House of Representatives | 13 May 2026
Mr WALLACE (Fisher) (16:04): You know who I feel for today, apart from all those mums and dads that are out there that are really struggling under this government? You know who I feel sorry for? I feel sorry for Bill Shorten, because Bill Shorten would be sitting in his vice-chancellor’s office at the University of Canberra and be thinking: ‘Why? I tried to do the right thing. I took these policies to the to an election. I took these policies to the people, and they knocked me back.’ But this government, under this Prime Minister, learnt their lesson. You’ve got to give them that much. This government knows that, if you take unpopular policies to the people in an election, then the people will figure you out, and they’ll let you know about it. But, under the cover of darkness—and not just the cover of darkness—the Prime Minister and the Treasurer consistently said: ‘No, there’ll be no new taxes on housing. It’s not going to happen. How many times have I got to tell you? Fifty times, I’ve got to tell you it’s not going to happen.’ Guess what? It’s happened.
Believe it or not, we cop a lot of you-know-what with the members of the public as politicians. Is there any wonder why, when you have people like the Prime Minister making those solemn promises, looking squarely down the line of the camera and saying, ‘It’s not going to happen under my leadership.’ And then there’s a change of heart, and it’s sold like this: ‘We’ve had a change of heart because things have changed. There’s this intergenerational equity issue.’ What a load of rubbish. This is socialism from that lot, the government over there. This is the biggest form of redistribution of wealth in this country since the Whitlam government.
A government member interjecting—
Mr WALLACE: If you thought these policies were so good, why didn’t you take them to an election? You didn’t take them to an election, because you knew you would lose, just in the same way—
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I will ask comments to be directed through me. Stop this personal attack across the chamber.
Mr WALLACE: It’s just in the same way that the government knew it would lose, so it didn’t take them to an election. That’s why the Australian public is so upset. It’s not just about the negative gearing. It’s not just about the CGT. It’s not just about discretionary trusts. I’ve got an older electorate. People in my electorate are white hot with rage. You know why? It’s because they’ve worked all their lives—they’re a bit older than you and me—for 40 years. When they were in their 20s, they listened to the government, and they were encouraged to go out and get private health insurance. They were even told, ‘If you don’t get private health insurance before you turn 30, then we’re going to actually penalise you the older you get.’ On good faith, they’ve gone out and taken out private health insurance.
I received an email from a member of my constituency this morning. She’s a pensioner on a fixed income. I don’t know how they do it, but so many of my pensioners still pay their private health insurance. And now, under this health minister—who, unfortunately, has just walked out of the chamber—is going to rip those concessions away from you when you turn 65. For the life of me, I cannot understand why this government wants to rip those rebates away. What’s the magical figure? When do you most need private health insurance? It’s when you’re getting to your and my age, Madam Deputy Speaker.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Are you reflecting on the Speaker?
Mr WALLACE: When you’re getting to that age and need that help and medical assistance, this government is going to make my people and Australians around this country who are over 65 pay $1,600 a year extra. Shame on this government!
The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Claydon): Is there a point of order?
Mr Caldwell: There is a point of order. It’s in relation to the member for Reid, who, as you pointed out, was continually interjecting.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I’ve already dealt with that.
Mr Caldwell: She’s a long way out of her seat.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I’ve dealt with the issue of interjections already.
Mr Caldwell: I believe her seat is somewhere down there.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Please resume your seat. I’ve already asked the member for Reid to stop her interjections, and I’d ask all of the people not to be reflecting on the chair in future discussions, either.
[ENDS]
Media Contact: Brendan West – 0402 556 646 – Brendan.west@aph.gov.au
