House of Representatives

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister stated that the government had agreed to pass the aged care bill, ensuring certainty for older Australians, providers, and workers. He explained that the new Support at Home program would allow more seniors to remain at home with higher levels of care. To meet increased demand, the government would fast-track the release of an extra 20,000 home care packages in the eight weeks leading up to 1 November. The remaining 63,000 packages would be allocated by 30 June 2026, maintaining fiscal prudence while delivering care faster.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister announced $5.9 million to establish the Richard Scolyer Chair in Brain Cancer Research at the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse in Sydney. This investment would support research positions, including a professorial chair, postdoctoral fellows, research assistants, and PhD scholarships, in conjunction with the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the University of Sydney. He highlighted Professor Scolyer's role as a pathologist and melanoma researcher who became the first person to receive an experimental treatment adapted from his own immunotherapy research.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister explained that there is an established process for verifying data regarding the national priority system waitlist. He confirmed that around 87,000 people were on the waitlist at the end of March and that the government releases more than 2,000 home-care packages weekly. He stated that the verification process is longstanding and consistent with previous government practices to ensure incorrect information is not released.

Answer from Mark Butler

The minister observed that female patients account for roughly 60 per cent of healthcare usage, frequently for reproductive care or menopause support. He explained that no new oral contraceptives, endometriosis drugs, or menopausal hormone therapies had been added to the PBS for many years. Over the last twelve months, the government included three oral contraceptives, three menopausal hormone treatments, and two endometriosis medications, saving women millions of dollars. Following these inclusions, 365,000 women obtained over 700,000 lower-cost prescriptions. Furthermore, a new GP consultation service for menopause launched on 1 July attracted more than 20,000 women within nine weeks.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that the reports were not accurate.

Answer from Jason Clare

The minister announced that paid practical training for nursing, midwifery, teaching, and social work students had started on 1 July, with more than 30,000 people having applied. He confirmed that a new medical school at the Queensland University of Technology would start training doctors from 2027. End-to-end medical training at the University of Tasmania in Launceston would begin in 2026, and a new medical school at Charles Darwin University in the Northern Territory would also start next year. Additionally, 100 extra medical Commonwealth supported places would be rolled out next year, with applications opening the previous week.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister referred to his previous answer.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The minister stated that new legislation to reform the Freedom of Information Act 1982 had been introduced. The reforms seek to ban anonymous requests, stop vexatious and frivolous requests, clarify exemptions for cabinet material, and establish procedures for handling former ministers' records. She cited an example where the eSafety Commissioner received nearly 600 FOI requests from an automated generator, diverting staff for three months. The government would also refer the FOI legislation to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee. Additionally, the government was enhancing the public sector whistleblowing framework by establishing a new whistleblower ombudsman.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that Australian embassy officials would formally represent Australia at the event, noting that a Liberal minister had represented the government 10 years prior. He mentioned attending a Victory in the Pacific Day commemoration in Martin Place on 15 August with the Leader of the Opposition. He did not directly address whether consular assistance was provided to Mr Andrews.

Answer from Mark Butler

The minister stated that the government had delivered registered nurses on shift 24/7, increased care minutes for residents, and improved wages for workers. He noted that thousands more home-care packages were provided in the 2023 and 2024 budgets and the 2024 MYEFO, including 83,000 new Support at Home care packages. He criticized the previous government for derailing reforms agreed upon in 2012 and for cutting aged-care funding by $1.2 billion in 2016 and $500 million in 2015.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer stated that the exposure is substantial and was part of the discussions at the Economic Reform Roundtable. He confirmed that the Minister for Climate Change and Energy would release the risk and adaptation work in September 2025. He emphasized that these issues have significant economic consequences and are front of mind for the government.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer stated that the numbers were better than expected, with quarterly growth of 0.6 per cent and through-the-year growth of 1.8 per cent. He attributed the recovery in the private sector and consumption to the government's efforts to lift wages and incomes. He noted that real wages were falling when the government took office, but the wages share of national income had risen to 54 per cent. He also highlighted that the economy had the equal-fastest through-the-year growth compared to major advanced economies and faster employment growth.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that he was responsible for the Australian government, which had a representative at the event. He noted that a minister had represented the government 10 years ago, but the current government chose not to send a minister. He did not directly condemn Mr Andrews.

Answer from Amanda Rishworth

The minister stated that the Secure Jobs, Better Pay changes had reinvigorated enterprise bargaining, with the gender pay gap reaching a historic low of 11.5 per cent. Working women were earning an average of an extra $250 a week. The Closing Loopholes changes had stopped underpayments for labour-hire workers. The government had made annual submissions to the Fair Work Commission for real wage increases for minimum award workers, who were now earning more than $175 per week more on average. She noted that real wages had been growing for seven consecutive quarters, with workers gaining an average of an extra $9,000 annually.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that legal processes were underway at the International Court of Justice and that the government allows these processes to take their course. He emphasized the government's consistent position since October 7, calling for the release of hostages, a ceasefire, and the protection of innocent civilians. He noted that the government had criticized failures to provide aid and specific incidents like the 'double tap' at a hospital in Khan Younis. He affirmed the government's support for a two-state solution where Israel exists as a Jewish state and Palestinians have their own state.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The minister announced that 46,052 families had installed home batteries under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. He stated that financial close had been reached on the Marinus Link, which would unlock billions of dollars of investment and generate sufficient renewable power for 750,000 residences. He identified a risk as political opposition from those who previously supported transmission projects but now oppose them, citing the member for Hume as an example. He emphasized the government's commitment to delivering batteries and transmission infrastructure.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that he regularly attends regional events and had invited the member for Mallee to an event in Horsham, which she chose to disrupt with loudhailers. He denied being chased, noting that the Australian Federal Police had organized a cut-off area for safety. He criticized the disruption and mentioned a neo-Nazi crashing an event with the Victorian premier. He affirmed his willingness to engage with constituents respectfully.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The minister stated that the review was necessary to ensure Australian industry, homes, and gas-fired power stations have access to gas at reasonable prices. He emphasized that gas is necessary to underpin the transition to renewables due to its flexibility. He noted that three policy mechanisms were reaching the end of their scheduled lives, necessitating a comprehensive review. He did not specify a date for intervention but affirmed the principle of ensuring supply for Australian uses.

Answer from Clare O'Neil

The minister stated that the government was building 55,000 social and affordable homes over five years. Over 5,000 of these homes were already complete, and 25,000 were in planning or construction. She highlighted specific numbers of new homes in various electorates, including 537 in Hasluck, 795 in Fraser, 711 in Jagajaga, and 680 in Adelaide. She contrasted this with the previous government, which delivered only 373 homes in nine years. She did not explicitly detail obstacles but emphasized the scale of delivery.