House of Representatives

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that Pacific leaders welcomed Australia's role in climate negotiations and noted global support for the Paris Agreement at the G20. He highlighted recent treaty negotiations with Indonesia and meetings with the OECD secretary-general as evidence of building Australia's international standing. He argued that the opposition's lack of a coherent plan would lead to higher prices and reduced investment, citing criticism from business groups regarding their policy uncertainty.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister reported that 100,000 Australians had received notifications of a 20 per cent reduction in student debt, with over one million expected to receive similar messages by week's end. He highlighted the five per cent deposit scheme, noting that nearly 10,000 Australians had purchased homes using this measure since 1 October. He contrasted this delivery with the opposition's internal divisions and lack of policy substance.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister explained that critical climate negotiations occur during the conference period and highlighted upcoming meetings in the Pacific to address urgent climate threats to nations like Kiribati and Tuvalu. He criticized the opposition for previously mocking Pacific island nations and opposing Australia's international bids. He cited business leaders, including the Australian Industry Group and ACCI, who warned that abandoning net zero targets would create investor uncertainty and higher costs.

Answer from Jason Clare

The minister stated that student debt for 100,000 Australians was reduced by 20 per cent, with a further 112 million Australians anticipated to receive cuts in the coming days. He noted that the average debt reduction would be approximately $512,000. He outlined plans to train more doctors and expand university places by 912,000 next year and 16,000 the following year, targeting a 27 per cent rise in university attendance over ten years.

Answer from Clare O'Neil

The minister acknowledged the housing crisis and the strain on renters, attributing it to decades of underbuilding. She explained that the $3 billion New Homes Bonus is part of the broader National Housing Accord, which involves negotiations with states and territories. She highlighted that $43 billion in housing funding was already flowing to states, including $1.5 billion for infrastructure, $10 billion for 100,000 homes, and $2 billion for social housing.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer reported eight consecutive quarters of real wage growth and the lowest average unemployment rate in half a century, with 1.2 million jobs created. He listed cost-of-living measures including tax cuts, bulk-billed GP visits, cheaper medicines, and student debt relief. He outlined economic reforms such as slashing tariffs, reducing red tape, revitalizing competition policy, and reforming the EPBC Act to streamline project approvals.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister quoted the Australian Energy Council CEO stating that keeping coal open longer would increase costs and hinder renewable investment. He cited business leaders emphasizing the need for a clear net zero pathway to ensure investor confidence. He argued that the opposition's lack of a plan created uncertainty, whereas experts supported a transition to renewables, gas, and storage to lower long-term costs.

Answer from Richard Marles

The minister highlighted the maintenance of the USS Vermont at HMAS Stirling, noting that 120 Australian workers were involved and 10 per cent of the crew were Australian submariners. He described this as a key example of AUKUS delivery. He criticized the opposition for lacking detailed defence plans and strategic intent, citing internal divisions within the coalition.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer argued that downward pressure on electricity prices requires a transition to cleaner, renewable energy sources. He quoted the Leader of the Nationals' past support for renewables and criticized the opposition for abandoning net zero targets, which he claimed would increase prices and create investor uncertainty. He stated that experts agreed an orderly transition to net zero was the best way to reduce costs.

Answer from Amanda Rishworth

The minister highlighted the 'same job, same pay' reforms, which had delivered pay rises for workers in labour hire arrangements, including flight attendants. She cited data showing the longest run of real wage growth in a decade. She identified the opposition as the primary risk to wages, noting their past threats to roll back reforms and their internal divisions.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer argued that the opposition was misrepresenting the Australian Energy Council report, which supported a transition to renewables. He cited multiple energy CEOs and experts stating that abandoning net zero would increase costs and reduce investor confidence. He claimed the opposition's policy uncertainty was harming the economy and that their focus was on internal party politics rather than energy prices.

Answer from Anika Wells

The minister explained that delaying social media access until age 16 protects developing brains from dopamine-driven reward systems. She cited a meeting with a 12-year-old student and a neuroscientist who highlighted the risks of social media to young people's mental health and development. She stated the law would give young people three more years to build resilience in the real world before accessing platforms.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister responded with a single word, stating that the government did not consider such advertising acceptable.

Answer from Tony Burke

The minister highlighted the AFP commissioner's work at the Interpol conference to share information on hate groups. He described the cancellation of a visa for a non-citizen involved in a neo-Nazi demonstration in Sydney, noting the individual was in immigration detention awaiting removal. He emphasized that Australia would not tolerate the importation of overseas hatreds and that such individuals were not welcome.

Answer from Tony Burke (Minister for Home Affairs)

The minister did not provide a substantive answer, as the exchange was primarily a comment from the opposition member acknowledging the government's action.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer argued that global net zero efforts were an economic opportunity and that the government was providing electricity bill relief, gas caps, and battery subsidies. He cited energy CEOs supporting the transition to renewables to lower long-term costs. He criticized the opposition for creating investor uncertainty and prioritizing internal politics over energy prices.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The minister reported that paid parental leave recipients were $12,000 better off, with entitlements nearly doubled for 180,000 families annually. She highlighted additional weeks of leave, higher payments, superannuation contributions, and increased flexibility. She criticized the opposition for past derogatory comments about parents and for attempting to hijack debates on related legislation.

Answer from Anika Wells

The minister highlighted the delivery of BetStop and the ban on credit cards for online wagering as significant harm-reduction initiatives. She reported that BetStop had reached 51,079 registrations, with 38 per cent choosing a lifetime ban. She stated she had met with harm-reduction advocates but not with gambling companies.

Answer from Mark Butler

The minister reported that almost 2,800 practices had registered as 100 per cent bulk-billing clinics, including over 1,000 that had previously charged gap fees. He highlighted the tripling of bulk-billing incentives for concession card holders and three major increases to the Medicare rebate. He announced the opening of 47 urgent care clinics and cheaper medicines from 1 January, contrasting this with the opposition's past record of freezing rebates.