House of Representatives

Answer from Amanda Rishworth

The minister stated that the report was commissioned by the independent administrator for his own use, not for the government, and that handling and publication were matters for the administrator. She confirmed her office received the report on 9 February and had never requested changes or amendments to its contents. The minister explained that the administrator removed sections because he was not satisfied they were well-founded or properly tested. She expressed full confidence in the administrator, noting that all bad actors identified in the report had been removed from the union, with significant reductions in organiser numbers across Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister noted that the tripling of the bulk-billing incentive began rolling out in November, leading to more than eight in ten GP visits being fully bulk-billed. He stated that nearly 3,400 GP practices were now fully bulk-billing, an increase of 1,300 clinics since November. The Prime Minister contrasted this with opposition policies, citing past calls for GP co-payments and freezes on Medicare rebates. He listed government measures including cheaper medicines, urgent care clinics, increased hospital funding, and mental health clinics as part of the effort to repair damage from previous administrations.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated he had raised the issue of Zomi Frankcom and her colleagues with the Israeli President during a recent meeting. He emphasized the government's expectation of transparency regarding Israel's ongoing investigation and continued pressure for full accountability, including appropriate criminal charges. He referenced the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel launched at the United Nations, which was signed by over 100 nations. The Prime Minister confirmed that the Israeli President agreed to engage further on the issues raised and expressed condolences to the family.

Answer from Mark Butler

The minister outlined the Strengthening Medicare agenda, highlighting the rollout of 137 urgent care clinics and the tripling of bulk-billing incentives for pensioners, concession card holders, and children. He reported that the bulk-billing rate for these groups was 92.12 per cent. He noted that support was extended to all Australians, resulting in 1,300 additional practices switching to full bulk-billing in three months. The minister stated that more than three out of five practices in the member's electorate were now 100 per cent bulk-billing, with an eight per cent increase in bulk-billing rates for non-concession card holders.

Answer from Amanda Rishworth

The minister reiterated that her office had never requested changes, omissions, or different versions of the report. She emphasized that the report was provided to the administrator, not the government, and that the administrator handled its distribution. She maintained that the government had no involvement in the content or redaction of the report.

Answer from Catherine King

The minister noted that 23 bulk-billing clinics had been added in the member's electorate, with over 70 per cent of GP clinics now fully bulk-billing. She highlighted the $792 million women's health package, which had saved women $73 million on contraceptives, menopause, and endometriosis treatments. She stated that 71,000 women had received covered menopause health assessments and that 33 endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics would open in March. The minister warned that opposition policies historically involved cutting health services and introducing GP co-payments.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The minister stated that the government was taking action to reduce high energy prices through rebates and supporting renewable energy, which had experienced a 44 per cent drop in wholesale prices during the final quarter of the prior year. He highlighted initiatives like solar sharer, providing free power for three hours daily. The minister contrasted this with opposition policies, describing them as expensive and detrimental to reducing energy costs.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer highlighted increased access to bulk-billed GP clinics and new legislation to boost superannuation for low-income earners by adjusting tax concessions for high-balance accounts. He stated that the government was delivering tax cuts and superannuation boosts, while the opposition had voted against previous tax cuts and proposed repealing them. The Treasurer argued that opposition policies would result in higher taxes for workers and larger tax breaks for those with significant superannuation balances.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that the previous government had done nothing to address union influence, whereas his government had expelled key figures and appointed administrators. He noted that construction cost inflation had fallen from 17 per cent to 1.8 per cent. The Prime Minister highlighted that new dwelling commencements were up 11.6 per cent and that over 220,000 Australians had been helped into home ownership sooner. He cited Master Builders Australia as confirming the 1.2 million homes target was achievable due to federal leadership.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The minister stated that over 3,400 Medicare bulk-billing clinics were now accessible, with the national bulk-billing rate jumping to 81.4 per cent. She noted increases in bulk-billing rates in regional and rural areas and highlighted the opening of 123 urgent care clinics, 40 of which were in regional areas. The minister also mentioned that 2,100 junior doctors were starting training as GPs or rural generalists, an increase of 500 over previous intakes.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The minister criticized the opposition for proposing nuclear energy, which he described as the most expensive form of energy. He argued that the National Party and Liberal Party were betraying rural and regional Australians by walking away from climate action. The minister stated that delaying climate action would harm farmers and future generations, while government policies provided jobs and investment benefits.

Answer from Sam Rae

The minister stated that bulk-billing for over-64s was now over 88 per cent, with 32 fully bulk-billing clinics in the member's community. He noted that 96 per cent of older Australians lived within 20 minutes of a bulk-billing GP. The minister highlighted PBS medicine cost caps, with concession card holders paying $7.70 and an annual cap of $277. He also mentioned $25 billion in extra hospital funding and the opening of 137 urgent care clinics.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer stated that the issue had been addressed in estimates and that the main drivers were lower receipts and provisions for a hospitals deal. He noted that the Treasury figure was $54 billion, not $57 billion. The Treasurer argued that the opposition's medium-term forecast was $142 billion weaker than the government's, implying their policies would cause a larger deterioration. He challenged the opposition to specify how much they would cut from hospital funding.

Answer from Richard Marles

The minister highlighted the Defence Strategic Review, AUKUS implementation, and the biggest peacetime increase in defence spending. He stated that the Defence Force was growing after previously shrinking. The minister criticized the shadow minister for having no substantive defence policy, noting that he had previously opposed increased defence spending. He referenced a video where the shadow minister praised recent investments, suggesting a lack of independent policy.

Answer from Catherine King

The minister invited the member to attend her drop-in clinic to discuss the matter further. She stated she would be happy to provide an answer during that meeting.

Answer from Anne Aly

The minister noted that 800,000 new small businesses had started since the government took office. She announced the extension of the NewAccess for Small Business Owners program and the Small Business Debt Helpline. The minister highlighted the National Small Business Strategy, extended instant asset write-offs, tax cuts for 1.5 million sole traders, and unfair trading practice protections. She stated that these measures provided certainty for small businesses to thrive.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The minister stated that the Inspector of the NACC was investigating complaints about the commissioner's involvement in Defence referrals. She noted that the commission had received over 6,000 referrals, was conducting 30 preliminary inquiries and 35 corruption investigations, and had secured 11 convictions since July 2023. The minister highlighted other integrity measures, including the Commonwealth Fraud and Corruption Control Framework and anti-money laundering reforms. She affirmed support for the NACC while acknowledging more work was needed.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer stated that the government had a plan to cut taxes, help with cost of living, and repair the budget, contrasting this with opposition policies of higher income taxes and bigger deficits. He cited criticism of the opposition's economic credibility from former Liberal figures. The Treasurer argued that the opposition's policies would lead to higher debt and deficits, while the government was delivering tax cuts and fiscal responsibility.