Corinne Mulholland (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. In May, the Albanese Labor government took a positive agenda to the election, and the Australian people voted to re-elect the government with an increased majority. How will the government continue to build Australia's future?

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

Senator Mulholland, thank you for that question. I acknowledge your first question, which, as the opposition knows, is obviously not your first speech. I'm very pleased to get a question from you, because it goes really to the issues about why we are here. We are here as a re-elected government, and we face this, the 48th Parliament, with great humility but an even greater sense of purpose.

We were entrusted on 3 May with a great opportunity, and that opportunity was to continue to build our country's future, to continue the work of making Australia a fairer country where Australians from every background, from every walk of life, have the opportunity to achieve their aspirations. We do live in a time of great uncertainty and challenging strategic circumstances, so it is really important to recognise that, on 3 May, Australians voted for Australian values, for fairness, aspiration, opportunity for all—values that have held us in good stead and that I am confident will continue to do so as we face the challenges to come.

Australians voted for strong, stable democracy and an orderly and sensible government. Australians voted for fair wages and conditions, to strengthen Medicare, to build even more urgent care clinics, to protect our world-leading Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and to continue to seize the opportunities of cleaner, cheaper renewable energy. Australians voted for greater access to education, for fee-free TAFE and more investment in early childhood education. Australians voted for fully funded public schools, 20 per cent off HECS debts and to help people earn more and keep more of what they earn. Australians voted to enable more Australians to build a better future for themselves and for their families.

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

Senator Mulholland, first supplementary?

Corinne Mulholland (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government focused on easing cost-of-living pressures in its first term, delivering tax cuts for every Australian, cheaper medicines and energy bill relief amongst other measures. How is the government building on the progress Australians have made over the last three years?

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

We know the cost of living is front of mind for many Australians, and that's why it has been front and centre in every budget we have delivered. The second-term Albanese Labor government will continue to provide support to Australians under pressure. The very first piece of legislation introduced into this parliament is one to cut student debt by 20 per cent. This will save around three million Australians an average of $5½ thousand each. We are introducing a new $1,000 instant tax deduction. From 1 January, no Australian will pay more than $25 per script for a medicine on the PBS. For pensioners and concession card holders, the price of a script will be frozen at $7.70 until 2030. We are not only providing immediate cost-of-living relief; we are also driving a productivity agenda led by the Treasurer, with a goal to drive economic growth, boost productivity, strengthen the budget and secure the resilience of our economy in uncertain times.

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

Senator Mulholland, second supplementary?

Corinne Mulholland (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government has always been focused on delivering and governing for all Australians. How is this reflected in the 48th Parliament of Australia?

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

Thank you, Senator. One of the things that make me most proud to stand with my colleagues from the Australian Labor Party is that we are a government for all Australians. In order to govern for all Australians, it's important that we are a government that reflects modern Australia. We have the youngest person ever elected to the Senate, who gave a great speech today, and she is also the youngest woman ever elected to the Senate.

I've felt so happy and so privileged as I've watched the first speeches to date, particularly in the other place, that I am part of the most diverse parliament and government in the nation's history—a caucus which, once again, has a majority of women and more culturally and ethnically diverse members so we can better reflect our nation as it is. We are a government of all Australians, for all Australians. While some sought to use the heat of a political campaign to sow division and conflict, we will bring people together the Australian way. (Time expired)