Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. The cost of living is the No. 1 issue that I hear about from constituents, and I know that it's the No. 1 priority for the Albanese Labor government. The 1st of July was a really important day, with a range of cost-of-living supports rolling out for Australians, including the tax cuts. But I have noticed that the opposition doesn't seem excited about Labor's tax cuts. I'm wondering if perhaps they don't actually understand how important this policy will be for their constituents. Can the minister help them out? Can the minister let us know how their constituents and all Australians will benefit from Labor's tax cuts?

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

I will first also acknowledge the honourable speaker Seoule and welcome you to Australia. We're very pleased to have our friends from Vanuatu with us today. If we're a little feisty, you'll understand this is the robust Australian democracy, Mr Speaker!

President, senators and Senator Grogan, I would say to you that what we see from 1 July are tax cuts. There's a tax cut for every taxpayer in Australia—13.6 million Australians, 2.9 million low-paid workers, many of whom are people who supported the coalition. They must be scratching their heads wondering why it is that the coalition are so opposed to so many of the cost-of-living measures that the government has put in place. Of course, there is the tax cut for every Australian taxpayer, not just some. On top of that there's the $300 energy bill relief for every Australian household and $325 for small businesses. Remember when they were the party of small business?

There's a freeze on the cost of PBS medicines for every Australian and a third consecutive pay rise for 2.6 million workers—they're not excited about that because they believe in low wages as a deliberate design feature of the Australian economy. On top of that, there's more funding to build more homes and an increase to paid parental leave on top of cheaper child care, fee-free TAFE and the biggest investment ever in expanding bulk-billing.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

They're more interested in shouting at the Labor Party than actually looking at what the people who vote for them want, which is relief for the cost of living. You would think that Senator Birmingham might be excited about or interested in all the people in South Australia who will benefit from this policy. (Time expired)

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

Senator Grogan, first supplementary?

Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the minister for that response. It's very helpful to have that laid out. I know that the Albanese Labor government is working to ensure Australians are paying a fair price for their groceries and to ease the cost-of-living pressures. Can the minister please tell the Senate what the government is doing and what the experts have said about why divestiture isn't the best way forward?

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

Of course, this government is taking measures to strengthen the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, cracking down on anticompetitive behaviour, increasing penalties and asking the consumer watchdog to investigate.

What has been extraordinary this week has been to watch Senator Nick McKim write the coalition's supermarket policy. What I'm really interested in is: how is it that the party that used to be the party of tax cuts now has Senator McKim writing their competition policy? When did that happen? The Liberal Party used to be a party of people who prided themselves on being economic rationalists and who prided themselves on looking to the market. Now, Senator Nick McKim, I congratulate you. You're writing the alternative government's economic policy.

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

Labor's all on their own!

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

Order! Senator McKenzie. Senator Grogan, second supplementary?

Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the minister for that response. I read in the Australian this morning—

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

All on their lonesome.

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

Senator Grogan, please resume your seat. Senator McKenzie, two seconds before you called out again, I called you to order. Listen in silence. Senator Grogan, begin again and start the clock again.

Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I read in the Australian this morning that Liberal MPs were ambushed over Mr Dutton's plan for new divestiture powers and are concerned that the policy will force up prices at the supermarket. Can the minister please tell the Senate: what are the best ways to ensure Australians pay a fair price at the checkout?

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

Senator Cash!

Opposition senators interjecting—

Order on my left!

Order, Minister Gallagher!

Go right ahead, Senator Colbeck, after I've called order at least four times, and completely ignore what I said! Senator Grogan, second supplementary? Oh, you've finished? I beg your pardon. Senator Ruston.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Oh, sorry. This is what happens when you are so disorderly. Minister.

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

Obviously, we are very focused on working to deliver cost-of-living relief because we understand Australians are doing it hard. The Liberal Party is focused on adopting Senator Nick McKim's supermarket economic policy. But, of course, there are sensible people over there who understand what this really means. Earlier this year, Senator Dean Smith said that divestiture powers are 'ill conceived'. Senator Hume said that there was 'concern' about 'whether they will actually decrease prices'. I agree with you, Senator. Senator Kovacic said, 'They could end up harming the people we are attempting to protect.' Former Liberal Premier Jeff Kennett said, 'This is madness'. This is what happens when a party forget who they are and adopt the Greens' economic policy. Congratulations, Senator McKim. Welcome to the shadow cabinet.

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

Senator McGrath.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order across the chamber!