Louise Miller-Frost

Answer from Julie Collins

The minister confirmed the positive test in a sea lion at Seal Bay, with samples sent for confirmatory testing. She stated there were no other mortalities detected and no evidence of mammal-to-mammal transmission. She highlighted a $1.4 million investment to boost sea lion resilience and a $270 million investment for H5 bird flu response. She noted 521 bird flu events nationally and over 41,000 calls to the hotline, urging the public to report sick or dead animals.

Answer from Anika Wells

The Minister announced additional amendments agreed with the coalition, including banning inducements for 14 days after signing up, for red flag customers, and for three months after deregistering from BetStop. She noted that commissions based on customer activity would be banned. Advertising protections would be enshrined in law, extended to online streaming services, and include a 15-minute blackout before live sport. A wagering advertising opt-out register would also be introduced.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister highlighted insights from frontline organisations, noting that children are experiencing violence and need support. She cited statistics that almost 40 per cent of sexual assault victims are aged 10 to 17 and discussed online harms like stalking apps and AI glasses. She mentioned a $308 million investment for safe homes helping 22,000 people and the broader $4.4 billion investment assisting nearly half a million people through 1,400 organisations.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that the government supports aspiration for all through fairer taxes, stronger Medicare, free TAFE, and housing reforms. He cited examples of first home buyers successfully purchasing properties in various electorates, noting that reforms are giving young people a fair chance against investors. He emphasized that the government is addressing a broken housing system to help Australians achieve homeownership.

Answer from Amanda Rishworth

The Minister stated that the government had achieved the lowest average unemployment rate in 50 years and created over 1.2 million jobs. She announced the largest reforms to the employment service system in 30 years, aimed at providing targeted support based on how far a person was from the labour market. The reforms included ending the 'one size fits all' approach by creating three distinct service streams, introducing calibrated mutual obligations, overhauling assessment and triaging processes, and implementing a new planning process for employment goals. She noted that $312 million was committed in the budget to establish these new elements.

Answer from Catherine King

The Minister stated that the budget fixes the road funding anomaly for South Australian councils permanently. She highlighted $3.6 billion in untied funding for local governments, with $2.9 billion brought forward for cost pressures. She noted $2 billion for the Local Infrastructure Fund to support housing development, $50 million annually for active transport, and $750 million for Growing Regions and Thriving Suburbs programs. She also mentioned $4.4 billion for Roads to Recovery and increased funding for black spot programs.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister announced reforms to minimize children's exposure to wagering advertising, break the connection between wagering and sport, and reduce ad saturation. Measures included prohibiting such promotions while live sporting events aired from 6 am until 8.30 pm, on radio during school hours, and in sports venues. Celebrities and sports players would be banned from ads, and online keno 'pocket pokies' would be banned. Match fixing would become a criminal offence. The reforms would empower Australians to opt out of gambling ads on streaming services and strengthen BetStop and financial counselling support.

Answer from Richard Marles

The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted AUKUS as the largest industrial project in Australia's history, creating 20,000 jobs. He noted $30 billion in investment and a $3.9 billion downpayment announced with the South Australian Premier. He stated that the Osborne Naval Shipyard would sustain Collins class submarines, build Hunter class frigates, and construct future submarines, employing over 7,000 workers at peak. He contrasted this with the Coalition's past failure to deliver on the Attack class program and their attempt to move submarine construction offshore. He praised the Malinauskas government's partnership in delivering these outcomes.

Answer from Tony Burke

The minister stated that the government had secured 99 per cent of the water required to meet the bridging-the-gap target. He noted that 225 gigalitres had been recovered for the additional 450-gigalitre environmental water target, with a plan to recover more than 400 gigalitres by the end of the year. He criticized the previous government for spending $80 million on water entitlements that had zero allocated water, resulting in a $52 million profit for the seller.

Answer from Catherine King

The Minister highlighted the reopening of Adelaide's Glenelg line with new bridges and the laying of tracks in the Canberra CBD. She noted progress on Inland Rail, including the Beveridge intermodal terminus in Victoria. She criticised the previous government for starting projects without completing plans and emphasised the government's focus on delivery.

Answer from Pat Conroy

The Minister highlighted increased naval strike range, doubling the warship fleet, and delivering new warships ahead of schedule. He mentioned the production of Ghost Shark submarines, Ghost Bat aircraft, and missiles in South Australia. He criticized the previous government for cancelling drone projects and closing shipyards, contrasting this with the current government's creation of 10,000 shipbuilding jobs and investment in drones.

Answer from Tony Burke

The minister listed government achievements including student debt cuts, cheaper medicines, and environmental reforms. He criticized the opposition for internal division and lack of ideas, comparing their behavior to characters in A Christmas Carol.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The minister revealed a 40 per cent increase in funding for 1800RESPECT, highlighting that contacts had risen by 3000 per cent since the service began. She outlined spending on emergency housing totalling $1.2 billion, $3.9 billion for legal services, 10 days of paid domestic violence leave, and job protection for victims. She stressed continued cooperation with states and territories to enhance responses to sexual violence.

Answer from Andrew Giles

The Minister stated that the government had cut student debt by 20 per cent, benefiting three million Australians, including over 280,000 with VET student loans. He noted an average saving of over $2,000 on VET loans and cited examples of individuals saving $8,000 and $3,000. He mentioned reducing annual repayment amounts and raising the repayment threshold. He also highlighted that free TAFE had been made law, with 685,000 enrolments and over 190,000 completions, contrasting these achievements with the opposition's opposition to these measures.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister welcomed the agreement between Israel and Hamas on the first phase of President Trump's peace plan, describing it as a ray of light after two years of conflict. He emphasized Australia's consistent support for a ceasefire, the return of hostages, and humanitarian aid to Gaza. He acknowledged the vital role of US and Arab League leadership, including Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt, in diplomatic efforts. The Prime Minister reiterated support for Hamas laying down arms and having no role in Gaza's future, while affirming that a two-state solution with internationally recognized borders remains the only path to lasting peace.

Answer from Pat Conroy

The minister described the treaty as Australia's third alliance and Papua New Guinea's first, founded on friendship and shared history. He stated that the agreement ensures both nations will act to meet dangers in the event of an armed attack. He highlighted the government's broader engagement in the Pacific, including treaties with Tuvalu and Nauru, and efforts in climate change, trade, and development assistance, arguing that regional prosperity depends on the stability of the Pacific family.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer noted that inflation had fallen, debt was down, and real wages were growing. He highlighted that Australia was one of few OECD nations with continuous growth over the last three years. To boost productivity, the government was approving 26,000 homes, streamlining the National Construction Code, and fast-tracking EPBC legislation. Additionally, 500 nuisance tariffs were being abolished, bringing the total to 1,000 over two years, saving businesses $157 million annually in compliance costs.

Answer from Clare O'Neil

The Minister stated that about half a million homes had been built since the government took office, with a commitment to build 1.2 million homes over five years. She noted a 44 per cent reduction in construction worker vacancies and improvements in housing completions and approvals. She highlighted that 28,000 social and affordable homes were in planning or construction, towards a target of 55,000. She criticized the opposition for not building any social housing in their first two terms and for proposing cuts to housing funding.

Answer from Ed Husic

The Minister stated that the government had backed the Whyalla Steelworks and invested $2 billion in aluminium production and $750 million in efficient steel and aluminium manufacturing. He highlighted the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund. He warned that the opposition had no plans to support manufacturing and had opposed government measures, posing a risk to the sector through potential cuts to fund nuclear power.

Answer from Mark Butler

The Minister stated that the government is addressing decades of neglect in women's health, particularly regarding contraception and menopause. He noted that the package includes new PBS listings for oral contraceptives, higher fees for doctors providing IUDs and implants, and improved training for GPs. He highlighted that the package has been broadly welcomed by medical, nursing, pharmacy, and women's organizations. He emphasized that women consume about 60 per cent of health services and face significant costs, which the new measures aim to reduce.

Answer from Anne Aly

The Minister reported that over one million families had saved on out-of-pocket costs and that 200,000 workers were eligible for a 15 per cent wage increase. She noted a 22 per cent drop in vacancy advertisements and an increase of 97,000 children in care. She announced a $1 billion investment in regional services and a three-day guarantee for early learning. She warned that the opposition's lack of policy and focus on corporate lunches would leave families worse off.