The opposition pressured the Labor government on several issues including cost of living in the 1st official day back in Parliament.
Inflation, the rising cost of living, national security, and the housing crisis were key issues that dominated the first day of Parliament on Aug. 12.
As the session commenced, the opposition was quick to criticise the government’s handling of the above matters, particularly focusing on the prime minister’s perceived failure to control the escalating cost of living.
Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of breaking his promises to cut electricity bills, and provide cheaper mortgages.
“The price of electricity is now up by 22 percent. We have endured 12 mortgage rate hikes, and the prices for food and groceries are up more than 11 percent. It is clear to Australia that this government has lost its way due to this prime minister’s lack of economic management, experience, and general incompetence,” he said in Parliament.
Albanese Defends Record
Albanese was quick to respond, detailing some of his reforms but largely focusing on criticising the opposition for not supporting the government’s efforts.
“There’s one thing consistent about our cost-of-living measures—they have all been opposed by those opposite,” said Albanese, pointing toward the Liberal-National opposition. He cited examples such as tax reforms, the energy price relief plan, and funds for childcare.
“They opposed wage rises, whether it be the three increases in the minimum wage or the additional wage rises for people working in aged care or as early educators in our childcare system.”
He also took a jab at the opposition, calling their proposed nuclear plans “half-baked.”
“They have a plan for nuclear reactors sometime in the 2040s that they won’t tell us how much will cost. But we do know that it is the costliest energy, and it will take too long, and after all that, it will produce something like 4 percent of the energy needs of Australia.”
The federal opposition is proposing nuclear power as an alternative pathway towards net zero.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition Susan Ley countered Albanese, asking, “Why is this prime minister in denial that Labor’s spending is causing homegrown inflation and keeping interest rates higher for longer?”
Albanese dismissed this charge, quoting the Reserve Bank governor’s statement on how the government has managed to control inflation. He further stated that his government has turned a $78 billion Liberal-National government deficit into a $22 billion surplus.
“And then backed it up with a second that’s on its way as well. And this is also what Michele Bullock, the RBA governor, had to say about inflation: Inflation has fallen substantially since its peak in 2022.”
Besides Albanese, Treasurer Jim Chalmers was also pressed by opposition MPs to respond to the measures his ministry is taking to counter the cost of living and inflation.
“Inflation is sticky, stubborn, and more persistent than we’d like. We’re seeing that around the world, including in Europe, where inflation has just gone up again, and in the U.S. and Canada, where it zigzags on the way down,” he said in response.
National Security
The fact Australia now has a “probable” risk of a terror attack dominated the floor.
Albanese and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles were questioned about the efforts.
Marles announced that Australia and the United States have made significant progress toward acquiring nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement.
“When we came to power, AUKUS was really not much more than a thought bubble. But since then, we have been turning it into a reality,” he claimed.
He further stated that his government has passed multiple tranches of legislation, including the establishment of the Australian Submarine Agency.
“Along with legislation passed by the U.S. Congress last year, we’ve created a seamless defense industrial base between the two countries. Also, importantly, we have provided increased funding in the budget to deliver AUKUS, and much, much more funding that those opposite did not provide.”
Housing Crisis
Clare O’Neil, the newly appointed Minister for Housing, was also scrutinised by the opposition for the ongoing housing crisis.
Multiple reports suggest housing is now out of reach for many younger Australians.
“Australians are doing it tough right now, and housing is a big part of that story,” the minister said.
She further stated that in less than two weeks in her new ministry, she has spent a lot of time speaking directly to people affected by this problem.
“I’ve spoken to a mum with a child with a disability who was forced to move house in the middle of her child’s school year. I’ve spoken to renters whose rents are rising too often and too fast … And I’ve spoken to a woman who was a victim of long-term homelessness.”