Take Note Debate

Answers to Questions

Senate · Monday 10 February 2025

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

Senators debated the government's record on Closing the Gap, with the Opposition arguing that the administration had failed to deliver on promises and removed effective measures like the cashless debit card. The Government defended its record by listing new job programs, health initiatives, and a measured approach to reforming income management. The debate also touched on broader economic issues, including opposition claims of secret budget cuts and government assertions of improved community support.

Outcome

Question agreed to.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania) (Liberal Party) Liberal TAS

Colbeck argued that the government had failed Indigenous Australians through policy paralysis and broken promises since taking office in 2022. Colbeck cited the ORIC report indicating that 28 per cent of organisations had not lodged financial documents for two years, claiming the government rejected bipartisan scrutiny. Colbeck contended that the government failed philosophically by removing governance standards for Indigenous aged-care services, arguing this lowered expectations rather than raising them to national standards.

Tony Sheldon (New South Wales) (Australian Labor Party) ALP NSW support

Sheldon refuted claims of inaction by listing initiatives such as the Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program, which aims to create 3,000 jobs, and the expansion of the Indigenous Rangers Program with 1,000 new positions. Sheldon highlighted the opening of dialysis units, the First Nations Health Worker Traineeship Program, and the reduction of costs for 30 essential products in remote stores. Sheldon warned that the opposition's proposed $350 billion in budget cuts would negatively impact First Nations communities and services.
Matt O'Sullivan (Western Australia) (Liberal Party) Liberal WA oppose

O'Sullivan criticised the fee-free TAFE policy for favouring public institutions over Indigenous-controlled registered training organisations. O'Sullivan argued that the abolition of the cashless debit card was a significant failure, claiming it led to increased violence and social unrest in communities such as Laverton, Leonora, and Wyndham. O'Sullivan stated that the government made this decision without consulting local residents, relying instead on academic advice, and pledged to restore the card if elected.
Catryna Bilyk (Tasmania) (Australian Labor Party) ALP TAS support

Bilyk defended the government's measured approach to reforming income management, noting that 11 of 19 national agreement targets showed improvement. Bilyk explained that the transition to voluntary income management via the SmartCard was being conducted in partnership with First Nations stakeholders to mitigate disruption. Bilyk challenged the opposition to reveal the sources of their proposed $350 billion in spending cuts, warning that reducing the public service would slow payment processing.
Maria Kovacic (New South Wales) (Liberal Party) Liberal NSW oppose

Kovacic disputed the claim that Australians would be worse off under a Coalition government, arguing that the current administration had created a cost-of-living crisis. Kovacic suggested that the government's pivot on nature positive laws was driven by electoral concerns in marginal seats with mining interests rather than genuine consultation. Kovacic asserted that the lack of clarity from the government created uncertainty for regional communities and mining suppliers.

Opened by

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania) (Liberal Party)

TAS

Liberal

Speeches

5 speeches, 4 other contributors

Topics

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About Senate debates

The Senate debates bills, motions, matters of public importance and the answers given in Question Time. Senators from all parties and the crossbench take part, and a minister or the minister representing them usually replies for the government. Summaries are in reported speech, not transcripts; always check the official record before quoting.