Anne Stanley (Werriwa, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I start by saying it is a bit rich for those opposite to talk about the spin of any government given their record on spin when they were on the government benches for 10 years. The debate today gives me great chance to speak about the Albanese government's policies and how they are supporting not only the economy but also residents in my community. We have over the last few years lived through the most extraordinary and challenging period. Jobs have been lost, families have been separated and loved ones have passed away. It's been a very awful time, particularly in suburbs in south-west Sydney.

In fact, the global economy is now facing several challenges that have been compounded over the past years. Persistently high inflation has affected the majority of the developed world, fuelled by the lingering effects of COVID and the illegal invasion of Ukraine. There has also been a sharp slowdown in the economic activity of Australia's largest trading partner and the world's second-largest economy, China. This is the context in which the MPI has been brought forward, though it's this context which has been conveniently omitted by the member for Hume.

At home, Australia faces challenges similar to those of the rest of the developed world: high inflation and slowing growth. High inflation has defined the past few years, and it's been the focus of this government to put downward pressure on inflation while simultaneously laying the foundations for a stronger economy and helping Australians that are doing it tough. Inflation remains the primary focus of this government. Thankfully, though the fight is definitely not over, inflation is moderating.

That brings us to the second challenge facing our economy: slowing growth. While it may come as a surprise to the shadow Treasurer, if he'd listened to the Treasurer over the past year, he would have heard him speak about the middle path that the economy must travel between lowering inflation and aiming for a soft landing. It's complex. There are no easy answers, no quick slogans, no magic wands and no throwaway lines.

Every day, the Prime Minister, the Treasurer and, in fact, the entire government turn their efforts to addressing the concerns of Australians and building our economy. It's also the Labor way to ensure that any solutions and government actions are responsible and sustainable. We can run through the suite of policies that the Albanese government has adopted since 2022 that have provided cost-of-living relief in a time of high inflation and kept an eye on the future, building resilience. These include the 300,000 fee-free TAFE places; the investment in renewable energy, skills and technology; expanding the Home Guarantee Scheme; increasing the wages of aged-care workers; establishing the $15 billion NRF to diversify our economy; tripling the bulk-billing incentive; making medicines cheaper with 60-day dispensing and the largest reduction in the PBS copayment in 75 years; and getting wages moving again after the years of deliberate wage suppression during the time of the previous government.

The Albanese government has kept unemployment low and created a record 650,000 jobs since being elected. In fact, there have been more jobs created by our current PM than by any of the previous three prime ministers. I ask: which of these measures did those opposite believe are wrong for our economy? Was it increasing wages for workers both in our aged-care sector and across our economy, or was it the fee-free TAFE places that upskill Australians and ensure that they can work in the jobs of the future?

It would seem that the only policy that is new to those opposite is nuclear energy, the most expensive form of power generation, which will require billions in government subsidies—not supporting protections for Australian workers, not letting Australians raid their super or reintroducing tax concessions for the wealthiest Australians. That seems to be the only plan that those opposite have. They have no vision and no plan for a better Australia, but they do have policies that would hurt workers both today and in their retirement. And they delayed Australia's energy transition for 10 long years.

What I know with certainty is that this government will always put the interests and needs of Australians first. It is the core of everything we do and it motivates all of us every day. I am confident that the work of our responsible government will continue and that better days lie ahead.

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