Mr WALLACE (Fisher) (15:53): I have never heard a group of people who are so tone-deaf as those opposite here today. When I and, I'm sure, those on this side of the fence talk to our local businesses in our communities, they're not talking to us—and I am sure they're not talking to those members opposite—about the fact that Australians apparently, if you listen to those opposite, have never had it so good. They've never had it so good, according to this lot over here. Both local businesses and families in my electorate are absolutely screaming blue murder because they are having so much trouble trying to keep ahead of the tax man and keep ahead of just paying the bills, and we know that, for around 880,000 Australian families, their mortgage rates will go from a fixed rate of around two per cent to north of around six per cent over the next 12 months. On an average Australian mortgage, that equates to $20,000 a year after tax. But apparently, according to those on the other side, the government, Australians have never had it so good and everything is so rosy. Through you, Madam Deputy Speaker Claydon, let me tell you this: Australians are doing it tough, and the people on the Sunshine Coast are no different. One of the major industries on the Sunshine Coast is the building and construction industry. It is one of the largest employers in the country. It's an industry that I have worked in in various forms for over 30 years. The building industry across this country is built on subcontractors. Not content with making life more difficult with high inflation, those opposite want to amend and change the way subcontractors are dealt with at law. I can tell you one thing: right now, there are builders and subbies working on building sites right across this country, and, yes, occasionally they do have the radio tuned to parliament. Mr Rae: Do they tell you that, do they? Mr WALLACE: It's very true. I know because I used to do it. These men and women who are out there working on building sites are very, very fearful about the changes in legislation that the government have in store for them. Ladies and gentlemen listening along on building sites, at home, those of you who are driving trucks right now, this government is coming after your independence. You know you are independent contractors; you know you're independent subbies. This government wants you to be regarded as an employee. Why? Because this government wants to control you as a payback for their union paymasters. It is as simple as that. This will have significant impacts on business people. Read the question for the MPI. What is this government doing for local businesses and homeowners? They are making their lives a misery. Rents have gone up, mortgages have gone up, food's gone up, fuel's gone up, and now they're coming after you from a regulatory perspective. We've seen this book, we've read this book before, and we know how it ends. This goes back to the seventies and eighties, back when I was a chippy—it's true! Mr Tehan: A good one, too! Mr WALLACE: A good one, too, yes. It was a long time ago. This government is so driven by ideology, driven out of Trades Hall. They are coming after you and independent contractors around this country, whether you're an engineer, a subcontract carpenter or a subcontract plumber. The building industry around this country relies upon your hard work. Those members opposite know it, and that's why they're getting so upset. There is more to be said on this very issue. On this side of the House, we will stand for you and your independence for as long as God puts breath in our lungs.