Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Sterle, for that question. Senator Sterle knows the answer because it is something that he has done all of his political life and as a trade unionist. The answer, of course, is that what we have been doing is delivering for Australians. What better example than the announcement today as to the agreement to reform environmental laws, not only to protect our environment for future generations but to speed up decision-making for projects in national priority areas like housing, renewables and critical minerals? I want to pay tribute to Senator Watt for his tremendous work. President, this is what serious government looks like: recognising what Australia needs and delivering it.

We've made real economic progress, but we know that Australians are still feeling cost-of-living pressures. That is why this government continues to deliver responsible cost-of-living relief before the election in the form of tax cuts for every Australian taxpayer and more to come, delivering cheaper medicines, more bulk-billing and energy bill relief. We're cutting student debt, like we said we would. In fact, 1½ million Australians will have their student debt cut by 20 per cent today. We're making medicines even cheaper, capping the price of a PBS script at $25—for pensioners and concession card holders, $7.70—from 1 January. And, of course, we are further strengthening Medicare with the largest-ever investment since it was established, with more bulk-billing for more Australians, and opening more urgent care clinics across the country so more Australians can get free, quality care when they need it. Our No. 1 focus on this side of the chamber continues to be delivering cost-of-living relief for the Australian people. That is the focus of the Labor government.