House of Representatives

Answer from Tony Burke

The minister stated that the government was proud of its generous humanitarian program, noting that the Howard government had also valued such programs. He explained that some budget items are listed as terminating programs but are automatically renewed after four years, arguing that the opposition's suggestion that all terminating programs are intended to be cut was incorrect. He dismissed the premise of the question as a misunderstanding of how budgeting works.

Answer from Anika Wells

The minister affirmed the government's commitment to online safety, particularly for young people, stating that tech companies must obey Australian laws. She highlighted that current laws prohibit non-consensual deepfake material but relied too heavily on victim reporting. The draft digital duty of care will impose basic safety standards on big tech, ban nudify apps, and empower the eSafety Commissioner to issue take-down notices. She cited statistics showing a 550 per cent increase in such conduct since 2019 and noted that one in four reported cases involved young girls.

Answer from Tony Burke

The minister addressed the part of the question regarding ruling out cuts, stating that the decision to maintain the intake at 20,000 places was the specific decision being referred to. He confirmed that the government had boosted the humanitarian program to 20,000 places upon taking office and that it remained at that level.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The minister cited a 70 per cent increase in sexual violence rates, particularly among young people, and noted that almost 60 per cent of young Australians had experienced sexual strangulation. She argued that online content feeds real-world harm, with misogynistic content appearing within 23 minutes of account creation. The government had already introduced age verification for pornography and restrictions on social media for under-16s. The digital duty of care would obligate platforms to keep users safe, addressing the algorithmic promotion of harmful content.

Answer from Chris Bowen

The minister affirmed close cooperation with Pacific nations, citing the Palau declaration which identified climate change as the biggest threat to livelihoods. He highlighted domestic progress, noting that renewable energy had exceeded 50 per cent of the mix in the last quarter of the previous year. He argued that building new renewable energy is the pathway for transition, replacing old energy sources gradually. He committed to continuing international work with Pacific leaders to elevate climate issues on the global stage.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister highlighted that legislation protecting childcare workers' wages had passed the Senate, delivering a 15 per cent pay increase tied to limited fee increases and better safety requirements. He listed other achievements including five minimum wage increases, better wages for aged-care workers, same job same pay laws, and illegalising wage theft. He noted that the opposition had voted against all these measures and argued that paying workers properly was a problem for the Coalition.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that the government was focused on delivering cost-of-living relief through measures such as free TAFE, cheaper medicines, student debt support, and minimum wage increases. He argued that the fight against inflation was inherited and complicated by international events. He countered the criticism by citing the Leader of the Opposition's past comments expressing concern about the Reserve Bank cutting interest rates and advocating for higher rates, noting that the Leader had appointed the critic as shadow treasurer.

Answer from Jason Clare

The minister confirmed that the 15 per cent pay rise for childcare workers had been locked in, resulting in 20,000 more workers and a 31 per cent drop in vacancies in some areas. He stated that the legislation required centres to limit fee increases, saving the average family about $1,500 over two years. He also noted that centres must meet minimum safety standards to receive funding, including banning phones and rolling out mandatory safety training. He framed the policy as beneficial for workers, parents, and children.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer stated that he took his colleagues and economic challenges seriously, noting that the specific matters raised had not come up in a recent briefing on the Intergenerational report. He highlighted the government's focus on inflation, productivity, and global volatility, citing the impact of the war in Iran on borrowing costs. He pointed to the government's productivity package, tax reform, and responsible budget management as evidence of serious engagement with economic risks.

Answer from Amanda Rishworth

The minister highlighted the same job, same pay reforms, which had led to pay increases for workers in warehouses, with some earning up to $10,000 more. She stated that the biggest risk to workers' wages was the potential formation of a government by the Liberals, Nationals, and One Nation, who had opposed these laws. She argued that those parties would lead to a race to the bottom in wages.

Answer from Mark Butler (Minister for Health and Ageing)

The minister stated that the changes were necessary to fund additional aged care beds and support at home packages. He argued that the changes restored the rebate to its original design, which did not differentiate based on age. He dismissed concerns about membership drops as misinformation, citing government modelling and independent analysis from the University of Melbourne, and noted that previous industry predictions of mass exodus from insurance had not materialised.

Answer from Jim Chalmers

The Treasurer highlighted rising global interest rates and inflation due to the war in Iran, noting that Brent oil prices had risen 55 per cent. He stated that Australia had lower gross debt to GDP than other major advanced economies and one of the strongest budgets in the G20. He cited Australia's AAA sovereign credit rating and positive assessments from S&P and Moody's. He contrasted this with the opposition's unfunded commitments, arguing that responsible economic management shielded Australians from global volatility.

Answer from Tony Burke

The minister acknowledged the issues raised by regional members and stated that net overseas migration needed to be reduced. He explained that the immigration system had been largely demand-driven and that the government was working on legislative options to target the system more effectively. He indicated that further announcements regarding these issues would be made the following day.

Answer from Daniel Mulino

The minister highlighted Payday Super, including super on paid parental leave, and the strengthened low-income super tax offset. He argued that the opposition and One Nation posed a risk to superannuation security by proposing policies that would reduce retirement savings. He dismissed their proposals as economic insanity and affirmed the government's commitment to defending and strengthening the superannuation system.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that he had no involvement in the appointment as a Labor adviser. He clarified that the Australia Day role began under the former coalition government and had nothing to do with him.

Answer from Amanda Rishworth

The minister highlighted the work of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters in exposing antidemocratic behaviour, including by the Plymouth Brethren and their far-right associates. She cited reports of coordinated plots to harass and intimidate political participants, including allegations of paying extremists to ambush campaign events. She called on the opposition to condemn these actions and emphasised that threats and intimidation have no place in Australian democracy.

Answer from Mark Butler

The minister stated that hard decisions were necessary to fund significant additional investment in aged care, including more beds and support at home packages. He argued that the changes restored the rebate to its original design, removing age-based differentiation introduced by the Howard government. He cited government modelling indicating an average impact of 70 cents per day and around 44,000 people potentially withdrawing from insurance, dismissing industry predictions as self-serving and inaccurate.

Answer from Tony Burke

The minister stated that security threats to MPs had almost doubled over five years, reaching over 1,000 in the last financial year. He highlighted allegations of individuals being paid to stalk, disrupt, and intimidate politicians, citing specific incidents involving the member for Blair, the member for Calare, and the member for Corangamite. He called on all parliamentarians to condemn such behaviour and ensure safe participation in democracy.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister stated that action had been taken regarding Muldoon's role as a relief staff casual employee for Senator Dowling. He clarified that Muldoon had been an ambassador since 2014 but was not an ambassador in 2026. He noted that the assistant minister had taken action to state it was not appropriate for Muldoon to be an ambassador and condemned his comments as outrageous.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The minister highlighted the opening of the M1 Raymond Terrace project, which removed traffic lights between Melbourne and Coffs Harbour. She listed other major projects including the Torrens to Darlington project in South Australia, the North East Link in Victoria, Bruce Highway upgrades in Queensland, the Fremantle Traffic Bridge in WA, and road sealing in the Northern Territory. She emphasised that these investments were providing safer and faster journeys.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister defended AUKUS as an investment in Australia's safety, security, and jobs, noting it had bipartisan support until recently. He stated that the resources sector contributed significantly to taxation and wealth. He argued that the government had to make responsible fiscal decisions to fund aged care reforms, contrasting this with the opposition's lack of budget responsibility.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The minister highlighted funding for over 110 projects through the Growing Regions Program and 64 projects through the Regional Precincts program. She noted doubling the Roads to Recovery Program to $1 billion annually and increasing blackspot funding to $150 million annually. She also mentioned a 5 per cent increase in financial assistance grants to local councils in 2026-27, contrasting this with the opposition's previous freeze on such grants.