Labor and Coalition trade cost-of-living pledges in Victoria election campaign

Premier Ben Carroll promises $30 weekly toll cap as Opposition Leader Jess Wilson pledges to reverse gas ban in new homes within 100 days

By LineZotpaper

Published18 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Victoria's major parties have unveiled competing cost-of-living pledges as the November state election approaches, with Labor promising a $30 weekly toll cap and the Coalition vowing to reverse the ban on gas connections in new homes within 100 days of winning office.

Premier Ben Carroll announced Labor's toll cap plan on Sunday, describing it as a boost for small businesses and households. The scheme, due to start from the beginning of next year, would apply to cars, utes, motorbikes and vans, with small businesses able to claim for up to five vehicles. It would operate through a rebate system, with a maximum rebate of $350 a week or $5,000 a year.

Carroll likened the measure to his government's 20 per cent car registration discount, saying Labor was "the party of cost of living". He said the cap would "go to the heart of helping small business people ... continue to grow their business, give them economic opportunity and support them at a time of need right now".

The pledge mirrors a proposal from Opposition Leader Jess Wilson, who in mid-August promised a $50 weekly cap on toll road use that would apply for two years. Both proposals follow a similar scheme already operating in New South Wales, which capped tolls at $50 a week from July this year.

Meanwhile, Wilson visited a suburban construction site to reaffirm her commitment to repealing Labor's ban on gas installations in new homes, first introduced by the Andrews government in 2023. She said a Coalition government would reverse the ban within 100 days of taking office.

Both parties are focusing on hip-pocket appeals as they enter the final weeks of the campaign, with the election set for late November.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The competing pledges directly address rising cost-of-living pressures affecting Victorian households and small businesses.
The outcome of the election will determine whether the gas ban in new homes remains in place, with implications for energy policy and household bills.
The toll cap proposals follow a similar model in NSW, potentially setting a precedent for interstate policy coordination.

Background

Victoria's state election is scheduled for November 2026, with Premier Ben Carroll leading Labor and Opposition Leader Jess Wilson leading the Liberal-National Coalition. Cost-of-living relief has dominated the campaign, as households face higher expenses for essentials such as housing, energy and transport. Labor's gas ban, introduced in 2023 as part of emissions reduction targets, has been a point of contention, with the Coalition arguing it limits consumer choice and drives up costs. The NSW toll cap measure, introduced in July 2026, provides a reference point for both parties.

Key Perspectives

Victorian Labor: The party positions itself as the party of cost-of-living relief, with the toll cap framed as targeted support for commuters and small businesses. It defends the gas ban as a necessary climate action. Victorian Coalition: Argues that the gas ban imposes unnecessary costs on homeowners and restricts energy choice. It promises quicker relief through a toll cap and a rapid repeal of the ban. Critics/Skeptics: Some may question whether the toll cap will be adequately funded or whether the rebate system will reach those who need it most. The gas ban reversal could face legal or implementation delays even if the Coalition wins.

What to Watch

The election outcome on November 26, particularly which party wins key marginal seats in Melbourne's outer suburbs.
Details of how the toll rebate system would be administered, and whether it targets high-use commuters effectively.
The Coalition's specific legislative timeline for repealing the gas ban, and potential resistance from crossbench or industry groups.

Sources

Labor pledges $30 toll cap as Coalition targets gas ban · Just In

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.

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SupportedLabor and Coalition trade cost-of-living pledges in Victoria election campaignJust In: “Victoria's major parties are now both promising to cap freeway tolls with Labor pledging a $30 cap in a fresh round of cost-of-living pledges.”
SupportedPremier Ben Carroll promises $30 weekly toll capJust In: “Labor pledging a $30 cap”
SupportedOpposition Leader Jess Wilson pledges to reverse gas ban in new homes within 100 daysJust In: “Ms Wilson said if elected next month, a Coalition government would reverse the Labor government's ban on gas connections in new homes within 100 days of winning office.”
SupportedLabor promising a $30 weekly toll cap and the Coalition vowing to reverse the ban on gas connections in new homes within 100 days of winning officeJust In: “Labor pledging a $30 cap... Ms Wilson said if elected next month, a Coalition government would reverse the Labor government's ban on gas connections in new homes within 100 days of winning office.”
SupportedPremier Ben Carroll announced Labor's toll cap plan on SundayJust In: “Premier Ben Carroll was out spruiking his government's toll cap promise, while Opposition Leader Jess Wilson visited a construction site to announce the energy policy on Sunday.”
SupportedThe scheme would start from the beginning of next yearJust In: “due to come into effect from the beginning of next year”
SupportedThe scheme would apply to cars, utes, motorbikes and vansJust In: “Cars, utes, motorbikes and vans would all be eligible to take part in the program”
SupportedSmall businesses able to claim for up to five vehiclesJust In: “small businesses would be able to make claims for up to five vehicles”
SupportedMaximum rebate of $350 a week or $5,000 a yearJust In: “The maximum rebate figure allowed under the program would be $350 a week, or $5,000 a year”
SupportedCarroll likened the measure to the government's 20% car registration discount and said Labor was 'the party of cost of living'Just In: “Mr Carroll likened the scheme to his government's 20 per cent car registration discount, and described Labor as 'the party of cost of living'”
SupportedDirect quote: 'This will go to the heart of helping small business people ... continue to grow their business, give them economic opportunity and support them at a time of need right now'Just In: “"This will go to the heart of helping small business people … continue to grow their business, give them economic opportunity and support them at a time of need right now," he said.”
SupportedThe pledge mirrors Wilson's proposal from mid-August for a $50 weekly toll cap for two yearsJust In: “The Labor transport pledge mirrors one made by Ms Wilson in mid-August, which promised a $50 weekly cap on toll road use that would apply for two years.”