Melissa McIntosh (Lindsay, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Those opposite have been attempting to score cheap political points ever since they arrived back in this place earlier this week. They're politicising the bushfires. Meanwhile, on this side, the Morrison government's responsible economic management has put Australia in a position to respond to the challenges that the Australian community has faced over these past few months. Unlike those opposite, we on this side of the House don't punish aspirational people for working hard; we don't accrue more and more debt, putting the country in a vulnerable position. We certainly don't answer every challenge our country faces with a new tax.

The Australian people saw through this charade and voted for responsible economic management and a strong economy that can withstand global headwinds and difficult times like those we have experienced with the fires, the drought and now the coronavirus. Thanks to the strong economic management of the Morrison government, we were able to establish the National Bushfire Recovery Fund with an initial $2 billion for communities impacted by the bushfires. This fund will help get tourists back into our wonderful regions, deliver infrastructure projects to stimulate local economies, support the environment and wildlife recovery, and build resilience for the future. In response to the trauma of the recent bushfires, the National Bushfire Recovery Fund will provide mental health support so people have the resources they need to get through this emotional and raw experience.

Our economic management means that we are pushing ahead. We are getting on with the job. We feel this on the ground, too, on this side. We've been getting out and helping our local communities. Over the summer I've stood with people in the remnants of their homes, destroyed by bushfires. I've spoken with RFS captains and crews and asked what we can do to help. I have received an overwhelming response from my community, putting themselves forward and contributing to community care kits. They are doing all they can in wanting to help fellow Australians in need.

It's our responsible economic management that will help grow our country. I've seen this firsthand. It's happening now in Western Sydney, with one of our country's biggest infrastructure projects, and certainly the biggest infrastructure project Western Sydney has seen in a generation. Our strong budget position enables us to invest in infrastructure for the future of our country. The Western Sydney Airport, the aerotropolis and the Sydney Science Park will be a game changer for Western Sydney and beyond. Local students studying science, technology and maths will have access to the jobs of the future in Western Sydney. A strong economy enables us to invest in this, to support these emerging industries as well as make it easier for small businesses to thrive and employ more local people.

It's our strong economy that enables us to invest in the health of our country. We've added over 2,200 medicine listings, worth around $10.7 billion. It also means that we can apply local initiatives. In Western Sydney in Lindsay, unfortunately, we have higher than New South Wales average levels of obesity in both adults and children. I'm working really hard with our community, our doctors, our hospitals, our health practitioners and our sporting organisations to address this very real and serious issue around the health of our community.

We are doing things on the ground. We are getting on with the job. Whether it is bushfires, building future resilience or investing in infrastructure that will grow our country, the Morrison government cares about our country. We are getting on with the job, unlike those opposite.

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