Question Time AU

Take Note Debate

Answers to Questions

Senate · Wednesday 3 September 2025

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

At a glance

Senators debated the government's responses to questions on two main issues: the potential repatriation of Australians linked to ISIS and the delivery of aged care reforms. The opposition raised concerns about reports of government assistance for ISIS affiliates, while also criticising the government for delays in releasing home-care packages. Government senators defended their record, highlighting bipartisan progress on aged care legislation and the fast-tracking of care packages. The debate concluded with the motion being agreed to.

Outcome

The motion to take note of the answers was 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

Paul Scarr (Queensland) (Liberal Party) Liberal QLD

Scarr questioned the accuracy of government statements regarding the repatriation of Australian citizens who joined ISIS. Scarr cited a report indicating that senior officials were assisting in the background to issue travel documents for these individuals. Scarr argued that facilitating the return of people who wilfully joined a violent extremist group was unacceptable and raised serious security concerns. Scarr sought clarification on whether any taxpayer funds or support had been used for repatriation since the last cohort arrived in October 2022.

Government response

Varun Ghosh (Western Australia) (Australian Labor Party) ALP WA

Ghosh addressed the aged care reforms, stating that the government was committed to fixing a system that had been neglected by the previous administration. Ghosh highlighted the commitment to providing certainty of funding and supporting the workforce with wage increases. Ghosh noted that 20,000 home-care packages would be fast-tracked in the next eight weeks, with a further 63,000 guaranteed by June 2026 under the new single assessment process. Ghosh criticised the opposition for attempting to score political points rather than engaging constructively with the necessary long-term reforms.

Opposition response

Leah Blyth (South Australia) (Liberal Party) Liberal SA

Blyth criticised the government for failing to deliver on election promises regarding home-care packages, noting that nearly 90,000 older Australians were waiting for care. Blyth stated that the coalition had forced the government to agree to the immediate release of 20,000 packages after sustained questioning. Blyth highlighted that 5,000 older Australians had died while waiting for support and argued that the government had initially voted against amendments to release these packages. Blyth welcomed the eventual agreement to release the full 83,000 promised packages but characterised the delay as a crisis caused by the government.