Economy

Ananda-Rajah attributed current inflationary pressures to a decades-long productivity challenge that worsened during the previous Liberal-National government. Ananda-Rajah highlighted government measures including free TAFE enrolments, an $812 billion investment in Medicare, and the expansion of bulk-billing practices. Ananda-Rajah also pointed to the $43 billion housing agenda and the five per cent deposit scheme, which had been taken up by 220,000 Australians, as key components of the productivity and cost-of-living strategy.

Roberts criticised the Treasurer for claiming credit for GDP growth that Roberts argued was driven by excessive government spending and debt accumulation exceeding $1 trillion. Roberts stated that the money supply had expanded by 11 per cent in the previous year and accused the government of selling off assets, including Defence Force property, to fund subsidies. Roberts proposed shrinking the size of government by $90 billion to reverse deficits and stop inflation, arguing that current policies were leading to higher taxes and reduced spending power for households.

Chandler argued that the government had no plan to repay its trillion-dollar debt, with public demand reaching a record 29 per cent of the economy. Chandler cited national accounts data showing the household saving ratio had risen to 6.9 per cent, indicating fragile consumer confidence amidst rising mortgage and insurance costs. Chandler contended that government rebates on energy bills masked underlying structural cost issues and that weak productivity growth prevented wages from sustainably outpacing inflation.

Payman stated that the cost of living and housing remained the primary concerns for constituents in Western Australia, despite the government's majority. Payman argued that the government had failed to implement progressive reforms to ease pressures on groceries, power bills, and transport. Payman referenced calls from the Australian Council of Trade Unions to levy a 25 per cent tax on gas exports as an example of action the government had not taken to address these issues.

Mulholland criticised the opposition for opposing tax cuts and wage increases delivered by the government, including a 3.5 per cent rise for award-wage workers and pay rises for aged-care and early education staff. Mulholland highlighted the uptake of home battery rebates and the expansion of the five per cent deposit scheme to 250,000 Australians. Mulholland argued that the opposition’s economic policies were incoherent and that their opposition to housing and tax measures disadvantaged ordinary Australians.

Bragg argued that the government’s fiscal position was unsustainable, citing a $36 billion deficit and cumulative deficits of $143 billion towards $1 trillion in debt. Bragg claimed that public sector spending accounted for 38 per cent of economic growth, driving inflation and higher interest rates that penalised homeowners with high loan-to-value ratios. Bragg criticised housing policies, stating that construction had fallen from 200,000 to 170,000 homes annually despite $80 billion in spending, and labelled the five per cent deposit scheme as a gimmick that inflated prices.