Mr REPACHOLI (Hunter) (11:17):

I rise to make a contribution to the private members' motion put forward by my friend and member for Forde. When the Albanese government was elected, we gave a commitment to address two critical issues that affect every citizen of this nation: the ever-increasing cost-of-living pressures and the priority for labour productivity growth. As a government it is important that we take real action to create a better future for all Australians.

Cost-of-living pressures have been a burden on the shoulders of hardworking families for far too long. Rising housing costs, utility bills, education expenses and healthcare fees have strained household budgets, leaving many struggling to make ends meet. As a Labor government, we firmly believe that every Australian should have access to a good standard of living where no one is left behind. To combat these challenges, we have devised a comprehensive plan. Affordable housing is a priority, and we have introduced a bill that will see us invest in the construction of affordable housing projects, ensuring that more families have access to secure and reasonably priced homes. Sadly, the opposition and their Greens mates in the Senate have stopped this bill and are stopping us from investing over $1.3 million per day into an affordable and social housing market.

Access to health care is vital, and this government has been working to reduce healthcare expenses. We have improved bulk-billing services by investing $3.5 billion to increase the bulk-billing rate. In the Hunter electorate, this will see rates triple in most areas. We are also investing in public housing and subsidising essential medications. Our focus on preventative health care will aim to reduce the long-term healthcare costs for families.

We believe education is the key to a prosperous future. As such, we have increased funding for public schools to make a quality education more accessible to all. The Albanese Labor government's fee-free TAFE plan is helping to reduce cost-of-living pressures for students, who are saving thousands of dollars in course fees. This is helping to equip our workforce with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing economy. We are already delivering 180,000 fee-free TAFE and vocational education training places in 2023. Our new skills investments include over $400 million for a further 300,000 fee-free TAFE and vocational education and training places in high-skill-needs areas from 2024.

Addressing soaring utility costs and combating climate change have accelerated the transition to renewable energy sources. This not only will lead to lower electricity bills for consumers but also will create new job opportunities in a burgeoning green economy. The strength of our nation lies in the hard work and dedication of our workforce. To harness this potential and drive our economy forward we must address the challenges that hinder productivity growth. We have embarked on a significant infrastructure plan to upgrade transportation networks and invest in digital infrastructure. This will not only boost productivity in various sectors but also generate employment opportunities for our regions.

Encouraging research and development is paramount to fostering productivity growth. We will provide tax incentives and grants for businesses that are investing in innovation, supporting development of cutting-edge technologies and products. Unlike those opposite, we supported the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund, which will support, diversify and transform Australia's industry and economy, helping to create secure, well-paid jobs and to secure future prosperity and drive sustainable economic growth.

Unlike those opposite, we understand that the wellbeing of employees directly impacts their productivity. That is why the Labor government will also champion fair working conditions, ensuring that workers are treated with respect and are provided with a healthy work-life balance. That is why we are supporting the 'same job, same pay' legislation and improvements in the calculation of long service leave for casual workers. Labor recognises the importance of unions in advocating for workers' rights and ensuring fair pay for a fair day's work. We'll work to strengthen the voice of workers through union representation. By implementing these policies we aim to cultivate an environment that fosters productivity growth while also easing the financial burden on all Australian families.