Senate

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that the government had made the largest investment in Medicare since its inception, an $812 billion package aimed at increasing bulk-billing and doctor availability. She clarified that the policy goal was to achieve bulk-billing for nine out of 10 GP visits by 2030, a figure consistent with campaign announcements. The minister asserted that the Prime Minister's comments stood and criticized the opposition for focusing on the difference between nine out of 10 and 10 out of 10 visits rather than supporting increased bulk-billing incentives.

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister explained that the government was addressing both immediate cost-of-living pressures and long-term climate challenges. She highlighted the Future Made in Australia plan, a $20 billion commitment to Rewiring the Nation, and the Capacity Investment Scheme as measures supporting business and industry. The minister criticized the opposition for lacking a coherent energy policy, citing their previous failures and recent absence from a net zero vote, and emphasized that renewable energy is the cheapest form of power.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that the government was committed to ambitious climate action and transitioning to a net zero economy to ensure economic prosperity. She noted that more ambitious targets for 2035 were necessary to reach 2050 goals and that the government would set a responsible target based on advice from the climate authority. Regarding fossil fuels, the minister highlighted the government's engagement with Pacific leaders, citing the Tuvalu mobility pathway as an example of addressing climate impacts, but did not explicitly commit to banning new coal or gas mines.

Answer from Jess Walsh

The minister confirmed that legislation had been introduced to deliver a 20 per cent cut to student debt, totaling $16 billion in relief for approximately three million Australians. She noted that the previous term's changes had already wiped $3 billion in debt and that the new measures would reduce an average debt of $27,000 by $5,120. The minister emphasized that the relief applied to HECS, HELP, TAFE, and VET loans, and criticized the opposition for internal disunity on the issue.

Answer from Jenny McAllister

The minister stated that Commonwealth funding to the ACT hospital system had increased by 16 per cent in the current financial year, totaling $629 million. She rejected the claim that the ACT was being short-changed, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the National Health Reform Agreement. Regarding NDIS and aged care transitions, the minister noted that average waiting times for NDIS participants had reduced from 39 days in December 2022 to 17 days in January 2025, attributing this to operational changes.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister defended the Prime Minister's engagement with China as responsible diplomacy. She confirmed that the government's position was that the port should not have been sold and should return to Australian hands. However, she stated that this was not a matter for bilateral negotiation with China but would proceed through appropriate commercial considerations and in the national interest.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister announced the approval of the 93rd renewable energy project, the Summerville Solar Farm in New South Wales, which would power 36,000 homes. He noted that 88 projects had been approved since 2022, with four more approved in the preceding four weeks. The minister emphasized that policy certainty was crucial for private sector investment and cited support from business leaders and the Productivity Commission, while criticizing the opposition for opposing net zero.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that the biosecurity process was independent and had been under review since 2015, unrelated to any negotiations with the United States. She clarified that while the US had publicly raised its views on beef, the decision to lift the ban was based on scientific assessment, not diplomatic pressure. The minister emphasized that Australia's biosecurity standards were not up for negotiation.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister cited the CSIRO GenCost report to confirm that firmed renewables were the lowest-cost new-build technology, with solar costs falling by eight per cent and battery costs by 20 per cent. He stated that the Future Made in Australia agenda aimed to leverage Australia's renewable resources and critical minerals to create jobs and industrial capability. The minister emphasized that policy certainty was essential for investment and criticized the opposition for supporting expensive nuclear power options.