House of Representatives

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that inflation had decreased from six per cent to three per cent since the government took office, noting that the recent rise followed several falls. He highlighted that interest rates had begun to fall under his administration, whereas they had risen under the previous government. He pointed out that the unemployment rate was in the four per cent range and that over one million jobs had been created, resulting in the lowest average unemployment in five decades. He also mentioned that the Treasurer had delivered two consecutive budget surpluses and lower deficits than projected at the election, which the public endorsed by rejecting the opposition's platform of higher taxes and deficits.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister explained that international engagement is crucial for supporting Australian jobs and economic growth, citing the global impact of events like the war in Ukraine on inflation. He detailed three recent meetings with President Trump in New York, Washington DC, and at APEC, emphasizing the strengthening of AUKUS, defence investments, and a critical minerals strategy. He noted a pipeline of critical minerals projects worth $8.5 billion identified for collaboration with the United States to create local jobs and add value to resources. He also mentioned meetings with over 20 leaders at ASEAN and APEC to advocate for trade, noting that one in four Australian jobs depends on trade and that APEC accounts for 75 per cent of Australia's trading relationships.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister acknowledged real cost-of-living pressures and listed government actions, including a pay rise for minimum and award wage workers totalling over $9,000, an increase in the superannuation guarantee to 12 per cent, and extended paid parental leave. He mentioned energy bill relief, a $10,000 bonus for housing apprentices, and the batteries program taken up by over 100,000 Australians. He highlighted a boost to Medicare with over 1,000 practices signing up to bulk-bill, the opening of 50 urgent care clinics, a 20 per cent cut to student debt, and the extension of the $20,000 instant asset write-off. He also noted the freezing of draught beer excise for two years and stated that all these measures had been opposed by the coalition.

Answer from Madeleine King

The Minister stated that the government has invested $28 billion in the critical minerals industry and is leading efforts in the G7, G20, and Quad to diversify global supply. She highlighted the historic Australia-US critical minerals framework agreed upon with President Trump, representing an $8 billion pipeline of projects. She mentioned attending a G7 ministers' meeting in Toronto to discuss the critical minerals production alliance and signing a joint declaration with Canada to deepen collaboration. She also noted a heads of agreement between Ucore, Wyloo, and Hastings for the Yangibana rare earths project. The Minister emphasized that Australia's commitment to net zero emissions, environmental protection, and sustainable production secures its role in these international discussions.

Answer from Anthony Albanese; Tony Burke

The Prime Minister briefly affirmed support for local content in the arts sector before handing the question to the Minister for the Arts. The Minister explained that while Australian content is guaranteed on ABC, SBS, commercial TV, and Foxtel, there is currently no guarantee for streaming services. He stated that the government's objective remains to ensure Australian content is available across all platforms, but noted that previous methods for free-to-air TV and public broadcasters do not apply to on-demand commercial streaming services. He indicated that the government is working through trade obligations to find suitable methods for regulating streaming services and hoped to report further progress to the House.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister reported that 108,494 households had taken up the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, with high participation in regional electorates such as Page, Richmond, and Riverina. He noted that many households with solar and batteries achieve net zero energy bills or receive payments. He highlighted that approximately $200 million in community benefits and $1 billion in benefits for landholders and farmers would flow to regional communities by 2030. He argued that climate change poses a threat to regional Australia through natural disasters and falling farm productivity, citing a delegate from the Young Nationals who warned that moving away from net zero would harm future generations.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister dismissed the question by referencing the Shadow Treasurer's previous promotion and the opposition's $600 billion nuclear power plan. He argued that the opposition would cut cost-of-living measures if elected. He defended the government's superannuation reforms, stating they affect only 0.5 per cent of people and make the system more progressive, similar to stage 3 tax cuts. He listed measures including paid parental leave super, payday super, and lifting the low-income super tax offset to $810 with an eligibility threshold increase to $45,000, asserting that Labor strengthens superannuation while the opposition opposes these changes.

Answer from Mark Butler

The Minister noted that in the member's electorate, the proportion of GP clinics bulk-billing all patients had risen from fewer than 40 per cent to over 75 per cent in a few days. He attributed the previous decline in bulk-billing to the former government freezing Medicare rebates for four years. He stated that the current government has delivered the three largest Medicare rebate increases in 30 years and tripled the bulk-billing incentive for pensioners, concession card holders, and children, raising their bulk-billing rate to 92 per cent. He announced that from that weekend, bulk-billing support was extended to all Australians, with over 1,000 practices switching to full bulk-billing.

Answer from Matt Keogh

The Minister argued that the member was misleading the House by implying the tribunal's actions affected the previous government's decision. He stated that the previous government had rejected the tribunal's recommendation for Teddy Sheean and established a separate process due to pressure from veterans and the opposition. He clarified that an application for honour could still be brought to Defence and an inquiry conducted, regardless of the tribunal's modernization efforts.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer stated that the government had halved inflation, grown real wages, kept unemployment low, and secured three interest rate cuts this year, saving a household with a $700,000 mortgage approximately $330 per month. He highlighted Medicare strengthening through expanded bulk-billing incentives, bonuses for fully bulk-billing practices, more urgent care clinics, and cheaper medicines. He also mentioned safeguarding penalty rates, raising pay, reducing student debt, assisting with power bills, and providing two more rounds of tax cuts. He noted improvements to superannuation, including paying super on paid parental leave and lifting the low-income super tax offset, contrasting this responsible management with the opposition's lack of credibility.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that inflation was half what it was when the government took office and that interest rates had fallen three times this year. He highlighted that real wages had increased quarter after quarter, citing the 'same job, same pay' legislation which helped aviation workers earn significantly more. He noted the creation of 1.1 million jobs, with three-fifths being full-time, and record women's workforce participation. He mentioned tax cuts for all taxpayers and two more rounds to come. He urged the member to support cost-of-living measures such as energy bill relief, cheaper childcare, medicines, batteries, and free TAFE, which had benefited 685,000 Australians, and student debt relief for over three million people.

Answer from Catherine King

The Minister stated that the government was making the largest investment in Medicare in 40 years, with $8.5 billion delivering more bulk-billing and doctors. She noted that bulk-billing incentives would now be paid for every patient, resulting in 18 million extra bulk-billed GP visits each year, and that Medicare payments in regional practices would double. She reported that over 1,000 GP clinics had switched to full bulk-billing, with almost 800 in regional and remote communities, aiming for 90 per cent of GP visits to be bulk-billed by 2030. She contrasted this with the previous government's $50 billion cut to public hospitals and four-year freeze on Medicare rebates.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister argued that current environment laws were not working for business or the environment, citing long approval times and lack of certainty. He stated that the proposed laws were balanced, consistent with the Graeme Samuel review, and would help grow the economy while protecting the environment for future generations. He criticized the opposition and Greens for obstructing legislation in the previous term and urged senators to vote for the sensible reform, which he claimed was good for the environment, jobs, and industry certainty.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that the government had delivered the biggest investment in Medicare in 40 years, tripling the bulk-billing incentive for all Australians. He noted that over 1,000 clinics had signed up to bulk-bill every patient due to the new incentive payment. He highlighted a visit to a clinic in Belconnen where early intervention, such as sun checks, improved patient health and saved system costs. He emphasized that building trust between GPs and patients leads to better healthcare outcomes and that the policy aims to achieve 90 per cent bulk-billing rates, benefiting 18,000 clinics financially.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister criticized the previous government for not having a dedicated housing minister for most of their term and for delaying the Housing Australia Future Fund. He stated that 5,000 social and affordable homes had been completed under his government, compared to 373 in nine years under the previous administration. He noted that building approvals had risen 12 per cent in September, with a 15.3 per cent increase year-on-year. He also mentioned support for the build-to-rent scheme, which the opposition had opposed.

Answer from Julie Collins

The Minister stated that the government had committed over $2 billion to strengthen the biosecurity system since taking office. She highlighted the adoption of the One Health approach and noted a suspected case of bird flu in wildlife on Heard Island, 4,000 kilometres south-west of Perth. She confirmed that samples had been collected for testing and that $100 million was being invested to boost preparedness, including funding for mobile laboratories, drones, and emergency response trailers. She emphasized the importance of protecting the $100 billion agriculture, fisheries, and forestry sector from global threats like bird flu.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister stated that the government had supported the ICJ reference and considered the Climate Change Authority's advice, which recommended maximum ambition in line with the ICJ decision. He clarified that Australia's obligation was to reduce its own emissions and help other countries reduce theirs, rather than regulating international emissions directly. He highlighted opportunities to help other countries decarbonize through Australian green metals, ammonium, and hydrogen, noting that Treasury modeled this could reduce international emissions by 1.2 per cent, or around 460 million tonnes.

Answer from Andrew Giles

The Minister stated that the government had cut student debt by 20 per cent, benefiting three million Australians, including over 280,000 with VET student loans. He noted an average saving of over $2,000 on VET loans and cited examples of individuals saving $8,000 and $3,000. He mentioned reducing annual repayment amounts and raising the repayment threshold. He also highlighted that free TAFE had been made law, with 685,000 enrolments and over 190,000 completions, contrasting these achievements with the opposition's opposition to these measures.