House of Representatives

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that the government maintains daily engagement with fuel importers and receivers. He noted that the Minister had publicly detailed the circumstances the previous day and highlighted ongoing meetings with international partners, including the head of the International Energy Agency. The Prime Minister reported a discussion with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, resulting in a joint statement on energy security committed to strengthening supply chain resilience and regional cooperation. He tabled the joint statement and emphasized Australia's role as a reliable partner in securing energy supplies.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister acknowledged that global fuel demand spikes and supply chain issues were causing price increases and shortages. He outlined government actions including securing fuel for industry and households, cracking down on price gouging via the ACCC, and shielding consumers from price spikes. He noted the release of 20 per cent of the national fuel reserve and measures to ensure domestic fuel remains in Australia. The Prime Minister highlighted the establishment of the Fuel Supply Taskforce by National Cabinet and continued engagement with international partners like Singapore. He framed these actions as part of a broader agenda to strengthen national resilience and sovereign capability.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister stated that all expected fuel deliveries had arrived on schedule up to that point, but uncertainty existed for mid-to-late April. He confirmed daily contact with the chief executives of Ampol and Viva, who had advised of uncertainty from mid-April onwards. The Minister clarified that six cancellations or deferrals had occurred out of 81 expected deliveries, with several replaced by new sources. He emphasized that the cancellations were not simultaneous but part of an iterative process, and he had provided a factual summary to the public the previous day.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister stated that Australia was better prepared than ever, citing 38 days of petrol and 30 days of diesel and jet fuel reserves held domestically. He noted the release of 20 per cent of the national fuel reserve, conditional on flow to regional Australia, with over 500 million litres currently flowing. He contrasted this with previous administrations where reserves were held overseas. The Minister highlighted the draft default market offer reducing energy prices by 4.6 per cent for households and 10.1 per cent for small businesses. He also pointed to reduced gas usage due to renewable energy and home batteries, noting 286,831 home batteries installed since July 1 and the launch of the Padstow community battery.

Answer from Madeleine King

The Minister declined to comment on budget processes ahead of the May budget. She stated that the oil and gas sector paid nearly $12 billion in levies during 2023-24. The Minister highlighted reforms to the Petroleum Resources Rent Tax (PRRT) to ensure offshore gas companies pay more tax sooner. She emphasized that these changes provide policy certainty for industry while ensuring a fair return for the Australian community. The Minister clarified that PRRT applies to offshore exporters, while onshore companies in Queensland are subject to different arrangements, but all gas companies pay significant tax and employ over 80,000 Australians.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister congratulated Premier Peter Malinauskas on his election victory and highlighted joint interventions, such as saving jobs at the Whyalla steel facility, which now employs 76 apprentices compared to seven a year prior. He noted agreements on hospitals, urgent care clinics, and school funding. The Prime Minister emphasized South Australia's leadership in housing, with 17,000 additional homes planned, including 7,000 for first-home buyers. He also highlighted South Australia's central role in AUKUS, particularly the training and construction of nuclear-powered submarines at the Osborne Naval Shipyard, fostering sovereign capability and secure work opportunities.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister referred to his previous answer, reiterating daily contact with energy company executives who had advised of uncertainty from mid-April onwards. He clarified that the six cancellations or delays were confirmed publicly the previous day and had largely been replaced. The Minister explained that the cancellations occurred iteratively rather than simultaneously. He criticized the Leader of the Opposition for misleading claims about Australian refineries exporting diesel and petrol, asserting that his approach was factual and transparent.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer acknowledged that the conflict was weighing on global markets and the Australian economy, exacerbating existing pressures. He noted that Treasury modelling showed a hit to growth and price pressures. The Treasurer outlined steps including releasing hundreds of millions of litres of fuel, amending fuel standards, working with international partners, and empowering the ACCC with tougher penalties for misconduct. He mentioned convening the Council of Financial Regulators to ensure market stability. The Treasurer emphasized that the conflict would influence the upcoming May budget and that the government was working urgently and decisively to support Australians.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister provided state-by-state figures: 37 out of 2,444 stations in New South Wales; 47 outlets without diesel and 32 without regular unleaded in Queensland out of over 1,800 stations; and around 50 stations out of diesel in Victoria, down from 109 the previous week. He noted that Western Australia was seeing improved fuel flow and decreasing numbers of affected stations. The Minister emphasized that the government was working to ensure fuel reached regional areas.

Answer from Daniel Mulino

The Assistant Treasurer highlighted Australia's economic resilience and banking system strength. He listed cost-of-living relief measures including tax cuts, student debt reduction, cheaper medicines, childcare, and healthcare access. He noted the doubling of ACCC penalties for false conduct to $100 million and directed the ACCC to monitor fuel prices weekly. The Assistant Treasurer mentioned an ACCC investigation into alleged anti-competitive conduct by major fuel companies and authorized fuel suppliers to coordinate supply to prioritize independent distributors and regional communities. He emphasized efforts to strengthen competition across the economy.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister stated that the government was working cooperatively with states through National Cabinet and the Energy Ministers Council. He mentioned participating in a Tasmanian roundtable organized by the state government. The Minister reiterated that the release of the minimum stock obligation was conditional on fuel flowing to regional Australia. He did not provide specific figures for the requested jurisdictions.

Answer from Richard Marles

The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted AUKUS as the largest industrial project in Australia's history, creating 20,000 jobs. He noted $30 billion in investment and a $3.9 billion downpayment announced with the South Australian Premier. He stated that the Osborne Naval Shipyard would sustain Collins class submarines, build Hunter class frigates, and construct future submarines, employing over 7,000 workers at peak. He contrasted this with the Coalition's past failure to deliver on the Attack class program and their attempt to move submarine construction offshore. He praised the Malinauskas government's partnership in delivering these outcomes.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer acknowledged varying views on the issue but stated the government had not changed its policy. He emphasized that the primary focus was fuel security. He noted that PRRT reforms had already increased the number of entities paying the tax from 11 to 16 and raised total tax contributions from the sector. The Treasurer highlighted upcoming tax cuts for individuals and stated that any further tax reform steps would be decided by cabinet. He did not commit to a new windfall tax.

Answer from Mark Butler

The Minister highlighted the listing of over 400 new medicines on the PBS, including Ultomiris for myasthenia gravis, reducing costs from $25,000 to $25 per script. He noted that pensioners and concession cardholders had received 90 million free scripts due to safety net changes, with maximum script prices locked at $7.70. For general patients, script prices were capped at $25, saving Australians over $2.3 billion. The Minister emphasized that these measures improved affordability and health outcomes.

Answer from Julie Collins

The Minister stated that sufficient fertilizer was available in Australia or on ships for the initial cropping season. She noted ongoing monitoring of delayed cargoes in the Persian Gulf and efforts to source urea from other regions. The Minister highlighted collaboration with the ACCC and industry to ensure fertilizer reaches those in need. She mentioned weekly meetings with the agriculture sector and regular contact with Fertilizer Australia to secure supplies for future crops.

Answer from Amanda Rishworth

The Minister reported that South Australia's unemployment rate had dropped from 5 per cent to 4 per cent, adding 90,000 jobs. She noted that full-time workers were earning 19 per cent more than four years ago. The Minister highlighted 200,000 workers benefiting from minimum wage increases and protected penalty rates. She emphasized joint investments with the state government in the Whyalla steelworks and AUKUS, creating close to 10,000 skilled jobs. She contrasted this with the Coalition's past record, citing the loss of local car manufacturing.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer acknowledged that commodity volatility leads to forecast variations but emphasized that PRRT reforms ensured more tax was paid sooner. He reiterated that the government believed Australians deserved a fair return on resources, which motivated the PRRT changes. He did not admit to getting the forecasts wrong but confirmed the policy intent to increase tax contributions from the sector.

Answer from Pat Conroy

The Minister highlighted the joint intervention to save the Whyalla steelworks, which had restored performance and created jobs. He noted that 52 tonnes of Whyalla steel were used in the Port Wakefield missile factory, linking steelmaking to defence sovereignty. He mentioned the connection between the Mount Isa copper smelter and fertilizer production. The Minister stated that there were now 70 apprentices at the steelworks and five serious bidders interested in purchasing it. He framed these outcomes as essential for economic resilience and sovereign capability.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister referred the member to his previous answers, which detailed the iterative nature of the cancellations and the timeline of advice received from industry executives.

Answer from Clare O'Neil

The Minister highlighted a $45 billion housing agenda, noting the construction of 570,000 homes since taking office. She detailed recent announcements of hundreds of new social and affordable homes across various electorates. The Minister contrasted this with the previous government's record, stating that the number of homes started in one week under the current government equaled the total built by the Coalition in nine years. She emphasized the goal of building 55,000 social and affordable homes to support families and vulnerable Australians.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer affirmed the government's enthusiasm for investing in medical research and acknowledged the link between research and productivity. He noted that the Medical Research Fund was part of the government's thinking and that recommendations from a recent report on research and development were being considered. He highlighted that productivity had grown for five quarters but needed to improve further. The Treasurer assured the member that research would play a role in the productivity agenda and budget deliberations.

Answer from Andrew Giles

The Minister reported 742,000 free TAFE enrolments and 245,000 course completions. He highlighted the Key Apprenticeship Program, which offered $10,000 incentives to new housing apprentices, with over 11,000 commencing in the first six months. He emphasized that these programs were delivering skills for national priorities like housing construction. The Minister dismissed concerns about risks, framing the programs as successful and supported by voters, and criticized the opposition for opposing them.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister confirmed that he had engaged with his department on prudent contingency planning. He stated that declaring a national fuel emergency had never been done and would be a significant step. He referenced the National Liquid Fuel Emergency Response Plan, which outlined voluntary restraint and public information campaigns as initial steps. The Minister emphasized that the government was far from needing such measures but was prepared for contingency planning in a challenging international environment.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister highlighted the introduction of the new Aged Care Act with a statement of rights, effective November 1 last year. He noted the delivery of Support at Home with 83,000 additional home-care places and the direct allocation of aged-care places to individuals. The Minister announced $115 million in new funding for beds in hotspots, bringing total ACCAP investment to over $1 billion since 2022. He emphasized four rounds of fully funded pay rises for aged-care workers, increasing average registered nurse earnings by $28,000 annually. He contrasted these actions with the previous government's inaction.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister confirmed that state and territory ministers had met with him on Friday to compare notes on contingency planning and powers. He referenced the National Liquid Fuel Emergency Response Plan and its graduated approach. The Minister criticized the member for spreading misinformation, specifically denying claims that the federal government was forcing fuel exports. He emphasized the need for factual communication with the public.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister noted that President von der Leyen was the first woman to address the Australian Parliament as a world leader. He highlighted the EU as Australia's second-biggest trading partner, with $109 billion in two-way trade. He emphasized the potential for a free trade agreement to benefit Australian exporters. The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of security partnerships with Europe, particularly regarding support for Ukraine. He framed the visit as a milestone for prosperity and security in a volatile world.