Shadow Portfolio — 29 May 2026

Julian Leeser used two House interventions on 28 May to pursue distinct but thematically linked lines of attack against the government — one on Labor's tax agenda and one on its handling of the Iranian diplomatic presence in Australia — each framed as a failure to protect ordinary Australians.

In the procedural segment, Leeser declared, "Labor is pushing tax hikes on millions of Australians, and we will oppose them" [TA-260528-house-f5e69c44cc32:s047], anchoring his attack in constituency data: a survey of nearly 2,000 Berowra residents, the majority of whom said Labor's tax changes would reduce investment, savings and home ownership [TA-260528-house-f5e69c44cc32:s047].

He quantified the housing consequence at 35,000 fewer homes built, a figure he attributed to Labor's proposals. The regulatory critique was equally pointed — he argued the measures add massive complexity, create a windfall for accountants and lawyers, and place a disproportionate burden on small businesses, a claim he sharpened by noting Berowra holds the third-highest negative gearing rate in the country.

The opposition's stated alternative is repeal of Labor's tax proposals combined with larger income tax cuts for all earners.

In the adjournment debate, Leeser shifted to foreign affairs and national security, reporting that Persian Australians had gathered on the parliamentary lawns to demand government action on Iran-related threats [TA-260528-house-f5e69c44cc32:s110]. The specific concern he elevated was the Iranian embassy's use of its official Telegram channel to promote Janfada.net — a site he described as an IRGC-run recruitment platform targeting Australians as young as 12.

Community representatives, he said, have asked the government to direct ASIO and the AFP to investigate the platform and protect at-risk Iranian Australians. Leeser positioned himself as ahead of the government on this file, recalling that he called for the expulsion of the Iranian ambassador and IRGC proscription as a terrorist organisation before the government acted — a claim he tied to his former role as shadow attorney-general.

He criticised Labor figures for meeting Iran's ambassador and argued Iran should hold no diplomatic seat in Australia. He also proposed inviting Reza Pahlavi to Australia to advance the case for a free, secular Iran.

The two interventions cohere as a single strategic message: that the government is slow, permissive, and harmful — whether toward taxpayers and property owners through its tax agenda, or toward diaspora communities facing foreign interference through its diplomatic posture. The housing thread connecting the tax segment (35,000 fewer homes) and the community safety thread in the adjournment (Iranian Australians facing intimidation) both position Leeser as the defender of constituents the government is failing to protect.