Opposition leader Peter Dutton has shared his vision for Australia if he becomes prime minister, highlighting key policy areas in a speech delivered in the marginal Labor seat of Chisholm, Victoria.
Dutton’s pitch focused on tackling the economy, migration, spending, and energy, with promises aimed at boosting Australia’s growth and addressing critical issues. The measures below, according to Dutton, aim to ease the burden on business owners and help Australia’s economy get back on track.
Instant asset write-off increase
Dutton has committed to increasing the instant asset write-off limit to $30,000 and making it a permanent measure. This policy, which allows small businesses to immediately deduct business expenses up to the new $30,000 cap, would provide ongoing financial relief for business owners. Currently, the limit stands at $20,000, with the Labor government’s proposal set to only extend it for one year.
In his speech at the Coalition campaign rally in Mount Waverley, Peter Dutton said, “We will increase the instant asset write-off to $30,000 and make this arrangement ongoing.”
Changes to IR
Another key promise is to revert to a simpler definition of a casual worker. Dutton believes this will reduce complexity for employers while ensuring they can hire workers more flexibly without additional bureaucratic burdens. He also plans to curtail union militancy in workplaces, making it easier for businesses to operate without excessive interference.
“We will revert to a simple definition of a casual worker. And we will curtail union militancy in workplaces.”
Tackling rising energy costs
Dutton has highlighted the rising cost of energy as a key issue affecting businesses and households. “More than anything else, exorbitant energy costs are causing inflation across the economy. Food, goods and services are all costing more”.
According to Dutton, Australia’s grid is unstable, with blackouts becoming a real threat, and manufacturers are moving offshore to avoid high energy costs.
Supporting SMEs
The Coalition’s new pre-election handbook further outlines policies aimed at helping small businesses thrive. These include reintroducing the Australian Building and Construction Commission, and supporting nuclear power to reduce energy prices and create a more stable grid.
“More than anything else, exorbitant energy costs are causing inflation across the economy. Food, goods and services are all costing more”.
Competition and corporate regulation
Dutton is also pushing for stronger competition policies, including corporate divestiture powers to address anti-competitive behavior. Labor has opposed this measure, but Dutton argues that less government intervention and more free-market support will allow small businesses to thrive.
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