Pat Conaghan (Cowper, National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. My constituent Robert Withers lives in Port Macquarie, in my electorate of Cowper. His recent electricity bill showed that he had reduced his usage by 10 per cent from the same period last year. However, the charges have risen by 40 per cent. The Prime Minister promised Australians, like Robert, that he would cut their power bills by $275, but Robert is now $800 out of pocket in real terms. Why do Australians always pay more under Labor?

Honourable members in terjecting—

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

I heard 'why do Australians', so I will allow—

Honourable members interjecting—

Order! We can simply move on if you want to. Everyone just remain silent. The question is in order—just. I just remind members that there are time limits. I give the call to the Prime Minister regarding the couple of sentences at the end that were short.

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The question is indeed why! Why did those opposite vote against $1.5 billion of energy price relief? Why? Why did they? Why did the member for Cowper not tell Robert Withers that he voted against $1.5 billion of energy price relief? Why did those opposite oppose cheaper medicines?

Government members: Why?

Why did those opposite oppose cheaper child care?

Government members: Why?

Why did those opposite oppose an increase in the minimum wage?

Government members: Why?

Why aren't those opposite supporting an increase in aged care?

Government members: Why?

Why don't they support anything?

Government members: Why?

Why indeed, Mr Speaker!

Government members interjecting—

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

The House will come to order. Members on my right will cease interjecting immediately. It's a big day today. Can everyone remain silent so I can hear from the Manager of Opposition business on a point of order.

Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On relevance, Mr Speaker. Why can't this Prime Minister give a straight answer?

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

Resume your seat. The manager knows that isn't a point of order, and he does have the MPI today. The Prime Minister will continue with his answer.

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

Why did they oppose 180,000 fee-free TAFE places, with the skills shortages?

Government members: Why?

Why are they opposing closing the gender pay gap?

Government members: Why?

Why is it that they refuse to come out and support the increase in single parent payments?

Government members: Why?

Why didn't they support manufacturing jobs through the National Reconstruction Fund?

Government members: Why?

Why don't they support the Housing Australia Future Fund?

Government members: Why?

Why did they oppose their own safeguard mechanism?

Government members: Why?

Why indeed, Mr Speaker! They had nine years in office.

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

Order! The Prime Minister will pause. The member for Wentworth on a point of order? We have already had one point of order on relevance.

Allegra Spender (Wentworth, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is a point of order on disorderly conduct. I don't see that this is orderly conduct for the parliament.

Honourable members interjecting—

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

I'm going to ask the House to come to order. I thank the member for her point of order. The Prime Minister will return to the question.

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

The question is 'why'; what you'll see tonight is 'what'. You'll see a government that's absolutely committed to providing cost-of-living relief for people who are most vulnerable and who need it. That's what you'll see tonight, and you'll see it in a way that puts downward pressure on inflation and doesn't increase it. That's what a responsible government, dealing with the global challenge of inflation, is bound to do. And what we will do as well going forward is make sure that we are focused on that short term, but always with an eye and a strategy for the medium and long term. That's what our policy on climate is about, cheaper, cleaner energy driving new industries, driving new manufacturing, along with our skills policy to provide people with the employment to do it. That's the 'what'. Indeed, those opposite are so focused on themselves, when they look at each other they just ask themselves, 'Why indeed?'