FEDERAL BUDGET 2022 – A PLAN FOR THE TIMES

“Cheaper Fuel, Cheaper Medicines, and putting more money in the pockets of millions of Australians” was Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s primary message in the 2022 Budget.

Since the last Federal Budget was handed down, Australia has seen a commodities surge, particularly in petrol prices, amidst the backdrop of strategic uncertainty driving global inflation and supply-chain insecurity.

The Treasurer’s focus on maintaining existing levels of spending as Australia manages COVID-19 whilst also being fiscally responsible as Australia’s debt grows has set an exciting dynamic in this Budget.

The upcoming 2022 Federal Election has also played a substantial role in the formulation and tone of the Budget. The election is expected to be called in the coming days, with the Budget’s contents playing a vital role in the Prime Minister’s narrative to the electorate.

New spending measures include a temporary reduction of Australia’s fuel excise, a further reduction in the low and middle-income tax offset, additional $250 payments to almost 6 million Australians and substantial infrastructure measures.

In the Health portfolio, the Treasurer announced support for 2.4 million Australians accessing prescriptions by reducing the PBS Safety Net thresholds, a substantial boost to Covid-19 related spending, preventative healthcare, mental health and additional listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Defence was a primary focus of the Treasurer’s speech, including the $9.9 billion Cyber Security and Intelligence Hub (dubbed Redspice), $4.4 billion drydock facility in Western Australia and $1.3 billion to further support Australia’s space industry.

 

HEALTH

Health remains a focus for the Government in the 2022-2023 Budget, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to disrupt access to healthcare and further increase demand for mental health services.

Medical services and benefits are expected to receive a total $39.4 billion, with a short-term focus on Covid-19 and vaccinations ahead of the coming winter. The Health portfolio will receive $105.754 billion in the 2022-23 budget year.

Other announced measures include:

• Covid-19 Response Packages
  • Aged Care will receive $458.1 million over 4 years to manage the impacts of Covid-19.
  • Guaranteed $892.1 million over 2 years to Medicare to support access to health care services.
  • $2.6 billion over 2 years toward personal protective equipment and rapid antigen tests.
  • $1.1 billion over 2 years to support hospitals and emergency response to Covid-19.
  • $1.0 billion over 2 years for continued distribution and uptake of Covid-19 vaccines.
• $2 billion deal with Moderna to produce 100 million mRNA jabs under a 10-year plan.
  • This aligns with the Morrison Government’s plan to pandemic proof the nation. (Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation met to approve the fourth jab ahead of winter amidst growth in Covid-19 cases across Australia).
  • The announcement by Prime Minister the Hon Scott Morrison MP, in conjunction with the Victorian State Government, can be found here.
• Funding to improve specialist training across medical professionals and students.
  • $708.6 million to continue specialist medical training across Australia
    • Extension of the Specialist Training Program for four years to aid specialist training for local doctors.
    • Announcement by Health Minister the Hon Greg Hunt MP
  • $4.2 million investment for regional, rural, and remote health specialists
    • Funding to increase access to specialists for patients and encourage training across eight projects in rural and regional areas.
    • Announcement by Health Minister the Hon Greg Hunt MP
  • Investing a further $1.3 billion in Medical Research and Technology.
  • Funding over four years toward Preventative Healthcare:
    • $31.6 million extending 19 drug and alcohol projects under the National Ice Action Strategy.
    • $19.6 million to roll out a national take-home naloxone program.
    • $15.0 million to deliver a communication campaign on health checks.
    • $10.6 million to develop and implement a preventative health communication campaign.
    • $9.2 million to continue funding alcohol and drug prevention and support programmes.
    • $7.5 million to support the construction of a dedicated respite and hospice care facility for children.
    • $4.0 million to delivery early-phase clinical trials for new Motor Neurone Disease treatment.
    • $2.1 million to extend the National Sepsis Program.
    • $ 2.0 million to support Life Checks program for 45–65-year-olds.
    • $1.0 million to conduct research to address priority men’s health issues.
  • National Preventative Health Strategy 2021-2030 will receive $30.1 million.
  • Winter preparedness health measures:
    • As noted above, $100 million for influenza vaccines to protect Australians this winter.
      • Approach to managing influenza and Covid-19 over the winter months to minimise health impacts, amounting to around 9.5 million vaccinations.
      • Announcement by Health Minister the Hon Greg Hunt MP
    • $2.1 billion for winter preparedness against Covid-19 and influenza.
      • Funding for healthcare systems and extension of the Covid-19 National Partnership Agreement.
      • Announcement by Health Minister the Hon Greg Hunt MP
    • $1.2 billion to help protect and prepare senior Australians for winter, against Covid-19 and influenza.
      • Announced by Minister for Aged Care Services Senator Hon Richard Colbeck
    • Mental Health will receive $547 million, broken into 5 pillars of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan.
      • $76.4 million over 5 years for prevention and early intervention activities.
      • $46.7 million over 2 years for suicide prevention activities.
      • $285.5 million over 5 years for mental health treatment initiatives.
      • $44.9 million over 4 years to support vulnerable Australians.
      • $93.2 million over 5 years for workforce and governance issues.
    • $69 million for Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) response.
      • Program initiatives aim to prevent exposure to the disease through vaccination and mosquito management systems to protect people and animals most at risk during the current outbreak.
      • Announcement by the Hon Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care here.
    • $63.5 million overall for Australian Genomic Cancer research and development over four years with key measures including:
      • $28.1 million to establish Genomics Australia.
      • $15 million to Australian Cancer Research Foundation Cancer Genome Facility.
    • Cancer patients will receive numerous benefits through funding for screening and new treatment research.
      • $5.0 million to the Pancreatic Centre at Epworth.
      • $40.7 million to address reduction in testing and screening services for bowel, breast and cervical cancer.
      • $375.6 million over 4 years to Comprehensive Cancer Centre for Western Australia.
    • Partnership between Federal Government and Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).
      • Partnership worth $1 billion to provide more certainty for regional, rural and remote patients who rely on critical aeromedical service.
      • Announced by Minister for Regional Health Hon David Gillespie MP
    • $58 million provided under National Action Plan for Endometriosis.
      • Funding to improve endometriosis diagnosis and primary care support to over 800,000 women.
      • Announced by Prime Minister Hon Scott Morrison MP here.
    • The Government will provide $2.4 billion over 5 years for new and amended listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), as well as $525.3 million to reduce the PBS Safety Net thresholds.
      • Breakthrough Trikafta has been subsidised by the PBS, giving almost 1,900 Australians access to cystic fibrosis treatment.
      • Announced by Minister for Health the Hon Greg Hunt MP

Aged Care Funding will receive $468.3 million over 5 years to raise standards of care in the industry and respond to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, broken into 5 pillars:

• Pillar 1: $5.4 million towards Home Care design and reforms including new Support at Home Program
• Pillar 2: $20.1 million over three years into Residential Aged Care Services and Sustainability.
• Pillar 3: Residential Aged Care Services and Sustainability.
  • $345.7 million over 4 years to improve administration of medication management.
  • $22.1 million over 3 years to establish a fund to trial new models of outreach care.
  • $18.3 million over 2 years to extend arrangements for third party Quality Assessor workforce.
• Pillar 4: Workforce:
  • $32.8 million over 4 years to provide additional clinical placements for students.
  • $10.8 million for the Cross-Agency Taskforce on Regulatory Alignment.
  • $6.9 million over 3 years to support co-operatives and collaborative business models.
• Pillar 5: $6.1 million to extend the aged care system regional stewardship outreach model.

Aged Care will also receive:

• $210 million to support aged care workforce to continue care for older Australians during the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Announced by Health Minister Hon Greg Hunt MP
• On-site pharmacists to improve medication management in residential aged care facilities.
  • $345.7 million for on-site pharmacists to improve medication management and safety for aged-care residents.
  • Announced by Health Minister Hon Greg Hunt MP
• Additional $458.1 million over 5 years to support older Australians managing the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Medicare will receive funding across multiple streams including:

• $35.2 million to support Digital Health programs.
• $66.0 million towards supporting medical resonance imaging machines Medicare eligibility in rural health.
• $131.3 million to update the Medicare Benefits Schedule.
• $230.7 million to improve access to primary health care services.
• $224.4 million to improve rural and remote access to health services and support doctors providing care.

Women’s Health has been funded by an additional $148.0 million over 5 years, measures include:

• $67.6 million over 4 years from 2021-22 to continue the existing BreastScreen Australia Expansion National Partnership Agreement, which supports women aged 70 to 74 to undertake mammograms to screen for breast cancer.
• $32.8 million over 4 years from 2021-22 to fund research, policy advice and education to inform the National Cervical Screening Program services to process cervical screening tests for Victorian residents.
• $16.6 million over 4 years from 2021-22, and $4.2 million in 2025-26 for women’s health initiatives, including funding for Jean Hailes for Women’s Health to continue the National Women’s Health Initiative, including Women’s Health Week, health sector engagement and education, and the National Women’s Health Survey.

 

DEFENCE

Defence spending is expected to make up around 2.1% of GDP, taking a front seat in the Budget as the situation in Ukraine continues to develop, and strategic competition increases in Australia’s region. The most notable announcement is the continued investment in securing nuclear submarines with a $10 billion investment into a Submarine base on the East Coast.

• $9.9 billion package for an Australian cybersecurity and intelligence hub (REDSPICE)
  • This package has been announced to bolster Australia’s cybersecurity and intelligence capabilities across five years to ‘keep pace’ with potential adversaries and their growing capacities, and to provide security in a changing geopolitical climate.
  • Package to be delivered over 10 years to 2030-31 to the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) to deliver a Resilience, Effects, Defence, Space, Intelligence, Cyber and Enablers package (REDSPICE).
  • Foreshadowed by the Prime Minister Hon Scott Morrison MP, here.
• $4.3 billion towards building new dry dock facility in Western Australia
  • Western Australia’s first large-vessel dry berth at the Henderson shipyard, enabling the construction and sustainment of large naval vessels in Australia.
  • Announced by Prime Minister Hon Scott Morrison MP, here.
  • This comes after the Prime Minister has announced $10 billion for new submarine base on the East Coast of Australia, although this base was not costed in the Budget.
• $282 million in the Northern Territory for 34 capability projects
  • Funding across two defence projects, one including a Regional Maintenance Centre in Darwin to aid with national naval shipbuilding enterprise.
  • Announced by PM Scott Morrison in conjunction with Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Science and Technology, Hon Melissa Price MP, here.
• $1.3 billion to support the Australian Space Industry
  • The Government will provide $1.3 billion from 2021-22 (and $38.8 million per year ongoing) to grow the Australian space sector and space manufacturing industry.
  • $1.2 billion from 2021-22 (and $38.5 million per year ongoing) will be used to establish a National Space Mission for Earth Observation to secure access to key earth observation data streams, build Australia’s sovereign capability and enter agreements with international partners including for the procurement and operation of Australian Satellite Cross-Calibration Radiometer satellites.
• $148.4 million to the Strengthening Australia’s Arrangements for Managing Terrorist Offenders and Countering Violent Extremism
  • As national security officials prepare for the release of more than a dozen hardcore terrorists in the next four years.
  • Funding of $20 million for a new convicted terrorist register and $67 million to fund an extended supervision scheme for high-risk terrorist offenders.
  • Reported on in The Australian, here.
• $875 million Defence base investment to deliver nationwide jobs
  • A projected 1600 jobs in 234 Defence projects have been announced as part of a plan to continue to strengthen the nation’s sovereign defence capacity.
  • This will include 79 projects in New South Wales worth $298 million, 41 in Queensland worth $166 million, $34 million in the Northern Territory worth $112 million, $29 million in Victoria worth $122 million, $28 million in South Australia worth $106 million, 23 in Western Australia worth $71 million.
  • Announced by the Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Science and Technology, the Hon Melissa Price MP,
• $839 million will be provided over ten years for strategic and scientific research and exploration of Antarctica
  • Prime Minister Hon Scott Morrison MP announced the plan was to mitigate growing competition over influence in the Antarctic.
  • Released by Prime Minister Hon Scott Morrison MP, here

 

SOCIAL POLICY/COST OF LIVING

The Treasurer has positioned the increased cost of living as a primary challenge in the 2022 Budget. The Government has announced a range of new measures, including an increase to the Low and Middle Income Tax Offset (LMITO), increased social service payments and a substantial temporary reduction of the petrol excise levy.

• Cost of Living Payment
  • $1.5 billion in 2021-22 to provide a $250 economic support payment in April 2022 for eligible payments.
  • The payment will be made in April 2022 to eligible recipients of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Jobseeker, Youth Allowance and other concession card holders.
• Increase to Low- and Middle-Income Tax Offset (LMITO) for Australians earning less than $126, 000 a year
  • Those eligible currently receive between $255 and $1,080 when filing taxes which will increase to between $675 and $1, 500, paid out from July 1.
  • This amounts to an extra $420 for 10 million individual Australians.
  • Reported by the ABC on 29^th March,
• A temporary reduction of the fuel excise by 50 per cent for 6 months.
  • This will see an excise on petrol and diesel cut from 2 cents per litre to 22.1 cents per litre as announced on the 27^{th of} March by Treasurer Hon Josh Frydenberg MP.
  • This is to partially offset the recent inflation of oil prices.
  • Announced in an interview with the ABC, here.
• Affordable Housing and Home Ownership
  • Total $8.6 million over 4 years from 2022-23 and $138.7 million over 7 years from 2026-27, with $20.5 million per year ongoing from 2033-34.
  • The Home Guarantee Scheme will be expanded to 50,000 guarantees per year for 3 years and then 35,000 a year ongoing to support homebuyers to purchase a home with a lower deposit.
  • 35,000 guarantees each year under the First Home Guarantee (Formerly First Home Loan Deposit Scheme).
  • 5,000 places per year to June 2025 to expand the Family Home Guarantee.
  • 10,000 places per year for a new Regional Home Guarantee for permanent residents who have not owned a home for 5 years to purchase a new home in a regional location with a minimum 5 per cent deposit.
  • Reported by the ABC 28^th March,

 

INFRASTRUCTURE

The Morrison Government committed approximately $17.9 billion to improve Australia’s infrastructure, particularly in regional areas. Queenslanders will undoubtedly benefit from this year’s infrastructure Budget with over $3.9 billion committed to the state’s infrastructure pipeline.

With new investments alongside existing infrastructure projects in every state and territory, the Government will build on their 10-year infrastructure pipeline. With an overall increase in expenditure from $110 billion to over $120 billion. Key commitments of the 2022-23 infrastructure funding can be found here.

Nation-wide investment’s include:

• $678 million for Outback Way for Northern Territory, Western Australia, and Queensland
  • Announced by Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia Hon David Littleproud MP, here.
• $480 million to increase NBN speeds in rural Australia
  • Announced by Minister for Communications Hon Paul Fletcher MP,
  • Fifty thousand homes and businesses will be able to order an upgrade to NBN connection.
  • $83.2 million for Albury Wodonga Regional Deal
• $67.7 million over to deliver new projects that support local communities across Australia
  • $12.5 million towards the Centre of Excellence in Vision and Hearing in New South Wales.
  • $8.0 million towards the Scone CBD Revitalisation in New South Wales.
  • $5.0 million towards the Gilwell Park Scouts Adventure and Learning Centre Redevelopment in Victoria.
  • $5.0 million towards the Caboolture Police and Community Youth Centre in Queensland.
  • $4.5 million towards the Bendigo Airport Terminal Redevelopment in Victoria.
  • $1.5 million towards the Katie Rose Cottage Hospice in Queensland.
  • $0.6 million towards the Shepparton FoodShare in Victoria.
• $7.1 billion over 11 years from 2022-23 to support existing programs and turbocharge the economies of 4 key regional hubs across Australia
  • The Northern Territory to fund infrastructure projects that support the manufacturing industry, promote the onshore processing of critical minerals and to strengthen the region’s position as an industrial and renewable energy hub.
  • North and Central Queensland to invest in water infrastructure and supply chain projects that promote water security and open up agriculture and industry growth opportunities.
  • Pilbara region in Western Australia to fund infrastructure projects that support the mining, mineral processing and manufacturing sectors and accelerate growth in the hydrogen and renewable energy industries.
  • Hunter region in New South Wales to fund transport infrastructure projects that will improve supply chain efficiencies and help diversify the economy, building on the region’s existing strengths and facilitating the development of new industries.

NSW:

• $1 billion for the Sydney to Newcastle – (Tuggerah to Wyong) faster rail upgrade.
• $336 million for the Pacific Highway – Wyong Town Centre.
• Additional funding of $352 million for the Milton Ulladulla Bypass.
• $264 million for the Newell Highway Upgrade – Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrades – North Moree.
• $232.5 million for Mulgoa Road Stage 2 – Glenmore Parkway to Jeanette Street, Stage 5A. Blaikie Road to Jamison Road and Stage 5B Jamison Road to Union Road.
• $100 million for the Southern Connector Road, Jindabyne.
• $95.6 million for the Picton Bypass and Picton Road – Planning.
• $77.5 million for a business case for Stage 2 of the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport line.
• $300 million for the Grade Separating Road Interfaces.
• $65 million for the M5 Motorway – Moorebank Avenue – Hume Highway Intersection Upgrade.

Victoria:

• $1.2 billion for delivery of the Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal.
• $920.0 million for the Outer Metropolitan Ring Rail South.
• $740.0 million for the delivery of the Western Interstate Freight Terminal.
• $280.0 million for the Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal road connections, including Camerons Lane.
• $109.5 million for the Mickleham Road Upgrade.
• $45.0 million for Ballarat to Ouyen Corridor Upgrade.
• $23.1 million for the Canterbury Road Upgrade.

South Australia:

• $2.264 billion for the North South Corridor – Darlington to Anzac Highway.
• $200 million for the Marion Road – Anzac Highway to Cross Road.
• $120 million for the Adelaide Hills Productivity and Road Safety Package.
• $60.0 million for South East Freeway Managed Motorways – Stage 2.
• $60.0 million for Targeted Investments to Improve National Supply Chain Resilience.
• $50.0 million for the Rural Roads Package including the Horrocks Highway Corridor and Safety Package.
• $20.0 million for the Marion Road and Sir Donald Bradman Drive Intersection Upgrade.
• $16.2 million for the Port Augusta to Perth Corridor Upgrade.
• $16.0 million for the Main South Road Productivity Package.
• $9.6 million for the South Eastern Freeway Safety Upgrade.

The Australian Capital Territory:

• $46.7 million towards the Athllon Drive Duplication.
• $2.8 million for the Kent Street and Novar Street Intersection Upgrades.
• $1.5 million for the Inner Canberra Corridor Planning Package.

Western Australia:

• $441.2 million for the METRONET, including the Thornlie-Cockburn Link, High Capacity Signalling, Morrison Road Level Crossing Removal and the Yanchep Rail Extension projects.
• $320.0 million for Stages 2 and 3 of the Bunbury Outer Ring Road.
• $200.0 million for Stage 3 of the Tonkin Highway Extension.
• $178.0 million for Stages 1 and 2 of the Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation.
• $145.0 million for the Thomas Road Dual Carriageway, South Western Highway to Tonkin Highway and the Interchange at Tonkin Highway.
• $140.0 million for Regional Road Safety Upgrades.
• $50.0 million for the Tonkin Highway – North Ellenbrook Interchange.
• $48.0 million for Moorine Rock to Mount Holland Road Upgrades.
• $40.0 million for Newman to Katherine Corridor Upgrade – Great Northern Highway Upgrade – Newman to Port Headland Overtaking Lanes.
• $25.0 million for the Fremantle Traffic Bridge – Swan River Crossing.
• $25.0 million for the Perth CBD Transport Plan – Causeway Bridge.
• $22.4 million for the Mid-West Secondary Freight Network.

Queensland:

• $1.6 billion for the Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast – Beerwah-Maroochydore Rail Extension.
• $1.1 billion for the Brisbane to the Gold Coast – Kuraby-Beenleigh Faster Rail Upgrade.
• $190.0 million for the Mount Isa to Rockhampton Corridor Upgrade.
• $114.4 million for the Tennant Creek to Townsville Corridor Upgrade.
• $68.5 million for the Cooktown to Weipa Corridor Upgrade.
• $36.2 million for the Wyaga Creek Flood Improvement Project.
• $31.6 million for the Cairns to Northern Territory Border Corridor Upgrade.
• $27.2 million for Bruce Highway Upgrade – Business Cases, including Anzac Avenue to Uhlmann Road, Buchanan Road to Caboolture Bribie Island Road, and Uhlmann Road to Buchanan Road.
• $22.5 million for the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games 2032 – Business Case Development.
• $19.1 million for the Townsville to Roma Corridor Upgrade.
• $14.4 million for the Phillips Creek Bridge Replacement Project.
• $11.0 million for the Coomera Connector Future Stages Business Case.

Northern Territory:

• $132 million for Central Australian Tourism Roads.

Tasmania:

• $336 million for the Tasmanian Roads Package – Northern Roads Package – Stage 2.
• $100 million for the Great Eastern Drive Tourism Support – additional packages.
• $96 million for the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation Program – Tranche 4.
• $56 million for the Tasmanian Roads Package – Tasman Highway Sideling Upgrade – Stage 2.
• $24 million for the Bell Bay Line – Reconnection to the Bell Bay Wharf.
• $14.4 million for the Melba Line Bulk Minerals Rail Hub.
• $13.5 million for the Hobart – Northern Transit Corridor Solution.

 

FOREIGN AFFAIRS & TRADE

With the Ukraine war influencing European affairs, the world is likely to continue feeling the impact of conflict in Eastern Europe. At a time of uncertainty, the Morrison Government has allocated $7.191 billion on foreign affairs and economic aid in this year’s Budget.

• $267.1 million over 4 years from 2022-23 for Australian Export and Trade Support
  • This will include $127.4 million to continue and expand the Digital Services for agricultural export systems.
  • $80.0 million to modernise Australia’s trade system.
  • $11.7 million to expand on the Trade Information Service to provide exporters with a single source of online information to facilitate access to international markets.
  • Partial funding for this measure has already been provided for by the Government.
• $3.5 billion to increase the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific
  • The Government will provide financing packages through the Facility to the Government of Papua New Guinea.
• $156.5 million support package to Ukraine Armed Forces in 2021-22
  • Package of defensive military assistance, bringing Australia’s total military aid to $91 million.
  • $65 million in humanitarian assistance.
  • $0.5 million to establish the Ukranian Community and Settlement Support Program
  • Announced by Foreign Affairs Minister Hon Marise Payne,
• $245.5 million over 5 years from 2021-22 for initiatives to support the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with India, including:
  • ($16.8 million per year ongoing from 2026-27).
  • Supporting an Australian High Commission in Maldives to support economic and security priorities in the Indian Ocean region.
  • Centre for Australia-India Relations in Australia to provide Australia-India Maitri education and cultural programs.
  • The cost of this measure will be partially met from within the existing resources of the Department of Defence.
  • Funding for this measure has already been provided for by the Government.
• $60 million regional tourism investment
  • $63.0 million over 3 years from 2021-22 to accelerate international tourist and backpacker arrivals through targeted marketing initiatives.
  • This and additional measures announced by Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Hon Dan Tehan MP,

ADDITIONAL MEASURES

• Treasurer Hon Josh Frydenberg MP announced his intention to keep the tax-to-GDP ratio at or below 23.9%
  • Announced by Treasurer Hon Josh Frydenberg MP in the Budget speech, available
• Government debt is expected to be around $1 trillion
  • A large portion of this is due to the vast amount of government spending to support the economy throughout rolling Covid-19 lockdowns and border closures.
• $128.5 million reform package to provide greater certainty around environment protection and streamline assessments
  • Announced by Minister for Environment Hon Sussan Ley MP, here.
  • The measures aimed to protect the environment while supporting economic recovery and creating jobs in regional and rural communities.
• $1.831 billion for decisions taken but not yet announced between 2022-2025
  • These measures are likely to be announced prior to the upcoming Federal Election.