The Many Ways Australia Will Change Under Anthony Albanese’s Second Term

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party have secured a second term, bringing with them a wealth of promises and plans that could significantly reshape various sectors across Australia. As the government embarks on this new chapter, here’s a detailed look at the pledges made and the potential impacts on the lives of everyday Australians.

Health

In the realm of healthcare, Labor has ambitious plans to enhance accessibility and affordability for all Australians:

• Expanded Access to Medicare: One of the significant objectives is to broaden the benefits of Medicare across the entire population. This includes introducing incentives for medical practices to boost bulk billing rates.

• 24-Hour Telehealth Services: A new service called ‘1800MEDICARE’ will provide free after-hours telehealth consultations, making healthcare more accessible, especially during non-traditional hours.

• Urgent Care Clinics: To alleviate pressure on emergency services, the government plans to establish 50 additional urgent care clinics by June 2026, complementing the existing 87 facilities.

• Focus on Women’s Health: There will be increased access to specialized clinics for women’s health issues such as pelvic pain and menopause, alongside subsidies for essential medications. Certain oral contraceptives and IVF medications will be included in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), with most PBS prescriptions capped at $25.

• Mental Health Services Expansion: Over 100 mental health clinics will either be upgraded or established, and funding will be allocated for training over 12,000 mental health professionals.

Industrial Relations

Labor’s approach to industrial relations seeks to bolster workers’ rights:

• Legal Enshrinement of Rights: The government plans to solidify various workers’ rights into law, enhancing protections as part of their commitment to fair labor practices.

• Ban on Non-Compete Clauses: This legislative change will allow workers earning under $175,000 to transition easily to competing employers or start their businesses without the constraints of restrictive non-compete agreements.

Housing

Addressing the housing crisis is a focal point of Albanese’s agenda:

• Expanded Home Builder Scheme: The existing 5% deposit scheme will be expanded to include all first home buyers, removing income limits and place caps.

• Affordable Housing Initiatives: The government aims to construct 100,000 new affordable homes targeted specifically for first home buyers, with construction anticipated to begin in the 2026/27 period.

• Access to Shared Equity: More first home buyers can access a scheme that allows them to buy properties with a mere 2% deposit while offering the government a 30-40% stake. The income caps for eligibility will also see an increase.

First-home buyers will get more support under the 2025 federal budget.

Women’s Safety

Significant commitments have been made to improve safety for women:

• Funding for Monitoring: Increased funding will support initiatives like electronic monitoring for high-risk offenders to enhance surveillance and protect victims.

• Support for Survivors: Initiatives will be explored to make perpetrators liable for social security debts incurred through coercive control and financial abuse, alongside enhanced behavioral change programs targeting men and boys.

• Crisis Housing: Plans include refurbishing and building more crisis housing for women escaping domestic violence or facing homelessness.

Cost of Living

With cost of living pressures on the rise, Labor’s initiatives aim to provide financial relief:

• Power Bill Credits: Households and businesses will receive credits amounting to $150 on power bills, distributed in two instalments.

• Tax Claims Simplification: Every taxpayer will be able to claim work expenses without the hassle of paperwork starting from the 2026/27 fiscal year.

• Tax Cuts for Middle-Income Earners: The government proposes a reduction in taxes, which will benefit individuals earning over $45,000.

• Price Gouging Legislation: New laws will be introduced to combat price gouging, particularly in supermarkets.

Source: SBS News

Education

The Albanese government is committed to enhancing educational opportunities:

• Universal TAFE Access: Labor plans to make fee-free vocational education and training (TAFE) permanent.

• Higher Education Loans: Students won’t have to start repaying their Higher Education Loan Program debts until they earn at least $67,000 annually.

• Apprenticeship Support: Incentives for apprentices in construction will include a $10,000 payment released in intervals through their training.

• Language Learning Investments: Investments in programs will support learning languages other than English, focusing on Asian languages.

Childcare

In a bid to support families, Albanese’s government intends to implement vital changes in childcare:

• Enhanced Subsidies: Labor plans to extend support for childcare, making it more affordable and accessible for all families.

• Removal of Activity Tests: The government will eliminate activity tests, allowing parents to receive childcare subsidies without the condition of working or studying.

Immigration

Labor’s immigration strategy shifts slightly with a focus on sustainability:

• Increased Visa Fees: The fees for skilled migration visas are set to rise from $1,600 to $2,000, reflecting the government’s investment in the immigration process.

• Slight Decrease in Migration Intake: The permanent migration intake will be reduced from 190,000 places to 185,000 for the 2024/25 period.

Environment and Energy

Labor’s commitment to tackling environmental issues is clear in its proposals:

• Establishment of an Environmental Protection Agency: This new agency aims to oversee and implement essential environmental protections.

• National Vehicle Emissions Scheme: Starting on July 1, this scheme will impose penalties on high-polluting vehicles, incentivizing the shift towards electric and hybrid cars.

• Energy Savings: Labor promises measures that could lead to substantial savings on household energy bills.

As Anthony Albanese embarks on his second term, the breadth of proposed changes indicates a concerted effort to address critical areas facing Australians, from health and safety to economic pressures and environmental concerns. Watching how these ambitious commitments unfold will be key to understanding their real impact on the lives of everyday citizens.