Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Hansard source

I really struggled to keep up with all that. It was all over the shop and I couldn't quite make it out, but what the Australian people do know is that the Albanese Labor government are going to deliver a tax cut for all working Australians. That's actually what we announced and that's what we intend to deliver on here.

If you go back and look at the history of this since the Prime Minister announced it, they haven't been coherent. They haven't had a consistent position on this. We know that their instinct was to oppose it. They want to claim it's in their DNA, but what is in their DNA is negativity, opposition and not wanting to see Australians get ahead. What I found really offensive from Senator Hume was calling Australians 'ordinary'. I don't think any Australians are ordinary. I think they make a fantastic contribution to our country, and that is why, in giving them a tax cut, we are recognising them for the work that they do.

The only thing they have in their DNA is negativity. They oppose, and we've seen that consistently through this year, as we are the ones who are delivering a tax cut to working Australians.

So they can claim all the things they want to claim, but the reality is that they are in opposition. We are the ones who are delivering, and we want to make sure that this legislation gets through as quickly as possible.

We know they've opposed this legislation from the start. They've used tactics and tricks in the Senate chamber to delay these bills and ensure they aren't passed. We want to ensure that this work does get done so the Australian people can plan for their future knowing that they will have a tax cut delivered by the Albanese Labor government. I move the amendment as circulated in the chamber:

Omit paragraphs (b) to (d), substitute:

(a) the bills be called on immediately;

(b) the questions on all remaining stages of the bills be put at 6.30 pm;

(c) paragraph (c) operate as a limitation of debate under standing order 142;

(d) divisions may take place after 6.30 pm for the purposes of the bills only; and

(e) following consideration of the bills being completed, the Senate return to its routine of business.