House of Representatives

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer noted that while April inflation data showed a welcome decrease, particularly in petrol, rents, and food, inflation remained too high. He emphasized that the budget strategy was responsible, saving more than it spent and reducing debt, while cutting fuel and income taxes to help with the cost of living. He stated that the upcoming tax cut legislation, which includes changes to the CGT discount and negative gearing, would save the average worker $2,800 annually. He criticized the opposition for opposing tax cuts and promoting policies that would talk down the economy and increase division, contrasting this with the government's goals of improving housing affordability and aligning tax treatment.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister welcomed the opportunity to discuss the opposition's tax policy, noting that the government was introducing tax reductions the following day. He highlighted that the opposition had previously voted against tax cuts and had lost the election as a result. He listed several opposition policies that would increase taxes or costs, including abolishing production tax credits, the EV concession, the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, and free TAFE. He asserted that the government's policy was to lower income taxes for all workers from 1 July, whereas the opposition's policy would result in higher taxes.

Answer from Amanda Rishworth

The Minister stated that the government had achieved the lowest average unemployment rate in 50 years and created over 1.2 million jobs. She announced the largest reforms to the employment service system in 30 years, aimed at providing targeted support based on how far a person was from the labour market. The reforms included ending the 'one size fits all' approach by creating three distinct service streams, introducing calibrated mutual obligations, overhauling assessment and triaging processes, and implementing a new planning process for employment goals. She noted that $312 million was committed in the budget to establish these new elements.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that the housing system was broken and that reforms were needed to help young people compete against investors who benefit from tax advantages. He cited support for reform from former Treasurer Joe Hockey and the shadow Treasurer. He explained that the upcoming legislation would allow investors to continue using negative gearing and capital gains tax discounts only if they invested in new housing supply. He emphasized that the government was also decreasing taxes for workers through the working Australians tax offset and automatic tax deductions, aiming to provide aspiration for all Australians.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister did not directly answer the question but cited comments from the Institute of Public Accountants stating that over 90 per cent of small-business owners would qualify for CGT concessions. He also quoted Nash Advisory, which said the preservation of small business CGT concessions was the most important detail for business owners considering a sale. He began to quote Daniel Petre, co-founder of Airtree Ventures, but was interrupted by opposition interjections.

Answer from Clare O'Neil

The Minister stated that the government was leveling the playing field for first-home buyers and had helped a quarter of a million Australians get keys to their own homes. She announced an additional $2 billion investment in last-mile infrastructure to unlock 65,000 homes, building on previous commitments, and noted the delivery of 55,000 social and affordable homes. She criticized the opposition for doing nothing about the housing crisis during their nine years in government and for failing to build any social or affordable homes in regional Australia. She asserted that the government had the most ambitious housing plan in 70 years.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister resumed his previous answer, quoting Daniel Petre of Airtree Ventures, who dismissed claims that founders would move overseas due to tax changes. He also quoted Jevon Le Roux of Keeyu, who highlighted that the government currently returns 43 per cent of R&D dollars spent to founders immediately, rather than waiting for an exit.

Answer from Mark Butler

The Minister stated that bulk-billing rates had plummeted under the previous government due to frozen Medicare rebates. He noted that the government had tripled the bulk-billing incentive for pensioners and concession card holders, raising the rate to around 93 per cent, and extended support to all Australians. He reported that over 1,400 general practices had shifted to 100 per cent bulk-billing since November. He acknowledged that bulk-billing rates in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Hunter, and the Central Coast were below the NSW average and announced funding for six new clinics in those regions that would fully bulk bill to increase competition and spread benefits.

Answer from Julie Collins

The Minister urged the opposition to stop running scare campaigns and presented facts from the National Farmers' Federation. She quoted the NFF welcoming budget measures that exempted primary production income from the new 30 per cent trust tax and confirmed that small business capital gains tax concessions would remain unchanged. She emphasized that the NFF was pleased the government had listened to their concerns regarding family farms.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister thanked the member for her representation of remote Indigenous communities and noted the privilege of sharing the continent with the oldest continuous culture. He described participating in the Long Walk to the MCG and welcoming Travis Lovett to parliament. He referenced the recent tragic death of Kumanjayi Little Baby and his visit to Alice Springs with the member for Lingiari and the Minister for Indigenous Australians to support the community. He stated that Reconciliation Week was an opportunity to recommit to doing better for First Nations Australians, acknowledging past failures by all sides of politics.

Answer from Julian Leeser (Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians; Shadow Minister for Education)

The member stated that all sides of parliament were committed to reconciliation and better outcomes for Indigenous people. He acknowledged attending the vigil for Kumanjayi Little Baby and meeting with the family and local members. He emphasized the need for all politicians to take more responsibility and improve outcomes.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister stated that the government required human oversight for all AI use and did not hand over decision-making to computer programs. She noted that 93 per cent of the robodebt royal commission's 52 recommendations had been implemented, with work ongoing on the remaining four, three of which required legislation. She criticized the opposition for creating the robodebt scheme, which caused suffering and deaths, and assured the member that the government used strict guardrails and human oversight for automated tools.

Answer from Julie Collins

The Minister announced that the government had secured more than 80,000 tonnes of extra urea via the Fuel and Fertiliser Security Facility, working with Incitec Pivot to buy shipments from Indonesia. She stated that six deliveries totalling over 209,000 tonnes of urea had been obtained and that more than 800 million litres of extra fuel, including diesel, had been obtained through the Strengthening Australia's Fuel Resilience package. She noted that biosecurity processes were being streamlined to get fertiliser to farmers faster and that the National Farmers' Federation and GrainGrowers had welcomed these measures.

Answer from Tony Burke

The Minister stated that of the two cohorts that had arrived in recent weeks, three people were currently behind bars. One was charged with entering a declared area, and two were charged with crimes against humanity. He reminded the opposition that before the government came to office, 45 people who had gone to fight had self-managed their return.

Answer from Tony Burke

The Minister stated that the new laws allowed organisations that previously evaded terror listing to be listed as prohibited hate groups. He noted that Hizb ut-Tahrir was listed shortly after the laws passed, and on 15 May, the Neo-Nazis were listed as a prohibited hate group. He explained that the listing process required ASIO initiation and ministerial decision, and that supporting, funding, or joining these groups was now a criminal offence with penalties up to 15 years in prison. He emphasized that the laws sent a clear message that racial supremacy had no place in modern Australia.

Answer from Mark Butler

The Minister acknowledged the member's personal loss and the campaigners' efforts. He stated that additional funds had been released, resulting in double-digit growth in donor recruitment in 2024 and a 30 per cent expansion in the current financial year. He addressed the question of raising the age limit for registrants from 35 to 40, noting that clinical advice favored younger donors but that the need for a wider donor base was also important. He committed to reviewing progress and directing the new provider to seek clinical advice on raising the age limit and other ideas from the Life-saving List campaign.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The Minister stated that the budget allocated more than $3.6 billion to local councils via the Financial Assistance Grant, representing a five per cent rise on the prior year. She highlighted extra money for Roads to Recovery, Safer Local Roads, road black spots, and the Growing Regions Program. She criticized the opposition for halting indexation on financial assistance grants and for using regional funds to build a pool in North Sydney, arguing that this was not a regional project and lacked proper guidelines or tender processes.

Answer from Pat Conroy

The Minister stated that the government had not provided and would not provide assistance to anyone in that cohort.

Answer from Anne Aly

The Minister said the government aimed to improve cash flow and cut operating costs by using specific steps to lower regulatory burdens. She pointed out that the budget contained $3.5 billion in aid for small firms. This involved keeping the $20,000 immediate asset deduction and the two-year loss carry-back rules in place permanently. It also meant allowing startups to claim refunds for losses and getting rid of minor tariffs. She mentioned that the Business Council of Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and several industry groups reacted positively. They praised these actions for boosting cash flow and strengthening confidence.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister acknowledged the horrific nature of domestic violence and noted the government's investment of over $4.4 billion in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children. He stated that the Minister for Social Services had launched a consultation for the next phase of the plan, which would include input from victims-survivors and experts. He mentioned that a consultation was scheduled in Devonport and that he was always happy to meet constituents where possible, though he noted the difficulty of fitting all engagements into his schedule. He emphasized that men needed to take responsibility for their actions.

Answer from Jason Clare

The Minister stated that the budget included the biggest new investment in public education ever, $20 billion over the next decade. He claimed this was at risk because the opposition had previously cut school funding and had recently threatened to cut health and education spending again. He also noted that the opposition had threatened to remove funding for childcare centres in public schools and the three-day childcare guarantee, which he argued was essential for early education and social development.