The Coalition’s costings show some savings, but a larger deficit than Labor in the first two years

By Stephen Bartos, Professor of Economics, University of Canberra

The Coalition’s policy costings have been released, just two days ahead of the federal election.

The costings show the Coalition would run up a larger budget deficit than Labor in the first two years of government, but make a greater contribution to budget repair in years three and four.

This arises because two big-spending Coalition policies – the fuel excise reduction and cost of living tax offset – are short term. Their impact on the deficit disappears after year two.

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