Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Under Labor, living standards have not only gone backwards; they are in such a poor and parlous state at the moment that ordinary, everyday Australians are wondering when they're going to make ends meet. We heard yesterday in question time the Prime Minister and particularly the Treasurer going on about the fact that they believe that living standards are on the improve. They talked about the OECD. They talked about everything that just happens in this place. Don't worry about what happens within this chamber. Go out and ask Mr and Mrs Average how they're faring. They're doing it tough. That's if they've got a roof over their heads. That's if they're able to find the rent to pay each week or each fortnight. People are doing it tough. They can't afford their energy bills. They can't afford their rent. Petrol prices in Cowra are now well and truly over $2 a litre. In every way, whether it's at the browser or whether it's at the check-out, people are paying through the nose, and it's on Labor's watch. People need their living standards secure. Real wages have just gone completely backwards, and no amount of saying the opposite will make it otherwise for ordinary, everyday Australians. It's time Labor members went into their electorates and stopped talking at people and instead started listening to people and started acting on behalf of those people who are really hurting at the moment.