Louise Pratt (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. The Albanese government has made it clear that its No. 1 priority is addressing inflation and cost-of-living pressures with a targeted and comprehensive $23 billion 10-point plan to help address cost-of-living pressures in our economy. Can the minister please explain how this relief has been calibrated in a way so as to not aggravate inflation, and how is the government paving the way for future economic growth?

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

Thank you, Senator Pratt, for a question on the cost of living. What I would have said if the opposition had asked me some of their questions is that, while you might need academic analysis and definitions, we on this side do understand that Australians are doing it tough. Unlike you, we are delivering $23 billion of cost-of-living relief to Australians. Whenever they come in and bleat about the cost of living, let's remember they opposed cheaper energy, they opposed cheaper medicine, they opposed more Medicare bulk billing, they opposed fee-free TAFE, they opposed more housing for Australians and the expansion of paid parental leave, and they opposed getting wages moving again. So whenever you come in here and talk to us about the cost of living—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Order!

Senator McGrath, I have just called the chamber to order, and that includes you. The interjections across the chamber are disorderly. Please listen in silence. I will call the minister back to continue her answer.

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

Let's remember those opposite when it comes to cheaper medicine. Six times you voted to prevent Australians getting cheaper medicines. Every time you come in here and talk about the cost of living, we're going to remind you that six times you voted against cheaper medicine. What about cheaper child care? Senator Hume said this was not a policy that you would introduce. So you don't want cheaper child care? You don't want cheaper child care? Let's remember also—

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

President, on a point of order, I would ask that you direct the minister to direct her comments through the chair. She keeps on saying 'you'.

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

Senator Henderson, the minister is directing her comments through the chair.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order! What I would also call for is silence across the chamber. Minister Wong, please continue.

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

I'm very happy to address you directly, President, and I understand why they feel sensitive and why they don't like the word 'you'. They don't want to take responsibility for being the party of higher energy prices. They don't want to take responsibility for being the party that voted against energy price relief. They don't want to take responsibility for being the party that voted against cheaper medicines. No, they just want to come in here and make political points. They have no plan when it comes to the cost of living.

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

Order! Senator McKenzie, you always have to have the last word—seriously! Senator Pratt, first supplementary?

Louise Pratt (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister please provide the Senate an update on the government's recent initiatives to further support Australian households, particularly in health and housing?

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

Thank you, Senator Pratt. This month, additional cost-of-living relief—again, opposed by those opposite—is rolling out, which will help Australians, particularly in health and housing. Last week, on 1 November, the bulk-billing incentive was tripled. Under this Labor government which supports Medicare, unlike those opposite, the bulk-billing incentive was tripled, making it easier for 11 million young and low-income Australians to see a GP without out-of-pocket costs. That is what this government is working to deliver in a tough environment for Australian families—delivering more assistance so more people can see a doctor without out-of-pocket costs. That's something only a Labor government will deliver because we know what the coalition have always thought about Medicare.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order! Seriously, this is really disrespectful. Senator Pratt, second supplementary?

Louise Pratt (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister please detail the specific measures the Albanese government has implemented to help Australians afford essentials over this difficult inflationary time? And what impact is that support having on people who need it most?

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

Let me list the ways in which this government is working to help with the cost of living because we understand how difficult life is for so many Australians and our responsibility to deliver practical assistance. We're delivering $23 billion in assistance for cost-of-living relief to Australians in electricity bill relief, so famously opposed by every single one of those opposite. The interjections might be loud, but the truth is they voted against energy price relief. We're delivering cheaper childcare, also opposed; increased rental assistance; more Medicare bulk-billing; cheaper medicines, opposed on at least six occasions; boosting of income support payments; fee-free TAFE; building more affordable homes; expanding paid parental leave; and getting wages moving again. This government has delivered the first budget surplus in 15 years. Talk about working to put downward pressure on inflation; that is what we're doing. (Time expired)