Kate Thwaites (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. After 12 months, how is the Albanese Labor government working to bring people together, bridge divides and build a better future?

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

I thank the member for Jagajaga for her question and for her contribution as an outstanding member there in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. One year ago, Australians did vote for change, and from day one we've worked hard to prove worthy of the trust that the Australian people placed in us, delivering on commitments: historic investments in Medicare, fee-free TAFE, cheaper child care, cheaper medicines, energy bill relief, getting wages moving again, acting on climate change, the National Anti-Corruption Commission, rolling out fibre-based NBN. We had an absolute commitment to build for a better future, and it is no accident that the theme of the budget was stronger foundations for a better future. One year in, we've been turning around a decade of denial, neglect and inaction by those opposite.

But what's important isn't just what governments do; it's how they do it. I promised to work more collaboratively, and that is what we have been doing. Matt Comyn from the Commonwealth Bank said:

I've appreciated the way in which they have taken a whole-of-government and broader collaborative approach.

Ross McEwan from NAB said that the government has been 'constructive and collaborative' and said:

The passing through Parliament of climate policy has provided business with clarity and certainty …

Brad Banducci from Woolworths said that the government has provided 'a steady hand at the wheel' and said:

Reforms to boost workforce participation and health, such as the expanded childcare subsidies, paid parental leave scheme and increases to the Medicare rebate, are important in a tight labour market and will benefit many of our 180,000 hard working team members.

Jennifer Westacott said:

After more than a decade of uncertainty and equivocation employers now have certainty about our emissions targets and how we're going to get there.

Kellie Parker from Rio Tinto said that the government has made 'a very strong start' and said:

The improvement in the relationship between Australia and China has been really pleasing to see.

We as a government have been collaborative. We're working with all state and territory governments, working with local governments, working with businesses, working with unions, working with civil society and working with women's groups—and this is why we put women at the centre of the budget a fortnight ago—because we want to deliver a better future and we want to take Australians with us on that journey of change. On that note, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.