Lisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

One of the line items in last night's budget, I am proud to stand here and say, was our government's commitment to building more Bushmasters in Bendigo, with an extra $750 million to deliver extra Bushmasters to the Australian Defence Force—268 in total—which will secure work at the site for the next seven years, securing the jobs of 300 locals and encouraging Thales to bring on that next generation of tradies. They are already talking to local schools about the opportunities that could exist at Thales once they leave school.

This is an exciting moment for Bendigo—locking in these jobs and securing the site. I just want to remind the House where the site was at, prior to the 2022 election. Thales had reached out to say that they had no work secured by those opposite. The site would close if Labor did not win the election. The good news is: we did win the election, and, with the dedication of this government, we've secured the jobs and secured contracts now and into the future.

I want to pay tribute to the workers and their union, for hanging in there and for committing to the site, and to this government, for backing in these workers and this future manufacturing that will continue at the site, locked into our budget, now and into the future.

Tim Wilson (Goldstein, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Now we know the truth. Australians went to the ballot box taking the Prime Minister at his word. Fifty times over, red-hot with rage, he said he wouldn't tax houses, he wouldn't tax rents and he wouldn't hit small businesses. Now, entrusted with a supermajority in this parliament, that power has all gone to the Prime Minister's head.

This government has ignored the cost of living, continuously, and Australians are looking at this budget and saying: 'What has this got to do with us? It's doing nothing to lower our costs, but it is hitting us with higher taxes.' Last night, the government handed down a bad-faith budget—bad faith because it was built on broken promises, 50 times over; bad faith because it increases taxes, the highest on record for a government; bad faith because, by its own admission, it will increase rents; bad faith because it will lower living standards, three per cent, over the life of this government, as a share of real wages; and bad faith because it will build fewer homes.

I have never seen a budget document like this, where they go out and boast so strongly that they're going to address intergenerational incomes and fairness and then go on and build 35,000 new homes. If you've got a story of how this budget dudded you, go to www.notthetax.com.au.

Meryl Swanson (Paterson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

With a world in a state of flux and marred by conflict, global disruption and rising pressures beyond our shores, we could have used last night's budget to really retreat from these challenges as an excuse for hesitation. We could have curled up into a conservative ball and rolled along with the status quo, using the events of the world as a cover to keep doing the same thing and expecting different results.

Instead, we, as a government, have chosen something different. We've chosen to strengthen our sovereignty, to invest in our capacity to make, to build, to care for and house ourselves, and to secure our place in a rapidly changing global economy—not as passengers on the journey, but as active shapers of it. At its core, this budget understands something simple but powerful: every person is driven by the same basic needs—shelter; health; connection; bettering ourselves; a safe and affordable home; access to quality healthcare when you need it; and the opportunity to stay connected to family, to community, to work and to purpose. Nimbleness, fairness and bravery in government are essential if we are to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. This government is answering those challenges, and I am proud to be part of it.

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

In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded. If members can take their seats quickly and quietly, we shall move to questions without notice.