Senator POLLEY (Tasmania) (16:53): I'm proud to be part of the Albanese Labor government. Why am I proud? Because we are addressing the mess that those people opposite created over nine very long years. It's all very well for us to have a fairytale contribution to this debate. Next it'll be goblins and witches that come out, and we're going to rewrite history once again. But the reality is that we were left with a trillion dollar debt. That's what those opposite left for the Australian people, not just the Labor government but the Australian people—a trillion dollar debt. We had a contribution just then about aged care. I'm gobsmacked—I really am—that anyone from that side of the chamber would come in here and question the Labor government's commitment to aged care after 10 months of being in government. What have we seen on that side? What we saw over nine long years was a failed government and five ministers who failed in aged care. They were so bad they had to call a royal commission into their own failings. What has Labor done since we came into office? We have focused on respect and proper care. We want to put nurses back into residential aged care. These are the things that we are doing and the things that we are addressing. There's no getting away from the fact that there is a cost-of-living crisis and people are doing it hard. If you were really sincere about addressing this crisis, then you would support the Housing Australia Future Fund. That's what you'd do on that side of the chamber, because the biggest cost-of-living crisis for the Australian community— The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT ( Senator Fa wcett ): Order! Senator Polley, I remind you to put your remarks through the chair. Senator POLLEY: I wasn't talking to anyone. I was saying, 'Those on that side of the chamber,' but, if you think I did— The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Polley, you were using the word 'you' several times. Address your remarks through the chair. Senator POLLEY: I apologise, Acting Deputy President. The reality is that those opposite—those under Mr Dutton—will not agree to support the housing future fund which will provide the opportunity to get women and children off the street and into their own homes. It will get older women off the street—away from being forced into living on the street. It will also help women who are leaving domestic violence situations. You can't come in here and cry your fake tears when it suits you. These are real issues that are facing the Australian community. People cannot afford the rent. They cannot get affordable housing. Support the legislation that is coming before this chamber and then you will actually have a reason to come in here and make your contribution. But if you're not prepared to help resolve the issue, you can't just come in here and blame all world events on this government after 10 months. What we have done since we've come into government is to reduce the cost of medicine, put forward cheaper child care that will benefit 1.2 million— Senator Hughes interjecting— The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Polley, resume your seat. Under standing order 197, interjections are disorderly. Senator Hughes, you've had your opportunity to make a contribution. Senator Polley will be heard in silence. Senator POLLEY: Thanks for that protection. I don't really need it, because, when they start interjecting, you know that the truth is hurting those on that side of the chamber. We will be introducing electricity bill relief as a key feature of the May federal budget. It will provide direct support for households and businesses that the opposition tried to block. Let's put this on the public record. They tried to block it. Unlike the previous government, we have invested in 180,000 fee-free TAFE places that are now available to tackle the skills shortages. From the contribution that was made in question time today, we know about the attributes that were displayed by those opposite when they were in government. They had a finance minister who didn't even know that the Prime Minister at the time had taken over his portfolio, and now they come in here and try to lecture us about the cost of living and what needs to be done for the economy! We know that there have been difficulties. We know that some of that can be attributed to the Iraq War and what's happening there in terms of energy prices— Senator Hughes: Iraq? Senator POLLEY: but those on that side had nine years to come up with an energy policy. They had 26 of them but delivered not one. You can rewrite your fairytales as often as you like when you come into this chamber, but the Australian people saw right through you. They are reliant on the leadership of Anthony Albanese and the Labor government, who will do what is necessary to protect and to support those doing it tough in this country. (Time expired) The ACTING DE PUTY PRESIDENT: I remind senators to address remarks through the chair and to address members of the other chamber by their correct titles. Senator McKim, you have the call.