Policy Comparator

Getting to the heart of the parties' policies is not as easy as you might think. Learn about the struggles the Election Watch team encountered on the hunt for policy.

Both the ALP and Coalition say the economy is their main priority. But how will they fund their promises? Professor John Freebairn.

In 2011, Australia joined other OECD countries by offering a Paid Parental Leave scheme. With alternate policies being proposed by the Coalition and Greens, PPL is an important point of policy difference.  Professor Anne Kavanagh and Dr Cameryn Garrett.

Broadband remains a key point of difference between Labor and the Coalition’s policies going into the election. The Greens support Labor's NBN. Rod Tucker

The issue of how best to deal with asylum seekers seeking to reach Australia by boat is one of the most controversial. 
Melissa Phillips

Climate change can be an emotional topic. In 2007, Kevid Rudd called it the 'great moral challenge of our generation'. Where do the three major parties stand this year?
Lisa Caripis
 

Education is always a key issue for voters. Click through for analysis on where the ALP and Coalition stand.
Professor Field Rickards

Industrial Relations policy is always a major issue in Australian election debate.  2013 will be no different.   This time around the politics of industrial relations policy requires a balancing act for all parties.
Nicholas Reece

Disability care is an area of broad agreement between the major parties. Maria Rae

Health policy covers many aspects. Click through to compare the major parties' policies on mental health (Professor Patrick McGorry) and the vaccination of children (Associate Professor Damian Purcell, Professor Dale Godfrey)

Is it realistic to try to turn northern Australia into a "food bowl"? Dr Chris Taylor

Indigenous disadvantage has been an intractable problem. How do the major parties intend to tackle it? 
Maria Rae

Foreign aid is often vulnerable to being cut to find budget savings in other areas.
Dr Bina Fernandez

Click through to see available policy documents.

Defence is generally seen as one of the main purposes of a government. How do the main parties differ?
Derek McDougall

Do the major parties have a vision for dealing with the ageing population? Professor Simon Biggs

Revenue from mining is central to the Australian economy. Where do the Coalition, ALP and Greens stand? 
Professor John Freebairn

Click through to view available documents.

Click through to view available documents.