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 thank the member for Leichhardt for his question and acknowledge that the member for Leichhardt not only has been dealing with these issues but also has been dealing with the consequences of the cyclone in his electorate and has been working closely with Premier Crisafulli and Minister McBain to make sure that his community is looked after, particularly areas like Coen and other small communities that have been really hit hard. We are taking action to help Australians who are under cost-of-living pressure caused by what is the biggest spike in petrol and diesel prices in history. That is a global result of the war in the Middle East, where Australia is not a participant but is still impacted by it. Easing that pressure and helping people is our priority.”
“It's also a fact that because prices have increased right around the world we sought to have a responsible plan to make a difference as well to people's cost-of-living issues, as we always do. We thought it through. We finalised it. The states and territories met again at 12 o'clock today and finalised a position consistent with what we've asked them to do, something that was forgotten, so they don't benefit from the GST windfall, just like we have raised the issue of registrations and the road user charge as well. There are challenges ahead of us. No government can just eliminate all of the pressure which is there. What we can do is act in an orderly, responsible way, not try to create issues but try to create an appropriate response, which is— (Time expired)”
“It is a fact that every single ship that was due to arrive up to this point has arrived. That is just a fact. It is also a fact that we changed the fuel standards in order to ensure that every bit of fuel, petrol and diesel produced here stays here. It is also a fact that we released 20 per cent of the reserves and prioritised that going to regional areas. It is also a fact that we have engaged with our international partners to make sure that supplies continue to come here. It is also a fact that we have worked across states and territories across the political system for the National Fuel Security Plan, agreed with leaders from both sides of politics through the National Cabinet, so that we have a system going forward that is clear through the four stages. We want to stay at stage 2, where we are. There are challenges ahead of us.”
“Every single day I've acknowledged that Australians are feeling stretched and under pressure because of the impact of the war in the Middle East. That has been the consistent position that we have taken, and those opposite might like to wish it away or erase it. I noticed that the member for Canning didn't do that on Sunday. Australia is not a participant in the war in the Middle East, but Australians are feeling and seeing the impact here at home. We stand with, overwhelmingly, the majority of Australians absolutely doing the right thing as they always do. There are some who've taken more than what they need. That's the truth. Just look at your devices, and you'll see examples of that. That has meant that there's pressure on the system, more pressure than there should be.”
“I want to give a shout-out to Jett Jarvis, who's 12 years old from Dalveen in Queensland in the electorate of Maranoa. He's a student at SCOTS college there at Warwick, and he came in today because he's the Squiz Kids 'PM For A Day' competition winner. There he is! He had his big hat on in my office, Mr Speaker, but it's gone. He's a delightful young man here with the Squiz Kids organisation that really promote ideas and promote education and do podcasts for young Australians. His idea for the day was that people should buy fruit in supermarkets even if it doesn't look perfect, because that way we not only help the farmers but help each other and avoid waste as well. I know bananas that aren't bent the right way sometimes are rejected. They end up at Foodbank, and they still get used.”
“We've worked constructively on supply with states and territories. We've worked constructively with industry. We've put out a national fuel security plan. When it comes to the measures to assist with the cost of living, by doing it through the National Cabinet process we've ensured that states and territories have agreed they shouldn't get a windfall gain, and what that will mean is a further reduction in the price of fuel.”
“I thank the member for his question. The first thing I'd do is say to the member that, if he gives me Josh's number—he's just texted you—I'm happy to personally have a discussion with him and do what I can to help him, because that's what we do and that's what some members opposite have done, it must be said. We're a government that get things done and want to make a difference. Your current leader says, 'They've suffered enough.' Either you want to help this guy, or you don't, and, if you want to help him, give us the info; we'll follow it up and do what we can. Give us the number, and we'll follow it up. I want to make this point as well. I've been asked about leadership by those opposite all during question time, and there's a big difference between what those opposite have suggested and what we have done today.”
“I want to give a shout-out to industries in particular that we've worked with, and state and territory governments across the political spectrum today were productive as well. Had we not had the largest fuel reserves in 15 years, and had we continued to have our fuel reserves in the United States rather than here, the predicament would have been far worse. (Time expired)”
“We've engaged with international partners to keep supplies flowing—including the joint statement I made with Singapore, but we've also engaged with leaders in Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, China, all of our international partners. We've engaged with states and territories on supply and distribution, including through the energy ministers meeting that's been convened. We've activated the National Coordination Mechanism, which has met twice. We've unlocked $2 million in financial counselling funding for impacted farmers. We'll continue to do what we can in circumstances which are real. You can't just wish away the impact of a war in the Middle East that has seen global fuel supplies be reduced. But we've continued to act each and every day, and some have been cooperative and supportive.”
“This is something that is an unprecedented action which we have taken, and that comes after the other measures that we've taken—the Fair Work Commission laws that the minister just spoke about, demanding that companies pay truckies fairly when fuel prices spike, and the new laws to double penalties for petrol companies for price gouging. We've begun the release of 20 per cent of Australia's fuel reserves. We've changed petrol and diesel standards so there can be more fuel flowing into our market. We appointed a national Fuel Supply Taskforce coordinator. That group, with state and territory equivalents, has met twice and will meet twice weekly. We've tasked the ACCC to ramp up fuel price monitoring and to issue on-the-spot fines. We've made it easier for Australia's refineries to access government funding when they run at a loss.”
“I thank the member for her question. What we have done is to convene National Cabinet for a second time today. We'll continue to meet. We've agreed a national fuel security plan with premiers and chief ministers. We've announced halving the fuel excise for three months, reducing the cost of fuel. We've announced a reduction in the heavy-vehicle road user charge to zero and deferred the next increase by six months. We've introduced new legislation today so the Commonwealth can underwrite shiploads of fuel, fertiliser and other essentials.”
“My door is open and my phone is on for people who actually want to be constructive and work on the national interest—and I think that contrasts with the party that he used to belong to.”
“The issue of your leader in the other place—the actual leader of the National Party, who's in the Senate, said, 'Obviously our fuel prices will be impacted by the world price.' That's what Senator Canavan, the actual Leader of the Nationals, had to say. The former leader of the Nationals had this to say: 'People just need to calm themselves down. Yes, there's an issue with supply and distribution, but certainly we don't want to see a toilet roll situation, because it's one thing to hoard toilet rolls; it's another thing to hoard petrol.' I want to give credit and a shout-out to the member for New England. He contacted me constructively on Friday. We had engagement on Saturday as well about actually coming up with solutions. I give credit where credit's due.”
“The decision that we made on Saturday, which will allow for the purchase of additional fuels and will, in addition to that, allow for the potential purchase of fertilisers, should they be available anywhere, making sure that private sector operators can invest over the odds effectively in what they would have had before this war began on the international market. I know the member really does know that there is an impact from the war in the Middle East and that that has led to an increase in prices, not just for oil but for fertiliser and other products as well, including PVC piping. There are a range of things that are related. This will allow for the purchase to occur. That's why it has been welcomed so strongly.”
“I thank the leader of the National Party in the House—I think is the title at the moment. I thank him for his question. The national fuel security plan outlines very clearly the stages that we're at. We're at stage 2, 'Keeping Australia moving', and that's where we want to stay. But that doesn't mean that you don't plan for contingencies and that you don't be overprepared for what may occur in the future. As we have said very clearly, 20 per cent of our reserves have been released, and they've been prioritised into those regional areas.”
“That's what we'll continue to do, including in the interests of the constituents of the member for Dawson, because we understand these difficulties, which are global. We are not immune to the impact of this war in the Middle East, which is why we will continue to take strong action, as we have already.”
“There is a graduated approach that has been adopted and we've seen government acting quickly to implement appropriate arrangements, including standing up the National Coordination Mechanism, meetings of the NOSEC— National Oil Supplies Emergency Committee— starting the National Cabinet process, the appointment of Anthea Harris as the Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator, changes to fuel standards, release of reserves … … … … … these are all important and very worthwhile steps and business is being closely consulted as government works through the options … That was Andrew McKellar, the head of ACCI. What is happening is that overwhelmingly, with a few exceptions that I can think of, we are working together in the national interest.”
“We understand, and I certainly understand, that people are doing it tough at the moment and that this is creating a great deal of anxiety out there. If you go to a petrol station and you can't fill up, it makes you anxious. In a country like ours, we rely so much upon our motor vehicles to get around, which is why we're saying in the fuel security plan, for example, that if you can get to work on a train or a bus and that's convenient and therefore leave more fuel around then that's a good thing. But we understand that not everyone in our country can do that, particularly in regional communities. That's precisely why we are doing that. We're working across the board as well. I note this. Someone was talking yesterday and they said: … there is very extensive coordination between business and government.”
“I thank the member for Dawson for his question. I want to acknowledge the work that our volunteers do, including the ones that he referred to. One of the things about our country is that we're defined by the way that we look after each other, and that's nowhere clearer than in the example that the member for Dawson gave. That's one of the things that will get us through the pressures that are on right now—Australians looking after each other. That was one of the key elements of the National Fuel Security Plan—not seeking to impose solutions on people but saying that people should only take what they need so that fuel is available and so that people are able to continue to keep our economy going under what are global pressures.”
“There are some that have recognised that there is a war going on and that there's an impact of that war, as most Australians understand directly. For example, one said about the measures that we've taken—Andrew Hastie, the Liberal Deputy Leader in the House of Representatives—there's a title for you!”
“I thank the member for Cook for his question. Indeed there are supply issues for select petrol stations around Australia. We've acknowledged that. We've acknowledged that that's the case. I will ask the minister to add, but what we're doing is actually constructively working through everything that is possible to increase supply—everything that is possible, whether that be what we did with changing fuel standards for both diesel and petrol, whether it be making sure that the 20 per cent that we released goes to petrol stations particularly in regional Australia or whether it be the measure that we announced on Saturday with the energy minister. Not everyone on that side has been critical of it, it must be said.”
“The National Fuel Security Plan that has been established is important. We know this is a global crisis, but we also know that families, businesses and farmers are feeling and seeing the impacts at their local petrol station, which is why we continue to act on supply. Today, we have made these cost-of-living measures.”
“All are working to make sure that the very real global challenges that are there as a result of a war that can't be wished away—and that should be above some of the petty politics that we've seen across this chamber—are worked through in the national interest. Today, we agreed that the Commonwealth would take immediate action to halve the fuel excise on petrol and diesel for three months, starting this Wednesday. We'll reduce the heavy-vehicle road-user charge to zero for three months—something that was not proposed by those opposite. In addition to that, the fuel price will be reduced by more than that half reduction, because we acknowledge that the GST would have produced a windfall gain for the states and territories, and they were cooperative about that as well, having been brought together through the National Cabinet process.”
“We repeat the message that people should only buy the fuel that they need, making voluntary choices to use less and avoid the impact of higher fuel prices. We are at level 2. It's been agreed; the Commonwealth and states have set up the Fuel Supply Taskforce, with representatives from all state and territory governments working through the bureaucracy. The Minister for Climate Change and Energy is working through with his counterparts. The Treasurer is working through with his counterparts, as are the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.”
“I thank the member for McEwen for his question and for his ongoing assistance in everything to do with fuels and motor vehicles as well. Today, I convened—after we had an NSC meeting and a cabinet meeting—our National Cabinet meeting. There we endorsed the National Fuel Security Plan that we've been working on with states and territories in a coherent way across the board—both Labor and Liberal-National governments working in the national interest in a strategic way. Making sure that we plan and prepare was the first stage. The second stage is keeping Australia moving, because we don't want to find ourselves in a similar situation to what happened with COVID, with restrictions that are unnecessary. What we want to do is make sure that the economy continues to function and make sure that people act responsibly.”
“We are making sure that we deal with the issue of the road user charge, reducing that to zero in recognition that particularly heavy vehicles are under enormous pressure. That is what good government looks like: orderly, coherent and making sure we look after our national interests. That's precisely what we will continue to do.”
“We are working with industry and with state and territory governments, working through all of the issues, concentrating on the first issue, which is supply, and making sure that we work with our international partners in the region. There was the announcement that we made on Sunday about shoring up supply. We are changing the standards of both petrol and diesel so there is increased supply there as well. We are releasing, in a coherent, orderly way, 20 per cent of the reserves, making sure that it gets to where it is needed. We are also working through on price. It's not an ill-thought-out proposal that says, 'We're going to actually increase electricity prices by somehow doing something on fuel,' but we're working it through so that, as well as the Commonwealth taking action, state and territory governments are taking action.”
“I thank the latest leader of the opposition for his question. The question began by saying that somehow the government, and I as Prime Minister, didn't say there was an issue with fuel, like we didn't know that there was a war that had impacted the entire global fuel supply network. It's just beyond comprehension. The same group that came in here and actually asked the question one day, 'When will the war end?' which they thought through in tactics, now pretends that somehow we on this side didn't acknowledge that there was a war and that it would have an impact, which it is having right around the world. Leadership is about responding in a coherent, strategic, orderly way, and that is precisely what we have done.”
“They did that, and in that debate they said, 'We'll support anything to do with the fuel crisis, and it needs to be done today—not delayed, done today.' So the Leader of the House moved an amendment to the motion to ensure that the two pieces of legislation that were before the House both increased penalties for any breach and abuse of price gouging—one would have thought that something that would receive support—and was also directly about trucking, directly about the question that's raised by the member for McPherson.”
“I thank the member for his question. Earlier today, there were two pieces of legislation before the parliament. One was on the ACCC and increased penalties. The second went directly to the issue of trucking and transport. Indeed, what happened was that the coalition came in here and moved a suspension of standing orders to bring forward the ACCC legislation through all stages to increase penalties.”
“And that's why, as well—as the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer have just said—the tax cuts that have gone to every single worker in your electorate will make a difference. Some 65,000 taxpayers in your electorate alone are getting an average tax cut of more than $2,000 every year. That's why the student debt relief that helped 23,000 of your constituents will make a difference as well. The $15.7 million that's been saved on three million scripts in Fowler will make a difference for those constituents. The 15,600 people who've gone to the Liverpool Medicare Urgent Care Clinic—that has made a difference as well. In addition to that— The SPEAKER: The Prime Minister will pause. The member for Fowler on a point of order—the Prime Minister has completed his answer. Resume your seat.”
“I thank the member for Fowler for her question. It goes to the pressures that people are under when costs rise. I'd say to your constituents in Fowler two things. The first is, yes, the war in the Middle East is having an impact right around the world, whether it be in Fowler or in Grayndler, whether it be in Europe, in Asia, in North America, in South America—everywhere. Nowhere is immune to the impact that this Middle East war is having, and that flows down from an impact on the national economy right through to an impact on individuals. Our job is to do what we can to shield people, such as the member for Fowler's constituents, from the worst impacts of what is a global event—not one that we chose, not one that we're participating in, but one which impacts us.”
“This is designed to streamline support to those impacted by the prolonged closure of the Great Western Highway. The member has raised the issue of businesses in that area. That will go through that particular taskforce as well. I'll speak with the New South Wales government about these issues. The New South Wales government has announced $50 million for the detour routes, and my office is in ongoing contact with Minister Aitchison's office and will continue to engage. I understand that your office has been offered a briefing by Minister Aitchison's office on the situation. If that is not the case, certainly I'll undertake to personally take that up with Jenny. She's an effective minister, and I'm sure she will be concerned about the impact that is there.”
“The member also has advised that some of the alternative routes—that there are safety issues with regard to them. I'll be raising that with the New South Wales minister as well, to make sure that those issues are dealt with. It's a serious situation. It's not a quick or a simple repair. Significant cracking and movement had been detected in the substructure. As the member has said, it's 194 years old, Mitchell's Causeway, also known as the convict bridge because, literally, that was when it was built. The truth is that all governments, state and federal, probably should have done something about this, quite clearly, before. The fact that it has had such an impact is indeed of real concern. On 19 March, the New South Wales government announced the establishment of the Great Western Highway Community Coordination Taskforce.”
“I thank the member for Calare for his question and thank him as well for the courtesy of raising it with me in a meeting that we held earlier this morning. I'm always happy to meet with members of parliament, regardless of where they sit, particularly about issues relating to their local electorates. The member for Calare is of course concerned about the impact that the closure of the Great Western Highway has on his electorate, because that's essentially the entry from Sydney and the Blue Mountains through to the greater west, including Lithgow and Bathurst and Orange, and all of those people are dependent upon this road. Specialist engineers have advised that the road is not safe, and it obviously can't reopen until it is safe.”
“Indeed, the comments of those opposite, whether it be Senator Canavan, the latest Leader of the Nationals—obviously, our prices will be impacted by the world price—or whether it be the—”
“I thank the member for Lyne for her question. Indeed, the comments from Anna in Croydon Park, of course, are real, because people out there are facing a difficult circumstance. The government acknowledges that. We don't come in here and say there's not a war. We don't come in here and say there aren't issues of distribution. What we do is come in here and put forward practical plans to make a difference. That is the responsible thing to do. That is what the then Morrison government did during the difficulties of COVID, backed by the then opposition. At a time when there are international factors that have an impact, it is the responsible thing to do to work together, as we are with industry and as we are with state and territory governments.”
“Andrew McKellar from ACCI said, 'We've seen a number of steps that the government are taking in terms of getting consultation with industry.' He went on to say, '… national cabinet, the appointment of Anthea Harris as the national Fuel Supply Task Force Coordinator, the things that they've done in terms of fuel standards and releasing some of those reserves.' The National Farmers' Federation said, 'We acknowledge the global factors at the core of these issues, and that the need for a calm and considered approach to supply chain issues is imperative …' That's what the actual farmers have said through the NFF.”
“The BCA CEO Bran Black said, 'Australia's companies are working collaboratively with government,' and that's the point that I want to stress. This is a time where we really do need to adopt a 'team Australia' moment. It's only by working together that we'll get through it.”
“I thank the member for Canberra for her question, ably assisted by young Joseph. I congratulate her on expanding her family. Now, we understand indeed that all Australian families at the moment, businesses and farmers, are feeling the impact of the ongoing war in the Middle East. The government is working with partners across the board, taking action on Australia's fuel security and supply. Whether it's with state and territory governments, whether it be with international partners or with industry, a calm, steady, fact based approach is what we are focused on, because we want Australia to be overprepared. I want us to have the strongest possible plan so we're ready for what may come. Indeed, it's been supported by industry.”
“We know it's having an impact, and others have said that as well. Maybe they could take the advice of the former leader of the National Party. 'People just need to calm themselves down,' is what he said. Maybe he was talking about his colleagues. (Time expired)”
“We've fixed the fuel security services payment to make it easier for Australia's refineries to access government funding. We've changed the law so the Fair Work Commission can demand companies pay truckies fairly when fuel prices spike. As people have said—those opposite have said, the shadow Treasurer has said—there are a lot of events outside of our control. There is recognition that there's this world conflict going on that is having an impact here. Don't come in here and pretend that that doesn't exist. We understand. We understand that it's real and we understand that it makes a difference. And coming in here and pretending that this conflict—we do not know when it will end; we hope it ends soon—is not having an impact right around the globe is frankly just treating people like mugs.”
“We've engaged with international partners to keep supply flowing. We've engaged with the states and territories on supply and distribution, including—we've held one meeting of the National Cabinet; there'll be another one on Monday. We're holding a special energy ministers meeting. We've activated the National Coordination Mechanism, which has met twice. We've convened the National Oil Supplies Emergency Committee six times. We've unlocked money for financial counselling and funding for impacted farmers. We've changed the law to make it easier for Australia's refineries to access government funding when they run at a loss and ensured that the two refineries that remained after the opposition's period in office can keep going into the future.”
“I thank the member for his question. Indeed, the government not only accepts responsibility; we're taking action. Earlier today, those opposite said that we should bring on legislation for a vote, and then, when we did, they voted against it. Sound familiar? It's exactly what they did between December and January. What we've done is introduce new laws to double penalties for petrol companies for price gouging. We've convened the National Cabinet. We've appointed a national Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator. We've begun release of the 20 per cent of Australia's fuel reserves. We've changed petrol standards to get more fuel flowing. We've changed diesel standards so Australian refineries can supply more diesel. We've tasked the ACCC to ramp up fuel price monitoring and issue on-the-spot fines.”
“I thank the member for his question. We have established the Fuel Supply Taskforce. We've convened the National Cabinet. We're engaging with state and territory governments, who are responsible, of course, for distribution issues, but we're making sure that it's coordinated, and I note the media release from, for example, the New South Wales Premier today, as well as the actions that the New South Wales government are taking. Right across the country, we're engaging. I've been having constructive discussions with Premier Crisafulli as well.”
“It's a win as well for 450 million Europeans, who get more access to Australian products—the best in the world—and it's a win for our nation, for business, for primary producers and for consumers. It's a win for everyone who backs Australia and who wants to see more trade and more Australian industry.”
“I thank the fantastic member for Dunkley for her question and thank her as well for her ongoing advocacy on behalf of the people of Frankston and the region that she's so proud to represent. International trade can make a difference in local communities. That's the point here, because it's about strengthening our economy and strengthening jobs. Yesterday, we finalised three agreements with the European Union. One boosts Australian research and development through connecting us up with Horizon in Europe. One boosts our defence and security cooperation with Europe—that's so important. And, after eight long years of negotiation, this government secured an Australia-EU free trade agreement. This opens up access to 27 European markets for our Australian products and makes European goods cheaper for Australians here at home.”
“I thank the member for Mallee for the question. The contradiction in it, I think, is obvious from the nature of it, which is that the Victorian Premier said that at the meeting that was convened to nationally coordinate activity, to have a national fuel supply coordinator in Anthea Harris and to have all of the state and territory governments to appoint someone as well so we could deal with the bureaucracy. Then energy ministers were convened the day after, on Friday, to coordinate that approach with the energy ministers. I intend convening again the National Cabinet meeting. We'll meet next week to further coordinate the activity that we are taking and, indeed, in coordinating that activity, it is important that we have national consistency.”
“I thank the member for Forde, a great Queenslander, for his question. Today, together with the Queensland government of Premier David Crisafulli, we've secured the future of the Boyne aluminium smelter in Gladstone, Central Queensland. This is a great example of—”
“I thank the member for Bradfield for her question. I acknowledge, as part of that question, her welcome acknowledgement that it is always Labor governments that do the big things, that do the big reforms that change the country for the better. That is what we do. I thank the member for Bradfield for acknowledging that. Now, when it comes to gambling, we've done more than any other government to tackle online gambling harms.”