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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“We have new social and affordable homes through our Housing Australia Future Fund, which was blocked for a number of years by those opposite and their partners in the Senate. We have new incentives for states and territories to unlock land for development. The truth is that we are making progress. We have now had more than 240,000 people buy their first home with just a five per cent deposit, and thousands more are participating through Help to Buy. Yet there are still too many Australians who are missing out because the tax system is working against them and has been for a long period of time. Aspiring first home buyers are being locked out of the market because it favours property investors. After years of inaction, those distortions have become entrenched.”
“I thank the member for Dunkley for her question. Indeed, there are some $2 billion in the budget to speed up approvals and to build connecting infrastructure like roads and sewerage. In addition to that, we have half a billion dollars, which is about speeding up approvals, something that those opposite oppose. That takes the total investment in our Homes for Australia Plan to $47 billion. In the last four years—when we came to office, those opposite having not had a housing minister for most of their time in office, we wanted to throw everything at supply because we know that's the key. So we have free TAFE and $10,000 payments for construction apprenticeships. We have 100,000 new homes being set aside for first home buyers.”
“They said there'd be higher student debts for more than three million Australians, because they opposed the 20 per cent cut that we put in place, and higher power bills, because they said they'd abolish the home batteries program. They said there'd be more expensive training courses because they'd abolish free TAFE, because they believe, if it wasn't free, it wasn't worth having.”
“I thank the member for his question about tax policy. The truth is that, if the coalition had won the last election and the Leader of the Opposition had been the one delivering the budget on Tuesday night, we know that it would have contained a tax increase for every single Australian taxpayer—all 14 million of them. What I can say is that we are the party that went to an election with lower taxes—lower taxes for all 14 million Australians. On top of that, of course, they went to an election saying that they'd have higher taxes on the resources and manufacturing sectors by getting rid of production tax credits. They said there'd be higher taxes on motorists by abolishing the EV concession.”
“I thank the member for his question. I'll say that both the Minister for Climate Change and Energy and the Minister for Veterans' Affairs might want to supplement my answer. I say this when it comes to veterans—we have significant additional investment in this budget as a result of the royal commission into veteran suicide and the response. That comes on top of something like $800 million, which is the package in this budget. In addition to that, of course, one of the big expenditures that we had upon coming to government was addressing the backlog that was there of people waiting forever and ever. The member for Calare knows something about this because he stood up, to his great credit, to the former government—of which he was a part, as a minister—and said he was just not going to cop the cuts that were there in the budget.”
“I thank the member for his question, and I remind him and others that, when people in the front here hand you a question, you don't have to ask it. But so be it. What we are doing is precisely the opposite of the suggestion which he put forward. I have had access to homeownership, and I had it in my 20s, and I had it because my mother, who lived in the one public house her whole life, used to say to me, 'When you get a chance in life, own your own home.' It was drilled into me. It's the aspiration that's drilled into working-class people, who want the next generation to be better off than they are. And that is precisely what we are doing here.”
“I'll ask the Minister for Resources to add. I thank the member for the diligent and passionate way in which he represents that community to make sure that jobs and industry are protected, not just in the interests of the people of Kennedy but, of course, in the national interest, because those industries are so important for our national economy.”
“(): I thank the member for Kennedy for his question. I'll ask the minister for resources to supplement my answer, but can I say that my government has been very focused on this. As the member for Kennedy knows, I've visited the great town of Mount Isa on many occasions, including with him, and we have intervened, together with the Crisafulli government, in a bipartisan way across the Commonwealth and the Queensland governments to defend industry there, particularly because we know the phosphate industry is critical for Australia. Had we not intervened last year, if we'd had the free market 'let it rip' approach, then we would have been in a really dire situation right now. That's the truth. The Minister for Industry and Innovation, Tim Ayres, worked very closely as well with his counterparts to make sure that we weren't in that position.”
“But in addition to that, of course, we're making sure that the workforce is there to build those houses. That's why we have free TAFE. That's why we have a $10,000 incentive for construction apprentices or for electrical apprentices as well. All of it is opposed by those opposite, who didn't even bother to have a housing minister during most of their time in office. Now, we want to make sure that we continue to give Australians a fair crack going forward. Those opposite have blocked every single housing measure that we've put forward. They delayed a whole range of them, along with their friends in the Senate. What we're doing is moving forward. Labor is the party of aspiration, and this budget last night shows that.”
“Whether it's increased public housing through our Housing Australia Future Fund, opposed so strongly by those opposite, whether it is private rentals through our build-to-rent scheme, whether it be our shared-equity scheme, whether it be our support for local infrastructure or whether it be the changes that we are proposing, which will ensure that people who want to negatively gear an investment property in the future will invest in new supply, therefore benefiting not just themselves but the nation as well—all of those measures, every single one of them, are about boosting supply as we go forward. We're doing more than that as well, because we're reserving a whole range of those houses for first home buyers alone, making sure that we deliver on successful programs that are underway right around the country.”
“What I can confirm is as a direct result—and it's there in the budget papers—is increasing housing supply by at least 30,000 as a direct result. The $2 billion Local Infrastructure Fund will support up to 65,000 new homes over the decade. Budget Paper No. 1, statement 4, on page 158, says: The measures in this Budget are expected to improve home ownership and increase the overall supply of housing. That is what we are doing. This additional $2 billion takes our Homes for Australia plan to $47 billion.”
“I thank the fantastic member for Bass for her question. She came into this place as a former schoolteacher and understands that the kids she used to teach in those classrooms need to be able to aspire to their own home. Our budget helps Australians with the cost of living. Our budget backs aspirations—”
“We will strengthen BetStop further, expand financial counselling support and increase public awareness of online gambling harms. These build on our previous reforms. They will make a meaningful difference, and I encourage all members of the parliament to support them On that note, Mr Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper”
“Our changes will empower all Australians to opt out of all gambling advertising on all streaming services and digital platforms. They will ban all gambling ads during live sports broadcasts between 6 am and 8.30 pm and ban all gambling ads on radio during school pick-up and drop-off time. Celebrities and sports players will not be able to appear in gambling ads, and we'll ban the use of odds-style ads that target sporting fans. Gambling ads in sports venues and on players' jumpers and uniforms will be banned, and we're cracking down on online lottery products and banning online keno 'pocket pokies'. We will make match fixing a criminal offence across Australia and boost enforcement against illegal offshore gambling providers.”
“I thank the member for Boothby for her question and for her and other caucus members who worked tirelessly on this issue over a long period of time. At the National Press Club in April, I announced that we will build on the reforms we've already delivered to combat gambling harm, working to (1) minimise children's exposure to wagering advertising, (2) break the connection between wagering and sport and (3) reduce the saturation and targeted nature of wagering advertising. This package forms our response to the social policy and legal affairs committee inquiry into this issue, which will be tabled later today. These reforms get the balance right so that children don't grow up thinking sport and gambling are inextricably linked but that we let adults have a punt if they want to.”
“For all those around the nation devastated by her loss, we look to the words of her mum, who has asked all Australians to 'look up to the night sky and find the brightest star where Kumanjayi Little Baby is now in heaven'. Together, let us reflect on that wish as we mourn the loss of a bright young life in an extraordinarily sad tragedy.”
“Our hearts go out to the community in Alice Springs. Over days, hundreds of people, volunteers from all walks of life, joined law enforcement in their search for Kumanjayi Little Baby, in a spirit of unity. They now come together in their grief. This tragedy has shattered a family and shaken a community. We know that amidst the pain there is also anger, and that is understandable. The simple truth is that all governments of all persuasions over generations have not done enough to deal with what are generational challenges. Every Australian child has the right to grow up safe and loved, with the security of a roof over their head, with the opportunity of a great education, to be empowered to make the most of their potential and their life. Kumanjayi Little Baby deserved all of that.”
“I thank the member for Lingiari for her question and for her leadership, along with the Minister for Indigenous Australians, on what is an extraordinarily difficult period. On behalf of the government and the parliament, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Kumanjayi Little Baby. They are trying to bear what must be unbearable. Amid their devastation, they have asked for the space to allow sorry business to occur, so the memory of their beautiful child can be cherished and honoured. Kumanjayi Little Baby was just five years old, a bright young soul who loved the world in the joyful, curious, uncomplicated way that five-year-olds do. She loved puppies and Bluey and the colour pink. She loved going to kindy, and she loved her family because they so profoundly and deeply loved her.”
“Well, I'll tell you what has got a very low rate of return—that is the investment made in knocking off the member for Farrer and putting this bloke in.”
“I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. I encourage him to turn up here at 7.30 pm and to hear the budget speech, because what budget speeches do is they outline the direction that a government wants to do. And then, on Thursday night, we'll get to see—maybe—the direction that the opposition want to do. But he has, of course, the opportunity to give a budget reply, unlike the former member for Farrer, who was not allowed the opportunity to even last to give one budget reply—not one. The boys sat down and plotted, prior to a funeral of one of their former colleagues, on how they would replace the member for Farrer. Also when it comes to budgets and taxation measures, there will be consideration, of course—as there always is—on investment.”
“I'm asked a question about taxation policy—when it comes to investment and when commitments are made—from someone who's made a commitment to stand by his leader but who undermines him at every single opportunity. And when it comes to—”
“I'm asked about tax policy and about whether changes should be made to tax policy. Indeed, the—I'm not sure of all their titles; whatever the title is of the member of the National Party opposite—member for Gippsland's party was a part of having the review that was called for, voted for and conducted by the Senate, along with their sometimes partners in the Liberal Party and also the Greens political party. Indeed, one of the senators of those opposite, Senator Kovacic, said: We should not be afraid to consider tax changes, whether they be capping the number of properties that can be negatively geared … A serious plan by this parliament has to deal with the housing crisis and would go a long way to restoring the electorate's faith in political leadership solving big problems and delivering reform. That is what they had to say.”
“Indeed, so many of those opposite have said, including the member for Canning—I'm asked about quotes—who said: … if that includes negative gearing then we should make changes. That was the member for Canning. The shadow treasurer said: … it's time to be honest: the tax system is screwing over young Australians. Screwing over!”
“Our budget tonight will build on everything that Australia is doing to shield Australia from the worst of the global fuel crisis but also to ensure that we come out the other side with a stronger, fairer and more resilient economy. Our budget will be true to Labor values and Australian values—fairness and aspiration as we go forward. The Leader of the Opposition raises the issue of housing taxes. Of course, there was a committee report commissioned by the Greens, the Liberals and the Nationals in the Senate, who asked for there to be a full public inquiry into capital gains taxation. That is something that was initiated by those opposite and something that we voted against.”
“And it is making a positive difference. The fact that there is more fuel in Australia today than there was on 28 February says that we have got these measures right, but, of course, we're not through what is a global crisis going forward.”
“Central to that will be our $10 billion Australian fuel security and resilience package; a government owned fuel reserve of one billion litres—the first since World War II—lifting our national fuel reserves to 50 days; establishing a fuel and fertiliser security facility, increasing supply and storage; and getting Australia through this crisis, but doing it in a way so that we're stronger on the other side of it. That is our aim. We do live in very turbulent times. There is a great deal of uncertainty about when this conflict will end and about what the impact will be. All we can do is put in place every measure at our disposal to protect Australia's national interest. That's what I've been doing. That's what the minister for energy has been doing. That's what the Minister for Trade, who has responsibility for EFA, has been doing as well.”
“I've hosted the Prime Minister of Japan and spoken with Premier Li of China. This is all making a difference—something that was actually criticised by those opposite. Through Export Finance Australia, extra cargoes of shiploads of fuel and fertiliser and hundreds of millions of litres of diesel are coming to Australia. That shows why our reputation internationally as a stable, reliable partner is really important for us. Tonight's budget will focus on making Australia's economy even more resilient as we go forward.”
“I thank the member for her question. From the outset of 28 February, we said that the longer the war goes on the more serious the economic impact will be. We've continued to call for a de-escalation. We want to see peace in the region. We want to see the Strait of Hormuz opened up to normal traffic. We can see, though, that it is having an impact here at home, even though this is a war in which Australia is not a protagonist. But we are shielding Australians from the worst, and so far we have made a positive difference. The fuel excise cut is easing pressure, and the release of some fuel reserves has helped distribution, especially in the regions. We're constantly engaging with our trading partners in the region. I travelled to Malaysia, to Brunei and to Singapore. Minister Wong has travelled to Japan, Korea and China.”
“We also committed to improving aged care, giving Australians dignity and security in later years—in contrast to what we inherited, which was summed up in one word: neglect. Tonight's budget will provide additional funding for aged care as well. Our commitment, of course, was also to make the economy more resilient through our Future Made in Australia plan, and tonight's budget will do that as well. The budget will also show that we've halved the fuel excise, something that before the election we didn't say we would do but something that we've done in response to the circumstances which are there.”
“I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. Indeed, in May last year we did promise to cut income taxes for every taxpayer this year and next. And tonight's budget will confirm, indeed, that we're cutting taxes this year and next. We promised a $1,000 instant tax deduction, and tonight's budget will fulfil that, helping low- and middle-income earners. We promised to strengthen Medicare, and tonight's budget will provide an additional $25 billion for hospitals. It will provide support for urgent care clinics to be made a permanent part of Medicare. It will provide for cheaper medicines. It will provide the funding for the endo clinics that are up and running, assisting with women's health. It will provide support for Medicare mental health clinics as well.”
“It also includes more generous payment plans, remission of interest and penalties and support in varying PAYG, pay as you go, instalments where there's been a downturn in taxable income. New South Wales has also put in place significant support for businesses and commuters. I'm happy to continue to work with the member, as will the Minister for Small Business, the member for Cowan, and others on this side of the chamber. We will continue to work with the member for Macquarie as well, because we are aware and very conscious of the fact that this has occurred by absolutely no fault of any of the communities there, and that is why they are deserving of support.”
“New South Wales has advised that the road is not safe, and it can't reopen until it is safe, and there can't be any shortcuts when it comes to safety. Management of the closure and the reopening decision, of course, sit with the New South Wales government, who are responsible for that area of the road network, and the expert advice that they receive. Based upon that advice, the New South Wales minister informed me that it's expected to remain in place for at least three months. This is a serious issue. The Australian government announced assistance for small business today, including temporary tax relief for businesses unable to meet their tax obligations due to fuel supply issues.”
“I thank the member for Calare for his question, and it follows a question he asked in the House last week. I committed then to speak to Minister Jenny Aitchison in New South Wales, and I did so, as did the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government here. We've also been closely engaged, of course, with your colleague on this side of the House, the member for Macquarie, who has been very concerned. I've visited Mount Victoria and that part of the community with the member for Macquarie on a number of occasions over the years, so I'm very conscious that if the road there is shut then it has a real impact on the wonderful small businesses delivering services—in particular, in the tourism sector but others as well in that community.”
“I thank the member for her question. I note that in the question she speaks about the 'so-called' National Fuel Security Plan. I hope that the member has informed Premier Rockliff, Premier Crisafulli and Lia Finocchiaro in the Northern Territory that she doesn't regard the hard work that was done over the weekend to produce the National Fuel Security Plan, and who, in the days afterwards—”
“The coalition won't be involved in this. The Queensland LNP is the Queensland government. I work constructively with the Crisafulli government. When it comes to any proposals, they go through our environmental laws, which we improved last year without the support of those opposite, so that what we can do is actually do things faster and more efficiently.”
“(—) (): I'll commit to continuing to be transparent, continuing to provide information as me and the energy minister have done, continuing to be engaged as we have, not just in this parliament, but in the multiple press conferences that we've had before the entire—I've held more press conferences in the last month or so here in Canberra than his predecessor did in the previous three years. Tomorrow, I'll be at the National Press Club, again, being accountable to the entire population. (Time expired)”
“I thank the member for his question. If he's referring to what was a proposed trip by me for Anzac Day in Gallipoli on 25 April—yes. Because of the circumstances of travel to Turkiye at the moment, obviously I have cancelled it. I've prioritised what we are dealing with at the moment, engaging with our regional partners—that's the responsible and the right thing to do.”
“I don't know, with regard to the member for Clark's suggestion, what's been supported and what hasn't been supported. When the government makes decisions, which it makes collectively, it then announces them.”
“The government has not made any decisions. We work things through in an orderly way, as I've said to previous questions regarding gambling reform. We haven't concluded what we're doing. We've worked through and are continuing to consult appropriate interested parties, including members of the crossbench. But I've made it also very clear that my view is probably different, it's fair to say, from the member for Clark. With respect, he's long been an advocate in these issues. I think that we need to get absolutely the balance right between people's right to have a punt and the view that I have, which is that it is too prevalent and that people, particularly young people, should be able to watch sport and not see a link between sport necessarily and gambling. We need to de-link those issues. The government continues to work on these issues.”
“The advice that I gave the parliament on Monday was correct. Every single ship that was due to arrive here in March arrived. That is a fact. Of the 81 ships that were due to arrive here in April, six were cancelled. They were more than replaced by six plus three—nine—additional ships arriving. In addition to that, of course, extra fuel is available from that produced here, because what we did was change the standards for both petrol and diesel so that every bit of fuel that's produced here is kept here domestically. That adds to supply as we go through. We continue to engage with our international partners as well. A range of further discussions will take place over future days, including over Easter. We'll continue to engage with our partners. We're a reliable supplier of energy security around our region.”
“There are challenges ahead, but, no matter what the world throws at us, we can take action and we will continue to take action. We'll do it in the Australian way, backing in our national interest, securing our economic resilience and making sure that any measures we take to deal with short-term issues also set us up to be more resilient in the future. We're learning the lessons that are there from being at the end of supply chains and making sure that we deliver real support to people that makes a positive difference as well. We're navigating those rough seas that are there at the moment, but we always have our eyes on the horizon—on the future—as well.”
“Australia's national strategic reserve is now law, so shiploads of fuel, fertiliser and other essentials can flow into our economy. We're giving small businesses more economic breathing room and support through the Australian Taxation Office and the measures that we've taken there. Leaders across state and federal jurisdictions have adopted the National Fuel Security Plan. Importantly, it's been adopted across the political spectrum by the eight states and territories, as well as the Commonwealth, so we're ready for what may come in an orderly way. We're planning and making sure that we put those procedures in place. No government can eliminate all of the pressure, which is on right around the world. That's just the truth, and we're being straight with people about that.”
“I thank the fantastic member for Aston, who, three years ago today, became the first government member to win a seat off the opposition in the House of Representatives in 100 years, and then turned that victory in a by-election into being re-elected as the member for Aston last May. The war in the Middle East has caused the biggest spike in global fuel prices in history, and Australians are feeling and seeing that across the economy. I know people are doing it tough, which is why we've acted to make a real difference. From today, we've halved the fuel excise, directly helping families and businesses save 26c per litre at the pump. We're backing truckies, slashing the heavy vehicle road user charge to zero and making sure that they get paid fairly and on time, with the legislation we brought before the parliament just last week.”
“Nothing has changed since yesterday—neither this government's resolve to deal with issues of supply and the cost of living nor the opposition's approach to these issues, which are outlined in their talking points that are out there for all to see. Their talking points suggested that, rather than act responsibly, what they would do was talk up issues that are facing Australians. The issues are real. The war in the Middle East is real.”
“What we know is that there have been more particularly acute issues for independent players than the big contractors because of the way that the system works in their interaction with the fuel suppliers. We found out that they get their fuel from Liberty through the Port Lincoln fuel terminal. Together, we contacted Liberty. The energy minister was involved. We ascertained that they did have shortages in that fuel terminal but they were keeping their supplies for emergency services, particularly those concerned about fires and other issues as well, but that just yesterday there had been a ship of fuel delivered to the terminal. I was able to ring Josh again, as I committed to do after finding out for him, and he will be receiving fuel in the next 48 hours. That's a good result.”
“I thank the member for Spence for his question. Yesterday I got a question from the member for Grey. It concerned Josh, a farmer on the Eyre Peninsula. I received the details from the member for Grey, and I thank him for them. I spoke with Josh this morning. Josh informed me, as the member for Grey had said, that he'd had difficulty accessing fuel. He thought there were a range of issues as to why that was the case, but I undertook to work to see what we could do to provide information and to assist him. The farm where Josh works with his family farms canola, wheat, cereals and cattle. It's a diverse farm. I want to pay tribute to him and his family and to all farmers out there who put food on our table and who make a difference. Josh informed me that they access their fuel from the distributor Eyre Fuels. They're an independent operator.”
“Last year at the United Nations, when I was there, Australia led the world in launching the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel. Penny Wong, our Foreign Minister, has done extraordinary work there seeking to honour the courage and kindness of Zomi Frankcom and her colleagues. I look forward to meeting Mal this afternoon. This is a tragic loss. We will continue work each and every day to do our best to ensure there is transparency and appropriate action.”
“I thank the member for Warringah for her question. I will meet the member for Warringah this afternoon with Zomi Frankcom's brother, Mal. I look forward to having a respectful conversation with him and personally expressing my condolences for the tragic loss of life which of course should never have occurred. Zomi Frankcom was an aid worker, working for the World Central Kitchen. She and six of her colleagues were killed in an outrage, and Australia expressed that view very publicly—and continues to do so. Tomorrow is the two-year anniversary of this tragedy. I have certainly raised the issue directly with the Israeli president, Isaac Hertzog, most recently during his visit here to Australia.”
“The idea that somehow there's a contradiction between that and saying that every ship that was due to come here is here is just extraordinarily irresponsible from those opposite. I ask them to really think through the way that they're behaving during what is a real challenge and what they'd have thought if we'd have behaved like this during COVID. It's just absolutely extraordinary. We're working with the National Cabinet, with industry, with producers, with suppliers and farmers, taking action. We understand this is an uncertain time and we understand that Australians are under pressure, but that's why we're focused on them. That's why we want to look after people. That is the Australian way. That is our government's way; working around the clock, looking at every practical measure to make a positive difference and then taking action.”
“That's why our action to halve the fuel excise for three months, starting tomorrow, is so important. That will save Australian families and farmers 26c for every litre of petrol and diesel when they fill up at the servo. That's why our action reducing the heavy vehicle road user charge to zero is so important as well. It's so Australian trucking can keep Australia's economy going. That's why our action empowering the Commonwealth to underwrite shiploads of fuel, fertiliser and other essentials is so important. I note that that action was somehow criticised in the question that was asked just before. They said, 'If there's no problem, why are you worried about supply?' What we are doing is making sure that we get ahead of issues and that we plan appropriately. That's what good government does.”