Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Walsh, because she knows firsthand some of the problems that her constituents in Victoria are facing with cost-of-living issues. We know that many Australians are doing it tough due to the economic mess left to us by the former Liberal-National government. Our government has taken a responsible approach to budget management, enabling us to target cost-of-living relief and long-term investment in the Australian people while easing inflationary pressures by half a percentage point.

We've reformed childcare subsidies to better support Australian families. The ABS has confirmed that, without these reforms, childcare prices would have risen by 6.7 per cent. We're tripling bulk-billing incentives, benefitting 11.6 million Australians, and we're delivering cheaper medicines for millions of Australians. We've boosted income support payments to ensure that there's a safety net for every Australian. We're building more affordable homes, making home ownership more attainable and addressing the housing affordability crisis. We're supporting new parents through expanded parental leave, ensuring families have the resources they need during this crucial time. We've created more than 560,000 jobs since we took office—a record for any new government in this country.

In the face of global uncertainties, our fiscal strategy is not just about economic numbers; it's about real-life impacts on households. We are committed to ensuring that every measure we implement brings real relief to Australians, helping them navigate these extremely challenging times.