Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

O'NEILL () (): My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Social Services, Minister Farrell. Can the minister update the Senate on what measures the Albanese Labor government is taking to help ease the cost-of-living pressures felt by Australian families?

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

I thank Senator O'Neill for her very important question. Yes, I can provide an answer to that question. From 1 July, the Albanese Labor government is delivering a tax cut for every Australian taxpayer—

Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Wow!

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

You're right: 'Wow'—to help tackle the cost-of-living pressures felt by families right across this country. These tax cuts are on top of the other significant supports introduced by the Albanese government through our $23 billion cost-of-living relief package, which is already helping ease the pressure on families and workers right across Australia. This includes: cheaper child care and extending paid parental leave; cheaper medicines and making it cheaper for more Australians to see a GP; and increasing income support payments for Australians who need them.

Now we've taken these measures even further by delivering Labor's tax cuts, which are going to put more money back into the pockets of workers and families. Under Labor's tax cuts, Australians earning low and middle incomes will receive a greater cut compared to the Scott Morrison plan—the former Prime Minister—as I recollect, including an additional—

An honourable senator interjecting

He's no thug; he wasn't a thug—including an additional 2.9 million people who have received nothing. Thanks to our changes to the Medicare levy low-income thresholds, more low-income families and individuals are going to pay less each year. Tackling cost-of-living pressures is the No. 1 priority of the Albanese Labor government. That's why we're working to cut taxes, boost wages, bring inflation under control and deliver— (Time expired)

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

Senator O'Neill, first supplementary?

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Senator Farrell, for your answer. Can the minister also outline how Labor's efforts to ease cost-of-living pressures will benefit workers, families and taxpayers in my great home state of New South Wales?

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

I thank Senator O'Neill for her first supplementary question. Labor's tax cuts, our policies, deliver cost-of-living relief—great news for New South Wales. Under Labor's plan, around 83 per cent of taxpayers in New South Wales will receive—I'll repeat that; 83 per cent—a bigger tax cut. This is in addition to the cost-of-living relief that we've delivered for people in New South Wales, with 338,000 people benefiting from our increases to JobSeeker payments and 308,000 households eligible for the increased maximum rate of Commonwealth rent assistance. These measures will assist cost of living, and Labor's tax cuts will put more money into the pockets of families, workers and taxpayers right across New South Wales.

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

Senator O'Neill, second supplementary?

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the minister for his answer. It's fantastic to hear that families in New South Wales can count on this government to address the cost of living, with 83 per cent better off in New South Wales. Can the minister also advise the Senate of what the blockages have been in delivering the Albanese Labor government's plan for easing cost-of-living pressure for Australian families?

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

I thank Senator O'Neill for her second supplementary question. We are serious about tackling the cost-of-living pressures faced by families across Australia. However, at every turn, the leader of the coalition, Peter Dutton, and the coalition have stood in the way, including when it comes to our actions on electricity bill relief, cheaper child care, cheaper medicines, fee-free TAFE, more social and affordable housing and getting wages for Australian workers and their families moving again. Cost-of-living relief remains our No. 1 priority, and we will continue to take action, even if the coalition continues its negativity and its obstruction. Labor's tax cuts are the next step in our broader plans to ease cost-of-living pressures by boosting incomes, reducing costs and delivering relief for families.