Cost of Living

Ware argued that the government has failed to manage the economy, citing high inflation and increased costs for groceries, insurance, and mortgages. Ware questioned the effectiveness of fee-free TAFE, noting low completion rates, and criticised the lack of support for private vocational training. Ware also highlighted the closure of GP clinics and the absence of pelvic pain and menopause clinics in her electorate, despite government announcements.

Repacholi defended the government's record, stating that cost-of-living measures such as Medicare urgent care clinics, energy bill relief, and cheaper medicines have provided real savings for families. Repacholi accused the opposition of voting against all relief measures and lacking a credible plan, pointing to their history of driving up power prices and cutting health funding. Repacholi emphasised that the government is focused on easing pressures while the opposition offers only vague promises of cuts.

Van Manen presented data showing significant increases in health, education, food, housing, and electricity costs under the government. Manen argued that childcare fees have risen due to bureaucratic red tape associated with new subsidy provisions, despite wage increases for staff. Van Manen also noted a decline in bulk-billing rates in his electorate and attributed rising rents to increased mortgage costs for investors, concluding that the government's policies are failing families.

Ryan highlighted the government's achievement of a 'soft landing' with low unemployment and falling inflation, contrasting this with the opposition's opposition to tax cuts and cost-of-living relief. Ryan criticised the opposition's lack of policy detail, particularly regarding $350 billion in cuts and $600 billion in nuclear power funding. Ryan warned that the opposition has a history of cutting health and education funding, as seen in the 2014 budget, and urged voters to reject their plans.

Birrell argued that the cost-of-living crisis is worsening due to government failure on energy, mortgages, and food. Birrell disputed the government's claim of reduced electricity prices, citing independent analysis that questioned the modelling behind the promise. Birrell attributed high inflation to excessive government spending and a lack of focus on productivity, warning that policies affecting agriculture would lead to higher food prices and reduced supply.

Fernando accused the opposition of distracting from the cost of living with culture wars and opposing relief measures. Fernando detailed the government's achievements, including job creation, wage increases, and targeted relief for families, contrasting this with the opposition's focus on tax cuts for the wealthy. Fernando argued that the government is rebuilding essential services and delivering tangible benefits to communities, while the opposition offers no credible alternative.

Kennedy argued that the government has failed Middle Australia, citing significant increases in mortgage costs, grocery prices, and electricity bills. Kennedy highlighted high levels of financial stress in his electorate and noted that Australia has experienced a per capita recession, with disposable income falling. Kennedy attributed these issues to excessive government spending and warned that living standards would not recover until 2030 under current policies.

Byrnes defended the government's investment in healthcare, citing increased bulk-billing rates and savings from cheaper medicines in her electorate. Byrnes highlighted new funding for public hospitals and Medicare urgent care clinics, contrasting this with the opposition's history of cutting health funding. Byrnes also detailed tax cuts, wage increases, and support for students through fee-free TAFE and HECS reforms, arguing that the government is actively addressing cost-of-living pressures.