Anthony Albanese
Grayndler · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“The ground there at Brookvale Oval, as I call it, was of course sponsored by a gambling company, so every time there's a game on there you see that constant advertising around the ground. What our legislation will do is make sure that future contracts can't be issued with things such as advertising on jerseys or advertising on grounds.”
“She's someone who's passionate about it and tells me about her constituent who is 108 years old and travelled, as a very young boy, from South Australia with family for the opening of the first parliament—and he's still there. We hope he's able to attend again.”
“That is why, just this week, there was the increase in the minimum wage, the decrease in taxes, the support for paid parental leave, super being paid every payday. All of these changes make a positive difference to people's lives.”
“This year, Australia is celebrating 125 years of Federation, and I was with you and other members in Melbourne to commemorate that event of the first sitting of parliament, and it was a very good celebration of our history, which is worthy of celebration.”
“We Australians sometimes think of ourselves as a young nation on an ancient continent, yet by global standards, of course, we are one of the oldest and strongest democracies in the world. Next year will mark an important anniversary: the 100th anniversary of Australian democracy making its home here in Canberra, our national capital.”
“I note the member for McPherson, who's a former attendant in Parliament House, has agreed to be one of the members of that committee as well, and that's a good thing.”
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“The unspoken suggestion from some, as part of this campaign, is that we should just tear up contracts that are made with our trading partners. If the member says no, that's not the case, then I welcome the fact that they are saying that, but in the public campaign that's certainly not a part of it. The truth is that, in recent times, one of the things that we have been able to rely upon is that we are a reliable trading partner.”
“The member for Ryan suggests, from some of the campaign which has been had publicly, that somehow gas companies or other companies in the resources sector don't pay tax, that there's no company tax or resource tax and that the PRRT does not exist and will not grow in the future. It also ignores the work that we've done in two areas—the work that we've done on the gas reservation of 20 per cent of exports, which is very important. In Western Australia, the former WA Labor government brought in a gas reservation that has served the people of WA well. But, on the east coast, that has not happened. That has been inadequate from governments of all persuasions in dealing with this challenge. We're dealing with it. We're getting it done, and we're consulting with industries to make sure it happens.”
“The further tax cuts that are part of this legislation that those opposite in the three right-wing parties voted against in the Senate—and they'll have an opportunity to change their mind in the coming period before it returns to the House—will give a $250 tax cut for every working Australian and a $1,000 instant tax deduction. Every single Labor member will be proud to vote for this legislation—tax cuts for every working Australian, not just some; backing aspiration for all, not just some; an economy that works for all Australians, not just some. That's the difference between this side of the House and the three right-wing parties. They are anti-aspiration, anti-worker, anti-tax-cuts and anti-first-home-buyers. They are defined only by what they are against.”
“During this debate about housing that has taken place all year, the truth is—and no-one in this debate is arguing the housing system is working—that those opposite say, even though they acknowledge it's not working, 'Don't do anything about it.' Well, that is not the Labor way. Governments are here to make a difference, not to just occupy the space, and we are making a difference. We're fixing a broken system to give first home buyers a fair crack. But we're not just doing that—we are making sure that people can earn more and keep more of what they earn, earning more through the increases in the minimum wage.”
“I thank the member for Deakin, and I can tell the member for Deakin that our legislation has just passed the Senate. This is legislation that will make Australia stronger. It will make Australia fairer. It will, indeed, make Australia stronger because it is fairer. Most Australians have nothing to sell but their time, nothing to give but their hard work. They go to work each and every day to earn an income, to put food on the table for their families. They deserve a tax cut and we are giving them one. They deserve the opportunity to buy their own home, and we're making sure they have it. Our reforms are delivering both, and that is what delivering real change looks like—fixing a broken system to give first home buyers a fair crack.”
“I thank the member for Bullwinkel for her question. Of course, the member for Bullwinkel was a member of Mundaring council in her local electorate. Importantly, I don't think she'll be rerunning in the next local government election, because one job is enough for the member for Bullwinkel. Tonight, I will have the pleasure of addressing the Australian Local Government Association.”
“So we'll examine these things when it comes to artificial intelligence in general. I assure the member for Warringah that this has been the subject of substantial debate within the government and, as well, with the private sector and with the bureaucracy. I convened a meeting of half a dozen ministers just this week across portfolios, looking at the challenges that it represents. It represents a real opportunity for growth. You can't stop these technologies from emerging, which is why we need to make sure that we shape them rather than allow them to shape us and the way that our society operates. We'll continue to work constructively across the parliament with all those who are prepared to work constructively across the parliament, and that includes the member for Warringah.”
“I thank the member for Warringah for her question. I haven't considered the details in the bill that she refers to that she has tabled. I'm happy to have a look at it, as we're happy to consider any ideas going forward. Certainly the issue of political advertising is very real. The issue of use of artificial intelligence is something that should be of concern across the parliament, such as the images which people can see in videos, for example, that have been published recently showing various members of parliament and ministers when it isn't actually them. But, when people look at it, they see them and hear their voices. So this has the potential to really change the way that politics operates in this country. Politics does have to operate in a way where there is fairness and where people are able to see things that they know are real.”
“I'm asked about the annual threat assessment of the director-general of ASIO, and, as part of the question from the self-described newly elected member of parliament there, what he has done in the language that was used—”
“We understand that Australians are under financial pressure, which is why we're not just identifying issues. We're actually doing something about it. In the Senate right now, there are bells ringing. And the bell is tolling for all those opposite, because those opposite, all three right-wing parties, are voting in the Senate against tax cuts for every Australian—for every Australian worker.”
“I thank the member for her question. As she'd be aware, with the algal bloom, we worked very closely with the Malinauskas government to provide support for industry and to provide the sort of research that, frankly, will help not just people in South Australia but is, indeed, world-leading research to deal with the challenge that came from the algal bloom. I visited Kangaroo Island in the member's electorate to see firsthand the issues, and I met with local fishers and local producers in the primary sector. That's what our government does. When a challenge happens, we work across the board with industry, with different levels of government, and the member and I had conversations at that time. We'll continue to work on this challenge as well, and I'd ask the minister to update the House.”
“I haven't seen the media report, but someone in the media weeks ago was good enough to forward to me the document that was provided by the Liberal Party to them with details before they chose not to run the article, because of its nature and its inaccuracies. I simply say this: all of my arrangements have been declared appropriately. What we are doing here, when it comes to housing, is wanting to make sure that, just as I had the opportunity way back in my 20s to own my own home, a roof over my head, when I purchased a property—to save the researchers—in Beauchamp Street, Marrickville, I want young Australians and people who are now in their 20s and in their 30s to have the same opportunity. The truth is that I didn't inherit wealth. What I did was work hard, save for a deposit and buy my own home. I want—”
“Every one of us must work together to end violence against women and children and towards a future that is better, safer and without violence, which will be a better society for all of us.”
“This was a commitment that I made as Leader of the Opposition during the term in which I held that office. And we've invested $1 billion in more crisis and transitional accommodation for women and children fleeing family and domestic violence. Given that so much violence does start online, our social media ban for under-16s, along with restricting AI nudify apps and stalking tools, is important here. But there will be more to do as AI continues to become more widespread. This is a challenge for all of us as decision-makers, but, importantly, it's a challenge for all of us as a society. Men have an important role to play in supporting women and children in this situation and in calling out behaviour from fellow men. We all have a part in addressing this issue and in taking action.”
“We are listening to experts, to frontline workers and to victim-survivors as we consult on the second National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children. That work is being led by the Minister for Social Services in partnership, particularly, with the Minister for Women in the other place. Since 2022, we have delivered a record $4.4 billion to tackle family, domestic and sexual violence. There have been 1,400 organisations funded, helping almost half a million Australians. We've made the leaving violence payment permanent, helping nearly 20,000 people, who have been assisted to leave a violent situation. Ten days paid domestic and family violence leave is now law. We've recruited over 500 new frontline domestic, family and sexual violence workers.”
“I thank the member for Bonner for her question. We know that she is one of the people—and I accept that it's right across the parliament here—who understand that violence against women and children is a national scourge. It shatters too many families. It devastates too many communities. One life lost to violence is one too many. With advocates and frontline workers, we've worked hard to make a difference with better services and better laws. We have seen some progress, but we know there is so much more to do. At last Monday's National Cabinet meeting, I put this on the agenda for the next face-to-face meeting so we can have a report back from states and territories about the progress that has been made as a result of the face-to-face special meeting of the National Cabinet that I convened during the last term to deal with these issues.”
“Our record hospital funding through the National Health Reform Agreement will be delivered—$25 billion. The $20,000 instant asset write-off for small business will be made permanent. Next week, we'll also mark one year since the launch of our Cheaper Home Batteries Program. Our goal was a million batteries by 2030. We've seen an extraordinary 450,000 installs. Families and small businesses are permanently cutting their power bills. Next week, we'll deliver our ban on supermarket price gouging. All of these measures are about the cost of living. All of them show what the priorities of this government are, and all of them are opposed by those opposite.”
“Importantly, today I met with a lovely couple and their young bub who are getting the expansion of paid parental leave to a full 26 weeks and superannuation paid on paid parental leave, something that some of the leaders of the right-wing parties over there and in the other place have said is a waste. One of the right-wing leaders has actually said that paid parental leave is bad because people will get pregnant and have a baby just to get paid parental leave—an extraordinary statement that I don't think has been repudiated yet. We made sure that every single one of our 137 urgent care clinics would be open well before 1 July, and they will become a permanent part of Medicare after 1 July. Our 22 endo and pelvic pain clinics will be expanded to include services for menopause and perimenopause on 1 July.”
“I thank you for the question. We had inflation figures earlier today that showed a rate of four per cent, down from 4.2 per cent. We continue to work on the cost of living as our No. 1 priority. Today of all days, just one week from when a whole lot of those measures cut in, is an appropriate time to answer a question about living standards, because next week every Australian worker will get a tax cut, including a significant increase for those who are on the minimum wage. We know that those opposite were opposed to that and were going to repeal the legislation, just like they're saying they'll repeal the legislation that's currently before the Senate. On 1 July next week, we have another tax cut for every single taxpayer. They'll get another one the following July. We have super paid on pay day—important reform.”
“Even as the decades between us and so many of those conflicts grow and multiply, the Australian War Memorial keeps us close to that meaning. What we are opening this evening will keep us even closer. Lest we forget.”
“Later this afternoon, parliament will adjourn to allow members of the House of Representatives to attend the opening of the Anzac Hall and Anzac Atrium in the Australian War Memorial. The adjournment is a significant step that befits an important moment in the life of our nation, one that honours a central part of the spirit on which our nation is built. The Anzac Hall and atrium enhance the institution of which they are now part. They are an act of profound respect from our nation to all who have served in our name and all who serve now. At the opening of the Australian War Memorial in 1941, Prime Minister Curtin said it would bring our nation closer to the meaning of Australian courage, sacrifice and faith.”
“Those opposite—and it goes directly to the question asked—are opposed to more Australians owning their own homes, because the measures that we've put in place directly relate to that—not just these measures but the past measures as well. That's what Help to Buy is about—a shared equity scheme to get more Australians into homeownership. That's what the five per cent deposit is about. That has helped 260,000 Australians into their first home. That's what the change is—to take away the advantage that investors have over first home buyers at auctions around the country. It is about increasing homeownership. We are the party of homeownership. They are the opponents of homeownership. They are the party that think it's more important that an investor get their 10th home than a first home buyer gets their first home and a roof over their head.”
“I suspect that there might have been a change of mind from those opposite because earlier on, when the Leader of the Opposition gave a press conference and was asked on at least six occasions about monoculturalism and whether he supported it or not, he was saying that he was opposed and they were going to reverse the legislation that's before the Senate. But what they've done is come into question time and they don't seem to oppose anything that is going through the Senate. What they're doing is talking about everything but. What we want is to support first home buyers to have their own home. We want more Australians owning their own homes, not fewer.”
“I thank the member for his question. It strikes me as passing strange that those opposite say that the legislation that is before the Senate is so terrible that they had to rule out any support for it before they'd even seen it. Now they're asking a series of questions not about things that are in the legislation but things that aren't.”
“We've helped 260,000 Australians into their first home with five per cent deposits. They want to gut the scheme and said that it would only benefit the children of billionaires. Remember that? We're throwing everything at housing supply.”
“I thank the member for her question; I really do. We have legislation which passed the House of Representatives—the reform that we think is appropriate. We now will have it carried by the Senate on Thursday, and, yes, we have secured a majority in the Senate because those opposite—the three right-wing parties—didn't take Dennis Shanahan's advice and actually engage in debate. What they chose to do was what they consistently do, which is to just say no before they've seen any detail, before they've seen the legislation. And now they've promised to repeal it. Well, there is a very big difference, of course, between us and those opposite. We're building 55,000 social and affordable homes over five years through the HAFF. They built 373 over the decade they were in office.”
“Paul Campbell, the estate agent, said: 'We have a lot of first home buyers looking, and they're not competing against investors right now.' In Tighes Hill, in the electorate of Newcastle, Jesse Wilton, the listing agent, said: 'We had a first home buyer, a young family and a young couple bidding on it, and it went to the first home buyer.'”
“Everything that we do, whether it's making the tax system fairer, rewarding hard work with tax cuts, making Medicare stronger and more accessible, giving people the opportunity to upskill through free TAFE, building our resilience by investing in Australian manufacturing and a future made here in Australia or, of course, helping young Australians who hold the aspiration of buying their first home achieve that dream. Around the country, more and more first home buyers are getting a fair crack. In Unanderra, in Cunningham electorate, Blake Torresan, the selling agent, said this: 'The home was sold the day of the scheduled auction. It was purchased by an Illawarra first home buyer.' In the Shortland electorate of Pat Conroy, in Cardiff Heights, an auction drew seven registered bidders, all first home buyers.”
“I thank the member for Boothby for her question. We on this side of the House stand for aspiration for all, not just for some—the opportunity that generations of Australians have fought for, including those Australians who've come from overseas not just for a better opportunity to work hard and to aspire to a better life for themselves but for better opportunities for their children and grandchildren to come as well. That is our vision for Australia, and that is what our reforms are about.”
“The proposals, consistent with other measures that were put forward, are grandfathered, of course. But we're not prepared to sit back and accept that Australians are locked out of what is a broken housing system in this country. To say that we're going to do nothing about it—we, of course, have a majority in the House of Representatives, but in the Senate we don't have a majority. Therefore, we have to engage constructively. Those opposite, in the three right-wing parties, all choose irrelevance. They all choose irrelevance and not to debate. Although, it must be said that the member for Canning has said, in his party room, that he wouldn't bend the knee to One Nation. It's a real contrast with the bloke, the current leader of the opposition, who, when asked a question about monoculturalism four times, couldn't give an answer.”
“I inform the House that the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services will be absent from question time for the remainder of this week. The Treasurer will answer questions on his behalf.”
“I would say to the member for Fowler that, if she's got a suggestion or an allegation about anyone in the chamber, she should actually say what it is and preferably say it outside. This isn't a council. This is a serious parliament, and one of the things that we do—”
“I thank the member for his question, but in fact it is the Howard government that is the highest-taxing government. Those opposite went to the last election calling for $75 billion in higher personal income taxes. If they'd had their way—they wanted $14 billion of higher taxes.”
“I've been to Prospect in Adelaide, to Perth, to Hobart, to Stones Corner in Brisbane, to Rosanna in Jagajaga in Melbourne—all have seen the difference that our policies are having. For too long the housing system was broken, prioritising investors looking to buy their 10th property and locking out young people looking for their first home. That's why we're reforming negative gearing and capital gains tax—so that hardworking Australians can actually see their hard work pay off, making a real difference. That's how you back aspiration—aspiration for all, not just for some, delivering real change to make a real difference.”
“Last week, I went to the Housing Australia Future Fund site in Jacka in Canberra. Fifty-seven social and affordable homes are under construction right where they're needed, just part of the 55,000 social and affordable homes which are being built—a program that those opposite say that they would abolish. In Clifton Springs in Victoria, I met Brooklyn, Lachie and dog Rosco with the member for Corangamite. Now, they bought their own home using a five per cent deposit, and what they said to me was that renting was frustrating, because their money wasn't going anywhere, but now it is going into a real asset for this family. That's the real change that we're delivering.”
“I thank the member for Corangamite for her question. Each and every day, our government is driven by making a real and positive difference in people's lives, delivering real change to make a real difference, doing what's right rather than just doing what is easy, not just pointing issues out but trying to take action to fix them, delivering real change that Australians can see and feel. What we're doing in housing is an example of that. It is not an abstract idea; housing is the key to a better life for people. It's the key to a better education for your kids, to better healthcare, to quality of life. That's why over four years we've thrown everything at housing supply: the Housing Australia Future Fund, Build to Rent, Help to Buy—all part of our Homes for Australia plan.”
“On top of retaining all four of the existing capital gains tax concessions for small businesses, we're also increasing the turnover threshold for small businesses to access the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount from $2 million to $10 million. That's a fivefold increase, and what that means is that every active small business will be included in that. What it means is that 98 per cent of all active businesses in Australia will be included in that. There's now $3.8 billion in the budget that lowers taxes and provides support for small businesses, making the $20,000 instant asset write-off permanent.”
“Thanks for the question. Well, on budget night we made it very clear that we foreshadowed Treasury's discussion paper. It was all there for all to see. But, of course, for those who were busy hyperventilating and saying they were opposed to things before they even saw legislation, they didn't look at that detail. We outlined that the implementation would happen in steps—far fewer steps than happened the last time there was major tax reform, way back under the Howard government. Then, there was something like 30 separate pieces of legislation. What we've done is to continue to consult. We will continue to do that.”
“On free TAFE, we're now well above 750,000 free TAFE places, which those opposite say is a waste. We backed—and we saw it this week—the fifth consecutive increase in the minimum wage, so that those battlers out there who need the minimum wage to be increased will get it. Workers—”
“I thank the member for Macquarie for her question. Indeed, this has been a fortnight where the Labor government has once again been delivering real change, real change in the interests of Australians, identifying issues which are there and then coming up with real solutions to deal with them, such as strengthening Medicare after the decade of undermining from those opposite. This Sunday, I will have the opportunity to open in Queensland the 137th Medicare urgent care clinic. Those opposite called them a sugar hit. They opposed them. We will have 137 after this weekend all up and running. We've delivered cheaper medicines—the lowest prices since 2004. We've delivered, as well, the largest ever increase over the period of time that we have of bulk-billing right across the nation.”
“I refer to the minister's answer of this week, and I refer also to the measures that we've put before the Australian people. I went to the National Press Club and announced what our policies were, and I note that people then, when we came back into parliament, said that somehow that was hidden. It's a strange way to hide it—going to the National Press Club! That's what being accountable is all about. We're taking action. We're taking action when it comes to problem gambling, more than any government in Australian history has. With the next comprehensive level of reforms, we'll continue to engage, and I'll continue to engage with people on the crossbenches and across the parliament, as we have.”
“In Ballarat North, Mark Williams, an auctioneer, spoke about an auction of a Ballarat North home that drew more than 50 people to the auction last weekend but not one investor put their hand up. Mark Williams, the auctioneer, said this: 'All the interested parties were owner-occupiers.' The home was sold to a first home buyer in his 30s.”
“I thank the member for his question. Our budget was aimed, clearly, at providing tax cuts for people, together with the wage increase that happened at the beginning of this week. That is how you lift living standards: by people being paid more and keeping more of what they earn. In addition to that, we are making a difference for people already, through the housing policies that we've put forward. Indeed, just last weekend, in the electorate of Dickson, Kathleen, a 65-year-old single mum from Arana Hills, who'd spent a year looking for a home and had been outbid, time and time again—this is what she said: 'It was really depressing to see a house you had your heart set on sell way over budget, only to reappear weeks later on the rental market.' But, last weekend, she finally got into her own home.”
“I thank the member for Canning for his question. I also thank him for his support, because on 23 March he said, 'I want to fight for my generation and the generations below'. They see the housing market, particularly, as rigged against them, so there's a policy debate to be had. But the politics has already bolted. Young Australians— Just listen to him! Listen to him behind you. Honourable members interjecting—”
“Thanks, Mr Speaker. One thing you can say about the shadow Treasurer is that he never lets facts get in the way. We just passed legislation through the House of Representatives today to lower taxes. That is what we just did, and those opposite voted against it. To be fair to the member for Goldstein, he didn't vote against it, because he wasn't here, but all the rest of them did. They voted against the tax cuts that will come in on 1 July. They voted against the tax cuts that will come in on 1 July next year. And today they voted against the Working Australians Tax Offset, and they voted against the $1,000 automatic tax deduction. It takes some capacity to go to an election arguing for higher taxes and at the same time delivering higher deficits, but that's what this bloke did at the last election.”
“They voted against a future with intergenerational equity at its heart. They voted to keep a housing system that everyone knows is broken. But they want to go further. If they get the chance, they'll increase income taxes for every single Australian worker. They promised, at the last election, higher debt, bigger deficits and higher taxes, and they promised to rebreak the system. They promised to go back to a housing system that simply is not working. We on this side of the House stand for aspiration, and we stand for opportunity. Labor stands for opportunity and the fair go. We're delivering real change, and today's legislation did just that.”
“Every Labor member voted for Australians to earn more and to keep more of what they earn, which is why, on Monday, we welcomed the fact that those on the poorest pay—those people on the minimum wage, the people who clean our offices here in Parliament House, the people who do that hard yakka going to work each and every day to make a difference for their family—could get a decent pay increase. Those opposite never supported that. Every Labor member today voted to deliver an economy that works for people, not the other way around—not people just working for an economy. Every Labor member voted to deliver the real change that Australia needs, and every single member of the three right-wing parties, the 'Liberal One National Party', voted against these changes. They voted against cutting income taxes.”
“I thank the member for Menzies for his question, which is not something I thought I'd ever have to say in this House, I've got to say. Today, every Labor member in this House voted to deliver another two income tax cuts—$250 for every worker plus a $1,000 automatic tax deduction, making sure that there's reform there as well. Every Labor member voted for aspiration for all, not just for some, and we did that by making sure that Australians can have a crack at owning their first home.”
“I'm actually asked about the coalition's tax policy! And I welcome that opportunity, because, on 1 July, every Australian worker will receive a tax cut this year. On 1 July next year, every Australian will receive another tax cut. Both of those tax cuts were voted against by those opposite, and they said if they were elected and he was the Treasurer then they would reverse it. Today, of course, we've seen that error repeated. We saw them vote against the working Australian tax offset of $250 for every Australian worker, and we saw them vote against the tax cut that's also reform—the $1,000 automatic tax deduction. But it shouldn't be surprising, given the history which is there, because we know that the costings that the coalition released, when the member for Hume was the shadow treasurer, just two days before the last election—”
“It's why Australia is a voice for multilateralism and those institutions that we think are important. I got a question earlier on about living standards and the quality of life that people have. Just a few fun facts—living standards were up over the last year on the annual basis. Living standards were falling 1.5 per cent in the quarter before we came to office—1.5 per cent in just one quarter. The latest OECD data shows that living standards are growing almost three times the OECD average of advanced economies. My government is absolutely committed to a better quality of life for Australians, which is why, when we've had to make difficult decisions on where income tax cuts will be targeted, we've targeted it at low- and middle-income earners. It's why we support the minimum wage increases that were granted by the Fair Work Commission.”