Mr WYATT (Hasluck) (15:54): Like my colleagues, I thank the opposition for raising this matter of public importance. It is almost a Dorothy Dixer, because the cost-of-living pressures for Australian households and families are what this government is focused on. The member for Jagajaga raised a couple of interesting points. She said, 'Take a sledgehammer to the budget.' Think about this statement from Wayne Swan: The Government shouldn't be chasing the same resources as the private sector—that would only add to price pressures, and ultimately feed through to the cost of living for Australian households. What is more important is Labor converted the records surpluses of the Howard government into record deficits. Labor delivered around $200 billion of deficits, with $123 million of deficits to come. Labor promised a surplus in 2012-13 on over 500 occasions, but what they delivered were more deficits. Currently government bills exceed income by over $100 million a day. So you do have to take a sledgehammer at times to a budget, because we cannot continue to live beyond our means. We are in this problem because Labor would not stop spending. They even tried to lock in billions of dollars of new spending, earmarked for years after they left office. The International Monetary Fund recently confirmed that for the six-year period from 2012 to 2018 Australia was forecast to have the largest percentage increase in spending of the 17 IMF advanced economies profiled. It was also interesting to listen to the member for Jagajaga talking about the impact on families. But Labor did not consider single mothers who were moved from pensions that gave them an income to Newstart. Labor left them in poverty. So do not come into the chamber and be hypocritical in that sense. Ms Kate Ellis: What have you done about it? Mr WYATT: It is good to hear from you, Member for Adelaide, because at least you are contributing to the conversation for a change. We are keeping parents' costs down and putting money in their pockets through our families package, which will be released in coming months. As a strong, stable government, we are delivering a small business company tax cut as part of our small business and jobs package. We are improving oversight of rules about foreign investment in our agricultural land and residential homes. Under the coalition government, Australia's retail trade numbers have risen month after month since mid-2014, to be up 4.1 per cent through the year. Building approvals are up 8.8 per cent on a year ago. Job ads, as measured by the ANZ Bank, are at their highest for more than two years. We are opening up new markets through free trade agreements with Korea, Japan and China. Perhaps those opposite would like to hear again what this means to those who elected this government at the 2013 election. It means that a young person today has more chance of getting a job when they finish school or university. It is easier for that young person to upskill and to move into an even better job. It is easier for them to fill up their car with petrol and to stock their fridge with food. This government's stability has created an opportunity for a young person to save for a house or for their overseas holiday. Mr Husic interjecting— Mr WYATT: It will be easier for them to contemplate starting their own businesses, Member for Chifley. It will also be easier for them to attract foreign investment into that business. Their businesses will be able to employ and train others. They will be able to access financial advice that is sound and not advice that will lead to them going astray. Their parents should be able to afford aged care that is close to their home. Going to the doctor or to see a specialist will not be a hassle for them. Down the track, it will be easier for them to get affordable child care for their children. Their children will enter a world-class school system, a world-class higher education system and the cycle will begin again. A strong government is important and this coalition government is focusing on what is needed for families. I cannot pretend it is all economic roses at this point. This time two years ago, our economy was in the shaky hands of some of those opposite, and we have not yet plucked out all of the policy weeds that still remain from the work, programs and initiatives that they put into place. On this side, we respect the taxpayer. We do not take our stewardship of the public dollar lightly. Today we are committed to reviewing the social security system. This government will focus on families, focus on the economy and focus on a better future for all Australians, to ensure that they have the life they expect. (Time expired)