Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Last year, the Prime Minister stated:

The only tax policy we're implementing is the one we took to the election.

How many times does this Prime Minister think he can get away with breaking his promises to the Australian people, doing dirty deals with the Australian Greens and slugging Australians with higher taxes?

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

We are making changes to the tax system that are about making sure that young people get a fair crack at a first home and because we want more houses built in this country. We have been upfront about this being a change in our policy—we have said that. But, you see, the problem, Senator Colbeck, is you have no answer to housing affordability. You have no answer to young people entering the market. You have no answer for first home owners. You have no answer to the question of how we get more Australians the ability to fulfil that aspect of the Australian dream that matters so much, which is the ability to own their own home. We are clear about why we are doing this. The status quo—we do not believe it's acceptable, so we are acting. We are delivering change that will work for Australians.

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

Senator Colbeck, first supplementary?

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

At the last election, the Prime Minister stated changes to negative gearing were 'off the table'. But, today, the Prime Minister has done a dirty deal with the Australian Greens to ram these changes through the parliament. How many times does the Prime Minister think he can get away with saying one thing to Australians at an election and then doing another thing when it suits him?

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

This government's focus and this prime minister's focus is on doing what is needed to make change that benefits Australians. We are focused on how we can benefit Australians at a time when we know many Australians are doing it tough. There are many areas where we know policy change is needed, and that is why we are acting. We are acting when it comes to wages. We are acting when it comes to energy prices. We are acting when it comes to tax. I remind you, Senator, that you are setting up to again vote for higher taxes for working people. I remind you of that—that you are again setting up to vote for higher taxes for working people. So, unlike those opposite, who want higher taxes for working people and want to lock more Australians out of the housing market, we on this side want to deliver real change, and we will.

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, at the last election, the Prime Minister repeatedly ruled out changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax. 'I rule out'—50 times. But, today, he's done a dirty deal with the Australian Greens to break his promise to Australians. How many times does this prime minister break his word, which he told the Australian people was his bond?

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

The interjections have started; I haven't even called the minister. You are to listen in silence; otherwise, I invite you to leave the chamber. Minister Wong.

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

We have been clear that, unless we act now, we have a generation at risk of missing out. You might be content to defend that, to defend the status quo, and you might be content to defend a broken system that is not working for Australians, but we are not. We are here to change things for the better, and we will.