Fatima Payman (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

N () (): It's interesting to hear the audacity the other side has to attack us when we've hit the ground running. We're 120 days in and we've delivered more for the nation than those opposite could even dream of. Senator Cadell, it is very interesting to hear two new senators discuss cost-of-living pressures when my fellow WA senators here would also know that Western Australians made a massive decision in the election and that was to elect a government that actually cares; that's passionate about ensuring that everyone has a fair go; that's passionate about ensuring that there's integrity, transparency and action on things that are impacting our lives; that's passionate about ensuring that the pressures on families are reduced. The fuel excise was introduced on 30 March. Isn't that a surprise! Just two months before the election. Was that a vote winner? I'm not sure. I'll leave that.

In saying that, people understand the pressures on the budget and why we can't continue and extend the fuel excise. With a trillion dollars in debt, Australians know that we cannot fix the problems overnight. This government has been doing a lot in terms of the skills crisis we're facing. Young people in Western Australia have been coming up to me and talking about the pressures on the housing market, not just not being able to afford rent but also the fact that young people slipped through the cracks under the previous government. We have not been considered at the decision-making tables.

It is atrocious to sit in this place and to hear those opposite having a go at us when we've achieved so much in the last 120 days.