Senate

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister condemned the footage as vile and stated that antisemitism has no place in Australia or its health system. She confirmed that New South Wales authorities had stood down the individuals and referred them to police for criminal investigation. Regarding the supplementary question, she noted that the Prime Minister regularly engages with states and territories on antisemitism but did not confirm a specific National Cabinet call. She added that the matter was being handled through appropriate procedures, including referral to the Health Care Complaints Commission, which feeds into the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme.

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister stated the government supports bidders in a second sale process to maximize the chance of a successful market-led outcome, while clarifying the Commonwealth is not a bidder. She noted that if no sale occurs, contingency options including Commonwealth acquisition remain on the table. She detailed that the government had previously offered financing of up to $80 million to maintain route operations until 30 June 2025 and acquired $50 million of debt from Rex's largest creditor. She emphasized that these actions ensure reliable air travel for regional Australians and support emergency logistics.

Answer from Jenny McAllister

The minister stated she could not comment on specific proposals before the Minister for the Environment, as she is the legal decision-maker. She highlighted the government's commitment to protecting the Murujuga Cultural Landscape, noting its nomination for World Heritage listing and a $2 million grant to the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation. She confirmed the government is working on a fresh management deal involving every tier of government and industry. She declined to answer the specific question about the section 10 application reply, stating she would seek information from the relevant minister.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that the Department of Home Affairs takes action daily to remove people who have overstayed visas. He claimed the government attempted to pass legislation to limit international student numbers, which was voted against by the Coalition and One Nation. He criticized the opposition for hypocrisy regarding immigration limits and wages. Regarding the dinner, he stated the Prime Minister attended a function with a group against which the government is taking enforcement action, denying any softness on dodgy providers. He refused to offer a legal opinion on specific cases but affirmed the government's crackdown on non-compliant education providers.

Answer from Malarndirri McCarthy

The minister stated that after nine years of neglect by the former government, the current administration has tripled investment in general practice. She reported that bulk-billing rose nationally by 1.9 percentage points over 14 months, reaching 77.5 per cent. She did not directly confirm or deny the 77.7 per cent figure for March, instead focusing on the financial viability of general practice prior to the election and the government's efforts to improve Medicare.

Answer from Malarndirri McCarthy

The minister noted that the National Health and Medical Research Council is conducting an expedited review of Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. She stated that Australian drinking water is regularly monitored for PFAS. Regarding health checks, she highlighted existing strong cancer care programs for First Nations Australians and offered to provide information to the senator's office. She declined to commit to specific blood testing for Wreck Bay, advising that the Department of Health and Aged Care does not recommend blood testing because results cannot determine if medical conditions are attributable to PFAS exposure.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that the legislation has improved work-life balance, job security, and conditions, including a right to disconnect and better pay standards for gig workers. He claimed that four out of five new jobs created in the parliamentary term were in the private sector. He argued that pay and employment had risen while inflation and industrial action had fallen. He criticized the opposition for planning to repeal these protections and for prioritizing big business over workers.