Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

We recognise that Australians are under pressure right now. But, more than that, we're actually doing something about it. That's why we are helping all Australians with the cost of living. From 1 July, we are delivering a tax cut for every Australian—not just some, not like what was proposed from over on the other side. It's for every Australian. We are delivering $300 energy bill relief for every Australian household and $325 for eligible small businesses. We are putting a freeze on the cost of PBS medicines for every Australian. Every Australian who has a Medicare card will get a PBS freeze on their medication for 12 months. For pensioners and concession card holders, that will apply for five years. So $7.70 will be the cost of the medicine for five years. That is a huge assistance for people who we recognise are doing it tough out there right now.

We are also delivering a third consecutive pay rise for 2.6 million workers. We know those on the other side don't like workers. Their DNA is to keep wages down. We know that. We've heard it. It's part of their economic plan. But ours is to try to lift people up and recognise that they are doing great work out there. We're providing more funding to build more homes in every part of the country. In relation to the tax cuts, I want to recognise that there are over 45,000 taxpayers in my duty seat of Braddon who will get a cut from 1 July. From yesterday, 45,000 taxpayers in the seat of Braddon in Tasmania will get a tax cut, and about 48,000 residents in my duty seat of Braddon will be beneficiaries of PBS medicines. We are delivering cost-of-living relief in many ways.

If we're talking about the tax cuts, I can say that miners will get an average tax cut of $3,729 a year. That's $72 a week. Construction workers will get an average tax cut of $1,879, or $36 a week. If you're a healthcare worker—these are the people who look after us when we are unwell and need help—you'll get an average tax cut of $1,354, or $26 a week. Again, it doesn't matter where you live or who you are, you will get a tax cut under the Albanese Labor government. As I said, that comes on top of all the other relief that we're providing.

But those opposite aren't happy, are they? They're not happy that the government gave every Australian a tax cut, not just those on the highest of high incomes. That's what they wanted to do. They have said they would absolutely roll these back. In fact, today Mr Angus Taylor, who is in the other place, described our cost-of-living relief as handouts that are ultimately going to make it worse. Honestly, handouts? We are assisting people. He has let the cat out of the bag. He has confirmed that the coalition oppose all of the cost-of-living relief that's being rolled out this week to try to help Australians.

They don't not want every Australian to get a tax cut. They don't want every household to get energy bill relief. They don't want millions—literally millions—of Australians, among many of whom are pensioners and people on healthcare cards, to get cheaper medicine. Why wouldn't you want that? Why wouldn't you want to help people and give them a hand up? But, no, they don't want to do that. What about extra paid parental leave? Why wouldn't you want to give that to people to encourage them to get back into work? We're doing all of that around making things here in Australia, our Future Made in Australia policy. All of these budget measures are part of a longer-term economic plan that is helping Australians right now. But it is a longer-term economic plan. It's working to bring down inflation and it's planning that future made in Australia.

Those on the other side push manufacturing and 'made in Australia' out the door, overseas, on a boat—ta-ta, see you later! But, no.