General Debate
House of Representatives · Monday 14 September 2026
Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia
The debate centred on a motion moved by the Coalition outlining an economic plan focused on tax cuts, energy affordability, and housing supply. Coalition members argued that the government had failed to manage the economy, citing high debt, inflation, and rising energy costs, while proposing a sovereign wealth fund and linking migration to housing capacity. Labor members rejected the motion, asserting that the Coalition had voted against previous tax cuts and that their energy policies were ideologically driven and expensive. Labor highlighted its own record on tax relief, wage increases, and housing investment as superior to the Coalition's proposals.
The motion was debated as part of private members' business; no vote result was recorded in the provided transcript.
Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.
Opened the debate
Wallace argued that living standards had declined sharply under the current government, with many Australians working multiple jobs to cope with rising costs. Wallace cited 15 interest rate rises and a housing market characterised by rising rents and falling prices. Wallace stated that the Coalition intended to restore economic confidence by cutting red tape and ensuring clean, affordable energy.
Opposition response
Kennedy supported the motion, arguing that the government's model of high spending and regulation failed to leave money in the pockets of workers. Kennedy proposed a lifetime tax cut and a sovereign wealth fund to manage resource windfalls for future generations. Kennedy also advocated linking migration levels to housing capacity and creating a $5 billion fund for housing infrastructure to enable the delivery of 400,000 homes.
Holzberger criticised the motion as lacking substance, noting the Coalition's past record of building few public housing dwellings and proposing expensive nuclear energy. Holzberger argued that the government had successfully backed pay rises, increasing the minimum wage by more than $12,000 per year for lowest-paid workers, and was strengthening the superannuation system.
McCormack argued that real wages were falling and prices were rising, citing criticism from former union leader Bill Kelty. McCormack contended that government purchases of water from the Murray-Darling system reduced local food production and increased reliance on imports, thereby driving up grocery prices.
Comer stated that the Coalition's plan consisted of slogans rather than serious policy, highlighting that they had voted against previous tax cuts. Comer detailed government measures including the Working Australians tax offset, Medicare urgent care clinics, and $25 scripts, arguing these provided real relief for working families.
Moncrieff dismissed the Coalition's plan as a lacklustre pamphlet without substance, pointing out their opposition to tax cuts and renewable energy rollout. Moncrieff argued that the government's housing policies would help 75,000 young Australians enter the market, whereas the Coalition's approach would benefit investors.
Pasin argued that electricity bills had increased by approximately 40 per cent under the government, harming farmers and small businesses. Pasin advocated for an energy mix including coal, gas, and nuclear power, and criticised net zero policies for incentivising the sale of productive agricultural land for carbon projects.
Campbell argued that the Coalition's nuclear energy proposals were too expensive and slow to implement, leaving constituents without affordable power. Campbell highlighted that the government had turned around an inherited trillion-dollar debt and strengthened the budget by nearly $45 billion compared to the mid-year update.
Venning claimed the government had squandered commodity windfalls, leading to high inflation and a growing public service. Venning cited job losses in energy-intensive industries like steel and smelting, arguing that cheap, reliable power was essential for competitiveness and that migration should be linked to housing construction.