Federation Chamber Date: 5 November 2025
Speaker:
I give the call to the Member for Fisher.
Andrew Wallace MP:
The recent inflation numbers are not just figures on a page; they represent people in pain. They remind me of Howard at FoodWorks in Aroona. After 25 years serving locals, his latest monthly power bill jumped by $1,200. He can’t raise shelf prices because families are already stretched. What keeps him going is the loyalty of his customers and neighbours. That is Fisher at its best: community standing with small business.
I hear the same message online and on the street. Ryan, who runs a bakery, told me his latest power bill was $3,774. That is 800 loaves just to pay for electricity. Christopher, a pensioner living alone, saw his quarterly bill jump by $400 and asked what exactly he is using to justify that rise. And Jeff said what many are thinking: while bills climb, the Prime Minister always seems to be somewhere else.
People in Fisher are proud of this country, and so am I. We live in the best nation on Earth but we cannot take it for granted. Under Labor, essentials are up and savings are down. Even hope is taking a hit. Homelessness is rising on the Sunshine Coast. More families are calling my office because they cannot find a rental or keep up with repayments. Charities are telling me demand has never been higher, and community groups say there are fewer grants and less support under this Labor government.
No longer is homelessness just restricted to people who do not have jobs; we have people who have good jobs but simply cannot afford a home or cannot find one. That is why my office is working overtime to promote opportunities so locals do not miss out.
At the same time, the nation’s credit card is being hammered. Debt is heading past one trillion dollars, with fifty thousand dollars being paid by this government in interest every minute. That is money that should be going to hospitals, schools, Medicare and law enforcement agencies. When Labor runs out of money, they come after yours.
This government promised cheaper power, more homes and lower costs. Instead, power bills are up, housing targets are missed and new taxes are on the table. It is out of touch and sends a heartless message to struggling Australians.
The Coalition will always back small business and families, reward effort with lower and fairer taxes, prioritise reliable and affordable energy and encourage people to live within our means.
To the people of Fisher, I will keep telling your stories in this place and fighting for policies that ease pressure on households and put Australians first.
END
Media Contact: Brendan West – 0402 556 646 – Brendan.west@aph.gov.au
