Declare the government is driving down Australians' living standards — back it or reject it?

The Coalition brought this Matter of Public Importance accusing the government of driving down living standards. Its speakers pointed to inflation at 4 per cent, 15 interest rate rises, higher mortgage repayments, falling house prices, rising costs for insurance, energy, rent and groceries, and gross debt heading past $1 trillion. They cited business collapses in trucking, construction and caravan manufacturing, cuts to the private health rebate, NDIS and aged-care problems, and shared distressing constituent stories.

Labor rejected the charge, listing measures starting 1 July: tax cuts for every worker, minimum and award wage rises for over three million people, six months of paid parental leave, payday super, permanent urgent care clinics and instant asset write-offs, cheaper medicines and a ban on supermarket price gouging. No formal vote is taken on an MPI.

🗳 A public mood-check, not a scientific poll. Vote to see where the room stands.

🗳 1 voted🏛 51m debated

📄 House Hansard, 1 Jul 2026 — Labor Government

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The strongest case each way

Against · CoalitionTim Wilson, Michael McCormack, Tony Pasin and Mary Aldred argued inflation, rising interest rates, higher taxes, falling savings and soaring costs for essentials are crushing households, while the government celebrates itself. They said the 1 July tax cut is only about $5 a week, swallowed by inflation, and pointed to business failures, constituents in poverty, and debt passing $1 trillion as taxes on future generations.

For · Government (Labor)Andrew Leigh, Sally Sitou, Julie-Ann Campbell and Matt Smith said 1 July delivers real help: tax cuts for over 14 million workers, wage rises for more than three million people, six months of paid parental leave, payday super, permanent urgent care clinics and instant asset write-offs, cheaper medicines and a crackdown on supermarket price gouging. They accused the Coalition of voting against these measures.