Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Sheldon. I thank you for your efforts, along with all senators in the Labor team, for delivering real cost-of-living relief for Australians, something that the opposition have failed to do.

We know that Australians are doing it tough, and that's why helping with cost-of-living pressures is this government's No. 1 priority. And, while the parliament is taking a break for Christmas, I can tell you that people still get sick, kids still need looking after and households still use energy during the festive season, and that's exactly why the Albanese government has delivered $23 billion in targeted relief while not adding to inflation pressure. For instance, we've delivered electricity bill relief—opposed by the opposition. We've made medicines cheaper—opposed by the opposition. We've made it easier and cheaper to see a doctor—opposed by the opposition. We've delivered cheaper child care and expanded parental leave—opposed by the coalition. We've built more social and affordable homes and increased rent assistance—opposed by the coalition.