Senate

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister confirmed that inflation was steady in October but rose to 3.8 per cent annually, driven by temporary factors like energy rebates and travel prices. She noted that underlying inflation had fallen to 3.3 per cent from around five per cent when the government took office, allowing the RBA to cut interest rates three times. She emphasized that real wages had grown for eight consecutive quarters and that the government continued to provide cost-of-living relief, including pay rises for minimum-wage workers, increased superannuation to 12 per cent, expanded parental leave, energy bill relief, and Medicare boosts.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister stated that it was in Australia's interest for the climate negotiations to be successful and for Australian interests to be represented. He did not provide a specific budget figure, stating that costs would be determined in the normal way. In response to supplementary questions, he reiterated that the conference was a diplomatic triumph and again refused to give a specific cost, instead criticizing the previous government's handling of climate policy and former National Party member Chris Joyce's expense claims.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that the Labor Party's support for a republic was well known but clarified that it was not a first-order priority for the government in the current term. She referred the senator to the Prime Minister's comments and maintained this position in response to supplementary questions regarding the removal of the assistant minister for the republic role and concerns about Prince Andrew.

Answer from Don Farrell

The minister explained that delaying social media access until age 16 would allow children three more years to develop real-world connections. He noted that resources were available on the eSafety website, which had seen a 1,000 per cent increase in visitors. In response to supplementary questions, he highlighted that the reforms were welcomed at the UN General Assembly and that other countries like Malaysia and Denmark were implementing similar bans for under-16s or under-15s.

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister stated that migration fills workforce shortages, increases skills, drives productivity, and supports economic growth, particularly in healthcare and aged care where demand outstrips local supply. She noted that 21,000 healthcare workers arrived on skilled visas in the last financial year. In response to a supplementary question about a net-zero migration policy, she warned it would have a substantial negative impact on economic growth and service delivery, noting that businesses are seeking increased intake in various visa categories to fill shortages.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister emphasized the importance of all levels of government working together to increase housing supply, citing the $43 billion Housing Australia Plan. She stated that the government was investing more than eight times what the previous coalition did in a decade. She noted that around 5,000 homes were completed under Commonwealth programs with another 25,000 in planning or construction, compared to 373 social and affordable homes built by the previous government in a decade. She affirmed the commitment to the ambitious target despite the challenges inherited.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that the government makes decisions based on what is best for Australia and reaffirmed its support for a pluralist, multicultural nation. She did not explicitly condemn the US directive, instead emphasizing that half of Australians are either born overseas or have a parent born overseas. In response to supplementary questions, she maintained that the government defends multiculturalism and refused to be drawn into a direct condemnation, expressing personal offense at the suggestion that the government only defends multiculturalism when convenient.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister highlighted current outages in the coal-fired electricity system and stated that the government's plan, including the Cheaper Home Batteries scheme and Solar Sharer scheme, would deliver the cheapest possible energy. He explained that replacing unreliable coal plants was a priority because unplanned outages drive up power prices. In response to supplementary questions, he stated that investing in coal would make electricity more expensive and criticized the opposition's plans to extend the life of coal assets as ineffective and costly.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister argued that the Australian Energy Council supports interim emissions targets and that industry demands certainty. He did not provide a specific model or figure for the cost difference, instead stating that the previous government's disinvestment had caused electricity prices to rise by 91 per cent. He attributed current high prices to the damage done by the previous administration and stated that the government was building a new electricity system to lower costs for ordinary Australians.

Answer from Malarndirri McCarthy

The minister explained that RAES would offer customised assistance to approximately 40,000 individuals in 1,200 isolated areas, emphasising skills training and mentoring. She noted that at least 25 per cent of provider funding would be invested in local community projects. In response to supplementary questions, she stated that RAES would work alongside the Remote Jobs and Economic Development program, which is creating 3,000 jobs in sectors like health, education, and tourism. She also highlighted additional job creation through 900 new ranger positions and over 100 nutrition workforce roles in remote stores.