House of Representatives

Answer from Amanda Rishworth

The minister stated that the Watson report was commissioned by the administrator to assist in cleaning up the union. She noted that the administrator, Mr Irving, had released a statement referring the report to the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police, the Fair Work Commission, and other relevant agencies for enforcement action.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister listed measures including strengthening Medicare through bulk-billing incentives, cheaper medicines, urgent care clinics, and 1800MEDICARE. He cited tax cuts, student debt reductions, real wage growth, and protection of penalty rates. He highlighted 725,000 beneficiaries of free TAFE, university study hubs, and housing initiatives like Help to Buy and Build to Rent, noting over 31,000 new home buyers since the five per cent deposit scheme was fast-tracked in October.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer stated he would consult with colleagues regarding that specific parcel of land. He noted that the government had already built approximately 5,000 social and affordable homes, with another 25,000 in planning or construction, and emphasized a consultative approach to future developments.

Answer from Amanda Rishworth

The minister highlighted investments in jobs, training, food security, health, housing, and education. She noted the doubling of the Remote Jobs and Economic Development program from 3,000 to 6,000 jobs, with 1,500 already created. She mentioned lifting the cap on the Low-cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme for 225 remote stores, reducing prices for 30 essential items. She also cited record Commonwealth investment in First Nations health, infrastructure for community-controlled services, birthing on country initiatives, and a new national plan to end family, domestic and sexual violence.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that the National Anti-Corruption Commission is independent and established to operate without political interference. He affirmed that the commission can conduct inquiries and refer matters as it sees fit.

Answer from Mark Butler

The minister reported a 30 per cent increase in Commonwealth funding to Territory hospitals, amounting to $1 billion more than under the previous agreement. He noted the opening of eight Medicare urgent care clinics, with a ninth coming to Darwin. He stated that bulk-billing rates for pensioners, concession card holders, and children exceeded 97 per cent. For working-age Territorians, bulk-billing increased by 21 per cent since November, bringing the total bulk-billing rate in the Territory to 89.12 per cent.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The minister acknowledged energy price pressures but attributed them to the previous government leaving the grid with four gigawatts of dispatchable power lost and only one gigawatt added. He contrasted this with the current government adding 7.7 gigawatts of new energy supply. He cited the previous energy minister's failed promise to slash bills by $183 to $400 per annum, noting bills actually rose under the previous administration.

Answer from Amanda Rishworth

The minister highlighted pay increases in aged care and early childhood education, and reinvigorated enterprise bargaining, which saw women on agreements earning 12.4 per cent more. She noted the protection of penalty rates and the ban on pay secrecy clauses. She stated the gender pay gap had fallen from 14.1 per cent to a record low of 11.5 per cent.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer stated that the government had reduced debt by $176 billion compared to when it took office, saving $60 billion in interest costs. He noted debt as a share of GDP had fallen from nearly 45 per cent to 37 per cent. He argued that the previous government's budget had projected debt crossing the trillion-dollar threshold two years prior, and that current surpluses had delayed that milestone.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer acknowledged persistent inflation and productivity challenges. He highlighted progress in budget repair and policies to boost productivity. He noted two more tax cuts for 14 million taxpayers starting from 1 July, along with superannuation boosts for low-income earners and continued cost-of-living support.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The minister defended the government's energy policy, citing the addition of 7.7 gigawatts of new energy to the grid. He criticized the opposition's plan to extend the life of coal-fired power, noting that 2.9 gigawatts of coal capacity were currently broken down, posing reliability risks. He argued that replacing old energy with new supply was the better plan for reducing bills.

Answer from Matt Keogh

The minister highlighted record Defence investments, including warships delivered ahead of schedule, autonomous Ghost Shark submarines, missile production in Australian factories, and counterdrone capabilities. He also mentioned the acquisition of stealth fighters and increased long-range strike capabilities for the Navy.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister highlighted tax cuts for low- and middle-income earners, energy bill relief, cheaper medicines, a 20 per cent cut in student debt, tripled bulk-billing incentives, and Medicare urgent care clinics. He noted annual minimum wage increases and contrasted this with the opposition's opposition to these measures.

Answer from Catherine King

The minister highlighted the first female-majority cabinet and government. She cited the gender pay gap falling to 11.5 per cent, Australia's ranking improving from 43rd to 13th, expanded paid parental leave with superannuation, three-day universal child care, and pay increases in women-dominated industries. She also noted tax cuts benefiting 90 per cent of women.

Answer from Tony Burke

The minister stated that developing new environmental standards was the top priority, with around 700 submissions being processed. He explained that delegation of assessments must be functioning before delegation of approvals would be considered. He noted that the new legislation would commence in stages throughout the coming year.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The minister cited $3.4 billion in direct investment in local government through financial assistance grants. She noted the doubling of the Roads to Recovery Program to $1 billion annually, increased road black spot funding to $150 million, and a new $200 million Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program. She also highlighted transparent grant programs like Growing Regions and Thriving Suburbs.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister noted that 4.7 million accounts had been shut down or paused under the social media ban. He highlighted the upcoming digital duty of care, which would require platforms to proactively protect users from harm, including grooming and algorithmic extremism. He emphasized the need for social media companies to accept social responsibility.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The minister reported that 230,890 households had installed cheaper home batteries. He noted that renewables hit 51 per cent in the last quarter of the previous year, coinciding with record electricity use and a 44 per cent fall in wholesale prices to $50 a megawatt. He contrasted this with previous predictions that renewable energy would double prices.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister defended the DFAT expenditure as part of hosting international leaders. He highlighted tax cuts, energy bill relief, cheaper medicines, fair school funding, and urgent care clinics. He noted that the opposition had opposed these measures and voted against tax cuts for low-income earners.

Answer from Jason Clare

The minister stated that student debt had been cut by 20 per cent for three million Australians. He highlighted the expansion of university study hubs to 69 locations across the country, including in Elizabeth, South Australia, to bring tertiary education closer to regional and outer suburban communities.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The minister highlighted that 230,000 households had installed cheaper home batteries, reducing bills significantly. He noted that 55 per cent of these installations in Queensland were in rural and regional areas.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The minister highlighted up to $5,000 additional funds for pensioners, an extra $1,800 in rent assistance, reduced costs for medicines and childcare, increased pay, reduced tax rates, a 5% deposit scheme, reductions in student debt, and complimentary TAFE. She observed that paid parental leave had nearly doubled, leaving recipients approximately $12,000 better off.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister highlighted energy bill relief, cheaper batteries, medicines, free TAFE, tax cuts, and urgent care clinics. He contrasted this with previous government waste, citing cost blowouts for Inland Rail and NBN, payments for cancelled submarines, robodebt compensation, and other expenditures.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated the government's focus was on delivering for communities and the national interest, implementing promises from the 2022 and 2025 elections. He emphasized orderly cabinet processes and cohesive decision-making, contrasting this with the opposition's internal disruptions and leadership challenges.