House of Representatives

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister contrasted the current government's approach, where embassy officials formally represented Australia, with the former government's decision to send a minister. He highlighted his recent meeting with Yulia Navalnaya to discuss democracy and human rights in Russia, and his upcoming participation in a coalition of the willing convened by President Macron. He affirmed the government's unequivocal support for Ukraine and its opposition to Vladimir Putin, noting new sanctions against Russia and North Korea. He stated he would never meet Putin or the North Korean leader and emphasized the government's commitment to supporting democracy globally.

Answer from Tony Burke; Anthony Albanese

The minister acknowledged the significance of National Police Remembrance Day and paid tribute to officers who had lost their lives, including those in Tasmania and Victoria. He noted that members of the House had attended the National Police Bravery Awards, where AFP and NSW Police officers received recognition for their efforts during the Vanuatu earthquake and Manning River floods. He acknowledged the retiring AFP Commissioner, Reece Kershaw, praising his leadership in child protection, counterterrorism, and other areas, and noted that Krissy Barrett would succeed him on 4 October.

Answer from Sussan Ley (Farrer) (Liberal Party)

The member joined the Prime Minister and government members in wishing Commissioner Kershaw well, acknowledging his legacy of service and influence.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that the government had taken decisive action and that he was not responsible for the actions of individual citizens. He noted that the former government had sent a minister to a similar event previously. He affirmed the government's unequivocal condemnation of the Iranian regime and its decision not to send any official representatives to the parade. He criticized the opposition for seeking political difference on an issue that had bipartisan support for the ambassador's expulsion, arguing that such division undermined Australia's international position.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister listed several policy achievements, including cutting student debt by 20 per cent for three million students, enshrining penalty rates into law, and fast-tracking five per cent deposits for first-home buyers. He highlighted investments in Medicare, including 1.8 million visits to urgent care clinics and an $812 billion investment in bulk-billing. He also noted reductions in medicine costs, from $42 to $25, with a freeze at $7.70 for concession card holders. He stated the government was focused on delivering on election commitments to restore faith in the political system.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Attorney-General noted that Mr Boyle was sentenced to a 12-month good-behaviour bond without a recorded conviction, and that the prosecution decision was independent. She announced that a public consultation on exposure draft legislation for the second stage of reforms to the Public Interest Disclosure Act would commence the following week. The reforms aim to strengthen protections, simplify procedures, and establish a new whistleblower ombudsman within the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman. She also mentioned a planned statutory review of private-sector whistleblower laws.

Answer from Amanda Rishworth

The minister highlighted the protection of penalty and overtime rates, which had been passed in the first three weeks of the term. She noted that these rates support low-paid workers, particularly women and young people. She cited examples of workers who felt more secure due to these protections. She also pointed to broader achievements, including real wage growth for seven consecutive quarters, the creation of 1.1 million jobs, record-low unemployment, and a record-low gender pay gap.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated there was no contradiction with his previous answer, which he maintained was absolutely correct.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister announced that the new Aged Care Act and Support at Home program would commence on 1 November. He noted that 20,000 additional homecare packages would be fast-tracked in the eight weeks leading up to this date, with a further 63,000 packages to be rolled out by June 2026. He highlighted existing reforms, including mandated 24/7 registered nursing, which had delivered over 6.8 million additional minutes of care daily. He also mentioned a $17.7 billion investment to increase aged-care worker wages.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister rejected the suggestion as outrageous and affirmed his respect for police officers. He clarified that his previous answer concerned whether the government was providing assistance to the cohort, which it was not. He stated that security and intelligence agencies would remain prepared for any Australian citizens returning from Syria, but the government was not providing support. He criticized the opposition for sourcing questions from media reports.

Answer from Richard Marles

The minister reported that defence procurement spending reached $18.2 billion in the last financial year, the highest on record. He highlighted new facilities in Brisbane, Geelong, and Williamtown for manufacturing vehicles and missiles. He noted that AUKUS reforms had reduced barriers, allowing 470 Australian businesses to become licence-exempt, facilitating over $130 million in exports to the US and UK. He contrasted this progress with the previous government's record.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister disputed the relevance of the 2015 visit, noting Tony Abbott did not complete a full term. He quoted the member's own past speeches and media releases from 2020 supporting renewable energy projects and transmission upgrades in the Mallee region, including the Western Victorian Transmission Network Project. He accused the member of hypocrisy for now opposing projects she previously championed and funded by the coalition government.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer highlighted recent economic growth and private sector recovery. He noted the passage of payments reforms to modernize the payment system. He announced he would convene state and territory treasurers to discuss productivity reforms, including a single national market, competition policy, cutting red tape, faster approvals, and housing supply. He emphasized the importance of state-level reforms for lifting living standards.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The minister explained that the Climate Change Act requires the government to consider advice from the Climate Change Authority, which must regard scientific knowledge and Paris Agreement goals. He noted that the Federal Court had criticized the previous government's targets for ignoring science, while praising the current government's 2022 target. He stated the 2035 target would be set in accordance with the Act after receiving the Authority's advice.

Answer from Anne Aly

The minister emphasized the government's commitment to fairness and equality for all Australians regardless of background. She addressed concerns from the Indian diaspora about feeling unsafe after recent rallies and political comments, affirming their belonging and contributions. She condemned past and present scapegoating of Lebanese, African, Chinese, and Indian communities, stating the government would call out attempts to divide society to strengthen cohesion.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that everyone should comply with the law, including the FITS register. He described the line of questioning as bizarre and emphasized that compliance is required for all individuals, regardless of their role or activities.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The minister detailed upcoming increases to social security payments on 20 September, including a boost of up to $30 a fortnight for age pensioners. She highlighted cumulative benefits since the government took office, such as $5,000 extra for pensioners, $4,000 for JobSeekers, and increased rent assistance. She also listed tax cuts, fee-free TAFE enrolments, student debt relief, cheaper childcare, and investments in housing and Medicare as part of the government's cost-of-living strategy.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Attorney-General acknowledged the concern and the member's bill, which would be given due consideration. She noted the government had brought forward the statutory review of the Online Safety Act and announced steps to address harmful apps. She confirmed that criminal sanctions were being discussed with state and territory attorneys-general at the Standing Council of Attorneys-General. She emphasized the bipartisan nature of the effort to establish appropriate guardrails against these technologies.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Attorney-General announced a historic agreement to settle the Knox v The Commonwealth appeal, subject to Federal Court approval. Under the deal, the Commonwealth would provide $475 million in compensation, marking the largest class action settlement in Australian history. She criticized the previous government's robodebt scheme as illegal and cruel, citing the royal commission's findings. She stated the settlement aimed to provide a fair outcome for victims.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Attorney-General stated that the answer was the same as the Prime Minister's: all individuals must obey the law, including the FITS register.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The minister reported that 47,342 households had installed batteries, with high uptake in regional electorates. He identified political division and hypocrisy from opposition members as obstacles, citing past support for renewables by National Party leaders and the opposition leader. He argued that the opposition was now engaging in point-scoring rather than supporting the transition.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The minister highlighted high uptake of cheap home batteries in the member's electorate, Fowler. He listed various cost-of-living supports delivered to Fowler, including tax cuts, energy bill relief, student debt relief, and PBS savings. He noted that the member sat on the local council and had previously complained about local pool fees, suggesting she had responsibility for local costs. He affirmed the government's full-time focus on cost-of-living relief.

Answer from Mark Butler

The minister reported that bulk-billing rates for concession card holders and children were above 92 per cent. He announced that bulk-billing incentives for non-concession card holders would roll out from 1 November. He criticized the previous government for freezing Medicare rebates and cutting hospital funding, contrasting this with the current government's investments in bulk-billing, urgent care clinics, and cheaper medicines.