STATEMENTS ON INDULGENCE

2026-02-12 3 1 0 House of Reps 0 1

Thursday, 12 February 2026

The SPEAKER ( Hon. Milton Dick ) took the chair at 09:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.

STATEMENTS ON INDULGENCE 1 STATEMENTS ON INDULGENCE Kudelka, Mr Jonathan Oscar (Jon) 1 09:00 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler When Jon Kudelka died earlier this week, Australia lost one of our great cartoonists and artists and Tasmania lost one of its favourite sons. He could skewer his targets with wit and precision, but, when he turned his eye to the beauty of his beloved home state, he celebrated it with joy and a style that was entirely his. The outpouring of grief for him in the days since his death is an indication of the special place that he held in so many Australian hearts. I extend my sincere condolences to his wife, Maggie, to his children, Kay and Oskar, and to his friends. May John Kudelka rest in peace. DELEGATION REPORTS 1 DELEGATION REPORTS Australian Parliamentary Delegation to Zambia and Mauritius 1 09:01 The SPEAKER 53517 I present the report of the Australian parliamentary delegation to Zambia and Mauritius from 21 to 27 September 2025. It was my privilege to lead this multipartisan parliamentary delegation, joined by Senator Claire Chandler, senator for Tasmania, as the deputy leader of the delegation; Senator Deborah O'Neill, senator for New South Wales; Senator Dorinda Cox, senator for Western Australia; Senator Tammy Tyrrell, senator for Tasmania; and Ms Mary Doyle, the federal member for Aston. I'm not quite sure, but this may be the first time an all-female delegation has been led by a Speaker. This Australian parliamentary delegation to Zambia and Mauritius was historic, strengthening and enhancing parliamentary relations between our nations with, of course, a focus on parliament-to-parliament dialogue. Australia and Zambia share deep ties. Our people-to-people links and parliamentary links form the foundation of our strong bilateral relationship. The Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, the Rt. Hon. Nelly Butete Kashumba Mutti, and I serve on the Executive Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union together. We share common values as constitutional democracies with the parliament at the core. The delegation was honoured to attend a number of meetings and events hosted by the Speaker of Zambia, including a sitting of the National Assembly of Zambia and meetings with parliamentary committees and caucuses. The delegation was supported in Zambia by Australia's deputy head of mission, Mr Isaac Matia, and I thank him and his colleagues for the high level of support that was provided to the delegation. Mauritius and Australia also share deep ties, with Australia hosting the second largest diaspora after the UK, with an estimated population of 36,000 people of Mauritian descent in Australia, including a member of the House of Representatives. The delegation was hosted by the Speaker of the Mauritius National Assembly, the Hon. Mrs Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra. The delegation called on the President of Mauritius as well as the Prime Minister of Mauritius. The delegation also met with parliamentary colleagues across committees, strengthening our relationships and sharing information about our respective parliamentary systems. Mauritius and Australia share a strong commitment to parliamentary education for young people. I was honoured to be able to address the youth parliament of Mauritius at the Curtin Mauritius campus. I spoke about expanding parliamentary education through Australia's Parliamentary Education Office and the number of various civics programs here in Australia. The delegation was delighted to meet with the Indian Ocean Rim Association, which is headquartered in Mauritius and of which Australia and Mauritius are members. The delegation wishes to thank Her Excellency Ms Kate Chamley, Australia's high commissioner to Mauritius, and her staff, who offered a high level of support to the delegation. I wish to record our appreciation of the preparation that went into the visit, including arrangements made by the Australian parliament's International and Parliamentary Relations Office, and especially of Ms Sophie Killick. The delegation would also like to thank officials from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for their invaluable work in the lead-up to and during the delegation and of course to the staff at the Parliamentary Library. Finally, I offer these observations. Australia has much to contribute but also much to gain in strengthening its ties with people and their parliaments across the globe. I was pleased to be able to contribute to this by leading this important delegation to Zambia and Mauritius in September last year. I commend the report to the House. BILLS 2 BILLS Health Legislation Amendment (Improving Choice and Transparency for Private Health Consumers) Bill 2026 2

Health Legislation Amendment (Improving Choice and Transparency for Private Health Consumers) Bill 2026

First Reading 2 Second Reading 2 09:06 Mr BUTLER HWK Hindmarsh I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Health Legislation Amendment (Improving Choice and Transparency for Private Health Consumers) Bill 2026 will enable Australians to make informed decisions about their health care and private health insurance. It provides clarity on individual medical practitioner fees and out-of-pocket costs. It safeguards consumers by outlawing product phoenixing, closing a loophole that allowed private health insurers to close a product and re-open an identical one at a higher price or reduce the value of a product without ministerial scrutiny. Schedule 1 of the bill focuses on providing consumers with more detailed information on the expected medical fees charged, and likely out-of-pocket costs, for their private health care experience. An increasing number of Australians are not taking up referrals from their general practitioner to see a specialist due to cost. In 2024-25, 8.6 per cent of people delayed or missed specialist care—that's over 800,000 people—because of cost. The most common cause of out-of-pocket costs is medical specialist fees. It is unjustifiable to require patients to commit to a medical treatment without knowing what the cost of that treatment will be and without being able to compare those costs against the fees charged by other providers. Understanding the level of support that is provided by their private health insurer is also vital in determining their likely out-of-pocket costs. To support greater transparency, since 2022, specialists and insurers have had the opportunity to participate in the Medical Costs Finder and publish their fees and out-of-pockets data. Uptake has been shockingly low with only one to two per cent of specialists and 10 per cent of insurers participating on the website as at December 2025. Schedule 1 will allow for the publication of the relevant data on the Medical Costs Finder without the need for input from specialists as it will be drawn from Medicare, hospital and insurer billing data already collected by government. While the focus is on the charging practices of non-GP specialists, general practitioners and their billing could also be published on the website in the future. Schedule 1 will amend the Health Insurance Act 1973 and the Private Health Insurance Act 2007to: allow for the publication of information about medical practitioners and their billing, including names, locations, fees charged by location and their utilisation of gap cover arrangements with insurers where insurers pay a medical practitioner more if they agree to charge no or fixed out-of-pocket costs allow for the publication of information about hospitals, including medical practitioners who provide services at the facility and insurers that have gap cover or contracting arrangements with the facility allow for the publication of information about insurers, including the proportion of policy holders who experienced different gap cover arrangements and the out-of-pocket costs under those arrangements include an immunity from civil proceedings modernise the secrecy regime and make it consistent with amendments to secrecy provisions in portfolio legislation made by the Regulatory Reform Omnibus Act 2025. Importantly, the amendments will continue to protect the privacy of consumers, and no patient information will be published. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is establishing an internal review process for medical practitioners to inquire or to request the department to review the fee information that is published about them. Without passage of this schedule, Australians will continue to have uncertainty about the potential costs of their treatment. Patients will continue to be unable to compare between providers and unable to seek better value from their private health care. Schedule 2 of the bill relates to changes to strengthen ministerial oversight of private health insurance premiums to better protect consumers. Currently, private health insurers are required to apply to the minister if they wish to change the premium for an existing product. This has typically occurred once a year through the annual premium round process. Insurers are not required to seek approval for the premium charged for new products. Some insurers have used this process to circumvent the intent of the premium round by closing an existing product to new members and launching a new but very similar product at a higher price than was authorised by the minister for the existing product. This process, known as phoenixing, hurts not just new entrants to private health insurance who are directly impacted, but the 15.3 million people who hold private health insurance who are left unprotected from underscrutinised changes. To address this issue, amendments to the Private Health Insurance Act 2007will require insurers to apply to the minister for approval of the premiums for new and existing products. In addition to requiring ministerial approval for proposed premium changes, insurers will have to apply if they open a new product, or they reduce the cover, a benefit or other term or condition of an existing product. Additional changes are being made to formalise and enhance existing practices also that occur under the annual premium round process. These include: specifying the premium round submission dates in the legislation, while allowing the minister to make a legislative instrument to vary those dates encouraging submissions to be made through the premium round, by introducing a more stringent public interest test to be applied to applications made outside of the premium round submission dates allowing delegation of the minister's premium approval power (but not the power to refuse an application). This could enable a reduced process for certain categories of applications outside the annual premium round. Delegation would likely be for relatively straightforward applications that are more clearly in the public interest and details will be worked through with the industry inserting a power to specify a fee for premium applications, noting that no fee is being set at commencement, and there would be further consultation before setting a fee allowing the minister to request further information about premium applications and to invite insurers to respond or amend their application. This formalises the current resubmission process. These reforms are an important step in holding private health insurers to account and empowering consumers to make informed decisions about the costs of their health care. The government will always pursue reforms to ensure private health insurance delivers genuine value for money, greater transparency, and puts consumers right at the centre of healthcare decisions. I commend the bill to the House. Debate adjourned. Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Reporting System Reform) Bill 2026 3

Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Reporting System Reform) Bill 2026

First Reading 3 Second Reading 3 09:14 Dr MULINO 132880 Fraser I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This legislation delivers the biggest reform to our financial reporting standard setting institutions in over two decades. Integrity in our markets matters because, when people trust the system to be fair and honest, they're more willing to invest, innovate and plan for the future. That confidence underpins a strong economy for everyone. The creation of External Reporting Australia, or ERA, combines the existing standard-setting functions of the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB), Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) and Financial Reporting Council. ERA will be responsible for accounting, auditing and assurance, and sustainability standards. Our standard setters play a crucial role, supporting the integrity of markets, enhancing investor confidence and ensuring accountability in public sector institutions. The creation of ERA will facilitate a key enhancement to the development and maintenance of standards for sustainability reporting—with the establishment of a standalone specialist board within ERA to undertake this work. It will put in place a durable framework that allows us to respond quickly and effectively to changes in reporting standards here and overseas, including setting new standards as the system evolves. This reform helps ensure the governance and structural arrangements of Australia's economic institutions and structural arrangements are best positioned to help build a more competitive, dynamic and productive economy. The legislation strengthens the existing system by better positioning it to respond to emerging developments both locally and internationally The introduction of the bill follows extensive consultation and consideration of feedback. I want to thank all stakeholders for their constructive engagement and insights. The structure and governance of External Reporting Australia has been designed with a view to balancing three key principles. The first is flexibility. By establishing a single body, the bill removes structural barriers and improves the capacity of our standard-setting framework to adjust to emerging issues and evolving priorities as needed over time. This includes taking on new standard-setting functions in the future if required. Making the most of the greater flexibility that comes with having a single body is key to realising the core benefits and longer-term efficiencies of the reforms. The second is preserving elements of the existing system that have served us well in the past. The key focus here has been ensuring that Australia can continue to benefit from the high degree of skills and experience that professional experts in each relevant field bring to settling the technical aspects of our accounting, auditing and assurance and sustainability standards. ERA's new structure will allow it to effectively marshal and harness this expertise within the construct of a single entity by providing for day-to-day standard setting to continue to be undertaken by boards constituted by technical experts. The third design principle is accountability. The bill provides for governance arrangements for ERA which ensure alignment between responsibility for the body's performance and the capacity to drive that performance and address issues that arise in doing so. These reforms strengthen accountability by introducing new transparency and conflict-of-interest requirements for ERA. When organisations like ERA rely on current, specialised expertise to set high quality standards, it is natural that many of those experts will still be working in the field. That is why it's important to manage any real or perceived conflicts of interest in a practical and sensible way. The measure in this bill is designed to make sure the public can have confidence in both the integrity of the process and the standards that result from it. ERA will be led by a governing council. The governing council will be the accountable authority of ERA with an oversight role covering ERA's full remit. Allowing the governing council to act collectively will promote confidence that standard setting cannot be overly influenced by the perspectives of any individual member or the interests of any particular sector, group or industry. The minister will also have the power to appoint non-voting associate members to the governing council who, while not forming part of the accountable authority, will be able to bring valuable perspectives to its decision-making. The governing council will create, appoint and oversee a number of internal standard-setting boards that are each authorised to make and formulate specialised standards. At least one board must be established for each of the three 'categories' of standards currently set by the AASB and the AUASB, being accounting, auditing and assurance, and sustainability standards. The minister will also be able to confer on ERA via legislative instrument additional functions, including for example, responsibility for formulating a new kind of standard. This will enable any future standard-setting needs to be efficiently and effectively addressed by leveraging ERA's standard-setting expertise and governance structure. The bill also contains a new requirement that when making appointments the minister must have regard to ensuring the governing council as a whole has an appropriate level of representation of persons who are, and are seen to be, independent from Australian auditors. This is an important accountability requirement, as it recognises that as auditors must comply with auditing standards set by ERA, there is a risk of actual or perceived conflicts arising for appointees who work in the industry applying auditing standards. The bill also bolsters transparency around the operations of ERA. All parts of meetings of both the governing council and standard-setting boards that concern the contents of particular standards must be held in public. Procedural rules governing the operations of the governing council will be set out in the legislation while rules and processes for the boards will be contained in legislative instruments subject to appropriate consultation requirements and parliamentary scrutiny. The creation of ERA through the amendments set out in the bill will strengthen Australia's institutional arrangements for setting external reporting standards and ensure they are best positioned for the future. These amendments set out a new era for financial reporting standard setting in Australia. Finally, the Legislative and Governance Forum on Corporations was consulted in relation to the proposed amendments contained in the bill and has approved them as required under the Corporations Agreement 2002. Full details of the measure are contained in the explanatory memorandum. Debate adjourned. Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025 5

Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025

Reference to Federation Chamber 5 09:22 Mr BURKE DYW Watson I declare that the Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025 stands referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration. Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025 5

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025

Report from Federation Chamber 5 09:27 The SPEAKER 53517 The question before the House is that this bill be now read a second time.

The House divided. [09:27]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)

106 AYES Abdo, B. J. Aldred, M. R. Ambihaipahar, A. Batt, D. J. Bell, A. M. Belyea, J. A. Berry, C. G. Birrell, S. J. Boyce, C. E. Briskey, J. L. Buchholz, S. Burke, A. S. Burnell, M. P. Byrnes, A. J. Caldwell, C. M. Campbell, J. P. Chaffey, J. L. Charlton, A. H. G. Chester, D. J. Chesters, L. M. Claydon, S. C. Clutterham, C. L. Coffey, R. K. Coker, E. A. Comer, E. L. Conaghan, P. J. Cook, K. M. G. Cook, P. A. Doyle, M. J. J. Dreyfus, M. A. Elliot, M. J. Fernando, C. J. France, A. A. Freelander, M. R. French, T. A. Garland, C. M. L. Georganas, S. Gorman, P. P. Gosling, L. J. Gregg, M. J. Hamilton, G. R. Hastie, A. W. Hawke, A. G. Hill, J. C. Holzberger, R. A. V. Husic, E. N. Jarrett, M. L. Jordan-Baird, M. A. M. Kearney, G. M. Kennedy, S. P. Khalil, P. Landry, M. L. Lawrence, T. N. Laxale, J. A. A. Leeser, J. Leigh, A. K. Lim, S. B. C. Mascarenhas, Z. F. A. McBride, E. M. McCormack, M. F. McIntosh, M. I. McKenzie, Z. A. Miller-Frost, L. J. Mitchell, R. G. Moncrieff, D. S. Mulino, D. Ng, G. J. Pasin, A. Penfold, A. L. Phillips, F. E. Pike, H. J. Price, M. L. Rae, S. T. Rebello, L. S. Repacholi, D. P. Roberts, T. G. Ryan, J. C. Scrymgour, M. R. Sitou, S. Small, B. J. Smith, D. P. B. (Teller) Smith, M. J. H. Soon, X. Spender, A. M. Stanley, A. M. (Teller) Swanson, M. J. Taylor, A. J. Teesdale, J. A. Tehan, D. T. Templeman, S. R. Thompson, P. Thwaites, K. L. Urquhart, A. E. Venning, T. H. Violi, A. A. Wallace, A. B. Watts, T. G. Webster, A. E. White, R. P. Willcox, A. J. Wilson, R. J. Wilson, T. R. Witty, S. J. Wood, J. P. Young, T. J. Zappia, A. 8 NOES Boele, N. (Teller) Chaney, K. E. Le, D. T. Ryan, M. M. (Teller) Scamps, S. A. Steggall, Z. Watson-Brown, E. Wilkie, A. D. 0 PAIRS

Question agreed to.
Bill read a second time.
Message from the Governor-General recommending appropriation announced.

Consideration in Detail 6 09:36 Ms CHANEY 300006 Curtin by leave—I move amendments (1) and (2), as circulated in my name, together: (1) Schedule 1, item 1, page 3 (lines 4 and 5), omit the item, substitute: 1 Section 34JF Omit "2027", substitute "2030". (2) Schedule 1, page 3 (before line 7), before item 2, insert: 1A Paragraph 29(1)(ce) Omit "if the Committee resolves to do so—". These amendments introduce important safeguards, and they do so in different ways by amending different parts of the bill. They could work together or separately to achieve the same policy objective, and, for the convenience of the House, I'll speak to both amendments together. The first amendment would retain the sunsetting clause of division 3 of part 3, the compulsory questioning powers, for an additional five years, until 7 March 2030. The second amendment provides for the mandatory review of these powers by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security. This bill engages some of the most extraordinary powers in our law—compulsory questioning by ASIO. These powers are intrusive and profoundly interfere with multiple rights, including the right to silence, freedom of movement, access to legal representation and the privilege against self-incrimination. They must be paired with robust routine oversight. Since 2003, parliament has applied a sunset clause to ensure periodic rigorous review of these extraordinary powers. On six occasions, parliament has extended the sunset date, because successive parliaments have judged that renewal should be earned and not assumed. Removing this safeguard whilst simultaneously broadening the grounds on which an adult can be subject to compulsory questioning shifts the balance too far from accountability towards permanence. We all accept that the security environment is challenging and that ASIO must have the effective tools it needs at its disposal, but the legitimacy of those tools depends on proportionality and transparency. The bill proposes to expand adult questioning matters to additional heads of security yet makes the questioning framework permanent by repealing the sunset clause. That combination warrants a more careful approach from us. My amendments are straightforward—keep the sunset in place and/or mandate a periodic review. This is about maintaining trust in the way we exercise extraordinary powers, not about tying ASIO's hands. The first amendment would retain the sunset clause in section 34JF of the ASIO Act so compulsory questioning powers remain subject to regular renewal by parliament. This is the safeguard we've applied since these powers were first introduced, and it's functioned as intended, prompting scrutiny and public justification before each extension. The second amendment requires a mandatory statutory review of division 3 of part 3. At present, the PJCIS may choose to review these powers. My amendment would require it to do so, ensuring the parliament periodically tests whether the powers remain necessary and proportionate in light of contemporary risks and practice. This directly answers concerns that current safeguards are marginal, given the breadth of the regime and the proposed expansion. These amendments do not alter warrant thresholds. They do not add operational friction to ASIO, and they no not dilute protections for investigations. They simply ensure that, as powers grow, oversight keeps pace. There's a clear signal from stakeholders that ongoing scrutiny strengthens rather than weakens our security framework. In a 2024 submission to the PJCIS, ASIO's preference was not to abolish sunsetting but to extend it by five years to 2030. While ASIO's 2025 submission favoured making the powers permanent, the organisation specifically recognised that for ASIO to fulfil its mission it must maintain the confidence and trust of the Australian people, parliament and government. Legal and civil society stakeholders, including the Law Council of Australia and state civil liberties councils, opposed making the powers permanent, especially alongside broader adult questioning matters. Their concerns focus on proportionality, human rights impact and the risk of normalising exceptional powers. Making the PJCIS review mandatory speaks directly to these concerns. Parliamentary scrutiny committees have flagged issues that my amendments would help address. The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights also questioned, among a number of things, the necessity of repealing the sunset and the breadth of the expanded questioning matters, and suggested stronger safeguards, including clearer necessity and proportionality assessments. A regular mandated review is the practical way to ensure those questions are answered with evidence over time. We want ASIO to succeed in keeping Australians safe. We also want Australians to have confidence that when parliament grants exceptional powers, we renew them deliberately, with eyes open, and only when they remain necessary and proportionate. These amendments would do that. I commend these amendments. (Time expired) 09:41 Mr BURKE DYW Watson I thank the honourable member for putting the amendments to the House and for the arguments that have been put forward. The government won't be supporting the amendments. They would have the impact of doing two things: extending the existing sunset clause and forcing the PJCIS to conduct a review. In the government's view, the PJCIS is a powerful and deeply respected committee of this parliament. It already can inquire into the full range of national security legislation. Keeping discretion for the PJCIS in terms of where inquiries go is viewed by the government as being as being appropriate. In terms of the sunset provision, the government is very deliberately removing the sunset. The sunset provision, when it was brought in, was brought in in the hope that these powers would be temporary. I wish the need for these powers were temporary, but history has shown us that it isn't. One of the key elements of the bill would in fact be undone by reintroducing and extending the existing sunset clause in the act. The sunset clause was put there not simply in the terms in which the member described, as being ongoing accountability; sunsets are put there in the hope that one day they won't be required. Since that time, the need for these powers has only become stronger. That's the reason why the government has decided to put to the parliament that the sunset be removed. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 The question is that the amendments be agreed to.

The House divided. [09:47]
(The Deputy Speaker—Ms Sharon Claydon)

10 AYES Boele, N. Chaney, K. E. (Teller) Gee, A. R. Le, D. T. Ryan, M. M. Scamps, S. A. Spender, A. M. Steggall, Z. Watson-Brown, E. (Teller) Wilkie, A. D. 67 NOES Abdo, B. J. Ambihaipahar, A. Belyea, J. A. Berry, C. G. Boyce, C. E. Briskey, J. L. Burke, A. S. Burnell, M. P. Byrnes, A. J. Campbell, J. P. Charlton, A. H. G. Chesters, L. M. Clutterham, C. L. Coffey, R. K. Coker, E. A. Comer, E. L. Cook, K. M. G. Cook, P. A. Doyle, M. J. J. Dreyfus, M. A. Elliot, M. J. Fernando, C. J. France, A. A. Freelander, M. R. French, T. A. Garland, C. M. L. Georganas, S. Gorman, P. P. Gosling, L. J. Gregg, M. J. Hill, J. C. Holzberger, R. A. V. Husic, E. N. Jarrett, M. L. Jordan-Baird, M. A. M. Kearney, G. M. Khalil, P. Lawrence, T. N. Laxale, J. A. A. Lim, S. B. C. Mascarenhas, Z. F. A. McBride, E. M. Miller-Frost, L. J. Mitchell, R. G. Moncrieff, D. S. Mulino, D. Ng, G. J. Penfold, A. L. Rae, S. T. Repacholi, D. P. Ryan, J. C. Scrymgour, M. R. Sitou, S. Smith, D. P. B. (Teller) Smith, M. J. H. Soon, X. Stanley, A. M. (Teller) Swanson, M. J. Teesdale, J. A. Templeman, S. R. Thwaites, K. L. Urquhart, A. E. Watts, T. G. White, R. P. Witty, S. J. Wood, J. P. Zappia, A. 0 PAIRS

Question negatived.

09:52 Ms STEGGALL 175696 Warringah I move the amendment circulated in my name: (1) Schedule 1, page 9 (after line 2), at the end of the Schedule, add: Part 7 — Minor questioning warrants Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 12 After section 34JE Insert: 34JEA Minor questioning warrants (1) The Attorney-General must not issue a minor questioning warrant after 6 March 2027. (2) Before 7 March 2027, despite any other provision of this Division: (a) a minor's representative must be present at all times during the questioning of a minor; and (b) questioning of a minor must not take longer than 8 hours. Following the division we've just had on the member for Curtin's amendments, this amendment seeks to raise a further concern—and I should say, for the record, I strongly support the sunsetting clause remaining in this legislation. These are very significant, extraordinary powers, and oversight in this place is essential to ensure the proper operation of those laws, to make sure that they continue to be applied properly but also that they are required and necessary. I note the minister's comment earlier that, unfortunately, these powers are still needed. I don't dispute that; we are not here saying that these powers are not from time to time needed in a period where geopolitical tensions, terrorism, threats and harm are there and prevalent. But, from our community's perspective, we've also seen in recent times protests in Sydney, and many are concerned about overreach by law enforcement and the importance of having good accountability when extraordinary powers are granted to agencies, especially when they then override human rights. The amendment I have proposed is very simple. Top of my overall concerns with these wide-ranging powers is how they apply to children, to minors. The amendment I propose demands extra safeguards in relation to children, where these powers involve children. These powers include the right for compulsory questioning. Compulsory questioning of someone under 18 can involve apprehension, and they are significant constraints on liberty and movement. Even the bill's own human rights analysis recognises these rights are engaged. The amendment that I have proposed applies additional safeguards for minors. A minor's representative must always be present during questioning and is a person who can act in the best interests of that child, and the duration of questions should not exceed eight hours. The amendment also sunsets the powers in relation to the compulsory questioning of minors so that it can come back before this House for review if it is considered to continue to be necessary. To put this in context, I accept that we have also received information and briefings around the concerns of greater radicalisation of young people and that these are sometimes minors, so these powers may well be needed. I note, though, that ASIO has not, to date, needed to utilise these powers. That does beg the question: why are we putting a 'set and forget' on these very broad and, I would say, extraordinary powers? These were introduced following the 9/11 terror attacks and were considered extraordinary at the time. The permanence of these powers has been controversial for years, because these powers were originally sold as a last resort and have been repeatedly renewed in terms of the sunsets. The human rights statement for the bill states that the Attorney-General must treat a child's best interests as a primary consideration when issuing a warrant for a 14- to 17-year-old. I'll just pause here and note we don't even consider children up to the age of 16 as being mature enough to cope with accessing social media, but we are saying ASIO can compulsorily question a 14- to 17-year-old. There is so much inconsistency in what we consider are the protections we should provide children and where we strip away their rights. My amendment supports that duty by ensuring that a child is never left alone in questioning and is not exposed to prolonged interrogation. I find it quite extraordinary that this is not an amendment supported by the government, I've got to say. The bill relies heavily on the idea that these powers are used proportionately and as a last resort, with oversight and guidelines emphasising proportionality. Time limits and continuous support for minors are exactly the kind of least-rights-restrictive design that explicitly builds proportionality in the legislation. The hard stop in relation to the legislation for minors requires ASIO and the government of the day to rejustify the need for those powers. I think that is important oversight in this day and age. This is supported by the Law Council of Australia. They have emphasised that ongoing independent review ensures the overall bill remains necessary and proportionate. The Australian Human Rights Commission recommends allowing the questioning powers for adults and children to sunset. I would argue this is an important amendment to ensure proportionality and that the rights of children are respected in these very dramatic and drastic rights. This is not to say we are not wanting absolutely to keep Australians safe, but we have to make sure proportionality applies. 09:58 Mr BURKE DYW Watson In responding to the amendment, I thank the member for Warringah for both the content and the tone of the debate as well. I respect absolutely that everybody is coming to this place wanting to make sure that we get the right balance in terms of respecting everybody's rights and vulnerabilities while also making sure that we keep Australians safe. I don't for a minute think that that there's anything in this amendment where there is an intention to do otherwise than keep that balance. We just have different views on where that balance lies. The government won't be supporting the amendment that's been moved by the member for Warringah. It's a deliberate decision of the government to remove the sunset provision. It's been reviewed multiple times. The member is right in saying that, when it was introduced, it was believed that it would be a last resort. It was not believed that we would be in the situation that we're in some 20 years later, where we are again in a situation of the threat-alert level being at probable and where we're in a situation where the pace of radicalisation can now happen online, can happen really fast and is increasingly targeting people who are young. The threat environment now is quite different. When you've gone through a situation of doing sunset after sunset, you do get to a point—which the government has arrived at—where there's a genuine belief that the need for this power is not about to go away. There are multiple safeguards in both the act and the statement of procedures. Minors must only be questioned in the presence of a legal representative, and the minor does have the right to have their representative—a parent or guardian—present. ASIO does have to consider known vulnerabilities. It's highly unlikely that questioning would ever go beyond eight hours. But if there were a situation where that was realistically viewed as a matter of life and death for others, then the flexibility that is currently there should be there and needs to be there. The Attorney-General has to regard whether the warrant would be in the best interests of the minor as a primary consideration. With respect to the issues of minors, can I give some context as to how the case load for counterterrorism has changed. On our National Support and Intervention Program, we have 230 participants. Half of them are under 24, and 31 per cent are under 18. Of those who were charged with related offences in 2025, 11 out of 19 were minors. Since 2020, operational activity against people under the age of 18—there have been 53 people who have been 17 or younger, with the youngest being 12. Obviously, 12- and 13-year-olds are not part of the powers of this act; it kicks in at 14. We are in a situation where the pace of radicalisation can now be really fast. Getting information as quickly as we can is absolutely essential. Sadly, that increasingly involves minors. I wish these powers were not required. I wish what I believe the Howard government had genuinely thought 20 years ago—that this would be something required for a finite period of time—had turned out to be true. I wish the concept of having to compulsorily question minors never arose. The reality is that the arguments now for these powers are stronger than they have ever been, and I cannot pretend to the parliament that I think they're going to go away. Every indicator we have of the direction now is that these powers are more essential than they've ever been. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 The question is that the amendment be agreed to.

The House divided. [10:07]
(The Deputy Speaker—Ms Claydon)

9 AYES Boele, N. Chaney, K. E. Le, D. T. Ryan, M. M. Scamps, S. A. Spender, A. M. Steggall, Z. (Teller) Watson-Brown, E. Wilkie, A. D. (Teller) 60 NOES Abdo, B. J. Ambihaipahar, A. Belyea, J. A. Berry, C. G. Bowen, C. E. Briskey, J. L. Burke, A. S. Burnell, M. P. Byrnes, A. J. Campbell, J. P. Chesters, L. M. Clutterham, C. L. Coffey, R. K. Comer, E. L. Cook, K. M. G. Cook, P. A. Dreyfus, M. A. Elliot, M. J. France, A. A. French, T. A. Garland, C. M. L. Georganas, S. Gorman, P. P. Gosling, L. J. Gregg, M. J. Hill, J. C. Holzberger, R. A. V. Husic, E. N. Kearney, G. M. Khalil, P. Lawrence, T. N. Laxale, J. A. A. Leigh, A. K. Lim, S. B. C. McBride, E. M. Miller-Frost, L. J. Mitchell, R. G. Moncrieff, D. S. Ng, G. J. Phillips, F. E. Repacholi, D. P. Ryan, J. C. Scrymgour, M. R. Sitou, S. Smith, D. P. B. (Teller) Smith, M. J. H. Soon, X. Stanley, A. M. (Teller) Swanson, M. J. Teesdale, J. A. Templeman, S. R. Thwaites, K. L. Urquhart, A. E. Watts, T. G. White, R. P. Wilson, J. H. Wilson, T. R. Witty, S. J. Wood, J. P. Zappia, A. 0 PAIRS

Question negatived.
Bill agreed to.

Third Reading 10 10:10 Mr BURKE DYW Watson by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time. National Health Amendment (Passive Immunological Products) Bill 2026 11

National Health Amendment (Passive Immunological Products) Bill 2026

Report from Federation Chamber 11 10:10 The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 The question is that the bill be agreed to. Question agreed to. Bill agreed to. Third Reading 11 10:11 Ms WHITE 224102 Lyons by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time. Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026 11

Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026

Report from Federation Chamber 11 Third Reading 11 10:12 Ms KEARNEY LTU Cooper by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time. COMMITTEES 11 COMMITTEES Privileges and Members' Interests Committee 11 Report 11 10:13 Mrs ELLIOT DZW Richmond On behalf of the Committee of Privileges and Members' Interests, I present the committee's Report concerning the registration declaration of members'interests during 2025. COMMITTEES 11 COMMITTEES Intelligence and Security Joint Committee 11 Report 11 10:13 Mr LAXALE 299174 Bennelong On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, I present the committee'sAnnual report of committee activities for 2024-2025. Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e). Mr LAXALE 299174 by leave—In line with the requirement under section 31 of the Intelligence Services Act 2001—that the committee report annually on its activities—the report provides details of the committee's work in the financial year ending 30 June 2025. The report year covered the last nine months of the 47th Parliament. Over the review period, the committee continued with a busy program of work. It was largely occupied with reviewing a range of prospective and existing national security legislation in addition to its ongoing oversight activities. Between 1 July 2024 and the end of the 47th Parliament, in March 2025, the committee presented seven reports, which included one annual report, one review of intelligence agencies' administration and expenditure, one review of the listing of a terrorist organisation, and four bill inquiries referred by ministers. The committee held 28 meetings and briefings, including four public hearings, which supported the committee's work across 12 inquiries in total during the period. Notable reviews and inquiries concluded during the review period include inquiries into the Cybersecurity Legislative Package 2024; the listing of Ansar Allah, otherwise known as the Houthis, as a terrorist organisation under the Criminal Code; and the Intelligence Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, which laid the important groundwork for the Strengthening Oversight of the National Intelligence Community Bill 2025, passed by the parliament with the committee's endorsement in November last year. On behalf of the committee, I wish to thank all those who made contributions to the committee's inquiries and reviews during the 2024-25 financial year. This report is being presented to the parliament by the current committee as constituted after the conclusion of the reporting period and the commencement of the 48th Parliament. The current membership of 12 includes nine members new to the committee. In this annual report the committee acknowledged those members who participated during the reporting period and are no longer serving on the committee. These include three former chairs of the committee: the member for Wills, the member for Canning and Senator James Patterson from the other place. The present committee thanks the former chairs and all the former members for their contributions up to and during 2024-25 and looks forward to continuing the committee's important work during the 48th parliament. I commend the report to the House. BILLS 12 BILLS Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2025-2026, Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026 12

Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026

Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2025-2026

Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026

Second Reading 12 10:16 Mr TED O'BRIEN 138932 Fairfax I rise today to speak on the Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026. Of course the coalition will support the passage of these appropriation bills through the parliament. We would not be blocking supply. We are talking here about an additional $12.7 billion to come from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, broken up into three parts: $9.1 billion for ordinary services, $3.5 billion for non-ordinary services and $9.2 million for parliamentary departments. But it's very important I make this point. While the coalition will not stand in the way of the appropriation bills, the government should not take this to mean that we support the government's ongoing spending. Spending is out of control in this country, and it is hurting everyday Australians. I am one of many MPs—I dare say right across the chamber—who are dealing with mums and dads, senior citizens and young people who are hurting right now, and they have been hurting for some years. For the first time in memory we have living standards dropping at a much faster pace than that of any other peer nation. Real wages have gone backwards under the Albanese government. The average worker now has less power purchase in their salary. This is the problem. Everyday Australians are hurting. We all know the impact of higher prices. The Minister for Energy is across the table here. He knows that energy prices have gone up by, I believe, around 40 per cent. The minister is not disagreeing with that—40 per cent under this minister, under this government. This is the problem. It just so happens that this minister is here. If we had another minister here, we'd talk about his or her portfolio. It doesn't matter which portfolio; prices are going up. And this is a government that came to power on the promise that it was going to get prices down. I remember that campaign vividly. They were screaming that prices were going up and that they, the Labor Party, were going to get prices down, and yet prices have soared. We have mums and dads making trade-off decisions about whether they're going to allow the kids to get new pairs of school shoes and textbooks. Can they pay for that take-out once a week anymore? We've got senior citizens making a decision about whether they turn the air con on or eat. This is what's happening in our country. For the very first time, we have a generation entering the workforce which is going to be poorer than their parents, which breaches a longstanding pact in this country where one generation leaves the next generation more prosperous. That's going to go, and why is that? Because we have the Albanese government which cannot control its spending. This is the highest-spending government in 40 years, outside a pandemic. The volume of fiscal stimulus being poured into the Australian economy is equivalent to that of the GFC. That's how bad it is, and are we amidst an enormous international economic shock to justify this? No, we are not. This explains why we have seen interest rates go up, because inflation has skyrocketed. The Prime Minister told the Australian people about this time last year, as did the Treasurer, that they had tamed the beast, the dragon, of inflation. But had they done so? No, they hadn't. The RBA now forecasts inflation to peak at about 4.2 per cent. Let us not forget that the target is 2.5 per cent. It's going to hit 4.2 per cent. Why? Because this government keeps pouring more money into the economy and the economy is running at the speed limit. The RBA governor made that very clear when she spoke about the RBA's recent decision to increase interest rates. Private and public demand has hit the speed limit. When that happens and when the economy doesn't have enough supply to satisfy all the demand—all the things, the goods and services, that people want to buy—the government has a decision to make. The government can either become a smaller government and allow households and businesses to grow and enjoy that supply or the government can say: 'We know best. We need to be bigger,' and they can push households and push businesses out of the way. This government has chosen the latter. This is the crowd-out effect. The government, due to its overspending, is crowding out opportunities for the private sector. We've had the Treasurer in denial, as he always is, that recent interest-rate rises are due to government spending. I cannot find one credible economist in the country which agrees with the Treasurer of Australia on that count—not one. The Treasurer has cowardly hidden behind the governor of the Reserve Bank by claiming that because she has not explicitly called out the fiscal recklessness of the government then the government fiscal policy must be fine. Name an RBA governor that would ever do such a thing. As an institution, the RBA never picks a fight with the government of the day on fiscal policy. In fact, the governor made it very clear she does not comment on fiscal policy. But the Treasurer wants to take her silence as some endorsement of his fiscal policy, and what fiscal policy is that? Well, the fiscal policy is typically embedded within the budget strategy. The strategy is meant to outline some rules. Ever since Peter Costello introduced the Charter of Budget Honesty, governments have meant to have rules which contain government spending. So, when all the ministers sit around the cabinet table or they go to the Expenditure Review Committee, they are locked in to a set of rules to stop their spending. Every single Treasurer has had these rules—they're quantifiable rules—except this treasurer under the Albanese government. His strategy reads like a word salad. It's just words. There is not one number in it, and this is why you have had minister after minister rocking up, talking to the Prime Minister and the Treasurer and getting tick, tick, tick—'Go spend! Go spend! Go spend!' The more money they pour into the economy—when you hit the speed limit, the RBA has to come in and pull money out of the economy. Will they stop? No, they won't stop. We know they won't stop, because the Treasurer will not admit his responsibility. If you have a Treasurer who refuses to take responsibility, you can be sure that he will not be capable of fixing the problem. Right across portfolios, they are doing this. To be very clear, the coalition has not been criticising the government where spending in budgets increases due to automatic pressures. If Australians need more health care or education, you don't hear the coalition complaining about those pressures. That's what the expression is—'pressures'. No; far from it. But what we do criticise is discretionary spending decisions taken by the government separate from those pressures for which the government has not found room in the budget. To give you an indication of the magnitude of this problem, this financial year alone there has been around $50 billion of discretionary spending that the government has failed to find offsets to pay for. Again, we do not criticise any government for making their own priorities when it comes to spending. Indeed, a government has a right to decide what its spending priorities are, but with rights always come commensurate responsibilities. In this case, the responsibility is to find room in the budget to pay for it. I go back to the everyday Australian family. As Australians sit around kitchen tables and work out their budgets, they know that, if they want little Johnny or little Mary to go to theatre lessons, music lessons or sport, they've got to find an extra few hundred bucks a fortnight. And if they can't afford it? Families are making trade-off decisions. They're cutting back on things. Why is it that the Australian people are doing the right thing while the Australian government refuses to adopt that same principle of living within your means? When they don't live within their means, they have to go after more money to pay for their prolific spending. Do you know who they're coming after? They're coming after everyday Australians. We have never seen personal income taxes as high as what we see today. Since this government has come in, the average, everyday worker is paying an additional $4,000 a year extra in personal income taxes. Mr Tim Wilson IMW Plus the money they're paying the CFMEU. Mr TED O'BRIEN 138932 And that is in addition to a lot of money that workers are having to pay through to the likes of the CFMEU. I want to recognise the shadow minister at the table here. You know where some of that money goes, of course; it goes to the Labor Party. That's what they do—wholly owned subsidiaries. To get back to where the worker is at—they are paying more money than they ever have. If you look at the trajectory over the medium term of the Albanese government's budget, the only way they go near making balance is through higher personal income taxes. We're talking about around half a trillion dollars more of personal income taxes over the medium term. That's the only way that they can feed their spending addiction. I correct myself; there's another way—debt. Never before has Australia hit $1 trillion of debt, but we heard in Senate estimates yesterday that we are now literally only a couple of months away. We're going to hit $1 trillion of debt. This is a government which always claims it's doing the right thing on debt, but debt has gone up under this government. For the very first time it's going to hit a trillion dollars—probably $1.2 trillion. Why does this matter? This matters not just for economic reasons but also for moral reasons, because that debt will have to be paid off by the next generation of Australians. It's younger Australians who are going to be slugged with this debt. This restrains the options. There are fewer things they can do and fewer things Australia can do in the future when debt continues to rise because the government continues to spend. There is a moral case for getting debt down and controlling it. This government has had the greatest revenue windfall in the history of Australia—$400 billion—not due to anything they have done. It was never forecast. This was a revenue variation of $400 billion. What would the average family do if they had a lot of debt and they suddenly inherited a lot of money? I'll tell you what they'd do. Australia's leading banks are saying Australians are probably the best in the world at this—they'd pay down their debt. The Australian people are prudent people. They get ahead of their mortgage payments. Upon receiving a $400 billion windfall, what did this government do? It decided to put its hand in the cookie jar: 'Let's go spend a whole bunch of that and bake it into the budget.' If you win the lotto, you can't assume you're going to win it the next week, the week after and the week after that, but that's exactly what this government is doing. Who pays? Ultimately, it's the next generation. Right now, it's the current generation. Every single minute that goes by, we're paying an extra $50,000 in interest payments. There's no line item that's growing more quickly in the budget than this. Why? It's because they can't stop spending. What happens when the next external shock does come to Australia? And it will come; we know that. History dictates that we will have more external shocks hitting the Australian economy. When times are good, when you do have an enormous windfall, that's when you need to ensure you're creating a buffer for that next shock. If that shock is to hit anytime soon, we have a situation. We have the highest-spending government in 40 years, outside of the pandemic. The spending-to-GDP ratio has risen from 24 to 27 per cent. That doesn't create a safety net to handle an external shock. We're going to have debt of over a trillion dollars. That doesn't create the buffer you need to handle an external shock. We have living standards performing poorly compared to every other advanced economy. It's completely out of control. At the household level, the economy has shrunk under this government. Every single day, Australians are getting poorer. The economy is getting weaker, and that's just day-to-day business as usual. If an external shock hits our country, this government has left us entirely exposed. Why? It can't stop its spending. I go back to the budget strategy. Despite calls not just from the coalition but also from Australia's leading economists, this government and this Treasurer refuse to introduce fiscal rules into their budget to contain their spending, and this is just going to continue. That should be step 1: have rules to control your spending. Secondly, they should ensure that they are driving more efficiency in government itself, but they're not doing that. We've seen a complete blowout in the cost of government itself. Even with future potential tools, such as artificial intelligence, all we have from this government is timidity. The government will proudly boast about the majority they have in this parliament—and they do have a whopping majority; I can see that. But, instead of using it to advance the cause of the Australian economy so it can lift all boats and enrich all households, they're frozen when it comes to real economic reform. So, if the first thing is rules, the second thing they need to do is drive more efficiency. The third thing is to go line item by line item through that budget and find opportunities for savings. You cannot tell me that we've got the highest spending government in 40 years, outside of a pandemic, and there isn't waste there. Again, we've got one minister at the table at least—the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. I'm grateful he's here. Look at his portfolio. The idea of the fringe benefits tax carve outs for electric vehicles—what a whopping waste of money, a complete waste of money. It has blown out. I look at the minister now. Is it five or is it now 10 times what was budgeted for? The minister wants to ignore. That's okay; he can answer if he wishes. That's how bad it is. Why did the government say they were introducing FBT relief on electric vehicles? It was to reduce emissions. Now, this side of the chamber supports reducing emissions. Unlike the government, we have a track record of actually doing so, of actually getting emissions down. The government does not. They talk about it, but, if you look at the scoreboard, they don't deliver it. That's the reason this minister is spending all this money—to get emissions down. Well, here's the thing: it is one of the most economically inefficient ways to reduce emissions. Don't take my word for it. Take the word of the Productivity Commission, which has made that crystal clear. Do Labor care? No. It's not their money. Whose money is it? It's the hardworking Australians'. The same Australian families who go home each night and don't know how they're going to pay the bills are the ones who're paying for this stuff. Look at that very measure again. Do you know who gets the biggest subsidy? I'm happy for the minister to interject if I'm wrong here. The wealthier you are, the bigger the subsidy you get. How about that? If you go to your mobile phone and you say you want to take a lease out on a Tesla—go to the Tesla website and look at model Y—what you'll find when you want to take a lease out of electric vehicle is that they'll actually ask you how much money you make. 'What's your income?' That's a bit bizarre; why would they do that? Because that's the way they can understand how much the government—in other words, the Australian people—will subsidise your lease of your vehicle. If you're a nurse and you're on $90,000, you put in $90,000; if you're a lawyer and you're on $250,000, you put in $250,000. The lease is cheaper for the lawyer who's on $250,000 than it is for the nurse on $90,000. Why? Because this government is subsidising, through this fringe benefits tax policy, the more wealthy Australians, at the very time that real wages are going backwards. They've gone backwards by over two per cent under this government. At the very same time, those same people who are struggling to pay the rent or to pay off a mortgage—those who have a mortgage. They have seen the average mortgage holder increase their mortgage payments by $23,000 a year. This year, after the last interest rate rise, the average mortgage holder in Australia will pay $23,000 more a year in interest payments alone under this government. Can you imagine? There you are working your tail off for your family—to put food on the table and make sure you've got a roof over your head—and, under this government, you're copping an extra $23,000 in your interest payments. Under this government, you're forking out an extra $4,000 in personal income taxes. Under this government, you're paying an extra 40 per cent on your energy bill. You're paying well over 35 per cent on your insurance. Everything has gone up, and the Reserve Bank, you here, says: 'You know what? It's only going to get worse.' Prices are only going to go higher than they are today, probably peaking at 4.2 per cent. The market is pricing in further interest rate rises. You've got these bizarre policies like the EV FBT carve outs, which means—for your household, with all of that pressure on you—the government is now using more of your money to subsidise high-wealth individuals so they can lease an EV. Don't tell me that's because it's going to be good for the environment. It is the most inefficient way to drive down emissions, which is why the Albanese government has failed on that count too. Yet, despite all of this, we will have the Treasurer and the Prime Minister claim responsible economic management. That is not economic management worth claiming any wins over. The Australian people are becoming poorer. Our economy is becoming weaker. As a result, Australia is becoming far more dependent on foreign supply chains—because our capabilities are eroding. There is an alternative. That alternative lies with the Liberal-National coalition. Under leadership of this side of the parliament, you will see an Australia where the people are not poor but prosperous, an economy which is not weak but strong and an Australia which is not overly dependent but fiercely independent. The starting point is good economic management. It's all about putting the economy at the centre. That is why we as Liberals, and with our Nationals counterparts, have always prided ourselves as being the better economic managers. That's not because we think economics is the end game. It is the means. A strong economy is the means by which that struggling family at home don't have to pay so much in personal income taxes. A strong economy is the means by which that struggling family at home don't have to pay so much on their interest payments. A strong economy is the means by which that struggling family at home can have Johnny and Mary doing their extracurricular activities at school, while still having a bit of take out and going on holidays. A strong economy is the means by which the living standards, the way of life, of everyday Australians can be enjoyed with health, happiness and fulfilment. A strong economy isn't the end game; it's the means by which everyday Australians can have the freedom to pursue whatever opportunity they wish to pursue in this country. A strong economy is what unleashes innovation. A strong economy is what unleashes young Australians to become entrepreneurs, tradies or academics. A strong economy is the only way that we build a future for Australia which will see the next generation of Australians with more money in their pockets when they go home after another fortnight of hard work. It's a strong economy that will allow everyday Australians to have the opportunity to call a place a home of their own. A strong economy is the only thing that's going to allow Australia to remain a strong, secure nation in a very volatile, uncertain Indo-Pacific. This is why a strong economy matters. It's about people. It's about our future. It's about the younger generations. It's why we are so determined on this side to fight on all things economics—because we know, despite the continual spin from the Treasurer, the way the Australian people right now feel is what matters. They are feeling poor because they are. While the government might like to blame international factors, the thing is that, when you talk about international factors, they affect everybody internationally. But when you are performing so poorly compared to other countries and when you have peer nations reducing interest rates but here they're rising, you know there's something wrong locally. Previously that's been referred to as homegrown inflation—and, indeed, that continues to be the case, which is why opportunities are missing us by as a country. That breaks my heart because I would have thought all of us, regardless of our political stripe, are here to build a better Australia for tomorrow. But every economic indicator says we're becoming a poorer country, and the next generation are not going to have the opportunities we had. When the world changes there are a lot of things you can't control, which means you need to double down on those things you can control—and what you can control is your own economic discipline. If the families of Australia have been asked to live within their means—and they are—it's not too much to ask the government to do the same. That is why we'll continue to fight on all issues regarding the economy. This government has to stop its spending spree. It has every right to decide on its spending priorities, but it has an obligation to find room in the budget to pay for them. When it doesn't, it drives up interest rates and the Australian people pay through higher mortgages, higher prices in the supermarket, higher taxes and higher debt. It's no coincidence that the only economic reform proposed by the Treasurer last year was to tax unrealised capital gains and superannuation—coming after more tax, breaching a red line in Australian tax law. They're dying to go after more tax. As the coalition stands here today, we will support the appropriation bills; we're not going to block supply. We are the party of economic stability. We're the party that believes in responsible government, and thus the government will enjoy our support on the passage of these bills. But I make these remarks today to make it crystal clear that the coalition rejects the economic approach of the Albanese government because it is making Australians poorer and our country weaker and more dependent. We need to make Australians prosperous, strong and fiercely independent. 10:47 Ms CAMPBELL 312823 Moreton After listening to the member for Fairfax, I have one question: what are you going to cut, mate? The member for Fairfax has spoken again and again about the budget. The member for Fairfax has said that those opposite are an alternative government. The member for Fairfax has said that he rejects the economic approach this government is taking and that the budget needs to change. If that's the case, he needs to stump up, he needs to front up and he needs to tell the Australian people what he is going to cut. How do we know this is a coalition that cuts? It's because they cannot help themselves. It's because this is what they do year in, year out. It's in their DNA, and we have seen cut after cut. Mr Tim Wilson IMW Because we don't suck on the teat of the CFMEU Labor cartel of corruption! The DEPUTY SPEAKER 201906 Member for McMahon? Mr Bowen DZS The government listened to the nonsense from the member for Fairfax without interjection. The member for Goldstein should provide the same courtesies to the member for Moreton. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 201906 I take the minister's point. However, in my time in the chair I have witnessed a lot more interjections than what the member for Goldstein has done, and it's been let slide by many Speakers. I'll be monitoring it, and, if it's enough, I'll pull him into line. Ms CAMPBELL 312823 This is a coalition that has spent years cutting from the budget. This is a coalition that has in its DNA, to its core, the want to cut, the need to cut and the track record of cutting from the support that Labor governments have provided to the Australian people. The member for Fairfax said we need to go line item by line item through the budget. The real question, when they go line by line through the budget, is: what is on the chopping block? I understand the coalition are busy right now trying to cut down their first female leader, but we're going to have to take a guess at what they might cut. Are the coalition going to cut from health care? We've seen that movie before. We've seen them try to introduce a co-payment so that everyday Australians would lose bulk-billing and would have to stump up out of their own pockets just to go to the doctor. We've seen them cut from health care billions and billions and billions of dollars that go to make sure that our Australians are better and have the ability to get better. We've seen them when it comes to housing. Do they want to cut five per cent deposits, which allow young people and people with families to get into their first home? Do they want to cut from education? We've seen that movie before too. One of the reasons that I became involved in Labor in the first place was that John Howard was cutting tertiary education. Do they want to cut support for the manufacturing industry? Again, we've seen this before too. They sent the vehicle-building industry overseas. They sent those jobs offshore. Is that what they're going to cut this time? Do they want to remove the tax cut that this Albanese Labor government has provided to every taxpaying Australian? Is that what they want to do next? The reality is that we don't know. What we know is that they want to change the approach that we are taking, an approach that is focused on addressing the cost-of-living concerns of every Australian. So, if they want to change that approach, it's only going to be with more cuts, and Australians had better watch out because, when they get that axe and swing it down, it will mean cuts to education, cuts to health and cuts to the other things that Australians need the most. Let's think about the economic landscape. The economic landscape is clear. Unemployment is low. It's 4.1 per cent. Inflation has gone from having a six in front of it under the coalition down to having a three in front of it. Wages are up. We know that, when it comes to taxation, this is a coalition that wants to tax Australians more. Not only is it a coalition that wants to tax Australians more but we should be reminded that the coalition, indeed, formed the government which has been the highest-taxing in this country, the Howard government. We should remember that this is a coalition that formed the highest-spending government in this country, the Morrison government. When I am out doorknocking in Moreton, chatting to people over the fence or talking to people at a barbie, one thing is clear. They talk about three core things over and over again: they talk about health services, making sure that they have accessible and affordable health care; they want to know what government is doing when it comes to housing, because people deserve to have homes and to be able to build their future; and they want to know what governments are doing about cost of living. The Albanese Labor government has its eye firmly fixed on all of those things. The risk to our progress on cost of living, on health care and on housing is a coalition opposition obsessed with cuts. So today I thought I'd highlight these three particular areas, areas that are critically important not only for the people on Brisbane's south side in Moreton but around the country. At the end of last month, National Cabinet agreed on a way forward to meet the growing challenges across the health and aged-care systems. The federal government is investing an additional $25 billion in public hospitals like the QEII Jubilee Hospital in Moreton, and this means that Commonwealth funding for public hospitals will reach a record $219.6 billion between 2026-27 and 2030-31. It's triple the amount of additional funding under the previous five-year agreement. Is that what the member for Fairfax wants to cut? That comes on top of the Albanese Labor government's rollout of 137 urgent care clinics across the country. As of October 2025, Australians had made more than two million free-of-charge visits to urgent care clinics. In my electorate, that means an urgent care clinic at the bottom of the PA and it means an urgent care clinic in Oxley, at the bottom of the Canossa Private Hospital. Having visited those two urgent care clinics recently, I can say that what is clear is that our community wants that service. Urgent care clinics—is that what the member for Fairfax and the coalition are going to cut? For me, like thousands of other parents around the country, it's an incredible relief to know that, if it's out of hours for our GP, we can take our little girl to an urgent care clinic. I know that families across the south side feel the same way. This week we have celebrated the one-year anniversary of Labor's investment in women's health, a $792.9 million package which has led to more choice and more affordable health care for women. This investment recognised that women's equality depends on the strength of women's health, and this is why the Albanese Labor government has prioritised it. I had the great pleasure of going with the member for Cooper and talking to local people. I know how much work she has done in setting up this space, which is now under the member for Lyons and Minister Butler. We talked to locals in Fairfax about how important these changes are when it comes to contraception, when it comes to menopause, when it comes to ensuring that women have the support they need in health. The package included the first new listings of contraceptive pills on the PBS in more than 30 years, and more than 660 women have together filled more than two million cheaper scripts for these contraceptives. Is this what the member for Fairfax and the coalition are going to cut? Are they going to cut women's health? I want to talk about bulk-billing, because no health update is complete without mentioning the largest single investment in Medicare ever. From 1 November 2025, general practices were able to bulk-bill all patients. This initiative is expected to support around 18 million additional bulk-billed visits each year. The numbers came in, the national bulk-billing stats: there are 3,400 bulk-billing clinics across the country, an 81 per cent increase in how many people are being bulk-billed. In my local area, 11 practices have moved from mixed billing to fully bulk-billing, and that is good news. It's good news because it means southsiders in Brisbane and people across this country can go into either an urgent care clinic or a fully bulk-billed practice and only present their Medicare card. Is this what the member for Fairfax and the coalition want to cut? Do they want to cut bulk-billing? On five per cent deposits, late last year one of my staff members had a big milestone moment in his life: buying his first home. He and his partner were justly proud and excited when they received the keys. They had worked hard and saved hard, but, until the Albanese Labor government introduced the five per cent deposit scheme, buying their own home was out of reach. The Minister for Housing said: The 5% deposit program is not just a housing policy, it's thousands of families: Building Equity Building Security Building a Future Five per cent deposits—is this what the member for Fairfax and the coalition are going to cut? As at the end of January, 965 people had purchased a home in Moreton under the five per cent deposit scheme. What will the member for Fairfax do with them? I want to talk about the Housing Australia Future Fund, one of Labor's initiatives. Round 3 is now open, and it's the largest yet. Labor will deliver more than 21,000 new social and affordable homes across the country, and this will bring the total number of new social and affordable homes to 40,000 by the end of the round. It means Labor is progressing to meet our commitment to deliver 55,000 of these homes by mid-2029. It's worth looking at the four HAFF pathways. These streams ensure that the program is supporting the people it's designed for. The partnerships at scale stream is focused on partnership with industry. The housing diversity stream is set up for the Australian Defence Force and veterans. The third stream, the state and territory stream, enables expanded co-investment opportunities to fast-track housing delivery. The First Nations stream benefits from $600 million in funding and additional concessional loans to support projects delivered by or in partnership with First Nations organisations. We are streamlining the National Construction Code to speed up building. We are reforming environmental approvals and working with states and territories to reform planning systems through the National Planning Reform Blueprint. Is this what the member for Fairfax and the coalition are going to cut? The Albanese Labor government won't stop with our drive to build more homes, to support more Australians into homeownership and to ensure the fair treatment of renters. Labor recognises that so many Australians are still doing it tough, and that's why continuing to deliver measured, responsible support to ease cost-of-living pressures is our No. 1 priority. There is no single solution to addressing cost-of-living pressures. Our strategy involves coordinated measures across multiple sectors. I've already outlined the initiatives in the health system—from increased bulk-billing opportunities to more affordable medicines and to expanded urgent care clinics. I have also detailed the housing reforms that are helping to make homeownership achievable for thousands. We cannot forget that Labor is also continuing to implement our tax cuts for every Australian taxpayer. From 1 July this year, all Australian taxpayers will receive two further rounds of personal income tax cuts. This follows on from the first round of tax cuts, which commenced on 1 July 2024. As well, when taxpayers go to do their tax returns, they'll be able to claim instantly from the new $1,000 instant tax deduction. I could go on. We could talk about the three-day childcare guarantee. We could talk about the fact that, under this new guarantee, every child who needs it is eligible for three days of subsidised early learning each week, no matter what their parents do. But I want to come back to what the member for Fairfax talked about just before. He talked extensively about the fact that he rejects the economic approach. If Labor's economic approach is—as it is—focused on cost of living, on people and on making sure that we're addressing the things that Australians need, then the only alternative option for the coalition is to cut. They need to stump up and tell us exactly what it will be. 11:02 Mr TIM WILSON IMW Goldstein I've just heard a diatribe from one of the members about the magnificence of the Albanese government. The case that has been put forward is that everything that they touch turns to sunshine and gold, and everything that the coalition wants to do is a problem. In fact, a question was consistently asked over and over and over again: what do people who want to see inflation come down—that means lower interest rates—wish to remove from the budget? I don't know why Labor members keep asking this question, because we have answered it consistently. We absolutely believe that $15 billion of Australian taxpayers' money should not flow from Treasury coffers into the CFMEU-Labor cartel of corruption. We absolutely believe that that money going towards organised crime and bikie gangs—it's laundered into marketing expenses and, eventually, donations to the Labor Party—is not just a matter of criminal activity or laundering of money. It's an issue of moral importance for this country because Australians are paying the cost; it's financed mostly through debt. This is the morality of this Labor government. They literally borrow from your children's future, stoke up inflation on Australian households today and then, of course, force you to pay higher interest rates so they can finance organised crime, they can finance bikie gangs and they can finance money that goes through a sophisticated CFMEU-Labor cartel all the way through to corruption. I'm completely happy to say that I believe that should be cut out of the budget, because I think it's a moral crime, a political crime, a breach of trust and a form of corruption. And every Labor member, unfortunately, through the sophisticated system of CFMEU-Labor corruption, stands to gain. I'm shocked that they want to keep asking this question, but, as we all know, it was detailed yesterday in a report that was handed down by the Prime Minister's hand picked CFMEU administrator. The title kind of gives it away. The title is Rotting from the top. On the CFMEU in Victoria, what has been revealed—and we all know this—is that Victorian premier Jacinta Allan, in particular, has knowingly allowed and tolerated public money going into public projects to then go on and finance organised crime. It's extraordinary, and not a single member on the Labor benches seems the least bit bothered by it, but we know why. It's because, when the money goes from organised crime and bikie gangs to the benefits of the CFMEU, it finds its way also into Labor Party coffers. This isn't some sort of contest or debate. Once it was revealed that bikie gangs and organised crime were actively engaged with the CFMEU to extract cartel kickbacks, the Prime Minister had the audacity to say to the Australian people that the Labor Party would no longer receive cartel kickbacks and donations from the CFMEU. Last week, there were revealed AEC disclosures which went through what political parties received what donations in what timeframe, and there was a donation in the tens of thousands of dollars from the CFMEU to the Australian Labor Party. Some of the members sitting on the other side of the chamber right now are part of that division that enjoyed the benefits, and they're nodding along as I say it. I would not be proud of saying that to the members opposite. I would be embarrassed and ashamed and repudiating not just the conduct of your state secretary but also the Prime Minister for continuing to tolerate the CFMEU-Labor cartel of corruption. It is the most disgraceful thing I think I have ever seen in this parliament's history, yet the members opposite do not even bat an eyelid. They seem enthusiastic and almost nod along. Let's go through the report that was eventually provided by the CFMEU administrator to the Watson inquiry into criminal activity, violence and corruption in the CFMEU in Queensland. The report identified a number of key factors that drove the corruption within the CFMEU connected to the Labor Party: the open and deliberate defiance of the law; how the big build in Victoria, and big money in Victoria in particular, became the liquidity for the corruption that financed the CFMEU-Labor cartel kickbacks that went all the way into the Labor Party's coffers; how they actively sought to undermine the practices of other unions who were trying to do the right thing for their advantage; and, of course, the individuals involved. You just need to go through the subheadings and the headlines in this report. The first one is 'Introduction'. Well, that's very administratively justified. The second one is 'Power and corruption'. The third one is 'Violence'. The fourth one is 'Threats and extortion'. The fifth one is 'Systemic corruption'. It goes into 'The introduction of the outlaw motorcycle gangs' and 'Manipulating the enterprise bargaining system'—you know, that industrial relations system that Labor loves and sets up to advance the liquidity in the cartel kickback scheme of the CFMEU-Labor cartel of corruption. There's 'Manipulating the rise of labour hire', meaning they actively undermined people being able to be contracted onto work unless it suited them and bribes were paid. There's 'The appointment of unwanted and unnecessary delegates', meaning costs for public projects went up to feed the union and its corruption. There's 'The appointment of friends and family to lucrative jobs'. Let's just call that 'nepotism and corruption'. There's 'The Building Industry 2000 slush fund'. That just talks about one slush fund; we know that the CFMEU separately uses its own redundancy fund to facilitate cash flows to corrupt other institutions as well. Then there's a whole chapter just on ad hoc corruption. You've got threats of extortion and systemic corruption. Then we have a chapter exclusively on outlaw motorcycle gangs. Then, of course, there's one on enterprise bargaining agreements. The subchapter to that is on bribery. The subchapter to that is on the black market—the buying and selling of EBAs, where, essentially, rights on worksites were used to trade and get ill gotten gains which found their way through the CFMEU-Labor cartel of corruption into Labor Party coffers. Then we had awarding EBAs to friends. I think that's considered the discount chapter. There were third-party EBA brokers. That's, obviously, people who clip the ticket along the way in EBAs being sold off through the CFMEU-Labor cartel of corruption. Then we got one which was excluding enemies from EBAs. That's basically people who stood in the way of the corruption. Then there's another subchapter on misuse and abuse of social procurement schemes. In every single thing they touched, they found a way to steal money from taxpayers. Then there's misuse and abuse of Aboriginal business EBAs, so don't think there's any virtue sitting behind their trying to advance the best for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The CFMEU-Labor cartel of corruption looks at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as a pathway to indulge their practice of corruption further. Then you have labour hire. Is money the root of the problem? Well, that's pretty obvious. How wide was the corruption spread? I'll give you an answer: pretty wide. It was systemic across the entire industry. In fact, I think I used the expression yesterday 'industrial scale'. Then we have a whole section just on ghost shifts. That's people getting paid and not doing anything. Then we have organised crime, crime figures and criminals favoured by the CFMEU. Another subject chapter could be called 'organised crime methods associated with the CFMEU'. Then there's a whole section—and you can't but laugh because there's literally nothing else you could say—called 'a crossover with the tobacco wars'. You have organised crime financing a tax on small businesses engaging in the practice of illegal tobacco. We know exclusively where this money goes—not just into organised crime and not just into criminal gangs but actually into terrorism to do things like finance the Iranian government's state sponsored terrorism and antisemitism to blow up Australian synagogues. The cartel kickback circle of life that sits at the heart of the CFMEU-Labor project is nothing short of disgraceful and finances crime. It is connected to organised crime and bikie gangs and is complicit in financing domestic terrorism. One of the Labor members on the other side of this chamber, when I mentioned it before, nodded along. I don't know about you, Deputy Speaker, but I accept that from time to time we have differences of opinion in this chamber. But when you actually get an independent report from an independently commissioned entity to look into a systemic issue of organised crime and corruption, maybe you shouldn't whitewash it. Maybe, if you were part of the CFMEU-Labor cartel of corruption, you'd probably want to know about it, and you'd probably want to make sure that it was stopped. But yesterday, in the lead-up to question time, I simply asked to table the report so that it could never be whitewashed again, and the Leader of the House objected to me doing so. I can't understand why on earth you would want to stop this report being published let alone make sure—as unfortunately we found happened—independent corruption investigators are asked to delete sections of the report. We know it took the Wood inquiry in Queensland to have this report made public, because the minister wouldn't release it. We wrote to her. We asked for copies. We FOI'd it. We wrote to the Fair Work Commission; we asked for copies and FOI'd them. But everybody seemed to want to be part of the cover-up. This is not governance in the best interests of Australia. What we have is a systemic problem of corruption that's connected all the way from the CFMEU-Labor cartel of corruption back, ultimately, to the Australian government. Worse than that, in the meantime, in Victoria and nationally, we have anticorruption commissions who seem to not want to see this corruption, hear about this corruption, speak of this corruption or, frankly, do anything about this corruption, because it is hiding in plain sight and it connects directly back to the Australian government and the Allan Labor government in Victoria. There is another way. We have a choice as a nation about the type of country we want to be. We can choose an alternative path led by a united coalition government that wants to stamp out the CFMEU-Labor cartel of corruption and stop the kickbacks, and I can tell you some of us are willing to fight for it. After I lost in 2022, people said I was done and that, to win again, circumstances were impossible, but we won because we fought for the community and their future. The Liberal Party's situation now is no different. The Australian people passed judgement on the energy and the focus of our economic strategy at the last election. You reveal what you stand for by what you fight for, but, more importantly, you reveal who you're for by who you fight for. We need someone with a proven track record of turning an impossible situation into an improbable victory, because we know who we are fighting for. We know we're fighting for the Australian people—for families, for small businesses and for communities. We want an Australia that we love that's built on respect, where hard work pays off and Australians are in control of their lives. Making history requires leadership, and I can see a path where we can deliver that and build a better nation. History is there to be made, but critical to that is expelling the Labor CFMEU cartel of corruption, the taint it leaves on the Australian government and the Australian parliament, and, of course, the cost to the Australian people. 11:17 Mr FRENCH 316550 Moore I don't even know where to start after that. I must thank the member for Goldstein. I feel he walked into the wrong meeting. That meeting's down the docks on a Wednesday night, my friend. He's forgotten what we were actually here to speak about. I rise to speak in support of Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2025-2026 and Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026. Taken together, these bills give effect to the government's additional estimates for the 2025-26 financial year. They authorise the expenditure required to meet the costs that have emerged since the budget, reflect updated demand driven programs and ensure that the parliament, the Public Service and the essential national systems continue to function effectively and responsibly. At their core, these bills perform a fundamental constitutional role. Under our system of responsible government, no money may be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund without the authority of the parliament. Appropriation bills are the means by which the parliament exercises that authority. They are not vehicles for policy intervention. They are instruments of democratic accountability, ensuring that decisions already taken by government are properly scrutinised and transparently funded. That distinction matters. These bills do not create new rights or obligations. They do not, of themselves, establish programs or impose duties. What they do provide is the legal authority for expenditure that supports Australians in real and tangible ways through health care, disability services, defence capability, climate resilience, housing supply and the proper functioning of our democratic institutions. That constitutional role is particularly important in the context of additional estimates. Additional estimates exist because budgets are forecasts, not crystal balls. They respond to changes in economic conditions, updated demand for essential services and decisions taken after the budget that nevertheless require parliamentary authority to proceed. Importantly, these bills demonstrate the distinction between fiscal discipline and fiscal neglect. Discipline means making responsible decisions, clearly explaining them and funding them transparently. Neglect is failing to act when costs rise, needs change or circumstances deteriorate, and then pretending that inaction is a virtue. The measures contained in these bills reflect careful consideration by government as to where additional resources are required and why. They are accompanied by detailed portfolio statements that allow this House and the public to assess whether those resources are aligned with stated outcomes and priorities. For that reason, appropriation debates are not merely technical exercises; they are an opportunity for the parliament to test whether expenditure decisions are coherent, justified and consistent with the values we claim to uphold—fairness, security, opportunity and responsibility. These bills meet the test. Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026 seeks approval for approximately $9.2 billion in additional funding for the ordinary annual services of government. This funding reflects updated costs and demand pressures across a range of portfolios. A significant portion of this funding is directed to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. As a member of the Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water, and as a former electrician, I have seen firsthand the importance of ensuring that funding in this portfolio is targeted, accountable and responsive to real-world pressures. Continued investment in programs such as cheaper home batteries and emissions reduction measures is not abstract climate policy; it is about lowering household energy costs, strengthening grid resilience and supporting Australia's transition to a cleaner and more secure energy system. In my electorate of Moore, that transition is already underway. As of 8 February 2026, 1,792 household batteries have been installed across the electorate. Families investing in storage to manage their power bills increases resilience during peak demand and contributes to a more reliable grid. Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026 also provides $1.5 billion to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. This includes substantial funding for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, ensuring participants continue to receive reasonable and necessary support. It also supports reforms to strengthen Medicare, protect access to medicines and improve the coordination and delivery of health services across Australia. As a kidney transplant recipient, I am acutely aware of the importance of a strong, accessible health system, including reliable access to essential medicines. Supporting the NDIS through additional estimates is not a failure of planning; it is an acknowledgement of reality. As the participant numbers grow and supports evolve, funding must keep pace. Anything less would undermine the confidence of participants and their families, and erode the trust that underpins the scheme itself. In my electorate of Moore, these pressures are not abstract. My office serves families navigating the NDIS, older Australians managing chronic conditions and health professionals working under sustained strain. That includes constituents relying upon the Joondalup Health Campus for complex and acute care as well as follow-up treatment and ongoing medication in the community, underscoring the importance of stable funding arrangements across the health system. For them, the difference between timely funding and delayed funding is the difference between certainty and anxiety, between continuity of care and disruption. In suburbs across Moore, from Joondalup to Gwelup, these pressures are felt not in isolation but across households, workplaces and care networks. These bills provide the legal authority and funding frameworks that support continuity in essential services. They help reduce the risk of services that Australians rely on being left vulnerable to administrative gaps or funding shortfalls simply because demand has increased since the budget. That is what responsible government looks like, including in such areas as defence and national security. In defence, additional funding supports the implementation of the 2024 National defence strategy and the Defence Integrated Investment Program. In an increasingly uncertain strategic environment, maintaining credible defence capability is not optional. It is a core responsibility of government and is one that requires sustained, disciplined investment. Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026 also supports funding for the Department of Home Affairs, including resources to respond to security threats and maintain Australia's cohesive and multicultural society. This is about protecting Australians while upholding the values that define us as an open, democratic nation governed by the rule of law. The defence investments supported by these bills align with the government's stated strategic priorities and with the need to ensure that capability acquisition and sustainment can proceed as planned. Delays in funding often translate directly into delays in delivery—with long-term consequences for workforce planning, industry confidence and national readiness. Likewise, funding for Home Affairs reflects the reality that security challenges do not operate on a fixed calendar. Whether responding to emergency threats, maintaining border integrity or supporting social cohesion, government must retain the capacity to act decisively and lawfully. Recent events, including the tragic attack at Bondi and the terrorist incident in Perth, are stark reminders that security threats can emerge suddenly and can have devastating impacts. They reinforce why agencies must have the resources and flexibility to respond swiftly, professionally and within the rule of law. Importantly, none of these measures exist in isolation from oversight. Expenditure is subject to audit, scrutiny through estimates and ongoing parliamentary review. Appropriations authorise spending; they do not remove accountability for how that spending is carried out. This parliament must always guard the balance between responsiveness and restraint carefully. These bills strike the appropriate balance. Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2025-26 complements this by authorising approximately $3.5 billion for services that are not classified as ordinary annual services of government. Constitutional requirements demand that these expenditures be dealt with separately, but their purpose is no less important. This bill includes further funding for defence capability delivery, for environmental water purchases under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and for housing initiatives initiated through Housing Australia. In particular, the provision of loans to support social and affordable housing projects recognises that housing supply constraints are a national challenge that demand coordinated, sustained action. For communities like my electorate of Moore, these investments are not theoretical. Housing affordability pressures are felt acutely by young families, key workers and older Australians seeking to downsize. Federal support for social and affordable housing, when combined with state and local action, helps ensure that growth does not come at the expense of fairness or opportunity. For communities like Moore, access to stable housing supports workforce participation by enabling people to live closer to their jobs, care networks and essential services. That local experience underscores why infrastructure, housing and environmental investments funded through these bills demonstrate the interconnected nature of modern policy challenges. Housing supply, environmental sustainability and economic participation cannot be addressed in isolation from one another. Support for affordable and social housing through Housing Australia is a practical intervention that complements state and local efforts. It recognises that market forces alone will not meet the full range of housing needs—particularly for vulnerable Australians and essential workers. Environmental investments include water recovery and reflect the long-term responsibility governments bear to manage shared natural resources. These decisions require patience, consistency and funding certainty across multiple financial years. Appropriation Bill (No. 4) ensures that the commitments already made in these areas are properly resourced rather than left to be exposed to delay or dilution. Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2025-26, while modest in dollar terms, is equally essential. It provides additional funding to the Department of the House of Representatives and the Department of Parliamentary Services to support the operations of this parliament for the remainder of the financial year. This funding underpins the practical work that allows members to represent their constituents, committees to conduct inquiries and the parliament to function securely and effectively. In an era where democratic institutions face increasing global pressure, properly resourcing the parliament is not an indulgence; it is a safeguard. Across all three bills, there is consistent emphasis on accountability. The appropriations are supported by the portfolio budget statements and portfolio additional estimates statements, which provide detailed information on how funds are allocated and the outcomes they are intended to support. These documents form part of the interpretive framework of the legislation and are essential tools for parliamentary scrutiny. It is also important to note that these bills replenish the advances to the finance minister and the presiding officers, ensuring that the government retains the capacity to respond to urgent and unforeseen circumstances. This mechanism is not a blank cheque; it is tightly constrained by law and subject to reporting requirements. It is a necessary feature of responsible fiscal management in a complex and dynamic environment. For the people of Moore, the measures supported by these bills have real impacts. These bills reflect their government responding to changing circumstances with discipline rather than delay, with transparency rather than improvisation. They recognise that good fiscal management is not about refusing to act but about ensuring that the parliament authorises that action openly, transparently and in line with national priorities. I acknowledge that the appropriation debates are rarely glamorous. They lack the rhetorical flourish of major policy announcements, but they are among the most important debate this House conducts. They are where theory meets practice and where parliament discharges its most basic constitutional responsibility. Finally, I want to address the broader context in which these bills are considered. Australians rightly expect governments to manage public money carefully. They also expect honesty about why spending is required and what it is intended to achieve. These bills do not pretend that challenges can be solved without cost, nor do they attempt to obscure expenditure behind vague authorisations or opaque mechanisms. They set out, clearly and transparently, the amounts required and the purpose for which they may be spent. That clarity strengthens trust in public institutions. It allows the House to do its job, and it allows Australians to judge whether the government is acting in their best interests. On that measure, these bills deserve support. For those reasons, I commend the bill to the House. 11:31 Ms ALDRED 11788 Monash I rise to speak on the Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026 and related appropriation bills. Let me be clear from the outset: the coalition won't oppose or delay the passage of these bills. While we don't support all of the policies and programs funded in this budget, these appropriation bills are necessary legislative mechanisms to fund decisions that the government has already made. But just because we're not opposing these bills does not mean we will remain silent on the reckless spending and bad choices that sit behind them. These appropriation bills authorise a further $12.7 billion in spending—$9.1 billion for ordinary services, $3½ billion for non-ordinary services and just over $9 million for parliamentary departments—on top of what was already a big-spending budget. In the broader context, let's reflect on the fact that, this week, we've seen $15 billion siphoned away in CFMEU cartel mismanagement and corruption. We've got a $1.2 trillion debt bomb gestating under this government, and there's a whole range of inappropriate expenditure, mismanagement and poor decision-making that we see on a daily basis. While families in my electorate of Monash are being asked to tighten their belts—and many of those families have to make weekly decisions on whether to buy groceries and put food on the table for their families or to pay their bills on time—this government is not living by the standard that it preaches to ordinary Australians. While this debate matters, I want to go into some examination of the flagrant spending that we are seeing under this government, because it is getting worse. It is putting Australian families at a disadvantage, it is hurting regional communities like mine and it is also putting us well behind the eight ball on our international competitiveness. We've got record levels of revenue in this country, and, I might add, a lot of that is thanks to our mining and resources sector, which funds the roads that we drive on, the hospitals that we rely on and the schools that educate our young people. We've got record levels of revenue. In fact, in the 2024-25 year the Commonwealth raised $717 billion in receipts. That's 25.9 per cent of GDP—the highest level in 25 years. Despite this river of revenue flowing into Canberra, Australians across the country, particularly in electorates like mine, are staring down strong deficits. Why? Because record revenue is being completely outstripped by record spending and record spending growth by a government that treats taxpayers' hard-earned money like a credit card with no limit. You cannot run a household budget like this. You would have your shutters pulled down if you were a small business that operated like this. Yet, again, the standard the government expects of ordinary Australians is not adhered to by its own management. The government is now the highest spending government, outside of a pandemic, in 40 years. Spending is growing at four times the rate of the economy, and national debt is heading towards $1.2 trillion. That is a debt bomb that generations of Australians still yet to come will be paying back. They are at a disadvantage before they even get a start in life. Since Labor came to office, spending has gone up by $160 billion. That is, when you think about it, about $16,000 for every household in this country. And the government has added $100 billion to the national debt in just a single term. This is not restraint. This is recklessness, and the consequences of that recklessness are showing up where Australians feel it most—at the checkout, on their power bills, in their rent and on their mortgage repayments. We've had 13 interest rate rises under this government. I would not be surprised if we see a 14th, which the RBA have left the door open to. When you listen to people like Philip Lowe, a highly respected person, who served previously as the RBA governor—he has said that inflation is a homegrown problem and that inflation is being driven by government debt. On 28 January, the ABS confirmed that inflation rose to 3.8 per cent in 12 months to December. Trimmed inflation is at 3.4 per cent. Both of these figures are well outside the RBA's target band. After nearly four years of Labor, Australians are paying more for the basics. Insurance has gone up 39 per cent. I go around my electorate of Monash and I speak to community groups and not-for-profits in particular—those sporting teams and clubs that put so much back into our community and that live off the smell of an oily rag—and one of their chief complaints is the cost of insurance continuing to rise. It puts them at such a disadvantage. They work very, very hard to live within the constraints of a very tight budget. But these things have real impacts on communities like mine. Energy has gone up by 38 per cent. How many times, member for Mallee, have we heard the government talk about their $275 bill reduction? I think we're nearly up to 100 times now. Energy has gone up 38 per cent. We've seen rent go up 22 per cent. I heard a very sad story during the election, when a lady came up to me outside one of the little IGAs that I was doing a listening post at, and she said her son, who was a truck driver—he's a single dad with a few kids. He was nearly homeless because—I won't mention the town, but in West Gippsland. He had to couch surf with friends because he could not get a rental property, and that was impacting his kids and the broader family. He moved back in with his mum for a period of time, but there are very real consequences for Australians who are doing it tough, who work hard, who do the right thing, who squirrel money away and who don't spend recklessly. They are hurting. Health is up 18 per cent. How many times have we heard this prime minister say 'all you need is your Medicare card'? Health is up 18 per cent, and your Medicare card is not paying for that. People's credit cards are, and their savings are. Education is up 17 per cent. I thank Trudy, who wrote to me recently about the living away from home allowance. That is the same amount for kids living in metro and city areas as regional kids. Her children are doing it really tough. To the tradie who wrote to me and said he wanted to get some additional training and education to, as he put it, better support his family—he said the cost of supplies and reading materials for the course that he was doing on construction was the real cost killer for him. These are real people with real stories, and they're really hurting. Food's up 16 per cent. I had a lady come out of the Coles supermarket in Drouin during the election campaign. She held up two bags of groceries and said, 'Mary, I can't get two bags of groceries for under $100 anymore.' It's just going up and up, and these are not luxuries; they're essentials. They're everyday costs that families, pensioners and small businesses cannot afford. I spoke with a group of financial counsellors in my electorate recently. We were talking about shoplifting from supermarkets increasing, and it's not luxury items. It's not entertainment items. It's meat, it's fruit and vegetables—essentials—because people are in desperate circumstances, turning to desperate measures. It's not some global mystery, this inflation problem. Australia's inflation rate is now higher than in comparable economies like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and the Eurozone. Economists have been clear about why. I'll quote AMP's Diana Mousina, who has said, 'The government has been directly adding to inflation through record public spending.' Shane Oliver, a well-known and well-credentialed economic commentator, has said that many of the drivers of inflation relate to government spending. HSBC's Paul Bloxham has said that the key driver of inflation is not private demand but strong public demand driven by government spending. It could not be clearer. I'll go back to the Reserve Bank governor. Recently, there's been a lot of attention on her comments. Michele Bullock was at Senate estimates recently and again before the Standing Committee on Economics, where the governor confirmed that excessive aggregate demand, including public spending, is contributing to inflationary pressures. What happens when inflation stays high? Interest rates stay higher for longer. The government is forcing the hand here of decisions that are being made on interest rates, and it is hurting everyday Australians. The Prime Minister and the Treasurer have been quick to take credit when interest rates have come down. They need to take responsibility for the fact that their spending decisions are making life harder for people in my electorate of Monash who are trying to pay off a house or, if they're a young person, trying to get a foot in the door and buy their own home. While I'm speaking about my electorate, I will turn to some other points of these appropriation bills. In that context, I'd love to give a shout-out to some local wineries in my electorate. I love to say that, in Monash, we have world-beating products made by world-leading people. We've got the Phillip Island Winery, the Gurdies Winery, Purple Hen in Rhyll, Harman Wines at Wattle Bank, Dirty Three Wines in Inverloch and the Gippsland Wine Company in Loch. These producers are not just businesses; they are part of the fabric of our region. On behalf of the electorate of Monash, I say thank you for employing people, for bringing people to our region, for making world-class products and making all of us so proud of the very fine things that we grow, make and manufacture in the Monash electorate. Across South Gippsland and Bass Coast, we've got wineries like Waratah Hills Vineyard in Fish Creek, Fleet Wines in Leongatha, Bass River at Glen Forbes, Silverwaters Vineyard at San Remo, Wild Dog Winery in Warragul and Brandy Creek Estate. They continue to showcase the very best of regional wineries anywhere in Australia. They're family run, small to medium producers. They employ locals. They support tourism. They provide hospitality experiences to draw visitors to our towns who spend money at our cafes, shops and accommodation providers. They continue to grow the identity and reputation of the Gippsland region as a premium food and wine destination. But these businesses are being squeezed from all sides: higher energy costs, rising freight and transport expenses, increasing insurance premiums, labour shortages, declining discretionary spending as families tighten their belts. These businesses are resilient, but those banks of resilience are depleting, and the power bills keep coming. The compliance and red tape keep rising. Many of these businesses are struggling to keep their heads above water. While this government pours billions into poorly targeted spending, it has already failed to provide meaningful relief to industries, like the wine industry, that are under pressure from inflation, cost-of-living pressures and weakening consumer demand. My local wineries, like any small-business sector, are not asking for special treatment. They're not asking for a handout. They're just asking for a fair go—a fair go to employ people and put back into their communities. They want inflation brought under control, they want interest rates to come down, and they want a tax system that encourages them to invest, employ and grow. Instead, they're getting a government that borrows more, spends more and taxes more. Small businesses tell me they've never worked harder and faced more risk and red tape. It's a really tough time right now to be an Australian small-business owner, and I want to say to every small-business owner out there, right across Australia—in the Monash electorate and beyond—I am with you. The coalition is with you. We see the hours that you put in, whether it's servicing customers after hours, employing young people, sponsoring local sporting teams and community groups or getting involved in service clubs. We see what you do for the community. We back you, and we'll be there for you every single time. 11:46 Ms CLUTTERHAM 316101 Sturt I rise today to speak in support of the 2025-26 additional estimates appropriation bills: Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2025-2026 and Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026. Before making my remarks, I acknowledge I am making these remarks on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. I pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons who have joined us in the gallery today. These bills propose additional annual appropriations to address funding requirements that have emerged since the 2025-26 budget and to support the implementation of government decisions that have been subsequently made and that have financial impacts in 2025-26. The bills include provisions to replenish the advance to the finance minister and the advance to the responsible presiding officer provided in the appropriation acts, which is a longstanding practice. These acts include the following advance to the finance minister and the advance to the responsible presiding officer provisions: $400 million in act 1, $600 million in act 2 and $1.9 million in parliamentary departments act 1, plus amounts allocated under the presiding officer provisions. These bills contain funding for critical initiatives like 1800MEDICARE, free mental health services, environmental projects, support for multicultural communities, and other local community endeavours. Thanks to 1800MEDICARE, which launched in January this year, Australians now have even better access to free health advice. The registered nurses at 1800MEDICARE are there 24/7 to provide advice, assurance and care and to refer callers to the health service that they need, whether that is a regular GP, the local hospital or a Medicare urgent care clinic. These triage nurses will listen to concerns, assess symptoms and advise on next steps, so Australians who are feeling unwell, caring for someone or unsure of whether to seek medical help can call 1800MEDICARE. Triage nurses can also connect callers to a free telehealth session with a 1800MEDICARE GP via phone or video, with this service available all weekend and weeknights between 6 pm and 8 am. So, if required, by phone and in the comfort of your own home, a 1800MEDICARE GP can provide free care, like an emergency prescription for your regular medication or treatment for illness or injury. Just like urgent care clinics, 1800MEDICARE was deliberately designed not only to provide health care to Australians but to take pressure off hospitals. Estimates are that around 250,000 Australians will avoid a trip to a hospital emergency department each year, because of the health advice and services provided by 1800MEDICARE. The Albanese government's Medicare Mental Health Check In is also a program the bills currently before the House are designed to support. Medicare mental health check-ins are now online, giving easy and free access to early support for Australians experiencing mild mental health challenges. This service forms part of the Albanese government's commitment to ensuring Australians can receive free mental health care when they need it. Over time, it is expected to help more than 150,000 people each year. It is healthcare initiatives like 1800MEDICARE and Medicare Mental Health Check In that make the appropriation of funds in these bills so important. Sustainable investment in health care is a key item of this government's policy agenda, because it is the single most important factor in building the foundations of a productive economy. A healthy population underpins a healthy economy, and that healthy economy can stretch and grow and become more productive. This government's policy agenda is driven by the understanding and knowledge that health is an economic proposition and that propositions to promote better health for all Australians are economic imperatives. To cut or reduce health care would be to do a disservice to the Australian people and to the Australian economy. Promoting and supporting local community endeavours is also a feature of this government's policy agenda because, when local communities thrive and grow, the country thrives and grows. In my electorate of Sturt, the fruits of this agenda have recently been realised in connection with educational facilities, climate resilience preparation and grassroots sport. Last weekend, I attended the opening of the upgraded facilities in the St Morris Reserve. Thanks to the City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters Council, those who attended the celebration enjoyed free gelati and a sausage sizzle, but they did so in the knowledge that the $20 million upgrade to the reserve would protect their properties and streets in the event of a significant flood or storm event. The federal government contributed $9.9 million to this project as part of the Preparing Australian Communities Program, which targets projects that improve resilience against natural disasters. Through this program, the federal government is funding 158 projects to help Australians cope better with bushfires, floods and cyclones. These projects will make it easier not only to plan for disasters but to educate local communities about risks and to build, improve and protect buildings, roads, bridges and natural areas. This is designed to reduce the impact of disasters, to handle disasters better when they occur and, importantly, to recover faster when disasters happen. The first two months of 2026 have seen natural disasters take place across Australia, and climate change is making them worse. The targeted funding for this program is absolutely necessary to reduce the damage caused by disasters and to make recovery efficient and cost-effective. There are four key elements to the Preparing Australian Communities Program: the social environment, which helps people work together to keep important services running; the economic environment, targeted at helping local businesses survive disasters; the built environment, protecting infrastructure like roads, houses and powerlines; and the natural environment, looking after nature such as forests and rivers. In 2019 the future-focused council of the City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters completed comprehensive city-wide flood plain mapping, identifying areas at risk of flooding. The mapping incorporated a range of future scenarios, including infill development and the continuing effects of climate change. Like the Albanese Labor government, the City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters relies on the science and knows that climate change is real, and I am proud to be part of a federal government that partners with local communities to invest in resilient strategies so that the effects are minimised. This project involved the construction of a detention basin in the reserve to temporarily detain water in the event of a major storm, to alleviate the risk of flooding to properties in the direct area and downstream. The construction of the detention basin altered the landscape of the reserve, making an ideal opportunity for the existing assets to be upgraded. The result is more green space, trees, a new playground, a public toilet, a basketball court, barbecues, picnic shelters, furniture, paths, landscaping and irrigation in a climate-resilient setting. Residents now have a one-in-100 risk of flooding and flood damage, compared to a one-in-20 risk prior to the project. That is targeted government funding with a discernible, sustainable outcome. Also in my electorate of Sturt is the Burnside City Council, which is home to the mighty Kensington District Cricket Club and Burnside Rugby Union Club, which currently occupy separate ends of the same clubrooms, centrally located in beautiful Kensington Wama/Kensington Gardens Reserve. The existing clubrooms were constructed in two parts in 1950 and 1970, and I can attest firsthand that they are in a less-than-satisfactory condition and in dire need of an upgrade. Modern amenities are non-existent there, and they are just not suitable for the growing cohort of female cricket and rugby players. The federal government has contributed $3.6 million to the upgrade of these new facilities, which will sit on the same footprint. Not only will the new facility be the home base for both the cricket club and the rugby club; it will also be beneficial to the community because of the breadth of what is happening. It will include six change rooms meeting universal design standards; accessible facilities including an elevator and ramp; a medical room; clubrooms with integrated bar and kitchen; and a gymnasium. The broader community will benefit from use of the gym and changing facilities; use of the main clubroom space, which can be configured for use as both a function venue and a flexible fitness and training studio; and, of course, access to the bar and canteen. This development is being undertaken with the maximum possible benefit for the community as the key driver. Importantly for the growth and facilitation of women's sport, the new facility will enable greater participation for women, which has been limited for decades because of the poor condition of the current facility. Women play cricket and rugby too, and they should not have to do so in a substandard environment which screams 'afterthought'. The Kensington Wama redevelopment is a further example of this government's policy agenda with respect to health and fitness, community connection and active support for women and girls to play sport. It is deliberate, targeted funding which will have positive impacts for the broader community. I'm looking forward to attending the sod-turning ceremony next Tuesday, 17 February 2026, and to watching this development take shape. What is really important to this government is to continue to find savings in the budget—noting that we've found $114 billion worth of savings to date and that finding savings of this magnitude is incredibly difficult. But we will continue to do this and continue to find ways to create efficiencies through restructuring government programs and drawing on new technologies. This is important because efficiencies and savings are preferable to cutting programs, which is the tone of the free advice that is often given to this government, often couched in the oversimplified suggestion of 'just cut spending'. The initiatives that I have outlined in health care, community climate resilience and grassroots community sports are the product of deliberate, targeted spending that no Australian wants to see reduced or cut. No Australian deserves that it be reduced or cut. The government has a duty to the people of Australia and to communities to provide these types of programs, and this government intends to continue to fulfil that duty. It is not frivolous spending that can just be cut. To the contrary, maintenance of that spending requires an offset of savings and creation of efficiencies in the budget to ensure it is sustainable, which is standard practice for this government. The Treasurer and the Minister for Finance have quite rightly been absolutely clear and that we are looking at where we can find savings and efficiencies, and we will maintain the discipline to make absolutely sure that budget pressures are managed to ensure the continuity of these critical programs that Australians deserve. Health care, infrastructure, education, grassroots sports and community climate resilience are what Australians expect and what Australians deserve. Quite rightly, as a feature of good economic management, targeted savings, efficiencies and restructure will be a key part of the May 2026 budget. I commend the bill to the House. Debate adjourned. MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS 27 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Apology to Australia's Indigenous Peoples: 18th Anniversary 27 Reference to Federation Chamber 31 12:36 Mr BURKE DYW Watson I declare that the resumption of debate on the motion to take note of the minister's statement on the Closing the gap: Commonwealth annual report 2025 andCommonwealth implementation plan2026 is referred to the Federation Chamber. BILLS 32 BILLS Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2025-2026, Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026 32

Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026

Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2025-2026

Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026

Second Reading 32 12:38 Ms PENFOLD 248895 Lyne I appreciate the opportunity to speak on these bills, which provide for the legislative mechanism to additional measures in the government's 2025-26 budget. Commonwealth expenditure is a significant issue for the Lyne electorate and more so than ever, with a lack of funding flowing to regional Australia, including the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. Increasingly—certainly following the devastating floods of last year—constituents throughout Lyne are feeling that we, as an electorate and as a non-government seat, are having to deal with the consequences of the government's poor fiscal discipline, including high inflation and a cost-of-living crisis, and we are not getting our fair share of the funds. This is in spite of my concerted efforts for genuine engagement and collaboration with the ministers and the government, including the many proposals I put forward for funding during the election and since, where my Labor opponent—nor any other opponent—didn't match or even put forward one project for funding. I've heard many times over this last fortnight the government's claim that it is a good friend of regional Australia, and I wish it were so, but the statistics paint a very different picture. Throughout their first term of government, Labor cancelled, cut and delayed more than $30 billion worth of infrastructure projects across the country. They abolished regional infrastructure programs, including the Building Better Regions Fund, the Community Development Grants Program, the Stronger Communities Program, the very well supported Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, Roads of National Significance, the Bridges Renewal Program, the Regional Accelerator Program, the Regionalisation Fund, and the Energy Security and Regional Development Plan. Each of these programs was a vital source of funding, particularly for regional councils, to undertake both transport and community infrastructure upgrades. Most of the regional and community infrastructure programs established by the government in its first term, such as the Growing Regions Program and the Thriving Suburbs Program, have ceased. I'm not prepared to leave it to the government to come up with the solutions. Since I was elected, I've been working with my electorate on their priorities for funding to the extent that I have drafted and submitted a prebudget submission to Treasury, to the government, to highlight our funding priorities and opportunities for budget reform across multiple portfolios in areas of need, including health, aged care, education, housing, water security, transport infrastructure, emergency recovery and preparation, community and sporting infrastructure, and telecommunications. The submission was developed through consultation and public calls for projects, and I sincerely thank my community for its response and engagement. Individuals, progress associations, sporting groups and councils have all been party to the document that I sent to Treasury on 29 January. In that document, I call on the Albanese government to reform its funding profile to regional Australia, to dedicate more funding to address the disadvantage and to give due consideration to the Lyne electorate's needs. I'll echo some of those needs here today. Health, as many of you well know, is one of the major concerns on my mind and on the mind of Lyne residents. I'm very concerned about the level of access to health services across the electorate. It is clear that we need more investment by both the federal and the state governments in local health services. While successive Labor MPs get up in this chamber and speak of the urgent care clinics that have just opened in their electorates, non-government MPs cannot say the same. Of the 122 open clinics, 88—or 72 per cent—appear to be located in Labor electorates. Just two per cent are open in Nationals seats. In New South Wales, 24 exist in Labor seats. Just three are in Liberal seats, and two are in Nationals seats. The Minister for Health and Ageing and, indeed, most members in this chamber are certainly well aware of my efforts and my determination to secure an urgent care clinic for Taree. Whilst there is plenty of friendly banter at times across the chamber on this issue, its delivery is serious and urgent. Today, I was looking at a social media post that I put up around the urgent care clinics debate earlier this week in the chamber, and the response from one of my constituents was, 'Labor seems to be having a laugh at us.' That's how the people of Lyne are feeling about the response to the call for an urgent care clinic. The only difference between members on the other side of the chamber and the Lyne electorate is that Labor did not promise an urgent care clinic in Lyne at the federal election. I was the one who promised an urgent care clinic, one that would have been delivered if we had gotten into government. It seems to the people of the Lyne electorate that, because we're not a Labor seat, we don't get one. How does that meet the Prime Minister's commitment to govern for all Australians? It doesn't, and it doesn't pass the pub test for the people in the Lyne electorate. We have the oldest demographic in the country. The obvious negative implications of having an elderly population on the electorate's healthcare infrastructure is compounded by severe low socioeconomic markers which exist throughout large swathes of the electorate, particularly within the township of Taree and the wider Manning. Indeed, in 2016 the SEIFA Index of Relative Socioeconomic Disadvantage score for the Mid North Coast LGA was 943, well below the Australian average of 1,000. In 2021 there were 108.9 GPs per 100,000 population. Again, this is well below the New South Wales average of 123.8. Insufficient numbers of GPs coupled with the socioeconomic fabric of the region mean that an alarming and increasing number of people are either unable to source a GP or cannot afford to see one. As a result, the area is experiencing sustained growth in ED demand. The Manning Base Hospital, the region's only public hospital, is seeing a substantial volume of semi-urgent and nonurgent triage 4 and 5 presentations that are appropriate for an urgent care pathway. For instance, between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025—and these are figures I have provided to the health minister—the Manning Base Hospital saw 12,429 triage 4 patients and 4,698 triage 5 patients. That's 17,127 low-acuity presentations annually. Redirecting suitable triage 4 and 5 presentations to an urgent care clinic would relieve pressure on the ED; free treatment spaces and clinician time for higher-acuity presentations; reduce overall waiting times and the proportion of patients staying greater than four hours; reduce ambulance offload delays by clearing ED capacity and reducing bottlenecks; improve patient experience with faster treatment for low-acuity problems with an urgent care clinic model and less time in ED waiting rooms; and make better use of workforce. Redirecting even just 30 to 50 per cent of those annual presentations would remove 5,000 to 8,500 presentations per year from the ED, delivering noticeable improvements in ED capacity and wait times. I note that an urgent care clinic was committed to in Maitland and has been delivered—a commitment I also made, and a commitment that I have welcomed because it will benefit many of the constituents in the southern part of the Lyne electorate. I'm grateful, and I thank the government for delivering on this commitment. But Maitland is almost two hours away for constituents in Taree. Whilst I acknowledge that, through the New South Wales government and the determined efforts of my colleague the member for Myall Lakes, Tanya Thompson MP, the New South Wales state government has committed funding for but has yet to deliver an urgent care clinic in Forster-Tuncurry, this is not enough to adequately serve the health needs of residents in Taree, in the Manning Valley and in the Great Lakes region. I want to take a moment, because, earlier in this debate, a member from the other side talked about how the coalition cuts funding. Indeed, I think 'cuts' is used by the other side as well and certainly by Labor, because the New South Wales state Labor government cut funding when they came into government for a public hospital in Forster. That is Labor, and that is how it cuts. Let's not forget that. I have asked the government. I have written to the minister three times. Indeed, the minister has never personally written back to me in those three letters. I've had two responses from the chief of staff. Having been a chief of staff to a cabinet minister, we never wrote to opposition members. I would have never written to opposition members as the chief of staff. It was always the minister that wrote. But, indeed, I've written three times, and I haven't yet had a response from the minister. I have to work harder for one because I'm on this side, yet Labor did not commit to an urgent care clinic. I did. I'm supporting a policy that many members from the Labor side have come up to me and spoken about, telling me about the benefits it's bringing to their communities. I'm supporting it, yet I cannot get a response from the minister. So the battle goes on. There are many, many other issues I could speak to, but, in the time remaining, I want to talk about the floods and the flood recovery on the Mid North Coast. It has to be one of the most traumatic events I have experienced in my time, and the trauma continues. Only last week I was in a town called Wingham, which is 10 or so kays west of Taree—a community that is situated on the Manning River; a community that is living the legacy impact of the floods all these months later; a town that continues to be cut off from others like Tinonee and Krambach because there is no work being done on the Bight Bridge, which was completely smashed by the floodwaters. It's a big job to rebuild that bridge and it needs engineering expertise, but the community are frustrated that they're not seeing any action at all. There's the Tiri Bridge, which is a bit further out in a more remote part of the area. Thankfully—and I'm grateful I've seen this message this week—there will be a temporary bridge put there which will help residents out in that area. But with the Bight Bridge in particular, the business community of Wingham is suffering significantly because, with a large population, it takes an hour and a half now—it used to be 10 minutes—for people to bring their kids to school, go to the family pharmacy and go to the local Coles. It's an hour and a half to come round to Wingham, for people that work in Wingham. A lot of the business now has shifted to Taree, to Forster and to other areas. It's a huge, significant issue, and the community are incredibly frustrated. They're also frustrated because, as I can see under the disaster funding recovery arrangements, the Wingham pool is not considered an essential piece of public infrastructure. For the people of Wingham, I can tell you, it's an absolutely essential piece of public infrastructure, particularly in summer. The pool was impacted by the floods. The council have decided it cannot be rebuilt where it is. They're going to need to find another location, but there's no guarantee on funding—and that is an enormous issue. The other concern I have not only in relation to Wingham but across the area is that the Mid-Coast Council, which is the council covering the Taree area, have estimated that the cost of the recovery is $226.5 million. So far they have expended $43 million in recovery. How much have they got from the disaster recovery funding arrangements? Any guess? $3 million. That is all they have been reimbursed under the disaster recovery funding arrangements. This is a huge impact. I'm on a committee that's looking at local government financial sustainability. Here's a case in point—$3 million, when they need $226.5 million. I'm disappointed in the pace of the support for my councils, and I'll be looking to the government to step up across all funding support. 12:53 Mr HILL 86256 Bruce I'm going to start with three good things. Firstly, this week we've seen new data which confirms the biggest jump in quarterly bulk-billing statistics in over 20 years. In just the last three months we've seen a recovery of the bulk-billing rate—GP visits that are bulk-billed—to 81.4 per cent. There are now more than 3,400 bulk-billing practices in Australia—and that's growing every week. The maths says that's a more than 50 per cent increase in the number of bulk-billing practices because of Labor's investments in strengthening Medicare. This growth has been seen in every state and territory right across the country, and it means that more than 96 per cent of Australians now live within a 20-minute drive of a fully bulk-billed practice. We promised at the election that we would take real action to turn around the decline in bulk-billing rates that we inherited from the former government, who froze the rebate for nearly their whole decade of dysfunction, decay and division in office, and that is the promise that we are delivering. The second bit of good news is that free TAFE celebrates its third birthday this month. More than 725,000 enrolments in free TAFE have seen more than 210,000 course completions already. Hundreds of thousands of Australians have been trained and are now workers in essential areas, building Australia's future in nursing, in construction, in aged care, in early childhood education and in the tech sector. Don't forget that those opposite, including today's Leader of the Opposition, said it was a waste of money. If you don't pay for something, you don't value it, apparently. Well, hundreds of thousands of Australians say otherwise. They valued the opportunity to upgrade their skills, whether they're school leavers or people retraining to re-enter the workforce or make a career transition in areas of skills shortage. The other bit of good news is that cost-of-living delivery remains the government's No. 1 focus, with tax cuts for every taxpayer, including another top-up tax cut this July, which those opposite opposed, and another top-up tax cut next year. The genius, the then shadow Treasurer, now the putative soon-to-be Leader of the Opposition, maybe, if he's got the numbers—maybe he hasn't; we'll find out in the next few days—went to the election promising to increase taxes. There have been pay rises for minimum and award wages—because cost of living is both money in and money out—taking the total increase under Labor to over $9,000 for lower-paid workers. Paid parental leave has been expanded to 24 weeks. Super is now being paid on all government paid parental leave, something that they said could never be done. There is more energy bill relief, with $150 off power bills for every household and around one million small businesses nationwide. There is the $10,000 bonus for housing apprentices, which is paid on top of their wages to help with those costs, and the payments are staggered now to help with retention and help support apprentices to complete and get into the construction industry. There is 30 per cent off home batteries to permanently cut power bills with Labor's Cheaper Home Batteries Program. There is paid prac, transformative for nursing students, teaching students, social work students and midwifery students, who previously were basically pushed into poverty, being forced to complete these compulsory hours as part of their qualification but not being able to be paid for them. It's alright if you're from a wealthy family, but, for millions of Australians, that would not be an option given their economic circumstances. There is the boost to Medicare—$1.8 billion in extra hospital funding, helping Australians get the quality, affordable health care that they deserve—and the news—I think last week—of a record increase in hospital funding to the states and territories over the next five years. We are providing more choice, lower costs and high-quality care for Australian women. The focus on women's health under this government—the first government in Australia's history in which a majority of the members are women, reflecting the population—has seen a focus on issues that matter for women and have been too long neglected. We are expanding the five per cent deposits for all first home buyers, delivering another pay rise to aged-care nurses following the first instalment in March and freezing the draft beer excise indexation for two years—a small cost-of-living measure but particularly aimed at helping small independent breweries in the hospitality sector. We are cutting student debt by 20 per cent. Wiping that student debt means repayments are made earlier, and we are raising the income thresholds at which people are being forced to repay their student loans. The average saving is $5½ thousand. There are also more Medicare urgent care clinics. So those are three bits of good news, relating to Medicare, free TAFE and cost of living. It's a bit of a contrast, though, and the contrast has never been sharper or starker with the collapsing coalition clown show—the chaos and the circus that those on that side of the chamber have become. The meltdown has reached new proportions. As I speak, there's a conga line of them still lining up to quit the frontbench. We haven't seen too many House members—presumably they'll do that after question time today—but the senators have been lining up to rip down the first woman elected to lead the Liberal Party in Australia's history. The truth is that she was never given a chance. From day one, when the member for Hume lost the ballot, they were split in two. She won by a couple of votes. From day one, he's been out there undermining, making sure that she could never succeed. The truth is that Liberal Party members, mainly men who mainly wear the same blue suit—sometimes it's hard to tell them apart—have never accepted the fact that a woman was elected to lead their political party. Mr HILL 86256 Well, under standing order 76(c), on debating public affairs, it's very relevant to what's happening today. They are ripping down the first woman to lead the Liberal Party. They've never accepted that a woman could lead the Liberal Party. I've said, on many occasions, that the opposition leader, many days, looks utterly hopeless, but, honestly, what chance did she ever have? What chance was she given? To be fair to her, all the alternatives are worse. At least she looks somewhat normal some days, but she's always been at her worst. Her worst days in the job of less than a year have been when she's been forced to do things by the conservative men on the backbench. The real mystery in this—watching it unfold, unedifying, over the last few weeks and months—is for what? For why? Why are they trying to rip down a centrist woman who's leading their political party? There's no policy. There are no ideas. There's no vision. There's no articulation of values, just an assertion they have some. The guy who's apparently going to challenge—he's just 'born to rule' entitlement. Apparently, it was his destiny to lead the Liberal Party from when he moved from Sydney, from his mansion, to Goulburn—was it?—to stand for the vacancy in the electorate of Hume. And it was going to be his destiny to lead the Liberal Party—just 'born to rule' entitlement. This woman has been doing the best that she can. She's been trying to govern from the centre. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 265979 Order! Refer to the members by their position. Mr HILL 86256 The opposition leader, who is the first woman to lead the Liberal Party, has been trying to drag them to the centre—where most Australians are—but, instead, the member for Hume says, 'No, it's my turn.' He couldn't even wait a year now. He lined up last night. The whole building was waiting—the journalists were literally starving; people were bringing them food—waiting and waiting and waiting, until out he wandered to the cameras, which had been set up there since after question time. It's getting late in the night. There was dew all over their equipment. They brushed it off, and there he was with all his friends. For those who didn't see the visuals, he was by himself. Honestly, it was like an episode of Utopia. He actually looked like Rob Stitch standing there. He had absolutely nothing to say. There was not a single shred of substance except 'oh, well, people don't like us because the polling is really bad'. Here's a clue—actually have a policy apart from defining yourself by what you're against. All Australians have heard from the opposition is all of the things they oppose. There's not a single shred of a policy that they've managed to put out, and Australians see the division. They're sick of it. No wonder, when you ask an opinion poll, a snapshot of public opinion at that moment—it's not a predictor of how people will vote at a future election. It's a scream in the dark. It's a cry for help from Australians to say, 'Please, would you do your job as a functioning opposition?' But, if the member for Hume is the answer, it's a pretty dumb question. If the member for Hume is the answer, then God help Australia and God help the Liberal Party. He's Peter Dutton's right-hand man. He was there at every step. Seriously, ask yourselves how on earth that is going to help the predicament that you're in—electing the bloke who is further to the right than Peter Dutton. But what do his colleagues think of him? As the Treasurer said yesterday, half of them support him and the other half have met him. The most bizarre aspect of this is his truly terrible record. Objectively, if you were interviewing for a job with a key selection criterion and you had the panel out, you would literally pick anyone else. As one of his colleagues said in the paper on the weekend, everything he touches turns to the little brown emoji—we'll say custard in here or Mr Hankey, for those who remember the screensaver back from the nineties. Everything he touches turns to custard. As shadow Treasurer last term, he had a genius record. This was their policy. He actually went to the election with higher taxes, bigger deficits, scrapping work from home—that went well; that was very popular—sacking tens of thousands of frontline workers and contracting them out to the private sector and labour hire firms and his old mates at McKinsey and the consulting firms (there's how to blow a few billion), and the $600 billion risky nuclear reactor scheme. That was his genius contribution as shadow Treasurer. The shadow defence minister for the last nine months or so—not that anyone would know it. He's literally had nothing to say. His only contribution to public debate on Defence is 'we should spend more'. Okay, shadow minister, what should we spend more on? 'Well, I don't know; we should just spend more.' It's like the brilliant contribution the member for Hastie made at the last election. He was going to buy a squadron of F-35 fighter jets, except there were no pilots, no training, no petrol, no maintenance budget— The DEPUTY SPEAKER 265979 The member for Wannon? Mr Tehan 210911 No-one is called the member for Hastie. I would ask that— The DEPUTY SPEAKER 265979 I think you're quite right. Mr HILL 86256 Yes, a good point. I always think he's about himself, but you're right. He's the member for Canning. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 265979 He was on a roll, but yes. Mr HILL 86256 I was on a roll, indeed. The shadow defence minister has had nothing to say. All he's got is an idea that we should spend more on something—he doesn't know what, but that sounds good. He hasn't asked any questions over the last few weeks, despite seriously big defence policy announcements. His main achievements this term are (1) losing, (2) undermining, and (3) quitting. But then there's his record as energy minister. He was investigated by the Australian Federal Police for presenting doctored documents to the media. Eventually he had to apologise for that. And don't forget the readers: you know, those left-wing communists who read the Australian Financial Review. In 2020, the readers poll voted the member for Hume as energy minister the worst performing minister in the Morrison government. That's almost an achievement in its own right to be the worst performing minister in the Morrison government! I mean, surely that deserves a promotion to become the opposition leader. They weren't wrong. He was indeed, objectively—his own record says it—the worst energy minister in Australia's history. He went to the 2019 election promising that wholesale energy prices would fall per megawatt hour to $70. That was his promise. What he actually delivered, after his abject failure, was $286 per megawatt hour. But then, not content with that, before the 2022 election he actually changed the law, changed the regulations, to cover up the power price rises that were already baked in and coming down the pipe that our government inherited after we won the election and then found out the true state of the mess that he left behind. There were serious questions over his conflicts of interest in his first stint as minister, around 2016, with 'grass gate'. Really it is a profound lesson in rock bottoms. Just when you think it can't get any worse, it can. Australians deserve better. But the problem is they just have not got there yet. I almost feel sorry for the National Party being bound to this mob, the Liberal Party. The problem is not the leader; it's the party. It's not the sales rep; the product that they're selling is rotten to the core. Changing the label on the bottle doesn't disguise the fact that the wine is sour. Their best before date is probably back somewhere in the 1950s. Their best hope, when they mutter to each other is, 'Maybe we'll end up in some kind of a three way between the Liberals and the Nationals and One Nation.' Nope. It's not going to work. One Nation will fill the hole you are leaving. Senator Hanson lives rent free in their heads now, and that is the worst aspect. I'll finish on this point. The worst aspect of their abject failure—because of the collapse of the coalition and their literal hatred of each other—is the normalisation: the moving of the Overton window as to what's acceptable in this country. Toxic authoritarian, extremist politics that One Nation represents is allowed to kind of infiltrate and be normalised. It's not normal. It's not Australian. When Australians turn on their TV and see the chaos, hate, division and at times now the violence in parts of the Americas and Europe, they don't want that here. That's what One Nation and this extremist kind of politics represents: breaking down our social cohesion. I'm incredibly optimistic. The member for Gellibrand gave a fabulous speech on Tuesday night in the adjournment debate, pointing out the disjuncture between the increasingly extreme rhetoric in One Nation, half of that mob opposite—whatever they call themselves—and the experience of most decent Australians in the suburbs, regional cities and across the country. The data still shows up that when there's a natural disaster, it's the hard hats, the akubras and the turbans that turn up together. Overwhelmingly migrants to this country are included. Yes, I can say the migrant word and not scream and shout and twitch. We're a nation of migrants. They do participate. They do start businesses. They do work. They do belong. They do feel included. I love our country. I love modern Australia and I love its reality. Unfortunately, where those people over there are going seems increasingly like they hate Australia—the country that we are. 13:09 Mr McCORMACK 219646 Riverina The opposition does not, as you would expect, support all of the policies and programs in the federal budget. However, the Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026, the Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2025-2026 and the Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026 do provide the legislative mechanism by which the policies and programs of the government's 2025-26 budget need to be funded. Of course the opposition does not oppose or delay this. Supply needs to be given. I won't quite go as far as to say 'confidence', because there are many people across the country in metropolitan cities, in regional Australia and in remote communities who do not have confidence in this government, and for good reason. I've just finished a meeting with Jo Marshall from Crookwell, the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Agricultural Centre. She was telling me about the concern in Upper Lachlan Shire about the number of wind turbines, those monstrosities that are being rolled out supposedly to get Australia to net zero. They are being rolled out in a reckless way. In Upper Lachlan, the 11 wind factories support 340 wind turbines ranging from 126 metres high to 185 metres high. There is a proposal on the books to have another wind factory in that shire which won't even be connected to the grid. Why on Earth would they want to build such a piece of infrastructure when it is not going to be connected to the grid, when it is not going to supply power to the energy system? Crookwell suffers from blackouts all the time. As extraordinary as that sounds, when it represents about 53 per cent of the total green energy projects in the state, time and again that town is cast into blackness, into darkness, because it doesn't have enough power to support itself. The proposal put the town on diesel generator back-ups. That's the folly of this system, and that's just a microcosm of the future that awaits Australia. Crookwell has an aged-care home. Crookwell has a childcare centre. Crookwell has a hospital. When it is pitched into darkness, when the power goes off, those important facilities need to have energy to continue to operate. That can lead to dramas with people being kept alive, quite frankly. It's all well and good for the leafy suburbs of the teal-voting centres of Sydney, but it's not good enough when you've got a country town supporting more than half of the green energy projects in the state getting put into blackouts all of the time. The Australian editorial of 12 February, today, talks of the trillion-dollar-debt milestone drawing close. It reads: As Australia's debt soars towards the $1 trillion mark in a matter of weeks, before the May budget, Wednesday was a dreadful day for the nation's economic outlook. A parliamentary hearing uncovered a previously undisclosed $54bn blowout in the government's medium-term budget position. We hear the Treasurer in question time all the time talking about $1 trillion worth of Liberal Party debt. Fact-checked, it's a nonsense. It truly is. When the coalition government left office in May 2022, the debt was nowhere near a trillion dollars. It was not. It was high, yes, it was. We as a coalition were approaching a budget surplus—the first for many years. Of course, then COVID hit, and COVID brought with it a number of almighty challenges this nation had not faced ever, you could say. Certainly for a hundred years we had not had a global pandemic. A virus was killing, elsewhere in the world, many, many people, such that there were open graves being dug on Manhattan Island in New York, and churches in Italy were being used as morgues to place coffins of people who had succumbed to this new disease. Italy and the United States of America have good health systems. They do, and you would know that, Deputy Speaker Freelander, from your experience in the medical field. I always acknowledge the role that you've played, particularly in paediatrics, Member for Macarthur. I can recall the meeting where the chief health officer, Dr Brendan Murphy, described to us the situation. If we did not act, within weeks there would potentially be 50,000 to 55,000 deaths from this virus emanating from China. It was early 2020, and we closed the borders to China. We did everything that we could, as a responsible government would, to ensure that Australians were kept safe. There weren't too many in that room. There was the Chief of the Defence Force; there was the Prime Minister, of course—at the time, Scott Morrison—and there was the Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, who was a fine health minister and the member for Flinders. There were others besides, but there were only a few of the executive government in that room. Yet, despite those ominous warnings given by Dr Murphy, what we managed to do as a government was achieve a worldwide status, which the Johns Hopkins centre acknowledged, of being the second-best nation for preparedness to COVID. Through the rollout of the vaccines, we saved many, many lives—not only in Australia but also in the islands of the Pacific. We looked after our close neighbours; we looked after the regional rim of the blue Pacific. Closer to home, there was JobKeeper. Through JobKeeper, 1.1 million jobs were created in those three years since the pandemic hit—or the two-and-a-bit years from the time we lost government—and 700,000 jobs were saved. Losing government was a bitter pill to swallow, but it was a bit like Winston Churchill losing office after doing so much to protect Great Britain from the perils of the Nazis in World War II. But that's politics. You move on and you try to do your best in the national interest, and indeed that's what we did. But I have to say it does gall me when the member for Rankin, the Treasurer, then thumbs his nose at the work that was done during those dark years. We were trying to keep the doors of businesses open. We were trying to stop people from going into Great Depression-like food queues and job queues. We saved Australians. We saved the lives of so many tens of thousands of Australians who are alive, vital and healthy today because of what we did as a government. I'm proud of what we did. It was difficult. I acknowledge that, last week, the Prime Minister worked through National Cabinet to, he says, achieve better outcomes for the state public hospital system. I acknowledge that because health is crucially important. Working through that National Cabinet process at the start, at the outset of COVID-19, when the National Cabinet was set up, there was good cooperation too. I also acknowledge—and the member for Wannon might pick something up and throw it at me in a minute—the work that I was able to achieve in getting trucks over borders. It doesn't sound like much these days. Jacinta Allan, the then minister for transport and infrastructure in Victoria, and Mark Bailey, the then minister for transport and main roads in Queensland, as Labor ministers, in the national interest, worked with me to make sure that trucks carrying vital vaccines and, just as importantly, food were able to get over the border. When given the task, it was taking four hours. After the cooperation I was given by those two ministers—Rita Saffioti in Western Australia was very, very good too—but also the other ministers, Liberal and Labor alike, trucks were able to get over the border in four minutes, not four hours. I acknowledge the work. I appreciate that some of us have moved on and taken other roles—Victoria is a bit of a mess at the moment, and I look forward to seeing a new government in place there—but I acknowledge the work that was done back in 2020, when things were grim. These are appropriations—it's about spending, stripping back and putting in place rules and regulations over water buybacks and water allocations. Murray Watt, the senator for Queensland, in Goolwa just the other day talked about the stripping back of environmental protections that he alleges the coalition did. What the coalition did was ensured that the river system was protected whilst at the same time acknowledging the vital role that our irrigation farmers and towns play in producing the food and fibre that Australia and many other countries need. What worries me is that when Labor and the Greens get their hands on the Murray-Darling system what you end up with is a system that is imbalanced. It tips way too much in favour of green groups. What we do need is our farmers to be able to get the water that they pay for. Whenever the government enters the water buyback place and space, the price of water goes through the roof, and it is such a shame. It is such a shame. The appropriation bills also need to cover national security measures. I'll tell you what, if ever we need good and tight national security and safety measures, it is right now. I was amazed this morning that on the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation vote we had eight people—the Green in this House, the member for Ryan and some independents—voting against the motion that the government put forward. It was lost, thankfully, 106 to eight. We need to be a cohesive society. I will agree with the member for Bruce on that score. At the moment, what we've seen in metropolitan protests but also in country towns is alarming and disturbing. I have to say I support the New South Wales Police 100 per cent. They have been under more pressure than they have needed to be. Premier Chris Minns has said that New South Wales Police are not punching bags, and he is right. There should not have been those protests. The protests should not have been heading in the direction they were, and you see on the footage that is put up that in some of the actions taken by the protesters they had the mobile phones and the cameras all set up and ready to go and then they produced stunts which the police then moved them on from, and now the police are in trouble. I'll tell you what, if I got bitten on the thumb, I would probably react the same way the police did as well. These protesters are professional activists. We've got a right to demonstrate in this nation—we do. It's a free and fair and democratic society in which we live. The right to demonstrate peaceably is there, but they do not have a right to hold up our cities and our country towns over and over and over again. Paul Nicolaou from the Sydney business chamber is right when he says that Sydney business has had a gutful. Those CBD businesses which open their doors and just want to trade are being stopped at every step of the way by these annoying activist protesters, many of whom are nothing more than scum. I'm sorry, but they are. That's all they are. I don't care if you react, because they are scum. There is no other word for them. They are against Australia. The member for Bruce finished by saying some people hate Australia—well, these are people who do. They do hate our nation. They do hate what we stand for. They hate our traditions and they hate everything that we stand for. The police are right in doing what they do to protect the normal, good, everyday, ordinary citizens who've had a gutful of these scum. 13:24 Ms KARA COOK 316537 Bonner I rise to speak in support of these appropriation bills. These bills enable the Albanese Labor government to deliver on the commitments that we made to all Australians at the last election—commitments grounded in fairness, responsibility and care for one another. They fund the services Australians rely upon every single day—things like health, mental health services and aged care, and ensure this parliament has the resources it needs to function effectively. When re-elected, the Prime Minister promised to make a positive difference to all Australians each and every day, to invest in our youngest Australians, to look after our oldest and to build a society that is strong and fair and as resilient and generous as Australians themselves. These bills give effect to that promise. Beyond the figures and line items, these bills are about real people making real decisions for real outcomes for our country. This is especially true when it comes to health care. In Bonner, I hear these stories each and every week. Deputy Speaker, if you've ever had a sick child on a Friday afternoon, which I know you most certainly have seen in your former life— The DEPUTY SPEAKER 265979 Indeed! Ms KARA COOK 316537 and current life, you know the feeling of weighing up where to go, how long it will take and what it might cost. That's exactly the decision that Medicare urgent care clinics are making easier for families. Last Friday, I saw this firsthand when I visited the Carina-Carindale Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in my electorate of Bonner. That's where I met Audrey, a young mum from Mansfield, who was there with her almost two-year-old and her seven-week-old baby. In just one week, Audrey had used that clinic twice. Her first visit was for a gastro related illness with one of her children, and this time she was back because her little one had developed a rash. Like so many parents, all she needed was care quickly and without the added stress of not knowing what it might cost. Audrey didn't pay a cent for these visits, and all she needed was her Medicare card, not her credit card. The clinic was close to home, and the wait time was shorter than it would have been at an emergency department. But Audrey's story is not unique. I have also heard from Angela, a local from Carindale, who attended the Carina-Carindale clinic after returning home from a long international flight. She was worried when she had some symptoms that turned out to actually be a blood clot. Angela was seen within 10 minutes and treated promptly, and she received the referral she needed for an ultrasound. She told me she had a great experience and that the speed and certainty made all the difference to her peace of mind. This is exactly how early intervention saves lives and relieves pressure on our emergency departments. I also want to share the experience of Abdullah from Mount Gravatt. After receiving information about the urgent care clinic from our newsletter, Abdullah contacted my EO for advice after cutting his finger. My team directed him to the Carina-Carindale clinic, and, in just over an hour, he'd been triaged, seen by a nurse and treated with some stitches. He was grateful he didn't have to travel further or sit for hours in an emergency department, and that matters, particularly for people juggling work, family, transport and, of course, the added cost of health care. It's not just people who have actually already received care—residents like Myra and Carol, some of my older residents from Fairway Retirement Living, have told me just how reassuring it is, simply knowing the clinic is there, especially on the weekends. This is exactly how the Albanese Labor government is showing up for people across my electorate of Bonner by delivering free, accessible health care that families can rely on when they need it most. Right now, 122 Medicare urgent care clinics are open right across Australia, delivering care closer to home and taking pressure off hospitals. With another 15 clinics still to be opened, affordable health care is only going to get more accessible. At a time when families are managing real cost-of-living pressures, knowing that care doesn't come with an unexpected bill makes a genuine difference. Across Bonner, these clinics are doing more than treating cuts, rashes and injuries. They are reducing anxiety, easing pressure on our emergency departments and giving people quality health care close to home. These bills also fund 1800MEDICARE, recognising that health concerns don't wait for business hours. Australians can now call 24/7 to speak to a registered nurse and be guided to the right care. Around 250,000 Australians each year will avoid unnecessary trips to emergency departments because of this service. I commend the bill to the House. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 The debate is interrupted, in accordance with standing order 43. The debate may be resumed at a later hour, and the member will have leave to continued speaking, if required, when the debate is resumed. STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS 39 STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Fowler Electorate: King Tom's Club 39 13:29 Ms LE 295676 Fowler King Tom's Club, founded in 1965 by Croatian migrants, sits right in the heart of my Fowler electorate. For decades it has been more than just a sporting ground; it has been a home for culture, for community and for Sydney United 58 FC. On the weekend I attended their season opener against UNSW FC with club president Mark Ivancic. Standing on the sidelines surrounded by club legends, former Socceroos and lifelong supporters, I was reminded that this club was not just about football; it was about identity, it was about belonging, and it was about giving young people a place to grow. Sydney United has produced more than 60 Socceroos, including Mark Bosnich, Tony Popovic, Graham Arnold, Mile Jedinak, Robbie Slater and Tim Cahill. That legacy does not happen by accident. It comes from dedicated volunteers, parents who drive their kids to training in the rain and coaches who give their time week after week. On the day more than 40 ex-players were welcomed back, as well as coaches and board members, some of whom represented both club and country as far back as the late 1960s and 1970s. It was not just a reunion. It was a powerful reminder that strong clubs are built across generations. Grassroots sport, when supported properly, builds leaders. It strengthens communities, and, in places like Fowler, it gives young people direction, discipline and hope. I also want to thank the young UBF podcast team, Thomas and Abdul. (Time expired) Koch, Cr Paul 40 13:31 Mr BURNELL 300129 Spence Today I rise to acknowledge the passing of Councillor Paul Koch and to honour a life defined by steadfast service to the people of Gawler. For more than 15 years as an elected member, Paul gave his energy, his voice and his heart to local government, never wavering in his commitment to the community he loved. Even during illness, he remained active and engaged, continuing to contribute meaningfully to council and to public life, determined to see through the work he had begun. Paul was well known across Gawler for his passionate environmental focus, advocating for sustainable practices and thoughtful planning that would protect the natural beauty of the region for generations to come. He was also recognised for his extraordinary volunteer work training guide dogs, dedicating countless hours to helping others gain independence and confidence. On council, Paul was deeply involved in committee work, contributing to the Gawler River Floodplain Management Authority, the Gawler & District College governing body and the Northern Adelaide Waste Management Authority, ensuring local voices were heard in important decisions. Paul understood that local government is about everyday impact, everyday facilities, local services and community safety. He treated that responsibility with care. As the founder of the Gawler Makers Market, his ability to bring people together will never be lost within our community. On behalf of the parliament and the people of Gawler, I extend heartfelt condolences to Paul's family and friends. May he rest in eternal peace. Forrest Electorate: Busselton Margaret River Airport 40 13:32 Mr SMALL 291406 Forrest The Busselton Margaret River Airport is at the very heart of Forrest, lying there with great potential to diversify the local economy away from being reliant on just mining, and my community is desperate for this government to invest in a terminal upgrade to unlock its true potential. We're talking about not just the people that would come to the region on top of the planes; we're talking about creating opportunities for our agricultural businesses to send their produce directly to world markets underneath those passenger jets. The unparalleled growth of the airport is truly remarkable, from fewer than 20,000 passengers a year some 10 years ago to more than 250,000 now. We're talking about 500 people at a time trying to get through a terminal that only has capacity for 200. Overwhelmingly, these are FIFO workers leaving their families and our community to head off to iron ore mines that are generating billions of dollars of royalties for our nation's prosperity. I think it's only fair that we back them in with a terminal that's befitting of the contribution they make to our economy and, of course, creates those opportunities for international tourism in the region as well. The Prime Minister is very fond of landing his jet at Busselton Margaret River Airport, but not all of us have the benefit of a 737, and those FIFO workers deserve something more. Housing 40 13:34 Ms FERNANDO 299964 Holt For many first home buyers, the dream of owning a home can just feel out of reach. Saving for a 20 per cent deposit while paying rent, groceries and bills is simply too much. That's why the Albanese Labor government's home deposit scheme is making such a real difference in my electorate of Holt. By cutting the required deposit from 20 per cent to just five per cent, it's helping everyday Australians get their foot in the door years sooner. I want to share the story of Holt locals Mark and Jana. Like so many in our community, they were working hard and doing everything right but were stuck watching house prices rise faster than their savings. Thanks to the five per cent deposit guarantee, they didn't have to wait another five or 10 years. They didn't have to hand over thousands to an insurance company for lenders mortgage insurance. Instead, they finally got their keys and moved into their own home in Narre Warren South. That is what this policy is about. Like Mark and Jana, 2,565 first home buyers in Holt have fulfilled the great Australian dream of homeownership. Lunar New Year 41 13:35 Dr RYAN 297660 Kooyong As the Lunar New Year approaches, families and communities across Kooyong are coming together to share meals, enjoy lanterns and lion dances and celebrate renewal. This year we welcome the Year of the Fire Horse, a rare and powerful symbol that appears only once every 60 years. The horse represents strength, movement and determination, and fire brings passion, resilience and transformation. These values resonate strongly with many in our Chinese communities, people who've made an extraordinary contribution to Australia's multicultural story. From business and education to the arts, community organisations and public life, Chinese Australians have helped shape the open, dynamic country that we are today. At a time when voices of division can sometimes feel louder than those promoting understanding, celebrations like Lunar New Year are ever more important. They remind us that diversity is a source of strength and that we share common values of respect, hard work, care for family and hope for the future. I wish all in Kooyong a happy, healthy and prosperous Lunar New Year: xinnian kuaile; gongxi facai. Myanmar 41 13:37 Mr LIM 300130 Tangney I stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar. This is a deeply painful and worrying time for many Burmese Australians. I share the concerns felt by my brothers and sisters in Tangney who live with fear, distress and anxiety for their families, friends and loved ones who are still living in Myanmar. Tangney's Burmese Australian community tell me how they are scared for their families. They live with daily fear that harm may come to their loved ones in Myanmar. These heavy hearts are felt throughout the community in Tangney. I feel their pain and concerns and wish to tell them that they are not standing alone. It has now been more than five years since the Myanmar military overthrew the democratically elected government on 1 February 2021. Since that time, the people of Myanmar have suffered violence, displacement and violations against their human rights. People have been unjustly detained, and there has been great humanitarian suffering. Standing in solidarity means not looking away, so I add my voice to the Burmese Australian community in Tangney who are speaking out against what has been happening for more than five years in Myanmar. I would like to say these words: I stand with the people of Myanmar. Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union 41 13:38 Mr REBELLO 316547 McPherson I rise to expose what looks like an industrial-scale conspiracy at the heart of the Australian Labor Party. Last year the Prime Minister shut down parliament's scrutinising the scale of the CFMEU-Labor corruption racket. Now, they stand accused of presiding over $15 billion in washed money. This CFMEU-Labor cartel has ripped off Australians, driven up construction costs and pushed homeownership further out of reach. Geoffrey Watson SC's report into systemic corruption in the Victorian CFMEU division was delivered on 1 December last year, yet two chapters allegedly detailing the CFMEU Labor cartel have been stripped from the version made public. What are they hiding? Australians have footed the bill for $15 billion in washed money. Recent AEC disclosures show the CFMEU money flowing back into Labor coffers, despite the PM's promise not to take it. When scrutiny was shut down last year, Australians were told it was unnecessary, and now we know why. This is not isolated misconduct; it is systemic, it is entrenched and it is protected. If the Victorian minister refuses to release the full, unredacted report, the Prime Minister must answer for himself or be complicit in a cover-up. Australians deserve transparency, integrity and a government that confronts corruption, not one that shields it. Domestic and Family Violence 41 13:40 Ms FRANCE 270198 Dickson When I was young, the only red flags that I knew about were the ones that I had to swim between at the beach. There were no conversations about what a bad relationship looked like. Gen X women like me grew up seeing misogyny and disrespect on our tellies, in our workplaces and in many of the relationships around us. We didn't use the word gaslighting; we didn't know what it was. What we got was: 'You're too sensitive. You're crazy. You're overreacting.' And we got it all the time. Now, in my 50s, I'm so gutted by the rising rates of family violence and the influence of the manosphere. Hard won progress is being eroded. In November, we delivered a 40 per cent funding boost—an additional $41 million—to 1800RESPECT because we know it saves lives. We've made the $5,000 leaving family violence payment permanent. We're funding men's behaviour change programs and we are investing $1.2 billion in housing for victims of family violence—incredibly important. We also have a responsibility, everyone does, in our daily interactions to talk about good and bad relationships. While many will celebrate Valentine's Day on Saturday, please wave the red flag if you've got hot-and-cold energy, love bombing, location tracking, relationship cycling, situationships. Wave the red flag for your friends and your family members and loved ones. Aged Care 42 13:41 Mr BOYCE 299498 Flynn The new Aged Care Act and Support at Home Program came into effect on 1 November 2025, touted as significant reform to how in-home aged care is delivered and funded. The government assured older Australians they would be no worse off. However, what I'm hearing from seniors support services and advocacy organisations is a very different lived experience. Many older Australians are confused by the new arrangements and finding their budgets no longer stretch as they once did. As a result, some have been forced to reduce or cancel essential services, including their food intakes, thereby directly impacting their health, wellbeing and independence. Others have accrued unexpected debt because they were unaware of the co-contribution payments or they have been unable to manage these amounts. For older people determined to remain living independently, this uncertainty has real consequences. My office, along with advocacy services, has seen increased demand from older Australians seeking help to understand the changed system and resolve disputes with providers. That alone signals the need for clearer communication, better transitional support and a system that is simpler and more transparent and reassuring. Aged-care reform is necessary, but so is trust. Our seniors deserve a sustainable aged-care system that supports people to stay in their own homes with dignity. Where the changes bring added cost, uncertainty and distress, it is right we listen and respond with clarity, compassion and practical solutions. Timor-Leste 42 13:43 Mr GOSLING 245392 Solomon On Sunday, I attended Mass at St Mary's Star of the Sea Cathedral. Our children were baptised there and had their first Holy Communion there. Our daughter Sally's godfather is an old Army mate of mine, Richard Halloway. I meant to give him a shout-out yesterday. It was his birthday. Happy birthday, Dicko! He's a Timor veteran. I am also a Timor veteran, along with two of my brothers. The member for Herbert is also a Timor veteran, as are tens of thousands of other Australians who served in Timor in the ADF or the AFP. As I said yesterday in this place, I acknowledge the Timor-Leste President and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, who I caught up with on a recent visit with the Prime Minister. Timor-Leste has come a very, very long way, conducting a series of very successful and peaceful parliamentary and presidential elections since the restoration of their independence. On behalf of Timor veterans, I also want to thank President Jose Ramos-Horta for broadening the eligibility scope for the Timor Leste Solidarity Medal for ADF and AFP personnel. I know it's very much appreciated by Timor veterans, and we look forward to confirming the details for this Timor-Leste award. Viva Timor-Leste. Economy 42 13:44 Mr TAYLOR 231027 Hume Last week's RBA decision confirmed what Australian families already know: there is no light at the end of the tunnel under Labor. It's too hard to buy a home, it's too hard to start a business, it's too hard to start a family and it is too hard to access basic services. The cost of everything is going up and up. This is a great country, but for too many Australians it doesn't feel like it. The basic promise—that if you work hard and you do the right thing, you'll get ahead—seems broken. Our economy has hit a speed limit, and it's painfully slow. Our Liberal priority must be to protect our way of life and restore our standard of living that has been trashed under Labor; that's our mission, because both are under assault under Labor. Everyday Australians are making hard choices because this government, this Prime Minister, has failed to make those choices. Labor is failing Australians, and Australians deserve better. We need less government, less spending, less taxes, less regulation and less regulators. Australians need change, and Australia is worth fighting for. Ramadan 42 13:46 Ms BRISKEY 263427 Maribyrnong With the sighting of the crescent moon just one week away, I rise to send my warmest wishes to the Muslim communities across Maribyrnong as they prepare for the holy month of Ramadan. From the heart of Flemington and Kensington to the streets of Gladstone Park, and right across our electorate, Ramadan is a time of profound spiritual significance. It is a season of fasting, reflection and deep devotion. In Maribyrnong, our suburbs were built by immigrants. We don't just accept diversity; we celebrate it. Our Muslim community, our healthcare workers, our educators and our small-business owners are a vital, inseparable part of our story. However, we must also confront a harder reality. Too often the place of Muslim Australians in this country is unjustly questioned. There are some, including in this parliament, who have tarred this community with a broad brush of hatred and prejudice. Let me be clear: Labor rejects this rhetoric of division. You belong here. Your contributions are what make our nation strong, and we stand firm against attempts to diminish your identity as proud Australians. Instead, we celebrate the values of zakat, the selfless charity and empathy so many practise daily. Whether gathering at a local mosque for Taraweeh or preparing a crowded table for a first iftar, your faith enriches the fabric of our community. To every family in my electorate celebrating: may your fast be easy and your prayers be answered. From my family to yours, I wish you a blessed, healthy and happy month. Parkes Electorate: News Media 43 13:47 Mr CHAFFEY 316312 Parkes With the huge changes in the media and communications industry over the past 20 years, it has become harder and harder for local newspapers to survive. I'm proud to say that community journalism is still alive and well in the Parkes electorate. Indeed, the Cobar Weekly is celebrating its 40th birthday. That's 40 years of celebrating and commemorating community milestones, and 40 years of advocating for the Cobar community. That is a significant achievement, and I congratulate all those who have played a role in the Cobar Weekly over the years, including the managing editor, Sharon Harland, and her team. I also congratulate the team at the Broken Hill Times, who celebrated the paper's first anniversary in October last year. The Broken Hill Times stepped in when the Barrier Truth shut after 130 years of operation. The Gunnedah Times marked its fifth birthday in November last year after it was established by the owners of the Narrabri Courier. The electorate's own Lucie Peart, who took over the historic Gilgandra Weekly and added a number of other mastheads to the stable, has been a strong advocate for community journalism. Lucie was last year awarded life membership of Country Press New South Wales after a record eight years as president. There are over 35 publications in my electorate, from the Western Herald in Bourke to the Hillston-IvanhoeSpectator, the Parkes Phoenix, the Champion-Post, the Dunedoo District Diary and everywhere in between. Thank you for the work that you do. Arthur, Ms Emily 43 13:49 Mr MONCRIEFF 316540 Hughes Last night our community got behind our local star Emily Arthur as she represented Australia in the snowboard halfpipe at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Emily is a Hughes local from Woronora Heights who went to St John Bosco College in Engadine, like me. But, unlike me, she served as the flag bearer for the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer, where she won a silver medal. This is Emily's third Winter Olympic campaign, and she said she wasn't there to play it safe. Emily's second run was delayed after the competition was paused for 10 minutes after a terrifying crash for one of her fellow contenders, from China. The usually joyful and energetic atmosphere was reduced to silence, while Emily had to stay ready for her run. True to her word, Emily went for it, but, unfortunately, her difficult second trick couldn't quite get up. Emily did an amazing job representing us. We are so proud of the heights that she's reached over her three Olympic Games, and we're looking forward to all that she achieves in the years ahead. Deputy Speaker, we send our congratulations to Emily and to all the Australians doing us proud these Olympics. Forza, Team Oz. Cost of Living 43 13:50 Mr CALDWELL 306489 Fadden Today I want to deliver a message to all Australians: you deserve better from this government. I say that because I know that in suburbs in my electorate, like Parkwood, Pimpama or Pacific Pines, you're struggling under the burden of this cost-of-living crisis that has been thrust upon you by this Albanese Labor government. We know that the Reserve Bank thinks that you're doing it tough too, under circumstances that are entirely at the feet of this Labor government. Last week, the CPI numbers that came out from the ABS went back up to 3.8 per cent. It left the Reserve Bank with virtually no choice but to raise interest rates, so every Australian with a mortgage has now seen the RBA set the cash rate at 3.85 per cent. The obligation for this Labor government when it landed in office in 2022 was to soften the blow—to soften the landing after COVID. But what they've done has caused a crash. Unfortunately what we're seeing is families all over the Gold Coast in suburbs like Ormeau, Arundel and Labrador struggling. Mortgage repayments are now $1,800 per month higher than they were when the coalition left office in 2022. Sadly, we must return to government in order to make sure that we restore the Australian way of life. You deserve so much better. Barnett, Mr Josh and Ms Bec 43 13:52 Mr REPACHOLI 298840 Hunter I want to recognise two outstanding locals from Singleton, Josh and Bec Barnett, who have both claimed Australian titles at the recent ABCRA National Finals Rodeo in Tamworth. They are husband and wife—two national champions, one incredibly proud community. Josh qualified in four events, the first bloke to achieve that in more than 20 years, and secured the Australian saddle bronc title. He also finished in the top 10 across his other events. He missed out on the all-around cowboy title by just three points. That's consistency, determination and grit at the highest of levels. Bec, when in the finals, ranked second in steer undecorating and delivered across three demanding rounds, finishing first, second and fourth to take out the national title. That is composure under pressure and true championship form. What makes this achievement even more impressive is that Josh and Bec both work full time while contributing to their family business, Barnlodge stock horses. Josh has been part of Morgan Engineering since he was 16, starting in apprenticeship and now serving as a customer service manager. I want to acknowledge Morgan Engineering for backing Josh with travel support and sponsorship so he can compete nationally while still continuing his career. This is regional Australia at its best—hard work, family business, local employees backing local talent, and national success coming straight out of Singleton in the Hunter. Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union 44 13:53 Mr CHESTER IPZ Gippsland Rotting from the top— The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 I remind you— Mr CHESTER IPZ the report headline says it all. What's inside this independent report is a catalogue of corruption and criminality. Government members interjecting— Mr CHESTER IPZ I'm surprised those opposite are interjecting. Rotting from the top tells the story of the CFMEU corruption and rorts. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 Member for Gippsland, sit down. You wouldn't listen to me, so I'm asking you to sit while I explain something to you, and you can have the call again. I told you about props at the beginning of it. That's the second time you chose to ignore me. So you can have another shot without the props. Mr CHESTER IPZ Thank you, Deputy Speaker. If Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan had an ounce of decency, she would take some responsibility for the failures of her government and resign immediately. Ms Allan was the minister at the epicentre of the Big Build projects, where an independent anticorruption investigation uncovered $15 billion worth of rip-offs and rorts. Ms Chesters interjecting— Mr CHESTER IPZ The member for Bendigo, who spoke in support of John Setka, is speaking up now. Do you still support John Setka, the rorts, the rip-offs and the corruption in the CFMEU? Member for Bendigo, do you still support him? Oh, there's silence now! The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 Please direct your comments to the chair. Mr CHESTER IPZ Well, Deputy Speaker, if they're interjecting— The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 You can ask me about that. You cannot direct your comments to them. Mr CHESTER IPZ If they're interjecting, I think I've got every right to respond. Why does this matter? Because this is a $5,000 per household corruption tax on every Victorian household and $15 billion worth of taxpayers' money wasted. What would $15 billion buy you? Think of the new hospitals. Think of the improvements to schools. Think about the improvements to our roads. Think about taxpayers' money being paid to union thugs and organised crime mates instead of being paid to recruit more police, more nurses and more teachers. I'm pleased to see that the Liberal leader in Victoria and the Nationals leader, Danny O'Brien, are offering a fresh start and real solutions. We need to end the rorts, the waste and the corruption to get Victoria heading in the right direction. Medicare 44 13:56 Ms JORDAN-BAIRD 316021 Gorton Our record investment in Medicare is seeing real cost-of-living relief around the country, like in my community in Melbourne's western suburbs. Just take a walk around Caroline Springs, Deer Park or Deanside and you'll see that it's full of young families moving into the area and building their futures. Families who have mortgages, bills and weekly supermarket shops shouldn't be hit with another bill every time they visit a GP, and no-one should be putting off seeing a doctor because of the cost. I know this. Labor knows this. It's why we've increased bulk-billing incentives so that more people can see a doctor for free, and the results are in. There are now 23 Medicare bulk-billing clinics in my electorate of Gorton. You can now get an appointment for free at 70 per cent of the GP clinics in our local area. The national bulk-billing rate is now sitting at over 80 per cent, and 96 per cent of Aussies live within a 20-minute drive of a fully bulk-billed practice. That is incredible. We have two urgent care clinics just down the road in Melton and Sunshine. That's free, walk-in care fully covered by Medicare, taking pressure off our emergency departments. This is making a real difference for families, and it's the direct result of this Labor government's historic investments in Medicare. When you visit the GP, you shouldn't need to carry your credit card, just your Medicare card. Bowen, Hon. Christopher Eyles Guy 45 13:57 Mr TEHAN 210911 Wannon I'm pretty sure, during this question time, we're going to see those in government looking back at people's track records to see whether they're suitable for higher office or not, so what I thought I'd do is look at the Minister for Climate Change and Energy's previous record and why he was appointed as the minister for energy. He had nearly three months as Treasurer in the lead-up to the 2013 election. Guess what he defended? He defended higher deficits. Guess what he defended? The bank deposit levy. Do you remember the bank deposit levy? He defended lower growth, and he defended higher employment. Isn't that the most impeccable track record for Labor to appoint as the minister for energy? He hasn't let us down in that portfolio either! In question after question, we've asked him whether he's going to deliver his promise on $275, and he won't even mention the words. He will not mention the words. When they're talking about the history of people here in this question time, have a look at their track record because it is appalling. The minister for energy is absolutely the prize example. Cheaper Home Batteries Program 45 13:58 Ms CLUTTERHAM 316101 Sturt As of this week, 3,247 households in my electorate of Sturt have installed a battery under the Albanese Labor government's Cheaper Home Batteries scheme. That's 3,247 households using clean energy, enjoying lower energy bills and contributing energy to the grid, which lowers bills for everyone. When these figures came out, I shared the results with my community and invited people with a battery to get in touch to tell me how that battery was making a difference. One of those who responded was Peter, who lives in Paradise in the north-east part of Sturt. He said: As a retired resident of Sturt, I am one of the households that has benefited from the Federal Government's Cheaper Home Battery Scheme. I would like to express my sincere thanks for this initiative, which has made home battery storage more affordable and has allowed us to make better use of our rooftop solar by reducing household energy costs. For many of us in retirement, being able to manage rising energy costs while also contributing in a practical way to a cleaner energy future is something we value greatly. This program has made a real difference to our household. Thank you for highlighting the positive impact these policies are having for local residents. Not just in Sturt but across the country, cheaper home batteries are good for the planet, good for the hip pocket and good for the country. The SPEAKER 53517 In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded. MINISTRY 45 MINISTRY Temporary Arrangements 45 14:00 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler I inform the House that the Deputy Prime Minister will be absent from question time today. He is undertaking duties and representation as Minister for Defence internationally. The Minister for Defence Industry will answer questions on his behalf. I inform the House that the Minister— The SPEAKER 53517 Order! Member for Fisher, when the Prime Minister is making announcements, members want to hear the announcement. I know it was said in jest, but I just ask, when announcements are before the House, that people listen. Mr ALBANESE R36 I inform the House that the Minister for Housing will be absent from question time today and the Treasurer will answer questions on her behalf. STATEMENT BY THE SPEAKER 45 STATEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Parliamentary Standards 45 14:01 The SPEAKER 53517 Before we move to questions without notice, there was a use of props during the 90-second statements. I want to ensure that all members are aware that's highly disorderly and I will take action if that continues. QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE 45 QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union 45 14:01 Ms LEY 00AMN Farrer My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the report into CFMEU corruption where the chief investigator found that taxpayer funds were compromised: 'Bribes were being paid here, there and everywhere.' Will the Prime Minister write today to the National Anti-Corruption Commission seeking an urgent investigation into this serious matter to ensure that Commonwealth taxpayer funds have not been misused and that no Commonwealth official has been implicated in these extremely serious findings? 14:02 Ms RISHWORTH HWA Kingston I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. The Watson report is an important report that was commissioned by the administrator to help him in the work that he is involved in: cleaning up the CFMEU. Of course, this report was a detailed work that clearly identified issues going from 2012 until the administrator actually took over. Mr Irving has released a detailed statement in response to the report. He will refer the report to the AFP, Victoria Police, the Fair Work Commission and other relevant law enforcement agencies and regulators. Mr Irving has said that this report had been released so authorities can take whatever enforcement action they consider appropriate as the CFMEU enters a new chapter under his leadership. Economy 46 14:03 Ms BRISKEY 263427 Maribyrnong My question is to the Prime Minister. How is the Albanese Labor government showing leadership and delivering for Australians by strengthening Medicare, easing cost-of-living pressures and helping them to earn more and keep more of what they earn? How does this compare to other approaches to leadership in Australia? 14:03 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler I thank the member for Maribyrnong for her question. Indeed, we are focused on the Australian people and working every day to deliver for them. We are strengthening Medicare because that's just what Labor governments do: more bulk-billing, making medicines cheaper, opening urgent care clinics, delivering 1800MEDICARE, properly funding public hospitals and making sure that the only thing that Australians need is their Medicare card, not their credit card. We're delivering cost-of-living relief across the board, cutting taxes, cutting student debt, getting real wages up and protecting penalty rates so that Australians can earn more and keep more of what they earn. We're properly funding every single public school in the country, making a difference. We've had 725,000 Australians that have benefited from free TAFE. We're establishing university study hubs around regional Australia. We are making it easier for Australians to get into their own home. Help to Buy is up and running. Build to rent is building. Since we fast tracked our five per cent deposit scheme in October last year, more than 31,000 new home buyers have their first home. There's always more to do, and our work to make a positive difference is never finished. While we're building more homes for Australians, those opposite are busy tearing down their own home. They're obsessed with cutting each other down, but they never want to cut your taxes or cut the cost of living. They can't stand each other, but they all stand for cutting Medicare. They love fighting, but they never fight for Australia; they just fight each other. It goes to their core values, and we've seen that with the extraordinary launch of a leadership campaign that didn't have a single new policy idea. It was just the vibe. They got out there—not a single new idea. The SPEAKER 53517 Before we go to the next question, the member for Moncrieff is entitled to take her point of order, and she shall do so. Ms Bell 282981 The Prime Minister—it's on relevance. You're really not talking about what the question was and giving us an answer. You're focusing on the opposition— The SPEAKER 53517 Resume your seat. The Leader of the House? Mr Burke DYW The final part of the question asked for the Prime Minister to provide information to the House on other approaches to leadership. There are many to choose from from those opposite, and that's what he said. The SPEAKER 53517 The Prime Minister was definitely asked about approaches to leadership, so the comments he's making are obviously being directly relevant to the question he was asked. Mr ALBANESE R36 I was waiting for their leadership candidate to say, 'Vote for me,' and, 'I support world peace.' That was the substance that was in there. Essentially they all agree. They all agree, 'We're not looking after Australians,' but they're just looking after themselves. It doesn't matter who sits in that chair. The problem isn't the leader. The problem is that whoever sits there will just be another Liberal. Housing 46 14:06 Ms STEGGALL 175696 Warringah My question is to the Minister for Housing—or the Treasurer in her stead. Warringah contains some of the most expensive land in the country, contributing to a shortage of crisis accommodation and social and affordable housing. The government has announced plans to divest part of HMAS Penguin land at Balmoral in Warringah and intends to seek full market value, prompting concerns the land will be sold to wealthy developers for luxury apartments and not address issues of public, social and affordable houses or crisis accommodation. Will the minister take steps to ensure this public asset is used for social benefit? 14:08 Dr CHALMERS 37998 Rankin Thanks very much, Mr Speaker, and to the honourable member for her question. I will speak to colleagues about that specific parcel of land that the honourable member refers to. I know that you've raised it with us in good faith, and we will check it out. On our approach to social housing more broadly, we've built about 5,000 social and affordable homes already. There are another 25,000 in planning or construction. That's because, unlike our predecessors, we are taking this housing challenge very seriously. We know that in different communities around Australia there are different opportunities to build more social and community housing. As we go about that important task, we'll be as consultive as we can be. Closing the Gap 47 14:08 Ms SCRYMGOUR F2S Lingiari My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Indigenous Australians. Today the government released the Closing the gap annual report, and the Prime Minister demonstrated in his address that we are getting on with the job of delivering for First Nations people. What are the priorities of this year's Closing the gap report? 14:09 Ms RISHWORTH HWA Kingston I'd like to thank the member for Lingiari for that question but also for the incredibly valuable role that she plays in ensuring that our government remains focused on closing the gap. As our Prime Minister has said, our government is determined and optimistic about closing the gap for First Nations people. To achieve this, our government is building on what works: listening to First Nations people, partnering with their organisations and investing in community led solutions. I'd like to really recognise the Minister for Indigenous Australians for her work on the 2025 Closing the gap annual report and the 2026 annual implementation plan, which demonstrate our progress and set out a clear agenda for the year ahead. Our government is delivering jobs and training. We're easing the cost-of-living pressures and making significant new investments in areas such as food security in remote communities, health, housing and education. The Albanese government is delivering more real jobs in remote communities because every Australian deserves the opportunity of the dignity of work and fair pay for the work they do. We have announced that we are doubling the Remote Jobs and Economic Development program from 3,000 to 6,000 jobs. Already 1,500 jobs have been created across the country. We're delivering cost-of-living relief by lifting the cap on our Low-cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme and making it available to all 225 remote stores across Australia, reducing the price of 30 essential grocery items. Through National Cabinet, governments have agreed on record Commonwealth investment for First Nations health and secured further health investment for states and territories. While building on what works, we're investing in Aboriginal community controlled health services infrastructure. We're supporting birthing on country so that more babies are born at full term, and we're training more First Nations health workers. The Albanese Labor government are also taking action where we know we need to see more progress. This week, in partnership with First Nations people and all Australian governments, we have launched the first standalone national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander plan to end family, domestic and sexual violence, backed by immediate investment. This has been long advocated for, and I'd like to recognise the work of the Minister for Social Services and Aunty Muriel Bamblett, along with the our way steering committee for making this happen. Closing the gap requires partnership with First Nations people and action right across government. As the Prime Minister has said, working together, we will succeed in closing the gap and delivering better outcomes for First Nations Australians. DISTINGUISHED VISITORS 47 DISTINGUISHED VISITORS Acknowledgement 47 14:12 The SPEAKER 53517 In the gallery today I'm pleased to welcome Councillor Helen O'Neil from Bega Valley Shire, as a guest of the Minister for Emergency Management from her electorate of Eden-Monaro, and Mr Rock O'Keefe OAM and Mrs Joan O'Keefe OAM, both awarded Order of Australia medals in this year's honours list, as guests of the member for Moncrieff. Honourable members: Hear, hear! QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE 47 QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union 47 14:12 Mr TIM WILSON IMW Goldstein My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to his minister's refusal to answer questions yesterday and today about Geoffrey Watson's report into the CFMEU-Labor cartel of corruption. Given the Prime Minister has refused to write to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, can the Prime Minister explain what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that not a single hard-earned taxpayers' dollar from the Commonwealth has been misused? 14:13 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler I want to address the part of the question that goes to the NACC. The NACC is independent. That is how it has been established. They can look at whatever they want to look at, they can refer and do whatever inquiries they want and they should be allowed to do so without political interference. Mr Tim Wilson IMW You've done nothing. The SPEAKER 53517 The Prime Minister has concluded his answer. The member for Goldstein has asked his question. The question has been answered. Health Care 48 14:14 Mr GOSLING 245392 Solomon My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. How is the Albanese Labor government's record investment in Medicare making it easier for Territorians to see a doctor for free? Why is it so important after a decade of cuts and neglect? 14:14 Mr BUTLER HWK Hindmarsh Thanks to the member for Solomon. He and the member for Lingiari are amazing advocates for better health care for that incredible part of the country they represent. Their advocacy, I can tell you, has driven our record support for a stronger Medicare in the Top End. The member for Solomon, I can tell you, Mr Speaker, was a relentless supporter of Charles Darwin University's bid for the first-ever medical school in the Territory. I know he's delighted they're taking on students this month. Both members also pushed our government, finally, to address the historical underfunding of Territory hospitals that had seen the Territory receive less funding, proportionally, than any other jurisdiction for many, many years. We fixed that as well. This year, we've increased Commonwealth funding to Territory hospitals by 30 per cent, the biggest increase any jurisdiction has ever received in hospital funding. Indeed, Territory hospitals, as a result of the National Cabinet agreement, will receive $1 billion more than they would have received through an extension of the old Morrison agreement. We've opened eight Medicare urgent care clinics as well. Six are in remote communities, one is in Alice, one is in Palmerston and a ninth will soon open in Darwin because of a promise made by the member for Solomon at the last election. The member also asked me about bulk-billing rates in the Territory. I'm pleased to report that the number of general practices in Solomon that are now bulk-billing all of their patients all of the time has tripled since November. Now, three-quarters of general practices in Solomon are 100 per cent bulk-billing because of the investment that we made last year. Indeed, right across the Territory, bulk-billing rates are skyrocketing, helping people see their doctor for free. The bulk-billing rate in the Territory for pensioners, concession card holders and kids is now over 97 per cent, the highest rate in the country. But the biggest increase, I'm pleased to say, has been for working-age Territorians who don't have the benefit of a concession card. I said yesterday that bulk-billing for those working Australians has increased by about eight per cent across Australia since November, but that increase is 21 per cent in the Territory. It's a 21 per cent increase for working Australians in just three months, which means that the total bulk-billing rate in the Northern Territory has already almost reached 90 per cent. It's now 89½ per cent. I tell you, Mr Speaker, that shows the value the Territory gets for two amazing local MPs and from a government that's determined to strengthen Medicare. Energy 48 14:17 Mr BIRRELL 288713 Nicholls My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Does the minister agree that the Albanese government has broken its promise to reduce household energy bills by $275 by 2025? 14:18 Mr BOWEN DZS McMahon I thank the honourable member for his question. There's no doubt that energy prices have been under pressure in recent years. There's no doubt at all; we've been very clear about that. The Australian people know that. Energy prices in Australia are slightly below the OECD average, but that doesn't mean that that hasn't put huge pressure on Australian families and businesses as energy prices have gone up. That is a fact. There are two questions: how did we get here, and what are going to do about it? The fact of the matter is that, when there was a global energy crisis, Australia entered that crisis ill prepared— Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER 53517 There's just a wall of noise happening at the moment. I'm going to ask that the minister be heard in silence, just as the member for Nicholls was. This is a repeat performance, and it's not going to continue today. The SPEAKER 53517 Manager of Opposition Business, please don't interject when I'm addressing the House. The SPEAKER 53517 The Leader of the Opposition as well. Mr BOWEN DZS Give her a pass. In defence of the Leader of the Opposition, she was complimenting me on my tie. I'm prepared to take the interjection. We entered the global energy crisis ill prepared because, under the previous government, four gigawatts of dispatchable power had left the grid and one gigawatt had come on. Opposition members interjecting— Mr BOWEN DZS I hear moans from those opposite. As you know, Mr Speaker, I'm always trying to find a bipartisan note at the dispatch box, so I'll quote Senator Canavan, who recently said: The other thing I often hear from government senators and members of the other place is that the former government failed because four gigawatts— The SPEAKER 53517 Order! The minister will pause. The member for Gippsland. Mr Chester IPZ The point of order is on relevance. The question was very tight. The minister is being as loose as a goose. If he can't answer the question he should just sit down. The SPEAKER 53517 The issue with these questions is that you're asking an opinion—does he agree with his commitments to reduce? He's arguing because of the question he's been asked. The SPEAKER 53517 Yes, because of the way the question is framed. If you're asking whether he thinks he's broken something, or whether he agrees about the broken promise to reduce the cost, he's arguing that perhaps that's not the case and he doesn't agree with that, right? It's going to be the same answer that he gives to the same question that he's getting over and over again on this topic. The minister should make sure he's being directly relevant. He can't start quoting random people—elected representatives, other members. He needs to make whoever he's quoting directly relevant to the question he was asked. Mr BOWEN DZS I, for one, Mr Speaker, would never call Senator Canavan random. Senator Canavan said: The other thing I often hear from government senators and members of the other place is that the former government failed because four gigawatts of baseload power came out of the system over that decade or so and only one gigawatt was installed to replace it. That is true. That is a fair criticism of energy policy over the past 10 or so years. You won't often hear me approvingly quoting Senator Canavan, but he's spot-on there. Then the second question is: what do you do about it? Well, we on this side of the House think that you introduce more of the cheapest, fastest-to-deploy form of energy. Those opposite think the answer is more of the most expensive, slowest form of energy. On that side of the House we saw four gigawatts of dispatchable power leave the grid and one gigawatt come on. In our not yet four years in office, we've seen two gigawatts leave and 7.7 gigawatts come on. That's more supply. More supply means lower prices. Less supply means upward pressure on prices, and that's what the Liberals and Nationals left Australia with, particularly their former energy minister the member for Hume, who promised that he would 'slash $183 to just over $400 per annum from household bills' in a speech on 30 August 2018. By the time he left office, were bills down $400 a year? No. They were up $45 with Ausgrid, $116 with Endeavour and $135 with Essential. The member for Hume— (Time expired) Gender Equality 49 14:23 Ms STANLEY 265990 Werriwa My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. How is the Albanese Labor government working to close the gender pay gap, and how does this compare to other approaches? 14:23 Ms RISHWORTH HWA Kingston I'd like to thank the member for Werriwa for her question and her strong advocacy for working women in this country. Our government has placed gender equality at the heart of our workplace relations reforms. We put gender equality front and centre when our government funded well overdue pay increases for workers in aged care and early childhood education, many of whom are women—early educators like Leanne from Canberra, who said, 'We're finally being recognised for the professionals we are.' Our government also took action to reinvigorate enterprise bargaining, which is delivering higher wages for women. I'm pleased to report that the latest ABS weekly earnings data show that women on enterprise agreements are earning 12.4 per cent more. This is good news. The Albanese Labor government has consistently advocated to the Fair Work Commission for a pay increase for minimum-wage and award-reliant workers, many of whom are women. Importantly, the government also stepped up to protect penalty rates in law when they were under threat, to ensure that these same workers' pay wouldn't go backwards. We banned pay secrecy clauses. This improves the ability for women to advocate for better pay, and we are starting to see the benefits of our reforms. When the former coalition left government, the gender pay gap was at 14.1 per cent. I'm pleased to report to the House that, under our government, the gender pay gap is now the lowest on record at 11.5 per cent. This progress hasn't happened by accident. It's the result of a government determined to prioritise gender equality. I am asked about other approaches, and, yes, there was a very, very different approach to tackling the gender pay gap by those opposite when they were in government. While those opposite sat on the government benches, they failed to take any practical action when it came to closing the gender pay gap. Their attitude was exposed by the now very famous Senator Canavan, who said the gender pay gap report was 'useless data that breeds resentment and division'. They just don't get it when it comes to the gender pay gap. But, to be fair to Senator Canavan, he might be clueless about the gender pay gap, but one would say he's pretty good at breeding resentment and division when it comes to the coalition. While those opposite remain divided and focused solely on their own jobs. We're getting on with backing Australian women earning more. Economy 50 14:26 Mr TED O'BRIEN 138932 Fairfax My question goes to the Treasurer. Australia's debt is due to hit $1 trillion over coming months. The Treasurer has spent years dishonestly claiming others had hit this milestone, and yet, in truth, it is going to happen on his watch. Will the Treasurer confirm that, for the very first time in Australia's history, Australia's debt will soon hit $1 trillion? The SPEAKER 53517 The part of that question with the 'dishonesty' is not within the standing orders. We dealt with that earlier this week as well, so I'll just get you to withdraw that part. You can't accuse someone of being that. Mr TED O'BRIEN 138932 I withdraw. The SPEAKER 53517 I thank the member. The Treasurer now has the call. 14:27 Dr CHALMERS 37998 Rankin It was kind of you to refer to him as the deputy leader, Mr Speaker. Opposition members interjecting— Dr CHALMERS 37998 Yes, for now it is. That's the point I was making. Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER 53517 Order! I'm going to get the House to order, and I'll hear from the Deputy Leader of the Nationals. Mr Hogan 218019 It's not a point of order, but I'm reminding you of your comments at the start of the week or yesterday when you said to ensure people are always treated with the highest standards of respect in this chamber. I would ask the Treasurer to reflect on that. The SPEAKER 53517 The member for Barker, I'm just going to have you help the House by not interjecting. I want to hear the Leader of the House. Mr Burke DYW Under standing orders, somebody can't raise a point of order and then open with 'it's not a point of order' and then continue to go on. Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER 53517 Can everyone please show some respect in this chamber. It is absolutely ridiculous. Everyone, realise where you are. The question was reflecting on the Treasurer. We dealt with that. It should never have been in the question in the first place. The Treasurer is just going to continue with his answer and refer to all members by their correct title. Dr CHALMERS 37998 The opposition has a lot of nerve asking this government about debt. This government has worked very hard for 3½ years to get the Liberal debt down by $176 billion. Debt in the last year is $176 billion lower than we inherited from those opposite, and that will save the people of Australia $60 billion in interest costs. They've got a lot of nerve. When we came to office, they had debt as a share of GDP at nearly 45 per cent. We've got it down to 37 per cent. And when it comes to the trillion dollars of debt that they left us— The SPEAKER 53517 Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition: we've dealt with disorderly behaviour, and I don't want to have to remove you, but I will if that sort of language continues. Dr CHALMERS 37998 Under the last budget, the pre-election outlook of those opposite, in 2022, they had debt crossing the trillion-dollar threshold two years ago. And because of our efforts, because of our surpluses, our spending restraint—banking the upward revisions to revenue—we've been able to delay that by a couple of years and get peak gross debt to GDP down from 45 per cent to 37 per cent. We've got $176 billion less debt than those opposite had, and that's saving the Australian people in interest. So, the idea that we would take lectures on debt from those opposite is preposterous, after the mess they've left us and the efforts we have put in to cleaning up that mess. Now, I think the question from the member for Fairfax partly explains why, in all the commentary we've seen in recent days about the shambles over there, every long list of possible deputy leaders and shadow Treasurers, the member for Fairfax isn't on it. The member for Fairfax is the only person considered incapable of retaining his spot as the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party. But he should take some comfort from the fact that the last guy who failed as shadow Treasurer now considers himself entitled to a promotion. Economy 51 14:31 Mr FRENCH 316550 Moore My question is to the Treasurer. What developments have there been in the economy and the Albanese government's economic plan? How does this compare with other approaches? 14:32 Dr CHALMERS 37998 Rankin Thank you, once again, to the outstanding member for Moore for his question and for his focus on the big issues in our economy and in our society. This is a government that is focused on the big challenges in our economy, even if those opposite are not. Even though inflation is much lower than when we came to office, we know it is higher and more persistent than we would like it to be. We know productivity has ticked up a bit in recent quarters, but for two decades now our economy has not been as productive as we need it to be. And we know the global economy is unpredictable and volatile as well. So these three challenges guide our economic plan. They're guiding our work on the budget as well. As I said in an earlier answer, we have made progress on budget repair—getting the Liberal debt down. But we know there is more work to do. We have made progress on policies to boost productivity. But, once again, we know there's more work to do, including in the next budget. And we're helping with the cost of living, because we know that people are still under pressure. We were reminded of that in recent data. That's why we're boosting bulk-billing. It's why we're boosting superannuation for low-income earners. It's also why we are rolling out two more tax cuts for 14 million Australian taxpayers. From 1 July, every one of those taxpayers gets another tax cut, and they will get another one the year after as well. Those are the tax cuts the member for Hume opposed and said he would repeal if he got a chance. It was part of the member for Hume's election platform for higher income taxes, bigger deficits and more debt. That's especially relevant today, because it was the member for Hume himself who told David Speers, only in March, 'The best indicator of future performance is past performance.' That's what the member for Hume said. It should send a shiver up the spine of every Liberal and every Australian. That sense of entitlement that defines the member for Hume is matched only by the cloud of incompetence that surrounds him. The SPEAKER 53517 Order! The member for Bowman will cease interjecting. Dr CHALMERS 37998 That's why I'm not sure Senator Paterson was being especially helpful to the Liberal cause when he described the member for Hume as 'the smartest policy brain in shadow cabinet'! You can read that one or two ways. I don't know what's more worrying: that it's false or that it might be true. As the Minister for Climate Change and Energy says, we are focused on the big issues in our economy and the big challenges in our economy. We're focused on the numbers in the budget; those opposite are focused on the numbers in the Liberal party room. It reminds us once again that they can rearrange the clowns all they like over there, but it will still be the same three-ring circus. Energy 51 14:35 Mr McCORMACK 219646 Riverina My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Why hasn't anyone, anybody at all, in the Albanese government taken responsibility and apologised for failing to deliver the $275 energy bill reduction promised to Australian families? 14:35 Mr BOWEN DZS McMahon I'm very grateful to my honourable friend for the question and I'm particularly grateful for the interest shown by the National Party in my portfolio. To paraphrase my favourite Taylor: 'It's actually sweet, all the time you've spent on me. It's actually romantic.' Mr Hawke HWO Don't go using Taylor Swift. Mr BOWEN DZS They're onto me! I won't be thinking about the National Party on Saturday even if they're thinking about me on Valentine's Day, because their obsession is just a little bit over the top. But I wish them all the best—here he is! What's the matter, Sport? Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER 53517 Order, members on my right! The member for Wannon is entitled to a point of order. The member for Barker is now warned and won't be here if he interjects one more time. The member for Wannon, on a point of order? Mr Tehan 210911 It goes to relevance. It was a very specific and direct question, and I would like you to ask the minister to come back to it—especially the $275 part. The SPEAKER 53517 I agree with the member for Wannon. But the problem I have with these types of questions is they are bordering on asking for an opinion. They are in that category under standing order 98(d)(i). I'm just trying to work within the standing orders, but these questions are very difficult for me to oversee because they're asking for an opinion or a reason, and it's very different to when you ask a fact or a figure question. That's all I'm saying. Yes, Valentine's Day was not part of the question, so— Mr Hawke HWO Nor was Taylor Swift. The SPEAKER 53517 Thank goodness! So may the minister please just return to the question. He's had the preamble, and I'll ask him to return to the topic. Mr BOWEN DZS Just pointing out, Mr Speaker, that I'm very grateful for the question and I'm grateful to the National Party—especially as the shadow minister hasn't bothered to ask me a question all year. But I get plenty of questions from the National Party—not from my 'part-time shadow minister, full-time deputy leader' candidate. Opposition members interjecting— The SPEAKER 53517 Order, members on my left! Mr BOWEN DZS To deal with the question, as I said in my previous answer, energy prices have been high around the world, including in Australia. So we, as the government, decided to do something about it by providing energy bill relief opposed by those opposite. Our policy is to introduce more energy, with 7.7 gigawatts introduced to the grid—not promised plans or in development but connected to the grid and operating—as opposed to those opposite, particularly the member for Hume, who oversaw four gigawatts of dispatchable power leave the grid and one gigawatt come on. Our plan is more of the cheapest form of energy and the fastest to deploy— Mr Littleproud 265585 So why is it going up? Mr BOWEN DZS Their plan has several parts: more of the most expensive form of energy— The SPEAKER 53517 We've had one point of order on relevance. I'd like the member for Gippsland to state the point of order. Mr Chester IPZ The minister is defying your ruling to be relevant to the question. The SPEAKER 53517 Once again, I explained to the House the difficulty with these broad questions. They're not narrow questions; they're asking a broad question that the minister is giving a broad answer to. But it would assist the House if the minister could not necessarily refer to opposition policy, because he wasn't asked about opposition policy. Mr BOWEN DZS I'm simply pointing out that, recognising energy prices are too high, there is an obligation on governments and oppositions to do something about it, but we have very different plans. Our plan is more energy, and we are getting more energy on—7.7 gigawatts connected, four gigawatts off, only one gigawatt on under them. The other part of their plan is to sweat coal fired power for longer. That is their plan. They're open about it. That is unreliable. That is a threat to reliability of the system. Today, as we speak, we have 2.9 gigawatts of coal fired power broken down. One unit at Eraring, one unit at Vales Point, two units at Yallourn and three units at Gladstone are all not working. Some of those haven't been working for weeks. That is a threat to reliability. We want to replace that energy and get more new energy on. They want that to last for longer. That means higher bills. That means more pressure on Australian families. That means more pressure on Australian industry and more pressure on rural and regional Australians. We have a better plan. Defence 52 14:40 Ms DOYLE 299962 Aston My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Defence. How is the Albanese government delivering for Defence, and what are the alternative approaches? 14:41 Mr KEOGH 249147 Burt I thank the member for their question. The highest duty of any government is to defend the Australian people and safeguard our national interest. The Albanese Labor government is laser focused on delivering this through record Defence investments, our reform agenda and getting the equipment our ADF needs into their hands sooner. We're delivering warships way ahead of schedule. We're producing autonomous Ghost Shark submarines right now to safeguard our maritime approaches. We're rolling missiles out of an Aussie factory and building a second one right now, and we're acquiring counterdrone capabilities in record time. Now, I'm asked about alternative approaches. While we've been busy delivering, what's the former shadow defence minister been up to? He certainly hasn't been asking many questions in parliament—three Defence questions in 285 days. To be fair, I think he's actually learned from his disastrous time as the shadow Treasurer. Some would reflect and try and improve their performance but not the member for Hume. He's decided the simplest solution is to just disappear. You can't fail if no-one knows you're the shadow defence minister. Three defence questions in 285 days—clearly his focus has been elsewhere. One thing is crystal clear: his focus is self-interest, not the national interest. Let's summarise our approach to Defence compared to the member for Hume's record. We're acquiring stealth fighters. He was a stealth shadow minister. We're investing record amounts in our submarines as part of the silent service. He was the silent Defence spokesperson. We have the Nulka, which imitates warships to decoy missiles. He imitated Facebook followers. We're forging ammunition and shells. He used documents that—let's say—weren't real. The SPEAKER 53517 The minister will pause. I want to hear from the manager. Mr Hawke HWO You probably don't. On relevance, the minister's not being relevant to the question, and he's indulging in fake news. I'd ask you to pull him to order and sit him down if he can't answer a serious question. Mr Albanese R36 Fake news for someone else! Mr Hawke HWO No, no. Calm down, mate. The SPEAKER 53517 Order! The manager doesn't need to add when he's raising points of order. I'm just going to remind the minister he was asked about other approaches. I've given him some leeway. He should just make sure his answer is being directly relevant to what he was asked about and perhaps update the House on policy. Mr KEOGH 249147 I'll keep talking about our approach to Defence compared to the alternative one. We're investing in better camouflage for the Army. He camouflaged power prices. We're increasing long-range strikes for the Navy. He's launched a close-range strike on the opposition leader. We're getting new ships, new missiles and new drones. He got a new haircut. We're focused on defence. He's blowing up the Liberal Party. We're focused on the defence of the nation. They're just embroiled in their divisions and putting their self-interest ahead of the national interest. The SPEAKER 53517 Order. The members for Gippsland and Cowper are now on warnings alongside the member for Barker. Labor Government 53 14:45 Ms ALDRED 11788 Monash My question is to the Prime Minister. Mother of three Pushpanjali told the Herald Sun that Labor's interest rate rises have 'already affected us three times.' She said: 'My kids used to do swimming, karate and soccer, but now they only go to swimming because the three activities were out of our budget. It's like we are just living our lives to pay the mortgage and nothing else.' Meanwhile, the Clean Energy Regulator is looking to spend $411,500 to upgrade fancy meeting rooms. Prime Minister, when Australians are being asked to tighten their belts, why can't this Labor government? 14:46 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler (): I thank the member for Monash for her question. Indeed, I hope that the member has the integrity to say that to the member who she asks about. To be fair to the member, she was not here, so she mightn't be aware, because it's pretty unbelievable that this Treasurer on budget night handed down a position to have top-up tax cuts—a tax cut this July and another tax cut next July—after this Treasurer came into the House and moved legislation to readjust the tax cuts to make sure that low- and middle-income earners got a fair crack, and it was taken from the top to give them a crack. That's what this Treasurer did. Now, it is unbelievable that, at the time, the shadow Treasurer that night of the budget went and did interviews and said that they were opposed to the tax cuts and then did AM the next morning and said that they would actually legislate if they were elected to increase the taxes of low- and middle-income earners in particular for all 14 million Australians. So I hope that the member for Monash told the constituent or the person mentioned in the Herald Sun that that was the case, because what we have done is understand that people are under financial pressure, but you can have two approaches to that. You can see grievance and try to just feed it, or what you can do is try to address it. What we do is try to address it by lifting up cost-of-living measures. That's why we've provided energy bill relief. That's why we've provided cheaper medicines. That's why we've provided the 20 per cent cut in student debt. That's why we've tripled the bulk-billing incentive. That's why we've opened Medicare urgent care clinics. That's why we have cheaper medicines. That's why we have a batteries program to assist with reducing energy bills as well. All of those measures are what we have done. The other thing we have done is provide, each and every single year that we have been in office, an increase in the minimum wage. Those opposite—the coalition, whoever has sat in the Liberal Party leadership chair—have never, ever put in a submission to the Fair Work Commission saying that wages should be increased for people on the minimum wage. That's the big difference. We want people to earn more and keep more of what they earn, and we want cost-of-living relief, all of it opposed by those opposite regardless of who sits at the front. The SPEAKER 53517 The member for Herbert has had a very good go today and this week. He'll leave the chamber under 94(a). The member for Herbert then left the chamber. The SPEAKER 53517 That kind of interjection is highly disorderly, and we're not having it. Gender Equality 54 14:49 Dr GARLAND 295588 Chisholm My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Women. How is the Albanese Labor government supporting women in the workplace and strengthening their rights at work? Are there other approaches that could jeopardise this progress? 14:50 Ms CATHERINE KING 00AMR Ballarat Can I thank the member for Chisholm, and can I say what an absolute pleasure it is to look at our backbench and our frontbench and see so many women representing their constituencies here in this place. It's not the first time that I've made this point in this chamber, but it bears repeating that the Albanese Labor government is the first female-majority cabinet with the first female-majority government in Australia's history. The gender equity within the Labor Party is a result of decades of purposeful work. I know we're still a day away from Friday the 13th, so I'll try not to spook those opposite—they're doing a pretty good job of doing that themselves this week—but I do want to mention affirmative action. In 1994 the Australian Labor Party first introduced affirmative action for women. Now, over 30 years later, you can see the results of that decision before you: a party and government that is full to the brim with bright, talented women contributing to our parliament and standing up for their communities. Do you know why it is important to have women in the room, making decisions—women in leadership positions? It's because of the difference it makes—the difference it makes to women. It means we can deliver not only for them here but out there, which is the most important thing we can do. Under this government, we have made significant progress with the gender pay gap, with a record low of 11.5 per cent. In 2022, we were ranked 43rd; we're now ranked 13th. We've expanded paid parental leave, and we're paying super on it. On 1 January we delivered three-day universal child care. We've delivered pay increases in women dominated industries, like aged care and early education. We've delivered a tax cut for every taxpayer—90 per cent of women better off—and we'll deliver further tax cuts this year. But I wonder who was the shadow Treasurer, in fact, who decided that those opposite would vote against tax cuts, particularly tax cuts for women? It was, obviously, the member for Hume. But that's not all. He, of course, was also one of the architects of the opposition's 'return to work' policy and has also, in fact, been one of the chief opponents of affirmative action in the Liberal Party. I give you the smartest policy brain in the Liberal Party! And, in the last nine months, what we've seen is persistent undermining of the Liberal Party's first ever female leader—from day one. Now, those aren't my words. Those are the words of your shadow Attorney-General, and I couldn't agree more—persistent undermining from day one. While the Liberals engage in the embarrassing spectacle that we see before us, Labor are getting on with the work, and we are working every day for the women of this country. Environmental Legislation 54 14:53 Ms BOELE 26417 Bradfield My question is for the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Water. Minister, late last year this parliament passed important reforms to our nature laws, the EPBC Act. The changes allow states to be delegated approval powers that are traditionally federal ones. Your government sold this to us on the promise that strong, outcomes focused national environmental standards would be in place before the states acquired those powers. Will the government once more assure the Australian people that the states will not be given increased powers until all of these critical standards are finalised? 14:54 Mr BURKE DYW Watson I thank the member for Bradfield for the question. In terms of the laws that were passed, first of all, on the concept of delegating approvals and assessment powers to the states, that did exist under the old act. But, under the old act, you effectively had to entirely delegate. The concept of only delegating specific functions is something that was new under what went through. In terms of the progress of both standards and any concept of delegation to the states, I can go through the pace as to how each of those works. Getting the new environmental standards is our No. 1 priority. That's where the pace is occurring. The new legislation comes into effect in tranches over the next year, and there'll be opportunities for people to be engaging on the development of the new national environmental standards—and they are the backbone of the legislation that went through. Work is already well underway on developing the standards. There have been around 700 submissions made on those standards, which we're now working through. In terms of the delegation, there are two different forms. You've got delegation, potentially, of assessments, and you've got delegation of approvals. The delegation of assessments is something that would have to be in place and functioning before a delegation of approvals would even be considered. In terms of the order, it's the standards that are happening at pace now. For anything in terms of delegation, there would have to have been, for some time, a functioning assessments agreement before consideration would be given to approvals. Local Government 55 14:55 Ms AMBIHAIPAHAR 315618 Barton My question is to the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories. How is the Albanese Labor government working with local councils to support communities, and how does this compare to other approaches? 14:55 Ms McBAIN 281988 Eden-Monaro I thank the member for Barton for the question because, before she arrived here, she was a councillor at Georges River Council, and she knows how important it is to fully fund local councils so that they can support our local communities. Our government strongly supports a sustainable local government sector because we know that a strong and sustainable local government sector supports our communities to thrive. Numbers matter, and those opposite are painfully aware of that. We on this side of the House are focused on different numbers, numbers that matter to the lives of Australians—like $3.4 billion of direct investment in local government this year through financial assistance grants, ensuring councils have access to funds to deliver the services communities rely on. Those opposite froze indexation on financial assistance grants when they were in government, ripping nearly a billion dollars out of the sector. In contrast, we are doubling the Roads to Recovery Program, delivering a billion dollars annually to support councils across the country. We've increased road black spot funding to $150 million a year, meaning more money for those dangerous sections of our local roads, and we're delivering our new $200 million Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, with tranche 3 announced just last week. Most importantly, we're delivering transparent grant programs available to every council across the country, from Growing Regions and Thriving Suburbs to the Regional and Urban Precincts and Partnerships programs. The previous coalition government made reckless commitments that councils couldn't deliver—and we know of the colour coded spreadsheets for grant programs for everything from connectivity to infrastructure. Who could forget that doozy of regional grants being given to the North Sydney pool, which I don't think is open yet. As a former local mayor, I know how important it is to have productive relationships with all levels of government, and I take a very different approach to those opposite. We know that, when those opposite were in government, the member for Hume was forced to apologise to the Lord Mayor of Sydney after claiming she'd driven up carbon emissions by spending $15 million on travel. It turned out the councillors had only spent close to $6,000. I'm no Rhodes scholar, and I didn't study economics at Oxford. I attended a humble but mighty public school. But, by my rough calculations, that's a $14,994,000 mistake. As I said, numbers matter in this place. I heard the member for Hume described as a numbers man this morning. Jeez, I hope he gets his numbers right this time. Cybersafety 55 14:58 Ms CHANEY 300006 Curtin My question is to the Prime Minister. Many Australians increasingly feel angry, divided and isolated. Social media platforms play a large part in this, driven by algorithms that control our attention, amplify hate and create echo chambers. The minimum age for social media is a start, but there's more to do, such as the promised duty of care or giving people more control over the algorithms imposed on them. What more will your government do to build safe and positive online spaces to urgently protect and repair our social fabric? 14:59 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler I thank the member for Curtin for her question and for her interest in what is, I think, one of the critical challenges facing us not just here in Australia but globally as well—how we deal with this new technology that can make an enormous difference and which enables us to be better connected than we have ever been and enables us to have information at our fingertips when we simply would have had to have gone to the library or gone through a much more time-extensive route. But our social media ban is a start, and the member is right that we need to do more. The social media ban, though, has exceeded the government's expectations. The fact is that 4.7 million accounts got either shut down or paused in the initial stages, and ongoing work is occurring across those 10 platforms. It's about giving Australian kids more time away from the pull of recommender systems. It's about giving them more time to develop real friendships with real people and to learn how to get along with people who might have different views or experiences. The fact that it's being replicated around the world, with Spain the latest country to get on board, shows Australia leading the way in this area. Our upcoming digital duty of care will also put the onus on platforms, though, to proactively protect all Australians from harm. This can be a range of areas—grooming of people and the algorithms pushing people towards more and more extreme views. I was part of the American leadership dialogue many years ago at Stanford University with someone who was a whistleblower at Facebook and who spoke about the impact that it had had in pushing people towards extremism and the danger that that represented. We need to assert as a country, not just as a government, that social media has a social responsibility, because these algorithms can cause enormous issues. They can amplify rather than reduce prejudice. We see in some of the debate about issues that should be able to be discussed much more respectfully, such as the Middle East and other issues of conflict, people being pushed into more and more extreme positions and people being pushed in ways where they are presented as facts things that simply are not true as well. Social media does not optimise for social cohesion. It does have a social responsibility. We as a community all need to work hard to ensure we're acting with thought and with kindness, whether in real life or online. People will say things online they would never say to your face, and that is a real issue that we have to confront. I thank very much the member for Curtin for raising this issue. I say to her and others in this chamber as well that this is something that really should be right above politics and that we as a society need to work on because, together, we all have an interest on behalf of not just ourselves but more importantly as well the generations to come. Energy 56 15:02 Ms COFFEY 312323 Griffith My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How is the Albanese Labor government modernising our energy grid? Why is this important after a decade of mismanagement, and what are the risks? 15:03 Mr BOWEN DZS McMahon The honourable member for Griffith will be particularly pleased to know, given we launched the cheaper home batteries policy in her now electorate—it wasn't her electorate at the time but it now is—in April that, as of today, 230,890 Australian households have installed a cheaper home battery, reducing their bills by up to 90 per cent and, in many cases, getting a rebate instead of a bill. Those figures are not included in the 7.7 gigawatts of dispatchable energy that we have added to the grid. To go to the honourable member's question about progress, we saw a sign of that progress in the last quarter of last year when we hit 51 per cent renewables for the first time. It was also a quarter of record electricity use. There was more electricity use than ever in Australian history, but the grid coped very well. We saw emissions hit an all-time low as use hit an all-time high, and we also saw wholesale prices fall by 44 per cent to $50 a megawatt. The honourable member asks me why this is important after a decade of neglect and what the risks are. I have to say that the 50 per cent figure which we've just hit was not unpredicted. In fact, in 2018, the Labor Party indicated we would like to get to 50 per cent renewables. At the time the then energy minister was asked, 'What will that mean for wholesale prices if we get to 50 per cent renewables?' On the day he was asked, when he was the minister, wholesale prices were $92 a megawatt. The member for Hume was asked, 'What will happen to wholesale prices if we get to 50 per cent renewable energy?' He said: 'It will certainly have a huge impact on wholesale market. It will probably double the wholesale market.' In fact, prices have halved since then. Double, half—it's all the same! This is good news for the member for Farrer, because numbers aren't the strong point of the member for Hume. When he when he's not getting them wrong, he's hiding them by changing the law or making them up, like he did when it came to the travel bill for the lord mayor of the City of Sydney, and then blaming his staff for it. The only thing that the member for Hume has more trouble with than numbers is working out what Facebook account he's logged into at any particular time. It's very confusing sometimes. It's very hard work. The trouble is there is very little cost to be paid for that sort of mistake, but Australians are paying the price of the member for Hume's mismanagement. Those four gigawatts left the grid and only one gigawatt came on. We're still paying the price. Australian industry is paying the price. Australian households are paying the price. Australian households know that we need to get on with the job of the energy transition after a decade of denial and delay. That's what they asked us to do in May. That's what we'll keep doing while those opposite are focused on themselves. Cost of Living 57 15:06 Ms PRICE 249308 Durack My question is to the Prime Minister. Single mum Kylie has told the West Australian of the impact of Labor's cost-of-living crisis: I had no money and was behind in my rent and couldn't even provide a birthday cake for my kids to have. … … … The cost of even a small shop at supermarkets is ridiculous. Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spent $17,295 on a luxury party boat in Sydney Harbour. Prime Minister, when Australians are tightening their belts, why can't this Labor government? 15:07 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler I thank the member for Durack for her question. Indeed, when it comes to Kylie's circumstances, we on this side empathise with everyone in Australia who is doing it tough. Many people are doing it tough in Australia, and that's why we seek to do something about it. Now, I'm not aware of the circumstances around the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, but we host people. We hosted someone over the last couple of days, and I assure you the cost was a lot more than that for the President of Israel to visit here. That is what governments do through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. We host people. Certainly I have hosted international leaders and delegations here. When it comes to Kylie's circumstances, though, if Kylie is in work, Kylie would have got a tax cut. Given those circumstances that Kylie speaks about, chances are she wouldn't have got anything under the government of which the member for Durack was a part. The member for Durack doesn't have the same excuse as the member for Monash; she was here when she implemented tax cuts at the high end and voted against a tax cut for Kylie. She voted against Kylie getting energy bill relief. She voted against Kylie getting support with cheaper medicines, if she has it. If Kylie has kids at school—the member for Durack opposes and regards as waste the fair funding that we have for every public school in Australia for the first time. If Kylie in Western Australia visits an urgent care clinic—I was in Ellenbrook on the weekend with the member for Hasluck, and we went to the new urgent care clinic there, and already thousands of people have gone through that clinic in that growing area of Western Australia. We on this side of the chamber don't just empathise; we do something about it. Those on that side of the chamber opposed every cost-of-living measure that we put forward, regarded it all as waste, whether it was the record women's health program that we've established, the support for Medicare or the support for education—be it school funding, free TAFE or university hubs. They opposed real wages and minimum wages being increased, and they opposed tax cuts for every Australian. Tertiary Education and Training 57 15:10 Mr BURNELL 300129 Spence My question is to the Minister for Education. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to cut student debt and make university more accessible for students in the outer suburbs and regions? Why is it important to be united in delivering these changes? What are the risks of alternative approaches? 15:10 Mr CLARE HWL Blaxland I thank my friend the sensational member for Spence for his question. As he knows, we've cut student debt by 20 per cent, and, when we announced that we would cut student debt by 20 per cent for three million Australians, the Liberal Party immediately opposed it, and the then shadow treasurer put out a statement where, remember, he said, 'There are no free lunches in economics,' and then proceeded to announce a policy of free lunches, but for bosses. I promise I'm not making it up. That was the big vision—escargot for CEOs! No wonder the Australian people chewed them up and spat them out. Obviously, they've learnt nothing, because Julius Caesar had more support from his senators than what we've seen going on over there today. I'm asked about how we're going to help more young Australians get a crack at going to university. I can tell you, as I said on Monday, more Aussies will go to university this year than ever before. I can also tell you there are more university study hubs today than ever before. We promised to double them, and we've done it and then some. There are now 69 of them operating across the country. To give you an idea of how important they are, think about this—I should say one of them is in Elizabeth, in the member for Spence's electorate—in Elizabeth Bay in Sydney, 70 per cent of young adults in their 20s or 30s have a uni degree today. In Elizabeth in the member for Spence's electorate in South Australia, it's seven per cent—not 70 per cent, but seven per cent. These hubs are about changing that by bringing uni closer to where people live. I know that my mate the member for Spence gets that. That's why he fought so hard for it. That's why he got so emotional at the opening of it. I'm sure he won't mind me telling people that he shed a tear or two on the day, and that's because he loves his community and he knows what this will do and the lives that it will change. Mr Speaker, I know you love your community too, and you get it as well. We opened a study hub in Inala in your electorate a couple of weeks ago, and we got a chance to meet the young people from Glenala State High School. This is for them and kids like them who dream big. The fact is—think about it, guys. Just think about it—talent is distributed equally; it's opportunity that's not. It's hubs like this that are about changing that. Energy 58 15:13 Mr BATT 315478 Hinkler My question is to the Prime Minister. Did Australian families see the $275 reduction in their energy bills the Prime Minister promised 97 times? 15:13 Mr BOWEN DZS McMahon There's no getting away from me. I thank the honourable member for the question. I thank the Prime Minister for the opportunity to take it. What Australians have had access to is 230,000 cheaper home batteries to reduce their bills to nothing, including 44 per cent of them in rural and regional Australia and including—in the honourable member's home state of Queensland, 55 per cent of cheaper home batteries have been in rural and regional Australia. Fifty-five per cent in Queensland—the people those opposite are meant to represent. The SPEAKER 53517 Order, the member for Lingiari! I'll keep an eye out for props. Don't worry about that. But the minister has concluded, so the member for Gippsland will also resume his seat. The member for Cowper is going to leave the chamber. I just specifically said, 'Don't mention props.' You're on a warning. It is not appropriate behaviour, and I warned at the beginning of question time this is what happens. There are consequences for actions. The member for Cowper then left the chamber. Social Services 58 15:14 Ms BELYEA 309484 Dunkley My question is to the Minister for Social Services. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering for Australian families in social services, and what puts this at risk? 15:15 Ms PLIBERSEK 83M Sydney I really want to thank the member for Dunkley for her question, because I know that not only is she a great supporter of the work that this government is doing on family and domestic violence but she knows how important the increases to pensions and other payments in her electorate have been. I'm very proud to say that on this side of the House we are absolutely focused on helping Australian families. That means up to $5,000 extra if you're on a pension. It means $1,800 extra in rent assistance. It means cheaper medicines, cheaper child care, higher wages, lower taxes, five per cent deposits, cuts to student debt, free TAFE—a whole range of measures to take pressure off families, including almost doubling the amount of paid parental leave since we've come to government. Australians getting paid parental leave are about $12,000 better off under this prime minister. So, after 40 weeks of carrying a baby, mums and dads can look forward to six months off. But I'd say this Leader of the Opposition, after 39 weeks of carrying the Liberal Party, can also look forward to a little bit of time off from the job. It's interesting that the member for Hume has said that a crusade was needed to attract more women to the Liberal Party. He said: We absolutely need more women in the party at every level … I don't think he meant every level. Let's not forget it's the member for Hume that trashed the economic reputation of the Liberal Party. He went to the last election promising both higher taxes and higher deficits. He's the man who hid energy price increases. He released those dodgy documents around Clover Moore's travel. There's the Jam Land saga. There are the dodgy water buybacks. He said he lived up the road from Naomi Wolf at Oxford. She wasn't there at the time. It was reported that a prominent Liberal woman said of the member for Hume, that he is a 'caricature of a Liberal male—males who have managed to progressively alienate women from the Liberal Party'. It does seem to me that, any day of the week, an average bloke in the Liberal Party wins over a woman, and the only real qualifications you need are the XY chromosomes. Cost of Living 58 15:17 Mrs McINTOSH 281513 Lindsay My question is to the Prime Minister. Western Sydney mum Kate has told the ABC that her family are now having to rely on a community pantry to make ends meet, saying she has 'relied pretty heavily on them in the past couple of years'. Meanwhile, last year the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spent $17,930 on a Kylie Minogue impersonator at a Wellington food festival. Prime Minister, when Australians are tightening their belts, why can't this Labor government? 15:18 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler I thank the member for Lindsay for her question, and it goes to Kate being concerned about costs of living. We share that concern, which is why we're doing everything we can to help people like Kate—the energy bill relief, the cheaper batteries, the cheaper medicines, the free TAFE, making sure that tax cuts are put in place and the urgent care clinics, including many that are in Western Sydney. The SPEAKER 53517 The member for Lyne is now warned. Mr ALBANESE R36 The member also refers to waste. I hope that, if she does know Kate, she tells Kate about the $31 billion in cost blowouts associated with Inland Rail and the $29 billion in cost blowouts for the NBN. At least something was being created there, but we actually paid the French $4 billion to cancel—to not build the submarines. We paid $1.8 billion out to victims of robodebt. We paid $444 million to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation without a tender process or even consultation with the foundation itself. We spent $660 million on commuter carparks, including where there was no railway station. There was $423 million on an offshore processing contract awarded to a firm registered to a shack on Kangaroo Island. Now, I'm very affectionate about Kangaroo Island these days—but $423 million for a shack registered to a company there? There was $100 million on sports rorts funding based on the colour coded spreadsheet; $70 million on a COVIDSafe app that found only two unique positive COVID cases; $30 million for the Western Sydney airport land—remember that, 10 times its value?—and, of course, during COVID, the $20 billion of JobKeeper paid to companies who were increasing their profits, not having it decreased. When we talk about waste, the Liberal Party are the experts. Albanese Government 59 15:21 Ms BERRY 23497 Whitlam My question is for the Prime Minister. What has been the focus of the Albanese Labor government over the past fortnight, and how does this differ from other priorities? 15:21 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler I thank the member for Whitlam for her question and for the fantastic contribution she is making to represent the people of the south part of the Illawarra and the Southern Highlands. As a Labor government, when we come to Canberra here, our focus is on delivering for the communities that we represent and delivering for the national interest in line with Australian values, turning the promises that we took to the Australian people that saw us elected in May 2022 and then re-elected with a bigger majority in May 2025 into the progress that people want to see. We know that there's always more to do, more we can achieve together. Australians can be sure that that will always be our focus. I lead a government that is orderly, that is cohesive, that has proper cabinet processes, that works as a unit together, that makes decisions after getting proper information and makes sure that it gets implemented. That is what our focus is every time we come here to Canberra. But those opposite have shown that their focus is on each other and on themselves. We had a declaration—or not quite a declaration. I watched last night. It was pretty extraordinary. Went out there—a resignation and then no declaration of why he was resigning and certainly no policy alternatives being put forward. That, of course, was on, in terms of timing, the day that President Herzog was visiting this parliament. Now, that is consistent with the sort of disruption that we've seen, and the timing and the priorities don't seem to matter to those opposite. On the national day of mourning for victims of the antisemitic Bondi terrorist attack, they announced that the coalition was splitting for the second time. On the day of the funeral of the well respected—across this parliament—member for Higgins, the members for Hume and Canning were publicly plotting against their leader at a house in Melbourne. The member for Hume, of course, chose to be a part of all of this. And today, on the day of the Closing the gap report, we have the call for a spill and a range of resignations from the front bench. And tomorrow—on the morning on which members of the Stolen Generation will attend the breakfast at 8 o'clock—at 9 o'clock those opposite will be making calls before then and filing into their party room in order to either depose or reaffirm who the leader of the Labor Party is. The SPEAKER 53517 The Prime Minister's time has concluded; he has concluded his answer. Mr Hawke HWO I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper. The SPEAKER 53517 The Prime Minister has the call. Mr Albanese R36 He's not going to be Leader of the House, let alone leader of government. I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper. MATTERS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE 59 MATTERS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE Cost of Living 59 15:25 The SPEAKER 53517 I have received a letter from the honourable member for Page proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: This Government's betrayal of Australians due to higher energy costs and other cost of living pressures. I call upon those honourable members who approve of the proposed discussion to rise in their places. More than the number of members required by the standing orders having risen in their places— 15:26 Mr HOGAN 218019 Page I know you're aware, I know everyone on this side of the House is aware and I know that the Australian community is aware that the cost of living is a crisis in this country. It's a crisis for family budgets and it's a crisis for small business in Australia that the cost of everything is just going up and up and up. I want to focus on a couple of things through this next 10 minutes. One is obviously the focus of this—energy. I want to talk about the failures of this government on energy policy and also want to note, too, that just this week we saw mortgage rates go up for Australian families. Interest rates around the world are going down in most countries. They're coming down in just about every country around the world except Australia. It's commented on by most economists around Australia and the Reserve Bank themselves that a lot of this is about government policy right now. Every mortgage went up in Australia this week because of the policies of this Labor government. The damage that's going to do to family budgets and, indeed, in higher interest rates to business is not good. You can't go past the cost of living and you can't go past talking about this government without first talking about the Minister for Energy and Climate Change. They have an ideological obsession that, at the expense of $9 trillion, they should get Australia to net zero by 2050. I'm going to go to some of the costs of that and why that is so destructive, but, before I do, in regional Australia, I'm very conscious that that involves 60 million solar panels to be physically built in predominantly regional Australia and 20,000 wind turbines as well. The minister likes to get up and say that renewable energy is cheap or free. It's not, and he's very misleading in saying that. One of the major costs behind it is the new transmission system—20,000 kilometres of a new transmission system. Why do they need a new transmission system? Because all this generation capacity they're building with these 60 million solar panels and these 20,000 wind turbines—they're being built where there aren't any transmission systems, and they're being built where there aren't poles and wires. The cost of that is enormous. About 50 per cent of the bill is because of some of those delivery costs, but he says it's free. He's misleading. He knows that, and he continues to mislead the Australian public on that. What we're already seeing—we can talk about families and we can talk about the fact that they get their energy bill every quarter and are shocked and horrified by how much it's going up. The other thing that's going on around Australia is that businesses are feeling it, especially big business and heavy business—businesses that are energy intensive, like the smelters around Australia or the refineries around Australia. You could go up and down the coast of Western Australia with the nickel industry and the lead industry. You go to South Australia and see the steelworks or the lead industry in Port Pirie. You can go around the east coast of Australia and see ones like Tomago, a more recent one. All of them have either paused what they do or have asked or said that they need government assistance. What does that say? That says that something is going seriously wrong, if those businesses are unanimously saying that they need government assistance to keep going, and it all comes back to this government's and this minister's obsession with emissions reduction. We acknowledge that we should do our fair share of emissions reduction, but their obsession has us leading the world in emissions reduction. I want to highlight three countries that are not signed up to the policies of this Labor government. Three countries are saying, 'We're not going to do what Australia is going to do with emissions reduction,' and those three countries are China, India and the United States. All of those countries have said, 'We are not signed up to that.' They're not signed up to it, because they know the expense of it and they know the unattainability of it. Let's take China as one example. The emissions in China go up more every year than Australia's total emissions. I'll repeat that, because it's important to understand that: the emissions in China go up more every year than Australia's total emissions. This minister and this government are obsessed with emissions. We want to do our fair share, but nothing we do in Australia will change the temperature of the globe, because we only produce just over one per cent of total emissions. Yes, we should be committed to doing our fair share. Yes, we could contribute as a good global citizen. But nothing we do, given the size of our economy and amount of our emissions, compared to any other country, will change anything. But that doesn't fit with the ideological obsession of this minister and this government. While they might feel good, this is not good. We on this side of the House, as the opposition, do have a plan, and a responsible plan. What we've said we will do is lower emissions by the average of the OECD. Whatever they lower emissions by, we will match that—not what they say they're going to do but what they actually do. That is the target that we have committed to. That will mean a difference. This government's obsession means that those opposite are aiming for emissions reduction in 2035 of between 60 and 70 per cent. It makes them feel good, but, as I've said, the damage that's doing to families and businesses is manifest. By our target, we'd be getting our emissions reduction to around 35 per cent, which is doing our fair share but not killing the Australian economy and family budgets at the same time. I've mentioned cost-of-living pressures. We know mortgage increases in Australia have gone up this week because of the policies of this government, but I want to just touch on a couple of other things that are doing a lot of damage to cost of living. One is very dear to a lot of colleagues of mine, especially colleagues who operate within the Murray-Darling Basin. The Murray-Darling Basin in one of the great food bowls of the world, not just Australia. The food and fibre growing in the Murray-Darling basin is quite phenomenal. Those opposite have a different ideological obsession on this one. Their ideological obsession on the Murray-Darling Basin, for some reason, is that the Murray River mouth can never close. The bizarreness of that is that before we had the lock-and-weir system built on the Murray and the Darling, the mouth of the Murray closed a lot. What those locks and weirs do is hold back water so there is a continual amount of water that goes out. In droughts, that would lock up all the time. With that ideological obsession, what they're doing now—talk about a waste of money—is spending billions of dollars buying water off food and fibre producers in this country. I don't think it's hard to work out that if you stop farmers and producers in the Murray-Darling Basin from growing things, that isn't going to help the cost of those things. The Minister for Climate Change and Energy wants to talk about supply and demand. I'll tell you what: if you're growing less of something, the price of it might go up. Their obsession there is not okay. The other thing I want to talk about on their obsession with emissions reduction is that they have already instituted a ute and SUV tax. That means the cost of SUVs and the cost of utes in this country have already gone up, and not because of anything but government policy on this side. When the tradie wants to go and buy his ute or when the family want to go and buy their SUV, they have all gone up distinctly because of a blatant government policy. The other thing I also want to talk about—and it's endemic—is the changes we saw made to the EPBC Act on the last day of parliament last year. One thing this Labor government has in its DNA—especially when it has an alliance with the Greens, as it does in the Senate—is it cannot have too much red and green tape. It loves red and green tape. It loves more legislation telling people what they can do and what they can't do. Every stakeholder I talk to that is trying to export out of this country, that is trying to do stuff in this country, says that the government are making things more difficult, and therefore more expensive, in the government legislation they've done over the last four years. You don't see all this immediately; sometimes, with these legislative changes—and especially the ones made to the EPBC Act—we might not see them for three or four years. But this government don't understand the economy. They are sending companies and families broke in this country. Shame on them! 15:36 Ms McBRIDE 248353 Dobell It's good to welcome the member for Page back to the dispatch box! I welcome this matter of public importance today. On this side of the House, we understand the pressures that people and families are facing, which is why we are delivering cost-of-living relief for all Australians, from more bulk-billing to cheaper medicine, to student debt relief, to supporting people to buy their first home. It's measures delivered by this Labor government that are helping people. What is not helping people is the division and chaos from those on the other side. Last week the member for Page was on the backbench with his Nationals colleagues. Now he's back at the dispatch box—oh, now he's walking out on the MPI, like the Nationals did to Sussan Ley! Mr Hogan 218019 I'm staying! I'm just going up the back! The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 Member for Page, just take your seat quietly, please. Ms McBRIDE 248353 Right now, Liberals are rushing across this building, in and out of offices, trying to do the numbers and topple the first female leader of their party. On this side we're focused on delivering for all Australians. On that side they're focused on themselves. I genuinely thank the member for Page for moving this MPI, and I hope he stays in the chamber to hear about what this government is delivering for people in his community; I expect he'll probably walk out on me, like the Nationals did to Sussan Ley. As the member for Page knows, I'm a frequent visitor to his community and I rarely come empty-handed. In 2023 we opened the Lismore Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, with walk-in care for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions—not like what might happen tomorrow at nine! It is open seven days a week, over extended hours, and, like all Medicare urgent care clinics across the country, it's popular—not like the coalition. Since opening, 22,966 people have received fully-bulk-billed care—100 per cent free. Ms Penfold 248895 Come to Taree! Ms McBRIDE 248353 I love Taree! Do they still have the Take Five cafe? They do! Since opening, 22,966 people have received fully-bulk-billed care—100 per cent free. That is an average of more than 200 people a week. But there's more. In 2022 I was in Lismore, where I opened the Medicare Mental Health Centre, with walk-in mental health support and care from clinicians and peer workers. It is also open seven days a week, over extended hours. I can share with the member for Page and this House that the Lismore Medicare Mental Health Centre has the highest number of occasions of care of all the 18 centres currently open in New South Wales. Just last year the Lismore Medicare Mental Health Centre provided 34,727 occasions of care—all completely free, at no cost to the member for Page's constituents. It's our government that is delivering completely free, Medicare backed services for people all around the country. I would say to the member for Page: be more like the member for Riverina and embrace these services in your community. The member for Riverina welcomed me to his community and joined me at the new Wagga Wagga— Mr Hogan 218019 Are you saying I don't embrace them? I didn't even know you were coming. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 Member for Page, this is your MP. Let's not repeat earlier this week where I had to ask people who put the MPI to leave the chamber. So, please, no interjections. I do want to hear the assistant minister, just as I heard you. Ms McBRIDE 248353 Be more like the member for Riverina, who welcomed me to his community and joined me at the new Wagga Wagga Medicare Mental Health Centre, offering free mental health care to people in his community. It's the Albanese Labor government that is focused on delivering affordable health care for all Australians, saving Australians time and money. The Albanese Labor government has made the single largest investment in Medicare since its creation over 40 years ago—$8.5 billion to deliver more bulk-billed GP visits every year, hundreds of nursing scholarships and thousands more doctors. Australian patients and families are saving hundreds of dollars a year in out-of-pocket costs. For the first time, from 1 November last year, our government has expanded bulk-billing incentives to all Australians and created an additional new incentive payment for practices that bulk-bill every patient. Already over 3,300 GP practices are now fully bulk-billing. Over 1,200 of these were previously mixed billing practices, making Medicare even stronger, helping with cost-of-living pressures and making sure every Australian receives the best health care, which they deserve, and for free. The Albanese Labor government's Medicare urgent care clinics are genuinely a game changer for Australians. Our government went to the last election promising to open 50 Medicare urgent care clinics. We've delivered 124 free Medicare urgent care clinics across the country, with more to open. As the assistant health minister, I've recently opened clinics in Gladstone in Central Queensland, Buderim on the Sunshine Coast and Austral in south-western Sydney. More than 2.5 million Australians have already been treated at one of Labor's existing urgent care clinics, which, as I said, provide bulk-billed care for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions seven days a week for extended hours with no appointment needed. In my community on the Central Coast, the Lake Haven urgent care clinic has seen over 31,650 locals since it opened in late 2023. The recently opened Erina Medicare urgent care clinic, which I opened with Dr Reid, the member for Robertson, has already seen more than 1,700 presentations since opening just before Christmas. Medicare urgent care clinics are trusted alternatives to emergency departments for families across the country, with around one in four patients under the age of 15. As a pharmacist, the sole pharmacist in this place, I'm pleased to update the House on how we are making cheaper medicines even cheaper, with a script now costing no more than $25 under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, a general prescription co-payment of $25, as well as freezing the cost of concession scripts at $7.70 through to the end of this decade, to 2030. This is another key cost-of-living measure delivered by the Albanese government. The last time scripts were $25, I was working in a community pharmacy on the Central Coast in my electorate back in 2004. As a pharmacist, I know just how much this matters to Australians. Had we not cut the cost of medicines more than once since coming to government, a single script would now cost more than $50, more than double what it is today. This is a real cost-of-living measure for Australians and it's making a big difference in communities right around the country. In my electorate alone, locals have saved over $12.7 million on 1.7 million cheaper scripts. As a pharmacist, I know that I would see parents come from a visit to the doctor with prescriptions for their children and say, 'Can I share this antibiotic mixture?' or 'Can I get this prescription filled and can I delay this one?' This means that parents and families are now not being forced to make these decisions, that they can get the vital medicines that they and their families need. In the time I have left, I'd like to talk about the difference that our Medicare mental health centres are making. I mentioned the Medicare mental health centre in Lismore earlier and the profound difference that's making in access to free care for local people in a community that has been hit by so many natural disasters and the long tail of those that affect communities. We've now established 53 Medicare mental health centres across the country. These centres offer free walk-in mental health support and care from a team of clinicians and peer workers. As part of our $1.1 billion mental health election package, we're growing the number of these free centres to 92 across the country. Recently, we've opened centres in Campbelltown in south-west Sydney, Mount Isa in north-west Queensland, Burnie on Tasmania's north-west coast and Bondi in response to the tragic terrorist attack. These centres mean people get the mental health care they need without the barriers. There's no cost, no appointment and no referral. It's free care when and where it's needed. That's supported by our new national early intervention service, Medicare Mental Health Check In, which we officially launched on 1 January this year and which, in a staged way, is providing more help for Australians for free. Digital mental health support is free for all Australians over the age of 16. I am proud as a pharmacist, as a local MP and as an assistant health minister to be part of a government that has made the biggest investment in Medicare since it was established, a government that has brought mental health into the heart of Medicare and free services into the heart of communities, and a government that is providing cost-of-living relief to all Australians. 15:46 Dr WEBSTER 281688 Mallee I give a shout-out to the member for Dobell, a lovely member in this House who works incredibly hard. I'm not going to be able to agree with everything that the member says, of course, because I have a different view on our side of the House. I note that the member for Dobell spoke quite a bit about medications, Medicare, clinics and mental health. I really want to focus, however, on a health check for the net zero plan of Labor. I think that it is time, after four years, that the coalition asks the questions. How is this really going? We get a lot of spin from the other side of the chamber, especially from the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. I've got to say that the experience in my electorate is nothing like the spin that the minister likes to give every question time. He won't talk about retail energy prices. There's probably good reason for that. I think so because every Australian family knows, especially in my electorate, that energy prices continue to go up. Choice out in the regions is also another issue that this government is doing nothing about. You might be able to get one teeny tiny gas line, and that's it. You are at the mercy of the company that runs that gas line. The question that was asked many times in question time today was: how's the $275 reduction in energy actually going across Australia? You know what? We never hear about it. It's never actually spoken about by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. There is no apology for the fact that, in actual fact, energy prices have gone up about $1,300, nowhere near a $275 reduction. There is a 40 per cent increase in power bills. Think about that. We heard from our side of the House today so many examples of people—these are people. It would be really wonderful if this Labor government could pay attention to the fact that these are people's lives that are being impacted by the rising cost of living, the continuing cost of living. They're paying for it. They're paying for it in their own energy bills. For renters, it's worse than anything else. We have the climate change and energy minister constantly talking about home batteries—amazing savings. No renter can afford a home battery, and no pensioner can afford a home battery. Who is paying for those batteries? Mr Birrell 288713 The taxpayer. Dr WEBSTER 281688 The taxpayer. Thank you. The member for Nicholls is perfectly right. It is the taxpayer. The taxes of those who are earning not even necessarily great wages are going into paying for this fabulous $2.4 billion scheme for the actual home battery scheme. What is the cost of net zero? Australians are paying somewhere between $120 billion and $140 billion. The figure is a bit washy—really difficult to know. The fact of the matter is that it's taxpayers who are paying the dollars. The Capacity Investment Scheme alone is aiming to support $73 billion of investment by 2030: $52 billion in generation and $21 billion in storage. That's for the big ones that go mostly onto farm properties. I can tell you right now, for the people of Mallee, for farmers who are wearing this enormous cost by the Labor government to go for that ideological aim of net zero, it is happening out in our electorates. We're paying for it. The Nationals believe in a much better energy policy which is cheaper, is better and is fairer. We're not planning on diving well and truly above OECD countries of our kind. We just want to match them in real terms—not the promises, not the ideological fanfare that is constantly made, but in real terms. And Australia is already punching well above its weight. There is no way it is justifiable for the Labor government to try to achieve their ideological aims by pursuing families who live in Australia. 15:51 Ms BRISKEY 263427 Maribyrnong It is the height of hypocrisy for those opposite to come into this chamber and speak the word 'betrayal'. If we want to talk about betrayal, let's talk about the decade of economic wreckage left behind by those opposite. Let's talk about the decade of denial, delay and cuts that stalled our energy grid and gutted the essential services that Australian families rely on. The opposition stands here today pretending to be the champions of everyday Aussies, but there seems to be some amnesia from those opposite. Let's look at their record. Let's look at the man they are apparently going to elect to lead them, potentially, tomorrow: the member for Hume. Where was he in those decades of those lost years while he was the minister for energy? Under the member for Hume's watch, energy bills didn't just rise; they soared. He presided over a chaotic, ideologically driven era where four gigawatts of dispatchable power left the grid, with only one measly gigawatt put in to replace it. Those opposite didn't just fail to plan; they planned to fail. We on this side of the chamber know that Australians are under pressure, and we're doing something about it—not 22 failed energy policies. Our plan is clear, and every member on this side of the chamber is united behind that plan. It's to deliver real cost-of-living relief whilst building Australia's future. Since coming into office, we haven't just talked about the problem; we've acted. We are fixing the mess they left behind. We delivered the most significant energy bill relief in our nation's history. And how did the coalition respond to this direct help for Australians they say they champion? They voted against it. Every single time we stand in this House to lower the bills of everyday Australians, they say no. They voted against the Energy Price Relief Plan. They voted against the caps on gas and coal prices. They talk about betrayal. But the fact that they can look into the eyes of struggling families and then go and vote against their bill relief is the ultimate betrayal. Our government is doing the heavy lifting to rebuild a grid that those opposite ignored for 10 years. We're acting on a suite of energy market reforms to make the market operate more efficiently. We're investing in the renewable revolution. We've launched the Solar Share Offer and the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, ensuring that the benefits of the cheapest form of energy—renewables—are felt in the hip pocket of every Australian. I think of Rhonda and Mark from Travancore in my electorate, who have embraced renewable energy in their household and are now reaping the rewards: cheaper energy prices. Those opposite may not want to talk about the past, but what about the future? Their decade of denial was a betrayal of the futures of young Australians. By refusing to acknowledge the reality of climate change, they didn't just stall our economy; they risked our children's future. Now they want to double down on that betrayal with a nuclear fantasy that experts say is the most expensive way to generate power and won't be ready for decades. It's a recipe for higher bills and more delay. Well, young Australians cannot afford such reckless policies, Labor is delivering for working people. We have delivered real wage increases for the first time in a decade, benefiting our educators, our carers and our low-income workers. These are the everyday Australians those opposite say they are the champions of, yet they vote against protecting penalty rates and rail against superannuation reforms that benefit working people. On health care, we know the cost of living is tough. That's why we've made PBS medicines cheaper, freezing the price of PBS scripts at a maximum of $25—helping people like Fatima in my electorate, who is living with a neurological disorder. She's in her 30s, and the cost of her medicines has been a constant strain on her budget. Fatima represents the many Australians who are benefiting not just from cheaper medicines reforms but from more bulk-billing services, our expanded network of Medicare urgent care clinics and the largest investment in women's health ever. Those opposite come in here and give speeches about government spending. While we return to our communities tonight to continue delivering for them, those opposite will stay behind for yet another party room meeting, where they'll attempt to knife their first female leader—and they want to lecture us about betrayal! 15:56 Mr BIRRELL 288713 Nicholls This topic is about the government's betrayal of Australians due to higher energy costs and other cost-of-living pressures. You will have noticed that we've been asking a lot of questions of the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. What I want to talk about, to begin, is the subject of integrity in campaigning, because I think that's really important. It's one thing to be on the treasury bench, but how you get there, and what you say to get there, matters in a democracy such as ours. Before the 2022 election, the Labor Party—who spend 80 per cent of their energy on the messaging and 20 per cent of their energy on the actual policy—got RepuTex to do a bit of work for them. Someone came up and said, 'Look, if this happens, this happens, this happens and that happens, people's energy bills could fall by $275.' So the Prime Minister went out before that election campaign and said, 'Australians' energy bills will fall by $275.' I'm going to quote him. An opposition member interjecting— Mr BIRRELL 288713 Yes, he said it 97 times. I'm going to quote what the Prime Minister said about that modelling. The Prime Minister said that that modelling, which led to the promise of a $275 fall in energy prices for households, was 'the most comprehensive modelling ever done for any policy by any opposition in Australia's history'. I'm going to repeat that. The RepuTex modelling was 'the most comprehensive modelling ever done for any policy by any opposition in Australia's history'. The people of Australia probably thought: 'Well, they've obviously done the work. If they've done the work, the policy is sound, and, if the policy is sound, we can expect our bills to drop by $275.' There's an inability, on the minister's part, to take responsibility, and that's why we keep asking him about it. When he gets up to the dispatch box, he starts talking about the home battery scheme. I ask my colleagues and anyone in this place: Did the Prime Minister say, 'Household energy bills will drop by $275 by 2025 if they get a cheaper home battery and they pay 10 grand for it'? Did he add that last bit on? I didn't hear him say that. I just heard him say that their energy bills will be reduced by $275. It wasn't a plan to reduce prices; it was a plan to reduce coalition seats, and, unfortunately for Australia, it succeeded. But I think it's worth saying that, when you go to the Australian people with a policy and you say it's the most comprehensive modelling you've ever done, you want to have done the modelling and you want to get it right, because now Australians are paying the price. They're paying the price of a failed energy system that is based on ideology, as many of my colleagues have said. I am a supporter of renewable energy. I think it's a great technology. It needs to be rolled out in the right places, and it needs to be part of a diverse grid. I've spoken before about the Centre for Independent Studies doing some modelling and showing examples from around the world where renewable energy is quite good in a grid up to about 30 or 40 per cent. But, when you get over that, the instability increases, and the prices increase. That is what is happening around the world for the few countries who have tried this, and Australia's attempting to get to 82 per cent renewable energy—intermittent power. It's not that we don't like renewable energy. It's not that we don't think it has a place, but to put so many eggs in that one basket means that we will get instability of the power grid. That matters for households; I get that. But think about industry that's got to run 24/7. If they don't have reliable energy and if they don't have cheaper energy, I worry—and I'm seeing it in my electorate—that some of those businesses will say, 'It's cheaper and easier to do business offshore.' The global emissions don't change if that happens, but, by gosh, the Australian economy is damaged. People who are employed by those companies lose their jobs. We lose economic activity. The tax receipts will fall. You won't be able to brag about redistributing as much money because you won't be getting as much tax. It's a real recipe for disaster in the Australian economy. It's causing great damage to families, to workers, to industries. When you go to an election, do the work, get the policy right and be honest with the Australian people; $275 was not honest, and the Australian people are paying the price. 16:01 Mr BURNELL 300129 Spence Right now, families across Elizabeth, Salisbury, Gawler and Munno Para are feeling the pinch. Groceries cost more. Power bills bite harder. Mortgage repayments stretch further than they used to. At a time like this, Australians expect their government to focus on them, not on internal squabbles. The Albanese Labor government is focused on easing cost-of-living pressures. Whilst those opposite fight each other, we are fighting for working people in communities like Spence. We're delivering more tax cuts for every Australian taxpayer. That means workers in Edinburgh, tradies on job sites in Playford and small business employees in Gawler keep more of what they earn. Combined with stronger wage growth and record job creation, that's real support in the weekly household budget. We've taken decisive action on student debt. We've cut 20 per cent off HELP and student loan balances, wiping an average of $5,500 dollars from individual debts. That's three million Australians nationally carrying a lighter burden. In Spence alone, 19,243 current and former students benefit. That's young apprentices; Uni Hub Playford students; and nurses, teachers and tradies starting their careers in the north. We've changed the repayment system as well. If you're earning $70,000 a year, your annual repayment drops by around $1,300. That's $1,300 staying in your pocket for groceries, fuel, school costs or whatever you choose. We've made the single largest investment in Medicare since its creation over 40 years ago, because, in Spence, bulk-billing matters. We've expanded the bulk-billing incentive and boosted payments to GP clinics that bulk-bill every patient. More than 3,300 GP practices nationally are now fully bulk-billing. In the north, 21 Medicare centres are delivering that support, and by 2030 nine out of 10 GP visits will be bulk-billed, because we're dedicated to expanding financially accessible services for all Australians. We've delivered the largest medicines price reduction in the 75-year history of the PBS. No Australian pays more than $25 for a PBS script—concession card holders no more than $7.70. Australians have saved $2 billion at the pharmacy counter, and we've added or expanded those savings to more than 400 medicines on the PBS. For pensioners in Gawler, families in Elizabeth, veterans across the north, that's real relief. Our Medicare urgent clinics are another game changer. We promised 50; we delivered 124, with more to come. More than 2½ million Australians have received free urgent care. The Elizabeth Medicare urgent care centre is doing outstanding work for the northern suburbs—open seven days, extended hours, fully bulk-billed, no appointment needed. We've also committed $1.1 billion to strengthening mental health services across the country, including new and upgraded Medicare mental health centres offering free walk-in care, because mental health support must be accessible, local and free. We recognise energy prices are too high. Families across the north know it every time the bill arrives. The people of Spence also understand how important renewable energy is to Australia's future. That's why our community has embraced the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. We now have the fifth highest battery uptake in South Australia and the ninth highest in the nation. That is the north stepping up. That is households investing in solar and storage to bring down their bills. It delivers real short-term relief through lower quarterly bills and long-term security through cleaner and more reliable energy. On housing, we are making it easier for Australians to buy their first home. First home buyers can purchase with just a five per cent deposit. If you buy a house in the north, that means that, on average, you will only need a $32,500 deposit to get your foot in the door. That cuts years off the time it takes to save in growing areas like Munno Para, Playford or Gawler. And they won't pay a single dollar in mortgage insurance. We're building 100,000 new homes just for first home buyers, including 17,000 in South Australia—nearly 7,000 reserved for first homebuyers. This is practical cost-of-living relief and an increase in supply. We've delivered tax cuts, lower student debt, cheaper health care, cheaper medicines, energy bill relief now and energy security for the future, and a fairer path into homeownership. There is more work to do, and we will keep on doing it. Whilst others focus on themselves, we remain focused on everyday Aussies. We're focused on easing pressure, on practical relief and on delivering for every household across the north. 16:06 Mr McCORMACK 219646 Riverina I asked the Minister for Climate Change and Energy what I thought was a very reasonable question in question time today. I put to him: why hasn't anyone—just anybody at all—in the Albanese Labor government taken responsibility and just said sorry for failing to deliver the $275 energy bill reduction promised to Australian families? And what did he do back to me? He quoted Taylor Swift. Well, I want to quote another political philosopher, Shania Twain, who once famously said: 'That don't impress me much—oh, oh, ooh. So you got the brains, but have you got the touch?' Well, I would argue about the minister and brains—I will give him some credit—but he's certainly lost touch with ordinary, everyday Australians. They are hurting. They hurt, especially, every time they get their energy bills because their energy bills are going up and up and up. Indeed, there's been a 38 per cent increase in power costs for the average householder, and this is hurting. Couple that with the cost-of-living crisis, and you can understand why people out there, outside this building, think that the minister has lost touch. And he has; it's sad. We know that energy is the economy. We know, certainly, that food production costs are increasing. The poor old farmers are price takers, not price makers, and their bottom lines are reducing appreciably. I'm surrounded by my Nats colleagues. We've got the members for Page, Parkes, Lyne, Hinkler and Nicholls—all great food-growing areas, along with the Riverina. I appreciate there are probably some members over there who have areas where food and fibre are grown. I just saw the member for Durack turn around; she's got the biggest electorate in the world. But it takes energy to produce food, and energy is getting more and more expensive. Whether it's the Sunraysia or the Riverina—or wherever it is—it is just costing our farmers so much more. Every step of the way, they are being stymied by this Labor government. They're having to pay more for water, for inputs and for power. But the cost is also being borne by everybody, every time they go to a supermarket. They get to the register and see that they've got less in their trolley, but it's costing them more. They can't afford it. They're having to make expensive decisions, and it costs their families; it does. We heard—earlier, in question time—about families having to choose one sport over another for their kids. This Labor government is just rushing policy through this place in haste. They're not considering the average, ordinary, everyday Australian when they make these policy decisions on the run. We heard the member for Nicholls talking about renewables. He's right—there's nothing wrong with renewables, but it has to be in balance. Indeed, one in four homes had rooftop solar under the former coalition government. It was the highest in the world. I know the Labor government crow about it and say, 'Oh, we're fantastic in that regard,' but we were getting to work on reducing power costs. Those opposite are only hurting people with higher energy prices, and it has to stop. The buck has to stop somewhere; it stops with this government. The government said they were going to address the cost-of-living crisis but spent the first 18 months putting in place a $450 million referendum on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, dividing Australians and, certainly, getting nothing from that. When you get the minister responsible for hoping to bring down energy costs, all he can do is quote Taylor Swift—nothing against Taylor Swift, but he needs to get absolutely serious about the energy costs of this country. In the Upper Lachlan shire, where they actually support 53 per cent of New South Wales's green energy projects, they're getting blackouts all the time. Then they're expected to put in more towers—towers as high as 260 metres. It's going to cover the countryside of the Yass Valley and the Upper Lachlan shire, when they're already paying the most when it comes to green energy projects. It has to stop. This government has to stop the reckless rollout of renewable projects, because it's hurting regional Australia, particularly my electorate of Riverina. 16:11 Mr FRENCH 316550 Moore I rise to address the claim that Australians have been betrayed through higher energy prices and cost-of-living pressures. It's a serious allegation, but it should be tested against facts, history and responsibility. The rhetoric is loud, but the history is inconvenient. Let us start with energy. Wholesale electricity and gas prices did not suddenly become volatile because of a change of government. They were hit by a global energy shock following the war in Ukraine. They were strained by an ageing coal fleet reaching retirement. They were constrained by inadequate transmission. They were weakened by a decade of stalled reform and policy drift. Those structural reforms were not new; they were inherited—a bit like their wealth. For nearly a decade, there was no settled national energy framework capable of attracting long-term capital from the so-called party of business. Announcements were made, schemes were floated, leaders were replaced, policies were rebadged and reannounced, and investors were left waiting. Energy systems are capital intensive and long dated. If you delay decisions for political convenience, you do not avoid costs. You compound them. Member for Page, I strongly suggest you visit regional Western Australia and see those remote communities and those mine sites you love so much adding renewables because of the savings—in the mining industry. Energy systems do not respond to slogans. They respond to steel in the ground and capital committed—capital, concrete, copper. Let us not forget another uncomfortable chapter, the great privatisation experiment. Across this country, Liberal governments have sold poles and wires, they've sold generation assets, and they promised efficiency, competition and lower prices. Australians got higher network costs, vertically integrated gentailers with significant market power and a regulatory maze that made genuine competition harder, not easier. You cannot sell the family silver, pocket the proceeds and then express shock when the new owners seek a commercial return. Once the assets are sold, governments lose direct leverage over pricing and planning. That is not ideology. This is corporate law. What Australians saw much of the last decade was drift. What investors saw was risk. What households experienced was volatility. Since forming government, we have taken practical steps. First, we've delivered targeted energy bill relief to households and small businesses. That has directly reduced pressure and contributed to moderating inflation. Second, we've accelerated transmission investment and supported new generation and firming capacity so that reliability is maintained as ageing coal exits the system. Reliability is sustained by engineering and investment, not by a press conference. Third, we strengthened market oversights and competition settings to ensure Australians are not paying more than they should. Importantly, wholesale electricity prices have come down from the extraordinary peaks seen during the global energy shock. That stabilisation matters. Wholesale markets drive retail outcomes. Reduced volatility is not accidental; it reflects coordinated intervention and new supply entering the system. On the broader cost-of-living question, context matters. Inflation surged across advanced economies. Europe, North America and Asia have all faced the same pressures: supply chain disruption, labour shortages and energy shocks. The cost-of-living pressures Australians face are real, and no responsible government dismisses them. We have taken inflation seriously since day one. The responsible course in that environment is not to inflame demand or abandon fiscal discipline; it is to stabilise inflation, provide targeted relief, restore wage growth and maintain credibility. Inflation has moderated from its peak, real wages have returned to growth, and tax cuts have been delivered to every taxpayer. Cheaper medicines, expanded child care and energy rebates have reduced household pressure. That is not betrayal; that is disciplined management in difficult global conditions. In 1964, Donald Horne wrote The Lucky Country. It is often quoted as praise, but it was not; it was a warning. He warned of a nation run by second-rate people—I'm looking at you guys over there—who relied on luck rather than leadership, of shopkeepers and ticket clippers content to take margin from the system rather than build new capability. For too long, energy policy resembled ticket-clipping economics, defending ageing assets, delaying reform, avoiding hard decisions and hoping the market sorts it out. Energy markets do not reward hope; they reward planning. Ms Penfold 248895 That was a good socialist speech. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 Member for Lyne, I'd actually like to hear the member for Hinkler right now. 16:16 Mr BATT 315478 Hinkler I rise to support the member for Page, who today provides the House with the important fact that this government's betrayal of Australians due to higher energy costs and other cost-of-living pressures is out of control. Only late last year, I hosted the Deputy Leader of the Nationals in my electorate of Hinkler, one of the lowest socioeconomic regions of this country, and he was able to see firsthand that Labor's mismanagement is hitting Hinkler hard. As of late 2025, the average weekly rent for houses in Hervey Bay was sitting between $625 and $650. That's a super tight, high-demand market with vacancy rates below one per cent. I recently toured the ever-expanding Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre with CEO Tanya Stevenson and committee member Bernard Whebell. The organisation develops and delivers programs and services in response to community needs, and one of the most pressing is the need to support vulnerable people who are feeling the immense squeeze of Labor's cost-of-living crisis. When power prices rise and keep rising under Labor, this impacts the wellbeing of our community, and organisations like the neighbourhood centre step up and are busier than ever. A drop in transport access for the elderly means a loss of connection and not attending medical appointments. Demand for emergency relief is skyrocketing. The neighbourhood centre's Comfort Kitchen usually serves 80 meals every Wednesday night. It's now around 120, and the growth area, sadly, is in children's meals. More people are coming in for help with housing support, but there's very little left to provide. This week, I also heard from the Salvos in Bundaberg, where Captain Chris Millard described a 20 per cent rise in demand at Christmas time. More people need food and essentials than ever before. This growing list of essential needs is simply too expensive under this government. Labor has presided over the biggest collapse in living standards in the developed world while fuelling an addiction to spending that is driving up the cost of living today and leaving a $1.2 trillion debt bomb for the next generation. Under Labor, we have experienced the largest decline in living standards in the developed world. Mortgages are up by an average of $1,800 a month after 12 rate rises. Labor's spending has blown out from 24 to 27 per cent of GDP, the highest level outside of a recession in nearly 40 years. Every minute, we are paying $50,000, or $72 million a day, just in interest on Labor's debt. Every dollar that pays interest is a dollar we can't spend on aged care, on Medicare, on schools, on hospitals or on tax relief. We cannot put unsustainable spending on the national credit card for our kids to pay back tomorrow through Labor's higher taxes. After nearly four years of Labor, Australians are paying more for everything. Insurance is up by 39 per cent, energy is up by 38 per cent, rent is up by 22 per cent, health care is up by 18 per cent, education is up by 17 per cent and food is up by 16 per cent. When I return home over the coming weeks, I will be asked, 'What will the coalition do about this mess?' We'll take the pressure off families, fix the budget and keep Australians safe. We will start by cutting income tax and easing cost-of-living pressures. We'll get the budget under control and stop the waste. We'll introduce affordable energy and responsible emissions reduction. Importantly, we must keep Australians safe at home and secure our borders. It's in our DNA to keep backing small business, growing the economy and creating jobs. We'll cut red tape, support enterprise and get more Aussies into work. The Nationals have led the plan for a cheaper, better and fairer future, with regional Australia at the heart of this sensible policy. Our energy and climate plan is to lower prices first by amending the rules to prioritise the lowest energy prices, to do our fair share by aligning ourselves with comparable nations and to create a fair go for all by scrapping senseless carbon taxes and reducing the regions' heavy burdens. Empowering local solutions, we'll support the local initiatives on the ground that make a positive environmental difference, and we'll support all technology. It's not just about ruling out renewables but about having a sensible approach and a sensible mix. For protecting our security, we must prioritise defence, our critical minerals and our food and fuel security. The Salvos in Bundy and the neighbourhood centre in Hervey Bay, like many service providers, are going to need more support to deliver and answer the constant calls for food, shelter and general expenses. It's about the weekly shop, the monthly power bill, the rent and the mortgage. This is Labor's cost-of-living crisis. Labor spends, prices rise and Australians pay. 16:21 Ms WITTY 316660 Melbourne 'Betrayal'—it is a dramatic word. It is meant to suggest abandonment. It's meant to suggest indifference. But I represent Melbourne. I know what indifference looks like! I saw it before I entered this parliament. As a CEO of a not-for-profit, I worked with families across Melbourne who had never asked for help before—parents in Carlton, South Yarra and Abbotsford, workers and professionals. They were people who had always paid their bills. When the power bill rose, the rent rose and the grocery bills crept higher, the numbers stopped adding up. What I learned on the front line is simple: governments' choices matter. When government steps up, families steady. When governments drift, families fail. Energy prices have been volatile; that is true. But they did not rise in isolation. The Albanese Labor government inherited a system where 24 of 28 coal-fired power stations had announced closures without a proper replacement plan. There was a decade of stalled transmission projects, a decade of policy chaos and denial. That is the context. The Albanese Labor government acted strongly, with three rounds of energy bill relief, caps on runaway coal and gas prices, and record investment in cheaper renewable energy and storage. Wholesale electricity prices fell by around a third last quarter. That matters in Melbourne, where renters and families feel every change. We are reforming the energy rules so that the market works better for customers, not just retailers; tightening the default market offer; cracking down on unfair fees; and ensuring hardship customers are placed on the best available plan. We are delivering more than 150,000 cheaper home batteries nationwide, helping households store cheap solar power and permanently lowering bills. This is not a short-term fix. This is a structural reform that reshapes the system. The Albanese Labor government has never claimed energy reform alone would solve cost-of-living pressures. That is why this government's response has been broader and relentless. Tax cuts for every Australian taxpayer are already flowing, with two further rounds legislated. By 2027-28, the average annual cut will be around $2,548. We cut student debt by 20 per cent, the largest reduction in Australian history. In my electorate alone, more than 36,000 people carry student debt. That cut means thousands of dollars wiped away from each and every one of them. The Labor government reduced the PBS co-payment to $25. In Melbourne, residents have saved more than $18.8 million on cheaper medicines. We have strengthened Medicare; opened urgent care clinics, including in Carlton; backed increases to minimum and award wages; delivered back-to-back increases in Commonwealth rent assistance; provided cheaper child care; extended TAFE; and supported apprenticeships in housing and construction. This is not a government standing back; this is the Albanese Labor government getting on with the work, rebuilding and delivering. Let us be honest about the alternative. Under the former coalition government, real wages went backwards, bulk-billing fell, housing supply stalled and energy policy was paralysed. They had 10 years to prepare the grid, 10 years to strengthen housing supply and 10 years to protect Medicare. They did not. That speaks of betrayal. In Melbourne, betrayal would be doing nothing. Betrayal would be telling renters in Fitzroy that the market will sort it out. Betrayal would be telling young people in Collingwood to accept lifelong debt. The Albanese Labor government rejects that approach. We are cutting student debt while investing in productivity. We are making medicines cheaper while protecting Medicare. We are backing housing supply so Melbourne does not become a city only the wealthy can afford. I represent a city that organises, mobilises and demands fairness. Melbourne does not want slogans; Melbourne wants delivery, and that is what the Albanese Labor government is providing—practical relief, long-term reform and relentless action for working people. That is not betrayal; that is a government standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of Melbourne. That is a government that stands, fights and delivers for working Australians, and that is a government I am proud to be part of. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 The discussion has now concluded. BILLS 69 BILLS Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2025-2026, Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026 69

Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026

Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2025-2026

Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026

Second Reading 69 16:26 Ms LANDRY 249764 Capricornia We are at a crossroads. Australia is struggling under the weight of the Labor government's reckless economic mismanagement, and nowhere is this more evident than in regional Australia and in my electorate of Capricornia. As I have said repeatedly, it is deeply disappointing that, while the wealth of this nation is generated in the regions, the federal Labor government continues to turn its back on regional Australia and fails to recognise the value and importance that regions bring when government spending decisions are made. Today, as we bring these appropriation bills to the chamber—bills that allocate $12.7 billion to keep the government running—we must also confront the dire truth: this is a financial mess of Labor's own making, and ordinary Australians, particularly those in Central Queensland, are being left to deal with the consequences. In total, these appropriation bills seek approval for $12.7 billion in additional appropriations—$9.1 billion for ordinary services, $3.5 billion for non-ordinary services and $9.2 million for the parliamentary departments. Let me be clear from the outset: the coalition recognises that the appropriation bills are the mechanism through which governments fund their policies and keep the machinery of government operating, but the decision not to oppose these bills must never be mistaken for an endorsement of this government's economic management, spending priorities or complete lack of fiscal restraint and disregard for everyday Australians, who will ultimately be left to pick up the Albanese government's tab. Appropriation bills such as these present one of the rare opportunities for this parliament to step back and examine the totality of government operations, spending decisions and fiscal discipline—or, in this case, the glaring absence of it. The uncomfortable truth is Australia is running on continual deficits not because revenue is weak but because spending is out of control. Record levels of revenue are being completely outstripped by record levels of spending and record levels of spending growth. This is not restraint, this is not responsible economic management and this is certainly not what Australians were promised. Since Labor's election to power in 2022, my constituents in Capricornia were promised that they would be better off—no-one held back and no-one left behind. Unfortunately for the people of Capricornia, that promise has been broken time and time again. Since Labor came to office, critical infrastructure and community projects in regional Australia have been delayed, defunded or thrown on the scrap heap altogether. Labor's policies are directly hurting regional communities, and these appropriation bills once again highlight a troubling pattern of neglect and misplaced priorities that continue to disadvantage Central Queensland. This government's decisions show, once again, a government that is out of touch with the realities faced by Australians living outside the capital cities. One of the most damaging examples is Labor's decision to slash NDIS provider travel reimbursements by half. Under these changes, providers' capacity to travel to clients in regional and remote areas has been severely reduced regardless of distance. For communities spread across vast geographic areas like my electorate of Capricornia, this is not a minor— Debate interrupted. ADJOURNMENT 70 ADJOURNMENT Food Industry 70 16:30 Dr SCAMPS 299623 Mackellar Currently, a quarter of Australian children are above the healthy weight range, placing them on an early trajectory towards chronic disease. Among adults, that figure rises to two-thirds. This is clearly not an individual problem; it is a societal challenge that begins in childhood and compounds over time. Obesity remains a leading risk factor for type 2 diabetes, stroke, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and, of course, several cancers. In the current context—with Australia broadly facing a shortage of health professionals, including GP specialists and all allied health; with hospitals around the country facing significant problems with bed block; and considering that the new health reform agreement required an injection of an extra $25 billion just to get it across the line—it is abundantly clear that we are well over time to start focusing on prevention. The National Obesity Strategy estimates that obesity already costs our health system $12 billion every year—a figure that is projected to balloon to $88 billion by 2032, unless we act. There is overwhelming evidence of a direct link between children's exposure to junk food advertising and rates of childhood obesity. On average, studies suggest children are seeing up to 168 junk food ads every single week. This relentless marketing is not accidental; it is a sophisticated, research driven strategy designed to create brand loyalty, drive consumption and normalise unhealthy eating habits from a young age so that they become entrenched for an entire lifetime. In 2022 alone, the Australian food sector spent $386 million on marketing for unhealthy food and drinks, with the majority of products being high in fat, sugar and salt. These are precisely the products that are contributing to our obesity crisis. Importantly, the National Obesity Strategy, the National Preventive Health Strategy and the National Diabetes Strategy all identify restricting unhealthy food marketing to children as a priority reform. That's why, in 2023, I introduced the healthy kids advertising bill to remove junk food ads from TV and radio between 6 am and 9.30 pm and to place an outright ban on paid junk food marketing on social media and other online environments. This policy is strongly backed by the Australian Medical Association, Dietitians Australia, Diabetes Australia, the Cancer Council, Food for Health Alliance, the Public Health Association of Australia and key medical colleges including the Royal Australian colleges of physicians and of GPS. Parents regularly raise their concerns with me about predatory junk food marketing directed at their children. And research from the Australia Institute shows two-thirds of Australians support regulating unhealthy food marketing. It seems just plain wrong that corporations have been given free rein to target our kids with the advertising of junk food that is making them sick. Corporations are getting rich by making our children sick. In 2024, the government commissioned a feasibility study led by the University of Wollongong to examine policy options to restrict unhealthy food marketing to children. My understanding is that the study's findings were delivered to the Department of Health and Aged Care four months ago. I urge the government to release this study so we can get on with the next steps in protecting our children's health. The consultation paper canvassed key options around junk food advertising, including restricting unhealthy food advertising on broadcast media between 5.30 am and 11 pm, including on TV, in radio, in cinema, on podcasts and on streaming services. It also raised the idea of restricting all online marketing for unhealthy food products and banning outdoor media, including government owned assets, within 750 metres of schools and along major transport corridors. The South Australian government has already implemented a mandatory ban on unhealthy food and drink advertising across all government owned transit assets, including buses, trains and trams. Globally, more than 40 countries have acted to regulate junk food advertising. Australia is lagging behind while unhealthy food marketing continues to target our children. Let's get busy. Multiculturalism, International Relations 71 16:35 Ms STANLEY 265990 Werriwa The community that I serve in Werriwa in South West Sydney is a snapshot of modern Australia. People from all parts of the globe have chosen to settle, work and raise their families in our community. In the most recent census, we find that 66 per cent of households in the electorate of Werriwa use a language other than English at home. Of these, Arabic, Vietnamese, Hindi, Assyrian Neo-Aramaic and Spanish are the most common, and just over 68 per cent of Werriwa residents note that both parents were born overseas, compared to the national average of 36 per cent. In the decades from 2001 to 2020, almost 47,000 people arrived from overseas to call our community home. The world is reflected in the faces of the people who live in Werriwa. Unfortunately, at the moment, the world is a very sad and distressing place. We see on our nightly news and in social media conflicts everywhere. We see the ongoing illegal invasion of Ukraine, the devastation and displacement in Gaza and the West Bank, conflict and war in Sudan, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Iraq and recently Iran and for our Kurdish community. Many in our community are devastated and haunted by what they see, particularly as most still have relatives and friends who are being subjected to the horrors every day. I know because I've listened to too many stories recounting in detail the distress and helplessness they feel. I met with leaders from the Australian Kurdish community this week. Their concern and distress is obvious not just in their words. Thank you to Councillor Mira Ibrahim, Councillor Ismet Tastan, Baran Sougt, Dilvan Bircan and Brusk Aiveri, the President of the Federation of Democratic Kurdish Society in Australia. I also note the concerns and distress of those of our in our community of Islamic faith, who have been the subject of vile attacks on social media and in person. These attacks are often nauseating, and I'm not going to detail them here, but I know that the AFP and the NSW Police are aware and that investigations will continue. Too often, schools and places of worship in Werriwa are the subject of racist incidents which cause fear and distress. I am told that this has meant that many in our community are fearful to practise their faith at mosques around Werriwa. I unequivocally speak out against this behaviour. This is not the community or the Australia I know. We pride ourselves on being an egalitarian society where every single person has the right within the law to worship the god of their choice or not believe at all. I thank our Islamic community for their warmth and friendship towards my family and I. While there are so many names I could mention here, I note Ahmet Polat, Ismal and Recep Aydogan and the board of the Affinity Association, who have been working towards a harmonious community for several decades. I also note Omah Agha and Mazhar Hadid of the Australian Islamic House, Ayman Alwan from Al Amanah College and many, many more. We are a society who respect each other. Overwhelmingly, this is true. Look at the number of people who volunteer or who run towards danger to help our fellow citizens. We've seen this time and time again this summer—rescuing people from rips and sharks, standing in front of bullets. The experiences are too many to mention, but they occur every day. If you are finding you are distressed or need further support, please consider seeking help from your GP or one of the Albanese government's new Medicare mental health facilities. The Medicare mental health facilities closest to our community are at 6 Dumaresq Street, Campbelltown, or 203 Northumberland Street, Liverpool. And if you're between 12 and 25, headspace at Edmondson Park is open for mental health support as well. During the recent election, I was proud to stand with the Minister for Health and Aged Care to promise another Medicare mental health facility in Werriwa. I'm working with the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention to ensure this is delivered to our community in the next financial year so it provides further support. Also launched in January is the Medicare Mental Health phone line. You can call this to provide support and referrals: 1800595212. There will be someone that you will be connected to that can help. Lifeline and Beyond Blue are also available for further support. Economy 72 16:40 Mr HAWKE HWO Mitchell I rise today to highlight to the government the importance of the right allocation of capital within the economy and the consequences of their lack of understanding of the role of public finance and the public financing of industry and innovation in our economy. I want to note that it's been a privilege to hold the role of shadow minister for industry and innovation in the opposition led by the member for Farrer, Sussan Ley, because we understand the role of capital in the economy. The government has told us for years that we've been promised a future made in Australia, which would be delivered by the government. We were told that, if enough taxpayer cheques were written, we could manufacture our way to prosperity. But we are witnessing what is happening with the inevitable unravelling of the government's 'net zero at any cost' agenda, and we do see the cracks of this idea of public finance rescuing industry and innovation coming to the fore. Let us have a look at the graveyards of Labor's manufacturing dream. Redflow, the champion of zinc-bromine storage, entered administration in August 2024. It had everything the Labor Party loves: grants from California, millions from Queensland Labor and US defence contracts. It had state support, but it lacked market viability. Energy Renaissance, the pride of New South Wales's lithium manufacturing, collapsed in 2025. These bankruptcies were screaming market signals about these businesses, yet the government's response wasn't to reflect on these market signals or understand them, or attempt to understand them, but to announce a $500 million Battery Breakthrough Initiative. This is an investment in the zombification of the economy using taxpayers money to raise the dead. It will not work. Nowhere is this arrogance clearer than through the National Reconstruction Fund. We were told the National Reconstruction Fund would build sovereign capability. It sounds like a worthy goal. Instead, it uses $45 million of taxpayer funds to refinance Arnott's biscuits, and let's not be romantic about Arnott's biscuits. It's a company owned by a US private equity giant with hundreds of billions in assets. Why does it need $45 million of taxpayers money? Private lenders were lining up to fund Arnott's. The NRF—the government funded, the taxpayers, NRF—didn't crowd in investment. It crowded out the private sector to refinance a snack-food company. How is that investing in sovereign capability? It isn't. Worse still is the financial vandalism. In 2023, Labor promised that the National Reconstruction Fund would return the bond rate plus two to three per cent. That is a pretty worthy goal. But last week they announced a $5 billion net zero sub-fund that will explicitly target a return of one per cent below the bond rate. In two years, Labor's turned a $15 billion investment of taxpayers money, public money, into a guaranteed loss-making machine—structural loss. They're borrowing money we don't have to invest in companies that lose money to generate a lower return than the cost of borrowing the money in the first place. Imagine if we gave Warren Buffett $5 billion and said, 'Could you go and make a return for us instead?' The taxpayer could pay down some of our debt and lower taxes. Instead, structural losses—now one per cent below the bond rate. The minister calls the two-class economy that Labor is creating world-leading finance. I call it reckless gambling. As a lifelong Liberal, it is reckless gambling with taxpayers money. It's borrowed money on borrowed time. We've seen massive heavy industry bailouts—billions for Whyalla steelworks from the public and millions for smelters. The last one was Glencore's smelters in Mount Isa. Sounds worthy, but $600 million for 600 workers is $1 million per job in a bailout. That's one million dollars per job saved. Compare that largesse to the record 41,000 small businesses that have collapsed into insolvency under this government. The local builder and the corner cafe that have gone out of business at record rates don't have lobbyists in Canberra. They don't have bailouts coming from a government. What they get is an ATO debt notice, and what the Minister for Small Business announced this week is a helpline for their debt. It's a failure; there's no rescue for them. There's a two-class economy being created by this failure to understand finance and what crowding in public sector money does to public-sector finance. The people who are too big to fail get huge government bailouts. The forgotten families and their businesses and everyone from the bottom up get more red tape, more debt notices and more liquidations. The deeper problem is the signal this sends. When you tell investors that losses don't matter, you break the market's compass. When the government tries to subsidise things that are failing already, in fields that are failing structurally, taxpayers' money is wasted, capital is distorted and the government gets deep into debt—and every one of us has to pay back that debt anyway. I say to the Labor Party: reconsider your National Reconstruction Fund, understand public finance and understand what structural inflation you are causing with this mess. International Relations: Australia and Indonesia 73 16:45 Mr SOON 298618 Banks In my first speech to the House, I spoke of Australia's unique positioning in the Asia-Pacific and the importance of strong relationships with our closest neighbours and regional partners. I also spoke about my own family's heritage in South-East Asia and my time in diplomacy. As we finish the first sitting fortnight of the new year, I want to take this opportunity to recognise some of the great work of this Labor government in the foreign affairs portfolio, which came to fruition last weekend, to strengthen these regional relationships. I was so pleased to see the successful visit of the Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs to Indonesia. As the Prime Minister said in question time earlier this week, 'no country is more important to Australia or to the prosperity, security and stability of our region and the Indo-Pacific than Indonesia'. At the centre of the visit was a meeting with the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, and the signing of the historic Australia-Indonesia Treaty on Common Security. This treaty builds on the 1995 Agreement on Maintaining Security, signed by Prime Minister Keating and President Suharto. The agreement reflects the strong relationship between our two countries, elevating our defence cooperation to a new level. It emphasises the close friendship and partnership we share and the deep trust that exists between our two countries. The treaty encompasses a number of new initiatives, including the development of joint defence training facilities on Morotai island, a new embedded position for a senior Indonesian military officer in the Australian Defence Force and the building of ties between future military leaders through the expansion of the Junior Leaders Forum military exchange program. Importantly, the treaty signed on Friday commits our countries to leader-level consultations. That, in combination with the defence cooperation agreement signed in 2024—an agreement which makes it easier for our respective defence forces to operate from each other's territory and bases—ensures strong security engagement between our two countries. Formal diplomatic ties between Australia and Indonesia commenced on 27 December 1949, when Australia recognised Indonesia's independence. However, the connection extends much farther, with archaeological discoveries unveiling contact being made by the Makassar and Kupang peoples of Indonesia and Indigenous Australians hundreds of years ago. Australia and Indonesia's relationship is steeped in centuries of history, friendship and trade. In 2024-25, Indonesia was our ninth largest two-way trade partner by value at $34.8 billion and our 10th largest export market at $16.42 billion. Indonesia is also Australia's top destination for short-term overseas travel, with around 1.75 million visits made by Australians in 2024-25. More than 200,000 Indonesians in total have studied in Australia, including senior government and business leaders. The agreement signed by the Prime Minister is the latest expansion of the long and rich friendship between our two countries. With international regional security being as important as it has ever been, Australia and Indonesia are working together—as my friend the Deputy Prime Minister described it—'as the very closest of neighbours, as the very dearest of friends and with a shared commitment of purpose and destiny'. In my first speech to the House, I also said that a threat to peace and security anywhere is a threat to peace and security everywhere. I want to close by reminding the House of some of the less-known threats to peace around the world. As we speak, the brutal conflict in the Sudan rages on, causing unthinkable suffering. Tensions continue to escalate in the Horn of Africa, and concerning reports continue to come from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Sahel and Myanmar. While our priority in this House is always Australia, we must remind ourselves of what is happening around the world, and it should give us some pause to reflect on how fortunate we are to be Australians. Cook Electorate: Acknowledgements 73 16:50 Mr KENNEDY 267506 Cook Firstly, I'd like to acknowledge Mr John Nour OAM, who has been recognised for his service to the Coptic Orthodox Church and to the Egyptian community. His contribution exemplifies the vital role faith and cultural organisations play in my local electorate in fostering inclusion, providing support and strengthening cohesion in our multicultural society. Through leadership, service and quiet dedication, Mr Nour has helped build bridges across my community and ensure faith remains a source of unity and supports many local families. He is a great man. I congratulate him on this very well-deserved recognition. I also rise to acknowledge a number of outstanding local organisations that have recently received volunteer grants. Making a significant difference across the Sutherland Shire, St Raphael's Catholic parish has parish minister coordinator Michael Fernandes, as well as Thomas Alukka and Jan Chrzczonowicz. For their service, leadership and dedication, we gave them a volunteer grant so they could continue to do great work in the community. I recognise Lilli Pilli Public School P&C and Carlie Sidey for helping organise a number of great volunteer events at Lilli Pilli and building a lovely community garden there. I'd also like to acknowledge Gymea Bay Public School P&C, coordinated by Renee Kirchner, as well as Laguna Street Public School P&C association, organised by Beaux Thompson. These parent led organisations are essential to strengthening our local school communities and supporting students. I'd like to acknowledge 1st Caringbah Scout Group, organised by Sharon Abbott, for their commitment to youth development and leadership in the local area. At Southside Church, I'd like to recognise Pastor Phil Macarthur for his leadership and service in my community. I'd like to acknowledge Kingsway Community Care. Under the stewardship of Brook Stewart, they provide an essential role in my community with housing, and they also help a number of domestic violence victims and their families. I commend Swim Coffee Chat and the Cronulla Gropers, founded by Jason Dorahy and Lee Murphy. They do amazing work, and I enjoy participating with them, swimming out to Shark Island. Every day, they're out there looking after men and men's mental health and doing a great job. Thank you gentlemen for what you do for our local community. I'd like to acknowledge the extraordinary work of Dandelion Support Network led by Gabrielle Humphreys and operation coordinator Kaylene Pring. They support families in need and women with children with prams, strollers, car seats—beautifully arranged—and often domestic violence victims as well. Thank you for what you do for our community. I want to recognise Skillz4Me founder and CEO Sarah Costello and program director Sarah Diener for their work supporting young people and families. I've been there and seen what they do with disabled children in our community, often some of the highest needs disabled children, providing a safe space and a network for all these families. Ladies, thank you for what you do. The St Luke's Anglican Church Miranda parish organised by Philip moss and the Catholic parish of St Aloysius led by Father James McCarthy—both are great people who do great things for people of faith in our community. I'd like to thank Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking, organised by Greg Spencer, whose volunteers give their time and keep people safe on our waterways. I'd also like to acknowledge the Morris Children Fund, founded by Garry Morris. They do fantastic work visiting the local schools in my electorate where there are disabled children to equip beautiful sensory rooms and all types of great programs so they can participate like every other child in our electorate. I'd also like to acknowledge the Nicole Fitzsimons Foundation led by Kate, Vince and Matt Fitzsimons. Congratulations on the work you do. Again, I am so sorry for your recent loss. They've got compassion, commitment and they help families and children in need. Each of these organisations and the individuals behind them represent something profoundly important. They remind us that strong communities are not built by governments; they are built by volunteers, faith leaders, parents, coaches, fundraisers and everyday Australians who choose to make a part of their life the doing for others. I place on record my sincere thanks to every individual organisation I have named tonight. Their work strengthens our local community, helps the vulnerable and embodies the very best of the Sutherland Shire. Low Isles Preservation Society 74 16:55 Mr MATT SMITH 312393 Leichhardt It is late on a Thursday afternoon. This time tomorrow I will be back in beautiful Leichhardt—one of the best places in Australia. Even you, Speaker, despite your passion and love for Oxley, must acknowledge the natural beauty of Leichhardt. Where else can you visit the tourist magnets of Cairns and Port Douglas? I was actually just up in Mossman, Port Douglas just a couple of weeks back running community offices, catching up with council and community groups and visiting the Mossman Botanic Garden. One of the groups I met was the Low Isles Preservation Society. For those who don't know, the conservation group is dedicated to the protection, preservation and I guess the projection of the Low Isles, which are just off the coast of Port Douglas. Reef trippers from all around the world go there. Not long ago the group got a grant of just under $7,000, through the federal government's Stronger Communities Program, to help them deliver educational panels and signage to help them with their mission and to educate our youth. The grant was obviously sourced by the former member and delivered by the Albanese Labor government. Supporting local conservation groups is so important, as making sure we have passionate locals protecting these places is the best way to keep them safe. Locals always know best. I'm really keen to make sure we're helping groups up in my electorate like the Low Isles Preservation Society protect Far North Queensland. One of the things that was raised at the meeting was the need to get create opportunities for more Australians to get out on the reef. The best way to protect the reef, to learn about the reef, is to come and visit it and help protect and promote one of our great marine wonders. This is why I can't wait for the Albanese Labor government's Reef Educational Experience Fund to kick off. There is $6 million for the Kids on the Reef rebate program for schools right across Australia to subsidise excursions to our Great Barrier Reef, making it easier for students to experience our natural beauty first-hand. There is $1 million in support for local reef tourism operators, covering up to 50 per cent of the costs necessary for the upgrades, checks or clearances that are going to be required to accommodate these school groups. And there is another $3 million for Tourism Tropical North Queensland, who do a fantastic job, to deliver an international education campaign in key overseas markets, showing everybody you should visit the reef not just to see it but also to help protect it. All of this builds into the Albanese Labor government's record investment of a $1.2 billion to protect, manage and restore the Great Barrier Reef, which, as we know, is responsible for adding over $9 billion a year into the economy and protecting 77,000 jobs. But beyond that everyone who lives along the reef knows that this natural titan is more than an economy. It is culture. It is everything that we are in the Far North. It's what draws us there. This is giving the opportunity to the youth of Australia to come along to visit and learn to love it—because you protect what you love. This is giving young kids the opportunity that I would never have had growing up in Victoria to go to a tropical paradise and experience first-hand six of the world's seven marine turtles. Turtles are great. Everyone will write home about them and about the clownfish, now affectionately known as Nemo, though I'm not sure if anyone's asked them if they're okay with that change. We can't afford to risk the future of the reef. Protecting the reef is a responsibility. It is a legacy for all of us. And I'm proud that this Anthony Albanese Labor government is taking the protection of the reef seriously. The important thing to remember is that protecting the reef is an active thing. And the best way to protect the reef is to come and visit it. Anyone who knows science knows that data is key. We get data by getting eyes on the reef, and we get eyes on the reef by people coming up to visit. Citizen science, the TRPI program and the removal of COTS all depend on people coming to visit. You help our economy, you help maintain those 77,000 jobs and you help protect one of the great natural wonders of the world. It is a truly special place. I will be home very, very soon. I will walk along the beaches of the Coral Sea and I will look out knowing that the reef is there now, knowing that we are working to protect the reef for generations and knowing that hundreds of thousands of people will come to Cairns to experience it with me. Come to the reef. Come to Leichhardt. Have the time of your life. House adjourned at 17:00 The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Small ) took the chair at 09:39.

Thursday, 12 February 2026

The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Small ) took the chair at 09:39.

CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS 76 CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS Bradfield Electorate: Gambling 76 09:39 Ms BOELE 26417 Bradfield When communities consider major redevelopment proposals, the question before us is never merely one of land use or architectural form. It's a question of values. What kind of neighbourhoods do we want for our families, for our young people and for the future? In my electorate of Bradfield, there's a proposal to redevelop the St Ives Shopping Village. The proposal includes an enhanced retail space, new restaurants, cafes, outdoor dining and an entertainment precinct anchored by a seven-screen cinema. The developer also wants to repurpose buildings to make way for a tavern, The ground floor of which would house a 200 square metre gaming room. I've had nearly 60 constituents contact me about this. The theme of the correspondence is that the proximity of the poker machines to a family friendly shopping precinct, which has an existing playground, a skate park and cinemas proposed, is socially irresponsible and would dramatically change the character of the village. We already have 737 electronic gaming machines in Bradfield, and constituents are telling me we don't need more. Residents have also raised concerns about the broader social impacts associated with poker-machine gambling related stress. These are not hypothetical issues. They reflect a deeply personal experience for some families—increased financial hardship, mental strain and family breakdown, including the heightened risk of domestic violence and research that has repeatedly linked these to gambling related stresses. Nationally, Australians lose $13 billion every year on poker machines alone, according to analysis by the Australia Institute, and these losses are not evenly spread. They come disproportionately from people experiencing stress, loneliness, housing insecurity and other vulnerabilities. Importantly, local residents have made it clear that they support redevelopment, but they support redevelopment with purpose. What they want are facilities that strengthen the social fabric—a local flexible arts and performance space, community health services, and other infrastructure that supports families rather than exposing them to preventable harms. Some community members have shared personal stories, including experiences of growing up in households affected by poker-machine addiction. One resident described gambling as 'secretly destructive', saying that it ruins individuals, tears apart families and eventually communities, because strong communities are made up of healthy, grounded individuals and families. Their words reflect the quiet but profound harm that gambling can cause when it's woven into everyday environment. I rise today to speak volumes to the concerns expressed by an increasing number of people in the St Ives area and surrounds. A redevelopment of this scale should be an opportunity to build a healthier, more resilient and connected community, not to introduce risk known to undermine those very goals. Cleave, Dr Kaye, Zub, Henry 76 09:43 Ms MILLER-FROST 296272 Boothby Ageing is a difficult subject for many people. In a hyper commercialised world, youth is considered a virtue and age is devalued—but not for Dr Kaye Cleave. A teacher, meditation guide, writer, filmmaker and researcher. Dr Cleave was recently presented with the Active Citizenship Award by the City of Holdfast Bay in my electorate of Boothby. Dr Cleave's life has been riven by personal trauma and tragedy. Her father passed away when she was 13 and her teenage daughter when she was 49. It was healthy living—physical and mental—that kept her emotionally afloat, a routine she maintains to this day. Dr Cleave does yoga, dances, swims, bikes—she actively promotes open conversations about grief and loss, and she's a social media phenomenon. With 1.8 million followers on Instagram, Dr Cleave spreads the good word about positive ageing, mindfulness and emotional resilience. Her Instagram sees her regularly performing acrobatic contortions that would challenged the most capable of gymnasts, because at 76 years old age is just a number for Dr Cleave. Her message is simple: it's never too late to live a healthier version of yourself. Old age is not a burden. It's not the beginning of terminal decline. In the famous words of Maggie Kuhn, an advocate against ageism, old age is not a disease; it's a triumph. Congratulations, Dr Cleave. A division having been called in the House of Representatives— Ms MILLER-FROST 296272 The Local Sporting Champions grants are awarded to promising young Australians participating in state, national or international championships. My constituent Henry Zub was one such recipient last year. Henry is a talented sailor. Last September he travelled to Singapore as a member of the Australian Optimist Development Squad to participate in the Singapore National Sailing Championships, a highly competitive regatta involving three days of intensive training followed by four days of racing against competitors from around the world. Conditions were hot and humid with light winds, which continually posed a tactical challenge. On one occasion, with 100 boats on the starting line, it took almost two hours and 13 attempts to get the race going due to repeated recalls. Henry's father informs us: Despite these challenges, the regatta was an incredible experience for Henry. Racing in such a large and diverse fleet helped him develop resilience, sharpen his tactical awareness, and adapt to unfamiliar conditions. It was a valuable learning opportunity both on and off the water, and … will stay with him for years to come. Henry is the definition of a local sporting champion. Beyond being remarkably talented, he is determined, disciplined, hardworking and maintains a positive attitude. I congratulate Henry on his exceptional achievements and I don't doubt that we'll be hearing more of Henry's sporting feats in the future. Albanese Government 77 09:57 Ms CHANEY 300006 Curtin I rise today to address a quiet but deeply damaging failure in our democracy—this government's refusal to respond to the parliamentary inquiries it commissioned. Australians often see the adversarial theatre of question time, but it's in the committee rooms, away from the cameras, where much of the careful, constructive and multipartisan work of this parliament actually happens. Members and senators from across the political spectrum sit together to examine complex issues and develop recommendations grounded in expert advice. It's one of the strongest parts of our democratic system. Right now, that system has become a black hole into which expert testimony, community experience and months of work simply disappear. Since 2022, 55 House committee inquiries commissioned by this government have received no response, despite being well beyond the six-month deadline. Half are more than a year overdue. For each inquiry, the government identified a problem worth investigating. More than 3,500 people and organisations, including experts, frontline workers, academics, community groups and everyday Australians contributed their time and effort to these particular inquiries because they believed the government was listening. Committee members held days of public hearings, reviewed evidence and tabled reports only for them to be ignored. And the Senate picture is even worse. More than 150 inquiry reports tabled since the last election have received no final government response. This is not merely lax administration; it's a failure of integrity, accountability and respect. It wastes public resources and squanders the best work of the parliament. The topics at the centre of these inquiries are critical. They address some of Australia's most urgent and difficult policy challenges: terrorism, illicit drugs, online safety, plastic pollution, energy security, gambling harm and economic opportunities for First Nations people. Meanwhile, the harms these inquiries sought to address continue to grow. Since the Drowning in waste report was tabled, another 250,000 tonnes of plastic have entered our environment. While the financial abuse inquiry recommendations have languished, another 620,000 Australians have likely become victims of this insidious form of domestic violence. The government's inaction is undermining public confidence. Constituents ask me every week why nothing changes. Currently, Australia has no coherent system to ensure government tracks, responds to or implements inquiry recommendations. We don't have to accept this. Other jurisdictions already use public tracking dashboards and independent monitoring to ensure inquiry work leads to action. An Australian independent, publicly accessible recommendation tracker would allow the public to see whether government is listening and acting. Australians deserve a government that listens, learns and acts. We owe it to the people who participate in these processes in good faith. The government must do better. (Time expired) Richmond Electorate 77 10:00 Mrs ELLIOT DZW Richmond Well, locals in my electorate of Richmond on the far North Coast of New South Wales know they can always count on me, and I'll always deliver on all of my promises. I'm really proud to be delivering on all my 2025 election commitments. These include the Tweed Heads Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, $2 million for Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital and $3 million for a North Coast crime prevention infrastructure plan. We officially opened the Tweed Heads Urgent Care Clinic at Tweed Health for Everyone Superclinic last December, and the clinic provides locals with free urgent care that they need, fully bulk-billed, open seven days a week from 7:30 am to 7:30pm and all you need is your Medicare card. So many locals have told me what a huge difference it makes having the clinic there to just really fill that crucial gap in providing urgent health care. Since the clinic first opened, there's been a daily average of 38 presentations, and nearly 60 per cent of patients who visit the clinic would have otherwise gone to an emergency department, so it's taking the pressure off the Tweed Valley Hospital. Also, our government is taking decisive action to better protect our native wildlife on the North Coast. This includes my 2025 election commitment for $2 million for the expansion of operations at the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital. Opened in 2020, the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital operates seven days a week and has treated approximately 7,000 native animals, including hundreds of threatened species. It's a licenced all-species wildlife hospital and operates inside a custom built semi-trailer, making it Australia's only mobile wildlife hospital, which can be deployed during natural disasters as well. Recently I visited their facility in Lennox Head and there I met Biscuit, a tiny bandicoot, who's just one of the thousands of native animals that Byron Bay Wildlife will be able to continue to help because of the funding from our government. Also, I am equally proud to be delivering on my $3 million election commitment for a North Coast crime prevention infrastructure plan. As a former frontline police officer, I know first-hand how important it is that we have more resources to strengthen community safety, including CCTV. This commitment will fund infrastructure measures for crime prevention and community safety right throughout our North Coast communities. The commitment includes $1 million for each of the Tweed, Byron and Ballina councils, and the funding can be used for CCTV, lighting, bollards, fencing or landscaping—all measures to improve community safety. This has come about because so many people in the community were calling for it and I'm very proud to be delivering it. All of these projects will be completed by 2027. I especially want to thank all those members of the committee who— A division having been called in the House of Representatives— Sitting suspended from 10:03 to 10:13 Dawson Electorate: Townsville Tamil Community 78 10:13 Mr WILLCOX 286535 Dawson I rise today to celebrate a significant milestone in our region and to pay tribute to the rich cultural tapestry that strengthens North Queensland. Recently, I had the great honour of joining the Townsville Tamil community to celebrate Tamil Heritage Month and the vibrant festival of Tamil Pongal. Tamil is not merely a language; it's one of the oldest living classical languages in the world—a bridge to an ancient past, that continues to thrive in North Queensland. For 11 years, the Townsville Tamil community has met to share their identity, ensuring their heritage is woven into the broader Australian story. This year's celebration was particularly special, marking the very first time Tamil Heritage Month has been celebrated in a regional city. While the local Tamil population may be modest in size, their contribution to our state is immense. As a third-generation tomato farmer, I've seen firsthand how the community has stepped up for our primary producers. I want to personally acknowledge the work of Dr Siva Subramaniam, a man of great respect in the Tamil community. When I was farming, I remember when the silverleaf whitefly threatened to wipe out our horticultural area. It was Dr Subramaniam's pioneering work using a biological control that made the whitefly manageable and saved our industry. Australian horticulture owes him and his scientific expertise a great deal of gratitude. That tradition of service continues today in our healthcare system. On a deeply personal note, the skill of this community has touched my own family. I'm incredibly proud to say that I've recently become a grandfather. My eldest son and his wife welcomed a beautiful baby girl last month. She came into the world one month early. We are extremely grateful for the expertise and specialist paediatrician Dr Sithambarampillai Sivayoganathan. His professionalism and care ensured a great start to life. He is a daily reminder of the incredible impact that Tamil professionals have on our families and on our future. I would also like to personally thank Dr Agilan for the invitation to join these celebrations. I was truly moved by the incredible energy of the event, from the authentic flavours of the traditional food to the vibrant, rhythmic beauty of the cultural dances. By investing in your culture and your children, you are equipping the next generation with a sense of pride that benefits us all. Thank you for the example you set in embracing the life in regional Australia while keeping your rich heritage alive. Lohri, Heinz Southern District Cricket Club 78 10:16 Ms FERNANDO 299964 Holt Last month I joined the members of Compassionate Hands to celebrate Lohri. For many Sikh and Punjabi families in my electorate of Holt and, indeed, across the world, this festival holds a deep cultural and personal significance. Lohri marks the harvest season, but it is also so much more than that. It is a celebration of gratitude, family and community, bringing people together around the Lohri fire to share stories, laughter and hope for the year ahead. I want to thank the entire Compassionate Hands team, especially the president, Jagdeep Singh Sukhija, for organising such a wonderful event and for creating spaces where culture, faith and community can celebrate together. I also want to send my very best wishes to the families who celebrated their very first Lohri welcoming a new baby or celebrating a new marriage. These moments are incredibly meaningful, and Lohri provides a beautiful way to begin a new chapter surrounded by love and community. May the warmth of the Lohri fire bring everyone good health, wealth, happiness and prosperity. That same spirit of connection and community was evident at the Heinz Southern District Cricket Club's annual Ladies Day high tea, a celebration of the vital role that women and families play in sport. It was an afternoon complete with market stalls, delicious snacks, raffles and, of course, door prizes. It brought together mothers, wives, grandmothers and supporters, the true backbone of every local club. Behind every match, behind every fundraiser, there are families providing essential support emotionally, practically and psychologically. They organise, they welcome new members, they cheer on players and, in doing so, they build the confidence and resilience that shape not only athletes but stronger communities. In an age where many of us are pulled towards our screens, community sports stands as a powerful place for connection, friendship and shared memories. And, as women's sport continues to grow and inspire young girls across Holt, I want to thank Vicki Harding and the entire HSD Cricket Club committee for their incredible work and hosting such a meaningful event. Sport 79 10:19 Mr BATT 315478 Hinkler Sports fans, what a time! This week, Aussies have had the chance to marvel at the talents of skiers on the slopes and legends of the luge at the Winter Olympics, which keeps us captivated in Italy. Meanwhile, my fellow Queenslanders are eagerly anticipating hosting the 2032 Summer Olympics. I was impressed with the sporting prowess on show in my own backyard of Hinkler at the weekend. Our future stars of track and field with a dream to compete in Brisbane 2032 could well have been in the mix. I had the privilege of presenting medals to those on the podium at Queensland's Central Coast Regional Athletics Championships, hosted by the Bundaberg Athletic and West Bundaberg Little Athletics clubs. One of regional Australia's most prestigious touch football events was hosted in Hinkler at the weekend as well. The biggest ever Bundy Cup attracted 94 teams across 10 divisions with around 4,000 people on site each day. It was a remarkable event and another example of sport bringing people together and boosting our local economy. Hervey Bay will host a high-level Rugby League match next month, as the Ipswich Jets take on the Sunshine Coast Falcons in a round 2 clash of the Queensland Hostplus Cup fixture at Ralph Stafford Park. Queensland Rugby League is the fabric of many communities across my electorate, and this competition, also known as the Queensland Cup, provides a clear pathway to the NRL for regional talent. It's great to see those successful in sport give back to the game and, in particular, support grassroots and regional areas. None do this better than the Bulls Masters cricket greats, who have formed a non-profit organisation developing cricket in the country areas and supporting community groups such as our men's sheds. Led by former Queensland Sheffield Shield star and Aussie player Jimmy Maher, the Bulls Masters carry out hospital visits, fundraise for charity, encourage our children to play sport and help improve our local facilities. Next week, the Bulls Masters return to Bundaberg for what's been an almost decade-long partnership, this time bringing to town one of the fastest, if not the quickest, bowlers we've ever known, Jeff Thomson. Mr Birrell 288713 Thommo! Mr BATT 315478 Thommo—that's right. There will be a fundraising dinner and an exhibition T20 game at Salter Oval featuring current Big Bash players taking on a Bundaberg Invitational 11. I'm passionate about sport and seeing my community get active. Tomorrow night, I'll join our state member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett, and other local and state government representatives for a Sports On! showcase—an evening where we'll catch up with local sporting clubs and associations to ensure they can get the latest information about what's on offer from all levels of government to help sport thrive. You never know, maybe a youngster from Hinkler watching the Winter Olympics on the telly, attending a regional athletics championships or having a school visit from a cricketing star could be inspired to work hard and achieve great things, too. Thriving Kids Program 79 10:22 Ms FRANCE 270198 Dickson I would like to take this opportunity to speak on the tabling of the Thriving Kids No child left behind report. I firstly acknowledge the many people with a disability and their families who contributed to this inquiry, particularly those in my own electorate of Dickson. Your voices matter. Your lived experiences matter, and this report very much puts your stories and the needs of children with a developmental delay or disability and their families at the heart of the recommendations. I also thank the organisations, experts, workers and advocates who contributed to the inquiry and my colleagues on the committee, including the member for Nicholls. As a woman with a disability, I am incredibly proud to have been part of this inquiry as a member of the committee. I love the NDIS. I love that Labor created it, and I love that we will always work to make it better. The NDIS is dignity, opportunity and independence, but it has to work for everyone. We know from this inquiry that the NDIS has been failing children with developmental delay or disability. We know because we were told over and over again during the inquiry. Families told us that children are waiting too long for diagnosis, missing out on early intervention and struggling to access supports, especially in regional, rural and remote communities where services are patchy or non-existent. Kids have been falling through the cracks, and those cracks are now deep chasms of inequity, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, children in out-of-home care and children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds or whose parents lack financial resources. The committee makes 16 recommendations. The very first is ensuring that any change is inclusive, co-designed and grounded in evidence and that a rapid review be undertaken two years after implementation to ensure it is delivering what it is intended to deliver. The committee recommends a staged implementation; safeguards to protect current supports; improved access in regional areas; a multidisciplinary workforce; Medicare funded developmental checks; and a single entry point, with multiple pathways, for families seeking help. During the inquiry it became very clear that leaving the system as it is would be devastating for our kids and their future. This report is a much-needed road map to ensure that every child receives the early support they need to thrive. Sport 80 10:25 Mr BIRRELL 288713 Nicholls In parliament this week, I went to an event hosted by the Speaker to launch the Great Aussie Athlete BBQ. It was a celebration of sport, summer and mateship, all while raising vital funds for the Aussie Athlete Fund. Funds raised help cover training, travel, coaching, wellbeing and access to sport for young athletes across the country. We are in the middle of the Winter Olympics and building towards the summer games in Brisbane in 2032, and it has never been more important not just to watch with pride and cheer from the sidelines but to get involved. I shouldn't have been surprised that the first great athlete I spotted at the event was from Shepparton, in my own electorate of Nicholls. Louise Dobson played 230 international hockey games for Australia, including as part of the gold-medal-winning team at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Louise and I will be hosting an Aussie athletes fundraising barbecue in Shepparton later this year. Like so many great athletes to emerge from the Goulburn-Murray region, Louise started her career at a local club, the Windangs Hockey Club in the Shepparton Hockey Association, and she honed her skills by training and playing on community facilities. So did Adem Yze, the current coach of the Richmond Football Club and former Melbourne champ, who was in Parliament House last night. He's a product of Shepparton's proud Albanian community. Adem's footy career didn't get off to a great start, because he turned up to play in baggy boardshorts and he copped a bit of cheek from the spectators. But then he kicked 20 goals, which is why people now remember the shorts. Adem played at Shepparton United before being drafted to Melbourne, and he played 271 senior games for the Demons, including a run of 226 consecutive games. A BMX track was built in Shepparton in 1980, as that sport took off. Leigh Egan was just a kid, but he was a strong and fearless racer. He was soon dominating and winning Victorian and Australian titles. He went to the world champs in Japan in 1984 and not only won world 17 class, but he beat the open class field to become Australia's first elite men's BMX world champion. There are dozens of elite athletes from a broad range of sports in the Greater Shepparton Sports Hall of Fame. They all grew up in an active community that supported their dreams, and they had good facilities to train on and to be coached on. Julie Gross is an example. She grew up in Tatura and took up basketball in 1971 at high school. She played at the Army Drill Hall, before a basketball stadium was built later that year. She went on to represent Australia at the world championships in Colombia and was offered a scholarship with Louisiana State University, where she is now a hall-of-famer. The then new stadium that Julie played in is now more than 50 years old, and it desperately needs an upgrade and expansion to cater for growth in basketball and other sports. The coalition committed $20 million to that before the last election. The government must support our future champions by funding the facilities they need to participate into the future. Australia Day Honours and Awards 80 10:28 Mr THISTLETHWAITE 182468 Kingsford Smith Each year, on Australia Day, we honour those who have given outstanding contributions to the Australian community. The Australia Day honours awards recognise those who have worked tirelessly to make our nation better—often quietly, and never for the recognition itself. As the member for Kingsford Smith, I'm proud to pay tribute to those from our community that were honoured in the 2026 list. They represent the very best of us, across fields as diverse as medicine, construction, sport and academia. I'd like to acknowledge those appointed as members of the Order of Australia for their significant service. From Randwick, there's Distinguished Professor James Macnamara AM. James is recognised for his significant service to tertiary education, communications research and public relations. His work shapes how we understand media and communications in a complex world. From Kensington, there's Professor Nicholas Manolios AM. Nicholas has dedicated his life to medicine—specifically, in the vital fields of immunology and rheumatic diseases. His service provides quality of life for countless Australians. From Coogee is Mr John Susman AM. John is honoured for significant service to the hospitality industry and to the seafood sector. Anyone who loves Australia knows that seafood is an important part of our community and a vital industry to our culture and economy, and John's been a champion of it for decades. We also have a poignant inclusion in this year's list. We honour the late Dr Nicholas Medland AM. Though sadly no longer with us, his legacy remains. He's recognised for significant service to sexual health medicine as a physician and epidemiologist. We send our deepest respects to his partner, Mr Mark Gussy, and his family. This award ensures Dr Medland's contribution to public health will never be forgotten. I also want to congratulate recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia. Phil Jenkinson from Maroubra has given extraordinary service, teaching young kids to sail at the Yarra Bay Sailing Club for decades and for his work through south Sydney junior rugby league with the Mustangs. From Botany, Tim Murphy OAM is honoured for his service to the construction industry and the wider community. I'd also like to highlight the meritorious award for Trent Brown. I've know Trent for many, many years. He's from Kingsford, and he received the Australian Fire Service Medal for his distinguished service. I'd like to highlight military service recipients Lieutenant Commander Jay Pettifer, Warrant Officer Lyndon Quirke and Warrant Officer Class One Kimberly Kiely. These awards happen because someone took the time to nominate them, and I encourage others. If you know someone in Kingsford Smith doing outstanding work, please nominate them. To our 2026 nominees: thank you for your service to our community and to our country and congratulations on this well-deserved recognition. Road Safety 81 10:31 Mr KENNEDY 267506 Cook At a recent listening post in my community, I met Harper, who read me a letter I would like to read here today: Good morning, Mr. Kennedy. My name is Harper, and I am 11 years old. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. I would like to briefly share my concerns about the dangers of e-bikes and why I believe stronger safety rules are urgently needed. Although e-bikes may look like regular bicycles, they can reach high speeds very quickly. This creates a much higher risk of serious accidents, especially for younger or inexperienced drivers. One tragic example has affected me personally: a close friend of mine recently lost one of her friends in an e-bike crash. The rider was thrown from the bike at a very high speed—around 80 kilometres per hour—and collided with a pole. The rider didn't survive. Since then, I have been doing my best to support my friend as she grieves, and it has shown me how devastating these accidents can be for families and communities. These incidents are not isolated. Many riders do not fully understand how powerful e-bikes are or how easily control can be lost when accelerating, turning suddenly, or facing unexpected obstacles. Some riders also fail to follow traffic rules, increasing the danger to everyone around them. For these reasons, I believe we need clearer and stricter safety measures, such as mandatory helmets for all riders, appropriate age limits for high-powered e-bikes, and better education on traffic laws. Stronger rules would help prevent tragedies like the one my friend is going through and create a safer environment for everyone. Thank you again, Mr. Kennedy, for listening to my concerns. I truly appreciate your time and attention. Because of Harper and many others like her, the New South Wales government has now announced a major crackdown on illegal e-bikes. But unfortunately for Harper and Harper's associate, it is far too late. Countless people have been horrendously injured. Countless families have spent tens of thousands of dollars on illegal bikes all because the New South Wales government failed to act. It wasn't just their failure to act. Catherine King here in federal parliament has allowed the importation of these bikes. I've written to Catherine twice about this and never received a response. Honourable members interjecting— Mr KENNEDY 267506 I've written to the minister twice and never received a response. I'm glad we are finally dealing with this, and I want to thank Harper and all of those in my community who've argued for these stronger regulations. Motion by the Ocean, The Periscope Crew 81 10:34 Mr FRENCH 316550 Moore I rise today to recognise two outstanding groups in my community of Moore, Motion by the Ocean, led by Alanagh Godderidge, and the Periscope Crew with their dedicated mentors. Motion by the Ocean exists to strengthen community connection and foster inclusion, ensuring people feel seen, valued and supported. Their mission is to deliver innovative, community based activities that meet unmet needs and create meaningful social connection while championing a community where everyone belongs. Their flagship program, Cycling Without Age Sorrento, offers West Australians pioneering free trishaw service, giving seniors and people with limited mobility the chance to enjoy fresh air, movement and connection along our coastline. These rides create space for dignity, conversation and shared experience, helping people stay connected to place and to one another. Motion by the Ocean has also expanded its outreach through programs such as Moving Food, which redistributes surplus food to community members in need. I've visited Motion by the Ocean community events, including the recent coastal storytelling sessions, and saw first-hand the warmth and the connection that they nurture. I also want to acknowledge the volunteers that bring this work to life. I also rise to celebrate the Periscope Crew and their mentors, who were winners of the 2026 City of Joondalup Young Community Citizen of the Year award. Founded in Sorrento in 2020, the Periscope Crew is a film collective of young people with disabilities aged 18 to 25, raised and educated in the City of Joondalup and are operating as part of the Perth based charity Soul Gestures. From the outset, they set out to change the conversation around disability inclusion by telling stories from every angle, working with organisations, sports clubs and local councils committed to building more inclusive communities. In 2023, the crew was selected as one of the film teams for the World Transplant Games held in Perth. That opportunity led to their documentary Everywhere, which highlights human connection, authentic inclusion and the life-changing value of organ donation. Everywhere has received 22 awards across six continents, being broadcast nationally on SBS and named as a finalist for the Australian Sports Commission Media Awards alongside organisations such as the ABC and Tennis Australia. It was a pleasure to meet the members of the Periscope Crew at City of Joondalup citizenship ceremony on Australia Day, and together Motion by the Ocean and the Periscope Crew show what community leadership can achieve. Moore is richer for your contribution. Berowra Electorate: Education 82 10:37 Mr LEESER 109556 Berowra Today I'd like to place on the national record the names of the students from across the Berowra electorate who I had the honour of presenting prizes to at last year's school presentation days. These students are acknowledged for their dedication and achievement in their studies and their active citizenship: Jess Ray from Annangrove Public School; Liam Cape from Arcadia Public School; Andrew Paw from Arden Anglican Junior School; Ruth Harnwell from Arden Anglican Senior School; Davis Stanley from Asquith Boys High School; Charlotte Payne from Asquith Girls High; Arwen Lowe from Asquith Public School, Violet Wade from Beecroft Public School; Hayden Wall from Berowra Public School; Emelia Lloyd from Brooklyn Public School; Mia Eikli from Cheltenham Girls High School; Zoe The and James Phillips from Cherrybrook Public School; Theodore Sobinoff from Clark Road School; Jay Lavu from Dural Public School; Christian Lane from Epping Boys High School; Jedidiah Tharion from Epping Heights Primary School; Cathy Han from Epping West Public School; Elena Matley from Epping North Public School; Serena Cipponi from Epping Public School; Jordan Herrington from Galston High School; Jacob Reeves from Galston Public School; Ivy Tanevsky from Glenhaven Public School; Rowdy Hitchcock from Glenorie Public School; Efa Warner from Hillside Public School; Angela Yang from Hornsby Girls High School; Eliza Guest from Hornsby Heights Public School; Elisa Daidone from Hornsby North Public School; Harry Astin from Hornsby South Public School; Pashaan Sarkari from John Purchase Public School; Lennon Taylor from Kenthurst Public School; Lucy Saad from Loreto Normanhurst; Xavier Younes from Marian Catholic College; Cleo Rahe from Maroota Public School; Shakked Gazi from Massada College—Senior School; Maya Gazi from Masada College—Junior School; Hunter Hartl from Mildura Public School; Zoe Hutchinson from Mount Cola Public School; Ryan Herbert from Mount Kuring-gai Public School; Mariella Donnelly from Mount St Benedict College; Jimin Baik from New Hope School; Junhyeok Cho, from Normanhurst Boys High School; Patrick Moinet from Normanhurst Public School; Harlow Walker from Normanhurst West Public School; Emma Onozuka from Northholm Grammar School; Fernando Higuchi from Oakhill College; Benjamin Pell and Zoe Pearce from Pacific Berowra Christian School; Cassandra Ptolemy from Pacific Hills Christian School; Cash Daley from Pennant Hills High School; Matilda Saunders from Pennant Hills Public School; Xavier Shalala from Redfield College; Sophia Awad from Saint Agatha's Primary School; Martha Askew from Saint Bernards Catholic Primary School; Leela Ingham from Saint Leo's Catholic College; Elise Azzopardi from Saint Madeleine's Primary School; Eliza Kutepova and Donovan Renard from Saint Patricks Asquith; Lucy Denahy from Tangara School for Girls; Nicole Meng from Hills Grammar School; Abigail Dennis from Thornleigh West Public School; Scott Wilson from Waitara Public School; Sapphire Datson from Warra Special School; Allegra Wells from West Pennant Hills Public School; Skyla Roy from Wideview Public School; and Matilda Bloodworth from Wisemans Ferry Public School. These students all demonstrate the very best of the next generation through their dedication to their studies and their contributions to our community. I commend all the students in Berowra schools and wish them well for the 2026 academic year. Byner, Mr Leon, OAM 83 10:40 Mr GEORGANAS DZY Adelaide Today I rise to pay tribute to a remarkable individual from South Australia who passed away late last year: Leon Byner, radio host of the FIVEAA program. Leon was not just a radio announcer and a journalist. He was a trusted voice on radio and an icon of South Australian media. Leon Byner's career in radio spanned three decades in Adelaide, but his journey began much earlier. At the age of just 13 years he discovered his passion for the spoken word, a passion that would shape his entire life. He officially entered the world of broadcasting in 1966 in Shepparton, Victoria, and from that moment his voice became a fixture on the airwaves. Leon Byner's reputation grew steadily, built on credibility, experience and an unwavering commitment to truth. Eventually he made Adelaide his home and became the host of the Radio FIVEAA morning program, a talkback program that resonated deeply within Adelaide and our community. It wasn't just a talkback program; it was a lifeline for many South Australians. Leon Byner gave people a voice. He broke stories as they happened and held those in power to account. His program became a trusted source of news and a forum for robust debate. He'd interviewed every prime minister. He had interviewed premiers as well as opposition leaders. He covered politics news and he broke leading stories. Leon was persuasive, authoritative and courageous. He never shied away from asking the tough questions, and he did so with integrity and respect. He understood that radio is more than entertainment; is a platform to help people. Time and again, Leon used this influence to assist listeners who were navigating complex bureaucratic challenges, and it wasn't unusual to hear someone come on the talkback program as a member of the public to raise an issue that was very unfair, that just didn't sound right. The next minute, Leon would be on to the minister and have him on the next day, regardless of what political party he belonged to, to explain why this was happening. He made many changes in legislation through this particular tactic, which was a good thing, because people without a voice were heard—and they were not only heard but heard at the highest levels. For that, he gained a reputation of trust. His contributions didn't go unnoticed. Leon was nominated 13 times for the Australian Commercial Radio Award for best talkback and current affairs and was also nominated for Australian of the Year on three occasions. That is a testament to his impact on our state and our nation. Sadly, Leon passed away late last year. Our condolences go to Sean, to his family and to all those who will forever miss him, not only on radio but just in general. (Time expired) Economy 83 10:43 Mrs McINTOSH 281513 Lindsay Today Australians are facing a cost-of-living crisis that is squeezing families, driving small businesses to the brink and undermining confidence in our economy. Last week mortgage holders felt the pain as interest rates were lifted for the 13th time since the Albanese Labor government took office. For many Australians, including in my electorate of Lindsay, this is no abstract economic number; it is severe hardship. My constituents have consistently been contacting me with stories of how hard they are doing it. Michelle from Glenmore Park put it plainly: 'Both my husband and I work full time, and we still somehow will need to find the extra money. Likely this means we'll miss out. It's stressful. It's just another hit to our budget. Many Aussies are already struggling day to day; this is one more struggle to endure.' Brett, from Penrith, says it simply: 'There is no money left after the mortgage, bills and groceries are paid for.' Maree sums up the sentiment of so many across south Penrith: 'Cost of living is hitting the roof.' And Rozlane from Cambridge Park lays out the bare crush of rising costs: 'Grocery costs have doubled and utility costs are ridiculous. In addition to the mortgage being double due to interest rates, private health is also ridiculous.' These are not isolated voices. These are hardworking Australians who are feeling the overwhelming impact of rising prices, rising rates and stagnant wage growth. Small businesses are not immune. Record levels of small business insolvencies are being reported, with thousands folding—not because of global forces beyond our control, but because persistent inflation and higher costs have made it impossible for them to continue. In New South Wales alone, the 2024-25 financial year shows a record 7,643 businesses were forced into insolvency, marking a 26.2 per cent increase in just one year. In the 12 months to December 2025, more than 6,200 New South Wales based businesses entered insolvencies. These closures have resulted in job losses, high levels of stress and anxiety, and residents lining up in record numbers at food banks, including in my electorate. We see it every single day. And what is the Albanese Labor government doing? The response has been to spend, spend and spend some more, fuelling inflationary pressure rather than tackling it, pushing more money into the economy without addressing the root cause of price increases. Australians did not vote for repeated economic pain. They want real leadership, targeted relief on essentials, genuine support for small businesses and a plan to bring skyrocketing inflation down without wrecking household budgets. This cost-of-living crisis demands more than spin; it demands real answers, and the Albanese Labor government have shown time and time again they just don't have any. Chisholm Electorate: Thai Pongal, Chisholm Electorate: Multiculturalism 84 10:46 Dr GARLAND 295588 Chisholm I want to extend my thanks and appreciation to Tamil Festival Australia for another incredible year, with another fantastic event held in Melbourne just a few weeks ago. The spirit of Thai Pongal, a harvest festival, and its values of gratitude, community, hope and renewal truly shone through as we came together at Caribbean Park in January, which has been designated Tamil Heritage Month. These themes are more important than ever, with an incredible turnout year on year, great music, delicious food and a wonderful sharing of cultures. I'm always very humbled to be invited to join in the festivities. I want to wish Chisholm's and Victoria's Tamil community good health and happiness for the rest of 2026, and I look forward to seeing you all throughout the year and next year for another celebration of Thai Pongal. It has been a very busy time in the electorate of Chisholm. Last Saturday I had the great pleasure of welcoming the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Anne Aly, to the New Century School in Wheelers Hill. We met with teachers, students and the people who do such vital work in our community through our community language schools. Community language schools are really important. Right across the nation they are connecting young Australians to the languages of their parents, their grandparents and their communities, and strengthening the multicultural fabric that makes Australia such a wonderful place to live. Indeed, I'm someone who attended a language school—Italian—on Saturday mornings as a child in the local area. That really helped me to understand my mother's culture and connect to her language and culture, as well as through my engagement with the broader community. In an increasingly diverse global market, strengthening community language education sets young Australians up for the future, opening many doors of opportunity for them. We want every child to have the best start in life, and part of that is recognising the importance of community language schools. That's why our government is investing $25.6 million to support more than 600 community language schools right across the country, helping more than 90,000 students learn 84 languages. This includes the New Century School, which has been teaching its students Chinese since 2000. Chisholm has one of the largest Chinese communities in Australia, and its strength is underpinned by language schools like the New Century School, which helps students feel a part of a welcoming and inclusive Australia. I want to convey my thanks to the New Century School for having Minister Aly and me visit, and I look forward to continuing to work with the New Century School and all of the community languages schools in Chisholm. Parliament 84 10:49 Ms McKENZIE 124514 Flinders Earlier this week I had the great joy of meeting year 6 students from my electorate. The girls from Toorak College came with open and curious minds. Among their many questions came why I sought to be a parliamentarian. I told them the story of my first visit to Parliament House with my mum when I was eight. It was love at first sight—one might say maths: the democracy edition. I stuffed my bag with all the parliamentary education brochures and I learnt all the names of the prime ministers. This week I explained to the girls how great the responsibility is to stand here and contribute to how this nation looks and works not just today and tomorrow but also in their future. It is those girls and the millions like them who must be front of mind while we occupy these benches on all sides. On weeks like this, it is easy to get lost in the beating drum of politics. Social media has no off switch in the 24-hour news cycle. An increasingly unpredictable political landscape requires that each of us be even more mindful of not getting lost in the fury. We are but six weeks into 2026, a year which started mourning the loss of life at Bondi. Severe bushfires weaved through the Victorian countryside in between cyclones, flash-flooding and heatwaves. And last week the Reserve Bank raised interest rates, squeezing pockets. Many look at the year ahead with a degree of real fear and uncertainty, but a different future is possible. In March, when students set off on their Easter holidays, they may just spend more time with their family and friends, not the persistent consumers of endless online content—instead, maybe outdoors. This is the result of a bipartisan commitment to limiting social media for those under the age of 16. We in this place agreed that the wellbeing and mental health of our young people was above politics, In May, who knows, the Treasurer might have the opportunity to limit the surging, repetitive spending that has been fuelling inflation. Executed properly, his budget could halt the predicted series of rate rises that have been eating away at family budgets. And in November we could finally see a change of government in Victoria—a fresh start for our state led by a team who are eager to rebrand Victoria as a place worth investing in again, as opposed to further cementing our status as the nation's most indebted and high-taxing jurisdiction. Finally, for the days between each of these milestones, imagine that we make a clear case to Australians which restores trust across our institutions: a sustainable budget that avoids us falling down a cliff of intergenerational inequality, preventing interest on debt from being the dominant budget item; and evidence that we are helping aspiring Australians to buy a home of their own, not complicating or deferring that time line. When you think about it, our time on these benches is not about us; it's about those students that I spent Tuesday morning with and the many like them who are counting on us to do a better job. Health Care, Scullin Electorate: Australia Day 85 10:52 Mr GILES 243609 Scullin Affordable health care is one of the critical ways in which we in the Albanese Labor government are delivering real cost-of-living relief for every single Australian. It has now been just over a month since we slashed the price of PBS listed medicines to just $25, and $7.70 for concession card holders. The result of this is pretty simple but fundamentally important: millions of Australians are now paying less for the medicines they rely on every day, including thousands across those communities that I'm so proud to represent. Why have we done this? We believe, fundamentally, that every Australian should be able to get the medicines they need without worrying about whether or not they can afford it. They shouldn't have to choose between their health care and other cost-of-living pressures. Similarly, it is our fundamental belief as the party of Medicare that people should be able to see a GP for free, and, thanks to the investments we've been making into bulk-billing—the beating heart of Medicare—this is now a reality. These rates were in freefall thanks to a decade of neglect and underinvestment under the coalition, but we've reversed that trend and, thanks to our record investments in bulk-billing incentives, residents in the Scullin electorate now have 23 bulk-billing GP clinics to choose from, up from just 11 before the investment. This is tangible evidence of the real difference our policies are making to the lives of every Australian. Last month, many Australians participated in a wide range of Australia Day activities. It's a day that means different things to different people, as the assistant minister here well knows. For some, it's spent at citizenship ceremonies, celebrating our newest Australians. For others it's a day to reflect on what it means to be Australian. This year I was so pleased to attend an event hosted by the Unity Libyan Youth Association, supported by our government and showing first- and second-generation Australians coming together to demonstrate their pride in our country and our shared cultures. I was so proud of the work of Ines Ahmed and the wider Libyan community for inviting me along to learn about them, to learn about their culture, and to learn about their pride in Australia and the journey they are on, making our country even better. We spend a bit of time recognising people in this place, as we should. I want to talk briefly about a friend of mine who has never sought recognition or any accolades: my friend David Leydon, who is about to retire from a lifetime of service to the Australian Services Union. David is an extraordinary human being who's given so much in many aspects of life, in particular to the mighty Burnley CYMS Cricket Club. David has also been an absolute stalwart of the Australian Labor Party and particularly the union movement. He is our movement at its very best—someone who has never asked for anything and always sought to make a difference to the lives of others in their workplace and in their community and more broadly. Thanks for everything, Dave. Barker Electorate: Wine Industry 85 10:55 Mr PASIN 240756 Barker I rise today to speak on behalf of wine grape growers across Barker, who are facing a deep and widening crisis that demands urgent government action. This is not a short-term downturn. It's not a cyclical correction. It's not a problem that can be solved with a bigger marketing spend or recycled announcements. Global wine consumption is in freefall. It fell by 3.5 billion litres between 2022 and 2025, with consumption set to decline by a further one billion litres this year. Yet Australia continues to produce far too much wine, and the market can't absorb it. The result is chronic and structural oversupply, collapsing prices and growing pressure on growers, who have done everything asked of them and still can't make the numbers stack up. The impact is being felt acutely across the Riverland, the Barossa, the Limestone Coast—anywhere that has wine grapes. Behind every vineyard, of course, there's a family carrying a heavy emotional and financial burden. That toll has grown with every season of delay, and many are now at breaking point. If government continues to look the other way, the cost of inaction will not disappear. It will show up in abandoned vineyards, business failures, job losses and the long-term decline of regional communities like those I represent. So what can government do? Well, the Australian Grape & Wine's prebudget submission released last week represents a clear and responsible call for action from an industry under extraordinary pressure. It's not a wish list. It's not a plea for handouts. It's an industry led proposal from growers who understand the reality they're facing and are asking governments to confront it with honesty. The submission calls for structural reform and support for orderly adjustments by helping growers who need to exit the industry to do so with dignity, assist those who want to transition to alternative crops or new enterprises and, critically, ensure access to financial counselling and targeted mental health supports for growers and their families who are carrying the emotional burden. These are practical and responsible solutions to a structural problem that individual growers didn't create and, quite frankly, can't fix alone. The message from industry is clear. The evidence is clear. The solutions are on the table. What's missing is not ideas or capacity; it's political will to act. Government must heed this warning and act now before more families and regions are pushed past the point of no return. When it comes to political will, Labor priorities are unmistakeable. In recent months, Labor has committed more than $2.4 billion in joint state and federal funding to prop up the Whyalla steelworks, with further taxpayer funding flowing to industry at Port Pirie. By contrast, the entire Australian Grape & Wine structural reform package would cost around $140 million over three years. That's a fraction of the billions of dollars Labor has—appropriately—put towards the unionised Australian steelworkers. Yet wine grape growers, who have sustained regional communities, employed thousands of Australians and built an industry over generations, are being told to suck it up and fail quietly. This isn't good enough. We need those opposite to rise to this challenge. It's not just union workforces that matter. Perth Electorate: Australia Day Honours and Awards 86 10:58 Mr GORMAN 74519 Perth For more than half a century, the Australian honours system has been a proud national tradition—our own honours to recognise our own Australians and their outstanding achievements. For 51 years, we have on Australia Day and the King's Birthday recognised those who do us all proud as Australians. As the minister responsible for honours policy and someone who has the privilege of sitting on the Council for the Order of Australia, I want to acknowledge all outstanding Australians who were honoured in those awards, but I also, as the member for Perth, want to recognise those constituents who now get to proudly wear that pin recognising their outstanding contributions to Australia. I acknowledge as a Member of the Order of Australia Cecil Black, a lawyer who has contributed so much to the community not just in Western Australia but in the Northern Territory as well, and Dianne Wynaden, who is now a Member of the Order of Australia. She's a professor at Curtin University School of Nursing and she's got an outstanding record in her work as a mental health nurse. David Denver is now a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia. He has dedicated so much of his life to the Jewish community in Perth—including through Maccabi, helping young people form connection. James—or Jim, as we know him—Morrison got the Medal of the Order of Australia. He founded Yokai, the WA Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation. He's a recipient of the John Curtin Medal. He's a patron of the Pride Parade. And he's an outstanding Western Australian. Walter McGuire OAM is an incredible Indigenous leader. He's got a tourism business that has helped so many to experience Aboriginal culture. I also get the joy of seeing him at the City of Bayswater and City of Vincent for their citizenship ceremonies. Ken Gibbons got the Medal of the Order of Australia. He founded Movies by Burswood, which has raised some $10 million for WA charities. Barry McGuire received the Medal of the Order of Australia. Barry's art can be seen at Optus Stadium. He keeps people safe through the work that he does through Redspear. You can see his artistry through the production of Swan Lake with the WA Symphony Orchestra. I was really honoured to have Barry at my very first campaign launch, where he gave a welcome to country. Andrew Brostek OAM is a private practitioner who spent more than 20 years helping people through dentistry, and helping people get the care they need, including through outstanding charity work. Jill Cameron OAM for 50 years contributed to education, especially for younger Australians. Simone van der Sluys APM received the Police Medal for service that started back in 1995. Donald O'Leary got the Emergency Services Medal for 37 years of service. And Wendy Casey got the Public Service Medal; she has done outstanding work through the WA Department of Health. Congratulations to all. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 299498 In accordance with standing order 193, the time for members' constituency statements has concluded. BILLS 87 BILLS Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025 87

Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025

Second Reading 87 11:02 Ms JARRETT 298574 Brisbane This bill is another step in strengthening a system that delivers on its purpose of providing income for a dignified retirement. Schedule 1 to the bill amends the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act to streamline the super choice-of-funds process during employee onboarding. When starting a new job, Australians deserve to know their options and make informed choices about their super fund. Stapling has also been introduced, to ensure employers pay superannuation contributions to an employee's existing super fund if that employee doesn't make a choice. Now, if an employee doesn't make a choice of fund, their employer can request the stapled fund details from the ATO, and this really prevents employees unintentionally opening new super accounts every time they start a new job. It also supports our government's commitment to empower employees to make informed decisions, informed choices, by making it easier for them to see, consider and select their existing super fund when they start a new job, if that's what they choose to do. To be clear, though: as under existing choice-of-fund rules, the employees will still be able to choose any available super fund. This amendment also supports our government's commitment to reduce unintended duplicate accounts, which can erode savings over time, as we all know, with duplicate fees or extra insurance premiums. I look around at my young sons and their friends as they're starting work and I guarantee you: their superannuation fund is not top of mind for them. It's really easy, I think, when changing jobs, to lose track of things like your super and to inadvertently open another fund—especially when it's dropped in front of you when you're signing many, many papers for a new job and while you've got a hundred and one things going on in your mind and you may even be a bit nervous. These changes will also give employers, though, more timely and accurate superannuation details, supporting their readiness for our government's payday super reforms. Schedule 2 to the bill amends the Corporations Act 2001 to impose a ban on advertising superannuation products to employees during onboarding, but with certain exceptions. Again, Australians deserve protection from inappropriate advertising when they provide their superannuation details to an employer when onboarding. This is a key moment for employees when they start work, and they should be able to engage with their super in a safe and informed way, free of inappropriate pressure or product promotions. There was a review called Your Future, Your Super, which uncovered some inappropriate behaviour where software providers were undermining stapling and directing employees to advertising of products, including those associated with the software provider. Our government really wants to put a stop to that inappropriate behaviour. This amendment introduces a ban on advertising super products to an employee, specifically at the point of onboarding when starting a new job, as I've said. The following exceptions will apply so that only certain types of superannuation products can be shown or advertised to employees: the employee's super fund, the employer's default fund, and MySuper products that meet the following conditions. First, they have to pass the Annual Superannuation Performance Test. Second, the person advertising the product must not be related to the super fund that is offering the product—pretty important. Third, the person advertising the MySuper product has to have requested an employee's stapled fund and must provide those details to the employee if available. Finally, the advertisement must be accompanied by clear and unambiguous disclosures. For clarity: MySuper fund products are default superannuation products which are subject to strict regulation and an annual performance test. And the condition to show an employee their stapled fund is an important consumer protection that will provide the necessary information in order to make a better-informed decision. Just for clarity, the ban does not apply to a person advertising in the ordinary course of business. Our government consulted with stakeholders on this amendment, and there was broad support for the changes and, importantly, an understanding of the benefits superannuation stapling brings to reducing unintended duplicate accounts. By requiring stapling as a condition of advertising a MySuper product during onboarding, the bill strikes a pretty decent balance. It gives employees as much transparency as possible while providing flexibility for service providers to ensure that their systems are ready, and it aligns with the implementation of Payday Super. These amendments reinforce our government's commitment to supporting Australians to make informed choices about their superannuation while providing strong consumer protection. They will protect employees from being unduly influenced and from making uninformed decisions. Under the existing choice-of-fund rules, employees will still be able to choose any available super fund. These reforms build on our government's broader work to strengthen super: legislating the purpose of super, lifting the super guarantee to 12 per cent, boosting the low-income super tax offset and paying superannuation on paid parental leave. We have implemented major reforms to ensure that funds deliver for their members, from the financial accountability regime to stronger reporting standards, and expanding the performance test from around 80 products to more than 800. Let's move on to some other matters in the bill. In Australia we love our sport. It's part of our national identity. Schedule 3 of the bill provides targeted tax exemptions to help Australia host the men's and women's Rugby World Cup in 2027 and 2029. These games aren't just two events on a calendar. They're part of a long national tradition of hosting sports that brings people together. World Rugby chose Australia in 2022 for a good reason: we are a country that competes. The men's and women's World Cups will draw hundreds of thousands of international visitors, which will boost local tourism. It'll pack our hotels, fill up our pubs and restaurants, pack out our stadiums, and showcase Australia on the world stage in the lead-up to the Brisbane Olympics in 2032. Hosting the Rugby World Cup will generate jobs. It'll deliver long-term benefits to local communities, including increased participation in sport, especially among women and girls. The amendments will provide income tax exemptions for event delivery companies and joint venture partners, and there'll be a withholding tax exemption for certain payments to foreign entities up to 30 June 2031. These settings align with what's been put in place previously for other major global sporting events hosted here, including the famous 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. They're critical to ensuring that Australia remains competitive and an attractive destination for global events. Moving on to schedule 4 of the bill, this puts Australia's new tax treaty with Portugal into law, adding to the attractiveness of Australia as an investment destination. This is actually the first agreement of its kind between our countries, and it opens the door to deeper commercial, investment and innovation links by cutting withholding-tax rates on dividends, interest and royalties. It means fewer tax barriers, cheaper access to foreign capital and stronger incentives for Australian and Portuguese businesses to invest. This helps strengthen our tax integrity. Finally, the convention supports the government's plan to make multinationals pay their fair share of tax and, again, strengthens the integrity of the tax system. It helps prevent tax evasion and avoidance by providing mechanisms for tax authorities to exchange information and to provide assistance in the collection of tax debts. Exchange of information is very important in that regard. Schedule 5 of the bill amends the income tax laws to specifically list 11 entities as deductible gift recipients. I won't read them all, but a couple I'll mention are Community Foundations Australia and Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment. Specifically listing an organisation encourages philanthropic giving and supports our not-for-profit sectors, as donors may claim income tax deductions for donations to organisations with deductible gift recipient status. To maintain the trust and integrity of the deductible gift recipient system, the schedule also removes entities that have either voluntarily asked to be removed or no longer operate for the purposes for which they were originally provided DGR status. The last schedule of the bill relates to wine. In Australia we love a good drop, and we have some of the best wines in the world—some of them not too far from here. Schedule 6 delivers on the Albanese government's 2025-26 budget commitment to provide tax relief for Australian wine producers. Currently, all eligible wine products can receive a rebate of wine equalisation tax of up to about $350,000. The changes this bill introduces increase that cap to $400,000 per financial year from 1 July 2026. And we didn't stop at wine. Through regulations, we're making matching changes for brewers and distillers too. From 1 July, the excise remission cap for eligible alcohol manufacturers will rise from $350,000 to $400,000 a year for beer and spirits entered for home consumption. That keeps wine, beer and spirits all in step. Together, these changes back our local producers. They keep money flowing through our regional towns. They support jobs. They support investment. I say cheers to that, and I commend the bill to the House. 11:13 Ms COFFEY 312323 Griffith In Griffith people change jobs often—a hospitality worker picking up extra shifts along Boundary Street, a nurse moving between hospitals, a tradie starting as a new subcontractor in Woolloongabba, a graduate launching their career with a new tertiary degree or TAFE qualification—and, every time that happens, a very ordinary human admin moment comes around again: the dreaded onboarding forms. For most workers, this is the key moment where their super is set up for a new job. But, if they are rushed, if the information is unclear or if the process is cluttered with product promotion, they can be steered into decisions they did not really make. They can end up with a new account they don't need, paying duplicate fees and insurance and watching their retirement savings erode in the background. Workers deserve better. They deserve to be properly informed, to clearly see their existing stapled fund, to understand their options and to make a genuine choice that fits their circumstances—because it is their money and it is their retirement. That is exactly what this bill is really about: making sure working people keep more of what they earn so that they can retire with dignity. Schedules 1 and 2 go to the heart of fairness in the superannuation system, ensuring workers and their interests are always put first in onboarding processes related to super. We introduced stapling to stop people being defaulted into a brand-new account every time they start a new job. It's a simple idea: your existing fund can follow you unless you choose otherwise. It matters because duplicate accounts mean duplicate fees, duplicate insurance and lower balances, ultimately, at the time of retirement. Schedule 1 strengthens that protection by streamlining the choice-of-fund process during onboarding. It gives employers more flexibility to request an employee stapled fund details earlier so the employee can actually see their existing fund during the onboarding process, consider it and then make an informed choice. That's not taking choice away. It's quite the opposite. It's making choice real, because people cannot choose what they cannot see. It also helps employers do the right thing. It gives them more timely and accurate information, and that is especially important as we move towards payday super, where super is paid alongside wages, not months later. Payday super is about making sure workers are paid what they are owed when they are owed it. These reforms help the system get ready to deliver that change smoothly. Schedule 2 of the bill deals with the creeping commercialisation of onboarding. A 2022-23 review of the Your Future, Your Super reforms found that some onboarding software providers were being paid to advertise super products and sometimes products associated with the provider right at the moment when a worker is trying to start a new job and get their paperwork in order. That's not informed consent; that's just sales and marketing. Schedule 2 introduces a targeted ban on superannuation advertising during onboarding, with sensible exemptions so that workers can still see their stapled fund, the employer default fund and, in limited circumstances, certain regulated MySuper products with strong disclosure requirements. That is exactly where consumer protection belongs, and it will go a long way in protecting the superannuation of all workers across Australia. Changes like these keep the focus where it should be—on transparency, informed choice and workers' interests, not on marketing. These onboarding reforms are part of our government's larger set of changes to fix unpaid super and strengthen confidence in the system, and payday super is central to that. In December last year, the ATO released new data revealing $1.1 billion in unpaid super had been returned to nearly a million individual super funds in 2024-25. That's money that people earned—and it was hard-earned—but did not originally receive. Unpaid super does not fall evenly. It disproportionately affects younger workers and people in insecure work, many of whom live in my area of Griffith. These are the very workers least able to absorb the loss and the least likely to have the time or the power to be able to chase it up. We have unfortunately seen what this looks like in our communities. It looks like younger workers in hospitality juggling shifts, trying to pay rent and assuming everything has been paid properly, only to find out years later that it was not. It looks like someone changing jobs and not even realising they have missing contributions until the debt is too old or the business has folded. We also know that impact compounds, because super is built on time. When contributions are missing, workers not only lose that contribution; they lose the investment earnings on top of it. From 1 July this year, employers will be required to pay superannuation guarantee contributions at the same time as wages, instead of quarterly, and contributions will need to be received by the employee super fund within a shorter window after pay day so workers can more easily track what they are owed and the ATO can detect missing payments earlier before debts become unrecoverable. The system is also being modernised to ensure consequences match the harm when employers do not pay on time. That is why schedules 1 and 2 are so important. If we're asking the system to move to payday super then onboarding processes must be clean, transparent and worker focused. We cannot have a system where super is paid more frequently but workers are still being nudged into unnecessary new accounts or pushed past information that would help them to make a good, genuine decision and choice. Schedule 3 provides targeted income tax and withholding tax exemptions for World Rugby and Rugby Australia strictly limited to income directly related to delivering the rugby world cups. This approach follows established precedent for other major international events hosted here, and it matters for the legacy we leave—jobs, tourism, local participation and especially a lift in opportunities for women and girls in sport as the women's tournament approaches. Schedule 5 of the bill matters deeply to me and to communities like Griffith because it speaks to the strength of Australia's not-for-profit sector and the quiet generosity that underpins it. For a couple of decades before entering this place, I worked in the charities sector in Australia, leading national charities, so this is particularly important to me and of course important to the sector and the donors who part with their hard-earned money to support the causes. Deductible gift recipient, DGR, listing is valuable for fundraising and is a practical lever that helps organisations attract public support for work that benefits the community, including Equality Australia, one of the many incredible organisations that will be listed for DGR status under this bill. Equality Australia is doing work that is often complex and behind the scenes—detailed law reform, careful policy development and sustained advocacy to close gaps that still leave LGBTQIA+ people exposed to discrimination or harm. For organisations like Equality Australia, fundraising is critical to ensure they can keep the lights on, and the listing for DGR status will bolster their efforts. Before coming into this place, I sat on the board of Fundraising Institute Australia, so I have particular experiences and insights into just how much DGR status can help these charities, organisations and non-profits. In practice, DGR status encourages the community to support the work of these organisations, which in turn helps organisations plan further ahead, invest in staff and expertise and respond quickly when the community needs them, whether that is preparing submissions, supporting campaigns or turning lived experience into concrete reform proposals. It strengthens not only their financial base but also their long-term stability that allows them to keep showing up year after year for the people they serve. In a community like mine in Brisbane, that work really matters. It helps make sure people can participate in community life without fear, and it strengthens the basic Australian promise that everyone should be treated with fairness and with respect. I want to make special mention of another organisation that will be listed for DGR status under this bill, the Parenthood Project. In Griffith, we are absolutely a community of families, including parents juggling cost-of-living pressures, the childcare waitlist, the scramble of drop-off and pick-up, and the constant effort to give kids the best chances and a good start. The Parenthood's work is squarely in that lived reality. The Parenthood is an advocacy organisation, working to make Australia the best place in the world to be a parent, backed by a national community of more than 80,000 parents and carers. As the CEO, Georgie Dent, shared with me: DGR status is a game-changer for The Parenthood. It recognises the vital public benefit of our work to make Australia the best place in the world to be a parent and raise a child. It's a vote of confidence in the power of parents to help build a fairer, more equitable Australia. That's the point. When we make it easier for Australians to support the organisations delivering real public benefit, we strengthen the fabric of our community. This bill brings together a set of practical measures that speak to the kind of economy and community we want to build. It strengthens how superannuation works at the moments that matter so workers are informed, protected from inappropriate sales pressure and better placed to keep more of what they earn for retirement. It honours Australia's commitments as a host of major international sporting events with clear, targeted and time limited tax settings that help deliver the rugby world cups and the jobs, tourism and participation legacy that can flow from them. It builds on the strength of our not-for-profit sector by extending deductible gift recipient status to organisations that continue to deliver immeasurable public benefit, helping them to fundraise, to plan and to keep showing up for the communities that they serve. 11:24 Ms DOYLE 299962 Aston I rise to speak on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025. Without a doubt, Labor is the party of superannuation. This bill is yet another step that our government has taken to strengthen a system that delivers on its purpose of providing income for a dignified retirement. Schedule 1 streamlines the choice of fund process so workers can see and consider their existing stapled fund when they start a new job. This will help reduce duplicate accounts that erode retirement savings through unnecessary fees and insurance premiums. The Albanese Labor government is of the strong belief that Australians deserve to make an informed choice about their superannuation. Earlier access to stapled fund details means employees can make that choice with confidence and employers have the right information to support our government's payday super reforms. Schedule 2 introduces a targeted ban on superannuation advertising during onboarding. This is a key moment for employees, and they should be able to engage with their super in a safe and informed way, free from inappropriate pressure on all product promotion. Limited exceptions ensure workers can still see their stapled fund, the employer's default fund or a regulated MySuper product, keeping the focus on transparency, not sales tactics. These reforms build on our government's broader work to strengthen super—legislating the purpose of super, lifting the super guarantee to 12 per cent, boosting the low-income super tax offset, or LISTO as it's become known, and paying super on paid parental leave. The Albanese Labor government has implemented major reforms to ensure funds deliver for their members, from the financial accountability regime and stronger reporting standards to expanding the performance test from around 80 products to more than 800. Together with payday super, these reforms will help make sure Australians earn more, keep more of what they earn and retire with more. The comparison could not be clearer. Those opposite, every time they were elected to government, going back to the Howard years, delayed the super guarantee and undermined the foundations of our world-class retirement system. However, on this side of the House, our government is strengthening superannuation and making it more sustainable so it can deliver a decent retirement for Australian workers. This government is proud of Australia's superannuation system. We are especially proud of its history, particularly our industry super—how the Labor movement fought for a fair retirement system for all workers and how the Labor Party brought superannuation to all workers via the super guarantee back in the early 1990s, which was when I began my working career, so it was not just the upper echelons of corporations, the senior managers and CEOs, who benefited from superannuation any more, oh no. Our super system has been our best financial success story and the envy of the world. You know who else we are proud of? The many workers around this country that our super supports. And I am proud to be a part of a government that is ensuring it continues to deliver for generations to come. Schedule 1 to the bill, employee onboarding reforms, amends the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 to streamline the superannuation choice of fund process during employee onboarding. Australians deserve to make an informed choice about their superannuation fund when they start a new job. This amendment provides greater flexibility for employers or their agents to request an employee's existing stapled fund details from the ATO earlier in the onboarding process. That way, if the stapled fund exists, the employer can provide those details to the employee during onboarding to help inform their choice of fund. This amendment supports the government's commitment to empower employees to make informed choices by making it easier to see, consider and select their existing super fund when they start a new job, if they choose to do so. This will reduce unintended duplicate accounts, which can erode retirement savings through duplicate fees and insurance premiums. Duplicate fees add up and can mean thousands and thousands of lost retirement earnings over years of a worker's career. This will give employers more timely and accurate superannuation details, supporting their readiness for the government's payday super reforms. Schedule 2 is the ban on advertising superannuation funds during onboarding. Schedule 2 to the bill amends the Corporations Act 2001 to impose a ban on advertising superannuation products to employees during onboarding with certain exceptions, of course. Australians deserve protection from inappropriate advertising when they provide their superannuation details to an employer during the onboarding process. This amendment introduces a ban on advertising superannuation products to an employee specifically at the point of the employee onboarding when starting a new job. This is a key moment when employees engage with their superannuation, and they should be able to do so in an informed and safe way. Exceptions will be available for showing employees their stapled fund, the employer's default fund and certain MySuper products, which are subject to strict regulation. This amendment reinforces the government's commitment to supporting Australians to make an informed choice about their superannuation, while also providing strong consumer protections. It will protect employees from being unduly influenced to make uninformed decisions, open inappropriate products and unintentionally create duplicate accounts. Schedule 3 contains an income tax and withholding tax exemption for the Rugby World Cups. Schedule 3 delivers on our commitments and honours Australia's obligations to world rugby as part of our successful bid to host the 2027 men's and women's 2029 Rugby World Cups. It ensures we remain a trusted and competitive host for major international sporting events. The tax exemptions are strictly limited to income directly related to the delivery of the events, and apply only between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2031. This is not a blanket exemption. It is a focused measure with clear boundaries. Hosting both these Rugby World Cups will generate jobs, boost tourism and deliver long-term benefits to local communities, including increased participation in sport, especially among women and girls. Similar exemptions were provided for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and for the 2020 ICC T20 World Cup. This measure follows a well-established approach to supporting international sporting events in Australia. This measure fulfils Australia's commitments to world rugby as part of our successful bid to host the 2027 and 2029 Rugby World Cups. These events are part of Australia's broader sporting legacy, leading into the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This measure will help ensure their success and maximises their national impact. Schedule 4—the Portuguese convention. Schedule 4 of this bill amends the International Tax Agreements Act 1953 to give force of law to the tax convention between Australia and Portugal, which was signed on 30 November 2023. This convention is the first of its kind between Australia and Portugal and it will provide avenues to support closer bilateral linkages with Portugal, particularly in the areas of commercial trade, investment and innovation. It will do so by reducing withholding tax rates on dividends, interest and royalties, which will reduce tax disincentives to investment and the cost of business of accessing foreign capital. The convention will also reduce compliance costs for taxpayers and improve certainty for individuals and businesses that have dealings in Australia and in Portugal by determining the allocation of profits from cross-border dealings between the two countries. The convention will add to the attractiveness of Australia as an investment destination. Finally, the convention supports the government's plan to make multinationals pay their fair share of tax and strengthens the integrity of the tax system. It helps prevent tax evasion and avoidance by providing mechanisms for the tax authorities to exchange information and provide assistance in the collection of tax debts. Schedule 5 to the bill refers to deductible gift recipients' specific listings, which encourages philanthropic giving and supports the not-for-profit sector, as donors may claim in tax income tax deductions for donations to organisations with DGR status. Removal of specific listings is necessary to maintain trust and integrity in the administration of tax concessions that can be accessed for not-for-profits that have DGR status. And finally, schedule 6 to the bill will increase support for wine producers under the existing wine equalisation tax producer rebate scheme from 1 July 2026 by increasing the rebate cap of $350,000 to $400,000 per financial year. Schedule 6 will support approximately 3,000 wine producers. This is evidence of, yet again, our government taking strong action to strengthen superannuation and ensuring that it delivers on its purpose of providing income for a dignified retirement. I commend this bill to the House. 11:34 Mr LAXALE 299174 Bennelong It's great to see you up there in the chair, Deputy Speaker Sharkie, and I look forward to addressing the chair as we talk about this TLAB. It obviously has lots of schedules, but I'll be focusing—as you would expect from a Labor member of parliament—on our wonderful reforms to super, not only located in this bill here today but also more broadly. Because here on this side of the House, as a Labor government, we recognise that superannuation is one of the most significant economic reforms ever undertaken in this country. For us, it's not a side policy or a 'nice to have'; for Labor, super isn't an optional extra. We see it as a central pillar of how Australians can fund a dignified retirement after a lifetime of work. It's about fairness, and it's about ensuring that people have that dignified retirement after working so hard. For most Australians, superannuation is their second-largest asset, after their home, and it represents decades of effort, sacrifice and contribution. And because super is compulsory, because Australians cannot opt out, governments carry a serious responsibility to ensure that the system works fairly, with transparency and in the interests of its members—not for profit, not so that others can jump into it and take it when they need it. It's got to work well for the members. So we have that responsibility, as the government, for members to get the maximum they can from this world-class retirement system. We built superannuation, but we've always understood that just building it is not enough; it's not just a 'set and forget'. Like most things, it needs to be maintained, it needs to be strengthened and it needs to be modernised as the economy changes, as work changes and as the risks facing workers evolve. This bill is a practical example of that theory. Reforms in this bill are targeted, they're sensible and they improve the experience of how Australians engage with their super at one of the most important moments in their working lives, and that of course is when they start a new job. These reforms improve that experience in a way that supports informed choice, stronger consumer protection and ultimately better retirement outcomes. In Bennelong we see clearly why the design of the superannuation system matters. Bennelong has lower median super balances than the state and national average, and where there are lower balances there's less margin for error. When accounts are duplicated, where fees accumulate or contributions go unpaid, the consequences in Bennelong are felt more sharply. The median balance of a super fund member in Bennelong is $52,100, compared with the New South Wales median of $61,800. The median balance for Australia overall is $62,100. But, at the same time, many people in Bennelong, like others across the country, are approaching their age of retirement after many years of working. Their super balances represent decades of steady contribution and in many cases some pretty decent gains year on year. Protecting those balances and ensuring that every dollar owed is paid and preserved and that accumulation keeps going is essential. That's why these reforms improve how people engage with super. Importantly, these reforms that we're rolling out now, as well as the ones we've done in this term and seek to do with legislation introduced yesterday, all have the goal of improving retirement outcomes over time. Starting a new job is one of the most common moments that Australians are required to make decisions about their superannuation. It's also one of the moments when people are least equipped to do so. Obviously you're starting a new job, you're trying to fit in, you've got to go through your work contracts and understand what's going on there, as well as your pay. You're negotiating hours. You're thinking about probation periods. Superannuation can easily become an afterthought—easily—even though we know that the consequences of that can compound over decades if you make the wrong choice. Too often, super's kind of not considered important, and the result for many employees at a new job is that they just go with the default fund of the employer, which may or may not match with the fund they've got, and that duplicates these accounts. You duplicate account fees, you duplicate insurance policies and workers lose money through those fees, because they've opened unnecessary accounts. I don't think that's a failure of individual responsibility—there's a lot going on when you start a new job, particularly if you've moved town or if it's your first job. There are things that can happen with the system design that can make that experience a lot easier and a lot better, and that's what schedule 1 of this bill does. It reforms the employee onboarding process to ensure that workers can see and consider their existing stapled superannuation fund earlier, at the point where they're making decisions about their employment arrangements. Stapling means that when a worker starts a new job, their superannuation account is stapled to them and follows them from employer to employer—unless they actively choose a different fund, which is an important aspect of what we believe super to be. Super choice is really important. Stapling was introduced to stop people unintentionally opening a new super account every time. It was an important first step. But what we're seeing is that when employees onboard—obviously, nowadays usually in a electronic onboarding system where you go online and you fill out all your details—that stapled fund is not being displayed at the point of onboarding. That means that it goes around the intent of what stapling was designed to do. This amendment provides greater flexibilities for employers or their agents to request an employee's stapled fund details from the ATO earlier in the onboarding process, rather than months later or by paper forms, as sometimes happens. If the stapled fund exists then those details are provided at the time that they're filling out that super choice form. With the rollout of electronic payroll systems, single-touch payroll, the ATO playing the role they play in superannuation compliance, and Payday Super coming in, it should be pretty easy for those software providers to update their coding so that they can chat to the ATO and get that detail right at the time when they need to fill out their super choice form and the employers can know where to pay their super. This will mean workers can make an informed decision. It astronomically reduces the risks of duplicate accounts, and it ensures that employers have accurate information rather than just defaulting to the employer's default fund. Importantly, this reform doesn't limit choice. Employees have the right, as they should, to choose any super fund they wish. They can open a new one, they can make sure their super payments go in their stapled fund, or they can go with the employer's default fund. Schedule 2 of the bill reforms it even further, and introduces a targeted ban on advertising superannuation products during employee onboarding. For those that have electronic onboarding, what has found its way into the system is some super funds—you can't blame them, they've tried to exploit a loophole here, and employees are getting are advertisements during the onboarding process, enticing them at that critical time, perhaps, to either go with a product that doesn't suit them or open a new fund which may have those issues of duplication and extra fees. Onboarding is a critical decision point, and it's when workers provide sensitive information and make financial decisions. Something like that shouldn't be treated as a marketing opportunity where advertisers seek to take advantage of that decision point and maybe encourage employees not to make the best decision in their interests. A review of earlier reforms found that onboarding software providers were being paid to advertise superannuation products—often products linked to the provider—during the onboarding process. We believe that creates a bit of a conflict of interest. This bill cleans that up a bit, bans advertising during onboarding, but allows sensible and tightly controlled exceptions. Employees will still be able to see their stapled fund, their employer's default fund and certain MySuper products that must meet strict conditions, including passing the performance tests and being accompanied by clear disclosures. It's about protecting informed choice and advertisers not taking advantage of the situation where they're onboarding. These are two more reforms to super as part of a broader, deliberate agenda by the Labor government to strengthen the Australian superannuation system so it works in the interests of members across their working life. We've legislated the objective of superannuation for the first time, with the ultimate aim of preserving savings to deliver income for a dignified retirement. We saw, at every opportunity, the Liberals and Nationals try and attack super and erode the concept of that accumulation. There was their failed policy of super for housing, and then, during COVID, making younger workers in particular raid their super just to get by during a worldwide pandemic was just an awful policy by a government that got so much wrong during that COVID response. The impacts of young Australians wiping 20 grand or 30 grand out of their super will be borne not only by them individually but by the taxpayer when those people come to retirement and have lost tens of thousands of dollars in returns because the Morrison government allowed them to raid their super during a national emergency. We've had to come in and legislate that objective of superannuation for the first time so that the Liberals and Nationals can't unpick it at their whim. The objective provides a clear benchmark against which future changes must be judged. Also under Labor the superannuation guarantee has reached 12 per cent after a long time. It was meant to be 12 per cent, I think, in the first term of the Howard government, in 1996. It's a long time since 1996, and we finally got to 12 per cent not only after it was delayed by the Howard government but then also after increases were delayed by the Abbott, Morrison and Turnbull governments as well. We're also addressing longstanding inequities in the system. Paid parental leave will now be subject to super. We're boosting the low-income superannuation tax offset. LISTO is my favourite abbreviation, Deputy Speaker Swanson. 'Go down to the pub and talk about the LISTO' sounds like something we on this side would say, because increasing superannuation contributions for our lowest paid workers so they too can have more funds when they need them in retirement is a great policy. Our reforms to the LISTO will help those on lower incomes, including thousands of workers in Bennelong, and it was great to see the Treasurer introduce those reforms in the House this week. At the same time, we're also strengthening accountability and performance. We've expanded the superannuation performance test. We've lifted reporting standards. We've introduced the financial accountability regime to ensure that funds are delivering for their members, We're improving system integrity by requiring super to be paid at the same time as wages, finally, through payday super. I hope this reform doesn't stop here. We know that we need to keep on changing super to make sure it's performing for members. The Treasurer also introduced some really important tax concession reform to make super fairer and more sustainable over the long term. I know a great union, the SDA, has got a great campaign about getting young people superannuation. If you're under 18, you don't get paid super, which made a lot of sense a long time ago, when superannuation amounts were so small and you had to process payments manually, write a cheque and post it to the super fund that had to cash that cheque. It made a lot of sense for small super amounts not to be paid, but in 2026 there's payday super. With electronic methods of super payment, where the cost of transferring money electronically is next to zero, I think the SDA have a very strong case for future reform—reform, obviously, to be done by a Labor government, because we know what those opposite do with super. I commend this bill to the House. Labor created super; we'll always stand to protect it. 11:49 Mr ZAPPIA HWB Makin It was Labor that introduced super in 1992, and it did so to ensure that all Australian workers could retire with dignity and financial security. It has been Labor ever since then that has ensured that the superannuation guarantee that was introduced continues to serve Australian workers in the way it was intended to. Labor continue to upgrade and refine the superannuation laws so nobody misses out. A good example of that is when it was applied to people on paid parental leave. Contrary to that, we have seen, ever since the superannuation guarantee was introduced, the coalition trying to somehow obstruct the intent of it. Indeed, we not only saw that in the last period of coalition government, where the contribution rate was 9.5 per cent and remained that way between 2014 and 2021. We have since seen several attempts by coalition policies to try and allow people to have access to that super before they are entitled to, which, in my view, totally undermines the whole purpose of the scheme. The reality is that, because of Labor's policies, today there is some $4.3 trillion in superannuation assets held in this country. My understanding is—and this is based on the latest figures I was able to get—that over $2.7 trillion is in APRA regulated entities and over $1 trillion is in self-managed funds. These are big numbers. I understand that Australia has the fourth-largest super assets holdings globally of any country and, the way we are going, it may well be that we'll be No. 1 in the years ahead. But the importance of super is simply this: not only does it provide for security and financial stability in retirement years but it actually reduces the burden on governments in paying pensions for those who don't have superannuation. In fact, right now, Australia is possibly the only country bucking the global trend and spending a smaller proportion of GDP on the pension whilst other countries are spending more of their GDP on pension payments. So we're going against that trend all because of the superannuation policies that we have in this country. Labor's commitment to a sustainable superannuation system is demonstrated with this very legislation. The legislation has six schedules to it. I don't have time to talk about each of the schedules, but I want to talk about two of them. The first is to try and ensure that we ban advertising during onboarding. In a simplistic way, that's all about trying to ensure that people don't invest their money with funds which are not credible and secure. We saw that with the collapse of the Shield Master Fund and the First Guardian managed investment schemes, which impacted some 12,000 investors and perhaps up to $1.2 billion of funds. Whilst it appears some of those investors will be compensated, the future is very uncertain for many others who have lost some or all of their retirement savings and don't know if they will receive compensation. Investors were lured into those funds through being cold-called and encouraged to switch from safer, more regulated funds to higher-risk, less-regulated funds. This highlights just how important it is to ensure that adequate protections are put in place against the types of unscrupulous practices that too often take place. Schedule 2 of the bill places a ban on advertising superannuation funds during an employee's onboarding when starting a new job, with some exceptions. Whilst this doesn't directly address the circumstances that arose in the Shield and First Guardian collapses, it does nevertheless deal with a similar type of flaw whereby people may be exploited to make an uninformed choice at short notice amongst all the paperwork and preparation when they start a new job. The second issue that I want to briefly speak about is how this legislation affects the wine tax and, in particular, the wine equalisation tax, which will go from $350,000 to $500,000. These facts can be sourced very easily from wine industry websites. To put this into perspective, I'll just go through some of the facts. The wine industry contributes some $51 billion to the Australian economy, supports about 200,000 direct and indirect jobs and contributes to regional tourism, with 7.5 million winery visits annually. And Australia is a top six global wine producer. Sixty per cent of Australian wine is exported. That is 630 million tonnes, on the last figures that I was able to get, and over a third of that goes to goes to China. Total production is about 1.57 million tonnes a year. Across Australia, we have 2,156 wineries and some 6,000 grape growers. My home state of South Australia accounts for over 52 per cent of all of that. Right now, the industry is struggling. In fact, it's in crisis. An oversupply of wine and declining domestic and global consumption is causing that, and that's leading to an oversupply, where we currently have about 52 million litres in storage. A few years ago, growers were getting something like $600 per tonne for their grapes. Today, they are offered $150 a tonne if they can get a buyer. That amount, $150 a tonne, doesn't even cover production costs—water, fertilisers, insecticides, labour et cetera—and when you add climate change to all that, you understand how difficult it is for some of those growers, which has led to a number of the growers now ripping out good plantations, healthy vines. Quite frankly, it's a shame to see that happening. Part of the problem that we face right now is that, back in 2021, because of the Morrison government's stance, China closed its door to Australian wine for three years and imposed tariffs of between 116 to 218 per cent. Labor lifted those tariffs in March 2024, almost exactly three years later, and sales have started to pick up. But, for three years, we had almost no sales whatsoever. Those three years of no sales literally account for all of the wine that is now in storage and which can't be sold. Regrettably, even though the markets have reopened, the problem is that China found new places to buy their wine from, so getting back to the full amount of wine that was being sold to China before the tariffs were imposed is becoming increasingly difficult. Add to that USA, UK, Hong Kong and Canadian wine sales, which have all declined, and you begin to understand that the wine industry is indeed in crisis. So I simply say this: raising the wine equalisation tax from $350,000 to $400,000 will make some difference. It's not the silver bullet. It won't cure all the problems, but it will make a difference, and right now the wine industry across Australia is in desperate need of whatever help it can get. I understand that the chamber will now be adjourning in just a moment, so I won't go on, but I simply stress that point, because it's a clear example of the damage done to the wine industry by a bad decision of a government a few years ago and one that now impacts so many families across Australia. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 264170 A quorum not being present, the Federation Chamber is suspended and will resume when the chair is resumed. Sitting suspended from 11:58 to 12:41 (Quorum formed) Mr ZAPPIA HWB Just before the suspension, I was referring to the increase of the wine equalisation tax producer rebate cap from $350,000 to $400,000 and how that will provide some relief to the wine industry across Australia, which is on its knees at the moment. I was making the point that the wine industry is struggling right now because of decisions and policies taken by the coalition government under Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the time. In turn, that ended up with China closing its doors to Australian wine for three years in which there was almost no wine being sold to our previously largest importer of Australian wines. Whilst the producer rebate cap being lifted to $400,000 is important and will provide some assistance, of course it won't go far enough to help those wine producers and the grape growers who are indeed struggling and right now having to pull out their vines. Just to do that, I understand, costs them around $7,000 a hectare, and then to replant with something else might add another $30,000 a hectare. So you can appreciate the financial burden it places on them. Of course they would be welcoming some additional government support in respect to that, particularly because they find themselves in the position they do because of a previous government's approach. And so I have a great deal of sympathy for those wine growers. The last matter that I will touch on is schedule 4 of this legislation, which talks about the convention that was agreed to between Australia and Portugal—a tax convention that was signed in November 2023, just over two years ago. There are two aspects to this that I think are critical. For one, in the global environment we live in, I think it's important to have tax laws that can be as simple as possible to use between two different countries, because that in turn makes the flow of free trade so much easier and allows businesses, whether they're in Portugal or here in Australia, to do business without having to have complicated tax arrangements in place. But the more significant issue of that convention is that it also helps with trying to control the tax evasion that takes place across the world every day by multinationals who use different countries in order to set up their management arrangements for this very specific purpose of evading tax. We know that that's been the case for years and we know that, under both coalition and Labor governments, there have been attempts to try and reduce or prevent that in different ways. But it's not very easy when you are dealing with entities that operate from different countries and when those countries are not prepared to comply with an arrangement whereby people are required to pay their fair share of tax. It's not good for either country, so to have the tax convention signed between Portugal and Australia is something I dearly welcome. Because whilst it won't stop these entities from operating the same kinds of schemes in other countries, at least it's another country that has added its name to the list of global countries that are out there trying to minimise tax evasion by multinationals, which runs into the trillions of dollars every year. I know that it would make a huge difference to the budget here in Australia if those companies and those entities paid their full range of tax that they should be paying but which they are able to evade because they list their management centres in countries that are of low tax jurisdictions. So with those comments, I commend this legislation. It's another example of how Labor is committed to the superannuation scheme that was introduced back in 1982 and how we continuously ensure that it meets the requirements of today's people. 12:46 Mr THISTLETHWAITE 182468 Kingsford Smith Superannuation was introduced by Labor to provide workers with dignity in retirement. It was a way of saying 'thank you' to workers for their decades of contribution to the workforce, to the companies and the organisations that they work for, and it was an opportunity to provide them with a comfortable retirement, a holiday every now and then, enough to look after the grandkids and to ensure that they had dignity in their senior years. The system has grown into one of the largest pools of investment funds anywhere in the world, providing support for economic growth in our economy and ensuring that we have jobs for Australians into the future. But we need to make sure that our superannuation laws keep pace with changes in our economy and continue to provide that principle dignity for Australian workers in their retirement, and this bill introduces a number of reforms to superannuation and tax laws to achieve just that. The bill seeks to deliver on an election commitments to streamline systems and processes and to reduce compliance costs for taxpayers. We're ensuring that more Australians earn more, keep more of what they earn and retire with more as well, and that's another step in strengthening a system that delivers on its purpose of providing income for a dignified retirement. Australians deserve to make an informed choice about their superannuation when starting a new job, so schedule 1 bill of this or one of this bill streamlines the choice of fund process so that workers can see and can consider their existing stapled fund. Stapling was introduced to ensure that employers pay superannuation contributions to an employee's existing superannuation fund if they don't make a choice. That helps reduce the duplication of accounts that eventually erode retirement savings through unnecessary fees and insurance premiums. Earlier access to stapled fund details means that employees can make that choice with confidence, and employers have the right information to support the government's payday super reforms. Schedule 2 introduces a targeted ban on superannuation advertising during onboarding. This amendment introduces a ban on advertising superannuation products to an employee specifically at the point that the employee is onboarding when they start a new job. This is a key moment for employees, and they should be able to engage with their super in a safe and informed way, free from inappropriate pressures or product promotion. Australians deserve protection from inappropriate advertising when they provide their superannuation details to an employer during onboarding. Limited exceptions ensure workers can still see their stapled fund, the employer's default fund or a regulated MySuper product, keeping the focus on transparency, not sales tactics. These reforms build on the government's broader work to strengthen superannuation: legislating the purpose of super; lifting the superannuation guarantee to 12 per cent—again ensuring that we provide that dignity for workers in retirement as the cost-of-living increases; boosting the low-income superannuation tax offset; and paying super on paid parental leave. All measures ensure providing equality for women in the workforce and providing dignity for seniors in retirement. We've implemented major reforms to ensure funds deliver for their members, from the financial accountability regime to stronger reporting standards, to expanding the performance test from around 80 products to more than 800. We are proud of Australia's superannuation system, proud of the workers that it supports and proud of the government that is ensuring it continues to deliver for generations of workers to come. Schedule 3 of this bill provides targeted tax exemptions to help Australia host the men's and women's rugby world cups in 2027 and 2029. This ensures that we remain competitive and trusted to host major international sporting events. Similar exemptions were provided for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and the 2020 ICC T20 world cup. This measure follows a well-established approach in supporting international sporting events in Australia and will, importantly, form part of our strategy around those sporting events in the lead-up to the pinnacle—the Olympics and Paralympic Games in Brisbane in 2032. Schedule 4 of the bill amends the International Tax Agreements Act to give force to a law for the convention between Australia and Portugal, which was signed on 30 November 2023. The convention is the first of its kind between Australia and Portugal, and will provide avenues to support closer bilateral linkages with Portugal, particularly in the areas of commercial trade investment and innovation. It will do so by reducing withholding tax on dividends, interest and royalties, which will reduce tax disincentives to investment and the cost of business for accessing foreign capital. The convention will also reduce compliance costs for taxpayers and improve certainty for individual businesses that have dealings in Australia and in Portugal by determining allocation of profits from cross-border dealings between the two countries. Finally, the convention supports Australia's plan to make multinationals pay their fair share of tax and strengthens the integrity of our taxation system. Schedule 6 delivers on the government's commitment to provide tax relief for Australia's wine producers. The support for wine producers comes under the existing wine equalisation tax producer rebate scheme from 1 July 2026 by increasing the rebate cap of $350,000 to $400,000 per financial year. Schedule 6 will support approximately 3,000 wine producers. These changes back local producers, keeping money flowing through regional towns and supporting investment and jobs. These are commitments that Labor made in the lead-up to the last election. Again, it's proof that the Albanese government is delivering on its economic commitments and ensuring that Australian workers continue to be provided with dignity and equality in the workforce, particularly in retirement. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 299964 The original question was that the bill be now read a second time, to which the honourable member for Fairfax moved, as an amendment, that all words after 'That' be omitted with a view to substituting other words. The honourable member for Wentworth has moved, as an amendment to that amendment, that all words after 'Whilst' be omitted with a view to substituting other words. The immediate question is that the amendment moved by the honourable member for Wentworth be agreed to. Question negatived. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 299964 The question is that the amendment moved by the honourable member for Fairfax be agreed to. Question unresolved. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 299964 As it is necessary to resolve this question to enable further questions to be considered in relation to this bill, in accordance with standing order 195 the bill will be returned to the House for further consideration. ADJOURNMENT 98 ADJOURNMENT Cost of Living 98 12:55 Mr YOUNG 201906 Longman Behind all the distractions and all the mud-slinging, one thing remains true, surviving in this country is getting harder. This is what my constituents are telling me, and it's what I've been seeing with my own eyes. If you talk to people around Longman, you'll be hard pressed to meet someone who isn't struggling or worried about someone else who is. Whether it be interest rates, house prices, unemployment, the cost of utilities, support for aged care, small businesses or just the cost of a good night out, most are having to tighten their belts to unbearable limits. We are really starting to see the impact of this. Just the other day we saw another interest rate rise, the 13th rise since the election of May 2022. This Labor government will say there have been two cuts since they came to government, but, with 13 rises and two cuts, in my book that's a net result of 11 rises, which is simply too much for the average household to bear. With house prices already being out of reach for many, anyone who has scraped by on their house purchase now has the added pressure of another quarter of a per cent in their interest rate It pushes the cash rate to 3.85, but you need to consider that banks don't charge the Reserve Bank's rates. While for those of us who lived through the eighties and nineties that might seem low—I can remember buying my first home in 1990 with an interest rate nudging 20—the difference was that the purchase price was less than two times my annual gross wage. That would be like buying a home now for around $200,000, and I say, 'Good luck with that!' I could afford the repayments on one wage with a stay-at-home wife and four small children, so we fortunately didn't have the expense of childcare—again, good luck with that today. Let's not forget not all loans are mortgages. Increasingly we are seeing people take out personal and payday loans at sometimes crazy-high interest rates. Sometimes it's for a car. Sometimes it's for a school excursion. Sometimes it's just for groceries and utility bills. People are slipping further and further behind and taking out these high-interest loans. It only makes a bad situation worse. It's all down to bad economic management by this government. Media sources have reported that the median house price in Queensland has now reached over $1 million. To put that in a local perspective, a home and land package for a four-bedroom family home in Beachmere starts at over $900,000. A similar package in Caboolture South, Burpengary and Morayfield starts at just under $800,000. For around $850,000, you can find a similar package in Upper Caboolture and Caboolture. Scrolling through real estate websites will show similar results for established family homes. This is quite incredible, as pre-COVID and late 2019, just six years ago, many of the homes were selling for under $400,000. Consider the current variable rate of around 5.59 per cent on an $800,000 30-year home loan. The repayments for such a loan will be $4½ thousand a month. As one of the lowest income electorates, these repayments simply do not fit into the average family income. Any additional rise in interest rates pushes homeownership further and further out of reach for the people of Longman and in Australia more generally. As a result we're seeing people forego a lot of things that we used to take for granted. There's this myth around that the Labor Party are the party for the battler. I'd like to say that that's been dispelled. These crazy programs that they've got include policies such as the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. To buy one of these batteries for 10 kilowatt, the average out-of-pocket expense is $9,000. I've got to tell you—when I talk to my people in Longman, there are not many that have a lazy $9,000 laying around to be able to do that. So the people who have more money—who can afford to pay for these and pay the nine grand—get cheaper power, but the poor people who can't afford to pay that nine grand are even more out of pocket. That doesn't seem particularly fair to me. That doesn't seem like a government that's looking after the low-income earner. In fact, it's the very opposite. It's the government looking after high-income earners. Let's couple that with the FBT exemption on electric vehicles. The people in Longman—a lot of them—are not going to be able to afford $70,000, $80,000 or $90,000 for a Tesla to take advantage of that. They'll be buying cheaper cars that are powered by diesel and petrol. Of course they'll be cheaper, but they don't get that FBT exemption. It's a joke. Even though this government might not stand up for those battlers—I tell you what—I'm not going to stop. I'm on your side. Bean Electorate: Community Events 98 13:00 Mr DAVID SMITH 276714 Bean Last week I hosted the Capital Region Showcase here at Parliament House. It's an event to highlight the breadth and depth of experiences and attractions that are available right across the capital region. Canberra is written off by many, as a boring place for politics, politicians and public servants, and I always appreciate being able to showcase what our region has to offer, including pieces from national cultural institutions, local foods, local wines and attractions. The showcase featured 38 exhibitors and included the National Gallery of Australia, the National Film and Sound Archive, the National Museum of Australia, the AIS, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Portrait Gallery, Questacon, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There was also the chance to sample food and drink from producers across the region, including Underground Spirits, a strong representative from the Bean electorate; Eden Road Wines; the Canberra Distillery; Garlicious Grown; BentSpoke and many others. Thank you to all those that participated in the event for making it a wonderful evening, and thank you to the National Capital Attractions Association, the ACT government and VisitCanberra for their assistance in pulling this event together. One of the many privileges of my role is having the ability to elevate and showcase the incredible things on offer in my community and the broader region, and I look forward to being able to continue to showcase my community throughout this term of parliament. Australia Day is a time to reflect on our community, welcoming new citizens into it and recognising those who have completed incredible acts of service within it. The Bean community is fortunate to have many of these individuals, including a significant number of people receiving recognition for work within the Australian military and defence forces: Brigadier Nathan Juchniewicz, for exceptional service in senior command appointments in Forces Command and Special Operations Command; Commodore Nathan Robb, for exceptional service to the Royal Australian Navy in the field of maritime logistics; Group Captain Anthony Kay, for outstanding achievement in the application of extraordinary skills and judgement in the development and control of air mobility capability for the Australian Defence Force; Wing Commander Grant Leader, for meritorious achievement as the Liaison Officer within the United States Air Warfare Center; Warrant Officer Cheryl Collins, for meritorious performance of duty as Command Warrant Officer Training Force, Command Warrant Officer Navy People, and Warrant Officer Joint Operations Command; and Warrant Officer Class One Anthony Luchterhand, for meritorious service over successive regimental sergeant major appointments as a senior enlisted adviser, master trainer and mentor. Thank you all for your service to our community and for safeguarding our nation. Last week I had the opportunity to visit the Weston Creek Men's Shed down in Rivett to recognise the incredible volunteer work of Bill Wallace. Bill's work as a volunteer began with the Scouts and led to him being heavily involved in the development of Camp Cottermouth. From there he has assisted in numerous volunteer roles, including assisting the police force with bush survival training and volunteering with the Mountain Trails Adventure School at Wee Jasper. Bill is the Weston Creek Men's Shed's current workshop manager. He spends many hours a week tutoring and nurturing others in the woodworking trade and ensuring that the workshop is a safe, comfortable workplace for anyone that wants to join. The President of the Weston Creek Men's Shed, Brian Black, described him as 'your quintessential "doer". Practical, skilled and ever ready to help without question. He thoroughly deserves to be honoured by his community.' And I couldn't agree more. Bill's story is just one example of the incredible volunteer work completed by people across the Bean community every week. One of my highlights each year is the Bean volunteer recognition evening, where volunteer organisations right across the community come together to celebrate the work of those that so often go unrecognised and unrewarded. I look forward to continuing to recognise these individuals throughout this term of parliament and celebrating the Bean volunteer recognition evening again in the Main Committee Room of this parliament building as well. Housing 99 13:05 Mr BUCHHOLZ 230531 Wright When we left government, there were 415,000 apprentices and trainees in the system. Today, just four years later, do you reckon there are more or fewer? There are over 100,000 fewer. Irrespective of the rhetoric that you hear from this government about all things being well and fine and dandy in the skills and training space, I can assure you: we are in a world of hurt. The skills shortages in this country are now at breaking point, and there's no solution coming from those on the other side. Just fathom that: 117,000 fewer apprentices and trainees today than when we left government. Then can you imagine what that transfers to and looks like in the housing construction sector? When we left office, the Housing Industry Association's Simon Croft's data suggests that, on average, 200,000 houses a year were being constructed across the country. What does a simple Google search now reveal to you about the last reporting period of 12 months? Do you reckon housing construction numbers were up or down? Down again, to 170,000. But the government have got ambitious targets—ridiculously ambitious targets. In order for them to get from the average of where they are at the moment, from 170,000, just back to where we were, they would then have to start building houses at around 125,000 a year, to catch up. But they're not going to do that. To meet their own targets of 1.2 million houses into the future, they'd have to be averaging 255,000. Never before, in the history of the Australian construction sector, have those numbers been met. But I tell you what they are good at. It takes a special type of incompetence to bring 1.2 million migrants into this country and, either intentionally or through some magic-pudding economics, just happen to leave off electricians, plumbers, roofers, plasterers and tilers—all the people that are on the skilled trades list. You think, 'Why don't they bring these people in to help with the construction sector? Why is it?' And then you think, 'Who runs their campaigns? What power do the unions have in ensuring that these people are not on the list of skills that we need to build the infrastructure required for the future? What power is it that the unions have that stops these people being on the skills list?' It's only a Liberal government, it's only a coalition government, that will adjust the immigration numbers and have skilled migration targeted to address the housing shortages and the skills that we need. And God help! You know, there's a reason that we did not support some of Labor's housing plans and, in particular, the five per cent boost-up. It has just gone straight to making it five per cent dearer for people to get into homes, because we've seen the inflationary pressure in housing prices adjust accordingly. And it happens every single time. But I tell you what: if politics were an Olympic sport, the Australian Labor Party would be gold medallists in taking credit for stuff when stuff's going well! But they've got a list from here to Bourke of people to blame so they don't have to take responsibility themselves. It's always somebody else's fault. This Labor government is appalling, and it's only a coalition government that can get this country back on track. Tomorrow, our party will be having a leadership spill. I come from a regional seat. I come from a regional community. It's mostly farmers. Agriculture is our largest contributor to GDP. When I shake the hand of my leader and say, 'You have my support,' you can take that to the bank. So, when the deal is on tomorrow, Australia needs to know I won't shirk from my responsibilities to support my leader. It's how I was bred. They are my principles and they will always guide me. Migration 100 13:10 Ms SITOU 298121 Reid The political debate in Australia has become more and more heated, particularly around discussions on immigration. Our immigration system must work to strengthen Australia, keeping us safe and helping us prosper. We should have a mature discussion about it, but it must be done with honesty, nuance, compassion and facts. Post COVID, when the borders reopened, we did see an influx of people to Australia. We were in very unusual circumstances. It was Australians returning home and international students enrolled at education institutions who were finally able to come onshore, and immigration was too high. It needed to come down, and we've done that. It's come down 40 per cent in the last few years. We've made significant changes to our migration system to improve its integrity and set more sustainable levels. We've also provided additional resources to our security agencies so they're better able to conduct security checks. This year, our permanent migration program is 185,000 people, the same as last year. Seventy per cent of those are skilled visa holders. They are people working in areas where we desperately need more workers—aged care, child care and health care. The rest of those visas are predominantly for families, for Australians falling in love overseas and bringing their partners and children back home. I think we should always be looking at the shape and size of our migration system, making sure it continues to work for the interests of Australia. But we need to be honest about the consequences of pulling down on some of those levers. Do we want to reduce the number of skilled workers? What impact would that have on hospitals, aged care and the agriculture sector? Do we want to make it harder for Australians who are bringing loved ones here? These are questions that those opposite could never answer when they were trying to make changes to the migration system, but they are all legitimate discussions to have. This is something that we as a country need to discuss openly and honestly. But we should always do so with compassion and humanity and never resort to the term 'mass migration', because the term 'mass migration' masks people's stories and their contributions. We must never forget that our migration system is made up of people—people with names, stories, aspirations, and a contribution to make. In the migration debate I hope we never forget those people—like my parents, Phet and Syphan Sitou. My story is both improbable and yet typical of so many migrant families in Australia. My parents fled their homeland fearful of what might happen to them because of who they were and the values they held. My family is of Chinese heritage, but my parents were born and raised in Laos. They fled their homeland and were incredibly lucky Australia gave them refuge. When my parents came here, they had very little formal education and spoke very little English, and yet they were able to thrive here. They worked hard in factories, where they were able to find secure work with good conditions. They gave my brother and me the opportunities that they never got. My family thrived here. I am the proud daughter of migrants, I am a federal member of the Australian parliament and I proudly represent one of the most diverse electorates in the country. I have met the most extraordinary people in my electorate, those who are newer to this country and those whose families have been here for generations. They've embraced the very best of the Australian story—our freedom to speak out, to hold a faith and to build the life we want and our responsibilities to those around us so that we may all prosper together. I hope you see in their stories, and in mine, the power of the Australian story, because stories like ours are possible only in countries like Australia. Our success here is one of the best expressions of Australian values. Where else would it have been possible that we can live with freedom, respect, fairness and, above all, equality of opportunity? Workplace Relations 101 13:15 Ms BELL 282981 Moncrieff Well, here we go again. It seems like the CFMEU saga will never, ever end. But this time it isn't just another messy chapter in the long and troubled history of the CFMEU. It is something far more serious. It's an industrial-scale cover-up that goes to the heart of this Albanese Labor government. It has been revealed that the Prime Minister's own appointed CFMEU administrator has ordered the removal of several sections of the report into the corruption that exists between the CFMEU and the Australian Labor Party. It wasn't simply a typo; it was the removal of sections—whole chapters, in fact—that detailed the connection between corrupt and criminal conduct inside the CFMEU and the Labor Party. Let's be clear about what this means. The opposition wrote to the administrator last year. We lodged freedom of information requests. We wrote directly to Minister Rishworth seeking the full release of the report. We asked for transparency. We asked for sunlight. Instead, we now discover that the sections exposing the deep heart of corruption between the CFMEU and the Labor Party have been redacted—whitewashed, scrubbed from the public's view. According to Geoffrey Watson, anti-corruption expert and author of this report, it was because he was directed to remove those sections, directed by the government's own appointed administrator to remove references that connected the CFMEU to the Australian Labor Party. This is a complete and utter lack of accountability and transparency, all from a government that went to the 2025 election promising transparency to the Australian people. What a disgrace. This comes after the Prime Minister told the Australian people he would not take CFMEU donations, only for Australian Electoral Commission disclosures to reveal that that was another broken promise. This report, in its unredacted form, reportedly highlights that some $15 billion of Australian taxpayer money has been washed through a cartel network involving the CFMEU and the Australian Labor Party—$15 billion. That is a huge number. It's around about the same amount of money as the childcare support that Australians get. At a time when families are struggling with their mortgages, when rents are soaring and when young Australians are being locked out of homeownership, what sits over the top of all of this? It is a criminal cartel tax on Australia's housing industry, driven by corrupt conduct and protected by political interference. Everyday Australians are paying more for construction. Young Australians are paying more for their first home. And this government has been running interference to stop the truth from coming out. How is that transparency? Last year, time and again, we sought parliamentary scrutiny. We sought Senate inquiries. We sought answers in question time. We sought proper examination of the relationship between the CFMEU and the Labor Party. And what did we see? We saw questions being shut down. We saw inquiries being blocked. We saw debate being guillotined. But what do we truly expect from this government? Do we expect anything else? The Labor Party, with assistance from what appears to be their coalition partner in the Greens, have repeatedly run interference for those at the top of the CFMEU tree who are engaging in corrupt and criminal conduct. Now the truth is emerging. But this chamber should not have to wait for drip-fed revelations. The minister must release the full, unredacted non-whitewashed report now—not a sanitised version, not a politically convenient summary, but the whole report. Australians deserve to know: What did the minister know, and when did she know it? Why was the administrator allowed to excise chapters linking corrupt conduct to the Labor Party? And why has the government consistently run interference to shield the Prime Minister from scrutiny? Let me say this: the administrator's position is now completely and utterly untenable. To seek the removal of not just a few lines but entire chapters detailing connection between that sort of conduct and the governing party of this country is simply extraordinary. This is not just about industrial relations. It is about the integrity of public life. It's about whether a government can allow a cartel culture to flourish in exchange for political support and donations. It's about whether taxpayers' money is being funnelled through the corrupt network while Australians struggle to pay their bills. Wake up, Albanese government! Wake up! Women's Health 101 13:49 Ms KEARNEY LTU Cooper Medical misogyny and gender bias are rife in the health system. Every single woman has a story, and I am incredibly proud that this Labor government has launched a national conversation about this. You see, before you even consider the compounding effects of intersectionality and women with disability or LGBTIQA+ communities, First Nations or people from a CALD background, we hear stories from women about how their pain has been dismissed. There are misdiagnoses. Symptoms are minimised. Health guidelines around diseases have been written over centuries by men, about men and for men. We now know that there are very vast differences between the pathophysiology of a male body and a female body. Women are not small men. Our gender bias survey found that two out of three respondents reported they experienced discrimination and bias in the health system; 70 per cent of that was from GPs and half of it in hospitals. I myself was really launched into action around this issue when my cousin presented to an emergency department with some symptoms of tingling from her waist down. She felt unwell, a bit faint. Her feet were numb, and she had pins and needles. She was barely examined in that ED; she was just told she was being anxious, that she was tired, that she needed a rest. She was sent home with some panadol and told to call her GP. My cousin Resa died that night, alone in her house, from an abdominal aortic aneurysm that had ruptured. I couldn't help but wonder: if she, a single woman in her late 50s, had been a man of the same age who walked into that ED in a suit and a tie and gave the exact same symptoms, would they merely have sent her home as anxious and worried and tired? I don't think so. I'm not suggesting, of course, that there is some national conspiracy about this, that there are a whole bunch of doctors, nurses and health professionals out there conspiring against women—of course not. We all know our health professionals work incredibly hard under terrible circumstances, and they do the very best they can. But this is a systemic issue. I myself, as a nurse, was taught in that system. I know how it is built into everything that we do in those health facilities. That is why, when I became the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, I was laser focused on tackling gender bias in the health system. I'm incredibly proud to say it's now been one year since we announced over half a billion dollars for women's health, a package that meant cheaper contraception, increased rebates for IUDs and birth-control implants. We added huge bulk-billing incentives for women, who will save up to $400 when they have an IUD implanted. We added Yaz, Yasmin and Slinda to the PBS. It's the first time in 30 years that a contraceptive has been added to the PBS, saving women up to $350. We're opening up centres of training excellence. The package meant transformative menopause care. We added Estrogel, Prometrium and Estrogel Pro to the PBS for the first time in 20 years. My goodness! This is saving some women up to $600. People actually stop me in the street and thank me for that. We introduced an MBS item number for menopause. We've created the first ever national guidelines around this. We're providing training for health professionals in women's health, a review of bone densitometry, expansion of endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics, and better access to UTI treatment and contraception through pharmacies—over-the-counter medicines from pharmacists. We've had conversations with medical schools and deans of medicine about how they teach medicine to their students. This is huge work that all goes into making the health and wellbeing of women better. But the work is not done. Assistant Minister Rebecca White is now a champion for women as the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, and she knows and is going to be working on what really needs to be done in the next steps. There's so much more to do for women's health, social services, housing, employment, law, communications, disability and finance. I see a really bright future for women under an Albanese Labor government. Thank you. Question agreed to. Federation Chamber adjourned at 13:25