Australia was one of a tiny handful of countries that weathered the global financial crisis, notching positive annual growth throughout. But how it is faring now is subject to debate.

Assistant Minister for Homelessness Luke Howarth says he wants to put a "positive spin" on homelessness, and claims that not only are very few people homeless, but on several measures the numbers are improving.

Nationals Party Deputy Leader Bridget McKenzie says coal exports will remain critical to regional communities and the economy, and claims that the thermal coal industry employs 54,000 people.

With a number of new faces promoted after the Coalition's election victory, the Prime Minister claims that the number of women in Cabinet remains at a record high.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has challenged Prime Minister Scott Morrison to match Labor's 2019 election pledge to cut out-of-pocket costs for cancer patients. But Mr Morrison claims cancer treatment for public hospital patients is already free.