Michelle Rowland (Greenway, Australian Labor Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last night, the Albanese government handed down our fifth budget—the most ambitious in decades. This is a responsible budget focused on resilience and reform. It's a budget welcomed by stakeholders and economists. Eminent economic editor Ross Gittins said:

… this is a good budget.

…   …   …

… it gets on with doing what needs to be done …

For years, parents in my community have shared with me their concerns about the ability for their children to buy a home in our local area. We want young Australians to aspire to and achieve homeownership. That's why this budget will give them a fair crack at buying their first home, by making the tax rules fairer and by building more homes, because, if you work hard and save, you should be able to buy a home and build a better future for yourself and your family.

The budget also delivers a new, permanent $250 tax cut for every worker because help with the cost of living is our No. 1 priority. Combined with our previous tax cuts, this will mean $2,800 back into the pockets of Australians on the average income, once fully rolled out. Importantly, the budget will also address pain at the bowser, with a $14.8 billion Strengthening Australia's Fuel Resilience package to secure more fuel, bolster our supply chains and build long-term resilience to protect Australians from future fuel shocks. The Albanese government's top priority is looking after Australians today and setting Australia up for a more secure future.

I'm pleased to update the House on the government's year of delivery for locals in my community of Greenway. Just over 12 months ago, I reaffirmed to the good people of Greenway that, if I were given the honour of continuing to represent them in the 48th Parliament, I would work tirelessly to deliver the very best outcomes for their community. At the election, I promise to deliver a free, bulk-billed, local Medicare urgent care clinic, and I was proud to open the Rouse Hill Medicare Urgent Care Clinic. Construction has also begun on the new Rouse Hill Hospital, with early works underway and major construction set to begin soon. Over the past year, construction has begun on upgrades to Richmond Road and Bandon Road, with more to come. We also opened the new M12 Motorway, connecting Western Sydney to our new international airport. We've delivered new parks and play spaces in the Ponds and Lalor Park, while construction has begun on a new park in Tallawong, with more set to get underway soon. Access to quality public education is vital for local families, and we opened a brand new public school in Tallawong and began construction on a new public primary school and preschool in the Gables, as well as a new public primary school, high school and preschool in Box Hill. But there's still more to do.