Budget Or Ballot Dawson Candidates Weigh In On Federal Budget

By Amanda Wright

The 2025 Federal Budget was never just about dollars and cents—it’s about the path Australia takes in the years ahead. Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ latest budget, handed down on 25 March, focuses on cost-of-living relief, housing, and a shift towards a more sustainable economy. But with an election now locked in for 3 May, the question is clear: does this budget lay strong economic foundations, or is it a political play designed to secure votes?

At the heart of the budget are income tax cuts, with the rate for incomes between $18,201 and $45,000 dropping from 16 per cent to 15 per cent in 2026, and then to 14 per cent in 2027. While this offers up to $536 in annual relief, the extended timeline has drawn scrutiny—structural economic planning or a carefully placed hurdle for future governments? Immediate relief measures include a $150 energy rebate for households and small businesses, reduced pharmaceutical costs under the PBS, and a 20 per cent reduction in HELP/HECS debts. These initiatives aim to ease financial pressure, but critics argue they fail to tackle the root causes of inflation.

For the Dawson electorate, the budget’s impact has drawn mixed reactions from the candidates vying for the seat.

2025 Budget Sparks Debate In Dawson

Labor’s View: A Budget for Cost-of-Living Relief

Labor candidate Mr Neil Wallace defended the budget as “centred on delivering cost-of-living relief”, arguing it would provide direct benefits to Dawson residents.

“Cost of living remains our number one focus, which is why the budget is centred on delivering cost-of-living relief,” Mr Wallace said.

“Every taxpayer will receive a new tax cut, and all 2.2 million households in Queensland will get an additional $150 in help with their energy bills, along with 216,000 eligible small businesses.

“The Government's investment in bulk billing is estimated to result in an additional 3.6 million bulk-billed GP visits each year in Queensland, and 940 practices moving to bulk billing all patients, which could save residents between $236 and $365 per year.”

Mr Wallace also pointed to healthcare and infrastructure funding as key benefits for Dawson.

“Dawson is a big beneficiary in our budget, with a new Urgent Care Clinic planned for Mackay. This will provide free, walk-in urgent care—but not for life-threatening conditions—over extended hours,” he said.

“Major infrastructure projects receiving additional government funding include $7.2 billion for the Bruce Highway to improve safety, which is the single largest investment ever made in the Bruce Highway. This is much needed for the people of Dawson.”

The Greens: A Missed Opportunity

Greens candidate Ms Paula Creen dismissed the budget as a “big disappointment and missed opportunity”, arguing that both major parties had failed to deliver meaningful relief.

“Labor’s tax cuts will barely scratch the surface for those struggling with cost of living, while the Coalition’s fuel excise policy will only last for one year,” Ms Creen said.

“Both the major parties continue to give tax cuts and handouts to big corporations and billionaires, while the average person gets next to nothing in cost-of-living relief.”

Ms Creen was critical of the temporary nature of relief measures, saying Dawson residents deserved permanent solutions.

“People in Dawson are hurting and need urgent and permanent cost-of-living relief, not more temporary measures that simply tinker around the edges,” she said.

“The Greens have a plan to make big corporations pay their fair share, so we can fund dental and mental health into Medicare, wipe student debt, freeze rents, and take strong action on climate change by investing in renewables and creating jobs in clean energy for our region.”

The Coalition: No Real Gains for Dawson

Sitting LNP MP Mr Andrew Willcox dismissed the budget as “short-term sweeteners” that fail to address the long-term challenges facing regional Australia.

“We can't afford another three years of Labor, and we certainly can't afford a Labor minority government with the Greens and Teals on the crossbench. That would just be diabolical,” Mr Willcox said.

“When I'm in Canberra, one of the big jobs I have is trying to talk to the other side about regional and rural Australia. They just don’t get it.”

He was particularly critical of the lack of new investment in Dawson, stating that the government had neglected major regional issues.

“This was obviously a rushed budget full of short-term sweeteners designed to win an election, but which will bake in huge debt and even more spending,” he said.

“There is nothing major in this budget specifically for Dawson. No commitment for flood-proofing roads, nothing for regional GP shortages.”

Mr Willcox was highly critical of the Bruce Highway funding, claiming the government had failed to follow through on essential upgrades.

“One of the things I bring up often is the Bruce Highway. It’s in a really bad state, as anyone who drives it would know.

“Along the 1600km stretch, Mackay to Townsville is rated the worst. We have the worst sections here in Dawson.”

He also rejected the tax cuts as inadequate, saying they would do little to help struggling households.

“The tax cuts will average about 70c a day for people and won’t kick in for another 15 months. The cost of living crisis is happening right now. This is an insult considering the cost of everything has gone up so much in the past three years,” he said.

“Another electricity rebate is really just Labor giving us back our own money to help pay for higher power prices they created with their renewables-only energy policy.”

“An elected Coalition government will provide relief from the get-go, cutting the fuel excise, saving Australians 15 cents for every litre bought”

“For a family with two cars, that’s an average of $1500 per year,” Mr Willcox said.

Election Showdown

Just three days after handing down the budget, Prime Minister Mr Anthony Albanese called the federal election, ensuring that the budget itself is now a political battleground.

Dr Amanda Nickson, representing Family First, and Michael Lockye for the Trumpet of Patriots were unable to be contacted prior to print for comment. However, our publication will endeavour to introduce their viewpoints to readers over the coming weeks.

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