Angus Taylor MP

Lower taxes.
Cheaper power.
Less migration and more homes.
Putting Australians first.

These are our priorities to restore Australians’ standard of living and to protect our way of life.

Today, our silent remembrance at the 11th hour is a most meaningful minute.

On 9 May 2006, when Todd Russell emerged from the Beaconsfield mine lift with Brant Webb, after 14 days of being trapped underground, he punched his fists in the air.

That euphoric moment, captured on television, was a national triumph that’s etched in our history.

The two men were stoic and good-humoured throughout their ordeal. Their incredible survival story, along with the meticulous rescue effort, encapsulated the very best of the Australian spirit.

The Beaconsfield mine disaster may have thrown Todd Russell into the spotlight, but that event didn’t define his life.

Today, we remember and honour a dedicated Tasmanian, a loving husband and father, and a good Aussie bloke with an irreverent sense of humour who was unashamedly rough around the edges.

Todd Russell wasn’t just a miner whose digging helped enrich Australia. He was a firefighter too. And after Beaconsfield, his motivational speaking was a source of strength for many going through their own troubles.

May Todd Russell rest in peace.

Because of Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers, Australia is on a road to economic ruin.

Because of Labor's out-of-control spending, toxic taxes, and mountain of new red tape, Australian businesses are struggling to stay afloat.

That's why today, I've announced a Taylor-Canavan Government will slash red tape by 25 per cent in our first term.

This will save Australian businesses, large and small, $40 billion a year.

And it will mean every Australian business spends less time filling out permits and doing paperwork, and more time growing, investing, and hiring Australians.

Fixing the economy and cleaning up Labor's mess starts with backing Australian business.

Some welcome news this morning that we’ve forced Anthony Albanese to overrule his Defence Minister Richard Marles and cancel Labor’s plans to sell off Victoria Barracks Sydney, Victoria Barracks Melbourne, Fort Queenscliff and RAAF Williams Point Cook.

Congratulations to all Australians and every veteran who fought for this victory to protect our history, our heritage, and our vital defence bases.

But this is only the beginning. Many more questions remain, including whether these sites will remain active Defence facilities.

The Liberals and Nationals will continue the fight to keep these sites in Defence’s hands, and to save other sites including HMAS Penguin, Lancer Barracks, Irwin Barracks and more.

This was never about modernising the Defence estate - it was just another smash and grab for revenue by a Prime Minister who can’t manage money and can’t control his spending.