Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

We get that the Australian people are doing it tough. We get that inflation remains a big challenge in our economy, which is why we are so pleased that it has moderated, almost halved, from when we inherited an inflation challenge that was escalating in this country, not moderating. So we are pleased about that. But we get that people are doing it tough, which is why we put in place those sensible cost-of-living measures to help, like Commonwealth rent assistance, something that those opposite would cut, according to the shadow finance minister. Also, energy bill rebates are something they would cut. They see it as wasteful spending. All of those are investments that we have made to help people through this difficult time. We accept it is difficult. We would all like inflation to return to band sooner, but our plan is working and we are supporting people through this difficult time.