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

What people look for when they come to this place is a bit of hope. They also seek the truth. They need to hear the truth because what we do here matters. I actually said those words in the chamber not so very long ago, and they absolutely hold true today. Australians are doing it tough. Every grocery bill, every electricity statement, every rent notice feels like it's weighing heavily. But, under Labor, we're not sitting idly by. We're taking decisive, practical action because we believe in a fair go for all Australians, not just for a few.

Labor's plan is clear. We're easing pressure where it hits hardest. We delivered tax cuts for every working Australian, not just the ones on the highest incomes. Why did we do that? We did it because, when you're struggling, with the cost of living, Labor understands that every dollar counts. We made sure, through our policies and implementation, that you can keep more of what you earn to spend on what matters most to you—your family, your home, your future. These Labor tax cuts came to an average of $1,504 for someone earning $73,000 a year. Every dollar counts. Every dollar matters.

The coalition have said at times that these tax cuts will be reversed. Is your tax cut actually safe, or is it under attack by Minister Dutton? He says he's got to find $350 billion of cuts. He didn't want to give you that tax cut in the first place. The question is: are you really willing to risk it—Mr Peter Dutton and a cash grab from you and your family to build a nuclear plant that might come on line in 2040, that he wants to spend $600 billion Australian taxpayer dollars on—because no-one who invests in anything wants to invest in that white elephant?

His way is not the Labor way. That's why we have reduced the costs of essential medicines, for example, so that no-one has to choose between their health and putting food on the table. General patients now pay less, and concessional patients will benefit from capped pricing that will bring real relief. This isn't just a policy; this is something we've done. It's dignity restored at the pharmacy counter, because Labor understands that you're doing it tough and that you don't need a handout but just a bit of help to get through—and we're getting through. We want Australians to be healthier and less financially stressed. We want Aussies to be able to take the medicines they need and the dosages they need. That's why we did this.

Labor's energy bill relief is another thing that's reaching millions of Australians—$300 for every household and $325 for small businesses. Think of every roof and every business you fly over. This is immediate and tangible support, showing that we absolutely understand and are doing something about the stress that happens for Australians when power bills arrive.

For students burdened with HECS-HELP debt, we've slashed indexation, cutting debts by up to 20 per cent. That's real money back in the pockets of young Australians investing in their futures.

When the Liberals talk about budget repair and cutting public servants, they mean cutting the very services that make life livable for ordinary Australians. I'm not sure Peter Dutton knows what a public servant does, but let me tell you. Public servants under Labor ensure that veterans' support claims are processed. He wants to take 1,000 of the workers out. A public servant disburses emergency grants of up to $900 to those who've lost homes and livelihoods during natural disasters like the one in North Queensland right now. They're public servants. Peter Dutton wants to cut 36,000 of them. That will hurt you. Yes, these things are on Mr Dutton's secret chopping block. Each way you slice or dice it, you're in for the cut with Dutton. Don't risk it.

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

Thank you, Senator O'Neill. I remind you to refer to others in the other place by their correct titles.