Some sweeteners, some promises and a warning to stay the course

The handing down of the federal budget means most of the Morrison government’s cards are now on the table ahead of the May election.

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese continues to keep Labor’s close to his chest. Perhaps, too close.

Fearful of making themselves a large target – as Bill Shorten did in the 2019 ill-fated tilt at power -federal Labor has been at pains to stay small and uncontroversial.

But the budget, so close to the election, fired the starting gun on the campaign and Labor must now show voters how they plan to compete and win them over.

Arguably, the 22 cents per litre fuel excise cut announced by treasurer Josh Frydenberg will be the most talked about and appreciated measure to reduce household cost of living pressures.

It might only be for the short-term, but Labor will have to back it.

The one-off $420 tax offset to low-and-middle-income workers will also be a winner, which Mr Albanese can’t deny.

What was a rather trite handout to win votes was the one-off $250 for pensioners, veterans and job seekers. It’s not large enough to be a stimulus initiative.

However, Labor will have to back that splurge, too.

In WA, the federal coalition’s $2.1 billion for road and rail projects will be welcomed by the McGowan Labor government. And the $4.3 billion for a new shipping dry dock facility at Henderson is already locked in. All Mr Albanese can do is promise greater spending when he jumps on the campaign bus.

The Labor leader also has a problem prosecuting any message he might have about the levels of employment in Australia.

We’re just emerging from a pandemic and yet the unemployment rate is predicted to fall to 3.75 per cent – the lowest since the mid-1970s.

What became clear during the treasurer’s speech was how on the nose the coalition believes it is with women.

The budget offers an $80,000 breast cancer treatment on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, $1.3 billion to “end violence against women and children” and greater access to the full 20 weeks of paid parental leave.

Before Mr Frydenberg enjoyed the applause of his colleagues in the chamber, he warned Australians that “now was not the time to change course”.

It’s now up to Mr Albanese in his budget-in-reply speech on Thursday to prove otherwise.

Even before that, he and his treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers, are referring to the Frydenberg budget as a “panicked and desperate” economic plan from a “clapped out” government.

They are justified in talking about debt heading toward a trillion dollars – partly because of pandemic spending - and whether the Morrison government has a credible plan to ensure it doesn’t become a financial noose around the neck of generations to come.

Stagnant wage growth is also a live topic, although the treasurer says that’s going to end soon.

But overall, the economy is in good hands and good shape, which should count for a lot in voters’ minds and may even be enough to counter the “it’s time” factor weighing heavily on the coalition’s election hopes.

Labor needs an eight-seat gain to hold a majority government. That requires a swing of 3.3 per cent

But the party is also having to defend 13 seats across the country on margins of up to 3 per cent.

What we’ve seen so far is the targeting of marginal seats in the east – and there are plenty – with a $200 million promise to build suburban batteries to support renewable energy.

When Mr Albanese came to Perth in early March, he pledged $2 million for a TAFE kitchen upgrade. Small beer.

Given the skills shortage faced by WA - and the way state Labor has branded itself as the saviour of TAFE since being elected in 2017 - voters can expect a much bigger commitment from Mr Albanese in coming weeks.

Despite the small-target mentality, Labor must present a vision for voters. If the economy – and who can manage it better – is front of mind, then the Morrison\Frydenberg combination has tonight delivered a solid punch.