Opposition Blasts Labor on Taxes, Housing and Inflation

A Coalition MP used Question Time in the House of Representatives on Tuesday to launch a sweeping attack on the Albanese Labor government, accusing it of raising taxes on small businesses, fuelling a housing crisis through unchecked migration, and presiding over one of the developed world's highest inflation rates.

The member argued that Labor's economic instincts were shaped by a lack of real-world business experience, pointing out that neither the Prime Minister nor the Treasurer had held private-sector jobs before entering politics. "They went from working for a Labor politician to becoming a Labor MP," he told the chamber. "They don't understand what it means to own a business and meet a payroll."

Central to the critique were tax changes the speaker said had blindsided voters. He cited increased tax burdens on trusts — which he said more than 350,000 Australian small businesses operate under — as well as proposed changes to negative gearing. He also attacked a ban on self-managed super funds purchasing off-the-plan apartments, saying the measure would further dampen new housing supply. "The Prime Minister said before the election he would not do this," he said. "That deceit will not be forgotten."

In response, the Coalition outlined its "tax back guarantee," which it says will index tax brackets to inflation to prevent bracket creep. The Opposition claims the measure would be worth more than $1,000 per average household over four years once implemented.

On housing, the speaker pointed to projected net overseas migration of two million people over Labor's first six years in government, arguing the intake had dramatically outpaced new home construction and pushed rents higher. The Coalition's stated policy response is to tie future migration intake to the pace of new housing builds.

The MP also presented a comparison of core inflation rates — which strip out volatile fuel costs — to argue Australia's economic management had fallen behind its peers. Australia's core inflation currently sits at 3.6 per cent, compared with 1 per cent in France, 1.6 per cent in Japan and Italy, 2 per cent in Canada, and 2.6 per cent in both the United Kingdom and the United States. "Prominent economists are saying that is the direct result of this government's reckless spending," he told the Deputy Speaker. "Not me — economists."

Energy costs were flagged as a further area of concern, though the member's remarks on that topic were cut short before he could detail the Opposition's position. The exchanges were part of broader parliamentary proceedings marking the final sitting weeks before the winter recess.