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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“In spite of the opposition to this proposal by the Liberal and National parties, we are determined to get this done and to make sure regional Australians have access to air transport. (Time expired)”
“It means wiping 20 per cent off student debt to tackle the intergenerational inequities which are there. It also means investing in our regions, making sure they have the health care, the services, the childcare centres, the businesses and the tourism that they need. That's why we have been prepared to foreshadow our support for Rex, whether through a private owner or not. But we won't let it just go by the wayside. It is something that overwhelmingly benefits electorates represented by those opposite. But we on this side of the House understand that being in government is about representing every Australian, regardless of where they live and regardless of who their local representative is.”
“These are the strong foundations we have laid: inflation now with a two in front of it—2.4 per cent—down from the above-six that we inherited; unemployment remaining low, with 1.1 million jobs being created; and, importantly, real wages increasing as well, and, with our tax cuts, meaning people are earning more and getting to keep more of what they earn. Now, building Australia's future is about people. It's more than just bricks and mortar, although we're doing that, too, with our plan for 1.2 million homes, with our building of Medicare urgent care clinics and with our support of fee-free TAFE. It also means fully funding all schools, not just some, and we're committed to that. It means the three-day guarantee for child care that those opposite tried to filibuster past today's question time.”
“I thank the member for Lingiari for her question. I thank her as well for the enormous work that she does in that extraordinary electorate that is so vast and full of remote communities—an electorate, were it in Europe, that would make up at least one country and perhaps two or three, I've got to say! Now, the world has thrown a lot of challenges at us, and we know that it's been tough. We've managed the economy responsibly while providing cost-of-living relief: tax cuts, cheaper medicines, cheaper child care, energy bill relief and, importantly, under this Treasurer, back-to-back budget surpluses, turning the $78 billion deficit that we inherited into a $22 billion surplus.”
“It's precisely what every person in my government has done—not just since October 7, but our entire political lives. That is one of the reasons why people join the Labor Party: because they believe in cohesiveness in our society; because they believe in inclusion; because they believe in diversity; because they believe in respect for people, regardless of their faith or their origins.”
“He spoke to me about the health minister, who has travelled with the Jewish Board of Deputies to Bankstown hospital this morning to make it very clear—very clear—that the actions of these two reprehensible people in showing their hatred for people because they are Jewish, their antisemitism, there for all to see, without any shame or any embarrassment, is overwhelmingly not why people go into the health professions. What I have sought and will continue to seek—and I ask my friend here to join with me on it, because we have been on unity tickets before—is to join, at every single opportunity, to look for social cohesion and to look to bring people together, rather than any suggestion of anything other than total condemnation of antisemitism.”
“I've continued to do that. I note the comments of those who, for reasons beyond my comprehension, have argued that that was not the case. It's up to them to explain why that is not the case, why they suggest that and why, rather than look for the absolute maximum of unity, some have sought a different road. In this parliament, we carried a resolution as well, unequivocally. And there were some fine speeches that day. Antisemitism is a scourge. It's opposed by anyone who is decent. What we saw in the videos yesterday was abhorrent. I note that this morning I have spoken with Premier Minns.”
“I went on to say that there was nothing to be achieved 'apart from creating a climate that is not conducive to peace'. The day after those rallies, I went on to say on Sky News—2GB and Sky News, they should be familiar: We need to lower the temperature. I don't want to see conflict here in Australia and I don't want to see the sorts of scenes that I saw last night … And I said: … one of the reasons why I believe it was just inappropriate for it to go ahead last night. I did a press conference in Port Lincoln in South Australia on that day, 10 October. I said there, again: I think that there's nothing to celebrate here. I went on to speak about the rallies and said: But the actions that we saw on the weekend need to be unequivocally condemned. I did that consistently, at every single opportunity—every opportunity.”
“I thank the member for his question. I've been opposed to racism in all its forms my entire life, including antisemitism. Indeed, the morning after the terrorist attack on 7 October, I was on Insiders condemning it unequivocally. The next morning on the Today S how , I said this in response to the demonstration that took place Lakemba that night: Well, there's nothing to celebrate by the murder of innocent civilians, going about their day. Some of those who've been captured were young people attending a rave, enjoying life, enjoying each other's company. Word got out about the Opera House rally that was due. I spoke before the rally on 2GB. 'So, you, as the Prime Minister believe that this march should not go ahead?' I was asked. I said: I absolutely believe it should not.”
“Anyone who wants to look forward to a better Australia is not welcome in the modern Liberal Party. The modern Liberal Party is more and more right-wing by the day. It sees Simon Birmingham and Paul Fletcher checking out, following Christopher Pyne and others as well. Will the last moderate in the Liberal Party turn the lights out before they leave the building? That is what they are like. We know that this reform reinforces my view that it is only Labor governments that do the big nation-changing reforms. Off the back of universal health care, universal superannuation, universal provision of the National Disability Insurance Scheme will be universal provision of child care. That is something we're determined to do step by step to make sure that we get it right.”
“That's before they have to find $600 billion to pay for their nuclear fantasy sometime in the 2040s. Those opposite talk about child care as a luxury that parents have to prove they need. We know child care is an essential service for families. We know early education is an opportunity that every child deserves to have access to. The whole of the 20th century it was understood that every child has the right to go to school and government has the responsibility to make that possible. In the 21st century, every child has the right to have access to early education and government has the responsibility to make that possible. My government is determined to do just that. Those opposite, in their opposition to this plan, like their opposition to everything else, just reinforce how reactionary they have become.”
“It's three days of early education, affordable for every family, funded for every child and building a better education system for our nation. Of course, on the day that we outlined these policies, the Liberals and Nationals opposed them. They mocked our pay rise for early educators, even though all of the evidence was not only people not wanting to go into early education but that many of the workers there, in spite of their passion for their vocation of helping our littlest Australians get the best start in life, couldn't afford to stay in the system and so they were leaving. So that was placing a real constraint. But we fixed it. They called it wasteful spending. It's on the chopping block as part of their $350 billion of cuts they have foreshadowed. They'll tell us what's in them after the election, not before.”
“We also need to break down barriers the previous government deliberately put up, starting with the Liberals' activity test. The activity test makes life harder for parents doing the hard yards of looking for work, locking their children out of early education. Parents do not need to go through a bureaucracy or work a certain number of hours to want the best possible education for their child. The aspiration to give your child the best chance in life drives every parent, whoever you are and wherever you live. This legislation will replace the Liberals' activity test with the three-day guarantee in early childhood education, meaning that every family earning up to $530,000 will have access to the childcare subsidy guaranteed for three days a week. That's our commitment.”
“That's why there's more than a million reasons to invest in early education. It makes such an important difference to those young people. And it makes them ready for school—to step up to that next level—as well. Part of what we are doing is the Building Early Education Fund, the single biggest investment by a Commonwealth government in new childcare services ever, building and expanding over 160 new centres where they're needed most—especially in regional communities, that have missed out for too long. These are places that have been left behind because the private sector didn't see an opportunity for profit. When the market lets people down, our government steps in. Building new childcare centres is about breaking down the barriers of distance.”
“When I go into these centres—as I have, now, around the country, particularly over the last five or six years—I am inspired by the largely female, but also male, workforce, who are so enthusiastic at imparting knowledge in literacy and in numeracy, and in engaging those social skills that are so important for our youngest Australians at a time, as well, where there is too much conflict and hatred indeed around. One of the things that you learn is that hatred and distinction is learned behaviour, because those little kids don't see colour or faith or gender or anything else. What they see is other little fellow human beings, and they engage in a way which is absolutely delightful and wonderful, with each other. So we think this is so important. More than a million families, of course, access child care.”
“Every Australian accepts that, when a child reaches the age of four or five, they get to go to school and that public schools should be available to everyone, regardless of the income of their parents, regardless of everything, because it's about the child. Indeed, one of the benefits of schools that are diverse in the people and the background of those who come to them is that it enriches their experience in life. Child care is the same. We believe that a right to that should be available to all. We know that more than 90 per cent of human brain development occurs in the first five years. That's why early education is so enriching.”
“This legislation is the next step towards that, and I'm pleased that it will pass the House and the Senate today, to make that step towards reality and to make sure that every child can access at least three days of subsidy for high-quality early education and care. Of course, universal and accessible don't mean compulsory or mandatory. The choice, as always, belongs to parents. But we want parents to have a real choice, not limited by where they live or what they earn. We want parents to make their decision on the basis of one thing only: what they want for their child. This is the big difference between the two approaches in this House.”
“It's consistent with what Labor governments do. A Labor government created universal Medicare because every Australian has the right to quality, affordable health care. A Labor government created universal superannuation because every worker has the right to retire in dignity and security. A Labor government created the National Disability Insurance Scheme because every Australian with disability has the right to choice and control over their life. We did all of that to help people, but it also helped build our society and our economy. And the Labor government wants to build a universal childcare system, one that's simple, affordable and accessible for every family.”
“All the assessments that had been made showed that the activity test was a barrier for the most disadvantaged—those who were missing out. Second, we recognise that infrastructure is also important, which is why we announced a billion dollar fund to build new childcare centres in our regions and our outer suburbs, cooperating with state and territory governments. Co-location is a great example to stop that double drop-off as we move forward. Back in the days when oppositions announced policies that were fully costed and set out, I announced this in my first budget reply, and the changes that we've implemented this term have made a real difference—an additional $2,700, increased wages for early educators, 1,000 new childcare centres, 100,000 more childcare places and 42,000 more early educators. It is a substantial record of achievement.”
“Families will make their own decisions, but the truth is that many families can't make the choice they would like to either because the childcare places aren't available or because child care is unaffordable and it doesn't make sense to work that extra day or two days. That's why early childhood education is not just about families or children; it's also about our economy. The three Ps of growth—participation, productivity and population—are all boosted by having a childcare system that works for people and enables people to take up their choice in life. The announcement I made in Brisbane on behalf of the government was twofold. First, there is the three-day guarantee, abolishing the activity test and making sure that makes a difference.”
“In our first term, our government has brought down the cost of child care for over one million families by an average of around $2,700. That's additional money they have in their pockets. In addition to that, we're boosting the wages of up to 200,000 early educators by some 15 per cent—10 per cent from 1 December last year and five per cent from 1 December this year. More than 1,000 new childcare centres have opened since we came to government three years ago, and nearly 100,000 more childcare places are available since we came to government. There are 42,000 more early educators at work and 125,000 more in training. This is what reform looks like and this is what change looks like—making sure we are making a difference. Of course, it is about choice for families.”
“Yesterday we had the poor old shadow minister try to call a division but they didn't have a seconder for it. They have lost their way. They have not been capable of developing a coherent policy alternative. As I've said, they will take just three policies to the election at this stage: the $600 billion nuclear reactor plan, the $10 billion for long lunches—and $10 billion could buy you a fair bit, like nine million free services in public hospitals, 139 million GP visits, 78 million prescriptions, or the annual salary of 90,000 nurses, but no, the priority of those opposite is free lunches for some, paid for by every single taxpayer—and the other thing is cuts, but they won't tell you until after the election.”
“Now, it stands in stark contrast, I'm sure, to people like David Crisafulli, who I spoke with this morning as well, who's up there in North Queensland dealing with real issues in those communities. It says a lot about the priorities that those opposite have had, with the nature of the questions they've had today. Having come into this parliament and voted against cheaper medicines, energy rebates, cheaper child care, the crackdown on supermarkets and tax cuts for every single taxpayer, they then try to get their act together with a two-page question which they don't get to. This morning we had production tax credits go through the parliament without a vote because they didn't have anyone in here. I know they're down to 50-something, but you'd think two of them could turn up.”
“I'll do my best to give an answer to a nonquestion. I'll do my best. But I'm asked in general about cost of living. I'm happy to speak about cost of living, because it's only this side of the parliament that have raised cost-of-living measures, that have taken action on cost of living through each of our three budgets and, indeed, every day in this parliament through question time. Whereas those opposite have looked for culture wars, have looked for things they can create arguments over, which Australians aren't interested in and which have engaged in the sort of nonsense that we've seen here today, expressing, quite frankly, contempt for regional communities that those opposite represent in their own electorates, including, of course, the regional communities in Queensland.”
“Well, here's what a serious member of the National Party had to say: If not for Rex, those country towns wouldn't be able to get planes into their airports and, therefore, wouldn't be able to get doctors, nurses, vaccines and, most importantly, medication. People in those towns would also then not be able to make it to their capital city medical appointments. But it's more than just health, and we all know that. It's business. It's tourism. It's so many aspects of modern living. He said: I've raised the possibility of the federal government having an equity stake in Rex to ensure the airline's future. That's a real leader sitting down the end over there for the National Party. You, sir, are not fit to represent a serious job in this parliament.”
“As we have said before, the only time Alan Joyce went to a Prime Minister's residence was under the former government of Scott Morrison. That's the sort of nonsense they come up with. That shows how seriously they take regional Australia. Let me name these towns: Ceduna, Moruya, Narrandera, Parkes, Coober Pedy, Esperance, Carnarvon, Winton and Mornington Island. Do you know what they have in common? They would all be isolated from being able to get health care. They would all be isolated from being able to get freight. They would all be isolated from small businesses being able to operate properly. And every one of them are being represented by those people over there. But they have such contempt for them that this clown asks a question like that.”
“Having seen the mess of the people who were previously operating Rex airlines, who have close links with a political party, not ours, having been given by the former government $150 million untied of taxpayers' money during the pandemic on top of JobKeeper, and who chose, rather than to fix up the Saab aircraft, with delusions of grandeur to lease big aircraft to try and compete on the Sydney-to-Melbourne route and drove an airline into the ground, following the following airlines that were grounded under the former government—Pacific Air Express, JetGo, Skytrans, Aeropelican, Brindabella, Tiger and Virgin; these all either went into administration or fell apart and we fixed the problems that they created—they come up with that sort of childishness.”
“We'll also work with people in the aviation sector constructively to see—we want there to be a private-sector buyer of Rex. But, if not, we won't leave those communities stranded. (Time expired)”
“I know the member for Riverina understands this and has, indeed, been an advocate of the sorts of policies that were put forward earlier today. I'm asked about what the response has been. The member for Farrer said this: Governments shouldn't own airlines, because that does mean that taxpayers own them, and taxpayers pay for them … So it's okay for governments to invest $600 billion in nuclear reactors, but it's not okay to invest to make sure that regional communities, like Winton, in the Leader of the National Party's electorate—like Moruya, like Ceduna, like a range of communities—continue to have access to aviation services? It is just extraordinary that, once again, their gut instinct is just to say no. What we will do is work constructively with those regional communities.”
“To ensure Rex operates beyond the administration cut-off date of 30 June, we'll work with shortlisted bidders to maximise a successful sale. If there's no sale, we'll work on contingency plans with relevant state governments, including the potential for Commonwealth acquisition. We'll provide a waiver of the use-it-or-lose-it test for Rex regional flight slots at Sydney airport as well. This comes on top of our $80 million loan to keep Rex operating until 30 June and our acquisition of $50 million of debt from Rex's largest creditor. We also announced, this morning, $12 million for upgrades to regional airports in New South Wales. This airline is absolutely critical for a range of communities that are serviced only by Rex. If you take it away, you isolate those communities.”
“I thank the member for Gilmore for her question and for coming with me, the member for Eden-Monaro and the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government this morning, joined by the Mayor of Bega, to Merimbula Airport for the important announcement confirming that, as part of our building of Australia's future, this government will support regional airlines. We have announced that we'll support Rex and ensure that regional communities have access to crucial air services. Without those air services, not only will people not have access to our big capital cities; they won't have access to health services that they need—that visit to the doctor. You won't be able to support the tourism sector. A lot of freight also goes on that transport, which is so important.”
“I thank the member for Brisbane for his question, and I'm surprised that he stopped at 10 per cent. Why not 20, 30, 40, 50? That's the difference between a political party that seeks to form government and a party of protest that can say whatever they like—that is, things don't have to add up as long as it sounds good. We believe very clearly—”
“We have had the fastest employment growth, faster than any of the G7 nations, and we're really proud of that. On our watch, 1.1 million jobs were created, more than any government since Federation. You would think, at a time where we have had global economic difficulties and global inflation having had an impact around the world, that when you piece all that together—the economy growing, inflation down, unemployment low and wages up—there would be some support from those opposite.”
“I thank the shadow Treasurer for his very tight question there. I'll try to go through some of the items. Our economy, of course, is growing, unlike most of the advanced economies in the world. We haven't had a single quarter of negative growth; we've continued to have positive growth. Inflation is down to 2.4 per cent, down from the six per cent that we inherited. Wages are up. Inflation down, wages up. As a result, indeed, pay packets are growing at the fastest pace since 2012. It's very important. Of course, at the same time, we have delivered tax cuts for every single taxpayer—opposed by those opposite—because we want people to earn more and we want people to keep more of what they earn. Those opposite want people to work longer for less. Unemployment is, of course, low.”
“The person they're talking to is speaking about peace and is someone who is being very respectful back, in amongst this extraordinary provocation. The New South Wales government has acted—the New South Wales health minister—regarding these individuals. They've been stood down by the New South Wales authorities. They've rightly been referred to the New South Wales police for criminal investigation. I've had a discussion with AFP Commissioner Kershaw about these matters, and the New South Wales police have offered whatever assistance is required at this stage that has not been requested. And I'll make this point. It is very clear to me that these people have committed what are crimes, and they should face the full force of the law.”
“I thank the member for Berowra for his question. I have seen this antisemitic video. It is driven by hate and it is disgusting. The comments are vile, the footage is sickening and it is shameful. These antisemitic comments have no place certainly in our health system but no place anywhere else in Australia either. Overwhelmingly, people in our health system—our nurses, our doctors, our orderlies—go into the health system because they care about their fellow Australians, their fellow humans. The idea that people would perpetrate the vile language and hate that is there in this video. I am not sure of the format. It is apparently some format where people can talk to each other in different countries.”
“Everything that you do will make a difference, I have no doubt about that—not just for yourself but most importantly your life is one that's been dedicated to the union movement, to your political engagement and, in your personal life, to making your life better for others. All of us have been made better and, of course, the government's been made better because of your contribution. I thank you.”
“Importantly, one of the things about this joint is that the people who you're going to have a beer with when both of you are not here—I've got a while to go yet, though, mate!—are the people whose friendship you really value. Stephen has been totally loyal to me on a personal level for a long period of time. I don't take that for granted. I'm a loyal person too, and I've been loyal to this bloke and will remain loyal to him outside of this place. I wish you and Brooke so much happiness for your future together. When you came to me and had the discussion, as people do, about wanting this to be your last term and how you had made your contribution and you wanted to go in a different direction in life, I respected that. I look forward to watching with excitement.”
“I give a shout-out to Brooke. I was very pleased to be one of the guests at Stephen and Brooke's lovely wedding here in Canberra last year. That was such a great celebration of two people expressing their love for each other. Stephen has always been concerned with looking after the most vulnerable—that social justice principle at the heart of Labor's ideals that people should not be left behind. That is something he has stood up for each and every day. I've been a friend and comrade of Stephen's for a very long period of time, since well before I came into this place. We attended various meetings around the place—some of them public, some of them a bit quieter—putting together, planning and engaging with each other at the CPSU and around and about. Stephen is someone who's been a friend of mine and remains a friend of mine.”
“When I spoke with President Trump this morning, I spoke about the combined Future Fund and our managed funds representing US$3.1 trillion—more than the combined funds from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. It is a huge legacy which has been fought for against those who would seek to undermine it. I will never forget the role Stephen has played in issues where he has not ducked. Marriage equality is now pretty uncontroversial; I recall that wasn't always the case, frankly, within my party or within this parliament. Stephen was there from the beginning as an advocate, as someone moving private member's bills and as someone arguing the case at Labor Party conferences for people to have the same rights as everyone else. Guess what? Marriage for everyone else hasn't been undermined by more people having access to it—simple as that.”
“I join with Stephen in regretting how long we have spent in ERC meetings together in both opposition and government. The work that Stephen has done throughout the country holding forums—I know they've been held on a bipartisan basis—on scams, informing people out there about how to avoid being ripped off and the challenges which are there, where he speaks about how much is lost every single day—he has been passionate about that. He's passionate about superannuation and the role that it plays. It does not just lift up living standards and ensure that people can retire with dignity and with a decent living standard; it is also a national asset, the extraordinary level of funds that we have.”
“People deserve strong representation and they don't deserve to be left behind or to be taken for granted by anyone. I think that has occurred from time to time with governments, if you look at where funds were allocated for important community infrastructure or roads. Stephen Jones has been so passionate. I have visited BlueScope with him on any number of occasions. We have worked on projects and delivering services for that community, which has needed it. It's a community which has grown and changed, with the boundaries changing as well, but one in which every single member, regardless of what way they vote or what they do in their profession, knows they've had a local member who's been on their side. I made Stephen the shadow Assistant Treasurer, a frontbencher, and he has grown into the Assistant Treasurer position.”
“So Stephen has been a representative of both wings of the Labor movement—industrial and political—and he has throughout that done an enormous amount and left an incredible legacy. He is someone who leaves this place with more friends than with which he came. It's remarkable, thinking about it, as he was speaking, that I can't think of anyone who dislikes Stephen Jones or would regard himself an opponent of Stephen Jones. I wish throughout my career I could say that but it's not the case. Stephen Jones was someone who, as the representative for Whitlam, brought a real passion to an electorate that sometimes people speak about as being a safe seat. I think this a applies on either side of the aisle. It is one of the reasons I'm against colour-coded spreadsheets to allocate funding.”
“On indulgence—Stephen Jones—or Jonesy, as he's always been known—has a great Labor heart and he's always worn it on his sleeve. He has served our party and his community in this place with passion and principle. I've known Stephen for a very long period of time. We've always voted for each other throughout our careers within the Labor Party and within our broader political engagement as well. I've been a big supporter of Jonesy, and have supported him going back to his heartland there in the Illawarra and on becoming the member for Throsby. Stephen had a stellar career leading the Community and Public Sector Union, where he stood up for working people, understood that they needed to be valued and respected, and made an enormous difference.”
“When we inherited it, at time of the election of the member for Fowler, she would recall inflation had a six in front of it and was rising. It's now got a two in front of it and it's falling. One of the things that I talked about with people in Fairfield on Saturday evening was the fact that real wages are increasing. In addition to that, the member for Fowler's electorate has particularly benefited from the fact that every single one of her constituents who's a worker, working hard for their family, got a tax cut as a result of the changes that we put in place because we want people to earn more and to keep more of what they earn.”
“I thank the member for her question both in her capacity as the member of Fowler and as the deputy mayor of the council that she refers to in Fairfield. I also thank the member for the very terrific event that she and I were at, along with the member for McMahon; the member for Werriwa, the Labor candidate for Fowler, Tu Le; and others, where we celebrated 50 years since Vietnamese refugees migrated to Australia. These refugees were welcomed to Australia, and the Vietnamese community have made an extraordinary effort and contribution to our nation. When it comes to the cost of living, of course, the most important thing that we can do is to get inflation down. What we have done is deliver inflation down to 2.4 per cent.”
“The shadow Treasurer, when he was a consultant, delivered a presentation on competition in the mineral sector. It was a full presentation, including a killer slide that read, 'In aluminium we are missing our chance to replace—”
“Last night, our production tax credits passed the Senate, opposed by those opposite but supported by the crossbenchers in the Senate, very importantly. They backed jobs and they backed Western Australia, but they also backed our industries in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Our aluminium industry is a great Australian industry. According to the peak body, aluminium is Australia's highest-earning manufacturing export. The industry directly employs more than 20,000 people and it indirectly supports another 55,000. Australia produced 1.5 million tonnes of aluminium in 2022. Those opposite voted against the legislation for production tax credits last night, but they also have a record of opposing the aluminium industry and wanting it sent offshore.”
“I thank the member for Paterson for her question. Indeed, when I was in Tomago with the member for Paterson, the member for Hunter and my ministerial colleagues, it was a great day, securing jobs there which are so important for the Hunter region. Indeed, our government's plan for a future made in Australia is about Australian workers making more things here. I met with the CEO of Rio Tinto just yesterday as well. The global CEO was here, welcoming the work that we have done to secure the future of the aluminium industry here in Australia. We want to make sure that we don't just export our resources and buy back the finished products; we want to make things here. We want to add value here, turning the resources the world needs into products the world wants.”
“I mean, really, they have had a long time to work out questions in this place. You know what our housing policy is. Our housing policy is $32 billion of a Homes for Australia Plan. That's our plan. That's our plan, not changes to negative gearing or other things. We actually are a political party that is saying what we are doing. I know that's unfamiliar to those opposite, because after three years in the job—”