QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE: TAKE NOTE OF ANSWERS
Senator POLLEY (Tasmania) (15:53): I think, to be fair to those that are in the gallery, that we should actually just put on the record the difference that we have made since we've come into government in terms of building a stronger economy. We've been able to support some of the lowest paid workers in this country who are doing some of the most important work that any Australian can do, that being early childhood educators for our children who are our future.
We have also increased the remuneration for those who care for the ageing members of our communities. These are essential responsibilities, and we as a government have supported them. Let's not allow those opposite to rewrite history.
On five occasions when we've put forward tax cuts for Australian workers, what have we seen from the Liberals, the Nationals and One Nation? They voted against it each and every time. As Minister Wong said in her response today, the reality is that on every occasion when those opposite have had the opportunity to support working Australians, they have voted against it—every measure.
In relation to the tax cuts, there's the additional money since we came into government. Next year, Australian workers will be $2,800 better off thanks to this government. For $1,000 of that, you won't need to keep any of your receipts.
We talk about, and hear the questions around, building homes in this country, but what was the record of those opposite when they were in government for over 10 years? How many houses did they build? Not one—zero.
What did they do in terms of TAFE? They ran that down. Did they do anything to incentivise apprentices?
After all—despite what they may think over there—you need Australian workers. You need electricians, builders and plumbers. They did nothing.
We have incentivised those workers by giving them $10,000 to assist them. Why? Because we know they're terribly important to our economy.
You can't build houses without builders, carpenters, electricians and plumbers—and the list goes on. Instead of having this fake outrage, what we really should be seeing from those opposite is their plan for the future. We know what history has recorded of their actions in caring for workers and industrial relations and creating more access to GPs and cheaper medicine.
There are 137 urgent care clinics right across Australia so that, when you have an urgent matter that doesn't require you to go to accident and emergency, you can be seen, without having to pay with a credit card or having to decide whether you can afford to take your child there. What do we see from those opposite? They vote no, every single time, with their new coalition partner, One Nation.
I am, though, somewhat surprised that some of those opposite would agree to go along and form a coalition with One Nation. I've been in this chamber a little while and seen contributions over a long period of time, and it is, frankly, very disappointing. But our record is strong and people know they can rely on Labor to protect Australian workers and Australian rights.
The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Polley, your time has expired. Senator Polley interjecting— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Polley! Senator Polley: Sorry, I didn't hear you.
The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Polley, you very well heard me.