House debates Questions without Notice

Aged Care

Wednesday, 16 September 2026 House of Representatives

Monique Ryan

Monique Ryan Kooyong, Independent

3:09 pm

My question is for the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, the Minister for Health and Ageing is looking for some budget savings to pay for aged care. Might it be better to perhaps tax oil or gas properly and cut the $11 billion a year diesel fuel rebate or consider the $368 billion that we've sunk into the AUKUS agreement rather than looking for savings in the pockets of pensioners?

Anthony Albanese

Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister

I thank the member for her question. I note the Leader of the Opposition saying, 'Hear, hear!' to all of that. Well, unlike the Leader of the Opposition, we support AUKUS. Unlike the member for Kooyong, we think AUKUS is an investment in Australia's safety and security. We think that it's about jobs. It's about making sure that we're resilient. And yesterday, of course, we commemorated five years since the AUKUS agreement. It's something that I supported and, until that moment and the comment from the Leader of the Opposition, had bipartisan support. But, yesterday, at the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia, I was proud to speak about the five years since the AUKUS announcement—

Milton Dick

Milton Dick Speaker

The member for Herbert is now warned.

Anthony Albanese

Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister

the 75 years since our alliance and also to acknowledge the 250 years since, of course, the United States was formed and to wish the American business people investing in Australia, as well as Australian businesses investing in the United States, the very best. We think this is a worthwhile investment. When it comes to the other issues that the member has raised, we think they're worthwhile investments as well. We think that the investment and support of the resources sector do contribute taxation to Australia and do contribute to Australia's wealth and have done so particularly in the postwar period.

We always acknowledge the work that's done. To be clear, and as the minister for health has made clear as well, this was a change that was made by the Howard government. We are making sure that, as part of aged-care reform, we have proper funding available, whether it's aged-care residential or whether it be care at home. That's why we're putting these measures in place. We're a government as well. You can't say that what we need is responsible fiscal policy and, every time the government comes up with a responsible fiscal policy, say that you're opposed to it. That's what those opposite do. I expect the Independents don't have to come up with a budget, and that's fine—all care, no responsibility—but, as the government, we have to. For the alternative government, it's a pity that they don't understand that they should as well.

Milton Dick

Milton Dick Speaker

The member for Goldstein is seeking the call to table a document.

Garth Hamilton

Garth Hamilton Groom, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Energy Security and Affordability

I also want to table a document about the CFMEU thuggery republic report, Rotting from the top, and the extent of CFMEU thuggery on public servants.

Leave not granted.

Milton Dick

Milton Dick Speaker

Order! The minister for employment is warned. People are entitled to table documents, but we're not having performances and interjections after. It's straightforward. Ask to table the document. There will be a reaction, or it will be accepted by the government. I just want everyone to follow process and treat everyone fairly.