Parliament

Opened the debate

Rennick argued that the major parties lacked the courage to address the cost of living, energy, housing, and immigration crises, preferring instead to engage in partisan attacks. Rennick criticised recent legislation on free speech and terrorism symbols as censorship and opposed the creation of new bureaucratic agencies, such as those proposed in nature-positive bills. Rennick advocated for structural reforms including repealing certain immigration laws from the 1980s, reducing federal bureaucracy, and reforming monetary policy by ending Reserve Bank of Australia independence. Rennick also called for changes to parliamentary standing orders to allow more time for government business and argued that infrastructure investment, rather than interest rate adjustments, was needed to address supply-side issues.

Government response

Ayres defended the government's economic management, stating that inflation had fallen significantly from previous highs and that real wages were rising. Ayres attributed the previous economic difficulties to a trillion dollars in debt and low productivity growth under the former Coalition government, particularly citing failures in energy policy and veterans' services. Ayres argued that the Opposition's plan involved cutting public services and creating unemployment, similar to previous Coalition budgets. Ayres highlighted the government's achievement of the lowest average unemployment rate in 50 years and the creation of 1.1 million new jobs.

Opposition response

Kovacic argued that the Coalition had serious plans to address the crises, contrasting them with the government's lack of solutions. Kovacic outlined proposals to be technologically agnostic in energy policy, restore the Australian Building and Construction Commission, and allow individuals to access superannuation for home purchases. Kovacic proposed reducing permanent migration by 25 per cent and limiting international student numbers to ease housing pressure. Kovacic also pledged to rein in government spending, lower personal income taxes, and reduce inflation, which she claimed was driven by excessive government expenditure.