Melissa Price (Durack, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Young Australians are sick of being told this is a budget for them, because they know it is not. This budget is not about helping young Australians get ahead. It is about making life harder for them. For generations, Australians were told: work hard, buy a home, invest wisely, build a future. The Prime Minister had the opportunity in his 20s to buy a home, invest and build wealth. Why would this government deny future Australians the same chance? Labor's own budget papers admit their changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing will mean fewer homes available and higher rents, making the dream of home ownership even harder to reach.

Young Australians trying to build a deposit through investing are also being punished. Nearly half of investors on CommSec are under 40. Young Australians are taking risks, building portfolios and trying to get ahead, yet Labor wants to tax them hard. What message does this send to the next generation of entrepreneurs? Why would a young Australian start a business when government acts like a 47 per cent silent partner from day one? What Labor is saying to young Australians is this: Labor doesn't want you to be ambitious. Labor doesn't want you to invest in your future. Labor says you should expect less. Well, you know what? I'm not having it, and neither is the coalition. We will get rid of these toxic taxes at the first opportunity.

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