House of Representatives

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that upon taking office, real incomes were falling, inflation was high, and a $78 billion deficit existed. He noted that inflation had dropped to 2.4 per cent annually, within the Reserve Bank's target range, while unemployment remained low at four per cent. He highlighted that wages had risen for four consecutive quarters and that the government had delivered two budget surpluses. He contrasted this with the opposition's record of rising inflation and deficits, asserting that their policies would remove cost-of-living relief measures such as cheaper medicines, childcare, and energy rebates.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer reported that headline inflation was 2.4 per cent and underlying inflation was in the low threes, the lowest levels in years. He stated that the government had reduced debt, delivered budget surpluses, and provided cost-of-living relief while lowering inflation. He claimed the opposition had no costed or coherent economic policies, suggesting their approach would result in lower wages for workers and higher costs for taxpayers to fund corporate benefits.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer explained that the cost was not itemised in the budget because the government was not changing the existing tax arrangements. He stated that only the opposition was proposing to alter these rules, which would allow bosses to claim long lunches paid for by workers. He argued that the opposition's failure to provide costings for their own policies indicated they would not disclose necessary budget cuts.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister highlighted falling inflation, rising wages, and low unemployment as signs of optimism. He listed measures including tax cuts, cheaper medicines, childcare relief, and energy bill rebates, alongside two budget surpluses. He mentioned investments in free TAFE for 600,000 people, full school funding, and 87 urgent care clinics. He contrasted this with the opposition's plan for 'economic surgery' involving unspecified cuts and a policy for taxpayers to fund corporate lunches.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that many large companies do pay significant tax, which funds health and education. He highlighted that the government had redistributed tax cuts from high-income earners to low and middle-income Australians. Regarding health, he noted the tripling of bulk-billing incentives, the opening of 87 urgent care clinics, and the focus on primary care to relieve emergency departments. He contrasted this with the opposition's past record of proposing GP taxes and cutting hospital funding.

Answer from Jason Clare

The Minister stated that the government had already cut HECS debt by over $3 billion for three million Australians. He announced a commitment to reduce all student debts by an additional 20 per cent if re-elected, which would save an average debtor over $5,000. He contrasted this with the opposition's policy, which he claimed would cost $1.6 billion annually by having workers pay for corporate lunches.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer reiterated that the cost was not in the budget because the government was not changing the policy. He stated that the opposition was the only party proposing changes to allow bosses to claim long lunches. He argued that the opposition's lack of costings for their own policies indicated hidden budget cuts.

Answer from Mark Butler

The Minister stated that 87 urgent care clinics had been opened, exceeding the promise of 50, and had treated over 1.1 million patients, all fully bulk-billed. He highlighted that these clinics relieved pressure on emergency departments. He warned that the opposition had opposed these investments and had previously proposed cuts to Medicare, including a GP tax, which would force patients back into crowded emergency departments.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister did not provide a specific figure for food price increases. Instead, he stated that overall inflation was 2.4 per cent, down from higher levels when the government took office. He highlighted government actions including a mandated supermarket code of conduct, tax cuts, and budget surpluses as measures to reduce cost-of-living pressures. He noted that the opposition had opposed these cost-of-living measures.

Answer from Tony Burke

The Minister stated that real wages had grown for four consecutive quarters. He noted that the minimum wage had increased by nearly $150 a week, a rise that took the previous government an entire term to achieve. He cited specific examples of pay rises for supermarket workers, meatworkers, and coal miners due to bargaining laws and 'same job, same pay' provisions. He warned that the opposition would freeze or cut wages and spend billions on corporate lunches instead.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that families would be $7,200 worse off under the opposition's policies. He argued that inflation was falling and wages were rising, improving living standards compared to the previous period of high inflation and falling wages. He listed benefits including tax cuts for 84 per cent of taxpayers, cheaper medicines, urgent care clinics, and bulk-billing appointments, all of which the opposition had opposed.

Answer from Anne Aly

The Minister stated that over a million families had benefited from cheaper childcare reforms, with a family earning $120,000 saving around $2,766. She highlighted fee caps and a 15 per cent wage increase for as many as 200,000 early childhood staff, which had reduced workforce vacancy rates by 22 per cent. She warned that the opposition had opposed these measures and would likely cut funding to pay for corporate lunches.

Answer from Jason Clare

The Minister stated that extra places for medical studies had been allocated in the budget two years ago and that this was always under consideration. He highlighted broader investments in education, including free TAFE and a 20 per cent cut to student debt, to help more people complete degrees. He mentioned new funding for a university study hub on Kangaroo Island to support regional students.

Answer from Anika Wells

The Minister stated that $15 billion had been invested in pay rises, with registered nurses earning an additional $196 a week and personal care workers earning an extra $141 a week. She contrasted this with the opposition's past opposition to pay rises and tax cuts for aged-care workers. She claimed the opposition's priorities were focused on funding corporate lunches rather than improving aged care.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that national security matters were handled in consultation with the Australian Federal Police and intelligence agencies, and details were not disclosed due to ongoing investigations. He noted that the Leader of the Opposition had not requested a briefing and had previously been rebuked for referencing classified information. He emphasized the importance of supporting national security agencies rather than undermining them.

Answer from Andrew Giles

The Minister stated that free TAFE had been delivered to almost 600,000 Australians, removing financial barriers to skills training. He cited examples of students saving significant amounts on nursing and agriculture courses. He warned that the opposition had labelled free TAFE as wasteful spending and would likely cut it to fund corporate lunches, leaving Australians worse off.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that the government was already developing a national adaptation plan and risk assessment. He highlighted the Disaster Ready Fund, which provided $200 million annually for resilient projects such as raising levees and building better bridges. He also mentioned the Hazards Insurance Partnership, which worked with insurance companies to reduce premiums and improve resilience.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister stated that the government was providing $300 in bill relief to every household. He highlighted that four gigawatts of dispatchable energy and 15 gigawatts of renewable energy had been added to the grid. He criticized the opposition's nuclear policy as poorly costed, claiming it would cost $600 billion and require cuts to services or higher bills to fund it.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that all Australian households, including the member's, had received $300 in relief as a direct result of the government's policy.

Answer from Tony Burke

The Minister stated the visa was abolished due to national security concerns and inconsistency with visa system integrity. He cited comments from the Leader of the Opposition suggesting the visa might be brought back, which he claimed was criticized by Sir Bill Browder as reopening the door to organized crime. He argued that the opposition's immigration record showed a lack of integrity, including issuing more visas than any other minister.