Steve Georganas (Adelaide, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

It gives me great pleasure to speak on this motion, to rebuff some of the things that have been said and to talk about some of the great things this government is doing to put downward pressure on living costs for Australians. It gives me the opportunity to talk about our policies on electricity, rent and child care, let alone the cheaper medicines that we have brought into fruition during this government, which are directly putting downward pressure on inflation.

Like all of us in here—you'd hope!—we talk to people in our electorates. I talk to people in my electorate of Adelaide; I talk to constituents continuously. There's no doubt that the cost of living is hitting hard no matter where you are. But before we dive into the present, let's not forget who steered us into this mess over the last 10 to 12 years. Under coalition leadership, Australia faced its deepest recession since 1959. With the Albanese Labor government, the ABS data provides that without our cost-of-living policies—in other words the policies that this Labor government has put into fruition—inflation would be 0.5 per cent higher. Strange they would say that—that is, if we were not in government, inflation will be higher. That's from the ABS data, which proves that, without our cost-of-living policies, inflation would be 0.5 per cent higher. The ABS also shows our policies on electricity, rent and child care have directly put downward pressure on inflation. Yet this opposition voted against all of those measures that are putting downward pressure on inflation.

Our budget strategy is solid. It's backed by the RBA, the IMF, the OECD and Fitch, and it has secured Australia's AAA rating. Let's keep it plain and simple: we should all be here to ensure every Aussie not only meets the basics but has more, that they have enough to put food on the table, a safe home, peace of mind that their hard-earned money is staying in their pockets. This cannot be a political game for either side. This ensures that whatever we do in this place has an effect on real lives. That's why I was proud to deliver in my electorate of Adelaide the news that every taxpayer will receive a tax cut under Labor's plan, with approximately 84 per cent receiving a bigger tax cut from 1 July. That's more money that they will have in their pocket. If we weren't in government, it would be less money.

It's a big deal, when you think that 11.5 million Australians, or 84 per cent of taxpayers, get a bigger cut than what was planned by the opposition and the Morrison plan back then. But here's the twist: the opposition wants to scrap it; they want to get rid of it, leading to higher taxes for those who can't afford it and who genuinely need the relief. It's quite baffling, when you think about it. They criticise us for not addressing the cost of living while constantly voting against measures aimed at fixing. The logic just doesn't add up. We heard the debate last week on those tax cuts, where they all spoke against them, yet they're voting for them. Why are they voting for them? Because they know it will put extra dollars into people's pockets.

Yet, regardless of the barriers facing this House, the Albanese government is not just talking. We are delivering. Things are tough for households—we know they are—and for businesses. But we've got a plan that is working. I'd just ask those on the other side to check the numbers. Quarterly inflation is down to 4.1 per cent, the lowest in two years. Its progress is maybe not perfect, but we're moving in the right direction. The Albanese Labor government is making changes because it sees what's really going on in 2024, in the present. Flash back five years and the coalition's plan, stage three, was locked in, but the world was a very different place back then. When things change, you've got to change your plan as well. It's as simple as that.

We're boosting wages, keeping inflation in check, fighting for fair prices and giving real help for daily costs, like energy bills. And we're fighting for cheaper medication. We've seen the great things that have come into fruition here. So, when you hear what those on the other side are saying, I would tell the public to ignore it, because they're playing politics, and that's not what we do. Our record is straight and plain. It's a sign that we're doing something right. We're urging everyone to see the progress and to join us in securing a prosperous future for all Australians.

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