During the 2010 federal election campaign, Crikey has attempted to regularly update our Policy Watch section to keep track of the spending commitments being made by both sides. We’ve also looked to gauge the opinion of the key stakeholders involved in each of the announcements.

Here’s a selection of some of the comments so far:

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Commitment: $277 million to tackle suicide and promote better mental health

David Crosbie, CEO of the Mental Health Council of Australia:

“The measures outlined by the Prime Minister today are real steps forward, particularly in relation to increased accountability for mental health services through a national mental health report card, and increased investment in anti-suicide measures. Possibly the most pleasing aspect of the ALP mental health policy is the increased focus on the experiences of mental health consumers and carers as critical measures of mental health service provision. The funding for suicide programs, workplace, community support, child, youth and prevention measures are all positive initiatives.This approach needs to be supported, but it is not the complete package the MHCA and many other experts and groups have been calling for.”

Commitment: $668 million to support families with teenagers

Dr Cassandra Goldie, CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service:

“ACOSS has long advocated for a boost to help families with the higher cost of older children, and we welcome the Government’s announcement which is estimated to help 650,000 teenagers over the next five years. Teenagers from families on low incomes are at high risk of leaving education and training if their families are unable to give them financial support. We also call on Government to include families with teenagers on Youth Allowance living at home in this announcement so that no teenager misses out. ACOSS calls on all political parties to make election commitments that support people on low incomes and that ensure that no Australian is excluded because of social or economic disadvantage.”

Commitment: $21.1 million for MySuper and other superannuation initiatives

Pauline Vamos, chief executive of Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia

“This is a move the industry has sought for a very long time. The government has set the industry a challenge to provide the best possible returns at the lowest cost for those people who do not wish to make an investment choice within their fund. We applaud the government in setting a longer lead time for MySuper that will allow the industry time to adjust and for the Productivity Commission to define the process by which it will be integrated into the industrial relations framework. The focus will finally be on not only returns after tax and after fees but on the value provided.”

Commitment: $122 million for measures for children with disabilities and carers

Dr Ken Baker, chief executive of National Disability Services:

“These promises have targeted some of the most vulnerable people in Australia — families with young children who have just been diagnosed and people with disabilities who have ageing parents. Both groups need assurance that their future care is secure. However, long term security can only be provided by building a strong foundation through a National Disability Insurance Scheme. A scheme that is sustainable, which is guaranteed to give people with disabilities the access to the flexible and responsive support services which they need.”

Commitment: $2000 rebate for trading in pre-1995 vehicles for a new car — total $394 million

Andrew McKellar, chief executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries

“The car industry welcomes any move to support motorists who want to upgrade to safer and more fuel efficient vehicles. One in five vehicles on Australian roads is more than 15 years old with many of those not meeting the environmental and safety standards we now expect. A key part of any strategy to reduce carbon emissions from road transport must address the impact older cars have on the environment. The industry will obviously need to work through the finer detail of this proposal before it can be implemented.”

Don Henry, executive director of Australian Conservation Foundation

“The $2000 rebate for trading in a pre-1995 car and buying a brand new, efficient vehicle is a positive move, but we would like to see a scheme that encourages people to buy very efficient vehicles, whether they are new or second-hand. The news that this scheme will be funded by taking money away from the Solar and CCS Flagship programs and Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme is extremely disappointing. It should be funded by reducing the Fuel Tax Credits scheme, which subsidises diesel fuel for mining companies, and which costs Australian taxpayers around $4.9 billion a year, or $606 per household per year.”

Commitment: $180 million in tax breaks for green buildings

Peter Verwer, chief executive of Property Council of Australia:

“The incentive will bridge the significant payback gap between an investment in energy efficient capital and subsequent energy cost savings. In addition, the extension of the Green Building Fund to cover more building types, such as shopping centres, will further build on the innovative green technologies pioneered under the current scheme. In combination, these initiatives will leverage emission reductions by lifting the energy efficiency of commercial buildings. These measures help build a mechanism for reducing GHGs by more than 80 megatonnes over the next decade. A nationwide energy efficiency, or white certificate, scheme would further complement these initiatives.”

Read the full comments from stakeholders on our Policy Watch website

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Commitment: $3.1 billion for new hospital beds, support for GPs and community boards.

Dr Andrew Pesce, president of the Australian Medical Association:

“On face value, the Coalition appears to have delivered a substantial package of commitments. We will need to closely examine the detail of how the changes are intended to work and we would want input to the detailed design and implementation of many of these measures, should the Coalition be elected. We also note that there is no commitment from the Coalition yet on e-health. This is a major concern because, without e-health, we cannot make the best use of existing health care services and avoid errors, duplication and waste.”

Commitment: $32.5 million in seniors incentives payments

Charmaine Crowe, policy co-ordinator of Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association:

“The Coalition’s ‘Seniors Policy’ is a win for better-off retirees but does nothing to help pensioners with no assets or private income living on $350 a week. The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card can be accessed by millionaires providing their income comes from superannuation. That’s because the card’s income-test applies to taxable income only. CPSA welcomes the Coalition’s policy to provide incentive payments to encourage employers to take on older workers, which is a good start in addressing ageism in the workplace. But while this policy may result in some people getting a job, what happens after six months has elapsed and the older person suddenly finds themselves kicked out of their job after a ‘restructure’?”

Commitment: Paid parental leave levy on business with revenue greater than $5 million

Peter Anderson, chief executive of Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry:

“ACCI remains opposed to the Coalition’s proposal to fund its generous paid parental leave scheme by a higher tax on large companies. Although the Coalition has said that its paid parental leave levy is temporary, it’s still not the way to fund community-wide social policy.”

Commitment: $62 million funding for regional tourism and tourism infrastructure

Matt Hingerty, managing director of Australian Tourism Export Council:

“Many tourism operators, including some of our members, have struggled since the GFC wreaked havoc on our source markets. We need to invest in our tourism offerings and destinations to help them adapt to changing market realities and demographic shifts in our tourist visitor profile. This Coalition tourism policy will help the tourism industry innovate and revitalise the industry, allowing Australia to stay at the head of the field as the world’s most aspirational destination.”

Commitment: $935 million in funding for aged-care

Campaign for Care of Older Australians, the peak bodies and national service providers of aged-care services:

“The Coalition’s commitment to restore the 1.75 per cent care subsidy (CAP) for residential care is particularly significant. Aged care providers have urged the restoration of this subsidy and its extension to community care — following its removal by the Government — to ensure that quality services can be maintained. This is an important inquiry and it’s good to see that Mr Abbott has committed to support it. The $335 million incentive for providers to convert bed licences to operational places will be a boost especially in areas with existing bed shortages, provided local governments support their development. We await the Government’s announcement of its intentions for caring for older Australians.”

Read the full comments from stakeholders on our Policy Watch website