Melissa McIntosh (Lindsay, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

Today Australians are facing a cost-of-living crisis that is squeezing families, driving small businesses to the brink and undermining confidence in our economy. Last week mortgage holders felt the pain as interest rates were lifted for the 13th time since the Albanese Labor government took office. For many Australians, including in my electorate of Lindsay, this is no abstract economic number; it is severe hardship. My constituents have consistently been contacting me with stories of how hard they are doing it. Michelle from Glenmore Park put it plainly: 'Both my husband and I work full time, and we still somehow will need to find the extra money. Likely this means we'll miss out. It's stressful. It's just another hit to our budget. Many Aussies are already struggling day to day; this is one more struggle to endure.'

Brett, from Penrith, says it simply: 'There is no money left after the mortgage, bills and groceries are paid for.' Maree sums up the sentiment of so many across south Penrith: 'Cost of living is hitting the roof.' And Rozlane from Cambridge Park lays out the bare crush of rising costs: 'Grocery costs have doubled and utility costs are ridiculous. In addition to the mortgage being double due to interest rates, private health is also ridiculous.' These are not isolated voices. These are hardworking Australians who are feeling the overwhelming impact of rising prices, rising rates and stagnant wage growth.

Small businesses are not immune. Record levels of small business insolvencies are being reported, with thousands folding—not because of global forces beyond our control, but because persistent inflation and higher costs have made it impossible for them to continue. In New South Wales alone, the 2024-25 financial year shows a record 7,643 businesses were forced into insolvency, marking a 26.2 per cent increase in just one year. In the 12 months to December 2025, more than 6,200 New South Wales based businesses entered insolvencies. These closures have resulted in job losses, high levels of stress and anxiety, and residents lining up in record numbers at food banks, including in my electorate. We see it every single day. And what is the Albanese Labor government doing? The response has been to spend, spend and spend some more, fuelling inflationary pressure rather than tackling it, pushing more money into the economy without addressing the root cause of price increases.

Australians did not vote for repeated economic pain. They want real leadership, targeted relief on essentials, genuine support for small businesses and a plan to bring skyrocketing inflation down without wrecking household budgets. This cost-of-living crisis demands more than spin; it demands real answers, and the Albanese Labor government have shown time and time again they just don't have any.

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