Cost of Living Relief That Makes Sense
Australians are under growing financial pressure, but the political response has been dominated by short-term fixes and partisan blame. The Australian Centre Party proposes a calm, practical approach: targeted support, smarter structural reform, and independent oversight through a new Cost of Living Commission. We reject both reckless spending and blanket tax cuts in favour of policies that deliver real relief without compromising long-term stability.
Evidence-based solutions, not political stunts
Australians are feeling the pressure. From grocery bills to mortgage repayments, electricity prices to childcare costs, the everyday cost of living has become a source of growing anxiety. Yet political responses have too often been performative — dominated by short-term handouts, empty announcements, or ideologically driven tax changes that fail to address the root causes.
The Australian Centre Party supports a smarter, more sustainable approach. We believe that cost-of-living pressures should be tackled through targeted, evidence-based reforms that deliver real relief where it matters — without creating long-term distortions, inflationary pressure, or waste.
Our first priority is to establish an independent, non-partisan Cost of Living Commission. This body would monitor key economic pressures, assess the impact of major government policies on household budgets, and make public, apolitical recommendations to guide responsible relief measures. This ensures that responses are proportionate, timely, and grounded in reality — not crafted for the next media cycle.
We support targeted relief measures where they are justified — including support for low- and middle-income households, renters, families, and small businesses. But we reject blanket spending sprees and vote-chasing subsidies that disproportionately benefit those who don’t need them. Every dollar of public money must be justified by its impact, not its optics.
We also support practical structural reforms to ease long-term pressure. These include simplifying the tax and transfer system, reducing unnecessary energy costs through market efficiency and grid modernisation, and addressing housing affordability by boosting supply — not just chasing prices with stimulus.
Importantly, we support a bipartisan, data-led review of income support and indexation settings to ensure that government benefits remain fair and functional in the face of rising living costs, without fuelling inflation.
Unlike the traditional Left, we don’t treat higher spending as a default solution. Unlike the populist Right, we don’t pretend that cutting taxes alone will fix systemic pressures. Our approach balances fiscal responsibility with social fairness — seeking to protect purchasing power, preserve opportunity, and support those doing it tough without punishing long-term stability.
The cost-of-living crisis requires serious, competent, and calm leadership. That’s what the Australian Centre Party offers — practical solutions, clear priorities, and a plan that works for working Australians.