House debates

Thursday, 25 June 2015

Statements by Members

Abbott Government

1:47 pm

Photo of Sharon ClaydonSharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I join with my Labor colleagues on this last sitting day to reflect on the track record of the government and members opposite. I know that members opposite are prone to interjecting today because, let's face it, when this track record is laid out for you to see, it is a hard truth to swallow. I accept that. My constituents come to me every day and talk about the long line of broken promises from this government. Remember the 'no cuts to health' statement? We all remember that one in Newcastle. Let me just remind you that the Prime Minister has cut more than $50 billion out of health, including more than $150 million from my region—out of hospitals in my Hunter region. Remember 'no cuts to education'? That cut $195 million from local schools in Newcastle. 'No changes to pensions': just this week this House has passed legislation that impacts on women like Trish from my electorate, who is set to lose $4,000 out of her part pension—she is a widowed woman—because of changes members opposite made in your midnight deal with the Greens to ensure that that went through. Women like Trish in my electorate are to suffer the detrimental costs. We all remember the one million jobs promise. This week alone, in my electorate of Newcastle— (Time expired)