Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

():  My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator Watt. Cost-of-living pressures are a top concern of Australian workers and households. How are the Albanese Labor government's workplace relations agenda and its budget helping Australian workers earn more and keep more of what they earn.

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Senator Sterle—a fantastic question to finish off question time. For three years, the Albanese Labor government's focus has been on growing wages and addressing cost-of-living pressures. Last night's budget shows that real wages will continue to grow alongside more new jobs, low unemployment and low inflation, and our budget locks in a further tax cut for every Australian taxpayer.

In an extraordinary development, we've now seen Mr Dutton and the coalition oppose those tax cuts. After months of Mr Dutton promising cuts so he can pay for $600 billion worth of nuclear reactors, we've finally found the only thing that Mr Dutton and the coalition won't cut, and that is your taxes. So we have the supposed party of lower taxes now opposing a tax cut for every Australian taxpayer.

The mental gymnastics we've seen on display from Senator Hume and Mr Taylor have been something to behold. Even the coalition's preferred broadcaster, Sky News, today asked Senator Hume, 'So, you're going to vote against these tax cuts but still claim to be the party of lower taxes?' Try to square that circle. Senator Hume, I wasn't able to do that.

It does explain, though, all the coalition's leaking against their economic team, because I'd be pretty nervous about them too. But at least there are a few people on the coalition side who are willing to be honest, like the coalition MP who described Angus Taylor's Insiders performance as 'very strange'. And who could forget the No. 1 ticketholder of the Angus Taylor fan club, Senator Hughes, saying Mr Taylor needs to 'show some maturity and get across the detail'. No wonder Mr Taylor has a hit list of people he wants to target if he becomes the opposition leader after the election. That's right! We are now in a situation where those opposite are so busy thinking of things they can cut that they want to cut each other from being members of their party room. The only thing that Peter Dutton won't cut is your taxes, and Australians are about to have their say. (Time expired)

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

Thank you, Minister Watt. I do remind you to refer to those in the other place by their correct titles. Senator Sterle, first supplementary?

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I note that Mr Dutton opposes the Albanese Labor government's tax cuts for every Australian taxpayer and instead plans to cut everything except your tax. Why is it so important that workers' rights and cost-of-living support don't end up on Mr Dutton's chopping block, Minister?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is important that workers' rights and cost-of-living support don't end up on Mr Dutton's chopping block, because the last few years have been tough for many Australians, and that's why the Albanese Labor government has worked so hard to deliver more jobs, higher wages and low unemployment, along with lower inflation. That has enabled us to deliver a tax cut for every Australian in our budget.

You know, it was great to see our job creation record being recognised by the people of Australia. Just this morning we heard from a Mr A Taylor from the electorate of Hume, who told the ABC:

… let me tell you this is a job market that's strong. I mean, it's as strong as we have ever seen.

This Mr A Taylor from Hume—I'm told he's a smart guy. Some people say he's a Rhodes scholar in fact. That's what makes it so disappointing to see his colleagues leaking against him. In yesterday's coalition party room meeting, which was leaked after a directive not to leak it, Mr Dutton said the attacks were being motivated by New South Wales intraparty feuding. Who could that be, Senator Hughes, Senator Bragg and Senator Sharma? (Time expired)

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

Senator Sterle, second supplementary?

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm lovin' it. The Albanese Labor government is delivering a responsible budget that boosts Medicare as well as delivering income tax cuts. I note that Mr Dutton will cut Medicare to pay for his $600 billion nuclear reactors but won't cut income taxes for Australian workers. What are the key barriers to higher wages and cost-of-living support for Australian workers? Minister, how will Mr Dutton's cuts hurt Australian workers?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Great question, Senator Sterle! Well, Mr Dutton and the coalition have made clear that they will cut Australians' jobs and services to pay for their $600 billion worth of nuclear reactors. For those playing at home, who couldn't get an answer from the shadow Treasurer in his 'very strange' interview on Insiders: that's how much their nuclear reactors cost—$600 billion. And, to pay for them, Mr Taylor last night announced even more Public Service job cuts. Another 5,000 jobs will now go, bringing it to a total of 41,000 job cuts to Medicare, to Veterans' Affairs, to emergency services and to many other agencies.

We know that the one thing Peter Dutton won't cut is taxes for hardworking Australians. I remember that last year, when Labor made changes to the stage 3 tax cuts, Mr Dutton opposed them and called for an election. Well, I've got good news for Mr Dutton: we are cutting taxes and we are going to an election. In a very short amount of time, Australians will have their chance to say whether they want a Labor government lifting wages and cutting taxes or you rabble over there— (Time expired)

Government Senator:

A government senator interjecting—

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

It's so tempting, after the worst performance I've seen in a very long time from those opposite in a post-budget period, but I'd ask that further questions be placed on notice.