Zaneta Mascarenhas (Swan, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

it's nice to see that people are listening to this speech!—because what it means is that on 1 July this year every taxpayer will benefit. It's a plan designed to alleviate financial burdens and provide relief to individuals across the nation. I know that there's a little bit of jealousy, like, 'Why wasn't this my idea?' The truth is that we saw that the economics changed and what we did was listen to sound advice. We had a frank and fearless Public Service, and we had a government that was listening and acting. We devised a more inclusive approach to deliver tax cuts to a broader spectrum of our society, not just the privileged few. We had been talking about cost-of-living pressures in this place and that we needed to do more. We're at this moment in time where we are indeed going to do more. The measures come in addition to the previously announced $23 billion in cost-of-living relief.

As I said, I am passionate about fostering a strong and prosperous community in Swan, and I am passionate about a government that makes a real difference. This bill will make a difference to thousands of people in Swan. It will make a difference to their cost of living. In Swan alone, 94,000 hardworking individuals will receive a tax cut. It means an average benefit of $1,600 per person. Even better, because of Labor, 77,000 taxpayers in Swan will enjoy a larger tax cut compared to under the plan proposed by the Morrison government. In Western Australia, 1.2 million people will fare better under our tax plan, and 1.5 million hardworking taxpayers will see a reduction in their tax burden from July onwards.

Soon it will be International Women's Day, and the theme of International Women's Day in 2024 is economic empowerment. The Minister for Women has done some amazing work in the development of policy in this area, and it's even more exciting to see that our cost-of-living tax cuts plan supports the needs of women not just with kind words but with real economic empowerment. In Western Australia, 700,000 working women are set to receive a tax cut, and 600,000 of those are getting a bigger tax cut thanks to Labor. This represents a significant stride towards gender equality, with 90 per cent of all Western Australian women enjoying a larger tax cut compared to before.

I support these changes because they spell out tangible benefits for Australians. They mean that 77,000 individuals in Swan will be better off. Eighty-one per cent of Western Australians will experience improved financial circumstances. It's a commitment to fiscal responsibility and compassion. It's putting cost-of-living pressures at the forefront of government policy. It's recognising that the biggest concern for many Australians is cost-of-living pressures. This isn't about political expediency; it's about making the right choice for the people.

In conclusion, the Albanese Labor government's tax cuts are a testament to our dedication to the welfare of all Australians. We believe in fairness, inclusivity, and compassion - and these are the principles that guide our policies.

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