MATTERS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
Mr PASIN (Barker) (15:48): It's true to say that today's an important day. It's a day when our nation turns an important page. I do, just as an aside, have to query why those opposite would spend the majority of their contributions obsessing over the Liberal Party on such an important day—on a day when they could be talking about what those opposite are actually achieving.
But it is the first day of a new financial year. Predictably, the Prime Minister and his treasurer have been out spruiking their tax cuts—a paltry $5 a week. Those opposite don't spend their time talking about this because they know that it is insignificant and it has been monstered by inflation.
It's evaporated before it's even turned up. I've got to say that, during question time, I do sometimes turn off as the Prime Minister is preening his feathers, giving us the 'never had it better' speech, luxuriating in his hubris. Those opposite would do well to look up at the galleries during question time, because the people in the galleries get it—they know that grocery prices have gone up, they know fuels have gone up, they know rent's gone up.
Do you know what else they know, Madam Deputy Speaker Claydon? They know who to blame for it. It is the unbridled spending of those opposite that is putting pressure on Australians via inflation, because those opposite don't have a plan for it.
Do you know how I know those in the galleries know this? Mr Holzberger: Sky News! Mr PASIN: No, not Sky.
I spent my time earlier today looking at the Prime Minister's Facebook page. I thought, 'Yes, this is a place I'll go to.' It's an important day, changing the page historically here in Australia. He's there spruiking his tax cuts, and, in the comments, real Australians out there in the real world have had something to say about that.
Let's have a look at those. We've got one contributor who said: One hand gives … the other one takes more than what was given … Another contributor said: If delusion was a person he would be it. Another contributor said: Cool story.
Extra $10 a week— I've got bad news for this contributor; it's actually only five bucks— just went into extra $12 diesel to get to work. Another contributor said: Using supermarket specials tactics. I like that one in particular.
We're back to this: Give with one hand take with the other. A contributor says: You mean give with one and take double with the other. Mr Holzberger: I've tuned out; are you reading Facebook comments?
Mr PASIN: These are real Australians who are telling you—I can see some nods in the gallery; they get it. Those opposite really don't want to hear this, but you should hear it. Andrew Brown contributed: Increase the tax free threshold significantly you you REALLY want to give Australian workers a tax break.
That's an endorsement for the tax-back guarantee that we announced on budget in reply night. There are other contributors: … the comedy act continues. It's gotten to the point that the Prime Minister of this country is regarded as a joke.
While we're talking about jokes, there's a whole theme that comes through the comments: April fools was a couple of months ago. It's 1 July, and they're thinking, 'Maybe he's talking about 1 April.' Then I found some support for the Prime Minister's position. Bobby Bingham said: $5 ! sweet that provides financial relief.
Then I realised that actually he was being sarcastic. I wasn't great at English lit, but this is my personal favourite. Geordie Askew said: We all feel like Oliver.
Please sir, can I have some more? And that's the point for those opposite. Those opposite listen to a prime minister during question time who's saying, 'We're here to help.' But the people in the galleries, Australians, are saying, 'If this is helping, can you please do us a favour and just stop.' It's not help if it actually hurts.