MATTERS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE

Dr GARLAND (Chisholm) (15:50): I'm really pleased to speak on this matter of public importance today, a matter that goes directly to the cost-of-living issues that we on this side of the House know families are facing across Australia. We know that there are a lot of people doing it tough, feeling under pressure, and that's why we've been working really hard to relieve that pressure.

At the outset, it is really important to remember the circumstances we inherited when we came to government. I acknowledge the member for Bendigo's contribution. She reminded us of the destruction wrought by those opposite when they were in government, particularly by the media personality Josh Frydenberg, the former member for Kooyong.

Before entering this place, I had countless conversations with people in my electorate about the pressure they were under when those opposite were last in government. Household budgets were stretched, inflation was running at more than six per cent and rising, and many Australians were worried about how they were going to get ahead. I remember very distinctly standing alongside the now Prime Minister during the 2022 election campaign when he backed a pay rise for some of Australia's lowest paid workers.

At the time this statement was mocked, with the coalition absolutely outraged at the notion that the lowest paid workers in this country deserved a pay increase to keep up with the cost of living. So the reality was, when we came to government, inflation was rising rapidly and Australians were paying the price. When we were elected, we got to work, bringing inflation down from its peak while creating more than 1.3 million jobs and delivering the lowest average unemployment of any government in half a century.

That is real progress, particularly given the challenges facing the global economy. Good governments, though, know that there is always more work to do. The job is never done.

Inflation remains higher than we would like. Family budgets remain under pressure, and global uncertainty continues to weigh on economic conditions. That's why our government continues to focus on providing practical and targeted cost-of-living relief while maintaining responsible economic management, delivering tax cuts for every taxpayer, cheaper medicines, more bulk-billing and record hospital funding.

A healthy society is the No. 1 job of a good government. We've expanded Paid Parental Leave, delivered free TAFE, reduced student debt and introduced paid prac. I note that the Assistant Treasurer commented on the economic investment, not just in the delivery of cost-of-living relief packages like free TAFE for individuals but for how these educational opportunities are actually helping to build our economy into the future.

We're helping more Australians achieve the dream of homeownership, and we've backed higher wages for nearly three million of Australia's lowest paid workers every year, which has seen the national minimum wage rise by over $12,079 per year. We know that these measures aren't going to solve every single challenge overnight but they are providing real support where Australians need it most—through cost-of-living measures.

It's also about ensuring people earn more and keep more of what they earn. I wish those opposite would support that notion, but the record shows that they do not, and I suspect that they will continue to not support that notion. We've always done what we can to target the cost-of-living measures at every single budget.

We know, too, how important it is that we support those who support our communities and that's why it's really excellent to see that health, disability and community services workers are going to benefit from fairer pay after the Fair Work Commission found that work in these sectors has been historically undervalued. Placing gender equality at the centre of our workplace reforms has meant that our cost-of-living measures have allowed families to do better, when they are able to have more women return to work.

Greater access to early childhood education has been a key part of that. We know there's more work to do. As I mentioned before, any good government would recognise that the job is never done.

I know those of us on this side of the House stand absolutely ready to do what we can to make sure our communities are not left behind.