Wendy Askew (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Canavan, I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Economics References Committee for inquiry and report by 24 November 2026:

The reasons behind the latest unprecedented cost blowouts in the Government's budget and its impact on inflation and interest rates, with particular reference to:

(a) the impacts of government budget blowouts on increasing inflation rates;

(b) the influence of high government spending and elevated inflation rates on the standard of living of Australians, including on:

(i) the affordability of housing,

(ii) the effective delivery of government services, and

(iii) the quality of public infrastructure, including roads and public transport;

(c) the extent that high government spending is increasing government debt;

(d) the factors that led to the largest budget blowout on record;

(e) the pressure that increasing inflation rates is putting on state government budgets;

(f) the influence that deteriorating economic conditions is having on the wellbeing of Australians; and

(g) any other related matters.

Question agreed to.