A Dutton government would end Labor’s landmark industry programs, curtail net zero efforts and disrupt reforms to the higher education sector, Coalition costings released two days out from the election show.
The cuts to planned spending would help pay for the opposition’s flagship policies, like a nuclear power system, as well as a scattering of light touch innovation initiatives such as tax breaks for startups, business technology and venture capital.
The costings also reveal a Dutton government would not pursue a return to surplus in its first four years. It would have larger budget deficits in its first two years than Labor, but come out $14 billion better over the forward estimates, according to shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor.
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