Tim Wilson (Goldstein, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

I don't think there has ever been a time where Australians are more mindful and nervous about their future. But don't worry, the Treasurer is on his way to save us. He has turned the inflation corner almost like it is a magical trick Australians have now had 13 interest rate rises and the average Australian mortgage holder is spending $23,000 a year more on interest. But don't worry, it's all under control. We've turned the corner and now revealed we have, potentially, an interest rate rise in March as well as in May. Australians were told that this was not going to be the case, but now they know the truth. Worse than that, they're having to live the consequences of the Albanese government.

This government keeps pouring debt petrol on the inflation fire. There's plenty of petrol around for the inflation fire, just not for motorists or farmers. Instead of restraining spending and taking pressure off inflation, he keeps fuelling the very problem that's pushing up interest rates and making sure Australians pay more. While Australians are paying the price for this inflation fire, what are they getting in return apart from platitudes, empty rhetoric, obfuscation and an absence of responsibility? Australians deserve better. They deserve a government that is going to deliver economic management to build the future of the country while taming inflation so that Australians can get ahead, not go backwards.

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