Opened the debate
Pat Conaghan (Cowper) (National Party)
Nationals
Conaghan argued that living standards had fallen significantly over the previous four years, citing specific percentage increases in costs for insurance, energy, rent, health, education, and food. Conaghan claimed that government spending had reached its highest non-recession level in four decades, with debt servicing costing taxpayers substantial amounts. Conaghan stated that fuel shortages were already occurring in regional electorates such as Cowper, contradicting ministerial assurances of thirty-two days of security. Conaghan urged the government to acknowledge economic difficulties and provide immediate support to the agricultural sector.