59-year-old Anthony Albanese was born in Sydney and raised by a single mother. He has been a Member of Parliament for the division of Grayndler since 1996. He became the leader of Opposition in 2019 after Labor lost the last federal election under the leadership of Bill Shorten.

Mr Albanese was the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia in 2013 in the second Kevin Rudd government. He also served as a cabinet minister from 2007 to 2013 in both the Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard governments.

Penny Wong has been sworn in as the new Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Senate. She will be joining PM Albanese for the QUAD summit in Tokyo. Richard Marles has been appointed Deputy PM and Minister for Defence, while Katy Gallagher is the new Minister for Finance, Minister for Public Service and Minister for Women. The new Treasurer is Jim Chalmers.

With over 70% of the votes counted, media projections are giving 72 seats to Labor, 4 seats shy of a full majority. The Australian Federal Parliament has 150 seats and to form the government a party needs 76 seats. Coalition is projected to get between 52-55 seats at this stage.Outgoing Prime Minister Scott Morrison has conceded the election and said that he will be stepping down as the leader of the Liberal Party.

The Coalition Government comprising of the Liberal National Party and The Nationals, which was fighting for a fourth consecutive term, is losing several seats to ‘teal’ independents. The ‘teal’ independents are a loosely-tied group of 22 candidates – 19 female and 3 male candidates – with past connections to either corporate or political establishment who were fighting against mostly Liberal MPs in Australia’s affluent electorates.

Among the prominent losers is former Treasurer Josh Frydenberg who lost to Dr Monique Ryan in Kooyong in Victoria. Sydney doctor Sophie Scamps has won the seat of Mackellar in NSW beating Liberal incumbent Jason Falanski. Kylea Tink has beaten sitting Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman in North Sydney.

The first Federal MP of Indian origin and the only one in the previous Parliament, Dave Sharma, also lost his seat to Independent Allegra Spender in Wentworth. Olympic medallist Zali Steggall who won the seat of Warringah in 2019 defeating former PM Tony Abbott retained her seat.

Meanwhile, Mr Albanese had told The Australian earlier that if he were to win it was his intention to go to the Quad leaders meeting to represent Australia which is taking place in Tokyo on 24th May.

“I will visit the Quad and renew my acquaintance with (US) President (Joe) Biden but also meet, very importantly, with (Japanese) Prime Minister (Fumio) Kishida and (Indian Prime Minister) Narendra Modi who are important friends of Australia” said Mr Albanese.

Mr Morrison has posted a goodbye message on his Facebook page:

“It has been an immense privilege to serve as Prime Minister, especially during a time of great trial for our nation. We are blessed to live in such a great country. The resilience and strength of Australians supported by our policies, has ensured that we have been able to prevail as a nation in difficult times. How good is Australia!

I wish Mr Albanese and his government all the best for what will be further challenging times ahead.To all our Liberal and Nationals supporters I say thank you. Our Parties will reflect and rebuild. To my colleagues who will not be rejoining the Parliament I thank you for your service to our country. You can be very proud of what you achieved for your community and what we achieved together for our nation.

We have handed over Government with a stronger economy, restored borders, a more secure nation and having guaranteed the essential services Australians have relied on.

I am now looking forward to returning to the Shire, my family and continuing to serve my local community. For me life has always been about faith, family, friends and community. We are not our jobs but who we are as unique individuals, (in my view), loved by God.

Jenny and I thank Australia for the honour to have served. I thank my family, friends and colleagues for all their support, especially my dearest friend Josh Frydenberg.

God Bless,

ScoMo.”

Today morning, while addressing a Horizon Church service Mr Morrison also became a bit emotional.

“It has been a very difficult walk, I have got to tell you, over the last four years.”

While Mr Morrison has given up the Liberal party leadership, he has suggested that he would remain in politics after being re-elected in Cook.

“On a night like tonight it is appropriate to acknowledge the functioning of our democracy.”

Mr Morrison has congratulated the Prime Minister-elect Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party for their victory.

Mr Albanese and his senior leadership team will be sworn in on Monday.

In the last six weeks, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor leader Anthony Albanese faced questions from journalists and sometimes voters ranging from the economy, health, immigration, jobs, housing and cost of living.

A majority of voters have already made their minds, however, few are still thinking about which way they should fall.

The irony is that at least 30 per cent of the Australian population is born overseas but there is no substantial discussion on these communities and their unique needs.

What do multicultural communities think of both leaders

Indian Australian Sandeep Madan is a registered nurse in South Australia.
He has a 7-year-old daughter with autism whose care is funded by NDIS.

Mr Madan says the government should review how NDIS administrators work, however, he has faith in PM Morrison’s abilities to manage it.

“I voted for the labor party in the south Australia’s state elections but for federal, I would like to try the Liberal party.”

Melbourne-based Australian Nepali community member Rama Budhathoki works as an IT consultant.

Ms Rama told The Australia Today, “If it comes to economic management PM Morrison is far ahead of Labor leader Anthony Albanese.”

“Morrison technically saved us from going bankrupt, by supporting in COVID-19 pandemic via job keepers and other schemes.”

Mr Morrison also claimed in one of the leader’s debates about his economic record as a leader.

“The budget has turned around by over $100 billion, that is the single biggest turnaround in about 70 years,”

PM Morrison said.

Australian Afghan community member Liyakat Hussaini lives in an eastern suburb of Melbourne.
He has multiple businesses ranging from vegetable shops to authentic Afghan restaurants.

Mr Hussaini told The Australia Today, “When Taliban took over back home in Afghanistan, we were shivering here in Melbourne fearing about the wellbeing of my extended family.”

“I can’t thank enough to the Morrison government for bringing them here on special Visa.”

said Mr Hussaini.

Tharindu Gunasekara came to Australia as a seven-year-old refugee from Sri Lanka.

When asked about refugee policies in play this election Mr Gunasekara said every refugee should be dealt with respect and care as they have already suffered enough before landing on Australian shores.

He told The Australia Today, “I didn’t like the way fellow Sri Lankan refugee family is treated by Morrison government.”

But the opposition leader’s statement saying, “Labor would do boat turnbacks should it win government” was a put off for him.

“I am still weighing my options as both leaders have disappointed me. Now, it depends on the local candidates and how they support me and my community,”

said Mr Gunasekara.

Sandeep Madan is of the view that the Federal government should be strong and not be arm-twisted by independents/smaller parties.

However, Rama and Liyakat think a hung parliament will keep political parties in check and top politicians will keep their ears to the ground and listen to day-to-day issues of Australian multicultural communities.

Closing the border during the pandemic was a very big issue among Indian and other South Asian communities.

Rama said, “I would have loved to see my parents during those difficult times, but I am glad we are all safe and vaccinated now.”

“I am a nurse and have been in PPEs for 10 hour-long shifts, that’s why will say closing the borders was the best decision by PM Morrison to protect Australians.”

“I have right to be angry with the government for not letting us travel however I am also thankful for keeping us safe,”

said Mr Madan

Mr Gunasekara and Liyakat both own their small business.

Liyakat says, “I would prefer a government which is capable of solving workforce shortage and that too real quick.”

“I would like to see some incentives for small businesses like us but no one is talking about it, cost of living due to inflation is the real issue and everyone should think hard about it before voting on 21 May, said Mr Gunasekara”

There are other parties such as the United Australia Party, the Greens and independents. However, in this Federal Election people are seeing ‘teal independent’ emerging as a new force.

Is “teal independents” a political party?

This is a loosely-tied group of 22 – 19 female and 3 male candidates – with past connections to either corporate or political establishment who are fighting against mostly male Liberal MPs in Australia’s affluent electorates. The following candidates are running with teal-coloured campaigns:

• Alex Dyson (Wannon)
• Allegra Spender (Wentworth)
• Dr Monique Ryan (Kooyong)
• Kate Chaney (Curtin)
• Zali Steggal (Warringah)

Not all “teal independent” candidates use the colour teal (greenish-blue colour). Some are running on different colours such as pink, orange, purple and dark green too!

The choice of colour is to differentiate against the blue of the Liberal Party, red of the Australian Labor Party and green of the Greens Party.

According to media millions of dollars in funding is behind them. This funding comes from both small donors and bigger groups such as the Climate 200 – a $10 million fund.

There are also some other independents running for Senate seats, including Kim Rubenstein and David Pocock in the ACT, and Leanne Minshull in Tasmania, who are backed by Climate 200.

What are the “teal candidates” fighting for?

Although, the “teal candidates” have been selected using variety of nomination process, have different organisational structures and also diverse funding rules, it appears that they have two key policy issues in common: a greater emphasis on tackling climate change and the call for a federal integrity commission.

Their key funder Simon Holmes à Court of Climate 200 told the National Press Club last month:

“In no way are we a party. We don’t start campaigns, we don’t select candidates … We don’t have a policy platform. We have values, and we will only fund those who also have those values, but we don’t specify in any degree of specificity how those are to be achieved.”

Holmes à Court was before 2019 a close associate and financial donor of Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

Further, according to a report titled “Come clean on interests, Climate 200 chief told,” published in the Australian on April 27, it was revealed that Holmes à Court “has a big portfolio of family and other businesses focused on making money out of a potential boom in clean-energy technology.”

Meanwhile, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is also investigating a series of doctored posters that incorrectly showed the names and faces of “teal independent” candidates Zali Steggall, Sophie Scamps, Penny Ackery and Georgia Steele with the Greens logo. 

Liberal politicians such as David Davis MLC, Member for Southern Metropolitan Region and Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, has also hinted that the “teal independents” are essentially Labor supporters.

There are 151 seats in the house of representatives and to form a stable government one of the major political parties must secure 76 of those seats. If a significant number of “teal independents” win seats then the chance of a minority government or a hung parliament increases. In such a case scenario, “teal independents” will be able to form an alliance with one of the major parties and thus become part of the government.

Come Saturday, 21 May, and we will know if the “teal candidates” will be able to capitalise on climate change and hostility to both the Labor and Liberals in their affluent electorates.

Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher told The Australia Today, “The Coalition Government recognises the important role our local newspaper publishers play in keeping Australia’s communities informed. We also understand they are under pressure due to the dramatically rising costs of newsprint driven by ongoing volatility overseas.”

“We will commit $5 million through the Public Interest News Gathering program to support eligible local newspaper publishers with the rising costs of newsprint, including independent suburban, First Nations and multicultural newspaper publishers.”

he added.

Mr Fletcher said the re-elected coalition government will move urgently to deliver the funding, with payments expected to be made early in the new financial year.

“This builds on the $10 million the Coalition has committed to supporting regional newspaper publishers.”

Mr Fletcher said.

“The Coalition remains concerned about the impact Labor’s safeguard mechanism will have on increasing costs for paper manufacturing in this country and the flow-on impacts that will have for the future of our local newspapers.”

Minister for Multicultural Communities Alex Hawke said, “The investment is in recognition of the important role multicultural media play in supporting the effective settlement of migrant communities, assisting with ongoing cultural connection, and to support the sector as it faces significant pressures in rising costs and modernisation.

If re-elected, the Morrison Government further commits to engaging with the sector to support their long-term viability as print and digital publishers, and support their work to modernise and better engage with mainstream advertisers”.

Mr Albanese was replying to the questions raised by Hindus of Sydney in a program organised by the Hindu Council of Australia.

He was specifically asked,

Q: Is there a Labor and Greens party deal? And what is your stand on political parties who spread Hinduphobia with false claims as Mr (David) Shoebridge did, and other Greens MPs who have been doing it from time to time?

To the question Anthony Albanese replied, “We are the only party and only candidate for prime minister who is wanting to form government in my own right.”

“We will not do deals with the Greens.”

added Mr Albanese.

“We will stand on our own. And that stands in very stark contrast…. To the opposition agreement between Scott Morrison and Barnaby Joyce,” said Mr Albanese

Sydney-based Hindu activist Ravi Shankar Dhankar told The Australia Today that the Greens Senator attempted to play her hate against Jews and Hindus. 

“Mehreen Faruqi is part of that elaborate Greens plan which attacks Hindus and Jews for resisting their historical persecution,” 

he emphasised.

Here is the epitome of Hinduphobic behaviour by Greens MLC David Shoebridge.

MLC Shoebridge had accused VHP Australia of being an organisation banned by the CIA and insinuating that VHP was responsible for a fight between two communities in Sydney.

The Australia Today earlier reported about a motion being passed in NSW senate asking Mr Shoebridge to apologise to Hindu community.

However, Greens Party or MLC David Shoebridge has not yet apologised for his reprehensible statement.

Here is the question-answer session Mr Anthony Albanese and Ms Kristina Keneally at Hindu Counicil of Australia’s program.

The skills passport will make it easier and faster to match workers with jobs in the technology sector in Australia.

Employment Minister Stuart Robert says that this step will help workers to display their university, VET and private sector qualifications in one place.

Robert told Sunrise this would also allow businesses better understand how their skills mix could improve.

“Imagine an Australian that has done a university [course], and a few vocational courses, and a private-sector course, all of that reflected and covered by a common credit point if you like.”

“It can all be understood and you can simply see, ‘if there is one extra course, I can get that qualification, if I upgrade to that, I can get that qualification’, every Australian will benefit,” he added.

The Coalition hopes to develop this new system with the help of the Australian Technology Network of Universities.

The funding will allow the AIHCF to construct a premises, known as ‘Australia India House,’ that can be used for community meetings, events and day to day business.

The funding commitment was made by Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood while visiting the AIHCF at Springfield with locally-based Senator Paul Scarr, LNP candidate for Blair Sam Biggins and LNP Oxley candidate Kyle McMillen.

Minister Wood told The Australia Today, “I am proud to be part of a team that supports our wonderful multicultural community.”

LNP candidate for Blair Sam Biggins said the AIHCF helped hundreds of migrants in the community and an established Australia India House would be a place where the entire community was welcome.

“I am thrilled with this announcement and I know that an Australia India House is welcome news for the Indian-Australian community in Blair,”

Mr Biggins said.

The AIHCF is a non-profit organisation that was established in 2019. Since the early 1970s, the migration of people of Indian origin to Queensland has increased substantially. More than 50,000 Indians are now living in Queensland.

The building will also be used for crisis and interim accommodation, supporting domestic violence victims within migrant Australian communities and providing education and vocational training.

AIHCF president Professor Prasad Yarlagadda said he was thrilled with the announcement, which would allow the charity to reach out and engage with more people in the wider community.

“This greatly appreciated funding will serve the diverse needs of Queensland multicultural communities to host arts and culture events, festivals of national significance and educational programs,” Professor Yarlagadda said.

“This initiative by the Morrison Government demonstrates the national commitment to supporting the Indian diaspora. It will turn the Australia India House into living testimony that Australia is the most successful multicultural country in the world.”

added Professor Yarlagadda.

Professor Yarlagadda added it would also provide a permanent base to support the specific cultural needs of the community.

“Unfortunately, at the moment, there is no centrally located facility to celebrate and preserve Indian culture,” Professor Yarlagadda said.

“The project aims to use a place as a learning centre of culture and language by the different groups within the Indian community.”

Other community organisations, including Springfield Land Corporation, have also pledged support for the project, including Springfield Land Corporation.

Mr Andrews says this commitment will fund streetscape beautification, including the installation of street furniture and seasonal lights in the precinct, and help businesses improve their signage and shopfronts through co-investment grants. 

“This commitment is a terrific result for Harris Park – and it’s all part of my strong plan for our future,” Charlton said. 

“We’ll work with the community, the City of Parramatta and local businesses to develop the precinct and build a better future for all.” 

Additionally, it will help make the precinct safer and more accessible with improved lighting and security cameras, as well as contribute towards the planning and development of a new car park. 

How the money will be spent for precinct development  

• Dazzling streetscape: $1.5 million to develop the streets around Wigram and Marion Streets with South Asian sculpture, street furniture and seasonal lights.   

• Support for businesses: $10,000 co-investment grants for businesses in the area to improve their signage and shopfront. Shop owners must use the money to improve the fronts of their premises, and match the grants with their own funding. Support would be available for up to 50 businesses. 

• Better Parking. A $1 million grant will go towards the planning and development of a new car park in the area to improve access and encourage visitors. Council would also be expected to contribute to this part of the project. 

• Security lighting: $500,000 grant towards improving security lighting and cameras.  

Naming the precinct

Labor candidate for Parramatta Andrew Charlton stopped short of committing to the name ‘Little India’ for the precinct however he said he will work with the council and community groups on an appropriate name for the Wigram Street precinct within Harris Park. 

To argue his case Mr Charlton gave examples of precincts which have become famous tourist destinations around the world such as the “Golden Mile” in Leicester, “Little India” in Singapore and “Brick Lane” in London.

Donna Davis, Lord Mayor of the City of Parramatta, welcomed the announcement. 

“Harris Park is one of Sydney’s hidden cultural gems. It’s diverse and vibrant, and everything I love about the City of Parramatta”, Davis said. 

“As a business owner, I understand the important role that small business plays in our economy – and how tough the past few years have been for many small business owners. That’s why Labor will support small businesses in Harris Park by turning the cultural precinct into a dazzling tourism hub,” Mr Charlton said.  

“This funding will help Harris Park put its best foot forward and build on what this popular precinct has to offer, as Parramatta continues its incredible transformation.” 

Cyber security experts belive it will significantly enhance eSafety capability in schools, ensuring strong parental controls are available on devices and legislating tough anti-trolling laws.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Coalition had stood up to big tech and social media giants to make Australia a world-leader in online safety, but there was much more to be done.

“Our kids should be able to learn, be entertained, or connect with their friends and family without facing abuse, humiliation or online predators,”

the Prime Minister said.

“The online world cannot be a cowards’ cavern where the rules of the real world do not exist.

“Big tech and social media giants must be held to account. Our plan will force them to do more – they cannot create it, and wash their hands of all consequences of it.

“Our plan will also ensure parents can protect their kids online with strong parental controls, help to prevent harm by raising awareness in every school, and improve our support for those harmed online.

“We have achieved so much in the online world, but there is much more to be done, and only a Coalition Government will stand up to big tech and social media giants.”

The Coalition’s policy includes:

• A $23 million eSafety Schools package to raise awareness of the eSafety Commissioner’s support across every school in Australia, provide training programs for teachers, new and improved online safety resources for schools and enhance the Trusted eSafety Provider Program that connects schools with external online safety providers that meet high standards.
• Ensuring smartphones and tablet devices have strong parental controls installed that are easier to find and activate (particularly when first setting up a device) and harder for kids to bypass, through a binding industry code under the Online Safety Act. If industry doesn’t act within 12 months, we will regulate to force them.
• $10 million for the eSafety Commissioner to further expand coordination with other regulatory and law enforcement agencies, ensuring victims ‘tell-us-once’ and are supported into the right service, so they spend more time recovering and less time in bureaucracy. 
• Legislating the Social Media (Anti-Trolling) laws to ensure social media companies are held accountable as publishers and Australians are given more power to deal with harmful defamatory comments from anonymous trolls. 
• Supporting online safety in multicultural Australia by earmarking $2 million under the Online Safety Grants for projects that support women and girls in CALD communities.

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said the Government’s principle is that the same rules and laws that apply in the real world should also apply in the digital world.

“The online world should not be an ungoverned space,”

Minister Fletcher said.

“The internet has brought incredible benefits for us all, but we will continue to remain vigilant to protect our children from some of the toxic harms they can confront when online.”

These announcements build on the Coalition’s strong track-record in online safety. In 2015 we established the world’s first eSafety Commissioner to protect children from bullying and harmful content. We have significantly expanded eSafety’s powers through the Online Safety Act, including introducing the world’s first scheme to remove harmful cyber-abuse of adults.

Other recent initiatives include:

• The announcement of new laws combatting harmful misinformation;
• Drafting of new laws to improve online privacy and ensure social media companies give primary consideration to the best interest of the child when handling their personal information;
• Establishment of a House Select Committee inquiry into social media and online safety, with its recommendations now before the Government;
• $16.6m towards Women’s Safety Online to establish a new telephone service to provide support for women and children experiencing technology-facilitated abuse;
• $10m towards boosting support for online safety NGOs, with organisations such as the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and Alannah and Madeline Foundation already supported under the program;
• $5m for eSafety to expand its national awareness campaign, bringing total funding for the current campaign to $10 million;
• A new Online Safety Youth Advisory Council; and
• Updates to Australia’s Classification System to protect children against content such as loot boxes in video games and to address content that sexualises children or depicts suicide and violence against women and children. 

To find further resources and tools on online safety and support for removing online bullying, abuse or harassment, visit: www.esafety.gov.au.

Labor Party has promised that it will cut the cost of buying a home by up to 40 per cent for 10,000 Australians per year.    Launching a new program called “Help to Buy“; If elected on May 21 Albanese Labor Government will help Australians buy a home with a smaller deposit, a smaller mortgage and smaller mortgage repayments.  Leader of the Australian Labor Party, Anthony Albanese said, “After nine long years in Government, housing affordability has only got worse under the Liberal-National Government.  “Help to Buy is part of Labor’s plan to tackle the housing crisis.”    Labor Party claims in some parts of Australia this will cut the cost of a mortgage by up to $380,000.    This election campaign pitch is for people who find it harder to buy a home today than ever before. “Help to Buy“ has been designed for big cities and the regions keeping in mind the distinctive needs of residents.      The biggest drop in home ownership is amongst Australians on low and modest incomes who struggle to enter the market and miss out on the great Australian dream.    Forty years ago, almost 60 per cent of young Australians on low and modest incomes owned their own home. Now, it is only 28 per cent.    An Albanese Labor Government promises to provide eligible homebuyers with an equity contribution of up to 40 per cent of the purchase price of a new home and up to 30 per cent of the purchase price for an existing home.     The homebuyer will need to have a deposit of 2 per cent and qualify for a standard home loan with a participating lender to finance the remainder of the purchase.      The following table shows how much people will save on their mortgage under Labor’s Help to Buy in different cities and regions.

Note – Regional centres include Newcastle & Lake  Macquarie, Illawarra, Central Coast, North Coast of NSW, Geelong, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.    According to Shadow Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, “There is a housing crisis in Australia – it’s harder to buy a home than ever before. It’s harder in the big cities and harder in the regions.  “It’s harder for first home buyers and harder for many older Australians. Many people on modest incomes have been forced to give up the Australian dream. Help to Buy will address this.” Homebuyers will also avoid the need to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), representing an additional saving, depending on purchase location, of potentially more than $30,000. This will help many Australians on low and modest incomes to buy a home with a much smaller mortgage that they can afford to pay rather than renting for the rest of their life.  During the loan period the homebuyer can buy an additional stake in the home when they are able to do so.   The homebuyer will not be required to pay rent on the stake of the home owned by the Federal Government.   This scheme is not just for first homebuyers, it’s for other Australians who need a helping hand as well.    Help to Buy will be available to Australians with a taxable income of up to $90,000 for individuals and up to $120,000 for couples. Homebuyers must be Australian citizens and not currently own or have an interest in a residential dwelling.     Help to Buy will make money for the Government as the Federal Government will recover its equity and its share of the capital gain when the house is sold.  Help to Buy will cost around $329 million over the forward estimates.   National Housing Supply and Affordability Council An Albanese Labor Government will also establish a National Housing Supply and Affordability Council, to ensure the Commonwealth plays a leadership role in increasing housing supply and improving affordability. The Council will be advised by experts including from the finance, economics, urban development, residential construction, urban planning and social housing sectors.    More land supply and better land use planning will improve housing affordability and provide a boost to national productivity and economic growth – but the only way to achieve this is by partnering with the States and Territories. The Council will set targets for land supply, in consultation with States and Territories. It will also collect and make public nationally consistent data on housing supply, demand and affordability. The Council will also have a key role in developing Labor’s National Housing and Homelessness Plan – something the Morrison Government has refused to do. Doubling foreign investment fees and penalties To pay for housing affordability polices, Labor will double foreign investment screening fees and financial penalties.  These changes will commence from July 2022 and raise around $445 million over the forward estimates.  Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness Jason Clare said, “It’s harder to buy, harder to rent and there are more homeless Australians than ever before. “This will help a lot of Australians buy a home with a smaller mortgage that they can afford to repay, instead of renting for the rest of their lives.”

However, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has accused Mr Albanese of trying to “take a cut” from potential homebuyers under the ‘Help to Buy’ scheme.

He claims that the plan would allow the government to purchase a slice of people’s property.

PM has suggested it was a money-making exercise.

“Our plan is for Australians to own their own home, not for the government and Anthony Albanese to own your home,”

Mr Morrison told reporters on Sunday.

The Prime Minister added Labor was “looking to make money” out of the proposed scheme.

“They will have equity in your home … I don’t have a plan to make money off of people buying their own home,” he said.

“Quite the opposite – I want them to own their own home.”

Morrison Government has announced that if re-elected they will cut the price of medications listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

This cut will happen from 1 January 2023 as part of an annual $150 million hip-pocket saving for Australians.

The Prime Minister said this was the first time the PBS General Co-payment had been reduced by any Government.

“Our economic plan is delivering cost of living relief to millions of Australians who will save hundreds of dollars every year on the cost of essential and life saving medications.”

The Prime Minister added:

“Because of our strong economic management, the Coalition is winding the clock back on the cost of medications, reducing the cost per script to 2008 prices. This will put more than $150 million back into the pockets of Australians every year.”

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt said only the Coalition had a strong record of delivering affordable, life saving medications for all Australians. 

“Since 2013, the Coalition Government has approved more than 2,900 new or amended listings on the PBS at an overall investment of around $16.5 billion. By listing these medications on the PBS we are ensuring Australians can have access to affordable, life saving medications that would otherwise cost thousands, or hundreds of thousands of dollars, without subsidy.“

Minister Hunt added that in contrast, Labor stopped listing medicines on the PBS in 2011.

In the 2022-23 Budget, the Coalition invested a further $2.4 billion for new and amended PBS listings including treatments for breast cancer, cystic fibrosis, severe eczema, asthma, spinal muscular atrophy, HIV infection and heart failure.

Recent medicines funded through the PBS:

• From 1 May 2022, Zolgensma® for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. This would cost patients over $2.5 million per treatment without subsidy by the Government. 
• From 1 May 2022, Trodelvy® for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer. This would cost patients over $80,000 per course without subsidy by the Government.
• From 1 April 2022, Trikafta® for cystic fibrosis. This would cost patients over $250,000 per year without subsidy by the Government.

In the recent budget the Coalition invested over $525 million to make medicines more affordable for 2.4 million Australians by lowering the PBS Safety Net threshold from 1 July 2022, benefiting concession card holders and general patients. 

Under the changes, concessional patients will reach the PBS Safety Net with 12 fewer filled scripts. For general patients, it’s two fewer scripts – saving over $80 a year before they are eligible to receive free or further subsidised PBS medicines.

Based on fully subsidised prescription volumes in 2021-22, patients across Australia are set to save approximately $150 million per year going forward.

The Prime Minister added:

“Millions of Australians will soon save $10 per script for common medications, which means those taking one medication a month could save $120 a year, or those taking two medications a month could save $240 a year.”

This is the single most significant change to the cost of and access to medications since the PBS was introduced more than 70 years ago and could benefit more than 19 million Australians each year who are without a concession card.