Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

I thought I might, for the people of Queensland and from the people of Queensland, present an alternative perspective on the world from the Labor Party. The government will be opposing this motion, although I congratulate Senator Rennick on introducing his first motion as a newly Independent senator. I am looking forward to some of the freestyle policy that we're going to get from Senator Rennick. It'll certainly liven things up around here. But I regret to say that we will be opposing this motion.

The Albanese government are committed to working cooperatively with states and territories, which is how we've already managed to deliver significant reforms in the national interest. Just last week, National Cabinet agreed to a landmark $4.7 billion package to end violence against women in a generation and strengthen legal services. This will deliver much-needed support for frontline specialists, better identify and respond to high-risk perpetrators and address the role that systems and harmful industries play in exacerbating violence. This is the biggest investment by any federal government in legal services in our nation's history.

Last year, National Cabinet announced the $3 billion New Homes Bonus to incentivise states to build homes faster and secured a better deal for renters. This sets our ambitious goal of building 1.2 million homes and develops a nationally consistent renters policy, including phasing in minimum rental standards. This year $1 billion was paid to states and territories to build the road, sewer, energy, water and community infrastructure that we need for new homes and for additional social housing supply.

In health, National Cabinet agreed to the further $1.2 billion Strengthening Medicare package of measures to take pressure off our hospitals. This will grow and support our health workforce while reducing unnecessary presentations to emergency departments. We also boosted funding for Medicare urgent care clinics and last week we opened our 75th clinic.

Last week, the Commonwealth reached a historic bilateral agreement with the Cook government in Western Australia to fully and fairly fund Western Australia's public schools. This will ensure all WA schools are funded to 100 per cent of the schooling resource standard by 2026. This follows similar agreements reached with the Northern Territory government.

Following the tragic event at Wieambilla in Queensland, National Cabinet reached a landmark agreement to implement a national firearms register. This will allow police to know where firearms are, who owns them and what other risks to the community and police may exist. This is the most significant improvement in Australia's firearms management systems in almost 30 years and was the result of good cooperation between the Commonwealth, states and territories. This initiative is led by the Attorney-General's Department and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, working alongside state and territory governments.

Our governments—federal, state and territory—will continue this good work, and therefore we will be opposing this motion.