Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

The priorities of this government are the union movement and payback to their bosses. I think it's $100 million, Prime Minister, over 15 years in donations that have gone to the Australian Labor Party. I guess that counts for something. I guess that means payback needs to happen and I guess that's why your radical and extreme industrial relations agenda has taken priority over the needs of ordinary families, of small businesses, of Australians who are hurting, who know that their energy costs are getting higher and higher.

Your own energy minister is reminding us how much energy is going up, how much more expensive it's going to be for households, how much the gas prices are going up. But never, never do we see a plan, so it's vital, Mr Speaker, that standing orders are suspended so that we can properly hold this government to account for the promises it has made and the promises it has broken. I want to remind people what those promises were: you would see real wage cuts, you would see cheaper mortgages, your wages would go up. By the way, you don't get wages moving by putting the brakes on business, and that seems to be your only policy at the moment. Meanwhile, for people and householders their energy bills are going up, their repayments are going up, their pay is going backwards because this government lacks a cost-of-living plan.

A cost-of-living plan would give ordinary families and households and businesses some hope, some reassurance, some comfort going into the Christmas period that, as they come out the other side, things are actually going to get better. We are indeed facing challenging global economic times, and we'd like to understand that this government has a plan and that this government has their back. But clearly that is not the message you are giving. Suspension of standing orders is vital. I must repeat, Prime Minister, it is vital that you explain to this House, this parliament and the Australian people: what is your plan for a cheaper cost of living for every Australian?

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