Parliamentary Budget Office costs Greens tax-and-welfare package at $22 billion a year
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What happened
ABC reported that the Parliamentary Budget Office released a costing for the Greens' newly announced tax-and-welfare package, estimating a budget effect of $22 billion per year.
Why it matters
A formal PBO costing gives the fiscal debate a published benchmark that other parties, investors and voters can test against alternative tax and spending plans. It also provides a concrete reference point for arguments about revenue from resource taxes, the size of welfare expansion and budget credibility.
Australia's Parliamentary Budget Office has costed the Greens' newly announced tax-and-welfare package at $22 billion annually, according to ABC reporting published on 2026-10-28. Although the package is not government policy, the costing gives parties, media and fiscal institutions a common number for debate in the current parliamentary cycle. The release is relevant because it sharpens scrutiny of how cost-of-living relief, resource taxation and transfer spending would be funded and compared with the government's budget position.
Watch for
Parliamentary Budget Office publication or release note setting out the Greens package costing methodology on 2026-10-27 or 2026-10-28 Australian Greens finance or treasury spokesperson release detailing offsetting revenue measures within 72 hours Australian Treasury or Finance minister statement comparing the $22 billion figure with current budget aggregates within 72 hours Coalition treasury spokesperson statement or media release using the PBO figure to contest cost-of-living policy within 72 hours