Coalition Unveils Plan To Lift Living Standards And Tighten Spending

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox MP and Coalition Leader Angus Taylor in Canberra prior to the delivery of the Coalition’s 2026 Budget in Reply. Photo supplied

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Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox says a new Coalition plan aims to restore living standards, ease cost-of-living pressures and “protect the Australian way of life” through a suite of economic and social reforms targeting tax, housing, migration, fuel and defence.

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The announcement comes amid ongoing political debate over inflation, housing supply and government spending, with the Coalition arguing Australians are worse off after four years of Labor in office.

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Mr Willcox said the Coalition was offering a “comprehensive plan to restore living standards, reward hard work, and protect the Australian way of life”, arguing the current economic direction had undermined household prosperity.

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“Labor’s Budget is a collection of broken promises that effectively sells out regional Australia: and by doing so, it sells out the future for every Australian,” Mr Willcox said.

“In a country as lucky as ours, we should be able to guarantee the next generation a life that is wealthier and healthier than our own.

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“That is the social contract Australians have lived by for generations, yet this Budget breaches that trust.

“Our extraordinary economic success has always been built on our natural resources. The wealth generated in regional Australia is the springboard that will provide a better future for everyone.”

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The Coalition’s plan is built around seven key measures: a “Tax Back Guarantee”; a migration cap linked to housing construction; restrictions on welfare access for non-citizens; a Future Generations Fund; expanded fuel security measures; a permanent small business instant asset write-off; and increased defence spending alongside a national security strategy.

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Under the “Tax Back Guarantee”, income tax thresholds would be indexed to inflation from 2028–29, with the Coalition saying it would prevent workers being pushed into higher tax brackets due to cost-of-living pressures. A full indexation of thresholds would follow in later years.

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Housing and migration would be tied under a new pledge that caps net overseas migration to the number of homes completed each year, alongside a $5 billion infrastructure fund and changes to construction regulations aimed at reducing building costs.

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Welfare and future NDIS eligibility would be limited to Australian citizens from 2028, while existing recipients would be grandfathered.

The proposed Future Generations Fund would bank resource revenue windfalls, with 80 cents in every dollar directed towards debt reduction and infrastructure, including regional investment.

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Fuel policy changes include expanded fuel storage, higher minimum stockholding levels and regulatory reforms aimed at improving domestic supply and reducing price volatility.

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Small business measures include a permanent instant asset write-off of up to $50,000 for businesses with turnover under $10 million, designed to encourage investment in equipment and expansion.

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On national security, the Coalition is proposing a whole-of-government strategy alongside a target to lift defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP.

Mr Willcox said the overall plan was designed to restore opportunity and reduce cost pressures.

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“It is about letting Australians keep more of what they earn, backing our small businesses, and securing our fuel supplies,” Mr Willcox said.

“Labor’s Budget was one of broken promises, higher taxes, more debt, fewer homes and lower living standards.

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“Government does not grow the economy, private enterprise does. The job of government is to get the big things right, get off people’s backs and back Australians to build, invest, work and succeed.

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“Our plan is about lower costs, stronger borders, and a fair go for Australians who work hard and want to get ahead.

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“We will restore Australians’ standard of living and protect our way of life.”

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