Senate

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that while inflation was higher than desired, it remained significantly lower than the 6.1 per cent rate inherited from the previous government. She highlighted that the government's priority was easing cost-of-living pressures through measures such as cheaper medicines, bulk-billing incentives, student debt relief, and tax cuts. The minister noted that the opposition had voted against these cost-of-living measures. In response to supplementary questions, she affirmed agreement with the Prime Minister's assessment, citing a growing economy, record low unemployment, and wage growth. She listed specific supports including energy bill relief, childcare subsidies, and rent assistance increases.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister outlined recent achievements, including a $25 billion agreement for public hospitals, PBS medicine caps at $25, and free health advice via 1800MEDICARE. She mentioned childcare subsidies for three days per week and international diplomatic efforts in Timor-Leste and Indonesia. In response to supplementary questions about education, she cited the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, providing $161.2 billion over 10 years for public schools. She contrasted the government's focus on delivery with the opposition's internal divisions.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister disputed the premise, citing wage increases for minimum-wage workers, a superannuation guarantee rise to 12 per cent, and bonuses for housing apprentices. She attributed energy price pressures to the previous government's failure to manage the transition from coal-fired power stations. In response to supplementary questions, she highlighted investments in regional health services, including 48 urgent care clinics and bulk-billing appointments. She also mentioned the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee assisting 37,000 Australians and a 45 per cent increase in rent assistance for rural households.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that President Herzog was visiting to honour victims of the Bondi terror attack and support the Australian Jewish community. In response to supplementary questions about UNRWA and Doctors Without Borders, she claimed the Greens spread misinformation and noted that Australia had issued statements objecting to Israeli actions at the UN Security Council. She dismissed further questions as not worthy of an answer.

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister cited the OECD's praise for prudent fiscal policy and cost-of-living supports. She highlighted economic growth, wage increases, and a 4.1 per cent unemployment rate. In response to supplementary questions, she noted $20 billion in savings found in MYEFO, bringing total savings to $114 billion. She stated the budget position had improved by $233 billion over seven years, with debt $176 billion lower. These savings allowed investments in hospitals, Medicare, and schools.

Answer from Jenny McAllister

The minister outlined the establishment of the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission and a wellbeing agency. She cited $58.3 million over three years for mental health support, including expanded treatment plans commencing 1 July 2026. She mentioned the extension of the Military and Veteran Psychiatry Training Program and efforts to speed up claims processing. In response to supplementary questions about psychiatric beds and contractors, she stated the department worked with hospitals to fund beds and was updating fee schedules. She declined to name the second contractor, stating she did not have the information.

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister stated that tax and housing policies had not changed. She highlighted investments in 5,000 social and affordable homes, with 25,000 more in planning or construction, and the Housing Australia Future Fund. In response to supplementary questions about youth homelessness, she contrasted the current government's investment with the previous government's record of building only 373 homes in nine years. She emphasised the government's focus on driving housing supply.

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister stated that foreign buyers were banned from purchasing existing homes. She cited ATO data showing foreign investors accounted for 0.8 per cent of transactions in 2023-24. In response to supplementary questions, she noted that 688 compliance investigations were identified, with 141 breaches found and 66 resulting in divestment. She challenged the opposition to support housing supply measures instead of focusing on foreign ownership.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that employees covered by enterprise agreements received a mean weekly wage of $1,746.10 during May 2025, representing a 9.6 per cent increase from 2023. She observed that 4.5 million individuals had their remuneration determined via such agreements. Addressing supplementary queries, she highlighted the significance of wage growth and referenced record job numbers of 14.6 million Australians, with joblessness at 4.1 per cent. She juxtaposed these figures against the opposition's internal leadership conflicts.

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister declined to give individual financial advice, stating it depended on mortgage terms. She attributed the rate rise to private demand growing faster than expected, not government spending. In response to supplementary questions citing economists' concerns about fiscal policy, she highlighted that the budget had improved by $233 billion and that public demand's contribution to GDP growth had eased. She noted debt was $188 billion lower than forecast and that average real annual spending growth was restrained to 1.7 per cent.

Answer from Jenny McAllister

The minister highlighted $25 billion in additional funding for public hospitals, bringing Commonwealth funding to $219.6 billion by 2031. She mentioned securing the NDIS with annual cost increases targeted at five to six per cent and $2 billion for foundational supports. In response to supplementary questions, she cited 122 Medicare urgent care clinics with over two million visits, reducing pressure on emergency departments. She also noted 3,200 Medicare bulk-billing practices nationwide.