Continued the debate
Howarth stated that the coalition supported the bills to maintain essential services but criticised the government for economic mismanagement that had increased the cost of living. Howarth argued that additional spending had fuelled inflation and that energy bills had gone up by an average of $1,000 for each household, contrary to earlier promises. Howarth claimed that productivity had fallen and that living standards would not recover until 2030. Howarth also argued that policies influenced by the Greens, such as taxing wealth, would ultimately increase costs for consumers and small businesses.