Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. In its first term, the Albanese Labor government delivered cost-of-living relief to Australians that was focused on meeting the needs of Australians. How is the Albanese Labor government building on its first-term record to continue delivering cost-of-living relief for Australians?

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

I thank Senator O'Neill for the question and for her focus, always, on cost-of-living relief and how to make sure we live in a fairer society. We have been focused, as a government, on delivering for Australians, through cost-of-living relief for people doing it tough; a tax cut for every taxpayer, with more to come; energy rebates for every household; and stronger Medicare. While those opposite, of course, continue to be focused on themselves, we are focused on delivering for Australians: passing legislation to cut HECS debt by 20 per cent—a change that will benefit three million Australians—and passing legislation to protect the penalty rates and overtime rates of award-reliant Australian workers.

Now, we all remember the low wages being a deliberate design feature of the coalition's economic policy. In contrast, on this side, this government, the Albanese Labor government, has advocated every single year since our first election for increases to the minimum wage, supporting increases for almost three million working Australians.

And of course, last night, cheaper medicines passed this Senate, measures that are saving another $200 million every year for Australians—on top of the $1.5 billion they are not paying at the pharmacy counter, from our efforts last term. We hear too many stories of Australians going to pharmacies and having to choose which script to fill because they can't afford them also. We have acted. We are making medicines cheaper, and that is what this government is all about: delivering—delivering for Australians.

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

Senator O'Neill, a first supplementary?

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister, for that fulsome response. At last month's Economic Reform Roundtable, the Treasurer said that the government's focus remains on lifting living standards to leave Australians better off. What actions has the Albanese Labor government already taken to drive reforms that will leave Australians better off?

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

Senator O'Neill, as you rightly point out, the Economic Reform Roundtable is all about delivering for Australians so we can keep working to lift living standards and keep working to create more opportunities for Australians. Together, Australians have made substantial progress on the economy. Inflation is down, debt is down, interest rates are falling and unemployment is low. The economy is growing, real wages are up, more than 1.1 million jobs have been created and, of course, the gender pay gap is at a record low.

In some areas, where the Economic Reform Roundtable demonstrated considerable consensus, we have already taken action. Last week, the Treasurer and Senator Farrell announced that we will abolish a further 500 nuisance tariffs on top of the 457 abolished in July last year, and we announced that we are reducing complexity and red tape in the construction code to get houses built quicker.

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

Senator O'Neill, second supplementary?

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

How is the Albanese Labor government focused on delivering the better future Australians voted for in May? Why is it important to deliver on these priorities, and what stands in the way?

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

Thank you, Senator O'Neill. That is a very good question. We're focused on cost-of-living relief and building a better future for Australians. Those opposite, the Liberals and Nationals, are focused on fighting amongst themselves. Of course, it's the same old fight over and over again. In one corner, we have Senator Hume urging you all to 'embrace net zero', and, in the other corner, we have Mr Joyce with the support of Senators Canavan and Antic trying to hold the record for climate change denial. Meanwhile, Senator Cash and Mr Hastie are just waiting for this round to be over. If we turn to housing, it's groundhog day with Senator Bragg trying to block Labor from building more houses and then claiming not enough houses are being built. While those opposite fight amongst themselves and work to divide Australians, we're getting on with the job of delivering for Australians.