Malcolm Roberts

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister stated that unemployment was at historically low levels, though she misspoke by saying 412 per cent before correcting the context. She highlighted that 1.3 million jobs had been created, with three out of five being full-time and five out of six in the private sector. She noted that the participation rate had risen from 66.3 per cent to 66.9 per cent, near record highs, and that the gender pay gap was at a record low. She argued that the labour market was resilient despite global uncertainty. Regarding migration, she stated that Australia had always relied on overseas workers to supplement the domestic workforce and that One Nation's policy would damage businesses and services.

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister defended the Treasurer's comments, noting that 1.3 million jobs had been created since May 2022, including growth in the care economy. She listed 15 areas of productivity improvement from the budget, including investment, innovation, and regulatory reform. She argued that employment, participation rates, and real wage growth were up, contradicting the member's portrayal of the economy.

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister stated that over a million jobs had been created and unemployment remained low, with participation rates at record highs. She noted that net overseas migration had fallen by roughly 45 per cent from the post-COVID high. The minister defended jobs in the non-market economy, such as health, aged care, and education, as legitimate and valuable. She criticized One Nation for opposing wage increases and argued that the government supported better wages and conditions for workers.

Answer from Don Farrell

The minister explained that large-scale proposals require rigorous due diligence and cannot be processed quickly, citing historical examples of infrastructure delays. He confirmed the NAIF operates independently to assess projects against its mandate. He committed to making personal inquiries into the status of the proposal and reporting back to the senator.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister accused the previous energy minister of concealing price rises. He stated that the government had provided three free hours of solar power for 455,000 Australians with home batteries, resulting in zero electricity costs for those households. He argued that these benefits primarily aided people in outer suburbs and regions. In supplementary answers, he claimed that One Nation opposed solar electricity and that the previous government had wrecked the electricity system and fuel refineries, causing energy insecurity.

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister stated the government is cutting taxes five times in three ways, including the instant tax deduction and Working Australians Tax Offset. She noted that real wages have grown for the first time in a decade since the government took office. Regarding the fuel excise, she explained that the temporary halving was extended at a lower level to help households adjust as petrol prices fell. She emphasised that the government continues to roll out cost-of-living help, including Medicare investments and cheaper medicines.

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister stated that the project cost had been reset to approximately $12 billion after the government inherited it, as the initial $2 billion estimate lacked proper scoping and geological surveys. She noted that the Snowy board was undertaking a cost reassessment due to the government in late July. She emphasised that the project was more than half built and crucial for energy grid security. In response to supplementary questions, she refused to cancel the project, citing its importance for energy stability. She noted that the ANAO report found project management partially effective and that Snowy Hydro had accepted most recommendations. She argued that the market was not investing in new coal-fired power stations, whereas renewables were delivering cheaper and more reliable energy.

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister stated that productivity growth had been slow for decades and that the budget included measures to drive improvements, such as regulatory reform and infrastructure investment. She noted that Treasury had revised productivity assumptions downward based on evidence. The minister rejected the link between migration and low productivity, emphasizing the value of migrant contributions and stating that net overseas migration had decreased by 45 per cent. She highlighted that the government was addressing productivity challenges through various economic reforms.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister rejected the premise that the government discriminated based on religion, stating that all applications were assessed on merit and character. He criticized the senator's rhetoric as divisive and reminiscent of comments by Pauline Hanson. He affirmed that the government did not have blanket rules excluding people from any faith and that security risks were assessed individually.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that politicians do not arrest people, citing separation of powers. She noted that One Nation had voted against the legislation banning Hizb ut-Tahrir, thereby hindering the government's ability to act against such groups.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister attributed energy insecurity to the closure of four oil refineries under the previous government. He stated that current fuel reserves were at their highest level in 15 years. Regarding the Lytton shutdown, he noted that such maintenance occurs periodically and declined to provide specific details on supply arrangements, instead criticizing the opposition's past energy policies.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister stated that Australia holds minimum stockholding obligations of 150 per cent for petrol, 134 per cent for jet fuel, and 116 per cent for diesel, with reserves held in domestic infrastructure. He criticised the previous government's energy strategy and highlighted current efforts to secure the electricity system and promote electric vehicles. In response to supplementary questions about refining capacity and specific commitments to new reserves or refineries, he noted that fuel stocks are at their highest level in 15 years and pointed to the national gas reservation scheme and other measures to shore up supply. He also criticised the opposition for campaigning against electric vehicles.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that the government supported a non-discriminatory immigration policy and did not rule people out based on faith, race, or country of origin. He argued that the common feature of the listed countries was that they were war-torn and that people were fleeing for safety reasons. He denied that the government was cherry-picking UN guidance or excluding Christians, and he predicted that the opposition would eventually adopt similar restrictive immigration policies.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that Australia's climate commitments were driven by economic imperatives and global trends, not foreign dictates. She noted that 24 out of 28 coal-fired power stations had announced closures under the previous coalition due to lack of investment. She emphasized that capital markets were moving towards renewable energy and that the transition was necessary for Australia's prosperity.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated he did not have the detailed statistics available and would provide the information on notice. Regarding the supplementary questions on specific groups and policy bias, he reiterated that he would return with facts. He challenged the premise of the question, asserting that Australia maintained a non-discriminatory immigration policy supported by previous governments, including the Liberal Party, and confirmed this approach would continue under Labor.

Answer from Don Farrell

The minister stated that Comcare had provided its findings to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. He noted that independent investigations by the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force and the Queensland coroner were ongoing. He deemed it inappropriate to comment further while these investigations were proceeding.

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister stated she did not attend sessions where such specific proposals were raised and that the government had no intention to alter the tax treatment of owner-occupied homes. She clarified that tax reforms would focus on standard deductions and income tax reductions as promised at the election. She emphasized that the roundtable discussions were high-level and did not result in outcomes matching the senator's concerns.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that the government had reformed compliance measures to remove fraudulent providers. He confirmed that qualifications were cancelled where students paid for them without training. He noted that there was little evidence that these students were employed in the occupations for which they held fraudulent qualifications. The minister affirmed that action was being taken against both students and providers.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that the government has built more housing in three years than the previous coalition did in ten. He noted that the opposition voted against legislation to cap international student numbers. He argued that migration levels are falling compared to when the coalition was in government, citing a 30 per cent drop in student visa applications. He also mentioned that the Housing Australia Future Fund was blocked by the opposition for months.

Answer from Jenny McAllister

The minister stated the government relies on expert advice from AEMO, which identifies renewables firmed by batteries and gas as the cheapest path to 2050. She dismissed One Nation's energy policy as lacking detail and contrasted it with the opposition's nuclear proposal. She attributed high wholesale energy prices to the previous government's mismanagement, noting prices were $286 per megawatt hour when Labor took office. She clarified that consumer bills reflect average prices, not spot prices, and stated renewables remain the cheapest form of new generation.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated she would seek further advice on mutual recognition schemes and noted that consumer safety remained paramount. She clarified that while mutual recognition agreements exist, specific professions often have separate registration requirements to ensure practitioners have the necessary qualifications. Regarding the balance of domestic and international students, she noted that the government had announced caps on international student numbers to maintain education quality. She emphasized that international education was an important export industry that contributed to the economy, but the government aimed to gradually lower international student enrolments.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that the transition cost was approximately $120 billion to $130 billion, citing the Australian Energy Market Operator's integrated system plan which estimated a net present value of $122 billion. He noted that he did not have a figure specifically for the forward estimates. He contrasted this with the opposition's nuclear plan, which he claimed would cost $600 billion and increase power prices by $1,200 per household per year. He dismissed the higher figures cited by the senator as lacking credible assumptions.