Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

$76 million for—

Mr Albanese interjecting—

wait for it—the Western Australia section. In fact, it's $76½ million, Member for Grayndler. The Northern Territory section is getting a further $50 million; the Queensland section, $33½ million.

Opposition members interjecting—

If you just listen—a businessman came up to me and he said, 'That section, that 70-kilometre section'—

Ms Butler interjecting—

I know you might think it's funny because you come from Brisbane, but this is really important for regional people. That section of road, that 70-kilometre section of road, is going to save his mining company nine hours of travel time to get its heavy vehicles with mining equipment to the mine, to get its miners from Laverton to the mine. That is a significant saving, and it's also making it certain that they're going to get what they need to them sooner and safer. Talk about the never-never: we're spending $100 billion over the next decade on infrastructure and every electorate, including the member for Griffith's, will benefit from this investment.

Why do Labor play games around the edges of the tax cut package that we're putting to the Australian people? Why are they running around the edges of the tax cut benefits? Why don't they just get on board and do what the Australian people want this parliament to do? The Australian people clearly said on 18 May that they wanted us to do it, by voting for us. It's plain; it's clear: pass the tax cuts now. Look what we're doing: the government have legislated to double the 2018-19 tax rebate to as much as $1,080, and we want to get it done this week. And in 2023 we're raising the low-income tax offset from $445 to $700, and lifting the 19 per cent rate threshold from $37,000 to $45,000. And from 2024-25, 94 per cent of taxpayers will pay a marginal rate of no more than 30c in the dollar.

It's massive tax reform, and on 18 May Australians said, yes, they wanted it. The Liberal-National government are doing what it takes to get the cash onto the kitchen table, and across our villages, towns and big regional cities they have given us an overwhelming tick of endorsement. The drought alone is a huge reason to get cash back into our communities, and it must start with rebates when people lodge their tax returns. Just do it now. I don't know why we just don't do it now.

I'll conclude with the Treasurer's wonderful op-ed in The Australian yesterday. He finished his remarks in his very well written piece in The Australian by saying:

Labor made no secret of its tax policies at the election.

No, they didn't.

Well, now the Australian people have spoken. They want the Coalition's tax package in full.

The message to Labor is clear: don't deny the tax cuts Australians voted for, and if you're going on a listening tour, don't ignore what they say.

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