Ross Cadell NSW, National Party
2:34 pm
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Farrell. Earlier this week the Prime Minister said:
It has been a good 10-month period because what we've been doing is going through, fulfilling the commitments that we made at the election …
Meanwhile, families in New South Wales, including the parents from St Philip's college, who are up in the gallery above us, are facing double-digit energy price rises. Where is the commitment to the $275 energy price cut that you made?
The:
Minister Farrell, please resume your seat. Senator Watt, I've called you to order several times. Interjections across the chamber are disorderly. Minster Farrell.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
2:35 pm
I thank Senator Cadell for his question and welcome all of the people up there in the gallery who are taking an interest in democracy.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Hon. Senators:
Honourable senators interjecting—
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
They're not frightened of me! Even you're not frightened of me! Getting back to the question at hand, the Prime Minister is deeply concerned about the cost-of-living issues that face everyday Australians. What's he doing about it? He supported the increase in the minimum wage and a pay rise for aged-care workers. He has made child care cheaper in this country. He is pushing down the price of medicine. He created 180,000 new fee-free TAFE places to make up for all of those job shortages that your policies created. He is delivering 20,000 new university places and establishing 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave. He convened a jobs and skills summit and established Jobs and Skills Australia. In fact, the question you could almost ask is: what is it that Prime Minister Albanese hasn't done to help the Australian people? I can go on. (Time expired)
Ross Cadell NSW, National Party
2:37 pm
The same parents of these children are now facing an average of 9.2 per cent price rises in staples like bread, fruit, vegetables and dairy. After just 10 months, what specific relief has the government delivered to those New South Wales families struggling to buy those basics to put on the table to feed those children?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
2:38 pm
I thank Senator Cadell for his question. You obviously weren't listening to my previous answer, because I listed 10 or more things that the Albanese government is doing to put downward pressure on the cost of living. With a background like his, nobody understands cost-of-living pressures more than our Prime Minister.
Michaelia Cash WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
Seriously?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
Yes, seriously. He understands the cost-of-living pressures on ordinary Australians. What could you have done in these 10 months that might have helped the parents of these children to push down something like electricity prices? You could have voted for the cap on gas prices that would push— (Time expired)
Ross Cadell NSW, National Party
2:39 pm
Under your government, New South Wales families have also experienced 10 interest rate rises, meaning most families are now paying an extra $1,400 per month in interest. No $275 energy bill cut, at least a 9.2 per cent rise in the price of staples and 10 interest rate rises—is that this government's idea of a good 10 months for Australia?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
I thank Senator Cadell for his question. It's interesting that you're focusing all of your questions on New South Wales. Maybe that's because there's an election on in New South Wales this coming Saturday—
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Senators:
Opposition senators interjecting—
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
and your candidates—
The:
Minister Farrell—
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
who represent—
Sue Lines President
Minister Farrell, please resume your seat.
Opposition senators interjecting—
Order on my left!
Senator Cash! I had to call the minister about four times because it was so noisy in here he couldn't hear. Minister Farrell, please continue.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
I'm waiting for the direction to come and stand, which I'm doing right now—plus I was getting a little bit of advice from my colleagues behind me.
Opposition senators interjecting—
I can't think of everything. I need—
Sue Lines President
Minister Farrell, please resume your seat. Senator Hanson?
Pauline Hanson Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party
I want relevance to the question. I want to hear an answer. I don't want to hear waffling on about the New South Wales state election, which has nothing to do with the question.
Honourable senators interjecting—
Sue Lines President
Thank you, Senator Hanson. There are a lot of interjections across the chamber, including interjections directly to the minister. Please continue, Minister Farrell.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
I'll go through them: cheaper child care, cheaper medicines, 180,000 fee-free TAFE places, 20,000 new university places, 10 days paid family and domestic leave, the Job and Skills Summit we convened— (Time expired)