Senate

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister stated that the economy was experiencing its strongest broad-based growth in three years. She argued that the opposition was criticizing public investment in defence and health infrastructure, which contributed to the public demand figures, despite previously supporting such spending. She noted that private sector demand had recovered and was picking up in 2025. The minister emphasized that the government was managing the budget responsibly, paying down debt, and reducing interest payments, with debt levels $176 billion lower than previous forecasts.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister confirmed that a plane with over 200 Australians had departed Dubai for Sydney. She stated that all Australian personnel in the region were safe and accounted for, and that six crisis response teams were being deployed within 24 hours. She noted that travel disruptions would likely continue and that the government was working with airlines and regional partners to facilitate departures. The minister highlighted that Australia was fuel secure, with reserves at their highest level in 15 years, and that the Treasurer had written to the ACCC to prevent price gouging by retailers.

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister rejected the premise, stating that real wages were falling before the government took office and that the government had reversed this trend. She noted that annual nominal wages had grown above 3 per cent for 14 consecutive quarters and that real incomes per capita had increased by 2.1 per cent over the year ending in the September quarter. She argued that living standards were growing faster than in every G7 economy and that the government was focused on managing inflation and global uncertainty.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that her primary focus was on the safety of Australians in the Middle East. She characterized Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism and emphasized the importance of international humanitarian law. Regarding the supplementary question on taxation, the minister raised a point of order, arguing it was outside her portfolio, but noted that the oil and gas sector paid nearly $12 billion in levies during 2023-24. She referred questions on price gouging to the Minister representing the Treasurer, noting the Treasurer had worked with the ACCC on this issue.

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister reported that the economy grew by 0.8 per cent in the December quarter and 2.6 per cent over the year, the strongest pace in almost three years. She highlighted that private demand growth had tripled while public demand growth halved. Dwelling investment had grown for eight consecutive quarters, rising 0.6 per cent in the quarter. She noted that productivity was up 1 per cent annually, above the 20-year average, and that the government's responsible budget management had reduced debt and interest payments.

Answer from Don Farrell

The minister listed several measures to build trust, including establishing the National Anti-Corruption Commission, strengthening the ministerial code of conduct, and protecting whistleblowers. He argued that the FOI system was being reformed to prevent abuse, citing a former senator who had commercialized FOI requests. He stated that the government was focused on cost-of-living issues and pointed to the release of the Liberals' report as an example of transparency.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that she was not personally aware of Mr Rifi's engagement until it became public. She clarified that passport issuance is a legislative decision, not one made by her office, and that security advice to cancel or suspend passports had not been provided in this instance. She confirmed that she had not engaged with Mr Rifi and did not believe her office had done so, stating she would confirm this.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister confirmed that the Department of Home Affairs does not share biometric data of Australian citizens applying for US visas with the United States. He stated that the government had not entered into any agreements concerning an enhanced border security partnership. He noted that the requirement for such data sharing was introduced by the US in 2022 for visa waiver program countries. He declined to table any agreements as none had been made.

Answer from Jenny McAllister

The minister reported that 130 Medicare urgent care clinics were open, with 2.6 million visits recorded. She stated that once fully implemented, four out of five Australians would live within a 20-minute drive of a clinic. She highlighted an $8.5 billion investment in bulk-billing, which had increased bulk-billing rates across all states. She noted that PBS medicines were at their cheapest in 20 years, with a 20 per cent cut in maximum costs, saving Australians around $200 million annually.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister argued that the previous government's policy uncertainty had led to an investment strike, resulting in the closure of four out of six refineries and 24 out of 28 coal-fired power stations. She stated that the current government held more fuel reserves than at any point over the preceding 15 years. She characterized the opposition's position as opposing climate action and criticized the National Party for leading the coalition on energy policy.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister stated that energy security was a matter of industrial and economic policy. He argued that private sector investment required policy certainty, contrasting the government's approach with the opposition's proposed $600 billion nuclear plan, which he claimed would deter investment. He emphasized the need for coherent leadership and communication to avoid the policy failures of the previous government.