Page 2956 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 15 August 2018
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Mr Hanson: Yeah, whatever.
MADAM SPEAKER: What did you just say, Mr Hanson, after I said to consider yourself warned?
MR HANSON: I said, “Whatever.”
MADAM SPEAKER: You are very close. One more utterance and you will be named, Mr Hanson.
MR BARR: As I was saying, this side of politics also invests very heavily in health, education and human services—
Mr Coe: And the Tradies.
MADAM SPEAKER: You will be added to that list, Mr Coe.
MR BARR: in order to support the most vulnerable in our community. I think it is very clear from the very different approaches to public policy that we see from this side of the chamber versus that side of the chamber that we support the most vulnerable in our community. (Time expired.)
MISS C BURCH: Why have concessions for low income households gone backwards in real terms since 2012?
MR BARR: The government has increased concessions in a number of areas, including though our concessions review where we sought to target support to those who need it most. We also focus across our investments in health, education and community services to provide support to the most needy in our community.
It is not just about direct cash payments. It is also about access to free, high quality health care. It is access to public education. It is access to community and social services that support families and individuals in need: the collective responsibility, both at our level of government and the Australian government level, to support the most vulnerable. It is why I have called for an increase in the Newstart allowance. That is another important measure that the Australian parliament could take to improve the lives of the most vulnerable.
MR COE: Chief Minister, why is the number of households facing financial pressure increasing rapidly if you are a so-called progressive government despite the fact that concessions have essentially gone backwards in real terms?
MR BARR: A range of factors have impacted on household incomes: low wage growth as a result of commonwealth policy; loss of penalty rates for many workers as a result of Liberal Party policy; refusal to address most of the significant issues in relation to our social security system as a result of Liberal Party policy; and the failure of the Abbott government’s removal of carbon taxation and the expected benefits of
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