QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:12): I thank Senator Whiteaker for her question—and thank you for struggling on despite having a bit of a cold. I know that Senator Whiteaker is here because she cares deeply about what happens not only in this budget but for the generation that she represents, and that is something the government is very focused on.
Tonight's budget will be an ambitious budget. It will be a responsible budget. It's a budget focused on resilience, reform and a plan to help Australians through the worst of the global economic uncertainty and to come out even stronger.
We are a government that want aspiration and opportunity for more people in this country. Opposition senators interjecting— Senator WONG: Unlike you, we understand that the status quo in the housing market and the tax system is not working for many Australians. We understand that the conflict in the Middle East is making it harder; people are seeing this at the petrol pump, and business is seeing it in higher costs.
Farmers, transport operators and regional communities know how important secure and reliable fuel supply is to the whole economy. That's why the major packages in tonight's budget will be on fuel security, the cost of living and housing, productivity, tax reform and savings. It will include additional investment in our fuel security and resilience, including stronger reserves and supports to strengthen our fuel security and our fertiliser supply.
We will continue to strengthen Medicare. Senator Henderson: But you've got a list of broken promises! Senator WONG: You should listen about Medicare, Senator Henderson, because, as I recall, it's something that you were not hugely supportive of.
We support Medicare. There will be commitments to strengthen Medicare in tonight's budget. I know you don't like it, Senator Henderson.
New drugs on the PBS—I know you don't like it. An additional $25 billion for public hospitals—I know you don't like it. You don't like any of it, do you?
You don't like investment— (Time expired) Senator Henderson interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Henderson, I called you twice during the time the minister was answering. Please listen respectfully in silence or leave the chamber. Senator Whiteaker, first supplementary?