Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the most magnificent minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong.

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, I know. On this final Senate sitting day of 2025, it's an appropriate time to reflect on the year that was. At the election in May, the Albanese Labor government recommitted to delivering for Australians, to ensure that no-one is held back and no-one is left behind. Minister, how has the government been delivering its ambitious agenda?

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

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

Senator Sterle, first supplementary?

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister, and to you too, Minister 'Mega Watt'. A central focus of the Albanese Labor government has been to continue to deliver cost-of-living relief to Australians. What progress has the government made, and has there been support across the parliament for our cost-of-living measures?

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

Australians deserve a government that is focused on what makes a difference to their lives, like the cost of living, and that's what we have spent 2025 doing. That's what we have done. That's what we'd been focused on prior to the election, and we have continued to deliver since the election.

Meanwhile, those opposite have opposed almost every cost-of-living measure this government has put forward. The only thing they have managed to promise in these last 12 months is higher taxes.

Of course, they could not even negotiate on these important environmental reforms, because that would have required them to take time out from their favourite pastime of fighting amongst themselves. It wasn't even clear who would be their lead negotiator. We couldn't wait for months for another Liberal Party review so they could come up with a position with which some of them might agree. There is no coalition to negotiate with—a coalition in name only.

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

Senator Sterle, second supplementary?

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government has spent this year delivering for Australians and providing the strong, stable leadership Australians expect and deserve. What progress is the government making to build Australia's future, and what threats stand in the way?

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

Thank you, Senator Sterle. We are building Australia's future. We are delivering cost-of-living relief. We are strengthening Medicare. We are building more homes. We are investing in reliable and affordable energy. And we are taking action on climate change. We are focused on delivering for all Australians.

But what we see opposite is actually not a serious opposition. You see, they no longer represent nor understand what most Australians want. They insist on chasing the political fringes, trying to outflank One Nation, Mr Joyce already having jumped ship. Of those left in the coalition, we see a bevy of leadership contenders. We see Ms Ley, Mr Hastie, Mr Taylor, Ms McIntosh—maybe even Mr Wilson. What we know is that they have no clear plan for Australians, and they are trying to drag their country to where their internal party arguments have taken them. We will focus on work—

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

Thank you, Minister Wong. Senator Chandler.