Bridget McKenzie

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister acknowledged cost-of-living pressures and stated the government was focused on delivering relief through tax cuts and other measures. She noted that five rounds of tax cuts had been implemented, which the Nationals had opposed. The minister criticized the Nationals for chasing One Nation's voter base and advocating for policies such as cutting wages and superannuation. She argued that the Nationals were not capable of managing the economy due to their focus on higher taxes and deficits.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated the Prime Minister retained confidence in the minister, who had acknowledged his errors. She emphasized the government's commitment to implementing royal commission recommendations, noting over $2 billion invested in veterans' wellbeing. She defended the government's record, citing the resolution of a 42,000-claim backlog inherited from the previous administration.

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister stated that the Minister for Infrastructure was the responsible minister for infrastructure agreements and that the Attorney-General typically responds to royal commission requests. She confirmed that the federal financial agreement with states sought transparency and accountability, requiring delivery milestones and reporting of suspected criminal behavior. The minister highlighted that the government had appointed an administrator for the CFMEU and taken concrete action to clean up the industry, contrasting this with the previous government's inaction. She noted that the infrastructure minister had written to state ministers reinforcing their obligations to report corruption.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that the government does not tolerate corruption and has taken action through an administrator with over 100 active investigations. She noted that the government would work with the Victorian government as royal commission details emerged. She declined to answer questions about private discussions between the Prime Minister and the former Premier or Mr Watson. She stated that the government would await the royal commission's findings and take appropriate action, but refused to speculate on outcomes before the commission commenced its work.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that the government was committed to supporting Australians with cost-of-living pressures, which she described as significant due to global events like the conflict in the Middle East. She argued that the budget was responsible and contained more savings than the previous government. She cited the Reserve Bank governor's comments on global interest rate expectations and inflation drivers, asserting that the government understood the need for responsibility while providing necessary support.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister confirmed that jet fuel was a focus area and that the government was engaging with international partners and industry to secure alternative supplies. She noted that jet fuel was subject to the minimum stockholding obligation, which helped ensure reserves were held to deal with supply constraints. The National Fuel Security Plan included provisions for working with states and territories on jet fuel distribution.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister explained that 519 million litres of new supply were being prioritised for regional demand. He listed specific towns receiving additional fuel, including Hay, Griffith, Gunnedah, Orange, and Dubbo, noting cooperation with state governments to distribute national stockholdings.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that the government is not repatriating the cohort and had successfully opposed a court application to do so. She declined to provide specific numbers or details regarding passports or individuals, citing privacy and security reasons. In response to supplementary questions about intelligence reviews and security assessments, she reiterated that the government does not discuss the work of intelligence agencies and that no request for passport cancellation had been made by security agencies.

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister rejected the claim that government spending was the cause of inflation, citing the Reserve Bank's statement that private demand was the primary driver. She highlighted that the government had found $114 billion in savings and delivered two budget surpluses. She stated the government would continue responsible budget management and cost-of-living support, noting that unemployment remained low and business investment was rebounding.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister said that had the national reform package existed, the shooter would have been barred from possessing guns. She clarified that the father was excluded because he was not a citizen, while the son had no licence and would have been identified by intelligence records. The minister contended that tougher gun laws were needed as Australia now has more firearms than it did following the Port Arthur changes. She cited David Meagher, a victim's brother, who remarked that an antisemite armed with a gun is a killer. She further observed that certain measures, including limits on gel balls, relied on guidance from national security agencies.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister stated that it was in Australia's interest for the climate negotiations to be successful and for Australian interests to be represented. He did not provide a specific budget figure, stating that costs would be determined in the normal way. In response to supplementary questions, he reiterated that the conference was a diplomatic triumph and again refused to give a specific cost, instead criticizing the previous government's handling of climate policy and former National Party member Chris Joyce's expense claims.

Answer from Don Farrell

The minister confirmed that Senator Gallagher would release the report at the appropriate time. He argued that the government takes time to ensure policy correctness and transparency. He rejected suggestions of heavy-handed tactics, claiming the government is cooperative with parliament.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that the question was predicated on incorrect assumptions and repeated that the government was not providing assistance to the cohort. He accused the senator of misrepresenting his previous answers and declined to take the question on notice, maintaining that no assistance was being provided.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that the government is pursuing the cheapest available energy, asserting that renewable energy is the most cost-effective option. She criticized the opposition's nuclear policy as ideological and irrational. She declined to release specific modelling, instead arguing that the opposition had blocked housing and environmental reforms.

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister defended the economic roundtable as a necessary discussion on productivity challenges, contrasting it with the previous government's inaction. She listed government measures to help families, including superannuation increases, energy bill relief, and housing investments. She stated that the government is implementing the tax policies taken to the election and would not adopt the opposition's policies of higher personal income taxes and other cost increases. She refused to rule out tax increases beyond those already committed to, asserting that the election plan is the one being implemented.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated she did not have a list of all sites but noted that the administrator had removed dozens of officials. She explained that the Minister for Infrastructure had written to state and territory counterparts and infrastructure bodies like ARTC and WSA to seek assurance of compliance. She noted that prior to the allegations, no information had been received from Victoria, but the minister has since written to seek explanations and underline reporting expectations.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister did not provide specific figures for mortgage or food cost increases. Instead, she argued that inflation is the key factor influencing mortgage rates, noting that inflation had fallen under her government. She listed government measures such as tax cuts, cheaper medicines, and energy relief, which she claimed the opposition had voted against. She concluded by criticizing the opposition's economic policies and leadership.

Answer from Malarndirri McCarthy

The minister stated the government aims to make cleaner, cheaper-to-run cars accessible, noting that the standard saves Australians an average of $1,000 annually on fuel. She highlighted that over 160 new models are now available, including electric vehicles under $30,000, and dismissed opposition claims of $38 billion in fines as exaggerated. In response to supplementary questions, she cited expert opinion that outer-suburban and regional residents benefit most from fuel tax exemptions for hybrids and electric vehicles. She also noted that the opposition had voted against previous cost-of-living measures and quoted analysis suggesting fuel efficiency standards could save nearly $28 billion by 2040.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister argued that the opposition's alternative policy of investing $600 billion in nuclear power would result in more expensive energy and higher costs for consumers. She stated that renewable energy is the cheapest form of new energy and that the current high prices were a consequence of the previous government's failure to invest and provide certainty. In response to supplementary questions about specific companies' cost increases, she reiterated that the opposition had voted against $3 billion in energy bill relief for millions of Australians and that their policies would lead to higher household bills.

Answer from Bridget McKenzie

The minister rejected the premise, attributing current issues to a decade of policy delay under the previous government which failed to manage the transition from coal-fired power. She highlighted new investments in renewable energy and support measures for households, including energy bill rebates, Medicare, childcare, and housing assistance. She stated that the government was increasing grid capacity and supporting the transition to cheaper renewable energy sources.