A fair go in this Budget

For decades Aussies have prided ourselves on being the land of a fair go. But today in Australia, this is no longer a guarantee. I hear it every day across our community. People are doing everything right; working hard, saving, contributing and still feeling like they’re falling behind. 

We need more than short-term fixes and tinkering changes. We want a clear, long- term vision for our country to set us up for the future. With the Budget coming up this is our opportunity to reset the agenda and get it right. Here are the top things I am fighting for. 

First, a fair return for the sale of our resources. Australia is rich in gas. It belongs to all Australians. Yet right now, we’re effectively giving away more than half of it for free. Other countries and corporations are on-selling our gas for windfall profits while we pay higher prices. 

Each week we delay action costs Australians around $350 million – money that could be funding healthcare, education, defence, or strengthening climate action and resilience. It is time for multinational gas companies to pay their fair share. That is why I am pushing for fairer taxes on gas exports that corporations can’t work their way around. 

Second, real housing reform. After 25 years without meaningful change our housing tax system is outdated, and it’s locking people out of the market.      On the Northern Beaches I see young families forced to move away, and nurses, teachers, and firies being priced out of the communities they serve. That’s not what the system was designed to do. 

We need to rebalance how housing is taxed so first home buyers have a fair shot. That includes reviewing tax concessions that favour investors over aspiring homeowners. 

Third, improved support for small business. We hear all the time that small businesses are the backbone of our economy and our communities, but it has been tough for business for several years and they haven’t been given enough support. You can see it in the empty shopfronts across our local shopping strips. 

I’m again calling to increase the instant asset write-off and make it permanent, and to introduce a $20,000 tax-free threshold for small businesses. That’s practical support to help them hire, invest, and innovate. 

Finally, serious investment in preventative health. As a former GP and Emergency Doctor I have seen firsthand that our system is good at treating illness, but not nearly good enough at preventing it. 

Australia currently spends just 2% of our health budget on prevention, well behind comparable countries. We can do better. Lifting that figure to 5% would mean keeping people well, reducing hospital costs and pressures, and improving our flagging productivity. 

This Budget we have an opportunity to set ourselves up for a healthier, fairer, and more productive future for our nation. That’s what I am fighting for.