PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Cost of Living
Ms MASCARENHAS (Swan) (18:54): I would like to thank the member for Dunkley for going first; I really appreciate that. Thank you, Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to talk about this important topic. I think the member for Hughes's motion is certainly interesting. I do want to say one thing: having children is a deeply personal choice made by individuals, and it is their choice. In my experience, decisions aren't simple and people weigh up multiple factors, such as timing, finances, health, personal goals and career. For some the choice might be to not have children at all. That is their right, and it's not our place to judge or question anybody's plan for parenthood or not. But it is our job, as the government, to make sure it is easier for those who want to start or grow a family.
When Labor came into government, this country was in a mess. Let's not sugar-coat it. Wages were stuck and living standards were sliding. The coalition also had a women problem: not enough women in the caucus and not recognising that women choose to work. Often they work in the care industries, which historically has been undervalued.
But Labor has a plan. We have been promising to change all that and we have been. Wages are moving. The minimum wage is up 18 per cent and award wages are up 14 per cent. We have seen increases to wages in the aged-care sector, which is really important, and we hope to see increases in the early childhood education sector as well. Inflation now has a two in front of it. These figures are not made up; they are facts. The gender pay gap is the smallest it has ever been. This is real, tangible progress, but you wouldn't believe it if you listened to the opposition and paid attention to this motion.
The opposition is teaming up with the party of protest, the Greens, who have fought us every step of the way. They voted against wage increases time and time again. They're stuck in the past. Labor wants to move people forward; they want to make sure you're not stuck. The cost of living is on everyone's mind and it shapes so many big decisions—starting a family, buying a house or changing careers. We get it. It's shaping what I do every day in representing the interests of Swan. That's why we've tackled it head on.
Under Labor, inflation has halved since we took office. We have delivered relief where it counts: bigger and better tax cuts for every taxpayer, energy bill relief for every household, cheaper child care—giving families more choices and extending paid parental leave to 26 weeks by 2026. Superannuation is being paid on paid parental leave, which will help lower the gap between superannuation balances of men and women. We've delivered paid prac for nursing and midwifery students. We also delivered pay rises in industries dominated by women, like aged care. These aren't just numbers; they are actually changes that are helping families get ahead.
What has the Opposition done? Nothing. Worse than nothing; they've actively blocked progress. They voted against cheaper child care, voted against wage increases and oppose an affordable housing plan that could put 40,000 people into homes. We're ready to go, but what I hear from the other side is no. They want to cut Medicare and they don't support affordable housing. They're out of touch with the needs of Australian families.
Labor is delivering for families. We're making it easier to plan for the future, to balance work and family and to live with dignity. With many parents facing a tough decision about family planning, they deserve a government that's got their back—a government that supports them with affordable child care, secure housing and fair wages.
The biggest risks to families is the opposition. Their policies, or lack of them, would leave Australians worse off. We've seen their priorities; they don't include everyday Aussies in their plans. Labor is here to move this country forward, so we're lifting wages, cutting costs and supporting families. That's the Australia I believe in, a place where people can thrive and not just survive. We won't stop fighting for a better future for everyone: families, single people and couples.
