Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. The Productivity Commission's role is to help governments make better policy in the long term for the Australian community. The new productivity commissioner, Danielle Wood, has argued there's no justification for how little Australian retirees are taxed and has called for a debate on inheritance tax to address intergenerational inequity. Will the Albanese Labor government rule out imposing an inheritance tax?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In relation to the last: no, the government is not contemplating an inheritance tax. Second—

Speaking of fear and fact—I'll take the interjection from Senator Cash and others on that side—it's really extraordinary, isn't it? They come in here demanding discussion about facts, but we see yet again a fear campaign. No, it is not government policy, nor are we proposing one.

As the Treasurer, I understand, has said, obviously Ms Wood is a well-published economist. She has written and spoken about economic policy for many years. Obviously, the Treasurer and the government may not agree with everything she has said or published, but she is an economist of great note. If I may say so, we've not had a woman head the Productivity Commission before, and in itself it is a good thing to see a woman who is so well qualified come to head that body. I think Senator Gallagher yesterday gave some information to the chamber in relation to the selection process.

I again reiterate Ms Wood has said and written many things, as you would expect from someone in her position. Not all of them are ones the Treasurer might agree with, and they certainly don't represent government policy. But the point is that we have appointed someone to head the Productivity Commission who is deeply engaged in some of today's difficult economic questions, and that is a good thing, to ensure that the government and the Australian people, as well as the parliament, can have the benefit of the advice and views of the PC. Many governments will obviously not take up everything the— (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson, first supplementary?

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Just to make sure of your answer, Australians pay 40 to 45 per cent tax on a new home built, and over their lives they are always paying land tax, capital gains tax, GST, stamp duty and countless other government fees and charges. Everything is taxed in this country. Does the Prime Minister support continuing to tax the families of hardworking Australians, after they die, with an inheritance tax?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Gallagher?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was just going to raise a question about whether the supplementary flows from the primary question.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, I was just about to make that point. Senator Hanson, it's very difficult to see how your first supplementary is related to the primary question, but I can invite Minister Wong to answer the parts of it she wishes to.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you to Senator Hanson for the supplementary. I would say first what I said in my first answer, which is that an inheritance tax is not part of the government's agenda. In relation to the Productivity Commission, obviously that is an independent body. We respect its independence, and we respect its contribution to the national discussion about economic issues as an independent body, obviously. Governments of the day won't always take the advice of the PC in its entirety, and that was the case under the previous government too.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson, second supplementary?

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Ms Wood has advocated for the exclusion of almost all the value of the family home for the aged pension asset test. Will the Albanese Labor government rule out removing all or part of the family home from the aged pension asset test?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, I'd say that Ms Wood wrote and spoke widely on economic and tax and fiscal policy prior to her appointment. She was entitled to do so. She is a well-respected economist. As head of the Productivity Commission, her position is one of independence. The government will make its own decisions about funding for various programs, including aged care. I would make the point, Senator Hanson, that this government has invested an enormous amount into aged care, including improving the position of the workers.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Hanson?

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On relevance to the question, I never, ever mentioned aged care in my question. It was about removing all or part of the family home from the aged pension asset test.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, and it was in relation to journal articles that Ms Wood had answered, and I believe the minister has been relevant to that. Minister, please continue.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I again say that the government will make its own decisions about the appropriate model for funding of aged care. The government is not adopting the position—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Hanson.

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have a point of order. I'll keep going back to my question: I never referred to aged care. Would the minister answer the question on inheritance tax, that they're definitely not looking at it. I'm asking for a yes or no answer to my question—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson, you were referring to an article written by—

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, I wasn't!

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson, it's not for you to argue with me. I'm answering your question—

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I never referred to an article, so don't say I referred to an article when I didn't.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson, please resume your seat! You asked about the asset test in an article written by Ms Wood. The minister was being relevant. I'm happy to remind the minister of the question in the remaining 11 seconds. Minister Wong.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'll simply say that the government will make its own decisions about funding models and about eligibility, as we have in previous budgets. Ms Wood is— (Time expired)