Kouta's policies

Bulk Billing

Visiting the doctor for essential care has increasingly left Australians’ out-of-pocket. The Medicare rebate has failed to keep up with the growing costs of a simple GP visit at the same time that fewer clinics are offering bulk-billing.

As your member of Parliament, I will fight for:

More bulk-billing clinics in Melbourne;
Expanding bulk-billing to more essential treatments, like dental and mental health; and
Increasing the Medicare rebate to keep up with the cost of visiting a GP.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Lower income Australians are having to travel further and further to get to work. Older Australians are having to spend too much of their pension on rent, and young people are giving up on owning a home entirely.

I will work to increase the availability of housing in Melbourne by:

Securing Federal funding for more public housing;
Forcing banks to increase lending to lower income and first-home buyers; and
Working with State and Local authorities to unused commercial real estate in to housing across Melbourne.

CHEAPER ENERGY

High fuel and energy prices are pushing the cost of everything up. Unaffordable electricity prices are driving away investors and expensive fuel is driving up the cost of your daily commute and your weekly groceries. Meanwhile, the approval and construction of new energy projects is taking too long.

As your independent member, I will drive down energy prices and grow the supply of cheap, clean energy by:

Bringing Federal and State governments together to approve more energy projects, including new renewable energy projects;
Halving the fuel excise, to immediately bring down the cost of your daily commute and weekly shopping; and
Improving access to grants and subsidises for installing roof-top solar, battery storage, charging infrastructure, and insulation.

LOWER TAXES

Taxes have piled up on households and businesses, making it harder for Australians to get ahead and harder to grow the economy. Meanwhile, the major parties have given up on balanced budgets and tax reform, leaving more debt for future generations to have to pay off.

As your member of Parliament, I will ensure lower taxes for you and future generations by:

Insisting that income tax brackets be indexed to inflation. This is a sensible reform backed by Australia’s leading economists.
I’ll support whatever government is willing to reduce and abolish hidden taxes and excises that are increasing the cost of everyday items and holding back business. For example, I’ll fight to slash the alcohol excise by 50% to help the pubs, restaurants and other small businesses that make Melbourne vibrant and employ so many people.
Introducing real time indexation of HECS student debts so those with a student loan don’t pay any more than they have to. Right now, HECS loans are only indexed once a year, meaning unlike ordinary loans repayments aren’t adjusted as payments are made. The result is many people pay more than they have to and have to lodge a tax return to get their money back.

SCHOOL FUNDING

Our kids deserve the best education, whether it’s public or private. Investments in our kids, and the schools they attend, are investments in a better future for all of us. However, too many schools don’t have the basics, and sadly far too many kids struggle with attending school regularly.

I will secure better funding and outcomes for our schools and our kids by:

Setting up a Return to School Program, to help parents get kids back to school and overcome the mental health and other challenges that create school under-attendance and absenteeism.
Fight for better pay and conditions for primary and secondary school teachers.
Setting up a Facilities Fund, to get more direct funding for sports facilities, playground upgrades, and class rooms across the primary and secondary schools operating in Melbourne.

COSTS DOWN

Australians are being held back by the growing cost of bills and everyday necessities. Yet, the major parties are offering no proper solutions, only vague promises. We need relief now, not in ten years time.

I’ll help drive down costs of everyday bills and expenses now, not tomorrow, by: