House of Representatives

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that inflation had dropped to four per cent, a decrease from 4.2 per cent. He highlighted upcoming tax cuts for all workers, including those on the minimum wage, starting on 1 July. He noted the expansion of paid parental leave to 26 weeks with superannuation contributions. He mentioned that 137 urgent care clinics would become permanent parts of Medicare. He also cited the expansion of endometriosis clinics, $25 billion in hospital funding, and the permanent $20,000 instant asset write-off for small businesses. He reported that 450,000 home batteries had been installed under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. He concluded by noting the upcoming ban on supermarket price gouging.

Answer from Matt Keogh

The Minister described the Memorial as a sacred place listing over 103,000 names of those who died in conflict. He explained that the expansion allows for the telling of stories from modern conflicts such as Afghanistan and peacekeeping operations. He noted the project involved nearly 2,000 workers, including veterans, and included the largest geothermal system in the Southern Hemisphere. He stated that the Memorial remained open during construction. He looked forward to the completion of pre-1914 galleries and an interactive learning centre by 2028.

Answer from Michael McCormack (Riverina) (National Party)

The member praised the director of the Australian War Memorial for overseeing the construction despite setbacks. He highlighted the 103,000 names on the roll of honour and the alignment of the Parliament House with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He congratulated all individuals who contributed to the project.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer stated that inflation had fallen for the second consecutive month. He noted that the Shadow Treasurer had acknowledged on social media that the war in the Middle East was worsening inflationary pressures. He argued that the Shadow Treasurer inadvertently credited the budget settings for the substantial drop in inflation. He warned that the opposition's $110 billion in unfunded commitments would lead to higher inflation and interest rates. He criticized the Opposition Leader for trying to outdo One Nation on policy.

Answer from Clare O'Neil

The Minister highlighted legislation before the parliament that would provide tax cuts and level the playing field for first home buyers. She stated that the opposition intended to vote against these measures. She noted that the opposition wanted to scrap the Help to Buy program, which assists 10,000 first home owners annually. She also mentioned their intention to reduce the five per cent deposit program, which has helped 260,000 Australians. She accused the opposition of wanting to subsidize investors over first home buyers.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer acknowledged the funding request from local governments. He stated that the government had already provided $2.9 billion in financial assistance grants for roads and services. He mentioned the $2 billion Local Infrastructure Fund for housing projects. He cited a further $780 million allocated to the Thriving Suburbs and Growing Regions programs, which brought total investment to over $1.7 billion. He noted the Stronger Communities Program and Active Transport Fund provided another $500 million. He also referenced the Roads to Recovery Program funding of $1 billion annually.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer stated that headline inflation had fallen in both monthly and annual terms for the second consecutive month. He noted that more than 14 million Australians would receive tax cuts from 1 July. He mentioned a six per cent increase in the national minimum wage and a 434 per cent increase in modern award wages. He highlighted the expansion of paid parental leave to 26 weeks and the payment of superannuation on pay day. He also cited the ban on excessive grocery pricing and tax reforms including the working Australians tax offset.

Answer from Clare O'Neil

The Minister stated that house prices had risen by 400 per cent over the last 25 years and that this trend must not continue. She argued that the housing market was broken and that the previous government had failed to address the issue. She noted that the previous government built only 373 social and affordable homes in nine years, with none in regional and rural Australia. She asserted that the current government was using all available levers to address the housing crisis.

Answer from Amanda Rishworth

The Minister stated that the government had advocated for wage increases for lowest-paid workers and protected penalty rates. She highlighted a 15 per cent pay rise for early childhood educators. She noted that the gender pay gap had fallen to 11.5 per cent, its lowest on record. She accused the three right-wing parties of opposing minimum award wage advocacy and higher wages for early educators and aged carers. She cited evidence showing that aged-care staff would lose $20,000 under opposition policies.

Answer from Anthony Albanese (Prime Minister)

The Prime Minister stated that he had not seen the media report but had received a document from the Liberal Party containing inaccuracies. He asserted that all his arrangements had been declared appropriately. He explained that he had worked hard to save for a deposit and buy his first home in his 20s. He emphasized that he wanted young Australians to have the same opportunity to own a home. He cited examples of first home buyers successfully purchasing properties in various electorates.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that violence against women and children was a national scourge. He noted that the issue was on the agenda for the next National Cabinet meeting. He mentioned consultations on the second National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children. He reported that $4.4 billion had been delivered since 2022, funding 1,400 organizations. He highlighted the permanent leaving violence payment, ten days of paid domestic and family violence leave, and the recruitment of over 500 new frontline workers. He also cited $1 billion invested in crisis and transitional accommodation.

Answer from Melissa McIntosh (Lindsay) (Liberal Party)

The member stated that electorate offices often served as the frontline for domestic violence cases. She emphasized that the issue would not disappear despite funding. She asserted that the coalition would stand with the government to end violence against women and children.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that all his arrangements had been declared appropriately. He explained that he had worked hard to buy his first home in his 20s and wanted young Australians to have the same opportunity. He cited examples of first home buyers successfully purchasing properties in various electorates. He accused the opposition of being desperate and defending a broken housing market.

Answer from Richard Marles

The Minister highlighted the role of small and medium businesses in the defence industry, citing Australian Safety Engineers as an example. He noted that employment in defence manufacturing had increased by 11 per cent since the government took office. He attributed this to record spending on defence procurement. He contrasted this with the previous government's $42 billion in unfunded defence commitments. He stated that the current government was backing the defence industry to keep Australians safe.

Answer from Anthony Albanese; Julie Collins

The Prime Minister stated that the government had worked closely with the South Australian government to provide support and research for the algal bloom. The Minister for Agriculture noted that over $113 million had been invested in preparedness for bird flu. She mentioned agreements with states and territories for biosecurity incursions. She reported two confirmed tests from Western Australia and another positive test from the CSIRO lab. She stated that local testing was underway and that she would provide further updates after consulting with the chief veterinary officer.

Answer from Pat Conroy

The Minister stated that defence industry jobs in South Australia had increased by 40 per cent. He highlighted a $212 billion deal to sell JORN radar to Canada, supporting a thousand jobs. He mentioned a $1 billion export deal for Boxer vehicles to Germany. He cited $7 billion invested in counterdrone capabilities. He noted the production of Ghost Sharks and Bluebottle drone boats. He stated that defence manufacturing output had grown by 35 per cent, contrasting this with an 18 per cent fall under the previous government.

Answer from Clare O'Neil

The Minister stated that housing reforms were about the 28 million Australians outside parliament, not the 150 members. She accused the opposition of perpetuating a system that leaves young people behind. She noted that low-income young people were half as likely to own a home as they were when she was born. She asserted that the Labor Party would vote for tax cuts and a fairer housing market. She criticized the opposition for defending the status quo.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister stated that paid parental leave would increase to six months from 1 July, with payments exceeding $1,000 a week. She noted that superannuation would be paid on parental leave. She mentioned that eligibility thresholds would increase. She stated that families would receive almost $30,000 during the six months, more than double the previous amount. She criticized the opposition for historically opposing paid parental leave, citing comments from former politicians and One Nation.

Answer from Amanda Rishworth

The Minister stated that the bill would allow Commonwealth spending to support secure jobs by preferencing enterprise agreements. She clarified that the bill did not impose obligations on the Commonwealth to require enterprise agreements. She noted that a different approach was required for the construction industry, leading to a secure jobs code consultation. She emphasized that the government was working through the National Construction Industry Forum to bring employers and unions together.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The Minister stated that over $3.6 billion had been committed through financial assistance grants, an increase of over five per cent. She noted that the previous government had frozen indexation, removing $1 billion from the sector. She mentioned the $2 billion Local Infrastructure Fund and $1.5 billion from the Housing Support Program. She cited the doubling of Roads to Recovery to $1 billion a year. She also referenced $200 million for safer local roads and $150 million for road black-spot funding.