Opened the debate
Whitten argued that the Prime Minister had broken previous promises by making deals with the Australian Greens. Whitten contended that the government's acceptance of Greens' policies on capital gains tax, negative gearing, and family trusts demonstrated a lack of economic understanding and would negatively impact national ambition and ingenuity. Whitten asserted that the Greens were driving an agenda that increased power prices, raised rents, and maintained high immigration levels, while also delaying necessary reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Whitten characterised the government's actions as a betrayal of the working class and a departure from moral fortitude.