Scott Buchholz (Wright, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

There used to be a time in this country when, if you worked hard, you could get ahead. I believed that, if I worked hard, I could make something of myself. For a long time, it was the Australian dream to work hard, aspire and give it one's all, but not everyone in this place believes in that. Labor doesn't believe in rewarding those people who work hard. Labor doesn't believe in Australians getting ahead. The Leader of the Opposition has been clear that he'll come after the new wealthy: those with incomes over $75,000. That's right, he's going to roll back the tax cuts—the same tax cuts that the Turnbull government delivered.

If you're a hardworking, experienced teacher, a school principal, a clinic nurse, health professional, a miner or a diesel fitter, you are seen as this country's next elite. He is coming after you. I take the case of a schoolteacher six years out of university. Just as that teacher is working hard to get ahead, at the time when they are starting to settle down, start a family and buy a home, Labor wants to come after their hard-earned wages. Make no mistake: the teacher would become part of Australia's new wealthy, the new elite—the Australians that the opposition leader hates so much. He's coming after you, just as he is going to come after Australian businesses and Australian companies.

In contrast, the coalition government says, 'Work hard, aim higher and aspire.' The government values hard work, and we're ensuring through our reforms that if you work hard you can get ahead. Every Labor member in this House voted against— (Time expired)

See this speech in context