STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr BUCHHOLZ (Wright) (13:42): It's been 98 days since Labor announced its cruel widows tax. It's been 98 days since they created this mess. It's been 98 days since they were warned.

Labor were warned repeatedly about this horrific tax. It's been 98 days, and the Australian public is still waiting for Labor to fix this cruel mess. But while the government delays, the damage is happening to widows now.

Banks and financial institutions are already making decisions based on this law. Every day Labor creates more uncertainty for more Australian families. But who can this tax hit?

Who is affected the most? It's women—a woman who's just lost her husband, a woman who's going through a divorce, a woman who's trying to escape a violent relationship. At the very moment that Australians need certainty and compassion, Labor sends them a tax bill.

This is why the coalition has introduced legislation to repeal the widows tax, and we've gained the support of the crossbenchers. The solution is simple: fix the harm first. Pass our bill.

Repeal the widows tax. Prime Minister, you've had 98 days. This is no longer an oversight; this is a choice.

It's a choice which is hurting Australians. Labor, stop the political games. Repeal the widows tax now.

This is a cruel tax.