House of Representatives

Answer from Anika Wells

The minister stated that the Optus outage was unacceptable and solely the fault of the telecommunications provider, which is under investigation. She announced six key reforms to strengthen the triple zero system, including legislating for a Triple Zero Custodian, mandating real-time outage reporting, requiring telcos to test systems during maintenance, ensuring call fallback to other networks, enforcing improvement plans after outages, and issuing new performance requirements within six months. Regarding her travel, she defended her attendance at the United Nations to discuss social media age verification laws, citing lobbying by bereaved families, and stated she did not regret standing with them.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister described the treaty as an alliance between equal partners and old friends, marking Australia's first new alliance in over seven decades. He emphasised that the agreement safeguards sovereignty and security for both nations, reflecting a shared history and future. He noted that Papua New Guinea is now Australia's third ally, alongside the United States and New Zealand, and that the relationship elevates the bond between the two neighbours.

Answer from Anika Wells

The minister noted that the Optus CEO had announced three deaths, while the Western Australian Premier identified a fourth potential death connected to the outage. She stated that she had spoken with Optus, whose CEO and its parent company Singtel had apologised to the families. She argued that the companies, not the government, were responsible for the failures and should bear the accountability, criticising the opposition for politicising the tragedy and letting the private company off the hook.

Answer from Richard Marles

The minister explained that the treaty contains a mutual defence obligation, making Papua New Guinea Australia's third ally, following the United States and New Zealand. He highlighted the historical military cooperation between the two nations, particularly during World War II. Regarding the ADF, he stated the alliance would facilitate integration, including the recruitment of Papua New Guineans, with permanent residents in Australia able to join the Defence Force from 1 January next year.

Answer from Mark Butler

The minister noted that the number of full-time-equivalent GPs had started to increase again, citing a recent report. He mentioned that the government had added new medical schools in regional areas, including James Cook University and Darwin. He stated that 100 Commonwealth supported places were currently open for tender, with Charles Sturt University eligible to apply, and that the government was prioritising general practice training. He declined to comment on the specific outcome of the open tender.

Answer from Pat Conroy

The minister described the treaty as Australia's third alliance and Papua New Guinea's first, founded on friendship and shared history. He stated that the agreement ensures both nations will act to meet dangers in the event of an armed attack. He highlighted the government's broader engagement in the Pacific, including treaties with Tuvalu and Nauru, and efforts in climate change, trade, and development assistance, arguing that regional prosperity depends on the stability of the Pacific family.

Answer from Anika Wells

The minister stated that 13 of the 18 recommendations were complete, with the remaining five dependent on industry action. She noted that she had urged telecommunications CEOs to accelerate implementation of the outstanding items, and they had agreed to do so. She criticised the shadow minister for equivocating on support for the new triple zero custodian legislation, arguing that the government had acted swiftly and that the opposition should support the bill rather than politicise the crisis.

Answer from Clare O'Neil

The minister announced that from 1 October, first home buyers could enter the market with a five per cent deposit, with no income limits and updated house price caps. She stated this would save buyers tens of thousands in insurance and hundreds of thousands in rent, reducing the saving period from 11 years to two or three. She highlighted that housing starts were up 17 per cent, environmental approvals were processing three times faster, and 180,000 Australians had bought their first home since the government took office.

Answer from Anika Wells

The minister rejected the premise that the government had sat on the issue, stating that the triple zero custodian would not exist without the government's action. She outlined the timeline: the Bean review recommended a custodian in March 2024, a steering committee reported in November 2024, and the department recommended the custodian operate within the department in March 2025. She asserted that the government had worked continuously to protect Australians and hold failing providers accountable.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer stated that the government had delivered a $209 billion boost to the budget outcome over three years, turning deficits into surpluses in the first two years and significantly reducing the deficit in the third. He noted that debt was $188 billion lower than inherited, saving approximately $60 billion in interest over the next decade. He attributed this to responsible management, low unemployment, and growing real wages, contrasting it with the previous government's record of deficits and debt accumulation.

Answer from Anika Wells

The minister did not provide a specific number of outages but highlighted that telecommunications companies were not previously legally required to report outages. She stated that new ACMA determinations taking effect on 1 November would require telcos to immediately share outage information with emergency services.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The minister reported that 78,124 households had installed cheaper home batteries and that renewables had surpassed coal in the main grid for the first time. He stated these actions supported the emissions reduction target of 62 to 70 per cent. Regarding other policies, he dismissed the opposition's nuclear energy proposal, citing the cancellation of the NuScale small modular reactor project due to high costs and lack of buyers, and stated there was no nuclear renaissance.

Answer from Anika Wells

The minister confirmed that the government accepted the recommendation for temporary disaster roaming and that industry was developing the capability and drafting a memorandum of understanding. She stated it was her expectation that industry would deliver, and her department would examine the extent of roaming availability subject to those outcomes. She also mentioned a commitment to the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation and a planned simulation drill with emergency management officials to stress-test the system.

Answer from Julie Collins

The minister stated that the agreement eliminated tariffs on more than 99 per cent of Australian agricultural exports, with most tariffs removed immediately for red meat, grains, oilseeds, and dairy. She noted that tariffs on poultry, bread, and pastry would phase out over three to five years. The deal was expected to slash around $50 million a year in tariffs, supporting regional jobs and growth, with UAE agricultural exports currently valued at $1.7 billion.

Answer from Anika Wells

The minister stated that she and her staff only learned of the severe system failure in the late afternoon of Friday, 19 September.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer assured the member that the government would not compromise on biosecurity regarding banana imports, noting that an assessment was underway with no predetermined outcome. Regarding the smelters, he acknowledged the concern for jobs and regional capability, stating that the Resources Minister was working with the Queensland government and Glencore to find a solution. He emphasised the government's commitment to supporting workers and maintaining Australia's industrial capability through the Future Made in Australia agenda.

Answer from Amanda Rishworth

The minister stated that real wage growth was at its strongest rate in five years, with 2.8 million employees covered by enterprise agreements, a record high. She noted that enterprise agreements were delivering average annualised wage increases of 4.2 per cent, which exceeded the increase across the whole economy. She also highlighted that minimum award wages had increased by 3.5 per cent from 1 July, adding $9,120 a year over the term of the government, and that penalty rates were protected.

Answer from Anika Wells

The minister said her office informed her late on Friday afternoon that over 600 calls were affected and three people died.

Answer from Jason Clare

The minister stated that the government was cutting student debt by 20 per cent, with the Australian Taxation Office beginning the process in November. He noted that the average student debt was about $27,000, and the cut would reduce it significantly. He also highlighted the rollout of paid practical placements for teaching, nursing, midwifery, and social work students, with over 50,000 applications received. Additionally, he mentioned the doubling of university study hubs in regional and outer suburban areas.