Gabriel Ng (Menzies, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak against this motion. This motion is part of a pattern we see from those opposite. The Liberal Party and the National Party come in here, moving motion after motion, and they talk about the cost of living, hardships and struggling families—these are all legitimate things to raise; we absolutely recognise that people in our communities are doing it tough—but those opposite never have solutions. And when we bring forward practical measures to provide relief to hardworking households in our communities, they oppose them—every single time. They opposed our tax cuts at the last election. They opposed energy bill relief. They opposed free TAFE. They opposed minimum wage increases. They come in here and claim to speak for everyday Australians, and then they vote against every single thing we put forward to help everyday Australians. That is not genuine concern for living standards; that is political theatre.

Members opposite have been running a line that Australians have experienced the biggest decline in living standards in the OECD. But, as usual, they're relying on cherrypicked figures to gaslight Australians. During COVID, household incomes were artificially inflated by JobKeeper emergency payments and record low interest rates. When global inflation hit and interest rates rose, incomes fell back. That is the drop they are measuring. They are starting the clock at the top of the bounce. Australia was hit harder than most because we have more people on variable rate mortgages.

So let's talk about some real figures. The OECD's own 2026 report shows that real wages are recovering and consumer spending is picking up. Employment was at record highs, but the OECD says the economy is returning to pre-pandemic growth levels. Now, there's no denying that this picture will be complicated by the conflict in the Middle East and the resulting energy crisis. But just as we did with the previous international inflation challenges, we'll continue to manage the economy responsibly while we support people through the difficult times. And, as importantly, we'll do so ensuring we have an economy that works for people and not the other way around.

Let me set out what this government has delivered on cost of living. We have cut income taxes five times. There will be a further income tax coming at the end of this financial year, and another income tax coming at the end of the next financial year. Every taxpayer received relief in the last round of the stage 3 tax cuts, restructured to benefit low- and middle-income earners who were hit hardest by the cost-of-living crisis. The budget that we've just handed down delivers a permanent $250 working Australians tax offset for over 13 million workers. It delivers a $1,000 instant tax deduction that will save people time and save resources by making sure they don't have to collect lots of receipts in order to claim that instant tax deduction. We've halved the fuel tax, putting $2.9 billion of relief directly at the petrol bowser every time people fill up. That's immediate, practical relief for families and small businesses who are feeling pressure every time they visit the petrol station.

We've backed higher wages for nearly three million of Australia's lowest paid workers every single year at the Fair Work Commission. The national minimum wage has increased by over $9,000 per year since we came to office. That is money in workers pockets.

Members opposite love to tell Australians that renewables are wrecking the grid and will send prices through the roof. In the December quarter of 2025, renewables comprised more than half of energy supply, driving down wholesale electricity prices by nearly half. Coal-fired generation fell to an all-time quarterly low. Gas-fired generation plunged to its lowest level in 25 years. Under the coalition, more energy left the grid than came in—and the prices reflect that. What we are seeing now is the result of sustained investment and reliable policy in renewable generation and storage, backed by hydro and gas.

We also delivered direct relief. Over the last two financial years, this government provided $5 billion in energy bill relief, with up to $300 on household electricity accounts in the 2024-25 financial year and a further $150 in the first half of this financial year applied automatically to every bill. And we're investing in long-term relief. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program has been expanded from $2.3 billion to an estimated $7.2 billion over four years, expected to see more than two million Australians install a battery by 2030. A household with existing solar could save up to $1,100 a year.

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