Last Friday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that Australia’s federal election will officially take place on 3 May 2025. Hours earlier, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton had delivered his budget reply speech, laying out a vision that could shape the lives of aged care workers, management, and seniors across the country.
With the election now locked in, Dutton’s promises on fuel, energy, and healthcare take on new weight for those in the aged care sector. Here’s what his plan could mean for you.
Cheaper Fuel: A Boost for Home Care Staff
One of Dutton’s headline pledges is to halve the fuel excise for 12 months, slashing it by 25 cents a litre. For the average motorist, this could save about $14 per tank, or $700 over the year for a single-car household.
For home care workers who rely on their own vehicles to visit clients, this is a direct win. With petrol prices often eating into tight budgets, this cut could ease the financial strain of daily travel, leaving more in your pocket for essentials.
Management might also see benefits, as lower fuel costs could reduce pressure on operational budgets, especially for services that reimburse staff travel.
Lower Energy Bills: Relief for Facilities and Residents
Dutton’s National Gas Plan aims to tackle soaring electricity costs, a pressing issue for aged care facilities and seniors on fixed incomes. By prioritising domestic gas supply and establishing an east coast gas reserve, he promises to bring wholesale gas prices down from $14 to under $10 per gigajoule. For aged care homes, where heating, cooling, and medical equipment drive up power bills, this could mean significant savings.
Managers might find room to redirect funds to staffing or resident care, while seniors living independently could see their household expenses drop, easing the choice between staying warm and paying other bills.
Healthcare Investment: Support for Seniors and Staff
The Coalition’s $9.4 billion health package includes lower co-payments for PBS medicines, dropping to $25, and a $400 million boost for youth mental health services. For seniors, cheaper medications could make managing chronic conditions more affordable, a relief for those juggling multiple prescriptions.
Aged care workers might also benefit indirectly, as Dutton’s pledge to incentivise junior doctors to become GPs could improve access to healthcare for residents. However, his plan to cut 40,000 public servants raises questions about whether administrative support for health services, including aged care, might take a hit.
Dutton insists frontline services won’t be affected, but management will be watching closely.
Migration Cuts and Housing: A Mixed Bag
Dutton’s proposal to slash permanent migration by 25 per cent and allow first-home buyers to tap superannuation for deposits aims to ease housing pressure.
For aged care workers, especially younger staff or those supporting families, this could improve chances of home ownership, a dream slipping out of reach for many. Seniors might welcome less competition for rentals or aged care places, but the flip side is potential workforce shortages.
The sector already struggles to fill roles, and tighter migration could mean fewer carers unless training programs, like Dutton’s 400,000 apprentices and trainees target, step up to fill the gap.
Community Safety: Addressing Seniors’ Concerns
Safety was a key theme, with Dutton promising tougher bail laws for domestic violence offenders and uniform knife laws. For seniors, who often feel vulnerable to crime, this could bring peace of mind.
Aged care facilities might also see safer environments for staff and residents if these measures reduce local violence. However, the $50 million for food charities, including school breakfast programs, might not directly aid seniors unless expanded to community meal services, something management could lobby for if the Coalition wins.
Economic Strategy: Inflation and Interest Rates
Dutton plans to cut $46 billion from Labor’s spending, targeting housing, renewable energy, and tax credits, to curb inflation and lower interest rates. For seniors with mortgages or loans, this could ease repayment burdens, while aged care providers might benefit from a more stable economic environment.
What’s Next?
With Albanese pitching his government’s response as “helping people under cost-of-living pressure while building for the future,” the election will hinge on whose plan resonates more. For aged care workers, cheaper fuel and energy could lighten daily loads, while managers might eye savings to bolster care quality.
Seniors stand to gain from lower bills and safer streets, but workforce and housing challenges linger. As 3 May nears, your vote could shape how these promises play out in your workplace and community. What matters most to you: immediate relief or long-term stability?
