Senate

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that the Labor Party was satisfied with the current size and composition of parliament. She noted that the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters routinely reviews electoral matters after each election and that this process was still underway. She dismissed the opposition's concerns as self-interested and irrelevant given global energy shocks.

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister outlined several measures, including doubling penalties for price gouging, releasing 20 per cent of fuel reserves, and establishing a Fuel Supply Taskforce. She confirmed the fuel excise was cut by half and the heavy vehicle road user charge was reduced to zero for three months. She noted the ACCC was monitoring prices and investigating misconduct, citing a recent $16 million fine against Mobil. She also mentioned new powers for Export Finance Australia to underwrite fuel purchases to secure additional cargoes.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that Treasury estimates indicated the excise cut could lower headline inflation by approximately 0.5 percentage points over the year ending June 2026. She defended the government's cost-of-living measures, contrasting them with the Coalition's proposal to cut the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which she argued would have increased electricity bills for 300,000 households. She rejected the premise that the government was failing to find savings, citing the Coalition's previous record of higher deficits and taxes.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that the government had repeatedly pressed Israel for transparency and accountability, including raising the matter with President Herzog. She highlighted the launch of the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel at the UN General Assembly, supported by over 100 countries. She confirmed that representations had been made to Israel regarding the Binskin report and that the government continued to consult with Frankcom's family.

Answer from Don Farrell

The minister explained that Export Finance Australia would be given financial tools, including insurance and loans, to support companies in securing additional fuel shipments. He stated that this support would target additional supplies beyond commercial contracts to ensure wider availability. He also mentioned that strategic reserves would secure supplies of critical minerals and other goods impacted by the conflict.

Answer from Don Farrell

The minister stated that halving the fuel excise and reducing road user charges would lower costs for families and tourism operators. He highlighted the Trade Diversification Network, established under the $50 million Accessing New Markets Initiative, which included 40 peak bodies. He noted that Austrade was providing market support and connecting exporters with alternative markets and logistics providers to mitigate reliance on the Gulf region.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that the government had committed substantial funding to native species preservation over the last four years, citing examples like the Lord Howe Island stick insect. He noted that the Saving Native Species program was funded for four years, expiring on 30 June 2026, and that future funding would be considered in the upcoming budget. He defended the government's record on environmental law reforms and biodiversity protection.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister explained that enforcement relied on federal support being conditional on alignment with the expectations. He stated that proposals not meeting the expectations would not receive federal support. He noted that state and territory planning approvals would embed these principles, and that the government was working with states to ensure no race to the bottom occurred. He emphasized that the Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute would also play a role in ensuring investments delivered for Australians.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister rejected the premise that the government discriminated based on religion, stating that all applications were assessed on merit and character. He criticized the senator's rhetoric as divisive and reminiscent of comments by Pauline Hanson. He affirmed that the government did not have blanket rules excluding people from any faith and that security risks were assessed individually.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister highlighted the halving of the fuel excise and the reduction of heavy vehicle road user charges to zero for three months. He explained that new EFA powers would de-risk additional fertiliser and fuel shipments, keeping markets flexible. He cited the government's intervention to support the Mount Isa copper smelter, which produces domestic fertiliser, as an example of strengthening sovereign capability through the Future Made in Australia agenda and gas reservation strategy.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated she was not across Bunnings' inventory but emphasized the seriousness of the global energy shock caused by the Middle East conflict. She criticized the opposition for focusing on inventory rather than the broader economic and policy challenges. She listed government actions, including releasing fuel reserves and using Export Finance Australia, as evidence of serious management of the crisis.

Answer from Murray Watt; Penny Wong

The minister stated that 26 housing projects supporting 19,889 new homes had been approved since the strike team's announcement in August 2025. He noted that approvals included conditions to protect threatened species, such as the Sloan's froglet. He highlighted that reforms to the EPBC Act would streamline assessments, and that 79 housing projects totaling 62,000 homes had been approved since the government took office.