House of Representatives

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister noted that the opposition had reintroduced petrol indexation in 2014 and had previously proposed temporary fuel relief in 2022 that subsequently disappeared. He stated that current fuel prices are a result of legislation passed by the previous government. He argued that the opposition, having voted against tax cuts, had declared they would increase taxes for every taxpayer if elected. He listed opposition policies including a $600 billion nuclear power plant, a lunch policy, and tax increases, asserting they had no lasting cost-of-living plan.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister confirmed the government's desire for people to earn and keep more, noting opposition to measures such as casual conversion, right to disconnect, and minimum wage increases. He stated that real wages had increased for five consecutive quarters and per capita living standards were rising. He highlighted that legislation passed the Senate to provide tax relief for every taxpayer, resulting in an additional $212,000 in savings for the average taxpayer. He contrasted this with the shadow Treasurer's admission that the opposition would increase taxes for all Australians.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer argued that the shadow Treasurer's policy to increase income taxes for every taxpayer contradicted any concern for the cost of living. He stated that the government had passed ongoing cost-of-living relief including tax cuts, cheaper medicines, and student debt reductions. He compared petrol prices before the last election to current prices across major cities, showing significant decreases in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, and Hobart. He asserted that the government's package provided ongoing help to every taxpayer, unlike the opposition's temporary measures.

Answer from Jason Clare

The Minister stated that the government would cut the student debt of three million Australians by 20 per cent, saving the average person over $5,000. He provided specific savings figures for electorates including Brisbane ($6,500), Griffith ($6,400), Ryan ($6,000), Wentworth ($6,600), Fowler ($6,000), Curtin ($5,800), and Blaxland ($6,127). He noted that the opposition opposed these cuts and had previously stated there were no free lunches in economics, contrasting this with their plan to raise taxes.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated his plan was to implement the AUKUS arrangements as they were in the national interest for Australia to have the best defence assets. He argued that nuclear-powered submarines offered superior stealth and range capabilities. He highlighted Pillar II of AUKUS, which supports advanced manufacturing and innovation, citing the National Reconstruction Fund and companies like Austal. He noted overwhelming support for AUKUS from US congresspeople and senators, and confirmed that President Trump and UK Prime Minister Starmer had expressed support for the arrangements.

Answer from Anthony Albanese (Prime Minister)

The Prime Minister did not provide a substantive answer, as the question was a statement of support. The exchange concluded with the Leader of the Opposition reiterating the importance of the submarine program for national security.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister argued that the opposition had voted against the tax cuts and other cost-of-living measures, including cheaper medicines, energy bill relief, and student debt reductions. He stated that the opposition had declared they would repeal the tax cuts and increase taxes for every taxpayer. He highlighted that the government's package included a total of $212,000 in tax savings for the average taxpayer, along with other supports that the opposition had opposed.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer stated that parliament had approved the tax reductions in the 2025 budget, providing an average benefit of $50 a week. He noted that the first rate of tax was now the lowest in half a century. He criticized the shadow Treasurer for admitting that the opposition would increase income taxes for every taxpayer if elected. He argued that this would increase tax-to-GDP ratios and harm participation, setting up a clear choice between the government's tax cuts and the opposition's tax increases.

Answer from Tony Burke

The Minister stated that only a Labor government could return immigration to sustainable levels. He noted that the government had taken action on international student visas, resulting in a 31 per cent year-on-year reduction in net overseas migration. He criticized the opposition for voting for unlimited student visas and for failing to address the gap in their own migration numbers. He referenced the Richardson review, which highlighted issues with the previous government's immigration system, including suspicious money movements and visa integrity concerns.

Answer from Mark Butler

The Minister stated that the government had increased by three times the incentive for bulk billing for pensioners, holders of concessional cards, and children, providing six million extra free visits. He noted that bulk billing for this group had risen above 90 per cent. He announced that bulk-billing support had been extended to every Australian. He criticized the opposition for previously trying to abolish bulk billing and introducing user-pays systems, citing comments from the shadow health minister. He argued that the opposition wanted to return to a system where credit cards were more important than Medicare cards.

Answer from Julie Collins

The Minister noted that the opposition had delayed the instant asset write-off legislation for eight months before finally supporting it. She stated that the government had provided over $2 billion in targeted support for small businesses. She criticized the opposition for wanting to increase taxes for sole traders and small business owners. She affirmed that the government would consider further measures to support small businesses after the current legislation passed.

Answer from Anne Aly

The Minister stated that the government had reduced out-of-pocket costs for early childhood education by 17 per cent, saving a family on $120,000 $2,768. She highlighted a 15 per cent pay rise for educators, covering 80 per cent of the workforce, and a $72 million workforce package. She noted that 41,900 more educators were in the sector. She mentioned replacing the activity test with a three-day guarantee of subsidised care, saving 70,000 families $1,370. She criticized the opposition for having no plan and for wanting to fund nuclear energy instead of education.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer stated that the government was implementing a broad tax reform agenda, including ensuring multinationals paid their fair share and encouraging investment in housing and clean energy. He highlighted changes to the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT) and efforts on tax compliance. He noted that the government had achieved a $207 billion improvement in the budget position and delivered two budget surpluses. He stated that reducing debt by $177 billion would save about $60 billion in interest costs over the medium term. He also cited structural improvements in the NDIS and aged care sectors.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer stated that the budget contained a comprehensive cost-of-living package including energy bill relief, cheaper medicines, student debt cuts, and strengthened Medicare. He noted that inflation was coming down, real wages were up, and unemployment was low. He criticized the opposition for wanting to increase taxes for every taxpayer and for having no ongoing cost-of-living help. He argued that the opposition's policies would make people worse off.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister distinguished between permanent cost-of-living relief and temporary measures borrowed from the Morrison government. He cited previous comments from the Leader of the Opposition and shadow ministers stating that fuel excise cuts were costly, could be gamed by oil giants, and might fuel inflation. He noted that the opposition had spent three years criticizing such policies. He argued that temporary relief could not replace the lasting cost-of-living assistance the government had provided.

Answer from Clare O'Neil

The Minister stated that about half a million homes had been built since the government took office, with a commitment to build 1.2 million homes over five years. She noted a 44 per cent reduction in construction worker vacancies and improvements in housing completions and approvals. She highlighted that 28,000 social and affordable homes were in planning or construction, towards a target of 55,000. She criticized the opposition for not building any social housing in their first two terms and for proposing cuts to housing funding.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that Australia had a longstanding relationship with the United States as an important ally. He noted that President Trump had been elected by the American people and that Australia respected democratic outcomes. He mentioned having two discussions with the President, reflecting the respect shown to Australia. He stated that the US President would always be welcome in Australia and was expected to attend the Quad meeting. He affirmed that he would continue to engage respectfully with world leaders while standing up for Australia's national interests, including the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister listed government achievements including tax cuts for every taxpayer, strengthening Medicare, growing wages, making medicines cheaper, and cutting student debt by 20 per cent. He contrasted this with the opposition's $600 billion nuclear energy plan, which he argued would push up energy prices. He highlighted the government's support for free TAFE, early educator pay rises, and the right to disconnect. He stated that the opposition wanted to cut costs and send jobs offshore, whereas the government was building a future made in Australia.