Question Time AU

Take Note Debate

Employment

Senate · Tuesday 8 September 2026

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

At a glance

Senator Roberts moved a motion to take note of the Minister for Finance's answer regarding the labour market. Roberts argued that economic growth was poor and attributed this to high immigration levels, which he claimed artificially inflated statistics while shrinking per capita output. He also cited declining labour productivity and falling male participation rates as evidence of economic decline. The Senate agreed to the motion without further debate.

Outcome

The question 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

Malcolm Roberts (QLD) (Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) One Nation

Roberts argued that the government's economic record was poor, citing official data showing the worst growth in a century. Roberts contended that reliance on immigration artificially inflated economic figures while per capita output declined. Roberts claimed that public service expansion reduced labour productivity and contributed to inflation. Roberts also noted that while female participation rates had risen, male participation rates had fallen, arguing the economy should grow for all demographics.