Independent Senator Dr Marlene Attzs has raised concerns that the cumulative impact of increased fines, penalties, fees, and compliance requirements contained in the Finance Bill, 2026 could place additional pressure on already stretched households and businesses.

She also questioned whether harsher sanctions alone would lead to greater compliance or simply create punishment.

Contributing to the debate on the legislation in the Senate yesterday, Attzs said the combined effect of multiple measures across more than 20 pieces of legislation deserved careful scrutiny, even if many of the individual proposals were justified.