QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler—Prime Minister) (14:21): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. Indeed, in May last year we did promise to cut income taxes for every taxpayer this year and next. And tonight's budget will confirm, indeed, that we're cutting taxes this year and next.
We promised a $1,000 instant tax deduction, and tonight's budget will fulfil that, helping low- and middle-income earners. We promised to strengthen Medicare, and tonight's budget will provide an additional $25 billion for hospitals. It will provide support for urgent care clinics to be made a permanent part of Medicare.
It will provide for cheaper medicines. It will provide the funding for the endo clinics that are up and running, assisting with women's health. It will provide support for Medicare mental health clinics as well.
We also committed to improving aged care, giving Australians dignity and security in later years—in contrast to what we inherited, which was summed up in one word: neglect. Tonight's budget will provide additional funding for aged care as well. Our commitment, of course, was also to make the economy more resilient through our Future Made in Australia plan, and tonight's budget will do that as well.
The budget will also show that we've halved the fuel excise, something that before the election we didn't say we would do but something that we've done in response to the circumstances which are there. Mr Chester interjecting— The SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the Nationals in the House of Representatives.
Honourable members interjecting— Mr ALBANESE: I think the joke was on you on Saturday. Honourable members interjecting— Mr ALBANESE: And it went well for you! The SPEAKER: Order!
Members on my left. Member for Cowper, we're just going to take the temperature down. The Prime Minister is answering the question.
He was asked a question; he's giving information to the House. I'd like to hear what he'd like to say. Mr ALBANESE: The worst they're going, the louder they get.
That is something that we know is the case. Tonight's budget will deliver reform. It will deliver resilience.
It will be the budget that Australia needs in 2026. We have been working through the global fuel crisis that has been imposed on us. We've been working on delivering for Australians, and tonight's budget will do just that again.