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

It was a proud moment last night as a Labor senator watching the Treasurer hand down our second budget. It's truly a Labor budget, doing what we can for those who need it most and creating more opportunities for Australians. This budget is responsible, this budget is practical and this budget is sensible.

I'm really proud of our commitments to women's equality, with this budget ensuring women are front and centre with measures like cheaper child care, expanding flexible paid parental leave and investing in women's safety. As a Western Australian, I'm proud of what this budget is delivering for my home state. That is, $110.5 million for energy bill relief that will be matched by the McGowan government and cheaper medicines, allowing more than 620,000 Western Australians to buy two months' worth of medicines for the price of a single prescription.

Given that this is a commonsense budget, it's no surprise that the 'no-alition' on the other side are already opposing it. This morning I heard Senator Hughes relating comments that frame our budget as taking money from hard workers to give to lazy bludgers. This is absolutely disgusting language, and it's really disappointing that those opposite are airing comments that characterise vulnerable Australians in such a demeaning way. This budget has struck the right balance of providing relief for the most vulnerable Australians, and I want to say to those opposite: single mothers are not bludgers, pensioners are not bludgers, students investing in their futures are not bludgers. Those opposite are always quick to turn their backs on the most vulnerable, but the Albanese government is committed to a better future and making sure no-one is left behind.