Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you to Senator Grogan, from the fantastic state of South Australia. Thank you for having such a close interest in the budget measures. As the Treasurer and Minister for Finance and Prime Minister have made clear, our first priority in this budget was to deal with cost-of-living pressures and to do so in a way that didn't add to inflation, at the same time as charting a course for the future.

In relation to the cost of living, we understand the extent to which Australians are doing it tough, it is so important for the government to do all we can in a responsible way to assist with the cost of living. It's the big challenge, not just here but in every household in Australia. How is our budget helping? The first way is through tax cuts—tax cuts, for every Australian, that are geared far more to those on middle incomes and lower incomes and far less to high-income Australians than was proposed by those opposite. These are tax cuts which deliver to 13.6 million taxpayers across the country. Then, of course, there is electricity bill relief for every household. We understand that energy prices mean that people are doing it tough, and a centrepiece of this budget is a $300 rebate for every Australian household. Of Australia's 13.6 million taxpayers, everyone will get a tax cat. The average tax cut will be $1,888. On top of that, as I said, there will be a $300 electricity bill rebate for households, and $325 for eligible small businesses. This extends and expands the energy bill relief rolled out last year. On top of that is a 10 per cent increase to Commonwealth rent assistance. (Time expired)