What Whitlam federal election candidates have to say about the cost of living

One of these issues is the cost of living.

The question the Mercury put to the candidates was:

You can read the candidates' responses below.

There is no doubt that the impacts of the pandemic and increased global uncertainty including the conflict in Ukraine are pushing up the cost of living for Australians. That is why the Morrison Government announced a range of responsible and targeted measures in the recent Budget to help tackle the issue.

Around 63,900 taxpayers in Whitlam will benefit from tax relief of up to $1,500 this year, made up of the $1,080 low and middle income tax offset and a $420 cost of living tax offset. The Government's Tax Plan has already benefited more than 69,300 people in Whitlam.

In addition to this tax relief, the Morrison Government is also providing a one-off cost of living payment of $250 for Australians most in need. In Whitlam, these payments will be delivered to, 22,119 pensioners, 6,684 disability support recipients, 2,659 carers, 5,855 jobseekers and 3,465 eligible self-funded retirees.

More affordable childcare is also a cornerstone policy. We are increasing funding for preschools in Whitlam and making childcare more affordable and accessible. Ongoing childcare funding in the recent Budget will directly benefit over 6,700 families living in Whitlam, with families set to save an average of $2260 a year.

In the last year the Morrison Government funded 2,511,371 free or subsidised medicines in Whitlam through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Household electricity prices in the National Electricity Market have fallen by 8 per cent, and for businesses by 10-12 per cent, over the past two financial years, compared to under six years of a Labor Government, where power prices doubled.

If elected, I will continue to support measures like these that provide direct benefits for, and put more money back into the pockets of the people of Whitlam.

I am 100 per cent sure that the cost of living pressures for all of us in the Illawarra cannot be fixed by band aid solutions such as one off payments, or temporary fuel excise reductions.

The Greens economic vision will bring real and ongoing change to virtually everyone in Australia, save the 122 billionaires that the current inequity of our tax system favours. By introducing a minimum 6 per cent tax on the nations wealthiest, the other 25 million Australians can get the break they've been looking for.

There are benefits in the short term, such as the increase of government support payments to $88 a day, so that the most vulnerable in our community can live above the poverty line, and the cancelling of all tertiary student debt.

The inclusion of dental and mental healthcare in gap-free medicare services, will not only ease the pressures on household budgets, but will see a 10 per cent reduction in the strain on our healthcare system, as well as increased workplace productivity.

Over the next 10 years, the Greens will build one million new homes to end the unacceptable queues for public housing, and create 125,000 capped price affordable homes for families in areas of economic growth with good employment opportunities, like the Illawarra.

The greatest long term benefit to family budgets though, will be the transition to a renewable energy economy. The Greens are the only party with a plan to make sure that no oil and gas worker is disadvantaged, that energy production is locally based, sustainably produced, and publicly owned. With the Illawarra's industrial expertise, available and skilled workforce, and access to transport, The Green's economic plan will see our generation, as well as those to come, reap the benefits of clean and affordable energy.

Did not respond.

Cost of living pressures are significant for all Australians, Illawarra residents included. The Liberal Democrats propose broad policy reform across many areas to reduce these pressures. We offer real reform that will enrich all Australians, rather than promising short term cash handouts designed to win elections.

Existing cost of living pressures have been compounded in recent years by poor government policy. High energy prices, labor shortages, high compliance costs for small businesses, high taxation and wasteful government spending programs have all added inflationary pressure, reducing the purchasing power of everyday people with everyday incomes.

The Liberal Democrats propose a simple low-flat tax structure, a $40,000 tax-free threshold and flat 20 per cent tax rate beyond that. This will keep more of our income in our own pockets, to spend how we choose, rather than having the government and their bureaucrats waste our money.

We will reduce government spending across all departments, with the exception of Defence. We will abolish duplicate departments such as the Federal Health and Education departments, which will save expense, as well as end the constant blame shifting played between state and federal departments for their failures.

We would encourage cheap and reliable energy by simplifying regulation in the sector, ending subsidies to both renewable and fossil fuel sectors, and include nuclear power in our energy mix. High energy prices increase the price of all goods and services, adding more cost of living pressure to our citizens. Low energy prices will encourage more manufacturing to return to Australia, providing more jobs and greater national security.

Only the Liberal Democrats have a comprehensive reform policy platform, all of which will lead to a more prosperous society with more direct control over how we spend our incomes. All of our policies can be found at ldp.org.au/freedom

Did not respond.

You can see what the candidates thought about health here, and climate here.

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