Labor leader Anthony Albanese says Australia can do better than having “three more years of the same”.
Mr Albanese will launch his party’s election campaign in Perth on Sunday, as Labor continues to lead the coalition in published opinion polls ahead of the May 21 election.
He said Perth had been chosen as Western Australia – as well as Queensland – had been the key drivers of economic growth and jobs.
Interviewed on Sky News ahead of the launch, Mr Albanese said it had been a tough few years for Australia and people wanted more than a return to the past.
“We can do better than just having three more years of the same … Labor has a plan for a better future,” he said.
“We need to shape the future rather than be passive and shaped by it.”
He said Australians had “conflict fatigue”, having been governed by a Liberal-National coalition more interested in wedging the opposition than finding solutions.
To get beyond this, an Albanese government would hold a “full employment summit” to bring together unions, employers, local, state and federal government to find ways to boost jobs and growth.
A plan to slash the cost of buying a home by up to 40 per cent for more than 10,000 Australians will be unveiled at the launch.
The Help to Buy scheme will provide an equity contribution of as much as 40 per cent of the purchase price of a new home and up to 30 per cent for an existing dwelling.
The scheme will enable savings up to $380,000 for new homes and $285,000 for existing ones, with price caps of between $550,000 and $950,000 depending on the state and region.
The homebuyer will avoid lenders mortgage insurance but still need a two per cent deposit and qualify for a standard loan.
Australians will be able to buy an additional stake in the home, owned by the federal government, in five per cent increments or pay the government back when they sell.
The scheme is not exclusive to first home buyers but participants must be Australian citizens and live in the home for two years.
It’s expected to cost taxpayers around $329 million over four years.
Labor’s finance spokeswoman Katy Gallagher also flagged an announcement on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
