Sarah Witty (Melbourne, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The opposition would have us believe that this government is on a reckless spending spree. But let us be clear: what they call a 'spree', families in my electorate call a 'lifeline'. Before entering this place, I was the CEO of the Nappy Collective. That work started with the simple idea to collect nappies when children had grown out of them or toilet-trained too quickly and pass them on to families in crisis, families looking for help because of the crushing weight of the cost-of-living pressures following years of Liberal-Nationals cuts and attacks on workers, parents who were unable to afford essentials. We all do our best for our children, but what if, at even your best, you can't provide them with a clean nappy not because of a crisis but because of rising costs that have pushed you to the edge and the failure of minimum wage to keep pace? That is the reality outside this chamber.

That is why this government has chosen action over slogans and responsibility over scare campaigns. From 1 July, every household in Australia will see another $150 taken off their power bills. That relief matters when you are sitting at the kitchen table, wondering how to pay the next bill. We have delivered a 3.5 per cent pay rise for millions of Australians on minimum and award wages. These are workers who spend every cent on food, housing and school costs—not luxuries but basics, like nappies. This government is making sure their wages keep pace with the cost of living.

We have extended paid parental leave to 24 weeks and, for the very first time, super will be paid on parental leave. That will not just help families in the here and now; it will mean long-term financial security, especially for women, who often retire with less. We are making sure student nurses, teachers, social workers and midwives are paid during their practical placements. Young people training for those critical professions will no longer have to choose between gaining experience and paying their bills.

We are strengthening Medicare, with a $1.8 billion boost for hospitals, new rebates for longer consultations and better care for women's health. We have just spent the week speaking about how the cost of prescriptions will come down. Good health care should not depend on your bank balance and women's pain should never be dismissed or ignored. It's not just about the cost of living; it's about the quality of life you live. We are backing ambition with support for apprenticeships in housing and construction, with discounts on home batteries to permanently lower power bills. We will continue to provide help for small businesses to invest and grow.

This is not a spending spree. This is a government stepping in responsibly and carefully to make sure families do not fall through the cracks. When I think of the parents who came to the Nappy Collective for the first time, parents who never thought they would be in that position, I know exactly why these measures matter. They mean fewer families pushed to the point of desperation. They mean a little more breathing room. They mean dignity.

Those opposite can talk all they like about numbers on a page. On this side, we will keep talking about the people behind those numbers—the families, the workers, the students, and the small businesses who need and deserve a government that has their back. This is not about ideology; it's about compassion. It's about security, and it is about fairness. That is exactly what the Albanese Labor government is delivering.

Seriously, those opposite have no idea what families are going through. The choice is clear: Labor delivers relief and responsibility; the Liberals and Nationals deliver nothing but defects, debt and cuts.

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