Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is addressed to the Treasurer. Does the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey, released today, show Australians are better or worse off than in 2013?

Josh Frydenberg (Kooyong, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

They're certainly better off since 2013. The HILDA Survey the member refers to was conducted to December 2017. Since then, the unemployment rate has come down from 5.6 per cent to 5.2 per cent. The wage price index has increased from 2.1 per cent to 2.3 per cent. Real wages have increased, the participation rate has increased and the ABS household income and wealth survey, released earlier this month, which takes into account the full 2017-18 year, shows that real median household disposable incomes have increased by over $2,000 per year compared to 2007-08.

The other point about the HILDA Survey is that, when it comes to the poverty line, it says it has 'fluctuated over time, but the broad trend has been downwards'. This is especially true since 2007, when 12.4 per cent of the population was in relative poverty. By 2016, the proportion in poverty had fallen to 9.6 per cent. The bottom line is that this government, this side of the House, has been responsible for helping to create the conditions where more than 1.4 million new jobs have been created. Lower taxes have ensured that Australians can earn more and keep more of what they earn.

I will tell you what will lead to worse outcomes for the Australian people, lower household incomes and a lower standard of living, and that's $387 billion of higher taxes. The Leader of the Opposition can stand up today and tell the House that those policies are no longer the policies of the Labor Party. The Prime Minister says he can. The Prime Minister said the Leader of the Opposition can, but he won't because he needs to wait for Jay Weatherill—

Hon. Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Treasurer will resume his seat. Does the Leader of the Opposition—

Mr Frydenberg interjecting—

The Treasurer will cease interjecting!

Mr Frydenberg interjecting—

Mr Albanese interjecting—

Can I point out to members on both sides that I'm always very happy to get advice, but I haven't given anyone the call yet. Out there in voter land they're just watching a couple of mouths move. You're on mute. I might just sit here for a minute or two—what do you think? I call the Leader of the Opposition on a point of order.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If the Treasurer wants to give me leave to make a statement about Labor's agenda, I'm happy to do so.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is no point of order. The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. The Treasurer has up to 45 seconds left.

Josh Frydenberg (Kooyong, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We were making the obvious point that those on that side of the House stand for $387 billion of higher taxes. Those higher taxes on retirees, on superannuants, on workers, on small-business owners and on family business owners will lead to lower disposable income and a lower standard of living.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is the Leader of the Opposition seeking to table a document?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am indeed. I seek leave to table a document headed 'Aussies no better off since GFC'. It's page 1 of The Australian today.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. I'm not going to detain the House; I'm just going to refer to earlier rulings by myself and other speakers. I won't allow leave for documents that are well in the public domain.