House of Representatives

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated he had consistently opposed racism and condemned the October 7 attacks and subsequent rallies. He noted he had spoken with Premier Minns regarding recent incidents at Bankstown hospital and emphasized the government's commitment to social cohesion and unity. He asserted that his government unequivocally condemned antisemitism and sought to bring people together rather than divide them.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister highlighted responsible economic management, including turning a $78 billion deficit into a $22 billion surplus and reducing inflation to 2.4 per cent. He cited the creation of 1.1 million jobs, real wage increases, and cost-of-living relief measures such as tax cuts and cheaper medicines. He also mentioned investments in housing, healthcare, education, and regional support, including backing for Rex Airlines to maintain regional connectivity.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that leaders and ministers cannot be asked about political party preference decisions. He referenced ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess's comments on lowering tensions and noted that Greens members were elected partly due to Liberal Party preferences in Melbourne and Queensland. He emphasized his lifelong commitment to the Labor Party's values of fairness and equity.

Answer from Anne Aly

The Minister reported that 41,900 more educators and 1,083 more services had been added, with 97,000 more children enrolled. She stated that one million families were saving approximately $2,700 due to cheaper childcare reforms and that vacancies had decreased by 22 per cent. She identified the opposition's rejection of the three-day guarantee and other cost-of-living measures as risks that would leave families worse off.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Minister confirmed that a full consultation on reforming the USO was announced in 2023 and had been endorsed by stakeholders. She noted that Telstra's contract as the universal service provider is due to expire in future years, necessitating a determination of the new scope. She assured the member that the government was working diligently on reforms to benefit regional Australia.

Answer from Mark Butler

The Minister highlighted the opening of a Medicare urgent care clinic in Bridgewater, Tasmania, which had treated over 1,200 patients. He noted that four in five GP visits are currently bulk-billed, a figure he deemed too low. He cited three significant increases to the Medicare rebate in the last three years and a tripling of the bulk-billing incentive, resulting in a seven per cent increase in bulk-billing in Tasmania.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister listed government achievements including strengthening Medicare, growing wages, cutting taxes, and making medicines cheaper. He contrasted these with the opposition's support for nuclear power and alleged lack of policy. He asserted that the government was delivering for all Australians while the opposition focused on unrelated issues.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer stated that inflation had fallen to mid-twos for headline and low threes for underlying measures, while unemployment remained at historic lows. He highlighted back-to-back budget surpluses and a $177 billion reduction in debt. He argued that the opposition's plan to cut $350 billion and fund nuclear reactors would require cuts to Medicare, pensions, and housing, leaving Australians worse off.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister rejected the premise, noting the opposition had opposed energy bill relief, cheaper medicines, higher wages, and tax cuts. He stated that if the opposition had their way, Australians would have been $7,200 worse off. He emphasized that the government had decreased inflation and increased wages while maintaining low unemployment.

Answer from Tony Burke

The Minister stated that the decade of wage flatlining ended with the government's arrival. He cited pay rises for aged-care workers and early childhood educators, and an additional $143 a week for minimum wage workers. He noted a 27 per cent increase in bargaining and a 63 per cent fall in days lost to industrial action, attributing these gains to government policies opposed by the opposition.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister listed crises inherited from the previous government, including aged care neglect, veterans' affairs delays, skills shortages, rising inflation, falling wages, Medicare issues, NDIS rorting, and fiscal deficits. He described the previous immigration system as a crisis exposed by three separate reports and emphasized the government's efforts to resolve these inherited problems.

Answer from Jason Clare

The Minister highlighted the passage of legislation guaranteeing three days of government-supported early education and care. He noted the government was fixing school funding and providing free tutoring. He stated that the government would cut student debt by 20 per cent for three million Australians, contrasting this with the opposition's opposition to these measures.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer stated he was happy to take the matter up with the ACCC, which monitors petrol prices. He noted that there is a risk of regional petrol stations engaging in inappropriate pricing and encouraged reporting such instances to the ACCC.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister reported $9 billion in renewable energy investment last year, creating 10,000 jobs. He criticized the opposition's nuclear policy as costing $600 billion and requiring significant water resources. He argued that funding nuclear power would necessitate cuts to health and education, leaving Australians worse off.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister listed government achievements including tax cuts, cheaper medicines, bulk-billing increases, and job creation. He criticized the opposition's policies on nuclear power and public spending. He noted that the opposition had voted against social housing initiatives and argued that their policies would cut funding for the Housing Australia Future Fund.

Answer from Catherine King

The Minister announced support for short-listed bidders to ensure the successful sale of Rex Airlines to maintain services beyond 30 June. She stated that if no second sale occurred, the government would consider contingency options, including Commonwealth acquisition. She criticized the opposition for opposing government intervention in regional aviation while supporting publicly owned nuclear reactors.

Answer from Clare O'Neil

The Minister highlighted the National Housing Accord and new rental standards including ending no-fault evictions. She stated that Tasmania reported completing seven of nine requirements in December 2024, with two in progress. She offered to meet with the member to discuss the report and push the Tasmanian government to move faster.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister listed achievements including falling inflation, rising wages, job creation, tax cuts, energy bill relief, cheaper childcare and medicines, and student debt relief. He argued that the opposition's return to power would lead to rising inflation, low wages, and cuts to services, citing their past record on health and infrastructure.