House of Representatives

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that the budget would fulfill promises to cut income taxes for all taxpayers, including a $1,000 instant tax deduction for low- and middle-income earners. He highlighted additional funding for Medicare, including $25 billion for hospitals, support for urgent care clinics, cheaper medicines, and funding for endometriosis and mental health clinics. The Prime Minister also noted commitments to improve aged care and economic resilience through the Future Made in Australia plan, as well as the halving of the fuel excise in response to global circumstances.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister explained that the government had cut the fuel excise and released fuel reserves to aid distribution, particularly in regional areas. He noted diplomatic engagements with trading partners in Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Japan, Korea, and China to secure supplies. Through Export Finance Australia, additional cargoes of fuel and fertiliser were being shipped to Australia. The budget would include a $10 billion Australian fuel security and resilience package, establishing a state-owned stockpile of one billion litres to lift national reserves to 50 days and creating a fuel and fertiliser security facility.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that the budget would build on efforts to shield Australia from the fuel crisis and strengthen the economy. He noted that the inquiry into capital gains taxation was initiated by the Greens, Liberals, and Nationals, which the government voted against. He cited comments from opposition members, including the member for Canning and the shadow treasurer, suggesting that the current tax system disadvantages young Australians and favours asset holders. The Prime Minister argued that the opposition had previously supported reviews of negative gearing and capital gains tax.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister stated that Australia currently holds more fuel than on 28 February, with 42 days of petrol, 35 days of diesel, and 29 days of jet fuel. He attributed this to government-industry cooperation and diplomatic efforts with South-East Asian partners. The government had adjusted diesel standards and released strategic reserves. The budget would establish a government-owned strategic reserve of one billion litres to address regional shortages, aligning Australia with 22 of the 32 International Energy Agency governments that hold such reserves.

Answer from Catherine King

The Minister explained that the highway remained closed due to a major geotechnical failure at Mitchell's Causeway, with significant cracking and instability in the substructure. She noted that the New South Wales government had no firm reopening timetable and that extensive testing and engineering solutions were underway. The NSW government had established a coordination taskforce, increased public transport, and committed $50 million to upgrade detour routes. The Commonwealth stood ready to consider funding requests from NSW. The Minister dismissed the previous tunnel proposal as a false promise with no planning or funding.

Answer from Richard Marles

The Minister stated that the National Defence Strategy 2026 and the updated Integrated Investment Program provided a consistent two-yearly update cycle. He noted that defence spending would increase by $141.2 billion over the forward estimates and $53 billion over the decade. Since taking office, the government had increased defence spending by $30 billion over four years and $117 billion over the decade. The strategy included $12 billion to $15 billion for autonomous systems and drones to enhance capability in a volatile global environment.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister noted that the National Party, along with the Liberals and Greens, had supported a Senate review of tax policy. He cited a National Party senator's comment that tax changes, including capping negative gearing, should be considered to address the housing crisis. The Prime Minister began to discuss historical tax contexts before the answer was cut short.

Answer from Julie Collins

The Minister stated that the government had held weekly roundtables with the agriculture industry and amended fuel and diesel standards. Twenty per cent of the strategic fuel stockpile had been released, and legislation had been passed to underwrite additional shipments, securing over 450 million litres of diesel. An additional 250,000 tonnes of urea had been secured from Indonesia. Biosecurity processes were being streamlined, and agricultural export service changes were deferred. The budget included a fuel and fertiliser security facility and a government-owned fuel reserve. These measures were welcomed by the National Farmers' Federation.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister did not directly answer the question, instead criticizing the member for undermining his leader. The answer was interrupted by interjections from other members.

Answer from Madeleine King

The Minister stated that the government would introduce a policy reserving 20 per cent of domestic gas to ensure more supply for Australian households and industry at affordable prices. Existing export contracts would be respected. The measure would separate domestic and international gas prices, shielding users from global volatility. The Minister criticized the previous government for allowing the Domestic Gas Security Mechanism to expire and for voting against lower gas prices and market reforms.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister did not answer the question directly. He invited the Leader of the Opposition to listen to the budget speech and criticized the opposition's internal dynamics, specifically referencing the replacement of the former member for Farrer. He made no substantive comment on tax policy.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister extended deepest condolences to the family and acknowledged their request for space to conduct sorry business. He described Kumanjayi Little Baby as a bright five-year-old and noted the community's unity in searching for her and mourning her loss. He emphasized that all governments have failed to adequately address generational challenges affecting Indigenous children and affirmed that every child deserves safety and opportunity. He encouraged Australians to reflect on the mother's wish to look for the brightest star in the night sky.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister acknowledged the correspondence and noted that demand had increased significantly, with over 350,000 Australians receiving care under the Support at Home program. An additional 83,000 places were being allocated this financial year to reduce wait times. Ninety-nine per cent of people on the national priority system were eligible for some support while waiting, and urgent cases were funded within a month. The waitlist had dropped by more than 25,000 people since September 2025. The budget would remove co-contributions for personal care services and invest in residential care sustainability.

Answer from Mark Butler

The Minister stated that hantavirus had been listed as a human disease under the Biosecurity Act, allowing for quarantine orders. Five Australians and one New Zealander were being repatriated from Tenerife to the Netherlands and then to Australia. They would be flown into RAAF Base Pearce and transferred to the national resilience centre at Bullsbrook for a three-week quarantine, staffed by personnel from Darwin. This was described as the strongest quarantine arrangement among governments receiving repatriated passengers.

Answer from Anika Wells

The Minister confirmed she stood by everything she had told the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA). She noted that IPEA had reviewed all documents and that Minister Picton had confirmed the events in media outlets.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Attorney-General stated that the Royal Commission, led by Justice Virginia Bell, had received over 10,000 submissions and commenced hearings on 4 May. The interim report, delivered on 30 April, found no gaps in legal frameworks that impeded law enforcement but made 14 recommendations, including enhancing counterterrorism capabilities. The government would adopt all Commonwealth-related recommendations. A final report was due by 14 December. The government continued to support the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism and implement counter-terrorism strategies.

Answer from Catherine King

The Minister did not provide a breakdown of cost items. Instead, she blamed the previous National Party government for initiating the project without proper planning or funding. She stated that the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) initially could not estimate the additional cost, but an independent review suggested an additional $31.4 billion. Subsequent assessments by ARTC and Inland Rail indicated the total project cost was now $45 billion. She criticized the project's development and stated that the money would never be recovered.

Answer from Mark Butler

The Minister highlighted the Murrumba Downs Medicare urgent care clinic, which was 100 per cent bulk-billing and had seen almost 35,000 patients. He noted that 135 clinics were open, with two more opening soon, totaling 137. These clinics had seen about three million patients, with half reporting they would otherwise have used emergency departments. The clinics were fully bulk-billed and open seven days a week. The budget would lock in urgent care as a permanent part of Medicare with $1.8 billion over five years.

Answer from Anika Wells

The Minister stated that the trip had been audited by IPEA, which reviewed nearly 2,000 line items and 243 trips. IPEA deemed the trip's dominant purpose to be parliamentary, encompassing four matters across two days, including a Sporting Schools funding announcement. The Minister referred the member to the publicly available 256-page IPEA report.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister announced reforms to minimize children's exposure to wagering advertising, break the connection between wagering and sport, and reduce ad saturation. Measures included prohibiting such promotions while live sporting events aired from 6 am until 8.30 pm, on radio during school hours, and in sports venues. Celebrities and sports players would be banned from ads, and online keno 'pocket pokies' would be banned. Match fixing would become a criminal offence. The reforms would empower Australians to opt out of gambling ads on streaming services and strengthen BetStop and financial counselling support.