House debates Statements by Members
Albanese Government
Luke Howarth Petrie, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence Industry
1:45 pm
Remember when Prime Minister Albanese said, 'Life will be better under Labor'? Well, we've seen this week that Australians can't trust a word out of this Prime Minister's mouth. Despite his pledge, 'My word is my bond,' we all know now that this out-of-touch Labor government can't be trusted and Australians are no fools. The life they were promised is a fairy tale compared to the reality they are living every day, with groceries up by nine per cent, housing costs up by 12 per cent, electricity up by 20 per cent, insurance costs up by 22 per cent and gas up by 27 per cent. Families who were once trying to get ahead are now just trying to keep their heads above water.
Now it is absolutely tragic to hear how children in my own electorate are paying the price, as local state schools contact me for help, telling me that they have to consider whether their students can participate in school sport this year, in 2024, as the cost of bus hire has gone up some 25 per cent. This is the reality that the Prime Minister and his government are clueless about. How did we get here, where students at public schools can't even get on a bus to go and play netball, basketball, rugby league or any sport, for that matter? I will tell you how we got here. We got here when this Prime Minister and Labor government lied their way to the Lodge and decided to put Australian families first.
Sharon Claydon Newcastle, Australian Labor Party
Member for Petrie, you will withdraw that comment.
Luke Howarth Petrie, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence Industry
Which comment?
Sharon Claydon Newcastle, Australian Labor Party
You know what unparliamentary term you used.
Luke Howarth Petrie, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence Industry
No.
Sharon Claydon Newcastle, Australian Labor Party
Are you defying my order?
Luke Howarth Petrie, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence Industry
Which comment?
Sharon Claydon Newcastle, Australian Labor Party
I'm not going to repeat your offence. Please stop wasting everybody's time. You know full well what term you used. That is unparliamentary behaviour. I ask you to withdraw it.
Luke Howarth Petrie, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence Industry
What was it, though?
Sharon Claydon Newcastle, Australian Labor Party
What do you think it was?
Luke Howarth Petrie, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence Industry
The way I worded it was okay I thought.
Sharon Claydon Newcastle, Australian Labor Party
No, it was not. Please withdraw it.
Luke Howarth Petrie, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence Industry
So you don't want me to repeat it—just say that I withdraw?
Sharon Claydon Newcastle, Australian Labor Party
I do not wish for you to repeat it.
Luke Howarth Petrie, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence Industry
I withdraw.
Sharon Claydon Newcastle, Australian Labor Party
Thank you very much. You just wasted a lot of time for the House.
Luke Howarth Petrie, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence Industry
You could have repeated it.
Sharon Claydon Newcastle, Australian Labor Party
Would you like to continue the conversation and backchat me?
Luke Howarth Petrie, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence Industry
No. I'm quite happy.
Sharon Claydon Newcastle, Australian Labor Party
I'd like to lift the level of debate in this and give the call to the member for Robertson.