House of Representatives

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that the government was delivering real change, including wage increases, tax cuts, expanded paid parental leave to six months with superannuation contributions, and permanent urgent care clinics. He noted that 137 clinics were open and 10 new medicines were added to the PBS. He highlighted that the minimum wage, paid parental leave, and the number of cheaper home batteries installed (450,000 since last July) were all increasing. He also mentioned rising bulk-billing rates and increased first-home buyer activity, contrasting this with the opposition's focus on grievance.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer confirmed that tax cuts were being delivered, providing an average worker with approximately $2,800 extra. He listed measures including minimum wage increases, extended paid parental leave, small business instant asset write-offs, payday superannuation, and fuel excise relief. He noted that the budget deficit was smaller than anticipated and debt was $200 billion less than the inherited trajectory. He argued that the opposition would have resulted in larger deficits, no tax cuts, and no cost-of-living assistance.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that families were benefiting from a 4.75 per cent minimum wage increase, tax cuts, and extended paid parental leave with superannuation. He highlighted benefits from bulk-billing, urgent care clinics, cheaper medicines, and 450,000 cheaper home batteries installed. He also mentioned housing reforms to help young families and actions taken to ensure fuel and fertiliser access during the Middle East conflict, contrasting this with the opposition's lack of solutions.

Answer from Amanda Rishworth

The Minister stated that the minimum wage was exceeding $1,000 a week for the first time, making minimum wage workers $12,000 better off over five years. She noted that over 14 million taxpayers would receive tax cuts, averaging $2,800 annually. She accused the opposition parties of refusing to back minimum wage increases and voting against tax cuts in parliament, including taking an income tax increase to the last election.

Answer from Richard Marles

The Minister acknowledged the history of nuclear testing in the Pacific and Australia's support for the Treaty of Rarotonga and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. He stated that Australia was observing the ban treaty closely but had three concerns: enforcement architecture, interaction with the non-proliferation treaty, and the lack of participation by nuclear weapons states. He affirmed support for a world free of nuclear weapons but noted the need for a regime that changes behaviour.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister stated that from 1 July, paid parental leave was extended to six months at a rate of over $1,000 a week, with superannuation contributions. She highlighted increased family tax benefits, three hours of free power, tax cuts, minimum wage increases, and stronger Medicare. She warned that these measures were not safe if the opposition parties formed government, citing past opposition rhetoric against paid parental leave.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that the tax cut was part of a trajectory reducing the first income tax bracket to 15c, now 14c. He argued that the coalition's policy at the last election was to reverse tax cuts and vote for higher taxes on individuals, resources, motorists, and housing construction. He noted that the opposition had voted against the working Australians tax offset and other tax cuts in parliament.

Answer from Mark Butler

The Minister highlighted a bulk-billing rate over 94 per cent in the member's electorate. He noted that public hospitals received $37 billion in funding, triple the previous agreement. He mentioned new menopause and perimenopause support items and clinics. He also stated that 10 new medicines were added to the PBS, including treatments for cancer, growth hormone deficiency, severe asthma, and myasthenia gravis.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that housing policy aimed to help first-home buyers, citing examples of people buying homes. He noted that first-home buyer confidence was rising and that they were no longer competing as heavily with investors. He emphasized that the goal was providing a secure roof over heads, contrasting this with the opposition's past housing policies.

Answer from Tony Burke

The Minister stated that the National Environmental Protection Agency was established on 1 July. He highlighted stronger regulatory powers, an expanded auditing framework, and increased penalties for environmental harm. He noted that the opposition had voted against these protections and the establishment of the independent regulator.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that housing policies aimed to give young people a fair chance by removing taxpayer support for investors competing with first-home buyers. He clarified that people could still invest in negatively geared properties, but first-home buyers would not compete against those with tax deductions.

Answer from Daniel Mulino

The Minister stated that new rules made it illegal for large supermarkets to charge excessive prices compared to supply costs plus a reasonable margin. Penalties for breaches were set at the greater of $10 million, three times the advantage gained, or 10 per cent of yearly sales. He noted that maximum penalties for competition law breaches had increased to $100 million. He also mentioned the mandatory food and grocery code and funding for CHOICE to provide price information.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister confirmed that free power was a legal requirement for energy companies. He stated that the default market offer had reduced prices by 3.4 per cent in the Endeavour Energy network. He highlighted that 2,720 households in Fowler had installed cheaper home batteries, reducing bills significantly. He argued that the policy was effective and popular in the electorate.

Answer from Anne Aly

The Minister stated that the $20,000 instant asset write-off was made permanent, and a two-year loss carry-back was extended for companies with up to $1 billion turnover. She noted the removal of 497 nuisance tariffs, saving businesses $127 million annually, and free access to mandatory standards. She warned that the opposition had voted against tax cuts for workers and sole traders.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister listed government achievements including tax cuts, wage increases, Medicare clinics, PBS medicines, free TAFE places, and paid parental leave. He cited strong economic growth, lower inflation, record-low gender pay gap, and low unemployment. He accused the opposition of voting against every cost-of-living measure.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister stated that 457,439 households had installed cheaper home batteries in the last year, with Australia now having more household batteries than California. He noted that solar sharer was available in NSW, South-East Queensland, and South Australia, offering three hours of free electricity. He mentioned rule changes limiting price rises to once a year and banning excessive fees. He warned that the opposition would abolish these policies.