Maria Kovacic (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This time of the year is supposed to be a happy time where families come together to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. However, for many Australians, the joy of Christmas has been stripped from them as they struggle to keep their heads afloat in the Albanese Labor government's cost-of-living crisis. As Australians tuck their legs under the dining table for their Christmas dinner, they'll find the cost of a leg of Aussie lamb has gone up 17 per cent under Labor. A kilo of potatoes for the Christmas roast has had a whopping 25 per cent increase under this government. Bega Cheese, a staple for any summer barbie, is up 31 per cent. On average, Australians are now paying 4.4 per cent more when they check out at the grocery store compared to last year, off the back of a 7.8 per cent peak in December 2022. From filling up at the bowser to filling up the fridge, and now filling up the Christmas stocking, pretty much everything costs more under an Albanese Labor government.

All families across the country try to unite for the holidays. But they'll see that the cost of flights have surged more than 50 per cent above prepandemic levels, and that's even if the plane takes off at all. Perhaps, to ease their sorrows, they might decide to make a Christmas G&T, but, under this government, those taxes will also go up, as the tax on spirits is now set to tip over $100 per litre. Even beer has gone through the roof, with Labor's own Dr Andrew Charlton, the member for Paramatta, quoted in the AFR saying: 'Australians are drinking among the most expensive beer in the world.' This—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Kovacic. Senator Payman.