Alison Byrnes (Cunningham, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government understands that Australians are doing it tough right now, and our No. 1 priority is easing cost-of-living pressures. We're building on the measures already put in place, like cheaper child care for families, cheaper medicines and getting wages moving again. In the 2024 budget, we are delivering a tax cut for 72,000 taxpayers in Cunningham. We are giving every household in the Illawarra a $300 energy rebate. We are wiping $3 billion in student debt, including for over 20,000 students in the Illawarra region. We are strengthening Medicare and investing in an additional bulk-billed MRI service in Wollongong. We are investing in local roads and infrastructure. We are supporting vital commuter and freight corridors in our region and improving connectivity between the Illawarra and greater Sydney.

In the budget, we saw an additional $77 million in Commonwealth government funding for the Mount Ousley interchange and $72.5 million for upgrades to the Appin Road. These roads ensure our region can continue to grow our local industries and transport our world-class steel to homes across the country. We are also supporting Wollongong City Council with over $21 million over five years to fix local roads as part of the Roads to Recovery program. We know there's more to do, and I will continue to fight every single day for local families, workers, businesses and the environment.

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