House of Representatives

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that his government had spent four years rebuilding regional relationships, prioritising the national interest. He described the Japanese Prime Minister as a friend and noted constructive dealings with three Japanese leaders. He highlighted that the strategic alignment between Australia and Japan was stronger than ever, citing his visits to Japan and the visit of Japanese leaders to Australia.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister claimed Australia was outperforming all G7 nations in growth, unemployment, participation, and employment growth, with its AAA credit rating confirmed. He acknowledged cost-of-living pressures and highlighted measures including protected penalty rates, criminalising wage theft, and implementing 'same job, same pay' rules. He cited a meeting with the SDA regarding salary increases for retail workers and announced new minimum standards for gig economy workers and wage justice legislation for early childhood educators.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that the government takes its obligations and engagement with Japan seriously. He noted that the opposition had referred matters to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in a political stunt. He affirmed that the AFP is independent and expressed confidence in their work.

Answer from Jason Clare

The Minister stated that a 15 per cent pay rise had reduced attrition rates, which had previously reached 40 per cent in some areas. He reported 20,000 more childcare workers, a 30 per cent jump in job applications, and a 31 per cent drop in vacancies. He explained that new legislation required centres to cap fee increases to receive funding, saving families approximately $1,500 over two years. He also mandated that centres meet minimum safety standards to access funding, aiming for 100 per cent compliance.

Answer from Julie Collins

The Minister detailed existing investments, including $113 million for bird flu preparedness, of which $47 million targeted habitat and biosecurity for threatened species. She noted an additional $99 million for the Saving Native Species program and $24.8 million unlocked with states and territories for ground response. She announced that vaccines had arrived in Victoria for little penguins at Phillip Island and St Kilda, with vaccinations starting next week. She emphasised that biosecurity remained the primary defence, complemented by vaccination trials for wild birds.

Answer from Sam Rae

The Minister stated that registered nurses were now more than $36,000 better off annually, and enrolled nurses almost $32,000 better off, compared to 2022. He noted the government had invested nearly $18 billion in aged-care wages over four years, addressing undervaluation determined by the Fair Work Commission. He argued that better pay improved care quality and countered opposition criticism by affirming that hiring nurses and funding pay rises were positive outcomes.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that the member was misleading the House. He clarified that he had been quoting Scott Pape from the Herald Sun, not making a personal accusation. He suggested the member take any issue with the coverage up with Mr Pape or News Corp.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer reported that inflation had fallen for three months, leading the RBA to hold rates steady. He highlighted tax cuts, wage boosts, expanded parental leave, and Medicare strengthening. He claimed the budget was managed responsibly with two surpluses and $200 billion less debt than the inherited trajectory, citing S&P Global's reaffirmation of the AAA rating. He contrasted this with opposition commitments totalling $110 billion in deficits and $530 billion in debt over ten years, arguing these would worsen inflation and interest rates.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer stated that the government takes caucus views seriously and that the member for Sturt was an effective local representative. He highlighted that 93,000 taxpayers in Sturt were receiving tax cuts and 80,000 would benefit from the Working Australians Tax Offset. He argued that the government was addressing housing market distortions that locked out young people, contrasting this with the opposition's approach which he claimed would maintain the status quo.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Attorney-General stated she had asked the Privacy Commissioner to prioritise consideration of smart glass privacy implications. She highlighted risks of covert recording and harassment, citing research that 60 per cent of point-of-view content from such devices involved potential harassment. She noted that while state laws exist, the Commissioner's expertise was critical for emerging risks. She mentioned existing reforms including a statutory tort for privacy invasions and outlawing doxxing, and indicated work was ongoing for further legislative reforms.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that net migration had been cut by around 45 per cent from its peak and was now lower than under the Coalition. He cited the former immigration department deputy secretary and the Grattan Institute, attributing record migration numbers to pandemic-era decisions by the previous government to uncap international student working hours. He noted that population growth was projected to decrease to 1.3 per cent for 2025-26 and 1.2 per cent for 2026-27, resulting in a population 754,000 smaller than pre-pandemic Coalition forecasts by 2030-31.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The Minister reported that 504,470 Australians had installed cheaper home batteries in the last 12 months, totaling 14.1 gigawatt hours, surpassing the US total. He linked this to a 47 per cent reduction in wholesale prices. He highlighted high adoption rates in several electorates, including Macquarie. He stated that the opposition would abolish the battery policy and replace it with an uncosted nuclear plan, which he argued would increase bills and delay action.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister clarified that existing negatively geared properties were grandfathered under the tax changes. He noted that new builds could still be negatively geared, which would increase housing supply. He highlighted that 65,000 taxpayers in Fowler would benefit from tax cuts, 8,500 from LISTO, and 24,000 from student debt relief. He also mentioned the Liverpool Medicare Urgent Care Clinic had seen 21,900 presentations.

Answer from Pat Conroy

The Minister stated that the government was strengthening relationships to deliver in the national interest. He highlighted two new treaties with Fiji: the Ocean of Peace Alliance, Australia's fourth alliance, and the Vuvale Union, focusing on economic integration, security, and climate change. He referenced other agreements with PNG, Vanuatu, Naoero, and Tuvalu, and ongoing negotiations with Solomon Islands and Tonga. He emphasised that these treaties protected Australian interests and regional stability.

Answer from Mark Butler

The Minister stated the decision was necessary to fund aged-care expansion, addressing neglect from the previous government. He explained the change returned subsidies to their original position, removing age differentiation. He cited Treasury modelling predicting only 44,000 people leaving private health insurance, less than half a per cent of membership, and noted that membership was increasing. He challenged the opposition to propose an alternative funding source for aged care.

Answer from Clare O'Neil

The Minister announced a $308 million investment for 448 new crisis and transitional homes, providing safe housing for 22,000 women and children. She noted this was part of a $1.2 billion investment in crisis housing and 7,200 social and affordable homes. She contrasted this with the previous government, which built only nine crisis homes over nine years, arguing that opposition rhetoric lacked action.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister noted that the member's letter contained no allegation of wrongdoing against any individual. He stated the government was determined to get gambling policy right to address problem gambling. He defended the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission and stated that political donations were a matter for parties within the law. He urged debate based on substance rather than motives and affirmed that his position had not been improperly influenced.

Answer from Mark Butler

The Minister highlighted the success of urgent care clinics, citing over 65,000 visits in Launceston. He reported that bulk-billing rates for retirees and concession card holders in Bass had risen from 80 per cent to over 90 per cent, with increases for non-concession holders. He stated bulk-billing was up in every state and territory. He contrasted this with the opposition's history of cuts and lack of health policy, noting the shadow minister had asked the department for a definition of Medicare.

Answer from Mark Butler

The Minister said the government did not intend to levy a charge on sugary drinks. He pointed out the low take-up of the childhood dental benefits scheme and noted that front-of-packet labelling would become compulsory. He referred to talks with industry about reformulating foods to cut sugar, citing differences in beverage sugar levels between Australia and the UK.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister reiterated that relations with Japan were stronger than ever and strategically aligned. He highlighted the procurement of Mogami-class frigates and enhanced defence cooperation. He mentioned the establishment of the Australia-Japan Leadership Dialogue to address key issues. He expressed confidence in the positive relationship with the Japanese Prime Minister and regional leaders.

Answer from Andrew Giles

The Minister cited the example of a Torres Strait Islander completing a nursing diploma on country, enabled by free TAFE. He stated that free TAFE was changing lives and increasing course commencements and completions, particularly for First Nations people. He announced that 100,000 places would be guaranteed annually from 2027. He claimed that the opposition's attempt to block permanent free TAFE was the only thing standing in the way of more opportunities.