Issue guide

Cost of living and state taxes

The bills Victoria can influence

What Victoria controlsVictoria has strong control

Victoria cannot set interest rates or grocery prices. It can change state taxes, charges, concessions and the cost of public services.

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The choice

How should the state ease pressure on household budgets?

Parties offer different answers. Compare what they say, then check the evidence.

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Party summaries

What we found

The summary comes first. Open the evidence only when you want the detail.

7 sourced positions

Labor

Use services, concessions and state programs to reduce household costs.

How we know this

Exact sourceSummary checked

Reduce living costs through state services and concessions.
Use public transport and public services as part of the plan.

The linked policy covers public transport relief. Read wider cost-of-living claims separately.

Victorian Labor: free and half-price public transport ↗Last checked 2026-08-26

Liberal

Lower taxes and charges, and reduce pressure on household budgets.

How we know this

Exact sourceSummary checked

Reduce household costs through lower taxes and charges.
Limit government spending and return value to taxpayers.

The linked 2026 economic plan is the direct source for this summary.

Liberal Victoria: ten year plan for Victoria's economic future ↗Last checked 2026-08-26

Greens

Use targeted relief and stronger public services, funded by changes to tax and property rules.

How we know this

Exact sourceSource linked

Use stronger public services to reduce household costs.
Raise more money from wealth and property to fund relief.

The former economy link is access-denied. The replacement Victorian finance policy covers progressive taxes, property-tax reform and public services. It is a standing state policy, not a 2026 election promise; the summary awaits re-review against this replacement.

Victorian Greens: Finance and Public Administration Policy (standing state policy) ↗Last checked 2026-08-31

Victorian Socialists

Lower household costs through public ownership, stronger wages and public services for everyone.

How we know this

Exact sourceSummary checked

Lower household costs through stronger wages and public services for everyone.
Use public ownership and investment to reduce the cost of essentials.

2026 policy platform

Victorian Socialists: cost of living and inequality ↗Last checked 2026-08-26

Libertarian

Cut state taxes and levies, including stamp duty and payroll tax, while reducing government costs.

How we know this

Party source hubIssue source needed

Cut state taxes and levies that raise household costs.
Reduce government costs rather than expanding public spending.

Victorian state policy

Libertarians Victoria: state policies ↗Last checked 2026-08-25

The Nationals

Cut selected taxes and charges, including the emergency services levy, and provide first-home relief.

How we know this

Exact sourceSummary checked

Abolish selected state taxes and charges, including the emergency services levy.
Provide first-home stamp duty relief and regional cost-of-living measures.

2026 Victorian policy platform

The Nationals Victoria: reckless spending must be reined in ↗Last checked 2026-08-26

Sustainable Australia

Treat affordability and wellbeing as part of a fair and sustainable economy.

How we know this

Party source hubIssue source needed

Treat affordability and wellbeing as part of a fair and sustainable economy.

Sustainable Australia policy platform

Sustainable Australia: policy library ↗Last checked 2026-08-25

Coverage

7 of 19 parties have a sourced summary here.

A missing summary means we have not found and checked a current policy for this issue. It does not mean the party has no view.

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