- Competition and Consumer Amendment Bill:
- Senator Nick McKim (AG, Tasmania) proposed the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Make Price Gouging Illegal) Bill 2024, aiming to criminalize price gouging across various sectors. He criticized past opposition from both the Labor and Liberal parties and highlighted the detrimental effects on Australians. The bill ultimately faced significant opposition, being voted down with 29 against and 12 in favor (pages 1, 3, 4, 5).
- Support from Various Senators:
- Senator Fatima Payman (AV, Western Australia) expressed support for the bill, particularly concerning supermarket pricing and the major corporations’ influence over consumers (page 3).
- Senator Peter Whish-Wilson (AG, Tasmania) echoed the urgency of passing the bill in light of the ongoing cost of living crisis (page 4).
- Opposition to the Bill:
- Senator Malcolm Roberts (ON, Queensland) argued against the proposal, stating that existing laws were adequate and should be enforced rather than introducing new ones (page 5).
- Healthcare and Aged Care Sector Issues:
- Discussion surrounding the Aged Care sector revealed a crisis in capacity, which has left many older Australians without adequate support or placement. The government acknowledged a responsibility to address these systemic issues (pages 55-58).
- Health Legislation Amendment:
- Senator Tim Ayres introduced the Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025, highlighting its importance for ensuring citizen access to essential healthcare services (pages 82-89).
- Cost of Living Pressures:
- Multiple senators raised concerns about the cost-of-living pressures impacting Australians, particularly regarding essential goods. The rising costs of healthcare-related expenditures were highlighted as contributing to significant financial strain on families (pages 43-44).
- Call for Government Action:
- Senator Richard Colbeck emphasized the need for immediate government action to implement recommendations from the Productivity Commission’s childcare review, linking these reforms to broader issues of supporting families and addressing economic pressures (page 96).
- Final Remarks on Economic and Healthcare Concerns:
- The session concluded with reflections on the interplay between economic management and healthcare access, reflecting a persistent call for the government to prioritize systemic reforms in healthcare to ensure adequate support for vulnerable populations, particularly in the context of increased living costs (pages 44-54, 96).
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