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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“I welcome the question from the Leader of the Opposition, who's actually asked me to comment on their tax policy. That is what the question goes to, and I welcome it, because tomorrow we'll be introducing tax reductions, and they'll have a chance to vote for them or to vote against them. Now, we know that, when we changed stage 3, they said that they were going to fight it, that they were going to oppose it and that we should call an election on it, and then they voted for it. We know that, when it came to the tax cuts that were in last year's budget, they said that they'd oppose them. They voted against them. To be fair to them, they did what they said they'd do, and, then, do you know what they did? They took it to an election and they got smashed. They got smashed, which is why they're down to 41 members over there.”
“When it comes to capital gains, there are four different carve-outs and concessions for small businesses, and all four are staying in place. What that means is if you sell your active business to retire, to start a new business or to relocate you can still reduce, or in some cases completely remove, your tax on any capital gains. Ninety per cent of small businesses in Australia are eligible for these concessions, and they'll continue to remain eligible. All budget measures on top of that are entirely prospective. They don't start until 1 July 2027. That means that any business value that's been built up before this date can use the old discount rules, no matter when the business owner decides to sell in the future.”
“I can inform the House that our government backs small business, and I'll make these points: we announced $3½ billion in the budget in new measures that lower taxes for businesses to encourage investment and innovation; we're making the $20,000 instant asset write-off permanent for the first time, providing $890 million in cash flow support over five years; we're introducing a permanent loss carry-back to support resilience, investment and risk taking, helping up to 85,000 companies a year; we're introducing loss refundability to help up to 25,000 startups per year grow in their early years; we're expanding tax incentives for venture capital to unlock industry knowledge for young, expanding firms; and we're better targeting the R&D tax incentive.”
“I inform the House that the Deputy Prime Minister will be absent from question time today due to his duties as Minister for Defence. The Minister for Defence Industry will answer questions on his behalf.”
“We will reject any attempt to divide. It is definitely worth noting that we need to celebrate the contribution that Indian migrants have made and will continue to make to this country.”
“Like last time, Prime Minister Modi's visit will be made extraordinary by so many of the million-strong Indian Australian community. It is the largest growing migrant community in Australia. It's a community that has added so much through their love of this country, their spirit of generosity and through generations of hard work and aspiration that have strengthened our economy and enhanced our society. Not least, of course, are all those wonderful small businesses that have benefited from the Indian diaspora. What these great Australians have done in the process has strengthened the important links between this land that is their home and future and the land of their extraordinary heritage. I say to them: we're a better country because of you. My government will always stand up for you and your interests.”
“We're a Pacific nation, but we are also an Indian Ocean nation as well. Our trading relationship has been enhanced by the economic cooperation and trade agreement, and we're further drawn together through culture, education and, of course, the international language of cricket. One of my great honours has been my two visits—so far—to India as Prime Minister. I first visited India as a backpacker, way back in 1991—a long time ago. I travelled a bit differently in those days. I do want to say, if you want to understand India, get on a video bus or a train. It is a wonderful experience to see firsthand the warmth that is there. Likewise, I'll have the privilege of hosting Prime Minister Modi here soon—a privilege I look forward to repeating for the second time.”
“I thank the member for Lalor and Chief Government Whip for her question and for her passionate engagement in her own electorate in what is a dynamic part of Melbourne that has a large and growing Indian diaspora. Yesterday afternoon, I had the great pleasure of attending, along with so many members from the government, the 40th anniversary of the Australia India Business Council. Since it was created by Prime Ministers Bob Hawke and Rajiv Gandhi, the AIBC has added focus and momentum to one of Australia's great international relationships. This is one built on friendship, respect and mutual benefit. India, of course, has the largest population in the world, but it will also grow to be the third largest economy in the world over this decade. That is an extraordinary opportunity for us in our region.”
“Once again, I inform the member asking the question that our budget is reducing a range of taxes and costs for small business in the $3½ billion that we have put forward. The changes to capital gains tax will result in different outcomes for different businesses across a range of systems. What we are doing is replacing one discount with another discount—a discount based upon real gains rather than nominal gains going forward. That is what we are doing. We are consulting, as we said we would on budget night, including with the Council of Small Business. They have had formal meetings with Treasury. We're continuing to consult on those measures. We said we would do that. That is what we are doing. On Thursday, we'll introduce the legislation that provides for the key measures going forward.”
“Ross Gittins said: Much as it pains me to say anything nice about politicians, this is a good budget. Saul Eslake said the tax reforms announced in the Federal Budget: represent material improvements to the tax system which we now have: and for that reason are to be welcomed. In addition to that, people have backed in the tax changes for housing supply. Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, the Chair of the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council, said having negative gearing available for new builds is pro supply. Harry Triguboff, the head of Meriton, of course, identified positive proposed changes. The Property Council said: In the short term, the carve-out of new housing supply investment … is vital to attracting capital to new projects …”
“I thank the member for Gellibrand for the question. Indeed, we are reforming the system so that we better allow Australians, all Australians, to have the aspiration to own a home over their own head. This has been something that has been spoken about for some time. The existing housing system is broken, and that is causing enormous frustration for Australians. It has been broken for some time, and that is why our measures in the budget have received such strong support. Chris Richardson said: There's a lot to like in this budget. … … … …what we haven't had is a budget that tackles some of the 'to-do' list that Treasury and the Productivity Commission have had sitting in their top drawers for many years. CommBank said the big positive was a much more strong, solid, 'credible path back to surplus'.”
“We have put all of these measures in place to assist Australians in the member for Cowper's electorate and right across the board as well.”
“No-one is removing the rebate. The premise of the question is completely wrong. What is not appropriate is to come in here and spread this sort of information through the Parliament of Australia. It is very clear we are not removing the rebate. In addition to that, what we are doing through a range of measures to assist Australians in that situation is reducing the price of medicines to $25 or, if they are a pensioner or recipient, down to $7.70, which we're freezing until 2030. We've increased the bulk-billing rates, so they get access to a GP, up to above 80 per cent, heading towards our target of 90 per cent as well. We have $25 billion in this budget—the largest expenditure—for our new hospitals and health deal.”
“As I've said before to the Leader of the Opposition's questions, what we're doing is actually decreasing taxes for small businesses through our $3½ billion of measures. That is what we are doing, which is why it's received such substantial support from so many industry sectors, including the Housing Industry Association, the Motor Trades Association, the National Farmers' Federation, the Business Council of Australia, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Business NSW as well as, of course, the Council of Small Business Organisations. What we are doing through this $3½ billion of tax decreases for small businesses is providing them with incentives moving forward.”
“Business NSW said: … we welcome the government delivering … stability for small and medium businesses. Right across the board, we have received support.”
“We support small business, and that's precisely why we had $3½ billion of investment to assist small business in our budget. That's why, as well, in our budget, we had, of course, tax cuts again, making five lots of tax cuts, helping people who are in small business to go ahead. That is in addition to the tax cut that we have coming in on 1 July and the tax cut next 1 July and the legislation that we'll be bringing into the parliament on Thursday that will include, of course, our instant tax deduction, making an enormous difference going forward. When it comes to small businesses, it isn't just the ones that I named; the Housing Industry Association have said: Making the instant asset write off permanent gives housing businesses— which are a major part of small business— the confidence to invest, grow and lift productivity.”
“I thank the member for Canberra for her question. Last week, we were with the member for Canberra and the Treasurer and the housing minister in the home in Kingston of Matt, Mika and Pikelet. The aspiration of homeownership is right at the heart of the budget that we delivered last week. It's something that is the fundamental aspiration that Australians have. They have it not only for themselves; they have it for their kids and their grandkids. And the truth is that over the years, more and more, it's not just young people—”
“The difference he made can be measured in the national awareness and the tens of millions of dollars that he and FightMND have raised to research a cure. It can be counted in the tens of thousands of Big Freeze beanies that will fill the MCG on the King's Birthday weekend. Above all, it will be carried in the hearts of everyone who found new strength and, yes, new hope in their fight because of the extraordinary example that Neale set. May this wonderful Australian rest in peace.”
“The devastating impacts of motor neurone disease stole so much from Neale, but he held on to everything that people loved and admired about him—his selflessness, his bravery, his humour, his ability to look on the bright side and his fierce determination to make a difference for others. It was a profound honour for me to present Neale Daniher the Australian of the Year Award in 2025. I think it is safe to say that there has never been an award so unanimously agreed to by every single Australian on that night. It was richly deserved recognition that Neale embraced not as an accolade but as a platform, a way to continue his advocacy for a cure. Neale Daniher's remarkable legacy lives all around us.”
“on indulgence—With the passing of Neale Daniher, we all grieve for a great Australian. On behalf of the government and the people of Australia, I offer our heartfelt condolences to the Daniher family—his wife, Jan; children, Bec, Ben, Lauren and Luke; many grandchildren; and wider family. They did so much to support the man that they loved so deeply. In 2013, after an extraordinary and decorated VFL/AFL career as both player and then coach, Neale Daniher was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. At that point, the average life expectancy was just 27 months. Instead, through 13 years Neale fought what he called 'the beast' with the courage, optimism and passion that brought hope and inspiration into the lives of everyone affected by MND.”
“This is the most critical thing—as well as the hubs that we've created providing services for veterans. I'll ask the minister if he wants to add something.”
“I'll make a couple of points before I hand over to the minister. One of the things I'm really conscious of is support for our veterans. Indeed, when we came to office, one of the reasons why the member for Calare is sitting up there and not over there—apart from having the good common sense to leave National Party—is what they did to veterans affairs when they were in government in terms of budget. When we came to government, we inherited a backlog of almost 42,000 veteran compensation claims that hadn't even been looked at by someone. This had real-life consequences for veterans and their families. We invested in DVA, and, as a result, now when a veteran makes a claim it's in front of someone within 14 days. DVA is processing claims at record levels.”
“I have two points on the topic. The largest ever corporate donation that I'm aware of was to the Greens political party from the operator of a website and an accommodation search, so I make that point. The second point I make is that before I became Prime Minister, under the former government, there were fundraisers in this building, in ministerial offices, in the Prime Minister's office and in the Speaker's office. I, together with the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President, after I wrote to them, stopped that, and that is a good thing.”
“Because all the taxpayers, including Aaron, are paying for the benefit to them. That's why they can do it. Instead of that, as a first home buyer, which Aaron will be, he has a real shot. We're about helping people like Aaron. You're about keeping them down.”
“Brand-new apartments are now top of the list for investors— So what is happening? What is happening is precisely what these reforms are aimed at. If you want to get ahead, you can still invest in negative gearing. You can still get a 50 per cent capital gains tax discount. But, as well as building your own assets and your own wealth, you'll be building the assets and the wealth of the nation. That is precisely what it's about. Meanwhile, Aaron, who's been in the workforce for 20 years—if Aaron goes to the auction next Saturday, he won't be standing there competing against someone who is, because they are an investor, going for their 10th house or their 12th house. If they have to go that extra 20 kay or $50,000 in order to win at the auction, you know why they can do that?”
“I thank the member for her question. We want Aaron and his family to have a roof over their head. Aaron is 39 years old, so the chances are Aaron's been in the workforce for 20 years but has been unable to secure his own roof over his head. It is precisely because of the circumstances of people like Aaron that we want them to aspire and get ahead—not aspiration for some but aspiration for all. That's what we on this side of the chamber stand for. Let me say this: someone who knows something about housing, a fellow called Harry Triguboff, last weekend identified positive proposed changes to the capital gains tax and negative gearing for brand new properties: Buyers are pivoting from the share market back into property and this is a direct result of the budget.”
“The council of Australian small business, the National Farmers' Federation and ACCI have all been involved in roundtables and have all been involved in the process, which is the normal way that you have tax reform. This is a reform that is necessary—as it was called for by your shadow treasurer, for those very reasons. I want to point out that, indeed, the Treasurer isn't the only one who's read the book of the shadow treasurer. In fact, it's good reading. It's good reading because it puts the case for reform of capital gains tax and negative gearing very eloquently, and primarily it puts it in the context of intergenerational equity and the fact that young people are, to use the words of the shadow treasurer, 'getting screwed by the system'. That is what he has said.”
“I thank the member for his question. Indeed, we have in the budget $3½ billion of support for small business in additional initiatives that we have taken. We've said very clearly that on Thursday we'll introduce legislation. It will have the core elements of tax cuts that will particularly benefit young Australians, the standard deduction that will particularly benefit young Australians as well as the framework for the changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing. We've said that in addition to that we will have implementation legislation, and, as part of that process, we're consulting tech companies, startups as well as the groups that you'd expect us to consult that have already been involved.”
“We've made it very clear that there are exemptions for vulnerable people. That was there in the budget announcement on the Tuesday night. What the constituent from Brisbane shouldn't have to put up with is people promoting something in order to try to secure political advantage by scaring vulnerable people.”
“Well, I've spoken to a lot of Australians over the last week as well. Ten days ago, I spoke with Mika, Matt and their dog Pikelet here at Kingston. They bought a home of their own in Canberra using just a five per cent deposit. They're some of the 250,000 first home buyers—”
“The Deputy Leader of the Opposition, when the former leader was being campaigned against, said this: We've announced that we're against Labor's energy policy. We've announced that we're against Labor's housing policy, we've announced that we're against Labor's tax policy, and we've announced that we're against Labor's immigration policy. But what is it that we stand for? I look forward to seeing the fully costed policies that they have committed to tonight.”
“The Civil Contractors Federation said, 'This funding recognises that housing affordability and infrastructure delivery go hand in hand.' Urban Task Force Australia said, 'The housing budget represents long-needed support for housing supply.' The Urban Development Institute of Australia said, 'This is exactly what we need to deliver more housing supply.' Indeed, it's not just commentators that have backed this in. Of course, the member for Canning had already said: 'I just think we need to overhaul the whole system. We either fix the system or it's torn down by people like Pauline Hanson. No-one's going to reward us for a final last stand for neo-Liberal politics.' I'm asked about alternatives. Well, Senator Ruston has said, in the other place, 'Australians don't know what we stand for'. Indeed, Australians don't.”
“It's an intergenerational issue that they are addressing.' St Vincent de Paul said: For too long, tax settings have disproportionately favoured property investors over first homebuyers and low-income renters. At the Property Council of Australia, Mike Zorbas said: … the budget contains strong pro-supply and planning reform measures to bring new homes and communities to life … The Real Estate Institute say these were 'positive and necessary steps toward addressing Australia's housing shortage'.”
“I thank the fantastic member for Robertson for his question. Our budget helps with the cost of living. It builds resilience, including during the crisis that's occurred globally as a result of the conflict in the Middle East, through our $14½ billion fuel security plan. But, importantly as well, it backs aspiration, and it's received substantial support for the decisions that have been taken. Homelessness Australia said this: 'This is a hard-won win for young people who've been failed by a system that catches them in crisis but never houses them.' Westpac's chief economist, Luci Ellis, said: 'I think the tax changes on negative gearing and capital gains are really significant. These are changes that everybody thought were politically impossible. Suddenly a government has dealt with that.”
“I thank the member for his very broad question. Of course, the member for Hume promised that they'd be better off if they made him leader. He promised that if they made him leader then they would have this wave of success going forward. What happened, of course, was that the member for Farrer, who wasn't even allowed to have a budget reply, was undermined from day one as the first female leader of the Liberal Party. Then he got together with the member for Canning, on the day of the funeral of one of their former colleagues, to plot removing the first female leader of the Liberal Party—and then they wondered why they had a problem with women Of course, what we know is that the member for Hume has said himself that the best indicator of future performance is past performance.”
“The change that we brought in will allow negative gearing to still exist, but, because people will invest, if they are looking to invest and use negative gearing in new builds rather than old properties, competing with first home buyers, what it will do is also boost supply, and that is the position that we have.”
“I thank the member for her question. You need to look at the whole housing package that we've put together. Our budget helps with the cost of living. It builds resilience, and it backs aspiration. We're going to help more Australians achieve the dream of owning their own home. We do that, as the person next to the member for Lindsay knew when he wrote his book, by giving young people a crack and by fixing the system. We want people to be able to aspire to a better life for themselves and their families. Importantly, negative gearing will still be available for new builds, so people can invest in themselves and invest in the nation. That's the big difference with the change that we brought in on Tuesday.”
“Well, we want people to get ahead. We want people to be able to live with the security of their own roof over their head. That's why, as well, we have changed our position on capital gains and negative gearing to ensure not only that people can invest in housing to get themselves ahead and to increase their assets and their future wealth but that they also help to build supply, because if you have a limited amount of funds—”
“In addition to that we have also built on our previous support for local infrastructure by putting an additional $2 billion into that fund to make sure that more homes can be built through that. And one of the policies that we've had for education is to ensure that if universities wanted additional places for foreign students, they would have to provide housing for them. That was opposed by those opposite. They opposed that legislation, which goes to the very heart of the question that was asked. This side of the House is the party of aspiration. We want people to be able to get into a new home, and that was emphasised by the existing system dampening down aspiration, when the current shadow treasurer said that the current system—to quote him—'favours well-off established interests against those trying to get ahead'.”
“I thank the member for her question. Indeed, we do have a housing target of 1.2 million homes by the end of the decade, which is why we're absolutely throwing everything at it. It's why we have public housing, that those opposite opposed, through the Housing Australia Future Fund. It's why we have a shared equity scheme, that those opposite opposed, that has helped thousands of people into homes. It's why we also have the five per cent deposit scheme, which has benefited more than 200,000 people get into homes. It's why we have our Build to Rent scheme, which is an incentive for the private sector to build more homes for people, particularly affordable housing for essential workers, that those opposite opposed as well. All of these supply measures have been important, and that is what we want to do.”
“That is why we are doing it—so that they help not only themselves but the nation and the country, not by having investments hidden behind trusts, not by having investments through the Cayman Islands, but by investing here in properties here. We encourage that and we celebrate that, just like we also celebrate those police officers and nurses being able to own their own home. At the moment, if you are a young nurse or a young police officer, you are going along to an auction before last Tuesday night and competing with an investor who has the bank of taxpayers assisting them in it. So it's not an even system. What we're about is recognising that and doing something about it, as the shadow treasurer said repeatedly we should.”
“I thank the member for her question, the premise of which, of course, is completely wrong. There are two facts. The first fact is that every one of those police, teachers or fire brigade people, whoever they are, can keep their existing arrangements in place. That's the first. The second is that they can go and buy more and negatively gear it and choose either to have indexation or a 50 per cent discount on capital gains as long as they're new homes. What is the difference between the two? People go out there and invest in investment properties in order to increase their assets and their wealth during their lifetime. Good on them. That contributes to an increase in their wealth and their assets. But, when they invest in a new home rather than an existing home, they are also increasing the assets and the wealth of the country.”
“Now, I wonder why the member for Cook, rather than my opposite, asked that question? I wonder why a question about properties or wealth or inheritance or trusts wasn't asked by this bloke? But they get the new kid, the member for Cook, to ask the question. I wonder why that's the case! Yesterday, when a similar question was asked, I said to the Leader of the Opposition—we have had discussions as well about people's families being raised in this place. I had that discussion, as I've had it with other leaders, and he said, 'Oh, well, it wasn't me. He wanted to ask the question.'”
“One of the things that has been very positive is that we have benefited from the relationships that we have built in the region, whether they be with Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, South Korea or Japan—we have benefited from the consistency in which we operate, and that, I think, is absolutely important. We will introduce the domestic gas reservation scheme so more Australian gas stays in Australian homes and businesses. And I note, as well, that gas prices are down, not up, at the moment. (Time expired)”
“But I make this point about WA domestic reservation: there wouldn't be any gas to reserve were it not for the foreign investment that's occurred. It's as simple as that. That is just a fact. Populism can occur with the far right or the far left. Our government's job is to make sure that appropriate policies are put in place. In this crisis, we are absolutely focused on getting more fuel here, we're engaging with our partners in the region, and we honour, of course, our existing export contracts because that is the way that you engage in international trade. If you don't do that, then it comes back, certainly, to bite you.”
“Indeed, in the budget on Tuesday night, contrary to the suggestion in the member's question, PRRT revenue was revised up by $1.6 billion in this budget. That's because the very design of the PRRT, which we reformed in our first term, is designed to ramp up over time, because, when you have tens of billions of dollars of investment made, in order to secure resources that are available to Australians, as well as for export, then, over a period of time, that makes sense. Otherwise, you won't get the investment. What we also have done, of course, is announce the details of our gas reservation plan of 20 per cent of exports in the east coast. That follows on from the Western Australian domestic reservation plan as well.”
“I thank the member for Mackellar for her question. Can I say, the first point—and the most important one—is that the government at the moment is focused very much on getting fuel here. That is the priority that happens when you have a conflict in the Middle East and where, around the world, there is a massive economic impact on inflation, on access to resources and on access to fuel. And indeed, in many countries in our own region, they're having compulsory public holidays once a week in order just to get by. That is what is occurring in Sri Lanka, in the Philippines and in other countries. When it comes to tax, the gas companies are taxed through a range of ways: through company tax, through the royalties that they pay, as well as through the PRRT.”
“It is rather extraordinary that, just 48 hours after the budget was handed down, you have a coalition and opposition, on the day of the budget reply—the previous opposition leader didn't get to give a budget reply, but the member for Hume will—”
“It's the right choice, the right decision, made for the right reasons in the interests of this younger generation and the generations to come.”
“What we know is that since 1999, since these changes were made, house prices have increased by 400 per cent, more than two times as fast as average incomes. What that means is that younger generations are being locked out. So, after months and years throwing everything at this, we have a situation where young people—so many of them—are close to giving up altogether. We can listen to those stories, take it all in and say, 'I wish I could help you, but I'm only the Prime Minister'—we're not going to do that—or we can take action and take responsibility, which is what we're doing. We're making real change that makes a real difference, even if that does carry a political risk. That is the choice we made in our budget.”