SYDNEY - Australia's political parties are campaigning in a general election set for May 18, with the fight focused on tax cuts, climate change and social programmes.TAX CUTS Ruling Liberal-National coalition:
- Top threshold for 19 per cent tax bracket rises to A$45,000 in 2022/23 from A$41,000 currently. From 2024/25, the 32.5 per cent marginal tax rate would be reduced to 30 per cent, and apply to income between A$45,000 and A$200,000.- Labour has promised to match the coalition's planned tax cuts for workers earning between A$48,000 and A$126,000 a year, but also pledged a bigger rebate for people earning less than A$45,000. No changes to current tax brackets.
- The coalition has been divided over energy policy and climate change and remains a strong backer of traditional energy sources. The tensions over energy policy were a catalyst for Mr Malcolm Turnbull's ouster as prime minister in August.- Proposes to spend more than A$80 billion on the public healthcare system in 2019/20.- Proposed A$725 million investment in residential care for elderly Australians.