Gordon Reid (Robertson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

After almost a decade of savage cuts and broken promises by the former Liberal government, the Albanese Labor government handed down its first budget last night. This budget is focused on delivering our election commitments and investing in our nation to ensure it is strong, innovative and resilient, ready to confront the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. I'm proud to be part of an Albanese Labor government that is helping Australians with cost-of-living pressures, while ensuring that we are sustainably addressing the trillion dollars of debt that's been left behind by those opposite. The Albanese government is delivering cheaper child care, because we understand that, to get our nation's productivity lifted, we need to improve affordability and access. This will ensure more parents can re-enter the employment market if they choose to. We are delivering on our election commitment to provide 20,000 more university places across Australia. The University of Newcastle, in my electorate, has secured 967 additional places. This means that more Australians will be able to train in the areas of the economy that need workers—teaching, nursing, IT and allied health. In addition, our government is providing fee-free TAFE to make sure we are training workers in industries hit hardest by the pandemic and in the care economy. In health care, the government will establish two Medicare Urgent Care Clinics on the Central Coast and cut the cost of medications on the PBS. The first Albanese Labor government budget is sensible, measured and practical for modern Australia.

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