Ali France (Dickson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak on the somewhat warped MPI move by the member for Goldstein. I really thank him for it because I love talking about Labor's cost-of-living measures, and I'm really happy to inform those opposite about our national fuel reserve in Australia, something that those opposite could never do.

We all know global conflict is disrupting fuel supply chains, and this government is acting. We've released a fifth of our fuel reserves and directed that fuel to areas with shortages. We've temporarily allowed lower quality fuel that was destined for export to be used in Australia, enabling an extra 100 million litres of fuel to areas of need. We're also supporting Australian refineries to produce more domestically. Our new fuel supply taskforce is working directly with states and territories to make sure fuel gets to where it is needed most. We are cracking down on petrol price gouging, doubling penalties for companies that try to profit at the expense of Australian families to $100 million. We've taken real action on fuel security and are responding to global changes.

Unlike those opposite, we are actually delivering. Those opposite left us a dire inheritance: fuel insecurity, record debt, a housing crisis, energy uncertainty and a healthcare system under serious strain. We now have a national fuel reserve in Australia because, when we came to government, we established one. In 2023, we introduced new rules requiring Australia's two remaining refineries and major importers to hold baseline stocks of fuel onshore. Prior to that, the coalition, under the direction of the opposition leader, held our fuel reserves in Texas, not Australia. Those opposite also presided over the closure of four of Australia's remaining six refineries while in government. Your record on fuel security was appalling and put our country and primary producers at risk.

The member for Goldstein moved this motion, so let's move onto his record and the record of those opposite on cost of living. It's no secret that the member for Goldstein, the new shadow Treasurer, supports privatising Medicare and has talked about patients taking on the financial burden of public health care. Here's a translation: the member for Goldstein wants patients to pay more. Let's not forget their $600 billion nuclear plan that would take 20 years to build and push up household electricity bills by hundreds of dollars.

Unlike those opposite, we are delivering real cost-of-living relief for Aussies. It is our No. 1 priority. We're cutting taxes for every Australian taxpayer, with another round of tax cuts taking effect on 1 July and again the following year. We've delivered increases in the minimum wage and major pay rises for workers in feminised industries. We've provided energy bill relief and taken 30 per cent off home batteries. Over 1,700 homes and businesses in Dickson alone have taken up that battery discount. Those opposite called it elitist.

On Medicare, we have delivered the single largest investment ever, $8.5 billion, for bulk-billing and more GPs and $1.8 billion in extra hospital funding. On housing, we have an ambitious $45 billion plan to build 1.2 million homes, despite those opposite blocking our housing legislation along with the Greens. Right now, 153 new social and affordable homes are being built in Joyner, in my community, as part of our $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund. We're delivering tax cuts, higher wages, cheaper medicines, better health care and more housing—real relief. Those opposite oppose nearly every single one of these measures. On this side of the House, we are focused on fuel security and delivering cost-of-living relief. Those opposite have literally done everything in their power to make it tougher for everyday Aussies. I urge those opposite to be patriotic—to back Aussies, not work against us.

See this speech in context