Murray Watt

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister dismissed the comparison to ICE as predictable political maneuvering. He stated that the government's policy ensures those without valid visas do not remain in Australia, noting that previous changes diverted resources to criminal deportations rather than visa overstayers. In response to supplementary questions about bridging visas, he argued that some visa holders abuse the system by hopping between visas, undermining public confidence. He rejected the suggestion that the government's policy was influenced by One Nation, citing significant differences in migration numbers, and emphasized maintaining social harmony and a sustainable migration system.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister cited Bureau of Statistics data showing a 47 per cent reduction in net overseas migration due to government reforms. He argued that while numbers need to be sustainable, drastic cuts would crush the economy and remove essential workers from hospitals, aged care, and agriculture. In response to supplementary questions, he noted that Canada experienced a recession after cutting migration, contrasting this with Australia's need to balance migration with economic stability. He dismissed One Nation's policies as reckless and aligned with US political trends.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister highlighted that wages have grown above three per cent for 16 consecutive quarters under the government, compared to zero quarters under the previous administration. He noted that from 1 July, minimum-wage workers received a real increase of at least 4.75 per cent. He attributed this to government advocacy at the Fair Work Commission and enterprise bargaining. In response to supplementary questions, he criticized the opposition and One Nation for opposing wage rises and described their internal conflicts as a 'soap opera', asserting that the government remains focused on supporting workers.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister rejected the comparison to One Nation, arguing the previous migration system was broken and unsustainable with net overseas migration exceeding half a million annually. He stated the government is implementing calm, considered reforms to balance workforce needs with family reunion at sustainable levels. He accused the Greens of blocking public housing construction in the past and lacking self-awareness regarding the housing crisis.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister highlighted the government's investment of over $200 million in more than 70 new recycling facilities, including plastic recycling sites. He stated that the government intended to propose reforms for greater harmonisation of packaging rules at the upcoming Environment Ministers' Meeting. The minister criticized the Greens for their inconsistent stance on native forests and asserted that the government was actively increasing recycling capacity by over 1.3 million tonnes annually.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that the budget had made provision for the protective service framework across the budget years and that the AFP was not using contractors for this role. He confirmed that $199.1 million was assigned in the 2025-26 budget to deliver 199 protective force officers and 245 additional staffing levels at HMAS Stirling. The minister noted that the AFP headcount had increased by about 435 between June of the previous year and June of the current year, and he offered to provide further information if available.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that the government was considering changes to the migration system but would not adopt One Nation's policies, arguing they would cause a recession and staff shortages in hospitals and aged care. He noted that net overseas migration had fallen by 45 per cent in the previous four years. The minister emphasized that the government's approach aimed to balance migration reduction with economic needs, rejecting suggestions that would harm the economy or turn Australians against each other.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister reported that trade apprenticeship completions rose by 10 per cent, marking the strongest outcome in ten years, and commencements increased by 2 per cent year-on-year. He highlighted significant jumps in electrical (19 per cent), carpentry and joinery (10 per cent), and plumbing (5 per cent) commencements. The minister noted a 15 per cent increase in school student commencements and increases in women entering construction and electrotechnology trades, attributing these results to targeted government incentives.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that the government is seeking input regarding the structure and main characteristics of the planned tribunal to enhance dispute resolution for vulnerable workers. He noted that no decision had yet been made specifically on incorporating union standing, but it would be part of the consultation. He expressed confidence that Minister Rishworth would progress the legislation quickly, highlighting that low-paid workers are currently shut out of the legal system. He criticized opposition parties for previously voting against criminalizing wage theft.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister reported over 850,000 free TAFE enrolments, including 236,000 in care sector courses and 78,000 in construction. He noted that course completions had grown to over 275,000. Regarding retention, he highlighted the Key Apprenticeship Program, which encourages apprentices to complete their training in housing construction. He criticized the coalition for opposing free TAFE and suggested they could benefit from retraining.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister reported that the labour market remains resilient, with over 1.3 million jobs added since the election. He noted that while employment decreased by 15,800 in July, there was a net increase of over 190,000 jobs over the year, with full-time employment reaching a record 10.2 million. The unemployment rate remained low by historical standards, and the underemployment rate fell slightly. He highlighted that annual nominal wages have grown above three per cent for four years. Regarding cost-of-living pressures, he cited higher wages and tax cuts. On women's workforce participation, he mentioned tackling the gender pay gap through minimum wage rises, expanded paid parental leave with superannuation, and wage boosts in care sectors.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated he did not have precise numbers but confirmed that the government takes strong action to cancel visas for serious offenders. He explained that when the tribunal sets aside a cancellation, the matter returns to the minister for reconsideration, and in many cases, the visa is cancelled again. Regarding the specific Federal Court case, he confirmed it was being examined and that appropriate action would be taken. He noted that the government had already strengthened ministerial directions to the tribunal in its first term and reminded the senator that One Nation had previously voted against legislation to deport hate preachers.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister rejected claims of funding cuts, highlighting extensions to the Saving Native Species program and Natural Heritage Trust funding. He noted that $47 million of the $113 million bird flu preparedness budget was allocated to wildlife resilience. He stated the government had an open mind on further funding but defended investments in manufacturing and jobs.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister attributed wage growth to the government's workplace laws and cost-of-living relief, including tax cuts for 14 million taxpayers and pay boosts for 2.8 million minimum wage workers. He emphasized that higher productivity was key to long-term wage growth and criticized the opposition for historically opposing wage increases.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister cited strong wage growth, including a 4.75 per cent increase in the national minimum wage affecting 2.7 million workers. He highlighted tax cuts, cheaper medicines, and housing funding as additional supports. He identified the opposition and One Nation as obstacles, accusing them of opposing wage increases, penalty rates, and superannuation contributions. He characterized the opposition's agenda as determined to cut wages and cost-of-living relief.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister emphasized the government's support for mutual obligation, stating that those out of work have an obligation to seek employment. He noted that a review of the Targeted Compliance Framework had been initiated by Deloitte during his previous tenure as minister, and the department was implementing those recommendations. He stated that the government did not support unlawful deprivation of social security payments and that the department had undertaken significant work to address findings from the Ombudsman. The minister confirmed that funding had been provided to introduce additional safeguards to ensure individual circumstances are considered before compliance decisions are applied.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that migration policies are based on security agency advice and involve strong vetting processes. He criticized One Nation for selectively applying restrictions and copying policies from other parts of the world, suggesting their approach was divisive rather than protective. He noted that the previous restriction on Iranian visas was an immediate response to specific events, not a blanket ban. The minister affirmed that the Labor government would not take policy advice from One Nation, contrasting their approach with the government's focus on protecting Australians while encouraging beneficial migration.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that gig economy workers, such as food delivery drivers, would now receive a guaranteed minimum wage of $32 an hour, as determined by the Fair Work Commission. He highlighted that these world-leading laws closed loopholes that previously left workers without fair pay or sick leave. The minister emphasized that the government was pro-worker and pro-superannuation, contrasting this with the opposition's stance. He listed other protections including enshrining penalty rates in law, closing the gender pay gap, and ensuring equal pay for equal work, arguing that the opposition and One Nation posed a threat to these gains.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister acknowledged the controversy and confirmed that the number of submissions was roughly in the order of 70,000. He stated that the decision would be made in accordance with the EPBC Act, focusing on whether the project significantly impacts matters of national environmental significance. He noted that an additional matter of national environmental significance was being considered and that a public announcement would follow the decision.

Answer from Murray Watt; Tim Ayres

Minister Watt initially deferred to the Treasurer or Climate Change Minister. Minister Ayres then responded, stating the land is classified as Class 5 and 6, not prime agricultural land, and that both agriculture and forestry will continue. He confirmed that Steven Skala recused himself from the Foreign Investment Review Board decision. He noted the project would create around 190 jobs and that the land was previously targeted for forestry by the Liberal government.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister cited ABS data showing average weekly full-time earnings had increased by more than $300 since the government was elected, with an annualized growth of 4.2 per cent versus 2.5 per cent under the previous government. He noted the gender pay gap had fallen to 11.3 per cent. He emphasized the government's unity on raising wages and tax cuts, contrasting it with opposition disunity.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that the government does not intervene in independent court decisions regarding bail. He argued that the proposed temporary exclusion orders bill was likely unconstitutional and would be struck down by the High Court, thereby increasing risk. He noted that current laws already take steps to the maximum constitutional limit. He accused One Nation of voting against laws to deport hate preachers and of being dishonest about their support for battlers, citing their votes against wage rises and housing measures.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that aged-care workers have received five wage increases since 2022, with registered nurses seeing pay rise by up to $36,000 per year and enrolled nurses by almost $32,000. He noted that the gender pay gap has reached its lowest recorded level, with women earning more than $250 a week more than before the government took office. He argued that the only barrier to further wage rises is a potential Liberal-One Nation coalition government, citing opposition comments questioning the necessity of pay rises for care workers.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that millions of workers saw their real wages rise by a minimum of 4.75 per cent. He provided examples: personal care workers gained $59 per week, registered nurses $86, and enrolled nurses $67. He noted that the government had advocated for pay rises for five consecutive years. Regarding enterprise agreements, he cited ABS data showing 3.2 per cent annual private sector wage growth and 4.1 per cent increases in newly approved agreements. He contrasted this with the previous government's suppression of enterprise bargaining.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that the reforms levelled the playing field by requiring farmers to comply with the same rules as other sectors, including renewables and mining developers. He argued that the previous exemption was removed to ensure consistent standards. He emphasized that the regulations were necessary to protect the Great Barrier Reef, which supported 77,000 jobs and generated $9 billion in economic turnover. He dismissed the claim of double standards, stating that all industries proposing projects with significant environmental impacts were required to undergo federal assessment.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that the project was currently under assessment under the EPBC Act and Western Australian law, with a final decision pending regulatory advice. He noted that it would be inappropriate to comment further before a decision was made. He emphasised that the government assesses projects on their merits and has approved over 140 renewable energy projects. He also mentioned that the government was presenting evidence to the World Heritage Committee to demonstrate the reef is well-managed.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister reported 742,000 free TAFE enrolments in three years, with over 58,000 in construction courses. He highlighted the Key Apprenticeship Program, which provided $10,000 incentives for new apprentices in housing construction, resulting in 29,000 starts since July 2025. He noted that care sector courses represented one in four enrolments, with over 60 per cent of enrolments being women. He criticised the opposition for voting against these programs.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that the Fair Work Commission increased the minimum wage by at least 4.75 per cent from 1 July. He cited analysis showing allied health workers gained between $8,000 and $13,000 annually, with further gains from multi-employer bargaining and gender undervaluation reforms. He contrasted this with One Nation's policies, which he claimed would make workers significantly worse off, and criticised the Liberal Party's alignment with One Nation.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that the Fair Work Commission raised modern award pay by 4.75 per cent and the national minimum wage by six per cent starting 1 July, marking the fifth consecutive real wage increase under the government. He noted that the minimum wage would rise above $1,000 per week, representing a $12,079 annual increase since the government took office. Regarding early childhood educators, the minister highlighted a $3.6 billion investment providing a $255 weekly pay rise, aimed at helping educators stay in the sector and reducing costs for parents.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that the government had already invested $113 million in preparedness efforts, including $11 million in the current budget, based on susceptibility analyses of at-risk species. He noted that only two cases had been confirmed and that the government was treating the matter seriously. Regarding habitat clearing, the minister referenced recent environmental law reform legislation supported by the Greens, which included protections for threatened species. He declined to implement a moratorium, citing the existing legislative framework.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that the budget included a $250 Working Australians Tax Offset for 13.3 million workers, representing the most meaningful increase to the tax-free threshold in over a decade. He noted that the government would advocate for a real wage increase for minimum award wage earners, benefiting 2.7 million workers. The minister highlighted that the minimum wage had increased by more than $9,000 per year since Labor took office. Regarding young workers, he pointed to the removal of lower pay scales for those aged 18 to 20 in some sectors, allowing tens of thousands to earn adult wages.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister announced $500 million in new funding to streamline environmental approvals, including $250 million to establish a national EPA. He stated that the housing strike team had assessed more than 20,000 homes and given the green light to 28 projects, with a goal of assessing 26,000 homes by July. He noted that the funding announcement was welcomed by various organizations, while criticizing the opposition for lacking ideas and relying on outdated policies.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister criticized the National Party for raising the issue only after the Farrer by-election was called and for following requests from other parties. He stated the government would not support the inquiry. In response to supplementary questions about Narrandera's water supply, he noted that the government had funded a business case for a water purification plant, unlike the previous coalition government. He defended water buybacks as necessary for sustaining the Murray-Darling Basin.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that the government supported the concept of mutual obligations, expecting unemployed people to seek work. He highlighted that the government had increased support payments for unemployed people and single mothers. In response to supplementary questions, he noted that large-scale reforms to the employment services system were underway and that the government had halved the petrol excise to provide relief. He rejected the comparison to pandemic measures, stating that further decisions would be made in the context of the budget.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister highlighted the government's submission to the Fair Work Commission for a real wage increase and noted that the minimum wage had increased by over $9,000 per year since the government took office. He mentioned workplace reforms, including funding wage increases for aged-care and early childhood workers, and protecting penalty rates. The minister welcomed the Fair Work Commission's ruling to end lower pay scales for employees aged 18 to 20, stating that tens of thousands of young workers would benefit.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that the government had committed substantial funding to native species preservation over the last four years, citing examples like the Lord Howe Island stick insect. He noted that the Saving Native Species program was funded for four years, expiring on 30 June 2026, and that future funding would be considered in the upcoming budget. He defended the government's record on environmental law reforms and biodiversity protection.

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 Murray Watt; Penny Wong

The minister stated that 26 housing projects supporting 19,889 new homes had been approved since the strike team's announcement in August 2025. He noted that approvals included conditions to protect threatened species, such as the Sloan's froglet. He highlighted that reforms to the EPBC Act would streamline assessments, and that 79 housing projects totaling 62,000 homes had been approved since the government took office.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister announced an amendment to the Fair Work Act to create an urgent pathway for truckies to seek fair pay at the Fair Work Commission. He stated that the government had passed reforms to crack down on sham contracting and increase penalties for employers dodging obligations. He confirmed that the government would lodge a submission to the Annual Wage Review recommending a real wage increase for 2.7 million workers reliant on minimum wages and awards. He linked these measures to helping low-paid workers cope with financial shocks and inflation.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated he would attempt to provide specific information on referrals later. He emphasized that the Labor government had criminalised wage theft, reversing previous laws that did not allow for criminal penalties against employers. He noted that the Liberal, National, and One Nation parties had voted against these laws. In response to supplements, he highlighted other measures including increases to the minimum wage and the introduction of same job, same pay laws, asserting that the government was focused on restoring balance in workplace relations.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that over 8,000 workers had benefited from same-job same-pay laws, including Qantas flight attendants receiving up to $20,000 annual raises and BHP mine workers receiving up to $30,000. He noted that wage theft was now a criminal offence. He also highlighted paid parental leave reforms that increased leave by two weeks, added $775 to entitlements, and included superannuation payments.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated he did not have specifics on the individual case but would provide information if possible. He noted the government had issued a new ministerial direction to the Administrative Review Tribunal regarding visa cancellations. He highlighted that the government had cancelled 85 visas by ministers in 2024-25 compared to 20 in 2021, asserting a strong track record on visa cancellations.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister reported that nearly 30,000 Australians had signed up for apprenticeships under the program, which offers $10,000 incentives. He noted the clean energy stream had an 85 per cent retention rate after the first year. He criticized the opposition for proposing to scrap the program, citing a secret Liberal Party review.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister confirmed that the Department of Home Affairs does not share biometric data of Australian citizens applying for US visas with the United States. He stated that the government had not entered into any agreements concerning an enhanced border security partnership. He noted that the requirement for such data sharing was introduced by the US in 2022 for visa waiver program countries. He declined to table any agreements as none had been made.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that pay rose by 3.4 per cent through to December 2025. He pointed to more than 1.2 million new jobs created since May 2022. He noted law reforms such as closing loopholes, repairing the labour hire system, and improving flexible work options. He condemned the opposition’s previous policies and their confidential election review, alleging it acknowledged blame for their loss.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that employees covered by enterprise agreements received a mean weekly wage of $1,746.10 during May 2025, representing a 9.6 per cent increase from 2023. She observed that 4.5 million individuals had their remuneration determined via such agreements. Addressing supplementary queries, she highlighted the significance of wage growth and referenced record job numbers of 14.6 million Australians, with joblessness at 4.1 per cent. She juxtaposed these figures against the opposition's internal leadership conflicts.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that the government was acting on both hatred and guns, noting that Australia had more than four million firearms in circulation. He outlined reforms to strengthen background checks, improve intelligence sharing, and establish a national gun buyback scheme. The minister clarified that the reforms were not a blanket ban and would not affect legitimate gun owners such as farmers, sporting shooters, and pest controllers. He asserted that under the proposed laws, the attackers would not have been eligible to hold firearms, as the father was not a citizen and the son lacked a licence.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister noted that the Prime Minister had announced $102 million in measures to support the Jewish community since the Bondi attack. He stated that Senator Gallagher had been working closely with the organisation and that a grant opportunity for additional security funding was being prioritised. The minister explained that previous funding decisions were made at arm's length and that the organisation was advised to undertake a full site risk assessment to strengthen its application. He confirmed that the Executive Council of Australian Jewry would administer the funding when available.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister expressed dissatisfaction with the Bureau's handling of the website upgrade and noted he had met with the acting CEO to request urgent changes. He clarified that the initial $4 million estimate was for the public-facing site, while the total program cost was higher. He emphasized the independence of the Bureau and stated he had confidence in the new CEO to investigate the issues and ensure taxpayer money was spent wisely.

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.