House of Representatives

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister explained that the Support at Home program, established under the new Aged Care Act, would commence on 1 November. He noted that home-care demand had grown from 155,000 to over 300,000 recipients since 2020. The minister stated that 83,000 additional packages would be delivered in the first 12 months of the new program, on top of existing recipients. Until November, the government continued to allocate an average of more than 2,000 packages weekly, with high-priority cases receiving care within a month.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister highlighted that the government reduced the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) script cost from $42 to $30, the first reduction in eight decades. He announced a further reduction to $25, with concession cardholder costs frozen at $7.70 for the decade. The government had tripled bulk-billing incentives and invested $812 billion to cover all Australians. Additionally, 50 new urgent care clinics were being delivered, bringing the total to 137, and a 24/7 health advice hotline, 1800MEDICARE, was established.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister clarified that the Support at Home program could only begin once the legislation came into effect on 1 November. He reiterated that packages continued to be allocated weekly at an average of over 2,000, with high-priority assessments receiving care within a month. The minister emphasized that the new program would deliver 83,000 additional packages from November, supporting the more than 300,000 Australians already receiving care.

Answer from Mark Butler

The minister noted that four waves of cheaper medicines policies had saved Australians over $112 billion in co-payments. He announced a new PBS listing for Dupixent, a treatment for serious asthma, effective immediately. The minister cited the case of a 10-year-old boy whose family would have paid $11,000 annually but would now pay $31, reducing to $25 from 1 January if Senate legislation passed. He emphasized that 350 new or amended listings had been made during the government's term.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister stated that the Support at Home program would commence on 1 November, providing the legislative framework for new packages. He noted that 87,597 people were on the national priority system waitlist as of 31 March, with over 2,000 packages allocated weekly. The minister explained that assessment wait times were longer than desired but that 521,000 assessments were completed last year. He clarified that 99 per cent of those waiting for packages were already receiving some level of care, and the median assessment wait time was 25 days.

Answer from Catherine King

The minister highlighted a $790 million women's health package announced earlier in the year. This included cheaper contraceptives on the PBS, expanded Medicare support for menopause, and new rebates for menopause health assessments. Over 22 endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics had opened, with 11 more planned. The minister noted that over 212,000 women had accessed the new menopause assessment scheme since 1 July 2025, and a new menopausal hormone therapy had been listed on the PBS.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister offered to personally follow up on the case if the member provided details. He reiterated that the Support at Home program would deliver over 80,000 new places from 1 November. Until then, more than 2,000 packages were allocated weekly, with high-priority cases receiving care within a month. The minister defended the delay as necessary to ensure the new system was fully ready for older Australians.

Answer from Mark Butler

The minister stated that 87 urgent care clinics had been delivered, exceeding the promise of 50. These clinics were open seven days a week, fully bulk-billed, and had seen almost 1.9 million Australians. He announced that 44 of the next 50 clinics were already subject to tender processes, with three more to follow. One of these new clinics would be located in the electorate of Sturt.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister expressed sadness at the loss of older Australians and offered condolences to their families. He explained that the deferral to 1 November was due to legislative requirements for the Support at Home program. From November, the government would deliver 83,000 additional packages while continuing to support the 300,000 Australians currently receiving care.

Answer from Anne Aly

The minister noted the establishment of a standalone cabinet minister for multicultural affairs and a new office. She condemned recent anti-immigration protests and racism, particularly targeting Indian communities. The minister emphasized that multiculturalism was about empowerment and inclusion, not just festivals. She highlighted support for special envoys combating Islamophobia and antisemitism, and affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring all Australians feel safe and at home.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister acknowledged that some providers were enthusiastic but stated that the government wanted to minimize disruption for older people during the system-wide reform. He emphasized that work was ongoing until 1 November to ensure the new system worked effectively for older Australians.

Answer from Anika Wells

The minister stated that the reforms would delay social media access until age 16, giving children three more years to build resilience. She cited a 1,200-page age assurance trial report published that day, which found age assurance could be done privately and effectively. The minister emphasized that the onus would be on platforms to prevent under-16s from accessing social media, protecting children from violent and explicit content.

Answer from Anthony Albanese; Madeleine King

The Prime Minister rejected the figures cited, noting that net overseas migration had fallen 37 per cent annually in 2024. He emphasized that diversity was a strength and that elections determined the will of the people. The Minister for Resources discussed the government's review of gas market regulations and the Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve. She noted that the opposition had previously opposed the Western Australian gas reservation policy but now supported a similar concept.

Answer from Amanda Rishworth

The minister stated that legislation protecting overtime and penalty rates for 2.6 million award workers had come into effect. She noted that without this action, certain retail employees might have suffered a $10,000 loss. The minister highlighted that average wages had increased by $9,000 per year since the government took office. She also mentioned measures to stop underpayment of labour hire workers and tax cuts for all taxpayers.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister explained that the implementation of the new Aged Care Act was originally scheduled for 1 July. However, based on feedback from older people and the sector, the government decided to defer implementation to 1 November to ensure a smooth transition. He reiterated that 83,000 additional packages would be delivered in the first 12 months of the Support at Home program from November.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer noted that inflation had fallen, debt was down, and real wages were growing. He highlighted that Australia was one of few OECD nations with continuous growth over the last three years. To boost productivity, the government was approving 26,000 homes, streamlining the National Construction Code, and fast-tracking EPBC legislation. Additionally, 500 nuisance tariffs were being abolished, bringing the total to 1,000 over two years, saving businesses $157 million annually in compliance costs.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister highlighted that the airport was creating hundreds of apprenticeships and prioritizing local contractors. He noted deals signed with Air New Zealand, Qantas, and Singapore Airlines. The minister emphasized that freight operations would take trucks off Western Sydney roads, improving efficiency. He stated that public transport links and road upgrades were creating jobs and economic activity, transforming Western Sydney.

Answer from Clare O'Neil

The minister stated that 929 social and affordable homes were in planning or construction in the Maribyrnong electorate alone, compared to zero under the previous government. Nationally, 929,000 homes were on the go, with 180,000 people accessing first-home buyer support. The minister identified the opposition as the biggest risk to housing progress, citing their opposition to building more homes. She highlighted a $43 billion housing agenda including rent assistance increases.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister stated that he had spoken to many older people, families, providers, and workers since becoming minister. He claimed the overwhelming response from all groups was that a brief deferral was needed to ensure a smooth implementation of the new aged care act. He reiterated that the Support at Home program relied on the legislative framework coming into effect on 1 November.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The minister reported that 43,695 households had installed cheaper home batteries in the first two months, saving over $2,000 annually for those without solar and $1,000 for those with solar. He noted that 785 megawatt hours of capacity had been installed. The minister criticized opposition policies, particularly regarding net zero targets, as distractions. He highlighted that the opposition's internal politics were hindering national interest.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister denied deliberately slowing assessments, stating that a new single assessment system was being rolled out to reduce wait times. He acknowledged that wait times were longer than desired but noted that 521,000 assessments were completed last year. He explained that the waitlist included duplication and that 99 per cent of those waiting for packages were already receiving some level of care. The minister emphasized that reforms were complex and required a smooth transition.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The minister announced legislation to expand the special circumstances debt waiver, allowing Services Australia to waive debts run up by perpetrators of violence. She highlighted the permanent leaving violence payment of up to $5,000. The minister noted $1.2 billion in emergency and transitional housing, 10 days paid domestic violence leave, and $800 million in extra funding for family violence legal services. She emphasized that no government had invested more in frontline services and programs to prevent violence.