Dan Repacholi (Hunter, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

When people in my community talk to me at local events, at mobile offices, at Cessnock, Singleton or Morisset Bunnings, they're not interested in political games. They're not interested in motions like this. They're not interested in cheap political pointscoring. What they are interested in is very simple. They want us to get on with the job. They want us to listen. They want us to act. In times like this, when a crisis is coming from beyond our shores, Australians expect their government to step up and lead with practical action. Right now people are feeling the pressure. They are seeing it every time they fill up the car. They are seeing it in their businesses. They are seeing it at their kitchen table when they're working out what the week ahead looks like. That's what's been driving the conversations I've been hearing back at home.

The one thing I'll say about the people of the Hunter is this: they will always let you know exactly how they're feeling—thank you for that, too. They'll tell you straight up that fuel prices are hurting and cost of living is tough, and they just want to know what's being done about it. I've heard it from small business owners, tradies and families juggling mortgages and groceries all saying the same thing. They do not expect miracles, but they do expect us to take them seriously and do something practical. I've had people say to me: 'Just keep it simple. Just listen and do what you can.' That's exactly the approach I've taken.

Last week I took those conversations directly to the PM. I've spoken with the relevant ministers as well, and I've made sure those voices are being heard. The important thing is they are being listened to and action is being taken. That's how this government works. We listen and we act because this situation of the conflict in the Middle East is pushing up fuel prices right across the world, and that is not something that we can control, but what we can control is how we respond. What I've seen and what my community is seeing is a government that is responding.

We've halved fuel excise for three months, taking off more than 25c per litre of fuel. That's relief straight up. That's money straight into people's back pockets. We've cut the heavy vehicle road user charge to zero, because we know that, when transport costs go up, everything else follows. We're cracking down on petrol companies doing the wrong thing, with tougher penalties and real enforcement. And we're working with states and industry and our international partners to make sure fuel keeps getting to where it's needed most. At the same time, we're continuing broader cost-of-living support, whether it's tax cuts, cheaper medicines or strengthening Medicare.

Now, that didn't happen in a vacuum. That happened because people spoke up and because this government is all about listening and acting. And that's the difference, because what Australians expect in times like this is not noise. They expect us to step up. They expect us to work together. They expect us to focus on them.

Instead, what they're seeing from those opposite is the same old behaviour: oppose everything; knock everything; offer nothing—and that's at a time when Australians just want us to get on with the job. People see straight through that. They know it doesn't help them pay their bills. They know it doesn't help them make their fuel cheaper. They know it doesn't make their lives easier.

What helps is action. What helps is listening. What helps is getting on with the job. And that's exactly what this government is doing. I've seen it firsthand. I've taken concerns from my community straight into conversations with the Prime Minister and ministers, and I've seen those concerns turn into real decisions. That matters, because it shows people that their voice travels from their street to their local member and through to the decisions at the highest level. That's what good governments do. That's what people expect. That's what we are delivering, because it's about keeping Australia moving and supporting communities like mine.

So, yes, this is a challenging time, but what matters is how we respond. And this government is responding by listening to Australians and acting on their interests. That's what leadership looks like: not noise; not politics; just getting on with the job. That's what I'll continue to do for my community.

My community is telling me, every single day that I'm speaking with them, that they actually want us and the people on the other side from us to work together on this. We, right now, are in a national crisis. It's not something that we ever should be arguing about. This is the second time in less than five months that we've been in a situation where we should be working together, and it's utterly disgusting that those opposite are playing political games with people's lives right now. It is putrid. You can see why their numbers are going down, down and down in the polls. You can certainly see it. You guys need to have a good hard look at yourselves and think about what Aussies want, because Aussies want us to work together. The people of the Hunter want us to work together and actually do better for them, instead of being up here arguing over petty little things.

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