Cassandra Fernando (Holt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

During the federal election last year, the Australian Labor Party, led by the current Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, promised to deliver a better future for every Australian. We are dealing with circumstances that occur once in a generation. With the substantial slowdown of economies around the world, an environment of high inflation, the RBA recommendation to raise interest rates and a succession of natural disasters, the Albanese Labor government is facing unique situations that no-one could foresee. Yet we have gotten on with tackling these challenges, introducing a range of policies that will benefit this country not only for months to come but even for the coming decades. Indeed, this government can be aptly described by Joe Kennedy's saying, 'When the going gets tough, the tough get going.'

For the first time in its 75-year history, the maximum cost of general scripts under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, known as the PBS, has fallen. Australians began paying 30 per cent less for PBS scripts from 1 July this year, meaning someone taking one medication a month could save as much as $150 annually. This change brings significant relief to millions of Australians like me, who depend on PBS medications. The maximum cost for PBS medications has doubled since 2000, and I am proud the Albanese Labor government is delivering on its commitment to reduce medication costs.

Similarly, childcare costs ballooned over the last few years due to the continued apathy of the Liberal-National coalition government. I am glad the Albanese government has locked in more affordable early education for families in Holt. The passage of the cheaper childcare legislation means that, from July this year, around 96 per cent of families with a child in early childhood education and care will benefit. It will also mean the childcare subsidy for families earning $80,000 or less will increase to 90 per cent. A family with a combined income of $120,000 with one child in care will be $1,780 better off in the first year under the reforms. This policy delivers real cost-of-living relief while boosting productivity. It is a significant reform that is good for children, good for families and good for the economy.

As a TAFE student who completed a certificate IV in patisserie and a diploma in hospitality management I was thrilled to speak about this government's fee-free TAFE policy at William Angliss alumni International Women's Day breakfast last week. School leavers and people in Holt wanting to retrain, upskill and re-enter the workforce are encouraged to enrol in one of more than 55,000 fee-free TAFE and VET places on offer in Victoria in 2023. Along with tackling skill shortages, these places will benefit the people of Holt by providing opportunities for school leavers and people wanting to retrain or upskill to get back into the workforce.

The Albanese Labor government is investing in our greatest resources, our people, to give them the skills and training they need to harness the jobs and opportunities of the future. Whether it's the need to build our care sector, construction, hospitality and tourism, or technology and digital sectors, we must deliver these skills during the acute skill shortages. We have a government that delivers and an opposition that refuses to learn anything other than saying no. They say no to a National Reconstruction Fund, no to the Housing Australia Future Fund, no to the safeguard mechanisms and clean energy, no to a First Nations' Voice to Parliament—just simply plain no.

The Albanese Labor government is working to clean up a decade of waste and a decade of stagnation in ideas and delivery. Still those opposite don't want to support future Australian needs. The only people who have broken these promises are the opposition. They promised to learn from their mistakes after the last federal election but have repeatedly demonstrated they are far from doing so. I thank the House.

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