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Joyce criticised the budget for punishing prudent investors and rewarding spendthrift behaviour, arguing it lacked understanding of basic business principles. Joyce claimed the government was increasing taxes to cover previous spending and failing to invest in productive assets like dams and freight rail. Joyce warned that changes to negative gearing would increase rents and hurt renters, citing falling clearance rates as evidence of market distortion. Joyce also highlighted negative impacts on regional properties with blocks larger than two hectares and criticised the shift from Inland Rail to high-speed passenger rail projects.
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Mascarenhas defended the budget as a choice to prioritise first home buyers over investors, noting that house prices have risen 400 per cent since 1999. Mascarenhas highlighted the Housing Australia Future Fund delivering social and affordable homes, including 524 in her electorate, and $2 billion for enabling infrastructure to unlock 65,000 homes. Mascarenhas argued that capital gains tax concessions disproportionately benefit the top 10 per cent of earners and that reforms would make the system fairer. Mascarenhas also detailed investments in Medicare urgent care clinics, cheaper medicines, and child support reforms to combat financial abuse.
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Webster argued the budget broke election promises regarding tax settings and would push older Australians into the public health system by reducing private health insurance rebates. Webster claimed regional communities were being left behind with cuts to Inland Rail and local infrastructure funding, while funds were diverted to urban projects. Webster highlighted concerns about new taxes on discretionary testamentary trusts, describing them as a death tax affecting small businesses and farmers. Webster stated the coalition would repeal these tax measures and abandon net zero policies if elected.
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Byrnes described the budget as bold and fair, addressing long-overdue tax reform to rebalance the system for younger generations. Byrnes explained that the capital gains tax changes would tax real gains rather than inflation, with a 30 per cent minimum rate, while exempting pensioners and family homes. Byrnes highlighted business support measures, including a permanent $20,000 instant asset write-off and loss refundability for startups. Byrnes also noted significant investments in aged care beds, Medicare urgent care clinics, and digital ID to reduce regulatory costs.
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Small shared the story of a local business owner to illustrate the negative impact of the budget on aspiration and small businesses. Small argued the government had betrayed election promises not to change tax settings, particularly regarding trusts and capital gains. Small claimed the reforms would anger and frustrate business owners who had played by the rules and paid significant taxes. Small stated the coalition would vote against the bills, characterising the budget as a raid on pockets driven by government overspending.
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Elliot supported the budget for delivering cost-of-living relief, strengthening Medicare, and reforming housing affordability. Elliot detailed tax cuts for workers, including the $250 offset and $1,000 instant deduction, and explained that negative gearing would remain unchanged for existing investments. Elliot highlighted investments in fuel security, domestic gas reservation, and aged care, including $3 billion for more beds and packages. Elliot argued the reforms would help 75,000 Australians enter the housing market and boost supply by 30,000 homes over a decade.
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Hamilton criticised the cancellation of the Inland Rail extension to Toowoomba, citing lost private investment. Hamilton argued the budget was the highest taxing and spending in decades, leading to persistent inflation. Hamilton supported NDIS reforms but claimed the tax changes would reduce housing supply by 35,000 homes, worsening affordability for young people.
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Boele condemned the lack of a 25 per cent levy on gas exports, calculating an annual revenue shortfall of $17 billion. Boele maintained that this lost chance blocked financing for public services such as healthcare and education. Boele asserted the government disregarded public agreement on equitable resource returns and weakened its own cost-of-living strategy.
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Claydon highlighted investments in Medicare, including new bulk-billing clinics and urgent care centres. Claydon noted reductions in prescription costs and significant funding for women's health and mental health services. Claydon argued the budget addressed housing affordability through supply boosts and tax reforms, while also lowering energy bills via renewable energy initiatives.
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Penfold argued the budget neglected regional Australia, citing cuts to telecommunications, water security, and road infrastructure. Penfold claimed tax changes on private health insurance and trusts would punish older Australians and small business owners. Penfold stated the government broke election promises, damaging trust in democratic institutions and forcing some businesses to close or relocate.
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Mitchell defended the budget as fair, contrasting it with previous government failures in infrastructure delivery. Mitchell highlighted local road projects in his electorate and tax relief for workers. Mitchell argued the tax reforms narrowed the gap between income from work and investment, helping first-home buyers enter the market.
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Husic defended the budget's tax changes, arguing they assist first home buyers by limiting negative gearing to new builds. Husic criticised opposition rhetoric as misleading and divisive, asserting that the budget reflects values of fairness and supports housing supply. Husic also highlighted investments in Medicare, tax cuts for workers, and the need for better returns from natural resources.
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Haines welcomed the reversal of aged care co-payments and funding for the NDIS but criticised the lack of new spending for regional Australia. Haines urged the government to consult thoroughly on tax reforms to avoid unintended consequences for small businesses and farmers. Haines highlighted significant gaps in funding for regional health infrastructure, telecommunications, and early education wages.
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Payne outlined the budget's benefits for Canberra, including tax cuts, housing support, and investments in national institutions and health services. Payne emphasised the government's commitment to gender equality, child support reforms, and clean energy transition. Payne noted improvements in bulk-billing rates and the installation of home batteries as evidence of practical relief for households.
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Rebello argued the budget failed to address economic instability, defence readiness, and social cohesion. Rebello claimed tax changes on capital gains and trusts would punish aspiration and drive business offshore. Rebello advocated for increased defence spending to three per cent of GDP and criticised migration levels as outpacing housing and infrastructure supply.
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Coker described the budget as a plan to level the playing field through tax reform and investment in housing and health. Coker explained that limiting negative gearing to new builds would help increase housing supply and assist first home buyers. Coker highlighted permanent tax offsets, fuel relief, and investments in Medicare and clean energy as key benefits for her electorate.
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Batt criticised the budget for neglecting regional infrastructure and imposing 'toxic taxes' on agriculture and small business. Batt highlighted cuts to tourism funding, road infrastructure, and agricultural grants, arguing these would harm regional communities. Batt promoted the Coalition's alternative plans for tax-back guarantees, migration caps linked to housing, and increased defence spending.
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Abdo framed the budget as a significant reform to restore fairness and reward work over wealth accumulation. Abdo detailed tax cuts for workers and support for small businesses, including permanent instant asset write-offs. Abdo criticised the opposition for defending the status quo and highlighted investments in health care, fuel security, and housing affordability.