Angie Bell (Moncrieff, Liberal National Party, Shadow Minister for Youth) | Link to this | Hansard source

Twice the Prime Minister was directly asked whether he could guarantee that house prices wouldn't tank as a result of his government's housing policies; twice he refused to answer. Australians are entitled to ask why, for it was he who only months ago encouraged thousands of young Australians to enter the market with historically large mortgages. People did what the government told them: bought in, stretched themselves, got a foothold. Now they're exposed to the real risk of negative equity if prices fall further. So my questions are simple: Will the Prime Minister apologise to those Australians who followed government signals in good faith and now carry that risk? Can he guarantee his treasurer's reckless spending won't continue fuelling inflation, pushing interest rates higher again and putting these homes at risk?

At the same time, the government's own budget papers show rents are set to rise. Do those opposite realise that cheaper house prices mean nothing when the cost of living makes it impossible to save for a deposit? We already see young Australians locked out of independence, forced to live at home longer as rental stress worsens. Australians deserve honesty from this government, not spin.