House of Representatives

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that the Reserve Bank governor identified private demand as stronger than forecasted and public demand as having declined, describing these as facts. He outlined government measures to ease cost-of-living pressures, including cheaper medicines, bulk-billing investments, urgent care clinics, student debt relief, and income tax cuts. He asserted that the government remains focused on improving lives regardless of opposition rhetoric.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister highlighted the signing of the Treaty of Jakarta 2026 with President Prabowo Subianto, building on three decades of defence cooperation. He announced new defence measures, including embedding a senior Indonesian officer in the Australian Defence Force, supporting joint training facilities, and expanding military education exchanges. He emphasised that these partnerships enhance regional peace, security, and prosperity.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister cited upcoming income tax cuts averaging $2,160 annually for taxpayers in Fowler. He noted that 23,000 constituents received student debt relief and over $512 million in savings from PBS co-payment reductions. He also highlighted the Liverpool Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, which has served nearly 15,000 people, and the tripling of bulk-billing incentives, which led to 83 practices in the electorate becoming fully bulk-billing.

Answer from Richard Marles

The Deputy Prime Minister explained that the treaty obliges both nations to consult on security challenges, marking the first such commitment since 1995. He noted it includes leader-level consultations and builds on existing defence cooperation agreements. He mentioned ongoing support for training facilities in Indonesia and opportunities for senior Indonesian military leaders to be embedded in the Australian Defence Force.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer rejected the premise, arguing that the opposition's logic was inconsistent because they did not attribute falling inflation and rate cuts to government policy last year. He stated that the Reserve Bank governor identified private demand, not public spending, as the driver of recent inflationary pressure. He criticised the opposition for being divided and dishonest on economic matters.

Answer from Madeleine King

The Minister described Australia's leadership at the Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington, DC, and highlighted a framework agreement with the US. She listed domestic policies including production tax credits, geoscience investment, and the Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve. She contrasted this with the opposition's inconsistent stance and lack of consultation on resource policies.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister cited a drop in wholesale energy prices from $320 to $75 per megawatt hour in New South Wales. He noted that 77,974 cheaper home batteries had been installed, reducing bills for those households by up to 90 per cent. He argued that wholesale price reductions benefit all consumers and criticised the opposition for opposing battery installations.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer highlighted tax cuts for 14 million taxpayers and budget surpluses achieved through spending restraint. He stated that real spending growth was reduced to 1.7 per cent and debt was lowered by $176 billion. He contrasted this with the previous government's higher spending and deficits, asserting that the current approach rebuilds incomes while managing fiscal responsibility.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that inflation had decreased from the six per cent range to the three per cent range while keeping unemployment low and real wages increasing. He noted that the Reserve Bank governor attributed recent inflationary pressure to stronger-than-expected private demand. He emphasised the government's cost-of-living support measures opposed by the opposition.

Answer from Mark Butler

The Minister highlighted that over 660,000 women had filled two million scripts for new PBS-listed medicines, saving millions of dollars. He noted that every primary health network now has an endometriosis and pelvic pain clinic, and over 70,000 women had used the new Medicare menopause assessment. He stated that bulk-billed visits for long-acting contraceptives were now widely available.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister cited 225,531 households that reduced their bills to zero via cheaper home batteries. He stated that wholesale energy prices fell by 44 per cent in the last quarter due to renewable energy investments. He criticised the previous government for allowing dispatchable power to leave the grid.

Answer from Richard Marles

The Deputy Prime Minister described the reforms as the biggest in history, focusing on utilising sites effectively rather than spending billions on unused assets. He criticised the previous government for inaction and the current shadow minister for lacking analysis or commentary on the reforms. He asserted that the government prioritises national security over political self-interest.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer clarified that insolvency rates as a proportion of companies were the lowest on record, lower than under previous governments. He noted that 26,000 new companies were being created monthly, a 20 per cent increase over the previous government. He stated that the government was providing over $2 billion in targeted support for small businesses.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister reported that 225,531 cheaper home batteries had been installed, benefiting over half a million Australians. He stated that 42 per cent of these installations were in rural and regional areas. He highlighted that 7.7 gigawatts of dispatchable large-scale power had been added since May 2022, contrasting this with the previous government's failure to deliver new capacity.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister said that in the July-September 2025 quarter, the median period for home assessments fell by seven days and comprehensive ones by eight. He noted that the integrated assessment tool aids assessors without substituting clinical judgement. He confirmed that the algorithm depends on assessor input and will be updated regularly using feedback.

Answer from Julie Collins

The Minister reported that agricultural exports were predicted to reach over $83 billion this financial year. She cited 256 market access achievements, including a free trade agreement with the UAE and new access for blueberries to Vietnam. She emphasised that diversified trade and stable relationships benefit regional jobs and economies.

Answer from Richard Marles

The Deputy Prime Minister stated that the government supports a two-state solution ensuring Palestinian statehood and Israeli security. He noted that existing sanctions were in place and that the President of Israel was visiting Australia as an honoured guest. He affirmed that the government's position remains consistent with past governments of both parties.

Answer from Matt Keogh

The Minister announced the launch of new direct recruitment roles for space operator officers and specialists. He explained that these roles support satellite communication, missile detection, and intelligence. He noted that Defence recruitment had reached its highest level in 15 years and separation rates were at historic lows.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer argued that the opposition was conflating public demand as part of aggregate demand with public demand being the cause of recent inflation. He cited the Reserve Bank governor's statement that private demand, not public spending, drove the recent inflationary tick-up. He criticised the opposition for misrepresenting the governor's comments.

Answer from Clare O'Neil

The Minister stated that the five per cent deposit program had helped 220,000 Australians into their first home. She highlighted that younger and lower-income Australians are disproportionately affected by housing shortages. She criticised the opposition for lacking policy due to internal disunity and focusing on internal politics rather than housing solutions.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister defended the cheaper home batteries program, noting that 225,000 households had reduced their bills permanently, often to zero. He stated that the government's energy policies had been endorsed by voters in the 2025 election. He criticised the opposition's nuclear policy as expensive and rejected by the public.

Answer from Jason Clare

The Minister highlighted a 20 per cent cut to student debt, reducing the average debt by $5,500. He noted that annual repayments for those earning $70,000 would decrease by $1,300. He mentioned that universities like Western Sydney University were shortening degree lengths and reducing costs for students with TAFE qualifications in relevant fields.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer repeated that the opposition was conflating public demand as part of aggregate demand with public demand causing recent inflation. He cited the Reserve Bank governor's statement that private demand drove the recent inflationary increase. He criticised the opposition for misquoting the governor and being divided.

Answer from Anika Wells

The Minister stated that 4.7 million accounts were deactivated or restricted in the first week of the laws. She noted that leaders from Spain, France, the UK, New Zealand, Denmark, and Norway were inspired by Australia's approach and implementing similar measures. She cited praise from social psychologist Professor Jonathan Haidt for the legislation's significance.

Answer from Catherine King

The Minister stated that the government had made no decisions on funding the replacement of ageing aviation assets, estimated at $8 billion. She noted that Airservices had requested to explore investment opportunities with super funds, which she allowed to continue. She assured that firefighters would remain government employees with access to necessary equipment.

Answer from Catherine King

The Minister highlighted the reopening of Adelaide's Glenelg line with new bridges and the laying of tracks in the Canberra CBD. She noted progress on Inland Rail, including the Beveridge intermodal terminus in Victoria. She criticised the previous government for starting projects without completing plans and emphasised the government's focus on delivery.