MATTERS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE

Ms PRICE (Durack) (16:00): Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for the call. I do rise to speak on the MPI moved by the shadow treasurer today. This certainly is a matter of public importance to all Australians.

Since the Albanese government came to power, four long years ago, Australia's economy has gone backwards. And let me tell you: everyday Australians have been the ones feeling the brunt of this. Living standards have fallen, energy prices are rising, inflation is out of control and interest rates continue to rise—all of this because of Labor Party policies.

The simple fact is: Labor does not care for Australians. They can try and spin it as much as they like, and promise the world to all of us—all Australians. But the fact is that they simply do not care.

Labor's inflation is like that thief in the night, stealing from Australians. It's impossible for them to escape it, whether it's at the supermarket, or in their mortgage, or in their tax bill through bracket creep. And does the government want to do anything about it?

Well, no—no, the government does not, because, when Labor runs out of money, we know—the choir sings—they come after yours. On this side of the House, we want Australians to keep more of what they earn—a very simple proposition. This will be done through our tax back guarantee.

Income tax thresholds will be indexed to inflation, ensuring Australians are not taxed more just because of price rises. Now this is proper generational and right tax reform: automatic tax cuts, that get bigger every year, to help with the cost of living. So what are we talking about?

For a typical worker it's a tax cut of $250 in the first year, $500 in the second, $750 in the third and $1,000 in the fourth, protecting all taxpayers by 2031-32. The Albanese government's tax cuts? Well, they'll be wiped out by Christmas, because of their active inflation agenda.

The coalition has always been the party of lower taxes, less red tape and, quite frankly, just better economic management. We have a clear plan to fund this tax back guarantee: ending Labor's corporate welfare, ending Labor's climate and housing bureaucracy and limiting future access to welfare and the NDIS to Australian citizens. Prime Minister, you cannot ignore what Australians are saying.

Your budget—well, it's a shambles. And young Australians? They hate it.

You don't understand them. They are ambitious. And they will punish you.

Don't just go about putting up TikTok posts, talking them down and telling them what to think and what to feel—that's not going to save you from the wrath of young entrepreneurs, investors and workers, because they know their own mind and they know what they're seeing over there. They know exactly what they're seeing. But it's not just young people.

Senior Australians hate it as well. Maybe that's because, for their private health cover, the tax rebate will be decreased, and they know the only reason Labor is doing that is because Labor has made an assessment: 'Oh, you know what? Those people over 65—they're not going to be around long.

But, by the way, they don't vote for us anyway.' It is very, very cynical. And guess what? Older Australians, senior Australians, have seen right through the Labor government.

We know that small business owners are fearing for their future. Regional Western Australians feel attacked—just think about our farmers. And no-one is buying the spin that you are putting out there.

So it is all a shambles. People can see it for what it is: a shameless tax grab, with no return for everyday Australians. Labor, through their broken-promise taxes on housing, small business and savings, will raise a whopping $80 billion more in taxes.

Just think of that: $80 billion more, from Australians. Why does Labor need so much tax? Why do they need to tax Australians so much?

It's because they can't control their spending and they think they can win votes by spending in certain places. It is incredibly cynical. And the Prime Minister, he wants to keep himself in the Lodge.

We know that's just shameless. If the Prime Minister is serious about making life better for Australians, he should instead be focusing on repealing his toxic taxes, repealing his changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax, and ending his death tax. The Prime Minister should be backing small business by making the $50,000 instant asset write-off permanent for any small business with a turnover of less than $10 million.

The coalition will back us everyday Australians every day. We know what Labor does.