ANALYSIS
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In his pledge to freeze rates, Chief Minister Andrew Barr has dealt another blow to the Liberals' election campaign.
The government will no doubt maintain its move to ease the pressure on many households is an important part of its coronavirus stimulus measures. But at the very least it serves the pretty handy dual purpose of neutralising a key election issue.
It would even be fair to ask whether it is simply an election sweetener dressed up as economic recovery. It's possible the ACT's economic response to coronavirus would have looked different were we not months out from the October 17 election.
The government has staggered its recent economic packages, drip-feeding announcements over the past weeks. On Monday, it announced a sweep of other fees and charges - like car registration - would be frozen at this financial year's rates. The announcements have taken the steam out of the Liberals' main election pledge - to freeze rates and cut cost of living pressures if they win government.
Opposition Leader Alistair Coe will argue Canberrans need more than one-off relief, with the cuts likely to come back to bite home owners in years to come.
"Nobody is fooled by Labor's desperate backflip on rates, just four months out from an election," he said on Wednesday.
The opposition has long opposed Barr's tax reform agenda, which has seen large hikes in residential rates while gradually reducing stamp duty. The rates announcement does not change any of this.
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But the short-term sweetener may be enough for the government to offset the threat from the opposition. The pandemic has already put the opposition in an unenviable position. Just before the crisis really kicked off, the Liberals' messaging splashed across social media and press releases was centered around Labor's "debt bomb" - with graphics to boot.
But in the current climate, that messaging is now almost redundant and the opposition has been forced to pivot away from it. It's likely much of the work they have already put into the campaign will also have to be scrapped.
Messaging suggesting the government tighten its purse strings would probably fall flat. Voters are likely to accept ballooning public debt will be necessary to guide the territory and country out of an economic crisis.
The Liberals face an uphill battle to convince Canberra, after almost 20 years of Labor government, the time is right for a change.
While there is simmering discontent among some, an "it's time" mentality has yet to sweep the electorate, and seems unlikely in the current climate. The economic uncertainty will play into the government's hands as people may be cautious and less likely to favour change.
Coe and his party's repetitive messaging around the government being "tired and lazy" may not cut through in such uncertain times. The Liberals will not be able to rely on slogans and sledges to claim victory come October. Their challenge now is to present a genuine and positive alternate vision for Canberra's future.