Dutton vows to divert gas exports for east coast in budget reply speech

As announced the previous evening, Dutton vowed to cut the fuel excise from 50.8 cents a litre to 25.4 cents for one year, on the basis that it would make a "real difference" to Australians in the short-term.

He contrasted this pledge with Labor's budget tax cuts, which became law yesterday and would give all taxpayers a cut of up to $268 in the first year and $536 the year after that and cost the federal budget, at a cost of $17.1 billion over four years.

In his speech Dutton said “Labor will spend $17 billion of taxpayers’ money to give you back 70 cents a day – in 15 months’ time”, at a time when a family with a typical mortgage is “$50,000 worse off under Labor”.

Dutton said “we oppose these tax cuts and will repeal them – because they come at a great cost to the economy with little cost relief for Australians”.

The opposition leader said a Coalition Government will do three things: rein-in inflationary spending, reduce the cost of energy and strengthen the economy.

He said his government would cut the permanent migration program by 25% which would “free up housing and restore the great Australian dream of home ownership”.

The Coalition will also ban foreign investors and temporary residents from purchasing existing Australian homes for two years — which the Albanese government is also doing.

If elected, Dutton said his party would introduce “four critical pieces of legislation” on the first sitting day of the next Parliament: the Energy Price Reduction Bill; the Lower Immigration and More Homes for Australians Bill; The Keeping Australians Safe Bill; and The Guaranteed Funding for Health, Education and Essential Services Bill.

Albanese is widely tipped by senior Labor sources to visit the Governor-General’s residence on Friday morning, setting up a five-week campaign for an election on 3 May.

The decision is widely seen as an effort to thwart any policy announcements in Dutton’s budget reply speech.

What they said: “A Dutton Coalition Government will halve the fuel excise for 12 months on the first sitting day of the next Parliament,” he said.

“For a household with one car filling-up once a week, that’s a saving of $14 a week on average – or around $700 over 12 months.

“For a household with two cars filling-up once a week, that’s a saving of $28 a week on average – or around $1,500 over 12 months.

“Working with industry, we will ensure that heavy vehicle road users also benefit from this measure.

“The ACCC will ensure that the fuel excise cut will be passed on in full to consumers.

“Amidst Labor’s cost-of-living pressures, charities are experiencing increased demand – including from Australians who have never previously relied on their support.

“To scale-up assistance and provide immediate relief, we will commit $50 million over four years for food charities – like Foodbank, SecondBite and OzHarvest – to expand their services, including school breakfast programs.

“Of course, to get out of Labor’s economic mess – and to tackle Labor’s cost-of-living crisis – we need hard decisions and a proper plan.

“In his fourth Budget – like the previous three – the Treasurer again painted a rosy picture of the economy.

“But Australians aren’t stupid.

“Your bills tell the true story of Labor’s cost-of-living crisis.

“And here’s the facts of the Albanese Government’s economic legacy: Rents are up 18%. Housing is up 14%. Groceries are up 30%. Electricity is up 32%. Insurance is up 35%.

“Australians have experienced the longest household recession – and the worst collapse in living standards – on record.

“Interest rates have gone up 12 times – with only one cut – and stayed higher for longer compared to similar economies.”