House of Representatives

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister acknowledged ongoing cost-of-living pressures and attributed the recent inflation tick-up to the withdrawal of state energy subsidies. He contrasted the current situation with the higher inflation rates experienced under the previous government, noting that the Coalition had delivered profligate budgets and increased debt. He highlighted that the government had achieved budget surpluses and reduced deficits, while implementing tax cuts for all taxpayers and securing eight consecutive quarters of high wage growth. He stated the government would continue to deliver cost-of-living relief to assist households.

Answer from Jason Clare

The Minister announced that 112 million Australians would have their student debt reduced by 20 per cent in the coming days, describing it as the largest cut in history. He noted that paid practical training had commenced for students in teaching, nursing, midwifery, and social work. He highlighted increased places for medical students and 25,000 free bridging courses to prepare students for university. He also mentioned legislation to create the Australian Tertiary Education Commission to integrate TAFE and university pathways, citing an example where completing a diploma could save a year and approximately $6,000 off a degree cost.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister noted that three interest rate cuts had occurred in 2025, providing relief to borrowers. He criticized the Coalition's rhetoric regarding a 'culture of dependency,' arguing that it attacked pensioners, public sector workers, and those receiving support. He stated that the Coalition had previously proposed cutting public sector jobs and opposing work-from-home arrangements. He challenged the opposition to specify which spending they considered wasteful, asserting that the government's focus was on helping people earn and keep more of their income.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer stated that while October inflation was flat due to falling electricity and fuel prices, the annual figure had ticked up due to temporary factors like state energy rebate timing and volatile travel costs. He emphasized that the current inflation rate was significantly lower than when the government took office. He highlighted the government's efforts to improve the budget, including achieving surpluses and reducing debt by $200 billion compared to the previous administration. He noted that tax cuts and cost-of-living relief were being rolled out to ease pressure on households, contrasting this with the Coalition's history of deficits and debt accumulation.

Answer from Julie Collins

The Minister affirmed the importance of protecting agricultural land and ensuring food security. She explained that land use regulation is primarily a state responsibility, and noted that the proposed bill sought to override state jurisdictions, raising constitutional and property rights concerns. She highlighted that Australia produces more than 212 times its domestic food needs. She mentioned the launch of a national food security strategy and the appointment of a Food Council to advise on future food security measures.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister highlighted commitments to a stronger Medicare, including urgent care clinics and bulk-billing incentives, as well as fully funded schools and free TAFE for over 700,000 Australians. He noted wage increases of 15 per cent for childcare and aged-care workers, four consecutive minimum wage rises, and same-job-same-pay reforms benefiting workers in mining, meat processing, aviation, and construction. He mentioned an upcoming agreement for gig workers to ensure decent pay and conditions. He contrasted these measures with the Coalition's historical policy of keeping wages low.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister confirmed that the transition away from fossil fuels was government policy, agreed to at the Pacific Island Forum in November 2023. He rejected the characterization of the COP presidency as a full-time role, citing precedents where cabinet ministers held the position while serving in their national governments. He argued that the transition to renewable energy was orderly and equitable, and criticized the opposition for opposing international engagement and scientific guidance.

Answer from Mark Butler

The Minister reported that over 350 new or expanded listings had been added to the PBS, including a new treatment for multiple myeloma, Darzalex, which previously cost $440,000. He stated that Australians had saved $1.9 billion at the pharmacy counter and that pensioners had received 83 million additional free scripts. He noted that PBS scripts would soon be capped at $25. He warned that the opposition posed a risk to these measures, citing their past opposition to Medicare rebates and current uncertainty over health policy commitments.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister confirmed that Australia had joined the declaration on transitioning away from fossil fuels, which was agreed upon with Pacific nations and reflected in COP decisions. He stated that the transition was guided by science and supported by many countries, including the Republic of Korea, which planned to close coal-fired power stations by 2040. He emphasized that the government was acting in good international company and reaffirmed the importance of scientific guidance in energy policy.

Answer from Richard Marles

The Minister reported attending an online gathering of supportive nations, which included 35 countries, to discuss peace talks and security guarantees for Ukraine. He emphasized that any peace must respect Ukrainian sovereignty. He announced that the final tranche of 49 Abrams tanks would arrive in Ukraine in the coming weeks. He noted that over 200 Australian personnel had been involved in deploying E-7 Wedgetail aircraft and training Ukrainian forces. He stated that Australia had provided $1.5 billion in support since the conflict began and that a new package of support would be announced shortly.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister stated that he and the Minister for Resources agreed entirely on the need for a transition to renewable energy, with gas serving as a backup for renewables and supporting heavy industry and home heating. He cited previous statements from the shadow minister for energy and the Leader of the Opposition supporting the transition to renewables. He noted that October was the first month in Australian history that 50 per cent of electricity came from renewables. He emphasized that the government was working closely on the gas market review to manage the transition.

Answer from Anika Wells

The Minister stated that the government had invested over $10 million in a national advertising campaign to build awareness and trust in the law. She reported that online visits to eSafety's website rose by 1,441 per cent, with nearly 600,000 Australians accessing resources. She shared positive feedback from young people who believed the law would reduce cyberbullying and protect mental health. She affirmed the government's commitment to standing with parents against platform threats and legal challenges.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister acknowledged the importance of the 16 Days of Activism campaign and the need to address violence against women year-round. He highlighted a 40 per cent funding boost for 1800RESPECT and the $4 billion National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children. He mentioned the creation of a special housing stream for women escaping violence. Regarding gambling, he pointed to BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register, which had 51,000 registrations, with 38 per cent choosing a lifetime ban. He did not provide a specific timeline for a total ban on gambling advertising.

Answer from Catherine King

The Minister listed several completed or ongoing projects, including the Parkes Bypass, the Bridgewater Bridge in Tasmania, and the Byford extension of Perth's METRONET. She mentioned the Torrens to Darlington project in South Australia and upgrades to the Victoria and Barkly highways in the Northern Territory. She highlighted an additional $7.2 billion investment in the Bruce Highway, bringing the total to $17 billion. She noted the doubling of Roads to Recovery funding and the government's contribution to the Melbourne Metro Tunnel, contrasting this with the previous government's cuts.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister confirmed that asbestos had been found in lift brake pads from 3S Industry at the Cattle Hill Wind Farm in Tasmania. He stated that state regulators were conducting further checks to determine if other wind farms were impacted. He noted that work was underway to replace affected parts under safety management plans, with independent industrial hygienists assessing risks. He emphasized that importers and exporters were responsible for ensuring prohibited goods were not imported, and that the government was working with states and Safe Work Australia to ensure thorough investigation.

Answer from Clare O'Neil

The Minister stated that over 1,400 constituents in the member's electorate had been helped into homeownership. She highlighted that well over half a million homes had been built since the election, with housing approvals up 15 per cent. She noted that 16,500 Australians had bought their first home using the five per cent deposit scheme, which was delivered three months earlier than promised. She contrasted this with the Coalition's criticism of the scheme and their lack of coherent housing policy.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Minister stated that the government had decided to provide additional funding for the CSIRO through the MYEFO process, with details to be communicated at the appropriate time. She confirmed that the CSIRO continued to receive significant base funding of close to $1 billion per annum. She emphasized that staffing decisions were a matter for the CSIRO's board and management, respecting its operational independence, while affirming the government's commitment to a strong and sustainable CSIRO.

Answer from Amanda Rishworth

The Minister highlighted the reinvigoration of enterprise bargaining, annual minimum wage increases, and protections for penalty rates and overtime. She noted the implementation of same-job-same-pay laws and pay rises for early childhood and aged care staff. She mentioned the framework for fairly paying gig workers. She identified the Liberal and National parties as the biggest risk, citing their historical policy of suppressing wages and their current uncertainty over repealing recent reforms.