Peter Khalil (Wills, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We all know on this side, as a government, how difficult it is right now for people to just get by—to just pay the basic bills. That's why we're absolutely focused on doing what we can to relieve that pressure. This includes investing billions of dollars into Australian homes and small businesses, because we know the cost of living is taking its toll on Australians. As a new government, we fought for and secured a pay rise for 2.8 million workers on the minimum wage. Our changes to child care, to make it even more affordable and accessible, came into effect in July this year, and 96 per cent of Australian families will be better off under Labor's childcare reforms. We're also tripling the bulk-billing incentive this month, because we want to make it cheaper and easier to see a GP today. We're implementing additional energy rebates in November. This will help eligible households by up to $500 and small businesses by up to $650. We're increasing the supply of affordable homes, with investments of $10 billion in the Housing Australia Future Fund and $350 million in the National Housing Accord, which will deliver thousands of new social and affordable rental homes. Most importantly, we're also supporting vulnerable women, children and families by building 4,000 new homes for those at risk of domestic violence and those who have survived domestic violence and homelessness. We are doing this because we care. We want to ensure that, no matter who you are or where you come from, you get a fair go. That's what Australian Labor is all about. That's what the Labor government is all about.