Senate

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that the number of small businesses had increased since the government took office. She noted that over 90 per cent of small businesses would not be affected by the changes. For the minority using trusts, the government planned to provide rollover relief to facilitate restructuring into companies or fixed trusts during a transition period involving consultation. In response to supplementary questions regarding the $4.5 billion revenue projection and costs to businesses, the minister highlighted $3.8 billion in fresh tax relief for businesses and reiterated the availability of rollover relief. She declined to scrap the reforms, citing broader tax cuts for working Australians.

Answer from Katy Gallagher

The minister explained that the pay rise would benefit 460,000 health, disability, and community service workers, addressing long-standing undervaluation. A $630 million investment would support over 128,000 organisations across 92 programs to meet award wage increases without compromising services. This followed previous investments in aged care and early childhood education, bringing total government investment in addressing gender wage undervaluation to over $25 billion. In response to supplementary questions about Australia's rise to eighth in global gender equality rankings, the minister attributed this to record investments in women's health, including cheaper medicines accessed by over a million women since 2025, saving over $150 million. She also cited research indicating that good flexible work arrangements in feminised industries improve job retention and career progression for women.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that a joint counterterrorism team comprising the AFP, Victoria Police, and ASIO was investigating the pilot's links, and she would not comment on active investigations. She noted that all multicultural grants are administered under the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, with funding reviewed if breaches occur. In response to supplementary questions asking for confirmation of formal reviews or safeguards, the minister stated she did not have further specific information on that grant but expected Home Affairs to manage funding arrangements according to the established framework.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister affirmed Australia's longstanding bipartisan opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances and expressed distress at the prospect of live-streaming executions, noting platform responsibilities. She stated that Australia does not comment on every domestic action of other governments, including those of democratically elected leaders, unless it affects Australia's national interest. In response to supplementary questions about the raid on Congresswoman Omar and the Russian diesel deal, the minister declined to comment on domestic US actions. She challenged the questioner's stance on Russia and Ukraine, accusing the Greens of hypocrisy for previously backing away from support for Ukraine, and reiterated the government's clear position on the conflict.

Answer from Jenny McAllister

The minister stated that the government had changed the Fair Work Act to centre gender equality and was investing $630 million to deliver fairer pay for over 460,000 workers. This funding supports the Fair Work Commission's decisions to help organisations retain staff and attract new workers in an ageing population. In response to supplementary questions about aged-care nurses, the minister highlighted that enrolled nurses have seen wage increases of almost $32,000 per year since 2022, marking the fifth wage increase. She noted that free practical placements for nursing and allied health students were also part of the strategy to build the future workforce.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister expressed disappointment at the facility's closure, attributing it to negligence by the previous owner, Mr Gupta. He stated that both the Commonwealth and Tasmanian governments were closely examining proposals from proponents seeking to run the facility or alternative operations. In response to supplementary questions about the national significance of the smelter, the minister confirmed it was a significant industrial asset that supplied manganese to Whyalla, Port Kembla, and US steel production. He noted that a $10 million package had been provided to extend administration and pay wages. Regarding liquidation and the sale of components, the minister stated he would provide a timetable but emphasised the government's commitment to supporting industrial communities, citing the successful intervention at Bell Bay Aluminium.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister stated he would provide specific details on the Daybreak access later. He highlighted the government's world-leading approach to AI safety, including the establishment of an AI Safety Institute and a legislative framework to ensure AI investment occurs on Australia's terms. He clarified that the recent Medicare breach involved minor information and did not compromise personal details. In response to supplementary questions about why the AI Safety Act was shelved, the minister denied scrambling, stating the government was responding calmly and effectively. He noted that the AI national plan outlined standards for data centre investment signed by major firms.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister noted that the matter was under investigation by a joint counterterrorism team comprising the AFP, Victoria Police, and ASIO, and he would not comment on active investigations. He stated that all organisations receiving multicultural grants must comply with government guidelines and funding agreements, with breaches leading to reviews. In response to supplementary questions about audits and allegations of $1.1 million sent overseas, the minister stated he was unaware of the source of the overseas payment claims and could not confirm if they were from government grants or private fundraising. He affirmed that due-diligence checks are conducted by the Department of Home Affairs to assess compliance.

Answer from Murray Watt

The minister stated that free TAFE had resulted in 275,000 course completions and 185,000 enrolments in Victoria alone, producing more nurses, tradies, and early childhood educators. He emphasised that the program was permanent and critical for addressing workforce shortages in an ageing population. In response to supplementary questions about construction workers and housing supply, the minister reiterated that free TAFE was training tradies to build homes and drive the clean energy transition. He dismissed criticisms from opposition members, stating they opposed the policy despite its success.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister attributed fuel price spikes to global market disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. She highlighted the government's $7.5 billion investment in the Fuel and Fertiliser Security Facility and the establishment of a fuel security reserve to ensure supply. She stated that the government had engaged with suppliers in Asia to secure diesel and urea supplies. In response to supplementary questions about modelling the impact on food costs and refusing the fuel price shield, the minister stated the government was aware of the cascading economic effects but differed on the response. She suggested the opposition was downplaying the impact of the conflict on inflation.