Basem Abdo (Calwell, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Those opposite love nothing more than talking Australia down. While this government is strengthening our energy system, lowering wholesale prices and rebuilding our reputation in the world, their only instinct is to sneer, to undermine and to oppose.

With our family in the Pacific, Australia has just secured unprecedented influence over global climate and energy deliberations. In 2026, Australia and the Pacific will co-host a special pre-COP, giving Pacific leaders and communities the global stage they deserve and ensuring the world sees the impacts and solutions of our region firsthand. That outcome strengthens our security, strengthens our economy and strengthens Australia's standing in the world, and the only response from those opposite is to try to tear Australia down. If your only focus is political pointscoring, you will never act in the national interest.

We have an exceptionally strong climate and energy team. Teamwork, of course, is a foreign concept to those opposite. We've taken real steps to help: three rounds of energy bill relief, a gas price cap, and major investment in cheaper renewable energy while rebuilding a reliable modern grid after a decade of neglect. The Australian Energy Market Commission could not be more clear: delaying the connection of renewables and transmission puts upward pressure on electricity bills. This is where the opposition has completely lost the plot.

They walked away from net zero. They walked away from investment certainty, and they walked away from Australia's place in the world. What they're really saying is that Australia should sit quietly and accept whatever the world hands to us. This government believes Australia should help write the rules, and that's why our minister has been asked to lead COP negotiations. We are Australia; we don't aim for second place. Those opposite can explain why they do.

Our policies are built around Australian families and Australian industry. They spoke about manufacturing. In my electorate, the Ford factory delivered generations of secure, well paid work. When the industry needed support, the Liberals attacked our automotive industry. They issued ultimatums. They questioned its commitment and dared it to leave. And when Ford, Holden and Toyota shut their doors, those opposite applauded their exit. So, when they suddenly proclaim their love of manufacturing, when they get all hasty and lean their elbows against borrowed cars, we will not forget how they attacked Australian families, Australian jobs and Australian industry. And we will take no lectures from them about ministerial focus.

Under this government, ministerial roles are transparent. Under theirs, Scott Morrison secretly swore himself into health, finance, Treasury, home affairs, and industry, treating ministries like Pokemon—'gotta catch 'em all!' The member for New England knows a thing or two about extra roles. Now he's off to join the circus that is One Nation, which is fitting, because they've always got a job for a clown in that reactionary outfit, and he comes cheap—really cheap. It took a sandwich press steak to get him over the line. I saw it came with a bit of Saxa salt. Imagine if it came with a bit of mushroom sauce—the big, tasty cookout with the cookers. You tasteless, tasteless bunch. Every coal breakdown, every bit of energy pain—it all comes on the back of their decade of denial. While this government takes action to reduce bills today and reform the market for tomorrow, those opposite choose slogans over solutions. Here's the contrast: while they sulk, fight, hold press conferences during question time and divide, we deliver.

In the past year alone, we've delivered for Australian families. That's what this is all about—Australian families and Australian industry. This is about a $9,000 pay rise for minimum-wage and award workers, for Australian families; 24 weeks of paid parental leave with super on paid parental leave, for Australian families; and energy bill relief of $150 for every household, for Australian families. This is about a $10,000 bonus for housing apprentices, for Australian families; 30 per cent off home batteries, for Australian families; and paid placements for nurses, teachers and social workers, for Australian families. This is about aged care pay rises, expanded bulk-billing, a five per cent deposit for first home buyers, a 20 per cent student debt cut and, from 1 January, all PBS medicines being at $25 or less, for Australian families. That's what we fight for—Australian industry and Australian families.

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