Cost of Living

Webster argued that the government's economic mismanagement had caused living standards to collapse, with core inflation remaining at 3.2 per cent. Webster claimed that regional communities were being neglected in favour of city-focused policies and that the government's energy plans were significantly more expensive than the coalition's alternative. Webster stated that the government had failed to deliver on promises to reduce household energy bills by $275 by 2025.

Scrymgour highlighted the government's investment of over $7 billion in remote Aboriginal communities in her electorate, including a $4 billion housing initiative. Scrymgour argued that the coalition's focus on culture wars and cost-cutting would harm living standards in regional areas. Scrymgour emphasised the creation of 3,000 new jobs in remote communities as part of the government's strategy to improve social and economic wellbeing.

Ware stated that living standards had collapsed by 8.7 per cent, with significant increases in food, electricity, and insurance costs. Ware reported that constituents were struggling to afford basic necessities and that 27,000 small businesses had failed under the current government. Ware argued that the government had failed to rein in inflation and that mortgage holders were paying an additional $50,000 in interest.

Garland argued that the government had overseen the creation of 1.1 million new jobs and that real wages were growing for four consecutive quarters. Garland highlighted cost-of-living relief measures, including tax cuts, energy bill relief, and free TAFE, as evidence of the government's commitment to helping households. Garland warned that a coalition government would risk cutting essential services such as Medicare and urgent care clinics.

Wolahan cited specific price increases for essentials such as milk, bread, and eggs, arguing that families were worse off than when the government took office. Wolahan claimed that the government's spending had led to higher inflation and interest rates, resulting in 27,000 business insolvencies. Wolahan compared the federal government's performance unfavourably to the Labor government in Victoria, citing high debt and social issues.

Burnell stated that the government had lowered debt by $177 billion and delivered back-to-back budget surpluses, contrasting this with the previous government's record. Burnell highlighted tax cuts that put an average of $1,217 into the pockets of taxpayers in his community. Burnell argued that the opposition's proposed tax breaks for business owners were a distraction from the need to support everyday Australians with housing and cost-of-living relief.

Violi argued that the government was relying on spin rather than addressing the core causes of inflation, which reached 7.8 per cent under their watch. Violi claimed that the mandatory food and grocery code would not lower consumer prices and that the government had cut Medicare-funded mental health sessions. Violi stated that power prices had risen by over $1,000 despite government subsidies, and that the Prime Minister had failed to apologise for broken promises on energy bills.

Belyea highlighted the government's tax cuts, energy bill relief, and cheaper child care policies as effective measures to ease cost-of-living pressures. Belyea noted that PBS co-payments were frozen and that cheaper medicines had saved residents in her electorate over $2.2 million. Belyea argued that the opposition's lack of policy offerings and focus on spending cuts would push wages down and increase electricity prices.