Which Party Supports Australian Expats Best?
A Look at Labor and Liberal Before the Federal Election
As the 2025 Australian federal election draws closer, the question of Australian expat political support is becoming more relevant than ever. With over one million Australians living overseas, it’s not just about which party governs at home—it’s also about which political party understands and addresses the unique challenges faced by expats abroad. From voting rights to taxation and superannuation, the policies of both Labor and Liberal have long-term implications for Australians living offshore.
A History of Neglect: Expats on the Sidelines
Traditionally, Australian expats have often been an afterthought in domestic politics. Despite their significant contributions through remittances, investment, diplomacy, and trade facilitation, expats have not received the same policy attention as resident voters.
Issues like voting rights, taxation, superannuation access, and dual citizenship have largely been reactive rather than proactive areas for government. Both major parties have periodically tinkered with rules affecting expats, but sustained engagement has been rare.
Expats are often seen politically as a marginal group, partly because their numbers, while substantial, are spread across electorates without forming a coherent voting bloc.
Labor’s Relationship with Australian Expats
The Australian Labor Party has historically been cautious towards expats. In Labor’s view, public resources and political focus should prioritise citizens residing in Australia, especially regarding taxation and social services.
Some key points from Labor’s track record:
- Voting Rights: Labor governments have made it somewhat easier for expats to vote from abroad, but reforms have been minimal. Voting enrollment and eligibility still heavily favor those who return to Australia regularly.
- Superannuation: In power, Labor introduced measures to simplify superannuation access, but also tightened reporting and taxation rules affecting offshore balances.
- Taxation: Labor has traditionally been less sympathetic towards expats in matters of tax residency. The 2012 reforms under a Labor government tightened tax residency definitions, impacting many expats financially.
- Social Services: Labor generally takes a strict line on limiting access to Australian welfare and Medicare benefits for expats unless they are actively contributing to the tax base at home.
Labor tends to view Australians abroad through a cautious lens, balancing the importance of maintaining ties with avoiding the perception that expats are gaining benefits without responsibilities.
Recent Positions: In the 2019 and 2022 elections, Labor gave little attention to expat-specific issues in their platforms. However, since forming government in 2022, Labor has consulted on possible electoral reform, including extending the grace period for overseas voter eligibility from 6 years to 9 years—a modest improvement if enacted.
The Liberal Party’s Approach to Australian Expats
The Liberal Party traditionally presents itself as more favorable to Australians living overseas, consistent with its broader emphasis on economic liberalism, personal responsibility, and international engagement.
Highlights of the Liberal Party’s historical stance:
- Voting Rights: The Howard government introduced postal voting reforms that marginally improved the expat voting process, though substantive modernisation (like online voting) has lagged.
- Superannuation: Liberal governments have often advocated for simplifying superannuation access for non-residents. However, the 2017 “Downsizer” reforms (allowing older Australians to contribute property sale proceeds into super) did not extend meaningfully to expats.
- Taxation: Liberal governments have occasionally proposed tax breaks or adjustments for Australians working abroad. However, under Scott Morrison’s tenure, expat property owners were hit with punitive capital gains tax (CGT) rules on Australian property sales, causing a major backlash.
- Social Services: Liberals typically restrict social services access for non-residents, but promote schemes that encourage expats to invest and do business with Australia.
Thus, while rhetorically friendlier towards Australians abroad, the Liberal record is mixed in practice. Policy often emphasises encouraging expats to maintain financial and investment ties to Australia, without necessarily making life easier for them.
Recent Positions: Under Morrison, the Liberals supported proposals to extend overseas voter rights and recognised the economic importance of maintaining an active expat community. Nonetheless, the CGT changes demonstrated how fiscal needs at home can override rhetorical support for Australians offshore.
Which Political Party Supports Australian Expats Better?
If judged purely on rhetoric, the Liberal Party has generally been more expat-friendly, emphasising connection, investment, and global mobility. They have acknowledged expats more regularly in speeches, policies, and consultations.
However, when it comes to practical policy outcomes, the reality is nuanced:
- Expats were hurt under both Liberal and Labor governments by restrictive taxation changes.
- Improvements to voting access have been slow and piecemeal across both parties.
- There remains no clear, comprehensive vision from either party to meaningfully integrate Australians abroad into the national policy framework.
The reality is that both parties prioritise resident voters. Expats only get political attention when their votes could tip marginal seats or when advocacy groups apply sustained pressure.
What Expats Should Watch for This Election
Leading into the 2025 election, expats should look for specific commitments such as:
- Extension of Voting Rights: Will either party commit to making it easier for long-term expats to stay on the electoral roll?
- Taxation Reform: Will there be any simplification of the tax residency rules or relief from double taxation?
- Superannuation Access: Are there pledges to simplify and secure super for Australians living offshore?
- Global Mobility Recognition: Will expats be recognised in broader economic or trade policy, such as facilitating return migration or leveraging expat networks?
Neither major party has yet unveiled detailed expat-focused policy for 2025, but attentive voters should demand clarity.
Conclusion: Australian expat political support
Australian expats remain a vital, but underrepresented part of the national story. Historically, neither Labor nor Liberal have fully championed expat rights, though the Liberals have at times been more rhetorically supportive.
Heading into the 2025 election, expats would be wise to scrutinise not just what the parties say about Australians overseas—but what they are prepared to deliver.
Ultimately, strong, organised advocacy from expats themselves will be crucial in pushing both Labor and Liberal to recognise the enormous value that Australians abroad bring to the nation.
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- Check out our weekly Expat Chat Podcast.