Brian Mitchell (Lyons, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

What a performance. What an absolute debacle on that side of the House. We are meant to be taking lessons from a guy proposing that the answer to Australia's energy future is nuclear, the most expensive form of energy in the world. That's what we're meant to believe from this bloke. I've been listening to the comments from those opposite, and I can't make head or tail of what they're on about. It's just beyond comprehension what they are talking about. They are making absolutely no sense at all. It was under their government and the former energy minister, the member for Hume, that these problems arose with energy prices. This is the guy who, before the election, hid from the Australian people the fact that a 19 per cent energy price rise was on the way. That's what they did on that side of the House when they were in government. Shameful conduct from those opposite when they were in government.

What we heard last night from the Treasurer was a responsible budget by the Albanese Labor government that tackles cost-of-living pressures head-on and provides strong and sound investment in improving our energy sector for the long term. That will result in energy prices being driven down over the long term. The facts speak for themselves: renewable energy is the cheapest form of energy in the world today. I come from the state of Tasmania, where we produce 100 per cent renewable energy. Marinus Link, which was signed off by the Prime Minister and the Minister for Climate Change and Energy last week—with me in the background; very proud to be there—will allow Tasmania's energy output to drive to 200 per cent. It will increase Tasmania's capacity. It will increase energy security. It's vital as part of the Battery of the Nation. We've got Liberal premiers, Liberal ministers, and a former Liberal senator of this place backing in Marinus Link, backing in renewables and totally repudiating the position of those opposite when it comes to renewable energy. They are all over the shop on that side of the House.

What we know on this side of the House is that we are consistent, methodical and competent when it comes to delivering policy that matters for people and families. This goes to the cost-of-living plan that we addressed last night, with five points that will help families but also help the economy. Cheaper child care is good for families and good for household budgets but also good for the economy because it gets workers, mostly women, back into the workforce. It's the equivalent of 37,000 workers back into the workforce at a time when employers are crying out for workers. It's a fantastic economic measure, not just a cost-of-living measure. There is an expansion of paid parental leave. It's a very important reform that allows families to take time off for their kids, particularly for dads, to spend more time with their young children. That's a very important reform.

Cheaper medicines: for the first time in Australia's history, the cost of medicines will come down. Those opposite are saying we've got no plan for the cost of living. We're making medicines cheaper!

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