STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Ms BELYEA (Dunkley) (13:46): For too long, the scales have been tilted against ordinary Australians. First home buyers have been locked out of the Australian dream, and, for too many young Australians, getting ahead has become harder than ever. That is why the recent budget changes are so important.

The budget is not just about levelling the playing field for first home buyers. It is about building an aspirational Australia—an affordable Australia. For too long, our tax settings have favoured the few and entrenched wealth in the top 0.6 per cent.

Australia now has 178 billionaires—17 more than just a year ago. Meanwhile, nurses, teachers, students and everyday Australian workers are expected to pick up the tab. On this side of the House, we believe Australians should earn more and keep more of what they earn, and that is exactly what this budget delivers.

In Dunkley, 1,837 first home buyers have purchased a home through the five per cent deposit scheme and we have 19 social homes under redevelopment. Minimum-wage workers are around $12,000 better off thanks to the government's support for higher wages. We want to build an aspirational and affordable Australia.

We recognise what those opposite fail to understand: the system has not been working for everyone.