Emma Comer (Petrie, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Australians want to know who they can trust to keep taxes low, invest wisely and make every dollar count. For me and the majority of Australians, the answer is clear: it is Labor. While the coalition talks a big game on the economy, Labor delivers. We've cut taxes, kept spending responsible and returned the first budget surplus in 15 years, all without leaving everyday families behind.

Let's break it down and look at the facts. Last term, Labor delivered tax cuts for every Australian taxpayer. We've also committed to delivering two more tax cuts in 2026 and 2027. Under Labor, Australians are earning more and keeping more of what they earn. By contrast, the two highest taxing governments of the last 30 years have both been Liberal-National governments.

Now, looking at spending: after nine years of coalition mismanagement, we inherited a deficit crisis and a trillion dollars of debt. The Labor Party delivered two surpluses in a row in our very first term. We've also averaged the lowest unemployment rate of any government in the last half-century. Monthly headline and underlying inflation are in the bottom half of the RBA's target band. I know I'm hoping for an interest rate cut in the future; thousands of people in Petrie are eagerly awaiting the possibility of an interest rate cut on the horizon. This is only possible because of the diligent way that our economy has been managed under the Treasurer.

Not only are we keeping the economy on track but we're also doing it without leaving the most vulnerable behind—something those opposite have failed to do again and again. It is a fallacy that you must cut essential services in order to maintain productivity. We know what makes Australia great is access to affordable health care, education and child care. These cannot be cut on the road to prosperity. Even though our economic stats are pretty good, we know that people are still struggling. We are laser focused on easing the financial pressures on families to make their lives that little bit easier. We've delivered three rounds of energy-bill relief. We've increased rent assistance, and we are capping the price of medicines on the PBS at $25. We are also attacking the issue from the other side by prioritising wage growth. We recently delivered a pay rise for every minimum- and award-wage worker, and real wages have been growing for 18 months.

I recently had the pleasure of speaking to Cameron at my Carseldine shopping centre mobile office. He served as a combat engineer for many years. He now has a young family and decided he needed a career that would allow him to be nearer to his children. Free TAFE made the decision to re-skill an easy one. Paying for a qualification while supporting a family is not easy. My mum raised me while studying for a nursing degree and had to work to afford it. It meant she had little time to spend with her kids. Cameron proudly served his country and now free TAFE has given him the security to reskill closer to home so that he can serve his family.

The OECD employment outlook 2025 confirmed that the government is delivering the lowest personal income tax rates in 50 years, and unemployment levels are below the OECD average. Given this, it's hard to understand how the opposition can justify the claim that government is 'addicted' to raising taxes. We delivered an $800 tax cut for every Australian taxpayer—a tax cut designed to support those earning under $150,000. On the other side, the coalition wanted to increase taxes. My seat in Petrie was held by the Liberal Party for 12 years but voted Labor at the last election. This reflects my community's trust in our government's agenda. We are investing in cost-of-living relief, secure jobs, education and health care. These are issues my community care about and want to see safeguarded. I'm committed to continuous improvement in these areas to make sure that locals are supported.

This can be achieved only if the economy continues to grow, and I am certain we are on the right track. We guaranteed Australians costed, targeted and clear cost-of-living relief, not vague, ever-changing promises. Labor governs with transparency and has a plan for future reforms. We're delivering on tax cuts, responsible spending and a stronger fiscal outlook. For Petrie residents, this means better wages, more affordable living and economic stability. (Time expired)

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