I'd have to hear that from the AEC before I would tend to believe it. Singling out those two parties, the "ALP" and the "Coalition", is in essence, pre-empting, as well as anticipating one or the other will win. No party should get preferential treatment by the AEC in that sense IMO. It's there for all parties, independents, etc.
If the ALP and the Coalition always get the most votes, and that is the "reality", why not abandon voting and just let the ALP and the Coalition alternate every three (or four) years, to govern. That would cause a big outcry though, wouldn't it? But probably not from the rusted-on ALP and Coalition voters. I reckon the AEC is corrupt and helping to ensure the two major parties always get to rule Australia, and have tricks up their sleeve to make sure they do.
The award part of it is the money-for-votes public funding, $20,000,000 for each major party give or take with the fluctuation of vote numbers. It's another way to keep them in power, and it's more corruption from the AEC, and the ALP and Coalition who voted for public funding. I'm sure they worked it out that since minor parties don't get any where near that amount, they'll always lag behind.