Jobs & Employment

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript.

• Early Childhood Education and Care

  Senate · Thursday 17 September 2026 · Tony Sheldon ALP

  The senator asked for an update on how the legislation would generate employment, ensure equitable wages, reduce expenses for households, and enhance child protection.

  Answered by Jess Walsh

• Steel Industry

  House of Representatives · Thursday 17 September 2026 · Tom Venning Liberal

  The member asked why the Prime Minister would not visit Whyalla to face workers who had lost jobs under the government's industrial policy.

  Answered by Anthony Albanese

• Whyalla Steelworks

  Senate · Wednesday 16 September 2026 · Matthew Canavan LNP

  The senator asked how the government could claim net zero policies create secure jobs when 500 workers are losing jobs and sovereign capacity is at risk. In supplementary questions, he asked if Australia would retain the...

  Answered by Penny Wong

• Manufacturing Industry

  Senate · Tuesday 15 September 2026 · Kerrynne Liddle Liberal

  The member asked whether the government could deliver more than industrial destruction and job losses, citing the closure of Whyalla alongside other facilities like Tomago and Bell Bay, despite previous commitments to se...

  Answered by Penny Wong

• Whyalla Steelworks

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 15 September 2026 · Tom Venning Liberal

  The member asked why the government was spending significant funds on international climate conferences while providing limited financial support to workers affected by the steelworks closure.

  Answered by Pat Conroy

• Economy

  Senate · Monday 14 September 2026 · Malcolm Roberts One Nation

  The senator asked why people could not find enough work under the government, citing rising underutilization. He followed up by asking if the government had failed to keep its promise of a paid job for everyone who wants...

  Answered by Katy Gallagher

• Defence Industry

  House of Representatives · Thursday 10 September 2026 · Tom French ALP

  The member asked the Deputy Prime Minister how the government was supporting skilled jobs in the defence industry and delivering continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia, contrasting this with the previous deca...

  Answered by Richard Marles

• Energy

  House of Representatives · Thursday 10 September 2026 · Lisa Chesters ALP

  The member asked the Minister for Resources how the government was ensuring affordable gas for households and industry while creating jobs, and why this was necessary after a decade of neglect.

  Answered by Madeleine King

• Fuel Security

  House of Representatives · Thursday 10 September 2026 · Dan Repacholi ALP

  The member asked the Minister representing the Minister for Industry how the gas reservation policy would power jobs and manufacturing, and why this was important after a decade of neglect.

  Answered by Pat Conroy

• Employment

  Senate · Tuesday 8 September 2026 · Malcolm Roberts One Nation

  The member asked how the Treasurer's claim could be true if the private sector's share of jobs had fallen. He later asked what the government was doing to reverse the fall in labor market productivity and where the plan ...

  Answered by Katy Gallagher

• Employment

  Senate · Monday 7 September 2026 · Malcolm Roberts One Nation

  The senator asked why the government brought in many new arrivals when there was insufficient work for 1.68 million underutilised Australians. He claimed mass immigration was creating a labor glut that pulled down real w...

  Answered by Katy Gallagher

• Critical and Strategic Minerals Industry

  House of Representatives · Monday 7 September 2026 · Tania Lawrence ALP

  The member asked how the government was working with industry and partners to build critical minerals capability and create jobs.

  Answered by Madeleine King

• Employment

  Senate · Thursday 20 August 2026 · Varun Ghosh ALP

  The senator asked for details on the latest labour force figures, specifically regarding unemployment rates and participation. He followed up by asking how the government is supporting workers facing cost-of-living press...

  Answered by Murray Watt

• Employment

  House of Representatives · Thursday 20 August 2026 · Alison Byrnes ALP

  The member asked how the government was delivering higher wages and more jobs, and what the biggest threats to this progress were.

  Answered by Amanda Rishworth

• Manufacturing Industry

  Senate · Wednesday 19 August 2026 · Deborah O'Neill ALP

  The senator asked the minister to explain how the government's manufacturing investments, including the Tomago Aluminium project, contribute to national resilience and create well-paid jobs in regional areas.

  Answered by Tim Ayres

• Northen Australia Infrastructure Facility

  Senate · Wednesday 19 August 2026 · Malcolm Roberts One Nation

  The senator asked the minister to undertake to work with the NAIF to progress the GAIN proposal urgently, citing its potential to add $100 billion to GDP and create 40,000 jobs.

  Answered by Don Farrell

• Indigenous Employment

  Senate · Tuesday 18 August 2026 · Dorinda Cox ALP

  The senator asked for an update on the Remote Jobs and Economic Development program. She asked for feedback from individuals working in these jobs and what obstacles stand in the way of further economic development in re...

  Answered by Malarndirri McCarthy

• Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

  Senate · Monday 17 August 2026 · Penny Allman-Payne Greens

  The member asked what specific actions the department had taken to implement Commonwealth Ombudsman recommendations and prevent further misconduct by private employment services providers. She questioned why the departme...

  Answered by Murray Watt

• SunRice: Employment

  House of Representatives · Monday 17 August 2026 · Barnaby Joyce One Nation

  The member asked the Leader of the House, representing the Minister for Environment and Water, to promise that the government would reverse its decision on environmental flows to restore jobs for the affected workers.

  Answered by Tony Burke

• Superannuation

  House of Representatives · Monday 17 August 2026 · Shayne Neumann ALP

  The member asked the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations how the government was delivering a more secure retirement and what factors could place this progress at risk.

  Answered by Amanda Rishworth

• Sovereign Capability

  House of Representatives · Thursday 13 August 2026 · Sharon Claydon ALP

  The member asked how the government was backing the workforce and manufacturing industry and whether there had been any responses.

  Answered by Anthony Albanese

• Tomago Aluminium

  House of Representatives · Thursday 13 August 2026 · Dan Repacholi ALP

  The member asked how the plan would support local jobs and manufacturing capability, and how it compared to other approaches.

  Answered by Pat Conroy

• Export Finance Australia

  Senate · Thursday 2 July 2026 · Matthew Canavan LNP

  The member asked why the government was financing foreign renewable projects instead of supporting Australian exports and jobs.

  Answered by Katy Gallagher

• Export Finance Australia

  Senate · Thursday 2 July 2026 · Don Farrell ALP

  The member asked how financing Indian renewable projects met the purpose of Export Finance Australia, given the lack of Australian products or jobs involved.

  Answered by Matthew Canavan

• Small Business

  Senate · Wednesday 1 July 2026 · Glenn Sterle ALP

  The member asked how the government was helping small businesses grow and create jobs. He later asked how these measures supported regional communities and why the government had taken this approach.

  Answered by Tim Ayres

• Housing

  House of Representatives · Monday 29 June 2026 · Zoe McKenzie Liberal

  The member asked how many first home buyers now owed more than their home was worth, citing previous comments about potential price collapses.

  Answered by Clare O'Neil

• Workplace Relations

  House of Representatives · Thursday 25 June 2026 · Dan Repacholi ALP

  The member asked how the government was increasing wages and jobs for workers and what the biggest threats to this record were.

  Answered by Amanda Rishworth

• Indigenous Australians

  Senate · Wednesday 24 June 2026 · Corinne Mulholland ALP

  The senator asked how the government was supporting recovery in remote Indigenous communities through employment programs. She also asked how the government was easing cost-of-living pressures in these areas.

  Answered by Malarndirri McCarthy

• Australian Defence Force

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 24 June 2026 · Sam Lim ALP

  The member asked how government investment in defence was delivering well-paid, secure jobs after a decade of perceived waste.

  Answered by Richard Marles

• Defence Industry

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 24 June 2026 · Matt Burnell ALP

  The member asked how the government was delivering defence capability and creating jobs, and how this compared to the inherited situation.

  Answered by Pat Conroy

• Migration

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 23 June 2026 · Bob Katter KAP

  The member asked how the government would handle the financial situation arising from increasing temporary visa numbers, noting that 92 per cent reside in Sydney and Melbourne where he claimed there are no jobs.

  Answered by Jim Chalmers

• Employment

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 23 June 2026 · Joanne Ryan ALP

  The member asked how the government is delivering better outcomes for working Australians and what could put this progress at risk.

  Answered by Amanda Rishworth

• Defence: Over-the-Horizon Radar

  House of Representatives · Monday 22 June 2026 · Matt Burnell ALP

  The member asked how the historic signing of Australia's largest defence export to Canada would deliver high-paid secure jobs.

  Answered by Richard Marles

• Vocational Education and Training

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 2 June 2026 · David Smith ALP

  The member asked how the free TAFE program is backing Australians into needed jobs and whether its future is certain.

  Answered by Andrew Giles

• Employment

  House of Representatives · Thursday 28 May 2026 · Ash Ambihaipahar ALP

  The member asked how the government was assisting workers and facilitating access to safe and secure employment.

  Answered by Amanda Rishworth

• Defence

  House of Representatives · Thursday 28 May 2026 · Lisa Chesters ALP

  The member asked how the government was providing defence capabilities and building a local defence industry.

  Answered by Pat Conroy

• Employment

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 27 May 2026 · Louise Miller-Frost ALP

  The member asked how the government's reforms to employment services would assist more Australians in securing employment.

  Answered by Amanda Rishworth

• Defence Industry

  House of Representatives · Monday 25 May 2026 · Tony Zappia ALP

  The member asked the Deputy Prime Minister how the government was securing well-paid jobs in South Australia through defence investments and what uncertainty the industry had previously faced.

  Answered by Richard Marles

• Budget

  House of Representatives · Monday 25 May 2026 · Shayne Neumann ALP

  The member asked the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations how the budget built on the government's commitment to backing workers and how this compared to other approaches.

  Answered by Amanda Rishworth

• Workplace Relations

  House of Representatives · Thursday 14 May 2026 · Rob Mitchell ALP

  The member asked how the government was helping Australian workers and reducing cost-of-living pressures.

  Answered by Amanda Rishworth

• Fertiliser

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 13 May 2026 · Bob Katter KAP

  The member asked if the government would save the Mount Isa phosphate plant and 17,000 jobs, or if it would continue with a free-market approach leading to 100 per cent fertiliser imports.

  Answered by Anthony Albanese; Madeleine King

• Artificial Intelligence

  Senate · Tuesday 12 May 2026 · David Pocock Ind

  The senator asked what modelling the government had commissioned regarding the fiscal and labour market impacts of AI, and when it would be made public. Supplementary questions asked if the government would commit to tax...

  Answered by Tim Ayres

• Tasmania: No. 34 Aboriginal Health Service

  Senate · Wednesday 1 April 2026 · Tammy Tyrrell Ind

  The senator asked what had happened to the funding for No. 34 and why the service had lost its financial support, resulting in the loss of full-time roles.

  Answered by Jenny McAllister

• Artificial Intelligence

  Senate · Tuesday 31 March 2026 · David Pocock Ind

  The senator asked how the voluntary expectations for data centres would be enforced, given that legislation was required for other tech regulations. He asked how the government would ensure big tech companies complied wi...

  Answered by Tim Ayres

• Mining Industry

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 31 March 2026 · Zaneta Mascarenhas ALP

  The member asked how the government was creating jobs and strengthening economic resilience by growing the critical minerals industry.

  Answered by Madeleine King

• Fuel

  Senate · Thursday 26 March 2026 · Kerrynne Liddle Liberal

  The member asked how the government allowed the fuel crisis to escalate to the point of disrupting trade, jobs, food supply, and health services. She cited specific impacts on apprentices, vegetable growers, and police o...

  Answered by Penny Wong

• Disaster and Emergency Management

  Senate · Thursday 26 March 2026 · Dorinda Cox ALP

  The member asked what support the government was providing to remote and First Nations communities affected by natural disasters. She sought details on initiatives supporting these communities during the wet season.

  Answered by Malarndirri McCarthy

• Transport Industry

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 25 March 2026 · Julie-Ann Campbell ALP

  The member asked how the government was backing truck drivers and what the response to these actions had been.

  Answered by Amanda Rishworth

• Fuel

  House of Representatives · Monday 23 March 2026 · Zoe McKenzie Liberal

  The member asked for the number of service stations across Australia that had exhausted their fuel supplies.

  Answered by Chris Bowen

• Workplace Relations

  House of Representatives · Monday 23 March 2026 · Steve Georganas ALP

  The member asked about the government's delivery for workers in South Australia and requested a comparison with alternative political approaches.

  Answered by Amanda Rishworth

• Agriculture Industry

  Senate · Thursday 12 March 2026 · Ross Cadell Nationals

  The member asked why the government was sacrificing farming jobs and land during a time of instability. He questioned the impact of carbon credit schemes and renewable energy infrastructure on agricultural production.

  Answered by Malarndirri McCarthy

• Rural, Regional and Remote Australia

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 11 March 2026 · Matt Smith ALP

  The member asked how the government was building a future made in Australia to create jobs and boost regional economies, and how this compared to other approaches.

  Answered by Madeleine King

• Critical and Strategic Minerals Industry

  House of Representatives · Thursday 5 March 2026 · Tania Lawrence ALP

  The member asked how the government was working with partners like Canada to strengthen critical minerals supply chains and create secure jobs, and whether there were threats to the industry.

  Answered by Madeleine King

• Fossil Fuel Industry

  Senate · Wednesday 4 March 2026 · Matthew Canavan LNP

  The member asked why the government was making it more expensive to refine fuel in Australia and whether it would grant fuel refining a permanent exemption from the Safeguard Mechanism.

  Answered by Penny Wong

• Employment

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 4 March 2026 · Ash Ambihaipahar ALP

  The member asked how the government was delivering for Australian workers and what risks existed.

  Answered by Amanda Rishworth

• Cost of Living

  Senate · Tuesday 3 March 2026 · Tony Sheldon ALP

  The member asked about the importance of higher wages for workers. He followed up by asking how the government had improved working conditions and helped keep Australians in their jobs.

  Answered by Murray Watt

• Critical and Strategic Minerals Industry

  House of Representatives · Monday 9 February 2026 · Zaneta Mascarenhas ALP

  The member asked how the government is working with trading partners to secure supply chains and create jobs, and what threatens the industry.

  Answered by Madeleine King

• Cost of Living

  Senate · Thursday 5 February 2026 · Charlotte Walker ALP

  The member asked what specific measures the government was delivering to help Australians get ahead, including details on wages, unemployment, housing, and healthcare. She also inquired about actions taken to address cli...

  Answered by Penny Wong

• Defence Properties

  Senate · Thursday 5 February 2026 · Claire Chandler Liberal

  The member asked if the minister agreed with the assessment that the defence asset sales fundamentally altered Tasmania's role in national defence. She further asked how the government could claim to strengthen defence r...

  Answered by Penny Wong

• Albanese Government: Economy

  Senate · Wednesday 4 February 2026 · Josh Dolega ALP

  The member asked how the government had managed the budget and inflation challenges since taking office. He followed up by asking how strengthening the budget supported job creation and wage growth while lowering inflati...

  Answered by Katy Gallagher

• Critical and Strategic Minerals Industry

  Senate · Wednesday 4 February 2026 · Corinne Mulholland ALP

  The member asked why high-purity alumina is crucial for global tech supply chains and what the funding would mean for Alpha HPA. She followed up by asking why backing Australian industrial firms in regional areas is impo...

  Answered by Tim Ayres

• Defence Equipment

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 4 February 2026 · Louise Miller-Frost ALP

  The member asked how the government was delivering defence capability and what approaches were rejected.

  Answered by Pat Conroy

• Aged Care

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 4 February 2026 · Luke Gosling ALP

  The member asked how the government was delivering well-paid jobs for aged-care workers and improving care for older Australians.

  Answered by Sam Rae

• Wages

  Senate · Tuesday 3 February 2026 · Tony Sheldon ALP

  The member asked how much wages had risen since the reforms and how this helped with cost-of-living challenges.

  Answered by Murray Watt

• Indigenous Employment

  Senate · Wednesday 26 November 2025 · Jana Stewart ALP

  The senator asked how the new service would help people in remote communities develop skills and find work.

  Answered by Malarndirri McCarthy

• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 26 November 2025 · Rebekha Sharkie Centre Alliance

  The member asked if the government would immediately invest $75 million to stop the loss of 350 science and research jobs at the CSIRO.

  Answered by Michelle Rowland

• Australian Public Service

  Senate · Tuesday 25 November 2025 · David Pocock Ind

  The member asked how many jobs would be lost from the Australian Public Service due to the five per cent budget cut requirement and whether this constituted an austerity measure.

  Answered by Katy Gallagher

• Energy

  Senate · Monday 24 November 2025 · Jessica Collins Liberal

  The member asked whether the minister disagreed with the assertion that the net zero by 2050 target might be detrimental to the economy and unachievable with existing technology. She further questioned why the government...

  Answered by Tim Ayres

• Economy

  Senate · Monday 24 November 2025 · Deborah O'Neill ALP

  The member asked the minister to outline the IMF's comments on Australia's economic performance and how the government's management was delivering stability, growth, and resilience. She followed up by asking how the gove...

  Answered by Katy Gallagher

• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

  Senate · Monday 24 November 2025 · Peter Whish-Wilson Greens

  The member asked if the minister was ashamed of the job cuts at the CSIRO, which he described as the largest in the organisation's history. He specifically noted that the Environment Research Unit was facing a 20 per cen...

  Answered by Tim Ayres

• Workplace Relations

  House of Representatives · Monday 24 November 2025 · Libby Coker ALP

  The member requested details on how the government was supporting workers and what factors might threaten these gains.

  Answered by Amanda Rishworth

• Economy

  Senate · Wednesday 5 November 2025 · Richard Dowling ALP

  The member asked how the government was supporting Australians while strengthening the economy, citing positive economic indicators and recent policy actions.

  Answered by Katy Gallagher

• Manufacturing Industry

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 5 November 2025 · Jess Teesdale ALP

  The member asked how the government's energy approach was securing the future of Australian manufacturing and jobs, and what risks existed.

  Answered by Pat Conroy

• Employment: Mining Industry

  Senate · Wednesday 5 November 2025 · Susan McDonald Nationals

  The member asked how many more jobs would be lost under the government's watch, attributing recent job losses to failed energy and industry policies.

  Answered by Tim Ayres

• Iron Ore Industry

  Senate · Wednesday 5 November 2025 · Fatima Payman Australia's Voice

  The member asked what funding the federal government had set aside for shared facilities at Geraldton port to support green iron investment in Western Australia.

  Answered by Tim Ayres

• Labor Government

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 4 November 2025 · Leon Rebello LNP

  The member asked whether the Prime Minister's promise that no one would be left behind was accurate given the reported economic indicators.

  Answered by Anthony Albanese

• Energy

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 4 November 2025 · Dan Repacholi ALP

  The member asked how the government's energy policy was driving jobs in regional areas and what threats existed.

  Answered by Pat Conroy

• Indigenous Australians

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 4 November 2025 · Marion Scrymgour ALP

  The member asked how the government was supporting remote First Nations communities through jobs, cost-of-living relief, and infrastructure.

  Answered by Anthony Albanese

• Economy

  House of Representatives · Monday 3 November 2025 · Sussan Ley Liberal

  The member asked when prices would decrease for Australian families, citing rising inflation and unemployment under the current government and the financial strain on households.

  Answered by Anthony Albanese

• International Relations

  House of Representatives · Monday 3 November 2025 · Jo Briskey ALP

  The member asked how the Prime Minister's recent overseas meetings benefited Australian jobs, trade, and industry, and why such engagement is important for the domestic economy.

  Answered by Anthony Albanese

• Local Content Broadcasting

  House of Representatives · Monday 3 November 2025 · Zali Steggall Ind

  The member asked whether the government would fulfill its election promise to legislate local content quotas on streaming services to support Australian jobs and the creative sector.

  Answered by Anthony Albanese; Tony Burke

• Vocational Education and Training

  House of Representatives · Monday 3 November 2025 · Louise Miller-Frost ALP

  The member asked how the government was removing barriers to skills training for Australians and what the response to these measures had been.

  Answered by Andrew Giles

• Economy

  House of Representatives · Thursday 30 October 2025 · Ted O'Brien Liberal

  The member asked for the Treasurer's explanation for high inflation and unemployment, attributing it to government spending.

  Answered by Jim Chalmers

• Critical and Strategic Minerals Industry

  Senate · Thursday 30 October 2025 · Jessica Collins Liberal

  The member asked whether the future of Australian manufacturing looked like job losses and closures, given the threat to Tomago Aluminium. She questioned the effectiveness of the government's industrial policy.

  Answered by Tim Ayres

• Tasmania: Manufacturing Industry

  Senate · Thursday 30 October 2025 · Tammy Tyrrell Ind

  The member asked whether the government would commit to funding to keep the Bell Bay aluminium smelter open. She highlighted the smelter's importance to the Tasmanian economy.

  Answered by Tim Ayres

• Energy

  Senate · Thursday 30 October 2025 · Matthew Canavan LNP

  The member asked when the government would admit that its renewable energy targets were destroying manufacturing jobs. He questioned the viability of the energy transition.

  Answered by Tim Ayres

• Energy

  House of Representatives · Monday 27 October 2025 · Colin Boyce LNP

  The member asked how many direct jobs would be lost if the Gladstone Power Station closed.

  Answered by Pat Conroy

• Energy

  House of Representatives · Monday 27 October 2025 · Chris Bowen ALP

  The member elaborated on the job losses and criticised the opposition's stance on extending the life of coal-fired power stations.

  Answered by Chris Bowen (Minister for Industry and Science)

• Local Content Broadcasting

  House of Representatives · Thursday 9 October 2025 · Zali Steggall Ind

  The member asked if the Prime Minister would implement Australian local content quotas for streaming services without delay to protect screen industry jobs.

  Answered by Anika Wells

• Critical and Strategic Minerals Industry

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 8 October 2025 · Matt Smith ALP

  The member asked how the government was working with Queensland to protect regional jobs and strengthen Australia's copper capability.

  Answered by Anthony Albanese

• Employment

  House of Representatives · Thursday 4 September 2025 · Matt Smith ALP

  The member asked how the government was delivering for Australian workers.

  Answered by Amanda Rishworth

• Trade

  Senate · Thursday 28 August 2025 · Carol Brown ALP

  The member asked about government actions to open new export opportunities and create jobs. She subsequently inquired about the benefits of the UAE trade agreement for businesses and consumers, and the government's appro...

  Answered by Don Farrell

• Energy

  Senate · Thursday 28 August 2025 · Matthew Canavan LNP

  The member asked how many jobs had been lost due to rising electricity costs, noting a six per cent fall in sector productivity. He followed up by asking why electricity prices had risen by 39 per cent and when the avera...

  Answered by Tim Ayres

• Workplace Relations

  Senate · Wednesday 27 August 2025 · Glenn Sterle ALP

  The senator asked how the government was securing jobs, raising pay, reducing the gender pay gap, and promoting cooperative workplaces. He also asked how specific parts of the economy had flourished compared to negative ...

  Answered by Murray Watt

• Critical and Strategic Minerals Industry

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 26 August 2025 · Trish Cook ALP

  The member asked the Minister for Resources how the government was creating jobs through the critical minerals industry and what proposals might threaten the sector.

  Answered by Madeleine King

• Cost of Living

  Senate · Monday 25 August 2025 · Corinne Mulholland ALP

  The senator asked how the government would continue to assist Australians with cost-of-living pressures and support first-home buyers, citing positive economic indicators.

  Answered by Katy Gallagher

• Workplace Relations, Housing

  House of Representatives · Monday 25 August 2025 · Luke Gosling ALP

  The member asked how the government was supporting wages and job creation, particularly in the construction sector.

  Answered by Amanda Rishworth

• Gender Equality

  Senate · Thursday 31 July 2025 · Lisa Darmanin ALP

  The senator asked why challenging gender segregation in the labour market was important for the economy and how the government was supporting women's aspirations.

  Answered by Katy Gallagher

• Workplace Relations

  House of Representatives · Thursday 31 July 2025 · Matt Smith ALP

  The member asked what actions the government was taking to protect penalty and overtime rates for workers and why this was an urgent priority.

  Answered by Amanda Rishworth

• Critical Minerals Industry

  Senate · Wednesday 30 July 2025 · Matthew Canavan LNP

  The member asked if the minister agreed that high energy prices risk union jobs at manufacturing smelters. He noted reports of potential production pauses and job losses at Mount Isa and Townsville, asking if the governm...

  Answered by Tim Ayres

• Economy

  Senate · Tuesday 15 September 2026 · Jessica Collins (NSW) (Liberal Party) Liberal

  Senator Jessica Collins moved a matter of public importance arguing that the government was deceiving Australians about the economy while real wages fell and housing became unaffordable. Labor senators countered that wag...

• Energy

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 15 September 2026 · Dan Tehan (Wannon) (Liberal Party) Liberal

  The debate centred on the closure of the Whyalla steelworks and the loss of over 600 jobs, with opposition members criticising the government for broken promises and high energy costs driven by renewable energy policies....

• Sovereign Capability

  House of Representatives · Monday 14 September 2026 · Rowan Holzberger (Forde) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

  The debate centred on a motion moved by the Australian Labor Party to commend the government's Future Made in Australia agenda and the National Reconstruction Fund. Labor members argued that targeted government investmen...

• Energy

  House of Representatives · Monday 14 September 2026 · Tom Venning (Grey) (Liberal Party) Liberal

  Members debated the state of Australia's energy market, focusing on rising costs, grid reliability, and the impact on industry and households. The Liberal Party argued that government policies have led to energy poverty ...

• Employment

  Senate · Tuesday 8 September 2026 · Malcolm Roberts (QLD) (Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) One Nation

  Senator Roberts moved a motion to take note of the Minister for Finance's answer regarding the labour market. Roberts argued that economic growth was poor and attributed this to high immigration levels, which he claimed ...

• Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Fair Super for Young Workers) Bill 2026; Second Reading

  Senate · Thursday 20 August 2026 · Barbara Pocock (SA) (Australian Greens) Greens

  The debate focused on making super contributions mandatory for all workers under 18, irrespective of hours worked. The Greens claimed the current exclusion discriminates against young workers and denies them fair entitle...

• Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

  Senate · Monday 17 August 2026 · Penny Allman-Payne (QLD) (Australian Greens) Greens

  Senator Penny Allman-Payne moved a motion to take note of the Minister for the Environment and Water's response regarding welfare payments. She criticised the government for relying on financial penalties and private emp...

• Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave) Legislation Amendment Bill 2026; Second Reading

  Senate · Thursday 2 July 2026 · Malcolm Roberts (QLD) (Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) One Nation

  The Senate debated legislation creating a voluntary pathway for black-coal employers to resolve historical long service leave levy debts. The government and opposition supported the bill as a measure to provide certainty...

• Statute Update Bill 2026; Second Reading

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 1 July 2026 · Zoe McKenzie (Flinders) (Liberal Party) Liberal

  The House of Representatives debated the Statute Update Bill 2026, which aims to correct drafting errors, update terminology, and repeal obsolete acts within the Commonwealth Statute Book. The Shadow Assistant Minister f...

• Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No. 1) Bill 2026; Consideration of Senate Message

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 30 June 2026 · Amanda Rishworth (Kingston) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

  The House of Representatives considered amendments proposed by the Senate to the Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No. 1) Bill 2026. The amendments aimed to ensure that mandatory ...

• Parent Pathways, Cybersafety, Bonner Electorate: Community Events

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 30 June 2026 · Kara Cook (Bonner) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

  Kara Cook delivered a speech covering three distinct topics under the grievance debate format. She highlighted the success of the Parent Pathways pre-employment service for parents, citing participation figures and perso...

• Gun Control

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 30 June 2026 · Andrew Gee (Calare) (Independent) Ind

  Andrew Gee criticised the government's response to the December 2025 terrorist attacks, arguing that rushed gun law reforms unfairly penalised law-abiding owners while failing to address intelligence failures. He highlig...

• Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Local Industry Preference) Bill 2026; Second Reading

  House of Representatives · Monday 29 June 2026 · Dai Le (Fowler) (Independent) Ind

  The debate concerned a private member's bill to amend Commonwealth procurement rules to prioritise Australian manufacturing. The member for Fowler argued that current government spending on future industries neglected tr...

• Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No. 1) Bill 2026; Second Reading

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 24 June 2026 · Dan Tehan (Wannon) (Liberal Party) Liberal

  The debate centered on the Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No. 1) Bill 2026, which proposed reforms to streamline the Fair Work Commission and allow Commonwealth procurement to ...

• Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No. 1) Bill 2026; Consideration in Detail

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 24 June 2026 · Allegra Spender (Wentworth) (Independent) Ind

  The debate focused on amendments moved by Allegra Spender to remove Part 9 of the bill, which granted the minister broad powers to link Commonwealth funding and procurement to industrial relations standards. Spender argu...

• Forestry Industry

  Senate · Tuesday 23 June 2026 · Nick McKim (TAS) (Australian Greens) Greens

  Senator McKim moved a matter of public importance urging the government to stop subsidising native forest logging and use Commonwealth powers to end it, citing environmental damage and taxpayer costs revealed by a Four C...

• Artificial Intelligence

  Senate · Tuesday 23 June 2026 · David Pocock (ACT) (Independent) Ind

  Senator David Pocock moved a motion to take note of the Minister for Industry and Innovation's answers regarding artificial intelligence. He criticised the government for failing to rule out concerns about job losses and...

• Employment

  House of Representatives · Monday 22 June 2026 · Basem Abdo (Calwell) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

  The debate centred on a motion moved by the Australian Labor Party regarding the dignity of work and proposed reforms to employment services. Labor members argued that the current one-size-fits-all system is outdated and...

• Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027; Consideration in Detail

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 3 June 2026 · Andrew Hastie (Canning) (Liberal Party) Liberal

  Members debated the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027, with opposition and independent members criticising net zero policies, tax changes, and cuts to apprenticeship incentives, drought preparedness, and nature conser...

• Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No. 1) Bill 2026; Second Reading

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 3 June 2026 · Amanda Rishworth (Kingston) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

  The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations introduced the bill to streamline Fair Work Commission operations and support cooperative workplaces. Key measures included administrative reforms to reduce workload, p...