Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Over the last two years, people in my home state of South Australia have benefited from cheaper child care, fee-free TAFE and the biggest investment ever in expanding bulk billing, all delivered by the Albanese Labor government. Can the minister please tell the Senate what further cost-of-living relief Australians can expect from today, including a tax cut for every taxpayer?

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

Thank you, Senator Smith. At least there are some senators in this place who care about the cost of living. What does it say about the opposition that, on the first day of all of these tax cuts and this cost-of-living relief, what they want to focus on is an international issue that they want to make domestic politics over? Over here, we understand the No. 1 issue facing Australians is cost of living. We on this side understand that. That is why, from today, 13.6 million Australians will see more money going into their bank accounts as a tax cut to every Australian taxpayer is delivered—not just some Australians, as the Liberals and Nationals would have liked. Three million people earning less than $45,000 a year will get a tax cut. You didn't want that. Under you, they wouldn't have got a cent. A person earning $40,000 will get a tax cut of $654, compared to zero under you. The average family will save more than $3,200. And nine out of ten women taxpayers, 5.8 million women—

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cash! Senator Hume!

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

I know it's hard, isn't it? We're actually delivering more to the women of Australia. I know that's hard for you. Five point eight million women will now receive a bigger tax cut than they would have received under you. And, of course, we on this side want Australians to earn more and keep more of what they earn, so 2.6 million low-paid workers will get their third consecutive pay rise backed by this government, and no amount of opposition from Senator Cash will remove that fact. You on that side tried to shut down cost-of-living relief. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Smith, first supplementary?

Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister, for that response. Can the minister please explain to the Senate why the Albanese Labor government's tax cuts are bigger and fairer and will benefit all Australian taxpayers, not just some, as the Liberals and Nationals had intended?

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

Thank you very much, Senator Smith. We on this side understand aspiration doesn't just start in the top tax bracket. Those opposite seem to think no people except those in the top tax bracket have any aspirations. Eleven and a half million people get a bigger tax cut compared with what those opposite proposed. What has their response been? Mr Dutton called for an election over the tax cuts. The Liberals said they'd absolutely wind them back. Deputy leader, Sussan Ley, said, 'We will fight this legislation in the parliament.' We know that those opposite just can't bear the fact that we have delivered bigger and fairer tax cuts to Australians, Australians who are under pressure. You talk about it, but we are the ones who are delivering cost-of-living relief.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Smith, second supplementary?

Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you again for that response, Minister. Can you please provide more details about the Albanese government's $300 energy bill relief for every Australian household and $325 energy bill relief for small businesses? How is the government providing energy bill relief now and setting up Australia's cleaner, greener, more reliable energy future?

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

From today, the Albanese Labor government is taking $300 off power bills for every Australian household. In two decades, Mr Dutton wants to serve up the most expensive form of energy there is, and he's going to ask Australians to pay for it. Mr Dutton says: 'I won't tell you how much it will cost. I won't tell you how much more expensive your bills will be. I won't tell you how many reactors there will be. You know what I'm going to tell you? It's going to be a big bill. I'm not going to say how big the bill is. I'm just going to say it's going to be a big bill.' This is an anti-renewables obsession that Mr Dutton is engaged in. The idea would provide the most expensive power there is in 20 years time, and all he is able to say is, 'Oh, yeah, it's going to be a big bill.' We're delivering cost-of-living relief now. (Time expired)