Ross Cadell (NSW, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I also rise to take note of the cost-of-living question. People visiting in their school holidays today have heard why it is called 'question time' and not 'answer time'. In the words of Patches O'Houlihan from Dodgeball, we have had dodgers, ducks and dips dives on questions today. Yesterday, Senator Pocock warmly welcomed Sam and Leone to this place, highlighting their struggles with the cost of living. Their answer from the government was to give them a wave.

It was a Liberal-National government who took decisive action to reduce the cost of fuel. It was a Liberal-Nationals government's pragmatic approach to reduce the excise by 25c a litre, putting money back into the pockets of mums and dads. Tonight that cost will be added to every single litre of fuel for every motorist across Australia. Andy Lane of Aberdeen wrote to me this week after fuel at his local service station rose from $1.40 to $1.91. From tonight, that will go to $2 16 a litre.

Since elected, this government have failed to recommit to their $275 cut to energy bills despite repeating this commitment during the election 97 times. Ninety-seven times we heard they would commit to a $275 reduction in energy prices, and what do we hear now? Silence. That is why June Rose Richardson from Taree contacted my office after receiving her last energy bill of $461.28. That is an increase of 30 per cent from six months ago even though Ms Richardson has reduced to energy usage by 20 per cent on last year. Prices just keep going up. The cost of living just keeps going up. Like Senator Pocock I ask the question: what do you say to Ms Richardson when those on limited incomes have to choose between heating and housing? Does she deserve a wave as well?

Today Senator Dean Smith moved an amendment to give seniors like June Rose, who receives an age pension, the ability to earn additional income to help with the rising cost of living they are experiencing under Labor. Because if this government won't to help them, we will help them help themselves.

I would like to thank the Greens for their support on this measure. Again, where was Labor again on this? They were silent. The lowest earners, the hardest workers, are suffering disproportionately under those opposite. What we are seeing is not just a two-speed economy under Labor, but a two-class economy—those who can see the city from their front doors and those who can't. The class warfare that defined Bill Shorten's leadership is now rearing its ugly head under Anthony Albanese, the man who said, 'I like fighting Tories. That's what I do.' If you live in the CBD, welcome to Albo's gold class, but for those of us in the regions—the doers, the makers, the growers, the producers of our wealth—we are relegated to cattle class. The bread and butter budget that Treasurer Jim Chalmers has promised is all regional communities across the country can expect from Labor—to eat bread and butter, because they'll afford to eat no more.

We have already heard first-hand how Catherine King has been cancelling vital funding for projects across regional Australia that were funded whilst we were in government. She is becoming the David Copperfield of regional infrastructure, making projects disappear with the flash of a wand. Some of these projects are even in Labor seats, but they are regional and so they don't count anymore under this government that counts the cities, not the regions.

Marion on the North Coast has told me that on 1 July her doctor stopped bulk-billing. She, like many in the Forster Tuncurry area and across country communities, must now pay $70 on concession to see the doctor, with only $39 returned by Medicare. Not only do we have to choose between heating or homes, we now have to choose about health as well. What are we going to tell the people about that? How will you address these cost-of-living issues faced by Andy, June Rose and Marion? We heard today—in the words of Patches O'Houlihan—you will dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge anything to help them out.