Matters Concerning The Integrity Of The 2026 Census

Statement

SENATOR DEAN SMITH  SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE SHADOW TREASURER  SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE COST OF LIVING  LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA 7 August 2026  Matters Concerning The Integrity Of The 2026 Census The Coalition has called for the integrity of the 2026 Census to be protected from organised advocacy campaigns, writing to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) following reports that campaign groups are encouraging Australians to answer the religion question in a particular way.  The Australian Census is one of the nation’s most important statistical exercises.   Its credibility depends on Australians providing accurate responses that reflect their own circumstances, free from organised campaigns seeking to influence how particular questions are answered.  According to recent reporting, the Rationalist Society of Australia, the National Secular Lobby and associated organisations have developed and distributed an online questionnaire that recommends participants either record “No religion” or select another category when completing the Census.   The questionnaire invites participants to consider factors such as attendance at religious services, prayer and views on contemporary social issues before recommending how they should answer the religion question.  Coalition Senators have consistently used Senate Estimates to scrutinise preparations for the 2026 Census, including consultation on the religion question, testing of alternative approaches and confirmation that responsibility for determining the wording and structure of Census questions rests with the Australian Statistician.  Given the importance of maintaining public confidence in the integrity and independence of the Census, the Coalition wrote to the ABS on Wednesday, 5 August 2026 expressing concern that organised campaigns encouraging Australians to answer Census questions in a particular way have the potential to compromise the integrity of Census data and undermine confidence in its results.   The Coalition has sought advice from the ABS on the following matters:  Is the ABS aware of the “Census – Not religious? Mark no religion” campaign and the questionnaire currently being circulated by the Rationalist Society of Australia, the National Secular Lobby and associated organisations?  Does the ABS consider it appropriate for advocacy organisations to conduct campaigns that encourage or recommend particular responses to Census questions and, if not, what concerns does the ABS have about such campaigns?  Has the ABS assessed whether campaigns of this nature have the potential to influence responses, undermine the accuracy or integrity of Census data, or diminish public confidence in the Census?  What representations, concerns or complaints has the ABS received regarding this campaign or similar campaigns, and what action, if any, has the ABS taken in response?  Has the ABS engaged with the organisations conducting this campaign, or any other stakeholders, regarding its potential impact on the integrity of the Census?  Does the ABS intend to issue any public guidance reminding Australians that Census responses should reflect their own circumstances and beliefs, rather than recommendations made by third-party advocacy groups?  Has the ABS raised this issue with the Australian Government or the responsible Minister, or sought additional legislative powers or other measures to better protect the integrity, credibility and independence of the Census from organised attempts to influence responses?  More broadly, what policies, protocols or safeguards does the ABS have in place to respond to organised campaigns by advocacy groups that seek to influence how Australians answer Census questions, regardless of the issue or viewpoint being advanced?  On Thursday, 6 August 2026, the ABS issued a public statement reminding Australians to answer the religion question according to their own beliefs.  The ABS has advised it will provide a written response to questions raised by the Coalition before Tuesday, 11 August 2026.  The Census underpins decisions on public policy, service delivery, infrastructure planning and the allocation of resources across Australia.   Maintaining public confidence that Census data reflects Australians’ genuine responses, rather than responses shaped by organised advocacy campaigns, is essential to preserving the credibility, integrity and value of one of Australia’s most important national statistical collections.  ENDS 

GST Commission Must Come West And Hear From WA

Statement

SENATOR DEAN SMITH  SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE SHADOW TREASURER  SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE COST OF LIVING  LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA GST Commission Must Come West And Hear From WA 7 August 2026  Western Australian Liberal Senator Dean Smith has written to the Productivity Commission demanding it hold public hearings in Perth and Port Hedland as part of its inquiry into the 2018 GST distribution reforms.  The Productivity Commission will release its interim report on 14 August, before receiving post-draft submissions and conducting public hearings ahead of its final report.  Few issues in Commonwealth–State financial relations have been more important to Western Australia than securing a fair share of GST revenue.  The 2018 reforms were a significant and hard-won correction to a system that had seen Western Australia’s GST share fall to historically low levels and provided an important safeguard against the State again receiving an unacceptably low share.  Before Western Australia’s GST relativity began its extraordinary decline, no State had ever fallen below 83 cents in the dollar – the previous low being New South Wales in 2004-05.  Against that historical benchmark, the 75-cent GST floor applying to Western Australia is not excessive or preferential, but a justified safeguard against the extreme outcomes experienced by the State under the previous system.  The importance of the reforms to Western Australia is reflected in the breadth of submissions to the current inquiry.  Submissions have been made by the WA Government, WA State Opposition, Association of Mining and Exploration Companies, Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA and Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.  Former WA Premier Colin Barnett and former federal Finance Minister Mathias Cormann have also made submissions, bringing considerable experience of the GST debate and its consequences for Western Australia.  Senator Smith’s letter demands that Perth  and Port Hedland be included among the locations for the Commission’s public hearings.  A Perth hearing would allow the State Government and Opposition, industry organisations, economic and policy experts and other Western Australians to respond directly to the Commission’s interim findings.  A Port Hedland hearing would take the inquiry to the heart of one of Australia’s most important economic regions and allow Commissioners to hear directly from resource companies, explorers, contractors, local businesses, local governments and Pilbara communities.  It would also give the Commission the opportunity to see firsthand the scale of investment and infrastructure underpinning Western Australia’s contribution to national export earnings and government revenues.  Post-draft submissions to the inquiry will close on 30 September 2026.  Quotes attributable to Senator Dean Smith:  “Western Australians experienced firsthand the consequences of an unfair GST distribution, and we cannot allow our State to return to the days when we received an unacceptably low share of our own GST.”  “The strength of WA participation in this inquiry—from the State Government and Opposition to our peak business and resources organisations, former Premier Colin Barnett and former Australian Finance Minister Mathias Cormann—shows the enduring importance of the GST reforms to Western Australia.”  “Perth must be included in the Productivity Commission’s public hearings, but there is an equally compelling case for the Commission to travel to Port Hedland.”  “The Pilbara is not just an economic powerhouse for Western Australia—it is an economic powerhouse for the nation, generating an extraordinary share of Australia’s export income and supporting economic activity across the country.”  “Commissioners should come to Port Hedland, see that contribution firsthand and hear directly from the businesses, workers and communities that help generate Australia’s prosperity.”  “A fair GST system must recognise and preserve the incentive for States like Western Australia to develop their resources, attract investment and grow the national economy.”  “The future of GST distribution should not be determined from Canberra and the eastern States alone. Western Australians have an enormous stake in this debate and deserve a meaningful opportunity to be heard before the Commission reaches its final conclusions.”  ENDS 

PERTH FAMILIES HIT BY NATION’S SHARPEST HOUSING COST SURGE

Media Releases

SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE SHADOW TREASURER SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE COST OF LIVING LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA 31 July 2026 PERTH FAMILIES HIT BY NATION’S SHARPEST HOUSING COST SURGE   The latest Consumer Price Index data shows Western Australians have been hit by some of the largest increases in housing, rent and essential household costs anywhere in Australia since the Albanese Labor Government came to office. An analysis by the Parliamentary Library of Australian Bureau of Statistics CPI figures comparing March 2022 with June 2026 commissioned by WA Liberal Senator Dean Smith shows Perth’s overall cost of living increased by 18.9 per cent – slightly above the national increase of 18.6 per cent. The most significant cost pressures have been in housing, with Perth recording a 32.7 per cent increase – the equal-highest increase of any Australian capital and more than five percentage points above the national increase of 27.5 per cent. The cost of buying a new home for owner-occupiers in Perth increased by a staggering 47.9 per cent. This was the largest increase recorded by any capital city and more than 20 percentage points above the national increase of 27.6 per cent. Perth tenants have also experienced the sharpest increase in rental costs of any Australian capital. Rents in Perth rose by 38.5 per cent compared with a national increase of 25.3 per cent, meaning Western Australian renters faced increases more than 13 percentage points above the national average. The pressure extends well beyond housing. Fruit prices in Perth climbed by 39.3 per cent – the largest increase of any capital city and more than eight percentage points above the national figure. Across the broader fruit and vegetables category, prices in Perth increased by 27.2 per cent, once again the highest rise among the capitals and 8.5 percentage points higher than the national increase. Western Australian families have also faced increases of: 50.1 per cent for tobacco; 42.1 per cent for insurance; 35.2 per cent for postal services; 32.8 per cent for eggs; 28.8 per cent for milk; 28.4 per cent for bread; 26.1 per cent for motor vehicle maintenance and repairs; and 21.8 per cent for preschool and primary education. Comments attributed to Senator Dean Smith: “The figures demonstrate that Western Australians are paying substantially more for many of the unavoidable costs of daily life, including shelter, groceries, insurance, education and maintaining a family vehicle.” “Western Australian families do not need to be told the cost of living has increased – they see it every time they pay the rent, visit the supermarket or open an insurance renewal.” “Under the Albanese Labor Government, Perth housing costs have risen by almost 33 per cent, new dwelling costs by nearly 48 per cent and rents by more than 38 per cent.” “Perth has recorded the largest rent increase of any capital city, with rents rising more than 13 percentage points faster than the national average.” “These are not discretionary expenses that families can simply avoid – they are the basic costs of keeping a roof over their heads, feeding their children and getting to work.” “Labor promised Australians cheaper living costs, but Western Australians are instead paying more for housing, food, insurance, education and essential services.” “Western Australia needs a government that will bring spending under control, reduce inflationary pressure, support new housing supply and allow working families to keep more of what they earn.”   ENDS   Parliamentary Library research on ABS CPI index by capital city March 2022 to June 2026 Capital City % Change March 2022-June 2026 March 2022 June 2026 Perth 18.9 85.95 102.16 Brisbane 19.3 85.38 101.89 Adelaide 20.7 84.91 102.45 Sydney 19.1 85.91 102.28 Hobart 17.0 87.44 102.17 Melbourne 17.4 86.63 101.66 Canberra 16.6 87.46 101.96 Darwin 16.5 87.66 102.17 Australia 18.6 86.05 102.17   Parliamentary Library research on ABS CPI data March 2022 to June 2026 – revealing where Perth recorded the fastest increase of any capital city and the national average in these expenditure items. ITEM Perth Increase Next Highest Capital Australia Increase New Dwelling purchase by owner- occupants 47.9 Adelaide 41.7 27.7 Rents 38.5 Brisbane 30.7 25.3 Housing 32.7 Adelaide 32.7 27.5 Fruit 39.3 Darwin 34.9 31.0 Fruit and Vegetables 27.2 Adelaide 22.4 18.7   Parliamentary Library research on ABS CPI index data March 2022 to June 2026 recording Perth increases against national average by expenditure items. ITEM   Perth Increase Australia Increase Bread 28.4 27.9 Vegetables 17.1 10.1 Beef and veal 13.2 13.1 Pork 13.7 13.7 Lamb and goat 12.6 12.3 Poultry 14.3 13.3 Wine 5.3 4.6 Tobacco 50.1 47.5 Garments for infants and children 11.6 7.0 Footwear for infants and children 7.0 3.1 Furnishings, household equipment and services 9.5 8.9 Furniture 7.6 4.9 Childcare 7.8 5.9 Postal Services 35.2 35.2 Holiday travel and accommodation 20.2 18.3 Preschool and primary education 21.8 13.6 Motor vehicles 7.5 6.1    

LABOR’S EXPANDED FIVE PER CENT DEPOSIT GAMBLE PUTS THOUSANDS OF YOUNG WA FAMILIES AT RISK OF NEGATIVE EQUITY

Media Releases

SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE SHADOW TREASURER SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE COST OF LIVING LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA   24 July 2026 MEDIA RELEASE   LABOR’S EXPANDED FIVE PER CENT DEPOSIT GAMBLE PUTS THOUSANDS OF YOUNG WA FAMILIES AT RISK OF NEGATIVE EQUITY   The Albanese Government has recklessly encouraged thousands of young Western Australians to take on record levels of debt with almost no equity leaving many first-home buyers in Perth’s outer suburbs dangerously exposed to negative equity as the housing market weakens. The artificial demand created by Labor’s expanded five per cent deposit scheme – known as the ‘5% Deposit Scheme’ – has fuelled a surge in first home buyer activity, with ABS lending data showing lending to first-home buyers reached a record high $2.22 billion in the March 2026 quarter. Labor’s 5% Deposit Scheme allows eligible first-home buyers to purchase a home with as little as a five per cent deposit, and eligible single parents and legal guardians with as little as a two per cent deposit, without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance. New Housing Australia data for 2024/2025 provides a unique insight into where Western Australians are most exposed to the risk of negative equity. In the Greater Perth region, the top ten postcodes with the highest concentration of people accessing scheme guarantees were 6112, 6171, 6056, 6210, 6167, 6061, 6430, 6034, 6107 and 6164. The highest concentration of scheme participants was in Perth’s fast-growing outer suburbs, including Armadale, Baldivis, Kwinana, Ellenbrook, Success, Gosnells – communities where many young families stretched to buy at the peak of the housing market. During 2024/2025, 3,010 home buyers accessed the First Home Guarantee Scheme across the Greater Perth region and a further 161 across regional Western Australia. The median purchase price was $551,000 in Perth, with a median deposit of just $30,000, compared with a median purchase price of $385,000 and a median deposit of $21,000 in regional Western Australia. Those buyers are increasingly exposed as Perth’s housing market cools after reaching record highs, with the latest data revealing a slowdown in Perth property values. Having reached record highs in recent years, the Perth property market is showing clear signs of cooling with the latest Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA) reporting the number of homes for sale is now 10.3 per cent higher than four weeks ago and 90.4% per cent higher than a year ago. Auction clearance rates have fallen to around 23 per cent while REIWA says the housing market has entered a “wait and see” phase as uncertainty surrounding Labor’s changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax weigh son buying confidence. Cotality has said the property market is now “losing steam” while Morgan Stanley has forecast a five to ten per cent correction in house prices – one of the largest in four decades. Negative equity risks are particularly acute in Western Australia where many first-home buyers entered the housing market after one of the strongest periods of house price growth in Western Australia’s history. In Armadale—one of the suburbs with the highest concentration of First Home Guarantee Scheme loans —median house prices have risen by around 161 per cent over the past five years, compared with approximately 80 per cent across metropolitan Perth. The average owner-occupier home loan in Western Australia exceeded $700,000 for the first time in the March 2026 quarter increasing from $457,000 to $703,000 in just four years. First home buyer lending in Western Australia hit a record $2.23 billion in the March quarter 2026 compared to $1.79 billion in March quarter 2022 – a 24.5 per cent increase. The average new mortgage nationally has reached a record $735,000, while households paid $33.6 billion in mortgage interest during the first quarter of 2026. Australians now spend 5.4 per cent of household income on mortgage interest alone – more than the late 1980s when home loan rates peaked at 18 per cent. Labor has created the worst of both worlds – driving demand through its expanded five per-cent deposit scheme while undermining confidence with changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax. Since the establishment of the First Home Guarantee Scheme in 2020, taxpayers have underwritten 99,732 loans nationally with 13,722 or 13.8 per cent of these in Western Australia. Comments attributable to Liberal Senator Dean Smith: “Labor has exposed negative equity risks for first-home buyers in Perth’s outer suburbs by encouraging thousands of young Western Australians to take on record debt with almost no equity.” “First-home buyers in suburbs such as Armadale, Baldivis, Madora Bay, Ellenbrook and Kwinana purchased homes as Perth’s property market experienced extraordinary price growth and are now among those areas most exposed to falling home prices.” “Labor’s negative gearing and capital gains tax changes have destroyed confidence in the housing market and have exposed young families to financial hardship during a cost-of-living crisis.” “The average Western Australian home loan has exceeded $700,000 for the first time, leaving many first-home buyers carrying record debt with little financial buffer.” For a young family who bought with a five per cent deposit, even a modest fall in house prices can wipe out their equity and leave them trapped if unemployment, illness, separation or relocation forces them to sell.” “A responsible housing policy would increase supply, reduce construction costs and restore confidence, not inflate demand, punish investment and leave young Western Australian families carrying all the risk.” ENDS       TABLE 1: Regions with the highest Scheme guarantees issued in 2024–25 Region Guarantees issued Perth South-east 797 Ipswich 1,000 Logan-Beaudesert 1,098 Australian Capital Territory 1018 Sydney Parramatta 850 Melbourne-North-West 1,169 Melbourne-North-East 1,410 Melbourne-South East 2,220 Melbourne-Inner 1,123 Melbourne-West 3,200 Source: Home Guarantee Scheme: Trends and Insights 2024-25 | Housing Australia   TABLE 2: Scheme guarantees issued, top ten postcodes in Western Australia, 2024-25 Post Code Suburbs Number of Guarantees Issued 6112 Armadale, Bedfordale, Brookdale, Doobarda, Forrestdale, Harrisdale, Haynes, Hilbert, Mount Nasura, Mount Richon, Piara Waters, Seville Grove, Wungong 193 6171 Baldivis 158 6056…

RECORD NUMBER OF WESTERN AUSTRALIANS SEEKING EXTRA WORK AS COST-OF-LIVING PRESSURES GROW

Media Releases

SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE SHADOW TREASURER SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE COST OF LIVING LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA 10 July 2026 MEDIA RELEASE   RECORD NUMBER OF WESTERN AUSTRALIANS SEEKING EXTRA WORK AS COST-OF-LIVING PRESSURES GROW The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force data shows 76,400 Western Australians were looking for more hours of work in May 2026 – the highest number since November 2020 and an increase of 12,500 people since January this year. Western Australia’s unemployment rate has also risen to 4.6 per cent – above South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland – making it harder for workers seeking extra hours to find them. The figures reveal more Western Australians are seeking additional work to keep up with rising household costs after three interest rate rises this year, adding to growing evidence that Labor’s cost-of-living crisis is placing increasing pressure on family budgets. Western Australia’s seasonally adjusted underemployment rate has increased from 3.8 per cent in January 2025 to 4.7 per cent in May 2026—a increase of almost 24 per cent in just sixteen months. While Western Australia’s economy may appear strong on the surface, the latest ABS figures show more households are struggling underneath, with an increasing number of workers unable to secure enough hours to keep pace with rising mortgage repayments, grocery bills, insurance costs, rents and energy prices. The deterioration comes on top of recent OECD and Deloitte Access Economics reports showing Australians have experienced one of the largest declines in living standards across the developed world while the economy enters its weakest sustained period of growth since the early 1990s recession. Together, the ABS, OECD and Deloitte findings paint an increasingly concerning picture of an economy where more Australians are working but falling behind, real wages continue to go backwards, and more workers are seeking additional hours simply to make ends meet. The latest labour market data also comes ahead of the Reserve Bank’s next monetary policy decision, with households continuing to face persistent inflation, elevated mortgage repayments and weak economic growth. While the Albanese Government continues to point to headline employment figures, the latest ABS data demonstrates that the quality and sufficiency of work is deteriorating, with more workers seeking additional hours to support themselves and their families. These figures reinforce concerns that Labor’s high-spending, inflationary policies have failed to deliver stronger living standards or more secure employment opportunities for Australian families. Key figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics: Since January 2026, the number of Western Australians seeking more hours of work has increased by 12,500 people, rising from 63,900 to 76,400. In May 2026, 40,800 Western Australian women and 35,600 men were seeking more hours of work – the highest figures since October 2020 and November 2020 respectively. Western Australia’s underemployment rate increased from 3.8 per cent to 4.7 per cent in May 2026 – an increase of almost 24 per cent. Underemployment has risen for four consecutive months, from 4.2 per cent in February to 4.7 per cent in May 2026.   Key findings from the OECD Employment Outlook 2026:   Since early 2021, Australia’s real hourly wages have fallen by around 5 per cent – one of the largest declines across the OECD. Australia was one of only 11 OECD countries where the real minimum wage declined between April 2025 and April 2026.   Key findings from Deloitte Access Economics Business Outlook, June Quarter 2026:   Australia’s economy is forecast to grow by just 3 per cent in 2026-27, with the longest stretch of sub-2 per cent growth since the early 1990s recession. Headline inflation is expected to remain above 4 per cent for the rest of the calendar year, while households with an average mortgage are paying around $350 more each month following this year’s interest rate increases.   Comments attributable to Senator Dean Smith:   “These figures show that while more Western Australians may have a job, too many cannot get the hours they need to keep up with Labor’s cost-of-living crisis.”   “More than 76,000 Western Australians are now looking for extra hours of work, the highest number because household budgets are being crushed by rising costs and higher interest rates.”   “The OECD says Australians have suffered one of the biggest falls in living standards in the developed world, Deloitte says economic growth is the weakest in decades, and now the ABS shows more workers cannot get enough work.”   “Headline employment figures mean little when more Australians are underemployed, real wages are going backwards and families are falling further behind.”   “Ahead of the Reserve Bank’s next interest rate decision, these figures are another reminder that Australian households remain under enormous financial pressure after more than four years of Labor.”   “After more than four years in office, the Albanese Government can no longer blame anyone else for weaker growth, higher inflation, falling living standards and a labour market that is leaving more Australians short of work.”   ENDS  

OECD CONFIRMS LABOR’S COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS IS LEAVING AUSTRALIANS WORSE OFF

Media Releases

SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE SHADOW TREASURER SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE COST OF LIVING LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA 8 July 2026 MEDIA RELEASE   OECD CONFIRMS LABOR’S COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS IS LEAVING AUSTRALIANS WORSE OFF   The latest report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has confirmed Australia has experienced one of the sharpest declines in living standards anywhere in the developed world, with Australian families continuing to lose ground under the Albanese Government. The OECD’s Employment Outlook 2026 shows Australians’ real wages have fallen by around five per cent since early 2021—one of the largest declines across the OECD—while workers across the average OECD country have enjoyed improving living standards over the same period. Even more concerning, the OECD forecasts Australian real wages will fall again this year as inflation continues to outpace wage growth, further eroding household purchasing power. The findings come as Deloitte Access Economics warns Australia is facing its weakest sustained period of economic growth since the recession of the early 1990s, with weak productivity, persistent inflation and slowing consumer spending weighing heavily on households. Together, the OECD and Deloitte reports paint a deeply concerning picture of an economy where Australians are working hard but falling behind, families are being forced to stretch every pay packet further, and living standards continue to decline. The OECD also identified Australia as one of only 11 OECD countries where the real minimum wage declined over the past year, placing even greater pressure on lower-income workers already struggling with rising household costs. While Australia continues to enjoy comparatively strong employment and workforce participation, the OECD makes clear these strengths are not translating into higher living standards because inflation continues to erode wage growth and household purchasing power. The report also reinforces the importance of restoring productivity growth and disciplined economic management. Instead of tackling the structural drivers of inflation, the Albanese Government has continued to pursue higher spending, adding pressure to an economy already struggling with persistent inflation. That has made it harder to bring inflation under control and prolonged the cost-of-living pressures facing Australian families.   Key quotes from the OECD’s Employment Outlook 2026: “Since Q1 2021, real hourly wages in Australia have fallen by approximately 5%, representing one of the steepest declines among OECD countries, while the OECD median recorded slight gains over the same period.” “This sustained erosion of purchasing power points to persistent pressures on household incomes…These pressures are compounded by a decline in the real minimum wage between April 2025 and April 2026, placing Australia among only 11 OECD countries where this occurred”   Key quotes from Deloitte Access Economics Business Outlook, June quarter 2026: “Australia’s growth outlook has deteriorated over the past six months … the economy is expected to grow by just 1.3% in 2026-27, with less than 2% annual growth over the next two years – the longest stretch of sub-2% growth since the early 1990’s recession.” “Headline inflation may remain above 4% for the remainder of the calendar year…households with an average-sized mortgage have already needed to find an additional $350 per month following three interest rate increases in 2026.”   Comments attributable to Senator Dean Smith: “The OECD has delivered a damning verdict on Labor’s economic record, confirming Australians have suffered one of the sharpest declines in living standards anywhere in the developed world.” “Australians do not need an OECD report to know they are going backwards, but this this report confirms our living standards have fallen while those in most comparable countries have improved.” “The OECD’s warnings that real wages are expected to fall again this year means Australian families face the prospect of becoming even worse off.” “Labor has a spending problem that has fuelled inflation. Kept prices higher for longer and made life more expensive for every Australian household.” “After more than four years in office, the Albanese Government can no longer blame everyone else for an economy that is leaving Australians poorer.” “Australians deserve an economy where inflation is under control, wages grow faster than prices, productivity is rising, and every generation has the opportunity to enjoy a better standard of living than the last.” ENDS