Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Farrell. The two budgets of the Albanese Labor government have committed an additional $188 billion in spending, with economists describing your last budget as 'unambiguously expansionary' and 'likely to add to inflation'. Doesn't all the evidence show that Labor's fiscal policy is keeping inflation higher for longer and fuelling the cost-of-living crisis?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Scarr for his question. He obviously wasn't watching too closely on budget night, but, of course, this government produced a surplus—a $20 billion surplus. We've tried to make this a fairer country by improving wages and by trying to bring back some of the equality that we lost over the previous nine years. But, of course, by delivering a surplus, we put downward pressure on inflation. Yes, we rejigged spending in this country based on the commitments that we made to the Australian people when they rejected—

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Farrell, please resume your seat. Order across the chamber, particularly on my left. Senator Farrell, please continue.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We rejigged and we reset the priorities of this country to make sure that we were looking after the people that really need looking after—not like your budgets, which just looked after your rich mates. We rejigged the budget to make sure that ordinary Australians were being looked after and, at the same time, simultaneously produced the first budget surplus in 15 years. It's something that you kept promising to do but you never, ever did. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Scarr, first supplementary.

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It hardly inspires confidence, does it? Before the election, the Prime Minister claimed that Australians would have cheaper mortgages under Labor. With inflation continuing to rise under Labor, an average family with a $750,000 mortgage is already paying $22,000 more each year. Is this what the Prime Minister meant by 'cheaper mortgages'?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Scarr for his first supplementary question. We do understand the hurt that ordinary Australians are feeling as a result of those increases in mortgage rates. Of course, the first point I'd make is that those increases started under your government and were a product of decisions—

Okay, Senator Scarr.

Opposition senators interjecting—

No, the surplus didn't start under your government. The surplus started under this government. The fact that you keep—

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

But interest rates—you don't take any—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Birmingham!

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Who's asking the questions? Is it Scarr or is it Birmingham? President—

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You're not answering any of them.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That isn't true. I am answering. I'm answering directly the question that Senator— (Time expired)

Opposition senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my left! The constant interjections are disorderly. Senator Scarr, second supplementary?

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister said in January, before his disastrous referendum campaign, 'My new year's resolution is just to continue to deal with cost-of-living pressures.' With Australians facing high mortgage payments as they head to Christmas and having to juggle high grocery prices and higher energy bills, why have the Treasurer and the Prime Minister still not released a comprehensive plan to get inflation under control and put downward, rather than upward, pressure on interest rates?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Scarr for his second supplementary question. Well, just on the referendum, the Prime Minister—

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Down! Down!

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McKenzie!

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

the Prime Minister went to the last election saying he would hold a referendum on an Indigenous Voice—

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You're still talking about the referendum.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

for the Australian Constitution, and he did exactly what he said he was going to do.

Honourable senators interjecting—

He put the referendum—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Farrell, please resume your seat.

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

He also promised cheaper mortgages. How's that going, Don?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Birmingham, I have just sat the minister down because of the interjections, particularly on my left. Thank you, Minister. Please continue.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister of this country stuck to his guns. He said he was going to do it and that's what he did. Regrettably, the Australian people said no, and we accept their decision.

Since that time, of course, we have been putting downward pressure on inflation. What did the coalition—your parties—do?

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Downward pressure? It's going up!

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Scarr, you've asked the question.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

They voted against lower energy prices, they voted against cheaper child care— (Time expired)