Sam Rae (Hawke, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government is getting on with tackling the rising cost of living facing so many Australian families across Hawke—across Sunbury, across Melton, across Bacchus Marsh, across my town of Ballan and everywhere around.

In the recent federal budget we delivered on our commitment to provide cheaper child care to Australian families. Almost 7,000 families in the electorate of Hawke are set to benefit from this change as the maximum childcare subsidy is lifted to 90 per cent along with an expansion of the Commonwealth Paid Parental Leave scheme to six months. The Albanese Labor government is easing pressure on Australian families by making it easier to look after our kids, making sure they're getting the education they need and keeping our household budgets under control.

The cost of medicines at our local pharmacies across Hawke will also be slashed, as the cost of scripts is reduced by $12.50 from the start of next year.

The Labor government is also ensuring that more Australians can afford to buy their own home with a new housing accord for all levels of government, investors and construction to deliver up to 20,000 new, affordable homes.

Of course, the final piece of the puzzle in easing cost-of-living pressures for all households is to get wages moving. We've introduced the bill. We're making it easier for the Fair Work Commission to order pay increases for those in the community who need it most.

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