Julia Irwin (Fowler, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I am always pleased to hear the opposition talk about reform agendas, particularly when the honourable member for Warringah acknowledges that it was only on the back of the reforms of the Hawke and Keating governments that the Howard government was able to make any changes—changes, I might add, that were driven by a vicious ideology. Whether it was the waterfront being invaded by men in balaclavas or attacking the Australian worker through Work Choices, it was overwhelmingly rejected by the Australian people at the last election.

The people of Australia want real reform now, not a rant and rave from an aspiring Liberal leader. Time and again the former Howard government, of which the honourable member for Warringah was a key member, failed to initiate reform or respond with reform They rested on their laurels. They built up a budget surplus and then they failed to do anything about it. The coalition failed to act in important areas like infrastructure, health care or education. The Australian people would like to know why.

It has taken the election of the Rudd Labor government to set the reform agenda in many portfolio areas. Families, housing, community services, Indigenous affairs and the voluntary sector needed action. I am pleased that I am a member of the Rudd Labor government because it is delivering for the people of Australia in these key portfolios as well as in other areas. The Rudd government does not just talk about reform as if it is an abstract concept. Reform for the better is physical and real, and impacts on the lives of every Australian.

One major area of reform has been pensions. We have responded to the concerns of older Australians by first having an inquiry and then swiftly following up the recommendations, bringing the largest reform to Australia’s pension system in 100 years. Where did the honourable member for Warringah stand on this issue? He was nowhere to be seen. The coalition want the Australian people to believe they are a party of reform. Like Saul converted on the road to Damascus, the honourable member for Warringah wants to appear to be a champion of reform. However, let the honourable member’s own words on 2GB in February of this year convict him. He said:

Many pensioners are doing it tough, but a $35 a week increase is an enormous hit on the revenue. We’re talking here about possibly $6 billion a year. The economic circumstances of Australia are much different now than they were 12 months ago.

The coalition have never been interested in pension reform. In reality, they cannot see beyond the bottom line. The coalition were not interested when they were in government nor are they in opposition, except when they attempt to mischievously create embarrassment for the government. Hence, the coalition’s botched attempt to prematurely introduce a pensions bill into the Senate, an appropriation bill that even a student-at-law would have known had to be initiated in the House of Representatives. The Leader of the Opposition is certainly no student-at-law.

The Liberal Party talk about reform but they do not carry out reform. On 20 September 2009, some 3.3 million age pensioners, disability carers, wife or widow pensioners and veteran income support recipients will receive an increase in their pension payments. Pensions are not the only area of reform on the government’s agenda. A cracking pace has been set on reform for: carers; paid parental leave for families; improving existing social housing and building new stock to prevent homelessness—unlike the former government, who did nothing for the homeless people of this country; improving the lives of Indigenous Australians with more and better housing; improving health outcomes; ensuring children receive an education; and improving access to better community and social services. Healthcare reform is a priority on the Rudd government’s agenda. The honourable member for Warringah need only pick up a newspaper, read a media release or visit a website, like millions of other Australians do, to see the reform agenda of this government. The Rudd government is all about reform—reform which will better the lives of the Australian people.

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