Tom French (Moore, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Withdrawn. And now the member for Fairfax is out there trying to jumpstart it. Is it nuclear powered? Member? No? Now, contrast that with Labor, the party that actually understands ordinary Australians. We're cutting taxes for every taxpayer. We're making multinationals pay their fair share. We're tightening tax compliance. We're reining in super tax breaks for those with multimillion-dollar balances. We're reforming the petroleum resource rent tax. And we're investing in clean energy, housing and small business. That's not addiction; that is economic stewardship. We've delivered the first surplus in 15 years, and we did it without smashing services or selling off assets.

Now those opposite suddenly care about restraint. Well, where was that restraint when their side was doling out sports rorts, carpark rorts, robodebt notices and grants that mysteriously always landed in opposition seats? Their legacy is one of waste, mismanagement and inequality. And now they're having a dig at us for cleaning up their mess. It beggars belief. Let's take a look at the actual numbers. Inflation's back in the RBA's target band, at 2.1 per cent. Unemployment is steady, at 4.3 per cent. GDP is growing. That's what economic management looks like. You don't fix a budget by slashing Medicare; you fix it by backing Australians and making sure everyone pays their fair share.

I didn't come here with a silver spoon. I've poured beers, wired switchboards and stood beside workers who were shafted. I came here for them—for people who actually turn up, clock on and keep this country running. The people in my electorate of Moore don't want spin; they want support. They want governments that deliver, not deflect.

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