Overview

• The Albanese government's $17.1 billion tax cut package, aimed at reducing tax rates for low- and middle-income earners, has passed the House of Representatives and now awaits Senate approval.
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized the Coalition for voting against the tax cuts, framing their opposition as a stance against cost-of-living relief for workers.
• Peter Dutton and the Coalition dismissed the tax cuts as insufficient and are preparing to announce a $6 billion fuel excise cut and other cost-of-living measures in Thursday's budget reply speech.
• The Coalition is also expected to propose policies on domestic gas reservation, housing supply, and migration to address energy affordability and economic concerns.
• With a federal election looming, both major parties are intensifying their campaigns, using tax and cost-of-living policies as key battlegrounds to appeal to voters.