That sound you heard was me screaming loud enough for Cairns to hear.

Kevin Hogan asks:

Given these challenging security arrangements at home and abroad, what steps has the Prime Minister taken to repair our deteriorating relationship with Israel and the United States?

I’m sorry – I didn’t think it was up to Australia to repair a relationship with a state plausibly accused of committing genocide, with documented law crimes, and the ongoing deliberate starvation of a civilian population. What, exactly, is there to be repaired?

And yes, we should jump to ‘repair’ our relationship with America, as it slides further into fascism, tries to dictate terms including SENDING US TO WAR IF IT WANTS while disappearing its own citizens, sending in armed guards against them and uses the world as its own personal Monopoly board.

All jokes aside, what is wrong with the Coalition? How is it in Australia’s interest to be so slavishly devoted to foreign powers?

OOOHHHHHHHH now we get Cranky Richard Marles, with this question, which is like watching an old Labrador get annoyed someone moved its food bowl.

Angus Taylor asks:

Deputy Prime Minister the Coalition is deeply committed to the Australia – US relations. Between Sunday and this morning the DPMs office has provided two conflicting statements about the nature and formality of this week’s meeting with the Defense Secretary. There have been three different explanations about the nature and extent of the meeting.

Was this a meeting with the Secretary or just a photo opportunity and was there any outcome beyond the photo?

Marles:

I genuinely do appreciate the question from the Member opposite and Congressman Smith, welcome to Question Time. You are in for a treat. The question we have just heard – question we just heard from the Shadow Minister, is just another example of how the Liberal Party, a party who actually has a proud history of governing this country, is today completely broken.

Now, the Pentagon itself has made clear – that there was a meeting between myself and Secretary Hegseth, the Pentagon itself has made it clear that that meeting was coordinated and advanced off what we have heard through the course of this week as those opposite firstly suggesting it was not going to be a meeting at all, then a little bit of a debate about whether it’s a meeting or whether it’s a happenstance, presumably those opposite think the photos have been published or magically generated by AI.

Those opposite are a joke. Mr Speaker the Shadow Minister in the question he just framed the alliance between Australia and the United States as a matter of bipartisan support. It has been the case that the parties of Government in this country, had actually irrespective of whether they are in opposition or in Government, have supported the nation and its relationship with the US.

Taylor tries to puff up his chest with a point of order, which is like watching one of the frilled neck lizard run around the desert with no thought of direction.

Milton Dick tells him to shush.

Marles and his brown shoes are very pleased:

The relationship between Australia and the United States should be above partisan politics. Partisans in this country, whether they have bending government or opposition, have come to this place wanting whoever is government to succeed in our relationship with the States. That is only the spirit we brought about when we were in opposition. Right now those opposite are desperately hoping the nation fails in its relationship with the United States and that is a disgrace. The fact of the matter areas those opposite should grow up and return to the place which has been occupied by the Liberal Party in the past and to support the alliance of the United States and do so in a bipartisan way.

We posted earlier about the push by Fortescue and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering to reform the Fuel Tax Credit Scheme, a major fossil fuel subsidy.

This is a big deal for climate and energy policy and tax revenue in Australia, and a topic dear to our hearts at Australia Institute.

Diving into the details of the report, it’s interesting to see some of the names on it and around it. (Page 32 if you’re playing at home)

First up, former CSIRO boss Larry Marshall is quoted in the press release and was on the Expert Review Group for the report. He’s now working at Fortescue, so maybe his involvement isn’t a surprise, but he led CSIRO through the Turnbull and Morrison governments and wasn’t always seen as a climate champion.  

Leading the report’s Expert Review Group was former Chief Scientist Alan Finkel. Finkel wasted his years as Chief Scientist spruiking hydrogen exports and other boondoggles…so good to see him finally pushing for decent climate policy.

Also on the review group was Wendy Craik. She was once the head of the National Farmers Federation, which opposes any change to diesel subsidies. More recently she was on the RBA board and the Climate Change Authority…an organisations that would always rather talk up dodgy carbon offsets than attack fossil fuel subsidies.

Another member of the review group was Snow Barlow. He approved shocking projects like the Santos Narrabri Gas Project and the Mangoola coal mine during his time on the NSW Independent Planning Commission.

Tim Buckley and Matt Pollard from Climate Energy Finance also reviewed the report. They also put out a great report of their own on Fuel Tax Credits just last week.

Tony Wood was on the Steering Committee for the report, the Grattan Institute’s long-time energy lead. This is interesting because while Grattan has a long history of calling for reform of diesel subsidies, Grattan Institute boss Danielle Wood seems to have forgotten all about that now that she is Important at the Productivity Commission. The PC recently called for reform subsidies for trucks, but mysteriously said nothing at all about diesel and the mining industry.

Looking more broadly, the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering represents a lot of people who might usually shy away from attacking the fuel tax credit. These people didn’t contribute to this report and may not agree with it, but they’re fellows of the Academy:

• Kim Carr, former Labor Senator.
• John Anderson, former Nationals MP and Deputy Prime Minister.
• Daniel Westerman, head of the Australian Energy Market Operator.
• Brian Schmidt, Nobel Prize winner and former ANU Vice Chancellor.
• Marcia Langton, pro-mining, pro-Adani Indigenous academic.
• Fiona Simpson, another former National Farmers Federation boss.
• Guy Templeton, chair of the Business Council of Australia’s Infrastructure Committee.
• Rachelle Doyle, who worked at Rio Tinto until very recently.

Kate Chaney asks Anthony Albanese:

Today parliamentarians from across the House heard personal stories about gambling harm including from a Western Australian whose brother died by suicide after struggling with gambling addiction. The government has not yet even provided a response to the Murphy inquiry into online gambling. Let alone implemented any of our key recommendations. Is the delay due to successful lobbying by powerful interests and what you say to people experiencing gambling harm who are still being bombarded by gambling ads.

Albanese:

With respect I say it is not correct to say we have not responded.

We have done more as a Government in any Government in Australia’s history since Federation. As simple as that.

Pitstop the self exclusion register has been in operation for two years as of last week.

Making been an enormous difference we have launched the National Self-Exclusion Register at the end of July, it has recorded 46,000 369 total registrations, including 30,000 750 active exclusions. 39% of current registrants have chosen a lifetime ban. 39%.

The problem that we see with gambling is not someone having a punt on a Saturday, at the pub, it is ongoing addiction to gambling which can be incredibly harmful.

We have banned the use of credit cards for online wagering, we have established mandatory customer ID for online wagering, we have implemented monthly win and loss statement strengthened classification of videogames that contain gambling like content.

We will continue to work on these areas as we have said we want to break the connection between wagering and sports.

A lot of that has been done voluntarily as well by the sporting organisations who understand the damage that can be caused. While gambling is legal Australia, we respect people’s right to have a punt but we have a responsibility to make sure the industry act responsibly and that’s what we are doing.

Dan Tehan is up next. Hooray.

Under the Albanese Labor government, electricity prices have exploded by 39%. Including a 13% rise over the past 12 months alone.

Can the minister explain to the House how a 39% increase in electricity prices can result in a $275 reduction as you promised?

This is the same question we got in the last parliament and references a commitment made two elections ago, which was not referenced in the last election, if you want to know how the Coalition’s tactics team is going.

Chris Bowen doesn’t seem to mind though:

Well thanks very much, Mr Speaker. I thank the honourable member for his question. And as the Treasurer very eloquently pointed out to the House yesterday when the inflation figures were released, as the ABS itself makes crystal clear, to use their words, in relation to the annual increase, this is due to the timing of when the extended energy bill relief fund rebates were applied in some capital cities. That’s what the ABS said yesterday.

Of course, and of course that’s the case, the rebates are paid in different months and that reflects in the figures in different ways. It’s also the case that – there’s other reports out over the last week the opposition has chosen not to mention.

Like the Australian Energy Regulator state of the energy market report, that refers to energy prices.

And points out that Australia’s coal fired power plants are ageing, increasing the cost to operate, many require high levels of maintenance and refurbishment to keep them running, they’re prone to prolonged outages and it makes them increasingly unreliable heading into spring and early summer, prices remained higher than the year before, amid higher rates of brown coal outages.

So these are the sorts of issues the government and the energy grid is dealing with, when they’re dealing with the fact under those opposite, 4 gigawatts of dispatchable power left the grid and only one came on.

Tehan has a point of order that is half a point of order. It is the united states of beigeness today.

Bowen:

Absolutely I was referring to the report this week of the Australian Energy Regulator about the Australian market today which is also dealing with the impact of 4 gigabits of dispensable power leaving the grid over the last decade, that’s what the government and Energy Market Operator and everybody involved in energy system is dealing with.

When the side of the House has an opportunity to take a decision that puts downward pressure on energy prices we take it. With energy Bill relief or the drive towards more reliable renewable energy that’s what we do. When those opposite have a choice they embark on the most expensive form of energy, nuclear or oppose energy Bill relief as they have done three times.

Into the questions and the first one is….on the same stuff as yesterday!

Sussan Ley:

Yesterday the Prime Minister told the House that, “We listened to intelligence agencies, we don’t try to second guess them.”

But, this morning it was revealed that the home affairs department advised the government to list Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation more than two years ago.

Prime Minister, when this national security advice was received, on what basis did government reject it?

Albanese:

There have been a range of comments made over the last 24 hours. On Monday, of course, on Thursday, on Monday we received the information and the advice. Monday afternoon we had the appropriate committees enacted. By Tuesday, we had got our personnel out of Iran, to safety, and had expelled the ambassador here from Australia, along with three other diplomats from the Iranian embassy.

And we received bipartisan support, I recall. For that action. But it appears it didn’t last too long. The member asked about information and when it came back.

And indeed, to quote someone, [the member for Canning] ‘yes, there were calls to list the IRGC back when I was the chair of the intelligence committee which was from 2017 through to late 2020. The government makes those decisions. The government makes the decision to amend the criminal code and then list a terrorist organisation.’

There is a point of order from Ley which Milton Dick upholds and tells the prime minister to stay relevant.

Albanese continues:

Because the member for Canning went on, the shadow minister for this area, went on to say today, and whatever reason the coalition government did not want to. In fact, we had briefs as to the reason why, which I can’t discuss here.”

That’s what he said, understanding – understanding’because he understands intelligence. I stand

‘I stand with the government, as does the rest of the Coalition’. That’s what the shadow minister responsible said this morning. He went on to say, went on to say as well, not just yesterday, it backs up his statement yesterday ‘that the decision was a good one. It was backed up by forensic intelligence provided by ASIO and other partners.’

There is another point of order as to whether the prime minister is following the original ruling and Dick says he is.

Albanese:

I’ve gone on to quote someone who knows something about intelligence and national security, about why intelligence information isn’t the subject of public debate. That was the quote from the member for Canning.

Indeed, the member – the member for Barker backed this up. This what is he had to say. “I congratulate the Prime Minister on his response. It’s been swift. It’s been decisive. And he’s been congratulated for that.”

The member for Lindsay was on board. So was the member Riverina, one by one they’ve been out there… (INTERJECTIONS)

And he is out of time.

Sussan Ley then adds:

I rise to associate the opposition with the Prime Minister’s remarks and welcome congressman Jason Smith. You’re about to witness Australia’s robust and unique democracy from a front row seat. Just like you fight hard for the 8th congressional district and the people of Missouri, all members across this chamber fight here for our communities.

My electorate like yours has farming as its backbone and Australia and America share a deep tradition of excellence in agriculture. Congressman, I want to pass on the deep thanks from the opposition for making the time to be here in Canberra, to visit our Parliament I want you to hear that today. Australia has no more important ally than the United States.

Our long standing friendship is built on shared trust and security. We stood with you in the days after 9/11, just as you stood with us through the darkest days of a Second World War.

Our joint commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific will see our friendship stand the test of time. Face to face meetings are important. So, we welcome yours with the prime minister. It’s a pleasure to welcome you to the gallery today.

There is a moment of silence for the officers and then the prime minister moves on to welcoming United States Congressman Jason Smith to the Australian House of Representatives.

The man gets a junket and a giant parliamentary arse kiss. What a time!

Albanese:

He’ll be known to many members as the chairman of the committee on ways and means, he has met with many ministers over the last couple of days. As parliamentarians, we understand the hugely important role that committee plays in shaping the policies of the congress and on delivering the priorities of President Trump’s administration.

I’m so pleased that yesterday we had the opportunity in my office to have a lengthy meeting, it wasn’t all talk about politics, it must be said, as well. It was a conversation which reaffirmed the friendship based upon people to people relations, between Australians and Americans that we have.

Ours is an alliance between free peoples and proud democracies that enjoys bipartisan respect and support, from both sides of politics here in Australia, and also in the United States. I look forward to continuing to work with congressman Smith, other members of congress, in the Senate, members of the US administration, including President Trump and I think your presence here is just a further indication, just coming a couple of weeks after the Australian American leadership dialogue.

I was able to host members at Kirribilli House in Sydney, the Prime Minister’s residence there. It was a great privilege to do so.

I know congress man Smith and I participated in the dialogue when it was held in Perth in 2019. An organisation, a body that I participated in for more than a couple of decades now. And a really practical way that Australians and Americans can get to know each other on that personal way. So welcome, Congressman Smith. Good travels while you’re here.

Helen Haines, who represents the electorate where the police officers were killed also speaks:

Thank you for your beautiful words that will bring great comfort and recognition to my community in north-east Victoria, in the south-east of Indi. Alongside my community in north-east Victoria, I mourn detective leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart.

Who lose their lives in a beautiful, idyllic mountain village at the foot of Mount Buffalo, a place characterised by a magnificent scenery, by people, and by a — by good people and by a gentle lifestyle.

Detective leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson was a long serving and deeply respected member of the Victoria Police. A much valued member of the Wangaratta community and the Moryu community. So greatly loved. Senior Constable Vadim De Waart was supporting Wangaratta police on temporary assignment over winter, a beautiful young man as you heard, a native of Belgium.

While they were respected officers, we also remember Neal and Vadim as people, with family, with friends, with interests and passions beyond the uniform. They so deserved the chance to keep living those lives, it’s with deep, deep sadness we honour them and their service.

You heard that Neal was an adventurer who loved the outdoors, and he was within days of his retirement, with his beloved partner, Lisa. Vadim grew up in Belgium and loved travel, and our region, not a place to travel to, was another in his long list of beautiful places he was welcomed and had so much to explore in what is an outdoor playground.

Our thoughts are with both their families, with their friends, with the wider police community. We know that your hearts are broken and we know that this is felt right across the nation.

We continue to pray for the recovery and healing of the officer who was seriously injured in the line of duty, and for all those at the scene, whose mental trauma cannot be underestimated and will live with them and indeed their families forever.

To the beautiful people of Porepunkah, I acknowledge that you are living with grief and shock and this event is not over for you yet.

And I stand in this Parliament today in solidarity with you, today and beyond, and I thank you all for everything you’re doing right now to support the emergency services who are undertaking a most difficult and traumatic search for the offender.

Speaker, the loss of life in the line of duty is the ultimate sacrifice, and a painful reminder of the risks borne by those who serve in our police forces.

What is very clear is the courage and commitment of our police service right across this great nation.

They walk amongst us, they live alongside us, they serve us, they protect us, and they are in danger every day of their lives and yet they still go out and do their work with such honour and grace. We will never forget the names of those who have lost their lives in service to us. And Neal and Vadim, we’ll never forget you. You are heroes, your families have so much to be proud of, and we grieve with you today and ongoing.

Sussan Ley adds to Anthony Albanese’s words:

I rise to associate the opposition with the prime minister’s remarks.

Detective leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, Senior Constable Vadim De Waart two men, two heroes, two Australians. Two Australians who felt a spark within themselves to do more, in joining the Victoria police, they took the spark and lit a flame of service.

For Neal, that flame burned across four decades of service in uniform, Vadim served for seven. These men stood up, these men put on the uniform, these men like all our police protected our community, our police run towards danger, they confront the violent, they protect children, they keep us safe.

Our police are the very best of us, and very few of us here in this chamber today can understand the horrors our police face on our behalf. But Neil and Badem were more than the uniforms they wore. They were more than their badge. These men lived and met. They had plans for their futures and families.

Neal Thompson, or Tommo, gave decades of service, not only in uniform but to his community. Just this morning, golden city football club life member Neil Kramer said of Neal, he was willing to talk to everyone and treat them equally, he was just a beautiful person.

When Golden City take to the field this weekend, they’ll be wearing blue and white tape in honour of their mate.

Vadim represents the best of our Australian story, from Belgium, he chose to make his life here, and he took that commitment even further by serving as one of our police officers. Fluent in English, French, Spanish and Flemish, this worldly man chose us, he chose Australia.

And he chose to make his vocation keeping Australians safe.

My message to his parents Carolina and Allan, with deep sorrow we thank you for his contribution here. The deaths of these men is a heartbreaking tragedy that touched us all.

Today our nation grieves for these officers who have lost their lives, their families, their friends, and their colleagues. Our thoughts also go out to the injured detective who is now recovering, and all those involved in ongoing operations to bring the killer to justice.

Our thoughts are also with the community of Porepunkah, and we thank them for their efforts to work with the police.

The loss of Neal and Vadim serves as a stark reminder not only of the danger that police officers face each other, but of the bravery and courage it takes to serve. Every police officer who puts on that uniform to go to work has our respect and gratitude.

All Australians stand shoulder to shoulder with Victoria Police, at this moment of profound sadness. We will honour those who have fallen and never take for granted the courage and service that keeps our communities safe.

But, Mr Speaker, we must also confront the fact that given what we know about the circumstances of this shooting of these men, there are disturbing echoes today, this is not the first time we have lost police officers to a crime of this type.

Today we must ensure the Victoria Police have every possible support they need, to catch this killer, and make the community safe. We must recommit ourselves to stronger action to cure the sickness that has seized the outer most fringes of society. And we must re-affirm our love and support for every single member of our brave police forces across Australia.