Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

Certainly it is a fact that inflation causes pain to people, and interest rates, when they're 3.35 per cent, compared with where they were, are placing pressure on families, just as on the Leader of the Opposition's watch they were 6.75 per cent. They were 6.75 compared with 3.35.

Those opposite come into this chamber and decide on their tactics. The Manager of Opposition Business, who asked this question, is in charge of their tactics in this place. They come in and they vote against every piece of legislation that would make a difference to people. They voted against assistance in our housing package. They voted against the National Reconstruction Fund. They voted against energy price relief. They voted against industrial relations changes which were aimed at lifting wages. They vote against every initiative that is put forward.

But there is some hope, I say to colleagues. There is some hope because the Leader of the Opposition has not done an MPI since he took that high office—not one. But, this afternoon, don't be alarmed if the oxygen masks drop from above; it will just be because the member for Bradfield is speaking!

See this speech in context