STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr WALLACE (Fisher) (13:42): Last night, Labor failed a very simple test. They had the opportunity to stand with Australians who've already endured some of life's greatest challenges—widows, widowers, divorcees and families trying to rebuild after loss and hardship. Instead, Labor voted to increase their taxes.

Can you believe it? That tells Australians everything they need to know about an incompetent government that cannot tell the truth. Before the election, Labor promised Australians that they wouldn't come after their savings, their investments or their future.

But once those votes were counted those promises disappeared into thin air. This government keeps talking about fairness while punishing Australians who've worked hard, saved hard and planned responsibly. First, it was toxic taxes on housing, investment and aspiration.

Now they're reaching into the pockets of widows, widowers and divorcees. Life has already dealt them a very tough hand. Labor shouldn't be making it harder for them.

Labor can't manage the nation's finances, so they keep coming after everyday Australians. The coalition believes that Australians should be rewarded for hard work, not punished for it. We'll continue to fight these toxic taxes.

We'll stand up for families, retirees, small businesses, widows, widowers and divorcees, and we'll keep fighting for a fairer, freer, better Australia.