Jodie Belyea (Dunkley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. How is the Albanese Labor government helping to ease cost-of-living pressures, including in the budget? How does this reflect the priorities of the Albanese Labor government, and what are some of the ways that all Australians will feel the benefits?

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

I thank the member for Dunkley for asking a question about the economy on budget day. And, indeed, tonight there will be two big themes of the budget that will be brought down by the Treasurer, Jim Chalmers. The first is helping people with their cost of living, and doing it in a way that doesn't put pressure on inflation.

Tony Pasin (Barker, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Aussies have never had it better.

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

The member for Barker!

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

The second is how we build a better future by investing in a future made right here in Australia.

So tonight's budget will deliver for all Australians, not just some. It will deliver a tax cut for all 13.6 million Australians. It will deliver stronger Medicare in every community, including an increased rollout of our urgent care clinics. It will deliver more homes in every part of the community. We now have $32 billion of support for housing in this country—unlike what those opposite did, which was to sit back and think that it could all be done if they just forgot about it—

Michael Sukkar (Deakin, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Business as usual.

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

The member for Deakin will cease interjecting.

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

and that's in spite of them holding up measures, including the Help to Buy scheme that remains in the Senate. It will deliver a better deal for every working parent and more help for households doing it tough.

What we are seeing—unlike those opposite, who had wage reductions in real terms as a key feature of their economic architecture—are real wage increases in this country. We have seen productivity increase for three quarters in a row. We are seeing more jobs created under this government than any new government in Australia's history. We are seeing the gender pay gap at record lows. We are seeing a government that is moderating inflation, bringing it down to a lower figure than what was predicted in MYEFO just in December last year—half of what we inherited from those opposite.

At the same time as we're dealing with those immediate pressures, we are shaping the future, creating new secure, well-paid jobs by working to facilitate private sector investment in the future economy. Those opposite denied the future and thought they could just occupy the space. We are shaping the future in order to make sure that we create jobs and look after prosperity.

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

The Prime Minister's time has concluded. The members for Barker, Casey and Deakin interjected continually during that answer. They will cease interjecting or they will be warned.