House debates Statements by Members

Economy

Monday, 14 September 2026 House of Representatives

Kevin Hogan

Kevin Hogan Page, National Party, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House

1:54 pm

I want to read out a few quotes to you that I think are quite pertinent quotes about where Australia is right now. The first quote I want to read to you is:

Something is wrong with this place …

He's talking about Australia. The next quote is:

You had the treasurer say workers should be happy because their wage share is increasing, but their real wages are falling.

The same person goes on:

Real wages have fallen by 5 per cent [since 2021, according to the OECD]. Real wages are not improving in any significant way—they're falling.

This same person goes on:

It's just ridiculous and people get offended by it. They can't pay the bills …

The same luminary goes on:

The PM is telling the country with glee that the price of property is falling, yet the unaffordability rate is increasing.

How? Work that out. The person finishes with this:

Don't insult me: that's what they are saying. Build more housing …

Who is saying this? The person that is saying this is Labor luminary Bill Kelty, a good friend of Paul Keating. He is saying that he's worked out that this Treasurer and this Labor government are a dud. If a Labor luminary can work that out, the Australian public can work that out. (Time expired)