Senate

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister highlighted her visits to Pacific Islands Forum members and ASEAN countries, and the Prime Minister's upcoming visit to Malaysia. She announced two new investments: $175 million into IFM Investors' Asia-Pacific Debt Fund and US$50 million into a South-East Asian public-private partnership fund, adding to nearly $1 billion in existing investments. She noted that two-way trade with ASEAN increased by $6 billion between 2023 and 2024. Regarding Papua New Guinea, she described the Pukpuk Treaty as elevating the relationship to an alliance and highlighted the first ministerial forum as allies. She concluded by listing other breakthroughs, including the Pacific Policing Initiative, the Falepili Union with Tuvalu, and the Nauru-Australia Treaty.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister confirmed that consultations regarding the potential closure of the Tomago facility in 2028 had begun with around 1,400 workers. He stated that the government is engaged in discussions with New South Wales authorities, facility owners, and unions. He noted that Rio Tinto, a part-owner, is working through power-purchasing agreements across its facilities, with the Gladstone facility successfully underwriting solar and wind projects. Regarding the specific energy supply issue, he stated that Rio and owners have indicated there is neither coal-fired nor renewable electricity available in the market that meets their needs, attributing the situation to competition for green energy and the need for policy certainty.

Answer from Jess Walsh

The minister stated she had appeared on the ABC five times to discuss the government's reform package, which includes a nationwide register of educators and mandatory training. She affirmed that providers putting profit ahead of safety must improve or leave the sector, noting legislation allows for the withdrawal of subsidies. Regarding the pay rise, she highlighted that the government had already given a historic 15 per cent pay rise to the workforce, arguing this was paying dividends in retention and quality of care, contrasting this with the previous decade of underpayment.

Answer from Jenny McAllister

The minister stated that 90 clinics had been delivered, with over two million visits made and an average of 26,000 visits per week. She noted that one-third of patients were under 15 and that the clinics were free. She announced the opening of 47 more clinics, which would ensure four out of five Australians live within a 20-minute drive of one. Regarding integration, she stated that nearly half of patients would have used hospital emergency departments otherwise, citing data from Tasmania where clinics treated more patients than the Royal Hobart Hospital emergency department. She highlighted that 30 per cent of visits occurred on weekends and 25 per cent after 5 pm. Finally, she outlined an $812 billion investment in Medicare to expand bulk-billing, aiming for nine out of 10 GP visits to be bulk-billed by 2030.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister detailed consular efforts, including multiple visits to Ketziot prison and advocacy for the release and deportation of detainees. She stated that Australia had committed over $130 million in humanitarian assistance to Gaza and Lebanon since October 2023. Regarding accountability, she noted that Australia had driven a multilateral declaration on the protection of humanitarian personnel, signed by 104 countries, and had commissioned a report by former Chief of Defence Force Angus Campbell regarding Zomi Frankcom's death. She declined to discuss specific individuals due to privacy obligations and criticised the Greens for seeking donations during the crisis rather than engaging in multilateral diplomacy.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister stated that the focus was on onshore processing and production to create jobs and investment in regional communities, rather than just exporting ore. He highlighted that the resources sector contributed $48.5 billion in company tax during the 2023-24 financial year, with seven of the top 10 corporate taxpayers being from the resources sector. He noted that the government had changed the petroleum resource rent tax to ensure companies pay tax sooner and was working on gas market settings to support industry. He did not propose a new sovereign wealth fund or specific tax mechanism for critical minerals beyond existing company tax frameworks.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister stated that Australia's onshore scope 1 and 2 emissions were between one and two per cent, but noted that Australia is a high per capita emitter. He argued that it was in Australia's national interest to engage in international frameworks because the country has much to lose from climate failure, particularly for farmers and coastal communities. He did not provide specific figures for the emissions of China, the USA, or India, but emphasised the need for international cooperation and legally binding frameworks. He asserted that increased carbon emissions cause temperature rises and that industries must engage with this reality.