Luke Howarth (Petrie, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Youth and Employment Services) Share this | Hansard source

As we emerge from this once-in-a-century pandemic faster and stronger, the 2021-22 budget cements our recovery in a highly uncertain world. Unemployment is at 5.6 per cent, which is lower than when those opposite left office. Australians can be optimistic about the budget, which turbocharges our strengths and provides support where it is needed. Our economy has outperformed all major advanced economies this year. Almost half a million jobs have been created since the last budget, in many cases by businesses, and we thank them for it. We have reached pre-pandemic levels of employment, and unemployment is on a trajectory to go down below five per cent for only the second time in the last 50 years. For the second time in the last five decades, unemployment is due to drop to under five per cent. We've saved lives and we've saved livelihoods. All you need to do is look around at what is going on throughout the world right now, every day. We have avoided the loss of life seen elsewhere in the world, with fewer infections, hospitalisations and deaths than most other countries, and we've emerged resilient, with consumer sentiment the highest in 11 years. And what did we get from the shadow Treasurer after the budget? Ten minutes of negativity.

The Treasurer's budget last night supports everyday Australians in their comeback. There are personal income tax cuts, which is more money in the hand for workers; business tax incentives, which help workers; new apprenticeships and training places; more infrastructure; and record funding for schools, hospitals, aged care—which I'm very passionate about—mental health and the NDIS. In Petrie, I thank those involved in delivering the essential services we all rely on. There have been 341,636 telehealth consultations through Medicare since the start of the pandemic, and these services are now being extended. The 2021-22 budget will deliver more tax relief to around 70,600 taxpayers in Petrie, up to $2,745 this year, because of the Morrison government's tax relief plan. Make no mistake about it: this means more money for Australians, in their pockets. It means more productivity for businesses. And, when the employment market is in full swing, it will mean rising wages.

The budget also extends the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements scheme, which has already helped over 140,000 apprentices secure their future. A further 170,000 new apprenticeship and trainee places will be delivered. Just this week, as the Assistant Minister for Youth and Employment Services, I met two young people, Patrick and Ella, when I visited Thor Building Products in Northgate. Patrick and Ella are employed by one of the 53,000 employers participating in the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements scheme, and 64 per cent of apprenticeships and traineeships registered for the wage subsidy are under 24 years of age. Patrick, who went to school with my son and finished year 12 last year at St Patrick's College at Shorncliffe, said to me that the job has given him security. He moved from casual to full-time work thanks to the BAC scheme and now has a way to plan for his future. His words to me, without any prompting at all, were: 'It's helped me get out of underemployment, and I'm now able to save for what I'm wanting to save for.' This year's budget is all about the Australian people and keeping our economy on the right track. That is what we're doing. It's all about Australians; it's not about us. It's not about this place. It's those out there. In the Petrie electorate, every day I am focused on the people that I represent. As I move about the country, in my role on youth and employment services, along with the minister here next to me, I'm focusing on trying to help Australians every day.

Now is a time to futureproof jobs. There has never been a better time for anyone to reinvent themselves. The extended JobTrainer Fund nationwide will deliver 500,000 new places. Small and medium businesses, of course, are the backbone of this nation and my community. In Petrie, there are around 19,800 businesses that take advantage of the write-off of the full value of the eligible asset that they purchase—the instant asset tax write-off. I've had at least half a dozen businesses in the last two months alone that have said: 'We want to thank you. Please pass on to the Prime Minister and the Treasurer what we've been able to do with the instant asset tax write-off. We've been able to buy new equipment.' One of the businesses up in Burpengary East has completely sold out of trucks. They've got none left, because people have been taking advantage of the instant asset tax write-off. The budget will deliver to a further 6,500 businesses in Petrie that will be able to use the extended loss carry-back measure to support cash flow and confidence, which helps staff.

We're also increasing funding for preschools and making child care more affordable and accessible. Childcare reforms in this budget will directly benefit over 1,700 families in Petrie alone. As we emerge as a more resilient nation, I want to thank those frontline workers guaranteeing essential services. Businesses are growing and creating jobs for parents, teachers and everyday Australians.

The budget also invests in a dynamic and competitive recovery. That's why the Treasurer can confirm the government will back Australians with a $1.2 billion digital economy, including digital skill cadetships. From 2016 to 2019, I chaired the communications and arts committee. I don't know that there are any other members from that here, but we recommended an offset for the gaming industry. The government announced last night a 30 per cent refundable digital games tax offset to try and attract more of the $250 billion global game market to Australia. To get the offset, eligible businesses have to spend at least $500,000 on certain games expenditure, but this will help. The offset is part of the government's $1.2 billion package. The package also includes money to improve MyGov and the My Health Record, as well as money to research artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. This budget is about creating jobs, rebuilding and guaranteeing essential services. The Morrison government is focused on Australians. Those opposite have nothing but negativity.

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