Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

The government has been completely upfront from the day that this was announced that assistance will focus on low- and middle-income Australia. I assume that Senator Humphries is not suggesting that he should get assistance. I assume that he would concede—because on some issues he is reasonable—that it is sensible for the government to ensure that assistance is targeted to those who need it most. That is why, while nine out of 10 households will receive some assistance, six out of 10 will get tax cuts or increased payments that cover the entire average cost impact. About four million Australian households will get an extra buffer of assistance over and above the cost impact. Compare that with the policy that the senator supports: $1,300 more tax paid by every Australian household every year. That is what your policy costs.