Graham Perrett (Moreton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise in response to the motion put forward by the member for Flynn. Counter to what he has suggested, the Albanese government well understands that Australian households are feeling the pressure with rising cost-of-living expenses. Some of the factors at play come from outside Australia, such as Russia's illegal and brutal invasion of Ukraine and the effects that flow around the world from that. However, some of the pressures are actually home grown.

I'll be upfront. As the member for Flynn was only elected to the House in May this year, he might not have realised that the Liberal and National parties were actually in government for the last decade. In fact, the coalition has been on the Treasury benches for 21 of the last 27 years, so this nation's economic settings have their grubby fingers all over them. Perhaps the honourable member didn't notice this. I do note that, in his previous paid gig as the member for Callide, he managed to attend a four-hour estimates hearing and not ask a single question. Maybe attention to detail is not the member for Flynn's forte.

If the member for Flynn did some broader research, he might learn that the whole Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison government shemozzle had 20 failed energy policies. That represents a wasted decade when it comes to a major cost input into households in Flynn and Moreton and businesses in Flynn and Moreton. This decade of inaction saw the member for Hume, while minister, deliberately hiding electricity price increases from the Australian people until after the election, and no apology has flowed from that. Again, being upfront, the member for Flynn doesn't actually believe in climate change—I noted that in his first speech. Despite what the local farmers tell him, he chooses to stick his head in the bulldust. So the member for Flynn probably celebrated each and every one of those 20 failed coalition energy plans.

The challenges Australia faces today weren't created by the Albanese government, but we do take responsibility for addressing them. Our economic plan is a direct and deliberate response to the challenges facing the economy, including cost-of-living pressures. Treasurer Chalmers delivered a budget focused on responsible cost-of-living measures that won't put extra pressure on rising inflation. Labor successfully argued for a FWC minimum wage increase in line with inflation, which will help some of the country's lowest paid workers pay their bills. We've extended paid pandemic leave, which was due to expire under the Liberals. This helps people still being impacted by COVID all over Australia.

We've introduced legislation that will drive investment in cleaner and cheaper energy, putting downward pressure on power prices. Sadly, the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison government wasted a decade with inaction on renewables and on the cutting of emissions. And remember, Member for Flynn and everyone else in Australia: renewable energy is the cheapest form of energy. That inaction and flubbing from the coalition was cheered on by climate change deniers like the member for Flynn.

We're also making sure that enough gas stays in Australia for Australian households and businesses, while having an export industry out of Gladstone. With international gas prices soaring, we needed to ensure that sufficient gas stayed in Australia.

We've introduced legislation for cheaper child care—I see the minister present—that will help 1.26 million Australian families. Our cheaper childcare plan will boost productivity by allowing parents, mainly women, who want to work more hours or re-enter the workforce to do so. This also removes a major barrier for women and will greatly assist in meeting some of the skills and knowledge shortfalls being faced by every industry in Australia, as you will see if you go and walk down the main street of Biloela or any of the properties in Flynn.

Treasurer Chalmers' budget also cut the cost of medicines, not just for the city but for the bush. For the first time in its 75-year history, the maximum cost of general scripts under the PBS will fall. We've also listed and expanded important access to cancer medicines on the PBS.

We're fast-tracking fee-free TAFE places. Like cheaper child care, this will assist industry in finding, retaining and upskilling workers.

Pensions, allowances and rent assistance have increased in line with inflation. We're also bringing in a new pensioner work bonus so that older Australians can keep more of what they earn without it affecting their pension.

And the member for Flynn thinks we aren't doing anything to help cost of living? Maybe he has checked out, just like he did during that Queensland estimates session.

Lastly, and importantly for workers, Labor is getting wages moving again. Pay packets are just starting to pick up again. They're forecast to grow at the fastest pace in a decade, following a decade of wage stagnation. That was thanks to the deliberate design settings of the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison government. Imagine having a government that was designed to keep wages low!

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