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

What we saw from the opposition in this question time was what I would call a series of dixers. We heard questions from the opposition which allowed our ministers to set the record straight and ensure that we could talk about the things our government is doing, particularly on the cost of living. But whether they were about red imported fire ants in Queensland or working with Tasmanian farmers and senators like Senator Polley to make sure we protect Tasmanian jobs, these were dixer questions written by the opposition which allowed the Labor government to talk about the good work we're doing to make sure we can deal with the cost of living and make sure that people know that these measures are bringing and keeping inflation down. That's exactly what Minister Gallagher was able to speak about today.

When it comes to cost of living, I'm glad that Senator Brockman eventually got to talking about cost of living after two minutes of waffling around, because it is the most important thing to people. It is the most important thing that people are talking to us about. It is the priority of this government. Those opposite want to have a debate about nasty politics and turn this place into a nasty political debate, but we are focused on cost of living. That's exactly what we are talking about.