Julian Leeser (Berowra, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Hansard source

Under Labor, Australia has experienced the largest decline in living standards in the developed world. Insurance premiums are up 39 per cent, rent is up 22 per cent, health insurance is up 18 per cent, food costs are up 16 per cent, childcare costs are up 11½ per cent and education is up 17 per cent. Electricity costs rose 32.2 per cent in the 12 months to January. Since the Albanese Labor government was elected, inflation has almost doubled compared to what it was under the former coalition government.

Labor's cost-of-living crisis is hurting families in my community as they just try to pay for the basics. The most recent interest rate rise—Labor's 13th since being in government—is squeezing families and small businesses in the Berowra electorate. Families are now reconsidering whether they can sign their kids up for soccer or whether they can afford to run their air conditioner. Australian households are now poorer than they were when Labor came to power. Small businesses are doing it tough in Berowra. They're asking whether they can afford to keep staff employed or even stay open. In the Hornsby LGA, six local businesses went into liquidation in February alone, including a plumber, a smash repairer and a dried fruit exporter. Those small businesses employed hardworking people from my community.

What happened to Labor's promise to ease the cost of living, to cut power bills by $275? What does my community get? Not lower power bills, not cheaper food or child care—nothing. Australia needs a coalition government to restore our standard of living and improve our way of life.

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