Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I'm surprised that they suggest that this was a narrow question about wages, because those opposite wanted real wages to fall. That was actually their plan. They have also opposed all of the measures that we've taken to assist people. They opposed the fact that, since the election in July, we cut student debt by 20 per cent for more than three million Australians. That helped them to the tune of $5,500 dollars each. In August we protected penalty rates for weekend and overtime pay. That has something to do with wages. Those opposite opposed it.

In September we increased all the social services payments for five million Australians. In October we expanded our five per cent deposit plan for every first home buyer, which has now benefited 225,000 Australians. In November we tripled the bulk-billing incentive for every Australian, boosting bulk billing. In December we opened six more urgent care clinics. In January we had 1800MEDICARE go live, and we reduced the cost of medicines from $30 down to $25. It was $42.50, was what we were left with. That helps people as well.

Honourable members interjecting—

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