Australians and families.
Evidence suggests that 43 per cent of cyber attacks cost small businesses on average $10,000 per attack and that they have limited knowledge and capacity to protect themselves or recover after a cyber security incident.
The help desk will employ specially trained staff who can provide tailored technical cyber security advice for these groups, including advice that prevents, and responds to, cyber security incidents.
The help desk will provide free advice and support to those recovering from a malicious cyber incident – such as data breaches, scams, fraud and identity theft – to equip them to get back on line.
Working with industry and Home Affairs to develop a voluntary code of practice to improve the security of consumer ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) devices in Australia.
This will help inform manufacturers of the security features that consumers will expect from their IoT devices, particularly as 5G technology is rolled out.
Auditing the cyber security arrangements of defence industry contractors, particularly those involved in our $90 billion Naval Shipbuilding Plan, to ensure that we protect our cutting edge military capability.
International experience shows that defence industry sub-contractors can often be the weakest link when it comes to cyber security, so it is essential that we ensure appropriate arrangements are in place to secure our more than $200 billion investment in Defence capability over the next decade.
Updating our 2016 Cyber Security Strategy to take account of developments in cyber security over the past three years.
Protecting Australia from cyber threats is one of our greatest defence and national security challenges and only the Morrison Government is delivering the strong economy necessary to invest in our cyber warfare and security capabilities and workforce.
Supporting Australia’s defence personnel
At the heart of Australia’s Defence Forces are the men and women who proudly wear the uniform.
The Morrison Government will continue to support Australia’s former, current and future Defence personnel, by:Implementing significant workforce reform – making it easier for members leaving the ADF to continue to serve our nation in a permanent capacity or in the Reserves, and also return to the full time force.
Ensuring that the transition from the ADF into civilian life is as seamless as possible by providing a full range of support and services, including:Implementing a new needs-based model of transition support, ensuring more members and their families receive the support they need.
Providing enhanced support for Defence families by extending the Job Search Preparation program to include a program designed specifically for partners of transitioning members.
Delivering additional support services through the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program and ex-service organisations.
Improving the format of ADF Member and Family Transition Seminars to allow attendees to tailor their experience.
Ensuring that all ADF personnel leaving the military now have an individual transition plan, a record of professional military education and training, unit posting and employment history, and copies of all entitlements and medical records.
Implementing programs to meet the needs of separating personnel at risk of a poor transition, those transitioning with complex medical conditions and partners of members transitioning for medical reasons.
Providing access to ADF Transition Coaches to help ADF personnel develop tailored career plans and provide additional support where required.
Rolling out our new network of Veterans’ Wellbeing Centres nationwide.
Allowing former members to contribute to their ADF Super even after they have transitioned to a new employer, allowing them the option to maintain one super account over working life.
Expanding access to the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme and the Defence Service Homes Insurance Scheme for ex-ADF members.
Continuing to invest in our Non-Liability Health Care program, providing free and immediate treatment for all mental health conditions for current and former ADF members – uncapped and demand driven.
Introducing stronger protections for Reservists when they provide service.
Continuing the ADF Gap Year program for school leavers.
Establishing a Council for Women and Families United by Defence Service to provide a forum for women and families to have a direct voice to the Government on issues that impact ADF families and the unique challenges of women who wear our nation’s uniform.
Our controlled approach to managing population growth stands in stark contrast to Labor’s track record.
The Choice
Only the Morrison Government can be trusted to invest the resources necessary to keep Australia safe and continue to strengthen Australia’s Defence Forces.
Under Labor’s weak border protection policies, the boats restarted.
The Navy was diverted from strategic tasks to deal with asylum seeker vessels, placing Australian lives in dangerous and difficult circumstances.
Circumstance that were preventable and which cost thousands of lives and cost billions of dollars.
Now they have announced they will ‘pause’ the project after the Coalition Government got it back on track.
In six years Labor didn’t build one naval vessel in an Australian yard – the shipbuilding ‘Valley of Death’ is indeed ‘Labor’s Valley of Death’.
In 2012-13, Labor slashed the Defence budget by over 10 per cent in real teams, causing Defence investment to fall to 1.56 per cent of GDP – the lowest level since 1938.Overall, Labor cut over $18 billion from the Defence budget while it was in Government.
Under Labor 119 Defence projects were delayed, 43 projects reduced and eight cancelled.
The choice is clear: Labor pays lip service to Defence but then treats it like an ATM when it runs out of money to pay for their unaffordable spending promises and half-baked schemes.
The Morrison Government will increase the Defence budget to 2 per cent of Gross Domestic Product by 2020-21, three years ahead of our original commitment.
To meet our funding commitments and keep Australian’s safe and secure,
we need to keep our economy strong.
The Morrison Government is providing greater certainty for investment.Greater certainty for jobs.And greater certainty for the Australian Defence Force.
Combined, this ensures a stronger Australian defence industry, creating opportunities for Australian defence exports, and laying the foundation for a globally competitive Australian defence industry.
The Morrison Government is providing greater certainty for investment, greater certainty for jobs and greater certainty for the Australian Defence Force.
Cost
The Coalition’s Plan for Stronger Defence and Defence Industry will not place additional costs on the Budget.
Our Plan to Support People with Disability
Key Points
The Morrison Government is backing Australians with disability, their families and carers.
We proudly support the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which is transforming the lives of people with disability, their families and carers.
It is important to get it right.
We are committed to providing individual choice and control to people with disability, to create opportunity and so they can achieve their goals.
We understand that people with disability want to play an important role contributing to the social and economic life of our community.
We recognise that it is good for them, their families and the nation.
If people with disability want to work, we will support them to find and keep a job.
Keeping the economy strong is vital.
It is only by building a stronger economy that we can guarantee the essential services that people with disability, their families and their carers rely on and deliver them the jobs they deserve.
A re-elected Morrison Government will:Continue to ensure the NDIS is fully funded by building a stronger economy and keeping the budget in the black.
Rollout new NDIS participant planning pathways – making sure people with disability have a single point of contact with the NDIS, and can choose to be on a longer NDIS plan of up to 3 years if their disability is stable.
Expand the NDIS community connectors program to support and assist hard to reach communities - including Indigenous Australians, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities and ageing parents of children with disability - to navigate the NDIS and get the services they or their children need.
Introduce a new NDIS Participant Service Guarantee – setting new standards for shorter timeframes for people with disability to get an NDIS plan and to have their plan reviewed, with a particular focus on children, and participants requiring specialist disability accommodation (SDA) and assistive technology.
Commit $45 million to develop a national disability information gateway, including a website and 1800 number, to assist all people with disability and their families to locate and access services in their communities.
Introduce a new 7 per cent employment target for people with disability across the Australian Public Service (APS) by 2025.
Provide $2 million to support people with autism to find and keep a job, including a $1.5 million national expansion of the successful Dandelion Program in partnership with DXC Technology.
Our Record
The Coalition has implemented significant reforms to improve the lives of people with disability, their families and their carers.
We are implementing the National Disability Strategy
Since 2013, the Liberal National Government, in partnership with the states and territories, has released:The National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 Second Implementation Plan – Driving Action 2015-2018.
The Australian Government Plan to Improve Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People with Disability.
National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 Australian Government Action Plan.
In 2017, also under the second implementation plan, we released the Australian Government Action Plan and the Australian Government Plan to Improve Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People with Disability (the Indigenous plan).
To support the Indigenous plan, our Government announced funding of $3 million for two targeted projects: a research to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners and ex-prisoners with disability and a trial on integrated health and education approaches to support students with disability in remote communities.
We have also announced $10.5 million to fund initiatives to help build inclusive communities in the final two years of the current strategy and build the foundation for delivery of a new strategy for beyond 2020.
Consultation on a new strategy for beyond 2020 has now commenced.
We are rolling out the NDIS and making it the best it can be
The NDIS is rolling out in accordance with the agreements signed between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories - area by area, group by group.
The NDIS has grown by more than 900 per cent in less than three years – from about 30,000 participants in 2016 to almost 280,000 today.
More than 85,000 – or almost one in three – are receiving support for the very first time.
The provider market has massively expanded, from around 3,500 to more than 20,200 service providers – an increase of almost 580 per cent over the same period.
NDIS budget funding is growing strongly – from $13.3 billion in 2018-19 to almost $18 billion in 2019-20 and more than $22 billion in 2020-21.
We continue to roll out improvements to better support NDIS participants, their families and carers.
For example, we are implementing a new participant planning pathway, with face-to-face planning (where this is the participant’s preference), a single point of contact, easier to read plans and improved training for NDIS staff.
We are actively promoting longer term plans of up to 3 years for people with disability whose circumstances are stable – reducing red tape for participants and providers who will no longer need to get a plan every 12 months.
The length of a plan will be determined in consultation with the participant, who will still be able to request a plan review at any time if their circumstances change.
We are rolling out a new psychosocial disabilities stream, with specialised planners and closer linkages with mental health services, and we are providing better planning and pricing for NDIS participants with complex support needs.
These improvements will lead to a better NDIS experience and improved long term outcomes for NDIS participants.
We are beginning to see the development of a vibrant and diverse market for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), helping more Australians with disability to live better lives - with more independence, more privacy and more engagement with the broader community.
There are now 12,350 NDIS participants with SDA in their plan – a 13 per cent increase in the 12 months since December 31 2018 – and the number of registered SDA providers has increased from 802 to 892.
Our significant reforms to SDA will simplify processes for people with disabilities and encourage greater investment in SDA for an estimated 28,000 participants when the NDIS is fully rolled out.
As a result of our reforms, participants, their carers or families will be able to go into the market and find or commission a home that suits their individual needs.
We are providing greater pricing certainty to SDA investors, and will allow properties under construction to be precertified so that investors have more certainty that their property will meet SDA design standards upon completion.
All of these SDA reforms are being supported by a dedicated planning team in the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and the establishment of an SDA industry reference group to provide input on SDA policy and price settings.
We are making it easier and quicker for NDIS participants to access assistive technologies (AT), such as wheelchairs, magnifying devices or vehicle and home modifications, including:replacement for standard AT items will be quickly assessed without needing a full re-assessment, and will only require one quote for items valued between $1,500 and $15,000;
From April 2019, we have started a pilot of a new approach to improve the quality and timeliness of assessment for participants requiring complex and non-standard AT; and
In June 2019, we will introduce changes making it easier for participants to access refurbished or pre-used AT.
These changes build on earlier improvements to AT processes.
Since May 2018, low cost, low risk AT under $1,500 could be purchased without further assessment, quotes or approvals once approved as reasonable and necessary in a participant’s plan.
This benefited an estimated 45 per cent of participants requiring AT.
Since December 2018, no more than two quotes have been required for AT costing greater than $1,500.
We have committed to a national action plan to reduce the number of younger people living in residential aged care
Our reforms to the NDIS have allowed us to commit to a national action plan to get younger people out of residential aged care. Under our plan we will:Support those already living in aged care aged under 45 to find alternative, age-appropriate housing and supports by 2022, if this is their goal.
Supporting those already living in aged care aged under 65 to find alternative, age-appropriate housing and supports by 2025, if this is their goal.
Halve the number of younger people aged under 65 years entering aged care by 2025.
While appropriate attention will be given to the small number of younger people aged under 45, this will not preclude or prevent our plan from immediately benefitting all people aged under 65 currently living in residential aged care.
We will continue to work beyond 2025 to minimise to the fullest extent possible the number of younger people aged under 65 years entering and living in aged care.
Providing for safe and quality services for NDIS participants
The Morrison Government believes all forms of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability are abhorrent and have no place in society.
We committed $209 million to establish the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission from 1 July 2018.
The NDIS Commission is already up and running in NSW and South Australia, with operations to begin in all other states from July 2019 (except Western Australia, to start in July 2020).
The NDIS Commission is an independent statutory body with strong investigation and regulatory powers.
It can take tough action including banning orders and substantial civil penalties on both providers and workers.
The NDIS Commission is responsible for registering providers, handling complaints, receiving and managing incident notifications, setting quality standards and enforcing a Code of Conduct for NDIS providers and workers.
In partnership with the states and territories, the NDIS Commission will also provide clinical leadership in behaviour support and promote the reduction and elimination of restrictive practices.
It will host a $13.6 million national database of NDIS worker screening clearances from 1 July 2019 – which will provide a way to check that people who are working, or seek to work, in the NDIS do not pose an unacceptable risk of harm to people with disability.
The NDIS Commission is already doing its job, with more than 600 complaints handled in the first six months of operation.
We have also established a Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability – with funding of $527.9 million over five years.
This funding includes more than $100 million to support people with disability participate in the inquiry through the provision of advocacy and counselling support.
What we learn from the Royal Commission will help to inform governments, institutions and the wider community on how to protect people with disability.
We are growing the market for disability services and jobs
The Morrison Government is investing to ensure that NDIS participants have access to the services they need.
We have released the Growing the NDIS Market and Workforce Strategy to support the creation of an additional 90,000 full-time jobs under the NDIS in the next 5 years.
We are providing $45.6 million through the NDIS Jobs and Market Fund to support the growth, capacity and capability of the NDIS provider market and workforce so that it can meet the needs of NDIS participants.
We have established the $33 million Boosting the Local Care Workforce Program and launched the NDIS Demand Map to provide local post code level data to assist NDIS providers with their business planning.
Tailored business advice (up to $20,000) to help providers transition to the NDIS is also available.
We have announced an $850 million injection per year into the NDIS market from 2019-20.
New prices include a minimum increase of almost $11 per hour for therapists and up to a 15.4 percent price increase to the base limit for attendant care and community participation.
By encouraging an increase in services, this will mean NDIS participants can better access the quality and innovative supports that meet their individual needs.
We are taking action to improve employment outcomes for people with disability
Despite their enthusiasm, commitment and good reputation as employees, people with disability too often find it hard to get into the workforce.
About 14 per cent of working age people in Australia have a disability but people with disability comprise only nine per cent of the workforce.
Only 53 per cent of Australians with disability are participating in work compared with 83 per cent of Australians without disability.
The Morrison Government is committed to helping people with disability who have the desire and capacity to work, to find and keep a job.
Our significant reforms to Disability Employment Services (DES) on 1 July 2018 have seen a 27 per cent increase in the number of people with disability voluntarily participating in the DES program.
Our reforms also provide people with disability with greater choice and control over who they receive support from, enabling them to choose someone who best meets their needs. So far, over 9,800 participants have taken this opportunity, no questions asked.
Because of these reforms, we are also seeing greater employment outcomes – 82 per cent of successful job placements are lasting at least 13 weeks, an increase of 24 per cent over previous arrangements.
In November 2018, the Morrison Government also established the NDIS Participant Employment Taskforce, charging it with overcoming barriers to employment for NDIS participants and developing an NDIS Employment Strategy by July 2019.
We are backing the Taskforce with a $19.9 million grant round for projects that boost economic participation for people with disability.
The Morrison Government has already provided $300,000 for the Impact21 pilot program, delivered by not-for-profit e.motion21.
The pilot aims to educate and employ young adults with Down syndrome.
The pilot includes a one-year work readiness program, including partnership with a national employer and a seven-week work placement program.
We are also encouraging employers to hire people with disability through the ‘Employ their Ability’ campaign.
The campaign aims to highlight the benefits of employing people with disability and ensure employers are aware of the government support and programs available to help them.
As part of the ‘Employ their Ability’ campaign, we have also released the Employer Toolkit, an online resource to guide employers through the entire process of employing people with disability.
Our plan to strengthen the Australian economy has already seen 1.3 million jobs created across the economy over the past five years.
We have a plan to keep our economy strong and create 1.25 million more jobs over the next five years.
Our NDIS Participant Employment Taskforce and grants will help ensure that people with disability will have real employment opportunities and share in the benefits of a strong and growing jobs market.
We are supporting students with disability
The Morrison Government will invest almost $29 billion for students with disability from 2018 to 2029.
This record level of funding will grow by 5.1 per cent on average per student with disability each year.
This funding is in addition to the base per student funding amount provided for all students at each school, and in addition to the funding provided by the states and territories.
Our funding also recognises the individual needs of students, and provides real needs-based funding consistently across Australia.
Under the special deals on schools funding Labor signed, funding for students with disability was inconsistent across the states and territories.
Each state had a different definition of disability which meant a student with a disability could be funded in one state but not another.
Under the Coalition’s reforms, the Commonwealth will provide the same level of funding for a student with a disability regardless of the state in which they live, and funding increases with the student’s level of need.
We have invested in advocacy to support people with disability
Since September 2013, the Coalition’s investment in disability advocacy has grown from $19.7 million to $34.4 million in 2018-19, recognising the significant challenges involved for people with disability to understand and access the NDIS.
This recognises the significant challenges involved for people with disability to understand and access the NDIS.
Our Plan
Establishing a national NDIS Community Connectors Program
A re-elected Morrison Government will complete the rollout of the NDIS.
It is estimated that more than 460,000 participants will benefit from the NDIS when it is fully rolled out in 2020.
To finalise the rollout of the NDIS and ensure that hard to reach communities are engaged in the NDIS, a re-elected Morrison Government will commit $20 million to expand the NDIS Community Connectors Program.
The program will assist rural and remote communities (including Indigenous communities), culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities and ageing parents of children with disability to engage and navigate the NDIS.
NDIS Community Connectors would assist hard to reach communities engage with the NDIS and assist them in access, planning and implementation processes.
The role of Community Connectors would be to provide a community based and trusted resource, to actively connect people with disability and their families with the NDIS and NDIS providers.
Community Connectors would assist potential NDIS participants and their families to acquire the evidence required to test their eligibility for the NDIS, assist with the development of culturally appropriate plans, and help link them with providers to implement their plans.
We have also already announced $165 million to continue to support the smooth transition of remaining clients of Commonwealth programs into the NDIS or continuity of support services in 2019-20.
A re-elected Morrison Government will continue our work to deliver an NDIS that benefits people with disability, their families and their carers. This will include:Continued improvements to NDIS planning processes.
Better use of functional assessments to assist in access and planning decisions.
Piloting new approaches to improve the quality and timeliness of assessment for participants requiring complex and non-standard assistive technology.
Removing restrictions that currently prevent some families from living together in SDA.
Implementing the national action plan to reduce the number of younger people entering residential aged care.
Rolling out the new $398 million NDIS Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) strategy.
Further enhancements to the NDIS myplace portal, website and other ICT.
More improvements to NDIS pricing, including deregulating pricing where appropriate.
Introducing a new NDIS Participant Service Guarantee
With the NDIS transition period nearing an end, it is now also time to set up the NDIS for future success.
A re-elected Morrison Government will therefore introduce a new NDIS Participant Service Guarantee following the practical completion of the NDIS rollout in 2020.
The new NDIS Participant Service Guarantee will set timeframes for participants to receive an access decision (that is, a decision on whether they will be covered by the NDIS); to have their NDIS plan approved; and to have their NDIS plan reviewed, should a participant request a review.
Under the NDIS Act introduced with bipartisan support in 2013, the only requirement placed on the NDIA was to make an access decision within 21 days of receiving all information required to make that decision.
While this was appropriate for the transition phase with all the complexity of rolling out the NDIS to 460,000 people - it is no longer fit for purpose for the NDIS at maturity.
These new service standards will reduce the time taken for people with disability to access the NDIS, and have their plan approved and implemented.
Specific service standards will be enforced for children with disability and participants requiring specialist disability accommodation and assistive technology.
This will ensure that children in need of assistance will be provided with immediate support.
The introduction of the NDIS Participant Service Guarantee will commence on 1 July 2020 following a review of the NDIS Act in the second half of 2019.
A key objective of this review is to streamline NDIS processes and cut red tape for participants and providers.
The NDIS Participant Service Guarantee will be developed and legislated in close consultation with people with disability, their families, carers and supporters, as well as state and territory governments.
The NDIA will be required to report against their performance under the new NDIS Participant Service Guarantee to the COAG Disability Reform Council.
The Commonwealth Ombudsman will be given additional resources of $2 million to allow it to monitor the NDIA’s performance against the Participant Service Guarantee timeframes, and to support NDIS participants pursuing complaints about time frames they have experienced.
Establishing a national disability gateway to support all people with disability
We recognise that the NDIS was never intended to be the only support provided to people with disability, their families or carers.
There are more than 4.3 million Australians with disability, of whom 460,000 are expected to be eligible for the NDIS.
A re-elected Morrison Government will provide $45 million over three years to establish a national disability information gateway for people with disability, their families and their carers.
The gateway will provide people with disability and their families with a one-stop shop to access up-to-date, relevant information, support and referral to assist them in making their own choices about the services and supports they use, and the activities, in which they engage in their communities.
The gateway will consist of a website, including a service finder similar to that available on the My Aged Care and Carer Gateway websites, and a national call centre via a dedicated 1800 number to assist people with disability and their families to locate and access services for themselves or the ones they love.
Establishing a national gateway will improve access to information and services for people with disability and their families, which is currently fragmented and difficult to navigate with services and supports spanning multiple sectors including health, housing, employment, transport and disability services.
For example, the gateway will assist people with disability to find a local advocacy services, a sporting team that meets the needs of their disability, disability related events and disability service providers.
The Gateway will utilise information and resources that will be developed as part of the NDIS Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) National Information Program.
Further action to improve employment outcomes for people with disability
The Liberal and Nationals Coalition has already created 1.3 million jobs.
We have a plan to keep our economy strong and create 1.25 million more jobs over the next 5 years.
It is only through creating these jobs that people with disability will have real employment opportunities.
A re-elected Morrison Government will continue to support initiatives that boost employment for people with disability.
Introduce a new disability employment target for the APS
A re-elected Morrison Government will lead by example by introducing a new 7 per cent employment target for people with disability across the Australian Public Service (APS) by 2025.
While the APS is a major employer across Australia, there has been a consistent decline in the recorded number of people with disability in the APS workforce, from 6.6 per cent in 1986.1
When Labor was last in Government the recorded employment of people with disability in the APS declined from 3.6 per cent in 2007 to 3.2 per cent in 2013.
Under the Coalition, we have already reversed this trend with the recorded employment of people with disability in the APS increasing back to 3.7 per cent in 2018.2
The work of the National Disability Insurance Agency and Department of Social Services demonstrates the ability to increase the level of employment of people with disability across the public service.
The work of the National Disability Insurance Agency and Department of Social Services demonstrates the ability to increase the level of employment of people with disability across the public service.
While a number of initiatives are currently underway to support greater employment of people with disability in the APS, there is currently no target to drive significant cultural change.
A re-elected Morrison Government would therefore lead by example by implementing a target of 7 per cent recorded employment of people with disability across the APS by 2025.
We will task Departmental Secretaries and Agency heads with reviewing their employment policies and the target will form part of their key performance indicators.
We will also task the APS Commissioner with developing a new APS Disability Employment Strategy for 2019-2025, including a review of current recruitment and assessment processes to ensure they are not creating barriers to employment for people with disability, especially those with an intellectual disability or autism.
A number of state and territory governments have implemented employment targets for people with disability within their public service - Victoria with a target of 6 per cent by 2020, Queensland an 8 per cent target by 2022, and NSW wanting to boost public service disability employment from 2.7 per cent to 5.6 per cent by 2027.
A re-elected Morrison Government would also call on all other state, territory and local governments to set ambitious targets for employing people with disability.
Supporting people with autism into employment
A re-elected Morrison Government will provide $2 million to support people with autism to find and keep a job, including a $1.5 million national expansion of the successful Dandelion Program in partnership with DXC Technology.
The Morrison Government recognises that autism is the highest represented disability in the NDIS at almost 30 per cent, and a growing number of people with autism will be leaving school in the next five to ten years.
These young people will need support to help their transition to the workplace.
Since 2014, DXC Technology has successfully delivered the DXC Dandelion Program, providing long term employment outcomes for approximately 100 people with autism in government and non-government workplaces.
To date, the Dandelion Program has achieved a retention rate of around 92 per cent.
This collaborative partnership will leverage DXC’s extensive experience in building careers for people on the autism spectrum – presenting the opportunity to extend this kind of program to the 164,000 Australians with autism.
As part of the partnership, a range of initiatives will be developed to support potential employers to integrate people with autism into the workforce and to become more disability confident and aware.
A re-elected Morrison Government will invest an additional $500,000 for initiatives to encourage employers to become autism-confident.
This will stimulate the widest possible take up of recruitment processes which are inclusive of people with autism and enable people with autism to work in an environment that accommodates their needs.
The Choice
The NDIS is one of the biggest social policy reforms in Australia’s history.
It is important that we get it right.
Unfortunately, Labor’s implementation of the NDIS was led more by political expediency than policy perfection.
A review of the NDIA’s capabilities released in early 2014 found that “The Agency is like a plane that took off before it had been fully built and is being completed while it is in the air.”
Labor has a dismal track record of implementation ambitious schemes - from home insulation schemes to its promise to ‘end the double drop-off’ which was disgracefully abandoned when a mere 38 of a promised 260 child care centres on school premises nationally had been built
If Labor wins government, it will likely do a poor job of implementing the continued roll out of the NDIS.
By building a strong economy and getting the budget back into balance, we have been able to fill the multibillion dollar funding gap left by the previous Labor Government without increasing taxes.
Cost
The Coalition will invest an additional $22 million for our Plan to Support People with Disability.
Our Plan for a Stronger Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Sector
Key Points
The Morrison Government has a plan to lift Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to a $100 billion industry by 2030.
The industry has a roadmap to do this – our policies will help get them there.
A $100 billion industry means many more jobs in our regional and rural communities.
Our plan to help the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector reach its potential is focused on:Tackling barriers to growth and production.
Providing the water needed for growth and drought proofing.
Tackling intergenerational land transfer and encouraging new farmers.
Expanding exports and improving market access.
Getting the balance right for the fisheries and forestry industries.
There are challenges, but we’re addressing these too: pests and weeds, external biosecurity threats, external biosecurity threats, climate impacts,  changeable consumer preferences and international competition on research and development and commercialisation.
A re-elected Morrison Government will:Support farmers to buy their first farm and plan for intergenerational transfer with ‘AgriStarter’ concessional loans through the Regional Investment Corporation.
Establish the National Water Grid, a statutory authority responsible for national strategic planning and management of water policy and infrastructure.
Increase opportunities to sell Australian food and fibre overseas including expanding horticulture through a new 2030 protected horticulture strategy.
Continue to ensure the industry has the skilled workforce in needs through a National Agricultural Workforce Strategy and a new National Agricultural Labour Advisory Committee.
Support farm safety with a new National Farm Safety Education Fund.
Implement a Dairy Mandatory Code of Conduct and support more sophisticated contracting and milk marketing tools to increase price transparency.
Support the battle against pests and weeds in drought affected communities.
Deliver the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in full to give Basin Communities certainty – a triple bottom line approach that recognises the continued importance of agriculture in the Basin.
Deliver increased transparency and accountability in river management.
Commission the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to undertake a review of southern Basin water markets.
Protect the right to farm with new laws targeting trespass and protecting farmers’ privacy.
Develop a National Fishing Plan built on close consultation with the sector to achieve a shared vision for the industry.
Develop a Commonwealth Fisheries Resource Sharing Framework based on comprehensive surveys and careful analysis.
Support better mental health for commercial fishers through a trial of a mental health trusted advocate network.
Support projects that improve the health of Australia’s marine and estuarine habitats.
Invest in building the capacity of recreational, Indigenous and commercial fisheries representatives.
Support new and upgraded recreational fishing and camping facilities, regional jobs and fishing safety through a new grant program for local councils.
Support the planting of 1 billion new plantation trees by developing special Plantation Development Concessional Loans under the Regional Investment Corporation.
Deliver 20-year rolling Regional Forestry Agreements with relevant states.
Bring forward the establishment of the Regional Forestry Hub in South West Slopes NSW as a pilot Hub.
Develop a farm forestry strategy.
Commission an inquiry into short-term timber supply chain constraints in the national plantation sector through the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources.
Labor risks it all.
Under Labor, farm production will be hit.
They have already promised to burden farmers with unnecessary and unprecedented new federal environmental regulations and raise the cost of doing business with additional taxes.
Labor's trade policy will make it next to impossible to grow our exports.
They want to meddle with the Free Trade Agreements our government has delivered.
Labor's trade policy will take us backwards.
Under Labor, there will be no growth in the forestry industry.
Not only do they plan to return to their failed Tasmanian Forestry Agreement, there are real concerns that Labor will abolish Regional Forest Agreements altogether and put forestry under the control of their proposed new Environment Protection Agency in Canberra.
Under Labor, Murray-Darling Basin communities will not have certainty.
Our Plan
Tackling barriers to growth and production
Increasing production by combating pests and weeds
Pests and weeds cost Australian farmers and graziers billions of dollars in production losses every year.
The Morrison Government has recognised that tackling the scourge of pests and weeds does not stop during times of drought.
Hardy weeds can dominate pastures and wild dogs can accentuate stock losses.
We have invested $15 million in the Communities Combating Pests and Weed Impacts During Drought Program to deliver 48 on-ground, direct action projects in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia.
With the drought continuing, a re-elected Morrison Government will provide an additional $10 million for a further round of funding under the program.
This will enable farmers and local communities to continue to fight feral pests and invasive weeds and boost agricultural productivity and growth
Labour challenges are impacting growth
The agricultural sector is facing a number of labour force challenges that are impacting growth and the social fabric of rural and regional communities.
Too many of our best and brightest kids leave our rural communities, never returning to practise their skills and professional interests.
Agricultural and STEM graduates are scarce and increasingly mobile, meaning hiring and retaining young talent is difficult.
Regionally based SMEs and large-scale, labour intensive enterprises are finding it increasingly difficult to source high-performing seasonal labour.
The Morrison Government has already introduced a suite of measures to help farmers access the workers they need.
We introduced targeted changes to the Seasonal Worker Program, the Pacific Labour Scheme and the Working Holiday Maker visa programs.
To further ensure a sustainable, highly-skilled workforce, in the 2019-20 Budget the Morrison Government committed $1.9 million to work with the industry to develop a National Agricultural Workforce Strategy.
The strategy will consider the role of agricultural education in meeting Australia’s current and future workforce needs and identify labour gaps across the agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture sectors as well as ways to attract, train and protect the workforce that is needed now and in the future.
To support this work, a re-elected Morrison Government will establish a National Agricultural Labour Advisory Committee.
The Committee will consider and advise the Government on farm labour and agricultural sector workforce challenges.
On the other hand, Labor will put access to workers at risk with prohibitive penalty rates and union domination of industry needs.
Labor will increase the difficulty, complexity and cost of developing appropriate visa types, robbing employers and employees of opportunity.
A fairer go for dairy farmers
The Liberal Nationals Government has stood behind our farmers – ensuring they get a fair price for their produce. In line with the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper, we invested $11.4 million to boost Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) engagement with the agriculture sector – including the establishment of a new Commissioner dedicated to agriculture.
Dairy is Australia’s third-largest agricultural industry with a value of $4.3 billion in 2017-18 and is the economic mainstay of many rural communities.
Yet dairy farmers around the country have been struggling.
In 2017, the Liberal Nationals Government asked the ACCC to examine the performance and structural problems within the dairy sector.
The Commission found significant power imbalances at each point along the supply chain, with dairy farmers the worst hit.
Farm gate prices for milk are eroding incentives for production and re-investment in an important domestic and export industry.
The ACCC recommended the establishment of a mandatory code of conduct, which, after extensive consultation with farmers and processors, the Morrison Government will activate from 2020 – the 2019-20 Budget provided $8.7 million for implementation. Drafting of regulations to give effect to the code has begun.
Current milk marketing follows a century-old model burdened with hidden pricing, constraints over growers’ sales in favour of local processors and no hedging or options tools.
A re-elected Morrison Government will, through Australian Dairy Farmers, engage the Australian Milk Price Initiative (AMPI) to design new milk pricing and marketing concepts for the dairy sector.
This will give dairy farmers better leverage, more transparency from the supply chain and more choices on how and when they price their milk.
National Farm Safety Education Fund
One in five workplace fatalities happen on the farm.
From January to September 2018, there were 49 reports of on-farm deaths with tractors, utilities, quads and motorbikes most often implicated.
The same period saw 120 non-fatal on-farm injury events, 16 of them involving children under 15.
Quad bikes and motorbikes accounted for around a third of all incidents.
A re-elected Morrison Government will seek to turn these statistics around.
A $3.5 million National Farm Safety Education Fund will be established to support activities that address on-farm safety issues including:Increasing peer-to-peer activities that promote farm safety measures.
Developing and/or updating resources to support on-farm learning and awareness of farm safety.
Campaigns specifically targeted for and to children including farm dam, farm machinery and quad bike safety.
Support for the annual Farm Safety Week.
Farmsafe Australia (which is supported by farm organisation members) is expected to be a major beneficiary of the Fund.
Farmsafe’s mission is to drive efforts to enhance the well-being and productivity of Australian agriculture through improved health and safety awareness and practices.
Providing the water needed for growth and drought proofing
National Water Grid
We need the states to work more closely with the Australian Government to better capture and store water – as well as protect our communities from devastating flood.
A re-elected Morrison Government will establish the National Water Grid – a statutory authority responsible for the strategic planning and project management of water policy and water infrastructure across the nation.
The National Water Grid will:Bring together the world’s best scientists to remove the politics from the allocation, capture and storage of water – ensuring decisions are based on the best available science.
Develop a pipeline of all established and future water infrastructure projects and then identify the missing links.
Use the best science to examine how large-scale water diversion projects could be established to deliver reliable and cost-effective water to farmers and regional communities.
A re-elected Morrison Government will also:Seek agreement from states and territories to co-invest in the project through COAG.
Invest an initial $100 million to better understand water resources and kick-start investigation and delivery of water diversion projects.
Amend the Operating Mandate for the Regional Investment Corporation to allow local Governments and the private sector to access water infrastructure loan funding.
Deliver the Murray-Darling Basin Plan for a healthy river system
The Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to a Basin Plan that delivers certainty to farmers, communities and the environment.
The drought and historic low inflows in Murray Darling Basin rivers over the past twelve months have placed stress on the river and the communities that rely on it.
Communities should expect transparency in river management, water markets and Basin Plan delivery.
A re-elected Morrison Government will:Request the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to undertake a review of the southern Basin water market and its operation since 2012.
Unlike Labor, we are committed to the social and economic criteria that will govern how the additional 450 GL in water for the environment will be recovered – and the 1500 GL cap on buybacks.
Tackling intergenerational land transfer and encouraging new farmers
Our Government believes in a fair go for farming families.
To realise a $100 billion industry by 2030 we must nurture and foster our next generation of farmers, graziers and agricultural producers.
We know there are many young people crying out to own their own farm but with little to no means to do so.
Most Australians appreciate the challenge faced by young Australians wishing to buy their first home but it is even harder for new and young farmers seeking their first farm.
A productive farming operation that provides a steady income can be priced at millions of dollars.
For young farmers, the level of equity and deposit required is daunting.
Basic stock and equipment is a further cost.
It can become even more complicated when intergenerational transfer is involved, which is increasingly the case with an ageing farmer population.
In Europe, the UK and Canada, governments have acknowledged the problem and found innovative ways to deal with it.
It’s time we did the same.
The Morrison Government has extended the mandate of the Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) to create a new loan product to assist new entrants.
‘AgriStarter’ concessional loans of up to $2 million to new farmers will help them purchase a majority share or total share of a farm.
Many of Australia’s older farmers would like to transfer their farm but haven’t got the capacity to simply gift it to the next generation, or someone else.
The loan means families will be able to discuss succession, plan for the future and new entrants to farming will get the start they need.
Expanding exports and improving market access
Improving and growing export markets is critical for the sector to reach a $100 billion value by 2030.
Australian farmers produce almost 93 percent of our daily domestic food supply.
Each farmer produces enough food to feed 600 people, 150 at home and 450 overseas.
About 70 per cent of what we produce is exported.
Through our trade agenda and the delivery of trade agreements, tariffs are coming down, making our agricultural exports more competitive.
A re-elected Morrison Government will prioritise the conclusion of a free trade agreement with the European Union, the implementation of the India Economic Strategy and the expansion of the Trans Pacific Partnership.
Other market-opening opportunities include a free trade deal with the United Kingdom and a trade agreement with the four-nation Pacific Alliance.
The 2019-20 Budget provided an additional $60 million for Export Market Development Grants to allow small and medium businesses to capitalise on international opportunities.
It provided an additional $29.4 million investment to back Australia’s agricultural export trade.
By contrast, Labor has a poor record delivering trade and market access for our agricultural produce.
Labor will be driven by the unions to reduce trade in betrayal of the sector, workers and jobs.
The alarm bells have already sounded, with the unions – which run the Labor Party – pressuring Bill Shorten to rip up our latest agreement with Indonesia.
$11.4 million to accelerate horticulture market access
Horticulture will strongly contribute to the $100 billion target.
Horticulture exports have doubled in value since 2010-11 and are projected to be valued at $3 billion in 2018-19.
The Gross Value of Production (GVP) of horticulture is estimated at almost $10.7 billion, with around 73,000 employees across the sector in 2017-18.
By 2022-23 the GVP is forecast to be $13.6 billion.
The Morrison Government is investing a further $11.4 million over four years to work on the next tranche of horticulture market priorities.
Market access was recently achieved for walnuts to India and the nut sector has identified significant opportunities in Latin America.
Our investment has also brought phytosanitary pathways to market.
There are now opportunities to diversify markets in Asia, India, the Middle East and Latin America.
Maintaining and improving existing market access is critical.
For example, the transition of Vietnam to a regulated market in 2015 required the development of more than 30 technical submissions for a range of commodities.
$5.1 million to tackle non-tariff measures
Trade agreements are progressively reducing import tariffs and as a result, global agricultural trade has grown.
However, the use of non-tariff measures (NTMs) has also grown and this is impacting on our exports: 245 NTMs cost the red meat industry $3.4 billion a year across 41 markets.
Most NTMs (such as health and safety certification or biosecurity compliance) are justified as they provide assurances, but inefficient and overly-costly requirements can have a profound effect.
The Morrison Government is investing $5.1 million over four years and $2.4 million each subsequent year on a program to help Australian export industries tackle NTMs.
The work will assess the nature and impact of NTMs and develop strategies and commercial approaches for their reduction or removal
$6.8 million to expand the Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation program
The Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) program has delivered real market access gains for Australian farmers and exporters.
For example, technical collaboration between the Australian Livestock Export Council and China on Bluetongue virus will provide positive outcomes for both countries in the trade of Australian live ruminants and generic material.
The Morrison Government is investing $6.8 million in the ATMAC program for a further four years – to keep our export markets moving.
$6.1 million to extend the Package Assisting Small Exporters program
In 2013, the Liberal Nationals Government established the Package Assisting Small Exporters (PASE), a grant program to improve market access for small exporters.
A $6.1 million investment will extend the program for four years.
With small businesses often finding it difficult to navigate exporting, PASE has funded 54 projects across a number of industries.
For example, the Primal Foods Group created an online portal – Farmgate Exchange – as a single point of contact for grain trade between smaller Australian growers and international buyers.
The portal will help growers to market grain from their own silos directly to buyers around the world, delivering better access and prices.
The Morrison Government will also continue to work with the United States to ensure Australian fishers are meeting the new requirements for importers under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act and are not locked out of the market.
2030 Protected Horticulture Strategy
A re-elected Morrison Government, along with industry and Horticulture Innovation Australia, will progress a 2030 vision for protected horticulture in Australia. Protected cropping (whether high-tech enclosed systems or poly tunnel) is a leading tool to increase food production: reducing risks from temperature extremes, pests and bugs and water availability.
The Liberal Nationals Government has invested $4.3 million in the National Vegetable Protected Cropping Centre, a state-of-the-art greenhouse facility for research, education and training.
We will build on this and provide national leadership to develop a 2030 Protected Horticulture Strategy.
The Strategy will ensure the sustainable expansion of protected cropping in Australia and coordination of industry, governments and other research and development organisations.
Fisheries international engagement
Australia participates in a number of internationally-shared fisheries with migratory stocks like tuna and straddling stocks such as orange roughy.
The Liberal Nationals Government has focused on the sustainability of fisheries we share with other nations, and ensuring ongoing access for our industry.
We actively support Australia’s critical work in Regional Fisheries Management Organisations and other similar international forums.
The Morrison Government is committed to building the capacity of our close neighbours to effectively manage their fisheries and ensure compliance with fisheries management rules.
Capacity building helps ensure these countries protect the sustainability of shared stocks by adequately controlling their catch and combatting Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Our international collaboration efforts have led to significant reductions in IUU fishing, particularly in the southern ocean with Patagonian toothfish.
A re-elected Morrison Government is committed to ongoing funding for our government agencies at the forefront of international fishing forums.
Getting the balance right for the fisheries and forestry industries
The right planning
Working with commercial, recreational, Indigenous and aquaculture fisheries, the Morrison Government will develop a new sector blueprint.
We will leverage the strong cross-sectoral nature of the first National Fisheries Advisory Council, established in 2018, to develop Australia’s first National Fisheries Plan.
Different jurisdictional approaches to fisheries policy and management are impacting the industry. The plan will develop a strategy for achieving the shared visions of the sector, seeking to harmonise:Resource sharing methodology.
The way Indigenous interests are captured in legislation.
Harvest strategy methodology.
Aquaculture management.
Commonwealth Fisheries Resource Sharing Framework
All fisheries sectors are concerned about ongoing access to resources.
Only the Morrison Government is committed to ensuring fair and equitable sharing of fisheries.
In partnership with the sector we will develop a Commonwealth Fisheries Resource Sharing Framework.
The Framework will outline the rules for sharing resources across the fisheries sectors and between the Commonwealth and other Australian jurisdictions.
To share a resource, you must first know how large it is, how much can be sustainably harvested and the current level of extraction.
For that reason we have invested heavily in stock assessments and catch recording.
Once we have a complete picture, we will move forward with refined stock assessments and formal resource sharing arrangements.
The Morrison Government has also launched a national recreational fishing survey to gather economic and social data: we are working with the states and the Northern Territory to align recreational catch surveys wherever possible.
This data will again inform sustainability and resource sharing assessments.
We will continue the Southern Bluefin Tuna recreational catch survey as a basis for ongoing discussions about sustainable harvesting and resource sharing for this iconic species.
Removing red tape for the fisheries sector
The Liberal Nationals Government has a track record of simplifying cross-jurisdictional fisheries management to increase efficiency.
Most Australian fisheries are managed by the states, the Northern Territory or the Commonwealth – depending on location.
In some cases, management is shared under Offshore Constitutional Settlement (OCS) arrangements.
Our Government has worked hard with the states and the Northern Territory to minimise the regulatory burden under some OCS arrangements, negotiating responsibility back to single jurisdictions where appropriate.
For example, we successfully transitioned the Western Australian Southern Demersal Gillnet and Longline Fishery to single jurisdiction management in 2018.
The Morrison Government is committed to continuing to implement simpler fisheries management.
We will work with Queensland and the Northern Territory to move a number of fisheries away from joint management to single jurisdiction.
Fisheries habitat restoration
A re-elected Morrison Government will work with fishing clubs to restore marine and estuarine habitats through an $8 million investment.
The health of many fisheries and fish stocks depends on the health and proper functioning of our estuaries, which provide critical nursery habitats.
This funding will build on the work being undertaken by OceanWatch.
OceanWatch is working in partnership with the Australian seafood industry, federal and state governments, natural resource managers, private enterprise and local communities on habitat restoration.
Capacity building for fisheries representatives
The Morrison Government is ensuring that all relevant fisheries sectors are included in decision-making through an extension of objectives in the Fisheries Administration Act 1999.
Changes to the Act mean the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) must now ensure the interests of recreational and Indigenous fishers (along with commercial fishers) are considered in fisheries management decisions.
The Liberal Nationals Government also established the National Fishing Advisory Council (NFAC) to ensure each sector is heard in the development and refinement of Commonwealth fisheries policies.
As well, the industry has highlighted the need to ensure representatives are appropriately skilled and knowledgeable.
A re-elected Morrison Government will invest $400,000 in building the representative capacity of the sector by delivering a well-developed understanding of the regulatory, scientific and economic drivers of fisheries management.
The funding will target training for commercial, recreational and Indigenous representatives on relevant Commonwealth and national fisheries advisory bodies and committees.
Mental health support for commercial fishers
The Morrison Government acknowledges recent work of the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation that highlighted the levels of psychological distress among fishers.
Studies have shown a range of factors including chronic job insecurity has led to poor levels of mental health and high rates of suicide among Australian commercial fishers.
A re-elected Morrison Government will invest $600,000 over two years to support a trial of a mental health trusted advocate program for the fisheries sector.
Up to 10 advocates will be established in eight communities across the country.
Advocates will be supported with training in mental health first aid or counselling to assist them in their role.
This will provide soft entry points to mental health services to reduce barriers and stigma.
They will be the linkage between fishers and the wider mental health support network.
Funding is through an extension of the National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program.
Recreational fishing and camping facilities
Around one in five Australians are recreational fishers, enjoying a healthy outdoor leisure activity.
A re-elected Morrison Government will invest $20 million for local councils to improve, maintain or build new boating, marine rescue, fishing and camping facilities.
Through the new Fishing and Camping Program, Australians and overseas tourists will get better and more amenities to explore our vast coastline.
Studies have found a significant economic benefit from recreational fishing for Australia’s fishing towns – coastal, lake and river.
New and improved facilities will encourage tourism, bringing jobs and economic growth.
Fixing old and damaged facilities will also increase safety for our recreational fishers.
Councils will be able to apply for funding for a range of projects including for new or improved boat ramps, marine rescue facilities, toilet blocks and fish cleaning and camping facilities
Plantation Development Concessional Loans
A re-elected Morrison Government will support the delivery of 1 billion new plantation trees through a new concessional loan product under the Regional Investment Corporation (RIC).
The support is expected to encourage foreign and domestic investment in this slow-growing, long-term and sustainable crop at a time when demand is increasing and the domestic resource is stagnating.
Without Government support for the purchase of the land (the largest cost), there will continue to be little increase in Australia’s total plantation estate.
It’s anticipated that a $500 million new capital investment could result in up to 150,000 hectares of new plantations – vital to meeting future demand for forest products.
Loans will be prioritised for new plantation development that delivers a sustainable resource and over time will support the growth of regional economies and communities.
Implementing the $20 million National Forest Industries Plan
Our Government’s new $20 million National Forest Industries Plan is set to turbocharge Australia’s renewable timber and wood fibre industry.
It’s crucial to the industry’s aspirational goal of tripling economic value by 2050.
The Morrison Government will deliver the plan in full.
We will work with industry, governments and communities to deliver pilot Regional Forestry Hubs.
The Hubs will add value to existing and new forest resources.
They will seek new processing opportunities and analyse inefficiencies, limitations or constraints to growth within the forest industries in each region.
The Hubs underway are in South West Western Australia, North/North West Tasmania, North East NSW and the Green Triangle region.
A re-elected Morrison Government will bring forward the establishment of the South West Slopes of NSW Hub as one of the pilots.
After the pilots, we will install Hubs in four more regions: Gippsland in Victoria, Central West NSW, South East Queensland and North Queensland.
We will continue discussions with other regions identified by industry as locations for further Hubs.
These areas have been selected because of their competitive advantages in forestry – including transport and processing infrastructure as well as a skilled forestry workforce.
Importantly, we recognise the opportunity provided to interested Indigenous landholders from unlocking potential timber supply through sustainable harvesting.
We will work with them to deliver a new stream of returns to Indigenous communities.
Farm forestry has the potential to provide additional revenue from timber and carbon storage.
Other benefits include bundling forestry and landscape services, supporting animal husbandry and lowering erosion and water evaporation.
A re-elected Morrison Government will work with industry and farming groups to develop a Farm Forestry Strategy.
The aim is to transform farm forestry as a commercial, timber-supplying enterprise by investigating aggregation tools, data needs, mapping and business models and navigating the challenges of changing land use.
Regional Forestry Agreements
The Morrison Government is backing in our native forestry sector.
The forest products industry (native and plantation) is vital to our regional communities.
Regional Forestry Agreements (RFAs) are the best mechanism for balancing environmental, economic and social demands on our native forests and giving the industry confidence for the future.
Without the RFAs, the native timber industry would effectively shut down with widespread job losses.
Australia’s native forests are sustainably managed – only 0.06 per cent are harvested annually and then regenerated.
Nationally, more than 4 million hectares of forests have been protected since the RFAs were signed.
A re-elected Morrison Government will continue delivering 20-year extensions to RFAs until all are completed.
To bring further confidence to these Agreements, the Morrison Government will publicly report on the management of native forests in the RFA regions every five years.
Maintaining strong laws against illegal logging
On 16 January 2019, the report of the ‘Statutory review of the Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012’ was tabled in Parliament.
The review examined the first five years of Australia’s illegal logging laws.
A re-elected Morrison Government will continue its strong stance against illegal logging.
The Forest Industry Advisory Council (FIAC) will consider the findings of the review and will provide advice on any strengthening of the laws while not increasing regulatory burden.
Our Government will act on this advice.
Inquiry into short-term timber supply chain constraints
The Morrison Government supports the industry, but with the long growing time for trees we need to assess any resource access or supply chain constraints in the short term.
A re-elected Morrison Government will ask the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources to conduct an inquiry into short-term timber supply chain constraints in the national plantation sector.
The Liberal Nationals Government has a strong track record of delivering for agriculture.
Since we came to office the value of total production is up 25 per cent and the value of agricultural exports is up 29 per cent.
We have given farmers the tools to capitalise when times are good – and the help they need when times are tough.
Support through tough times
We have supported our farmers through the toughest of times – drought, floods and market downturns.
Dealing with the drought and preparing for future droughts has been a top priority, with $6.3 billion of support to farmers and rural communities outlined in our Plan for Supporting Farmers in Drought.
The tragedy of the floods in northern Queensland in early 2019 reminded us that Australian farmers are at the mercy of weather.
Hundreds of thousands of livestock were destroyed.
The Morrison Government acted swiftly by developing a $3.3 billion package to support the rebuilding of agriculture in the flood-hit zones.
A new executive agency, the North Queensland Livestock Industry Recovery Agency, was established to deliver the package that includes:$300 million for two grants programs to support restocking/replanting and to rebuild on-farm infrastructure.
$1.75 billion in loans to banks to support interest rate relief for existing and new business loans.
$1 billion of concessional loans through the Regional Investment Corporation for restocking and for debt refinancing.
These measures have helped in the immediate response.
But rebuilding will take months and years and our Government’s support will be there for the long haul.
The North Queensland Livestock Industry Recovery Agency’s long-term plan expected in the coming months will set this out.
Protecting farmers from extreme activists
The Morrison Government is about choice – farmers’ choice to grow and process animals, fish, fruit and vegetables and choice for consumers.
We have taken action to protect Australian farmers’ right to farm animals without fear or intimidation.
Our Government has brought the Aussie Farms website under the Privacy Act, exposing it to potential penalties of more than $400,000 for breaches.
This action means that Aussie Farms is prescribed as an organisation under the Act.
We will legislate to make it an offence to use a carriage service, such as the internet, to disclose personal information to incite trespass on agricultural land where that could cause commercial detriment.
We will pass new laws to ensure that what Aussie Farms is doing is illegal and punishable by up to 12 months jail.
Exemptions will apply for bona-fide journalists and whistle-blowers, where the release of information shows a law being broken such as animal cruelty.
Taking farms to kids and kids to farms
A 2011 study by Primary Industry Education Foundation Australia found that 75 per cent of primary and secondary school students think that cotton socks are made from animal products.
Forty-five per cent don’t think that bread, bananas and cheese come from farmed product and 40 per cent believe that farming damages the environment.
The Morrison Government is committed to changing attitudes to farming and addressing the gap in kids' understanding of food and fibre sources.
We have committed $10 million for two new programs – taking kids to farms and other primary production worksites, and establishing mini-farms in up to 80 city-based schools.
Further details are outlined in the Morrison Government’s Plan to Showcase Agriculture: Our Heritage. Our Future.
Showcasing agriculture
Agricultural shows are an integral part of Australian culture.
They play an important role in country life, highlighting the local strengths and bringing communities together.
This is particularly important when our regional communities are tested with extended droughts and other extreme weather events.
The Morrison Government will establish a $20 million Regional Agricultural Show Development Grants Program.
Grants will be available for regional agricultural show societies that run annual shows to upgrade and maintain existing infrastructure and build new facilities.
Further details are outlined in the Morrison Government’s Plan to Showcase Agriculture: Our Heritage. Our Future.
Opening markets
To grow the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector we need access to more markets – and better access to existing markets.
Our track record speaks for itself.
Agriculture, fisheries and forestry contributed more than $53 billion in export earnings in 2017-18, up by over $14 billion from 2011/12 when Labor was in office.
In just six years the Liberal Nationals Government has concluded export agreements with China, Japan, Korea, the 10 economies of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the countries of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations, as well as Indonesia, Peru and Hong Kong.
Our Free Trade Agreements have delivered.
Australia’s agricultural exports to Korea are growing: for example, orange exports were worth $4.6 million in 2017-18, a 59 per cent increase from $2.9 million in 2016-17.
There have been six rounds of tariff cuts under the Japan Australia Economic Partnership Agreement that came into force on 15 January 2015, with the most recent occurring on 1 April 2019.
And we have doubled our overseas Agriculture Counsellor network to expand our ability to access markets.
The Liberal Nationals Government has achieved 107 key technical market access gains, along with 94 key market improvements since January 2016.
For example, cherries to Vietnam and extending shelf-life for vacuum-packaged Australian beef and sheep meat to the UAE.
Protecting our pest and disease free status
Our pest and disease free status underpins our international reputation and export trade.
The Liberal Nationals Government injected an additional $313 million to build a smarter and stronger biosecurity system to further protect us against unwanted pests, weeds and diseases.
And we strengthened our border protection against pests, weeds and diseases by delivering a new Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity with state and territory governments.
At home, we have invested $208.3 million in a range of initiatives to reduce the impact of established pests, animals and weeds on farmers, land managers, the community and the environment. This has already reduced stock losses from wild dogs and improved ground cover and fodder.
As well, our Government is investing $16.9 million to build a strong and effective fruit fly management system.
This includes $7.8 million to implement a national fruit fly research, development and extension program to modernise Australia’s fruit fly management techniques.
Profiling the importance of bees to agriculture
Pollinating bees are critical to ensuring the plants we grow produce the food we eat and the fibre we wear.
Without bees, two-thirds of Australian agricultural production would be at risk.
The Morrison Government will invest $1.5 million to promote the role of bees and their impact on the entire food chain.
The effort, targeting all aspects of agricultural production, will help protect our pollinators and reducing their decline. AgriFutures Australia will coordinate, working closely with apiarist organisations.
We have also invested $1.65 million in a honey bee genetic improvement program.
This project could create gains of $41 million in honey production over 25 years.
Unlocking investment
We have invested in our farmers by establishing the $4 billion Regional Investment Corporation to provide a range of loan products including:Farm investment loans to improve long-term strength, resilience and profitability, diversify markets, refinance existing debt and to prepare for, manage, or recover from, drought.
Drought loans to prepare farm businesses for drought, manage and recover from the effects of drought or to refinance existing debt.
Water infrastructure loans to accelerate construction of major projects, build sustainable water security and provide affordable water.
Historic investment in water infrastructure
The Liberal Nationals Government is unlocking the potential of regional Australia with a record $3 billion investment in water infrastructure.
We will work with state and territory governments to fast-track projects that will deliver greater water security for rural communities, increase jobs and support new and expanded agriculture.
Since coming to Government, we have co-invested in water infrastructure projects with state and territory governments including:$190 million for the Myalup-Wellington Pipeline in Western Australia.
$176 million to construct Rookwood Weir in Central Queensland.
$45.6 million for the Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme in South Australia.
$30 million for the Macalister Irrigation Scheme in North East Victoria.
$25.27 million for the Scottsdale Irrigation Scheme in Tasmania.
We also understand it is not just about large-scale infrastructure projects.
That’s why the Liberal Nationals Government is backing our farmers through the $50 million On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme.
The scheme is helping livestock producers in drought-affected areas to provide additional watering points and to desilt their dams.
All primary producers are also able to benefit from the Government’s instant depreciation of $25,000 for on-farm water investments.
This will rise to $30,000 for small businesses with a turnover of less than $50 million.
Securing the future of the Great Artesian Basin
We have ensured the long-term future of the Great Artesian Basin – a critical resource for communities in South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory – particularly in times of drought.
We have committed $36.9 million over six years to the next phase of the GAB Sustainability Initiative, building on our $8 million funding under the Interim Great Artesian Basin Infrastructure Investment Program.
We have also invested $6.5 million towards ensuring governments have a much better understanding of the Great Artesian Basin, with Geoscience undertaking a Great Artesian Basin Water Balance Assessment.
Delivering for the Murray-Darling Basin and its communities
The Murray-Darling Basin is the largest and most complex river system in Australia and accounts for more than $22 billion worth of food and fibre every year.
The river system and surrounding environment form the heart of Basin communities.
That’s why decisions on the basin must deliver a true triple bottom line with economic, social and environmental outcomes.
We need to ensure that a healthy river system underpins community prosperity well into the future.
We are on track to deliver the Basin Plan – in full without needing to adjust the buyback cap.
We have invested more than $2.5 billion since 2013 to recover 616GL of water and deliver it back to the environment – with $2.25 billion of that through infrastructure modernisation and efficiency improvements and only $29 million in open water buybacks, compared to Labor’s $2.1 billion in buybacks.
We are investing more than $136.2 million to enhance the Murray Darling Basin Authority’s compliance and enforcement capability, implement measures to protect low flows in the Barwon-Darling, improve connectivity between rivers and support fish recovery.
We are investing $40 million to support cultural and economic water for the Basin’s Indigenous communities – creating opportunities for them to secure real economic benefits.
We are investing $25 million to strengthen the economic and social resilience of 15 Basin communities through the Murray Darling Basin Economic Development Program.
We have introduced legislation to ensure an Indigenous member on the Murray Darling Basin Authority.
We have delivered key amendments to the Basin Plan that will deliver environmental benefits at a much lower social and economic cost for Basin communities.
We are investing $5 million in a Basin-wide Native Fish Management and Recovery Strategy. We’ve also provided an additional $3 million to the CSIRO for ecosystem research.
We have announced an independent panel to undertake a broad-ranging assessment of the social and economic conditions in irrigation communities across the Murray-Darling Basin.
Supporting our land stewards
Our Government invested $1.1 billion in the next phase of the National Landcare Program and continued our proud record of delivering long-term benefits to our farmers, communities, the economy and environment.
This funding includes $134 million for Smart Farms and $450 million for Regional Land Partnerships.
Almost 50 local organisations are now benefiting from Regional Land Partnerships funding to deliver on-ground environment and sustainable agriculture projects.
Agriculture Biodiversity Stewardship Program
Farmers and producers care for the land and the natural resources that help them produce clean and green food and fibre for Australians and the world.
To ensure farmers receive due recognition for their efforts, the $30 million Agriculture Biodiversity Stewardship Program will encourage the adoption of improved biodiversity practices.
The focus will be on small and medium farms, using tailored approaches to incentivise change.
The Morrison Government will invest in methodologies, monitoring and evaluation to quantify the benefits to production and biodiversity.
Projects that could be funded include maintaining or enhancing remnant forest, regeneration of gullies or waterways and creating shelter belts.
The Morrison Government will also develop an Agriculture Biodiversity Policy to strengthen agriculture’s role in improving Australia’s biodiversity outcomes.
Australian Farm Biodiversity Certification Scheme
The National Farmers Federation will receive $4 million to develop and trial a biodiversity certification scheme to help biodiversity-friendly farmers achieve a premium for their product.
The aim is for Australian farms to showcase best-practice management of natural resources that is recognised and rewarded by consumers here and abroad.
Helping our farmers adapt to climate change
Climate change poses production risks for the sector and the Government and our primary producers are actively preparing.
The Liberal Nationals Government is supporting our agriculture sector to adapt to climate change through:Rural research and investment to develop understanding, resources and tools to help producers better manage drought and climate impacts.
The Managing Farm Risk Programme to provide better on-farm risk management.
Funding improved seasonal forecasting tools to inform decision-making.
Tax incentives including depreciation arrangements to encourage on-farm investment in preparedness.
Establishing and topping up the now $1 billion National Water Infrastructure Development Fund to secure farmers’ water security.
We are making strategic investments ($853 million so far) through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to encourage agricultural businesses to reduce energy costs and improve productivity.
The Emissions Reduction Fund is also providing real benefits to landholders through emission reduction activities. Of the 193 million tonnes of abatement under the ERF, 157.4 million tonnes – more than 80 per cent – was contracted to the agriculture and land sectors.
Our $300 million investment in Rural Research and Development Corporations is also helping to improve resilience to climate events, manage soil health and more efficiently manage our water resources.
Strengthening Country of Origin labelling
We supported farmers by delivering on our election commitment to introduce clear and transparent Country of Origin labelling.
Building a world-class rural innovation system
We have committed to building a world-class agricultural innovation system to ensure we continue to produce the best and most sustainable food and fibre.
Together with rural industries, our $800 million a year investment means we can create fantastic jobs and give our kids the best opportunity to live and work in rural and regional Australia.
The Morrison Government has already delivered a major review of Australia’s agricultural innovation system.
It found that we must modernise and be better coordinated to capture value for farmers and the sector.
The report outlines a roadmap to boost the capacity of our research and development system to deliver a more competitive, prosperous and sustainable agricultural industry.
We have invested $2.9 million in national leadership to drive the change required to ensure a more coordinated, collaborative and commercially-focused approach to meeting agtech innovation needs.
This includes making best use of our annual $300 million investment in research and development.
Additionally, $2 million has been invested in a one-stop shop for agricultural research and development through an online collaboration hub – ensuring we better broker and connect domestic and international agtech investment into outcomes for farmers.
Creating jobs
The Liberal Nationals Government has also supported decentralisation of a number of agricultural agencies because we believe country people have as much right to public service jobs as their city cousins.
We have created jobs in Armidale and Orange and are committed to regional offices of the Murray Darling Basin Authority including Murray Bridge, Mildura, Griffith, Wodonga and Goondiwindi.
Delivering a stronger and sustainable fisheries sector
Our Government manages Australia’s fisheries carefully and sustainably.
Australia’s seafood industry is valued at more than $3.2 billion and supports more than 25,000 families.
The industry plays an important role in securing Australia’s food base, employment, economic activity and generating valuable export income.
For the fifth year in a row, no fish stocks solely managed by the Australian Government are considered to be overfished.
This is testament to our strong, robust and science-based approach to fisheries.
In 2013, we promised to review, improve and implement Marine Plans in Commonwealth-managed waters, in close consultation with marine industries, the community and scientists – and we have delivered.
On 1 July 2018, five new management plans (covering 44 Australian Marine Parks) across the North, North-west, South-west, Temperate East and Coral Sea marine regions came into effect.
Covering more than 2.8 million sq km, the Marine Parks will deliver the strong protection and sustainability that benefits all Australians.
They encompass 36 per cent of our oceans, well above the United Nations benchmark of 10 per cent – and we’ve done this in a balanced way that minimises impacts on commercial and recreational fishers.
To enable our fishing community to transition to these new arrangements, our Government has developed the $35 million Fisheries Assistance and User Engagement Package.
Our updated Commonwealth Fisheries Harvest Strategy Policy and Commonwealth Fisheries Bycatch Policy reflects our constant striving to improve sustainability.
It maximises the economic viability of the commercial fleet, recognises the interests of recreational and Indigenous users and ensures Australian seafood is available for future generations.
We also recognise the contribution and potential of the aquaculture sector. In 2017, the Liberal Nationals Government released Australia’s National Aquaculture Strategy with the aim of doubling the 2017 industry value to $2 billion a year by 2027.
The Morrison Government remains committed to supporting the states and the Northern Territory to achieve this goal.
In 2018 the Liberal Nationals Government formed Australia’s first National Fisheries Advisory Council (NFAC).
The Council provides the Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources with information and advice on fisheries issues, proposed legislation and policies.
The Morrison Government is ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Southern Bluefin Tuna stock.
We are supporting the Tuna Champion program, which aims to improve stewardship, fish handling and responsible fishing practices in the Southern Bluefin Tuna recreational sector.
This will lead to reduced wastage, increased catch and release rates (with greater post-release survival rates) and more engagement in future recreational harvest surveys.
We also understand our inland waterways are highly valued and enjoyed by recreational anglers.
Recreational fishing groups play an active role in restocking and rehabilitating inland rivers, streams and lakes.
The tragic fish deaths that occurred at Menindee and the lower Darling in December 2018 have been widely felt – from recreational fishers to communities along the Murray-Darling Basin river system.
We’ve responded with a range of measures addressing the findings of the independent report into the deaths, including:$5 million for the development of a Basin-wide Native Fish Management and Recovery Strategy.
Extending the Native Fish Demonstration Reach program to the lower Darling.
Committing an extra $3 million into Basin-wide monitoring and evaluation to maintain vigilance on the health of native fish stocks and the system as a whole.
A Strong, Innovative and Sustainable Forestry Sector
A long-term forestry plan is important because growing trees is a long-term business.
The Morrison Government understands the need for a balanced approach to forestry.
And our $20 million National Forest Industries Plan: Growing a Better Australia – A Billion Trees for Jobs and Growth delivers this.
One billion new plantation trees over a decade will create 18,000 new jobs
and help meet a quadrupling in global demand for timber by 2050.
This is on top of the around 52,000 Australians already employed in the sector and the tens of thousands more indirect jobs.
To achieve 1 billion new plantation trees, we need to plant the right trees at the right scale and in the right places.
Our Government has already announced a $12.5 million investment in the Regional Forestry Hubs and research and development elements of our plan, which will help meet our target.
The Hubs bring key players together from strategic forestry areas to look at that region’s unique strengths, opportunities and barriers to growth.
To boost innovation, research and product development, in collaboration with governments and industry, we are also delivering centres of National Institute of Forest Products Innovation in South Australia and Tasmania, with at least two more to come.
The Morrison Government, in partnership with Forestry and Wood Products Australia, has committed $200,000 for two forestry education activities: a new National University Challenge for innovative uses of wood residues or timber products (prizes total up to $100,000) and the development of a virtual reality tool.
The VR tool will bolster forestry education in nine secondary schools, highlighting the renewable cycle of forests.
Regional Forestry Agreements (RFAs) are the best mechanism for balancing environmental, economic and social demands on our native forests, as well as giving the industry confidence for the future.
The Liberal Nationals Government has also delivered on its commitment to 20-year rolling RFA agreements.
We have renewed and extended the Tasmanian, NSW and Western Australian RFAs, with a short extension to the Victorian RFAs ahead of a longer-term renewal that is being negotiated.
These achievements are no accident.
They are due to our Government’s strong investments in the forestry sector, which we want to see prosper and grow.
The Choice
Only the Morrison Government has a plan for the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector.
Australia's farmers know they can only rely on the Morrison Government to stand with them in the good times and bad – we have their back.
We know that when our farmers prosper, our regional communities thrive.
Agriculture is just not on Labor’s radar, which signals a return to the bad old days that the sector experienced under previous Labor governments.
When last in office Labor inflicted six long years of neglect and anti-agricultural policies on Australian farmers to appease the Greens.
Between 2007 and 2013, Labor’s agriculture funding was slashed from $3.8 billion to $1.7 billion.
Labor has already promised to burden farmers with unnecessary and unprecedented new federal environmental regulations and increase the cost of doing business through additional taxes.
Labor has no interest in unlocking the potential of our regional communities, securing their water supply, creating jobs and delivering agricultural economic opportunities.
Labor will revert to the lock-up and lock-out approach of its 2012 Marine Park plans.
This poses a significant risk to our fishing industry and the environment, and flies in the face of the overwhelming support for the Morrison Government’s plans from stakeholders, non-government organisations and fishers.
Labor’s plans will also lock out recreational fishers from over a third of marine parks.
Australians have a choice between the Morrison Government that supports the forestry sector as one of the most renewable resources of the 21st century – or a Labor/Greens Government seeking to take us back to the dark days of forest lock-ups.
When last in government, Labor’s policies (backed by the Greens) decimated our forest product industries, especially in Tasmania – led by former Wilderness Society campaigner Tony Burke.
Cost
The Coalition will invest an additional $43.4 million to secure a stronger agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector.
This is on top of the $36.4 million additional funding for drought and $30 million for showcasing agriculture.
Our Plan for a Cleaner Environment
KEY POINTS
The Morrison Government will continue the Liberal Nationals’ strong record of supporting practical and meaningful environmental action that gets results.
Australia’s iconic environment is part of our national identity and we are committed to protecting and preserving it for future generations.
It’s also an important asset that helps us to grow the economy
and create jobs: by drawing tourists to our unique natural attractions, through farmers making their land more sustainable and productive, and by incentivising businesses to develop new clean technology.
The Morrison Government understands that a healthy economy and a healthy environment go hand in hand.
We can invest in our environment because we are keeping our economy strong.
We believe that protecting and restoring the environment is best achieved by working in partnership with the community, Landcare groups, small and large businesses, Indigenous communities, farmers and scientists.
By building these partnerships, we aim to deliver:More recycling and less waste to protect the environment, deliver healthier communities and build our recycling industry.
Cleaner and greener local communities to improve the environments in which Australians live, work and play.
Cleaner oceans, coasts and waterways to protect our marine life, support our industries and ensure future generations can continue to enjoy these natural playgrounds, including the Great Barrier Reef.
Protection of threatened species to ensure our unique plants and animals are preserved.
This will complement the action we are taking through our Climate Solutions Fund to meet our international emissions reduction targets.
Our focus on practical, on-ground action and partnership with the community contrasts with Labor who only have a plan for more bureaucracy and public servants.
Labor can’t be trusted to invest in the environment
when they can’t run the economy and they can’t manage money.
They can’t even cost the impact their emissions plan will have on the economy.
Only the Liberal Nationals Government can protect the environment
while maintaining a strong economy.
OUR RECORD
Liberal Nationals Governments have a long and proud history of protecting and restoring our environment, including saving the Great Barrier Reef from oil drilling, ending whaling in Australia and creating the Natural Heritage Trust.
Since our election in 2013, we have continued this tradition of sensible and practical environmental leadership.
We have put Landcare back in focus with our $1 billion National Landcare Program.
We are on track to meet our target of planting 20 million trees by 2020.
And we have invested over $250 million to support thousands of community-led environmental projects.
The Great Barrier Reef is receiving more funding than ever, with our Government investing over $1.2 billion to improve water quality, control crown of thorns starfish, clean up plastic litter and fund new research into protecting the Reef.
Our investments are being guided by our world-class Reef 2050 Plan which has been endorsed by the World Heritage Committee and praised by the OECD.
We have also put an end to all capital dredge spoil disposal in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Australia has the second largest marine park network in the world after the Liberal Nationals protected an additional 2.3 million square kilometres through a new national network of marine reserves – and we’ve done this while minimising impacts on recreational and commercial fishers.
The Liberal Nationals Government has been working hard to protect our threatened plants and animals.
We appointed Australia’s first Threatened Species Commissioner in 2014 and launched the Threatened Species Strategy in 2015.
Since 2014, over $425 million has been mobilised for over 1,300 projects to protect and recover populations of threatened species.
Our new National Waste Policy will create jobs,
protect the health of communities
and reduce environmental impacts by increasing recycling and reducing waste.
We have invested $50 million in a National Food Waste Strategy to halve Australia’s food waste by 2030.
We have established a voluntary scheme for recycling tyres.
We have worked with business to remove plastic microbeads from cosmetic and skin-care products that end up in our waterways and oceans – 94 per cent of these products are now microbead-free.
Through the Natural Heritage Trust, we are providing $47 million to protect our World Heritage sites including the Greater Blue Mountains, the Ningaloo Coast, Shark Bay and the Tasmanian Wilderness area.
We continue to protect the rainforests of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area by investing in the eradication of introduced Yellow Crazy Ants, with a further $9 million committed in the 2019-20 Budget.
Our Australian Heritage Grants Program is providing support to protect our National Heritage listed sites, with up to $21.4 million from 2018-19 to 2021-22, and $5.7 million per annum from 2022-23 onwards.
We are investing a record $830 million for Indigenous Rangers and Indigenous Protected Areas over 10 years through to 2023.
OUR PLAN
More recycling and less waste
Governments, businesses and the community all need to play a part in ensuring we have a healthy recycling sector and less waste and litter.
Australians create around 67 million tonnes of waste each year and we all want to see less waste going to landfill and ending up in our oceans, and more being re-used and recycled.
A re-elected Morrison Government will implement a comprehensive $167 million Australian Recycling Investment plan to increase Australia’s recycling rates, tackle plastic waste and litter, accelerate work on a new battery recycling scheme and continue action to halve food waste by 2030.
Healthy recycling sector: With other countries starting to shut down their markets to Australia’s recyclable materials, there is an opportunity to grow and strengthen Australia’s domestic recycling industry, and support it to lift recycling rates in Australia.
The Morrison government will support a range of measures to do this, including:A new $100 million Australian Recycling Investment Fund through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to support the manufacturing of lower emissions and energy-efficient recycled content products, such as recycled content plastics and paper/pulp.
$20 million for a new Product Stewardship Investment Fund to accelerate work on new recycling schemes, including for batteries, electrical and electronic products, photovoltaic systems, and plastic oil containers.
Reducing contamination by helping Australians identify what can and can’t be recycled, with up to $2 million to support the Australian Council of Recycling’s ‘Project Yellowsail’ national recycling app.
Working with Planet Ark and the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation with up to $1.6 million to establish a Circular Economy Hub to drive innovation and establish an online marketplace to match buyers and sellers of waste.
Supporting the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation to deliver increased recycling rates for packaging waste, with up to $1.1 million for consumer education.
Continue working to halve food waste by 2030 under our National Food Waste Strategy, with an additional $500,000 to support the delivery of a Fight Food Waste campaign by OzHarvest.
Continue to work with state, territory and local governments on opportunities to get more recycled content into road construction, building on the funding provided to the Australian Road Research Board in the 2019-Budget.
Tackling plastic waste: Plastic litter and debris is a major environmental issue. We need to take action at a local, national and global level. A re-elected Morrison Government will:
Allocate $20 million through a special round of the Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) to find new and innovative solutions to plastic recycling and waste, including new ways of incorporating recycled plastics in manufacturing and construction.
Work with our Pacific neighbours to combat marine litter by allocating $16 million towards a Pacific Ocean Litter Project.
Support Conservation Volunteers Australia to undertake community beach and river clean-ups and monitoring across the country (up to $5 million).
Continue the great work of Clean Up Australia and Keep Australia Beautiful to mobilise the community to reduce and clean-up litter (up to $600,000).
Support Clean4Shore to continue their clean-up activities on the NSW Central Coast (up to $300,000).
Environment Restoration Fund
The Morrison Government has committed $100 million in the 2019-20 Budget to a new Environment Restoration Fund to support major environmental projects that deliver lasting conservation benefits.
This is the type of investment that is only made possible through a strong economy and responsible budget management.
The fund will be a vehicle for national leadership on emerging and long-term environmental issues, building on our $1 billion National Landcare Program.
Funding will be provided for a broad range of environmental restoration and protection projects, built around three key priorities:Cleaning up and protecting Australia’s coasts, oceans and waterways.
Protecting threatened and migratory species and their habitats.
Increasing recycling and reducing waste.
Cleaner coasts and waterways
Our coasts and waterways are an important part of Australian life.
They harbour a wide array of wildlife, support our industries and are natural playgrounds for our people.
A re-elected Morrison Government will strategically invest in our key rivers, waterways and coasts through the Environment Restoration Fund to help clean them up and improve water quality.
Key priorities will include:Improving the health of the Yarra River (up to $2 million).
Protecting Victoria’s iconic Surf Coast dune systems (up to $1.5 million)
Restoring Mount Martha North Beach (up to $1.5 million)
Improving the health of the Swan and Canning Rivers in Western Australia (up to $2 million).
Continuing River Torrens recovery in South Australia (up to $2 million).
Restoring waterways in the lower Brisbane River catchment (up to $1.15 million).
Improving the health of Moreton Bay in Queensland (up to $1.2 million).
Improving the health of the Georges River in New South Wales (up to $1 million).
Keeping the Hawkesbury and Nepean Rivers in New South Wales healthy (up to $511,000).
Improving the health of Gosford Coastal Lagoons (up to $300,000).
Protecting the health of Bowling Green Bay in North Queensland (up to $2 million).
The initiative will build on the $9 million we have already provided under Landcare for the River Torrens, Swan and Canning Rivers, Yarra and Tamar Rivers and Tuggerah Lakes, and a $95 million investment in the Tamar River under the Launceston City Deal.
Recovery of threatened species
Australia has some of the most unique and special animals in the world, but a number of them are under threat.
A re-elected Morrison Government will allocate up to $10 million under the Environment Restoration Fund in an important new program to support the creation of safe havens for threatened species.
Safe havens are a priority under the Government’s Threatened Species Strategy.
They are fenced areas where feral predators like feral cats and foxes can be removed and kept out – allowing species like rock wallabies, bilbies, quolls and bandicoots to be reintroduced and thrive.
A scientific review has identified a range of priority sites to fill the gaps in Australia's safe haven network, including the Victorian Alps, Darling Downs, Sturt Stony Desert and Flinders Ranges.
Up to $1.2 million of this funding will also go towards completing the feral-free Wandiyali-Environa Wildlife Sanctuary in NSW.
We will also make targeted investments through the Fund to recover our at-risk species.
This will include up to $6 million for a major koala initiative in northern NSW and south-east Queensland, including funding to enhance koala habitat and support for rescue activities and wildlife hospitals.
It also includes up to $3 million to protect WA's black cockatoos, $1.5 million for Bruny Island's threatened mammals, and $1.5 million for Kangaroo Island's threatened dunnart.
The Morrison Government is committed to Australia playing its part in protecting endangered animals and plants from around the world.
Australia has some of the strictest regulation of international trade of endangered species and we are working internationally to stop illegal wildlife trade.
we are also working to further strengthen regulations within Australia by working with states and territories on banning domestic trade of ivory and rhino horn.
By shutting down the market for these items here in Australia we’ll help to better protect elephants and rhinos in their native habitats.
Cleaner and greener local communities
We understand that local communities are often best placed to implement effective environmental protection and management.
The Morrison Government has committed more than $22 million to give communities new opportunities to protect and care for their local environment.
Through the Communities Environment Program, each Federal electorate will receive up to $150,000 in 2019-20 for community-led projects that deliver real environmental benefits.
The Energy Efficient Communities Program will provide $50 million in grants to businesses and community organisations to help them save energy and lower their power bills.
This includes up to $20,000 for small businesses and $25,000 for high energy-using businesses for equipment upgrades such as new lighting, refrigeration and air conditioning.
Community organisations will also be able to access grants through the $5 million Solar Communities Program, providing up to $12,500 for small-scale solar energy generation and storage projects such as solar PV, solar hot water and batteries.
We will also invest $30 million in a pilot Agriculture Biodiversity Stewardship Fund to provide incentives to farmers to boost biodiversity and reduce emissions.
This will reward farmers who look after biodiversity on their farm and give them more motivation to maintain and enhance bushland, regenerate waterways and plant native trees.
Supporting sustainable development and environmental education
The Morrison Government has committed $50 million in the 2019-20 Budget towards the establishment of new world-leading environment research and education facilities.
We will contribute $25 million towards a National Centre for Coasts, Environment and Climate within the Quarantine station precinct at Port Nepean: supporting Monash University and the University of Melbourne in establishing a facility where Australian and international researchers and students can better understand the pressures of population growth and climate change on temperate coastal ecosystems like Port Phillip Bay.
We will invest $25 million in the development of the $40 million Harry Butler Environmental Education Centre at Murdoch University.
The groundbreaking Centre will promote the positive partnership of economic development and a healthy, sustainable environment.
Climate change and renewables
Australia has a proud track record of meeting our international climate commitments and supporting renewable energy.
Climate change is a global issue that requires a global solution.
The Liberal Nationals Government has overachieved on our commitment under the Kyoto Protocol, something few countries have done.
We will reduce emissions by 26-28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and we will do this while growing the economy,
creating jobs,
protecting our environment
and keeping power prices down.
The Morrison Government has a $3.5 billion Climate Solutions Plan – among the largest investments by Australia in emissions reduction.
A new $2 billion Climate Solutions Fund will ensure we meet our 2030 Paris commitments by supporting practical measures such as revegetation of degraded land, reducing waste, savannah burning and improving energy efficiency.
The Morrison Government is also expanding our world-class renewable hydro resources to supply millions of Australians with reliable renewable energy.
Snowy 2.0 will be the world’s second-largest high tech pumped hydro power station and increase generation capacity by 2,000 megawatts – enough power for 500,000 homes during peak demand.
Importantly, Snowy 2.0 will also put downward pressure on wholesale electricity prices.
Upgrading Kakadu
The Morrison Government has committed up to $216 million to upgrade the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park and support the township of Jabiru.
The funding will upgrade roads to improve access to the park; upgrade camp grounds, walking tracks and viewing platforms; improve signage, mobile and WiFi services and support an Indigenous-led World Heritage Kakadu Visitor Centre in Jabiru.
Investing in Sydney Harbour’s parks and heritage
The 2019-20 Budget included $21.4 million for infrastructure upgrades for important defence heritage sites around Sydney Harbour.
At Headland Park, we’ll preserve the heritage of key buildings for appropriate educational, community, recreational and commercial uses and construct a public path circuit integrated with the new Sydney Harbour Scenic Walk.
We’ll also contribute to the renewal of the former submarine base Platypus: creating a lasting impact along the Sydney Harbour foreshore by adapting significant heritage buildings for community access.
Conserving Antarctica
The Morrison Government is committed to ensuring Australia remains a leader in Antarctica.
We are strengthening Tasmania as the premier gateway and scientific research hub for East Antarctica.
We are investing $450 million over the next 10 years to upgrade Australia’s Antarctic research station network and infrastructure – effectively tripling the investment in Antarctic infrastructure to support Antarctic science and operations.
This will bring our investment in Antarctica to a record level of around $2.8 billion including:$1.9 billion towards a new icebreaker.
$45 million over 10 years for overland traverse capabilities.
$210 million over 10 years for additional funding for our Antarctic operations.
$107 million over 11 years for Antarctic research initiatives.
$50 million for a new research station on Macquarie Island.
Environmental laws
The Morrison Government supports sustainable development that meets high environmental standards.
It is important that environmental laws provide the high levels of protection expected by the community,
while minimising the regulatory burden on businesses
so they can continue to grow the economy.
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) was introduced by the Liberal Nationals in 1999 and it remains the cornerstone of Australian environmental regulation.
To ensure the EPBC Act remains best-practice, the Morrison Government will consult widely on an independent statutory review of the Act.
Consultation will begin later this year and include feedback from business groups, environmental organisations, farmers and other land users and the broader community to ensure we strike the right balance with our environmental laws – continuing to protect the environment
while allowing for sustainable development.
Protecting the Rainforest and the Reef
The Morrison Government understands that the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforests of the Wet Tropics are not only natural wonders of the world, they are also a huge driver of the economy, particularly in North Queensland.
The Great Barrier Reef alone contributes 64,000 jobs
and $6.4 billion in economic value every year.
We will continue to roll out our $443.3 million Great Barrier Reef Partnership Program as part of the more than $1.2 billion we are investing in the Reef.
This funding is going towards proven reef protection activities like improving water quality, crown-of-thorns starfish control, community action, and scientific research and development to find new ways of restoring and protecting the Reef.
We also announced as part of the 2019-20 Budget that we will deliver $9 million over the next three years to control Yellow Crazy Ants in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
Yellow Crazy Ants are among the world's worst invasive species and their presence threatens endangered species such as the Southern Cassowary, Mahogany Glider, Northern Bettong and stream-dwelling rainforest frogs, as well as posing a major threat to sugar cane growers.
THE CHOICE
By keeping our economy strong, the Liberal Nationals Government can continue investing in our environment.
Australia’s environment cannot be supported under Labor’s economy-wrecking plans.
If you can’t manage the economy and the Budget, then you can’t invest in the environment.
The Morrison Government will support practical and meaningful actions to protect the environment for future generations.
We will do this by working in partnership with the community, Landcare groups, small and large businesses, Indigenous communities, farmers and scientists.
We support balanced environmental laws that ensure good environmental outcomes without burying business in unnecessary red tape.
Labor’s plan for the environment is a plan for more bureaucracy and public servants.
They will establish a large new environmental bureaucracy in Canberra, money that would be better spent on protecting our threatened species and improving our coasts and oceans.
The Liberal Nationals Government has prioritised protecting the Great Barrier Reef.
We are working in partnership with the community, including the biggest single investment in the Reef through a $443 million partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
Labor wants to take this money away, They can’t be trusted to protect the Reef: when they were last in government, the World Heritage Committee put the Reef on its in-danger ‘watch list’ and criticised Labor’s handling of dredging proposals along the coast.
The Morrison Government will invest over $22 million to support our community groups, including Landcare groups, scouts groups, sports clubs and councils, to protect and care for the local environment.
This includes protecting native species, improving local waterways and coastal areas, cleaning up waste and litter, and greening local parks and urban areas.
Labor wants to abolish the program and has no plan to support cleaner and greener local communities.
COST
The Coalition’s Plan for a Cleaner Environment will invest an additional $20 million in the Product Stewardship Investment Fund.
Our Plan to Back Australian Tourism and Jobs
KEY POINTS
The Morrison Government is backing in our tourism sector to grow even stronger.
Its contribution to the Australian economy is enormous and growing: attracting $136 billion in spending every year and employing one in 13 workers – many in small and family businesses.
Tourism is particularly important for regional Australia, with 43 cents of every visitor dollar spent in the regions.
Over the last five years, international visitor numbers have grown by 45 per cent while spending by overseas visitors is up 53 per cent.
This compares with a 10 per cent increase in international visitor spending during five years of Labor.
The latest National Visitor Survey shows that visitor spending by Australians has increased by 13 per cent to a record $72.7 billion, including 105.6 million domestic overnight trips.
Under the Liberal National Government nearly 45,000 tourism jobs have been created, more than four times as many as under Labor.
Building even further on this success and growth is a key component of the Morrison Government’s plan to keep the economy strong
and deliver 1.25 million new jobs over the next five years.
A re-elected Morrison Government will:Deliver a Tourism Icons Package to ensure that Australia’s tourism icons, particularly regional icons, remain world-class experiences and continue to attract high-value tourists.
Support tourism infrastructure and operators in the Shipwreck Coast and Great Ocean Road area with a $184 million investment and invest up to $216 million to upgrade Kakadu National Park and support the Jabiru township.
Support the tourism industry in regional Australia by providing dedicated funding in future rounds of the Building Better Regions Fund for tourism-related infrastructure.
Provide a $40 million fund to establish and grow Indigenous tourism as part of the Indigenous Advancement Strategy.
Deliver improved arrival and visa processing systems for international visitors.
Deliver the tourism boost provided by City Deals, including Geelong, Hobart and Adelaide and deliver regional tourism investment in iconic destinations such as Longreach, Margaret River, Cradle Mountain and Kangaroo Island.
Deliver the Beyond 2020 tourism strategy to help Australia’s tourism industry make the most of opportunities provided by fast-growing markets over the next decade.
Continue to support the hundreds of thousands of small and medium-sized businesses in the tourism sector, including 92,373 in regional Australia, through lower taxes, growing the economy and creating jobs.
Continue to support the tourism sector by investing record levels of funding for Tourism Australia over the next four years.
OUR RECORD
Australia’s tourism sector is growing strongly and now accounts for 10 per cent of exports.
International visitor numbers and expenditure are at record levels, and businesses are seizing opportunities to start, expand
and create jobs.
Since we were elected, the number of tourism businesses has increased by 17,881.
This contrasts with Labor’s last term of government, when tourism business numbers fell by 12,614.
Since we came to office, the pipeline for new tourism accommodation rooms has more than doubled.
Supporting small and family tourism businesses
Our Government has focused on supporting tourism that benefits small and family businesses and communities.
Since 2014, we have committed $120 million to support nearly 300 tourism projects nationwide.
This includes over $70 million specifically for tourism projects under Round 3 of the Building Better Regions Fund.
The Coalition promised at least $45million in tourism infrastructure projects and delivered over $70 million of tourism projects.
With 43 cents in every tourism dollar already spent in Regional Australia, the Coalition’s investment in tourism through the Building Better Regions Fund will give a significant boost to the regional tourism industry.
Round 3 of the Building Better Regions Fund will support 13,000 jobs throughout regional Australia, across all projects funded in the round.
International tourism
To increase inbound tourism, an additional six domestic airports have become designated international airports.
Hobart, Newcastle, Avalon, Canberra and Townsville are either already servicing international flights or will be ready to do so in the near future.
Toowoomba’s Wellcamp Airport can receive and despatch freight overseas.
The Liberal National Government has broken decades of indecision and deadlock to launch the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport at Badgerys Creek.
It will support almost 28,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2031 and connect businesses to national and international markets.
We’re also stepping up tourism from the world’s fastest-growing economies.
Following the signing of an open skies agreement between Australia and China in 2016, more than 160 direct flights between the two nations are contributing to strong growth in visitor numbers.
The Morrison Government is implementing the India Economic Strategy which identifies tourism as a priority sector for growth.
Around 70 million Indians will travel overseas annually by 2035 in a potential windfall of over $9 billion a year for the Australian economy.
Traditional markets like New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Japan and the United States will continue to be strongly targeted in tourism campaigns.
An improved visitor experience
To improve the experience of international tourists, our Government has invested in road and tourism-specific infrastructure at iconic destinations like Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory, the Great Ocean Road and Shipwreck Coast in Victoria and Cradle Mountain in Tasmania.
We’re easing congestion and upgrading safety.
We’re also making the journey to Australia smoother by investing in technology.
For major tourism markets like China and India, around 80 per cent of tourism visa applications are now done on-line, providing 24/7 access and ensuring a shorter timeframe.
We have also expanded the use of longer-term validity visas for key markets including China, Singapore, Indonesia and India.
Indigenous tourism
Since 2013, Indigenous tourism has grown by over 40 per cent and expenditure is up by 8 per cent a year on average.
There has also been a 30 per cent increase in Indigenous businesses as a result of our Government’s policies, including the Indigenous Procurement Policy and the Indigenous Business Sector Strategy.
Working holiday-makers
A factor in Australia’s tourism appeal is the chance for young holiday-makers to work in industries and regions where available labour is scarce.
The Morrison Government has made changes to the Working Holiday Maker visa program to support regional and rural communities by increasing the number of tourists eligible to do seasonal work.
These reforms, effective on 5 November 2018, include the expansion of the regional areas where subclass 462 visa holders can work in agriculture (plant and animal cultivation) to qualify for a second year of stay in Australia.
Previously only those who worked in Northern Australia were eligible.
Other changes will extend the period that certain visa holders can stay and increase the caps and age limits for eligible working holiday-makers.
Case Study – How Working Holiday-Makers support regional communities
Bowen Gumlu Growers Association
The Bowen Gumlu in the Whitsunday area of North Queensland is the largest winter growing region in Australia and exports hundreds of millions of dollars of produce to New Zealand.
The population of Bowen grows to over 3500 people during the peak picking season from May to November.
The majority are employed in picking and packing fruit and vegetables on around 40 local farms.
The Working Holiday Visa scheme has allowed the Bowen horticulture industry to source an accessible and flexible labour pool to meet increasing demand from Australian customers and export markets in Asia and New Zealand.
Without this labour, the growers would be unable to get their product overseas and to the supermarket shelves.
Carl Walker, President of the Bowen Gumlu Growers Association, says: “Without that flexible transient population the region would be seriously impacted economically … the bulk of our farm workers spend the money they earn in the local and Australian tourism industry.”
Supporting jobs and regions with record funding
The Morrison Government will provide $50 million to the Tourism Icons Package to support the development of five iconic tourism projects – creating new jobs
and helping to diversify local economies.
Rottnest Island sustainable visitor infrastructure and museum in Western Australia
We will contribute $12.2 million for sustainable visitor infrastructure, including upgrades of jetties, wharves, piers, roads, walking trails signage and existing lighthouse and railway, as well as $5 million to improve the visitor experience for Rottnest Island Museum including enhanced facilities, curation and interpretation.
Sovereign Hill Museum Enhancement in Victoria
Acknowledging the 50th anniversary of Sovereign Hill next year, we will contribute $10.1 million to help enhance the outdoor museum’s exhibitions and facilities.
This funding will be used to develop a master plan and then deliver phase one, which may include opportunities to redevelop the Gold Museum, upgrade the entrance building, improve signage and enhance the popular ‘digging area’.
Wangetti Trail construction in far north Queensland
We will contribute $8 million to build the next stage of the Wangetti Trail from the Mowbray River through to Palm Cove.
This will help fund trail construction, upgrades to bridges, campsites and associated infrastructure.
Freycinet National Park in Tasmania
We will contribute $7.2 million to the Freycinet National Park’s Visitor Gateway Hub for a new Visitor Centre, as well as an external car park to reduce congestion within the Park.
This funding will also encourage commercial investment outside the Park and encourage more visitors to spend time in the Coles Bay township.
Northern Rivers Rail Trail development in northern New South Wales
We will contribute $7.5 million for Stage 2 of the Rail Trail – from Old Casino Station to Back Creek Bridge at Bentley.
Visitors will be able to walk the trail, ride a bicycle or horse or drive a zero-emissions vehicle such as a mobility scooter, Segway or electric bike.
These tourism icons build on our commitments to other unique destinations in Australia.
The Morrison Government is providing $184 million for the Great Ocean Road and Geelong.
This funding includes investment in the Geelong Convention Centre, as well as the Shipwreck Coast Master Plan and the Great Ocean Road area, providing improved access for tourists and locals.
Our Government is also investing up to $216 million to upgrade Kakadu National Park and support the Jabiru township in the Northern Territory.
For Kakadu National Park, this means upgrades to walking tracks, viewing platforms, signage and mobile and WiFi services.
For Jabiru, the Government is helping to secure the long-term future of the township in co-operation with the Northern Territory Government and is funding an Indigenous-led World Heritage Kakadu Visitor Centre.
The Morrison Government will provide $11.25 million for a new visitor centre at Monarto Zoo Safari Park near Murray Bridge in South Australia.
The centre is the first stage of the Monarto Zoo expansion project.
It’s expected to unlock private investment to develop a range of zoo accommodation facilities including a safari resort and eco-luxe glamping tents.
The Adelaide City Deal will stimulate Adelaide’s cultural economy by investing over $100m in an Aboriginal Art and Cultures Gallery and an International Centre for Tourism, Hospitality and Food Studies at Lot Fourteen.
The investment will also boost tourism by funding key projects such as the Heysens Gallery in Hahndorf, the Mitcham Hills and Glenthorne Trails in southern Adelaide and upgrading Carrick Hill House to include a visitor centre.
The Government will invest $30 million in the Cradle Mountain Cableway as part of the transformation of the Cradle Mountain Gateway Precinct.
The Gateway Precinct will become the prime entrance to the world-renowned heritage national park and wilderness area.
To ensure that the benefits of tourism growth are spread beyond the major cities, the Morrison Government delivered $70 million to regional tourism-related infrastructure projects from the most recent round of Building Better Regions Fund.
The Building Better Regions Fund supports key infrastructure in regional communities.
It ensures the tourism industry can continue the investment to maintain tourist sites and attract new visitors into their region.
This program is supporting communities through projects such as the new Australian Opal Centre in Lightning Ridge and Townsville’s new Castle Hill adventure tourism experience.
The Morrison Government is supporting the Australian music industry through the $22.5 million Live Music Australia Grant program.
This competitive grants program will support small businesses that host live music performances by Australian artists and help expand the touring circuit to regional venues.
More local artists will have the opportunity to develop at home rather than overseas.
The Tourism Regional Infrastructure Investment Attraction Strategy will continue to deliver additional investment and focus on key tourism assets including the Whitsundays, Snowy Mountains, Margaret River and Kangaroo Island.
Regional focus
We will encourage tourists to visit regional destinations through a series of initiatives including greater promotion as part of Tourism Australia’s marketing, better transport infrastructure and the tourism icons package.
This will complement other Morrison Government investment such as the Indigenous Advancement Strategy and our backing of key regional tourism assets like the Great Ocean Road and Kakadu.
The regions will be a key pillar of the Beyond 2020 Tourism Strategy.
Tourism promotion
The Liberal National Government will provide record funding to Tourism Australia, increasing from $142.9 million in 2013-14 to $154 million in 2019-20 and $167 million in 2022-23.
This will enable Tourism Australia to continue to target high-value tourists in major international markets.
It will also ensure the ongoing success of the Business Event Bid Fund which has already attracted $90 million in global conferences to Australian cities and regions.
Our Government will also improve Tourism Australia’s ability to monitor and adjust their marketing approach to directly support communities impacted by natural disasters and unforeseen events.
Beyond 2020 Tourism Strategy
The Morrison Government will finalise and implement the Beyond 2020 tourism strategy to help Australia’s tourism industry make the most of opportunities and challenges over the coming decade.
The strategy charts a 10-year plan for the tourism sector that has been developed by industry in consultation with state and territory governments.
Targets include achieving $152 billion-$195 billion in overnight visitor expenditure by 2025 and $181 billion-$250 billion by 2030.
The Australian economy will reap strong rewards if these goals are reached,
including jobs for an additional 123,000 to 400,000 workers.
Supporting the growing China market
To support the inbound tourist market from China, the Morrison Government will provide $11 million over the next four years to continue the Approved Destination Status (ADS) scheme, which allows Chinese tourists to travel to Australia in guided groups.
Australia’s position as one of the first western destinations to be granted ADS status gave it a strong start in marketing its tourism product to China.
It means Tourism Australia can market directly to China; currently, about 24 per cent of Chinese leisure tourists are ADS tourists.
The Liberal-National Government is also investing $3 million in a new campaign in China to lure more high-spending, independent and repeat travellers to more areas of Australia.
China is Australia’s number one inbound market (currently worth $11.5 billion), having grown 12 per cent in  12 months.
In the year ending December 2018, Australia attracted more than 1.4 million Chinese visitors.
Improving Australia’s tourism visa and arrival systems
The Morrison Government will invest in improving the visitor visa processing and arrival process into Australia by working closely with the tourism industry, domestic agencies and international partners.
We will streamline and automate the visa application process using the very latest and most sophisticated digital technology.
Under the Morrison Government, all tourists to Australia can expect a faster, fully digital and secure visa application process.
We have installed next generation arrival SmartGates in two airports and will progressively roll them out to all major Australian international airports, ensuring a speedier arrival into Australia.
To remain internationally competitive in tourist and visitor visas, we will commission a review to benchmark Australia's visa settings against our major competitors in international tourism, as well as identify areas for improvement.
Better transport infrastructure
The Morrison Government’s comprehensive plan to upgrade Australia’s transport infrastructure will improve international visitor experiences and increase the nation’s capacity to accommodate overseas tourists.
The Morrison Government has committed around $30 billion for major tourism-related infrastructure including airports, roads and rail.
This funding includes $10 billion for Queensland’s Bruce Highway, $400 million to improve the safety and efficiency of the principal link between northern and southern Tasmania and  $330 million for the Outback Way across the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia.
Indigenous tourism
Indigenous Tourism has huge potential to create and develop more Indigenous businesses that can support jobs, especially in remote areas where economic activity is limited.
According to Tourism Australia, 15 per cent (1.3 million people) of international visitors undertake an Indigenous tourism experience.
The Morrison Government has committed $85 million for an Aboriginal Art and Cultures Gallery in Adelaide and, as part of the tourism icons program, we’re also supporting local Indigenous communities and culture with our funding to Freycinet National Park and the Wangetti Trail.
Building on this success, and our Indigenous Entrepreneurs Fund, the Morrison Government will provide a $40 million Indigenous tourism fund as part of the Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS).
Each year, $10 million of IAS funding will be focused on increasing the number of Indigenous owned and operated tourism enterprises, particularly in remote areas.
This fund will support new or expanding Indigenous businesses to purchase capital assets like a vehicle, boat or an accommodation facility to help break down typical barriers for Indigenous entrepreneurs.
The funding will also support tourism planning work with Indigenous communities and entrepreneurs who are pursuing tourism opportunities.
It’s a great new complement to Tourism Australia’s Discover Aboriginal Experiences program – and will also help Indigenous businesses participate in other initiatives such as Tourism Australia’s Signature Experiences of Australia program.
Supporting small and family tourism businesses
One in eight Australian businesses are tourism businesses and almost 90 per cent of them have a turnover under $2 million.
These businesses will benefit from the Morrison Government’s tax reforms, including a reduction in the business tax rate to 25 per cent, an increase in the threshold for the instant asset write-off from $25,000 to $30,000 and expansion of its coverage.
The Morrison Government will also ensure small business is paid on time by big business and government and will increase access to finance with a new $2 billion Australian Business Securitisation Fund.
THE CHOICE
Labor dismisses Australia’s vital tourism sector.
Under Labor, funding for Tourism Australia flat-lined, job growth in the sector was slow
and the number of international visitors and their expenditure was weak.
Labor’s plans to impose an additional $387 billion of taxes on the Australian economy would have dire consequences for tourism.
Many small and family tourism businesses will be hit hard.
Labor’s Retiree Tax would reduce the disposable income of over 900,000 Australians while their union-led restrictions on working holiday-makers would hurt the regions.
Labor’s attack on grey nomads
Australians over 65 account for 15 per cent of all domestic overnight travellers – with 15.6 million trips during the year ending September 2018 and spending of $9.8 billion.
Over 65s make 42 million day trips in Australia annually, spending $3.7 billion.
Labor’s devastating Retiree Tax is a $57 billion tax grab that would hit over 1 million Australians.
This includes more than 900,000 Australians with direct shareholdings, 200,000 self-managed super funds and 1,800 super funds.
On average, these retirees would lose almost $2,300 a year – and more than half of them are women. Self-managed super funds would lose $12,000 a year.
Labor claims their Retiree Tax will only slug the wealthy, but the truth is that 84 per cent of Australians who would be affected are on a taxable income of less than $37,000. And 50,000 pensioners in self-managed super funds would also be hit.
Labor restrictions on working holiday-makers will hurt regional Australia
Labor and the ACTU’s plan to abandon the second year working holiday visa would remove over 36,000 Working Holiday visa holders from the economy.
This is yet another union-driven Labor policy that will damage regional businesses and communities.
AUSVEG understands the important contribution of backpacker visitors under the Working Holiday Maker program.
The peak national body supports our changes that are backing in the farming sector and regional economies.
“Backpackers are an established source of labour for Australian farmers, and allowing them to work for longer periods at a single farm will help our growers retain a more stable workforce throughout the year.” AUSVEG CEO James Whiteside
Labor’s taxes are bad for business. First, Labor's new taxes would directly hit small business.
Second, a Shorten Labor Government would be the highest taxing government in Australia’s history.
Our economy would be weakened under Labor, making it a harder for small businesses to get ahead.
COST
The Coalition’s plan to back Australian tourism and jobs will not place additional costs on the Budget.
Our Plan to Keep Australians Safe Online
KEY POINTS
Keeping Australians safe is the Morrison Government’s first priority.
The online world brings with it the ability to connect with people all over the world as never before. But with these opportunities come new threats and challenges.
The Morrison Government is committed to a safer online environment for all Australians, including families and children.
The online world is no longer an optional extra in people’s lives.
The online world should not be an ungoverned space.
The targets of online abuse and bullying should not be forced offline.
Instead, technology platforms, governments and other users must all play a part in making the internet safe.
It is why we have taken action to crack down on online predators as well as giving parents and carers the information and support they need to ensure their children’s safety in the online world.
We understand that Australians expect the laws and standards of behaviour that apply in the physical world should apply equally in the online world.
A re-elected Morrison Government will:Support parents and carers to raise children who are responsible, resilient and respectful online as well as offline, by investing in new ideas to educate children about online safety, developing resources for parents, providing support for victims of cyberbullying, and increasing research.
We will give parents more control over what their children see and do online, including by ensuring that online products marketed to children default to the most restrictive privacy and safety settings.
Protect Australians from predators and abusive and illegal content, by introducing a new Online Safety Act, toughening penalties for online abuse and harassment, and supporting women’s online safety.
Hold social media platforms and other technology firms to account so they put in place protections for their Australian users, including by mandating transparency reports from the major social media platforms, strengthening obligations for faster take-down and blocking of illegal extremist content, and establishing an Online Safety Charter laying out the Government’s expectations, on behalf of families and the community, of digital platforms.
Work with the international community to prevent the internet and online world being weaponised by terrorists, including working through the G20 with technology firms to eliminate the ability of terrorists to use digital platforms to encourage, normalise, recruit, facilitate or commit terrorist and violent acts.
Only the Morrison Government has a comprehensive plan to keep Australians safe in both the physical and online world.
OUR RECORD
The Government has been at the forefront of online safety regulation and has increased its investment in online safety each and every year in response to emerging issues and growing awareness.
We have changed the law to give greater protection to law-abiding citizens and to punish the creeps and crooks that seek to do them harm.
The Morrison Government has provided funding for eSafety in excess of $100 million over four years.
The Government has led the world in online safety.
In 2015 the Coalition established the world’s first Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner to help protect Australian children from cyberbullying and to take a national leadership role in online safety for children through education, advice and enforcement.
In 2015 the Coalition legislated the world’s first kids’ cyberbullying material take-down regime, giving the eSafety Commissioner the power to direct social media organisations to take down materials and issue end-user notices to individuals.
Failure to comply with these measures can lead to fines of up to $21,000 for an individual and up to $105,000 for a corporation, per day.
In 2016 the Government legislated to extend the remit of the Office of the eSafety Commissioner to cover all Australians in light of the office’s expanded responsibility.
In 2019 the Government legislated tough new penalties for online platforms that fail to remove abhorrent violent material in a reasonable time, providing protection for Australians, particularly children, from seeing violent crimes online.
National Online Safety Awareness campaign
The Morrison Government launched a National Online Safety Awareness campaign to coincide with the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence on 15 March 2019.
This campaign is boosting awareness of resources available to young people, parents and teachers to help children stay safe online and to assist those who experience harm online.
The eSafety Office has a range of online and educational tools and resources, as well as reporting mechanisms and support services for victims, to help keep Australian children safe online.
Parents, children and teachers need to know they can go to the Office of the eSafety Commissioner for help if things go wrong online.
You can find more information at esafety.gov.au.
Image Based Abuse legislation
In 2018 the Government passed legislation which gives the eSafety Commissioner additional powers to combat image-based abuse, including revenge porn, by issuing ‘removal notices’ to websites, content hosts and social media providers.
There are civil and criminal penalties, including fines of up to $525,000 for platforms and $105,000 for individuals and jail time of up to seven years for aggravated offence.
The eSafety Commissioner can issue ‘take-down’, ‘service-cessation’ and ‘link-deletion’ notices to remove prohibited content or block access to prohibited services, such as child pornography and content advocating terrorism.
eSafety Women program
Technology facilitated abuse is an emerging issue for women, particularly vulnerable groups and those suffering from family, domestic or sexual violence.
The Coalition Government has funded the eSafety Women program through the Office of the eSafety Commissioner.
This program provides face-to-face workshops and online training for domestic and family violence front line workers, giving them the skills and confidence to better assist women experiencing technology-facilitated abuse.
The eSafety Women website provides a range of resources to empower women to take control and use technology positively to safeguard themselves and their children.
Supporting Parents and Families
A National Approach
The Government will work with states and territories to develop national principles and a consistent approach to combatting criminal cyber-bullying and online harassment.
This work would seek to address inconsistencies between approaches to criminal cyberbullying across Australia and include further work on a ‘right to be forgotten’ for victims of cyberbullying and abuse.
Further investments for research, awareness and grants for NGOs
Through the $17 million ‘Keeping Our Children Safe Online’ package, we are committing additional resources to support parents, teachers and carers of children under 5, funding a new online safety research program, an annual national eSafety survey, a national awareness campaign and the development of the Online Safety Charter.
We will invest $10 million for a new Online Safety Grants Program to enable non-government organisations (NGOs) to deliver practical online safety education and training projects.
Putting parents in control of what children see and do online
Too often games and apps marketed to children present unnecessary risks – such as inappropriate advertising, automatic in-app purchases and allowing personal information to be shared online without parental supervision.
We believe that parents are the best people to decide what their children should be allowed to do online but many apps and games make it too hard to make those decisions.
The Morrison Government will work with technology firms (including social media platforms, app stores and ISPs) so that they:Make devices and services that are marketed to children default to the most restrictive safety and privacy settings at initial use or set up.
Make available to domestic consumers the option of a filtered internet service that, at a minimum, blocks access to sites identified by the eSafety Commissioner.
Ensure that information regarding online safety and parental control settings is available at all points in the supply chain including point-of-purchase, registration, account creation and first use.
We will take legislative action if necessary.
Keeping children safe is a necessity, not an optional extra.
Digital Pen Licence Review
A re-elected Morrison Government will conduct an independent review of programs designed to assess children’s online safety skills – including Digital Licences and other tools.
Equipping our children and young people with the knowledge and practical skills they need to be safe online is critical.
There are a number of organisations doing good work in this space.
The review will look at the existing products available in the market.
It will consider whether the current online safety training and testing tools are effective, and bring forward suggestions for any improvements that might be needed.
The review will also look at what makes a good competency-based program for teaching children these essential online skills – putting digital licences in the context of a suite of tools available to parents and educators.
The review will be finalised in 2019.
Protecting Australians
A new Online Safety Act
The Morrison Government will introduce a new Online Safety Act to consolidate regulatory arrangements and update them in light of changes in the digital environment.
The Briggs Review, tabled in Parliament in February 2019, found that the world-leading initiative of the Office of the eSafety Commissioner has achieved much success since it was established in 2015.
The Briggs Review made five recommendations, including the key proposal for a single, consolidated piece of online safety legislation, and including greater transparency and reporting requirements for industry.
The Government is committed to ensuring the best online safety arrangements and making the legislative framework the world’s best.
Tougher penalties
To send a clear message to criminals and predators that their actions online will not be tolerated, a Morrison Government will toughen penalties for online abuse and harassment.
This will also allow the courts to impose penalties in line with community expectations that online crime should be treated as seriously as offline crime.
We will increase maximum penalties for those using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence under section 474.17 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 from three years’ imprisonment to five years' imprisonment.
In the last Parliament we also tried to pass increased penalties for criminal behaviour online.
The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Crimes Against Children and Community Protection Measures) Bill 2017 stalled in the Senate because the Labor Party opposes mandatory minimum sentences for child sex offences.
A re-elected Morrison Government will re-introduce this Bill which will increase penalties for certain offences including:Increased maximum penalties for a range of child sex offences, including offences that cover ‘grooming’, sexual activity with a child outside Australia, and using a carriage service to transmit indecent communication to a child.
Setting mandatory minimum sentences for certain child sex offences, including:Using a carriage service for child abuse material, engaging in sexual activity with a child using a carriage service and engaging in sexual activity (other than sexual intercourse) with a child overseas.
Establishing new ‘aggravated’ offences and sentencing for the worst categories of crime, including aggravated offences for sexual intercourse or other sexual activity with a child outside Australia and offences involving conduct on 3 or more occasions and 2 or more people.
We will add an offence of providing electronic services to facilitate dealings with child abuse material.
Currently, the Code does not specifically criminalise the provision of electronic services (e.g. websites or chat fora, often hosted on the dark web) to facilitate online dealings with child abuse material.
This amendment will make it an offence for a person to provide an electronic service with the intention that the service will be used for access to child abuse material.
We will add an offence of ‘grooming’ third parties using the post or a carriage service to procure children for sexual activity.
The new offences will criminalise the transmission of communications (using the post or a carriage service) to a third party who is not the child victim, with the intention of making it easier to procure a specific child for sexual activity.
Preventing and Reducing Violence against Women
Preventing and reducing violence against women has been a priority for the Morrison Government.
Research has indicated that 98 per cent of domestic violence workers have stated they have had clients who had experienced technology-facilitated stalking and abuse.
In recognition of this particular issue, the Government will work with the states and territories to ensure that police and other frontline workers are equipped to respond quickly to incidents of online harassment and abuse.
Under the Fourth Action Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, a Morrison Government will:Invest $1.5 million for the Office of the eSafety Commissioner to provide targeted advice to help women with an intellectual disability and/or communication difficulties to identify and report online abuse, and to enable the safety features on their devices and online accounts.
Research indicates that women with an intellectual disability are more vulnerable to technology-facilitated abuse.
The program will also include training for domestic and family violence frontline workers.
Provide up to $2.5 million for the Office of the eSafety Commissioner to work with and assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in communities across Australia to identify, report and protect themselves and their children from technology-facilitated abuse.
The program will develop a range of culturally appropriate resources for frontline workers to help them identify, understand and report technology-facilitated abuse, and ultimately empower the women they support to be safe online.
Holding Social Media Platforms and other Technology Companies to Account
If we don’t know the scale of a problem, we can’t address it properly.
A Morrison Government will mandate transparency reports from the major social media platforms on the number and type of response to reports and complaints about illegal abusive and predatory content by their users.
We will align this work with the work already undertaken by the UK Government as part of their Online Harms White Paper process, including their draft transparency reporting template, to ensure a consistent approach across jurisdictions.
This work will build on the Government’s action in the wake of the Christchurch attack to strengthen obligations for faster take-down and blocking of illegal extremist content.
The Morrison Government has created and passed into law two new offences:Making it a criminal offence for social media platforms not to remove abhorrent violent material expeditiously.
A failure to do so would be punishable by fines of up to 10% of the platform's annual turnover or potential prison sentences for executives.
Requiring social media platforms anywhere in the world to notify the AFP if they become aware their service is streaming abhorrent violent conduct that is happening in Australia.
A failure to do this will be punishable by fines of up to $168,000 for an individual or $840,000 for a corporation.
Online Safety Charter
The Morrison Government expects large technology firms and digital platforms to do more to ensure online safety, particularly for children.
While online safety will always be a shared responsibility, some social media and messaging services (among others) fall short of expectations, and are exposing our community to abusive conduct and harmful content.
A draft Online Safety Charter was released in February 2019, seeking public comments and feedback.
A finalised Charter will set out expectations for industry to reduce online harm.
The finalised Charter will inform digital platforms of the Government’s expectations on behalf of the community and, where necessary, will be given legislative backing.
Social Media Platforms Taskforce
A re-elected Morrison Government will continue working with the Taskforce established by the Prime Minister in March 2019 in response to the terrorist attack in Christchurch, livestreamed online by the perpetrator.
The Taskforce has representatives of the social media platforms and internet service providers working with key government agencies to identify and implement practical measures to see offensive, violent and illegal material identified more quickly and taken down faster and with greater transparency.
The key areas of focus are:
Prevention and protection – including detecting, blocking, and instantaneous and faster takedown options for violent terrorist material.
Transparency – improving transparency of the actions taken by platforms and ISPs in relation to violent terrorist material.
Deterrence – enhancing responsibility for the upload and distribution of violent terrorist material by individuals, platforms and ISPs.
The work of the Taskforce will be considered in the development of new mandatory transparency requirements, and the online Safety Charter, to be introduced by a Morrison Government.
Consumer Privacy
A re-elected Morrison Government will develop amendments to the Privacy Act 1988 to protect Australians’ privacy online and ensure that social media companies and online platforms do not misuse personal information they collect, particularly about children.
We will introduce increased penalties for all entities covered by the Privacy Act from the current maximum penalty of $2.1 million for serious or repeated breaches to the greatest of $10 million, three times the value of any benefit obtained through the misuse of information or 10 per cent of a company’s annual domestic turnover.
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) will be given new infringement notice powers backed by new penalties of up to $63,000 for bodies corporate and $12,600 for individuals for failures to cooperate with efforts to resolve minor breaches.
The Information Commissioner will create a privacy code specifically targeted at social media companies and online platforms.
The code will expand on and strengthen requirements that are already in place to protect individuals’ privacy in the Privacy Act.
We will also require that social media companies stop using or disclosing an individual’s personal information upon request and establish specific rules to protect the personal information of children and other vulnerable groups.
The OAIC will also be able to ensure breaches are addressed through external reviews and/or the requirement that organisations publish notices about specific breaches and ensure that those directly affected are informed.
To the extent that social media and online platforms may already have these additional protections in place, the Government’s reforms will ensure those protections are legally enforceable in Australia under the Privacy Act with penalties for non-compliance.
Digital Platforms Regulation Inquiry
Digital platforms are where many Australians consume their news and current affairs.
They have become primary destinations for many Australians to seek and access a variety of information.
Digital platforms have also become key players in the advertising market, which has had implications for traditional media platforms.
A re-elected Morrison Government will conduct a Senate Committee Inquiry into digital platforms, their role as publishers and the need for further regulation.
This inquiry will include an examination of the provisions of the Criminal Code Amendment (Sharing of Abhorrent Violent Material) Act 2019 to consider whether refinements are necessary.
This will build on the findings and recommendations of the world-leading ACCC Digital Platforms inquiry, which is due to deliver its final report in June.
Working with the International Community
A re-elected Morrison Government will re-double efforts through the G20 to fight exploitation of the internet for terrorist purposes, including by working with the private sector to remove terrorist content. This will put the 2017 Hamburg G20 Leaders’ Statement on Counter-Terrorism into action.
The notion of the law applying equally online and offline was an underlying principle of that statement.
A re-elected Morrison Government will work with G20 Leaders at the June 2019 Osaka Summit to ensure technology firms meet obligations regarding:Prevention and protection: working with and ensuring that industry implements prevention measures, including appropriate filtering, detecting and removing of content by those who encourage, normalise, recruit, facilitate or commit terrorist and violent activities;
Transparency: the public is entitled to know, in detail, what technology firms are doing to monitor illegal and extremist content, how they manage reports of such content, and the number of types of complaints; and
Deterrence: work with G20 Leaders to ensure that there are clear consequences not only for those who carry out such horrific acts, but for those who facilitate them.
Through this initiative the global community of governments and technology firms can work together to keep our communities, particularly our young people, safe.
Cyber Security
In addition to the work we are investing in through the Office of the eSafety Commissioner we will also invest $26 million to expand the role of the Australian Cyber Security Centre to help businesses and families address cyber security issues and help to support the wider Australian economy.
This includes:Developing a comprehensive online cyber security training program, which focusses on providing practical cyber advice for small businesses, older Australians and Australian families.
This will help them to avoid becoming victims of increasingly sophisticated cyber criminals, especially in relation to online transactions, identity theft and internet banking.
Expanding the ACSC’s 24/7 hotline for reporting cyber security incidents to include a dedicated helpdesk for small and medium sized businesses, older Australians and families.
Evidence suggests that 43 per cent of cyber attacks cost small businesses on average $10,000 per attack and that they have limited knowledge and capacity to protect themselves or recover after a cyber security incident.
The help desk will employ specially trained staff who can provide tailored technical cyber security advice for these groups, including advice that prevents, and responds to, cyber security incidents.
The help desk will provide free advice and support to those recovering from a malicious cyber incident – such as data breaches, scams, fraud and identity theft – to equip them to get back on line.
THE CHOICE
Only the Coalition can be trusted to do what is necessary to keep Australians safe online.
We know that online safety requires a whole-of-community approach where resources are made available to parents and carers, to teachers and early childhood educators and to the end users themselves.
We know that industry has the resources and technological capability to address many of the problems found online.
What has been sometimes lacking is the will.
The Labor Party will tell you that they care about online safety too.
But Labor shadow minister Ed Husic has said that the powers that allow security agencies to access encrypted communications of criminals and terrorists are “terrible laws”.
In the last Parliament we also tried to pass increased penalties for criminal behaviour online. The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Crimes Against Children and Community Protection Measures) Bill 2017 stalled in the Senate because the Labor Party opposes mandatory minimum sentences for child sex offences.
It was the Morrison Government that acted quickly to stop social media platforms being weaponised by terrorists in the wake of the Christchurch attack, passing the Criminal Code Amendment (Sharing of Abhorrent Violent Material) Act 2019, to limit the spread of extremist terrorist material online.
The Morrison Government will continue working to keep Australians safe – online and on the street.
COST
The Morrison Government’s Plan to Keep Australians Safe Online will not place additional costs on the Budget.
Our Plan for a Stronger Manufacturing Sector
KEY POINTS
Our traditional industry sectors have consistently supported the Australian economy,
creating jobs and being a source of livelihood for so many families.
Driving all our industries forward, including traditional sectors like manufacturing, is central to the Morrison Government’s economic plan.
Manufacturing remains a key part of the Australian economy, employing hundreds of thousands of Australians and contributing tens of billions in annual exports.
Due to our strong economic management, manufacturing under the Liberal Nationals has experienced 32 consecutive months of stable or expanding conditions according to the Australian Industry Group.
And the value of Australia’s manufacturing exports has grown by around 23 per cent since 2013, compared to a 13 per cent decline when Labor was last in government.
There is significant potential to grow the sector, with the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre estimating the sector could capture growth of 25 - 35 per cent by 2026.
But our manufacturing sector will only expand if it can compete with the rest of the world.
This means we need to prepare manufacturing for the future and establish the right policies to make Australia an easy environment for manufacturers to invest, export, embrace new technologies and develop high value products.
The Morrison Government will deliver a stronger manufacturing sector by:Growing exports by Australian manufacturers including by delivering more free trade agreements and supporting an Australian Made export campaign to give our manufacturers a bigger edge in overseas markets.
Supporting manufacturers to modernise and grow through a new Manufacturing Modernisation Fund, support for science, technology and commercialisation, and providing new opportunities in areas like space industry.
Delivering reliable and affordable energy to lower production costs with our Fair Deal on Energy, as well as gas market reforms and investments in business energy efficiency.
Ensuring Australia has a world-class skilled workforce that supports smarter manufacturing, including support for up to 80,000 new apprentices.
Providing better access to finance through our Australian Business Securitisation Fund and Australian Business Growth Fund.
Growing our sovereign defence industry and maximising opportunities for Australian involvement in our record $200 billion investment in Defence capability.
Maintaining a strong anti-dumping system to ensure a level playing field for our manufacturing businesses.
By contrast, Labor’s policies will weaken the manufacturing sector by making Australia a place in which it is harder to do business.
Labor wants to punish manufacturing and other traditional industries with their economy-wrecking emissions reduction targets that would drive up energy prices
and reduce manufacturing production.
Under Labor’s plan, scores of Australian firms including food processors and manufacturers of chemicals, building products and consumer goods will be forced to pay billions of dollars buying global carbon credits in order to comply with Labor’s reckless emissions reduction targets.
Labor’s workplace relations policies will put the unions back in charge while its trade policy will give trade unions a veto over our trade negotiations.
It’s a disastrous recipe that will drive Australian manufacturing jobs offshore, just like the last time they were in office when one in eight manufacturing jobs disappeared.
Labor’s past failures on manufacturing tell us they will not only fail to create manufacturing jobs, but Australian taxpayers will be left to pick up the bill.
Only the Morrison Government has a strong plan to continue to grow Australia’s manufacturing sector and other traditional industries.
OUR RECORD
Australian Manufacturing not only has a great history but an exciting future.
It employs hundreds of thousands of Australians, is a major export industry and contributes almost one quarter of our research and development expenditure.
The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre, an independent industry-led body established by the Liberal Nationals Government in 2015, has identified significant capacity for Australian manufacturing to grow: by reducing production costs, value-adding and accessing new global markets.
We have already taken major action to bolster manufacturing
and secure the jobs that so many Australian families rely on.
Our strong record includes: //Taking Australian manufacturing to the world
To ensure their growth, our manufacturers need to export and reach new markets.
In just five years, the Liberal Nationals Government has embedded Australia with the economic engines of our region.
We have concluded free trade agreements with China, Japan, Korea, the 10 economies of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP-11) and the 10 countries of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER Plus), as well as Indonesia, Peru and Hong Kong.
This is powering major opportunities, with manufacturing exports growing by around 23 per cent since 2013.
Lower taxes for small and medium businesses
We are reducing taxes so businesses can grow and employ more Australians.
We have fast-tracked tax cuts for around 3.3 million small and medium-sized Australian businesses with a turnover of less than $50 million, enabling them to invest in and invigorate their businesses.
We have also expanded the instant asset write-off to medium sized businesses and increased it to $30,000.
Investing in science, technology and commercialisation
For an even stronger future, Australian manufacturing must embrace advanced technologies to boost productivity and compete internationally.
Through initiatives like the $100 million Advanced Manufacturing Fund, $40 million Innovative Manufacturing CRC, $30 million Rail Manufacturing CRC, Entrepreneurs’ Program and Industry Growth Centres, our Government is supporting world class manufacturing facilities and fast-tracking commercialisation of new ideas in machinery, rail, food and other products.
Supporting the transition of the automotive sector
Due to our strong economic management, Australian manufacturing continues to thrive after the closure of Ford, Toyota and Holden.
Around 80 per cent of their former workers have successfully transitioned.
We have also supported businesses in the automotive supply chain to diversify into new opportunities such as defence industry through our $100 million Advanced Manufacturing Fund and $155 million Growth Fund, with over 70 per cent of these businesses still manufacturing.
OUR PLAN
Growing exports of Australian Made products
Australia’s future manufacturing growth is highly dependent on local businesses gaining access to new global markets and supply chains.
A re-elected Morrison Government will continue to remove trade barriers and increase support for manufacturing exports through a comprehensive range of measures, including:Delivering new trade deals, building on our record of increasing the total trade covered by free trade agreements from around 26 per cent to around 70 per cent.
This includes working to conclude trade negotiations with the European Union, regional markets via the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the four-nation Pacific Alliance (Mexico, Chile, Peru and Colombia) and the UK when they are ready to do so.
Supporting an Australian Made export campaign, with up to $5 million over the next four years to push the logo in Australia’s largest trading markets. Funding would support marketing and promotional campaigns to profile the logo as an export brand of Australia, making it even more valuable for manufacturers of food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, clothing and other products.
Funding will be used to support registration of trademarks for the logo in markets like the UK, European Union and Canada.
Providing support for promotional and marketing activities of exporters through the additional $60 million we are providing to the Export Market Development Grants Scheme (EMDG) over the next three years, bringing the total annual spend to $157.9 million.
The EMDG helps current and aspiring small to medium sized exporters to utilise free trade agreements and seek new offshore opportunities for their goods and services.
Rolling out our $20 million SME Export Hubs program to boost the export capability of businesses across the country, including manufacturers.
Continuing to provide export finance solutions for Australian exporters through Efic, as well as connecting Australian businesses with overseas opportunities and facilitating investment through Austrade.
Supporting manufacturing to modernise and grow
Australian businesses have long been world leaders, using cutting-edge technology and business processes.
Australian manufacturers need to continue to invest, innovate and modernise in order to develop new higher-value products, differentiate themselves in the market and prepare for the future, including for industry 4.0.
A re-elected Morrison Government will establish a new Manufacturing Modernisation Fund, with funding of $50 million from Government and at least $110 million from industry.
The Fund will provide grants to small and medium sized manufacturing businesses to modernise, grow and employ more Australians, particularly helping those manufacturers in regional and outer suburban Australia.
The Fund will support manufacturers to become more competitive
and create more jobs by co-funding capital investments that help them scale-up,
invest in new technologies and develop new high-value products.
$20 million would be provided for matched grants of between $50,000 and $100,000 for smaller scale technology and efficiency investments.
$30 million would be provided for larger-scale grants of up to $1 million, with a $3 co-contribution from industry for every $1 from government, to support more transformative investments in technologies and processes.
This builds on our continued investments in science, technology and commercialisation initiatives that provide new opportunities for manufacturing growth and competitiveness.
This includes our investment of $100 million in the Advanced Manufacturing Fund, the creation of the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre, support through the Entrepreneurs Program and $40 million for the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre.
It also includes new Cooperative Research Centres initiatives that support our world-leading researchers to collaborate with the manufacturing industry to develop new products and open up new markets:$55 million for the SmartSat CRC to develop new satellite and communications technologies.
$35 million for the Future Food Systems CRC to establish six regional and periurban food hubs around the country aimed at building export capability and value-adding to local produce.
$25 million for the Future Battery Industries CRC to expand production of critical minerals like lithium and develop opportunities for specialist battery manufacturing.
$20 million from the Cooperative Research Centres Projects grants program for industry-led research and development projects focused on developing new solutions to plastic waste and recycling.
Our investment in the Australian Space Agency will also provide new opportunities for manufacturing, with the space industry expected to grow to $12 billion
and create up to another 20,000 jobs by 2030.
Affordable and reliable energy
Secure, reliable and affordable energy is critical to all businesses – none more so than manufacturing.
As an energy-intensive industry, higher power costs would pose a significant risk to production.
The Morrison Government’s Fair Deal on Energy will deliver affordable, reliable 24/7 power.
It includes a price safety net that will help small businesses make empowered and informed decisions about their energy plan, supports reliable power by requiring energy companies to sign contracts guaranteeing enough energy to meet demand and backs investment to improve competition by underwriting new reliable energy generation – including investment in Snowy 2.0 and Battery of the Nation.
We will continue taking strong action to ensure gas prices go down and gas supply goes up.
This includes, through the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism, ensuring there is enough gas for Australia before it is exported.
The Morrison Government will invest to improve the transparency, competitiveness and long-term security of gas supply – with $8.4 million to accelerate gas supplies from the Northern Territory to the east coast with the opening of the Beetaloo Sub-basin for exploration and development.
Small manufacturers can also benefit from our investment in the Energy Efficient Communities Program.
This will provide $50 million in more than 2,500 grants to eligible businesses and community organisations to help them save energy by either installing new equipment or by reviewing and improving their energy management.
Eligible small businesses will be able to claim grants of up to $20,000 and high energy-using businesses up to $25,000.
World-class skilled workforce
A highly-skilled workforce allows us to work smarter and more competitively on the global stage.
That’s why we are backing in vocational education and training (VET) as central to the growth of Australian businesses, particularly manufacturing.
We established the Skilling Australians Fund in 2017 to boost apprenticeships and traineeships across the country, including in manufacturing.
The Morrison Government is also investing $585 million in the VET sector to better equip Australians with the skills they need for today and tomorrow.
We are establishing a new Skills Shortage Payment to boost existing incentives for areas of identified skills needs to support up to 80,000 new apprentices over five years.
We are establishing a National Skills Commission to drive long-term reform of VET.
This will develop a nationwide approach to skills development, serving the needs of both students and industry.
Language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills are the foundation of employment.
To ensure all Australians have the skills they need for work, the Government will provide $62.4 million to establish a national program to deliver foundational skills training.
We will build on Questacon’s Engineering is Elementary pilot program by investing $6.2 million to roll out the program nationally.
This will provide training to 1,000 primary school teachers across all states and territories to give them the confidence and skills to teach engineering to school kids.
Growing our sovereign defence industry capabilities
We are investing over $200 billion over the next decade to modernise the Australian Defence Force and secure our nation.
This includes $90 billion for our continuous naval shipbuilding program, including the construction of the new Attack class submarines.
Our defence industry policies are ensuring local Australian businesses including manufacturers have more opportunities to benefit from this massive investment in Defence capability, ensuring we create Australian jobs
and a sovereign Australian defence industry.
The creation of a stronger, more resilient, and internationally competitive defence industry is maximising opportunities for Australian businesses to secure Defence contracts.
Tens of thousands of people and more than 3,000 small to medium enterprises are already employed in Australia’s defence industry.
The Morrison Government has launched the 2019 Defence Policy for Industry Participation, providing further opportunities for Australian companies to compete for work and drive the long-term development of Australia’s sovereign defence industry.
This policy builds on the success of the Government’s well-established Australian Industry Capability Program and Local Industry Capability Plan.
It also extends the requirement to include opportunities for Australian industry on all Defence procurements of $4 million, and above $7.5 million for construction.
Our $230 million Centre for Defence Industry Capability works closely with industry to help it take advantage of the unprecedented opportunities.
We released the first Australian Defence Industrial Capability Plan, which lays out how we will build the Defence industry Australia needs.
This includes a dedicated annual Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority grants program, providing up to $17 million to Australian small and medium enterprises to assist them to purchase essential equipment, such as enhancing cyber security, providing access to specialist training, or the ability to attain appropriate accreditations and certificates.
The Coalition Government’s Defence Export Strategy, Defence Export Advocate, $3.8 billion Defence Export Facility and $20 million annually in extra export promotion will help Australian defence industry market its capabilities to our friends and allies overseas for a sustainable Australian defence industry.
And we will continue to grow the Global Supply Chain program, giving Australian companies a foot in the door for greater access to global markets through the supply chains of defence prime companies.
Better access to finance
The Morrison Government will make it easier for aspiring and existing small and medium businesses – including manufacturers – to start and expand.
We understand that small businesses find it difficult to obtain finance other than on a secured basis.
And that small businesses that have already obtained secured finance but wish to continue to grow also find it difficult.
With access to finance a critical issue, the new $2 billion Australian Business Securitisation Fund will start on July 1 this year.
This fund increases small business access to competitive finance by providing more funding for small banks and non-bank lenders.
A re-elected Morrison Government will also establish the Australian Business Growth Fund by providing $100 million in funding and partnering with financial institutions to enhance equity financing to businesses with annual turnovers between $2 million and $50 million.
The fund will aim to expand to $1 billion as it matures.
Maintaining a strong anti-dumping regime
The Liberal Nationals Government has taken firm steps to protect Australian industries, particularly manufacturing, from the illegal dumping of cheap overseas products.
This includes:An extra $1.1 million per year for the Anti-Dumping Commission, taking its annual budget to over $12 million.
Improved assistance for small and medium Australian businesses.
Placing a greater onus on overseas businesses to cooperate with investigations.
Improving the anti-dumping merits review process.
Delivering more timely investigations.
The Morrison Government will continue to look for opportunities to strengthen Australia’s anti dumping regime following recent consultations we have undertaken with industry to ensure it delivers a level playing field while supporting business growth, employment and competitiveness.
THE CHOICE
The Morrison Government values our manufacturing industry and understands what is needed for continued growth.
We will work with the sector to support more exports,
reducing energy costs
and support modernisation and the development of new high-value products.
Labor is offering the opposite.
Under Labor’s policies, manufacturing will be hit by higher costs
and more red tape that will drive Australian manufacturing jobs offshore.
Australian manufacturers cannot afford Labor’s economy-wrecking emissions reduction targets which will:Cost the economy $472 billion.
Slash more than 336,000 jobs.
Cut the average wage by over $9,000.
Increase wholesale electricity prices by more than 58%.
Under Labor, Australian manufacturers will face costs that their international competitors do not.
In particular, scores of Australian manufacturers will be among the 250 Australian firms targeted by Labor to reduce their emissions by at least 45 per cent by 2030.
Those firms unable to make these emissions cuts will be forced to spend millions on foreign carbon credits damaging their competitiveness in fiercely contested export markets.
Given that a large share of manufacturing is located in regional Australia, the impact on employment in regional cities and towns will be severe.
Australia’s manufacturers cannot afford Labor’s export-damaging opposition to free trade.
A Shorten Labor Government has said it will give trade unions an effective veto over trade agreements.
Labor’s union MPs are already celebrating Labor’s decision to ‘reject’ trade agreements, including those already signed with Indonesia and Peru.
This will result in sectors like the Australian steel industry missing out on promised tariff cuts.
When Labor was last in government, they did not start and finish a single Free Trade Agreement.
Crucial negotiations with Korea, Japan and China foundered, as trade unions’ riding instructions outweighed the national interest.
Australian manufacturers cannot afford Labor’s regressive industrial relations policies which threaten a return to the industrial unrest of the 1970s.
Labor’s record proves their policies will drive manufacturing jobs offshore.
When Labor entered office in 2007 there were over one million manufacturing jobs. When they got booted out in 2013, the number had fallen to 922 000: 1 in 8 jobs disappeared.
While manufacturing has a bright future under the Morrison Government, Labor’s only plan is to offer taxpayer-funded subsidies to compensate for the damage they will do to the sector.
COST
The Morrison Government’s Plan for a Stronger Manufacturing Sector includes an additional $50 million for the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund and $5 million for the Australian Made campaign.
OUR PLAN TO PROTECT OUR BORDERS AND TO KEEP AUSTRALIANS SAFE
KEY POINTS
To keep Australians safe and secure
we need to keep our economy strong.
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s economic management underpins the investments needed to protect our borders and keep Australians safe.
We will not compromise our three proven border protection policies which have stopped the boats: regional processing, turn-backs where it is safe to do so, and temporary protection visas.
By sticking to our plan, the Liberal and National Government has ended the deaths at sea, nullified the threat from people smugglers and removed all children from detention.
By contrast, when the last Labor government dismantled our strong and effective policies, chaos erupted.
The human tragedy was immense - at least 1,200 deaths at sea and thousands of children languishing in detention.
When Labor was last in government:Over 50,000 illegal arrivals on over 800 boats.
There were 1200 deaths at sea (that we know of).
Over 8000 children were detained.
Seventeen onshore detention centres were opened.
Two offshore processing centres were opened.
Their border protection failures have cost taxpayers $16 billion and counting.
Under our strong border protection policies, we have:Ended the deaths at sea under Operation Sovereign Borders.
Closed 19 detention centres.
Removed all children from detention and from Manus and Nauru.
Successfully resettled or returned more than 1,250 people, including 38 children and their families under the US resettlement arrangement.
By closing detention centres, we returned $638 million to the Budget and reclaimed control of the refugee and humanitarian program from criminal syndicates.
We have increased Australia’s humanitarian intake to 18,750 in 2018-19, and welcomed to Australia an additional 12,000 persecuted minority refugees from the conflict in Syria and Iraq.
We have strengthened border security through the establishment of the Australian Border Force (ABF) Counter Terrorism Units and enhanced aviation security.
And by investing in better intelligence and technologies, such as Smartgates, we are making it easier for legitimate travellers and traders - and harder for criminal and security threats.
We are protecting the community from visa-holders who commit crimes by strengthening the character requirements of non-citizens - and with the mandatory cancellation of visas of non-citizens who commit serious crimes.
Our policies have restored public confidence in the integrity of our borders.
However, the threat from people smugglers and other criminals can never be dismissed.
A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will ensure Australia’s borders remain safe and secure by:Maintaining Operation Sovereign Borders to tackle people smuggling and irregular migration.
Sustaining the three vital pillars of secure borders: regional processing, boat turn-backs where it is safe to do so and temporary protection visas.
Repealing the reckless Labor-Greens ‘Medivac’ legislation, which undermines our strong border protection policies.
Investing in intelligence capability and technology to facilitate legitimate trade and travellers and deter the illicit, including drugs and firearms.
Continuing to ensure that dangerous foreign criminals who commit serious crimes will have their visa cancelled and be kicked out of Australia.
Strengthening the character test for foreign criminals even further to enable visa cancellations where a non-citizen has been convicted of a broader range of violent and sexual offences, even where the sentence is less than 12 months.
Changing the law to ensure terrorist fighters are prevented from returning to our shores until public safety can be assured.
OUR PLAN
Tackling people smuggling
Only the Liberal and Nationals Government guarantees to continue the successful Operation Sovereign Borders and its underpinning policies: regional processing, boat turn-backs where it is safe to do so and temporary protection visas.
People smugglers are determined to restart their vile trade and some never stopped.
Under Operations Sovereign Borders, 34 people smuggling boats have been intercepted or returned.
A further 80 planned ventures have been disrupted by joint operations with our security partners in the region.
The threat from people smuggling endures.
That’s why a strong border protection policy is vital to our country’s security.
Labor can’t be trusted to deliver.
Labor’s border chaos and dysfunction relinquished control to the people smugglers and tied our border and other agencies in knots.
This resulted in over 50,000 illegal arrivals on over 800 boats.
Tragically, under Labor’s policies, over 1200 people died at sea and over 8,000 children were put into detention.
And yet they have learned nothing.
Labor has already promised to dismantle our successful border policies
The Liberal and Nationals Government is determined not to let the people smugglers get back into business.
We will continue to work with our regional partners to combat people smugglers and disrupt irregular migration,
as well as provide targeted assistance through the nearly $40 million Regional Cooperation Agreement.
This commitment also helps ensure Australia delivers a humanitarian program that is targeted to those most in need of resettlement.
Labor and Greens forced ‘Medivac’ legislation through the Parliament giving asylum seekers easier access to Australia
and undermining our strong border protection policies.
Labor never learn their lesson, they are weak on border security.
Only a Liberal and Nationals Government guarantees to repeal this reckless legislation to ensure that the boats remain stopped.
Stronger borders, 24/7
The Liberal and Nationals Government is determined to keep Australia’s borders safe and secure, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
We will continue to deliver the visa intelligence system to better protect Australia and promote migration with improved visa and citizenship decision-making.
Border and immigration data will be fused in real time, leading to identification of threats before they arrive at the border.
This is in addition to specialist counter-terrorism units (CTU) at Australia’s international airports.
CTUs assess and intercept inbound and outbound national security risks.
Already, the units have conducted more than 940,000 real time assessments, resulting in 2394 referrals to security agencies.
We have also responded to the failed terrorist attempt to down an A380 passenger jet departing from Sydney.
One of the most effective defences against terrorist threats to aviation is enhanced technology for screening passengers and baggage.
Our Government has directed airports to upgrade to new technology capable of detecting sophisticated explosive threats to aircraft.
A $50 million Regional Airport Security Screening Fund will support stronger security for regional travellers.
Stopping drugs and illicit tobacco
The Liberal and Nationals Government is increasing efforts to stop drugs and illicit tobacco at the border through the 10-year National Drugs Strategy.
We will boost law enforcement to counter the drug trade, particularly in methamphetamine (ICE) and opioids.
We will strengthen action against crime gangs that peddle these harmful drugs, with a renewed funding commitment to the National Anti-Gangs Squad.
Criminals use a variety of means to import illicit drugs, including the mail system.
Under the Liberal and Nationals Government, the Australian Border Force will receive $9.7 million to boost intelligence-backed screening of international mail.
With around 70 per cent of organised criminals who target Australia based off-shore, we need to work with our foreign partners.
In a first, the Liberal and Nationals Government established a special task force (Taskforce Blaze) between agencies in Australia and China.
Taskforce Blaze has seized more than 20 tonnes of drugs and precursors destined for Australia - including 7.8 tonnes of methamphetamine.
We are also tackling the trade in illicit tobacco.
We established the ABF-led Illicit Tobacco Taskforce (ITTF) and invested $70 million over four years to investigate, prosecute and dismantle organised crime syndicates and networks using the proceeds of illicit tobacco to fund other criminal activity.
Illicit tobacco reduces Commonwealth revenue by around $600 million a year - money that could be used to deliver essential services to the community.
Our policy is already working: last financial year the ABF made more than 110,000 detections of illicit tobacco at the border.
This included almost 240 million cigarettes and 217 tonnes of tobacco, worth more than $356 million in evaded duty.
Cancelling the visas of non-citizen criminals
The Liberal and Nationals Government has been highly successful in kicking foreign criminals out of Australia.
In total, the Government has cancelled the visas of over 4,400 non-citizen criminals, including 780 drug offenders, more than 1,300 violent offenders, 341 child sex offenders, 200 outlaw motorcycle gang members, 187 rapists and 84 murderers.
If re-elected, we will introduce new legislation to toughen the character test.
This will enable visa cancellations where a non-citizen has been convicted of offences involving violence against a person, weapons, breaching of an apprehended violence order (or similar) or non-consensual sexual acts, even when the sentence is less than 12 months.
This legislation will help keep the community safe from non-citizen criminals who have been convicted of violent and sexual crimes.
THE CHOICE
Only the Liberal and Nationals Government can be trusted to keep Australia’s border secure.
We have restored Australia’s border security, through Operation Sovereign Borders and the three core policies of regional processing,
turn-backs where it is safe to do so
and temporary protection visas.
We have restored vital resources to our border agencies, along with technology to enhance passenger screening and automation.
And we have worked steadfastly on community protections by strengthening the character requirements of visa holders and introducing the mandatory cancellation of visas of non-citizens who commit serious crimes.
In total, we have cancelled the visas of over 4,400 non-citizen criminals.
By contrast, Labor’s promise to dismantle our proven three pillars of border protection will hand control of our border back to the people smugglers.
Last time they were in government, Labor’s policies hamstrung our border and security agencies
and undermined public confidence in the migration program.
Labor hasn’t learnt their lesson and is seeking to return to these dangerous policies.
At every turn, Labor has sought to water down the Government’s laws to protect the Australian community.
In office, they would go further still.
Labor’s ‘Medivac’ legislation proves that they cannot be trusted with border protection.
Only the Liberal and Nationals Government has the necessary suite of proven policies to keep Australians safe and our borders secure.
Only the Liberal and Nationals Government will repeal Labor’s reckless ‘Medivac’ legislation.
You simply cannot trust Labor on border protection.
THE COST
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s plan for strong borders will not place additional costs on the Budget.
OUR PLAN FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT
KEY POINTS
Since 2013, the Liberal and Nationals Government has pursued the most ambitious trade strategy in Australia’s history.
New export deals agreed since 2013 have given Australian exporters improved access to 1.76 billion consumers in the world’s largest and fastest growing economies.
The benefits of our trade strategy are also demonstrated by the fact that Australia has recorded 27 years of uninterrupted economic growth.
There is no accident or coincidence in this - our commitment to free trade and investment has driven economic growth.
More and more Australian businesses have seized the opportunities created by the Liberal and Nationals Government’s market opening efforts.
Record numbers of Australian businesses are now involved in exporting - nearly 52,000 in 2016-17, up 16.2 per cent since 2013-14.
With one in five Australians employed in trade-related employment, it is estimated that more than 240,000 trade-related jobs have been created in the last 5 years.
Increasing opportunities for Australian businesses to sell goods and services overseas forms a critical part of the Liberal and Nationals Government’s Plan to deliver a strong economy
and 1.25 million new jobs over the next five years.
The benefits for Australians are real, with Australian household incomes estimated to be an average of around $8,500 higher as a result of trade liberalisation.
The Liberal and Nationals Government is determined to create more opportunities for Australian exporters.
To achieve this, a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will:deliver an Exporters’ Package to further grow the number of Australian small and medium sized businesses selling their goods and services to the world, including the additional $60 million in this year’s Budget for the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) Scheme, ongoing work with the Trusted Trader Program and a further 100 Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Seminars over the next term of Government;
boost the number of Australians employed as a result of trade by an extra 240,000 as part of our commitment to deliver 1.25 million new jobs over the next five years;
diversify our export markets by implementing the recently signed trade agreements with Indonesia, Peru and Hong Kong while simultaneously negotiating the agreements already underway and exploring new trade opportunities and addressing non-tariff barriers;
improve Parliamentary oversight of FTA negotiations by establishing a Ministerial Advisory Council for each new FTA and implementing a pilot for biannual briefings for the Trade Sub-Committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade;
continue our strong defence of Australian exporters against unfair trading practices and play a leading role in strengthening the multilateral trading system;
build upon Austrade’s success in connecting Australian exporters with overseas customers and investors through digital platforms like Agriculture 4.0, by creating new platforms for other sectors; and
require Austrade and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to jointly report annually on trade and investment activities, performance and outcomes by market.
Having already increased the number of Australian exporting businesses by 16 per cent, we will further boost the number of Australian businesses exporting from 52,000 businesses to 62,000 businesses during our next term of government.
In contrast, the number of exporting businesses actually fell when Labor was last in government.
The Liberal and Nationals Government will also continue our ambitious trade and investment agenda by working to ensure that around 90 per cent of Australia’s trade is covered by FTAs by 2022.
Labor’s weakness in the face of union demands will limit new opportunities for Australian exporters.
Under Bill Shorten, Labor is giving trade unions an effective veto over trade agreements,
refusing to honour agreements already signed by the Liberal and Nationals Government with Indonesia, Peru and Hong Kong and will try to renegotiate existing FTAs,
including the ones they signed, thus threatening the gains and certainty Australian exporters have secured under those agreements.
OUR RECORD
Since elected, the Liberal and Nationals Government has embedded Australia into the major economic engines of our region.
The Government has concluded export agreements with China, Japan, Korea, the 10 other economies of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP-11), and the 10 other countries of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER Plus) as well as Indonesia, Peru and Hong Kong.
Australian exporters now have duty-free or preferential access to 2.8 billion consumers around the world, up more than 1.76 billion since we came to office.
Australia’s free trade partners today account for more than 55 per cent of global GDP, or over $US44 trillion.
This strategy has delivered a strong economic dividend to the Australian economy and households.
With exports surging by over 30 per cent during the last 5 years, Australia’s trade expansion
has contributed over one-quarter of Australia’s economic growth with Australia recording trade surpluses for 27 out of the last 29 months.
Australia enjoyed a trade surplus of over $34 billion during the last twelve months, having turned around Labor’s trade deficit of around $20 billion in 2012-13.
Australian businesses are leveraging the benefits of our export agreements
Ashgrove Cheese in Tasmania is one of Australia's largest family owned and operated dairy processors.
The Ashgrove processing facility is located at Elizabeth Town, surrounded by the Ashgrove Dairy farms in the heart of the dairying and cropping region in Northern Tasmania.
This small family business recognises the benefits of FTAs to their business.
Anne Bennett from Ashgrove has said that “... any movement towards free trade is an enormous benefit to us” but specifically pointed to the fact that the TPP-11 “provides advantages to win in new marketplaces”.
As a small family business they also recognise that “competition is a win for consumers who can enjoy the lowest of prices.”
Harvey River Estate operates two wineries.
The first is located in the Geographe wine region of Western Australia and the second, Fishbone Wines, is located in the famous Margaret River winemaking region.
With a rich family background in citrus orchards, cropping, cattle and sheep farming, Kevin Sorgiovanni knows the benefits that international trade brings to business growth and success.
Harvey River Estate is a small business of 20 employees that is always looking for new markets and recognises the certainty provided by an FTA as a door opener for conversations regarding supply and market access.
The new streamlined labelling provisions in the Hong Kong FTA will reduce cross border issues that had previously limited their capacity to enter the market.
And with Japan also in their sights, there are plenty of new opportunities for Harvey River Estate to export their Western Australian wine to the world.
Australia now has free trade deals with countries accounting for over 70 per cent of Australia’s twoway trade, up from around 26 per cent in 2012-2013.
Moreover, under our careful trade diplomacy, Australia was the only country to secure a full exemption from the United States’ tariffs on aluminium and steel imports.
To ensure Australian businesses are well-placed to take advantage of expanding opportunities, Australia’s trade promotion agency, Austrade, has conducted 122 Free Trade Seminars since March 2015, including 78 in regional areas.
Trade Start export assistance offices have been established across Australia, in partnership with state, territory and local governments, industry associations and chambers of commerce.
There are now 34 advisers in 31 locations based on the ground in communities across Australia providing one-on-one support for the growing number of Australian businesses that are exporting.
The Liberal and Nationals Government created the Trusted Trader program, which is open to all Australian businesses that import, export or provide services that support traders in the international supply chain.
Trusted Traders are rewarded with trade facilitation benefits to increase their economic competitiveness, which helps businesses reduce cost.
Trusted Traders are considered low risk and are given priority treatment at the border.
This means faster customs processing and fewer interventions,
whilst maintaining the integrity of our borders.
The benefits extend beyond Australia’s borders with Canada, the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand and Singapore recognising Australian businesses’ Trusted Trader status under Mutual Recognition Arrangements.
Since 5 May 2019, Australian businesses have had greater access to government procurement contracts around the world, unlocking new opportunities in a market worth around $2.3 trillion annually.
Australia’s recent membership of the World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement offers new opportunities, including in the European Union and the United States, with safeguards to ensure we can continue to support regional and Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses and communities.
OUR PLAN
The Liberal and Nationals Government will continue to pursue a trade agenda that opens new markets for Australian businesses,
contributes to a stronger economy
and creates new Australian jobs.
The Liberal and Nationals Government will implement a five-part trade and investment strategy to ensure that Australian exporters and investors continue to take full advantage of the trade and investment opportunities emerging in the global economy.
An Exporters’ Package for small and medium size businesses
The Liberal and Nationals Government will deliver an Exporters’ Package in support of our goal to boost the number of Australian exporting businesses by a further 10,000 in our next term of government.
We want to further grow the number of Australian small and medium sized businesses
leveraging our free trade agreements and selling their goods and services to the world.
The Export Market Development Grants Scheme (EMDG) helps Australian businesses export their products to the world by providing a rebate of up to 50 per cent of marketing expenditure to businesses that invest in promoting their businesses internationally.
Last year, approximately 3,500 SMEs accessed the EMDG scheme, employing almost 66,500 Australians
and generating exports of $3.8 billion.
Australian businesses that export, on average, hire 23 per cent more staff, pay 11 per cent higher wages and have labour productivity 13 per cent higher than non exporters.
Employment by EMDG recipients in 2016-17 grew by 16 per cent from 2015-16.
At the 2019-20 Federal Budget, we announced a $60 million boost to EMDG.
This is the second time that our government has boosted funding to the EMDG.
Due to our stronger economy and strong budget position, by 2022 we will have delivered $180 million in additional funding for the EMDG program since 2013 and have more than honoured our commitment to restore the $100 million in funding the Labor Party ripped out of it.
We will complement this EMDG funding injection with continued support for exporters by conducting 100 more FTA seminars over the next term of Government and continuing the Trusted Trader Program.
Secure more export opportunities for Australian goods and services
A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will continue to secure new market access opportunities for Australian exporters of agriculture, manufacturing, services and minerals commodities.
We will work to ensure that around 90 per cent of Australia’s two-way trade is covered by FTAs by 2022.
This is more ambitious than the 80 per cent target (by 2020) set in the 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper.
We will implement the agreements we have recently signed with Indonesia, Peru and Hong Kong, which open new markets for Australian products and services.
We will also pursue and, where sufficiently high quality for Australia, conclude agreements currently being negotiated with the European Union, the four-nation Pacific Alliance (Mexico, Chile, Peru and Colombia) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
We will also pursue an export agreement with the United Kingdom when it is ready to do so
and work with partner countries to expand the opportunities under TPP-11 to additional countries.
We will expand our economic relationship with India by addressing the ten short-term and ten longer term priorities identified by the India Economic Strategy to 2035, including designating Ministerial Champions for key sectors and prioritising ten Indian States.
The promise of a closer economic relationship with India.
An India Economic Strategy to 2035 complements the 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper which also recognises India’s importance to Australia.
The Liberal and Nationals Government:Has endorsed all 20 key short-term and longer-term priorities;
Will put an economic focus on the ten priority Indian States identified in the report;
Will promote priority sectors starting with Ministerial Champions in education, resources, agribusiness and tourism; and
Has opened a new Consulate-General in Kolkata.
Austrade and Invest India’s MOU will promote bilateral investment flows.
https://dfat.aov.aij/about-iJs/piJblications/Paaes/aovernment-response-india-economic-strateav.aspx
A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government would improve the transparency of Free Trade Agreement negotiations by establishing a Ministerial Advisory Council for each new FTA.
The new Ministerial Advisory Council will represent a range of Australian export interests and industries, comprising 10 practitioners with a successful exporting background and extensive industry networks.
The Council would have a series of opportunities to meet with the Australian negotiating team before and after negotiating rounds.
The work of the new Council will be complemented by a pilot with the Trade Sub-Committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade.
The sub-committee will receive annual briefings on negotiations for the EU FTA specifically.
As part of the pilot, the EU- FTA text will be made available to interested MPs around the time of conclusion.
Both of these transparency measures will build on, rather than replace, the separate requirements for all FTAs to be considered by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) and to be tabled in Parliament before binding treaty action is taken.
The Liberal and Nationals Government will also extend support for Australia’s exporting businesses through the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (Efic) and has renamed it as “Export Finance Australia” to reflect better its role to both domestic and international stakeholders,
including the Australian businesses that need its support.
Export Finance Australia will continue to provide Australian businesses with export finance solutions so that they can take on the world.
In 2017-18 Efic supported 160 Australian businesses with $194 million of facilities, facilitating $1.39 billion of export contracts.
Efic’s support contributed $1.15 billion of Australia’s GDP
and 7,600 jobs in Australia.
The Liberal and Nationals Government has also legislated a $1.0 billion increase in Efic’s callable capital that will enable Efic to offer more meaningful assistance to more Australian companies.
Standing up for Australian exporters
A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will continue to stand up for Australian exporters who are competing on the world market, particularly where that competition is unfair.
Whilst the FTAs signed by the Liberal and Nationals Government are reducing and abolishing the tariffs that other countries impose on Australian goods and services,
we also know that non-tariff barriers are a growing issue for many Australian exporters.
Non-tariff barriers can be any kind of ‘red tape’ or trade rules that unjustifiably restrict the flow of goods and services.
They can appear as policies that restrict imports and may be contrary to the rules of international trade.
That is why in response to the 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper, the Liberal and Nationals Government delivered $6.6 million over four years to make it easier for Australian exporters to report any non-tariff barriers they experience, and for Australian Government departments to take action to have them addressed.
In 2018 the Government released the Non-Tariff Barriers Action Plan and the Non-Tariff Barriers website (www.tradebarriers.dfat.gov.au) which acts as a simple and easy to use portal for businesses and industry to report their non-tariff barriers.
For the first time in an Australian FTA, the historic Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), dedicates a chapter to non-tariff measures, including a bilateral co-operative mechanism.
Reducing non-tariff barriers has a direct and immediate benefit for Australian exporters.
For example, earlier this year the Liberal and Nationals Government worked to secure the listing of three new seafood species to China’s list of approved seafood imports from Australia.
This positive outcome will provide local small and medium businesses more opportunities to export their excellent produce to the world.
Tasmanian Squid To China
Arrow squid to China was the first trade barrier reported through the Government’s new Trade Barriers Gateway.
In early January 2019, the Chinese Government added three additional Australian species approved to export to China: Arrow also known as Gould’s Squid; Australian Scampi; and Southern School Whiting.
Eliminating this trade barrier helps Australian squid exporters leverage the China FTA, which totally eliminated tariffs on our seafood exports to China on 1 January 2019.
Ambrose Coad, Managing Director, Huon Valley Seafoods, who reported the barrier on the new portal said “it has been very timely to get the squid issue resolved as the start of the season was imminent from January through to May without the necessary access.
Overall this could see exports to Japan and possibly some initial trials into Korea.
This season we are now anticipating sales between 3 million and 4 million dollars of squid which is a very significant change from the previous position of very minimal available.
This will substantially increase our turnover and employment figures but the flow on effect into the fishing industry and the transport sector is very significant.
All these factors are not only important to the continued viability of our company but also adding very important employment into a regional area in Tasmania.”
The Liberal and Nationals Government will continue our strong defence of Australian exporters against unfair trading practices by delivering on our Non-Tariff Barriers Action Plan which is making it easier for Australia to identify and take action against non-tariff barriers imposed by other countries.
Reinforcing and supporting the multilateral trading system
The Liberal and Nationals Government believes a strong multilateral trading system is essential for economic stability and global prosperity and will continue to play a leading role in strengthening it.
We will continue to represent Australian exporters by using international platforms, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), to progress our interests.
Australia has taken action in the WTO against unfair and price-depressing sugar subsidies, as well as in support of our pulses farmers.
According to the Australian Sugar Milling Council, the Australian sugar industry supports almost 23,000 jobs and both directly and indirectly adds billions of dollars into the Australian economy.
Australia recently defended the Australian wine industry by initiating WTO dispute action over discriminatory measures in four Canadian provinces and at the Federal level.
Australia was pleased to resolve one part of this dispute outside of the WTO when the Canadian Government recently agreed to eliminate discriminatory measures in British Columbia by 1 November this year.
We have withdrawn the WTO action for British Columbia and remain open to resolving our outstanding concerns outside of the WTO process.
The WTO provides an important mechanism by which to defend our exporters and secure their access to valuable markets, such as Canada, where Australian wine exports were valued at $208 million in 2018 and where tariffs on wine have recently been eliminated as a result of the TPP-11.
Australia will continue to lead work within the WTO on a Digital Trade Initiative.
In January this year, Australia, Japan and Singapore hosted an informal meeting of Ministers on the WTO e- commerce initiative in the margins of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
Following the meeting, 76 WTO Members representing over 90 percent of global trade issued a Joint Statement confirming their intention to commence WTO negotiations on trade-related aspects of e-commerce, with the objective of achieving a high standard outcome.
Australia is also a strong supporter of developing fisheries subsidies disciplines in the WTO.
We are working within the WTO processes to prohibit subsidies for illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, as well as for subsidies that negatively affect overfished stocks.
While some countries spend billions of dollars encouraging overfishing, Australia abides by sustainable fisheries practices.
It is in our interests to limit subsidies that cause the decline of global marine fisheries.
To support this commitment, Australia is co-sponsoring a fisheries subsidy cap proposal with the US.
This will cap the monetary level of the fisheries subsidies in order to discourage unsustainable fishing practices.
We are also committed to global efforts to reform and streamline WTO processes, to ensure that the organisation’s dispute settlement processes work effectively and, importantly, to retain the confidence of the WTO membership.
Attracting trade and investment opportunities
Australia is a land of opportunity, but as an island nation geographically remote from many other parts of the world we need international trade to provide opportunities for our farmers,
small businesses
and exporters to sell their goods overseas.
Complementing all of the work underway to lock down favourable market access agreements with a growing portion of the global market, the Liberal and Nationals Government will continue to reinforce this success by connecting Australian exporters with overseas customers and investors by expanding digital platforms like Agriculture 4.0, investor maps, opportunity prospectuses and other relevant mechanisms.
Case study \ Agriculture 4.0
With a growing Asian middle-class on our doorstep, Australia has the potential to be a powerhouse in agrifood tech.
The Liberal and Nationals Government wants to help the sector reach its full potential.
Austrade has developed a new digital platform known as ‘Agriculture 4.0’.
This initiative connects investors with Australian farmers and AgTech start-ups, as well as creating more collaborative research and development opportunities.
Agriculture 4.0 technologies developed in Australia will support the global agricultural sector to be more profitable, efficient, safe and environmentally friendly.
These technologies include biotechnology, smart farming, ‘precision for decision’ agriculture, robotics, sensing technology,
Internet of Things (loT) connectivity, biosecurity and food quality surveillance.
Foreign direct investment is another tool that builds economic activity and has flow-on effects for thousands of Australian businesses, including SMEs.
It also helps ensure the Government can fund the services we all rely upon, including hospitals and schools, without having to resort to more debt or higher taxes.
Foreign direct investment in Australia supported the employment of nearly 1.2 million people (or 1 in 10 jobs in Australia), as well as higher wages and salaries for Australian workers.
This investment contributed $222 billion in value added to the Australian business economy,
representing one fifth of total Australian business output, paid wages and salaries to workers in Australia valued at $67 billion,
and contributed 11 per cent of Australia’s total business tax revenue.
That is why the Liberal and Nationals Government welcomes productive foreign direct investment that supports our economy and provides services that benefit Australians.
But importantly, we take very seriously our responsibility to ensure that we protect Australia’s national interest.
Foreign investment proposals are stringently assessed against their potential impacts on our nation - and we steadfastly protect our nation’s security, our economy, and our communities.
The Liberal and Nationals Government pioneered a focus on investment, appointing Australia’s first ever Minister for Investment and creating the Senior Investment Specialist team within Austrade in 2014.
Because of this, Austrade contributed to 113 investment outcomes during 2017-18, with a recorded investment value of approximately $4.8 billion
and the creation or retention of over 27,500 jobs.
A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will maintain a focus on Austrade’s investment function and make it even more effective.
We will continue to build on this important work by requiring Austrade and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to jointly report annually on trade and investment activities, performance and outcomes in overseas markets.
This reporting mechanism will keep exporters and potential exporters informed of the opportunities and support available.
THE CHOICE
At this election, Labor has made a decisive shift from the Hawke Keating Government’s pro-trade approach and longstanding bipartisanship.
As the Australian Financial Review put it: “...Labor has caved in to the worst anti-trade instincts of the trade union movement and the party’s left.”'
Labor was too weak to support Australian exporters when in government
Labor’s last term of government (2007-13) was characterised by indecision and inaction on trade policy.
The number of Australian businesses exporting actually fell and crucial negotiations with Korea, Japan and China foundered, as trade unions’ riding instructions outweighed the national interest.
The then Trade Minister Craig Emerson dismissed the value of a free trade deal with China as ‘overrated’" and Labor failed to start and finish a single FTA.
When Labor was last in Government, it cut $100 million from the EMDG program, and had plans to limit eligibility to Asian markets only.
With 36 per cent of current EMDG recipients exporting to markets beyond Asia, they would be excluded from the scheme under a Labor Government.
Labor is too weak to have delivered the TPP-11 benefits
There is no better example of the risk to jobs and living standards posed by Mr Shorten’s poor judgment on trade policy than his response to the United States’ withdrawal from the Trans¬pacific Partnership in early 2017.
Mr Shorten’s understanding of the Asia Pacific region was so shallow, so misguided and so flawed that he decided that pursuit of a TPP without the US was a lost cause.
Mr Shorten said that trying to save the TPP was “the height of delusional absurdity”."'
We rightly ignored this advice and played a key role in securing the agreement that will eliminate 98 per cent of tariffs in a trade zone worth $13.8 trillion in GDP and a market of around 500 million consumers.
If Mr Shorten had got his way, there would have been no new and historic access to the Canadian market for Australian grains, refined sugar, beef and wine exporters.
No new access to the Mexican market for our pork, wheat, sugar, barley and horticulture producers.
No improved access to the Japanese market for our beef, wheat, barley and dairy exporters.
No new jobs
and business opportunities for Australian workers, farmers, small businesses and other exporters.
Labor is too weak to stand up for Australian farmers and exporters instead of unions
A Shorten Labor Government will give trade unions an effective veto over trade agreements.
Labor’s union MPs are already celebrating Labor’s decision to “reject” trade agreements, including those already signed with Indonesia and Peru.
Labor will scuttle these trade agreements.
In the case of Indonesia, Australia’s beef producers will lose duty-free access for 575,000 head of cattle, grain producers will lose guaranteed duty-free access for 500,000 tonnes of feed grains, steel exporters will miss out on tariff cuts, and education, health, tourism and professional services providers will lose secure market access.
In the case of Peru, the FTA offers welcome gains for Australia’s dairy industry by increasing market access for our dairy farmers.
The Chair of the Australian Dairy Industry Council has said that the Peru FTA “provides improved certainty for Australian exporters into Peru, and helps keep Australian dairy on a level playing field with competitors such as the EU and the USA, who already have their own deals in place with Peru.”iv
The ACTU President Michele O’Neil has (rightly) stated that Labor’s new approach represents “a seismic shift in ALP trade policy”.
Labor has not only back-flipped on 30 years of bipartisanship on trade, Bill Shorten has also back-flipped on his position from just last October when he stated: “...we took the decision that we didn’t want to stand in the way of our farmers or our higher education sector or our steel manufacturers from getting the benefit of reduced tariffs that they might have to incur going to other countries”
Labor will weakly trade off Australian exporters’ market access to “renegotiate” trade agreements
Labor has committed to re-negotiate the existing trade agreements Australian farmers,
businesses and exporters rely on in their day-to-day business.
Labor’s Shadow Trade Spokesperson Jason Clare has announced that Labor will establish: “...a dedicated team of negotiators in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade who would be charged with removing labour market testing waivers and ISDS provisions from existing trade agreements - including the CPTPP. ”vii
Such an approach would create damaging uncertainty for Australian businesses who are benefiting, or plan to benefit, from existing FTAs.
Labor has not released any details of which markets and tariff arrangements they’re prepared to negotiate away in order to achieve their new approach.
By contrast, a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will ensure that Australian producers, companies, farmers and small businesses fully leverage the growing list of FTAs this government has secured.
We will work to ensure that around 90 per cent of Australia’s trade is covered by FTAs by 2022 and to grow our export base by an additional 10,000 exporters.
Liberals and Nationals: Concluded FTAs with Japan, Korea, China, TPP-11, PACER Plus, Peru, Indonesia and Hong Kong. Australian exports to China, Japan and Korea alone grew by $62.3 billion between 2016 and 2018.
xOver 70 per cent of Australia’s two-way trade covered by free trade deals.
Australian exports to China have grown by $36.1 billion since the agreement commenced in December 2015, providing thousands of jobs
and driving growth in all states and territories.
The Liberals and Nationals worked with Japan and others to conclude TPP-11 creating a regional FTA with 500 million consumers and a combined GDP of $13.8 trillion.
The number of Australian businesses exporting their goods and services has increased by 8,947 businesses.
By 2022, the Liberals and Nationals will deliver $180 million in additional funding to the Export Market Development Grants Program.
The Liberals and Nationals will press on with the most ambitious trade agenda in history, seeking new deals with the EU, the United Kingdom, the Pacific Alliance, the other 15 nations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership as well as better access to India’s fastest growing market.
Created a Gateway website and Action Plan on non-tariff barriers to make it easier for Australian businesses to report problems and work across government to address them.
Support FTAs, and understand that trade delivers economic benefits and economic growth
with one in five Australian jobs being trade-related.
Labor:Failed to start and conclude a single trade agreement.
In 2012-2013, 26 per cent of Australia’s two- way trade was covered by free trade deals.
In 2012, then Labor Trade Minister Craig Emerson said a potential trade agreement with China was “overrated.”
After US withdrew, Labor argued Australia should abandon the TPP, declaring it “dead in the water”.
The total number of Australian businesses exporting their goods and services fell by 53 businesses.
Labor cut $100 million from the Export Market Development Grants Program.
Labor has handed a veto on trade deals to trade unions, prompting the Financial Review to note that “Labor has caved in to the worst anti-trade instincts of the trade union movement and the party's left.”
At the 2016 election Labor promised to “conduct a regular Trade Barriers Analysis” but had no plan to address non-tariff trade barriers.
Leader of the Labor Party, Bill Shorten, thinks there is “no such thing as fair trade”.
THE COST
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s plan to boost our economy through Trade and Investment will not place additional costs on the Budget.
OUR PLAN TO SUPPORT AUSTRALIAN WOMEN
KEY POINTS
The Liberal and Nationals Government has the values and plan to deliver for all Australians.
We are the party of endeavour and enterprise;
the party of the family, choice and opportunity.
We will continue to deliver for all Australians because both men and women deserve an equal stake in our society and our economy.
Our Government has delivered a strong economy resulting in over 6 million women in jobs (an extra 729,100 since 2013), with women’s full-time employment and female participation reaching record highs and the lowest gender pay gap on record (14.2 per cent).
After five years of the Liberal and Nationals Government, there are over 1.3 million more Australians in jobs.
Around 55 per cent of these new jobs have been taken up by women.
The Liberal and Nationals Government delivered the 2019 Women’s Economic Security Statement, investing $119 million to improve the financial security and independence of Australian women, giving them more choices in their lives.
It includes:$3.6 million to support young women to become entrepreneurs through the Future Female Entrepreneurs program.
$18 million Boosting Female Founders start-up fund to ensure women can access the finance they need to achieve their entrepreneurial goals.
Career Revive - a program working with regional employers to develop action plans for their businesses to attract and retain women.
A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will:Secure women’s economic opportunities
We will support young women and girls with educational investments in STEM, economics, business and enterprise, so they can get the high-paying jobs of tomorrow.
We will introduce more flexible parental leave pay, so that more parents can access parental leave pay allowing them to balance work and family responsibilities to best suit their needs.
We are helping vulnerable women get back on their financial feet with greater access to no interest loans.
All of this matters because nothing gives an individual more choices than a hand-up,
a good education
and the economic security that comes with a steady job.
A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $75 million to deliver a “Mid-career Checkpoint” for women aged 30 to 45 who have been caring for children or older family members to return to the workforce.
Over the next four years, up to 40,000 women will have the opportunity to participate in a mid-career checkpoint session.
This commitment will be a key plank of the second Women’s Economic Security Statement.
Guarantee essential services for women
A stronger economy means the Liberal and Nationals Government can guarantee essential services Australians rely on.
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s investment in health care is growing year on year - delivering record bulk billing rates, new life saving medicines, record funding for hospitals and more health services for all Australians.
A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will extend our support for Australian women byInvesting $36 million to establish the new Maternity to Home and Wellbeing Program - a mums, dads and bubs check - to ensure that every Australian mother, father and baby has access to perinatal support.
Providing $8 million over four years to ensure patients suffering lymphoedema are able to access subsidised and specialised compression garments.
Extending funding for the Australian Breastfeeding Association by $4 million to $8.2 million to ensure this valuable service can best support mothers.
Providing $5 million to support a National Women’s Health Research Translation and Impact Network, with the spotlight on national collaboration, workforce capacity building, leadership development and broad research and translation in women’s health.
This funding builds on our investment of more than $50 million in a new Women’s Health Strategy, including boosting investment for research into ovarian cancer and endometriosis.
We are also saving breast cancer patients up to $1,500 per scan with $32 million towards life-saving MRI and PET scans covered under Medicare.
And we will establish six residential eating disorders centres and provide national coordination for eating disorders treatment.
Our childcare reforms have eased cost of living pressures, with out of pocket costs already reduced by 8.9 per cent, providing cost of living relief, making it easier for families to manage their work and family responsibilities and providing greater reward for the paid work they do.
Invest in women’s safety
Since 2013, we have made continued investments in women’s safety - totalling $840 million - because all Australian women have the right to be safe at home or in the street.
Our record $328 million contribution to the next National Action Plan to reduce violence against women and children is focused on prevention, frontline services and emergency accommodation.
And we are working with the states and territories because stopping violence is everyone’s responsibility.
Our record investment includes:$82 million for frontline services.
$68 million for prevention strategies.
$35 million in support and prevention measures for Indigenous communities funded under the Indigenous Advancement Strategy.
$78 million to provide safe places for people impacted by domestic and family violence.
$64 million for 1800RESPECT.
Improve gender equality
Australian women have benefited from a growing economy that creates jobs,
an education system that nurtures talent
and ability and a society that genuinely strives for equality of opportunity.
We know there is more work to do to ensure women achieve their full potential in their industry of choice.
That is why we will make targeted investments to boost participation and leadership in different sectors, including by:
Investing $2 million over four years in the Australian Music Industry Network to deliver a mentorship program aimed at empowering women in the creation, development and promotion of their music.
Building on the Government’s support for a Decadal Plan for Women in STEM.
We will invest $1.8 million to extend the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative to advance gender equity in higher education and research institutions.
Supporting Women Building Australia, a construction industry-led program with a $675,000 grant to increase the participation of young women working in the sector.
Investing in women’s sporting participation and leadership, with the construction of female change rooms at sporting grounds and investing in leadership and mentoring for high- achieving female athletes.
Building on our record 47.3 per cent women on government boards to meet our 50 per cent target.
Increase leadership and participation in sport
Participating in sport means a fair go for all, including women and girls who need equal access to our playing fields and facilities.
We need to ensure women are supported from entry level as young girls through to elite level competition, including in once male-dominated sports.
We will: Support the construction of female change room facilities at sporting grounds across the country.
Invest in netball as Australia’s most popular sport for women, with funding to help Netball Australia to continue to grow the game, and establish the first International Leadership Hub for Netball in Melbourne.
Back in one of the nation’s most loved and successful women’s sporting teams, The Matildas by supporting a permanent high-performance base in Melbourne.
OUR RECORD
Securing Women’s Economic Opportunity
The Liberal and Nationals Government has worked to give women greater choices for their lives, improve their engagement with the workforce and build their financial security.
The more choices for women, the better the opportunities to support themselves and their families.
With careful economic management, the Liberal and Nationals Government has delivered a strong economy with:Over 6 million women in jobs and female workforce participation at a near record high (60.5 per cent).
Around 730,000 jobs for women created since coming to office in September 2013.
The lowest gender pay gap on record (14.2 per cent).
Our investment to support women’s economic opportunities includes:The landmark Women’s Economic Security Statement investing $119 million in the financial security and independence of Australian women with:
$3.6 million to support young women to become entrepreneurs through the Future Female Entrepreneurs program, o $18 million for the Boosting Female Founders start-up fund to ensure women can access the finance they need to achieve their entrepreneurial goals,
o Career Revive - a program working with regional employers to develop action plans for their businesses to attract and retain women.
We have also established and invested $60 million in Ecstra, the financial literacy foundation that will educate and assist Australians to build their financial capability.
We are also supporting financial security for women with targeted assistance including:Extending access to, and increasing flexibility for, parental leave.
Superannuation changes, including concessional catch-up contributions, benefitting those who have spent time out of the workforce, the Low Income Superannuation Tax offset and expanding access to the spousal tax offset, to boost super for parents who take time out from the workforce for family responsibilities.
Capping fees and charges for low-balance superannuation accounts to ensure women retire with more savings.
Our Government has also prioritised gender equality across the aid program.
In 2017-18, Australia delivered $1.3 billion in official development assistance targeting gender equality and women’s empowerment globally.
We have increased our investment in the Pacific to advance gender equality and will deliver a 10-year roadmap to end violence against women and girls globally.
The Liberal and Nationals Government is proud to have delivered the highest-ever representation of women on government boards (47.3 per cent) - closing in on our 50 per cent target - and a record seven women in Cabinet.
Guaranteeing essential services
A strong economy means that we have been able to guarantee essential services for women and girls.
We have supported critical investments in women’s health including:Listing the breast cancer drug Kisqali on the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme.
Without subsidy, the more than 3,000 patients eligible for this treatment would pay $71,820 per year.
$20.5 million for breast cancer nurses through the McGrath Foundation.
Funding for a National Action Plan for Endometriosis.
$39.5 million to immunise pregnant women against whooping cough.
We are helping women and girls to reach their full potential by supporting their access to education opportunities, including:Building interest in STEM subjects, through an expansion of the Curious Minds Program.
Establishing the Future Female Entrepreneurs program to encourage girls into business.
The Government’s $25 million investment in the Indigenous Girls STEM Academy - to support high-achieving Indigenous girls from middle to high school years through to higher education and graduate employment.
We are helping to relieve cost of living pressures for women including:Tax relief to encourage and reward hard work - benefiting more than 10 million workers and their families this year.
The Government’s new Child Care Subsidy - making child care more accessible and affordable for nearly 1 million families.
Our reforms have reduced out of pocket costs by 8.9 per cent since their introduction. A typical family is around $1,300 better off a year.
Removal of the GST on sanitary items (the ‘tampon tax’).
We are helping to provide for women in need by investing more than $1.5 billion annually to support housing and homelessness services.
The new National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (NHHA) took effect on 1 July 2018 and has been signed by every state and territory.
The agreement identifies prioritycohorts for the delivery of housing and homelessness services.
Funding will be targeted to those who need it most, including women and children who are escaping domestic and family violence, as well as older Australians, many of whom are women.
Investing in women’s safety
All Australians have the right to be safe at home, on the street and online.
Sadly, too many women are still at risk from family, domestic and sexual violence.
Recent statistics reveal that 18 per cent of women have experienced sexual violence and 17 per cent have encountered violence from a partner since the age of 15.
The Liberal and Nationals Government has invested over $840 million in women’s safety since 2013.
We will continue to treat domestic violence prevention and reduction as a national priority with $328 million invested under the Fourth Action Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children.
Since 2013, we have:Reformed the family law system to stop DV victims being cross-examined by perpetrators and introduced a new minimum standard of five days unpaid family and domestic violence leave.
Expanded the role of the eSafety Commissioner to tackle online abuse, including through the eSafety women program, the introduction of a complaints and civil penalty regime for posting, or threatening to post, an intimate image without consent and new criminal offences for aggravated and repeated non-consensual image sharing.
Funded the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in the Workplace led by Kate Jenkins.
Granted over 7,046 visas to vulnerable women and children since 2013 through the Women at Risk program.
OUR PLAN
Women’s economic opportunity
The more choices for women, the better their opportunities to support themselves and their families.
A strong economy means Australian women have more choices about what they do while receiving the essential services they rely on - whether they are studying, starting a career or family or enjoying their retirement.
Under the Liberal and Nationals, more women are in work than ever before.
Women’s full-time employment and female participation rates have hit record highs.
The gender pay gap is the lowest on record at 14.2 per cent.
Mid-Career Checkpoint
Many women in their 30s and 40s have taken a career break to start a family, care for older family members, or both.
The skills and experience gained in these unpaid roles is often not properly acknowledged, and women in these caring roles can sometimes lose their confidence as others have gone ahead at work and technology has changed their role.
We respect the choices families make when taking on caring responsibilities, whether that be staying at home or returning to work.
For those who decide to return to work after a period of caring for others, we want to support their choice because boosting women’s workforce participation is good for them, their families and the economy.
A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $75 million to deliver a ‘Mid-career Checkpoint’ for women aged 30 to 45 who have been caring for children or older family members to return to the workforce.
Over the next four years, up to 40,000 women will have the opportunity to participate in a Midcareer Checkpoint session.
The program will also be open to men returning to work after caring responsibilities but will be targeted towards women in low-and middle-income areas, and who do not work for companies already offering professional development support.
The checkpoint will provide targeted and tailored support, catering to the needs of different women - be it interview support, advice on further education or training, mentoring or a career workshop.
We will work with a restricted list of approved providers across all states and territories to design and roll out a government-endorsed program that is adaptable and well-managed to benefit women and men returning from two or more years out of the workforce caring for family.
This initiative will be a key plank of the second Women’s Economic Security Statement.
This initiative will complement other measures the Liberal and Nationals Government is taking to support women’s economic opportunity at all stages of life including:Extended access to, and increased flexibility for, parental leave pay.
Expanding the no interest loans scheme to assist 45,000 additional women escaping family and domestic violence.
Career Revive - a program working with regional employers to develop action plans for their businesses to attract and retain women.
$18 million in grants through a women’s start-up fund, Boosting Female Founders, to increase entrepreneurship opportunities for women.
Changes to superannuation rules, including concessional catch-up contributions, to boost super after taking time from the workforce for family responsibilities.
Capping fees and charges for low-balance superannuation accounts to ensure women retire with more savings, and reuniting Australians with their lost superannuation savings through the ATO.
We are helping drive the cultural change to improve workplaces for women.
The Liberal and Nationals Government is supporting practical action to address sexual harassment, by contributing $500,000 towards the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in the Workplace to be led by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins.
And under the Liberal and Nationals Government more women are in leadership positions than ever before, with a record seven women in Cabinet and a record number of women on government boards (47.3 per cent).
Guaranteeing Essential Services
A stronger economy means the Liberal and Nationals Government can guarantee essential services Australians rely on.
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s investment in health care is growing year on year - delivering record bulk billing rates, new life saving medicines, record funding for hospitals and more health services for all Australians.
And we are easing cost of living pressures with our childcare reforms that support those who need it most.
Supporting Women’s Health Services - Maternity to Home and Wellness Program - Mums, Dads and Bubs mental health check
The Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $36 million to establish a new Maternity to Home and Wellbeing Program - a Mums, Dads and Bubs check - to ensure that every Australian mother, father and baby has access to perinatal support.
The first one thousand days of a child’s life are critical to their development.
Nothing is more important during that time than the mental health of the parents, particularly the mother.
It’s estimated that one in seven mothers experience post-natal depression, with around 100,000 Australians impacted directly every year.
It also impacts men - so we are working with the whole family.
A Mums, Dads and Bubs check will ensure good mental health, with a focus on minimising the impact of perinatal depression.
Every mother and father will be able to undertake the check before they leave the hospital, just as they do with their other clinical health checks.
Where risks are identified people will be directed to additional support services.
Acting early ensures good mental health to best support new parents and their bubs.
It removes the stigma of mental health by making it an important part of parental health care - as much as breastfeeding and vaccinations.
A Mums, Dads and Bubs check will become a nationally recognised program, which will also be accessible in 10 different languages, ensuring all families are part of the screening program and receive advice on keeping mentally well when having a baby.
We will provide $16 million to the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) to roll out their world- leading perinatal mental health screening tool which can be securely and rapidly delivered using a digital tablet/iPad.
The Liberal and Nationals Government will provide up to $20 million to ensure a nationally consistent approach and that it is an integral part of hospital care and occurs before the family goes home.
Supporting Women’s Health Services - Lymphoedema Garments Program
The Liberal and Nationals Government will provide $10 million over 4 years to ensure patients suffering lymphoedema are able to access subsidised specialist compression garments, through a nationally consistent approach.
Lymphoedema is most commonly caused by lymph node removal or damage due to cancer treatment - women who have undergone surgery and radiotherapy for treatment of breast cancer are particularly susceptible to lymphoedema.
Across Australia there is a need for a consistent approach to providing specialised subsidized garments to the 300,000 Australian patients who suffer lymphoedema.
The cost of the specialised garments can be many hundreds of dollars, and, while they are part funded through state based schemes, health insurance and charities, the approach is inconsistent and there can be an ongoing cost for patients who have had cancer.
Without these garments lymphoedema sufferers experience excess fluid and proteins in the tissue cause swelling and inflammation, which can lead to fibrosis if lymphoedema is not treated.
These infections place greater stresses on the already labouring lymphatic system and hospital admission may be required in severe cases.
The Government will partner with states, territories and major support groups to ensure this extends funding already available, to provide maximum benefit to patients.
Supporting Women’s Health Services - Support for breastfeeding mothers
The Liberal and Nationals Government has led the development of Australia’s National Breastfeeding Strategy, approved by the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council last month and now endorsed by the COAG Health Council.
We will extend funding for the Australian Breastfeeding Association by $4 million to $8.2 million over 4 years to ensure that this valuable service can best support mothers.
This builds on $2 million in funding to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service to ensure that all premature babies born in Australia can access human milk through the establishment of a centralised Donor Human Milk Service.
Supporting Women’s Health Services - National Women’s Health Research Translation and Impact Network
A Liberal and Nationals Government will provide $5 million to support a National Women’s Health Research Translation and Impact Network - a national collaboration, workforce capacity building, leadership development, and broad research and translation in women’s health.
The funding will be provided through the Medical Research Future Fund and priority areas will include preconception, pregnancy, postpartum and intrapartum health of women and babies, mental health and reproductive health.
National Women’s Health Strategy
Our new support builds on the National Women’s Health Strategy 2020-2030 announced in April 2019 with more than $50 million in funding to improve women’s health in areas such as ovarian cancer and endometriosis.
Through the National Women’s Health Strategy 2020-2030 we have invested:$20 million for research to help Australian women in their fight against ovarian cancer with a focus on early detection.
Ovarian cancer has a poor prognosis, with only 43 of every 100 women diagnosed still alive five years after their diagnosis.
A complete understanding of the risk factors for ovarian cancer is not yet known and further research is required to develop comprehensive prevention and detection strategies.
The funding will support ovarian cancer research under the new Medical Research Future Fund.
Early detection and finding a cure for ovarian cancer will be a priority for this funding.
Over $10 million for endometriosis, including $9 million from the Medical Research Future Fund for endometriosis research to improve the treatment and understanding on an often misunderstood and crippling condition;
$1.06 million to develop a digital health platform for endometriosis research and support;
and $160,000 for Endoactive to disseminate itsaward winning Shared Perspectives endometriosis videos, free of charge, to medical professionals and women affected by endometriosis.
Shared Perspectives is a resource of 25 evidence-based videos that help health professionals and patients to better understand the condition and provide guidance regarding effective methods of management and treatment.
$5 million to Jean Hailes for Women’s Health for the continuation of its National Women’s Health Initiative, including clinical services, provision of information on women’s health to employers, and the national digital gateway for women’s health and wellbeing for doctors and patients.
$1.3 million for an intensive support service to support families following stillbirth. The program, delivered through SANDS, will deliver an intensive support service that begins in the hospital and continues once the family has returned home.
$1.5 million over three years for local women’s health promotion grants.
Our funding builds on the National Strategic Approach to Maternity Services, which is being developed with stakeholders, including consumers, states and territories, and health professionals, to deliver a genuinely holistic policy framework that recognises and values all models of care.
We are committed to improving access for women to continuity of care with the provider of their choice and this includes for midwifery continuity of care.
We continue to invest to support women with cancer treatment including in the 2019-20 Budget.
For the first time we are making Medicare available for MRI and PET scans for breast cancer with an investment of $32.6 million to benefit 15,000 patients during their diagnosis and pre-surgery planning.
This is in addition to the $198.6 million funding for diagnostic imaging to reduce the costs of vital scans and x-rays, plus a further $375 million expansion of more than 50 MRI licences around the country.
We have subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme Ibrance® and Kisqali® for advanced and metastatic breast cancer, which would otherwise cost over $70,000 per year without subsidy.
We have extended free mammograms for women between the age of 50 and 74 through BreastScreen.
We have also provided over $27 million in new funding for more McGrath Foundation Nurses for breast cancer, particularly to support patients in rural and regional areas.
To support women with Type 1 diabetes we have expanded free access to glucose monitoring devices for pregnant women, children and more adults with type 1 diabetes, saving Australians up to $7,000 a year.
Our investment over the next four years will ensure that free glucose monitoring devices are available to over 37,000 eligible Australians with type 1 diabetes.
More than 75 per cent of Australians affected by eating disorders are women.
We are investing $70.2 million to establish six residential eating disorders centres and provide national coordination for eating disorders treatment.
This builds on the historic $110 million investment to introduce new MBS items for eating disorders, announced in December 2018.
This will allow people with anorexia nervosa and other severe psychological eating disorders to be able to access a Medicare rebate of up to 40 psychological and 20 dietetic services per year, depending on their needs.
Child care
Child care accessibility and affordability are crucial to creating more workforce opportunities for parents.
Our reforms have made child care more affordable with almost 1 million families realising the benefits.
We abolished the annual subsidy cap for more than 80 per cent of families, allowing them to work as many days as they choose without a looming cap on their child care subsidy.
We know that these changes are working.
More families and children are using child care, more than 90 per cent of families are entitled to a child care subsidy of 50 per cent or more and the ABS has reported that out-of-pocket costs for families have fallen by 8.9 per cent across Australia since our new child care package began.
Our reformed Child Care Subsidy helps around 1 million families to balance work and parenting responsibilities.
A typical family is around $1,300 better off each year.
Typical families who are better off with the newsubsidy which significantly reduces their daily fee:A family on $50,000 - both parents or asingle parent working, with two children under 6 in long day care three days a week at $100 a day. More than $3,000 a year better off.
A family on $80,000 - both parents or asingle parent working full-time, with two children under 6 in long day care five days a week at $100 a day.
Over $8,000 a year better off.
A family on $94,000 - both parents or a single parent working, with two children under 6 in long day care two days a week at $100 a day.
Around $1,500 a year better off.
A family on $150,000 - both parents or a single parent working, with two children under 6 in long day care three days a week at $100 a day. Around $1,000 a year better off.
Families earning $186,958 or less are no longer limited by the amount of subsidised child care they can access. This benefits more than 80 per cent of families who use child care.
Families earning more than $186,958 and less than $351,248 will also benefit from an increased annual subsidy cap of $10,190 per child per year.
Low income families earning $66,958 or less who do not meet the activity test have access to 24 hours of subsidised care per child per fortnight.
Women’s Safety
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s first priority is to keep Australians safe and secure.
That means continuing to stand up to the scourge of domestic violence.
We are proud to be making the biggest-ever Commonwealth investment in the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, with $328 million for prevention measures and frontline services.
Our investments are the product of extensive consultations with frontline workers, experts and survivors ahead of the release of the Fourth Action Plan in mid-2019.
It’s why a core focus of our investment is prevention — changing the attitudes to violence and helping those who think violence is an option, to stop.
Our record $328 million investment includes:$82 million for frontline services.
$68 million for prevention strategies.
$35 million in support and prevention measures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities funded under the Indigenous Advancement Strategy.
$78 million to provide safe places for people impacted by domestic and family violence.
$64 million for 1800RESPECT.
A key feature is our ground-breaking commitment to build new emergency accommodation for women and children escaping violence. Women and children leaving dangerous homes should have a safe place to go.
And where they are safe, women and children survivors should be helped to remain in their homes and in their communities.
This investment includes a $60.4 million grants program to provide new or expanded emergency accommodation facilities for those escaping family and domestic violence and a further $18.0 million to continue the Commonwealth’s investment in the Keeping Women Safe in their Homes program.
We’ve also introduced reforms to the family law system to stop DV victims being cross-examined by perpetrators and introduced a new minimum standard of five days unpaid family and domestic violence leave.
To tackle online abuse, we have expanded the role of the e-Safety Commissioner.
This office now also takes responsibility for online safety issues affecting adults, including victims of non- consensual image sharing.
Ninety-eight per cent of domestic violence workers say they have had clients who experienced technology-facilitated stalking and abuse.
The Government will work with the states and territories to ensure police and other frontline workers are equipped to respond quickly to incidents of online harassment and abuse.
Under the Fourth Action Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, a Liberal and Nationals Government will:
Invest $1.5 million for the Office of the eSafety Commissioner to provide targeted advice to help women with an intellectual disability and/or communication difficulties to identify and report online abuse, and to enable the safety features on their devices and online accounts. Research indicates that women with an intellectual disability are more vulnerable to technology-facilitated abuse.
The program will also include training for domestic and family violence frontline workers.
Provide up to $2.5 million for the Office of the eSafety Commissioner to work with and assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in communities across Australia to identify, report and protect themselves and their children from technology-facilitated abuse.
The program will develop a range of culturally-appropriate resources for frontline workers to help them identify, understand and report technology-facilitated abuse, and ultimately empower the women they support to be safe online.
The Liberal and Nationals Government will also mandate transparency reports from the major social media platforms on the number and type of responses to reports and complaints about illegal abusive and predatory content.
To send a clear message to criminals and predators, we will toughen penalties for online abuse and harassment. This will also allow the courts to impose penalties in line with community expectations.
We will increase maximum penalties for those using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence under section 474.17 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 from three years’ jail to five years.
Our total contributions to women’s safety are more than $840 million since 2013 - because women have the right to be safe in their homes, communities, online and at work.
We have also granted over 7,046 visas to vulnerable women and children through the Women at Risk program,
which specifically helps women targeted because of their gender.
In 2017-18, the highest number of women and dependents were granted a woman at risk visa in our history (2,126 people in total).
In 2018-19, at least 15 per cent of places have been set aside for the Women at Risk program, up from last year’s 10 per cent target.
A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will increase the Women at Risk Program as a proportion of the Offshore Component of our refugee intake from 14 per cent in 2017-18 to 20 per cent in 2019-20.
We have also introduced a new directive to prevent the entry to Australia of people convicted of violent crimes against women or children - regardless of the nation in which the offence occurred or the sentence that was handed down.
Improve gender equality
By keeping the economy strong, the Liberal and Nationals Government has created jobs and careers and built an education system that nurtures talent, regardless of gender.
We now have so many more women serving at senior levels in business, the professions and in government.
However, women are still not represented at all levels, in all sectors, or in equal numbers to men. While progress has been strong, there is still more work to do.
We have acted to improve gender equality, with a record number of women in Cabinet and a record number of women on government boards.
We will also build on our record 47.3 per cent women on government boards to meet our 50 per cent target.
We will continue to make targeted investments to boost participation and leadership in different sectors.
Education
Nothing provides more opportunity and choice than a strong education.
We have implemented fair, needs-based funding that maintains choice for families and will increase average funding per student by 62 per cent over a decade.
In addition, we are making targeted investments in education to encourage more girls to participate in traditionally male¬dominated professions.
The Liberal and Nationals Government is:Developing a 10-year plan to boost women in STEM alongside the Australian Academy of Science to ensure women and girls are ready for the jobs of the future.
Investing $1.8 million to extend the Curious Minds program and bring more girls into science, technology, engineering and maths.
Supporting the Future Female Entrepreneurs program with a $3.6 million investment for around 55,000 girls and young women to encourage entrepreneurialism and self¬employment.
Providing scholarships for women in economics and finance through the Women’s Leadership and Development Program.
STEM equity
The Liberal and Nationals Government is taking action to ensure that women and girls are equally represented in STEM.
Only 16 per cent of Australians qualified in the science and technology fields are female.
This is unacceptably low for an area so critical to the future of our economy.
Building on the Government’s support for a Decadal Plan for Women in STEM, we will:Develop a 10-year plan to boost women in STEM, alongside the Australian Academy of Science.
Reduce barriers to STEM through the Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship grants program.
Expand the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) program promoting gender equity and diversity in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.
Invest $1.8 million to extend the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative to advance gender equity in higher education and research institutions.
Invest $1.5 million for a digital awareness initiative to heighten visibility of girls and women and showcase the benefits of study and a career in science.
Women in construction
We are supporting more women to work in construction, one of our largest employing industries, with a $675,000 grant over three years for Women Building Australia.
This construction industry-led program is working to increase the participation of young women in the sector.
While the sector has traditionally been male dominated, statistics have shown that women working in building and construction leads to better business performance and workplace morale and a decrease in mental illness rates.
Through a national mentoring program and a national career expo program run by Master Builders Australia, the Women Building Australia initiative will encourage women to enter and remain in the building and construction industry.
The initiative targets the four main barriers to women’s participation:Perceptions of the industry.
Lack of appropriate workforce pathways for young women.
Lack of encouragement for young women to consider a career in building and construction.
Lack of support to retain female newcomers in the industry.
Women in Music mentor program
As part of the Liberal and Nationals Government’s $30.9 million investment in the Australian
music industry, we will provide $2 million over four years to the Australian Music Industry Network to deliver an open, competitive mentorship program aimed at empowering women in the creation, development and promotion of their music.
Women are under-represented in the Australian music industry: the mentoring program will assist them to navigate and lead within the industry, as well as providing professional development.
Funding will be directed towards emerging talent, aiming to equip female musicians with the skills to move to the next stage.
Gender equality in Foreign Affairs
The Liberal and Nationals Government has established Australia as a global leader on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
We believe that gender equality is a fundamental human right, and that respecting fundamental human rights and freedoms makes Australia and the world safer and more secure.
Through the Liberal and Nationals Government’s 2016 Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Strategy and 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper, we pursue gender equality as a core Australian value and a top priority across Australia’s foreign policy, economic diplomacy and development investments.
We have increased our investment in the Pacific to advance gender equality and will deliver a 10 year roadmap to end violence against women and girls in our region.
The Liberal and Nationals Government has forged a new partnership in the Pacific, investing $7.6 million in the Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls, which will see Australia work with the Pacific community, European Union and UN Women to eliminate violence against women and girls.
Increasing participation and leadership in sport
Participating in sport means a fair go for all, including women and girls who need equal access to our playing fields and facilities.
We need to ensure women are supported from entry level as young girls through to elite level competition, including in once male-dominated sports.
For example, female change rooms should be the standard rather than the exception.
In the 2019-20 Budget we set aside funding to kickstart our ambition to deliver proper and equitable changing facilities at every sporting field across the country.
Our mission will help address the unmet demand resulting from the massive increase in women’s and girls’ participation in football, cricket, Australian Rules, rugby league and rugby sevens.
Securing the long-term future of Australian netball
Netball has long been the leading team sport for girls and women throughout Australia with over one million participants nationwide, and a strong footprint into regional communities across the country.
Traditionally, netball has retained players for longer than other sports, especially in the 18-24 age bracket.
However, in recent years there has been an increasing number of our best young female athletes pursuing other sports.
A Liberal and Nationals Government will provide $30 million for Netball Australia to roll-out a number of initiatives which aim to secure a strong and long-term future for the game.
The leading initiative will be the ‘Play Netball’ participation strategy. ‘Play Netball’ will enhance participation at a grassroots level through a range of products and programs that can be localised to netball communities across each state and territory:
NetSetGO 3.0, a revised junior introductory program which will directly support clubs and associations to trial and implement innovative approaches for delivering the game, and increase annual participants from 75,000 to 100,000.
Digital upgrades to improve club and association operations, including additional online coaching models, administration resources, and an improved competition management platform for more than 40,000 coaches and officials.
Expansion of the Confident Girls Foundation Grassroots Participant program aimed at supporting state and territories which do not have government subsidised sporting voucher programs.
An enhanced national child safe framework to support clubs and associations provide a fun and safe place for children.
Revised national facilities guidelines to support grassroots community club volunteers and local councils in applying for government funding.
Provide a clearer and more defined high-performance pathway, and increase employment opportunities for athletes.
‘Play Netball’ will also provide direct financial support for Netball ACT, Netball Tasmania and Netball Northern Territory to deliver localised grassroots participation, schools, coaching, umpiring and volunteer programs.
A Liberal and Nationals Government will also back Netball Australia’s bid for the Netball World Cup 2027, an event that will once again showcase Australia, and its capability to host major international sporting events, to the world.
Establishing a home for The Matildas
A Liberal and Nationals Government will back in one of our nation’s most loved and successful women’s sporting teams, The Matildas, by supporting a permanent base in Melbourne.
The home of the Matildas will be established as a state-of-the-art facility at a site identified through an expression of interest process currently being run by Football Victoria.
It will provide a fully equipped performance centre to maintain the high standards of our current players, coaches and officials,
as well as preparing our next generation of female footballers to keep the game strong.
We recognise that the success of the Mathilda’s has been the catalyst for driving female participation as the fastest growing area of football.
This Centre will be pivotal to football reaching a 50:50 gender equality target at a grassroots level over the next ten years by engaging with female footballers across Melbourne and inspiring female participation.
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s $15 million contribution will require matching funds from the Victorian Government.
These commitments are in addition to our other investments which will see us:Partner with Tennis Australia to increase opportunities for women and girls from all regions, towns and cities around Australia to participate in grassroots tennis.
Secure the future of the AFLW in Queensland with a new sporting and entertainment precinct in Springfield.
Redevelop Ikon Park in Melbourne into the home of AFLW in Victoria.
Transform the iconic Royal Hall of Industries in Sydney into a high performance home of women’s sport.
Redevelop Allan Border Field into a hub for female cricket.
Continue to actively support the Women Leaders in Sport Program through the Women’s Leadership Development Program and Sport Australia.
Host the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and support the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup bid.
THE CHOICE
The Liberal and Nationals Government is building a stronger economy,
delivering tax relief,
fixing the Budget and delivering a surplus.
We have a plan to secure our future and guarantee the essential services that Australians rely on.
The Liberal and Nationals Government will create the pathway for women's economic empowerment.
It’s imperative that women have an equal stake in our economy and in our society.
Women must also be safe in their communities, homes, online and in their workplaces.
In the last Parliament, the Labor Party refused to support Government measures to help Australian women.
These included policies to secure their financial future - particularly women about to retire - that would limit the fees and charges applicable to low-balance superannuation accounts.
The Liberal and Nationals Government is ensuring women can build their financial future and save for their retirement with catch-up contributions in superannuation.
We're levelling the playing field so that all women, no matter how they're employed, can make a tax deductible contribution to their superannuation.
Yet the Labor Party plans to scrap both of these measures.
The Labor Party’s Retirees Tax will impact 30 per cent more women than men, including single women and widows.
This heartless tax grab would hurt vulnerable women, including pensioners.
The Labor Party would weaken our economy with $387 billion more in higher taxes.
Time and again, Labor have shown they can’t manage money.
And then they come after yours.
THE COST
The Liberals and Nationals will provide an additional $123 million to support women’s economic security and health services.
OUR PLAN FOR SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN AUSTRALIA
KEY POINTS
The Liberal and Nationals Government will ensure all Australians have an opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity.
Sport improves the health and well-being of millions of Australians.
Sport brings communities together.
And sport brings our nation together when our athletes take on the world’s best.
That’s why we will continue to invest in the sporting infrastructure and initiatives to enable and encourage Australians to maintain an active lifestyle.
We will provide our elite athletes with the resources necessary to represent our nation on the world stage.
These commitments are only possible because of our success in building a stronger economy.
To ensure we take a strategic approach to these commitments, the Liberal and Nationals Government has developed Sport 2030, Australia’s first ever national sports plan.
Sport 2030 is our blueprint for our vision for Australia to be the world’s most active and healthy sporting nation and recognised for our sporting integrity and success.
To strengthen participation in sport and physical activity and to enhance our performance and reputation in international sport, the Liberal and Nationals Government will provide:Upgraded changing rooms at 124 sporting venues across Australia;
$30 million to boost the number of young athletes playing netball, and support a highperformance centre for Netball Australia in Melbourne;
$15 million to establish a home for the Matildas in Melbourne;
$11.5 million to support infrastructure upgrades at high-performance facilities across Australia to benefit our Olympic hopefuls;
Up to $10 million as an Australian Government contribution to support South East Queensland’s bid for the 2032 Olympic Games;
$2 million to establish a Regional Events Fund which will support the staging of new elite level sporting events in regional Australia; and
$1.5 million to improve our ability to identify and support our best para-athletes to compete on the world stage.
OUR RECORD
Sport 2030 lays out our vision and future plan for sport and physical activity across the country with four clear objectives to:get more Australians more active, more often;
drive sporting excellence and success;
safeguard the integrity of sport; and
strengthen the sports industry.
The Liberal and Nationals Government has invested more than $2.5 billion in measures designed to meet and exceed our Sport 2030 goals.
This funding benefits all Australians regardless of their age, gender or background.
It backs our local grassroots athletes.
It supports those who represent our nation on the world stage.
We are investing in programs and projects that specially target younger and older Australians who are overrepresented amongst the cohorts of the least active Australians.
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s record of achievement already includes:more than $950 millon into sport infrastructure to support local and national sporting organisations across the country;
over $710 million in direct funding for our current and future elite athletes;
$270 million for projects and programs which benefited Indigenous communities and athletes;
$113 million to safeguard the integrity of Australian sport, stopping performance enhancing drug-use and preventing other illegal activity;
$85 million for sporting partnerships within the Pacific; and
in excess of $20 million to support bids and promote upcoming major sporting events, which will attract tens of thousands of athletes, and their supporters, from around the world.
OUR PLAN
Building a more active Australia
The Liberal and Nationals Government wants Australians of all ages to have the opportunity to be engaged in sport and physical activity.
Staying physically and mentally healthy, reaching personal goals, and being involved within a community, are all critically important to a long and enjoyable life.
The Liberal and Nationals Government will improve access to recreational facilities in communities across the country;
target regions with a growing population or surges in women’s and girls’ participation;
and best leverage private sector funding to ensure that taxpayer funding is maximised.
Our plan responds to the requests from community clubs and organisations for support to address the backlog of local sporting facility upgrades.
And the Liberal and Nationals Government’s investment will address the huge surge in women’s and girls’ participation in sports such as football (soccer), cricket, Australian Rules, rugby league and rugby sevens.
We will provide funds to support our high performance athletes who are striving for success at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
And we will support Pacific nations to improve their sporting governance and structures, whilst also providing additional capability for them to better develop their own athletes.
Better change rooms and facilities at sporting venues nationwide
The Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to ensuring Australian women and girls playing sport have access to high quality sporting facilities.
In the 2019-20 Budget we set aside funding to kickstart our ambition to deliver proper and equitable changing facilities at every sporting field across the country.
Our mission will help address the unmet demand resulting from the massive increase in women’s and girls’ participation in football, cricket, Australian Rules, rugby league and rugby sevens.
Combined with our efforts through the Community Sport Infrastructure program we are:Upgrading changing rooms at 32 sports venues across Victoria;
Upgrading changing rooms at 32 sports venues across Victoria;
Upgrading changing rooms at 27 sports venues across New South Wales;
Upgrading changing rooms at 21 sports venues across Gueensland;
Upgrading changing rooms at 14 sports venues across Western Australia;
Upgrading changing rooms at 20 sports venues across South Australia;
Upgrading changing rooms at five sports venues across Tasmania;
Upgrading changing rooms at three sports venues in the Northern Territory; and
Upgrading changingrooms at two sports venues in the Australian Capital Territory.
We established the $100 million Community Sport Infrastructure Program to rectify the backlog of facility and infrastructure upgrades at local sporting clubs and organisations across the country.
In the first three rounds of the program we have announced financial support for more than 650 projects put forward by a wide range of local sporting clubs and organisations.
Some of the projects we have funded include:$119,660 to upgrade irrigation and drainage at the Southern Ettalong Football Club in Woy Woy, New South Wales;
$119,660 to upgrade irrigation and drainage at the Southern Ettalong Football Club in Woy Woy, New South Wales;
$105,000 to upgrade lighting at the Ringwood Central Tennis Club in Ringwood, Victoria;
$200,000 to construct a new shed at the Pine River Rowing Club in Kurwongbah, Queensland;
$150,460 to resurface and upgrade courts at the Mundaring Tennis Club in Mundaring, Western Australia;
$154,011 toprovide equitable changing rooms at the Burnside Lacrosse Club in Linden Park, South Australia;
$54,135 to replace the kitchen at the Oatlands Golf Club in Oatlands, Tasmania;
$102,251 toimprove storage facilities and upgrade security at Lyel Kempster Baseball Field in Alice Springs, Northern Territory; and
$140,000 toextend the Southern Canberra Gymnastics Club in the Australian Capital Territory.
Securing the long-term future of Australian netball
Netball has long been the leading team sport for girls and women throughout Australia with over one million participants nationwide, and a strong footprint in regional communities across the country.
Traditionally, netball has retained players for longer than other sports, especially in the 18-24 age bracket.
However, in recent years there has been an increasing number of our best young female athletes pursuing other sports.
A Liberal and Nationals Government will provide $30 million for Netball Australia to roll-out a number of initiatives which aim to secure a strong and long-term future for the game.
The leading initiative will be the ‘Play Netball’ participation strategy.
‘Play Netball’ will enhance participation at a grassroots level through a range of products and programs that can be localised to netball communities across each state and territory:NetSetGO 3.0, a revised junior introductory program which will directly support clubs and associations to trial and implement innovative approaches for delivering games, and increasing annual participants from 75,000 to 100,000.
Digital upgrades to improve club and association operations, including additional online coaching models, administration resources, and an improved competition management platform for more than 40,000 coaches and officials.
Expansion of the Confident Girls Foundation Grassroots Participant program aimed at supporting state and territories which do not have government subsidised sporting voucher programs.
An enhanced national child safe framework to support clubs and associations provide a fun and safe place for children.
Revised national facilities guidelines to support grassroots community club volunteers and local councils in applying for government funding.
A clearer and more defined high-performance pathway, and increased employment opportunities for athletes.
A Liberal and Nationals Government will also back Netball Australia’s bid for the Netball World Cup 2027, an event that will once again showcase Australia, and its capability to host major international sporting events, to the world.
The event coincides with the 100th anniversary of Netball Australia and is expected to generate visitor expenditure of approximately $31 million.
Support for further international engagement will also be a key measure implemented under the Liberal and Nationals Government’s partnership with Netball Australia.
The use of netball to bolster bilateral and multilateral relationships remains underdeveloped and there is a real opportunity to pursue new linkages in Asia with countries such as China and India.
In most Asian countries netball is neither a traditional sport nor hugely popular.
The focus on China and India is aimed at shifting the game towards being even more culturally inclusive.
A better understanding of netball and increased participation from within Asian communities is likely to improve young people integrating into Australian communities, particularly in the regions.
To cater for this expected increase in engagement from the Chinese and Indian communities, Netball Australia will better utilise its existing netball programs:
Rolling out NetSetGO in languages other than English and adapting participation and coaching modules for Chinese and Indian communities.
Expanding the delivery of netball through the Sporting Schools Program into targeted Chinese and Indian schools and community groups. Engaging Chinese and Indian community ambassadors and coaches.
The Liberal and Nationals Government will also recognise the emerging infrastructure needs of Netball Australia by providing funding to deliver the first ever International Leadership Hub for Netball in Melbourne.
The Hub will further enhance Australia’s reputation as a global provider of education in sport and focus on enhancing netball participation, better understanding, high performance, governance, management and leadership opportunities.
It will also serve as the headquarters for Netball Australia, the Super Netball League, the Confident Girls Foundation and the Australian Netball Players’ Association.
In addition, a National Netball Museum will be established at the Hub to showcase the history of the sport in Australia.
The Hub will also include:sport science and sports medicine research and testing facilities;
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) presence;
Social Research Hub to examine the practices and behaviours that exist in community netball;
Continuous Learning Hub to improve grassroots volunteer capability; and
Leadership Hub to support improved governance capability; monitor integrityin sport;
implement child safe practices and measures which prevent violence against women and their children;
and support reconciliation initiatives with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities.
Establishing a home for the Matildas
A Liberal and Nationals Government will back in one of our nation’s most loved and successful women’s sporting teams, The Matildas, by supporting a permanent base in Melbourne.
The home of the Matildas will be established as a state-of-the-art facility at a site identified through an expression of interest process currently being run by Football Victoria.
It will provide a fully equipped performance centre to maintain the high standards of our current players, coaches and officials,
as well as preparing our next generation of female footballers to keep the game strong.
We recognise that the success of the Mathilda’s has been the catalyst for driving female participation as the fastest growing area of football.
This Centre will be pivotal to football reaching a 50:50 gender equality target at a grassroots level over the next ten years by engaging with female footballers across Melbourne and inspiring female participation.
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s $15 million contribution will require matching funds from the Victorian Government.
Investing to achieve sporting excellence
Australians have high expectations of our elite athletes and national sporting teams.
The Liberal and Nationals Government wants to enable and empower our sports teams to achieve sustained sporting success both at home and internationally
because we know that their success encourages increased participation at a grassroots level.
Our aspiring athletes need to know that there is the support and established pathways available to allow them to be the best they can be during and after their careers.
At a national level, the Liberal and Nationals Government has supported athlete wellbeing and pathways to high performance.
We are committed to increasing opportunities for young Australians to develop and pursue sporting success with a particular focus on the engagement, progression and retention of female athletes and those in regional areas.
Our athlete wellbeing and pathways to high performance initiative will:improve the identification and development of young athletes by increasing access to quality coaching and other support staff;
enhance the talent identification processes within sporting organisations, providing greater exposure to quality competitions;
expand the support provided for mental health services through the Mental Health Referral Network;
expand proven systems for mentoring young athletes; and
build the capability of sports organisations to develop and leverage technological solutions to support quality athlete development.
This initiative will also target talented coaches, sports scientists, medical professionals and other support staff involved in athlete identification and development.
On top of this, we have also committed to expanding the Sport Australia Hall of Fame’s Athlete Mentoring Program which provides scholarships and mentoring to athletes under the age of 21.
A Liberal and Nationals Government will further invest in the infrastructure required to make sure our aspiring Olympians have access to the best training facilities possible.
This includes:Backing Swimming Australia by equipping at least one pool in each state with modern instrumented block and turn wet force plates; calibrated multi-view camera systems; and software systems to process immediate performance data feedback.
Providing standalone equitable change rooms for our Hockeyroos at Perth Hockey Stadium, supporting our National Women’s Hockey Program.
Helping the Australian Institute of Sport advance our efforts in smaller sports by establishing a Smaller Sports Infrastructure Pool to source and assess bids for infrastructure which leverage public and private investments to benefit sports such as table tennis; fencing; judo; taekwondo; archery; bowls; badminton; wrestling; and, weightlifting.
Providing the first airbag to allow our skiers and snowboarders to train at various locations with less risk of injury for the Winter Olympics.
Ensuring that large and small sports have access to Australian Institute of Sport approved multi-camera video tracking systems with athlete identification, position recognition, large- scale cloud-based data handling, and real-time performance feedback.
Constructing our first ever high performance centre for open water sports in New South Wales. The new centre will have fit-for-purpose facilities to support our canoeists and kayakers.
Upgrading technology and facilities at state centres where our track and field athletes train to enhance our medal hopes in javelin, discus, shot put, and hammer throw events.
The Liberal and Nationals direct investment in high performance sport totals more than $710 million over the past six years - or around $120 million per year.
Working to increase grassroots participation
The Liberal and Nationals Government is working closely with National Sporting Organisations to drive higher participation in sporting activities.
One example is our recent partnership with Tennis Australia that will increase opportunities for women and girls from all regions, towns and cities around Australia to participate in grassroots tennis.
We have also provided ‘Better Ageing’ Grants to support physical activity for older Australians, with 27 programs across a range of National Sporting Organisations and physical activity organisations already underway.
We are also rolling out 52 ‘Participation Grant’ projects across the country in partnership with more than 30 National Sporting Organisations, specifically targeted to help get the least active Australians moving.
Sport in schools
We recognise that school is a vital part of ensuring children are exposed to a range of physical activities.
The Sporting Schools Program provides free sport-based activities for students in over 6,000 primary and secondary schools.
It also has set targets for engaging rural and remote communities, reflecting the distribution of schools nationwide.
That’s why under a Liberal and Nationals Government, the Sporting Schools Program has been continually funded for the benefits of hundreds of thousands of students across the country.
Under the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd Government this program was always at risk of being cut and the same approach has been adopted by the current Labor Opposition who have given no guarantees that it will continue to be funded in the future.
Backing sport for people with disability
The Liberal and Nationals Government has a proud track record in supporting a range of initiatives which provide increased sporting opportunities, at all levels, for people with disabilities.
Our commitment to investing in initiatives which provide better pathways for athletes with a disability has been a key focus, along with making sure that our best athletes with disability get to shine on the world stage, by working with bodies such as the Australian Paralympic Committee, Special Olympics Australia and community groups dedicated to improving the lives of others.
Initiatives we are already delivering include:$8 million to support Australia’s para-athletes in their journey to the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo;
$2 million for Get Skilled Access to provide support for schools and community clubs;
$1.8 million to support hosting of the Brisbane INAS Global Games in October 2019, the world’s biggest sports event for athletes with an intellectual impairment; and
$1.4 million for Special Olympics Australia to improve health and physical activity outcomes for young people with intellectual disability.
Building on our track record of support for para-athletes, a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $1.5 million to improve our capability in finding our best para-athletes to compete on the world stage.
The overhaul of our para-athlete talent identification system will see pathways officers for para¬sports installed across our national sport network to undertake early talent identification and bring the best para-athletes into the national system sooner.
Building social cohesion
Sport has an incredible ability to break down barriers and create a sense of community.
All levels of government have recognised the power of sport in relation to building social cohesion and at a federal level we are providing funding to enable established National Sporting Organisations, local community organisations, and community groups to deliver diversity and inclusion programs using sport and physical activities.
For example, our partnership with the Big Issue’s Community Street Soccer Program provides participants with support and the connections to make positive changes in their lives.
We have also committed $1 million for the Wests Tigers’ Cubs program which will engage youth from culturally diverse or disadvantaged backgrounds,
developing their knowledge of Rugby League, building positive social outcomes and helping them to become leaders in their communities helping them to become leaders in their communities.
Sport in the Pacific
Sport is one of Australia's great strengths and an important diplomatic asset.
It provides a platform for projecting our values, building people-to-people connections and strengthening communities.
We are committed to supporting the development of sport and athletes in our neighbouring Pacific countries.
We have already developed a new Sports Diplomacy Strategy 2030 which was released in early 2019.
Our Strategy will advance our national interests, project Australia’s values and identity and serve as a bridge between peoples.
As part of our Strategy, we have provided funding through a Sports Linkages Program to carry out activities with the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea including:Football: an U17 Matilda’s Pacific Tour in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
Netball: assisting the Fijian netball team prepare for the 2019 Netball World Cup; and assisting Papua New Guinea prepare for the Pacific Games in July 2019.
Rugby League: supporting Fiji in the NSW Cup 2020 and NRL pre-season matches in Fiji in 2021;
supporting NRL pre-season matches in Papua New Guinea in 2020;
assisting the Papua New Guinea Orchids to compete against the Cook Islands women’s team at the Pacific Test in June 2019, and at the 2019 Rugby League World Cup of Nines in October 2019;
Rugby Union: expansion of “Get into Rugby PLUS” to the Solomon Islands in 2020;
and equipment as part of the “Get into Rugby PLUS” to all countries involved.
The Sports Linkages Program will bring new and diverse talent into our sporting codes and will encourage the development of elite sports in the Pacific.
The Liberal and Nationals Government will dedicate $6 million per year from late 2019 to a new Indo-Pacific sport for development program, the Australian Sports Partnerships Program (ASPP), which will deliver safer, more inclusive sport programs that support gender equality, disability inclusion and create leadership pathways for participants through the use of multi-sectoral partnerships between sporting, development and government organisations.
The ASPP will initially focus 10 Indo-Pacific countries Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka.
The Liberal and Nationals Government is also increasing our sport for development funding by $3 million per year from 2019 to help more women and girls participate in sport at the grassroots level in the Pacific.
We will work with regional sports institutions and government to improve gender equality and encourage women’s leadership, with a view to also eradicating gender- based violence through accessible sporting environments.
New and emerging events in our cities and regions
In 2000, at the Sydney Olympics, Australia set the standard for hosting international sporting events.
This has been cemented by a succession of recent high quality events such as the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney.
The Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to continuing to attract and support international sporting events at our major stadiums both in our cities and in regional areas.
We recently announced funding to support Rugby Australia’s bid for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, as well as promotion and preparations for the International Cricket Council T20 World Cup 2020.
We are also strongly supporting Football Federation Australia’s bid for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
A Liberal and Nationals Government will also provide seed funding of up to $10 million to support South East Gueensland’s bid for the 2032 Olympic Games.
If it proceeds, the 2032 bid is likely will be the first of its kind from Australia, outlining a regional approach to hosting the Olympics, with competition venues in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Moreton Bay, Logan and the Redlands.
An Australian Government contribution of up to $10 million would be matched by the Gueensland Government, relevant local governments and Australia’s sporting industry.
In addition to our focus on international events, we will also go further in our efforts to take major sporting events to the regions by establishing a Regional Events Fund to support the staging of new elite-level sporting events in regional Australia.
The program will make grants of up to $500,000 available to fund the first time delivery of elite ablebodied and inclusive sporting events (modified, adapted and disability sports) into regional communities.
The program will target National Sporting Organisations and event organisers which deliver recognised elite-level national and international sporting competitions.
Strengthening Australia’s Sport Industry
Australia’s sporting industry employs a workforce of more than 220,000 people and is responsible for annual spending of more than $12 billion through sport and sporting infrastructure each year.
It is critical that governments of all levels continue to work together to secure its future.
In this regard, the Liberal and Nationals Government is already working with industry partners on contemporary governance structures;
world-leading research and innovation;
strong economic investment; hosting global events; and facilitating Australia’s international interests.
This work is supported by the development of a Sport Industry Growth Plan which will assist the sports industry to identify and unlock further opportunities for growth.
Safeguarding the Integrity of Sport
Community confidence in the fairness and legitimacy of Australian sport is critical for the survival and health of the sector,
for community participation
and for the return on high performance investment.
The multiple health, economic,
social and cultural benefits of sport are severely undermined when sports integrity is not properly protected.
Australians deserve assurance that Australian sport is able to provide safe, fair and inclusive environments and opportunities for all.
Earlier this year, the Liberal and Nationals Government handed down the response to the ‘Review of Australia’s Sports Integrity Arrangements’.
Our landmark reforms included in this response will safeguard the integrity of Australian sport by combating threats from doping, match-fixing, illegal betting, organised crime and corruption, ensuring that Australian sport remains fair and safe.
The key to our reforms will be the establishment of a new body, Sports Integrity Australia, to carry out anti-doping and other integrity functions.
It will also support the establishment of a National Sports Tribunal to hear and resolve rule violations.
Earlier this year, we also signed the Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions (the Macolin Convention), which is a multilateral treaty specifically aimed at combating match-fixing and other related corruption in sport.
Major sporting infrastructure
The Liberal and Nationals Government recognises that it is difficult for even the largest of sporting clubs and organisations to fully fund major infrastructure upgrades in the modern era.
That’s why we are supporting a number of National Sporting Organisations to redevelop or build new sporting infrastructure.
Our commitments include:a new stadium and high performance centre for the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville;
securing the future of the AFLW in Queensland with a new sporting and entertainment precinct in Springfield;
redeveloping Ikon Park in Melbourne into the home of AFLW in Victoria;
creating the William Cooper Centre at Punt Road Oval in Melbourne as a new educational hub for young Indigenous students and members of the Bachar Houli Academy,
and supporting the growth of women’s football;
creating a vibrant inner-city sports and community precinct in Adelaide, and supporting the development of the new home of the Adelaide Crows Football Club;
transforming the iconic Royal Hall of Industries in Sydney into a high performance home of women’s sport, headquarters for the Sydney Swans and NSW Swifts, and hub for the GO Foundation, Clontarf Foundation and Australian Red Cross Blood Service;
establishing Victoria Sport, a new research, development and performance hub focused on sports medicine, treatment and rehabilitation in Melbourne;
redeveloping Allan Border Field into a hub for female cricket as well as transforming the Shaw Road community facility to grow junior participation in cricket;
turning Thebarton Oval in Adelaide into a start-of-the-art multi-purpose sporting facility;
revamping Concord Oval and establishing the Wests Tigers Centre of Excellence; and
constructing new facilities to support para-athletes and a Paralympic Museum at the Essendon Football Club’s ‘The Hangar’ facility in Melbourne.
We are also continuing our support for the Australian Sports Foundation which supports athletes, organisations and sporting clubs of all varieties to fund their priority projects and needs by leveraging the private sector.
THE CHOICE
The Liberal and Nationals Government understands how important sport and physical activity are to all Australians.
We also know that a strong economy is necessary to provide the resources necessary to support high quality community and elite level sporting facilities in every state and territory.
By building a strong economy, the Liberal and Nationals Government has been able to provide record investments in national sporting infrastructure thus providing Australians with ample opportunities to be active regardless of their age, gender or background.
The Labor Party is indifferent to the fundamental role that sport plays in national life.
When last in government, Labor’s only contribution to sports policy was its role in presiding over the ‘darkest day in sport’.
At the 2019 election, Labor’s Sports policy reads like a recycled version of our Sport 2030 plan released last year.
Most importantly, Labor is incapable of managing money.
It is good at making promises but poor at delivering them.
The party best able to deliver a stronger economy will be the party best able to
deliver the investment in national sporting infrastructure to support ever higher levels of participation in sport and ever high levels of success at the elite level.
Only the Liberal and Nationals Government can deliver that.
THE COST
Our Plan for sport and physical activity in Australia will provide an additional $70 million investment into sport across the country.
OUR PLAN FOR REGIONAL AUSTRALIA
KEY POINTS
The Liberal and Nationals Government will improve the economic growth and well-being of Australians living in the regions.
We want to help make regional communities even better places to live, work and raise a family.
Under a Liberal and Nationals Government regional Australians will:have access to more and better paying jobs;
have improved health, education and telecommunication services;
lead the national effort in tackling environmental and water management; and
have resilient infrastructure including roads and rail.
Regional Australia underpins our prosperity as a nation and the Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to ensuring that it plays a key role in our future economy.
Our approach to investing in regional Australia focuses on the key areas of jobs,
health, education,
telecommunications, infrastructure
and the environment.
These areas, tackled simultaneously, make the most impact and provide the best opportunities for Australians living in regional areas.
Our strong economic management means we can invest in these essential services,
provide tax relief for regional families and businesses
so they can grow and create more jobs.
A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will:Boost digital connectivity in regional Australia, including eliminating mobile blackspots across 1 million square kilometres by 2025 (an area larger than the size of South Australia).
Invest $15 million for five more Regional Study Hubs.
Invest $2 million in the Country Education Partnership's Rural Inspire initiative.
Invest in the right infrastructure to connect communities, industry and producers to markets, and to make travel safer.
Provide further funding through programs that are targeted at improving the regions, such as the Building Better Regions Fund.
Deliver new Regional Deals to drive local economic growth
and create jobs.
Continue to deliver on our decentralisation agenda.
The Liberal and Nationals Government's vision is for a regional Australia that provides secure job opportunities,
access to the best education choices,
quality health services
and reliable telecommunications.
OUR PLAN
The Liberal and Nationals Government has delivered for regional Australia.
Investment in rural and regional areas has increased, reinforcing its place as an engine room of the economy, contributing $537 billion to annual Gross Domestic Product.
Over eight million people now live, work and raise a family outside our capital cities.
We are delivering the infrastructure and vital services that regional communities need to grow their businesses and economies.
Investments in road and rail are connecting local regional businesses to national and international markets,
and we are delivering essential education, health and telecommunications services that ensure no one is disadvantaged in regional Australia.
There are now more than 600 government initiatives focussed on creating jobs
and driving economic growth in Australia’s regions,
and since 2013, we have committed over $33 billion to economic and social infrastructure programs that specifically benefit regional areas.
Digital connectivity
A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will boost digital connectivity in regional Australia, including eliminating mobile blackspots across 1 million square kilometres by 2025 (an area larger than the size of South Australia).
This means new or improved mobile coverage for tens of thousands more regional Australian households and thousands of kilometres of our roads.
Improved digital connectivity is critical to the future of regional Australia - enabling the growth of industries like agriculture and tourism,
supporting health and education services
and helping connect regional communities to the rest of Australia and the world.
The 2018 Regional Telecommunications Review examined the communication needs of people living in the regions.
It’s clear that access to 21st century communications is more important than ever before, particularly for Australians living in regional and remote areas.
Under the first four rounds of the Mobile Black Spot Program we have generated investment of more than $760 million, with a commitment to deliver a total of 1,047 new base stations across Australia.
This will deliver close to half a million square kilometres of new or improved coverage, benefiting around 40,000 premises and over 8,500km of major roads.
The National Broadband Network is also now 92 per cent complete in regional Australia and by 2020 will provide over 2.7 million regional premises with fixed-line broadband, 600,000 premises with access to fixed wireless services and 400,000 premises with access to improved satellite services.
We are committed to doing even more.
A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will deliver our $220 million Stronger Regional Digital Connectivity Package which is fully funded in the 2019-20 Budget.
This will deliver two new rounds of the Mobile Black Spot Program, a new place-based Regional Connectivity Program to provide targeted investments in improving telecommunications infrastructure, a digital tech hub to improve digital literacy and trials of alternative voice services that, in time, could replace the ageing high capacity radio concentrator (HCRC) network in remote areas.
We have secured new policy initiatives and commitments from NBN Co and Telstra to further improve services in the regions.
Greater access to mobile services in regional Australia improves the ability to keep in contact with family and friends, allows better access for farmers to online services and digital agriculture, and helps local businesses grow by making these areas more attractive to tourists.
Despite being in Government for six years, Labor did nothing to improve mobile phone coverage in regional Australia.
Education and Skills
Every student deserves the opportunity to have access to a world-class education, no matter where they live.
By building a strong economy, we have been able to deliver more affordable child care,
record funding for government, Catholic and independent schools,
a new $585 million vocational education skills plan
and record investment in a world-class higher education system.
The Liberal and Nationals Government will ensure that children and young Australians in regional Australia have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
We are enabling regional families to access high quality early education for their children by supporting child care providers in regional Australia to remain viable and to grow through the Community Child Care Fund.
We are providing $69.7 billion over the decade for school students in rural and remote areas, and securing the future for parents whose children are educated in independent and Catholic schools through our $1.2 billion Choice and Affordability Fund, which will assist schools in regional and remote areas and in drought-affected areas. We have put in place over $490 million in programs to support
regional students to go to university.
To increase education opportunities and aspirations in regional Australia, a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will invest:$15millionfor five more Regional Study Hubs which support university students to stay in their local communities whilst they study.
$2millionintheCountryEducation Partnership's Rural Inspire initiative.
We believe that you should be able to attend university whether you are from a regional community or from a capital city.
Yet if you are from regional Australia, you are half as likely to attend a tertiary institution as students in cities.
That is why we have created Regional Study Hubs in 22 locations, which are supporting regional students to study in communities where they choose to live.
This means that over 2,700 students will now be able to study courses in regional communities.
Five more Regional Study Hubs with additional Commonwealth Supported Places will support more students to remain in their local community whilst getting the skills and qualifications they need for work.
The first of these new Hubs will be established in Wangaratta.
We will invite applications for the other four Hubs.
Our investment in the Country Education Partnership's Rural Inspire initiative will help to inspire and support young people living in rural communities to set their sights high, and achieve their goals.
We know rural students don’t always have access to the necessary information, or career mentors, to support them in making career choices and chasing their dreams.
Wangaratta-based Rural Inspire and its Rural Youth Ambassador program work with young people living in rural communities to encourage them to pursue further education, develop their leadership skills, and put forward their voice and ideas to address the challenges they and their communities face.
Health services
A stronger economy means the Liberal and Nationals Government can guarantee the essential services Australians rely on.
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s investment in health care is growing year on year - delivering record bulkbilling rates, new life-saving medicines, record funding for hospitals and
more health services for all Australians.
Under the Liberal and Nationals Government, almost nine out of 10 Australians who visit the doctor have no out of pocket costs with GP bulk billing rates at a record 86 per cent, up from 82 per cent under Labor.
Since coming to Government, the Liberal and Nationals Government has invested $10.6 billion to add over 2,000 new medicines listings to the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS).
We are subsidising breakthrough medicines such as Spinraza for spinal muscular atrophy, Orkambi for cystic fibrosis and new immunotherapy drugs for cancer.
These are medicines that change and save lives.
Ensuring a strong economy has enabled the Liberal and Nationals Government to deliver record funding for public hospital services.
Funding has increased by 60 per cent to a record $21 billion in 2018-19.
When Labor left office in 2013, public hospital funding was $13 billion.
Importantly our $503.1 million Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan is the largest suicide prevention plan in Australia’s history
and focuses on expanding the headspace network, Indigenous suicide prevention
and early childhood and parenting.
The Liberal and Nationals Government is implementing the most comprehensive rural health package in decades, which will improve access to doctors, nurses and other health care services.
That is why we are investing:Investing $550 million for the Stronger Rural Health Strategy, which delivers 3,000 additional doctors and more than 3,000 additional nurses and allied health professionals in rural general practice over the next decade.
$45 million for 13 new regional cancer centres to provide greater access to cancer treatment nearer to home.
$100 million to establish the Rural and Regional Clinical Trials Infrastructure Program to establish state of the art physical infrastructure and equipment.
$22.3 million to support more alcohol and other drug treatment and support services in remote, rural and regional areas with an additional 65 specialist service providers operating after-hours and on weekends.
$4.3 million to provide local support for families, communities and regions struggling with the impacts of illicit drug use.
$27 million in new funding for more McGrath Foundation Nurses for breast cancer, particularly to support patients in rural and regional areas.
$94.5 million for a new Murray Darling Medical Schools Network to increase the number of medical students training in rural areas and increase the number of students who then go on to practice in regional and rural Australia.
$26.6 million to accommodate longer transition arrangements for the changes to rural bulk billing incentives and the Workforce Incentive Program.
$62.2 million over five years from 2018-19 to implement a National Rural Generalist Pathway.
$26.9 million in additional support for people in drought and fire affected areas in regional Australia to access additional mental health support, including through telehealth.
Full details of current investments and election commitments for health services are outlined in Our Plan for Strengthening Australia’s World-Class Health System.
Rewarding hard work and creating jobs
Regional Deals
Regional Australia is diverse and requires a local, ‘place-based’ approach to harness opportunies.
Our regional development policy supports vibrant regional centres, capable of attracting more investment,
economic activity
and skilled job opportunities.
The Liberal and Nationals Government has led the way with providing a national approach to regional development through policies that encourage a region’s government, businesses and the community to develop local strategies cooperatively.
We strongly believe decisions about the future of individual regions should be made by local people and supported by government, not the other way around.
We understand that no one knows their regions better than the people who live and work there.
This approach of ensuring local solutions to local needs is at the core of our Regional Deals: bringing all the key players to the table to decide on priorities and local strategies to support regional planning,
governance
and investment.
This is why a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will continue to roll out Regional Deals whilst continuing to progress the Deals we have already established:The $45.4 million Barkly Regional Deal in the Northern Territory will improve the productivity and liveability of the Barkly region by stimulating economic growth and improving social outcomes.
We will consult with Indigenous Australians as central and critical stakeholders in the Barkly Regional Deal in recognition of their ongoing connection to country as the custodians and traditional owners of the land.
The $172.9 million Hinkler Regional Deal in Queensland will capitalise on the opportunities for the region
and tackle unemployment,
making the most of local strengths and competitive advantages to create more job.
and foster economic development
and sustainability.
The recently announced Albury Wodonga Regional Deal, with initial funding of $3.2 million to undertake strategic governance planning and to inform priorities for the Deal, will be the first cross border deal.
It will look at harmonising regulatory and governance barriers faced by these two cities.
It will build on the region’s connectivity and excellence in exports and population growth,
bringing together all levels of government to agree on investments that will deliver long term transformation.
A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will pursue regional deals in other parts of regional Australia following consultation with states, territories and local governments.
Our Building Better Regions Fund also prioritises local solutions, through giving local councils and community groups the flexibility to bid for the projects based on their own needs and circumstances.
The Liberal and Nationals Government will continue to roll-out this program, starting with a $200 million funding round in the first year of Government.
This brings the total commitment since 2013 under the Building Better Regions Fund and National Stronger Regions Fund to almost $1.5 billion.
Local Governments will continue to be supported through Financial Assistance Grants, supporting direct investment in council infrastructure
and health,
recreation,
environmental
and employment services.
From 2018-19 to 2022-23 $12 billion in Financial Assistance Grants will be provided to 546 local councils across the country.
Decentralisation
The Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to a practical, planned decentralisation agenda to support the growth of our regional areas and better connect government agencies with the communities and people they serve.
The benefits go beyond service delivery. Locating government closer to rural and regional communities and stakeholders supports a greater understanding of the views, needs and experiences of people living and working in rural Australia.
Relocation of jobs also stimulates broader job creation
and investment in regional communities,
adding diversity to regional economies and reducing socioeconomic disparities between major cities and the regions.
Since 2013, over 1700 Federal Government positions have been established or relocated outside of Canberra, inner Sydney and inner Melbourne,
including over 1000 positions relocated to regional Australia to support local employment and economic diversification in communities.
This includes a number of regional relocations such as the Australian Maritime Safety Authority with 69 jobs including a regional headquarters at Coffs Harbour and a new office in Airlie Beach, and 16 jobs in Hobart, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay, Darwin, Geraldton, Karratha and Port Hedland.
Recently, a further 76 jobs from the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) were announced to be relocated closer to basin communities.
This will bring more than 100 jobs - a third of the MDBA’s workforce - into operation outside of Canberra by 2021.
We will require portfolios to review and report on their regional staffing footprint annually in the annual Regional Ministerial Budget Statement.
And when establishing new agencies, the onus will be on why they should not in the first instance be established in a regional area.
Agriculture
The Liberal and Nationals Government has a plan to increase Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to a $100 billion industry by 2030.
The industry has a roadmap to do this - our policies will help get them there.
A $100 billion industry means many more jobs in our regional and rural communities.
Our plan to help the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector reach its potential is focused on:
Tackling barriers to growth and production.
Providing the water needed for growth and drought proofing.
Tackling intergenerational land transfer and encouraging new farmers.
Expanding exports and improving market access.
Getting the balance right for the fisheries and forestry industries.
There are challenges, but we’re addressing these too: pests and weeds, external biosecurity threats,
climate impacts,
changeable consumer preferences
and international competition on research and development and commercialisation.
Full details of current investments and election commitments for the agriculture, fisheries and forestry are outlined in Our Plan for a Stronger Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry sector.
Resources
Our mining and resources sectors are the building blocks of our national and local economies,
and provide the raw materials to create even more jobs in other industries.
The wealth that the resources sector generates helps the Government invest in essential services like schools, hospitals and roads.
Under our Government’s strong economic management the resources sector has boomed, generating an extra $100 billion a year in exports since 2013.
Mining accounts for almost 10 per cent of GDP, and drives Australia’s exports.
Mining employs over 250,000 Australians and pays the highest wages in our economy, with many of these jobs being in regional and remote Australia.
The Liberal and Nationals Government's plan is to have the world’s most advanced and successful resources sector that delivers sustained prosperity and social development for all Australians.
Our plan includes a National Resources Statement - Australia’s first resources industry policy framework in over twenty years, a Critical Minerals Strategy to promote investment in Australia’s critical mineral resources, with up to $45 million in R&D grants and $100 million to produce new pre-competitive geoscience data through Geoscience Australia’s Exploring for the Future program.
The Junior Minerals Exploration Initiative delivers $100 million to assist junior exploration companies raise additional capital for greenfield exploration programs.
We are also supporting new technologies, skills development and investment.
Funding of $100 million has been provided to support the development of hydrogen technologies in Australia, Industry Growth Centres are driving innovation, competitiveness, productivity and sustainability and through the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) the Government is investing $5 billion in loans over five years for infrastructure projects.
Tourism
The Liberal and Nationals Government will continue to drive strong growth in the tourism sector, particularly regional tourism, as a key component of our plan to build an even stronger economy.
We will:Deliver a $50 million National Tourism Icons Package to ensure that Australia’s tourism icons, particularly those in the regions, remain a world class experience for visitors and continue to attract high value tourists.
Support the tourism industry in regional Australia by continuing to dedicate funding in future rounds of the Building Better Regions Fund for tourism related infrastructure projects.
Establish a $40 million Indigenous Tourism fund within the Indigenous Advancement Strategy to provide $10 million a year in support of Indigenous owned and operated tourism enterprises.
This will build on the record tourism numbers we’re seeing:Over the last 5 years, international visitor numbers have grown by 45 per cent while spending by international visitors is up 53 per cent.
International visitor numbers and spending levels are at record levels with 8.5 million visitors spending $43.9 billion in 2018.
This tourism boom is creating new jobs and driving economic growth - nearly 45,000 tourism jobs have been created under the Liberal and Nationals Government.
Tourism employs 1 in 13 workers, with a large share employed in small and family businesses.
Tourism is especially important for regional Australia, with 43 cents of every visitor dollar spent in the regions.
Building on the Government's highly successful Tourism 2020 strategy, the Government's Beyond Tourism 2020 strategy will have a strong focus on increasing regional dispersal of international tourists beyond the traditional gateway destinations of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane/Gold Coast.
Full details of current investments and election commitments for tourism are outlined in Our Plan to Back Australian Tourism and Jobs.
Building infrastructure
The Liberal and Nationals Government will continue to deliver critical infrastructure to help regional economies prosper and grow.
This infrastructure - roads, rail and air - connects regional communities and enables farmers and regional businesses to deliver their products to domestic and international markets.
The Liberal and Nationals Government has outlined a $100 billion transport infrastructure plan for the next decade.
Our investments will collectively support more than 50,000 direct and indirect jobs,
providing opportunities for all tiers of the construction sector, including local businesses
and higher levels of participation for Indigenous suppliers and workers.
We have identified strategic corridors under the $4.5 billion Roads of Strategic Importance initiative to provide funding to vital regional freight and tourism corridors.
And we will upgrade major highways and road networks across regional Australia by investing $1 billion in the Princes Highway and $400 million in the Newell Highway - building on other works already well- advanced such as the $10 billion Bruce Highway and $8.2 billion Pacific Highway upgrades.
With about 65 per cent of road crash deaths occuring in regional and remote areas, a focus on road safety is essential.
In the 2019-20 Budget we committed an additional $2.2 billion for a dedicated Local and State Government Road Safety Package to focus on road maintenance and upgrades of our roads,
particularly in regional areas.
In addition, the Liberal and Nationals Government is establishing a new Office of Road Safety to increase national leadership and coordination on road safety policy and initiatives.
The Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to ensuring the once-in-a-generation Inland Rail project delivers for regional Australians and enhances the national economy,
moving freight more efficiently to markets here and overseas.
It is funded and we are getting on with it.
Inland Rail is a strategic investment in Australia’s freight future, supporting the transport network required to serve freight transport, regional producers and related industries for the next century and beyond.
The 1,700 kilometre rail line will connect Melbourne and Brisbane, through regional Australia, in less than 24 hours.
But to deliver Inland Rail we must work in close consultation with regional communities and landowners.
Greenfield infrastructure developments of this scale are challenging and it is essential that uncertainty for the community is resolved as quickly as possible and that local insights are a key input to the specific route selection and detailed design.
In addition to regional road and rail initiatives, we will deliver an additional $100 million to upgrade safety and access at regional airports.
These airports are vital for our regions, ensuring access to emergency services
and providing a link to domestic and international markets
and employment opportunities.
The Regional Airports Program will ensure airport facilities meet the needs of communities and local industry now and into the future.
Backing regional businesses to access all markets
The Liberal and Nationals Government has an ambitious trade agenda - because opening new markets and improving our trade conditions means more exports, more jobs and a stronger economy.
more jobs and a stronger economy.
and a stronger economy.
New export deals agreed since 2013 (including TPP-11, China, Japan and Korea) have provided Australian farmers and businesses improved access to 1.76 billion customers and have reduced or eliminated tariffs on key Australian exports such as beef, dairy, wheat, sugar and a range of resource products.
The Liberal and Nationals Government is backing regional businesses and helping them access markets.
At the 2019-20 Federal Budget, we announced a $60 million boost to the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme.
This is the second time that our government has boosted funding to the EMDG.
Due to our stronger economy and strong budget position, by 2022 we will have delivered $180 million in additional funding for EMDG programs since 2013 and have honoured our commitment to restore the $100 million in funding the Labor Party ripped out of it.
To ensure Australian businesses are well placed to take advantage of expanding opportunities, Australia’s trade promotion agency, Austrade, has conducted 122 Free Trade Seminars since March 2015, including 78 in regional areas.
Since 2015, we’ve established Trade Start export assistance offices across Australia, in partnership with state, territory and local governments, industry associations and chambers of commerce.
We have increased the number of advisers based on the ground in communities across Australia to 34.
These advisers are providing one on one support for the growing number of Australian businesses that are now exporting.
Lower energy costs
The Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to lower power prices.
We understand rising power prices have hurt Australian families and prevented small businesses from employing more people and expanding.
The Liberal and Nationals Government is taking strong action to lower prices and we are already seeing results.
On 1 July 2019, 800,000 Australian families and small businesses will benefit from lower electricity prices by moving to default market offer electricity contract saving households up to $481 in South Australia and up to $663 in NSW and South East Queensland.
We are providing $365 million for Energy Assistance Payments of $75 for singles and $125 for couples to 4 million eligible social security payment recipients - to help with their next power bill and cost of living expenses.
The $50.4 million Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund will support up to 50 off- grid and fringe-of-grid communities and businesses to investigate whether establishing a micro grid is cost-effective and whether existing off-grid capabilities can be upgraded with modern technology.
The program will allow communities to improve their local transmission, install community-scale batteries to support existing generation (such as solar), or upgrade existing facilities such as old diesel generators.
The Liberal and Nationals Government is backing investment in new power generation - improving competition by underwriting new reliable energy.
The Government has selected a shortlist of 12 projects - six renewable pumped hydro, five gas and one coal upgrade.
Together, they represent around 4,000 megawatts of new generation (the equivalent of powering one million homes).
Importantly, the projects deliver a balance of renewable, affordable and reliable power for families and businesses and ensure we meet our 2030 targets.
This program builds on the Government’s investments in Australia’s world-class, reliable hydroelectricity with Snowy 2.0 and Battery of the Nation.
The Liberal and Nationals Government has a clear plan to reduce power prices for families and businesses.
In contrast, independent modelling confirms that by 2030 Labor’s reckless emissions policies will reduce the average full time wage by $9,000 in real terms, reduce the number of jobs by more than 330,000 and increase wholesale electricity prices by 58 per cent.
These are industries located across regional Australia.
Labor's policies will also increase the cost of family SUVs and tradies’ utes by $5,000.
Full details of current investments and election commitments for lowering energy are outlined in Our Plan for Lower Energy Costs for Small Businesses.
Water and the Environment
We need the states to work more closely with the Australian Government to better capture and store water - as well as protect our communities from devastating flood.
A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will establish the National Water Grid - a statutory authority responsible for the strategic planning and project management of water policy and water infrastructure across the nation.
The National Water Grid will:Bring together the world’s best scientists to remove the politics from the allocation, capture and storage of water - ensuring decisions are based on the best available science.
Develop a pipeline of all established and future water infrastructure projects and then identify the missing links.
Use the best science to examine how large-scale water diversion projects could be established to deliver reliable and cost-effective water to farmers and regional communities.
Full details are outlined in Our Plan for a Stronger Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry sector.
The Liberal and Nationals Government will continue to put Landcare at the centre of our environmental management through our $1 billion National Landcare Program.
We believe the best way to protect the environment is by working in partnership.
This will be complemented by our new $100 million Environment Restoration Fund.
A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will implement a comprehensive $167 million Australian Recycling Investment plan to increase Australia’s recycling rates, tackle plastic waste and litter, accelerate work on a new battery recycling scheme and continue action to halve food waste by 2030.
We will also invest $30 million in a pilot Agriculture Biodiversity Stewardship Fund to provide incentives to farmers to boost biodiversity and reduce emissions.
This will reward farmers who look after biodiversity on their farm and give them more motivation to maintain and enhance bushland, regenerate waterways and plant native trees.
Full details of current investments and election commitments for the environment are outlined in Our Plan for a Cleaner Environment.
THE CHOICE
The Liberals and Nationals want to ensure people living in regional Australia benefit from our growing economy
by having the opportunity to get secure, better paid jobs,
access high-quality health, education and communication services,
and to live in vibrant regional communities.
Regional Australians aren’t on Labor’s radar.
Labor doesn’t understand the regions, because they don’t live there.
Bill Shorten hitting regional households with billions of dollars in new and higher taxes, Labor has no plan to invest dedicated funding in regional communities.
Labor has:No plan for regional jobs - just a plan for higher taxes on family businesses and electricity.
No plan for agricultural industries and jobs - just a plan to lock up farms, strip farmers of their right to farm and deny drought affected communities access to our $3.9 billion Future Drought Fund.
No plan for resources industries and jobs - just a plan to shut down key mining operations, force mass transition sackings and prevent new mining investment.
No plan for regional health - just a track record of not funding lifesaving medicines on the
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
No plan to upgrade local roads - just a plan that will increase the cost of popular regional vehicles by up to $5,000 and attempt to make people in regional areas reliant on electric vehicles when they drive the furthest and have no charging infrastructure.
Continued to adopt Greens policies by promising to establish a new EPA.
This comes on top of their announcement they would expand damaging Queensland-style vegetation management laws across the country, hurting Australian farmers.
There are still many unanswered questions on what Labor’s new laws would entail and how they would impact the Australian economy
and jobs.
Regional Australians know that Labor will mean new and higher taxes, including:A $57 billion Retirees Tax that would directly affect 900,000 individuals, 200,000 self-managed super funds and 1,800 super funds.
$31 billion of Housing Taxes that would reduce home values, push up rents and hurt Australia’s economy.
It would also impact more than 1.3 million Australian investors who negatively gear.
$236.5billionofadditionalincometaxes.
$27 billion of higher taxes on family businesses directly affecting around 300,000 small businesses.
Labor wants small family businesses in regional Australia to be taxed at the same rate as large multinational companies - family businesses that use trusts for asset protection, estate planning and cash flow.
Regional Australia can’t risk turning back to a Labor Government.
That would cost regional Australia twice: first when the cost of doing business goes up;
and second when the nation’s economy weakens
and regional businesses can’t afford to keep employing.
Under Labor, personal and business taxes will be higher not lower.
Labor’s track record tells you there will be budget deficits instead of surpluses.
A reckless emissions reduction target instead of a responsible one.
Policy based on envy rather than aspiration.
Union muscle rather than the rule of law.
Mr Shorten will take Australia in a very different direction.
It will be an economic leap in the dark for regional Australia.
Only the Liberal and Nationals Government has a plan that backs regional Australia with better services and practical plans to ensure that regional Australia thrives.
Only the Liberal and Nationals Government is investing in regional Australia because we know the importance of its role in building Australia’s economic growth.
THE COST
There are now over 600 initiatives focused on creating jobs
and economic growth in regional Australia.
We will invest an additional $17 million in education initiatives in regional Australia.
OUR PLAN FOR POPULATION, MIGRATION AND BETTER CITIES
KEY POINTS
The Liberal and Nationals Government will tackle the impact of increasing population in congested cities and back smaller cities and regions looking for greater growth to secure their economic future.
We are working to keep our economy strong, keep Australians safe and keep Australians together.
ether. Australia is the most successful multicultural society in the world and our Government is working to ensure we remain a strong, prosperous and united society.
We will lower the cap on our migration program, build the infrastructure and deliver the services Australians need.
It’s all part of planning for more evenly distributed population growth.
But over the past two decades, infrastructure and services have not kept pace, causing congestion on our roads and public transport - especially in Melbourne, Sydney, and south-east Queensland.
In our capital cities alone, the economic cost of congestion is estimated to cost the economy about $25 billion a year.
At the same time many of our smaller cities and regions desperately need workers, with around 60.0  job vacancies in regional Australia today.
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s plan for Australia’s future population will ease the pressure on the big capitals while supporting the growth of these smaller cities and regions.
We will freeze immigration levels for the next term of government.
Last year, we brought the permanent migration intake down to its lowest level in a decade, improving the integrity of the visa system
and prioritising Australians for Australian jobs.
We will cap our permanent migration intake at 160,000 per year over the next four years.
This will mean 120,000 fewer places available for permanent migration to Australia compared with previous settings.
And we will cap the numbers of migrants coming to Australia as refugees at 18,750.
We will set a target of 60 per cent of the Offshore Component for women, up from 50 per cent in our most recent year, and increase the Women at Risk Program as a proportion of the Offshore Component from 14 per cent in 2017-18 to an allocation of 20 per cent.
Part of our population policy will include stronger incentives for new people to Australia to settle outside the big capitals in areas that will welcome their skills and expertise.
We are setting aside 23.0 places each year for regional visas, and we will work with regional communities and across all levels of government to increase the number of refugees and humanitarian entrants settled in regional Australia, in the communities that support them, from a target of 30 per cent to 40 per cent in 2019-20.
And we are providing $71 million for programs that embrace Australia’s multicultural diversity and help all communities become actively part of, and benefit from, Australia’s economic and social development.
To bust congestion and further relieve population pressure, we have increased our record infrastructure investment to $100 billion.
This includes a $4 billion Urban Congestion Fund which is dedicated to removing the pinch points and traffic snarls which frustrate hardworking Australians across the country.
As part of this Fund we are allocating $500 million to a Commuter Car Park Fund which will provide greater access to public transport options and take up to 25,000 cars off the road.
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s plan for population includes:Reducing the migration cap by 15 per cent and incentivising more new migrants to settle outside the big cities where there are jobs and services.
Planning for the future by working more closely with state and territory governments to match infrastructure with local population need.
Continuing to bust congestion with road upgrades and better public transport.
Labor’s failure to plan for the impact of record migration on our cities has meant we have been forced to play catch-up.
Only the Liberal and Nationals Government has a plan to better match migration to Australia’s needs,
ease the pressure on big cities and ensure Australia remains the best country in the world to live, work and bring up a family.
OUR RECORD
Population growth is an important economic driver
and contributes to our dynamic and diverse society.
Australia’s population has grown faster than most other advanced economies in recent years.
Over two-thirds of our population increase in the past decade has occurred in Sydney, Melbourne and south-east Queensland, driving demand for infrastructure and services such as housing.
At the same time, small businesses
, farmers,
and local councils in some regional centres are crying out for more people to support their economies
and to fill critical skills gaps to ensure their communities thrive.
The Liberal and Nationals Government has reduced the size and lifted the quality of Australia’s migration program.
The number of temporary skilled visas granted has dropped by about 50 per cent compared to when Labor was last in power, matched by the Liberal and Nationals Government’s track record of significant improvements to the integrity of our temporary and permanent skilled visa intake.
These changes include:Abolishing the 457 visa and replacing it with the new Temporary Skill Shortage visa.
457 visas exploded when Bill Shorten was Employment Minister, reaching 126,000 visa grants
under Labor in 2012-13 compared to 65,000 visa grants in 2017-18.
Occupation lists that reflect both short and medium to long term skills gaps, as well as acute shortages in regional Australia.
Stricter labour market testing - so that skilled migration is only used where an Australian worker is not available.
Stronger English language, age and work experience requirements.
Managing population change is a shared responsibility.
It involves all levels of government working across many fronts - from investment in infrastructure through to service delivery.
To ensure we get the best outcomes over the next decade and beyond the Liberal and Nationals Government is working cooperatively with Premiers and Chief Ministers across Australia, including by:
Establishing a new ‘bottom up’ approach to population planning and management by giving the states and territories greater input.
Tasking state and territory Treasurers and the Australian LocalGovernment Association to work with the Commonwealth to consider a new national framework for population planning and management.
Securing endorsement from state and territory leaders to make population a standing item at COAG.
Cities are where the majority of Australians live, work and play.
They bring families together and build thriving workplaces and community ties.
The Liberal and Nationals Government established a City Deals policy to bring the three levels of government together to help deliver the best possible outcomes for our capitals and major regional cities.
There are City Deals now up and running in seven locations:Townsville, agreed in December 2016 and includes:
$200 million (including other funding) for Stage Two of the Haughton Pipeline; o $100 million for the North Queensland Stadium; o $75 million towards the Port of Townsville Channel Capacity Upgrade; $5 million towards the preservation of the Townsville Eastern Access Rail corridor.
Launceston, agreed in April 2017 and includes: $130 million for the relocation of the University of Tasmania campus in Launceston; and o $47.5 million to improve the health of the Tamar River.
Western Sydney, agreed in March 2018 and includes: $3.5 billion for the first stage of the North-South Rail Link; o a world class Aerotropolis including Commonwealth land at North Bringelly to become Western Sydney’s advanced manufacturing, research, medical, education and commercial hub; and o $65 million towards a $150 million Western Parkland Liveability Program, to deliver community facilities and amenities that will enable new housing supply.
Darwin, agreed in November 2018 and includes: $97.3 million of this commitment will facilitate the establishment of an Education and Civic Precinct on Cavenagh Street in the CBD; o $4.8 million for the establishment of an Urban Living Lab in Darwin - $2.7 million of which will come from the Commonwealth, with CSIRO also contributing $2.1 million.
Divestment of Defence-owned land at Stokes Hill, with a commitment to redeveloping the site within the term of the City Deal, o Support for the Larrakia people as the traditional owners of Darwin, including an 8.8 per cent employment target for jobs held by Indigenous Australians.
Hobart, agreed in February this year and includes: o $461 million replacement of Bridgewater Bridge $82.3 million for border services at Hobart International Airport; and o $30 million for projects in partnership with community housing providers, delivering over 100 new dwellings.
Geelong, agreed in March this year and includes: $85.65 million towards visitor economy projects along the Great Ocean Road; o $30 million towards the construction of the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre;
$20.85 million for public realm improvements under the Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan;
$10 million for the development of a new ferry terminal at Queenscliff to improve ferry services crossing the heads of Port Phillip Bay. o $3.8 million for road upgrades to the Geelong Future Economy Precinct at Deakin University; and
$3.5 million for the completion of the Geelong Waterfront Safe Harbour project.
Adelaide, agreed in March this year and includes: Locating the Australian Space Agency, Mission Control and Space Discovery Centre at Lot Fourteen;
$85 million for a new Aboriginal Arts and Cultures Gallery;
$30 million towards building the International Centre for Food, Hospitality and Tourism at Lot Fourteen;
$20millionfor an Innovation Hub at Lot Fourteen to enable joint research between government, business and universities;
$10millionin smart infrastructure to support innovative technology-based solutions to urban challenges; and
$3millionforan Indigenous Business Sector Strategy to grow Indigenous jobs and businesses.
The Liberal and Nationals Government is working to keep our economy strong,
keep Australians safe and keep Australians together.
Australia is the most successful multicultural society in the world
and our Government is working to ensure we remain a strong, prosperous and united society.
Our plan for Australia will:Create 1.25 million more jobs over the next five years;
Maintain budget surpluses and pay down debt;
Deliver tax relief for families and small businesses;
Keep Australians safe
and our borders secure; and
Guarantee increased funding for schools, hospitals, medicines and roads that you and your family rely on, already at record levels.
All without increasing taxes.
We know we need to work together with all levels of government to ensure that our cities remain the envy of the world for their liveability,
and we need to help grow our regions and rural areas to provide career and lifestyle opportunities for more Australians.
Managing growth in our cities
Reduce the size of the migration program
Over the past 20 years, at least half of Sydney and Melbourne’s population growth has come from migration.
This concentrated growth has led to rising urban congestion and reduced liveability.
We are reducing the annual migration ceiling from 190,000 to 160,000 places.
Over the next four years, this will mean 120,000 fewer places available for permanent migration to Australia.
And we will cap the numbers of migrants coming to Australia as refugees at 18,750.
We will set a target of 60 per cent of the Offshore Component for women, up from 50 per cent in our most recent year, and increase the Women at Risk Program as a proportion of the Offshore Component from 14 per cent in 2017-18 to an allocation of 20 per cent.
We are also setting aside 23,000 places each year for regional visas.
People who obtain these visas must settle outside of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane/Gold Coast and Perth.
We will work with regional communities and across all levels of government to increase the number of refugees and humanitarian entrants settled in regional Australia, in the communities that support them, from a target of 30 per cent to 40 per cent in 2019-20.
Better distribution will reduce pressure on our major cities, creating the breathing room for improved planning and better infrastructure to manage long-term population growth.
We also need to ensure Australian businesses can access the skills they need to grow and create more jobs,
particularly in the regions that want them,
and also in areas of skills shortage.
The Government will seek to increase the proportion of migrants who are sponsored by an Australian business.
We will also offer states and territories a greater say on migration by increasing the number of state-territory nominated places.
Encourage a greater number of migrants to settle outside Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and south-east Queensland.
Regional Australia has skill shortages and positions that cannot be filled locally, with the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities calculating close to 60,000 job vacancies outside capital cities.
For many regional industries, their ongoing operation will depend on finding the workers they need.
We need migration that contributes to regional communities, meets local skill shortages and invests in local economies and communities.
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s regional provisional visas are designed to support these efforts by encouraging more migrants to settle and remain in the regions: 23,000 places will be set aside for the new visas.
Migrants will be required to live and work in regional Australia for three years before becoming eligible to apply for permanent residency.
The changes mean migrants will stay in regional Australia for longer,
building ties through workplace and community involvement - and easing pressure on our congested cities.
Designated Area Migration Agreements
Our Government has agreed new Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) for the Northern Territory, the Great South Coast Region of Victoria, the ORANA region of Western New South Wales, South Australia (1x regional and 1x Adelaide) and Kalgoorlie-Boulder in the Western Australian Goldfields.
These five-year arrangements allow employers in designated regions to sponsor skilled workers (via the Temporary Skill Shortage visa and Employer Nomination Scheme visa programs) for occupations not available under the standard visas.
For example, the Victorian Great South Coast Region agreement will assist key agriculture and hospitality businesses to fill critical employment gaps by providing access to a broader range of overseas workers.
Regional provisional visas
Under two new regional visa categories, skilled migrants will be priority processed and afforded access to a larger pool of jobs on the eligible occupation lists compared to those who live in our major cities.
Extra points will be awarded for migrants living and working in regional Australia, and states and territories can request access to an increased allocation of dedicated regional migration places.
We will also simplify and broaden the definition of regional Australia for all skilled migration visas. Regional Australia will encompass all of Australia outside of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane/Gold Coast and Perth, relieving pressure on the big capitals and making skilled workers available to fill critical regional skills gaps.
Skilled migrants will have the opportunity to become established in regional communities and contribute to local economies.
Visa recipients will need to live and work in regional Australia for three years before becoming eligible to apply for permanent residence.
Changes to working holiday maker program
Farmers in regional and rural areas will now receive more support to resolve labour shortages with changes to the working holiday maker program.
The Liberal and Nationals Government:Introduced a third year visa option for all Working Holiday Makers who fromJuly 2019 carry out six months of specified work in regional areas.
Increased the period in which all Working Holiday Makers can stay with the same agricultural (plant and animal cultivation) employer, from six to 12 months.
Expanded the regional areas where subclass 462 visa holders can work in agriculture (plant and animal cultivation) to qualify for a second year of stay.
Previously only those 462 visa holders who worked in Northern Australia were eligible.
Lifted the caps in 2018-19 on Work and Holiday visas from Chile, Israel, Peru, and Spain with further negotiations underway.
Increased the eligible age from 30 to 35 years for Working Holiday visa applicants, starting with Canada and Ireland from November 2018.
Began a new Work and Holiday arrangement with Greece in March 2019.
These working holiday makers are critical to filling short-term workforce shortages in regional areas and they also inject more than $3 billion into our economy each year.
Growing sustainable and diverse education in Regional Australia
We are providing 4,720 scholarships, for domestic and international students, of up to $15,000 each per year to study at a regional campus of a university or vocational education training provider.
We are also giving international students studying at regional universities access to an additional year in Australia on a post-study graduate visa.
A strong and prosperous Australia
Attracting the best migrants
Australia’s economic strength is supported by a successful migration program that brings skilled people of working age.
These migrants help offset the effects of an ageing population and address skills shortages in the economy.
The Government will focus on attracting the most highly-skilled migrants while ensuring states and territories and employers can continue to meet their changing needs.
The composition of the program will be maintained at about 70 per cent in the Skill stream and 30 per cent in the Family stream, striking an appropriate balance that maximises the benefits of immigration for all Australians.
Our visa changes enhance the Government’s focus on skilled migration, with the number of Employer Sponsored skilled visas increasing from 35,528 grants in 2017-18 to 39,000 places in 2019-20.
More places will be available in the StateTTerritory Nominated category, increasing from 28,974 grants in 2017-18 to 38,968 places in 2019-20, providing states and territories a greater say in migration.
The Government will also launch in early 2019 a new Global Talent - Independent program aimed at attracting the very best talent from around the world, with 5,000 places allocated in the 2019¬20 Migration Program.
There is no change to the Family stream of the program, with 47,732 places available in 2019¬20.
We’re ensuring that Australia’s migration program is equipped for an increasingly globalised economy.
New national population and planning framework
Working with the states and territories to develop collaboration, transparency and certainty for Australia’s population growth
Planning for and managing population growth is a shared responsibility.
This is why we are joining with the states, territories and the Australian Local Government Association to better plan for population changes.
Already, this is bringing benefits, with all levels of government working together on practical ways to increase collaboration and form a united approach to population issues.
Establishing new Centre for Population
To ensure there is a central, consistent and expert perspective on population growth in Australia, the Liberal and Nationals Government will establish a Centre for Population.
The Centre will be the focal point for national expertise on population issues.
It will pursue opportunities to improve data and research and coordinate population planning across commonwealth, state, territory and local governments.
Bringing Australians together
The Liberal and Nationals Government is delivering a $71 million package aimed at bringing Australians together.
This package invests in programs that embrace Australia’s multicultural diversity and help all communities become actively part of, and benefit from, Australia’s economic and social development.
It includes:$20.4 million to expand and enhance the National Community Hubs Program helping migrants with school-aged children connect with their community.
The expanded program will focus on encouraging community participation and pathways to employment.
$2.2 million for a National Youth Hubs Program, using the successful approach from the National Community Hubs Program to support migrant and refugee women and young people aged 13-21.
$7.3 million in additional funding for the Fostering Integration Grants Program, including a new $3 million grant round to support migrants integrating into Australian social, economic and civic life. The grant round will open shortly.
$19.6 million for Implementing Sport 2030 - a range of initiatives to support Australian sport and the role it plays in promoting social inclusion.
$10 million for the Community Languages Multicultural Grants Program to help young Australians learn another language and connect people to new cultures.
$9.5m as part of the Strong and Resilient Grant Program to community organisations with a record of delivering successful grassroots programs to enhance integration, mutual understanding and respect for diversity.
$1,8m for digital initiatives through the Enhanced Community Engagement Program to help young people counter online hate.
$0.6m to evaluate Australia’s existing social cohesion measures, to help determine successful policies and programs for the future.
Busting congestion in our cities and connecting the regions
Urban Congestion Fund increased to $4 billion to bust congestion
Congestion comes at a significant price if you live in our cities: limiting access to jobs, services, ports and markets.
In our capital cities, the economic cost of congestion is about $25 billion a year.
In the 2019-20 Budget, the Liberal and Nationals Government boosted its record infrastructure investment from $75 billion to $100 billion to bust congestion and ensure our towns and communities are better connected.
We also quadrupled our Urban Congestion Fund from $1 billion to $4 billion, with projects targeting congestion in some of our worst-affected urban areas.
Works include road upgrades, technological solutions which improve access to employment and transport hubs and tackling bottlenecks on bridges.
The Fund now includes a $500 million Commuter Car Park Fund - to invest in commuter car park upgrades that encourage greater use of public transport.
Public transport itself can also suffer from congestion.
Many Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane rail services have been at capacity during morning peaks since 2011.
We are working with state, territory and local governments to build and upgrade transport connectivity in key locations.
Fast Rail to regional centres
The Liberal and Nationals Government will deliver $2 billion to bring fast rail to life between Geelong and Melbourne, halving the travelling time of the 80km journey to 32 minutes.
This congestion-busting rail service will travel at an average speed of 160 km/h, unprecedented in Australia.
It will also be the first of many fast rail projects that our Government will embark on to better link the big capitals with regional centres.
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s fast rail plan also invests $40 million for detailed assessments of five additional corridors, complementing the three we have already begun and which are due for completion in mid-2019.
The business cases include:Brisbane to Sunshine Coast (underway). Brisbane to Gold Coast (new funding). //Melbourne to Greater Shepparton (underway). //Melbourne to Albury-Wodonga (new funding). //Melbourne to Traralgon (new funding). //Sydney to Newcastle (underway). //Sydney to Wollongong (new funding). //Sydney to Wollongong (new funding).
Our business cases will coincide with investments being made in Victoria and New South Wales:Melbourne to Ballarat (under investigation by Victorian Government).
Sydney to Canberra (under investigationby New South Wales Government).
We are also progressing a separate business caseforBrisbaneto Toowoomba passenger rail alongside our work to deliver Inland Rail between Melbourne and Brisbane.
To progress fast rail, a National Faster Rail Agency will be established to guide the work, determine priorities, work with state governments, communities and the private sector and provide innovative finance solutions.
As our population grows, fast rail networks are crucial to easing the congestion pressures in our cities and shaping Australia’s future.
City Deals
Since 2016, the Liberal and Nationals Government has taken a proactive approach to developing our cities and regions, including through City Deals.
City Deals are negotiated across the three tiers of government to leverage each city’s unique strengths and respond to specific needs.
They are developed by working with local and state or territory governments and other stakeholders.
Solutions are sought for issues that may be inhibiting a city from reaching its full potential. Commitments are centred on:
Jobs and Skills.
Infrastructure and Investment.
Liveability and Sustainability.
Innovation and Digital Opportunities.
Governance, Planning and Regulation.
Housing (supply and affordability).
Through its pioneering City Deals and broader cities policy, the Liberal and Nationals Government is building stronger, better and more liveable cities.
Regional Deals
The Liberal and Nationals Government has prioritised adopting the City Deal framework for our regions.
‘Regional Deals’ have been established for three locations so far:Barkly (covering Tennant Creek and the surrounding region in the Northern Territory).
Hinkler (focusing on Bundaberg and Hervey Bay in Queensland).
Albury Wodonga on the New South Wales-Victoria border.
Regional Deals are tailored to each region’s comparative advantages, assets and challenges and reflect the unique needs of regional Australia.
They support ‘a place-based approach’ by putting community-identified priorities at the centre.
Roads of Strategic Importance
Our Government has established the Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) initiative to deliver the upgrades that our key freight and supply corridors across the nation require.
These upgrades will improve access for businesses and communities to essential services, markets and job opportunities.
We have already allocated funding for corridors and will work with the states and territories on initial priorities.
Corridors being funded under ROSI include:Northern AustraliaCooktown to WeipaCairns to Northern Territory BorderTownsville to RomaMount Isa to RockhamptonTennant Creek to TownsvilleAdelaide River to WadeyeAlice Springs to DarwinAlice Springs to Hall CreekNewman to KatherineKarratha to Tom PriceSouthern AustraliaSouthern AustraliaToowoomba to IpswichToowoomba to SeymourTenterfield to NewcastleBarton HighwayEchuca to RobinvaleMelbourne to MilduraBallarat to OuyenStawell to the South Australian BorderGreen TriangleRenmark to GawlerCockburn to BurraPort Augusta to PerthWheatbelt Secondary Freight NetworkGreat Northern Highway (Bindoon Bypass)Bass HighwayMurchison Highway Hobart to Sorrell
THE CHOICE
Our controlled approach to managing population growth stands in stark contrast to Labor’s track record.
Last time Labor was in office, they opened our borders to criminal people smugglers, resulting in 50.0 people arriving on more than 800 boats.
Six years and more than $16 billion later, we are still dealing with Labor’s mismanagement of our borders.
At the same time, Bill Shorten as Employment Minister presided over a record growth in 457 visa numbers and did little to protect Australian workers from being displaced by temporary visa holders.
Bill Shorten also approved deals with fast food outlets to bring in hundreds of foreign workers to flip burgers.
In 2013, Labor's then Immigration Minister, Brendan O’Connor, reluctantly admitted that over 10.000 visa holders rorted Labor’s 457 visa program.
And Kevin Rudd turbo-charged population growth as he chased his ‘Big Australia’ dream - a dream which had no plan for coping with rapid growth rates in our major cities.
Labor's mismanagement has been felt by Australians experiencing negative consequences of population growth that has outpaced infrastructure.
Labor still do not have a plan for Australia’s population growth.
Labor do not have an infrastructure plan and they are promising to significantly increase other areas of our visa program.
Labor will increase the Humanitarian Program by 13,000 refugees per year, or 52,000 over four years, at a cost of $6.2 billion dollars.
Labor will introduce an uncapped 10 year parent visa, meaning an unlimited number of people will be able to come to Australia under Labor’s policy.
The Coalition has fixed Labor’s border protection and 457 mess.
We have a proven track-record of strong border security policies and an orderly and managed immigration program.
Only the Liberal and Nationals Government has a plan for Australia’s future population.
You can’t trust Bill Shorten to manage Australia’s population growth because it requires strong control of border security and immigration.
THE COST
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s plan for Population, Migration and Better Cities will not place additional costs on the Budget.
OUR PLAN TO SUPPORT FIRST HOME BUYERS
KEY POINTS
The Liberal and Nationals Government believes that all Australians should be able to aspire to own their own home.
For most individuals and families, their home is the largest and most important asset they will own.
We understand that home owners work hard, and make sacrifices, in order to pay their mortgage.
And we understand that Mum and Dad investors have worked hard and made sacrifices to build their nest egg, which also provides more rental accommodation options for Australians.
Australians are buying a house later in life and first home buyers are having to save a bigger deposit than their parents did.
When you work hard, save and invest for the future, the Liberal and Nationals Government believes you should be supported.
We want to support Australians to realise their aspirations for home ownership, and protect the value of their home.
That’s why the Liberal and Nationals Government is backing first home buyers, home owners and Mum and Dad property investors.
We will support Australians in buying their first home.
We will support Australians’ choices on home ownership and investment.
We will ensure that home owners and Mum and Dad property investors’ assets are protected.
We will, by keeping our economy strong, continue to achieve record jobs growth that will enable more Australians to save for a home and pay their mortgage.
We will support more investment in the housing market to provide more affordable options for renters.
We will not undermine the value of Australians' homes or investment properties.
We will not hit Australian residents with new taxes on housing.
Guaranteed.
We will not put our economy and jobs at risk by introducing policies that weaken the housing market.
Home ownership helps with the cost of living, including in retirement.
While housing prices have been coming down in some cities, we understand it is still a challenge for people who want to buy their first home.
Our policies respect your circumstances, whether you are a first home buyer, a home owner or a Mum and Dad investor.
On the other hand, Labor wants to crash the housing market with their reckless taxes.
If elected, Labor will pit one Australian against another.
Their devastating housing tax is a $32 billion tax grab that will hit all Australians.
If you own your own home it will be worth less and if you rent you will pay more.
Experts have estimated that Labor’s housing tax would result in house prices falling by as much as 16 per cent and rents going up as much as 22 per cent.
With the housing market already moderating now is the worst possible time to introduce a new tax on housing.
Research by the Master Builders Association shows it would be an $11.8 billion hit to our economy and lead to 32,000 fewer full time jobs.
Labor’s housing tax would end negative gearing as we know it and increase the capital gains tax rate by 50 per cent, making it one of the highest rates in the world.
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s plan for a strong economy
and record job growth will protect the value of Australians' homes and help first home buyers get into the market.
OUR PLAN
Our policies are already delivering for home owners.
By creating the right incentives we have helped thousands of first home buyers enter the market.
In the past year, the share of first home buyers has risen back up to above average levels, with more than 110,000 Australians buying their first home in 2018 - the highest level since 2009.
We are backing current and future home owners, renters and Mum and Dad investors by:Guaranteeing no new taxes on housing for Australian residents.
Implementing our plan to increase housing supply across Australia.
Establishing the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) with a dedicated team looking at ways to improve housing affordability.
Investing $1 billion in local infrastructure to unlock new housing supply in partnership with local councils through the National Housing Infrastructure Facility.
Setting up the first affordable housing bond aggregator to drive efficiencies and cost savings in the provision of affordable housing by community housing providers.
Releasing suitable Commonwealth land, including defence land, for housing development.
Making it easier to get from home to school and work and back with our $100 billion investment in congestion-busting transport infrastructure putting more affordable housing options within reach for first home buyers.
Allowing first home buyers to save a deposit through our First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS), which commenced on 1 July 2017.
Reducing barriers for older Australians to downsize to free up larger homes for families, which commenced on 1 July 2018.
Stopping foreign investors from getting a free ride on the Australian housing market, and making sure they are paying the tax they owe.
Investing over $7 billion in housing funding and homelessness services, with the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (NHHA) commencing on 1 July 2018 in partnership with the States and Territories.
Providing over $4.5 billion in Commonwealth rent assistance each year.
Providing low deposit financing
If re-elected, the Liberal and Nationals Government will establish the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme.
This will help first home buyers purchase a home faster by allowing them to access a loan offered under the Scheme by a participating financial institution.
The Scheme will be able to support up to 10,000 first home buyer loans each year.
Complementing the FHSSS, the Scheme will give first home buyers better access to finance without having to save a 20% deposit.
The Scheme will be available to eligible first home buyers who have been able to save for a deposit of at least 5% up to 20%.
This will mean that eligible first home owners will be able to purchase their own home years earlier than they would normally be able to do.
Also, they would not be required to purchase lenders mortgage insurance saving them approximately $10,000.
The lender would still undertake the full normal credit check process on the borrower (meeting all their legal obligations) to ensure that the borrower is in a position to be able to afford the repayments.
If the borrower refinances or the loan comes to an end the Commonwealth support will terminate.
The Scheme will support low and middle income earners across Australia.
Support would only be available to first home buyers below a certain capped income level which is $125,000, or $200,000 combined income for a couple who are both first home buyers.
The income test would be based on the previous year’s taxable income to provide certainty.
Support will also be targeted to entry properties, with a maximum loan size determined on a regional basis, reflecting the different property markets across Australia.
The first home buyer will be able to use the Scheme in conjunction with the FHSSS and State or Territory first home buyer grants and duty concessions.
The Scheme will commence on 1 January 2020 and will be operated by NHFIC.
Support for borrowers could include guaranteeing approved applicants the additional loan amount taken out by the first home buyer to cover the difference between the amount of the first home buyer's deposit and 20 per cent of the value of the property.
This Liberal and Nationals Government initiative will be a game changer for first home buyers with the potential to substantially reduce the average waiting time to save the relevant deposit to purchase a home by at least half, with independent research finding it can take nine to ten years for an average household.
New research capability on Australian residential housing
The Liberal and Nationals Government will also fund the NHFIC to conduct comprehensive research on housing demand, supply and affordability in Australia.
NHFIC will receive an additional $25 million over the next 4 years to establish the Scheme and conduct research.
By providing NHFIC with these additional responsibilities it will ensure it has the capacity to both support affordable ownership and boost the supply of residential housing, which can be developed to ensure that housing affordability is improved for all Australians.
Stopping Labor’s unfair housing taxes
Labor’s housing tax would end negative gearing as we know it and increase the capital gains tax rate by 50 per cent making it one of the highest rates in the world.
If you own your home it will be worth less and if you rent you will pay more.
2.2. million Australians own an investment property and 1.3 million of those negatively gear.
There are more teachers, nurses and police negatively gearing than doctors, surgeons and financiers.
Most property investors (72 per cent) have only one rental property.
Labor also wants to abolish the First Home Super Saver Scheme and has no viable alternative to help first home buyers to buy their own home faster.
THE CHOICE
There is a lot at stake at this election.
And there is a clear choice.
A choice between the Liberal and Nationals Government that is delivering a strong economy or the Shorten Labor Party that would weaken our economy.
A choice between the Liberal and Nationals Government that is fixing the Budget or the Shorten Labor Party that can’t manage money.
A choice between the Liberal and Nationals Government that supports first home buyers, existing home owners and Mum and Dad investors and the Shorten Labor Party that chooses to pit young Australians against middle aged and older Australians.
A Shorten Labor Government would be the highest taxing government in the nation’s history. When Labor runs out of money they come after yours.
When you take responsibility, save and build for your future, Labor comes after your money. Labor’s housing tax would hurt all Australians.
By contrast, the Liberal and Nationals Government has a proven track record of securing and respecting the choices Australians make about their homes, their family budgets and their future. We will protect your home and its value and also support first home buyers.
We will continue to support first home buyers by providing mechanisms to allow them to own their first home earlier.
“Economically disastrous to do anything on negative gearing ... It’s not assisted by pulling further investment and new housing out of the market.” - Wayne Swan, then Labor Treasurer, Interview on ABC Melbourne, 3 May 2010
“I am concerned that it would do so much damage - unemployment, higher interest rates it could tip us into recession.” - John Symond, Founder of Aussie Home Loans, 19 November 2018
LIBERALS AND NATIONALSHelp first home buyers purchase their first home quicker.
Protect the value of homes with no new property taxes on Australian residents.
Ensure Mum and Dad investors are protected.
Supporting all Australians to get ahead whether you are a first home buyer, a home owner or a Mum and Dad investor.
LABORWants to shut down the First Home Super Saver Scheme.
Crash the housing market through a reckless property tax.
Punish Mum and Dad investors for wanting to invest in the property market.
Wanting to push some Australians down to bring others up.
THE COST
The Liberal and Nationals Government will contribute up to $500 million to NHFIC in the form of equity to allow it to establish and operate the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme.
It will also contribute $25 million to NHFIC over 4 years to establish and maintain the expertise required for its expanded role.
OUR PLAN FOR A SAFER AUSTRALIA AND A MORE PROSPEROUS REGION
KEY POINTS
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s international agenda is built on its strong domestic foundations - keeping our economy strong,
keeping Australians safe, and keeping Australians together.
The values that guide our foreign policy and our national interests are a belief in liberal democracy, the rule of law, separation of powers, and equality, where every citizen has choice and opportunity to follow their own paths.
We believe that the path to peace and liberty demands the pursuit of prosperity through private capital, rights to own property, entrepreneurialism, and free and open markets.
We believe in standing with nations that believe the same things as we do.
But we also believe in being good neighbours and respecting others’ sovereignty, regardless of whether there are differences in how we see the world and run our respective societies.
That agenda is reflected in the key themes of the Government’s 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper - the first comprehensive strategy for Australia’s international engagement in 14 years.
The White Paper sets out a strong agenda to:Strengthen our alliances and strategic partnerships, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, to foster a stable region.
Keep Australians safe from threats such as terrorism, cyber threats and health pandemics.
Deliver sustainable and targeted overseas development assistance.
Promote a robust international rules-based order to support global peace and prosperity.
OUR RECORD
Reflecting our commitment to our neighbourhood the Liberal and Nationals Government has taken Australia’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific to a new levelCommitting to a record number of 126 overseas diplomatic missions with a focus on additional posts in our region, including a commitment to diplomatic representation in every Pacific Island Forum member country.
Establishing an Office of the Pacific to enhance our relationships with Pacific governments and regional organisations as part of our flagship Pacific Step Up initiatives coupled with record levels of assistance to the region.
Elevating our relationship with over half of ASEAN member nations to Strategic Partnership or Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and hosting the first ever Australia-ASEAN Special .Summit.
Establishing the successful New Colombo Plan which, since 2014, has resulted In 50,000 scholarships and mobility grants to Australian undergraduates to work, study and learn languages across the Indo-Pacific.
Initiating and Implementing the India Economic Strategy which will transform our economic partnership with India and bring India into the top tier of our economic partners.
Creating the innovative National Foundation for Australla-China Relations to promote further our wide-ranging relationship with China.
Delivering sustainable, responsible and effective overseas development assistance.
We are also focussed on keeping Australians safe at home and abroad by:Strengthening health security in the region through an investment of $300 million towards the avoidance and containment of infectious disease threats.
Boosting our ground-breaking International Cyber Engagement to bring Australia’s total Investment In cyber cooperation to $48.3 million by 2022 placing us at the front of global efforts on cyber resilience.
Implementing robust sanctions regimes, Including in response to destabilising activities in Iran and North Korea.
Defending the international rules-based order, including by dedicating $50.3 million to support prosecutions of individuals responsible for the downing of MH17 in which 38 Australians lost their lives.
Contributing to the 79 member Global Coalition to Counter Daesh, seeing its territorial defeat In March 2019.
And growing our economy by:Securing the Trans-Paclflc Partnership (TPP) and landmark agreements with China, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia among others, so that we now have Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with seven of our top eight export markets and these agreements cover over 70 per cent of trade.
Supporting the growth of ASEAN economies which are now collectively our second biggest trading partner.
Expanding labour mobility with the new uncapped Pacific Labour Scheme.
OUR PLAN
Strengthening our alliances and strategic partnerships
In the face of changing geo-strategic dynamics, only the Liberal and Nationals Government can continue to drive our key bilateral strategic partnerships.
Only the Liberal and Nationals Government can be trusted to strengthen Australia’s alliance and enduring friendship with our closest ally, largest international partner and greatest source of foreign investment, the United States.
The Liberals and Nationals signed the ANZUS Treaty, formalising Australia’s alliance with the US.
We understand that the alliance which is based on our mutual interests and shared values is at the cornerstone of Australia’s national security and economic growth.
We will continue to guarantee the breadth, vitality and longevity of this deep bilateral relationship and promote greater economic opportunities for Australians and Australian businesses.
We have strengthened our dynamic partnership with the United Kingdom through close cooperation on international security issues and mutual support defending the international rules- based order: including our united stand holding Russia to account for the chemical weapon attack in Salisbury.
The Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to protecting Australian businesses during the Brexit process, as well as tightening our strategic and economic bilateral ties through a new free trade agreement when the UK is ready to do so.
At the same time, we’ve begun negotiations on an EU-Australia FTA.
We will ensure Australia has strong partnerships with European Union countries, including France.
The Liberal and Nationals Government has elevated our joint commitment to addressing common threats with France through the Australia-France initiative (AFiniti), which builds on the 2017 Joint Statement of Enhanced Strategic Partnership.
Stepping up Australia’s engagement in the Pacific Stepping up in the Pacific is at the forefront of the Liberal and Nationals Government’s foreign policy.
The Government’s leadership on regional engagement has resulted in the closest relationship ever with our Pacific family.
Our Pacific Step Up strengthens Australia’s security and our economic and people-to-people links.
The Government is investing a record $1.4 billion in Pacific development assistance, reflecting our strong commitment to a Pacific region that is secure strategically, stable economically and sovereign politically.
We are committed to implementing the 2018 Pacific Islands Forum’s Boe Declaration on Regional Security which sets out the strategic challenges for the region, from cybersecurity and transnational crime to climate change.
Our key commitments in the region include:A new Office of the Pacific to support a suite of initiatives strengthening economic, security, community, church, education and sporting ties.
Increased funding for gender equality and prevention of domestic violence, including a 10- year roadmap.
Deepening collaboration between Australian and Pacific churches through the Church Partnerships Program thereby enhancing people-to-people links, humanitarian responses and gender equality.
The Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) which will invest $2 billion to support vital infrastructure development in the region.
The Trilateral Partnership for Infrastructure and Investment, with the US and Japan, to mobilise private investment and deliver sustainable Pacific infrastructure.
The Papua New Guinea Electrification Partnership in which we will join PNG, Japan, New Zealand and the United States to provide electricity access for 70 per cent of Papua New Guinea by 2030.
A new Pacific-Australia Card (PAC) from mid-2019 to streamline access and travel to Australia for visiting Pacific island leaders.
Deeper educational links through new scholarships for Pacific students to study in Australian secondary schools and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training sector, an expanded school partnerships program to build teacher-to-teacher links with the Pacific and an $84 million, six-year investment in a new Australia-University of the South Pacific partnership to support the Pacific’s tertiary education needs.
The new Australia-Pacific Sports Linkages Program in Fiji, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu to boost leadership, gender equality and health and improve the lives of people with disability.
The provision of 1,000 hours of new Australian television content each year for three years to Pacific broadcasters in partnership with FreeTV.
Implementation of the comprehensive 2019 Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership, paving the way for closer security and economic links.
A renewed Strategic Partnership with Papua New Guinea.
A partnership with Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands to install a high-speed undersea internet cable and take advantage of new digital opportunities.
The Liberal and Nationals Government will work more closely than ever with our Pacific family to address regional concerns, including climate change.
We are on track to meet our commitment to provide $1 billion in climate finance by 2020, including $300 million to help our Pacific neighbours develop greater resilience.
Building our economies together - labour mobility
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s Seasonal Worker Programme and new Pacific Labour
Scheme is a genuine win-win partnership for Australia and the Pacific, strengthening our economies and supporting Australian farmers and Pacific workers.
We will roll out the existing uncapped Scheme across the Pacific, building on the success of the Seasonal Worker Programme that has matched Australian farmers with 33,000 Pacific workers.
The labour mobility schemes have so far provided an extra $144 million in life-changing income for families and villages in the Pacific and Timor-Leste.
Our deepening partnerships in Asia
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s increased focus on Australia’s engagement with Asia is critical to promoting the region’s stability and prosperity.
We will continue to build our relationship with China - our largest two-way trading partner - including advancing our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
We are committed to a constructive relationship with China founded on mutual benefit.
There will be issues on which we do not agree but we will continue to manage these on the basis of mutual respect.
Acknowledging the multi-faceted nature of the relationship, the Liberals and Nationals has announced a new and innovative National Foundation for Australia-China Relations.
This high- profile platform will harness the private sector, peak bodies, NGOs, state and federal agencies and the Chinese-Australian community in engaging China.
Australia will continue to deepen our partnership with Indonesia, addressing common challenges together.
In addition, since 2013 we have elevated our relationship with half of the 10 ASEAN nations to Strategic Partnership or Comprehensive Strategic Partnership status.
We’ve also hosted the inaugural Australia-ASEAN Special Summit, underscoring our bilateral ties and reinvigorating our economic and security cooperation.
Through our development assistance, the Liberal and Nationals Government has supported Southeast Asian nations to unlock their economic potential: sharing our technical expertise to enhance productivity, promote reform and reduce poverty.
As a result of this leadership, Australia’s trade with ASEAN countries is now greater than that with our second-largest trading partner, Japan.
We will ensure our engagement with ASEAN focuses on critical issues for the region, including infrastructure.
As our Southeast Asian neighbours transition from developing to middle-income economies, the Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $121 million to support them to manage infrastructure development and develop economic resilience.
We are also contributing $30 million to support ASEAN member states to harness the opportunities and address the challenges of rapid urbanisation, and $30 million to assist countries in the Mekong with water resource management.
Acknowledging that maritime disputes are a growing source of potential instability in a more contested Indo-Pacific, we will invest $40 million to support nations in the region to improve awareness of maritime territory, increase maritime safety and build capacity in international sea law.
We will strengthen the focus on maritime issues within the region’s premier security forum, the East Asia Summit.
And we will promote adherence to international norms, especially the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Our special strategic partnership with Japan and our growing relationship with the Republic of Korea will also continue to be a priority, including through our 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministers’ meetings.
We have also elevated the relationship with India through our India Economic Strategy, which will transform the economic partnership over the next two decades, appointing Ministerial champions for education, agribusiness, resources and tourism to ensure Australia can support India’s growth and leverage the opportunities.
Investing in the next generation - the New Colombo Plan
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s flagship initiative for tertiary education, the New Colombo Plan (NCP), enables young Australians to study and undertake internships in the Indo- Pacific. More than 50,000 scholarships and mobility grants have been awarded since 2014.
We’ve ensured the program’s ongoing success through strengthened private sector partnerships, providing work experience for students and developing a new generation of Australian leaders with cross-cultural skills for the modern workforce.
Greater security for our growing region
Regional security and associated cooperation fosters resilience, stability and economic prosperity.
The Liberal and Nationals Government will continue to place particular emphasis on cooperation in relation to the challenge of transnational organised crime.
Close to home we are working with our Pacific neighbours to better share information, aggregate and analyse security intelligence and improve our responses to address transnational crime, cyber threats and other regional security challenges.
New initiatives such as the Pacific Fusion Centre and the Australia-Pacific Security College will be critical tools in this endeavour.
We are supporting Papua New Guinea’s development of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force’s Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island.
The base will increase defence force cooperation with Australia and our joint ability to tackle transnational organised crime such as drug trafficking, people smuggling and child exploitation.
The Liberal and Nationals Government has also positioned Australia as a regional leader in addressing human trafficking and modern slavery.
We are investing $80 million in the ASEAN- Australia Human Trafficking program to strengthen criminal justice responses and protect the rights of victims.
We will continue to support ASEAN in our mutual aim to eliminate human trafficking.
We have also established the Bali Process, co-chairing with Indonesia a forum that brings together 45 regional countries to develop practical solutions against people smuggling and human trafficking.
The Bali Process has developed regional police capacity to disrupt human trafficking, strengthened cooperation between law and justice officials and improved national legislation to better support victims.
Supporting a more robust international rules-based order
Australia will be safer and more prosperous with global differences managed by agreed rules rather than by the exercise of power alone.
The Liberal and Nationals Government will support an Indo-Pacific region in which the rights of all states are respected and adherence to rules delivers lasting peace.
Internationally, we are committed to promoting and protecting the rules and institutions that support stability and prosperity and enable collective action to meet global challenges.
The Liberal and Nationals Government will ensure Australia engages constructively in the reform of international institutions.
We will continue our efforts to reform the United Nations to make it more accountable, transparent and efficient.
We have an abiding interest in keeping markets open and support an open global economy to create more jobs and economic opportunities for Australians.
We will continue to take a stand against protectionism and advance trade liberalisation bilaterally and through the World Trade Organization (WTO).
We need to ensure the rules-based trading system remains fit-for-purpose and we will support efforts to improve and strengthen the WTO, recognising some of the legitimate frustrations of the US and others.
We will pursue a pragmatic trade agenda underpinned by trade liberalisation.
The Liberal and Nationals Government will continue to support Australia’s role as a member of the G20, the premier international forum for global economic cooperation.
The G20 plays a central role in bolstering institutions and policies that contribute to global prosperity and the integrity of international financial and tax systems.
Under the Liberal and Nationals Government Australia successfully chaired the G20 in 2014, culminating in the Leaders’ Summit in Brisbane.
Our Government will continue to uphold international law, support international accountability  mechanisms and use our development assistance to help our partners comply with international rules.
We will continue to call out behaviour that is inconsistent with our values, including the biased targeting of Israel in the United Nations General Assembly and other UN forums.
The Liberal and Nationals Government initiated and secured our successful candidacy for the 2018-20 term of the UN Human Rights Council, where Australia is taking a strong leadership role on the protection and promotion of global human rights.
We will continue to champion the indivisibility, universality and inalienability of human rights - principles underpinned by our fundamental commitment to democracy, the rule of law, individual freedom and the dignity of the individual.
Australia’s priorities include pursuing the global abolition of the death penalty, ending discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and the protection of the rights of LGBTI people, ensuring freedom of religion and belief, advancing Indigenous peoples' rights globally, championing the rights of people with disability, promoting gender equality, and supporting the role of civil society, and national human rights institutions.
Holding Russia to account - MH17
The Liberal and Nationals Government leveraged our membership of the UN Security Council in 2013-14 to strengthen its role in the maintenance of international peace and security.
In July 2014, Australia led the Security Council’s response to the downing of Malaysia Flight #17 (MH- 17) over eastern Ukraine and the horrific deaths of 298 civilians, including 38 Australians.
Australia’s efforts secured a resolution that called for an independent tribunal to prosecute those responsible, as well as immediate and unrestricted access to the crash site.
In May 2018, the Liberal and Nationals Government, along with the Netherlands, held Russia to account for its role in the downing of MH17.
We remain committed to obtaining justice for the families and loved ones of the 38 Australian victims, having dedicated $50.3 million towards the Dutch prosecutions of those responsible.
Increasing our commitment to international security at home and abroad
Building on our reform of Australia’s domestic security arrangements, the Liberal and Nationals Government has introduced new legislation which allows Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) officers to better protect Australia’s national security interests when serving overseas in dangerous circumstances.
We have also cancelled or refused hundreds of passports in connection with the Syria/Iraq conflict to ensure foreign fighters cannot return to our shores until the safety of the Australian community can be assured.
In addition to our extensive counter-terrorism efforts both at home and abroad the Liberal and Nationals Government will also strengthen Australia’s reputation as a contributor to national and global policy in arms control, disarmament, non-proliferation and counter-proliferation.
We will work with partners to counter the threat of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction including by North Korea and Iran.
We will continue to implement UN Security Council resolutions and sanctions, as well as our own to counter proliferation activities and will maintain support for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran - subject to Iran’s ongoing compliance - and advocate for the strengthening of security arrangements relating to Iran which are of international concern.
Protecting Australians from cyber threats
The Liberal and Nationals Government will continue to strengthen our responses to deter malicious foreign cyber actors and ensure they cannot act with impunity.
Since December 2017, the Liberal and Nationals Government has joined partners in attributing seven separate cyber intrusions to specific countries, namely North Korea, Russia and China.
The Government has strengthened Australia’s cyber security foundations, undertaking unprecedented investment and significant legislative and policy reform to ensure the Australian people and national interests are better protected.
As part of our $230 million investment under the 2016 Cyber Security Strategy the Liberal and Nationals Government has expanded its investment in our International Cyber Engagement Strategy by providing an additional $9 million for Australia’s Cyber Cooperation Program.
This brings Australia’s investment in cyber cooperation to $48.3 million by 2022 for the development of cyber security centres and secure cyber infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific.
This includes the establishment of more than 40 cyber security and accessibility projects across 24 South east Asian and Pacific nations since 2016.
We have also appointed Australia’s first Ambassador for Cyber Affairs.
Our funding commitments put Australia at the forefront of international efforts to promote cyber resilience and a safer online environment.
Delivering effective and targeted overseas development assistance
Our development assistance is vital for Australia’s strategic and economic interests and those of our development partners - especially in our Indo-Pacific region.
We have a clear aid policy: promote prosperity, reduce poverty and enhance stability.
We have 10 clear strategic goals to ensure our aid program is effective, targeted and achieves value for money.
And we’re delivering meaningful results.
Unlike Labor’s ad hoc plan, our commitment to overseas development assistance does not harm the Australian economy
or risk Australian jobs.
Our plan is about growing prosperity for Australia, as well as our neighbours.
In providing more than $4 billion in Official Development Assistance in 2019-20, Australia is helping tackle poverty and building a stronger and more resilient Indo-Pacific.
Our humanitarian assistance will increase to $450 million in 2019-20 to meet record levels of need.
We invested over $1 billion in 2018-19 in Aid for Trade activities such as capacity building, trade and economic infrastructure initiatives.
The Liberal and Nationals Government is investing a record $1.4 billion in development assistance to the Pacific, reflecting our strong commitment to prosperity, peace and stability in our region.
Australia’s top 10 bilateral programs are all in our region, with significant backing of our two closest neighbours: we will support Papua New Guinea with $512.3 million and Indonesia with $255.7 million to ensure new levels of economic and security cooperation.
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s aid program responds to evolving global challenges in an increasingly contested region, promoting economic growth and pathways out of poverty.
All our new aid investments explore ways to promote private sector growth or engage the private sector.
We will target our investment to those who need it most and ensure measurable outcomes for Australia and our developing and donor partners.
Labor’s claim that Australia cannot achieve sustainable growth,
poverty reduction
and inclusive development without an increase in foreign aid is false.
We have achieved all of those goals more effectively and with no extra pressure on the Budget or the economy.
The Liberal and Nationals Government is determined to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly, affordably and sustainably on Australia’s overseas aid program.
THE CHOICE
Unlike the Liberal and Nationals Government, Labor has never developed a comprehensive foreign policy strategy.
Labor’s policy is simply to hope for the best, reacting to foreign policy decisions on the run.
When last in office, Labor damaged our relationships in the region and shunned our traditional partners.
It plunged the nation into debt and misspent taxpayers’ hard-earned money – diverting $475 million in two years from the aid budget to pay for its failed border protection policies, making the Gillard Government one of the of the largest recipients of its own aid program.
Labor failed to start and conclude a single FTA during their time in Government.
By contrast, the Liberal and Nationals Government offers steady, strategic and economic diplomacy that reinforces security and stability in our region.
Labor simply can’t be trusted on foreign policy.
THE COST
The Liberal and Nationals Government’s foreign affairs and aid policies will not place additional costs on the Budget.
OUR PLAN FOR QUALITY EDUCATION
KEY POINTS
Every Australian child, no matter where they live, should have access to a world-class education.
The Liberal and Nationals Government has secured the funding and reforms necessary to ensure all Australian students can reach their potential - from early education, through school to vocational education and university.
We are doing this by:Delivering more affordable child care with out of pocket costs down 8.9% since our Child Care Package began.
Investing in the early years by funding preschool to support 15 hours per week in the year before school.
Investing $4.9 million to boost preschool attendance by the most disadvantaged children.
Improving school student outcomes by providing record and guaranteed needs-based school funding - an extra $37 billion for all schools, an increase on average of 62% per student - and securing the agreement of every state and territory to our plan to lift student results.
Supporting students with a disability through record and growing funding.
Making a record investment in higher education - more than $17 billion each year with a renewed focus on regional Australia.
Creating more than 80,000 new apprenticeships and investing more than $3 billion in annual funding for vocational education.
A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will build on this record through:Investing $15 million for Teach for Australia to train high achieving teachers who will become high quality school leaders in rural, remote or disadvantaged schools.
Investing $10.8 million to provide a Year 1 voluntary phonics health check for parents and teachers to ensure their children are not falling behind.
Ensuring phonics is included in university teaching courses so that new teachers can use it in their classrooms.
Working with state and territory governments on best practice policies on mobile phone use in classrooms.
Tasking the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership to develop a National Strategy to support schools to tackle the abuse of teachers in the classroom.
Pursuing a Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Education Council review to lift the burden of compliance and red tape, so teachers can focus on teaching, not paperwork.
$15 million to create a further 5 Regional Study Hubs with additional Commonwealth Supported Places to support students to study their university course in their local communities.
$2 million to expand the Country Education Partnership’s successful Rural Inspire program, which aims to engage rural and regional students with further education.
Labor cannot be trusted with education.
The only time in the last decade that government school funding has been cut was under Labor.
When Labor was last in office, Bill Shorten as Education Minister cut $1.2 billion to schools through secret funding deals.
In government Labor failed to provide ongoing or genuine needs- based school funding focussed on students. And announced $6.6 billion in cuts to higher education.
They cannot manage the Budget, putting at risk our real needs-based and record funding for schools.
Our plan is backed by our record.
Through our record investment in education, supported by a strong Budget and sensible reforms, the Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to delivering the quality education that every Australian child deserves.
OUR RECORD
The Liberals and Nationals knows that every student deserves a world-class education.
The Liberal and Nationals Government has boosted funding and introduced important reforms to ensure students are put first.
The Liberals and Nationals has worked hard to make sure that no child is held back by disadvantage.
We have done this by targeting support to those who need it most and providing help for those who are working the hardest.
This is helping to ensure every child can reach their full potential.
Our child care reforms have made child care more affordable, with nearly one million families reaping the benefits.
We abolished the annual subsidy cap for more than 80 per cent of families, allowing them to work as many days as they choose without losing their child care subsidy when they hit the cap.
If a parent can work and wants to work, we want to make it easier for them to access child care.
That’s why we increased the subsidy rate for low and middle income families and aligned subsidy hours with the hours parents work, train, study or volunteer.
It means that more parents are getting the hours they pay for and the hours they need.
A typical family is around $1,300 better off each year.
We know that these changes are working.
More families and children are using child care, more than 90 per cent of families are entitled to a child care subsidy of 50 per cent or more and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has reported that out of pocket costs for families have fallen by 8.9 per cent across Australia since our new child care package began.
We are also providing additional funding for families and children who need some extra support, through our Additional Child Care Subsidy, which is part of our $1.2 billion child care safety net.
Preschool is an important state and territory responsibility and we want to make sure that they get it right.
We are continuing to support state and territory governments to provide children with universal access to 15 hours of preschool a week for children in the year before school, with $450 million invested in 2020.
This brings the Liberal and Nationals Government's investment in preschool to $2.8 billion since we came to office.
For too long, state and territory governments have conflated enrolment with attendance.
Currently, 28 per cent of four year olds who are funded and entitled to preschool do not attend for the 15 hours a week.
This non-attendance is higher for the most vulnerable - 34 per cent of disadvantaged children and 41 per cent of Indigenous children are missing out.
We need to find a way to reach these children before we expand preschool further and prevent them from being left behind.
That’s why we are committing an additional $4.9 million to boost the attendance of disadvantaged students who can least afford to miss out, including working with The Smith Family.
A future Liberal and Nationals Government will commission a review of the National Partnership Agreement that governs preschool funding and will include the issue of attendance as a term of reference.
The review will ensure that future funding is set up to achieve the best possible preschool outcomes.
Every student deserves funding based on their need.
That is why the Liberal and Nationals Government has worked hard to provide funding for the schools and students who need it the most, no matter where they go to school or what type of school they attend.
This will help every student to achieve their full potential every year they are at school.
The Liberal and Nationals Government's Quality Schools package will see a total of $310 billion provided to all schools - an extra $37 billion, an increase on average of 62 per cent per student.
This funding is guaranteed thanks to our strong economic management.
We want parents to see results from this funding.
That’s why we back NAPLAN and the transparency it provides to parents and the feedback it provides teachers about their students' progress,
both what they do well and where they need more assistance.
Parents should expect to be able to see progress in their child’s education.
The Liberal and Nationals Government believes in providing choice and quality in schools.
This is why we have created a $1.2 billion Choice and Affordability Fund to assist schools provide options in how parents educate their children at Catholic and independent schools.
The Liberal and Nationals Government supports Australians to get a job, and get a better job, by investing over $3 billion a year into vocational education and training (VET).
We initiated a once-in-a-generation review of the VET sector that provided a roadmap for further strengthening the system and we are investing $585 million in a package of measures which includes boosting incentives for employers to hire 80,000 new apprentices over the next five years.
We have strengthened the reputation of the VET sector, and replaced Labor’s failed VET FEE- HELP scheme, which ripped off vulnerable students and taxpayers, with VET Student Loans, which provide financial support for students to undertake high quality training linked to real workplace needs.
The Liberal and Nationals Government believes our universities should be places of learning that set students on the path to rewarding careers.
This is why we are investing record funding into universities and record funding into assisting students who would not otherwise have access.
We have increased funding for universities by 19 per cent since we were elected.
By 2022, the increase will be 28 per cent.
We believe that you should be able to attend university whether you are from a regional community or from a capital city.
Yet if you are from regional Australia, you are half as likely to attend a tertiary institution.
Thats why the Liberal and Nationals Government has invested over $490 million to help fix this gap, through greater access to Youth Allowance for regional students, and has increased funding for regional scholarships.
We have invested in making sure regional students can also study in the communities in which they live.
We have committed to creating Regional Study Hubs in 22 different locations and created the Destination Australia scholarships to support students to study in regional Australia.
The Liberal and Nationals Government knows that taxpayers expect value for money from publicly-funded research ahead of university spending on marketing and unnecessary self¬promotion and travel.
This is why we have ensured that research applications to the Australian Research Council must now meet a national interest test to ensure your money is spent on projects that will benefit Australia.
Our record investment in the higher education sector will grow in line with population growth and universities will be able to access more funding for bachelor places based on their performance.
This will see a further $790 million provided to universities up to 2023.
Our plan for a strong economy means we can guarantee record and growing funding for education - from the high chair to higher education - and focus on reforms that will deliver better student outcomes.
OUR PLAN
Child Care and Early Childhood
The Liberal and Nationals Government is providing record funding for child care.
We are committed to ensuring quality, affordable child care for families.
Our Government will invest a record $8.6 billion in child care in 2019-2020, increasing to $10 billion in the coming years.
This investment amounts to $37 billion in child care over four years.
Child care fees are a significant cost of living pressure for many families.
When Labor was last in government, child care fees increased by over 50 per cent.
The Liberal and Nationals Government has reformed the child care subsidy to deliver quality, affordable child care, with more support for those families who need it most.
Since our changes, child care is more accessible and affordable, with out of pocket costs for families falling by 8.9 per cent since our child care package began.
The reformed Child Care Subsidy helps around one million families to balance work and parenting responsibilities.
A typical family is around $1,300 better off each year.
We have also ended waste by closing down dodgy providers and ramping up the compliance checks that Labor cut. In doing so, we’ve saved taxpayers $2.8 billion.
We are actively working to place downward pressure on child care fee increases.
Our support for families using the child care system has increased from over $6 billion in 2013-14 to $8.6 billion in 2019-20, increasing to $10 billion in 2022-23.
Preschool
The Liberal and Nationals Government provides a funding contribution to state and territory governments, which are responsible for providing quality, affordable preschool.
This is why we have continued our commitment to preschool with $450 million in funding to secure universal access to preschool in 2020. But there is more work to do.
The Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to getting the settings right for children in the year before school.
We will continue our work with states and territories on future arrangements to lift preschool participation rates amongst four year olds, especially amongst the disadvantaged and Indigenous children who have the most to gain.
Recognising that 58 per cent of three year olds are already in early childhood education and care, we want to do the work necessary to get the existing policy for four year olds right, before we consider expanding universal access.
The Liberal and Nationals Government is focused on ensuring future preschool policy for four year olds is as effective as possible.
Data suggests that, of those who are enrolled, as many as 28 per cent are not attending regularly for the full 15 hours per week they are entitled to.
This percentage is even higher for vulnerable and disadvantaged children at 34 per cent, and for Indigenous children at 41 per cent.
These numbers suggest that more needs to be done to ensure the most vulnerable children and families in our society are fully benefiting from a quality preschool education.
That’s why we have provided an additional $4.9 million to boost the attendance of disadvantaged students who can least afford to miss out, including work with The Smith Family.
The Liberal and Nationals Government will also review the preschool National Partnership to ensure that it is set up to achieve the best preschool outcomes.
Schools
The Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to providing choice and quality in our schools.
That’s why we have provided record funding for government, Catholic and independent schools.
The Liberal and Nationals Government's Quality Schools package will see a total of $310 billion provided to all schools - an extra $37 billion, an increase of 62 per cent per student.
This funding is guaranteed and will deliver outcomes for students.
Linder our plan, backed by the work carried out by David Gonski, we will lift student outcomes so that every child can fulfil their potential.
To get this done we have secured agreement from every state and territory for our plan to lift student results.
We have introduced a new literacy and numeracy test for trainee teachers, started decluttering the Australian Curriculum to refocus on the basics, and committed to supporting teachers with a new national centre of excellence and research for teaching.
The Liberal and Nationals Government, through the COAG Education Council, is undertaking a review of the 2008 Melbourne Declaration of education goals for young Australians.
The review will update the current Declaration to create a nationally consistent future direction for Australian schooling for the next decade.
These improvements are backed by record and guaranteed schools funding.
Since we were elected, we have increased funding for government schools by over 70 per cent and funding across all schools by over 50 per cent.
We have also secured the future for parents whose children are educated in independent and Catholic schools through our $1.2 billion Choice and Affordability Fund.
Government schools are receiving record levels of funding, this funding will continue to grow.
In Labor’s last budget, funding for government schools was $4.9 billion.
In the 2019-20 Budget, funding for government schools is $8.3 billion. By 2028-29, it will be $13.5 billion.
Information about funding for every government school is available at schools.education.gov.au/ school-funding-estimator.
We are building on these achievements with further measures to support student success.
If re-elected, the Liberal and Nationals Government will continue to deliver reforms that will give more independence to principals and local communities.
We want schools, whether they are government, Catholic or independent, to be able to govern themselves.
We will continue to work with teachers and principals to continue to declutter the curriculum, ensuring they can get on with teaching the basics to our students.
We know that the basics are fundamental to a child’s future.
Most importantly, if children struggle to learn to read, they will always struggle to learn by themselves.
This is why we will commit $10.8 million to introduce a Year 1 voluntary phonics health check by establishing a freely-available online check that allows parents and teachers to ensure their children are not falling behind
and helps ensure students are building the skills they need to become great speakers, readers and writers.
We will also work with all higher education providers to include phonics in teaching courses so that new teachers are prepared, from day one in the classroom, to use these critical tools.
Every parent will tell you that the best asset in their school is their teachers.
The Liberal and Nationals Government will seek to attract more high quality teachers into the classrooms by expanding the successful Teach for Australia program to target the next generation of school leaders.
If re-elected, the Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $15 million to support more Teach for Australia graduates who will train specifically for school leadership roles.
These graduates will be high achieving teachers who will become high quality school leaders in rural, remote or disadvantaged schools.
It is vital that teachers receive the support they need to succeed.
That is why a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will task the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership to develop a National Strategy to support schools to tackle the abuse of teachers in the classroom.
We will work hard to make sure that principals and teachers are free from excessive red tape, giving them more time to focus on teaching their students.
As part of the Australian Curriculum review due to occur in 2020, a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will also place on the COAG Education Council agenda a review of the compliance and regulation that teachers face.
We have established a $30 million Local School Community Fund to support local schools with specific projects that will benefit their students and local school communities.
Every child should feel safe and happy at school.
But we know that increasingly student wellbeing inside and outside the classroom is becoming an issue for parents and teachers, particularly as we see the rise of cyberbullying and the inappropriate use of new technology.
This is why, if re-elected, the Liberal and Nationals Government will work with the states and territories on best practice policies on mobile phone use in classrooms.
We understand that many students are impacted by study stress, bullying, friendship issues, and drugs and alcohol.
That is why we have committed to our $503 million Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan.
Our plan includes $11.8 million in a range of initiatives to help parents recognise when their children are struggling, improve mental health skills training in schools, enhance peer support networks and boost counselling support services for young people.
It will ensure that government activities are coordinated, services are delivered to young Australians at risk and support is available for friends and families.
Our Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention package builds on the record $4.8 billion that we are spending on mental health this financial year alone.
Our guaranteed record funding and significant educational reforms mean that, no matter where you go to school, you will get the funding and support you need to get the best possible education.
Higher Education and Research
Since we were elected, university and research funding has grown by 19 per cent.
Today, funding for universities is a record $17.7 billion, growing to $19.1 billion by 2022.
We believe that you should be able to attend university whether you are from a regional community or from a capital city.
Yet if you are from regional Australia, you are half as likely to attend a tertiary institution.
That is why the Liberals and Nationals Government has invested over $490 million to ensure students can attend university no matter where they live.
We have done this through 3,155 Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships, which provide support to students with the costs of studying at university or at a vocational education and training provider.
We have also introduced up to 4,720 new tertiary scholarships to attract Australian and international students to study in regional Australia.
We are investing $152 million in a Regional Student Access to Education Package, improving access to Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY living allowance for regional and remote students, and delivering more support for isolated children’s education.
We know that the cost of moving to study is often a burden on rural and regional students.
This is why we have created Regional Study Hubs in 22 locations, which will allow regional students to study in communities near them.
If re-elected, we will commit $15 million to create a further 5 Regional Study Hubs with additional Commonwealth Supported Places to ensure their ongoing viability.
We also know that rural and regional students need more support to complete school and aspire to further education.
That is why a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will commit $2 million to expand the Country Education Partnership’s successful Rural Inspire program.
This will assist the Partnership to expand their current activities, which aim to engage rural and regional students with further education.
This is a critical part of ensuring we close the gap in educational attainment between the city and regional communities.
We will also implement the findings of the Napthine Review into Rural, Regional and Remote Education.
This will include the Australia's first Rural, Regional and Remote Education Strategy.
We will make sure that higher education funding serves the interests of students and taxpayers.
From next year we are increasing funding in line with population growth and universities will receive a further $790 million in performance-based funding by 2023.
This will ensure universities prioritise spending on their students and not on expenses, which they should fund from other sources rather than the Australian taxpayer.
This includes the $1.7 billion that leading universities have splurged on marketing themselves in recent years.
We have also established a national interest test for taxpayer-funded university research to ensure value-for-money from research investments.
This does not prevent universities from undertaking other research, but research funded by the taxpayer should be able to demonstrate its benefit for Australia.
Because higher education can open pathways to new opportunities, the Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to ensuring access to courses for students who may otherwise miss out.
We are providing more than 170,000 students from low socio-economic backgrounds access to courses each year through the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program.
We are providing more support to our aviation industry.
Like medicine, dentistry or veterinary science, aviation courses are higher cost and so the Liberal and Nationals Government is providing students studying at university or through approved VET Student Loan providers with access to loans of up to $150,000.
Universities should always be truth-seeking institutions.
That is why we are committed to freedom of speech on campuses.
A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will implement the recommendations of the French Review by applying new standards to ensure that freedom of speech is protected on campus through a voluntary code.
If universities do not subscribe to the code, the Liberal and Nationals Government will empower the Tertiary Quality and Standards Authority to ensure freedom of speech is protected on campuses.
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
With a modern economy that is changing the way we work, there is a growing demand for new skills and occupations.
The Liberal and Nationals Government believes that learning through a vocational education is just as important as through a university degree, and we are therefore committed to ensuring our VET system is responsive so students and employers both benefit.
We will build on our existing support to the VET sector by implementing a $585 million package to:
Reduce the shortfall of skilled workers in key occupations and create up to 80,000 new apprentices by introducing a Skill Shortages payment of $4,000 for eligible employers and $2,000 for apprentices.
Further expand the successful rural wage subsidy to support employers in rural and regional Australia to take on even more apprentices.
Streamline incentives for employers of apprentices and trainees and update the skills needs list to ensure it responds to labour market demand.
Address youth unemployment in regional Australia and create better connections between school students, employers and the VET sector by establishing 10 Industry Training Hubs.
Support more young Australians to gain a VET qualification through the Commonwealth Scholarship Program for Young Australians.
Raise the profile of the VET sector and improve the career advice given to students and others transitioning to a new career by establishing a National Careers Institute and appointing a National Careers Ambassador.
Support high impact programs that create innovative partnerships between schools, tertiary providers and employers through new competitive grants.
Increase support for those with low levels of education to identify and address language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills deficits, including in remote Indigenous communities.
Give students ownership over their education records and support the lifelong learning of Australian workers by expanding the Unique Student Identifier and creating a centralised digital Tertiary Learning Repository.
Promote a nationwide approach to skills development, enhance research and analysis of future skills needs and give industry a greater role in designing training courses by establishing a National Skills Commission and Skills Organisations across the country, starting with the growth areas of human services and digital technology (including cyber security).
Support thousands of young Tasmanians to gain new skills to boost the state’s renewable electricity generation sector and bring the Battery of the Nation plan to life.
Backing rural and regional students
Every Australian child, no matter where they live - in the bush or the city - should have access to a world-class education.
The Liberal and Nationals Government has secured the funding and reforms to ensure all Australian students can reach their full potential.
We have delivered on the promise of increased support for school students in rural and remote areas, and funding for students in regional and remote Australia will grow by 63 per cent in the next ten years.
We know that the cost of moving to study is often a burden on rural and regional students.
This is why we have created Regional Study Hubs in 22 locations, which will allow regional students to study in communities near them.
In 2016 we invested $152 million in a Regional Student Access to Education Package, improved access to Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY living allowance for regional and remote students, and provided more support for isolated children’s education.
We have invested in a range of measures to attract students to regional Australia, through 3,155 Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships, which provide support to students with the costs of studying at university or at a vocational education and training provider.
We have also introduced up to 4,720 new tertiary scholarships to attract Australian and international students to study in regional Australia.
We will provide $5.2 billion to support more than 223,000 Indigenous school students and will waive all or part of the HELP debt for 3,100 teachers who commit to teach and stay teaching in very remote areas.
We have provided $45 million for isolated children’s education, including additional funding for Assistance for Isolated Children’s Additional Boarding Allowance.
We are developing Australia's first National Regional, Rural and Remote Higher Education Strategy to drive increased participation in post-secondary education and we commissioned Emeritus Professor John Halsey to undertake an Independent Review into Regional, Rural and Remote Education.
The Liberal and Nationals Government provided $4 million to assist flood-affected schools in North Queensland supporting regional students and boarders who were impacted by the floods to support the needs of individual schools.
Only the Liberal and Nationals Government understands the importance of investment in regional university campuses to support students to stay in the regions,
improve educational attainment and achievement,
support local business
and create more local jobs.
That is why we have invested $150 million to relocate and expand the University of Tasmania’s campuses in Launceston and Burnie.
The funding will support jobs
and increase higher education accessibility, participation and attainment.
We have also invested $64 million for the Central Coast Medical School.
And we have provided $14 million to support Deakin University’s plan for a renewed, regionally focused and sustainable Warrnambool campus to continue to provide higher education pathways for students in the region.
Building on these investments, in 2018 the Liberal and Nationals Government provided a further $92.5 million to support more students at Federation University Berwick campus, the Caboolture and Fraser Coast campuses of the University of the Sunshine Coast, the Central Coast Medical School and Research Institute of the University of Newcastle, Central Queensland University and James Cook University.
This builds on the Liberal and Nationals Government’s ongoing commitment to education in rural and regional Australia, with more than $1.6 billion in base funding in 2017 for Commonwealth supported students at regionally headquartered universities and $70 million each year in regional loading to help universities maintain regional campuses.
We will further expand the successful rural wage subsidy to support employers in rural and regional Australia to take on even more apprentices, and will increase scholarships for young people to study for vocational education qualifications.
We will help to address youth unemployment in regional Australia and create better connections between school students, employers and the VET sector by establishing 10 Industry Training Hubs, as well as investing in more Regional Study Hubs so that students at university can stay and study for their qualification near where they live.
And we are providing more incentives for Australian and international students to study at regional universities.
A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will deliver a stronger economy,
to secure the future of regional communities, and will continue to support the aspirations of regional and rural students to help them build the skills and qualifications they need to achieve their goals.
The choice in education is clear.
Australian students, parents and teachers can’t afford Bill Shorten’s Labor.
The Liberal and Nationals Government offers higher quality education with guaranteed funding backed by a stronger Budget.
A Liberal and Nationals Government offers lower child care costs, targeted preschool assistance,
record and growing, real needs-based funding for our schools,
a stronger vocational education sector with more apprenticeships,
and record university funding driving better student outcomes.
We will do all of this without raising taxes.
In this election, Labor is offering Australian parents, teachers and students $387 billion in new taxes.
This is not a plan. It is a scam.
Last time they tried this, they tanked the economy and the Budget.
Labor cut funding to government schools and promised billions of dollars they never delivered.
Bill Shorten’s Labor has already shown it cannot be trusted with our children’s education.
Labor voted against our child care package which has reduced out of pocket costs for parents and made child care more affordable.
Under the previous Labor government, child care fees skyrocketed by more than 50 per cent while significant government funding was fraudulently chewed up by crooks and shonks when Labor cut the number of compliance checks on child care services.
In government, Labor’s inability to manage the Budget resulted in a funding cliff for schools, no commitment to better outcomes, and a blowout in fraud and waste in vocational education and family day care.
Labor was the only government in the last decade to cut funding to government schools and Bill Shorten was the Education Minister who cut $1.2 billion from public schools.
That’s what happens when you can’t manage the economy.
Labor’s education policies mean that, when they make a promise, you and your children will pay for it.
When Labor established the Building the Education Revolution fund, Australians saw up to $8 billion wasted.
This was money that could have gone to training teachers, buying school resources or student wellbeing.
Under Labor, student grades went down and our global rankings suffered.
Labor’s failed VET FEE-HELP scheme left thousands of students with debts and no qualification
- and caused significant reputational damage to the VET sector.
Whatever Labor promises on education, they cannot manage the Budget and cannot keep their promises.
We have seen it before.
Thanks to our strong economy and the first Budget surplus in over a decade, only the Liberal and Nationals Government can deliver the reforms needed to boost student outcomes and support students, parents, teachers and schools with guaranteed improvements and guaranteed funding into the future.
The choice is clear on education: the Liberal and Nationals Government has a plan while Labor has a scam.
Coalition
EARLY CHILDHOOD AND CHILD CARE
Record funding for child care - $8.6 billion for FY2019-20, without raising taxes.
A typical family is around $1,300 better off and out of pocket costs for child care down 8.9 per cent.
Nearly one million families benefiting from our child care package.
SCHOOLS
Record funding for all schools across Australia - over $20.7 billion for 2019-20, without raising taxes.
Funding for schools based on their students' needs, delivering on Gonski.
More support for students with a disability.
More support for rural and remote schools.
More funding for STEM training of teachers.
A new optional phonics test for year one students.
More funding for better teachers and teacher training.
HIGHER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
Record funding for higher education and research - over $17.7 billion for 2019, without raising taxes.
Better access to youth allowance for students.
EARLY CHILDHOOD AND CHILD CARE
Increased funding for universities that deliver for their students.
International education exports have nearly doubled under the Liberal and Nationals Government.
Labor
EARLY CHILDHOOD AND CHILD CARE
$387 billion in new or increased taxes.
Increased child care fees by over 50 per cent.
Promised to create 260 new child care centres - never delivered.
SCHOOLS
$387 billion in new or increased taxes.
27 special school funding deals that disadvantaged students.
As Education Minister, Bill Shorten cut $1.2 billion from government schools.
$8 billion wasted in school halls disaster.
$2 billion wasted on failed ‘Laptops for Kids’ program.
$540 million for literacy and numeracy flop.
$16 million spent to recruit only 14 new teachers.
HIGHER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
$387 billion in new or increased taxes.
Announced $6.6 billion cuts to higher education and research.
EARLY CHILDHOOD AND CHILD CARE
Removed incentives for universities to meet performance standards.
International education exports went backwards under Labor.
Policies
For us, policies are all about principles that guide our actions. These principles are set out to inform Australians of our legislative views. Items shown under 'Examples of what needs to be done' are indicative only and parliamentary members and candidates are encouraged to propose and debate the most workable solutions and options possible.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - the first Australians - as the traditional owners of this continent and acknowledge and respect their ongoing relationship with the land.
Examples of what needs to be done:  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations must be consulted and engaged with the process of developing Indigenous Affairs policy.
Constitutional recognition to reflect the unique role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have in Australia’s past, present and future.
Provide ongoing funding for “Closing the Gap” between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-indigenous Australians.
In consultation with individual communities, develop micro policies and programs to better meet the diverse needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Double both the number of Indigenous Rangers and funding for Indigenous Protected Areas, with longer term contract arrangements for both programs.
Ageing Population
Australia is a prosperous country built on the contribution of older Australians.
Our ageing population deserves to be treated with respect and dignity
and assisted where needed by government and the wider community.
Examples of what needs to be done:
Workforce participation
We do not support an increase in the pension age,
but we do believe older Australians should be both encouraged and supported to be involved in the paid or community service workforce.
For those who receive a pension, income tests should be relaxed further so that they can supplement their income without penalty.
Community service volunteers should be automatically covered by a government funded insurance scheme.
Cost-of Living
Utility cost increases should be pegged no greater than the CPI.
Any increases above the CPI should be rebated to those on a government pension, or self-funded retirees who have reached the eligible pension age.
Housing/Retirement/Aged Care
Government policy should encourage and deliver where possible affordable, comfortable and well-maintained retirement and aged care accommodation.
Developers and providers of retirement accommodation must meet all existing government requirements,
as well as be required to provide transition accommodation options for residents who may require low or high care facilities in the future.
These transition options should be on, or adjacent to, the existing retirement estate.
Agriculture
Agriculture is a vital part, not just of the fabric of rural and regional Australia, but of the entire nation.
With agriculture contributing over $55 billion to the nation’s economy,
and employing over 300,000 Australians across the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector (with huge multiplier effects), it is essential that it is encouraged to grow.
The $1 billion of farmer and government contributions to agricultural research and development (R&D) organisations needs to be effectively targeted to help improve the profitability of Australian agriculture through enhancing the skills and decision making of farmers.
Examples of what needs to be done: Implement strong competition laws that that can effectively deal with and penalise predatory abuse of market power from companies in the agricultural to retail supply chain.
This needs to include a stronger ‘effects’ test than the federal government is currently proposing,
divestiture powers to break up companies for gross abuse of market power,
and quicker and more affordable access to justice.
Continue to push for clear country of origin labelling for food and ingredients including clear labels showing the source country of imported products.
The recently implemented changes federally, whilst welcome, need to be improved upon and monitored for their effectiveness.
Scrap the punitive AQIS charges on small exporters that destroy incentives to export.
Push for stronger anti-dumping rules to prevent domestic industries being dumping grounds for imported produce such as what happened with tinned tomatoes.
Help work to encourage domestic investment in Australian agriculture through investment vehicles such as Australian superannuation funds.
Continue to support the full implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan.
Support the export of livestock to countries who implement Australia’s strict ESCAS Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System.
However, our preference is to encourage the processing of livestock in Australia, in regional Australia,
to grow industry and jobs, we understand that different markets exist and that will take time to grow.
Federal drought funding must require that state governments do not unreasonably impede the delivery of drought support.
Australian Made
Australians and government in particular should support Australian businesses and our quality Australian made goods because of the hugely beneficial flow-on effects to the Australian economy.
The term 'Australian Made' should mean just that, so consumers can make an informed choice.
Examples of what needs to be done: The Government should take steps which will require manufacturers to regularly disclose the percentage and country of origin of specific ingredients to the Department of Industry for publication on its website.
The Government should undertake an analysis and report on the benefit of an administrative mechanism which will give manufacturers the ability to apply for a ruling on Country of Origin Labelling claims.
A single federal authority should be formed to accredit the use of all 'Made in Australia' symbols.
Government departments should be required to procure a much greater proportion of Australian produced and manufactured products and services.
Have more effective anti-dumping laws to prevent below-cost imported goods flooding the market
and destroying Australian jobs in the process.
Aviation
A safe and strong aviation sector is vital to Australia's needs.
Having our aircraft maintained in Australia is an integral part of ensuring high safety standards and trust in the aviation industry.
Examples of what needs to be done: There should be an Inspector General of Aviation that acts as an impartial watch-dog over all aviation regulators -  in particular CASA and the ATSB - to ensure that they operate in the public interest.
Implement recommendations from Senate reports on aviation and safety.
Childhood Education & Care
Australian families should have access to high-quality, accessible and affordable early childhood education,
as well as affordable child care when needed.
Examples of what needs to be done: Enhance the policy focus on Early Childhood Education, given its critical impact on the stage of life where social and emotional development is most influenced.
Federal funding for child care should favour centres run by local communities.
Crime
All Australians have the right to feel safe as they go about their lives.
Being tough on crime also means being tough on the causes of crime.
Inadequate penalties not only insult victims and their families, they continue to put the community at risk.
The scourge of substance abuse – a major contributor to violence and theft – must be addressed as a priority.
Examples of what needs to be done: Increase the transparency of plea bargaining and give victims a greater say in the plea bargaining process.
Legislation regarding the confiscation of proceeds from crime, particularly drug trafficking, needs to be more effective.
The mental impairment defence needs to be reformed as it is being abused in some cases.
Prisons should have more effective rehabilitation programs, rather than being a training ground for more hardened criminals.
Cyber Safety
Cyber bullying is a complex contemporary issue affecting our young people with devastating consequences for the victims and their families.
A strong legal framework is essential,
but the law alone cannot effect the cultural change necessary to reduce the frequency and harm caused by modern methods of bullying behaviour.
It has been estimated by the Office of the eSafety Commissioner that in the 12 months to June 2016, 19 per cent of teens and eight per cent of children were cyberbullied.
The cyberbullying ranged from being socially excluded, being called names, receiving unwanted online messages, having lies spread about them, receiving threats to their safety, having their accounts accessed without their consent, having personal information posted without their consent, having inappropriate private photos posted of them without their consent and even having someone impersonate them.
Centre Alliance will make it a priority to protect the safety of children in the digital space.
We must protect those who cannot protect themselves.
We can provide children with strategies and tools to stay safe online so they can experience the benefits of the internet without being at risk of the dangers.
Centre Alliance is committed to providing prevention through education.
Sonya Ryan, founder and CEO of the Carly Ryan Foundation is a leading e-safety advocate is an accredited Safety Provider with the Commonwealth eSafety Commissioner.
Sonya has pioneered education and awareness of online safety for children for over 10 years following the death of her beloved daughter, Carly, at the hands of an online predator and her expertise demonstrates that the Carly Ryan Foundation is well placed to provide prevention programs.
Examples of what needs to be done: Develop an emphasis on the prevention of cyber bullying through improved education in schools.
Ensure that a robust complaints process is maintained to provide victims and witnesses of cyber abuse with an avenue for raising their concerns.
Defence
Australian defence policy must focus on the protection of our nation and creating stability in our region.
We also believe Parliament should be involved in any decision to deploy troops to conflict zones.
Above all, Australia needs to be self-sufficient in defence resources.
Examples of what needs to be done: Defence procurement must be overhauled to acknowledge the economic and strategic benefits of local manufacture.
Our defence strategy must be based first and foremost on Australia's needs.
The changes to procurement rules negotiated by Centre Alliance (previously the Nick Xenophon Team) which came into force on 1 March 2017 are a huge improvement on previous rules
and will lead to more local industry content
and jobs.
Disabilities
People with disabilities should be treated with dignity and respect and be able to live fulfilling and meaningful lives.
Examples of what needs to be done: The rollout of the NDIS needs to be carefully evaluated to ensure it achieves the maximum benefit for its clients.
Respite for those families with a disabled family member needs to be given greater priority.
Education
Our vision is realising the full potential of education in Australia to propel all learners to be the best that they can be now
and in the future so they can further their individual aims
and assist in lifting Australia’s competitiveness and innovation.
We support transforming schooling to drive a new era of development and growth across the full range of expectations for 21st Century learning.
We support building upon the strengths of our schools
and driving and amplifying leading edge research driven teaching in Australia.
Children should have the best start for learning through quality early childhood experiences that nurture and develop the whole child.
See media release here.
Employment & Workplace Relations
High levels of workplace participation and productivity are the key to achieving a strong and prosperous economy, particularly in the small business sector.
This needs to be set in a framework of mutual fairness.
Examples of what needs to be done: Reviews of the employment and workplace relations system should be ongoing to ensure our standard of living is maintained and small business – the engine-room of jobs growth – prospers.
Acknowledge and respect the role of responsible unions in the workplace to give a voice to workers who otherwise would face an unlevel playing field.
Energy
Climate change is real and poses a huge challenge for our environment and economic future.
Australia must stick to the Paris agreement, which involves reducing greenhouse gases by 26-28% on 2005 levels by 2030.
This must involve a smart energy mix that provides affordable and reliable baseload power, and electricity grid stability.
It also involves making sure we have enough gas for domestic consumption, instead of the current situation where Australian gas is being sold overseas at half the price it is here.
Examples of what needs to be done: Have an efficient and effective Emissions Intensity Scheme (EIS) based on world's best practice.
Australia needs to quickly move toward a cleaner and more affordable energy future.
This will involve reduced reliance on economically unsustainable technologies.
Government policies need to facilitate innovative and job creating energy industry opportunities through research, adoption, education and manufacturing of new technologies.
Australian energy resources should be available to Australians before being available for sale to the rest of the world.
An allocation for domestic use prior to export would also help lower the cost of energy for consumers.
And gas producers must comply with a strict 'use it or lose it' rule to their gas reserves, not keep the resources in the ground until a time that best suits them.
Australian taxpayer funded research into renewable energy and climate change needs to be made more easily available to Australian industry to ensure our competitive advantage in these areas is encouraged.
The importation of substandard and unsafe products related to renewable energy and or climate change must be stopped.
Environment
Clean air, clean water and preserving our iconic natural resources are fundamental to guiding what we do for our environment – not just for us, but for Australia’s future generations.
Examples of what needs to be done: Call on state governments to identify and preserve our best agricultural land as an investment in our future.
Review the applicability of California’s vehicle emissions standards to Australia.
Protect groundwater (aquifers, including the Great Artesian Basin) from any adverse impacts of mining and coal seam gas exploration.
Implement an efficient emissions trading scheme based on the Frontier Economics scheme.
Enact federal legislation to protect key environmental assets, rather than being dealt with on a state by state basis.
Maintain the right of environmental and community groups to pursue legal action under environmental legislation.
Family Violence
Australian families should be free from incidents of violence.
Police and family violence services must properly protect and support survivors.
Examples of what needs to be done: The creation of a federal body which investigates the circumstances surrounding every fatal family violence incident, with a particular focus on systemic failures in the lead-up to each incident.
Currently police forces rarely undertake this level of investigation, which allows flawed systems to remain in place.
Often law enforcement agencies have missed opportunities to intervene before a fatal incident occurs.
Advocate for uniform laws relating to family violence across all state and territory jurisdictions, to ensure equal protection regardless of where someone lives.
Create and fund an evidence-based national awareness campaign with a particular focus on the cultural environment which contributes to family violence.
Provide adequate funding for a coordinated approach to family and intimate partner violence including safe houses, counselling, case management
and legal support to ensure survivors have a voice and can enforce their rights.
Rehabilitation of perpetrators to help reduce the ongoing harm caused by repeat offenders and, in turn, the damaging inter-generational cycle of this particular type of crime.
Creation and funding of a national education program in schools focusing on respect and safety in family and other interpersonal relationships.
Food Security
Australia needs a comprehensive strategic approach to protect, invest and grow our own food production resources.
It is an integral part of our national security.
Examples of what needs to be done: Change competition laws to allow for the break up of companies that abuse their market power in their dealings with farmers.
Establish a rural development bank that will make it easier for farmers to access finance.
Create incentives to invest in agriculture, including for our super funds.
Overhaul and implement truthful food labelling laws.
Our current laws allow imported produce to be passed off as Australian to the detriment of our local farmers.
Scrap the punitive AQIS charges on small exporters that destroy incentives to export.
Foreign Aid
Foreign aid helps people in developing countries escape extreme poverty, improve health outcomes and helps increase regional stability.
Through the provision of foreign aid, Australia is able to meet its obligations as a responsible global citizen
and also benefits from a heightened level of prosperity and stability in the region.
Examples of what needs to be done: Restore the $7.6 billion of aid funding cut by the Australian government in the 2014 budget.
Work towards a foreign aid budget that represents 0.7% of Gross National Income, in line with Australia's commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development goals.
Foreign Investment
Australia needs a strategic approach to foreign investment, rather than the inconsistent approach we have now.
Foreign investment would be much lower if there were greater incentives for Australians to invest in their own country.
Examples of what needs to be done: Adapt New Zealand’s foreign investment laws which clearly set out a definition of the national interest and have lower thresholds for foreign investment approval.
Lower the existing Foreign Investment Review Board threshold ($252 million) so that all proposed overseas transactions greater than $5 million are subject to greater scrutiny.
Have a foreign investment register of key assets in order to promote greater transparency.
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
Farmers and consumers should have the right to say no to GMOs.
Government has a role to play in supporting continued research into the long-term unknown effects of GMOs on both human and plant health.
Examples of what needs to be done: Ensure all GMO products are correctly labelled so consumers can make informed decisions.
Protect farmers who want their crops to remain GMO free by imposing stricter regulations and legal liability on those responsible for contamination.
Fund independent research on the long-term health and environmental effects of GMOs.
Government Accountability & Transparency
Politicians must be open and up front with the Australian people.
Government's primary role is to protect their citizens,
provide public infrastructure
and services
and to drive both national economic growth
and personal growth.
The public have the right to expect that governments will deliver services efficiently and fairly without unnecessary waste and duplication.
Australians who speak out against corrupt practices deserve to be protected.
Examples of what needs to be done: Establish a national anti-corruption commission
and ensure that the SA ICAC can hold meetings in public for maladministration cases.
Ensure politician entitlements and claims are reported in a timely and transparent way.
Put in place whistleblower legislation that protects the informant and compensates them for any loss of income due to their actions.
The changes brought about by our team in December 2016 are a big step forward,
but these need to rolled out to the corporate and public sectors as per the governments firm commitments.
Government services (federal, state, local) must be delivered quickly and efficiently
and be fully accountable to the public.
Review duplicated services at a federal, state and local government level and determine the most appropriate entity to deliver these services.
Citizens should have reasonable and timely access to government information such that they can participate in government decisions making
and, if necessary and as appropriate, criticise government and demand change and improvement from government.
Freedom of Information laws need to be enhanced to guarantee information is provided within statutory time frames
and that review and appeal processes are conducted in a timely fashion.
Improved government transparency is a key preventative measure to maladministration, misfeasance and corruption.
Government Procurement
Government procurement should not be about ‘price’.
Instead it should be about ‘value’.
Federal and state governments should consider the total economic benefit of all significant procurements to the local economy.
Officials need to assess and appreciate the value to the economy of local employment, local investment and local supply chain activity that flows from the procurement of products and services by governments.
Officials also need to consider quality when considering the value.
Examples of what needs to be done: The Federal Government must ensure government procurement officers conduct procurement in accordance with the full intent of the new Commonwealth procurement rules negotiated by our team in December 2016 and which came into effect on 1 March 2017.
Those rules require officials to: Ensure applicable Australian Standards are mandated in all procurements.
Ensure that the procurement is carried out considering relevant regulations and/or regulatory frameworks, including but not limited to tenderers’ practices regarding
a) labour regulations, including ethical employment practices;
b) occupational, health and safety;
and c) environmental impacts.
Consider the economic benefit for all procurements above $4 million dollars.
Compliance with the new rules must be made mandatory for any federal funding to states governments.
Health
High quality, easily accessible health care is a fundamental right for all Australians.
With an ageing population and rising health costs that outstrip the CPI, there needs to be a new approach that focuses on preventative health care.
Examples of what needs to be done: Government resources should be directed to maximising patient outcomes that involve enhancing local care and existing GP clinics.
Preventative health care must be an absolute government priority, with targeted funding to reduce chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis.
This should include comprehensive and effective public education campaigns.
Telemedicine should be expanded for regional communities to improve access to specialist medical care.
Address medical practices which pursue quantity over quality.
The 30% private health insurance rebate should be reinstated to ensure greater participation and affordability.
This in turn takes pressure off the public hospital system.
The Australian health care system should be subject to rigorous evidence based assessment to identify and eliminate waste and maximise efficiency.
Housing Affordability
A combination of local, state and federal government taxes and red tape have made housing less affordable, particularly for those trying to enter the housing market for the first time.
This needs to be tackled head on.
Examples of what needs to be done: Form a housing affordability taskforce charged with delivering practical solutions to encourage greater home ownership.
The aim of this taskforce is to examine relevant housing affordability levers and recommend measures to reduce red tape and taxes and highlight innovative and cost-effective building and housing concepts.
Ensure Australian residents are not priced out of the housing market by foreign investors.
Modify negative gearing to encourage the creation of new affordable housing stock.
Immigration
Immigrants have played a critical role in building Australia.
We should continue to encourage safe and orderly immigration to Australia, in particular amongst younger skilled families and investors who will help drive economic growth.
Examples of what needs to be done: A special category of visa should be created to encourage investors to settle in areas of low population and economic growth.
Innovation, Technology, R&D
Government must facilitate and bring together world class research and development, innovative thinkers, venture capital and a highly skilled, creative and diverse work force.
This strong platform will revitalise Australia’s economic outlook by strategically growing the innovation and technology sectors.
Examples of what needs to be done: Encourage universities, government agencies and companies to undertake research
and development by increasing funding to align with other world leading countries.
Improve funding strategies to target specific research goals, increase focus on commercialization and enable longer term research projects.
Encourage entrepreneurship by legalising equity funding platforms and co-investing with venture capitalists to drive local development of innovative Australian ideas and keep talented Australians onshore.
Create a ministerial-level position with responsibility for leading a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship throughout all government agencies, research institutions and the private sector.
Live Animal Exports
It is important that strict controls are placed on live animal exports to ensure animals are treated in accordance with Australian animal welfare standards.
However, our preference is to have Australian processing and the exporting of chilled meat.
Substance Abuse & Rehabilitation
With one of the highest levels of substance abuse in the world, we need a total revamp to ensure those with a problem can access help.
We must develop programs and an Australia wide culture that seeks to minimise addiction in the first place.
Examples of what needs to be done: Treat personal drug use as primarily a health issue, rather than a criminal issue, with well funded rehabilitation programs - including mandatory rehabilitation in certain circumstances.
Develop programs and an Australia-wide change in culture that seeks to prevent drug addiction.
Explore innovative ways to disrupt and minimise the illicit drug business model.
Enable the ability of the public to simply and safely “inform” on dealers to significantly reduce any localised interest in dealing and cut off the sale and revenue elements of any drug based business model.
An increase in funding is required to establish better access to rehabilitation clinics
along with a clear transition into skills and job training.
Drug trafficking legislation should be modified to allow authorities to rapidly and simply seize assets of those involved in trafficking and distribution.
Mental Health
Mental health is a significant issue affecting millions of Australians.
Early intervention can reduce the impact of mental illness in the community and help people receive appropriate treatment and support to recover.
Government must place a greater emphasis on programs and strategies to address mental health.
Examples of what needs to be done: Government must increase funding for preventative mental health measures and services that provide individual and family support within the community.
Substance abuse, including alcohol, needs to be considered as part of a broader approach.
Penalty Rates
As a general principle, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) should determine pay and conditions, including penalty rates.
However, we do not believe it is fair that in a time of low wage growth workers should have their pay rates cut.
That is why we disagree with the decision of the FWC to reduce penalty rates and we support law reform to prevent penalty rates being cut by the FWC.
We support legislative change to protect penalty rates to prevent employees receiving penalty rates that are lower than the rates specified in the relevant Modern Award.
We initiated a Senate Inquiry into penalty rates to examine why it is that some big businesses have been paying a lot less for weekend penalty rates than small businesses.
More information about this inquiry can be found here.
Predatory Gambling
Targeted gambling reform is urgently required.
We have the world’s highest per capita gambling losses and level of problem gambling.
Our governments are totally out-of-touch with the overwhelming community desire to rein in the damage caused.
Examples of what needs to be done: With pokies being the biggest cause of problem gambling, the immediate implementation of the Productivity Commission’s recommendation for $1 maximum bets per spin and $120 in hourly losses (compared to $10 per spin and $1200 an hour) is required.
Challenge the major parties to conduct a referendum on implementing $1 maximum bet reforms.
Ensure the Productivity Commission regularly updates its gambling research.
End micro-betting on sports events, which can lead to corruption and match fixing in sports.
Remove ATMs from venues with poker machines.
Reinstate ban on EFTPOS access in SA poker machine rooms.
Overhaul outdated online gambling laws, to take into account the impact of emerging technologies.
End sports betting ads during games.
The Commonwealth needs to develop an approach to wean state governments off their $5 billion a year of gambling taxes.
Regional Australia
Regional centres around Australia present a prime opportunity for both investment in development and economic growth.
Examples of what needs to be done: Encourage industry and educational institutions to invest in regional Australia via incentives,
helping to boost both the economy
and increase education pathways.
Encourage immigrant arrivals to settle in rural and regional Australia.
Encourage tourism and the arts to refocus on the regions.
Economic incentives for families living in regions.
Call upon government to revisit the recommendations proposed in 2013 House of Representatives report into ‘fly in, fly out’ workforce practices in regional Australia.
Greater incentives for renewable energy in regional areas to boost manufacturing.
Population
People should be encouraged to move to areas where there is low population growth.
A more even distribution of the population would allow regional areas to flourish
and allow metropolitan cities to grow sustainably.
Examples of what needs to be done: Businesses and individuals who commit to moving to low population areas could be provided with tax breaks for the first two years to help them become established.
Actively seek skilled and business migrants, and in particular those who have the means to set up and operate businesses in low population areas, via a special category of investor category of visa.
Refugees/Asylum Seekers
Genuine asylum seekers must be treated with dignity and compassion.
The bipartisan support for offshore processing, in order to discourage dangerous boat journeys to Australia, should be matched with an increase in the humanitarian intake to at least 27,000 places per year.
However, priority should be given to timely (preferably within 12 months) resettlement to appropriate countries, working together with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Above all, Australia must play a key role for an orderly regional solution to this crisis.
Examples of what needs to be done: Depending on the outcome of the assessment, individuals must either be returned to their country of origin where safe and practical to do so, or settled in another country with the co-operation of the UNHCR.
Government must ensure the safety and security of refugees in offshore processing centres, including timely health and mental health care.
International agencies such as the UNHCR, Red Cross and media organisations should have access to any detention centres.
Whistleblowers must be protected for speaking out.
Small Business
As Australia's largest employing sector, small business makes a significant contribution to Australia’s economy.
All Australians should be encouraged to develop their own niche and/or nurture and grow their own enterprises.
Government plays an integral role in fostering small business growth and in doing so reduce bureaucratic obstacles.
Examples of what needs to be done: Targeted tax breaks for small businesses during their first two years of operation.
Payroll tax exemption for businesses with up to 15 full-time equivalent employees.
Streamline access to and processing of government services for small business.
Subcontractors
Over the past 10 years the building and construction industry has contributed approximately 10 percent of Australia’s GDP
and accounts for nearly the same proportion of employment.
However, over the same period the construction industry has experienced nearly one quarter of all insolvencies in Australia.
There is a culture of non-payment of subcontractors in the construction industry, as well as serious allegations that phoenixing activity has become an acceptable way to make a profit.
We successfully negotiated for changes to legislation to enhance protections for subcontractors in the building and construction industry.
We also negotiated a comprehensive review into security of payment laws, which commenced on 21 December 2016.
Examples of what needs to be done: Implementation of all of the Senate Economics Committee’s recommendations in their report on insolvency in the construction industry.
National legislation for a security of payment regime, and rapid adjudication processes in the commercial construction industry, in line with the recommendations from the review conducted by Mr John Murray AM.
Close the legal loopholes that allow phoenixing activity to take place.
Superannuation
Encouraging a nest egg for a comfortable and secure retirement is what superannuation policy should be about.
That should include greater certainty and a bigger say in how superannuation funds are managed.
Examples of what needs to be done: Overturn the unacceptable 7-year delay to increase the superannuation guarantee from 9.5% to 12%
Overhaul the superannuation industry to increase transparency, end fee gouging and require that investment choices are made under increased checks and balances.
Superannuation funds must be required to hold an annual general meeting where members are entitled to ask questions as to how their fund is performing and how it is being administered.
Tax breaks for superannuation must be re-calibrated so the greatest benefit is directed to those with the least savings, and a reduced benefit is enjoyed by those with very high superannuation savings.
Terrorism
There is no excuse for terrorism.
Such acts of violence cannot be justified in any circumstances.
It is incumbent on community leaders and government to denounce and take action to prevent all acts of terrorism and to keep its citizens safe.
Examples of what needs to be done: Ensure government has sufficient power to deal with terrorists in a way that is effective and not counter-productive.
Put adequate resources into counter radicalisation strategies, so young and susceptible people are not brainwashed by extremists.
Extremists that groom susceptible people for acts of violence need to be locked away.
Rather than stripping Australian citizenship of dual nationals involved in terrorism, which could allow them to retaliate against Australians overseas - they need to be brought back to Australia and locked up for community safety.
Utilities
All essential utilities (electricity, water, gas and NBN) should be owned by the public.
Current rules need to change to have a greater focus on the rights of consumers and small businesses.
Examples of what needs to be done: There should be an option for all new utility proposals (such as generation and network assets) to be community owned or owned through a co-operative.
Change the National Electricity Market rules and enhance the power of the Australian Energy Regulator to rein in the wasteful and costly gold-plating of electricity assets that consumers end up paying for.
Over time this will have a greater impact on reducing electricity prices than any other single measure.
Price increases for utility costs should be capped at CPI.
Water Security
The national framework for managing our water resources must be strengthened.
Water security is vital to the national interest.
Examples of what needs to be done: Storm water harvesting – which is more efficient than desalination – must be fast-tracked
States which were early adopters of water-efficiencies must be acknowledged in any federal scheme.
Irrigators should be able to access federal infrastructure grants for value-adding to agricultural produce more easily.
Wasteful practices throughout the Murray-Darling Basin must be addressed as a matter of urgency to ensure a fair distribution of water rights across the entire system.
A Canadian Development Fund to build up our resources so that we as Canadians will own and control them.  A Planning Board, a planned economy, and much more public investment, to assure full employment.  Medicare for all without discrimination between rich and poor, providing the highest quality of medical and other services, paid for on the basis of ability to pay.  Portable contributory pension: If you change your job you keep your pension.  Old Age Pension: $75 at 65, with no means test.  Parity prices and producer marketing boards to give-farmers a fair share of the national income.  Re-define confederation and achieve co-operative federalism.  The best defence for Canada and her Western allies is to prevent nuclear war. This means stopping the spread of the nuclear club and, therefore, no nuclear weapons for Canada. It means supplying our forces at home sad in NATb with the best conventional weapons. It means making a mobile forte available to the United Nations to help keep pear,  Increase foreign aid to 2% of the Gross National Product.  A council of confederation composed of equal number of French and English Canadians. The council would be .a forum for discussion and would make possible constant communication. between the two groups.  A greater sharing of direct taxes with the provinces.
Building The Country We Want
Canadians want to build for the century ahead with a cohesive, integrated plan that creates jobs, cleans our air and water and invests in ideas that make life better for people.
Canadians overwhelmingly want a government that cares and has the ability to ensure our communities thrive.
Canada’s communities need a real deal that improves citizens’ lives and helps businesses prosper.
Innovative ideas have created new technology allowing us to discard the old thinking that says we have to choose between jobs and the environment.
Innovative ideas for health care let us improve the system we cherish and save money at the same time.
Canada has the ideas and the financial freedom to enact them, and it’s time we elected MPs who agree.
Throughout the 1990s, Canadians consistently told Paul Martin, then finance minister, that we wanted to build a country that reflected our values.
And long after the deficit was abolished, Martin chose to listen to his corporate friends rather than listen to Canadians and build our country.
After a decade of scandal, waste and the wrong choices, it’s time for a change.
It’s time for a vision for Canada based on innovation, enduring values, responsible finances and investing your tax dollars in things that matter.
Canada has the resources to build the country we want, and this election is about making the choices that let us put our values into action.
Together, Canadians built a railroad in the 19th century and public health care and public pensions in the 20th century.
Together, we can embark on the great project of building the country we want for the 21st century.
Building our municipalities with a real deal
Canada is an increasingly urban nation.
Only Australia has a higher percentage of its citizens living in cities.
And increasingly, our cities are our economic engines.
From Windsor to Whitehorse, from Bathurst to Burnaby, Canada’s communities desperately need a real deal.
In the 21st century, we can’t disconnect problems.
Child poverty is related to the lack of affordable housing.
Less time with our families is related to urban sprawl and the increased, smog-causing commuting that results.
Private water supplies at higher cost to the consumer and toll highways are related to chronic underinvestment in infrastructure.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP say it’s time to recognize that Canada’s rural communities, towns and cities are all key to meeting these challenges, helping our businesses prosper and improving the quality of life of our citizens.
With a federal government clearly committed to stable, predictable long-term funding, we can work with provinces, territories and municipalities to deliver a real deal.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will build our communities by:  Sharing half the federal gas tax with municipalities for sustainable transportation:
public transit, cycling and pedestrian infrastructure in our cities and freight rail and road investment in rural communities.
This transfer should not depend on matching funds from provinces, many of which are fighting deficits directly linked to Paul Martin’s choices while finance minister.
Re-starting a 10-year national housing program to build 200,000 affordable and co-op housing units (including homes for seniors, people with disabilities and students), renovate 100,000 existing units, and provide rent supplements to 40,000 low-income tenants, many of whom are single mothers who pay a large percentage of their income in rent.
This program would also help Canada’s forest communities by stimulating Canadian demand for lumber.
Including in the housing program tax incentives for developers to renovate and restore buildings in downtown cores, creating new housing stock and rebuilding our city centres and downtowns as an alternative to more urban sprawl.
Using the large profits generated by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to underwrite low-interest mortgages for affordable housing and requiring the CMHC to change its mandate to make it easier for community-based housing organizations to get funding.
Implementing a permanent national infrastructure program so that accountable local governments can own and deliver clean drinking water, waste water reduction, sewage treatment and solid waste reduction strategies to their communities – and create jobs.
Providing incentives to fund public transit passes for employees by giving tax-exempt status to employer-provided transit benefits.
Ensuring all municipalities, not just cities, receive a full refund for the GST they pay as well as a portion of the federal gasoline tax targeted for green transportation infrastructure.
It is unfair to force cash-strapped municipalities to pay money received from property taxes to a federal government that has a surplus and for gas taxes to be hoarded by Ottawa.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have:  Abolished the national housing program, which, over its 20-year life, built housing in which 2.2 million Canadians live and,
after raising the gas tax supposedly to pay off the deficit, refused to share any of it with municipalities long after the deficit was gone.
Refused to provide funding for urban transit and for rural transportation infrastructure, even as he collected billions per year in gas taxes as finance minister.
Building value for public pensions, creating jobs and cutting pollution
Under Paul Martin, funds from Canada’s major public pension plan, the CPP, were placed in the hands of his corporate friends and invested in Bay Street stocks on the promise of more security in retirement.
In the wake of corporate scandals at Enron and WorldCom, reeling markets, and major industries facing bankruptcy, Canadians understandably feel less secure about investing more and more of their pensions in the roller coaster stock market.
There’s a better use for our public pensions, one that provides a safe return on pension investment, creates jobs for Canadian workers, saves money for Canadian employers and helps Canada reduce our climate-changing and smog-causing emissions.
It’s time to start investing CPP funds in programs like a national energy retrofit program.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will help municipalities – especially cities – fight smog and create jobs by:  Starting a national building retrofit program for conservations and energy efficiency, paid for through future energy savings.
Participating businesses, institutions, apartment complexes, schools and recreation centres will receive an energy-efficient retrofit funded by a completely secure and guaranteed federal revolving fund leveraged by the Canada Pension Plan, offering low interest loans directly tied to utility bill reductions.
Participants repay the loans through their deferred energy cost savings.
The net cost of the retrofit to the participant will therefore be zero and they will reap major savings once the loan is paid.
Helping low-income Canadians pay less for energy by making low-income residences the first phase of a residential energy retrofit program.
Creating markets for Canada’s green energy businesses, particularly solar energy businesses, through the building retrofit program.
Protecting workers’ pensions by requiring broader representation of Canadian workers on the CPP Investment Board
and changing the mandate to promote sustainable industrial and community development.
Putting an ethical screen on our public pension management to avoid investing in companies that engage in the arms trade, pollute, exploit labour or undertake other unscrupulous practices that offend Canadian values.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have:  Cost Canadian pensioners billions by gambling public pensions on the stock market, funding profits-on-paper for some of our largest corporations instead of using our public pension resources to build the country we want.
Building for the future through education
Around the world, countries are building smart futures with an early head start for their kids – and young adults are starting lives of opportunity without mountains of debt upon graduation.
Canada is far behind other nations in ensuring that children and families have access to early childhood education, child care, affordable post-secondary education and lifelong learning opportunities.
It’s time Canada caught up by fuelling an economy and society to meet the future with confidence and ideas.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP say it’s time to build the country we want by investing in the brains that will build it.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will support a comprehensive vision for education by:  Cutting tuition fees, just as NDP governments in British Columbia and Manitoba did, with a national plan to reduce fees by 10 per cent and then freeze them by increasing federal funding for post-secondary education and working with the provinces to make sure it happens.
Increasing funding for research to halt the privatization of research on campus, allowing science to be examined on its merits, not vetted by the funding corporation.
Replacing the privately administered Millennium Scholarship Fund, which helps few students, with needs-based grants so that a family’s income isn’t a barrier to a student’s future.
The abolition of the program should be phased in to protect students currently receiving Millennium Scholarships.
Crediting all interest accrued on the Canada Student Loans program against graduates’ income taxes.
Establishing a national training strategy and support for lifelong learning for workers to address current and anticipated skills shortages.
Extending tools for lifelong learning and research through initiatives like extending broadband access to all communities by co-operating with provinces, municipalities and the private sector.
Providing stable, long-term federal funds to create an additional 200,000 high quality, affordable, publicly funded child care spaces within four years.
Setting out to develop a strategy with provinces and territories to ensure universal, high quality early childhood education and care in every region of Canada within a decade.
Working with the provinces to establish a Canada Post-Secondary Education Act that, in return for stable, long-term funding, would prevent the creation of private, for-profit colleges and universities.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have:  Cut more than $4 billion from post-secondary education transfers, directly contributing to a decade in which tuition rose by five times the inflation rate.
They also wasted millions of dollars by handing the Canada Student Loans program to the banks.
Building for the future through children and families
Fourteen years ago Parliament unanimously voted for former NDP leader Ed Broadbent’s motion to abolish child poverty by 2000.
Today, even more children are living in poverty – 1.1 million.
Across Canada, families with young children are paying far more for child care than they save in tax reductions, and the absence of affordable, quality child care prevents many women from working or studying.
But it’s important to remember that poverty is not just about children.
The face of poverty is the old, the middle-aged and the young.
Overall, the income gap between the richest Canadians and the poorest is getting worse.
A growing number of Canadian families have an income of less than $20,000, and the number of children living in families with incomes of less than $20,000 has increased nearly 30 per cent in recent years.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP say it’s time to start investing in children and giving their parents some help.
It’s time to act.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will invest in the future by:  Working with provinces and territories and providing stable, long-term federal funds to create an additional 200,000 high quality, publicly funded, affordable child care spaces within four years.
Increasing the Child Tax Benefit to $4,900 per child and altering the program to permit Canada’s poorest families, who don’t pay tax, to qualify.
Ensuring all Canadians who make less than $15,000 a year pay no federal income tax.
Building affordable housing and providing rent supplements to low-income Canadians.
Single mothers can’t get their kids off to a good start in life if they're stuck in a windowless basement or cheap motel room, with ever-increasing amounts of their income going to rent.
Creating two new national holidays to help parents spend more time with their children, one in February and one in June (August in Quebec), working towards a shorter work week, longer paid holidays and earlier and flexible retirement options, and encouraging job-sharing programs to enable families to spend more time together.
Restoring a federal role, in partnership with provincial and territorial governments, to ensure that federally transferred funds intended for social assistance meet specific, Canada-wide goals and that federal support (currently through the CHST) is guaranteed to provide secure and stable funding for social assistance and will not be withdrawn or reduced unilaterally.
Honouring obligations to Aboriginal Canadians, who too often see their children consigned to years of poverty in Third World living conditions.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have:  Done nothing.
In the 1993 Red Book, which Martin wrote, the Liberals committed to creating 50,000 child care spaces in each year following three per cent economic growth to a maximum of 150,000 spaces.
In his nine years as finance minister, economic growth exceeded the threshold seven times, yet not one child care space was created.
Building an innovative, public health care system
Throughout the 1990s, Canadians were told the debate over public health care was about money, not ideas.
It’s time to challenge that with innovative ideas that build a responsive, integrated public health care system that saves money and prepares Canada for a larger, aging population.
When medicare was created, first by the Tommy Douglas government in Saskatchewan and then throughout Canada in the 1960s, the provinces and the federal government shared the cost equally.
Today, public health care is more complex – with new diagnostic equipment and procedures, surgeries and treatments and a host of new and expensive drugs – but the federal government’s share has declined to just 16 per cent, contributing enormously to overcrowded emergency rooms and long waiting lists.
Today, we need new ideas and new support grounded in the timeless principles of medicare.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP challenge the belief that privatizing health care and ushering in a for-profit or P3 model is inevitable or desirable.
Simply because Liberals have refused to respond to technological and demographic trends does not mean Canadians should abandon public health care.
It means we should elect MPs who want to protect public health care through innovation, as Roy Romanow’s solutions illustrate.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will reduce costs and help patients by:  Reducing the cost of drugs with a national bulk-buying program, as Australia uses, to use combined purchasing power to reduce costs for provinces and by examining drug patent legislation to ensure corporate protections do not impinge on accessibility of needed drugs.
Recognizing that many illnesses are treated through drugs, not hospitals, and phasing in a pharmacare program to help Canadians afford the drugs they need, starting with Canadians with low incomes or those facing massive drug costs because of catastrophic illness.
If patients in hospital have their drugs covered, patients who can be treated at home should have their drugs covered, too.
Outlawing the practice of “evergreening” prescription drugs that delay the availability of cheaper, generic drugs.
Ending the disgraceful federally-run health care services in First Nations communities, which require new adequate funding and staffing, and by investing in facilities and working with provinces and First Nations on delivering 21st century health care, as well as focusing on “closer to home” health care solutions rather than relying on the MedEvac model used in many First Nations, Inuit and other remote communities.
Establishing a Royal Commission to examine bold means to protect medicare’s sustainability through reduced drug prices,
strengthening public research and examining the creation of a Crown corporation dedicated to providing innovative drugs to Canadians and the world at cost, and by supporting promising young researchers in this area.
Scrapping the corporate-driven review of the Food and Drugs Act and enforcing a “precautionary principle” approach, ensuring that when there are uncertainties, decisions must err on the side of health and environmental safety.
Implementing public or non-profit-based home care, based on the successful Manitoba model.
Care in hospitals is $9,000 to $16,000 more expensive per patient per year than community-based home care, which plans for an aging population while relieving the burden on families and especially women, who disproportionately care for elderly relatives.
Aggressively pursuing a major federal plan for the prevention of illness and injury, focusing on good nutrition and physical fitness, a clean and healthy environment, quality housing and attacking poverty.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will help reduce waiting times by: Working with provinces and territories to establish more community-based clinics to handle minor medical problems, reducing the expensive reliance on hospital ERs.
By using a wide range of health professionals, including nurse practitioners and nutritionists, we can treat small ailments and also work to prevent illnesses through solvent abuse programs, nutrition and safe-sex programs and pre-natal care.
Implementing Roy Romanow’s solution of fair, predictable federal funding for public health care by ensuring the federal government returns to being a full partner in health care by addressing what has become known as the “Romanow Gap” and paying 25 per cent of provincial health care costs within two years.
This would let provinces invest in the staffing and operating of more modern diagnostic equipment such as MRIs, deliver more efficient health care, and retain health professionals.
Working with the provinces and provincial regulatory bodies to recognize foreign qualifications of health professionals.
Implementing the recommendations of the Canadian Nursing Advisory Committee to address nursing shortages.
Recognizing and responding to the unique health needs of northern, remote and Aboriginal communities.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will improve and protect health care by:  Creating a national public health agency, modelled on the Centers for Disease Control in the United States, to provide concerted national response and treatment protocols for public health emergencies such as SARS.
Giving this agency a specific mandate to study the impact of poverty, air pollution and toxics on public health and deliver annual recommendations for improvement.
Restoring ParticipAction, the national program that prevented illness by encouraging physical activity, and promoting proven alternative and traditional health practices to keep Canadians healthy and out of the acute care system.
Copying successful strategies in Europe to outlaw the use of trans-fatty acids in food.
Restoring independence to Health Canada in monitoring drug safety.
Ensuring women have access to safe, therapeutic abortion services.
Strengthening the Canada Health Act to prohibit public money going to private, for-profit hospitals and responding to technological change by deeming diagnostics such as MRIs as medically necessary services, thus protecting them from privatization.
We must also vigorously increase enforcement of the Canada Health Act, which will be much more feasible once federal funding is restored to 25 per cent.
Responding to Roy Romanow’s concerns about the potential effects of global and continental trade deals on Canada’s ability to keep health care public.
Including Aboriginal leaders in all meetings of federal, provincial and territorial health ministers.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have:  Enacted the largest ever cuts to public health care, abandoned promises to reduce the patent length of prescription drugs and deleted a clause from the Canada Health Act that protected vital home care services from privatization.
Building trust through commitment and flexibility
Canada is a complex federal state.
It’s time for government to recognize our diversity and lead through negotiation and commitment, not arbitrary measures that undermine our capacity to build together.
We need a flexible federalism that reflects both historical realities and future trends.
This blueprint for the future reflects these realities and is based on the principles of mutual respect, negotiation and co-operation to build a Canada that reflects its citizens’ values.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will build trust through commitment and flexibility by:  Embracing flexible federalism, based on respecting provincial jurisdiction and joint ventures with provinces after full consultation and negotiation and recognizing the current fiscal imbalance that strongly favours the federal government.
Recognizing the fundamental differences that constitute Quebec being a nation within Canada and working with Quebec to obtain common objectives with equitable outcomes, with the option of Quebec opting out of new federal programs with compensation to pursue common objectives and standards in a provincial program.
Accepting that publicly financed and delivered health care is a fundamental right of Canadian citizenship and ensuring provincial governments, in recognition of the federal government’s new funding and co-operation, protect this right through a stronger Canada Health Act that protects Canadians’ right to public health care.
Respecting successful programs that may already exist in some provinces (such as pharmacare or affordable, accessible child care) rather than imposing new one-size- fits-all federal programs that can create needless duplication and waste, as well as unnecessary conflict with provincial governments.
Recognizing the historical fact that the federal government has unilaterally withdrawn funding from provinces, territories and municipalities and basing all future commitments on long-term, predictable funding and negotiation.
Working with provinces, territories and municipal leaders to enhance municipalities’ role in national affairs in respect of their contribution to our economic and cultural life.
Recognizing Aboriginal self-governance as a fundamental component of a modern federal state.
Building The Planet We Want
Canadians stand on the brink of a transformational choice.
Either we embrace the world’s green energy revolution and maintain our status as an energy exporter
or we cling to old rhetoric about jobs versus the environment and import this century’s energy from somewhere else.
We need an ambitious plan to clean our air and water and protect the environment and human health from toxic chemicals, transforming Canada into a sustainable, clean economy for the 21st century.
Canadians are intelligent.
We treasure our country’s great wilderness, its forests, rivers and lakes.
However, we know our fresh waters are becoming more polluted and less habitable for fish.
We experience increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather.
The glaciers are melting and with them the water source for Prairie rivers.
Smog is getting worse across southern British Columbia and along the swath from Windsor through to the Atlantic provinces.
The Arctic ice cap is melting,
and we are concerned about toxins in our air and water.
Canadians are also a global people.
We see poverty, pollution and pandemics such as AIDS ravaging humanity and want to help.
We live in a land of tranquility, but in an ever-shrinking world in which crises gripping foreign shores will eventually reach our own.
We want to act.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP know Canadians are ready for change, to address the growing environmental deficit our country and our world faces.
We are ready to reassert ourselves on the world stage as a voice for good and to clean up our own back yard for ourselves, our children and for future generations.
It’s time to be bold about building the planet we want.
Building the foundation for a green, clean energy future
The world’s oil and coal resources cannot last forever.
Do we begin weaning ourselves from our almost complete dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear power in a thoughtful way that respects the communities, workers and businesses affected?
Or, do we do nothing and get hit with overnight change that will have drastic effects?
Add to this the impact of smog on Canadians’ health and air and the dangers of nuclear power, which are too compelling to be ignored.
We need a plan now for clean air and green energy.
Around the world, many governments and businesses choose to manage change, evolving to a sustainable future to protect prosperity.
Canada must do likewise.
It’s time for a bold plan based on Kyoto’s targets and time frames, using Kyoto as a trigger for transformation and recognizing that, as with calculators and computers, the more new technology is used and sold, the cheaper it becomes.
We need to take the initiative today to make sure we have a green, clean and prosperous tomorrow.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will kick start the clean air revolution by:  Leveraging the federal government’s remaining 19 per cent stake in Petro-Canada with a new Crown corporation focusing on conservation and renewable energy and committing Canada to creating jobs through green energy self-sufficiency.
Putting Canada on track to be a global leader in new environmental technology by using the new Crown corporation to establish innovation centres in solar, tidal, wind and geothermal power across Canada, located near fossil fuel centres to ease in the economic transition to a sustainable economy, and by providing tax incentives for renewable energy businesses to locate in those areas.
Imposing hefty fines for polluters that match the clean-up costs (the polluter-pay principle).
Using the new Crown corporation to invest in under-used industrial capacity to re-tool machines
and create jobs by building wind turbines in Canada
and using a new national infrastructure program to foster markets for wind energy.
Fully phasing in over four years a tax shifting regime to transform incentive, subsidy and investment programs to focus upon green and co-generated energy, including wind power, solar energy, tidal power, biofuels, and energy efficiency as well as transitional technologies such as combined heat-and-power and community energy systems, rather than those that contribute to climate change such as fossil fuels or that produce toxic residue such as nuclear power.
Implementation will be sensitive to and include negotiated adjustments for regional economic impacts, maturity of sectors and establishment of compensating strategies.
Taking responsibility to fairly negotiate, promulgate and implement the regulations in respect of Crown Share Adjustment Payments (CSAP) for Nova Scotia to ensure that Nova Scotia receives its fair share of resource revenues which has been provided for and established in Federal Legislation.
Making the necessary changes to ensure the spirit of the Atlantic Accord is achieved in practice and the people of Newfoundland and Labrador are treated fairly.
Working with Saskatchewan to ensure it is treated on an equitable basis with Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador with respect to energy revenues and equalization.
Establishing a just transition fund for energy workers and the communities in which they live and providing assistance to coal-dependent provinces to close coal plants.
Assisting provinces to shift from coal-powered plants through a National Power Strategy that meets Canadian needs in a sustainable manner, providing a means to export cleaner hydro power from Quebec and Manitoba to coal- and nuclear-dependent provinces.
Developing a transition fuel strategy that maintains an adequate domestic supply of natural gas to replace oil and coal by directing the National Energy Board to ensure Canadian energy needs are met before allowing unlimited natural gas exports to the United States.
Creating the Canadian Climate Exchange, using market economics to generate revenue for green energy and sustainable development by auctioning off emission credits to corporations, with a steady decline of available credits over time.
As the price for pollution credits rises, the financial incentive for corporations to pollute will decline, with the auction proceeds funding Canada’s green energy transformation.
Supporting family farms by expanding incentives for ethanol as a transitional fuel and supplementing farm incomes by importing innovative ideas from states like Iowa, which rents strips of land from farmers for wind turbines.
Helping northern and remote communities avoid expensive diesel by using Canadian technology and importing innovative ideas from Alaska, which replaces high-cost generators with wind turbines.
Maintaining the moratorium on oil and gas exploration off the Pacific coast and in the Great Lakes.
Working to establish a university degree program in green technology to support the education of Canadians to work in this emerging industry.
Establishing a national building energy-efficient retrofit program to reduce demand for electricity, with funds coming from and profits going to the CPP and by using tax incentives to create housing in city centres to fight the effects of urban sprawl.
Establishing a commission to recommend innovative federal financial and taxation steps, like shifting current taxes to green taxes or environmental incentives in a revenue neutral framework.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have: Been consistently vague on Kyoto and made the environment ministry the target of some of the largest cuts to pay for tax reductions for oil and coal companies.
In his corporate life, Martin’s company was the Great Lakes’ largest shipper of coal, which changes the climate and causes smog faster than any other fuel, and he plans on giving away emission credits to corporations for free.
Building green cars and promoting green transportation in Canada
It’s time for practical solutions that challenge the myth that workers and environmentalists have opposite goals.
In July 2003, Jack Layton joined with Greenpeace and the Canadian Auto Workers to unveil Canada’s first green car industrial strategy – one that shows how we can use technology, regulation and the private sector to create jobs by building green cars.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will create jobs and clean the environment by:  Providing tax incentives and funding for research and development into new fuel technology for cars, giving incentives to manufacturers to retain and expand plants in Canada.
Replacing voluntary emission targets with mandatory emission targets for all manufacturers selling cars in Canada, mirroring California’s tough rules.
Joining with states like California and Massachusetts to set mandatory sales targets for vehicle manufacturers for green cars.
By enacting these tough rules, Canada could help create a North American market of almost 80 million people for cleaner cars.
Providing significant GST rebates on greener cars, with the incentive increasing with the fuel efficiency of the car, and enacting green car purchasing policies for the federal government.
Sharing half the federal gas tax with municipalities to support sustainable transportation with public transit, cycling and pedestrian infrastructure in urban areas and freight rail and rural roads in rural communities.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have:  Delivered ten budgets that provided no incentive to make or buy green cars, nor help for urban transit.
Building a sustainable future through Kyoto’s targets and timelines
Polluters say environmental rules cost jobs.
They used that argument against unleaded gasoline, against the world’s fight to outlaw ozone-depleting chemicals and against Canada’s effort to stop acid rain.
They were proven wrong three times.
It’s time to stop listening to polluters and their friends and move ahead on the targets and timelines contained in the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP know Kyoto is a modest first step, and that its emission-reduction targets are not enough.
But if we adhere to its targets and timelines, it will trigger the chain reaction of change that will achieve far larger emission cuts.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will implement Kyoto and clean our air by:  Aggressively funding investment in public transit, rail and renewable energy.
Establishing a national energy-efficiency building retrofit program to reduce energy costs,
cut pollution
and create jobs.
Establishing an east-west power grid to export cleaner hydro power from Quebec and Manitoba to coal-dependent provinces.
Implementing mandatory vehicle emission targets and incentives for the purchase of greener cars.
Supporting improvements in Via Rail’s passenger rail system with a long-term objective of high-speed rail in the Quebec City to Windsor corridor and other corridors where it can be cost-effective.
Supporting only those carbon sink projects that improve local biodiversity, create local economic development and do not divert funds from permanent solutions such as energy efficiency and green power.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have:  Ignored the Red Book promise that committed Canada, by 2000, to cut emissions by 20 per cent from 1988 levels.
On the contrary, Canada’s emissions have gone up 18 per cent since 1988.
Building a future with clean water
Canadian families are concerned about the quality of the water they drink.
We want action to improve the infrastructure that delivers water and to prevent toxic chemicals from even entering our water.
It’s time to recognize lax rules for corporate polluters, decaying infrastructure and increasingly large farms aren’t sustainable and to implement innovative ideas to protect Canada’s clean water resources.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will protect clean water by:  Making clean drinking water systems and sustainable waste water treatment a priority of the infrastructure component of the new deal for municipalities, as well as a top priority for rural, Aboriginal and remote communities.
Providing increased support to family farms to help foster sustainable farming, in contrast to large factory farms and the inevitable challenges to clean water that result.
Supporting farmers as they try to reduce their dependence on pesticides and antibiotics
and supporting municipalities in legal battles with chemical corporations after attempting to limit pesticide use in their community.
Implementing a ban on the bulk export of Canadian fresh water, as Manitoba has done.
Creating national guidelines for clean drinking water and using existing federal authority to require full federal environmental assessments on transborder projects, such as the proposed dump in Northern Ontario or incinerator in New Brunswick, which will affect water safety.
Introducing a far more comprehensive Water Stewardship Act to protect our most valuable natural resource.
Creating a department of water stewardship, like Manitoba’s, to pull together all federal water issues (12 ministries currently have jurisdiction), develop common standards, invest in infrastructure and work with provinces and territories to ensure co-operation on water quality and quantity issues.
Taking an aggressive stand on cross-border water issues by using the powers of the International Joint Commission to protect Canadians against threats like the Devils Lake diversion and deal with Canadian corporate polluters, like those involved in befouling the St. Clair River.
Creating a Canadian Centre for Environmental Heath to promote research on human and ecological health.
Overhauling the Canadian Environmental Protection Act to reverse the current focus on voluntary action and replace it with mandatory pollution prevention measures for corporations and institutions.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have:  Consistently refused to help communities provide clean water for their citizens,
choosing instead to bring in the largest tax cuts in history for corporate Canada.
Building a future without toxics
The sad fact is that when the Liberals took office in 1993 they promised to clean up North America’s largest toxic waste dump, Cape Breton’s Sydney Tar Ponds.
After a decade in office, not a spoonful of toxic waste has been removed.
With flame retardants now showing up in the breast milk of Inuit women in the Arctic and the government having yet to complete tests on existing toxics – let alone new toxics – there is no time to waste.
Countries are taking action against some of the world’s most toxic chemicals, but Canada is lagging far behind.
It’s time we caught up by cleaning up Canada’s dangerous toxic hot spots and taking a proactive, innovative approach to preventing toxic pollution.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will fight toxics by:  Creating jobs and working proactively to prevent further pollution – funded by applying the polluter-pay principle and requiring corporations and public bodies responsible for toxic waste to pay for the clean-up.
Banning all imports of toxic waste.
Shifting the burden of proof onto chemical companies, requiring them to produce scientific evidence of a chemical’s safety before it enters our environment.
Serving notice to renegotiate NAFTA to respect environmental treaties.
NAFTA has been used twice to force Canada to accept toxics: by overturning a Canadian ban on a toxic gasoline additive banned in the US and by forcing Canada to accept the import of toxic waste in contravention of an international treaty.
Overhauling the Canadian Environmental Protection Act to reverse the current focus on voluntary action and replace it with mandatory pollution prevention measures for corporations and institutions.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have:  Promised repeatedly to clean up the Sydney Tar Ponds, North America’s largest toxic waste dump.
But after nine years as finance minister, not a spoonful of toxics has been removed, despite the largest federal surpluses in history.
Building respect for Canada’s biodiversity
Canadian species at risk began 2004 without the protection of an endangered species law, despite the Liberals’ promise during three consecutive elections.
Canada’s forest industry still relies too much on exporting jobs and logs instead of creating wood-based processing jobs here.
And regulations on approving new biotechnology crops remain desperately weak, allowing genetically altered crops into our environment without long-term knowledge of their effects on biodiversity or human health.
It’s time to stop taking Canada’s rich heritage of plant and animal life for granted and work to protect our biodiversity for generations to come.
We need to respect our environment and maintain a priceless resource that may contain answers to humanity’s greatest challenges.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will respect biodiversity by:  Honouring Canada’s obligations to future generations by strengthening our support for national parks and reducing the fees they charge.
Implementing an endangered species law that protects habitats of species at risk and gives scientists, not politicians, responsibility for determining whether a species is at risk.
Placing a moratorium on all new genetically engineered crops, particularly wheat, to protect Canadian markets overseas and changing current regulations so that biotech corporations must prove new technology is environmentally safe before it is used.
Respecting Canadians’ right to know what they eat by implementing mandatory labelling for genetically engineered food, like that already in place in much of Europe, Asia and Australia.
Working with forest communities, workers and businesses to develop value-added wood product industries to create jobs
and reduce Canada’s unsustainable reliance on exporting logs for processing in the US and overseas
and by working with provinces to end clear cut logging in old growth forests and move to sustainable forest practices.
Recognizing that current fish farm practices are unsustainable and urging provinces to impose a moratorium on current operations, phase them out, and replace them with closed-containment fish farming.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have:  Avoided taking a stand on the mandatory labelling of genetically engineered food.
Building a more equal world
Canadians want to take our place on the world stage, building a more equal world.
As one of the world’s richest nations, it’s time for Canada to make our contribution to building a fairer, more secure world.
It’s time to do our part in addressing the challenges of population growth, poverty, pollution and pandemics.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will build a more equal world by:  Increasing Canada’s international development aid to 0.7 per cent of GDP by 2015.
Working to cancel foreign debt developing countries owe to Canada
while strongly encouraging democracy and human rights in those countries that are severely wanting.
Working with like-minded governments and legislators to implement the Tobin Tax on currency speculation, as approved by Parliament, by placing a miniscule tax on currency speculation transactions to generate investment capital in health, education and sustainable electricity projects in the developing world.
Ending Canada’s long-standing objection to adopting a key G8 report that shows how sustainable development is possible for developing nations through pollution-free renewable energy.
Working with progressive legislators in other countries to replace undemocratic, corporate-driven trade deals like NAFTA and the WTO with agreements based on the principles of fair and equitable trade, which respect fair wages and working conditions, human rights, the environment and communities’ right to develop in accordance with their values.
Working to re-establish Canadian legislators’ primacy to enact national and provincial policies, which has been eroded in recent years by trade deals like NAFTA and the WTO.
Strengthening the Special Economic Measures Act to enable Canada to implement economic sanctions on Canadian companies that contribute to serious human rights violations overseas.
Amending the State Immunity Act to enable Canadians to sue foreign governments for torture, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Ensuring Canada plays a leading role with like-minded nations in working for peace and justice in the Middle East within a framework of respect for UN resolutions and international law, including the right of both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peaceful co-existence in viable, independent states, negotiated, agreed-upon borders, no settlements remaining in the Palestinian state, an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, an end to all killings of innocent civilians, and an international peacekeeping presence.
Supporting Canada’s continued involvement in multilateral organizations such as La Francophonie and the Commonwealth.
Adopting legislation that allows criminal prosecution of Canadian-based corporations guilty of human rights violations overseas, mirroring legislation that allows prosecution of Canadian citizens for child sex offences committed overseas.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have:  Cut almost $3 billion from foreign aid, driving Canada’s contribution to international development from 0.44 per cent of GDP to 0.29 per cent.
Building a world that fights AIDS
Every Canadian is moved by the human tragedy of AIDS decimating many developing countries, particularly in Africa.
We want a concerted, cohesive and ambitious plan to address one of humanity’s most wrenching and urgent crises.
It’s time for Canada to take a leadership role by putting our values into action, shown by the leadership of Stephen Lewis, former Ontario NDP Leader and now United Nations AIDS Envoy.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will fight AIDS by:  Ensuring cheaper, generic drugs are available to Africa and the developing world for AIDS and all life-threatening illnesses, such as cancer, malaria and tuberculosis, and by reducing the length of patents for prescription drugs in Canada.
Honouring Canada’s commitment to the Global Fund for AIDS relief by tripling existing funding.
Working through the United Nations to reform the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to eliminate the drastic lending conditions that cut health and education investment in developing nations, which often result in cuts to AIDS treatment and prevention programs.
Paul Martin has:  Been a key player at the IMF and World Bank, which are directly linked to significant reductions in the developing world’s ability to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS.
Respecting Who We Are
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP know our country’s changed.
The places we call home and the faces we see in our communities are evolving, and Canada must evolve to reflect our new urban and diverse realities.
To build the country we want, we need to respect who we are.
Respecting women’s equality
Canadian women have not seen the advances in equality that the Liberals promised.
Economic equality is still a distant goal.
Unemployment and a growing part-time work ghetto for women undermine their economic independence.
Access to affordable, high quality child care is still a major barrier to working, studying or balancing work and family.
At least one in four Canadian women will be assaulted some time during her life.
It’s time to respect women’s equality and develop strategies to support women in balancing work and family.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP are working for solutions to turn the rhetoric of women’s equality into reality by:  Introducing proactive and effective pay equity laws, including timely, efficient, non-bureaucratic ways to help workers and employers resolve disputes and funding for education, training, information and enforcement.
Working towards applying pay equity law to all employers in the federal sector regardless of size and to all employees regardless of employment status (full-time, part-time, temporary, casual, contract).
Working with provinces and territories to provide stable, long-term federal funds to create an additional 200,000 high quality, affordable, publicly funded child care spaces within four years.
Implementing public or non-profit-based home care throughout Canada, based on the successful model in Manitoba.
Care in hospitals is $9,000 to $16,000 more expensive per patient per year than community-based home care, which plans for an aging population while relieving the burden on families, especially on women, who disproportionately care for elderly relatives.
Ensuring women have access to safe, therapeutic abortion services.
Providing stable funding for women’s centres and educational programs designed to combat sexism and violence against women.
Dedicating some of the recent increases in Sport Canada funding to increasing access to programs for women.
Reflecting changes in the workplace and helping women qualify for maternity benefits by extending coverage to dependent contract workers and eliminating the limits on maternity or parental leave that are based on use of sickness benefits.
Easing EI eligibility requirements to factor in a worker’s years in the workforce, a measure that would help more women qualify and reflect a worker’s true attachment to the workforce.
Improving access to the CPP/QPP for women by expanding the current “drop-out” provision for child care to include other unpaid care, such as that for senior family members.
Removing the GST from family essentials, starting with children’s clothing and medicine, school supplies, books, magazines, women’s hygiene products, and medical equipment.
Holding a referendum on whether to change the voting system to one based on proportional representation, similar to systems in Germany and New Zealand that respect voters’ choices, protect local representation and require broad levels of support for a party to qualify for seats in Parliament.
Respecting Aboriginal realities
Increasingly, Aboriginal Canadians – First Nations, Métis, Inuit – are taking a prominent place in all sectors of society, including business, government and politics, the arts, media, science and academe.
It is a welcome development.
However, for too many Aboriginal Canadians, life resembles Third World conditions.
Decade after decade of promises have yet to build the communities that Canada’s first peoples deserve and that foster Aboriginal talent to help build the country we want.
It’s time for a genuine commitment to the inherent right of self-government.
It’s time for a genuine commitment to Aboriginal Canadians, both on reserve and in urban settings.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will work with Aboriginal Canadians by:  Convening a First Ministers’ conference to discuss the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, shelved by the federal government for the past eight years.
Representatives of Aboriginal peoples would attend the conference as full partners.
Settling land claims to foster economic development in on-reserve communities and encouraging working partnerships between the business community and Aboriginal people.
Training 10,000 Aboriginal professionals in health, education and social services.
Establishing an Independent Land Claims Commission to decide on specific claims, increasing federal government investment in First Nations community infrastructure, and undertaking financial reforms to give First Nations enhanced access to capital for community economic development.
Making Aboriginal communities priorities in new housing and infrastructure programs, finally honouring the federal government’s obligations to bring Aboriginal living standards from the Third World to the first.
Ending the disgraceful federally-run health care in First Nations communities by providing adequate funding, staffing, and investment in facilities and working with provinces, territories and First Nations to deliver 21st century health care.
Expanding on the proven success of traditional Aboriginal justice in the criminal justice system and increasing funding for Aboriginal language protection.
Respecting the 1988 Joint Task Force report that recommends an independent, effective system to resolve land claim disputes.
Abandoning any appeal of court decisions on Indian residential schools and negotiating fair settlements with victims of abuse, unless such a move absolves churches of responsibility for their part in this regrettable part of Canadian history.
Creating Aboriginal seats in Parliament, just as New Zealand has, to ensure Canada’s first peoples’ voices are always present in national debate.
Ending low-level NATO flight-testing over Innu lands.
Opposing any re-introduction of the flawed First Nations Governance Act and instead modernizing Aboriginal governance in consultation with Aboriginal communities based on the principles of self-governance.
Developing a national strategy to address the needs of urban Aboriginal people.
Recognizing the unique needs of First Nations communities for clean water and health care.
Including Aboriginal leaders at national health ministers’ meetings and First Ministers’ meetings.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have:  Chosen to implement the largest corporate tax reductions in history, even as Aboriginal communities, solely under federal jurisdiction, live in squalor.
Respecting a diverse Canada
Canadian faces are changing, and our society and economy are stronger as a result.
When the world sees Canada, it sees a model of diversity living in peace.
But for too many Canadians, our world image is undermined by domestic reality.
Too many families are kept apart and too many talented Canadians are consigned to work far below their level of expertise as Canada’s immigration system fails to reflect modern realities.
With communities in need of family doctors and our environment in need of solutions, physicians and engineers shouldn’t be driving cabs.
They should be helping to build the country we want.
It’s time for Canada to expand our economic and cultural view to allow prosperity even during poor economic times in the United States.
In a global world, we need global ties to the best the world can provide.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will build diversity by:  Allowing immigration levels to rise to the equivalent of one per cent of the population.
Enacting a once-in-a-lifetime provision to enable Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor one relative to help reunite families and investigating how to amend current immigration laws and practices to make family reunification real.
Working with provinces and territories to respect foreign qualifications of professionals.
Improving the immigration and refugee system to make it speedier, fairer and more accountable.
Putting resources in place to end lengthy delays in processing applications from some overseas posts such as Beijing and Delhi.
Working with provinces and territories to help attract and retain immigrants to maintain labour force and population objectives.
Amending the current immigration laws, which currently bar most immigrants that would have been admitted during the Trudeau era.
Eliminating Paul Martin’s head tax on immigrants, effectively regulating and enforcing tighter rules on private immigration consultants and their fees.
Freezing immigration fees to prevent gouging those who seek to make Canada their home and allowing immigration fees to be used as credit towards education and skills training in Canada.
Allowing people without status who already call Canada home the opportunity to apply for legal status, in the context of humanitarian and compassionate relaxation of the rules.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have:  Failed to keep their promise of allowing immigration to rise to one per cent of the population and, as finance minister, enacted massive fee increases for immigrant families.
Respecting equality
Canadians believe deeply in equality of races, of religions and of people.
We collectively suffer when one of us is denied economic opportunity or civil rights based on ethnicity, disability or sexual orientation.
Yet too often, platitudes paper over a government record starkly at odds with the values Canadians hold.
Wage discrimination still occurs so that people doing the same work do not receive equal pay.
Peaceful protest is dangerously close to being criminalized.
Canada’s Arab and Muslim communities are subjects of dangerous stereotypes.
Anti-Semitism is on the rise.
And, after a decade of fighting lesbian and gay equality in the courts, Parliament has yet to commit to full equality for same-sex couples.
It’s time to put our values into action.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will respect equality by:  Working with the provincial and territorial governments to set up a single income support mechanism for persons with disabilities, including a system of national disability supports.
Developing a labour market strategy for persons with disabilities that includes a plan for increased participation in the federal government workforce and expanded measures to help other employers to make workplaces accessible and accommodate persons with disabilities.
Expanding the Special Opportunities Grant Program to recognize the extra costs associated with one’s disability and the costs of accommodations for training, post-secondary education and job opportunities.
Making the disability tax credit and medical expenses tax credit fully refundable.
Establishing an independent commissioner who reports directly to Parliament to monitor federal departments’ compliance to all policies for persons with disabilities and who advises ministers about the effects on persons with disabilities of upcoming legislation or regulations.
Recognizing the equality of loving adult partnerships by extending civil marriage equality to same-sex couples, while respecting each religion’s right to determine its own definition of marriage.
Replacing the Anti-Terrorism Act with legislation that respects peaceful protest, freedom of the press and civil liberties.
Introducing legislation that would ban racial profiling from federal departments and jurisdictions.
Abandoning Paul Martin’s appeal of the court decision extending retroactive CPP survivor benefits for same-sex couples.
Following the lead of the Northwest Territories and amending the Canada Human Rights Act to ensure a person cannot be discriminated against because of gender identity.
Working with American authorities to ensure the Canadian passport is respected and that Canadian citizens are treated equally at our international borders and by refusing to share intelligence until we receive these assurances, as recommended by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have:  Undermined equality for lesbian and gay couples by moving towards a vague “civil union” legal option to get around court rulings in Ontario and British Columbia and by eliminating civil marriage forever for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples.
Respecting Canadians’ democratic choices
It’s time for Parliament to accurately reflect Canadians’ choices.
It’s time for Canada to catch up to the world by changing our voting system to use proportional representation.
Throughout the industrialized world, Canada is one of only two democracies that have yet to use some form of proportional representation.
We can elect a Parliament that reflects the votes of Canadians, that requires parties to have broad, national support, and in which more women take their rightful place.
Canadians consistently make clear choices at the ballot box.
But due to an obsolete voting system, those choices are consistently ignored by arrogant majority governments elected by a minority of Canadians.
It’s time to change the system so that politicians like Paul Martin can never again receive mandates based on ideas, only to abandon them once in office.
It’s time to get tough on the sleaze and scandals that undermine Canadians’ faith in our democratic system.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will respect your vote by:  Holding a referendum on whether to change the voting system to one based on proportional representation, similar to systems in Germany and New Zealand that respect voters’ choices, protect local representation and require broad levels of support for a party to qualify for seats in Parliament.
Getting tough on sleaze by having an independent ethics counsellor, toughening conflict-of-interest guidelines and cracking down on expense accounts.
Implementing Parliamentary review of senior appointments to bodies such as Crown corporations, agencies, and boards.
Ensuring so-called “third parties” report publicly on funds they received for election advertising and other campaign expenses.
Cracking down on unaccountable election slush funds.
Abolishing the unelected, unaccountable and undemocratic Senate.
Creating Aboriginal seats in Parliament, just as New Zealand has, to ensure Canada’s first peoples’ voices are always present in national debate.
Supporting and working with the Council of the Federation, established by Canada’s premiers, to improve federal-provincial-territorial relations.
Strengthening freedom of information and personal privacy laws and enacting effective whistleblower laws to protect public servants who shine light on wrongdoing and waste in government.
Lowering the voting age to 16.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have:  Opposed giving you a say in whether you want to change the voting system you use.
In 2003, he voted against an NDP motion for a referendum on changing Canada’s voting system.
Respecting what makes us Canadian
Canadian artists are taking their place on the world stage but still need help at home.
Through our arts and stories, we share in the richness of our land.
We enrich it further by supporting a flourishing creative environment, a source of inspiration and balance for many Canadians in our fast-paced world.
Canadian amateur sports, too, play a vital role in our national fabric.
They help foster vibrant communities and are a component of effective public health and youth programs.
It’s time to improve access to amateur sport in our communities.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will support Canadian culture by:  Supporting Canadian visual and performing artists and writers through project-based grants and tax credits.
Increasing and stabilizing funding for the CBC and Radio-Canada, recognizing the importance of public broadcasting in a large country in a larger world.
Supporting the licensing of international, multilingual television on Canadian cable to allow Canadians greater insight into the world around us.
Protecting domestic ownership of cable and telecommunications companies.
Ensuring a diversity of voices in Canadian media by preventing further mergers and acquisitions that provide media owners with greater than a 20 per cent market share in a national, regional or local market.
Implementing the recommendations of the Heritage Committee Report to support distinctly Canadian media industries.
Dedicating some of the recent increases in Sport Canada funding to increase access to programs for women, persons with disabilities and Aboriginal Canadians.
Recognizing municipalities are the backbone of amateur sport and dedicating infrastructure funding to help build and run community recreational facilities, with priority for facilities serving youth and seniors.
Ordering the CRTC to enforce responsibility in the cable TV industry, get a handle on fee hikes, deal with the reduction of community access programming and rebalance regulations to put viewers’ interests first.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have:  Enacted some of the deepest cuts in history to the CBC and Radio-Canada.
Protecting Who We Are
Canadians feel their country slipping away as our society becomes more integrated with the United States and we lose the capacity to build the country we want.
Co-operating with our neighbour and closest ally on issues of mutual concern is possible without sacrificing our right to protect our priorities, culture and independence.
Protecting Canadian Sovereignty
It’s time for Canada to reassert independent policies that respect both Canadian values and our American friends.
Jean Chrétien was correct to listen to Canadians and stay out of Bush’s Iraq War.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will protect Canadian sovereignty by: Ensuring Parliament votes before committing troops overseas and by comparing all military options with their compliance to international law and availability of peaceful alternatives.
Ensuring that if a decision is made not to enter into war, Canadian Armed Forces personnel do not serve in or command other nations’ militaries, as is the case in the Iraq War.
Placing a priority on peacekeeping and peacemaking operations conducted under UN auspices.
Serving notice to renegotiate NAFTA to remove Chapter 11 to protect Canada’s mixed economy, in which public enterprises and public services play a vital role, and by working with progressive legislators in other countries toward new trade agreements that are not corporate-driven.
Working to strengthen the United Nations and regional security bodies such as the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE),
as an alternative to the US-dominated bodies of NATO and NORAD, particularly in light of NATO’s refusal to renounce the first use of nuclear weapons and the likely location of Star Wars-NMD coordination at NORAD headquarters.
Serving notice that agreements permitting US soldiers to enter Canada automatically in times of emergency are cancelled and changed to requiring the express permission of Parliament.
Creating a new agency to promote fair elections and democratic processes among emerging democracies.
Paul Martin has:  Sent mixed signals about his stance on George Bush’s Iraq War and appointed an open supporter of the war, David Pratt, as defence minister.
Protecting Canada’s right to determine economic solutions
Canadians are a trading and global people, unafraid to compete in the world and supportive of international institutions and rules that bring our world closer.
New Democrats are traders too, and consistently embrace multilateral approaches to solving global challenges.
But current trade agreements aren’t working for Canadian businesses, workers or communities, and proposed trade agreements provide too many rights for global corporations at the expense of national democracy and existing environmental, social and labour treaties.
It’s time for a new approach to trade, one taking root in many countries in the Americas and Europe.
We can generate prosperity and interaction in the world in a sustainable manner that lets communities make decisions in their interests, protects our environment and raises living conditions in the developing world by promoting fair wages and working conditions and small, community-based businesses.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP support this model of fair trade, an emerging solution in the wake of recent failures at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP would work for fair trade by: Recognizing that current trade deals like NAFTA aren’t working for many Canadian businesses, communities and workers.
Access to markets is too often denied and Canadian industries, in particular softwood lumber, agriculture, auto and steel, are too often penalized by the US for playing by the rules.
Serving notice of NAFTA renegotiation to provide guaranteed, managed access for Canadian industries to the United States and to ensure NAFTA does not supersede existing environmental, cultural or labour treaties.
Refusing to sign any agreement that contains investor state mechanisms, which let corporations overturn democratic decisions, and serving notice to renegotiate NAFTA, starting with the removal of Chapter 11.
The powers contained in Chapter 11 have already prevented Canada from banning toxic chemicals.
Working with progressive legislators and organizations in the United States and Mexico to achieve these reforms.
Working with like-minded countries throughout the world to negotiate a fair trade agreement that respects existing environmental, social and labour treaties.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have:  Consistently supported trade agreements that permit corporations to overturn democratic decisions and that are increasingly opposed by governments of developing countries, despite their Liberal Red Book promise to renegotiate NAFTA.
Protecting Canadian jobs from attack
Too many Canadian industries are under concerted attack from other governments, which is harming businesses, communities and workers that play by trade rules.
Current strategies are not defending Canadian interests.
Even with a string of trade rulings in Canada’s favour, softwood lumber exports are still punished with punitive duties.
It’s time to act in a concerted manner with our labour partners, who democratically represent Canadian workers, to defend Canadian industries, creating and protecting jobs by reasserting Canada’s right to sovereign economic development.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP would defend jobs by:  Getting tough on steel dumping and creating a level playing field for Canadian steel by making retroactive dumping duties the norm, not the exception.
Ensuring those affected by a weak steel policy have a voice by changing the composition of the Canadian Trade Tribunal to equal representation from steel workers, businesses and steel-based communities.
Establishing a level playing field within North America to attract and retain auto plants, including a temporary fund for research and development incentives for vehicles built in Canada.
Bringing organized labour to the table, rather than the sidelines as the Liberals did, in a National Forum on the Economy with government, business, and community organizations to have meaningful input on government economic and fiscal policy.
Establishing a task force of government, business, labour and non-governmental organizations to focus on solutions for key industries such as resource extraction and manufacturing, which are facing changing times.
Creating disincentives for “sales-only” auto operations by working towards implementing tax measures that encourage making vehicles here.
Extending tools for lifelong learning, research, skills training, medical diagnostics and opportunity throughout the country through initiatives like extending broadband access to all communities by co-operating with provinces, municipalities and the private sector – including in remote communities.
Recognizing that the Employment Insurance fund belongs to Canadian workers, not the government, and making sure all appropriate benefits flow.
Working with the auto sector, both business and workers, to create a dynamic Canadian auto policy that levels the playing field with our trading partners and reinvigorates the industry, which has fallen from fourth largest in the world in 1999 to seventh.
Linking resource-based exports to increase bargaining power with the United States.
As a major energy exporter to the US, Canada should use that leverage to ensure fair treatment for all resource industries, particularly softwood lumber.
Defending Canadian interests in negotiations with the United States for a new softwood lumber trade agreement by being prepared to respond to punitive tariffs on Canadian forest exports with retaliatory trade measures on energy exports, ensuring no agreement is signed that imposes US-style forest policies on Canada, and by offering economic support for forest workers affected by the trade dispute.
Implementing federal laws to outlaw replacement workers in strikes or lockouts in areas of federal jurisdiction.
Reinstating a watchdog agency to monitor, and control when necessary, the level of foreign investment in key Canadian industries and by stopping attempts to weaken foreign ownership restrictions in telecommunications.
Increasing the federal minimum wage by raising it annually, tied to the rate of economic growth.
Working proactively to protect Canada’s film and television industry.
Working with forest communities, workers and businesses to develop value-added wood product industries to create jobs and reduce Canada’s unsustainable reliance on exporting raw logs for development overseas.
Paul Martin has:  Failed to act, despite being the minister responsible for tariffs and tax policies for nine years in which Canadian industries were under concerted attack.
Protecting the family farm through a food system approach
After the worst financial distress in the history of Canadian agriculture, our farmers and ranchers need federal help desperately.
Farmers have endured sharply reduced incomes and weather-related and other disasters.
They have suffered from federal government failure to level the playing field against European export subsidies and American domestic supports.
As a result, many of our farm families have been forced off the land.
It’s time for a new approach.
We need to keep our hard-working, innovative farm families on the land and competitive by ensuring adequate returns for their efforts and investments and by encouraging much more value-added production.
At the same time, we need to ensure the produce and products that feed Canadians as well as people around the globe are safe, nutritious and environmentally sound.
It’s time for a food system approach to help Canada’s farmers in the marketplace and for positioning Canadian agricultural products as safe, environmentally sound products.
A food system approach can combine farmers’ and ranchers’ desire for economic support and environmental sustainability with consumers’ desire for safe, ecologically sensitive products.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will protect family farms by:  Establishing stable safety net programs to protect family farms from unexpected drops in income caused by natural disasters and adverse trade rules.
Recognizing the devastating impact of American domestic support and European export subsidies and increasing funding for Canadian farm families until a level playing field can be re-established internationally.
Ensuring that federal help to farmers as a result of trade decisions does not depend on relief from cash-strapped provincial governments.
Promoting an agriculture policy that preserves what Canadian farmers have created to protect themselves, including the Canadian Wheat Board and supply management in dairy and poultry.
Working toward sustainable agriculture outcomes that will help reduce input costs for pesticides, herbicides and fuel, which are largely paid by Canadian farmers to multinational corporations.
Improving food safety through better identification, increased testing and more public inspection to make Canadian-produced food the most trusted in the world.
Immediately banning all animal-to-animal feed.
Enacting a moratorium on genetically modified wheat to protect Canadian export markets and supporting mandatory labelling of GM food at home.
Recognizing the danger that climate change presents to farm families’ income and aggressively reducing Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Providing incentives to increase value-added processing and packing plants to create jobs for people living in rural Canada.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have:  Enacted the deepest cuts to farm support programs in Canadian history.
Protecting Canadian unemployed workers
Over the last decade, Canada’s employment insurance program has become unfair, unresponsive and outdated.
Fewer than one-in-three unemployed or pregnant workers qualify for the insurance program to which they paid premiums, and many unemployed workers who are retraining are not eligible for benefits.
It’s time to modernize EI to help laid-off workers and accurately reflect the work realities of many women.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will modernize EI by:  Allowing retraining to occur while on benefits, helping unemployed workers gain the skills to find new work.
Reflecting changes in the workplace and helping women qualify for maternity benefits by extending coverage to dependent contract workers and eliminating the limits on maternity or parental leave that are based on use of sickness benefits.
Easing eligibility requirements to factor in a worker’s years in the workforce, a measure that would help more women qualify and reflect a worker’s true attachment to the workforce.
Reducing the hours required to qualify for EI to 350 and restoring benefits to two-thirds of eligible salary to provide a greater buffer between the loss of a pay cheque and poverty.
Creating more opportunities for unemployed workers to make the transition to work, including skills updating and finding new applications for existing skills.
Eliminating the two-week waiting period for EI and eliminating counting severance or vacation pay as income for EI purposes.
Assisting older workers by extending EI benefits for unemployed workers aged 45 or older with more than 10 years in the labour force.
Making the EI account a separate trust fund, not part of the government’s general revenues where premiums are spent on corporate tax cuts instead of insurance for the people who are paying the premiums.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have:  Taken $45 billion from the EI fund to balance the federal budget and implemented draconian qualifying rules that prevent two-in-three unemployed workers from collecting the insurance for which they paid premiums.
Protecting Canadian pensions
After watching many pension plans lose value on the stock market and with many pension plans under funded as a result of stock-induced contribution holidays and corporate greed, many workers are increasingly concerned about their retirement security.
It’s time to protect pensions and Canadians’ retirement by using those funds in safe, innovative ways and by increasing the number of Canadians contributing to the CPP through creating jobs and toughening the rules for private pensions.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will protect pensions by:  Establishing a federal pension insurance program, similar to the one in the US, which is funded by small employer contributions from corporations under federal jurisdiction such as banks, airlines and telecommunications corporations.
This program would serve as a catalyst for an interprovincial program to cover all workers.
Making employees and their pension plans the preferred creditors in the event of corporate bankruptcies.
Making it illegal to underfund private pensions.
Creating jobs, providing stable returns for the CPP and launching a national retrofit program of buildings for energy efficiency.
Protecting pensioners and shareholders by limiting the tax deductibility of corporate executive salaries to $300,000 and requiring that stock options be fully expensed in corporate accounting.
Putting an ethical screen on CPP investment funds to prevent directing investments of public money into firms that pollute, exploit labour, trade in arms, or engage in other unscrupulous practices that offend Canadian values.
Providing a legislative framework for joint trusteeship of pension funds.
Directing public savings in the CPP into investments in sustainable technologies and industries to support national and community economic development.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will help seniors retire in dignity by:  Supporting a mandatory federal retirement age of 65.
Improving access to the CPP/QPP for women by expanding the current “drop-out” provision for child care to include other unpaid care giving, such as that for senior family members.
Reviewing the adequacy of Canada’s pension system to develop more effective ways for enhancing income security for seniors.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have:  Tried to eliminate the OAS and replace it with a means tested program,
and stole $30 billion from the Public Service Pension Fund to balance the books.
Protecting Canadian security through peace
As the Cold War fades into memory and new security challenges emerge, it’s time for Canada’s security policy to evolve.
Buying a lot of expensive military hardware would make big arms manufacturers happy, but it won’t do a lot to help a humanitarian middle power such as Canada foster human security.
Instead, Canada should assert our role in the world by working as an effective, trained peacekeeper and peacemaker with the equipment to do that job and by helping alleviate the problems that trigger crises.
Around the world organizations like Europe’s Organization for Security and Co-operation are emerging that recognize the links between human rights, development and security.
Increasing our co-operation, information-sharing and economic ties to more middle-sized industrial democracies and to developing nations may well help combat terrorism and rogue states
as much as maintaining our traditional alliances.
These new routes need to be developed vigorously.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP say it’s time to recognize the world is changing and that the new world requires an investment in people, including Canadian Armed Forces personnel, not trillion-dollar weapons systems for space.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will protect Canadian security by:  Increasing foreign aid and taking action to reduce poverty, pollution and pandemics in the world.
Huge gulfs between rich and poor and looming environmental catastrophes caused by climate change are humanity’s biggest security threat.
Establishing a Royal Commission to conduct a full, thorough review of Canada’s role as a middle, humanitarian power in a post-Cold War world.
Making peacekeeping and peacemaking operations under UN auspices the priority for Canadian Armed Forces operations overseas and working with similar nations to co-operate in organizations that take a holistic approach to security issues.
Supporting safe helicopters for the Canadian Armed Forces.
Separating the Coast Guard from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, with increased funding to enforce international and national rules, but also to prevent drug interdiction and illegal immigration, and to keep up the fisheries patrol and marine and environmental protection.
Increasing the salaries and improving housing for members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Working with other nations to develop replacements, based on the principle of cohesive human security and organizations like the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), to NATO and NORAD to reflect all security challenges in a post-Cold War world.
Cancelling offensive, expensive and unnecessary weapons systems for the Canadian Armed Forces, reducing the DND bureaucracy, and reallocating savings to invest in reserve and regular personnel and better training and equipment so that they can carry out Canada’s vital peacekeeping and peacemaking roles.
Ensuring Canada plays a leading role with like-minded nations in working for peace and justice in the Middle East within a framework of respect for UN resolutions and international law, including the right of both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peaceful co-existence in viable, independent states, negotiated, agreed-upon borders, no settlements remaining in the Palestinian state, an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, an end to all killings of innocent civilians, and an international peacekeeping presence.
Opposing the introduction of a national identity card, which endangers the privacy rights of every Canadian.
Scrapping the draconian Anti-Terrorism Act, which has already impeded media freedom in Canada, and replacing it with legislation that respects civil liberties, ethnic communities and freedom of the press.
Introducing legislation to ban racial profiling from federal departments and jurisdictions.
Working with the United States to ensure effective border security that enables the movement of people and goods.
Increasing security provisions at remote airports.
Continuing work in multilateral arms reduction treaties to reduce and eventually eliminate chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, which are safe in no one’s hands.
Launching a full review of Canadian national defence to determine what armed forces for Canada in the 21st century should be and what resources are needed, balancing our traditional peacekeeping and peacemaking focus with the need to have a truly independent foreign policy.
Firmly opposing any Canadian participation in the grossly expensive Star Wars missile defence scheme, which will result in the weaponizing of space and does nothing to protect us from terrorism, and promoting the proposed Space Preservation Treaty.
Paul Martin has:  Made participation in Star Wars missile defence a priority and voted for the draconian security law that triggered a raid on a journalist’s home and office despite warnings from the NDP, unions, the media and civil rights organizations of the law’s inevitable consequences.
Protecting Canadians from crime
Across Canada and around the world, statistics clearly show the better an economy is and the fewer desperate people there are, the lower the crime rate.
This makes job creation, investing in children and fighting poverty the best anti-crime plan available.
But some crimes are not crimes of desperation, and we must vigorously respond to all violent crime and take action against the constant threat of organized crime.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will fight crime by:  Addressing the underlying causes of crime by aggressively fighting poverty and investing in children and municipalities.
Making sentences and bail and release conditions tougher for repeat violent offenders under federal jurisdiction.
Developing a Victims’ Bill of Rights to ensure victims of crime are treated equally and fairly.
Reinstating a national ports police to combat organized crime and smuggling in our port communities.
Strengthening laws to combat organized crime and anti-gang laws, including better support for “megatrials” to prevent cases from falling apart, long delays and jury harassment.
Protecting Canada’s children from sexual predators by supporting an effective national sex offender registry of people convicted of violent sexual crimes or sexual crimes against minors and by following the Manitoba example of posting pictures and details about sex offenders on a national web site to help citizens protect themselves.
Banning the sale of all assault rifles and automatic weapons and prohibiting their import.
Citizens in rural and remote areas and recreational hunters aren’t using these weapons, which have no place in civilian societies.
Strengthening border controls and penalties for illegally importing guns into Canada.
Introducing a non-punitive rule-based approach to adult marijuana use with a major emphasis on prevention, education and health promotion, while seeing that provinces have the resources to prevent and detect impaired driving more effectively.
Launching a major anti-drug and anti-alcohol education program aimed at youth.
It works for tobacco and will work for drugs and alcohol, too.
Working to expand the harm-reduction model for hard drugs used successfully in Vancouver, which uses controlled injection sites to help addicts get off drugs and crime.
Ensuring transparency and accountability in corporate accounting by bringing Canadian regulations in line with the American regulations introduced after the Enron and WorldCom scandals.
Paul Martin has: Watched the United States fight corporate accounting crime after the Enron scandal while refusing to bring Canadian corporate standards to the same level.
Clear Choices On How To Get There
For a decade, Canadians have been told we have no choices, that we must abandon building the country and planet we want because we lack the fiscal freedom to do so.
It’s time for honesty about the clear choices facing us about how to invest our financial capacity.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP believe it’s time to invest in innovation, not squander another decade of resources on corporate tax cuts and debt reduction for debt reduction’s sake.
In short, we need a plan for today’s Canadian families, not more corporate tax breaks.
Clear choices for consumers
Around the world, meaningful regulation and innovative consumer involvement are protecting consumers from corporate greed.
It’s time Canadian consumers received similar protection.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP respect private enterprise but also recognize that competition alone does not ensure cheaper prices and properly functioning markets, particularly in fields dominated by a small number of large corporations, like credit cards.
It’s time to give consumers a helping hand through common sense regulation and new ideas contained in a Consumers Bill of Rights.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will implement a Consumers Bill of Rights that will protect you by:  Regulating credit card interest rates to five points above the prime-lending rate, as opposed to the 10 to 20 point gap that many credit cards have.
Requiring federally regulated agencies such as banks, telephone and cable corporations to fund citizen oversight committees to monitor fees and rates.
Currently four US states do this, including Illinois and California, where citizen utility boards and their monitoring have saved consumers millions.
Requiring chartered banks to maintain, rather than abandon, branches in Canada’s rural and small towns, as well as in poor, inner city neighbourhoods.
Cracking down on cheque-cashing companies that are moving into the poor neighbourhoods abandoned by the banks.
Including their exorbitant fees, these corporations charge more than 60 per cent interest, exceeding the Criminal Code limit.
Respecting consumers’ right to know what they eat by having mandatory labelling of genetically engineered food, as is in place throughout much of Europe, Asia and Australia.
Toughening up government processes to catch government corruption and waste and introducing independent means to police the system to keep out partisan corporate cronyism.
Establishing a do-not-call list for telemarketers and imposing tough sanctions on telemarketers who violate the list.
Paul Martin has:  Served as finance minister during a period in which interest rates neared record lows, yet he permitted credit card interest rates to remain at their previous rate.
The gap between the prime rate and most credit cards is now 14.5 points.
Clear choices for creating jobs and a brighter economic future for today’s families
Canadians want to build security for the family and create opportunities for young people in their community.
It’s time for a comprehensive industrial strategy that recognizes the importance of community economic development, revitalized manufacturing, agricultural and resource industries, and the promise of creating jobs through smart investment in new, sustainable technologies.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will foster job growth by:  Embarking on ambitious investment strategies to create jobs through improving care for children and seniors, developing renewable energy, retrofitting buildings for energy efficiency and implementing a real deal for municipalities.
Recognizing the proven success of community economic development, making co-operative ventures with business, labour and community groups a priority, and extending the concept of community economic development to fisheries.
Levelling the playing field for small businesses by creating better access to federal government procurement opportunities and by holding a federal review of the availability and escalating costs of property and casualty insurance.
Creating a fair taxation system for small businesses.
Indexing the GST exemption threshold for small and home businesses to the rate of inflation.
Cutting red tape for small businesses that deal with the federal government by, for example, working with all levels of government to develop one-stop shopping.
Reviewing and reworking existing federal programs to improve small business access to venture capital.
Creating an economic development subcommittee of the federal cabinet to develop better strategies to foster regional and sectoral economic growth and by establishing a National Forum on the Economy, which would bring together key representatives of business, labour and community organizations to work with government on economic development solutions in established sectors like resource extraction and processing, manufacturing, agriculture and food as well as in emerging and cutting edge sectors like information and communications technology, biotechnology, environmental technology, entertainment and ecotourism.
Revamping the mandate of the Business Development Bank of Canada to support community economic development and by changing legislation to help democratic financial institutions like credit unions and caisses-populaires increase their market share.
Immediately conducting a full public review of the privatization of the fishery, in particular the increasing corporate control of fish quotas.
Ensuring that fishery goals of conservation and sustainability are achieved through community-based, co-management of fish resources.
Ensuring that aquaculture is developed in a responsible manner that protects adjacent waters and communities to the highest environmental standards.
Standing up for an independent, small business, east coast inshore fishery.
Advocating for custodial management of the fish stocks on the nose and tail and the Flemish Cap of the Grand Banks.
Decentralizing the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and increasing staff in regional offices.
Helping coastal communities with a national shipbuilding policy to enable Canadian shipbuilders to compete against their subsidized international counterparts.
Giving new strategic support to Canada’s cultural and tourism sectors, which are increasingly vital to the economy and to the quality of life in our communities.
Working with Canada’s airports to reduce the often-exorbitant rent paid to the federal government, which impedes local economic development, particularly in smaller centres.
Challenging the enormous US subsidies to the auto, agriculture and softwood lumber industries far more vigorously than the Liberals have and by developing an effective plan to save these industries before outrageous American policies destroy them.
Implementing a public Canadian border authority to manage, plan and deliver effective solutions to border issues, including enhanced local community representation and multi-modal transportation options such as road, rail, air and water ferry services.
Establishing a national training strategy and supporting lifelong learning strategies for workers to address current and anticipated skills shortages.
Providing a legal framework for joint trusteeship of pension funds to assist using these funds to invest in job creation through community economic development.
Combining the six ministries responsible for various infrastructure and regional development portfolios into a single Department of Canadian Development and Infrastructure – not to reduce focus in any area but to streamline processes and trim bureaucracy.
Supporting a new, fairer equalization program for the provinces, as supported by all the provinces.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have:  Spent more than $100 billion on tax cuts skewed towards corporations and the well-to-do, while claiming Canada lacked the fiscal freedom to invest in innovative ideas that create jobs in our communities and protect the environment.
Clear choices on debt reduction
When Canada embarked on reducing its deficit, the government told us the resulting freedom would help us build the country we wanted.
Instead, the resulting freedom was squandered on record corporate tax cuts.
Now, with Canada being the only G8 country in surplus, those who oppose building the country we want are determined to make debt reduction the new priority.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP say it’s time for honesty about our fiscal situation.
Over the last decade, the Liberals were off their budgetary estimates by a staggering $80 billion, denying Canadians a debate about clear choices and investing in our priorities.
During that period, Canada’s debt was reduced by almost $60 billion and our debt-to-GDP ratio was reduced to 42 per cent, a reasonably low level (the US is at 35 per cent and rising).
The ratio will continue to decline as long as Canada’s budgets are balanced and the GDP grows.
Like a family’s mortgage or corporate debt, the key factor is the size of the debt relative to GDP or income.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP support annual balanced budgets.
Over the last 20 years, NDP provincial and territorial governments are less likely to have run deficits than governments of any other party.
But debt reduction for debt reduction’s sake doesn’t help us build the country we want, and it’s time to put Canadians’ values into action instead of squandering another opportunity to invest in innovation to meet our economic, social and environmental challenges.
Jack Layton and Canada’s NDP will give Canadians clear choices on debt reduction by:  Implementing annual balanced budgets – exempting years of extreme revenue shortfalls and disasters and acts of God – and reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio by maximizing the benefits of a growing economy and strong borrowing and debt management measures.
Allowing a debate over what should be done with any unforeseen surplus instead of retroactively applying all of it against the national debt.
Making investing in and building the country and planet we want a top priority.
Opposing large-scale corporate tax reductions which, as we saw with Ontario’s Conservative government, British Columbia’s Liberal government and George Bush’s Republican government, cause large deficits and massive cuts to vital public services.
Encouraging the Bank of Canada to promote a lower interest rate, which results in a more stable economy, a lower dollar and a better environment for key export industries and tourism.
Bringing some of Canada’s national debt under the control of the Bank of Canada, as it used to be, and paying the interest to ourselves as opposed to chartered banks.
Paul Martin has:  Consistently enjoyed “larger than expected” surpluses throughout his time as finance minister, all of which were applied without any debate regarding priorities to the national debt.
CHAPTER 1“From its first moments in government, the new Liberal team has moved swiftly to achieve meaningful progress on the things that matter most to Canadians.”
A STRONG START
Paul Martin and the new Liberal government were sworn in on December 12, 2003.
From its first moments in office, the new Liberal team has moved swiftly to achieve meaningful progress on the things that matter most to Canadians.
In February, the government presented an ambitious agenda for the nation in the Speech from the Throne.
In March, it delivered a balanced budget that included significant down-payments toward protecting medicare, reducing the barriers to post-secondary education, and giving our cities and communities the predictable, long-term funding they need to be great places to live.
Throughout the winter and early spring, 21 bills were passed in Parliament.
Changing the way government works
A central focus of the first five months has been tackling the democratic deficit by bringing real and urgently needed change to the way Ottawa works.
Paul Martin took office with a detailed plan to make government work better for Canadians – to make it more democratic, more ethical, more accountable.
The new government has:  Restored Parliament to the centre of national debate and decision-making by implementing broad democratic reforms to give your MP a greater voice.
- Most votes in the House of Commons are now free votes, in which MPs can represent the views of their constituents as they see fit.
Since Paul Martin became Prime Minister, 72% of House votes have been free votes.
- Parliamentarians now have the authority to review most senior government appointments, including those of heads of Crown Corporations.
- The government has committed that Parliament will play a role in reviewing Supreme Court appointments.
Created an independent Ethics Commissioner who reports to Parliament, not to the Prime Minister.
The new Commissioner, Dr. Bernard Shapiro, has the full authority to review the actions of all MPs, including Ministers and the Prime Minister – all of whom must abide by the new, tougher conduct guidelines introduced by the new government on its first day.
Terminated the Sponsorship Program and comprehensively addressed the Auditor-General’s criticisms of the program by:  Establishing an Independent Commission of Inquiry, headed by Mr. Justice Gomery, to conduct a thorough investigation.
- Appointing a Special Counsel to recover any misappropriated funds.
- Charging the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament – which is chaired by a member of the Opposition – to investigate what happened.
The committee held ten weeks of hearings, during which it heard testimony from key witnesses, including the Auditor-General.
Introduced legislation to protect “whistle blowers” who come forward to report wrongdoing in government and Crown Corporations.
Overhauled and dramatically tightened financial controls in government,
- by: Establishing a new Comptroller General of Canada – a chief monitor to oversee all government expenditure and make sure it is done according to the rules.
Mr. Charles-Antoine St-Jean has been appointed to the position.
- Appointing professionally-accredited comptrollers in every government department to sign off on all new spending initiatives at the departmental level.
- Bolstering the internal audit function across government, giving these groups the authority to delve into every corner of every department.
- Overhauling information systems so they can track all spending and enable timely public disclosure of government contracts.
- Putting Ministers’ expenses, as well as those of their staff and senior public servants, on the Web, where Canadians can see them.
Launched a permanent, ongoing Expenditure Review procedure to eliminate waste and ensure that government spending delivers maximum value to taxpayers.
This process is expected to identify at least $3 billion in annual spending that can be allocated to higher priority areas such as health care.
Professionalized the appointments process for the Immigration and Refugee Board.
From now on, these appointments will be based on recommendations by experts, free of political influence.
Created a new agency to accelerate the process of continuous improvement in the nonpartisan public service.
The goal is to give Canada the most professional civil service in the world.
Launched a new era of co-operation with other orders of government in Canada.
Prime Minister Martin has committed to annual meetings of First Ministers with jointly-determined agendas.
In that spirit, the Prime Minister has already met twice with all the premiers and territorial leaders.
This summer, First Ministers will meet again to hammer out a fix for our medicare system – they’ll stay at it as long as it takes.
The objective: to ensure that Canada’s public health care system is wisely and properly reformed to ensure shorter waiting times, expanded services and long-term sustainability.
AN AGENDA FOR GOVERNING
While much of the new government’s initial efforts have focussed on reforms in the way Ottawa works,
major progress has also been made on priorities that address Canadians’ lives more directly.
In only five months since taking office on December 12, 2003, the government led by Paul Martin acted on a broad range of policy and legislative priorities.
Some highlights: Cities & Communities– The Liberal government has proposed a New Deal for Canada’s cities and communities – a deal designed to give them a greater voice at the national table and the benefitof new funding sources.
Long-term predictable funding will help accelerate infrastructure projects such as public transit, municipal roads and bridges, sewer and water treatment, among others.
Our first budget included, as a down payment on the New Deal, the elimination of GST on municipal expenditures, increasing the resources available to municipalities across Canada by $7 billion over the next ten years.
The government is being advised on New Deal implementation by a 15-member external committee chaired by the Hon. Mike Harcourt, formerly the Mayor of Vancouver and Premier of British Columbia.
Learning – We have significantly improved access to post-secondary education – both colleges and universities – through a number of specific initiatives in the March budget.
For example, the government:  Created an innovative Learning Bond that will provide a grant of $500 to every child born after 2003 to families earning less than $35,000 a year.
This will be followed up with additional contributions of $100 per year for 15 years.
- Encouraged savings by low-income families by pledging to contribute a further 40% of the first $500 of annual contributions to a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP).
Combined with the Learning Bond, this means that if a low-income family contributes as little as $5 a week to an RESP, it will have accumulated close to $12,000 by the time a child is ready for college or university.
- Provided students from low-income families with grants worth up to $3,000 toward their first-year tuition.
- Substantially improved the Canada Student Loans Program, expanding eligible expenses and reducing the parental contribution expected from middle-income families.
Innovation – The government is continuing the strong record of Liberal support for research, committing $1.25 billion of new funding for innovation, with emphasis on commercialization
– turning bright ideas into jobs and growth.
To give research greater prominence on the government’s agenda, the Prime Minister has created the position of National Science Advisor and appointed Dr. Arthur Carty to the post.
Public Health – The March budget provided more than $1 billion to support public health, including the creation of a new Canada Public Health Agency, which will be comprised of centres of excellence located across the country.
The agency will focus on the management of infectious diseases such as SARS and West Nile virus; emergency preparedness and response; and combating chronic diseases such as diabetes.
The funding also supports provincial immunization programs and will help relieve stress on local public health systems.
And it will allow for improved “surge capacity” so that the public health system can better handle severe outbreaks.
In May, 2004, the government appointed an interim Chief Public Health Officer, another important step in the Liberal commitment to public health.
Agriculture – The government responded comprehensively to the extraordinary plight of Canada’s farmers by providing a special $1 billion assistance package to those who have been hard hit by drought and the BSE crisis.
The government has also worked steadily to secure the re-opening of the U.S. and other markets to all Canadian beef.
And we have worked with the BC poultry industry to help farmers and processors cope with the effects of avian influenza.
Sustaining our Environment – The Liberal government has made the following important new commitments:
- $4 billion over 10 years to accelerate the cleanup of contaminated sites across Canada, including the notorious tar ponds in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
This is the largest single environmental investment ever made by any government in Canada and will change the face of many communities.
- $1 billion to be invested in environmental technologies over the next seven years,
funded in part by proceeds from the intended sale of the remaining federal ownership stake in Petro Canada.
These technologies will help Canada combat climate change
and create new global market opportunities for Canadian entrepreneurs.
Aboriginal People – The Liberal government is committed to closing the gap in social and economic conditions between aboriginal people – First Nations, Inuit and Métis – and other Canadians.
As one first concrete step toward a new and more cooperative approach, Prime Minister Martin chairs a permanent Cabinet Committee on Aboriginal Affairs to bring a much-needed government-wide focus to the issue.
On April 19, the Prime Minister and 26 cabinet ministers met with senior members of the Aboriginal community to set an agenda for action, one that will bring improved results and strong accountability.
National Security – Immediately upon taking office in December, 2003, Prime Minister Martin created a new Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, appointed a National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister and established a Cabinet Committee on Security, Public Health and Emergencies, as well as the new Canada Border Services Agency.
On April 27, the government released Canada’s first-ever comprehensive statement of an integrated national security policy.
This statement, entitled Securing an Open Society, addresses threats to Canadians whether from international terrorism,
public health emergencies (such as the SARS outbreak) or other public emergencies such as last summer’s electricity blackout in Ontario.
The new policy reflects Canadian values of democracy, human rights, respect for the rule of law and pluralism.
The policy is supported by $690 million in new initiatives to address immediate gaps in Canada’s security, notably in the area of coastal security.
International Policy – To provide the intellectual and policy underpinnings to bolster Canada’s influence in the world, the government launched a comprehensive review of international policy that, for the first time, integrates diplomacy, development, defence and trade.
The review will be completed this fall.
Parliamentarians and Canadians will have the opportunity to debate its analysis and implications.
Meanwhile, we have forged ahead on a number of fronts where the need for action is already clear.
For example, the government:  Passed the world’s first legislation to make low-cost generic drugs available to combat infectious diseases (notably HIV/AIDS) in poor countries.
It also increased its contribution to the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and contributed the single largest amount of money among the countries of the world to kick start an ambitious international program to treat AIDS sufferers in the developing world.
- Announced the creation of the Canada Corps to enlist the experience and skills of Canadians, including young Canadians, to bolster our nation’s international assistance effort.
There is a particularly urgent need to build sound democratic institutions in failed and fragile states, illustrated by desperate situations in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Haiti, Iraq, Rwanda, and many others.
- Committed to significant and accelerated equipment upgrades for the Canadian Forces, including search and rescue aircraft and new supply ships and armored vehicles – ensuring our military will have the modern tools to do the job for Canada.
The government renewed its commitment of forces in Afghanistan and is participating in the United Nations multinational force in Haiti.
Relations with the United States – The government is determined to forge a more sophisticated relationship with Canada’s closest friend, ally and economic partner.
This means not only an active engagement with the White House but also ensuring that our views are heard in Congress, in the State Houses and with Governors and in the broader American community.
We are also working to improve cooperation with our provincial and territorial partners in interacting with governments in the United States.
This is why the federal government is creating a new Secretariat based in Washington that will coordinate and facilitate much greater contact among elected officials from the two countries
and, for the first time, will provide a one-stop shop for both federal and provincial efforts in the U.S.
Prime Minister Martin has also worked to ensure that our efforts are better coordinated at home.
This is why he created and serves as chair of a new Cabinet Committee on Canada-U.S. relations and has appointed a Parliamentary Secretary devoted to Canada-U.S. affairs.
The Prime Minister has already held two bilateral meetings with the U.S. President and, in preparation, consulted with provincial Premiers to ensure a truly national perspective on the Canada-U.S. agenda.
In his trip to Washington in late April, Prime Minister Martin also met with the leadership of the Congress, a vital centre of decision-making in the U.S. government.
This broad range of initiatives has been made because a more cooperative and well-informed relationship with the U.S. is essential to resolve, and ultimately to prevent, damaging issues from arising:
like the softwood lumber dispute and the extended closure of the border to Canadian cattle.
The more sophisticated relationship is already bearing fruit.
The U.S. has formally agreed to consult with Canada before any action to deport holders of Canadian passports to third countries.
Good progress is being made to broaden the scope of the successful Smart Borders initiative.
Liberals are confident that a better working relationship with the U.S. will continue to bring about positive, tangible results for Canadians.
Legislative Accomplishments – Since taking office in December, 2003, the government has passed or introduced 36 bills in Parliament, some highlights of which are summarized below. [Highlights of the government’s legislative agenda (Table)]
Chapter 2“...strengthening our social foundations means improving Canadians’ quality of life.”
STRENGTHENING OUR SOCIAL FOUNDATIONS
Canada’s social programs – our belief that we have a collective responsibility to one another and especially to those who need help most – speak to our nation’s values and character.
They are part of what makes us who we are as individuals and as a country.
Liberals believe that we must measure our progress as a nation by the standard of care that we set for the least privileged among us.
As a society, we must create opportunity and remove obstacles to success.
That means swifter access to the health care people need.
It means the opportunity to learn in early childhood and throughout life.
It means help for our senior citizens and those who care for them.
It means improving economic opportunity for our Aboriginal populations.
Above all, strengthening our social foundations means improving Canadians’ quality of life.
Quality of life is real.
People can feel it, see it.
We experience quality of life when we feel confident that good health care is there for us; when we see people working with dignity and good pay; when our families and our children have the schooling and higher education they need in today’s world.
A Liberal government will strengthen and enhance Canada’s social foundations.
And it will begin by achieving real progress on the issue that matters most to Canadians: the quality of the health care we receive.
HEALTH CARE: A FIX FOR A GENERATION
The priorities of a Liberal government begin with publicly funded, universally available health care.
There is simply no other issue of such vital significance to Canadians.
Liberals are proud of their founding role in making medicare a national priority.
We see publicly-funded medicare as the Canadian ideal in action.
Nowhere does government interact with people in a more meaningful and consequential way.
Many of us have experienced anxious moments waiting in a hospital emergency room.
Some have endured the uneasy wait for diagnostic tests and procedures.
Others have spent long nights staring hopefully at monitors in the Intensive Care Unit.
Every day in our hospitals pass moments that alter the course of human lives.
This is when people need each other most, and government has an obligation to focus the energy of our whole society so that individuals can be confident that they will get the health care services they need.
But Canadians feel a growing anxiety that they may not have access to quality care when they need it.
Too many are waiting too long for the services they require.
Reducing waiting times has become a litmus test of government’s commitment to universal, high-quality, publicly-funded health care.
And growing concern over waiting times has increased the likelihood of citizens turning away from the public system.
Governments, meanwhile, have become increasingly concerned about cost pressures associated with expensive new medical technology, the growing cost of prescription drugs, and the reality of an aging population.
Questions are being asked about the financial sustainability of medicare.
Clearly, health care in Canada is overdue for reform.
Reform – not a fresh round of ideological debate – is what Canadians want in their health system.
Exhaustive studies such as the reports of the Royal Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada, chaired by the Honourable Roy Romanow, and the Senate Committee on Health Care Reform, chaired by Senator Michael Kirby, have settled the debate.
Canadians rightly look askance at those who want to reopen the ideological arguments over the basic structure of the system.
They just want the parts of it that aren’t working fixed.
“I challenged those advocating radical solutions for reforming health care – user fees, medical savings accounts, de-listing services, greater privatization, a parallel private system – to come forward with evidence that these approaches would improve and strengthen our health care system. The evidence has not been forthcoming... Canadians want their health care system renovated; they do not want it demolished.” Hon. Roy Romanow, Nov. 29, 2002
Liberals are ready to take up the challenge laid down by Canadians.
We are committed to reforms that focus on patients and their families: service improvements that make doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals available when needed, and where needed.
We understand that Canadians want reform to ensure that diagnostic tests and treatments are governed by need, and are delivered within an appropriate time.
Canadians want reform to guarantee that publicly-funded, universally available health care will be there for them, their children, their grandchildren and beyond.
Canada needs health care reform that delivers tangible results.
These results must be reported plainly so that all Canadians can see how well their health care system is working and where it needs improvement.
Canadians also expect their governments to co-operate in getting the system right.
They have had enough of the blame game.
They want to see politicians fighting for medicare, not fighting overmedicare.
There is broad consensus on what is needed to reform health care in Canada.
Genuine, beneficial reform requires new approaches to primary health care (for instance, better access to doctors, nurses and clinics, no matter the time of day), home care, a reduction in waiting times and coverage for prescription drugs in situations where expenses are catastrophic to personal or family finances.
These changes need to be complemented by long-term improvement in the overall health of Canadians through better lifestyle habits and the reduction of poverty.
Finally, reform requires transparent, publicly-available information about health outcomes and costs so that Canadians can hold their governments accountable for the health care system’s performance.
Clearly, reform depends on a lot more than dollars.
Nevertheless, governments will need to spend more in the years ahead to achieve Canadians’ health care goals.
A Liberal government will increase transfers to provinces and territories to ensure that Canadians receive the service they need.
Indeed, we have already committed $37 billion in new money over five years from 2003-04.
We will do more.
STABLE, PREDICTABLE LONG-TERM FUNDING.
We will ensure that the federal government is bearing a fair share of the cost of publicly provided health care.
We will begin by closing what has been called the “Romanow gap,” identified in Mr. Romanow’s report and reflecting principles that go back to the period prior to 1977 when medicare services were explicitly cost-shared between the provincial and federal governments.
On the basis of the figures set out in the Romanow report, the current “gap” will be eliminated by increasing federal health transfers to the provinces by a total of $3 billion (beyond all existing commitments) during this fiscal year and next – i.e. by April, 2006.
The government has already committed further substantial increases through 2007-08.
Looking forward, a Liberal government will put health care money for the provinces on a long-term predictable basis.
A fair and objectively defined escalator formula will assure a steady increase in federal support.
A defined formula will help provinces plan better and it will eliminate the annual bickering over money that has too often overshadowed the real purpose of federal-provincial cooperation, which is to provide better health care for Canadians.
Liberals support the 2003 First Ministers’ Accord on Health Care Renewal.
The Liberal government has already made available $16 billion towards its implementation through a five-year Health Reform Transfer.
Unfortunately, important aspects of the Accord, particularly home care, have not been implemented and appear to be losing momentum.
A Liberal government will work with provinces and territories to restart the process of expanding the public system on a national basis.
This process begins with the First Ministers’ meeting that will be held this summer.
We are confident that the meeting will agree on the reforms that will fix medicare for a generation.
Obviously, this discussion will involve a measure of give-and-take.
Provincial jurisdiction over health care will be respected.
Nonetheless, Canadians need to know the federal government’s proposals for fixing medicare.
It is our hope that the Liberal goals and proposals, as set out in these pages, will gain popular support, making it all the more likely that they come to fruition at the First Ministers’ meeting and in the implementation period that will follow.
The National Waiting Times Reduction Strategy and The “Five in Five” Plan
A Liberal government will take direct aim at waiting times for key medical procedures.
We will work with provinces and territories to implement a National Waiting Times Reduction Strategy.
Canadians need to know how long it currently takes to get a procedure like an MRI, and how long it should take.
The strategy will allow Canadians to know how long it takes to see a doctor or to get needed hip surgery, or how quickly their child will be seen in the emergency ward.
Canadians will know whether or not those waiting times are considered by medical experts to be reasonable and appropriate.
Canadians will know whether their waiting times are more or less than those in other parts of the country.
Above all, they will know that their governments are bringing down those waiting times to ensure they get care when they need it.
THE NATIONAL WAITING TIMES REDUCTION STRATEGY:
A major effort to work with provinces and territories, to measure and publish existing waiting times, determine which waiting times should be reduced first, and, then to do what it takes to bring waiting times down.
Federal support for the strategy will be provided by $4 billion in new and targeted funds.
How will this produce the tangible results Canadians want?
We have a two-track action plan.
First, the federal government will work collaboratively with provinces and territories, the medical profession and patient groups to define reasonable and medically appropriate waiting times, and to identify the places where they are unacceptably long.
Teaching hospitals and regional health authorities – which play such a critical role in the system – will also be asked to contribute to the process.
The new Waiting Times Reduction Fund of $4 billion will be available to help provinces and territories eliminate the gap between current performance and appropriate waiting time targets.
As the complex process of gathering comparable waiting time data unfolds, a medical expert panel working with the newly-established Health Council will determine whether any cases exist of waiting times causing significant clinical concerns.
In such cases, extraordinary efforts will be made on an urgent basis to bring these times down to a medically appropriate level.
Canadians need to see real evidence of early action on waiting times.
In some cases, we already know the waiting times are too long and what needs to be done to bring them down.
That’s the second track: “Five in Five”.
FIVE IN FIVE
The “Five in Five” plan – an all-out drive to achieve major reductions over the next five years – by the end of 2009 – for waiting times in at least five key areas: cancer, heart, diagnostic imaging, joint replacements, and sight restoration.
Specifically, the “Five in Five”plan would: GET THE DATA: Publish nationally comparable waiting times in all five areas by December 31, 2005.
SET THE TARGETS: Establish at the same time national objectives for appropriate waiting times in these areas.
These targets would be developed in collaboration with the provinces and territories relying on the work of the Health Council, the Canadian Institute for Health Information, the Canadian Institutes for Health Research and health professionals.
FIX THE PROBLEM: Work with each province and territory to reduce its waiting times to the national objectives in these five priority areas by the end of 2009.
HELP PAY THE BILL: The $4 billion in special funds for the National Waiting Times Reduction Strategy will be deployed alongside provincial and territorial funding to hit the target of eliminating inappropriate waiting times in these five priority areas.
Primary Health Care
A goal of a Liberal government is for all Canadians to have access to an appropriate care provider 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Canadians should not have to rely on long waits in hospital emergency rooms for after-hours care.
Good progress is already being made by provinces toward this objective, which is an important element of the broader drive to reduce waiting times.
More must be done.
Our commitment to stable, long-term predictable funding on health entails Canadians receiving timely access to a physician or other appropriate health care practitioner, including emergency care whenever needed.
A portion of the proposed $4 billion Waiting Times Reduction Fund could support proposals to increase primary care options and thus reduce the excessive waiting times so often experienced in overburdened emergency rooms.
PRIMARY CARE REFORM
A Liberal government will work with the provinces and territories to overcome the shortage of medical providers that exists in too many parts of Canada – in part by increasing the number of medical spaces in universities and accelerating the qualification of new immigrants with medical credentials.
For example, we will work with the provinces to ensure our medical schools support top-up training and clinical experience for doctors who immigrate to Canada and commit to serving in areas where need is most acute.
For our part, we will support a program to train 1,000 new Canadians to provide first-class primary care physicians right across the country.
In addition, the government will work with the provinces and professional associations to determine an appropriately expanded role for nurse practitioners and other health care professionals to reduce the load on doctors in frontline care.
A Liberal government will also continue to financially support Canada Health Infoway’s development of a national electronic health record system.
The e-record is an essential element of a safer and more efficient primary health care system.
Home Care
More and more Canadians are seeking to shorten hospital stays and receive care in their homes.
This type of service is demonstrably better for individuals, and it takes some of the strain off the finite resources of hospitals.
It is sound management to expand the use of home care.
It is also the right thing to do.
Currently, there is a patchwork of home care services across the country.
Provinces and territories provide widely varying levels of coverage and service.
Liberals believe that the home care sector must be developed to maturity and brought into the centre of the publicly-funded health system over the next 10 years.
A Liberal government will introduce a National Home Care Program, laying the foundations for full inclusion of appropriate home care services in our public health system.
NATIONAL HOME CARE PROGRAM
The program will begin with services in the following areas:  Home care services for post-acute patients, including coverage for medication and rehabilitation services.
Home mental health case management and intervention services.
Palliative home care services to support people at the end of life.
The federal government will create a new Home Care Fund totaling $2 billion over five years to encourage the needed reforms.
This money will be allocated on a per capita basis to provinces and territories that have passed legislation governing the provision of at least an agreed-upon, minimum basket of home care services.
Prescription Drugs
The Liberal policy goal is to ensure that no Canadian suffers undue financial hardship in accessing necessary drug treatment.
Today, drugs are the fastest growing component of health care costs.
At the same time, appropriate drug therapy can improve overall health and reduce unnecessary use of hospitals and other expensive acute care resources.
But drug coverage varies significantly across the country.
Working with the provinces and health care providers, we will design the right nationwide approach to provide all Canadians with a basic level of coverage, including catastrophic protection, and to contain pharmaceutical costs.
The objective of a Liberal government will be to agree with provinces and territories on a national pharmaceuticals strategy by 2006.
That would be followed by appropriate legislation and supported by a federal funding contribution, the size of which will be determined once the strategy is agreed.
In the meantime, needed drugs will be included in the proposed home care program – freeing many of the need to stay in hospital by allowing them to receive medication free of charge at home.
Respecting the Canada Health Act
The CHA, the act that governs medicare, remains a symbol of shared values for Canadians.
The Act has five principles – public administration, comprehensiveness, universality, portability and accessibility.
A Liberal government will enforce each of them.
BETTER CANADA HEALTH ACT DISPUTE RESOLUTION
A Liberal government will:  Formalize a procedure among federal, provincial and territorial governments regarding Canada Health Act dispute resolution.
Cases will be referred to a three-person independent expert panel.
The panel would assess whether there has been a breach of the Act and would recommend appropriate penalties to the federal Minister of Health for a final decision.
To ensure violations of the Act are corrected as quickly as possible, any funds arising from penalties would be returned to the province once compliance was restored.
The Prime Minister has declared his determination to work with the provinces this summer to end the yearly feuding over funding and achieve a ten-year agreement on health care.
A strong mandate from voters will help ensure that all those at the negotiating table understand that Canadians want their elected representatives to sit down, talk it out and emerge with a fix for a generation.
RECOGNIZING THE GROWING ROLE OF CAREGIVERS
We need to give appropriate recognition to the savings for the health care and public institutional systems that come from the dedicated volunteerism of family caregivers in a wide variety of situations.
For example, more than 170,000 elderly sufferers of Alzheimer’s disease are being cared for at home by unpaid family members and friends.
What do family caregivers need?
They need respite – temporary breaks from the emotional and physical exhaustion of round-the-clock responsibility.
They need information and training with respect to the needs of the care receiver.
They need counseling and peer support.
The government currently supports those caring for aged or infirm relatives with the Caregiver Tax Credit (introduced in 1998) and with a new credit introduced in the March, 2004 budget that allows a caregiver to claim up to $5,000 of medical and disability-related expenses incurred on behalf of a dependent relative.
More can and should be done through the tax system to assist caregivers, but there are limits to this vehicle.
The qualifying rules are often complex and caregivers may not have sufficient taxable income to take full advantage of the credits.
A broader approach is needed.
A Liberal government will work with the provinces and stakeholder groups to develop a comprehensive strategy to increase support for “informal” caregivers – spouses, children and close relatives and friends.
This strategy would include various models of delivery.
FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT
A Liberal government will:  Commit up to $1 billion of new resources over the next five years to help implement the strategy jointly with provinces.
If within 24 months there has been no agreement on new support mechanisms, the federal government will ensure that alternative ways are developed to make the new resources available to caregivers.
As a concrete first step, double to $10,000 the amount of medical and disability related expenses that can be claimed by a caregiver on behalf of a dependent relative.
ENHANCING THE GUARANTEED INCOME SUPPLEMENT
Canada’s system of guaranteed income, which was designed to ensure every Canadian senior enjoys a dignified quality of life, is one of our nation’s signature achievements.
It demonstrates our collective commitment to assisting those who require it most, and honours the debt to those who have contributed so much during their working lives.
The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is currently adjusted quarterly to keep up with consumer price inflation.
Benefits increase as prices go up on average.
This keeps the buying power of the GIS about constant.
But the average wage rate of working Canadians has been rising faster than inflation.
This means that those who rely on the GIS have been falling behind the standard of living of working-age Canadians.
GUARANTEED INCOME SUPPLEMENT HIKE
A Liberal government will increase the incomes of Canada’s least wealthy seniors.
Acting on a key recommendation of two Liberal Task Forces, the GIS base will be increased to reflect the fact that wage growth has exceeded inflation.
Once fully implemented, the improvement will result in an increase of roughly 7% to the income of GIS recipients.
This increase is of course in addition to the quarterly inflation adjustments of the GIS.
The federal government offers a wide range of programs that benefit seniors, and government policies affect seniors in myriad ways.
This activity needs a co-ordinating focus to ensure the greatest overall benefit and ease of access for seniors.
For these reasons, a Liberal government will create a Secretariat for Seniors.
SECURING THE PLACE OF ABORIGINAL PEOPLES IN CANADA
Canada’s Aboriginal peoples are the fastest growing segment of our population.
They make up the most youthful demographic group in society.
Yet theirs is collectively a story of promise untapped and promises unfulfilled.
Decades of well-intentioned government policies have been enacted to insufficient benefit.
The plight of Aboriginal Canadians has for the most part eluded all attempted remedies.
Paul Martin has pledged to reverse this course.
The government has already begun to do so, a fact highlighted by an historic roundtable with Aboriginal leaders and more than two dozen federal cabinet ministers in April, 2004, and by the creation of a Cabinet Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister.
A Liberal government will continue to work in collaboration with Aboriginal leaders – and with the provinces and territories – to design policies that bring real and beneficial change to Aboriginal people.
We understand that the needed improvements will in some cases take years to become firmly rooted and widespread.
The quick fixes have all been tried.
We must get to the source of the difficulties rather than merely manage the symptoms.
Effective governance and institutional restructuring underpin our collective ability to build capacity, ensure greater self-reliance and transform the quality of life of Aboriginal peoples.
In addition to working toward improved and more accountable governing structures within Aboriginal communities,
a Liberal government will focus its effort around two themes: learning
and economic self-reliance and health and well-being.
These are the most effective ways in which the federal government can make a real difference in improving the lives of Aboriginal Canadians.
Central to the success of our policies will be to establish ambitious quality of life targets.
These targets will serve not only to gauge the ongoing success of new initiatives but to motivate future governments to stay the course.
We must never lose sight of the fact that governments, Aboriginal leaders and Aboriginal people themselves must each play a role in writing the new success story.
QUALITY OF LIFE IMPROVEMENT
A Liberal government will work with Aboriginal leaders, the provinces and the territories to put in place the quality-of-life improvements that will enable:  Aboriginal high-school completion and post-secondary participation to equal that of non-Aboriginals.
Aboriginal employment levels to equal those of non-Aboriginals.
Aboriginal health status as measured by life expectancy and infant mortality to match the Canadian average.
All Aboriginal communities to have, by 2008, clean water and adequate housing.
Meeting these targets will take time and dedicated commitment, both from Aboriginal communities and governments.
We will start now.
Enhancing Aboriginal education is clearly one of the keys to engineering the needed turnaround in Aboriginal life.
Despite significant federal investments over many years, First Nations people living on-reserve are as many as 30 years behind the general population in education attainment rates.
ABORIGINAL EDUCATION
To close that gap, and to improve Aboriginal economic independence, a Liberal government will:  Provide incentives to create comprehensive K-12 First Nations education systems.
Develop initiatives and alternative delivery methods to increase enrollment and success in post-secondary education.
Improve access to capital through innovative financing vehicles, including venture capital funds.
ABORIGINAL HEALTH
Attaining enhanced health outcomes will also require specific, targeted action.
A Liberal government will enhance Aboriginal health and well-being by:  Establishing an Aboriginal Health Transition Fund to better integrate health services with provincial and territorial systems,
ensuring better access and the availability of quality health services.
Improving dramatically the quality of water and wastewater treatment in First Nations communities.
Funding of $600 million over five years is already committed.
Working with provincial, territorial and municipal governments to provide affordable off-reserve housing.
Beyond these specific initiatives designed for Aboriginal Canadians, many of the other priorities of a Liberal government will bring benefits to Aboriginal people as well, and in many cases were designed with their impact on Aboriginal Canadians in mind.
The Liberal plan for early learning and child care (see next page), for instance, will provide many Aboriginal parents with greater employment flexibility while ensuring that their children receive quality care and education in early life.
The Liberal commitment to communities recognizes the need to help Aboriginals, especially the young, who are increasingly moving to cities in search of opportunity.
Our $4 billion plan to clean up contaminated sites will have its greatest focus in the north and will result in substantial employment opportunities for the region.
And the Liberal plan for health care will be as great a benefit to Aboriginal people as to all Canadians.
We will work to remove obstacles and create opportunities.
A Liberal government will celebrate the accomplishments of Aboriginal Canadians at every step along the way.
FOUNDATIONS: A NATIONAL EARLY LEARNING AND CHILD CARE PROGRAM
The case is compelling for investing in high-quality early learning and care available to every child.
Studies conducted in Canada and throughout the world conclude that good child care and early learning contribute immensely to the healthy growth of children, as well as to their physical, emotional, social, linguistic and intellectual development.
Simply put, it gives kids the best possible start in life.
Accessible and affordable child care and early learning are also smart investments in our economy.
To begin with, these investments respond to the reality of modern life: that both parents want to, and often need to participate more fully in the paid labour force while knowing that their children are thriving in a caring, stimulating environment.
Investments in child care and early learning are also smart because they help to level the playing field for those disadvantaged by birth or background, and because they set our youngest on the path to lifelong achievement.
As well, Canadians know that education is the key to success in the 21st century economy.
A strong, national program of early learning and care for Canada’s children is the single best investment we can make in our future.
This is clear to anyone who has ever watched a child learn to read, or gaze at a map, or work at building something with others.
Child care and early learning are part of a broader pattern.
Access to learning opportunities throughout one’s lifetime is critical.
The current Liberal government used its first budget to deliver on its pledge to reduce the barriers to post-secondary education.
We raised the ceiling on student loans, established grants to first-year students of modest means and created and funded a Learning Bond to help low-income families save for college or university.
Following the same logic, a Liberal government will act on the knowledge that the foundation for future achievement is set in early childhood, when intellectual and emotional potential can be encouraged and nurtured.
Traditional day care can be expensive, and it does not always include an educational element.
We believe that every child will benefit from learning at an early age, and that no child should be denied access to such benefits by reason of cost.
That’s a big part of what Canada is about.
But Canada clearly has not done enough.
Progressive systems are commonplace throughout Europe.
In France for example, virtually all children from the age of two-and-a-half receive care for the full school day.
Denmark has a comprehensive, largely publicly-funded program for all children younger than age seven.
The systems in Canada and the U.S. are nowhere near as advanced.
Child care programs exist in provinces across the country, but they are very uneven.
Some offer a learning component, others less so.
Some require high levels of professionalism of those working in the publicly-supported system, others less so.
Quebec provides the exceptional example.
It is the North American leader in early learning and care.
In Quebec’s system, community-based organizations provide child care at a moderate fee.
This is a standard to which early learning and care across Canada should be lifted.
Learning from each other and embracing what has worked elsewhere in Canada, makes us stronger as a nation and as a people.
That’s what our federation is all about.
The time has come to do more.
Over the next decade we must build for Canada’s children and parents an early learning and child care system for the 21st century.
A LIBERAL GOVERNMENT WILL CREATE FOUNDATIONS: THE NATIONAL EARLY LEARNING AND CHILD CARE PROGRAM
We will phase in a contribution of $5 billion over the next five years, beyond funds already committed, to accelerate building the national system.
The Foundations program will ensure that children have access to high-quality, government-regulated spaces at affordable cost to parents.
A Liberal government will enshrine in legislation four principles for Foundations – the “QUAD” .
QUALITY: Each facility must be regulated by the province or territory to ensure safety and an appropriate complement of professionally-qualified child development staff.
UNIVERSALITY: The program will be open, without discrimination, to pre-school children, including children with special needs.
ACCESSIBILITY: The program will be affordable for parents.
DEVELOPMENTAL: The program must include a component of development / learning that is integrated with the care component.
Attempts to bring provincial programs to a high standard have been made before.
The Liberal government sought in the early 1990s to put in place an early learning and child care program.
Unfortunately it was not possible to reach agreement with the provinces at the time, in part because almost all governments were struggling to cope with unsustainable fiscal situations, but also due to the fact that there was no agreed-upon process to guide federal investment in the provinces’ domain of social policy.
However, in early 1999, a Social Union Framework Agreement (SUFA) was reached on principles regarding the creation of joint initiatives.
Already the Liberal government had worked successfully with the provinces and territories to develop the National Child Benefit in 1997.
Since then, federal commitments to the NCB have increased to ensure more than $10 billion annually by 2007.
Meanwhile, in the area of early learning and child care, considerable progress has been made by provinces themselves and through co-operative efforts among the federal, provincial and territorial governments, notably the Early Childhood Development Agreement (2000), and the Multilateral Framework on Early Learning and Child Care (2003).
Federal contributions in these areas were accelerated in the last budget. Existing commitments now total $3.6 billion over five years, 2004-05 through 2008-09.
The implementation and details of the new Foundations program will be worked out collaboratively with provinces and territories consistent with the principles of the Social Union Framework Agreement.
Provided provincial early learning and child care programs meet the QUAD principles, provinces will have flexibility to design a roll-out plan based on the most appropriate implementation to suit their circumstances.
To receive funding under the new Foundations program, provinces and territories will be invited to pass legislation implementing the QUAD principles.
It is hoped that provinces will also contribute additional funds beyond those they are already spending on early learning and child care.
Even if they do not, the federal government will provide a per capita share of funds to support existing provincial or territorial programs that embody the QUAD principles.
But in this case the province’s program would have fewer spaces or would develop more slowly than would be the case if the province contributed new funds.
Governing is about making choices – choices about how to devote finite resources so that they accomplish the most good for the people.
A Liberal government will choose to invest in our children.
Canada needs an early learning and child care system of high quality.
Right now, we have a beginning, but we need to finish the job.
A Liberal government will work with its provincial and territorial partners – just as we did with the National Child Benefit – to give Canada’s children the start they need, the Foundation upon which their success, and ours as a nation, will be built.
THE NEW DEAL: SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
Canada depends on cities and communities that can attract the best talent and compete for investments as vibrant centers of commerce, learning and culture.
We want Canadian cities and communities to be great places to live, places that provide affordable housing, good public transit, quality health care, excellent schools, safe neighborhoods and abundant green spaces.
That is why Liberals are committed to a New Deal, based on principles of sustainable development, to build cities and communities that balance economic opportunity, social well-being and environmental conservation.
The New Deal is a real deal.
The 2004 budget, by eliminating the GST on municipal expenditure, delivered a down payment of $7 billion in unconditional funding to municipalities over the next 10 years.
The budget also accelerated infrastructure funding, committing to spend the $1 billion Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund over the next five years instead of over 10.
But the New Deal is not just about financial transfers from the federal government.
It’s about doing things differently, and doing things better.
It’s about a transformative new partnership.
The quality of life in our communities depends on municipal, provincial and federal governments each fulfilling their particular responsibilities.
All three are in fact contributing to the same national interest
when they work to ensure that Canadians have access to clean water;
that greenhouse gases are reduced to protect our climate;
that new comers to Canada can find safe, affordable and adequate housing.
THE NEW DEAL
A New Deal for Canada’s cities and communities means that a Liberal government will:  Recognize municipal governments as partners in implementing Canada’s national agenda.
This means, for example, that municipalities will be formally included in pre-budget consultations.
Build on the successful development agreements with Winnipeg and Vancouver as models to extend co-operative partnerships among the federal, provincial and municipal governments right across Canada.
Decide by this year-end on a plan to provide, for the benefit of municipalities, a share of the federal gas tax (or its financial equivalent).
Beginning in 2005, the amount will be ramped up within the next five years to 5 cents per litre, or at least $2 billion.
This revenue will be a source of stable, predictable funding so that municipalities can make long-term financial commitments to undertake major new infrastructure projects.
Ensure that an equitable share of funds is available both for large cities and smaller municipalities.
Tackling the Infrastructure Deficit
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has estimated that there is a $60 billion infrastructure “deficit” in our cities and communities that is growing every year.
We will work co-operatively with provinces and municipalities to use new financial resources and innovative capital investment techniques, with a goal of eventually eliminating that deficit.
There is already broad consensus that the initial projects should focus on transit, local roads and bridges, water and sewer, and, particularly in smaller communities, broadband communications.
The dedication of a portion of gas tax revenue to support major infrastructure will be in addition to the government’s existing infrastructure programs – the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund; Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund; and the Green Municipal Funds.
Providing Shelter: Social & Affordable Housing
Shelter is a basic human need and the foundation upon which healthy, secure, socially inclusive communities are built.
Adequate housing also fosters stability in all aspects of life, particularly in school and work performance.
It is also critical to the successful settlement of new Canadians and to ensure supportive environments for Aboriginal people.
A Liberal government will continue to contribute to solutions for housing in Canada, building on our existing $1 billion contribution to stimulate affordable rental housing;
funding for services to the homeless through the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI);
and support to keep housing for those on low-incomes in decent repair through the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP).
These programs together with other CMHC support for assisted housing total $2 billion of annual federal funding for social and affordable housing.
HOUSING
A Liberal government will do more to stimulate assisted housing by providing a further $1 to $1.5 billion over the next five years to:
Extend and enhance existing vehicles – including the Affordable Housing Initiative, SCPI, RAAP and Aboriginal housing on and off-reserve.
Support innovative initiatives developed in consultation with provinces, territories and stakeholder groups.
This could include a “Housing Works” foundation to leverage contributions for new affordable units from various levels of government, community groups and the private sector.
Greening Canada’s Communities
Liberals are committed to environmental sustainability.
This is demonstrated by our commitment of $4 billion to clean up contaminated sites across Canada, many in our northern communities, but also including the tar ponds in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
It is demonstrated by our investment of $600 million to provide clean water in Aboriginal communities.
And it is demonstrated by our emphasis on support for public transit in Toronto and for the Metro in Montreal.
A commitment to environmental sustainability is why we created the Green Municipal Funds to accelerate investment in environmental technologies that deliver cleaner air, water and soil, and climate protection.
Developing clean, renewable energy sources is one of the greatest contributions Canada can make to the global effort to come to grips with environmental sustainability by reducing the emissions that threaten the global climate, and slowing the consumption of non-renewable fossil fuels.
Wind powered electricity has the potential to make a big difference.
In Denmark, for example, more than 20% of electricity is wind generated.
Wind is already making significant contributions in Germany, in Texas and in a rapidly growing number of locations around the world.
In fact, wind is the world’s fastest growing energy source, increasing by more than 30% annually for the past five years.
Wind is an ideal form of energy.
It is pollution-free and infinitely sustainable.
It doesn’t require fuel.
It doesn’t create greenhouse gases, and can be coupled with other forms of low-impact energy, especially hydro.
Canada is one of the best places in the world for wind power.
For example, Canada’s strongest wind season is winter, which is also our highest season for electrical use, mainly for heating.
Also, the air in our long winters is colder and denser, making it particularly effective at turning the turbines that harness wind energy.
Many areas of Canada have excellent wind resources: the prairies, our coastal areas, and the tundra in particular.
What is needed to harness this vast untapped resource is the will to try something new.
A Liberal government will help to convert this great potential into reality.
The goal is to make Canada a world leader in wind energy utilization, so that within a decade, five per cent of Canada’s electricity will be generated by wind.
This begins with the will to dream and the determination to make that dream come true.
A three part plan is proposed.
HARNESSING WIND POWER
Encourage investment – A Liberal government will quadruple the objectives of the existing Wind Power Production Incentive (WPPI) from its current 1,000 megawatts (MW) target to a 4,000 MW target.
The expanded incentive will kickstart a number of major projects that are in the advanced planning stages in almost all provinces.
Quebec, for example, has issued a request for proposals to construct a 1,000 MW wind farm.
The economics of wind power are improving rapidly, but it is not yet cost-competitive with conventional fossil fuel sources.
The expanded incentive will also help to build a domestic wind power industry to make us a leader in serving North American and world markets.
Develop the market – A Liberal government will promote the benefits and cost-effectiveness of wind power to increase consumer demand through a public education program and support for the stated targets.
Particular encouragement should be given for small scale projects in isolated communities to complement, or even replace, costly diesel generation.
Promote R&D – A Liberal government will increase support for R&D on clean energy sources generally, and particularly for wind power.
We will create a Canadian National Wind Atlas, a crucially important data source for determining the optimal locations for wind farms.
The government will also work with provinces and territories to modernize standards regulating wind turbines and to create common guidelines for wind power policies, rules, and regulations.
Chapter 3“Canadians understand that a strong economy is the essential underpinning of a successful society.”
BUILDING A TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY ECONOMY
WHERE WE ARE; HOW WE GOT HERE
Beginning in the latter half of the 1990s, Canada’s economy has performed exceptionally well.
Job growth has been brisk.
Productivity has been improving steadily, boosting the competitiveness of Canadian businesses.
The trade surplus has remained healthy even though the Canadian dollar has grown much stronger.
Low interest rates have encouraged investment and made homes and other big ticket items more affordable for Canadians.
Our economy is drawing great reviews from international economic analysts.
A decade ago, when the Liberal government took office with Jean Chrétien as Prime Minister, the economic picture was very different.
The annual federal deficit had ballooned to $40 billion.
Canada’s economy – to say nothing of its government – was increasingly hindered by mounting public debt.
Debt interest payments were compounding unsustainably.
The federal government faced the very real possibility of soon surrendering control to its creditors.
Beginning in 1995, the government – with the help and sacrifice of the Canadian people – unveiled a series of transformative fiscal measures that pulled Canada back from the financial brink and ushered in a new era of fiscal stability.
In 1997-98, Canada achieved a budget surplus, its first since 1969-70.
It would prove to be the beginning of seven straight surpluses, the most recent being announced in March by Finance Minister Ralph Goodale – the first time this has been achieved since confederation.
While every other G-7 country – particularly the U.S. and Japan – has returned to deficit, Canada is remaining prudent and spending within its means.
Canada’s remarkable turnaround was achieved despite the fact that federal revenue relative to the size of the economy – a measure of the overall federal “tax burden” – has been declining steadily.
Federal revenue was more than 17% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 1997-98, but has declined to under 15% today, and it is projected to drop even further in the coming years.
Meanwhile, the Liberal government has exerted strong discipline on spending. Expenditure on federal programs has been roughly stable at a little under 12% of GDP for the past six years.
This is despite the fact that Ottawa has steadily increased cash transfers to provinces for health and other social programs.
Prudent fiscal management by the Liberal government has reduced the size of the federal debt by $52 billion over the last six years.
Annual interest payments on the debt have fallen by almost $14 billion since their peak in 1995-96.
This is important because it frees up resources to devote to the things that matter most to Canadians, such as health care.
It also ensures that future generations will have even greater financial freedom to make their own choices.
In all, the amount of federal debt in relation to the size of Canada’s economy (the debt ratio) has come down dramatically from just under 70% of GDP in 1995-96 to about 40% today.
The Liberal government has committed to a target debt ratio of 25% of GDP in ten years.
If this were all just a numbers game, it wouldn’t matter very much to Canadians.
But this historic fiscal turnaround, in combination with other Liberal economic policies over the past decade, has played a key role in Canada’s economic revival.
The country’s escape from chronic deficits created confidence and allowed for flexible, responsive public policy.
The upbeat mood has only intensified in the ensuing years.
Despite being hit by a series of shocks last year (among them: SARS, BSE, the B.C. fires, Hurricane Juan and Ontario’s power blackout) and despite a sudden jump in the value of the Canadian dollar
– an increase that put intense pressure on our exporters to become even more competitive
– Canada’s economy has continued to move confidently forward, creating more and better jobs.
WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU
The best way to get a sense of how a nation’s economy is performing – and whether a nation’s citizens are benefiting – is to measure the growth of its Gross Domestic Product on a per capita basis.
Since 1997, Canada has led all G-7 countries in the growth of average living standards, a dramatic turnaround from the relatively dismal performance that Canada recorded during the preceding decade and a half.
Canada has the second highest level of GDP per capita in the G-7 and has significantly narrowed the gap relative to the leader, the United States.
During the past decade, Liberal economic policies have consistently delivered jobs and growth to Canadians, creating a formidable array of real rewards and new opportunities.
Among the many tangible benefits from ten years of sound Liberal economic management are the following.
Job Creation– There is no more meaningful result of Liberal economic policies than the increasing number of Canadians who are working.
Since the beginning of 1994, Canada has generated over 3 million net new jobs.
Our employment rate – the total number of employed as a proportion of the working-age population – is at a record high, and now exceeds the employment rate in the United States
Lower Taxes – The fiscal turnaround has yielded a big, ongoing dividend for Canadians in the form of lower taxes.
In 2000, Paul Martin introduced the Five-Year Tax Reduction Plan, which has cut taxes cumulatively by $100 billion, making it the largest tax cut in Canadian history.
Among the highlights of the Liberal tax-cut achievement:
- About three-quarters of the benefit has gone to individuals and most to these to Canadians with low and modest incomes.
In fact, one million low-income Canadians have been removed entirely from the tax rolls since 2000.
- Federal personal income tax has been reduced by 21% on average overall, and by 27% for families with children.
- The RRSP contribution limit will be increased to $18,000 in 2006 from $13,500 in 2002, a 33% rise that allows Canadians to save more for their retirement.
- The tax cuts have encouraged entrepreneurs, and particularly small businesses through lower rates and improved capital gains treatment.
These changes are making our firms more competitive and more attractive to investors.
This translates to economic growth and more jobs.
Enhanced tax benefits – As Finance Minister, Paul Martin and the Liberal team brought in major enhancements to tax benefits for low-income families with children.
Amounts available under the various Child Tax Benefit initiatives have been increased steadily, as have family income levels before benefits begin to be phased out.
At the same time, there have been significant new tax benefits to support post-secondary education, the charitable sector, people with disabilities, and in-home care givers looking after relatives who are elderly or have disabilities.
Secure Pensions – By the mid-1990s, many Canadians had lost faith in the viability of their public pension system, the CPP/QPP.
In 1997, the Liberal government, working in close co-operation with the provinces and territories, radically reformed the system by revamping its funding, management and accountability.
Today, Canada’s CPP/QPP has been declared sound for at least the next 75 years, giving Canada one of the world’s most dependable public pension plans.
Canadians can now count on having their public pensions even as the population ages in the decades ahead.
Housing affordability – Sound fiscal management combined with the control of inflation has led to record low interest rates.
This has made major purchases more affordable for consumers and encouraged investment by business to enhance competitiveness.
In particular, the affordability of housing improved dramatically over the past decade.
The one-year mortgage rate has come down by more than half.
STICKING TO AN ECONOMIC PLAN THAT’S WORKING
Canadians understand that a strong economy is the essential underpinning of a successful society.
A government led by Paul Martin will not allow that foundation to be undermined.
To ensure that Canadians continue to reap the benefits of sound economic management, a Liberal government will:
Invest in the fundamental drivers of economic performance – human skills, research and its commercial application, public infrastructure, and competitive taxes.
Continue to use prudent fiscal planning and maintain a Contingency Reserve of $3 billion to ensure the budget remains in balance.
Reduce the federal government’s debt ratio to 25% within a decade.
This will ensure that our children are not burdened by public debt and will give government more flexibility to manage the challenges arising from of an aging population.
To that end, the annual Contingency Reserve, if not needed, will be applied to reduce debt.
STRENGTHENING CANADA’S ECONOMIC BASE
Canada’s 21st century economy will be driven by ideas.
Jobs and prosperity will come from turning those ideas into goods and services valued not only in Canada but around the world.
The economic strategy of a Liberal government will be focused on things that help to generate new ideas and their innovative application.
That is why building up Canada’s human skills is so important.
It is one important reason why we will make a major new investment in early learning and child care.
It is why we have already taken significant new steps to make college and university education available to as many young Canadians as possible.
And it is why we will be investing in helping workers to upgrade and retool their skills continuously, working with the provinces and with industry Sector Councils;
supporting union training sites;
and helping new immigrants to upgrade and gain recognition for their credentials.
Innovation is the tangible outcome of good ideas and is the lifeblood of a successful 21st century economy.
Over the past decade, the Liberal government rebuilt the foundations of Canada’s innovation capacity, investing $13 billion to elevate the nation’s university and hospital research capability to world-class standard and to build up Canada’s innovation system.
Initiatives included the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Canada Research Chairs, the creation of the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, Genome Canada, the Atlantic Innovation Fund, and increased investment in the NRC and the Granting Councils among many others.
Commercialization – With the foundations for innovation now well established, the next step is to turn more of Canadians’ bright ideas into dynamic businesses, great jobs and growing export earnings.
COMMERCIALIZATION
To help commercialize Canada’s impressive research output, a Liberal government will:
Promote increased venture capital, particularly for early stage businesses where lack of a track record makes financing especially hard to come by.
We will build on the government’s investment in the venture financing arm of the Business Development Bank of Canada.
And we will ensure that the regulatory and tax systems are not barriers to venture investors.
Support the technology transfer efforts of Canadian universities to ensure that research ideas are more effectively transformed into commercial opportunities.
Underwrite development by the National Research Council of a network of Commercialization Centers across Canada.
Often co-located with NRC specialized Institutes on or near university campuses, these centers will provide a rich incubating environment for start-up businesses.
The Commercialization Centers promise to become focal points for clusters of activity in many dynamic areas of technology.
Create a Canada Innovation Award to recognize our outstanding innovative entrepreneurs.
Celebrating entrepreneurship is one of the most effective ways to inspire young Canadians to become innovative entrepreneurs themselves.
Small and Medium-Size Business– Liberals see smaller businesses as key drivers of growth and job creation.
Much of the innovative spark in the economy comes from small business entrepreneurs.
To support their growth, the March budget accelerated the phase-in of the new $300,000 income threshold qualifying for the 12% small business tax rate.
It will be in place next year.
We also enhanced access to the R&D refundable tax credit and, effective this year, the capital tax for small businesses will have been eliminated.
The Liberal commitment to small business goes beyond supportive tax measures and will include enhancement of the broad range of existing small business programs, as well as a determined attack on the burden of regulation and paperwork that is borne by small business.
Regional, Rural and Industrial Development– No industry today can afford to fall behind the leading edge of technology and innovation.
In fact, many of Canada’s traditional industries, whether in the resource or manufacturing sectors, are just as technologically sophisticated as those in sectors we usually refer to as “high tech”.
That is why the Liberal strategy to promote economic development in Canada’s regions will emphasize the “new economy” fundamentals – skills upgrading; support for R&D; building research capacity in regional universities; and modern infrastructure (e.g. broadband communications).
This is the approach advocated in the comprehensive development plan for the Atlantic region, entitled The Rising Tide, prepared by Liberal Members of Parliament from Atlantic Canada.
It is the basis for Liberal economic development policy in the Atlantic region.
It outlines the right approach, which can be applied to regional development right across Canada.
A Liberal government will enhance the capability of the regional agencies (ACOA; CED-Q; Fednor; WD) to build the underlying capacity for sustainable economic growth and job creation – as exemplified by the Atlantic Innovation Fund.
We will also boost support for community-based economic development through increased resources for the very effective work of the Community Futures Development Corporation.
And building on other proven successes, we will strengthen the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) to ensure proper stewardship of the precious water and soil resources of western Canada.
Our industrial heartland in central Canada is exposed to the full force of growing global competition, including competition with regions in the U.S. for new investment in state-of-theart facilities.
That is why a Liberal government will work with industry, labour and the Province of Ontario to develop a national strategic framework for the auto industry.
It will address issues related to skills, innovation, infrastructure, environment, and regulation.
REGIONAL, RURAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
A Liberal government will support a comprehensive commitment to regional, rural and industrial development with $2 billion of new resources over the next five years.
Employment Insurance – Canada’s strong job performance over the past decade has enabled the government to reduce EI premiums steadily.
Rates have been cut by over 35% since 1994, saving employees and employers $9.7 billion this year compared to the 1994 rate.
The system has also undergone significant reforms both as to evolving objectives and specific rules.
Certain changes have had some unintended consequences.
A Liberal government will make the necessary changes in the EI rules to correct anomalies that have become apparent.
Encouraging Savings – Economic growth and productivity depend on robust investment.
And investment, in turn, depends on savings.
It follows that Canada’s long-run economic performance will be improved if individuals and businesses increase their savings.
The Liberal government will, through use of the tax system and other incentives, develop more effective ways to encourage greater saving, particularly by lower and middle income Canadians.
The objective of Liberal economic policy is to produce strong and steady growth in good jobs and in output of goods and services.
The Liberal strategy to continue to achieve this objective is based on solid, proven principles
– balanced budgets;
a focus on building skills;
strong support for research and its commercial application;
a forward-looking regional development strategy;
and encouragement of saving and investment.
In its most recent credit rating for Canada (March 15, 2004) Standard & Poor’s concluded: “Canada stands poised to grow as fast or faster than other OECD countries.
Canada’s trend GDP growth is likely to exceed 3% in the medium term thanks to stronger public finances, lower taxes and renewed public spending on education.
Inflation will likely be 2% thanks to stable monetary policy.”
Over the next five years, sound Liberal economic policy principles can be counted on to produce major jobs and growth benefits for Canadians:
THE LIBERAL ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
An economy that is 16% to 17% larger than it is today resulting in increasing real incomes for Canadians.
Inflation will be targeted to remain between 1% and 3%, helping to keep interest rates down, and therefore, make homes and cars more affordable.
Continued strong job creation, adding at least 1.3 million net new jobs between now and 2009.
Chapter 4“A Liberal government led by Paul Martin will raise Canada’s proud voice in the world...”
CANADA IN THE WORLD: A ROLE OF PRIDE AND INFLUENCE
Canada is a middle power in the world community, but we have not been short of influence and ambition, nor weak of resolve.
We will not be so in our time.
A Liberal government led by Paul Martin will raise Canada’s proud voice in the world,
so that our belief in democracy, our spirit of generosity and our dedication to multilateral solutions are heard and recognized across the globe.
Canada is regarded internationally as a progressive country with a binding set of values.
We are a nation that has succeeded in binding two founding linguistic groups into one political community.
Over the years, we have added a rich tapestry of other languages, ethnicities and religions, and have endeavoured to address the concerns of our Aboriginal peoples.
Canada was one of the first modern countries to reject explicitly the notion that a state consists of one ethno-cultural group with a single language and culture.
Our enduring values of tolerance, compassion and respect are derived from this formative and enduring experience of creating a common space for different peoples.
We have never wavered from these values.
Canada continues to envision a world in which the benefits of global interdependence are spread more fairly, alleviating hunger, poverty and disease.
We recognize that human misery of this sort is not only a moral affront but also the breeding ground for despair and desperation.
The more influential and persuasive our voice, the more likely it is that Canada will be able to encourage the world to move in a more positive direction.
The Liberal government recently began a wide-ranging International Policy Review, the results of which will be made public this fall.
Without pre-empting the findings of that review, there can be no doubt about our goal – we want to ensure that our unique Canadian values grow in influence on the global stage
and that Canada is better able to play an active role in keeping the peace, improving lives and contributing to the institutions upon which democracy and freedom can take root, grow and thrive.
To accomplish that goal, we need to change the way we do things because the world has changed.
PEACE AND NATION BUILDING
Canada has historically been a secure country.
And the traditional threats to Canada that existed during the Cold War have receded.
However, in their place have emerged new dangers to the security of the world and our nation: the regional instability set off by failing states; the potential for the outbreak of infectious diseases, spread by unprecedented global mobility; international criminal syndicates; and the rise of terrorism as the nemesis of open societies.
The speed with which new threats arise – sometimes from unexpected quarters – has increased dramatically.
There is no longer a major problem in the world that does not affect us.
For Canada, this means we must be more vigilant close to home and prepared to do more far from home.
Our approach to Canada’s security and defence needs to reflect this altered reality.
Canada’s presence in Afghanistan has all the hallmarks of the new type of operation that the Canadian Forces will be expected to lead.
It is a multilateral mission aimed at reviving a failed state so as to deny it to terrorists.
Elements of defence, diplomacy and development are woven tightly together in the fabric of the mission.
This will serve as the model for Canada’s involvement in the international crises of the future – a time when failed and fragile states pose a pressing concern to the stability of neighbouring states and to prospects for a more peaceful world.
A Liberal government will increasingly focus Canada’s international efforts on helping countries to secure the peace and then build the institutions of modern government that they need to provide stability and the means to a decent life for their citizens.
To play this role, Canada will need a military that is modern, well-trained and properly equipped.
The Liberal government has already bolstered the Canadian Forces by:
Committing to the purchase of important new equipment, including state-ofthe-art armoured vehicles for the Army, search and rescue aircraft and helicopter replacement for the Air Force and supply ships for the Navy.
Increasing the budget for National Defence to $13.7 billion in 2004 from $10.2 billion in 1999, a 30% rise.
Improving pay and benefits for members of the Forces, and exempting them from paying income tax on money earned while serving on high-risk international missions.
These initiatives are important steps toward a revived and robust military.
But more must be done.
We will ensure that Canada continues to adapt to the new realities of the modern world and the new challenges posed by failed and fragile states.
PEACE AND NATION BUILDING INITIATIVE
A Liberal government will launch a Peace and Nation-Building Initiative with three principal elements:
Increase the Canadian Forces by 5,000 personnel, creating a new brigade and greatly enhancing Canada’s capacity for peace support.
This will boost significantly our ability to participate in multilateral operations that are consistent with our interests and values.
It will enable our military to assume a bigger role in bringing peace, security and democracy to troubled nations.
Deploy the Canada Corps, which will harness the expertise and idealism of Canadian civilians with a special emphasis on recruiting the energy of young people.
A primary mission of the Canada Corps will be to provide help and advice to fragile and failed states to build the institutions of good government, rule of law and respect for human rights.
Reduce or forgive debts owed by poor and deserving countries as part of a strategy to get crisis-torn states on the road to recovery.
Under the Canadian Debt Initiative, Canada has written off the debts of five of the world’s poorest countries and we have stopped collecting on the debts of nine other impoverished states.
In the case of Iraq, Canada forgave $750 million in debt to give the country a better chance to rebuild successfully.
Using this model, we will integrate our traditional foreign policy instruments more tightly, especially when responding to the need of vulnerable states to build up their own capacity to govern themselves.
As Afghanistan has demonstrated, the presence of foreign troops cannot guarantee security unless there is also progress towards a political settlement.
But, equally, there will be no political settlement unless security is established.
And proper economic development needs both – security and political stability – if it is to work.
STRENGTHENING OUR RESERVES
A Liberal government will increase the Army Reserves to 18,500 from 15,500.
Canada’s Reserves are a vitally important complement to the regular forces and thus contribute to our Peace and Nation-Building initiative.
They are also a multi-talented resource in communities across Canada where Reserve units are located.
Increasing the Reserves will give Canada badly needed new capacity to respond to domestic crises, including natural disasters and chemical, biological and nuclear emergencies.
The new Reserves will also reduce stress on the Canadian Forces and their families as a result of frequent deployments of our troops overseas.
COMBATING THE SCOURGE OF DISEASE
Canada has to be “out there” helping the people who live in nations wracked by poverty, war and crumbling institutions.
It is another vitally important element of our peace and nation-building objective.
Even more than that, it is a moral imperative.
The world’s poorest countries cannot effectively fight poverty if their citizens are debilitated by disease.
A stark example – the global HIV/AIDS pandemic has had a catastrophic impact on many of the world’s poorest countries, particularly in Africa.
That is why the Liberal government introduced legislation – The Jean Chrétien Pledge to Africa – that will make Canada a world leader in providing inexpensive anti-HIV/AIDS generic drugs to people in poor countries.
But a human crisis of this magnitude demands more of Canada.
COMBATING AIDS AROUND THE WORLD
A Liberal government will dedicate $100 million – fully half the funding required by the World Health Organization to provide the technical support for the WHO’s “3 by 5” plan.
It is an ambitious international effort to ensure that 3 million people suffering from HIV/AIDS in poor countries receive urgently needed drug treatment by 2005.
A Liberal government will also increase by $70 million its financial commitment to the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
NEW VOICES
The Liberal strategy to raise Canada’s voice in the world is premised on the plain fact of growing global interdependence.
That is why we must think beyond the G-8 – why we must include as full partners in the dialogue such emerging powers as China, India and Brazil.
These nations deserve a seat at the table.
As Finance Minister, Paul Martin was chairman of the G-20 group of finance ministers who began to meet in the wake of the Asian financial crisis of the 1990s.
As Prime Minister, Paul Martin has proposed a Leaders’ G-20at which the heads of both the established and major emerging economies would meet to discuss solutions to the challenges of environmental sustainability, liberalized trade, financial stability and peace and security.
The proposal has been well received.
A Liberal government will see that it is implemented.
Costing“A sound approach to public finances has been the hallmark of more than a decade of Liberal government.”
INVESTING TO MOVE CANADA FORWARD
The new financial commitments made in this platform are affordable.
They reflect the sound approach to public finances that has been the hallmark of more than a decade of Liberal government.
We will continue to balance the budget while maintaining a $3 billion Contingency Reserve to protect against the unforeseen.
If the annual reserve is not needed, it will go to reduce debt and future interest payments, thus freeing up new resources to finance the priorities of Canadians.
The amounts estimated in the table below – Five-Year Cost of Platform Commitments – are cumulative totals over the next five fiscal years: 2005-06 through 2009-10.
It is not meaningful to project a precise year by year profile of spending since, in many cases, this will depend on discussions still to be held with other governments and stakeholders.
In addition, the evolving outlook for the economy will determine the “room” in the budget from year to year.
We expect that resources will be quite constrained for the next couple of years but anticipate greater flexibility in the subsequent three years.
The cumulative five-year cost of the initiatives in the platform is estimated to be approximately $26 to $28 billion (Table).
The key factors that determine the affordability of these commitments are the projected amounts of federal government revenue and expenditure over the next five years.
We anticipate on the basis of independent forecasts that revenue will grow on average at about 4.8% annually.
This is roughly comparable to the anticipated growth in “nominal” GDP – i.e. real growth plus inflation.
The forecast of expenditure is extrapolated from the fall, 2003 Economic and Fiscal Update to incorporate an estimate of the impact of measures in the March, 2004 budget.
The projection takes into account, for example, substantial explicit commitments to increase health and social transfers to provinces
as well as predictable growth in programs due to such factors as general population increase and demographic change – which, for example, will increase the total amount of benefits going to Canada’s seniors.
The result is that we project federal spending – before including any measures in the Liberal platform – to grow at just under 4% on average over the five years beyond 2004-05.
(This includes interest on the debt as well as spending on programs.
Program spending is projected to grow at a little less than GDP.)
The consequences of these assumptions are summarized in the following table – Five-Year Fiscal Projection.
Projected revenue exceeds “status quo” expenditure by $43 billion over five years.
After setting aside a Contingency Reserve of $3 billion each year, there is a balance of $28 billion.
In Mr. Goodale’s budget in March, the government committed to use its new Expenditure Review discipline to identify savings from existing spending plans, building to at least $3 billion within four years.
These savings, as and when they are secured, will be available to reinvest in the priorities of Canadians.
We will achieve a cumulative total of at least $12 billion of “reinvestment savings” over five years.
Combining these savings with the projected “surplus” of $28 billion yields a five-year total of $40 billion to fund new priorities, assuming that economic growth is as projected.
The platform commitments account for approximately two-thirds of the projected available resources.
This leaves a reasonable balance to finance other priority areas including, for example, further investments in health care, in learning, and in programs for Aboriginal Canadians.
Conclusion“We believe that Canada is a great country, that it is unique in the world in terms of the values that it represents.”
CONCLUSION
At the dawn of the 21st century, Canada finds itself a nation rich not only in material wealth but in optimism and aspiration.
We have a new confidence.
Our economy is strong, and so is our pride in country and our belief in its potential.
We see the possible, and we are determined to pursue it.
This document has outlined ways in which a Liberal government will help.
It will help by building on the economic achievements of the past decade
– ensuring that our national culture of opportunity continues to thrive,
resulting in more and better jobs for Canadians and strong, consistent economic growth.
It will help by enhancing our cherished social programs, especially our publicly funded, universally available system of health care, so that people get the care they need, when they need it.
It will help by recognizing and supporting family caregivers, and increasing financial support for low-income seniors.
It will implement a national system of quality child care and early learning while reducing the financial barriers to higher education.
It will help by ensuring that Canada speaks with a voice all its own on the world stage
– and that it is capable of acting on its words by helping to bring peace and freedom to troubled parts of the globe.
As this platform makes clear, Liberals do not believe – as some do – that Canada is broken and needs to be fixed.
We believe that Canada is a great country, that it is unique in the world in terms of the values that it represents.
The belief that we can be prosperous and still take care of each other is central to the very concept of Canada, and it is one we as Liberals will never forsake.
A Liberal government led by Paul Martin will focus intensely on making change where change is needed.
This will not be a simple task.
Without a strong democratic mandate for these changes, the complex machinery of our governmental systems will not produce the results Canadians demand.
But with a strong mandate, we can deliver the changes you want.
This is why we need your help.
This is why we ask for your support.
Give us your vote on June 28.
We’ll get the job done.
HIGHLIGHTS OF LIBERAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 1993-2003
The new Liberal government of Paul Martin is building on a decade’s worth of significant accomplishments by the Chrétien government.
Eliminated the deficit in 1997-98 making Canada deficit-free for the first time in three decades. Paid down $52.3 billion of debt by 2002-03.
Cut taxes by $100 billion over five years (2000-04) the largest cumulative tax reduction in Canadian history.
Reformed the Canada Pension Plan in 1997 to secure the future pensions of Canadians for at least the next 75 years.
Appointed Roy Romanow to head the Royal Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada in 2001.
In response to the Romanow Report, committed to invest an additional $34.8 billion over five years in the health care system (a further $2 billion was added in budget 2004).
Created a Health Council that will report regularly on the quality of the health care system.
Introduced the Canada Child Tax Benefit in 1997, a major initiative to help children in poverty.
Support will be more than $10 billion per year by 2007 – or up to $3,243 per child – over double what it was in 1996.
Created, in co-operation with provinces and territories, the Early Childhood Development Initiative (2000) to provide greater access to good quality child care and early learning opportunities.
By 2003, federal funding commitments for early learning and child and care totaled over $3.4 billion.
Established in 1995 Aboriginal Head Start, an early childhood program that helps young Aboriginal children prepare for school.
Funding for this and related programs has been regularly increased.
Took a number of steps to protect the safety of women and children, including tighter parole rules for inmates serving life sentences;
restricting access to the personal information of victims of sexual abuse;
and strengthening criminal provisions against stalking.
Toughened the Criminal Code in 2002 to protect children from sexual exploitation.
Those found guilty of making child pornography and of Internet-luring can be designated as “long-term offenders”.
Doubled maternity and parental leave benefits to 50 weeks (2000).
Provided a six-week Compassionate Care leave for people who must take time off from their jobs to care for gravely ill or dying family members.
Introduced the Canada Education Savings Grant in 1998 to augment the Registered Education Savings Plan by as much as $400 each year per child.
(This was further increased for low-income parents in budget 2004.)
Created the Canada Foundation for Innovation in 1997 to promote research at Canadian universities and hospitals.
Invested $3.7 billion in the CFI, which has awarded research grants to more than 2,400 projects, almost half of them in the health sciences.
Created two thousand new 21st Century Chairs for Research Excellence in Canadian universities.
Created the Canadian Institutes of Health Research in 2000, committing more than $600 million each year for health-related research.
Established Genome Canada, a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to developing and implementing a national strategy in genomics.
Introduced a series of infrastructure support programs over the past 10 years.
Federal commitments have totaled some $10 billion.
Created the Community Access Program in 1996 to connect small communities across Canada to the Internet.
SchoolNet made Canada the first country in the world to link all schools to the Internet.
Invested $5.2 billion over six years in the national Agricultural Policy Framework which works on issues in food safety and quality, environment, science and innovation, renewal, and risk management (Budget 2000).
Passed the Clarity Act in 2000, helping to secure the unity of Canada.
Passed the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act in 1994 to improve public involvement in environmental assessments.
Ratified the Kyoto Protocol.
Budget 2003 provided $2 billion to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transportation.
Led the international campaign to ban anti-personnel landmines resulting in the historic Ottawa Convention in 1997.
Chaired negotiations in 1998 leading to the establishment of the International Criminal Court.
Provided $500 million to promote Africa’s development within an additional $1.4 billion over three years for international assistance (Budget 2003).
After deciding not to participate in the war in Iraq, Canada has taken an active role in the country’s reconstruction with the provision of more than $300 million in humanitarian aid, and forgiveness of approximately $750 million of debt.
Passed the Anti-Terrorism Act;
implemented the Smart Border initiative with the US to expedite the flow of goods and people while dealing with security risks;
and in 2001 provided $7.7 billion over five years to enhance security and make Canada’s borders secure, open and efficient.
Created the Territory of Nunavut in 1999.
Passed Bill C-24, which eliminates most corporate and union donations to political parties and enhances disclosure requirements.
Spearheaded the first of many Team Canada trade missions in 1994.
Demand Better
“They Desire a Better Country”
Canada’s coat of arms displays the words “They desire a better country.”
To desire a better country – to demand better – is part of our Canadian spirit.
Canadians work hard at their jobs and within their communities because we know what it means to demand better from ourselves and for each other.
It is only the Liberal government in Ottawa that seems to settle for less.
No accountability for waste and corruption.
High taxes.
A weak economy.
Crumbling health care.
And lax safety and security.
They settle for less even as they demand more and more in taxes from hardworking Canadian families.
We Must Demand Better
After ten years of failed promises from the Liberals, Canadians have had enough.
We must demand better from our government.
We must demand better ethics and integrity in government, and a cleaner, more accountable, more democratic political system.
We need to change the way that Ottawa works.
We must demand better economic performance, with lower taxes for Canadian families, and replace reckless spending with sensible investments to create long-term growth.
We must demand better health care, with adequate, stable funding, shorter waiting lists, and increased accountability for meeting standards.
We must demand better services in our communities – post-secondary education in the reach of every young Canadian, a cleaner environment, and support for the family.
We must demand better national security and law enforcement against criminals and terrorists,
and stronger, better-equipped armed forces.
Demand a change in Government
After ten years of Liberal failure to deliver, to demand better means to demand a change in government.
Only the Conservative Party led by Stephen Harper offers the vision for change and the will to do things differently in Ottawa.
Demand better.
Vote Conservative.
Demand Better Accountability
End Waste, mismanagement, and corruption in Ottawa
The waste, mismanagement, and corruption of the Liberal years must be brought to an end.
As Auditor General Sheila Fraser has revealed, Liberal-friendly advertising firms made off with $100 million in taxpayers’ money in bogus commissions on the so-called “Sponsorship” program.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have talked a good line about cleaning up corruption, but so far have delayed and obstructed real efforts to get to the truth.
This is only the latest example of government waste, mismanagement, and corruption that have taken place under Paul Martin’s watch as Finance Minister or Prime Minister.
The $1 billion HRDC and $2 billion gun registry
Under Martin and the Liberals we have seen the HRDC boondoggle where $1 billion in government grants were improperly accounted for – with Liberal political operatives controlling the flow of cash.
And a gun registry that Canada’s police chiefs have admitted is ineffective in tracking down criminals and which is on track to cost Canadians almost $2 billion – 1000 times over budget.
Canadians are sick and tired of the waste, corruption, and mismanagement of the Liberal years.
Canadians must demand better.
A plan for better and cleaner government
The Conservative Party has a plan for better and cleaner government for Canadians, and to change the way that Ottawa works.
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will:  Direct the Auditor General to audit all federal granting programs and recommend changes to reduce waste and fraud.
Create an independent Ethics Commissioner appointed by Parliament, not by the Prime Minister.
End corporate and union political donations, and end forced taxpayer subsidies of political parties.
Set federal elections on a fixed date every four years and examine other democratic reforms.
Ensure fairness in party nomination and leadership races.
Hold elections to fill vacancies in the Senate.
Increase the power of individual Members of Parliament.
Give Parliament, not the Courts, the final decision on issues like marriage.
Improve relations with the provinces and clarify federal and provincial roles.
We will direct the Auditor General to audit all federal granting programs and recommend changes to reduce waste and fraud
The Auditor General blew the whistle on Liberal corruption in the sponsorship scandal.
She uncovered massive overspending on the gun registry.
She gave Canadians the true picture on the loss of a billion dollars in the HRDC boondoggle.
It seems that nearly every audit she conducts turns up more examples of Liberal mismanagement of your money.
Funds must benefit all Canadians
The government spends about $18 billion per year on grants to individuals, corporations, and non-governmental organizations.
In addition, about $13 billion is spent per year on government contracts.
While some of these grants and contracts are undoubtedly worthwhile, the Liberal Party has too often used these funds for their own benefit, not for the benefit of Canadians.
These practices must end.
The Auditor General must be given the resources and authority to examine and propose changes to the entire range of government grants, contributions, advertising, and consulting contracts in all government departments and Crown corporations and foundations.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will ask the Auditor General to conduct, on an expedited basis, an audit of all federal grant and contribution programs and contracting policies.
We will act on her recommendations.
We will also increase funding for the internal audit functions.
We will ensure that all granting programs are reviewed every five years on an ongoing basis.
The Auditor General will be given the authority to examine the affairs of Crown Corporations and government-funded Foundations.
Partisan advertising by government departments will be banned, and the Auditor General will be given the power to monitor and enforce the ban.
We will create an independent Ethics Commissioner appointed by Parliament, not by the Prime Minister
In 1993, Paul Martin’s Red Book promised the appointment of an independent Ethics Commissioner.
For over ten years, Paul Martin and the Liberals failed to fulfill that promise.
In fact, Paul Martin voted in the House of Commons against his very own Red Book words.
Instead, the Liberals appointed a lapdog Ethics Counsellor.
Appointed by and reporting to the Prime Minister, he has turned a blind eye to Liberal corruption and conflict of interest, from Shawinigate to the sponsorship scandal to Paul Martin’s dealings with his shipping company.
Answer to the House of Commons
A Conservative government will provide a truly independent Ethics Commissioner who will answer to the House of Commons, not the Prime Minister’s Office.
Like the Auditor General, the independent Ethics Commissioner will report directly to the House of Commons and be given the mandate to investigate, and where necessary, recommend prosecution for conflict-of-interest infractions by cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, or their staff.
Independent officers must be appointed by Parliament
While the Liberals have belatedly proposed a new Ethics Commissioner, they have left the power to appoint the commissioner in the hands of the Prime Minister.
This is still not good enough.
Independent officers of Parliament must be appointed by Parliament, with Opposition parties having a say.
It was unacceptable for the Prime Minister to appoint a confidant and speechwriter, George Radwanski, as Privacy Commissioner, who then proceeded to waste tens of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars on expensive dinners.
Never again will these important public offices be used as patronage grounds for the Prime Minister.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will bring in legislation creating an Office of the Ethics Commissioner with full investigative powers.
The legislation will provide for the Commissioner to be appointed by Parliament with the consent of Opposition parties.
We will extend this appointment process to other officers of Parliament, including:  The Auditor General The Chief Electoral Officer The Access to Information Commissioner The Privacy Commissioner
We will end corporate and union political donations, and end forced taxpayer subsidies of political parties
Under the Liberals, money and influence have played far too big a role in Canadian politics.
During his leadership campaign, Paul Martin collected record amounts of money from large corporations, much of it held in secret for several years.
In their last year in office, the Liberals finally passed long overdue legislation to reduce both corporate and union funding of political parties.
The Conservative Party supported these measures, and would go further and end all corporate, union, and interest group subsidies for parties and candidates.
Taxpayers forced to support political parties
The current legislation also includes massive public subsidies for political parties, forcing taxpayers to support political parties whether they want to or not.
The legislation provides the parties with subsidies of about $40 million per year, divided among them based on the results of the previous election.
The Conservative Party believes there must be a better way than merely replacing suspect corporate and union donations with forced taxpayer subsidies.
Instead, we will encourage Canadians to voluntarily support the political process through a check-off system on their income tax form.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will amend election financing legislation to prohibit all corporate, union, or organization donations to political parties and candidates.
We will eliminate the current per voter annual subsidy for federal political parties.
Instead, we will include a check-off box on taxpayers’ T1 forms that will allow Canadians to direct a nominal amount towards the registered political party of their choice.
This choice will not affect taxpayers’ refunds or amounts owing.
We will revise election financing legislation to allow individual Canadians and organizations freedom of expression during election campaigns.
We will set federal elections on a fixed date every four years and examine other democratic reforms
Canadians are appalled that we are subject to mid-term elections, called simply for the personal and partisan benefit of the Prime Minister.
Our greatest democratic deficit is that one person dictates when Canadians have their say at the ballot box.
Provinces moving towards fixed election dates
British Columbia now has fixed election dates every four years, and other provinces, including Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick, are moving towards fixed dates as well.
The federal government should join this trend.
Canadians must demand better democracy.
A Conservative government will set fixed election dates every four years.
In addition to this most basic democratic change, we will also look at new proposals for allowing greater direct democracy and changing the electoral system used to elect Members of Parliament.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will pass legislation modeled on the BC and Ontario laws requiring fixed election dates every four years, except when a government loses the confidence of the House (in which case an election would be held immediately, and the subsequent election would be four years later on the date established in the legislation).
A Conservative government will appoint non-partisan independent commissions to examine and report on best practices from other jurisdictions on methods of direct democracy and alternatives to the voting system.
We will ensure fairness in party nomination and leadership races
Election laws in Canada govern election campaigns, but leave parties almost unregulated in their internal leadership and candidate selection processes, despite the fact parties receive millions of dollars in subsidies from taxpayers.
No unilateral appointments by the Prime Minister
Questions have been raised about the nomination process in all parties.
For example, Sheila Copps, a former Deputy Prime Minister, was defeated by one of Paul Martin’s cabinet supporters in a nomination race that left many questions about its fairness.
Other Liberal candidates have been unilaterally appointed by the Prime Minister to run in ridings, leaving various ethnic and cultural groups feeling they had been discriminated against.
A Conservative government will ensure that party nomination and leadership races are conducted in a fair, transparent, and democratic manner.
We will not allow Party leaders to appoint candidates without the democratic consent of local Electoral District Associations.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will institute a system of voluntary voter registration for Canadians to register their party affiliation.
This registration will be used as the basis for party nomination and leadership contests.
Any costs will be offset by rationalizing the Elections Canada bureaucracy.
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will require that all candidates in a general election or by-election have the democratic approval of their local Electoral District Association.
We will hold elections to fill vacancies in the Senate
In a federal system like Canada, the interests of provinces and regions must be represented in the national Parliament.
Every major federation in the world – except Canada – has an elected, regionally based upper chamber.
We must demand better.
It is unacceptable that Canada has reached the 21st century with one House of its Parliament still a patronage body.
Despite promising Senate reform years ago, the Liberals still refuse to allow Canadians to elect their own Senators.
Creating an elected parliamentary chamber independent of the Prime Minister is a critical step in ending the Liberal democratic deficit and can be done without any constitutional amendments.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will appoint only elected Senators to the Senate.
A Conservative government will also propose further reforms to make the Senate an independent and democratic body for all regions.
We will increase the power of individual Members of Parliament
The Liberals have failed for over ten years to reform Parliament.
Paul Martin himself has complained about the “democratic deficit,” yet since becoming Prime Minister, he has done almost nothing to give more real power to Members of Parliament.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will make all votes, except the budget and main estimates, “free votes” for ordinary Members of Parliament.
A Conservative government will allow Parliament to review and ratify important appointments, such as Officers of Parliament, Supreme Court Justices, and heads of major Crown corporations and agencies.
A Conservative government will increase the power of Parliament and Parliamentary Committees to review the spending estimates of Departments and hold Ministers to account.
We will give Parliament, not the Courts, the final decision on issues like marriage
The Conservative Party believes that Parliament, not unelected judges, should have the final say on contentious social issues like the definition of marriage.
We do not support the current reference case, which will ask the Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of same-sex marriage legislation before it has been debated by Parliament.
Since the definition of marriage had never been questioned until recent years, the Parliament of Canada has never passed legislation defining marriage.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will withdraw the current marriage reference case before the Supreme Court and hold a free vote in Parliament on the definition of marriage.
We will cooperate with the provinces and respect the principles of confederation
The Paul Martin Liberals have increasingly centralized power in Ottawa by invading provincial jurisdiction.
The Liberals’ penchant for centralizing power in their own hands by taking power away from Parliament and the provinces has increased the “democratic deficit.”
This meddling in provincial affairs has been done at the same time that Ottawa has been neglecting its own core responsibilities – responsibilities that only a central government can fulfill.
Paul Martin is part of the problem, not part of the solution
As Finance Minister, Paul Martin massively and unilaterally cut federal support to the provinces for health care – far more than he cut his own federal spending.
Now, he is using the promise of restoring some of these transfers to achieve more and more control over provincial jurisdiction.
Significant reforms still not implemented
In 1996, in the wake of nearly losing the Quebec referendum, the Liberals promised significant reforms to federal-provincial relations.
Unfortunately, many of those changes still have not been implemented.
A Conservative government will pick up the ball this government has dropped and establish a new relationship with the provinces, while clarifying the roles of both levels of government.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will not establish any new cost-shared programs in areas of provincial jurisdiction unless it has the support of at least seven provinces having over 50% of the population.
Provinces will be allowed to opt out of a federal cost-shared program with full compensation if they are providing a comparable provincial program.
A Conservative government will support the new Council of the Federation established by the provinces, and will encourage the Council to share information and best practices in areas such as health care, education, job training, and social assistance.
A Conservative government will renegotiate the Agreement on Internal Trade to end provincial exclusions, create a prompt and binding dispute settlement process, and allow greater mobility for workers.
If voluntary agreement cannot be achieved, we will use the Constitution to ensure that trade among the provinces is at least as free as trade with the United States and Mexico under NAFTA.
Demand a Better Economy
Lower taxes, control spending, and create jobs
Ten years of Liberal government, including nine Paul Martin budgets, have left Canada one of the highest taxed nations in the G-7.
Currently, all governments – federal, provincial and local – take in $475 billion in revenue every year.
This represents more than $15,000 for each Canadian, whether adult or child.
Even after adjusting for inflation, this figure is over a third more than Canadians were paying in 1981.
Taxes, user fees, royalties, and other revenues make up more than 40% of the value of the Canadian economy.
Too many taxpayer dollars go to wasteful Liberal spending
What is worse, too many of these hard-earned taxpayer dollars go to wasteful Liberal spending – HRDC boondoggles, ineffective gun registries, Challenger jets for Liberal cabinet ministers, and “no work required” advertising contracts for Liberal donors.
The economy does need strategic investment, and government has a role to play
– but too much Liberal spending is wasteful pork, not smart investment.
Canadians must demand better from their economy.
The Plan
A Conservative government will cut taxes for individuals and families,
get spending under control,
and invest in critical needs like infrastructure for cities and communities.
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will:  Reduce the federal tax rate on middle-income Canadians by more than 25 percent.
Introduce a $2000 per child deduction to reduce the tax burden on families with children.
Reduce premiums to eliminate the annual surplus in the Employment Insurance account.
Invest in infrastructure by transferring at least 3 cents of the gas tax to the provinces.
Introduce a new Registered Lifetime Savings Plan that will allow Canadians to withdraw their money tax-free.
Control government spending and pay down the national debt.
Cut wasteful corporate subsidies in order to reduce taxes for all businesses.
Invest in research and development, especially medical and scientific research.
Support Canada’s farmers, fishers, and forestry workers.
We will reduce the federal tax rate on middle-income Canadians by more than 25 percent
In 2003, Canadians worked ten days longer to pay their annual tax than they did in 1995.
The limited tax cuts of the October 2000 pre-election mini-budget have still not offset the higher taxes that Canadians have paid during the Liberal years.
Canada continues to have the highest personal income tax burden in the G-7.
Middle-income Canadians have been hit hard
Canadians’ take-home pay has been nearly stagnant for a decade.
Family income was essentially unchanged between 1990 and 2000, growing by less than 1% over the entire decade – most of which was under Paul Martin as Finance Minister.
Middle-income Canadians have been hit hard by a decade of economic neglect, and have seen only slight reductions in income taxes.
Canadians must demand better.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will raise thresholds for all tax brackets.
We will phase out the 22 percent tax bracket on taxable income between $35K and $70K.
All other brackets will be raised at one percent above the inflation rate.
A taxpayer earning $50,000 per year will save about $1,000 per year on his or her taxes when the cut is fully implemented.
We will introduce a $2000 per child deduction to reduce the tax burden on families with children
The current personal tax system does not give any help to middle-income parents raising children.
Families with children pay the same taxes as those with the same income, but no children.
The old Family Allowance program used to provide help with the cost of raising children, but the universality of the program was slowly eliminated.
A Conservative government would increase fairness and reduce the tax burden by introducing a deduction for all dependent children under age 16.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will introduce a $2000 per child deduction, phased in over four years.
We will reduce premiums to eliminate the annual surplus in the Employment Insurance account
The Employment Insurance program should provide adequate income protection to Canadians in all regions in the event of unexpected income loss while ensuring fair eligibility requirements.
Payments into the Employment Insurance fund should be reasonable to maintain it as an insurance fund, not used as a budget slush fund to pay for other items as Paul Martin’s Liberals have done.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will reduce Employment Insurance premiums to eliminate the surplus in the Employment Insurance account and ensure that contributions are used to pay for EI benefits, not other expenditures.
We will invest in infrastructure by transferring at least 3 cents of the gas tax to the provinces
Every year, the federal government collects $4.5 billion in gas tax revenue from Canadians – 10 cents on every litre of fuel purchased.
A total of 1.5 cents of this was brought in by Paul Martin as a “temporary” deficit reduction tax in 1995.
However, even after the deficit was gone, the Liberals kept the extra tax.
The federal Liberals spend only a fraction of this every year repairing Canada’s roads and sewers, or meeting other infrastructure needs such as renewing urban transit or ensuring a safe water supply for Canada’s rural municipalities.
Liberals created highly politicized programs
Rather than direct gas tax revenues to infrastructure, the federal Liberals created a series of highly politicized infrastructure programs, which force provincial and municipal governments to meet federal Liberal priorities.
We have seen money go to bocce courts and hockey rinks in Liberal ridings rather than to real infrastructure priorities.
We believe that most infrastructure decisions are best made at the provincial or local level.
A Conservative government will maintain infrastructure programs, however, to help support border infrastructure and the National Highways System.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will negotiate a transfer of at least 3 cents of federal fuel excise tax to the provinces through a national infrastructure agreement.
It will phase out the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund and other federally run infrastructure programs, while retaining the Border Infrastructure Program.
This will enhance federal infrastructure such as airports, ports, and the National Highway System.
We will introduce a new Registered Lifetime Savings Plan that allows Canadians to withdraw their money tax-free
The Registered Retirement Savings Plan is a very popular savings and investment option for many Canadians.
But one of its limitations is that while putting money in your RRSP saves you taxes when you invest, you can pay even higher taxes when you withdraw your investments.
When retirees withdraw from their RRSPs, they not only pay tax, but often have significant portions of their old age security benefits clawed back.
The RLSP would particularly benefit low and middle-income Canadians
Creating an alternate registered retirement plan – a Registered Lifetime Savings Plan (RLSP) – would add flexibility to savers and complement the current RRSP program.
The RLSP is effectively the mirror image of the RRSP.
Contributions get no deduction, but withdrawals are not taxed.
The RLSP would be particularly beneficial for low and middle-income Canadians who often face higher tax rates in retirement (largely due to the clawback of government retirement benefits) than they did in their earlier years of earning and saving.
This would encourage lower and middle-income earners to save more for their retirement and to achieve better returns on their investment.
The RLSP will also allow Canadians to save for things they need before retirement.
It will allow young Canadians to put money aside for purchasing a house.
It will allow Canadians to save money for education or skills training – facilitating lifelong learning – whether for themselves or for their children.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will allow Canadians to contribute up to $5000 per year to a Registered Lifetime Savings Plan.
We will control government spending and pay down the national debt
Over the past few years, the pace of Liberal spending has grown out of control.
Budgeted program spending under the Liberal government has jumped from a low of about $100 billion per year to $150 billion per year – a 50% increase.
Year-end spending binges must end
Almost every year, the Liberals go on year-end spending binges, allowing them to dispense political favours rather than engage in careful planning.
Debt reduction is treated as an afterthought – what to do with money that the Liberals can’t spend fast enough.
A Conservative government will get spending under control and move to pay down the national mortgage which the huge national debt places on the shoulders of our children and grandchildren.
This will reduce the interest payment on the debt, which is the single largest component of the federal budget.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will take a prudent approach to budgeting that keeps spending growth under control, and will introduce a legislated debt repayment plan that sets a target debt-to-GDP ratio.
We will cut wasteful corporate subsidies in order to reduce taxes for all businesses
Under the Liberal government, Canadians have seen corporations receive billions of dollars in subsidies, grants, and loans – many of which were never repaid.
In too many cases, funding went to companies connected to the Liberal Party.
It was revealed that Paul Martin’s own shipping company, Canada Steamship Lines, benefited from $161 million in corporate welfare – over 100 times the government’s initial admission of only $137,000.
This “accounting error” is still under investigation.
Help all businesses, not a favoured few
Government should help all businesses to create jobs by keeping taxes low and creating a strong economic climate, not help a select few with special favours.
A Conservative government will seek to reduce or eliminate corporate subsidies of up to $4 billion per year.
Savings generated will be used to reduce taxes for all businesses.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will immediately ask the Auditor General to review all granting programs – including grants and subsidies to businesses.
Based on the results of this review we will seek to eliminate $4 billion per year in subsidies to business.
As savings are generated, they will be redirected to reduce or eliminate taxes on business, including:  Elimination of the $12 Air Security Tax.
Elimination of the Capital Tax.
Reduction of Capital Gains Taxes.
Reduction of business tax rates for all businesses, including small business.
We will invest in research and development, especially medical and scientific research
Research and development is a proven key to future economic growth, yet Canada continues to have one of the lowest rates of R&D spending in the G7.
The Conservative Party of Canada is committed to improving Canada’s capacity to perform research.
The generation and development of new scientific knowledge is pivotal to the growth and prosperity of the Canadian economy.
The answer, however, is not government handouts or “loans” for which no repayment is expected, but sound policies that support both private sector and academic research.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will encourage R&D through tax credits, elimination of the capital tax, a competitive intellectual property regime, and improved accessibility to private sector funds for small and medium sized enterprises.
In partnership with universities and the private sector, we will promote the growth of innovation clusters across Canada.
A Conservative government will uphold funding of innovation, technology, and research through independent granting councils.
We will ensure that a competitive peer review process, with enhanced transparency and accountability, determines who receives grants through these councils, not political or regional considerations.
We will support Canada’s farmers, fishers, and forestry workers
Canada’s traditional resource-based industries, such as farming, fisheries, and forestry, still have a vital role to play in the new economy.
The people who work in these industries feed and house Canadians and the world, and act as stewards of our land and resources.
Yet, their central importance to our economy and our collective life as a country has been too often ignored.
Our resource-based industries have been victims
Our resource-based industries have been victims of international trade disputes and natural disasters or epidemics that the federal government has been slow to respond to.
A Conservative government will stand up for our farmers, fishers, and forestry workers in the international trade arena, and will move quickly to ensure adequate support and compensation when industries face circumstances beyond their control.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will: Support the use of safety net programs to assist producers who are struggling against conditions outside of their control.
We will provide enhanced support to agriculture and the agri-food industry,
while acting consistently with our international trading obligations.
Give grain farmers the freedom to make their own marketing and transportation decisions and to voluntarily participate in producer organizations.
Ensure industries under the protection of supply management remain viable.
Support the goal of supply management to deliver a high-quality product to consumers for a fair price with a reasonable return to the producer.
Support rules-based trading systems like NAFTA and the WTO to promote free and fair trade, especially where the trading partners are unequal in size.
Secure the future of Canada’s lumber industry through free trade.
We will support a temporary forest support program for workers displaced by the softwood lumber dispute, and loan guarantees to companies for cash requirements for the tariff liability associated with trade disputes with the United States.
Develop a fisheries managerial framework that gives provinces and territories more input and control over fisheries management in their region.
Extend the two hundred mile limit to the edge of the Continental Shelf, the Nose and Tail of the Grand Banks, and the Flemish Cap in the North Atlantic,
and increase enforcement efforts within the two hundred mile limit to protect our fish stocks from unsustainable harvesting practices of international fishers.
Invest more in fisheries science and research, especially relating to sustainable harvesting.
We will transfer the policy and science branches of Fisheries and Oceans to the east and west coasts to better understand and respond to the concerns of fishers.
Ensure that intergenerational transfers of capital within a family are treated equitably under the tax system for farmers, foresters, and the fishing sector.
Demand Better Health Care
During ten years of Liberal government, our health care system has struggled from crisis to crisis.
In 1995, Paul Martin slashed health care funding, ripping some $25 billion out of health care over the next four years.
Our health care system still has not recovered from these massive Martin cuts.
Across Canada, we have seen hospitals close, services reduced, and waiting lists grow longer.
Waiting lists are unacceptably long
A study comparing 12 specialties in 10 provinces showed that Canadians now wait an average of 17.7 weeks between referral from a general practitioner and treatment from a specialist – up from 9 weeks in 1993.
In over 90% of cases, Canadians are forced to wait beyond what physicians believe is the clinically acceptable maximum wait period.
Canada’s medical waiting lists are among the longest in the OECD, despite spending the second most per capita in the OECD on health care.
The Health Accord is “all but dead”
The Conservative Party supports the Health Accord agreed to by Jean Chrétien and the provinces in 2003.
In contrast, Paul Martin and the Liberal government have allowed key deadlines in the Accord to slip by.
Macleans Magazine reports that the Accord is “all but dead,” and recent speeches by the Prime Minister and his Health Minister have almost failed to mention the Accord.
Canadians must demand better health care.
Canadians expect and deserve a health care system that ensures timely access to health services for all Canadians, regardless of their ability to pay.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will:  Work with provinces to build on the 2003 Health Accord on Health Renewal.
Provide stable long-term funding for health care.
Hold the federal and provincial governments accountable for Health Accord promises.
Respond more effectively to public health emergencies.
Improve access to new drugs and natural health products.
Promote amateur sport and physical fitness.
We will work with the provinces to build on the 2003 Accord on Health Renewal
In February 2003, the federal and provincial governments agreed on a First Ministers’ Accord on Health Care Renewal.
The Health Accord was struck by Jean Chrétien during the short period when Paul Martin was no longer Finance Minister nor yet Prime Minister.
Restoring the cuts to health care
The Accord went a long way toward restoring the cuts to health care of the Martin years.
It provided support for primary health care reform, home care, and catastrophic drug coverage, and gave provinces flexibility to meet these goals.
It created a dedicated health transfer from Ottawa to make federal funding for health care more transparent.
And it talked about an accountability framework to ensure timely reporting on health care performance.
Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party support the implementation of the 2003 Health Accord.
Paul Martin has demonstrated only tepid support for this Health Accord.
As a result, the Health Accord has not lived up to the promises of a year ago.
The creation of the Canada Health Council was delayed.
Two provinces, Alberta and Quebec, are not participating in the Council.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will work with the provinces to implement the commitments of the 2003 Health Accord.
We will seek to bring Alberta and Quebec into the Canada Health Council to make it truly representative of all Canadians.
We will provide stable long-term funding for health care
Canada’s health system has not yet recovered from the $25 billion in cuts imposed by Paul Martin during the 1990s.
The federal government has a responsibility to provide long-term stable funding for health care.
The 2003 Health Accord reached by the provincial and federal governments goes some way to restoring that funding base, and we will fulfill those commitments.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper is committed to implementing the $36.8 billion in new funding committed under the Health Accord.
A Conservative government is also prepared to negotiate with the provinces to achieve a greater long-term federal commitment to health care funding, provided that new funding is linked to achieving the broader health reform goals of the 2003 Accord.
As part of those discussions, a Conservative government will propose that the federal government assume direct responsibility for the catastrophic drug plan in the Accord.
A Conservative government will also revisit the equalization formula.
We will move towards a ten-province standard that excludes non-renewable resource revenues from the equalization formula (helping the Atlantic provinces and Saskatchewan, in particular), and do so in a manner that ensures no provinces receiving equalization will receive less money during the transition to the new formula than the current formula provides.
We will hold the federal and provincial governments accountable for Health Accord promises
Now that Canada’s first ministers have agreed to the national Health Accord, there must be the political will to follow through.
At the federal level, this means providing anadequate, predictable, and growing level of funding to support health care and ensuring that key deadlines are met.
Important deadlines already missed
The federal and provincial governments have missed the deadlines they set for progress on health care reform.
Deadlines have been missed for the development of new health care indicators for timely access, quality, sustainability, and health status and wellness.
A common list of home care services to be covered has not been developed.
And we have heard no details on how catastrophic drug coverage will be added to provincial health care plans by 2006.
Canadians must demand better,
and insist that both the federal and provincial governments live up to their Health Accord promises and not let health reform stay on the Liberal waiting list.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will insist on accountability under the Health Accord.
We will:  Ensure that performance indicators on timely access, quality, sustainability, and health status and wellness are developed.
Provide Canadians with a list of common home care services eligible for coverage.
Report to Canadians on how provinces are planning to ensure that all Canadians have access to catastrophic drug coverage by 2005/06.
Work with the provinces through the Canada Health Council to monitor and report on waiting lists and explore ways of dealing with the problem.
Propose to the provinces a federal program for catastrophic drug coverage
We will respond more effectively to public health emergencies
In recent years, new epidemics have spread from one side of the world to another with astonishing speed.
Whether one looks at AIDS, Ebola, SARS, or the Avian flu, we are living in a “new normal,” where today’s isolated outbreak in Asia or Africa can become tomorrow’s crisis in Vancouver or Toronto.
Diseases like Avian flu or BSE have threatened to cross over from the animal to the human population.
And there is the ongoing threat of bio-terrorism in a post-September 11 world.
Liberals too slow to respond
Under the Liberals, the federal government has been far too slow and uncertain in responding to public health emergencies.
We all recall the spectacle of last year’s SARS outbreak, when the federal response was limited to handing out pink cards at the airport and arguing with Ontario over compensation.
Even the federal government’s own report into the SARS outbreak criticized Health Canada for being “largely invisible” during the crisis.
The government belatedly announced the creation of a Canada Public Health Agency and a Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, moves which the Conservative Party supports.
But the government must provide adequate support to these new bodies and ensure that the selection of the Chief Public Health Officer and the location of the Canada Public Health Agency do not become political footballs.
Canadians must demand better in response to public health emergencies.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will:  Support the appointment of a Chief Public Health Officer and the creation of the Canada Public Health Agency.
Clearly define federal and provincial governments’ roles during public health crises.
Settle on a compensation formula for public health emergencies to avoid unseemly squabbles over money while patients are still at risk.
We will improve access to new drugs and natural health products
Canadians continue to face unacceptable delays in getting access to new life-saving drugs because of federal red tape.
A major study last year showed that in Canada, average drug approval time was 704 days compared to 393 days in the United States.
Longer review times mean that Canadians wait longer for the benefits of new and improved drugs,
and make the Canadian pharmaceutical industry less internationally competitive.
Furthermore, while Canadians are being denied timely access to major new pharmaceuticals, they are also having difficulty getting access to natural and complementary health products.
Canadians must demand better access to life-saving new drugs.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will clear the drug approval backlog and bring drug approval waiting times in line with the U.S. average.
A Conservative government will treat natural health products as “food style” rather than “drug style” products.
We will promote amateur sport and physical fitness
Physical activity is an important cornerstone of health promotion. With the 2010 Olympics coming to Vancouver/Whistler, Canada has a unique opportunity to showcase our top-notch amateur sport athletes to the world.
Government has a role to play in encouraging amateur sport, including getting young Canadians involved in physical activity at the local level.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will commit one percent of federal health funding to the funding of physical activity.
This will increase support for the Canadian Olympic Agency and amateur athletes, as well as activities for school age children like the Awards of Excellence programs.
Demand Better Communities:
More support for education, families, and a clean environment
Canadians are more and more concerned about the future of their communities and the kind of society their children and grandchildren will grow up in.
Will children and youth have access to high-quality education?
What can be done to support families in need, and the strength of the family as a social institution?
Will we have enough skilled workers to support an aging population?
And will we live in a polluted environment, or will we pass on the gift of clean air, water, and land to the next generation?
Canadians must demand better for their communities.
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will:  Work with the provinces to reduce financial barriers to post-secondary education and training.
Provide relief to Canadians on low and fixed incomes to help them meet rising utility, insurance, and gasoline prices.
Expand tax credits for those taking care of elderly, sick, or disabled relatives.
Improve recognition of foreign credentials and prior work experience for immigrants.
Work to improve economic and social conditions for aboriginal Canadians.
Become an environmental world leader by focusing on clean air, clean water, clean land, and clean energy.
We will work with the provinces to reduce financial barriers to post-secondary education and training
Post-secondary education is increasingly a prerequisite for access to high-paying jobs in all sectors of the economy.
Yet post-secondary students and their families continue to struggle with rising tuition costs and an increased debt burden.
We must demand better and ensure that no student who has the desire and ability to learn is denied a post-secondary education due to a lack of financial means.
Improving the Canada Student Loans Program
A Conservative government will work with provinces to improve the Canada Student Loans Program to help overcome the barriers students face in pursuing post-secondary education and training opportunities.
Helping Canadians save for education through the RLSP
Our new Registered Lifetime Savings Program (RLSP) will give Canadians and Canadian families the opportunity to save for their, or their children’s, education.
The RLSP will allow Canadians to withdraw their savings tax-free to pay for higher education.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will increase the maximum student loan limits, broaden the definition of eligible expenses, and increase family income thresholds.
We will also provide first-year tuition grants for students from low-income families.
We will encourage families to save for their children’s education, through such measures as the Canada Learning Bond, increased Canada Education Savings Grants, and the Registered Lifetime Savings Program.
We will provide relief to Canadians on low and fixed incomes to help them meet rising utility, insurance, and gasoline prices
Canadians on moderate and fixed incomes have been hit particularly hard in recent years.
Insurance costs and other fixed costs have been rising faster than incomes.
And more recently the price of gasoline has risen to worrying levels.
To address these rising costs, the Conservative party will offer low tax solutions.
Canadians, particularly seniors on fixed incomes, face increased costs for things beyond their control such as rising insurance rates and home utility costs.
Canadians need relief to cover these rising costs.
We will stop the Tax on Tax
We will offer relief to motorists on their fuel costs.
The federal government currently charges the GST on the full price of gasoline – a price that includes federal gas taxes.
In other words, the federal government charges Tax on Tax.
The federal government collects $32 million dollars for each cent that gasoline prices rise.
That means that rising gas prices produces a GST windfall for the federal government.
We will stop this windfall when prices rise above 85 cents.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will increase the size of the GST Tax Credit by 25 percent.
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will axe the Tax on Tax by removing the GST from the federal excise tax on gasoline.
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will eliminate the GST portion of gas prices above 85 cents.
We will expand tax credits for caregivers taking care of elderly, sick, or disabled relatives
More and more Canadians are taking care of their elderly parents or other elderly or disabled relatives in the home.
With an aging population, this trend will continue.
Providing more dignity
Encouraging care in the home gives more dignity to the elderly by allowing them to live in the presence of the ones they love.
The Conservative Party of Canada wants to provide help and encouragement for families that make the decision to take care of loved ones at home – often making a major sacrifice in terms of income.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will double the size of the caregivers’ tax credit to cover $7,000 in allowable expenses.
We will improve recognition of foreign credentials and prior work experience for immigrants Immigration has enriched Canada
The Conservative Party recognizes Canadian society has been built by successive waves of immigration from all sectors of the globe, and that immigration tremendously enriches our economy and national life.
Immigrants must be allowed to contribute their best
Too often, immigrants find it difficult to use the very skills that earned them admission to Canada in the first place.
Too many skilled workers and professionals face trouble having their credentials recognized, even after they have been assessed and vetted during the immigration process.
We will not allow special interests to prevent immigrants from contributing their best to Canadian society.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will ensure speedier recognition of foreign credentials and prior work experience.
We will work to improve economic and social conditions for aboriginal Canadians
A Conservative government will work to improve the economic and social conditions of all aboriginal Canadians and their communities.
The Conservative Party believes in the principle of self-government within the context of the Constitution of Canada.
The principles of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms must apply to aboriginal governments just as they apply to other levels of government.
Paul Martin and the Liberals have spoken fine words about supporting Canada’s aboriginals for many years.
But their words have rarely been followed through with action.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will support the development of a property regime on reserves to allow individual property ownership that will encourage lending for private housing and businesses.
A Conservative government will also create a matrimonial property code to protect spouses and children in cases of marriage breakdown.
A Conservative government, in consultation with the provinces and aboriginals, will support the principle of allowing parents to choose which schooling they want for their children, with funding following the students.
We will become an environmental world leader by focusing on clean air, clean water, clean land, and clean energy
Canadians know we are fortunate to live in the most beautiful country in the world, a country with the world’s largest fresh water supply and abundant natural resources and wildlife species.
But we also know we cannot take this natural environment for granted.
We must be responsible stewards of our land, water, and air.
We need results, not just talk
Paul Martin and the Liberal government have long talked a good game on the environment, but delivered little.
While he was in office, Paul Martin’s own shipping company, Canada Steamship Lines, was charged with polluting Halifax Harbour.
As the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development has demonstrated, Canada faces “an environmental and sustainable development deficit” caused in part by the “gap between the commitments the federal government has made and the results it has achieved.”
Canadians must demand better stewardship for their environment.
They must demand a government that will be less interested in flashy announcements at international conferences, and more interested in environmental results.
A Conservative government will work with Canadians to address real environmental problems and develop a long-term vision for a healthy, sustainable environment as a trust for future generations.
The Plan
A Conservative government will implement the commitments of Stephen Harper’s February 2004 paper, “Towards a Cleaner Canada,” including:  Legislate caps on smog causing pollutants like Nitrogen Oxide (NOx), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).
Negotiate power plant and smokestack emissions limits with the United States and border states.
Investigate a cap-and-trade system that will allow firms to generate credits by reducing smog-causing pollutants.
Increase fines for first occurrences of ocean spills to $500,000 plus clean-up costs.
Pass legislation providing that ships and their cargo can be seized and impounded until fines are paid.
Extend funding for radar satellite surveillance on the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts.
Initiate an audit of federal contaminated waste sites to determine potential health risks and clean-up costs.
Support spending $4 billion over ten years to clean up contaminated sites such as the Sydney tar ponds.
Allow businesses to deduct costs of brownfield remediation expenses, and take further measures recommended by the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy to reduce the risks to the private sector of brownfield development.
Work with the provinces to develop a national strategy for alternative energy and energy conservation, including increasing the use of renewable energy sources, research and development into alternative energy and energy efficiency technology, and a long term study of Canada’s energy situation that considers the relative cost of energy sources, energy security, trade relations, and environmental conservation.
Redirect federal spending aimed at fulfilling the terms of the increasingly irrelevant Kyoto Protocol to concrete programs to ensure clean air, water, and land, and to promote energy conservation.
Demand Better Security:
Making our streets safe, our borders secure, and our country strong
For years, Liberal governments have let our domestic law enforcement grow lax and our national defence grow weak.
The Auditor General has raised serious concerns about the Liberals’ lax deportation policy.
With the threat of international terrorism, and with criminals and terrorists able to operate across borders with the click of a mouse, Canadians realize we may pay a high price for our lack of security and preparedness both at home and abroad.
Canadians must demand better security.
We must keep our streets safe, our borders secure, and our country strong.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will:  Protect our communities from crime by instituting truth in sentencing, tightening parole, and holding young offenders accountable.
Protect our children by eliminating legal loopholes for child pornography.
Fight crime by scrapping the firearms registry and redirecting the money to law enforcement.
Protect our national security by addressing the backlog of individuals who have been ordered deported but not removed.
Build a more constructive partnership with our major allies and trading partners and enhance the North American trade relationship.
Implement a Made in Canada foreign policy.
Give our Canadian Forces the equipment they need to do the difficult and demanding work we ask of them.
We will protect our communities from crime by instituting truth in sentencing, tightening parole, and holding young offenders accountable
All Canadians should be able to feel safe and secure in their own homes and neighbourhoods.
We need to restore clear consequences for crime and show more compassion for victims than for offenders.
A Conservative government will restore balance and accountability to Canada’s criminal justice system.
Life sentences must mean life
We will ensure truth in sentencing based on the principle of “if you do the crime, you do the time.”
Life sentences must mean life, and multiple sentences must be served consecutively not concurrently – no “volume discounts” for multiple crimes.
“Conditional sentences,” which have allowed child sex offenders, murderers, rapists, and impaired drivers the opportunity to serve their sentences at home rather than in prison, must be eliminated for serious offenders.
Parole must be a privilege to be earned, not a right to be expected.
A Conservative government will hold young lawbreakers accountable to their victims and the community.
The youth criminal justice system must provide for effective punishment for adolescents who commit serious crimes, instill a sense of responsibility in young offenders for their behaviour,
and give young people better opportunities for rehabilitation.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will:  Ensure that conditional sentences (“house arrest”) shall not apply to serious crimes, such as violent and sexual assaults, weapons offences, and major drug trafficking.
Repeal section 745.6 of the Criminal Code – the so-called “Faint Hope Clause” that allows an offender serving a life sentence to apply for parole after only 15 years.
Establish a “dangerous offender” status for a third violent or sexual offence.
Enforce mandatory consecutive sentences (instead of concurrent sentences, as is usually the case) for multiple violent offences.
Replace statutory release (the law entitling a prisoner to parole after serving two-thirds of his sentence) with earned parole.
Forbid prisoners in federal institutions from voting in elections.
Require that violent or serious repeat offenders who are fourteen years or older be tried in adult court.
We will protect our children by eliminating legal loopholes for child pornography
In March 2002, a B.C. court acquitted John Robin Sharpe on two child pornography charges on the basis that his material had “artistic merit.”
Canadians overwhelmingly called on the federal government to immediately eliminate this legal loophole.
Rather than removing the defence of “artistic merit” for child pornographers, the Liberals simply repackaged the old law by including a new defence where child pornography may be deemed to serve the “public good” – which may be held to include the old loophole of “artistic merit.”
The Plan
We will pass legislation that will adopt a zero tolerance policy for child porn, eliminating the so-called “public good” defence.
We will prohibit conditional sentences for child sex offences, to ensure that all of those charged with these offences will serve prison time and be removed from the community.
We will fight crime by scrapping the firearms registry and redirecting the money to law enforcement
When the Liberals first introduced their national long-gun registry, they said it would cost around $2 million.
Today, at a cost of almost $2 billion – 1000 times more than promised – the registry is incomplete, riddled with errors, and according to the Toronto Chief of Police, “ineffective in helping catch criminals.”
Register criminals, not duck hunters
Canadians must demand better than simply more cosmetic reforms to this failed program – they must demand that it be ended and the money spent on genuine law enforcement priorities.
We will register dangerous criminals, not duck hunters.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will repeal the wasteful long-gun registry legislation.
A Conservative government will work with the provinces on cost-effective guncontrol programs designed to keep guns out of the hands of criminals while respecting the rights of law-abiding Canadians to own and use firearms responsibly.
Measures will include:  Mandatory minimum penalties for the criminal use of firearms and their illegal possession.
Strict monitoring of high-risk individuals.
Crackdown on gun smuggling.
Safe storage laws.
Firearms safety training.
A licensing system for all those wishing to acquire and use firearms legally.
Putting more law enforcement officers on our streets.
A registry of convicted criminals who have been prohibited by the courts from owning firearms.
We will protect our national security by clearing the backlog of individuals who have been ordered deported but not removed
Liberal inattention and inaction has put Canada at risk of becoming a “safe haven” for criminals and terrorists.
RCMP and Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) reports have warned of organized international criminal organizations and terrorist groups operating in Canada.
Yet the Liberals refuse to enforce the laws already on the books against criminals and false refugees who are abusing the system.
About 36,000 removal orders remain: Auditor General
As the Auditor General noted in April, 2003: “Over the last six years about 36,000 removal orders have not been executed.
The Field Operations Support System shows about 30,000 outstanding arrest warrants for removals, some of which date from before 1997.”
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will address the backlog of outstanding deportation orders, putting priority on individuals with criminal records or connections to terrorist organizations or organized crime.
It will ensure that refugee claimants who arrive in Canada without proper documentation do not put Canadian security at risk.
We will build a more constructive partnership with our major allies and trading partners, and enhance the North American trade relationship
As John F. Kennedy said of the Canada-U.S. relationship, “Geography has made us neighbours; history has made us friends.”
Canada and the United States have the world’s largest trading relationship.
We share over a billon dollars of cross-border trade every day.
We also share basic democratic values.
We can disagree without being disagreeable
From time to time, Canada and the United States are, and should be, on opposite sides of trade or foreign policy issues.
But the Canadian government must learn to disagree without being disagreeable.
Canadians have been embarrassed by Liberal MPs and Prime Ministerial aides saying they “hate” Americans or calling them “morons.”
This complicates disputes over issues like softwood lumber and opening the border for beef exports.
Canadians must demand better relationships with our friends and allies.
We must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the United States and other allies when we should, in order to sit eye-to-eye with them when we must.
We should have a stronger relationship with the U.S. to deal with issues like the increasingly protectionist stance of U.S. trade policy, border security, and the war on terrorism.
We must ensure a strong North American trading partnership
As the world increasingly forms into rival trading blocs, we should ensure a strong North American trading partnership with both the United States and Mexico.
In addition to promoting free trade, we should examine deepening the NAFTA relationship to harmonize tariffs and eliminate rules of origin, enhance environmentaland labour standards, and cooperate on common security issues.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will develop a strategic partnership with the United States to ensure that both security and trade issues are resolved in Canada’s best interest.
It will:  Elevate the Canadian Ambassador to the United States so that the position holds cabinet rank and is a full member of the Cabinet committee on Canada/US relations.
Create a Secretary of State for Canada/US relations within the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Enhance our NAFTA relationship with the United States by moving towards harmonized tariffs, eliminating rules of origin, and moving beyond trade to pursue enhanced common labour, environmental, and security standards.
Vigorously defend the interests of our primary producers on issues like softwood lumber and BSE.
We will implement a Made in Canada foreign policy
In two world wars and through the foreign policy debates of the 1950s and 1960s, Canada played a key leadership role among Western democracies.
Canada is larger and more prosperous today than it was half a century ago, yet we are playing a smaller role than ever on the world stage.
The world has changed and the Liberals are the last to notice.
We must demand better leadership in world affairs.
We must take national security seriously
First, we need to take our own national security seriously.
We face new threats like global terrorism and nuclear weapons in the hands of rogue states.
Canada needs to work closely with our military allies, within NATO, and with the United Nations to address these international security threats.
We must stand up clearly for fellow democratic countries under the threat of terrorism or aggression.
We must clearly articulate our core values: democracy and the rule of law, individual freedom and human rights, free markets and free trade, and compassion for the less fortunate.
We should support international development policies
We should support international development policies that will alleviate poverty, disease, and pollution and improve the status of women and children.
We need to focus on building key regional relationships such as expanding trade and investment throughout North and South America, enhancing Canada’s Asia-Pacific presence, and supporting trade, aid, and development in Africa.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will develop a Made in Canada foreign policy that emphasizes our most important values – democracy and the rule of law, individual freedom and human rights, free markets and free trade, and compassion for the less fortunate.
We will work closely with international organizations such as the United Nations and in concert with our most important military allies, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and NATO countries, to address international security threats from terrorism or rogue states.
We will build on key regional relationships: trade and investment within NAFTA, the Asia-Pacific, and the Americas; support for trade and development in Africa, emphasizing free markets and the rule of law; and support for patent reform to allow low-cost generic drugs to be sold in Africa for the relief of AIDS and other epidemics.
We will give our Canadian Forces the equipment they need to do the difficult and demanding work we ask of them
In a post-September 11 world, Canada can no longer shirk its international responsibilities, including its responsibility to contribute to our own defence and the defence of our NATO allies.
As former Foreign Affairs Minister John Manley has said, “You can't just sit at the G8 table and then, when the bill comes, go to the washroom.”
Canada finds itself unable to assert its sovereignty over our northern islands and waters due to a lack of personnel and equipment.
Our men and women were sent to the war zone of Afghanistan with improper camouflage uniforms.
And our search and rescue operations are still waiting for a new helicopter to replace the aging, dangerous Sea Kings (while the purchase of Challenger jets for cabinet ministers was approved in a single day).
Canada’s Armed Forces are underfunded
Canada’s armed forces remain in a grossly underfunded condition today.
In 2001, the Auditor General said the military needed an immediate infusion of over $1 billion per year simply to maintain equipment safety and replace outdated equipment.
Canadians must demand better for the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect us.
The Plan
A Conservative government led by Stephen Harper will:  Inject an immediate $1.2 billion per year into the military for equipment replacement, with a longer-term goal of moving toward the NATO European average as a percentage of GDP.
Gradually increase our Regular Force strength to at least 80,000, along with simultaneous increases in reserve personnel levels.
Regenerate our Land Forces through strengthened infantry battalion groups, the procurement of more survivable tanks, and increased army field strength and command capabilities.
Regenerate our Air Force through upgrades to the CF-18 fleet, new tactical and heavy-lift aircraft, and new maritime helicopters with enhanced multi-mission capabilities.
Regenerate our Maritime Force through the establishment of a single civilian coast guard agency, new multi-role combatants, and new hybrid carriers for helicopter support and strategic lift.
Increase the use of satellite surveillance and acquisition of a long-range unmanned air vehicle (UAV) for maritime surveillance.
Enhance Parliamentary oversight over defence policy and military equipment procurement.
The Conservative Spending Plan
There’s fiscal room for Canadian priorities right now
The federal Budget is no longer a realistic assessment of the amount of fiscal room available.
Fiscal room that should be allocated to Canadian priorities is hidden so the Liberals can continue out-of-control spending.
Liberal padding and year-end spending
For the last five years, the Liberal government has repeatedly over-forecast future spending in its budgets by up to $5 billion.
In addition, the Liberals have gone on year-end spending binges allowing them to dispense political favours rather than engage in careful planning.
In the most recent Budget this extra padding amounted to $7.3 billion.
The Conservative Party believes in honest budgeting.
Below is our five-year forecast of revenue (same as the Budget), debt payments (same as the Budget) and a more realistic forecast of spending without the Liberal padding.
The result? There is significant fiscal room in the coming years for a Conservative government to address Canadians’ priorities, such as investing in health care and our military, and reducing taxes.
The Conservative Spending Plan
The Conservative spending plan gives a true picture of the amount of money available for Canadians’ priorities.
Yet even after fully costing our promises, we have left considerable room for contingency, prudence, and other priorities such as health care.
Our plan is costed.
It is prudent.
And it is honest.
Founding Principles
The Conservative Party of Canada will be guided in its constitutional framework and its policy basis by the following principles:
•A balance between fiscal accountability, progressive social policy and individual rights and responsibilities;
•Build a national coalition of people who share these beliefs and who reflect the regional, cultural and socio-economic diversity of Canada;
•Develop this coalition, embracing our differences and respecting our traditions, yet honoring a concept of Canada as the greater sum of strong parts;
•The Conservative Party of Canada will operate in a manner accountable and responsive to its members;
•A belief in loyalty to a sovereign and united Canada governed in accordance with the Constitution of Canada, the supremacy of democratic parliamentary institutions and the rule of law;
•A belief in the equality of all Canadians;
•A belief in the freedom of the individual, including freedom of speech, worship and assembly;
•A belief in our constitutional monarchy, the institutions of Parliament and the democratic process;
•A belief in the federal system of government as the best expression of the diversity of our country, and in the desirability of strong provincial and territorial governments;
•A belief that English and French have equality of status, and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and Government of Canada;
•A belief that the best guarantors of the prosperity and well-being of the people of Canada are:
•The freedom of individual Canadians to pursue their enlightened and legitimate self-interest within a competitive economy;
•The freedom of individual Canadians to enjoy the fruits of their labour to the greatest possible extent; and
•The right to own property;
•A belief that a responsible government must be fiscally prudent and should be limited to those responsibilities which cannot be discharged reasonably by the individual or others;
•A belief that it is the responsibility of individuals to provide for themselves, their families and their dependents,
while recognizing that government must respond to those who require assistance and compassion;
•A belief that the purpose of Canada as a nation state and its government, guided by reflective and prudent leadership, is to create a climate wherein individual initiative is rewarded, excellence is pursued, security and privacy of the individual is provided and prosperity is guaranteed by a free competitive market economy;
•A belief that the quality of the environment is a vital part of our heritage to be protected by each generation for the next;
•A belief that Canada should accept its obligations among the nations of the world;
•A belief that good and responsible government is attentive to the people it represents and has representatives who at all times conduct themselves in an ethical manner and display integrity, honesty and concern for the best interest of all;
•A belief that all Canadians should have reasonable access to quality health care regardless of their ability to pay; and
•A belief that the greatest potential for achieving social and economic objectives is under a global trading regime that is free and fair.
Stopping wasteful tax cuts – investing in Canadians’ priorities
In November 2005, the Liberals unveiled their budget priorities for Canada – and in the process made it clear whose side Liberals are on.
The Liberals handed out more than $10 billion in tax cuts to the largest corporations and multinationals, with absolutely no strings attached.
Their claim: that these tax cuts would help improve Canada’s productivity.
The truth is there are no requirements on corporations to earn these tax cuts by investing in the drivers of productivity gains: jobs, training for workers, child care, technology, infrastructure, or any of the myriad factors that fuel growth.
Without those requirements, the Liberal tax cuts are nothing more than a windfall for big corporations and their executives.
Even worse, the Liberals never change: In 2000, the Liberals implemented the largest single tax cut in Canadian history – and our country’s productivity just kept falling.
In fact, among industrialized countries Canada ranked 14th out of 25 in productivity growth between 1994 and 2003, trailing the U.S., Japan, and Scandinavian countries.
That’s an awfully steep drop from the days when we ranked second in productivity among OECD countries.
Clearly, the Liberal approach of corporate tax giveaways to their well-connected friends just doesn’t work.
And yet, they keep wasting your tax dollars to do it.
Wasteful tax giveaways undercut balanced investment in Canadians’ priorities, like:
education and skills training that will lead to good jobs;
health care that works for people and improves our standard of living;
affordable housing and child care that make life better for families;
cracking down on big polluters
and making our air and drinking water cleaner; and
modernizing our infrastructure to make our communities stronger, safer, and more liveable.
Our commitments :
The federal government will have enough money over the next four years to do its job inside of balanced budgets.
With billions of dollars in surplus, Ottawa doesn’t need new tax revenues.
Accordingly, New Democrats won’t be proposing to raise new tax revenues during the next Parliament.
What the federal government does need to do is set better priorities with the tax revenues it has now.
Jack Layton and the NDP will: Cut wasteful and inefficient spending on tax giveaways to large corporations, where those funds are given away without requiring that a single job be created, a single person trained, or a single dollar invested.
We will stop the $10 billion in waste in this area proposed by the Liberals in their November 2005 election platform “economic statement”.
Proceed with the increased basic personal credit amounts, and the decrease in the lowest personal income tax rate, announced in November.
In current circumstances, we don’t support further spending on tax cuts.
We think that looking after education, our seniors and health care needs to be addressed first.
Reinvest funds the Liberals plan to waste on corporate tax cuts into education and health care – priorities for people that should be addressed first.
Education and skills training, without having to take out a mortgage
It’s time to give hope to young Canadians.
Hope for good jobs in a growing and prosperous economy, and help for families so their children can succeed.
In our globalized marketplace where competition is tighter and competitive advantages more crucial, our national, provincial, territorial and regional economies must be defined by a culture of increasing knowledge and innovation.
It’s not an overstatement to say that Canada’s future prosperity – and all the key public services that rely on that economic prosperity – will depend on how well we can equip current and future generations of workers with new and changing skills and knowledge to succeed.
That means building a workforce whose skills come as much from their heads as they do from their hands – who can solve problems, adapt to and even lead the process of change and use technology to work smarter and more productively.
At the core of that approach is affordable access to education and skills training, starting with an integrated early learning and childcare system.
This is the best investment we can make in the future of our citizens, businesses – and our country.
Improved access to education will play a key role in helping our country and economy navigate the unprecedented demand for skilled workers that’s coming our way.
In a few short years, for the first time ever, the number of workers leaving the workforce will exceed those entering it.
At the same time, the level of skills required for most sectors will reach new heights.
It is estimated that because of workplace technology changes, two-thirds of all job openings over the next decade will require some level of post-secondary education or training.
On top of everything, we are in an intense competition for skilled talent which, in an increasingly global economy, is more mobile than ever.
Many people can pick and choose the employment they want – regardless of where in the world it takes them.
Yet within this environment of greater demand and competition for workers with advanced skills, the Liberal government has moved our country’s education system backward – allowing access to slip away from more and more young people.
The results of 12 years of Liberal government are clear : education is more expensive, student debt is soaring and training is harder to find.
The facts speak for themselves.
Over the past 14 years, the average tuition at universities and colleges has almost tripled, with the typical undergrad in Canada now paying $4,214 a year.
Once you add in living costs – like residence, food, books and other necessary expenses – a year in a post-secondary institution can end up costing $18,000 or more.
With government loans set at a maximum of $7,140, it is inevitable that students will go deeply into debt above and beyond their student loans.
After 12 years, it’s clear the Liberals’ approach to post-secondary education and training is driving more and more young people into massive debt just to get the education they need for their careers and livelihood.
In 2004, almost half of all bachelor degree graduates left school owing money to government student loan programs – on average, $20,000.
But with government loans not covering the full annual costs, those students frequently take on credit card or other non-government debt.
Even with this problem clearly defined, Paul Martin and the Liberals chose instead to hand out $10 billion in tax cuts to corporations and multinationals, rather than invest a portion of it in the next generation of Canadian workers who,
if equipped with the right skills, will be the drivers of our country’s productivity and prosperity growth.
Jack Layton has a different vision for young people in Canada – one where their thirst for knowledge, achievement and growth is met by a forward-looking post-secondary education and training system that encourages access and participation.
In the last Parliament, Jack Layton and the NDP got results for students, young workers and their families.
We stopped the billions of dollars in corporate tax cuts the Liberals didn’t campaign on and invested that money in people – including $1.5 billion to make education more affordable.
More NDP MPs will get more results for Canada’s young people in the next Parliament.
Greater access to education & training
While most new job openings over the next 10 years will require some level of post-secondary education, they won’t necessarily require a full four-year degree.
That’s why, in order to effectively address the looming skills shortage, access to all kinds of post-secondary education and training – university, college and apprenticeships – must be expanded.
To create practical, workable solutions that create better access to post-secondary education and training,
Jack Layton and the NDP will work to: A step at a time, as finances permit, restore the funding that was cut by Paul Martin to transfer payments for post-secondary education in the 1990s.
Offer provinces and territories a binding commitment to stable, long-term funding in this area through a dedicated transfer,
in return for an equally binding commitment to better access and lower tuition fees – standards that will be monitored and enforced.
In addition, New Democrats will work with provinces and territories to protect education and research from privatization.
Reduce the debt of graduating students
Working on their education and future should not leave students in overwhelming debt – yet some graduates report crushing debt in excess of $100,000.
Jack Layton and the NDP will work in the next Parliament to make education more affordable and training more available for young people by:
Re-investing in a stable, long-term federal grant system to make education and training affordable in every year of study,
including special grants for rural and Aboriginal youth to ensure students can finish the programs they begin.
Overhauling the Canada Student Loans Program to create a comprehensive program designed to improve access and reduce the burden of student debt.
Investing in Canada’s universities
International competition for leading academics and researchers has never been higher – complacency will put us behind in our efforts to attract and retain the best and brightest.
That’s why – to help make sure Canada’s universities continue to deliver world-class teaching and research and to keep it public –– Jack Layton and the NDP will wirk to increase federal finnacial support for university-based research.
Fueling lifelong learning through a reformed Employment Insurance Program
In today's economy, ongoing training and lifelong learning are essential in helping Canadians find jobs and advance in the workplace.
On the literacy front, after years of inaction, we finally have promises in place by the federal government to act.
New Democrats will work with provinces and territories to see that this promise is turned into action by developing a comprehensive national literacy strategy.
Yet when it comes to training, the Liberals are stuck in the 90s when they offloaded responsibility for training.
This lack of national leadership on training is hurting Canadian workers and our economy.
Jack Layton and the NDP will work in the next Parliament to put the Canadian government back in the crucial business of job and skills training by:
Revitalizing and building on the national Employment Insurance Program — in consultation with provincial, territorial governments and labour and management EI partners – to make EI a key resource for public training strategies and programs.
Broadening eligibility for employment insurance training benefitsto include employees who participate in full-time training programs
and unemployed workers who do not otherwise qualify for employment insurance.
Supporting people in the health sector who want to upgrade their skillsthrough training leaves, facilitated by Employment Insurance.
The goal is simple: use the EI Program as an economic tool that can help more people re-train for new jobs or upgrade their skills to advance their careers that in turn helps create fuller employment and higher productivity.
Stopping health privatization in its tracks – and improving public health care one practical stepat a time
Canadians value our public health care.
But after 12 years of Liberal government, its erosion is more dramatic than most people realize – as individuals, we’re spending vastly more than ever before on basic health care needs.
Just look at the facts:  Between 1998 and 2002, out-of-pocket spending on basic health care by Canadians increased by almost 28%.
Individual Canadians spent an estimated $17 billion out-of-pocket on their health care needs in 2002 alone.
In addition, in the same year, private insurers paid another $17.5 billion to cover insured health care costs.
The public share (70%) of Canada’s overall health care spending ranks us below countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany and France.
Studies show that American-style private health care leads to more deaths, costs more money and reduces accessibility.
European-style private care that substitutes for publicly provided services is used by less than 20% of people in Germany, Sweden and other European Union countries, and includes prohibitions against doctors working in both systems.
And privatization does not even save governments money.
In the United States, the private delivery model is so expensive that the governments there spend more per capita providing health care than do the governments in Canada – while leaving many Americans outside of hospital doors looking in.
It’s creeping privatization.
And the Liberals have stood back and allowed it to happen.
In some cases, Liberals have helped it happen.
It’s now at the point where far too many Canadians are going without treatment rather than pay from their own pocket.
According to a 2004 survey conducted in five countries, 17% of Canadian respondents said they had gone without the care they needed in the previous year because of cost.
An unfortunate and regrettable Supreme Court ruling has upped the stakes on this issue dramatically.
In the wake of that decision, several provinces have put the federal government on notice that they intend to set Canada’s public, single-payer health system aside and open the door to parallel, private, for-profit systems designed to permit a few to buy their way to head of the line.
The federal Liberal government has yet to respond to this decision, which many feel is the most direct assault on public health care yet.
Perhaps more alarming is the drastic increase in how much we’re paying for prescription drugs.
A 2005 study covering the decade between 1992 and 2002 showed that household spending on prescription drugs jumped more than 70% – an extraordinary increase when you consider that, over the same period, spending on food, clothing and shelter increased by only 11%.
At the same time, the wait for care is getting worse and worse.
At 8.3 weeks, people are waiting a week longer between a GP referral and a specialist consultation than they were four years ago.
Some people are waiting up to 18 months for hip replacement surgery.
It’s time to end the Liberals’ creeping privatization of health care
– including the growing trend of allowing provinces to enter into public/private health care partnerships
– and to make sure people have access to quality public health care when they need it.
In the next Parliament, Jack Layton and the NDP will: Stop further privatizationand protect public health care from being dismantled and privatized.
Provide dignity for seniors, by investing in long-term care.
Reduce health costs to families, by phasing in a national prescription drug program.
Make affordable, step-by-step moves forward, to steadily improve the quality of public health care over the next four years.
Stopping privatization
Jack Layton and the NDP will fight to stop the further dismantling and privatization of Canada’s health system by enacting a Protection of Public Health Care Act.
Jack Layton and the NDP will not permit the dismantling of Canada’s single-payer medicare system.
We will oppose the privatization of Canada’s health system.
Public funds to support the public system.
In the next Parliament, we will introduce tough new rules in the legislation and agreements that govern federal transfers to provinces for health care.
We will make stable, long-term federal transfers for health care contingent on a commitment from provinces and territories that no federal money, directly or indirectly, will be used to subsidize a new, separate, profit-making private insurance system covering medically necessary services.
Ending cross-subsidization.
We will make stable, long-term federal transfers for health care contingent on no federal money being used to cover the salaries or costs of doctors and other medical personnel involved in a new, separate, profit-making private insurance system.
Accountable and enforced.
These tough new rules, along with all provisions of the Canada Health Act, will be monitored and enforced.
Dignity and respect for our seniors
We will invest in long-term care for seniors.
As the New Democratic Party argued in the recent British Columbia provincial election, long-term care for seniors must be the starting point for any plan to reduce waitlists.
Currently, 10-25% of acute-care beds are occupied by seniors who are stuck waiting for long-term care beds.
Expanding good quality, well-regulated, affordable long-term care will reduce pressure on hospitals, cut surgery waitlists
and allow seniors to live with the dignity they deserve.
Long-term care is sadly neglected in many parts of Canada.
The result is greater stress on seniors’ families and the health care system.
Beyond that, the people who have helped build Canada deserve better.
They’ve earned better.
We respect the past contributions and present needs of Canadian seniors.
We believe that a full range of supports must be available for seniors, from home care and home support through assisted living, to complex care and palliative care.
As a first practical step, we will launch an achievable publicly regulated long-term care expansion plan – beginning with 10,000 units in the first year, and a total of 40,000 units by 2009