Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I will also take note of the answers to questions asked by Senator McGrath today, but I do want to note that it's interesting that those opposite haven't chosen to take note of answers to other questions that they asked in this Senate. It's interesting to me; perhaps they had a period of reflection over the weekend about the direction that they need to take in this place and the things that they need to concentrate on—a period of reflection that means that they're not taking note of those questions in relation to the allegations made by Ms Higgins but a period of reflection not long enough to make them cease asking questions that have a chilling effect on women who want to come forward with those types of allegations.

But, with five minutes to go in question time, we did eventually get to the economy, and that was a good thing because it gave the very, very capable Minister for Finance an opportunity to talk about the budget, the economy and the decision by our government to hand down a budget purely focused on putting downward pressure on inflation that started under the previous government. It gave the finance minister an opportunity to talk about the fact that, in the RBA minutes that have been released today, the minutes noted:

… the new policies announced in the Australian Government Budget had not had a material effect on the staff forecasts for economic activity and inflation.

Members of the board observed that it was 'understandable' that the lowest-paid workers would be aided. But there were a whole range of issues that were noted in the statement. This evidence in the minutes today is consistent with evidence given by the RBA governor and the Secretary of the Treasury at estimates that the budget actually took pressure off inflation. That's what the budget was designed to do and that's exactly what this government is focused on doing.

Now, of course, if those opposite really care or want to do something about the rising cost of living and inflation, I have a few ideas for them. I have a few things that they could do if they're very concerned. Instead of coming in here and asking throwaway questions at the end of question time to veil the fact that they're barely interested in the economy—they've got other things on their mind—if they really cared about housing, rents and the cost of living, they could come in here and do some pretty easy things. They could reverse their position on the Housing Australia Future Fund. They could allow this government to do what it said it would do and deliver more affordable and social housing. They could reverse their position on the energy price relief that's delivering valuable relief for millions of Australian families at a time when they need it the most. But those opposite voted against that price relief and against putting more money in the pockets of Australian families.

They could also come in here and end their ideological opposition to renewable energy. I don't think we're going to see that today, but it would be a helpful thing for those opposite to do if they really care about this country moving forward and about the cost of living. We know that renewable energy is the cheapest form of power, and, after 10 years in the valley of death under those opposite, this government is finally moving ahead with delivering more renewable energy. We have approved double the number of renewable energy projects in the first year of our government alone. Those opposite could end their ideological opposition to that.

They could come in here and support low-paid workers if they wanted to. They could come in here and say that they support minimum-wage rises, they support aged-care workers getting a pay rise and they support workers who want to bargain fairly with their employers to make sure that they can get good, secure, well-paid jobs. But that's not what they'll do. They talk about industrial warfare and this and that, trying to do anything to prevent working people having the opportunity to sit down and get a fair wage rise in the middle of this inflation.

But I've got very good news for those opposite. On 1 July, in a matter of days, this government is delivering cheaper child care for Australian families. We are focused on delivering these cost benefits to all Australian families. In just over a week, cheaper child care will start. We took it to the last election and now we are delivering it. Cheaper child care, as we know, is good for families, good for women and good for the economy. Those opposite had 10 years to deliver an economic plan to make sure that child care was affordable, and they failed to do so. That's what this government is doing, and, on 1 July, cheaper child care will start.