Kara Cook (Bonner, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Can I start by saying how great it is to see more women than men on the opposition benches. It is a wonderful sight; I hope it long lives on. But, unfortunately for them, those on the other side are still at it again, talking Australia down. Let us talk about the facts of what has been brought to the chamber today. When this government came to office, we inherited an economy under real pressure. There were massive deficits, there was almost a trillion of Liberal debt, there was higher inflation, and real wages were going backwards. Living standards were already under strain because of the economic mess left behind.

Our task was clear: repair the economy, restore wage growth and provide cost-of-living relief in a responsible way that doesn't fuel inflation. The latest national accounts show that that approach is working. Australia's economy grew 2.6 per cent through the year, the strongest pace in almost three years and faster than every major advanced economy. The growth is being driven by the private sector, not unsustainable public spending. That matters because it means we can deliver cost-of-living relief responsibly while keeping inflation under control. In a world facing serious global uncertainty, Australia is approaching the future from a position of genuine economic strength.

But the statistics alone do not tell the whole story. We know that Australians are doing it tough, and that is why, each and every day since we have been in government, we have been working to ensure Australians are seeing improvements, and they are. Real disposable income per person has grown 2 per cent over the past year. Wages are rising again. Minimum and award wages have increased by more than $9,000 under Labor. Since we formed government, more than 1.2 million jobs have been created. Unemployment rates remain low and workforce participation is near record highs. This is a recovery built on people working, earning and participating.

We have delivered tax cuts for every taxpayer, with another round of relief on its way and further cuts already locked in for next year. These tax cuts increase take-home pay and help Australians manage cost-of-living pressures. We are also cutting the cost of essentials like health care so more Australians can see a GP for free. We've opened over 130 Medicare urgent care clinics, including two in my community of Bonner in recent months—the Carina-Carindale urgent care clinic and the Capalaba urgent care clinic, both servicing my community. Thousands of patients have already been through the doors. From 1 January, we delivered the next stage of our biggest cut to the cost of PBS medicines—$25 or less—making medicines the cheapest they have been in more than 20 years. We've cut student debt by 20 per cent. We've also raised the income threshold at which student debt repayments start to $67,000, giving graduates more breathing room. We've introduced paid prac for nursing, teaching, social work and midwifery students so people can train for essential professions without going backwards financially.

For families, we've expanded paid parental leave to 24 weeks and, through Labor's three-day guarantee, every child who needs it will be eligible for three days of subsidised early learning each week, meaning a hundred thousand more families can access affordable child care. And we're helping more Australians into their own homes with five per cent deposits for first home buyers. We're supporting housing apprentices with $10,000 bonuses. I'm running out of breath, because we've done so much. Cheaper home batteries are expected to support more than two million installations by 2030. Already in Bonner, over 1,800 batteries have been installed. These measures were not accidents; they were policies we took to the election and promised to deliver for all Australians, and we are delivering.

What would those opposite have done? We know that they made a commitment to cut 41,000 frontline workers. They would have cut student debt relief. They would have cut free TAFE. They would have cut Commonwealth prac payments. They would have cut cheaper home batteries. All of the measures I've talked about that we have delivered—they were intent on cutting them. I can just say that our approach is clear—strong economic management and practical cost-of-living relief. We are delivering for all Australians.

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