Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Senator McCarthy. Many small businesses in regional Australia have been shocked at the impact of Labor's industrial relations agenda, especially measures like multi-employer bargaining and 'right to disconnect' laws, which were never revealed by the Labor Party prior to the election. At the National Press Club yesterday, Minister Watt was asked by David Crowe if Labor:

… will put your IR agenda to voters or will there be some surprises after the election?

In response, the minister said:

Well, I think governments always take items to an election and then deliver extra things after they are elected.

To reassure small businesses in regional Australia, will the minister rule out surprise and unwelcome Labor industrial relations reform after the election, or should they brace for more unwelcome surprises from Labor?

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

Point of order. I note it does have 'regional' in the question, but it clearly, in policy terms, relates to the bloke sitting next to her. Now, I know you're scared of asking him a question, but he is available.

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

President, on the point of order: indeed, I took a similar point of order on 12 September, when government senators had asked then Minister Watt, who was acting as the minister representing the minister for regional development, specific questions about tax cuts and energy relief—matters not at all relevant to his portfolio, but the questions were framed in their impact on regional Australians and regional development. This question was very clearly framed in relation to regional Australia and regional development, and I'd invite you to uphold the words that you said on 12 September and that you advise the chamber that, as the minister repping regional development, he can answer in that capacity the questions that were asked.

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

Thank you very much, Senator Birmingham. I'm very pleased that you take an avid interest in the rulings I make from the chair. I will seek the advice of the Clerk. I give similar advice: I invite the minister to answer the question to the extent that it relates to regional Australia and that part of the portfolio you're representing.

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, President. Certainly, I listened to Senator Watt at the Press Club yesterday. It was a fantastic Press Club delivery by Senator Watt on all the things that we're doing here in the Albanese government right across Australia, particularly in regional Australia. We know that millions of small businesses are the engine room of our nation's economy—

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

Senator Cash!

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

and I would gladly invite Senator Watt, who would be able to tell you all about the small businesses in our economy.

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

Senator McKenzie, first supplementary?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister, for not answering the question about surprise announcements for regional Australians! Regional Australians, especially small businesses in the regions, are also being crippled by spiralling electricity bills under the Albanese Labor government. Regional households were even promised that their electricity bills would be $275 lower under Labor. Will regional Australians see that $275 price reduction in 2025, 2026 or anytime in the future?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I just want to clarify: this is the electricity bill that the opposition voted against, giving support and relief in terms of the subsidies?

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

Minister, please resume to your seat. Senator McKenzie.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm just seeking the opportunity to clarify for the minister what I was talking about.

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

No, Senator McKenzie. You've asked your question.

Order! Order! Senator Cash, I've called and called you. Come to order or leave the chamber.

Order, Senator Ayres! Senator Colbeck, equally, I've called your name a number of times. If you can't stop yourself interjecting—and it is your responsibility, not mine—then please leave the chamber. Minister McCarthy.

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Just confirming, this was the energy relief that the opposition said 'no' to in the Senate to try to relieve the cost-of-living pressure—

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Point of order under standing order 191, 'explanation', where, if what I've said has been misunderstood, I am able to be afforded the opportunity to explain—the $275 was never a piece of legislation before this. We didn't have the opportunity to back that promise—

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

Senator McKenzie, we're not getting into statements.

Senator McKenzie, resume your seat.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Senator McKenzie—order across the chamber!—you were given the opportunity to make a point of order. I listened to your point of order. I've said in this chamber, over and over again, when you make the point of order you don't then make a political statement.

I think we're very clear that the minister is using it as a rhetorical device, but I will continue to listen carefully to her answer. Minister McCarthy.

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator, for the question. There is nothing that the opposition won't seek to politicise. When they left office, the average wholesale energy price was 286 megawatts per hour. Just like we inherited a 6.1 per cent inflation rate, the coalition will not take responsibility for the messes that they left.

Opposition senators interjecting—

Now we hear them, even though they voted against the opportunity for Australians to have cheaper energy across Australia, they voted against cheaper bills, and that is all they have to say.

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

Senator McKenzie?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Regional Australians are being smashed by high inflation, high electricity bills, productivity-crushing industrial relations reforms and the growing rejection of major job-creating developments, including mines in regional Australia. Just how many regional Australians are losing their businesses or homes because of Labor's woeful economic management?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I stood in the Senate here yesterday and spoke about the $4 billion that is going into regional and remote areas of the Northern Territory. That is 270 houses per year, 1,200—

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

How many people are losing their homes and businesses?

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

Senator McKenzie! Minister, please resume your seat.

Senator McKenzie, the running dialogue at full voice is incredibly disrespectful, to me in particular as I have called you to order over and over and over again. Minister McCarthy, please continue.

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Our focus is on regional and remote Australia, as it is for all Australians in the cities as well. Our government is for all Australians, including remote and regional Australia.