Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Australians are hurting. After nearly four years of the Albanese government, Australians are worse off, and they believe the country is heading in the wrong direction. People are frustrated and angry because the price of everything is skyrocketing and they've been left behind by a prime minister who promised to govern for all Australians.

Australians are working this mob out. They see the arrogance. They see the hubris. They see the refusal to answer any questions at the dispatch box. Australians know they were lied to by the Labor Party. They were promised a $275 reduction in the cost of their energy bills by 2025, and it simply hasn't happened. It was a big fat Labor lie to get elected. Life keeps getting harder under the Labor Party, and last week mortgage holders copped another interest rate rise. The average mortgage holder in Australia today is more than $25,000 per year worse off, with extra interest payments, since the Labor Party came to power in 2022.

After nearly four years of the Albanese government, we are paying more for everything: insurance is up 39 per cent, energy is up 38 per cent, health is up 18 per cent and food is up 16 per cent, and now we have the fuel crisis. Australians are hurting. After four years of the Albanese government, Australians are worse off and the country is heading in the wrong direction. Only the coalition will restore Australia's standard of living.

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