Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak for the families in my electorate of Capricornia who are looking at the calendar this month with a sense of dread rather than excitement. Easter should be a time for families to come together to enjoy a well-earned break and to share in the simple traditions that make our community strong. But for far too long, for many people in Central Queensland the reality of this economy has been biting hard. The simple truth is that Australians are struggling to afford Easter this year under this Labor government. Whether it is the price of seafood for a family meal on Good Friday, the cost of fuel to drive to see the grandkids or even the basic cost of chocolate eggs for the kids, the soaring cost of living is stripping the joy out of the holiday season. In towns like Rockhampton, Clermont and Sarina, I'm hearing from parents who are having to make heartbreaking choices. They aren't choosing between different luxuries; they are choosing between paying their electricity bill and providing a traditional Easter celebration for their children.

Under this Prime Minister, the promises of relief have turned out to be nothing more than empty words. It is simply not good enough. This government is completely out of touch with the financial pain being felt in the regions. Our families deserve better than a government that stands by while Australians struggle to afford Easter. It is time this Labor government stopped the spin and started delivering real economic solutions for the people of Capricornia and the rest of the country.

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