Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has said:

My word is my bond. I've always been a man of my word, and I believe that when you go to an election, and you make commitments, you should stick to them.

Yet reports in all major newspapers confirm that the government is about to impose new taxes on housing, savings, small businesses and farmers. Why should Australians ever trust another commitment this Labor government makes?

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

I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. Indeed, in May last year we did promise to cut income taxes for every taxpayer this year and next. And tonight's budget will confirm, indeed, that we're cutting taxes this year and next. We promised a $1,000 instant tax deduction, and tonight's budget will fulfil that, helping low- and middle-income earners. We promised to strengthen Medicare, and tonight's budget will provide an additional $25 billion for hospitals. It will provide support for urgent care clinics to be made a permanent part of Medicare. It will provide for cheaper medicines. It will provide the funding for the endo clinics that are up and running, assisting with women's health. It will provide support for Medicare mental health clinics as well.

We also committed to improving aged care, giving Australians dignity and security in later years—in contrast to what we inherited, which was summed up in one word: neglect. Tonight's budget will provide additional funding for aged care as well. Our commitment, of course, was also to make the economy more resilient through our Future Made in Australia plan, and tonight's budget will do that as well.

The budget will also show that we've halved the fuel excise, something that before the election we didn't say we would do but something that we've done in response to the circumstances which are there.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Leader of the Nationals in the House of Representatives.

Honourable members interjecting—

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

I think the joke was on you on Saturday.

Honourable members interjecting—

And it went well for you!

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Members on my left. Member for Cowper, we're just going to take the temperature down. The Prime Minister is answering the question. He was asked a question; he's giving information to the House. I'd like to hear what he'd like to say.

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

The worst they're going, the louder they get. That is something that we know is the case. Tonight's budget will deliver reform. It will deliver resilience. It will be the budget that Australia needs in 2026. We have been working through the global fuel crisis that has been imposed on us. We've been working on delivering for Australians, and tonight's budget will do just that again.