Overview

• Peter Dutton has announced a one-off $1,200 tax offset for middle-income earners, set to be paid in July 2026, as part of the Coalition's $10 billion cost-of-living relief package.
• The offset targets taxpayers earning between $48,000 and $104,000, with smaller amounts available for those earning below $48,000 or up to $144,000, benefiting around 85% of taxpayers.
• The Coalition's broader relief measures include a $6 billion plan to halve the fuel excise for 12 months, adding to its focus on immediate financial support.
• Labor counters with a $10 billion housing initiative to build 100,000 homes for first-time buyers, allowing entry with a 5% deposit and avoiding lenders mortgage insurance costs.
• Both parties are positioning their policies as responses to cost-of-living pressures, with the Coalition emphasizing short-term relief and Labor focusing on long-term housing affordability.