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

I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. Indeed, in May last year we did promise to cut income taxes for every taxpayer this year and next. And tonight's budget will confirm, indeed, that we're cutting taxes this year and next. We promised a $1,000 instant tax deduction, and tonight's budget will fulfil that, helping low- and middle-income earners. We promised to strengthen Medicare, and tonight's budget will provide an additional $25 billion for hospitals. It will provide support for urgent care clinics to be made a permanent part of Medicare. It will provide for cheaper medicines. It will provide the funding for the endo clinics that are up and running, assisting with women's health. It will provide support for Medicare mental health clinics as well.

We also committed to improving aged care, giving Australians dignity and security in later years—in contrast to what we inherited, which was summed up in one word: neglect. Tonight's budget will provide additional funding for aged care as well. Our commitment, of course, was also to make the economy more resilient through our Future Made in Australia plan, and tonight's budget will do that as well.

The budget will also show that we've halved the fuel excise, something that before the election we didn't say we would do but something that we've done in response to the circumstances which are there.

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