Zaneta Mascarenhas MP
House of Representatives, Parliament House, Canberra
Matters of Public Importance
I will point out that there was a comment from the opposition leader about the Prime Minister putting up interest rates. Hasn't he been in this place for more than 20 years? I think we understand that we have the Reserve Bank of Australia, which is an independent institution. It's at arms-length from the government for a reason, and that's because we need to make sure we keep the economy in check and that there are checks and balances in our economy.
I recognise that households are under pressure right now; I recognise that, and I know that households are doing it tough. But this is the reason why the Albanese Labor government wants to make sure that workers earn more and keep more of what they earn. What was asked during the federal election campaign was: is the opposition leader prepared to back minimum-wage workers by increasing their wages by $1 an hour? He said no. What did our now Prime Minister of Australia say? 'Absolutely.' Governments make difficult decisions. Prior to the pandemic, tax cuts were legislated for 1 July, and these tax cuts were going to be only for the richest of Australians. The Albanese Labor government did the hard work of looking at these tax cuts and what would be fairer and equitable—but also not inflationary. So it's interesting when I hear from those on the other side that we're overspending but that we're also not helping enough. Which one is it?
I recognise that balancing the economy is a delicate act, and I am very proud of our Treasurer of Australia who has been making really important decisions. I am excited that in my electorate of Swan there is a tax cut for every taxpayer. That's 94,000 people, and 77,000 of them will receive a bigger tax cut because of Labor. Every household in Australia will be getting a $300 electricity bill relief, and, in Western Australia, we're getting $700 thanks to the Cook and Albanese Labor governments working together. That's what Western Australians voted for in the last election. They wanted to see the federal and state Labor parties working together.
We're also talking about energy. I recognise that energy is a significant cost in household bills, and what did we have for 10 years under the coalition? There were 22 energy policies. Imagine if we had increased our renewable energy targets, because guess what happens when there is a war in the world such as what's happening in Ukraine? The sun and the wind—
Mr Kennedy interjecting—
Ms MASCARENHAS: You're speaking to someone who is an engineer who has worked in decarbonisation for 12 years. I will let you know that I have consulted to the ASX 200 on what the most economic options are for energy transition, and guess what? It's not nuclear. It is not nuclear because of timeframes, costs, waste and risk. This is something that I have seen time and time again. I don't know why the coalition is wanting to pick a fight on nuclear. Really? Is this how desperate you guys are? In case of emergency, I'm going to reach for the nuclear option! This is not what companies are looking at. This is something that's not going to help any households in the next 15 years. It's not.
I am really excited about what we're trying to achieve. In some of the most remote mine sites in Australia we're seeing wind and solar energy being used, and you're right—we need to make sure that we have firming. We will be seeing that being used with gas, but soon we'll also see batteries, and there is also a role for pumped hydro. If you want to have a fight with me about renewable energy and the decarbonisation that we're going to take Australia on, bring it on I say! But imagine what would have happened if we had acted 10 years ago. Households would have been so much better off.
The truth is that we have had 10 years of mismanagement. We are cleaning up the mess of the Morrison-Turnbull-Abbott Liberal governments, and we're working hard every day to make a real and positive difference to homes and families.
