Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Assistant Minister for the Public Service
Budgets old and new
I love buying new books. Something to keep me company on the weekly flight from Perth to Canberra, or Sydney. This year I have enjoyed the Thursday Murder Club, Decision Points by George W Bush, Everyone on this Train is a Suspect and A Bigger Picture by Malcolm Turnbull.
So fictional mysteries and political realities sit happily side by side on my bookshelf. But, like you, the publication I look forward to every year is the new Budget. Published every year since 1901. And since then the story has only become more and more complex.
The first went for just 62 pages. It was modest in the spending too, with a wage bill of just 30,000 pounds for all of the members of the House of Representatives. And just 210 pounds for the entire telephone system of the Department of Defence. Although our phone systems these days are, slightly, more secure. Last year's Budget, across Budget papers one, two and three was 798 pages. It reflects a more complex age in which we live, and a government that takes responsibility for the challenges in front of us.
Embracing complexity and taking responsibility
And it is being upfront about those challenges that I want to talk to you about tonight. The government I am proud to be a part of embraces the complexity of the challenges Australia faces. We do not seek to pretend that every policy challenge is simple. Nor are the conversations and decisions we need to take as a nation. And this government takes responsibility for leading the nation to meet this challenges.
The challenges in front of democratic governments around the world are complex. Right now Australia is addressing, to name a few: The disgusting rates of violence against women, and murder of women. The transformation to a net zero economy. The challenges of battling inflation, encouraging growth and dealing with an uncertain global economy.
Global complexity
All of this is against a world which is restless, uncooperative and with millions living through active conflict. There is escalating conflict in the Middle East. There are missing links in supply chains. Ukraine has seen war for more than two years. And the economic challenges of persistent inflation in North America and weak growth in China.
This is the global backdrop. It is complex. And it informs our Budget. You would observe in the comments from Treasurer Chalmers, Finance Minister Gallagher and the entire government we don't pretend this complexity does not exist. We take responsibility for crafting a budget with this backdrop.
Including the decision we took earlier this year on tax cuts. Now, clearly the right decision for Australia's society and our economy. But cast your mind back to January.
There were the usual political opposers. Opposition to considering a change. Opposition to making a change. There was even opposition to explaining the change. Australia finds itself in a time where incentives for political opposition are increasing, and incentives for smart public policy solutions are decreasing.
Net zero transformation
As we look at the transformation of our economy with net zero. To a world where we use even more energy, but where that energy is renewable, without carbon emissions. In March I introduced the Net Zero Economy Authority Bill. We need a MORE complex economy. Indeed the transition to a net zero economy will take Australia further in our economic complexity.
When I joined you last year, I said:
"The global net zero transformation is the biggest economic change since the Industrial Revolution.
And if we think of the economic transformations that have happened since the Industrial Revolution.
Electrification.
The automotive assembly line.
The Space Race.
The internet.
Needless to say, the global net zero transformation is a complex, exciting challenge."
A future made in Australia
I am pleased to say that since I gave that speech, two key policies have been unveiled by our Government. Not just the establishment of the Net Zero Economy Authority. But also the Prime Minister's plan for a Future Made in Australia.
The urgency of transforming to a net zero future is also inherently tied to our vision of a Future Made in Australia. It is only fair to leave the next generation with an Australia that is better than we found it. And that means both a healthier environment and a healthy economy, with all of the opportunity that comes with thriving in those two areas. We recognise the game has changed - and that we need to evolve, too.
The agenda for a Future Made in Australia marks a generational shift. Changing the way government uses its size, strength and strategic capacity to build a more productive and prosperous future. No longer a spectator, but an enabler. A participant and partner. And an investor in opportunity. We have already begun to invest at scale to build on Australia's competitive advantages and deliver on our national interests.
Whether it is our $1 billion Solar SunShot manufacturing program, the $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart program, or the $4 billion Critical Minerals Facility. The Albanese Government wants to help business seize the opportunities on offer. Tackling even the most complex of problems in a comprehensive, coordinated way to build a fairer future for the next generation.
Budget 2024
Next week's Budget will contribute to this agenda, building on the foundations that underpin it. Of course, I will not be giving you a blow-by-blow outline of its content. I do not think the Treasurer would take kindly to me stealing his spotlight. However, what I can tell you is the Budget's priorities. And how these will improve lives now while strengthening the nation and laying the groundwork for a better future.
The Budget's priorities are, broadly, to:
- Help households with the rising cost of living, without adding pressure to inflation;
- Build our defences against global uncertainty;
- And help ensure the country is well-positioned to seize the opportunities presented by the global energy transformation.
Our Budget is all being constructed in the best of Budget traditions. With conservative assumptions, robust estimates, and responsible fiscal management. But there is more to a Budget than numbers and projections, important as they are. You also need a long-term vision and priorities to match. For this Government, we want an Australia that is prosperous, secure, cohesive and sustainable.
Gender equality measures
The Budget will also continue the Government's work towards achieving gender equality. Gender impact is a key consideration for us. Budget measures have been scrutinised for their gender impact. This is not just a box-ticking exercise. It has helped lead to real change.
Like paying super on paid parental leave from 1 July 2025. This change will help close the gender gap in retirement savings. And it builds on last year's announcement to expand paid parental leave from 20 to 26 weeks of shared paid leave by July 2026. These reforms will not only improve lives - they will also help tackle the skills shortages holding business back. But it is a task worth doing - to build a fairer and more equal society for the next generation.
And I want to mention our government's commitment to not just building a fairer society for women, but a safer one. Last week, the Prime Minister announced an investment of $925.2 million over five years. This will permanently establish the Leaving Violence Program. Making sure those escaping violence can receive financial support, safety assessments and referrals to support pathways. We recognise that a lot of the issues that women face can be improved if they have economic security. Improving women's economic empowerment will continue to be a core focus of our government.
Conclusion
I opened by talking about my love of reading. Including the odd political memoir. I am happy to learn from the mistakes of my conservative opponents. And their biggest mistake, decade on decade, is that they lack ambition for Australia.
Look at the slogan that permeates the Liberal Party.
"Jobs and Growth".
Simplistic, but with no underlying meaning. No vision. Jobs for who? Growth for what purpose?
Compare that to what Prime Minister Albanese has committed us to:
"No one held back, no one left behind"
That is embracing complexity.
"No one held back, no one left behind"
That is the message of a Government that takes responsibility. Recognising the inherent value of every Australian. It is what myself and my colleagues do every day.
And it is what we will do in Labor's Budget on 14 May.
Thank you.
