MEDIA RELEASE
20 May 2026
Following the Federal Budget hand down and the Coalition’s Budget-in-Reply speech last week, Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace MP is encouraging Sunshine Coast locals to attend his upcoming 2026 Federal Budget and Cost of Living Forum this Thursday.
More than 150 people have already registered for the forum, which will be held at Meridan Community Church in Meridan Plains.
Mr Wallace said the event would provide locals with an opportunity to better understand Labor’s 2026 Federal Budget, the Coalition’s alternative economic vision, and what both mean for families, pensioners, workers and small businesses across the Sunshine Coast.
“People are hurting right now. Families are feeling the pressure at the checkout, pensioners are worried about rising bills and small businesses are being squeezed from every direction,” Mr Wallace said.
“That’s why I wanted to host this forum as soon as possible, to break down the Budget in straightforward terms, explain the Coalition’s alternative vision, and most importantly, hear directly from the community.”
Mr Wallace said respected local financial adviser Rebecca Hurford, Principal and Senior Financial Adviser at Infocus Caloundra, would also attend the forum to help unpack the practical financial implications of the Budget for local households and businesses.
“Rebecca brings decades of financial planning experience and understands the real pressures local families, retirees and small businesses are facing right now,” Mr Wallace said.
“I’m very pleased she’ll be joining us to help break down some of the financial impacts of the Budget and provide additional local insight during the discussion.”
Mr Wallace said the event would focus heavily on the cost of living crisis currently impacting the region, including housing affordability, energy prices, grocery costs and pressures on local businesses.
“This is not just a speech. It’s a conversation,” Mr Wallace said.
“I want locals to ask questions, raise concerns and contribute ideas that can help shape my advocacy and ongoing policy discussions with our Shadow Treasurer, Angus Taylor and the Coalition team.”
The forum will be held from 10:00am to 11:30am on Thursday 21 May 2026 at Meridan Community Church, 70 Springs Drive, Meridan Plains.
Locals wishing to attend are encouraged to register as soon as possible, with capacity limited to 300 attendees.
Limited spots remain for this free event. RSVP here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1582887
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Media are welcome to attend at any time throughout the forum, interviews can be arranged directly following the conclusion of the event around 11:30am. Please contact me anytime if you are wanting to attend.
Media Contact: Brendan West – 0402 556 646 – Brendan.west@aph.gov.au
