Peter Dutton has labelled the federal budget as a missed opportunity to include financial support for Australians, accusing the prime minister of walking away from key election commitments.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In his first budget reply speech on Thursday night, the opposition leader said the government had failed to provide adequate cost of living relief in the budget.
He also used the address to back in controversial stage three tax cuts and recommitted the opposition to a proposal allowing first home buyers to tap into their super to purchase property.
"Labor's budget was a missed opportunity to help you at a time when you need help," he said in the speech.
"By Christmas, a typical family will be $2000 worse off under this budget, and you have every right to be anxious and disappointed, the prime minister has broken faith with you.
"It's a budget which breaks promises rather than keeps them, a budget which weakens Australia's financial position rather than strengthens it and a budget which adds to rather than alleviates your cost of living pressures."
Labor pitched the budget as delivering "responsible" cost of living support without risking higher inflation.
While Mr Dutton said the coalition did support budget measures such as lowering the cost of medicines and extending childcare subsidies, cost of living support did not go far enough.
In particular, the opposition warned the budget would lead to further pressure on people's power bills, with forecasts of retail electricity prices rising 56 per cent.
"Labor's push for 82 per cent renewables by 2030 comes without a plan to ensure reliable baseload power," Mr Dutton said.
"Every dollar spent on new transmission lines will be paid for by consumers through higher electricity bills."
While stage three tax cuts have proven a controversial issue for the government, Mr Dutton said the coalition measures would lead to further financial relief for families.
The tax cuts aren't set to take effect for a further two years, but Mr Dutton accused the government of laying the groundwork for its repeal.
"Stage three tax relief comes into effect in July 2024, as economists point out, after interest rate rises, that's when our economy will need it. That's when Australians especially deserve it," he said.
"The budget is intended to soften-up Australians. It gives the government time to come up with excuses by May next year to tax you more."
The opposition leader also recommitted the coalition to supporting the super home buyer scheme, allowing people to buy their first home by dipping into their super fund.
The controversial policy was first announced by former prime minister Scott Morrison during the final days of the federal election campaign.
"Currently, a super fund can be used to buy a residential or commercial rental property, to buy shares or even livestock. In fact, it can be used to buy almost any asset class except a home to live in," he said.
"Your super is your money. This government thinks it's their money, something we have seen in this budget."
While Mr Dutton backed the government in support of policy areas such as defence, preventing domestic violence and disability support, he labelled the NDIS in its form under the government as unsustainable.
He also pledged to restore $50 million of funding to a grants program for multicultural communities.
With cost of living issues set to dominate debate in coming months, Mr Dutton said the government was running from responsibility to help the vulnerable.
"For all their moral posturing and all their promises, Labor shows time and again that their rhetoric in opposition never matches their actions in government," he said.
Australian Associated Press
