House of Representatives

Answer from Richard Marles

The minister stated that the opposition should have supported the Housing Australia Future Fund earlier. He noted that 54 homes in Thurgoona, 135 in Penrith, and 213 in Moncrieff were part of the first tranche of projects. He claimed half a million houses had been built since the government took office, including 5,000 social and affordable homes, compared to 313 built by the previous government in nine years.

Answer from Richard Marles

The minister reported that the Prime Minister met with leaders from the US, Korea, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam ahead of the APEC summit. He highlighted that these seven countries represent one-quarter of Australia's exports and underpin about a million jobs. He noted a critical minerals framework agreement with the US and emphasized the importance of trade for national prosperity.

Answer from Clare O'Neil

The minister stated that the government was addressing a 40-year housing crisis with a $43 billion investment agenda. She noted that 55,000 social and affordable homes were being built, with 5,000 completed and 25,000 in planning or construction. She highlighted the expansion of the five per cent deposit program to all first home buyers, aiming to reduce the savings timeline from 11 years to two or three years.

Answer from Mark Butler

The minister reported that approximately 1,000 clinics would shift to full bulk-billing, joining 1,500 already doing so. He noted that 90 urgent care clinics were operating, having treated more than two million patients, one-third of whom were under 15. He stated that interest in the other 47 clinics had been assessed, with announcements expected in the coming weeks.

Answer from Richard Marles

The minister stated that the report was currently being considered by cabinet. He confirmed that the report would be released once the cabinet had appropriately considered it, describing this as the normal process for reports submitted to cabinet.

Answer from Richard Marles

The minister noted that the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program would begin soon, aiming to convert around 4,800 GP clinics to full bulk-billing over four years. He stated that from 1 January, PBS scripts would be capped at $25, citing Jardiance as an example of a drug that would become significantly more affordable.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The minister withdrew the question before answering. The Treasurer then responded by stating that the average unemployment rate under the current government was 3.9 per cent, compared to 5.6 per cent under the previous government. He noted that inflation was 6.1 per cent and rising when the current government took office, and that the government had delivered two surpluses and one smaller deficit compared to nine consecutive deficits under the previous administration.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The minister highlighted the expansion of bulk-billing incentives and the capping of PBS scripts. He listed recent productivity reforms, including slashing 500 nuisance tariffs, introducing regulatory reforms, launching the Investor Front Door pilot, and clearing a backlog of 26,000 homes. He also noted the finalization of the AI plan and the securing of the AAA credit rating from Fitch.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The minister cited the AEMO quarterly energy dynamics report, which showed wholesale prices had fallen by 27 per cent compared with the previous year and by 38 per cent compared with the previous quarter. He attributed this progress to the highest renewable penetration in Australian history and noted that the government had introduced three rounds of energy bill relief.

Answer from Catherine King

The minister stated that from 1 November, medical rebates for IUDs and birth control implants would increase by up to 150 per cent, saving around 300,000 women up to $400. She noted that NuvaRing would be added to the PBS, reducing costs from over $270 a year to $31.60 per script. She also mentioned funding for free training for healthcare practitioners in IUD insertion and removal.

Answer from Amanda Rishworth

The minister stated that the government was dedicated to addressing criminal activity and corrupt practices within the building sector. She pointed to cases of people excluded from the industry under the present administration who had earlier been treated leniently by the ABCC. She verified that Zach Smith remained on the forum.

Answer from Jason Clare

The minister stated that legislation to cut student debt by 20 per cent, worth $16 billion, was being implemented by the tax office. He noted that agreements with states and territories would fix public school funding, tied to reforms like phonics and numeracy checks. He also mentioned that education ministers decided to accelerate development of the national curriculum, beginning with mathematics for the initial three years.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister stated that from Saturday, administration prices under the new Support at Home program would be capped at 10 per cent. He noted that the independent pricing authority had issued pricing guidance and would introduce full pricing caps from July 2026.

Answer from Amanda Rishworth

The minister explained that the bill introduced a principle into the Fair Work Act protecting employer-paid parental leave in the event of stillbirth or infant death. She noted that this aligned these protections with government-paid and unpaid leave arrangements, ensuring parents did not lose access to paid leave while grieving.

Answer from Daniel Mulino

The minister stated that he had not ignored any warnings. He noted that upon being notified earlier in the year, he sought briefings from his department and wrote to APRA and ASIC regarding further actions. He highlighted that ASIC had taken actions in court and that an agreement with Macquarie saw over $300 million returned to investors.

Answer from Clare O'Neil

The minister stated that over 1,000 people in Barton had accessed first home ownership through the five per cent deposit program. She noted that 520,000 homes had been built since the government took office, including 55,000 social and affordable homes. She highlighted the national ambition to build 1.2 million homes over five years.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The minister stated that the government was considering targets with the Productivity Commission. He listed recent steps to reduce red tape, including slashing 500 nuisance tariffs, introducing 60 regulatory improvements, launching the Investor Front Door pilot, and clearing a backlog of 26,000 homes.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The minister reported that 104,900 households and small businesses had installed cheaper home batteries. He cited AEMO data showing wholesale energy costs had fallen by 27 per cent compared with the previous year. He identified the opposition's proposal to keep coal-fired power stations running longer as a threat to reliability, noting that 11 coal units were currently out of action.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The minister stated that the government was supporting the mining industry through international diplomacy and trade policy. He highlighted Australia's capacity to produce nine out of 10 minerals necessary for batteries and emphasized the goal of processing minerals and making batteries in Australia.

Answer from Mark Butler

The minister noted that from 1 November, Medicare rebates for standard consultations would increase from $42 to $82. He stated that 27 clinics in Maranoa and 22 in Flynn and Fadden would shift to full bulk-billing. He also highlighted the listing of a fourth contraception on the PBS in 12 months.