Charlotte Walker (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Youth, Senator Walsh. Young people want to feel optimistic about their future. They want a home they can afford and confidence that, if they work hard, they can get ahead.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order! Order! Senator Walker, I'm sorry; please resume your seat. Order on my left!

Government senators interjecting—

Order on my right as well!

Senator McKenzie! Senator Walker, if you would start again, please.

Charlotte Walker (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Youth, Senator Walsh. Young people want to feel optimistic about their future. They want a home they can afford and confidence that, if they work hard, they can get ahead. This week, I'm hearing from young Australians who are feeling hope again. Can the minister update the Senate on how the Albanese Labor government is listening to young people, taking their concerns seriously and building a fairer future for them?

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order! Order across the chamber! On my right! Minister Walsh.

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Walker, for the question. How appalling that those opposite tried to shout down the youngest senator in this chamber as she asked her question. Unlike those opposite, Senator Walker knows more than anyone in this place the experiences of young Australians—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order! Whichever male senator made that comment in relation to Minister Walsh will withdraw it. If you don't think that was unparliamentary then you need to rethink it. You know it is not my practice to have repeat offences. That again, in my view, demonstrates the level of disrespect this place has sunk to—that that comment by a male senator has not been withdrawn. Please continue, Senator Walsh.

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Unlike those opposite, Senator Walker, more than anyone else in this place, knows the experiences of young Australians and the challenges that they face. Those experiences and those challenges matter to us, because we are a government that listen to all Australians, and that includes young Australians.

We have handed down a budget that levels the playing field. Too many young Australians have been looking at the housing market and wondering whether the Australian dream of homeownership will ever be within their reach. The Prime Minister has been clear. This generation shouldn't have to say goodbye to the Australian dream. That's why our budget takes responsible action to help more young Australians into their first home. We are building on the most ambitious housing agenda in generations—more housing supply, more public and social housing, more support for first home buyers and now, under Labor, tax reform that levels the playing field for young first home buyers.

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Communications and Digital Safety) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's in your own budget papers—it's a disaster!

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

Senator Henderson, I have had to call you personally a number of times. You were yelling, without your microphone being on, louder than the minister. It is not funny, Senator Henderson. It's rude and disrespectful. If you can't keep quiet, I invite you to leave. Minister Walsh, please continue.

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is generational reform, so no wonder those opposite hate it. This is reform to make sure young Australians can get their foot in the door and their keys to a home. If you are a young Australian in a position to invest, you can still get tax benefits for investing in new builds that add to supply for everyone. These changes matter because homeownership is more than a roof over your head; it is a secure future. So we are doing what it takes for young Australians to be able to work hard, get into their first home and plan their secure future.

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

Senator Walker, first supplementary?

Charlotte Walker (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We know young Australians are working hard, studying hard and trying to get ahead, but many still feel the pressure of day-to-day cost-of-living challenges. Minister, how does this budget help open the door of opportunity to young Australians to earn more and keep more of what they earn?

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Walker, again. Under our government, young Australians are earning more and keeping more of what they earn. We are rolling out our already legislated tax cuts for every single Australian taxpayer this year and next year. They're tax cuts that those opposite opposed. We are delivering our new instant tax deduction—$1,000, no receipts needed. We are delivering new and permanent income tax cuts for every Australian worker—

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

Senator Wong?

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

President, I raise a point of order on disorderly behaviour. Senator Henderson is very quick to demand courtesy in this chamber, but she offers almost none. She has continued to interject against the minister. I ask you to call her to order.

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

Senator Wong, you will be aware—

Senator Henderson, it's not a debate. As the chamber is aware, I have called up Senator Henderson personally a number of times and I've invited her to leave the chamber. I am quite serious about that, Senator Henderson. As I said early in the peace, I think the role of the opposition is not to be named, but that's what it's coming to—a frontbencher on the opposite side being named. I'm warning you; that's what will happen. Minister Walsh, please continue.

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In addition to our already legislated tax cuts, we're delivering a new and permanent income tax cut for every Australian worker through the Working Australians Tax Offset. Since the Albanese Labor government was elected, the national minimum wage has gone up by more than $9,000 a year. We know the Liberals love low wages. We like good wages for all Australians, including young Australians. Under Labor's new tax cuts, young workers can keep even more of what they earn. (Time expired)

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

Senator Walker, second supplementary?

Charlotte Walker (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Young Australians want practical support and a government that's focused on their future. They want action that helps them to get ahead, to buy their first home, to earn more and to keep more of what they earn. Are there any barriers standing in the way of delivering that support for young Australians?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Your government!

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

Order! Senator McKenzie, the fact that you put your hands to your mouth then to elevate your voice, again, is quite disrespectful. It's incredibly disrespectful. As I said yesterday, you're not at a footy match. Minister Walsh?

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes. We've been hearing quite a lot from those opposite. They're not listening to young Australians. The person they're listening to is Senator Hanson. And there she is, Senator Hanson, shouting from the Facebook, directing the Liberal Party from 'Sky after dark' and dragging the Liberals so far from the kitchen tables of everyday Australians that they can't seem to find their own seat anywhere—not in the cities, not in the regions and not in the home of the Menzies Liberals in Farrer either. While all of you move closer to the crossbench, we welcome more of the crossbench moving to us. Welcome again, Senator Tyrrell. While all of you lose your minds over there, we are building a future young Australians can be proud of. We are listening to young Australians. We are levelling the playing field for young Australians. On this side of the chamber, we know who we are. (Time expired)

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

Order! I remind those on my right that it is not appropriate to clap.