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

My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister advise the House of the following: what the interest rate was 10 months ago compared to today; how much the average household electricity bill was—

Hon. Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

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

Mr Speaker, the member for Sydney is shrieking so loudly that I cannot hear.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Members on my right and left are not helping the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will be heard in silence. That means that the Prime Minister, or whoever the question is directed to, will be heard in silence as well.

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

My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister advise the House of the following: what the interest rate was 10 months ago compared to today; how much the average household electricity bill was 10 months ago compared to today; and what the rate of inflation was 10 months ago compared to today? Why do Australian families always pay more under Labor?

Honourable members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister has the call. The Minister for the Environment will cease interjecting.

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

Well, I almost feel like channelling the member for Melbourne at this point in time, it's got to be said. The childishness of those opposite just shows, day after day, their incapacity to actually be a genuine alternative government for the country. The fact is that inflation is a global phenomenon that has led to an increase in costs, including that which began on their watch, with the first of the interest rate increases. Since then, we continue to have the Russian invasion of Ukraine and we continue to have inflationary pressure on the economy. But those opposite have voted against every single measure that's been aimed at providing assistance. They voted against the $1½ billion in direct bill relief that we put in—

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

Mr Speaker—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will pause. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked a question about inflation. The Prime Minister is talking about inflation. I'll give her the call.

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

Mr Speaker, I know numbers aren't the Prime Minister's strong suit, but—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, resume your seat. I'm going to take action on this.

Hon ourable members interjecting—

Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has abused standing orders in a most grievous way, and she will leave the chamber under 94(a).

The member for Farrer then left the chamber.

Honourable members interj ecting—

The Prime Minister will be heard in silence.

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

It will be a wasted hour for the deputy leader, because she can't call caucus members against this bloke while they're all in here.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will return to the question.

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

What this government has been doing is taking measures to put downward pressure on inflation. The member asked the question about inflation some months ago, when they were in office, and I'd ask them to give consideration as to whether the March budget that they handed down was inflationary or deflationary. Did it contribute more cash into the economy or less cash into the economy? Did it facilitate higher interest rates or lower interest rates? What they did, in the lead-up to an election, when they were so desperate, was promise a whole range of measures that all ended in May. Many of the measures that they put in place ended on 30 June or will end next year on 30 June. Looking at the measures and what we have to deal with, with the challenge going forward—measures such as the amazing work being done by Julie Inman Grant—do we really think that's going to end on 30 June next year? That's when the funding ends. That's the sort of nonsense budget that those opposite put together. That is the nonsense that they put together. (Time expired)