Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley has launched a scorching parliamentary assault on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, accusing him of presiding over a government of "cruel disappointment" and of "gaslighting" the Australian public on the economy.
The fiery exchange during Question Time saw Ms Ley challenge the PM directly, demanding to know why he was "refusing to take responsibility" for the financial pain crippling households across the nation. She cited soaring mortgage repayments, skyrocketing grocery bills, and rising rents as evidence of a government failing to manage the economy.
'A Cruel Disappointment': Ley's Scathing Assessment
In a performance that has since gone viral on social media, Ms Ley did not hold back. She lambasted the Prime Minister for what she characterised as a pattern of broken promises and misplaced priorities.
"This Prime Minister promised cheaper mortgages, cheaper electricity, and cheaper groceries," she declared from the dispatch box. "Instead, Australians are experiencing the exact opposite. This isn't just a broken promise; it's a cruel disappointment to every single Australian who believed him."
Albanese's Defence and the 'Gaslighting' Accusation
Mr Albanese countered by pointing to global economic pressures, including the war in Ukraine and ongoing supply chain issues, as primary drivers of inflation. He reiterated his government's focus on providing targeted cost-of-living relief without adding to inflationary pressures.
However, Ms Ley was quick to dismiss this defence as political spin. She accused the PM of attempting to "gaslight" the nation into believing the crisis was not of his government's making.
"You can't blame the world for your own failures," she fired back. "Australians are not stupid. They know this happened on your watch."
The Political Stakes
The intense clash underscores the high-stakes political battle being waged over the economy. With many families feeling the pinch, the opposition sees the cost-of-living crisis as the government's greatest vulnerability.
Ms Ley's aggressive questioning signals a concerted strategy from the Coalition to hold the Labor government to account for its economic record ahead of the next election. The government, in turn, is aiming to shift the focus to its long-term economic plans and future policy solutions.
The political theatre in Canberra is set to continue as both sides dig in, ensuring the cost-of-living debate will remain at the forefront of Australian politics for the foreseeable future.
