Senate

Answer from Jenny McAllister

The minister stated that the government prioritizes directing taxpayer dollars to aged care, citing $3 billion in budget funding for beds and care packages. She explained that returning the rebate to standard rates helps fund these investments to repair a system neglected by the previous government. Regarding the supplementary questions, she highlighted $25 billion in additional funding for public hospitals and an $812 billion investment in Medicare. She asserted that the government monitors private hospital viability while making substantial investments in the public system, contrasting this with the previous administration's record.

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister attributed the improvement to policies implemented over time, including wages policy in feminized industries, extended paid parental leave with superannuation, superannuation reforms, free TAFE, and publishing gender pay gaps for large companies. In response to supplementary questions, she highlighted investments in women's health, such as listing a new breast cancer drug on the PBS to reduce costs from $1,300 to $25 per script. She also noted the introduction of laws to stop financial abuse within the child support framework, addressing nearly $2 billion in unpaid support.

Answer from Malarndirri McCarthy

The minister stated she had reached out to the Western Australian government and sought a direct briefing with the responsible minister, expecting to receive it that afternoon. She emphasized that child protection is a state responsibility and that every child deserves safety. In response to supplementary questions, she reiterated that she was seeking assurances and highlighted the importance of involving the Aboriginal community-controlled sector in responses. She did not confirm speaking with the grandmother or providing specific details on the investigation outcomes, deferring to the upcoming briefing.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister dismissed the comparison to ICE as predictable political maneuvering. He stated that the government's policy ensures those without valid visas do not remain in Australia, noting that previous changes diverted resources to criminal deportations rather than visa overstayers. In response to supplementary questions about bridging visas, he argued that some visa holders abuse the system by hopping between visas, undermining public confidence. He rejected the suggestion that the government's policy was influenced by One Nation, citing significant differences in migration numbers, and emphasized maintaining social harmony and a sustainable migration system.

Answer from Jess Walsh

The minister reported that the pay rise provides an extra $255 per week for full-time educators, helping them cover living costs. She noted that 20,000 new educators had joined the sector since the announcement, improving workforce stability. She confirmed that centers receiving payments must limit fee increases to protect families. Regarding safety, she stated that centers failing to meet national safety standards from July next year would lose funding. In response to supplementary questions, she shared anecdotes from educators about the positive impact on their careers and criticized the opposition and One Nation for not supporting workers.

Answer from Don Farrell

The minister explained that the high migration figures resulted from processing a backlog of one million visa applications accumulated during the pandemic. He stated that migration numbers have since decreased by 47 per cent. In response to supplementary questions, he acknowledged the issue of permanent temporariness but did not provide specific figures on visa hopping, stating it was not his portfolio and he would seek an accurate answer from the relevant minister.

Answer from Don Farrell

The minister described the agreement as a once-in-a-generation deal with a $30 trillion market. He stated it would remove tariffs on agricultural products and create new access for beef and sheep meat through tariff-rate quotas, benefiting regional jobs and supply chains. In response to supplementary questions, he warned that blocking the agreement would deny producers access to the EU market and put jobs at risk, criticizing those who oppose it as prioritizing populism over policy.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister cited Bureau of Statistics data showing a 47 per cent reduction in net overseas migration due to government reforms. He argued that while numbers need to be sustainable, drastic cuts would crush the economy and remove essential workers from hospitals, aged care, and agriculture. In response to supplementary questions, he noted that Canada experienced a recession after cutting migration, contrasting this with Australia's need to balance migration with economic stability. He dismissed One Nation's policies as reckless and aligned with US political trends.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister highlighted that wages have grown above three per cent for 16 consecutive quarters under the government, compared to zero quarters under the previous administration. He noted that from 1 July, minimum-wage workers received a real increase of at least 4.75 per cent. He attributed this to government advocacy at the Fair Work Commission and enterprise bargaining. In response to supplementary questions, he criticized the opposition and One Nation for opposing wage rises and described their internal conflicts as a 'soap opera', asserting that the government remains focused on supporting workers.

Answer from Don Farrell

The minister initially stated the question did not deserve an answer. In response to supplementary questions, he said he did not know if the Prime Minister had disclosed his ownership but would ask him. He defended the funding as an election promise honored by the government and deflected by criticizing the opposition for not answering questions about sports rorts during their time in office.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister listed supported facilities including Tomago Aluminium, Boyne smelter, and Whyalla steel. He criticized opposition claims about energy costs as deliberate falsehoods. In response to supplementary questions, he reported a 43 per cent increase in manufacturing exports, $56 billion in additional exports, and a 35 per cent rise in manufacturing investment. He stated there are 7,000 more manufacturing firms than when the government took office and that the manufacturing share of GDP had risen by 22 per cent. He identified the risk as dishonest political campaigns that undermine industrial progress.