Leon Rebello
McPherson · Liberal National Party · Australia
“But it's becoming really frightening when there is nowhere else to go if i can no longer afford rent and health care too. Another person said: As a still working, self funded semi retiree (73years) old, I feel disillusioned and disgusted by our current govt, who seem to be hell bent on removing any incentive to be a self sufficient, hard…”
“I'm going to read out some of the comments that ordinary Australians in the 65-plus category have sent to me and give them a voice in this place, because those on the opposite side of this parliament are prepared to go against them. I quote one person: 'That's a joke, Leon. We currently struggle to maintain existing low cover.”
“A lot of them are hanging on by the skin of their teeth financially, when they need their insurance the most and after paying premiums for years with minimal claims. Labour will pay the price if they mess with older Australians … Another person said: So this is over $1200 for the two of us.”
“We received over 2,000 responses to those surveys, and most of the responses focused on the fact that these are older Australians who have worked for this country, who have done the right thing for so many years, and now they're finding themselves in a really difficult spot as a result of this government's characterisation of them.”
“And I say to those opposite, the ones who have contributed to this debate and those who are sitting in the chamber today or watching, you should really look at yourself and look at the content of what we're saying, because this is about your parents, it's about your grandparents and it's about people that you represent, or are supposed to…”
“I commend my friend and colleague the member for Gippsland for moving this motion in relation to the government's failure to govern for older Australians. I am livid.”
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“Increasingly what we're seeing is that it's not because people are doing the wrong thing. It's not because they're not working hard. It's because we've got a government that is not translating their hard work into results and rewards. Australians are working hard. They're working harder than they've ever had to work, but they're going backwards. Now, that is a serious problem and a serious economic issue that this country is facing. We're seeing families who are paying more for groceries, more for rent, more for their electricity bills and more for their fuel. That sounds a bit odd when considering that, a couple of years ago, we had a prime minister and a Treasurer who went out to the Australian people and campaigned time and time again that life would be easy and it would be easier under their government.”
“This motion goes to one notion that is really effective in politics at the moment but also really destructive. It goes to the concept of trust. It goes to the concept of this government having repeatedly broken promises to Australians on the cost of living, on energy prices and on housing affordability, just to name a few. This goes to the heart of the Australian democracy, because we're seeing a time where Australians are not trusting their government, and that lack of confidence in our democracy is a result of the people who sit on the frontbench and make promises that they cannot keep. Let's have a look at the track record of this Australian government. What we're seeing is that families are worse off. They've been worse off over the last 3½ years.”
“So I say to the member for Calwell, who moved this motion, that it's all well and good to come into this place and talk about the words that we think our constituents would like us to speak, but what people do want us to do—the people in the real world out there—is deliver meaningful action on managing this economy. The way that we're going to actually make Australians' lives better is by having a government that's going to take responsibility for its actions, rein in its useless and reckless government expenditure, put downward pressure on inflation and have the guts to make those tough economic decisions that this country is desperate for.”
“The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry policy chief, David Alexander, was recently asked in Canberra about the changes to the minimum wage. He said 'small businesses would bear the brunt of the wage rise.' The consequence of that is not just for small-business owners; it's also for consumers more broadly, because that is being passed on, in many instances, to customers through higher prices. What he actually said is that this is 'the Fair Work Commission embedding that increase in the minimum wage for the year… and we'll therefore put further pressure on inflation'.”
“A minimum wage increase, the likes of which we've seen, is actually not a net increase for Australians, and that is what people are feeling. That's what people are feeling on the ground. These words about the dignity of work and how the government supports that—again, it's Canberra talk. The people have sent us here to this place to come up with policies that are actually going to make their lives better, not just talk about what we'd like in an ideal world. The reality of this motion is it doesn't deliver anything sustainable for Australian employees or for Australian small-business owners. Even the Fair Work Commission acknowledged that many employees were still worse off in real terms because of inflation outpacing economic growth, or outpacing wage growth.”
“At the same time, they're also making it difficult for employers, and we're seeing the consequences of that on small business owners. It's all well and good for the government to turn around and say, 'We're supportive of this recent increase to the minimum wage by the Fair Work Commission.' But they're not talking about the other side of that story, which is the fact that the wage increase is being eaten away by this government's own actions, being eaten away by the inflation that this government has presided over. We're seeing inflation at 4.2 per cent, which is well above the target inflation rate, and we're seeing that across the economy in terms of how much Australians are paying for groceries, for electricity bills and for housing. And we're seeing an economy where inflation is now outpacing economic growth.”
“How do we grow the economy? How do we generate that wealth and that growth? That's ultimately what is going to provide for the long-term opportunities Australians need. We're seeing a government that has presided over the creation of jobs, whereby four out of five new jobs created are reliant on the public purse. That is not something that is sustainable, it's not something that this government should be proud of, and it's not something that fosters that notion of the dignity of work. The motion also goes to the government's advocacy for an economically sustainable real wage increase. Let's call it for what it is: it's an artificial increase, because there is no systemic change that the government is doing, which is to make life easier for employees.”
“The contribution of the member opposite, the member for Calwell, continuously referred to this concept of the dignity of work, and the motion itself talks about the dignity of work being a foundational value for the government. These are words, and they sound good, but Australians are sick of just words. They're looking for action and they're looking for a government that is prepared to deliver on the words, because what I'm seeing across my community on the southern Gold Coast is that Australians aren't doing well. They're struggling to get into jobs. They're struggling to maintain work that provides them with an increase in their real wages. That's because we've got a government that's not focused on the long-term economic picture, or the larger economic picture, which is: How do we support productivity in this country?”
“The petitions being presented cover a range of topics including the environment, the electorate system, PFAS exposure, support for families of missing persons and homicide victims, and self-funded retirees. Five of the petitions being presented each received more than 1,000 signatures, with one petition looking at protecting access to reasonable and necessary supports under the NDIS receiving more than 7,000 signatures. There are currently 86 e-petitions open for signatures on the House e-petitions website, covering a range of topics including the 2026-27 budget, child support, veterans' entitlements, artificial intelligence and migration. More certifications will follow at the committee's next meeting. I look forward to updating the House further on the work of the Petitions Committee.”
“The following 50 ministerial responses to petitions were received. Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 26 May 2026 From the Treasurer to a petition regarding access to cash and banking services (EN5391) From the Treasurer to a petition regarding cash payments (EN8416) From the Minister for Communications to a petition requesting review of Australia Broadcasting Corporation partnerships (EN8495) From the Minister for Home Affairs to a petition requesting investigation into the activities of certain groups and individuals (EN8523) From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting a specified group to be designated a terrorist organisation (EN8540) From the Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme to a petition regarding National Disability Insurance Scheme support needs assessments (EN8570) From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding Australia's membership of the United Nations (EN8571) From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting a national framework to criminalise coercive control against children (EN8573) From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs to a petition requesting review of amendments to veterans' legislation (EN8575) From the Minister for the Public Service to a petition requesting implementation of random drug and alcohol testing for government employees (EN8587) From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs to a petition requesting permission for veterans to record medical examinations (EN8598) From the Minister for Social Services to a petition requesting extended health care card eligibility for young people with chronic conditions (EN8602) From the Attorney-General to a petition regarding concerns about freedom of speech and privacy (EN8610) From the Minister for Health and Ageing to a petition requesting improved access and funding for endometriosis care (EN8614) From the Minister for Social Services to a petition requesting increased financial support for regional students (EN8620) From the Minister for Industry and Innovation to a petition requesting restrictions on generative artificial intelligence (EN8622) From the Minister for Health and Ageing to a petition requesting national public funding for ambulance costs (EN8658) From the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to a petition requesting national reforms to animal welfare policy (EN8660) From the Minister for Health and Ageing to a petition requesting privacy safeguards relating to the Australian Centre for Disease Control (EN8691) From the Minister for Health and Ageing to a petition requesting creation of a national regulatory framework for social work (EN8742) From the Assistant Minister for Immigration to a petition requesting prioritisation of Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (subclass 191) visa applications (EN8747) From the Assistant Minister for Immigration to a petition regarding Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (subclass 191) visa applications (EN8748) From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs to a petition requesting a non-reduction provision for compensation during legislative harmonisation (EN8762) From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs to a petition regarding dental treatment for Veteran Gold Card holders (EN8763) From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting changes to eligibility rules for elected officials (EN8797) From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting prohibition of face coverings in public places (EN8798) From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting actions relating to conduct causing serious harm (EN8820) From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting implementation of a bill of rights (EN8853 and EN8888) From the Minister for Health and Ageing to a petition requesting timely disability support and oversight mechanisms (EN8854) From the Assistant Minister for Immigration to a petition requesting expedited processing of Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) applications (EN8866) From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs to a petition requesting publication of Veterans' Review Board decisions (EN8879) From the Attorney-General to a petition regarding the Sex Discrimination Commissioner (EN8881) From the Minister for Education to a petition requesting inclusion of Auslan in school curriculums (EN8925) From the Minister for Health and Ageing to a petition requesting extension of research protections to all non-human primates (EN8985) From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting strengthened transparency requirements for foreign lobbying (EN8991) From the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to a petition regarding consideration of the Brisbane Airport draft Master Plan 2026 (EN9057) From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting revocation of a diplomatic invitation (EN9092) From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting action on human rights violations in Iran (EN9270) From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting revocation of diplomatic recognition of the Islamic Republic of Iran (EN9283) From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting engagement with an Iranian opposition figure (EN9306) From the Minister for Health and Ageing to a petition requesting review of access to subsidised breast reduction surgery (EN9344) From the Assistant Minister for Immigration to a petition regarding Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (subclass 191) visa applications (EN9363) Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 2 June 2026 From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding human rights concerns in Pakistan (EN7108) From the Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs to a petition requesting expansion of the Community Support Program (EN7767) From the Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs to a petition requesting assistance for Christian minorities in the Middle East (EN8471) From the Minister for Social Services to a petition regarding the child support system (EN8679) From the Minister for Social Services to a petition regarding the child support system (EN8752) From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting criminalisation of promotion of violent extremist ideology (EN9039) From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting protection of freedom of expression and freedom of the press (EN9309) From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting support to prohibit forced sterilisation (PN0651) Ms Jodie Belyea MP Chair—Petitions Committee I present the 11th report of the Petitions Committee for the 48th parliament together with 79 petitions and 50 ministerial responses to petitions previously presented.”
“The committee resolved to present the following 79 petitions in accordance with standing order 207: Petitions certified on 30 April 2026 From 1 petitioner—requesting funding for fusion energy projects in agriculture (EN7941) From 2 petitioners—requesting a national plan for fusion energy in water supply infrastructure (EN7942) From 1 petitioner—requesting support for fusion-based inland development (EN7943) From 3 petitioners—requesting deployment of fusion energy in regional areas (EN7944) From 1 petitioner—requesting development of inland water strategies using fusion energy (EN7945) From 18 petitioners—requesting amendments to refugee and humanitarian visa arrangements (EN9099) From 2 petitioners—requesting review of public broadcasting practices (EN9100) From 18 petitioners—requesting an increase to statutory annual leave entitlements (EN9720) From 5 petitioners—requesting extension of paid parental leave entitlements (EN9721) From 3 petitioners—requesting tax measures for stay-at-home parents (EN9722) From 1 petitioner—requesting changes to unfair dismissal laws (EN9723) From 1 petitioner—requesting establishment of a receipt lottery system (EN9724) From 9 petitioners—requesting that Australia not participate in armed conflict contrary to international law (EN9726) From 17 petitioners—requesting a royal commission into foreign interference (EN9727) From 184 petitioners—requesting actions relating to land and water management, biodiversity and resource security (EN9729) From 2 petitioners—requesting abolition of mutual obligation requirements (EN9730) From 1 petitioner—requesting investigation of fuel price increases and temporary fuel excise relief (EN9732) From 3 petitioners—requesting removal of fuel excise (EN9734) From 104 petitioners—requesting a referendum on the preferential voting system (EN9735) From 3 petitioners—requesting removal of fuel excise and fuel related duties (EN9737) From 1 petitioner—requesting fuel excise relief for transport operators (EN9738) From 206 petitioners—requesting a policy of non-engagement with individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (EN9741) From 36 petitioners—requesting establishment of publicly operated biodiesel production (EN9743) From 7 petitioners—requesting implementation of recommendations on climate information integrity (EN9744) From 29 petitioners—requesting changes to migration policy for family reunification (EN9746) From 3 petitioners—requesting reinstatement of cyclone warning systems (EN9747) From 3113 petitioners—requesting review of entry restrictions for Iranian visa holders (EN9748) From 1400 petitioners—requesting recognition of chemical exposure as a service-related condition and provision of associated support (EN9750) From 16 petitioners—requesting that Australia not participate in specified armed conflict (EN9752) From 163 petitioners—requesting extension of home battery rebates (EN9754) From 375 petitioners—requesting a motion of no confidence (EN9756) From 8 petitioners—requesting an increase to the JobSeeker Payment (EN9757) From 57 petitioners—requesting publication of Veterans' Review Board decisions (EN9758) From 4 petitioners—requesting access to superannuation (EN9761) From 10 petitioners—requesting temporary suspension of fuel excise and goods and services tax on fuel (EN9765) From 3 petitioners—requesting temporary financial relief for transport operators (EN9767) From 18 petitioners—requesting an accountability framework for Members of Parliament (EN9770) From 23 petitioners—requesting condemnation of the killing of journalists in armed conflict (EN9771) From 120 petitioners—requesting a national strategy for domestic oil and gas capability (EN9772) From 4 petitioners—requesting withdrawal from the AUKUS submarine program (EN9776) From 28 petitioners—requesting removal of identity verification requirements for social media (EN9780) From 7 petitioners—requesting a levy on corporate profits (EN9781) From 2703 petitioners—requesting national standards and support for families of missing persons and homicide victims (EN9784) From 231 petitioners—requesting a special payment to veterans (EN9786) From 12 petitioners—requesting review of visa decision making under the character test (EN9789) From 6 petitioners—requesting regulation of media reporting standards (EN9791) From 68 petitioners—requesting an inquiry into adverse experience reporting processes for veterinary medicines (EN9792) From 13 petitioners—requesting regulation of telecommunications pricing (EN9793) From 4 petitioners—requesting withdrawal of Australian military personnel (EN9794) From 10 petitioners—requesting imposition of sanctions on the United States (EN9795) From 55 petitioners—requesting investigation of vehicle component failures and compliance with consumer law (EN9796) From 2 petitioners—requesting expanded salary packaging options (EN9797) From 15 petitioners—requesting restrictions on use of a defence facility (EN9801) From 21 petitioners—requesting psychological fitness standards for public office holders (EN9806) From 13 petitioners—requesting increased transparency requirements for organisations receiving tax concessions (EN9807) From 7 petitioners—requesting support measures for the Kurdistan region (EN9808) From 31 petitioners—requesting limits on compulsory questioning powers and enhanced oversight (EN9820) From 4 petitioners—requesting changes to loan eligibility for jobseekers (EN9822) From 36 petitioners—requesting removal of compulsory questioning powers (EN9826) From 1378 petitioners—requesting concession card eligibility for self-funded retirees (EN9827) From 18 petitioners—requesting permission for Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) holders to purchase residential property (EN9828) From 80 petitioners—requesting measures addressing veteran housing and support (EN9837) From 118 petitioners—requesting a parliamentary inquiry into government performance (EN9839) From 15 petitioners—requesting changes to social security assessment of relationship status (EN9840) From 22 petitioners—requesting prohibition of animal testing (EN9841) From 22 petitioners—requesting withdrawal from the AUKUS agreement (EN9842) From 36 petitioners—requesting conditions on deployment of Australian Defence Force members (EN9844) From 5 petitioners—requesting extension of home battery rebates (EN9847) From 89 petitioners—requesting removal of certain parliamentary entitlements (EN9850) From 129 petitioners—requesting support for light rail development in Canberra (EN9851) From 52 petitioners—requesting reduced taxation for specified income groups (EN9852) From 29 petitioners—requesting creation of an app for e-petitions (EN9856) From 7 petitioners—requesting inquiry into and regulation of wagering industry practices (EN9858) From 89 petitioners—requesting standardised terminology for communications relating to taxpayer funded services (EN9859) From 71 petitioners—requesting legal or financial assistance for specified tribunal applicants (EN9860) From 56 petitioners—requesting legal or financial assistance for specified tribunal respondents (EN9863) From 7117 petitioners—requesting that changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme protect access to necessary individualised support (EN9864) From 125 petitioners—requesting a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship for long term residents (EN9866) From 55 petitioners—requesting a nationally consistent framework for family violence information sharing (EN9868) 2.”
“I present report No. 11 of the Standing Committee on Petitions. The report read as follows— HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PETITIONS COMMITTEE REPORT No. 11 Petitions a nd Ministerial Responses 22 June 2026 MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE Chair Ms Jodie Belyea MP Deputy Chair Mr Leon Rebello MP Mr Cameron Caldwell MP Ms Emma Comer MP Ms Trish Cook MP Mr Rowan Holzberger MP Mr Llew O'Brien MP Ms Tracey Roberts MP This committee is supported by staff of the Department of the House of Representatives Report summarising the petitions and ministerial responses being presented. The committee met in private session in the 48th Parliament on 30 April, 26 May and 2 June 2026. 1.”
“I met with principal Ian Johnson at Mastery Schools Coolangatta and discussed the school's unique approach to supporting students. It was encouraging to hear directly from the young people about their experiences at the school. We have some of the most dedicated surf lifesavers on the southern Gold Coast. I recently joined the members of the Palm Beach surf lifesaving club for their annual awards night and dinner. The selflessness of these volunteers was on display when they were awarded for their contributions to ensuring safety on our beaches. Across each of these visits and events, it is clear that the southern Gold Coast community punches well and truly above its weight for community spirit and for mateship.”
“I met with some impressive year 12 legal studies students at All Saints Anglican School to discuss a range of issues relevant to their studies and the work of the federal parliament. It was encouraging to see their interest and thoughtful engagement. There are some future lawyers and politicians in there, no doubt! Somerset College hosted me to deliver a class on civics, representative democracy and the roles of federal, state and local governments for the year 6 cohort. The students were switched on and full of questions, and credit to the fantastic teachers indeed. At the Industry School in Robina, I had the opportunity to meet school leaders and the new principal, play a game of multiplayer volleyball against the students and even deadlift with them at the gym.”
“It was a terrific opportunity to meet local members and join them on the green, and I learnt that I am not that bad at bowls. It was a great opportunity to also take part in an event that highlighted the broad appeal of bowls across all ages and experience levels. The club also held their Biggest Morning Tea in support of Cancer Council Queensland. Raffles, a fashion parade and community support brought members and locals together for an important cause. Congratulations to president, Karen Spangler, and to the volunteers who made the event such a success. McPherson is home to some of the best schools in the country. One of the highlights of being the federal MP is delivering civics education to the next generation.”
“Over the past few weeks, I've had the privilege of engaging with a range of groups across our Gold Coast community, each contributing in their own way to the strength and the character of our region. I recently joined Adam and the team of committed volunteers to celebrate our local sporting champions at the Varsity Vipers basketball summer awards day 2026. It was a great afternoon celebrating the achievements of the club's hundreds of registered junior players across the season, while also acknowledging the coaches, the volunteers, the families, the sponsors and the organisations who make it all possible. The sun was out at Tugun Bowls Club for Bowls Australia's Long Roll event, part of the campaign to see lawn bowls included in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
“The Prime Minister ruled his toxic taxes out 50 times. Now Australians are facing $280 billion in higher taxes. So why did Labor vote against our amendment? Because Labor cannot manage money, and now they're coming after yours. The coalition will axe Labor's toxic taxes and deliver bigger, better tax cuts for Australians who are doing the right thing and trying to get ahead.”
“Today Labor had a simple choice. They could have voted for the coalition's amendment to give working Australians bigger and better tax cuts through our tax back guarantee. Instead, they voted to keep their inflation tax. So the question is very simple: Why? Why did Labor vote against stopping bracket creep? Why did Labor vote against automatic tax cuts that get bigger every year? Why did Labor vote against a plan that means, when prices go up, tax thresholds go up too? Under Labor prices rise, wages try to catch up, and then the tax office quietly takes more and more of your hard earned money. It's very neat, very sneaky, very Labor. For a typical worker, the coalition's plan means around $250 back in year 1, $500 back in year 2, $750 back in year 3, and in year 4 it's $1,000. Labor's offer in year 4 is still $250.”
“We've got a government who has lost control of the economy and who does not know how to manage the economy and generate wealth. If you generate wealth in this country by running a small business, what does the government do? They come after you.”
“While I respect the decision and while the coalition respects the decision it's very rich to say, 'Everything's great for small businesses, and everything's great for people who are on the minimum wage,' because what's happening is under this government's mismanagement of our economy and under their ridiculously reckless spending we're seeing all of these increases being eaten away time and time again by inflation, and that is home-grown inflation. If you compare Australia to the rest of the world—I know those opposite like to talk about what's happening in the Middle East, but this was happening well and truly before then. We've had 15 interest rate rises, 14 of which occurred prior to the Middle East conflict, so these minimum wage increases are going to mean a drop in the ocean for Australians who are doing it tough.”
“When we're talking about those new jobs and we're talking about unemployment rates we need to be upfront and honest with the Australian people. These are not jobs that are being created as a result of the government supporting a private sector that is thriving, enriched and engaged. These are jobs that are being created by government for government at the expense of the Australian taxpayer and at the expense of Australians who are doing the right thing and are running businesses, taking risks and doing all that sort of stuff. So let's call that out for what it is. We had the minimum wage increase decision yesterday.”
“They know the risks that they've had to assume, they know the jobs that they've created and they know what their contributions to the Australian economy are, and yet they feel penalised. And not just once or twice, but layers and layers of penalty that is imposed on them by this government's policies. There are many people in this country who are being left behind at the moment, and small-business owners are at the front of that line. I'd also like to point out that, prior to my speech, the member opposite, the member for Chisholm, was raving about unemployment figures under this government. And whilst we'd always welcome people to be in jobs, let's actually call it out for what it is. We are seeing that four out of five jobs are being created in the public sector, not in the private sector.”
“During the time that I was back in my electorate, between sitting weeks, I can honestly say that is not what people feel on the ground right now. If those members opposite looked very closely at their constituents and engaged with their small businesses I am sure that they would find the same, because people do feel very isolated and alone at the moment—and small-business owners more so than others. In fact, just this morning I had the opportunity to speak to two small-business owners in my electorate who are really frustrated about the changes that were occurring under this government, and especially the changes under the recent budget, because they know the sacrifices they've had to go through.”
“If the CFMEU were significantly reformed or deregistered, how much would Australian taxpayers save in debloated construction costs, especially within the context of a housing crisis? And in a similar vein, the most recent federal budget indicates that the CFMEU administrator, chief of staff and deputy chief of staff earn more combined in a year than is allocated to help small businesses navigate the Fair Work system. Is this an indication of the Albanese Labor government's priorities? We've heard a lot from those on the other side in this chamber, in the context of this debate, and there are two points that I would like to discuss in particular. One is this notion that government members purport about not leaving anybody behind.”
“This is one of the rare opportunities for the opposition to put questions to the relevant minister in relation to the appropriations for the employment and workplace relations portfolio. I am going to start my contribution with a number of questions. In relation to this government's same-day super program, noting that small businesses are at the heart of our economy and often operate with similar payroll systems, in the case of a late or mistaken superannuation payment, I would like to know what modelling has been undertaken to indicate the economic impact of penalties imposed on businesses, particularly those which are currently cash poor. There has been a lot of conversation about the CFMEU and its administration, so I have a question for the relevant minister.”
“We oppose Labor's toxic taxes, and we resent this government for putting them through and dressing them up as something that, quite frankly, they are not.”
“If these bills become law under this Labor government, a coalition government will repeal Labor's toxic taxes, because Australians deserve better than a government that breaks promises and that punishes aspiration and then calls it fairness. They deserve a government that backs them. That is the clear message and the consistent message that I receive from people across my electorate when I engage with them back home on the southern Gold Coast. Australians deserve a government that backs them. They deserve an Australia where the ladder of opportunity is not pulled up but strengthened for the next generation. That is exactly what those on this side of the House will fight for. That is exactly what we will do. We will repeal these taxes. That is exactly what we on this side of the parliament have committed to do.”
“We won't support that because the people that we represent—the individuals, the small businesses, the mums and dads, the investors, the families, the first home buyers and the renters—expect better of us, and they expect better of this government. The coalition supports tax relief, and we have said that consistently. We support simpler tax returns, and we support working Australians keeping more of what they earn, but we won't be bullied into supporting Labor's toxic taxes. The day after the budget was delivered, the coalition vowed to axe Labor's toxic taxes and vote them down, and that's exactly what we will do.”
“That promise must be renewed, and it must be defended against governments that think that prosperity is something to be managed, divided and taxed rather than created, earned and shared. What has made Australia great is not envy. It's not resentment, and it's not the politics of dragging one person down and calling it fairness for another. What has made Australia great is a culture of reward for work and reward for effort. It's the belief that tomorrow can be better than today if we work for it. It's the belief that a person should be able to start with little, build something, own something and leave something better for their children. Our tax system should reflect that. This bill moves us in the opposite direction, and the coalition will not support that.”
“This is not the Australia my parents believed in when they taught me that if you want something you work for it, if you drop something you pick it up and if you're blessed with opportunity you make the most of it. That is the Australia I love, and that is the Australia that those on this side of the chamber love—an Australia where effort is rewarded, an Australia where government lifts people up, not locks them in. I say this directly to the Prime Minister. I love this country. I love it for what it has given my family, and I love it for the promise it has carried for generations. I love it because here, more than almost anywhere else on Earth, people have been able to make something of themselves through effort, through sacrifice and through belief. But that promise is not automatic. That promise must be protected.”
“The Treasurer wants the parliament to pass the laws first and then trust him to sort out the details, including carve-outs later. That's not good enough, because Australians have learned the hard way that when Labor says, 'Trust us,' they should check their wallet. This is a government that's been consistent with only one thing—being elastic with the truth. It said one thing before the election, and it's doing the opposite after. The Treasurer can dress it up in whatever language he likes, but Australians can see what's happening here. Labor has spent too much, taxed too much and borrowed too much, and now it wants the people who work, save and invest to foot the bill.”
“Margins are thin, returns are slow, and capital is patient by necessity. Policy settings that further reduce the after-tax return on productive reinvestment risk discouraging the long-term capital commitment these businesses require. In practice, many successful capital-intensive businesses are likely to exceed the small business CGT concession thresholds early in their growth journey as physical infrastructure and equipment are accumulated. The 50% CGT discount has been, for this category, the only recognition mechanism actually available. Its removal would materially reduce the only recognition the tax system currently provides for the long-duration, illiquid, reinvestment-heavy nature of these businesses. But, as always with this treasurer, the devil is in the detail.”
“A well-known local brewery in my electorate wrote to me this week, saying: I can't sit and watch this pass without putting something on the record, so I've put pen to paper. The sale of a business is not a windfall—it is a long, illiquid reinvestment program that finally crystallises at sale. Privately-held capital-intensive businesses are, by definition, the ones with physical footprints in Australia. They occupy industrial land. They employ tradespeople, machine operators, drivers, warehouse staff, and apprentices. They buy inputs from Australian agriculture. They contribute to the productive capacity of regional and outer-metropolitan economies. They create value differently from purely digital or services businesses. These businesses already face globally uncompetitive energy, labour, freight, and compliance costs.”
“It replaces the 50 per cent CGT discount with cost base indexation and introduces a 30 per cent minimum tax on capital gains for many Australians, including founders, small-business owners and investors. At the top marginal rate, this means the tax man can claim nearly half of the gain. The government did not take the risk. The government did not work the weekends. They did not sign the lease, put the family home on the line, hire the first employee, go without holidays, miss birthdays or lie awake at night wondering whether the business would survive. But, when it finally works, Labor is turning up with its hand out. That is what this bill says to the self-starters of Australia. You risk it, we'll take it.”
“They operated lawfully under the rules of the time. They made choices that many Australians have made to invest, to take on risk and to try to build financial security. Now, we don't criticise them for that. But this legislation protects the right of the Prime Minister and his cabinet to continue to negatively gear their properties into their future. So Australians are entitled to ask these questions: Why is it good enough for Labor ministers to use these rules to continue to build their wealth for themselves but apparently too generous for future generations? Why is it acceptable for those opposite to climb the ladder and then pull it up behind them? Those are the real questions here. The second major problem is capital gains tax. Schedule 1 makes sweeping changes to the CGT regime.”
“Either they do not understand the market they're regulating, or they understand it and are proceeding anyway. Neither explanation should give Australians any comfort. This government is creating a generation of permanent renters. Labor should have learned this lesson before because, in the 1980s under Treasurer Paul Keating, Labor tried to quarantine negative gearing, and it was reversed. Why? It was because the pressure on rental markets became impossible to ignore. History has already issued this warning. The Treasurer should have listened to it, but this treasurer does not learn from history. He tries to rewrite it. There's also a deep hypocrisy at the heart of this debate, because 20 out of the 22 members of the Prime Minister's own frontbench and the Prime Minister have used negative gearing to secure their own futures.”
“Labor are telling investors, 'If you want to retain the benefit of negative gearing, go and buy new properties,' and at the same time state governments across the country are encouraging first home buyers into those same new properties through stamp duty concessions and first home buyer grants. So investors and first home buyers are being pushed into the same segment of the market at the same time. They will compete against each other for the same limited supply, which means that prices will be bid up, builders will face more pressure, and young Australians will again be told to run faster on a treadmill that Labor has made steeper. Many of these state based schemes are operated by Labor governments. So how can the Prime Minister not understand that his federal tax changes will collide directly with state based concessions and grants?”
“They're paying more because inflation has run through the essentials of life. Now this government wants to reduce the number of rental homes that are available to them while they save. That's not fairness; that is betrayal. Labor says that these changes will level the playing field, but what they're actually doing is pitting investors against first home buyers. They're telling investors, 'If you want to retain the benefit of negative gearing, go and buy new properties.'”
“Let me turn first to negative gearing. Labor is dressing up these changes as though they are designed to help young Australians and first home buyers. That is false. The reality is simple. When you tax housing investment, you get less housing investment. When you make it harder to provide rental homes, you reduce rental supply. When rental supply falls, rents rise. It's not complicated. It's not ideological. It is economics 101. Before a young Australian buys their first home, they rent. So, when Labor puts upward pressure on rents, it does not help young Australians. It hurts them before they even get to the starting line. A young person who's saving for a deposit is already being hit from every direction. They're paying more rent. They're paying more for groceries. They're paying more for electricity.”
“It punishes people who did the right thing, who worked hard, saved carefully, invested modestly and tried to build something for themselves and for their families. It punishes the self-starters of this nation. Margaret Thatcher once put it perfectly when she said of British Labour that they would rather the poor were poorer provided the rich were less rich. She understood that politics of envy does not create prosperity. It does not fund better services. It does not lift people up. It drags people down. What was true of British Labour then is true of what has become of the Australian Labor Party now. Those opposite do not ask how we make more Australians prosperous. They ask how can they punish those who are. They do not ask how to grow the economy. They ask how to carve it up. That is the ideology behind this bill.”
“By the time many Australians actually see the benefit, it will have been eaten away by the very cost-of-living crisis that this government has helped create. This government expects Australians to be grateful when it hands back a fraction of what it has already taken. The Prime Minister promised Australians again and again that he would not introduce these taxes. He promised there'd be no changes to negative gearing. He promised there'd be no changes to the capital gains tax. He said all of that before the election because he knew that the Australian people would not vote for it. And now here we are. This is a budget of broken promises. It's not intergenerational fairness. It's intergenerational fraud.”
“This bill contains four key schedules. Schedule 1 changes the capital gains tax regime. Schedule 2 changes negative gearing. Schedule 3 introduces the working Australians tax offset. Schedule 4 introduces a $1,000 standard deduction for work related expenses. The coalition supports schedules 3 and 4. We support tax relief for working Australians, we support making tax returns simpler and we support Australians keeping more of what they earn. But we oppose schedules 1 and 2 because they represent a direct attack on aspiration, on investment and on the Australian dream. What Labor has offered working Australians is a fraction of relief years from now—relief that will arrive after families have already been crushed by inflation, bracket creep, higher mortgages, higher rents and higher grocery bills.”
“Let's be clear with Australians about what this parliament is being asked to vote on. The coalition is being asked to vote against an income tax cut, not because we oppose tax relief for working Australians but because the government has deliberately wrapped modest tax relief inside a new bundle of toxic taxes on businesses, on retirees, on family savings, on renters, on first home buyers and on young Australians who are trying to get ahead. That's the choice that Labor have engineered. They've taken measures that the coalition supports and chained them to measures that we fundamentally oppose. They've put a tax cut in the same package as taxes that will make it harder to build wealth, to invest, to rent, to buy a home and to start and grow a business in this country. That's not good government. That's political blackmail.”
“My question is to the Minister for Housing. A secret internal RBA memo says that migration policy is a 'main way that the government influences the housing market'. This government has brought in a record 1.4 million migrants. So isn't it the truth that Labor's migration policies have made it harder—”
“It's to restore the promise that effort will be rewarded, that freedom will be protected and that opportunity is not the privilege of a few but the inheritance of all. This budget does not do that. The coalition will.”
“That's the difference between short-term politics and long-term responsibility. Labor believes that government should take more, that it should spend more and that it should control more. We on this side of the House, the coalition, believe that Australians should be trusted to keep more of what they earn and that Australians should be trusted to own their homes, to build their businesses, to defend their country and to shape their own future. Australia is not a nation that is destined for decline. We are not a people who need to be managed by government into lower expectations. We are a country of builders, workers, families, migrants, entrepreneurs, volunteers and quiet Australians who ask for very little but give so much. Our task, as I said in my first speech, is not to manage decline but to shape destiny.”
“We will end Labor's inflation tax through a tax-back guarantee, indexing income tax thresholds to inflation so that Australians can keep more of what they earn. That is generational tax reform. We will link migration to housing supply so our intake is sustainable and in the national interest. And we will put Australians first by ensuring that essential welfare and the NDIS are preserved for Australian citizens. We will establish a future generations fund to bank resource windfalls, pay down debt and build national infrastructure. And we will deliver more fuel, more storage and more security. We will back small-business investment with an instant asset write-off of up to $50,000, and strengthen Australia's security with a whole-of-nation national security strategy and defence spending of at least three per cent of GDP.”
“It would not tell one group of Australians that their hardship is caused by another group of Australians. It would, however, bring people together around shared values, responsibility, contribution, fairness, opportunity and respect for the country that we are all blessed to call home. In my first speech in this parliament I spoke about the need to look beyond the next election cycle and ask what Australia should look like in 100 years from now. That is the test of serious government—not what headline can be won today, not what political advantage can be seized tomorrow but what kind of country we leave to those who come after us. This budget fails that test, but there is another way. The coalition have put forward a plan for a freer, fairer and better Australia.”
“But under Labor, migration is running ahead of housing, it is running ahead of infrastructure and it is running ahead of essential services. Australia is on track to take in around two million migrants by the end of Labor's first two terms while homebuilding remains nowhere near what Australians need or what new migrants to Australia need. That does not strengthen social cohesion; it strains it. It puts pressure on rents. It puts pressure on roads. It puts pressure on schools, hospitals and communities. It makes it harder for young Australians to buy their first home and harder for families to find a rental. It diminishes the very settlement success that made Australia a strong multicultural nation. A government serious about social cohesion would not govern by wedge.”
“That is not leadership; that is division dressed up as fairness. Labor's tax changes are presented as 'intergenerational fairness', but let's call them what they are. They are intergenerational fraud. Young Australians who cannot afford to get a home are doing the responsible thing. They are saving. They are investing. They are trying to build a future through shares, ETFs, small businesses or other assets. But now Labor wants to punish them for doing exactly what previous generations were encouraged to do—work, save, invest and get ahead. The same is true in housing and migration. Migration has been one of Australia's great success stories when it is well managed, when it is in the national interest and when infrastructure and housing keep pace.”