Senate

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that the comments were unacceptable and that the Prime Minister had made this clear. She confirmed that Senator Dowling had taken immediate action regarding the employment. Regarding the ambassadorship, she corrected the record, noting Mr Muldoon had been an ambassador since 2014, not 2024, and that he would not serve in that role again following action by the assistant minister. She reiterated that the Prime Minister found the comments unacceptable.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister stated the plan reserves gas for Australians and industry, strengthening the economy and supporting the energy transition. He argued that opposing gas reservation is incompatible with supporting manufacturing and blue-collar jobs. He confirmed that the policy would increase gas supply and lower electricity and gas prices, noting that Senator Hanson had previously supported this view before changing her position.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister emphasised respect and dignity for all people, citing former Senator Marise Payne's call for sensitivity. She highlighted the government's focus on women's equality, including the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Girls and efforts to address the gender pay gap. She challenged the opposition to condemn comments regarding consent in marriage and to support development assistance for girls' education and rights in developing countries.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister rejected the comparison to One Nation, arguing the previous migration system was broken and unsustainable with net overseas migration exceeding half a million annually. He stated the government is implementing calm, considered reforms to balance workforce needs with family reunion at sustainable levels. He accused the Greens of blocking public housing construction in the past and lacking self-awareness regarding the housing crisis.

Answer from Don Farrell

The minister stated the government doubled fines for breaches to $109.2 million and strengthened the eSafety Commissioner's investigative powers, including the ability to summon executives. He confirmed the government is legislating a digital duty of care to prevent harms before they occur. He noted that this obligation would compel technology firms to assess how algorithms boost extremist content and would enable the eSafety Commissioner to serve removal orders on applications producing fake nude material.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister acknowledged the history of brutality, death, and dispossession faced by First Nations people. She stated that while different people use different words, the government supports truth-telling about this painful history. She argued that better understanding of history would lead to more respect for First Nations people.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister agreed steelmaking is a critical national capability and stated the government is working with stakeholders to ensure Whyalla's future. She attributed the closure to years of underinvestment and safety failures by the owner, GFG Alliance, rather than government policy. She cited the Tomago Aluminium facility as an example where renewables and gas, not coal, were required to keep the facility open.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister acknowledged the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and regional security. He stated the government is developing its approach to climate negotiations in the national interest, focusing on security and competitive advantage in energy. He did not provide specific commitments on finance frameworks or closing the per capita gap, instead highlighting global clean energy investment and the role of renewables in saving industrial jobs like Tomago Aluminium.

Answer from Jenny McAllister

The minister stated that PBS medicines now cost no more than $25 and that new treatments, such as Qalsody for motor neurone disease, are being listed. She noted that bulk billing has risen to more than eight out of 10 GP visits. She highlighted investments in GP training, with 2,100 doctors beginning government-funded training in 2026, the largest cohort on record.

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister noted inflation had peaked at nearly 8 per cent in December 2022 and had since decreased to the three per cent range. She stated the government was taking responsibility for economic decisions while acknowledging global challenges. She defended cost-of-living support as targeted and non-inflationary, and accused the opposition of voting against tax cuts and wage increases while criticising the government's economic management.