2025-09-01 3 1 0 House of Reps 0 1

Monday, 1 September 2025

The SPEAKER ( Hon. Milton Dick ) took the chair at 10:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.

COMMITTEES 1 COMMITTEES Petitions Committee 1 Report 1 10:01 Ms BELYEA 309484 Dunkley I present the second report of the Petitions Committee of the 48th Parliament: The report read as follows — HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PETITIONS COMMITTEE REPORT No. 02 Petitions and Ministerial Responses 01 September 2025 MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE Chair Ms Jodie Belyea MP Deputy Chair Mr Leon Rebello MP Mr Cameron Caldwell MP Ms Emma Comer MP Ms Trish Cook MP Mr Rowan Holzberger MP Mr Llew O'Brien MP Ms Tracey Roberts MP This committee is supported by staff of the Department of the House of Representatives Report summarising the petitions and ministerial responses being presented. The committee met in private session in the 48th Parliament on 26 August 2025. 1. The committee resolved to present the following petition in accordance with standing order 207: Petitions certified on 26 August 2025 From 65 petitioners—requesting mandatory installation of security cameras in all common areas of residential aged care facilities (PN0641) 2. The following 3 ministerial responses to petitions were received. Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 26 August 2025 From the Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury to a petition regarding tax concessions for religious organisations (EN5643) From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (EN7113) From the Speaker to a petition requesting changes to requirements for statements of Members' registrable interests (EN7122) Ms Jodie Belyea MP Chair — Petitions Committee PETITIONS 1 PETITIONS Presentation 1 10:01 Ms BELYEA 309484 Dunkley I present the following paper petition: Aged Care 1 PETITIONS 2 PETITIONS Responses 2 10:01 Ms BELYEA 309484 Dunkley I present the following three ministerial responses to petitions presented previously: Charitable Organisations 2 Democratic Republic of Congo: International Humanitarian Assistance 2 Parliamentary Standards 2 PETITIONS 3 PETITIONS Statements 3 10:01 Ms BELYEA 309484 Dunkley I am pleased to inform the House that the Petitions Committee have, at our recent meetings, certified more than 150 new petitions which were submitted during the long recess between parliaments. These are now collecting signatures on the House e-petitions website. I look forward to presenting these e-petitions at a future sitting of the House after their four-week signature-collection period has concluded. More certifications will follow at the committee's next meetings as we continue to steadily work through our backlog. BILLS 3 BILLS Australia Day Bill 2025 3

Australia Day Bill 2025

First Reading 3 Second Reading 3 10:02 Mr PIKE 300120 Bowman I move: That this bill be now read a second time. It is a pleasure to bring the Australia Day Bill 2025 before the 48th Parliament after it lapsed without consideration in the last parliament. This is a proposal supported by the voices of over 50,000 Australians who've backed my campaign to give Australia Day proper recognition and protection in federal law. At its heart, this bill rests on a straightforward principle—that Australia's national day belongs to the Australian people, not to politicians or governments. Australia Day is a date of such monumental national significance—and it means so much to so many—that it should never be able to be cancelled or changed at the whim of the government of the day. The bill seeks to ensure that no politician, no political party and no special interest group can change our national day without the approval of the majority of Australians voting in a national plebiscite. Currently, Australia Day is marked as a public holiday on 26 January in every state and territory. While it's widely accepted as our national day, oddly, it has never been formally recognised as such by this parliament. Of course, it commemorates the landing of the First Fleet at Port Jackson in 1788, a moment that set the course for the development of our modern nation. Records show celebrations on this date began as early as 1808. New South Wales made it a public holiday in 1818. Australia Day is older than any national symbol we hold. It predates our national flag by nearly a century. In fact, celebrations on 26 January predate the use of the word 'Australia' by a few years. For most Australians, it's a day to reflect on our shared history, to celebrate how far we've come, and to honour the people who've built and shaped this nation. It's also a day where thousands of new citizens are formally welcomed into the Australian family. It was on 26 January 1949—Australia Day—that our first citizenship laws came into force. It was the day Australian citizenship officially began. Every year we hear arguments against the date. Some believe 26 January should be a day of mourning. Nobody disputes that Australia's story includes hardship, injustice and tragedy. The arrival of the First Fleet would have been a moment of deep uncertainty for the Eora people. And it was yet another day of immense suffering for those souls aboard those ships. But from that harsh beginning, and through the many difficult chapters that followed, we've built something remarkable—a free, fair, and thriving nation. And that's something worth recognising. Australians are capable of both commemorating and celebrating on the same day. We don't need to erase our past to face the future. Trying to downplay or delegitimise our nation's origins won't help us grow stronger. It only divides us. The voyage of the First Fleet was a monumental act of endurance. So was Bennelong's journey of diplomacy. So was Pemulwuy's resistance. Modern Australia is the sum of all these stories—and our national day should reflect that. This bill will enshrine Australia's national day in federal law. To achieve this, the bill utilises the same provisions used to enshrine Anzac Day as 'a national day of commemoration' through the Anzac Day act 1983. This would mean that the date of Australia Day would be formally established as 26 January in federal law. This legislative protection ensures that Australia Day must remain as a national day and cannot be abolished by the actions of this or any future government. While we can't guarantee that any future parliament won't repeal this protection, it would be a brave government indeed who tries to pass a law to repeal the celebration of our national day. The remainder of the bill provides an avenue through which the date of Australia Day could be changed. This process would be the same prescribed for the Flags Act 1953 for changing the design of Australia's national flag, namely through a national plebiscite. How a national plebiscite on Australia Day would be formed and conducted will be at the discretion of parliament. Just as how in the last parliament we debated the parameters through which the recent referendum was conducted. However, the bill does provide that any alternate proposals must include 26 January as an option that can be selected by voters in any future plebiscite. All those qualified to vote in federal elections will be qualified to vote for any proposal for an alternate date for Australia's national day. These subsections are a reflection of the same protections for Australia's national flag that are contained within the Flags Act 1953. Those protections were instituted through an amendment to the Flags Act back in 1998 by the Howard government. I went back and I had a look at the Hansard to see how the then Labor opposition reacted to those amendments. In 1998, the Labor Party supported the introduction of these protections—although I note that many of the Labor speakers spoke about their desire to change the flag. Fast forward a quarter of a century—our national flag still flies proudly above this building, unchanged, and in this chamber. I contend that the protections in the Flags Act that were introduced by the Howard government have contributed to this outcome. Many parliamentarians have come to this place, and achieved high office, while harbouring a desire to change our national flag But these ambitions have been thwarted by the knowledge that changing the flag would require the endorsement of the people. While it might be relatively easy to achieve a majority of the cabinet, or a majority of your fellow travellers in the caucus room, it is an exponentially greater challenge to achieve a majority of the Australian people, as this government discovered in the recent referendum. The Labor Party of the 1990s, of which the now Prime Minister was a new member, acknowledged that it was entirely appropriate for the Australian people to be the arbiters of what should be our national flag then and into the future. I challenge them to adopt the same principle to legislate that it must be the Australian people who are the arbiters of our national day. It shouldn't be a radical principle that Australians should be asked to decide on areas central to our national identity. In fact, it was through a national plebiscite that Australians made the decision to adopt 'Advance Australia Fair' as our national song in 1977. If it's good enough for the Australian people to have ownership over their own anthem and their own flag, why not over their own national day? I fear the day will come when a future government gives into activist pressures on this issue. I've seen this story play out too many times before—a small, noisy few overriding the quiet conviction of the vast majority. Year after year, the polling remains consistent. Most Australians want to keep 26 January as our national day. That view deserves to be respected—and protected. This bill offers a path forward. It gives our national day security and allows the country to move past the endless debate. By setting a higher bar for change, we lower the temperature. We stop indulging the cycle of outrage and start focusing on the future. This morning I present this bill as a challenge to the Prime Minister and his government: If they are serious about their commitment to keeping Australia Day on 26 January, in line with the comments that were made in the lead-up to the federal election, they should support this bill. If they harbour a desire to change our national day without a mandate from the people at some point in the future, they should leave this bill off future programs. I challenge the government to put this on the program. Let's have this debate. It's a debate being had outside of this chamber. Why not inside it as well? In closing, I want to say to my colleagues in this parliament—let us recognise Australia Day through this bill and delegate its future to the Australian people. I'm asking members to trust the Australian people. Trust them to get the call right, both now and into the future. Let's entrust Australia Day to the Australian people. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 Is the motion seconded? Mr Caldwell 306489 I second the motion and reserve my right to speak. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 The time allotted for this debate has expired. The debate is adjourned and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting. Road Vehicle Standards Amendment (Safer E-Bikes) Bill 2025 5

Road Vehicle Standards Amendment (Safer E-Bikes) Bill 2025

First Reading 5 Second Reading 5 10:12 Dr SCAMPS 299623 Mackellar I move: That the bill be now read a second time. Today I introduce the Road Vehicle Standards Amendment (Safer E-Bikes) Bill 2025 to ensure e-bikes are fit for purpose and safe in terms of international safety standards and speed capability. E-bikes have transformed the way Australians move around our cities and suburbs—and they have been taken up with particular eagerness in my electorate of Mackellar on the northern beaches of Sydney. They are a vital part of the shift to cleaner, more active transport and have provided greater transport independence for many thousands of people—especially those without a licence. But the technology has raced ahead of our safety and import regulations so that now we frequently have e-bikes that are more like motorbikes than bicycles being used on our roads and our footpaths. This situation has caused deep concern across our communities for the safety of both riders and pedestrians. Parents, pedestrians, state politicians, trauma surgeons and even police are all calling for leadership from the federal government to address these pressing safety concerns. The major regulatory failing at the federal level is that, when e-bikes are being imported into Australia, they do not have to meet any mandatory safety or quality standards because they are not considered road vehicles under the Road Vehicle Standards Act. It is this issue that my safer e-bikes bill seeks to solve. I recently hosted a community forum on ebikes with the state Independent member for Pittwater, Jacqui Scruby, where we heard directly from local community members, trauma surgeons and transport exports about the alarming rise in injuries and enforcement challenges linked to illegal and noncompliant ebikes. Data on injuries caused by ebikes is scant, but research from St Vincent's Hospital Sydney found that over a two-year period from 2023, 500 e-bike riders required critical care in New South Wales emergency departments. These injuries are often severe, including head trauma, spinal injuries and fractures. While some of these injuries were influenced by alcohol use or insufficient infrastructure to protect cyclists, many also involved modified or overpowered ebikes. The failure to adequately regulate these bikes is a serious public safety issue. As a doctor who worked in emergency departments for many years and on a neurosurgical award, I clearly understand the risk these overpowered and unregulated bikes pose and feel compelled to act before tragedy strikes again. Evidence presented to the parliament of New South Wales inquiry into the use of e-scooters, ebikes and related mobility options suggests that a divergence between federal and state regulations has led to confusion in the proliferation of noncompliant devices in the market, with retailers exploiting the gap between federal import standards and state road regulations. This situation has also created significant challenges for enforcement agencies and confusion amongst consumers about what constitutes a legal device and what can be ridden without being licensed. There is also broad support for reform from state politicians. The New South Wales, Queensland and Victorian transport ministers have all written to the federal government calling for national leadership on unsafe ebike imports and the establishment of national safety standards. The cycling and e-mobility industry is also calling for change. In a joint letter to the federal treasurer and the minister for infrastructure and transport, Bicycle Industries Australia, We Ride Australia and other leading organisations urged the government to reinstate ebikes under the Road Vehicle Standards Act and require compliance with international best practice safety standards such as EN15194. The European standard outlines safety requirements for the design, assembly and testing of electrical power assisted cycles, or EPACs for short. The industry has also made it clear: they want clarity, consistency and safety. This is what this bill responds to. It defines EPACs as road vehicles under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 and requires the minister for infrastructure and transport to develop a national standard for EPACs, addressing: operational pedal cranks height-adjustable seats anti-tampering protections and other safety features consistent with European standard EN15194. Importantly, EPACs that meet this new national standard or are designed for people with disability or off-road use will be exempt from regulation under the act. The bill also calls for a new vehicle class called 'powerful ebikes' and defines them as road vehicles under the Road Vehicle Standards Act, providing the relevant department with the authority to oversee the importation of these bikes. It also requires the minister to create a national road vehicle standard for powerful ebikes. This addresses the rapid proliferation of overpowered ebikes, including 'fat bikes' that operate exclusively via throttle without requiring pedalling and which can reach speeds of 50 kilometres per hour and above. Ebikes are a wonderful innovation that will play an increasingly important role in Australia's clean transport future. Transport is currently the third-largest carbon-emitting sector in Australia and is on track to become the highest source of emissions by 2030. According to the Climate Council more than two million car trips in Sydney each day are under two kilometres, and in Melbourne half of all weekday trips are under five kilometres. These are distances that could easily be covered by ebikes. We just need to make them safe to use for both riders and pedestrians. Shifting from car use to active transport and e-mobility on trips like these will help reduce emissions, improve public health, connect people to public transport hubs and make our communities more livable. E-bikes also make cycling accessible to more people—older Australians, people with injuries, those like me who live in hilly areas and those who might not otherwise ride. They are a gateway to healthier, more active lives, but they must be made safe for the entire community. This bill responds to widespread calls from parents, pedestrians, trauma surgeons and state governments for national safety and import standards for e-bikes. While states and territories are responsible for setting speed limits and writing regulations on our roads and footpaths, the federal government also has a clear role to play in regulating and supporting safe e-bikes by ensuring that e-bikes imported into this country are safe, compliant and fit for purpose, as this bill does. This bill is about protecting riders, pedestrians and drivers—and making our community safe for everyone. And it is about supporting the growth of a sustainable transport mode that can help us meet our climate goals, reduce congestion and improve public health. I commend this bill to the House and cede the remainder of my time to the member for Bradfield. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 Is the motion seconded? 10:20 Ms BOELE 26417 Bradfield I second the motion. I rise to support the Road Vehicle Standards Amendment (Safer E-Bikes) Bill 2025, moved by the member for Mackellar. Across our cities and suburbs, more Australians are choosing e-bikes. They are often a practical, affordable and sustainable alternative to commuting while providing that little bit of incidental exercise on the way to school or work. But as technology has advanced, delivering greater speed and power, our import and safety standards have failed to keep up. Even bikes with speed and power limits on them are easily modified. A recent Transport for NSW study found that 38 per cent of riders had tampered with their bikes, a figure rising to 57 per cent among 18- to 29-year-olds. This bill is not about cracking down on e-bikes. I love them, and I wish more people used them. It's about ensuring that the roughly 260,000—and growing—e-bikes imported to Australia each year meet national import standards and are equipped with basic safety designs and antitampering protections. That's it. The Road Vehicle Standards Amendment (Safer E-Bikes) Bill 2025 does this. I want to reiterate that this bill is not about curbing the use of e-bikes. This bill simply brings e-bikes into line with safety expectations and clarifies ambiguity surrounding their usage. Implementing this will prevent countless injuries and, no doubt, save lives. I commend the member for Mackellar for bringing this legislation forward, and I commend the bill to the House. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 The time allotted for this debate has now expired. The debate is adjourned and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting. Repeal Net Zero Bill 2025 7

Repeal Net Zero Bill 2025

Second Reading 7 10:23 Mr BOYCE 299498 Flynn by leave—I rise to support the Repeal Net Zero Bill 2025, presented by my colleague the member for New England at the last sitting. Unfortunately, this bill has revolved around an argument that if you don't believe in net zero, you don't believe in climate change. I want to put that to bed right now. Climate change is real and is happening right now. Climate change is variable; the earth's geological history tells us that. The earth's climate has been changing ever since the earth began on Thursday afternoon 4.54 billion years ago. So this debate is not about whether you believe in climate change. This is about the economic cost of getting to a position of net zero by 2050. We know the government has implemented emissions targets—43 per cent by 2030 and 82 per cent renewable energy by 2030—and my colleagues and I want to know how much this will cost in terms of economics to the Australian people. How much will it affect their futures and their prosperity? The Institute of Public Affairs issued a report recently that said that the Central Queensland federal electorate of Flynn, which I represent, will be the most affected. There are upwards of 16,000 jobs at risk in the mining and resource sector, the agricultural sector, the transport sector and the heavy industries sector, particularly, if we continue to go down this road of net zero. In the electorate of Flynn, there are 90 projects—wind turbines, solar panels, transmission lines, batteries and all of the associated things that are happening. There's a problem there in terms of economics because, while many of these projects have got their environmental approvals—or, if they haven't, they're in the process of doing that—most of them do not have financial closure. There are a couple of reasons for that. One of them is that the proponents cannot guarantee a minimum net return for the people who are investing. For example, if there's a billion-dollar project—and there are plenty of them—the investors are looking for something like a 10 per cent net return per year. Ten per cent of a billion dollars is $100 million a year, and the problem for the proponents and for the government is that they cannot guarantee that return. The reason for that is that the weather is variable. You cannot guarantee electricity generation through wind turbines and solar panels, because sometimes the wind doesn't blow and sometimes the sun doesn't shine. So they've got a problem. The way the government has gone about approaching that problem is that they've invented a thing called the Capacity Investment Scheme. Most people have got no idea what it means. In a nutshell, the Capacity Investment Scheme asks the Australian taxpayer to underwrite the minimum profitability of these projects, whether they produce energy or not. In my quest to find out how much this will cost the Australian economy, I've engaged the Parliamentary Library. They have written an extensive brief for me and done a wonderful job, and here it is. Some of the questions I asked them were: What are the cost and budget implications? What is the total estimated cost of the scheme? How will it be funded? What is shown in forward estimates? Are there any off-balance-sheet liabilities and contingency guarantees? The Parliamentary Library answered those questions as best they could, and I will quote from what they've said: 'The government's maximum liability—that is, the expected cost of the CIS and estimated payments under the CISAs—is classified in the budget and not for publication due to commercial sensitivities.' There is no answer; the government will not tell us what they are committing the Australian public and, indeed, the taxpayer to. How much will it cost to actually implement this Capacity Investment Scheme? Further to that, one of the questions I asked the Parliamentary Library was who was eligible for this—what projects are eligible and so forth. I've learnt that battery projects are now eligible under the CIS. The DEPUTY SPEAKER F2S Thank you, Member for Flynn. I call the member for Cunningham. 10:28 Ms BYRNES 299145 Cunningham I am very pleased to speak on the motion in relation to the Repeal Net Zero Bill 2025 today to help show this for the farce that we all know it is. While the coalition continues to quibble about whether we should or should not have a net zero target, industry and our community are forging ahead with making net zero a reality. What we need to do is secure the jobs of the future in the clean tech space, and I've worked hard to make sure that the Illawarra can seize those opportunities. I have spent the last three years working with both traditional and emerging industry to ensure that our region is at the forefront of this energy transition. This means not having all our eggs in one basket but investing in the knowledge and expertise of those working hard for our clean energy future. I was absolutely thrilled to support an investment of $15 million last year to supercharge our renewable hydrogen industry through the backing of Hysata to expand the production of high-efficiency hydrogen electrolysers in the Illawarra. That investment by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation was a critical part of the $172 million expansion of manufacturing at Hysata's Port Kembla facility and came on top of nearly $30 million in grants from ARENA, which have supported Hysata from its early startup days to develop, build and demonstrate its technology at a commercial scale. The Illawarra offshore wind zone is another project I have proudly and loudly backed because I know that we need to be looking at every single opportunity for good, clean tech jobs in our community and because I back our clean energy future. What did the Liberals and their buddies do? They hounded and hounded and hounded this project down, spreading misinformation to try and scare our local community, because they don't actually want us to invest in those clean tech jobs of the future, and that is just shameful. We cannot be deterred from looking at clean tech jobs because of a few loud voices. This is far too important for our future. Even big companies, like BlueScope Steel, know that a clean energy transition is critical. Our government has invested $136.8 million towards the relining and upgrade of BlueScope's blast furnace to help reduce its emissions and support pathways for producing even lower emissions steel in the future, because cleaner steelmaking is the way of the future. Another clear way we are creating jobs of the future and the workforce of the future in Wollongong is through the Energy Futures Skills Centre at the University of Wollongong. I was incredibly proud to get this off the ground with a $10 million investment under the Albanese Labor government. Combined with $2.5 million in funding to upgrade equipment and teaching aids to create a renewable-energy training facility at Wollongong TAFE, this investment will ensure that local young people can gain the skills that they need to be part of Australia's clean energy future. Starting from the ground up, we will make sure that the Illawarra plays its role in tackling climate change with the workforce of the future, using state-of-the-art, clean-energy manufacturing facilities; helping businesses with the transition; and engaging in community outreach. I am absolutely confident that this centre will become the benchmark for training and skill development. Yet another important program that I have been proud to deliver locally is the community battery program. Working with Endeavour Energy, we invested $1 million under the first round to support Warrawong and Dapto with affordable energy storage, helping to lower household electricity bills, reduce emissions and deliver reliable, renewable energy to local people. Our government has taken that a step further this term by giving everyone up to 30 per cent off the cost of a home battery under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. Our community has absolutely taken that up with gusto, which has just been amazing to see. Communities are also making sure that they are taking steps towards our clean energy future. Just one example is Electrify 2515, which is a pilot program that has again been supported by ARENA, with $5.4 million. This pilot program, led by Saul Griffith and Rewiring Australia, in partnership with Brighte and Endeavour Energy, allows residents to apply for subsidies for a range of devices that support their household electrification. Local people, businesses and community organisations all know the one thing that the coalition wants to ignore. They know that climate change is real, they know it needs urgent action and they know we must take action now. Achieving net zero by 2050 is absolutely critical. I back it. My local businesses— The DEPUTY SPEAKER F2S Thank you, Member for Cunningham. I call the member for Riverina. 10:33 Mr McCORMACK 219646 Riverina Today is the first day of spring, and across the Riverina there are swathes of golden glory wattle—and today is the national day—and canola in full bloom. New lambs have hit the ground, and green shoots—thankfully not of the political variety but of the pasture variety and crops—are thankfully, finally, out, because it's been very, very dry. There is a crispness and a freshness in the air that only comes about on 1 September, but there's also an uneasiness in the air—tension you can sense, you can feel and you can see. I want to talk a bit about the faces of net zero. I want to talk a bit about a fellow I know very well; I'm not going to mention his name. He told me yesterday: 'Our land is the absolute pinnacle of prime agricultural land and I believe is well and truly amongst the best and most highly productive in Australia. I do not believe we deserve this to be happening in our landscape and having our food security placed in jeopardy.' He's talking about wind turbines, and his area, Old Junee, between Wagga Wagga and Temora, is not a windy area. It's not an area where there are huge ridge lines, but it matters not, because these wind towers as tall as Barangaroo are coming to a country area near you. Yass Valley mayor Jasmin Jones said: We're not a renewable energy zone— and that's really important to remember— They keep approving these in prime agricultural area, prime tourism and agri-wine area. We're internationally acclaimed for our wines, and we're turning into an industrial junkyard. They're village killers and we've had a gutful. That is what she said. Emma Webb—she's a wool grower between Binalong and Bowning—told the Bush Summit in Wagga Wagga last Wednesday: It's really tough at the moment. I'm a wool grower, so anyone whose involved in the wool industry knows how tough that is and when you couple that with poor seasons and rising costs, things are really, really tough and what it means with it being so tough, is its opening up the door to predatory renewable energy developers coming into our communities with bags of cash and buying off farmers so they can industrialise prime agricultural land. And that's the rub, because these companies send out these spivs, they send out these shysters, and they are buying off one farmer and not the farmer's neighbour. They are making people who are generational friends friends no more. They are dividing families. This is not the Australia I grew up in. This is not the regional Australia that I know and love. These companies, quite frankly, can go to hell. They really can. Take Cheryl O'Donnell from Crookwell. 'We just get this constant noise,' she says. She lives in the shadow of one of these wind towers. She says she suffers headaches and dizziness from the continual reverberation. 'It can be like a jet engine coming over the hill.' About her husband, Michael, she said, 'He's broken. He said to me recently, "I'm running out of places to hide from them out here."' The Upper Lachlan council area between Upper Lachlan and Yass Valley has got 42 per cent of the state's green energy projects and it's not even in a REZ. Then you've got 60 per cent of the wind turbines in New South Wales in Upper Lachlan. Yet now Essential Energy are looking to put them on—wait for this—diesel generators for backup power because they don't have the continual power that they need, even though they're providing the green energy power. Some of the projects proposed in that council area won't even be connected to the grid, because they're just taking the subsidies and running. The greatest moral challenge for humankind is not the weather, which we cannot change, but the ability to grow food to help feed a hungry world. I note the number of capital city based politicians demanding action on behalf of their virtue-signalling, weather hand-wringers and rent-seeking corporations. Never has the city-country divide, sadly, been greater. It's all well and good to cover our farmland, our beautiful farmland, with battery energy storage systems, solar factories and wind turbines. How about we put offshore wind turbines at North Head or on the Yarra River or turn those sails on the iconic Sydney Opera House into solar panels? Why not do that? Why take up our farmland, which we need to grow food and fibre and which we need for our agricultural production, at the expense of—what?—trying to change the weather? Yeah, good luck with that. The member for McMahon may have a mandate, but he doesn't have a mandate to ruin regional Australia. He does not. I have to say this is just a complete nonsense. It's not going to change the weather. That's why I support the bill from the member for New England. 10:38 Ms CLAYDON 248181 Newcastle This is extraordinary. Here we are in 2025, and the coalition wants to kill Australia's commitment to net zero. It's not just short sighted; it is ludicrous. Have they learnt absolutely nothing? Did they forget the last election? Australians voted loud and clear for action on climate change. They voted for a government that takes the science seriously, a government that plans for the future, not one that wants to drag us back to the dark old days of climate wars. Let's be very clear; Australians want action. Every poll shows it, every community conversation confirms it and the last federal election proved it. But here we are today, with the coalition still not sure where they stand. Talking out both sides of their mouths on net zero, this motion before us comes from the member for New England and is his attempt to repeal net zero. Meanwhile, we've got the Leader of the Opposition and a whole bunch of other people, including members from the other place, saying they support net zero. I read in the Age this morning Senator Hume saying that they support it. Which is it? We can't pretend to back climate change in the cities while trashing it in the regions. We've seen polling, again, just over the weekend, that the majority of Liberal voters—who turned their backs on this party at the last election—want the coalition to back in Australia's 2050 net zero commitments. The polling also found that half of the former coalition supporters don't believe the Liberals or Nationals any longer align with their personal values and what they want to see on climate change and energy. This motion is nothing more than climate denialism. It is reckless. It is dangerous. It betrays the very Australians who want their kids and their grandkids to inherit a safe, livable planet. People in my electorate of Newcastle and, indeed, right across the country know the cost of inaction. They've lived through the bushfires, the floods and the record-breaking heat waves. They understand that climate change is not some distant threat; it is here now, and it is hurting us. What's the coalition's answer? They pretend climate change is not happening. They're ripping up commitments, walking away from jobs and leaving our economy stranded in the past. Newcastle has always led the way. This city, my home town of Newcastle, was built on coal. We have a carbon intensive economy. We have powered the nation for generations. But do you know what? The world is shifting. There is a dramatic shift to renewables, and we want to be part of powering the future. That's why it is so detrimental that those who oppose renewable projects offer nothing but fear and misinformation. They talk about what they're against but never what they are for. They've got no plans for jobs in towns like mine, no plan for investment and no plan for the future. Novocastrians deserve better than scare campaigns from those opposite; they deserve honesty, ambition and vision. That's exactly what Labor is delivering—billions in clean energy investment and a plan to ensure workers and communities like mine share in the benefits of this major economic transformation that we cannot pretend is not coming. In Newcastle, we've already seen from the Labor government a massive $100 million commitment to establish a clean energy precinct at the Port of Newcastle. We've got another $425 million for a hydrogen hub at Orica, $60 million into the Hunter Net Zero Manufacturing Centre of Excellence at Tighes Hill TAFE and $21 million for a new Future Industries Facility at the University of Newcastle. But what do those opposite offer? They'd rip all of that up plus lead us into more delay, more denial and more division. Yet every serious investor, every major trading partner and every responsible business leader knows the future is in clean energy. This motion is a joke, but the consequences are deadly serious. It betrays Australians, it betrays kids and it betrays every worker who is counting on this country to have a plan about their future. Most importantly, it betrays regions like mine. Only Labor has a plan for clean energy, good jobs and a fairer, more sustainable Australia. The DEPUTY SPEAKER F2S The time allotted for this debate has expired. The debate is adjourned and the resumption of debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting. PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS 11 PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS Secure Jobs, Better Pay Review 11 10:44 Ms BYRNES 299145 Cunningham I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the final report of the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Review; (2) notes the report found the Government's workplace changes are already delivering for Australian workers, and that: (a) coverage of collective bargaining 'has increased markedly'; (b) real wages and workers' economic circumstances are improving; and (c) the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act represents a significant development aimed at improving outcomes for working women, including a reduction in the gender pay gap; (3) further notes recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics that showed: (a) a record number of Australians work; (b) since May 2022, employment had risen by 8.6 per cent, a higher rate of employment growth than all major advanced economies; (c) the gender pay gap is at the lowest ever level since records began; and (d) annual real wages have now grown for seven consecutive quarters under this Government; and (4) further acknowledges the Government's commitment for Australians to earn more and keep more of what they earn. The Albanese Labor government has worked hard over the last three years to turn around years of neglect and the degradation of workers' rights under the former Liberal government. At the core of Labor governments sits the ideal that workers' rights must be protected, that Australians should have secure jobs and that all workers should be paid fairly for the work that they do. This isn't just an ideal; this is something we have worked hard to enshrine in the law. In December 2022, our parliament passed the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill. We did this because, fundamentally, Australian workers had spent too long dealing with insecure work, with their wages held back. It was bad for local workers in my community like childcare workers, aged-care workers, those on the minimum wage—the list goes on. They had had it too tough for too long. Our legislation aimed to improve job security and gender equality, improve workplace conditions and protections and boost bargaining to restore fairness and integrity to the fair work institutions, and it's working. The final report of the independent panel conducting the statutory review of the secure jobs, better pay act has found that these changes are delivering for workers. As this motion notes, the review found coverage of collective bargaining has increased markedly. Real wages and workers' economic circumstances are improving. The secure jobs, better pay act represents a significant development aimed at improving outcomes for working women, including a reduction in the gender pay gap. This is real and tangible change in the lives of average working Australians. Since our legislation passed in December 2022, employment has risen by more than 879,000 jobs, reaching a record high in July 2025. As at June 2024, the number of small businesses had also grown by 2.7 per cent since the same time in 2023. When you support workers you also support business, and that's the truth. We promised we would get wages moving and we have delivered on that promise. We have delivered pay rises for those on the minimum wage. We've delivered pay rises for those working in aged care and in child care. In June 2025, we saw the seventh consecutive increase in annual wages growth, with the wage price index rising by 3.4 per cent on the previous year. Hardworking Australians doing the work that is keeping our economy moving deserve to be paid fairly. We also know that this country has had a real problem with the gender pay gap for far too long. Labor promised to turn that around. We promised we would take action to bring this down, and now the gender pay gap is at its equal lowest on record. That is what happens when you put these issues at the heart of what you do, when you decide that supporting workers must come first and that supporting women to be paid fairly must come first. It changes lives, and that is what we have done. One of the other things we aimed to do, which I know was important in my electorate, was close the labour hire loophole. The Illawarra has a proud mining history. Our community was built on the back of our local coalminers, and theirs was just one of the industries being exploited by labour hire loopholes that we have now closed. These were loopholes that saw people doing the same job but for less pay. It saw local workers missing out on hours, missing out on doing their job, because corporations thought they could get someone else to do it cheaper. Since our legislation came into effect, we have seen more than 5,000 labour hire workers receive pay increases, and that's a direct result of the changes that the Albanese Labor government made. A fair day's pay for a fair day's work—that's what Australians deserve and that's what they are getting out of an Albanese Labor government. The Illawarra also has a world-class university which brings a high volume of students and those wanting to work casual and flexible hours. When I spoke on the closing-loopholes legislation, I told the story of Ashleigh, a local student struggling to pay bills who had created a yellow pages of exploitation. It was a very sad state of affairs—a laundry list of underpayment, power imbalance and businesses trying to scam the system. Students took matters into their own hands to name and shame those behaving badly. Our review has shown that enterprise agreements are at an all-time high and Australians are earning more and keeping more of what they earn. I am proud to be part of a government delivering for workers and supporting local businesses at the same time. The DEPUTY SPEAKER F2S Is there a seconder for the motion? Ms Belyea 309484 I second the motion and reserve my right to speak. 10:50 Mr McCORMACK 219646 Riverina I always love the titles Labor give their motions and their bills. 'Secure jobs, better pay review'—I mean, seriously! They might as well call some of them 'More rainbows and fairy floss'. It's just nonsense. Out there, where people are doing it really tough, where workers are struggling to pay their bills, where families can't balance their budgets, they've got a cost-of-living crisis and they've got real wages falling. That's what we should be talking about—real wages, what you actually take home and what you actually get to keep of the money you earn. The member for Cunningham—and I do like her; she's a good egg—talked about the increased number of jobs and workers. Let me tell you that, in regional Australia, they're not working too much at the moment on infrastructure projects, because they have all stalled or stopped. And I know that, when I was the Deputy Prime Minister and responsible for that portfolio, we had more than 100,000 people relying on the $110 billion of infrastructure that we were rolling out, a third of which or more went to country areas. But, under this government, it has all ceased. And, when you've got food up 15 per cent, health up by the same amount, education up 17 per cent, insurance and financial costs up by 20 per cent, electricity before rebates up 39 per cent and gas up by the same amount, you can see why it's eating into the wages of everyday, ordinary Australians. But there is hope on the horizon, because the Daily Telegraph reports today that there are people who have got an increase in their wages. Oh, yes. Who might they be? The Daily Telegraph said: The pay of union top dogs has soared compared with workers in the industries they represent over the past six years, headlined by— wait for it— the embattled CFMEU. Of course, the good old CFMEU. That's the introductory sentence of the Daily Telegraph's report. It continues: Analysis of wage growth between union leaders and their workforces show how the two have decoupled between 2019 and 2024, with the pay for the CFMEU national secretary growing by— wait for this— 47.49 per cent in that time. Good if you can get it! It continues: Union documents show former national secretary Chris Cain earned $367,255 in 2024 … I'll tell you what—that's more than the average backbencher by a long way, and don't even start about the average worker out there, the average minimum wage earner. These unions—and that's who the government is beholden to—are out of control. They are dominating worksites, and that's why we've got a freefall in the construction sector. They are dominating the transport industry, and that's why we've got trucking companies going to the wall every single week, and workers are doing it tough. And then you've got Michael O'Connor, who is Chris Cain's predecessor. He was on $248,999, so you can see how much Mr Cain earns more than his predecessor. According to the Daily Telegraph: Real wage growth for the union boss role—which strips out inflation—shows their pay still increased by 26.95 per cent in that time. Meanwhile, analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics' median statistics show the nominal wage increase for workers in construction rose by 16.28 per cent between 2019 and 2024. At the same time manufacturing pay rose 24.22 per cent … It just goes on and on, but the devil is in the detail. The fact is that unions are stripping their sectors blind. And, speaking of blind, Labor are just turning a blind eye to it, because they kowtow to the unions. It's their union masters. Everything revolves around what the union bosses tell them to do. He who pays the piper calls the tune. And the piper is, indeed, the union bosses. Yet, out there in voter land, we've got people struggling, particularly in regional Australia. And the policies by this government are not helping those people who provide the food, who provide the fibre, who go into mines every day and get dirt under their fingernails to get the resources to pay, to keep the balance of payments going, to keep the lights on. That is the great shame. 10:55 Ms CAMPBELL 312823 Moreton I want to talk about what the member for Riverina has just said because I am a Queenslander, and I'll tell you what we know about Queensland when it comes to working people. When it comes to working people, we know that the LNP has repeatedly tried to strip working people of their conditions. We know that the LNP has tried to systematically make sure that working people's access to critical services has been cut. We know that, when it comes to manufacturing, the LNP has a track record of taking manufacturing jobs offshore and making communities hurt because of it. That is the track record that we know when it comes to working people. Today, I want to open by saying that the Albanese Labor government wants Australians to earn more and to keep more of what they earn. That is something that you hear in this chamber a lot. The reason it is a talking point is that it is something that is critical to making sure that our community is supported. I repeat it because of that. It's what drives this government. When we speak to core Labor values of economic justice, a just wage and a fair wage, that is what Labor stands for every day. I want to take you back to the 2022 election campaign. During the 2022 election campaign, then opposition leader Anthony Albanese was asked a question. He was asked whether or not he would support an increase to the minimum wage, and he said, 'Absolutely.' What was so interesting about that question was that those opposite thought that that was a 'gotcha'. Those opposite thought, 'This must be a mistake.' Those opposite thought that the idea of increasing wages for some of the lowest paid people in our society and in our community could not possibly have been done by design and that it must have been an error, because it was so fanciful to them—the idea that someone would stand up for working people and stand up for the minimum wage to be increased. This is where the stark difference between us and those opposite comes into play. When it comes to a living wage, when it comes to driving fair wages and when it comes to helping and supporting some of the most vulnerable in our community, while they think that it is a mistake, we believe that working people should be supported in their jobs to have fair wages and dignity in work every single day. In December 2022, the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill received royal assent. The act put into place critical amendments that focused on workplace relations laws relating to bargaining, job security, gender equality, compliance, enforcement and workplace conditions, protections and relations institutions. One of the stipulations of the legislation was an independent statutory review of the changes. In mid-August, the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations tabled that final report, the Secure jobs, better pay review. The final report said: … the early signs are that collective bargaining is increasing, especially the coverage of collective agreements, and real wages (and other indicators of workers' economic circumstances) have started to improve. Real wages are improving, and this is good news for hardworking Australians. It's been backed up by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which has released data that indicates that annual real wages have now grown for seven consecutive quarters under the Albanese Labor government. Real wages grew 1.3 per cent through the year to the June quarter 2025—the strongest annual real wages growth since June 2020. The coalition said it couldn't be done. They said you couldn't increase wages without impacting other bits of the economy. And what have we seen, Deputy Speaker Scrymgour? We have seen inflation go from having a six in front of it, under the coalition, to having a two in front of it. What have we seen? We have seen unemployment stay low. On top of all that, we have seen support given in critical services, in important parts of the economy. Whether it's 20 per cent off student debt or it's 20 per cent cheaper for medicines, we have seen Australian workers support it. What is clear is that this government knows that real wages are not an impediment to a better future for Australians. 11:00 Mr VIOLI 300147 Casey That was a very interesting motion from the member opposite. As the member for Riverina said, it has that important big title that sounds impressive: Secure jobs, better pay review. It's clear the government were required to do this review, but what those opposite don't want to talk about is how the reviewers were selected. This is a really important thing to understand, because when you're forced to do a review and you're not confident about the outcome what do you want to do? You want to make sure that you have control of those that are doing it. Normally, what would happen is the department would put suggestions for the reviewers forward. That is the traditional process. However, under FOI we know that Minister Watt himself took control of who would do the review. Why would he do that? Why would he be so desperate to ignore departmental advice unless he was worried about the outcome? Let's be clear. This wasn't once. This wasn't a corridor conversation. This was in writing. What did the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations write to Minister Watt? They said: We recommend you do not personally act as the decision-maker for the procurement process, despite you having the power to do so. They also said: There may be probity and reputational concerns if you as the Minister are directly involved in the procurement process, as this may adversely impact on the impartiality and integrity of the review. The greater the involvement from you and your office in the procurement office, the greater the probity risk and increased risk of deviation from government policy that Ministers are not to be involved in the procurement process. The department has reviewed the publicly available material, and it is likely that some stakeholders would agree with Professor Bray's commentary or may raise concerns about the impartiality of his consideration of the issues for review. Classic Labor. They know the outcome. They ignore the department and put their own person in. Twelve months later, they're standing here talking about how great the review is and how lucky the Australian people are, that they've never had it better, never had it so good. How out of touch can you be? It gets worse. The minister is asked in estimates about all this written advice. He said: … we'll go and check the records as to exactly how the employment process came to be. But my recollection is that the two reviewers were recommended in some form, whether it be written or verbal or whatever it was, by the department. But we'll go and check that. That's three written pieces of advice saying exactly the opposite. What is this government so keen to hide? It is the fact that their policies are not working. It is the fact that they're making it harder for Australians to earn a suitable wage to pay their bills. There is no Australian doing it better today than when this government came to power in 2022. You can tell the review was twisted. Those opposite talk about these great outcomes, but within the review there was a really interesting observation made, about three or four times, by the handpicked reviewer of the minister: The review was constrained by significant data limitations caused by the short period of time between the commencement of the reforms and the review. The fix was in. The minister knows that the outcome of this legislation wouldn't be great. So what has he done? He's handpicked his own reviewer, ignoring departmental advice: 'Put the shortest amount of time in, before the data starts to show the real implications and unintended consequences of the legislation.' Those opposite pat themselves on the back and say what a great job they've done. Again, the problem with so much of this government's legislation and so much of their spin is that spinning these outcomes 12 months later doesn't actually make a difference for the Australian people. Consistently, this prime minister will spin outcomes and put impressive-sounding names on bills that actually don't deliver anything, but, again and again, it's the Australian people that pay the price, because the reality is that this prime minister doesn't actually have any solutions that are making it easier for the Australian people. He's making it harder for Australians to get ahead. They have to hide the outcomes from the Australian people, but everyone at home knows it, because their costs are going up and their wages aren't keeping up at the same time. The DEPUTY SPEAKER F2S There being no further speakers, the debate is adjourned and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for a later hour. National Disability Insurance Scheme 15 11:05 Mr CONAGHAN 279991 Cowper I'm pleased to rise to speak on this motion. Whenever I start a conversation about the NDIS, I say, 'The right person with the right package and the right service provider is life changing.' I have seen that over and over again for people with disabilities who are now on the NDIS. The shame of it is that this vital program or scheme is now costing the economy, the taxpayer, around $40 billion a year. The current trajectory is that, by 2035, it will cost $120 billion a year, which is simply not sustainable. We cannot put that on the Australian taxpayer, but we must look after people with disabilities. There is a definite need to be able to find cost savings in the NDIS. All of us in this place would have heard stories about rorts or cruisers or abuse of the system, where somebody is charging to care for a participant at three different locations on the one night. That is where we need to find the savings. That is where we need to root out the people who abuse the system—not do what this government did on 1 July and cut payments to service providers in allied health. We are already stretched thin on the ground trying to get allied health professionals to be able to service the clients—particularly in regional and rural Australia, where I live and where my colleagues in the National Party live—because it's hard enough to find those allied health services without cutting what they pay. I've met with those professionals in physiotherapy, occupational therapy. They're saying: 'Look, it's not always about the money. We care about our clients, but we just can't continue with our businesses.' On top of that, those opposite cut their travel payment by 50 per cent. That might be okay in the city, for somebody who drives five kilometres to go and see their client. But what about somebody in Port Macquarie who has to travel to Willawarrin, an hour and a half away, to see their client? To have their travel costs cut by 50 per cent—they're simply not going to do it. There are those who say, 'Why can't the participant get in their car and drive to Port Macquarie to get those services?' The person who says that doesn't understand how hard it is out there for these people. Not only are they struggling with disability; they're struggling with the everyday cost of living, just like most people out there. And I'm already being told by the service providers: 'Pat, we have to leave the scheme. We can no longer afford to run our practice when the government is cutting our travel time by half and reducing what we get paid.' And the data which the government used to cut these payments was flawed. What I'm asking the government to do is reconsider your decision. Suspend it for three or six months and actually consult with the industry, which is something you didn't do before you made this decision to cut the payments to service providers. Go out, have the consultation and actually see the impact of what your decision is doing right now. Look at how many people have left the scheme. Look at how many service providers are no longer there. This decision is hurting the most vulnerable in our community, and it needs to be stopped now. 11:10 Mr DAVID SMITH 276714 Bean I also rise to speak about the National Disability Insurance Scheme. I'd like to thank the Member for Herbert for bringing the matter forward and sharing with the House the story of his daughter Emery. I do not doubt the sincerity with which the member has brought this matter forward for the consideration of the House. It does afford us an opportunity to explore the matter further. In the context of this debate, I'd like to acknowledge all the wonderful providers in the electorate of Bean who work with NDIS participants every day. The NDIS is an important piece of our social infrastructure, developed and introduced by a Labor government. It was a product of a long campaign by Australians with disabilities, and the government of the time listened and acted. What I can see today, and what I'm sure most other members of this place see, is that the NDIS continues to make a real difference in the lives of Australians with a disability, their loved ones and their carers. Over 717,000 Australians with disabilities are benefitting from the NDIS, with their participation enabling them to live lives of dignity and independence. I see the difference it makes in Bean every single day. But, like any government program, particularly a program of this size and importance, regular reviews are critical to ensuring both that it's operating as required and that participants are receiving affordable and quality services. There are important principles at stake. It's not enough for participants to receive care and support. NDIS participants can be vulnerable due to their disabilities, and the purpose of the scheme is to support and empower them. This core principle cannot be sustained if NDIS participants are paying more than any other Australians to access the same services. But, for too long, NDIS participants have been paying more to access services, and we know this because the 2024-25 Annual Pricing Review found that this was the case. This trend has serious implications. When NDIS participants pay more for the same services enjoyed by other Australians, they have less funding to put towards other forms of support. More broadly, when participants pay more, the financial viability of the entire scheme is threatened. It's easy to step over this particular point, but it's an important one. If we can't manage costs—if NDIS spending gets out of control and can't be managed—the viability of the entire scheme is threatened. The NDIS is far too important to allow that to happen. So, faced with these challenges, the government needed to act on recommendations of the report, and it has. The decision came after a comprehensive consultation process based upon engagement with key stakeholders, virtual information sessions with over 4,000 providers and the review of more than 10 million transactions. In my own capacity as the member for Bean, I engaged a range of service providers across my community. I engaged with physiotherapists, speech therapists and many others. They are all good people who want to continue to support NDIS participants and want to make clear the challenges in doing so. Unlike other shonky providers, they embody professional values we need all providers to model. I listened to what they had to say, engaged with their perspectives and passed on that feedback directly, and I'll continue to do so. It might have been easier for the government to have not acted right now—to have allowed the situation to develop and evolve. After all, change is difficult and not without loss. But, difficult or not, the change needed to take place, and, by grasping the nettle, the government and the minister have ensured that the scheme will continue to grow and flourish. To conclude and to echo previous speakers, I want to speak to the situation kids with autism face. They and their families face an unacceptable wait for diagnosis and early intervention. Government support for the Thriving Kids program is critical, and it will help kids in this situation across Australia, whether they're in the cities or the regions. That is the appropriate way to support kids and their families, and I look forward to continuing to support them in this place and beyond. 11:15 Mr SMALL 291406 Forrest We arguably have few duties in this place more serious than to support and care for our most vulnerable Australians. When the NDIS was established, built on a foundation of bipartisan support, it reflected a national commitment to ensure people living with a disability have the services and funding that they need to live their best possible lives. But today, under this government's stewardship, this vital scheme, the NDIS, is in disarray, no more so than in regional parts of Australia like Forrest. The new pricing model and truly unacceptable cuts to travel funding for allied health services implemented by this government have created a crisis of uncertainty and risk in the regions, particularly for families living in seats like Forrest. For these families, the NDIS is far more than an item in the household budget; it is a lifeline for their children, and it is a promise that those children will receive the early intervention and essential therapies needed to develop and reach their full potential. Yet, every day, I speak with constituents locally who are overwhelmed with anxiety that this government's misguided reforms will cause their children to lose access to the services that they so desperately need. This fear is not just limited to my community of Forrest; I empathise with the sentiments of my colleague the member for Herbert, a father whose five-year-old daughter lives with level 3 autism. He's worried about her future because he sees no clear plan—only cuts and uncertainty. This is not about a budget figure; it's about the future of our most vulnerable Australians. The fact is that these NDIS reforms have been applied with a broadbrush approach that is unsustainable and completely fails to understand that the realities of life are different outside the major metropolitan areas of our country. When confronted with these concerns, the minister's response has been dismissive. The feedback is ignored, and the cuts are justified as coming from an independent board. Well, I can tell you what this so-called independent decision has done to the providers in my community. Take the case of a valued physiotherapist in the south-west of WA; we'll call her Kelly. She's a dedicated professional who has seen firsthand the direct impact on both participants and providers. She has written to me to advise that the cost-cutting efforts of the government in this space have devolved into stonewalling tactics: blaming participants and therapists whilst cutting their rates to the point of unviability. Kelly has warned me that, if this continues, ethical, high-quality providers will be forced to close, leading to worse health outcomes and placing a greater burden on the public health system. This is not a cost-saving measure; it is a crisis in the making, and this government is ignoring our cries to do things differently. What about the small businesses and sole traders operating within the scheme? I've received a letter from Courtney at Bayside Independence in Busselton, who is also deeply concerned about the sustainability of service delivery in south-west WA. Courtney warns that the proposed reductions in the hourly rate for travel will make community based services—such as in-home therapy, functional assessments and home modifications—unsustainable. These are not lifestyle choices for participants; they are simply necessary measures to ensure their ongoing safety and wellbeing. Courtney highlights that the cuts to physiotherapy, podiatry and dietetics create a real risk to the continuity of care. The ongoing stagnation of pricing for other critical services like occupational therapy is also forcing providers to operate on the very edge of viability, with increasing costs and compliance burdens crippling their businesses. The risk of market failure in this space is both real and imminent. Providers are already struggling, and these pricing recommendations from the government may well be the straw that finally breaks the camel's back. That will only cause an increase in hospital presentations of NDIS participants in crisis, and in service gaps, and there'll be an erosion of participant choice and control, which are fundamental to the design of the NDIS. This is a system whereby a person's support is determined by their postcode, and, for people in my electorate, we simply need to do better. So I back the calls for this government to immediately reverse the decision to slash these travel-funding arrangements for allied health services. We owe it to our most vulnerable. 11:20 Ms BRISKEY 263427 Maribyrnong I rise to speak today on the motion before the House regarding the NDIS service delivery arrangements and to make clear the importance of getting these settings right for both participants and providers. The National Disability Insurance Scheme is one of the most significant social reforms in our nation's history. It is changing lives, helping more than 717,000 Australians with disability to live more independently, to work, to study and to exercise real choice and control over their lives. That is something the parliament should always be proud of. But we also know that, with such major national reform, we must always be working to strengthen the scheme, and I remain committed to playing my role on behalf of my community in Maribyrnong, those who rely on the NDIS, those who work in it and all involved. It is incumbent on all of us in this place to ensure that the NDIS goes from strength to strength, and that is what this government is focused on. The recent annual price review was about making NDIS pricing fairer, more transparent and more consistent with what other Australians pay. The review analysed over 10 million therapy transactions benchmarked against Medicare, private health insurance and 13 comparable government schemes. It found what we had long heard about anecdotally—that there was an NDIS equivalent of a 'wedding tax' afoot and that people with disability were too often being charged far more for the same services, sometimes nearly 70 per cent more. That's not fair. People with disability should not be asked to pay more than any other Australian for life-changing supports like physiotherapy, podiatry or occupational therapy. It is also not fair that high and unclear travel claims were eating into people's budgets, limiting their access to other vital supports. Let me specifically address the claims made in this motion about transport allowances. The facts are clear: no other comparable scheme compensates therapists for travel as generously as the NDIS does. Providers can claim up to half the therapy rate for travel time, around $90 an hour, on top of kilometre allowances, tolls, parking and even flights and accommodation for remote areas. To suggest otherwise is simply false. Let's not forget that, when those opposite were in government, they did nothing to fix travel access for participants in regional and remote communities. For them to now cry foul on transport is nothing short of hypocrisy. This government, unlike the coalition, is dealing with the issue honestly, ensuring fairness for participants while still recognising the extra challenges faced by rural and remote Australians. The changes we are making from this review mean that participants will pay fairer prices. They mean our frontline disability support workers will get the pay rise they deserve, and they mean that dodgy providers who seek to overcharge will no longer be able to do so unchecked. I understand there has been some concern around the speed of these changes and how providers and participants will adjust. More than 4,500 providers attended virtual information sessions in June and July, and peak organisations such as the Australian Physiotherapy Association, National Disability Services and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation have also been consulted directly. We also know that there are unique challenges in our rural and remote communities. That is why the scheme continues to provide generous travel loadings—40 per cent in remote areas and 50 per cent in very remote areas, well above what is provided under comparable schemes. Where necessary, participants in these areas can agree to cover additional transport costs, such as flights or accommodation, to ensure access to supports. We should be clear: no comparable scheme, as I said, compensates travel as generously as the NDIS. But we must also strike the balance, ensuring fairness for participants and protecting taxpayer investment and, importantly, the sustainability of the scheme for generations to come. This government will always work in good faith with the disability community. We will consult, listen and adjust where needed, But let us not lose sight of the bigger picture: these changes are about fairness, transparency and strengthening the NDIS for the people it serves. At the heart of this debate are Australians with disability—Australians who deserve the dignity of fair pricing, who deserve to see their budgets go further and who deserve a scheme that will endure for the decades to come. I commend the government's approach, and I commend this House to keep participants, their families and the sustainability of the NDIS at the centre of this discussion. 11:25 Dr RYAN 297660 Kooyong The NDIS is a foundational scheme which is extraordinarily important to those Australians who are lucky enough to be engaged with it. We know that 5½ million Australians live with a disability, but only 700,000 Australians are currently on the National Disability Insurance Scheme. We know that those people who are on it describe it as life-changing. For many people it has offered them an opportunity to exercise the choice and control within their own life that they have never previously enjoyed. It is an incredibly important scheme. But all of us in this place know that the cost blowouts we've seen in recent years threaten its viability. Unfortunately my colleagues on the right have for many years viewed the NDIS as potentially something which could be scrapped and which could go, so the NDIS has been under considerable political pressure for a long period of time. Those people who work within the scheme—the providers, whether they be allied health professionals or medical professionals—find it to be an endless source of frustration. I can tell you that having worked within the scheme for many years as a medical professional. The government's recent changes to the scheme, which were made far too quickly and without consideration, have caused those medical professionals and allied health professionals undue stress, trauma and tension at a time when there's already uncertainty and anxiety around the future of the NDIS. The Australian Physiotherapy Association, which I'm very proud to have centred in my own electorate of Kooyong, has expressed extreme distress at the speed and extent of the changes the government has made to funding around the scheme. Occupational therapists, speech pathologists and play therapists have all expressed the same concerns. The reality is that these changes have been pushed through far too quickly. They have caused great distress to the therapists who provide these services, and they've exacerbated the ongoing stress on recipients of the scheme resulting from the sound and fury emanating from the health and disability minister at this point in time. Given the uncertainty about the future of foundational supports and how they can possibly be rolled out in an adequate timeframe to the extent they are required in this country, the speed of these changes to service delivery and supports is just exacerbating a situation of unacceptable uncertainty and anxiety for those people who rely on the NDIS and those people who work within it. What we need the government to do is give all those participants of the NDIS—and those people who are not currently supported by it but who would benefit from it—the foundational supports the minister has suggested, which are a good idea but for which the current mechanisms are, to be frank, non-existent. What we need is a timeframe and certainty around how we can best support all Australians. We need to give those people who are already struggling with the difficulties, the sadnesses and the loss associated with having a disability or having a family member with a disability the certainty that the government is here for them—that it will always ensure the services they need will be provided and will be funded adequately. The government's recent legislation around NDIS service delivery has not done that. It has exacerbated the uncertainties that consumers, constituents, individuals living with a disability and the people who care for them are experiencing. To that end it has been actively unhelpful, and it is something the government should rethink and remediate as a matter of urgency. 11:29 Ms TRISH COOK 312871 Bullwinkel I rise today to speak on a matter that's close to my heart, as a nurse, and to speak about the National Disability Insurance Scheme. This is very important to the people of Bullwinkel, who I represent. The electorate covers both an urban area and a regional area. The NDIS is one of our country's greatest achievements, made possible through the Labor government. It's a scheme that helps well over 700,000 people with a disability, and it helps them to live a more independent life, to work, to study and to have genuine choice and control over how they wish to live. It's a scheme that fundamentally changes lives for the better, and our government is committed to ensuring it will be the best that it can be. At the heart of our commitment is a focus on fairness and transparency. We are making prices fairer for participants, for providers, for workers and for the Australian taxpayer. We need the NDIS to be sustainable to provide care for as many participants as we can. Let me be absolutely clear about what this means. It means ensuring that NDIS participants are not being overcharged for the vital services that they rely upon. It means ensuring our significant national investment is going to frontline workers who provide critical support day in and day out. It means cracking down on inefficiencies and dodgy providers who seek to make a quick buck without delivering meaningful outcomes for people who most need them. A recent independent analysis found that NDIS participants were paying more than other Australians for the same supports. Let me repeat that. Our most vulnerable citizens were paying more. For services like physiotherapy and podiatry, the data found that, in some cases, people with disability were being charged a staggering 68 per cent more. It's not fair, and it's not fair to ask people with disability to pay above the odds for therapies that are essential for their wellbeing and independence. High fees and unclear travel rules were draining their budgets and restricting access to the very support that they need. This is why the independent body, the National Disability Insurance Agency or NDIA, in its annual pricing review, has recommended changes to ensure participants are paying a fair price in line with what other Australians pay for the same services. This decision also has another crucial outcome. It ensures that our frontline disability support workers receive the pay rise that they so rightly deserve. This reflects the increase to the minimum wage and superannuation in the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award. This is about fairness for everyone. Some have raised concerns, but let me assure the House that this decision is based on the most comprehensive data ever used. The agency—the NDIA—meticulously analysed over 10 million transactions, benchmarking against Medicare, private health insurance and 13 other government schemes, and this was not a decision made lightly but one informed by robust evidence that proves people with disability were being overcharged. I would also like to acknowledge the NDIS providers that have already reached out to me with their concerns, and I do acknowledge that some are struggling with the changes and the transition and acknowledge that providers will need to adapt. Our system needs to adapt to remain sustainable. However, to allow for more Australians from the disability community to benefit from the NDIS, these structural changes are necessary to improve accessibility for the disability community. In conclusion, our government is committed to making the NDIS a fairer, more transparent and more sustainable scheme for the long term. This decision is not about cutting costs. It's about ensuring every dollar is spent on supporting the people the scheme was designed to help. It's about restoring integrity to the NDIS. It's about empowering people with disability to live their lives with choice, control and dignity. 11:35 Ms PENFOLD 248895 Lyne This is the first occasion I'm going to have a go at giving a speech without a written one. We'll have a go. I rise to support the motion moved by the member for Herbert. From listening to the comments from those on the other side, I'm incredibly disappointed by the language used—indeed, offensive language—suggesting that somehow those that are raising concerns about these changes, particularly around the changes to the travel costs, are the dodgy operators. I can assure you, from those that have come to see me, that these are outstanding allied health professionals. Many of them are women, and many of them said to me, 'This is an attack on a largely female workforce.' That is offensive. I represent the electorate of Lyne, which is16,000 square kilometres, from the north, Rollands Plains, down to the south, basically Maitland and Karuah. I've met allied health professionals from across the electorate, and it was fantastic to meet them because I actually learnt something about the profession that I wasn't aware of—that, with an occupational therapist, a dietician or a speech pathologist, it is not one size fits all. There are some that specialise in supporting children; others, in older patients who are suffering dementia; and others, in people with complex disabilities. In a seat like mine, we struggle to maintain health professionals across the board. We have a very small number of very hardworking professional allied health staff, and they actually have to travel quite a long distance to be able to meet many of their patients. It's not like they can just call up someone in Taree and have them come out to Hannam Vale. Indeed, I grew up in Hannam Vale, and I was there only yesterday at a wonderful minimarket in the lovely, warm sun in the valley. There is a lovely young girl in Hannam Vale, and the therapy that she is receiving is life changing. The allied health professional I met with said: To continue to visit this little girl who is still learning to walk will no longer be viable for our practice— under the Albanese government's changes— There are no therapists closer that are able to support her. She will now have to spend 2 hours in the car for every therapy session. She will miss half a day of school, which she loves— and I have to say the Hannam Vale Public School is a wonderful school. The therapist says: This will make her grumpy and tired and therapy outcomes in the clinic will not be as effective as they could be at home. Indeed, the allied health professionals said to me on numerous occasions that even the rules of the NDIS said that best clinical practice is in-home support, but these changes make it impossible for these allied health professionals to continue to provide the services that they so rightly want to provide. I want to read out another circumstance in the time I have left to speak. This is from an occupational therapist: Mr M* is a 42-year-old man living in Wauchope— where I live— with his ageing mother. He has a rare genetic condition and severe intellectual disability … and is completely dependent on 24/7 care. I have been his OT for 7 years and travel a 60 minute round trip to provide vital in home services to him. Due to his rare disability, he requires a wide range of highly customised equipment, including a powered wheelchair, a tilt-in-space commode, an electric hospital bed with a pressure care mattress, a powered lift recliner, and standing hoist for all transfers. He rarely leaves his home, and when he does, it is only with full support. Home based OT services are essential for Mr. M* because assessments and interventions must be carried out using his own equipment in his own home environment. This allows for accurate evaluation of his daily functioning and ensures that each piece of equipment is working correctly and remains appropriate for his changing and often declining needs. These are people speaking out about the negative impact that the government's changes will make, and I ask them most sincerely to reverse them. (Time expired) 11:40 Ms CLUTTERHAM 316101 Sturt The National Disability Insurance Agency released its annual pricing review earlier this year, making recommendations designed to help refocus the NDIS on its primary purpose, which is to provide funding and support services to Australians with a permanent and significant disability. The provision of funding and support services is targeted towards helping those with disability live as independently and as autonomously as possible, helping them to be able to spend more time with family and friends. It is directed at helping people with a permanent and significant disability access new skills, access meaningful work or access community volunteering opportunities. It is firmly aimed at delivering an improved quality of life. The NDIS currently supports over 700,000 Australians with disability to access the services and support they need. The services and support facilitated by the scheme are directed at persons with a permanent and significant disability. That is the purpose of the NDIS, that is the entire point and the Albanese Labor government is focused on making the NDIS the best it can be so that dedicated and skilled providers like Lauren from Achieving Abilities and Chelsea from Flipper Academy, both of whom are based in my electorate of Sturt, can continue to provide critical support services to their clients. The day I met Chelsea from Flipper Academy, I was privileged to witness a water based physiotherapy session that she was running with her young client Lucas. During the session on that day, Lucas—who is non-verbal, with significant limitations—achieved a milestone. It was a small milestone but a milestone nonetheless that he would not have been able to achieve without the care and skill he receives from Chelsea. Lucas's mum was in tears at her son's progress. Children like Lucas are exactly the kinds of Australians the NDIS was designed to support. But the scheme must be sustainable to allow highly qualified practitioners like Chelsea to continue to support young Australians like Lucas and to allow highly qualified exercise physiologists like Lauren help her clients, many of whom have cerebral palsy, develop strength and confidence. The NDIA's annual price review contained new recommendations with respect to the way travel is charged by those providing support and services to persons with a permanent and significant disability. The updated travel-claiming rules create clear cost expectations for those persons, helping them to get increased value and efficiency from the funding provided to them. The new rules also encourage providers to implement more efficient scheduling and to seek to ensure that travel costs are proportionate to the services being provided. Travel costs must be itemised separately on invoices so that participants, the beneficiaries of the scheme, can clearly understand where the funding provided to them pursuant to the NDIS is being used. The NDIS and the NDIA learned during the annual price review that participants were finding that therapy travel costs were exhausting their funding faster than expected. In this respect, the needs of participants the NDIS is designed to fulfill were listened to and heard. The updated travel-claiming rules do encourage more efficient scheduling by providers and provide clear cost expectations. A similar motivation exists for the change to increment recording by providers. Displaying therapy price limits in 10-minute increments is intended to increase flexibility in billing and service delivery. It aims to clarify that one hour is not a default or expected service length and that the length of service can vary depending on the agreement between the participant—the beneficiary of the scheme—and the provider based on individual needs and circumstances, which, of course, may evolve. Other travel rules did not change, which means all providers may continue to claim non-Labor travel costs, such as vehicle running costs, parking costs and road tolls. It is also open to providers to negotiate with participants to include costs and accommodation associated with travel to remote or very remote and regional locations. Additionally, remote loadings of 40 and 50 per cent remain unchanged, and this government will continue to work with regional, remote and rural communities to trial different and better ways of delivering essential services to Australians who need them. 11:45 Ms ALDRED 11788 Monash I'm very pleased to get up and speak on this motion put forward by my friend and colleague the member for Herbert. I know he feels deeply and passionately about this issue and about supporting all Australians with a disability to live their lives to their full potential. I want to go back to the core raison d'etre, or reason for being, for the NDIS, and that is to provide funding and support for Australians with a permanent and significant disability to live life in the most ordinary way possible. I come from regional Australia; I come from regional Victoria. I'm very proud to represent my magnificent electorate of Monash. What I passionately believe is that your postcode should not determine your potential. It should not determine your ability to access the services and support that you need to live your life to your full potential. That is, of course, in line with those core goals and aims behind why the NDIS was set up in the first place. One thing that really concerns me is the way in which Labor's talking points on this motion have been presented. I've heard, in a number of contributions, references to dodgy providers. In this context, that is a very unfair slight on a great many providers, allied health professionals and people who care for those with a disability every single day, who have raised legitimate and genuine concerns about the impact of these changes on people in many communities, particularly in communities like mine in regional Australia. Unfortunately, these people fall into Labor's no-care zone. I think Labor has demonstrated, very unfortunately, a tin ear to feedback on genuine concerns and on the impact of these changes. Just as one example, I wrote to the Prime Minister on 8 July. I said, 'Dear Prime Minister, I write to express my deep concern about the recent NDIS pricing changes.' Since then a number of people in the coalition, particularly my friend and colleague the member for Herbert, have asked very reasonably for a slight delay on the implementation of these changes to take stock, to actually listen to feedback from the sector and to listen to people with a disability, their carers and allied health professionals about the impact of these changes. But, having a tin ear to feedback, this government haven't taken a moment to do that. They've just steamrolled ahead with the implementation of these cuts and travel changes, which will very adversely and unfairly affect many people in my electorate. I would particularly like to note Natalie, Amanda, Lynelle, Meg, Helen and Danielle, among many other local support workers, who took the time to meet with me to explain how these changes will impact on their clients. There were two cases that really struck me quite deeply and profoundly. One of them is of a teenage girl from Moe in the Latrobe Valley, who receives weekly physiotherapy sessions. We don't have the market density that many metropolitan and city areas have, so the physiotherapy sessions for this teenage girl come via a provider who does need to travel a distance every week to provide that to her. These changes just make it uneconomical for that provider to continue to travel to this community to provide that care. And if this girl misses out on those weekly physiotherapy sessions, there is a huge impact—and the impact is that she will return to being confined to a wheelchair, because she won't be able to walk in the way that she's been able to develop to. There's another young man who receives weekly speech pathology sessions, and that, for him, is the difference between be able to communicate to those around him that he's in pain, that there's a risk or that there's danger present. If he doesn't receive those pathology sessions, he will go backwards as well. As for the biggest risk at the moment, we all agree, I think, that the NDIS needs to be run in an efficient and effective manner, but I was most concerned to read recently that up to one in four NDIS workers are quitting every year, which is driving up significant costs. In fact, of the 264 providers surveyed for the workforce census report, more than 15,300 staff left out of a total of just over 60,000. There's a significant cost in replacing those staff. I thank the House for its attention. 11:50 Ms COKER 263547 Corangamite Disability can affect any one of us: a brother, a sister, a neighbour, a work colleague—someone we hold dear. And it can happen at any time. What we know is that one in six Australians live with a disability. It touches us all. And that is why Labor created the NDIS more than a decade ago. The NDIS was and is groundbreaking, and it has been life-changing for so many people across our nation. At its heart, the scheme represents the best of who we are as Australians. Looking out for each other and supporting those who need it most—that is what the NDIS is all about. When we introduced the National Disability Insurance Scheme some 12 years ago, it carried a profound promise to value people with disability, not measure their price in a budget, and to see the whole person, not just their impairment. And it has been delivering on that promise every day since. I have met participants who now live independently for the first time, parents who tell me the scheme has given their children the chance to learn to work and to belong, and older Australians who never thought they would see such support in their lifetime. That is the NDIS at its best. But we also know the scheme is not without flaws, and we must keep working to strengthen it, because we know it is profoundly life-changing. We also know the scheme relies on social licence and families, providers, advocates and the disability sector working together to get the best outcomes for people with disability. As Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS and as an MP in the Geelong region, the birthplace of the NDIA, my office and I often speak with the NDIS sector. I see the passionate providers. I know how much they care. Their work is not easy. Occupational therapists, speech pathologists, support workers and plan managers—too often these people do not get the thanks they deserve. So today I do want to thank them, because, despite the headlines about rorters and fraudsters, I know that the vast majority of providers are good people doing good work. But many of these providers have raised concerns directly with me about the NDIA's recent annual pricing review, and I acknowledge these concerns. They deserve to be heard. The reality is that some providers have said they want more consultation with the NDIA. After raising these concerns with the NDIA directly, I note the agency has been engaging with providers on the annual pricing review, and I certainly urge the agency to do more consultation with these providers in the lead up to next year's review. Of course, the NDIA is in a difficult position after a decade of the former coalition government's neglect of the scheme, and we know gaps in the scheme have been exploited by some bad providers. They would schedule inefficient travel, stringing out journeys so they could pocket more of a participant's budget, and that is not acceptable. It's bad for people with disability. It's bad for Australians, whose trust in the scheme is already fragile. We need to strengthen trust, and we need to close the gaps. If people lose faith in the scheme, they will lose faith in its future. This is a program that must endure. It is worth fighting for. I recognise that the NDIA is committed to this goal. I also acknowledge that the agency has stated that it seeks to close the gaps as part of this review. The agency has said that no other comparable scheme compensates therapists for travel in the way the NDIS does. Under Veterans' Affairs, an exercise physiologist may get a kilometre allowance, but only where the distance exceeds 10 kilometres and there is no closer provider. Therapists under TAC, Comcare and the Lifetime Support Authority cannot claim for travel at all. By contrast, under the NDIS, providers can still claim up to 50 per cent of the therapy rate for travel time—that's about $90 an hour—and, in remote and very remote areas, providers will still get 40 to 50 per cent loadings. This is a significant support. It recognises the unique challenges of delivering care across our continent, and it ensures the scheme can continue to be fair to participants, to taxpayers and to the workforce who deliver the care. So, I will continue to stand with participants, families and providers to ensure the scheme continues to thrive. The DEPUTY SPEAKER DZY There being no further speakers, the debate is adjourned and the resumption of debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting. BILLS 22 BILLS Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025, Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2025, Defence Housing Australia Amendment Bill 2025, Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Bill 2025 22

Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025

Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2025

Defence Housing Australia Amendment Bill 2025

Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Bill 2025

Assent 22 DOCUMENTS 22 DOCUMENTS Housing Australia Investment Mandate Amendment (Delivering on Our 2025 Election Commitment) Direction 2025 22 Consideration 22 11:56 Ms LAWRENCE 299150 Hasluck Housing is more than just shelter; it's about security, opportunity and community. Affordable accessible housing should not be a privilege. In Australia, it is a right. That's why the Albanese Labor government is taking this bold action—to make homeownership more accessible, more affordable and more achievable. Too many people are working hard and trying to save but feel like the dream of homeownership has never been further out of reach. Labor is making it easier for you to buy your own home. From 1 October, every first home buyer will only need a five per cent deposit. We're delivering this commitment three months early, so more Australians can benefit from the program sooner. This will cut years off the time it takes to save for a deposit, helping Australians into their own homes sooner. And you won't have to pay a single dollar in mortgage insurance. Australia's housing crisis was obviously decades in the making, and it won't be fixed overnight. There's a lot of work to do, but we are making real progress right across the country. In Hasluck, the housing crisis isn't abstract; it's deeply felt. Before the election, the Salvation Army reported that 83 per cent of the community said that housing affordability and homelessness are the most pressing issues in the electorate, and nearly 43 per cent said that it affects them personally. This certainly aligns with my experience of meeting with constituents throughout the year. The Salvation Army has stated that there is an unmet need for more than 2,900 dwellings in our area. At the national level, our Albanese Labor government understands that real change requires bold and practical solutions. That is why we delivered on the $43 billion Homes for Australia plan. It's an historic achievement—the biggest housing initiative since the postwar boom. Under the existing Home Guarantee Scheme, since May 2022, 1,890 people have already signed up and are benefitting from the low deposits. That's 1,260 households in Hasluck that are already benefitting. I look forward to seeing the numbers continue to grow. The Labor Albanese government are making it easier to buy but also better to rent, and we're building more homes. We went to the election in May with the expanded five per cent deposit scheme. Starting from 1 October, every Australian first home buyer, no matter their income, can purchase a home with just a five per cent deposit and avoid paying the lenders mortgage insurance. Here's what that means in practice: first home buyers will need just a five per cent deposit; single parents will only need two per cent deposit. Housing Australia provides the guarantee to the buyer's bank to enable a home buyer to borrow up to 95 per cent, or 98 per cent for single parents, of that property's value. We know that deposit relief isn't enough. We are also increasing housing supply, especially in fast growing electorates like Hasluck. That's why our Homes for Australia plan includes a dedicated $10 billion investment to build up to a hundred thousand new homes, exclusively for first home buyers across Australia. In practical terms for Hasluck, a rapidly growing electorate of the outer metropolitan corridor, this means genuinely real opportunities for the people that I meet every day. These homes will be delivered in partnership with the state government and industry, using fast-tracking strategies, repurposed land and planning reforms. In fact, work has already begun on social and affordable apartments in Hasluck. Stage 1 of the developments is delivering 197 social and affordable homes in Ellenbrook and 56 in Woodbridge. Stage 2 will deliver another 120 social and affordable apartments in Midland and, across the railway line, 73 in Bassendean. These developments are all located by the train lines. Particularly for the new Ellenbrook line, this will create even more heart to our community there, because housing is more than just a roof over their head. It is about quality of life. It's access to employment, shops, schools, gyms and, of course, the community. Let me paint a picture of the real difference this will make in Hasluck. Consider Marie and John, young professionals living out in Ellenbrook. Under the expanded scheme, they can now save up a five per cent deposit in years—not decades—and avoid tens of thousands of dollars in lenders' mortgage insurance and then apply that money directly into their own home instead of paying rent into the hands of a landlord. They can live close to the train line now that we've completed the train line in Ellenbrook, and takes them all the way into the city, if that's where they choose to work. They live close to the shopping centres and the new Ellenbrook pool that this government is co-funding. For women returning to work after raising children, tradespeople and young couples, this plan lowers the barrier at the most critical step: the deposit. It also and expands eligibility. There are no income caps and no place limits, so modest income earners and frontline workers—everyone gets a fair go. And it's important to understand that this policy change is not merely about saving people money, although it will save first home buyers a lot of money. It will save them years of interest and save them the rent that they would have been paying if they hadn't bought a home—tens of thousands of dollars of rent, according to Treasury modelling. So, for a home costing $500,000 which, in the election of Hasluck, is a unit in Midland or an apartment in Ellenbrook, Treasury estimates it would take about two years to save a five per cent deposit, rather than the seven years it would have taken for a 20 per cent deposit. That would also save rent of around $87,000. In Bassendean, first home buyers can buy a home for about $850,000 with a $42,000 deposit. That saves up to 10 years of 'saving time' and $42,000 in mortgage insurance—money better used to pay down their mortgage instead. Getting into their own home sooner saves time and stress. It saves the stress of having to overextend to get in the housing market in the first place, for those who are able to. Saving people money is a good thing. Saving money and time and stress is even better and is a hallmark of this government across many areas of policy, including health, where we've made medicines cheaper; and education, where we've provided free TAFE as well as reduced the HECS debt. Let's look at what industry voices are saying. According to the HIA, since 2000, the insurance requirement for first home buyers with deposits under 20 per cent has added heavy costs, delayed ownership, driven up rents and worsened housing affordability. This policy works to address these things. HIA Chief Economist, Tim Reardon, has stated that the government should be commended for 'taking a view of housing policy that extends beyond the next election'. He said: More new home construction, fewer households renting and increased home ownership will all occur because of this policy announcement, eventually. As we know, rents are currently at a high mark historically right around the country. In many places, it's less economical to pay rent than to pay a mortgage, but a 20 per cent deposit remains an obstacle to making a shift. Now this government will make it significantly easier to make the shift. The scheme, aimed at assisting people to get into homeownership, is also predicted by the HIA and others to have the effect of taking pressure off rents in the medium and long term. It's good for renters too. The policy is also being welcomed by the Customer Owned Banking Association, COBA, and the government has instructed Housing Australia to promote greater diversity among lenders. We expect that this will see more mutual banks and credit unions added to the lender panel, increasing competition and creating an environment where there is a better deal for customers. COBA Chief Executive Officer Michael Lawrence agrees, saying: More customer-owned banks on the HGS panel will create a more dynamic, inclusive, and competitive market. Those opposite would have Australians believe that the housing crisis has suddenly appeared, but this is simply not the case. It has festered and grown through decades of neglect and lack of attention to even acknowledge the problem let alone address it. Members opposite have had the temerity to stand up and talk about housing policy, when they failed to even have a housing minister over most of their time in office. This bald fact says all Australians need to know about their failure to prioritise housing. They also voted against Help to Buy and promised to abolish the scheme. They didn't even support 100,000 homes for first home buyers. The housing neglect by those opposite is the reason why 83 per cent of my community identified it as the most pressing need, and it is no wonder that the coalition is staring down the void of electoral irrelevancy. But we're not ignoring it. We're not ignoring this problem. It won't be fixed overnight, but this housing policy is one more step in the right direction, which will immediately benefit many in Hasluck and around the nation. The right to buy a home is everyone's right, and the five per cent deposit has made it just that much easier. 12:06 Mr KENNEDY 267506 Cook The Member for Hasluck wants to talk about the opposition. It is not surprising, because their record on housing is so poor. This amendment is deeply flawed. Australia's housing crisis is a gaping wound for Australia, and the policy platform that Labor has cobbled together is barely a bandaid and not enough to stop the bleeding. Labor's so-called build-to-rent and community housing model is upside down. It subsidises corporate investors, their superfund mates and even offshore entities to own the homes of hardworking Australians. Not young Australians, not the young mums and dads in my electorate who are sweating hard for a first home deposit—Labor doesn't want these people to own a home. That's not housing policy; it's asset allocation for superfunds, and it leaves ordinary Australians in my electorate, hardworking Australians, scrapping together to try and pay for a deposit, paying the price and funding superfunds and corporate investors to build assets that everyday Australians will never own. The Australian dream never was and never will be about being a permanent tenant. It never was about renting a unit or an apartment from some nameless multinational fund. It's about owning your own place, putting down roots, raising a family, building equity, building a future and building a stake in Australia. Under this government, more and more Australians will be tenants of superfunds, not homeowners in their own right. Labor wants to give homes to funds, leaving ordinary Australians to rent for life in the hope they'll vote for Labor. It's cynical, it's shortsighted, and it's selling out the Australian dream of homeownership. In my electorate of Cook, families tell me every single week they cannot break into the market. In Caringbah, Miranda and Sylvania, some of my more affordable suburbs, housing prices are still, on the median, up to $2 million. These are proud communities where people work hard, save hard and want the same chance their parents had. Yet first home buyers are being squeezed out by rising costs and a lack of supply. What's Labor's answer? It is not to help them buy, not to deliver ownership, but to hand taxpayer subsidies to institutional landlords to keep them renting. Young families can't keep up, and Labor's schemes won't help, because all they do is pit more buyers against each other for the same limited supply. Labor is turbocharging demand. On this so-called Home Guarantee Scheme, we've had independent warnings. A report from Lateral Economics has made it very clear: expanding this scheme risks driving prices up by 3½ per cent to 6.6 per cent—in some markets, almost 10 per cent. For first home buyers in Sydney and Cook, that may mean paying $100,000 to $200,000 more for a home. This is a government turbocharging demand, not just through this scheme but through migration. In the middle of a housing crisis, it should shock Australians to know that migration and our population are growing faster than any time in the last 75 years. What does this mean locally? In nearby Kirrawee, in the Cook electorate, there's at least a 14-storey high-rise precinct being pushed, and there's no clarity about who these apartments are for or who will own them. Are they going to be owned by super funds? Are they going to be corporate rentals? What we do know is local residents are being left in the dark. We know we're not getting upgrades to infrastructure or to schools, and this government's reckless migration policy is just shoving the pressure onto state governments, which are then shoving the pressure onto local communities with no respite in sight. That's the other side of the problem. If governments want to put more money in our suburbs, they also need to put money into infrastructure. You can't add thousands of units without adding schools for the children who'll live there. You can't pile on these high-rises without fixing the roads and the transport links that people rely on. Take this 14-storey development in Kirrawee—Flora Street and Oak Road are already gridlocked. I've had almost 200 signatures from people in my electorate asking for these roads to be upgraded and for the traffic signals to be upgraded, but, instead, what the government is now proposing is to put up a 14-storey apartment block. This is what happens when you get a federal Labor government teaming up with a state Labor government and a local Labor council. You get people destroying communities without the investment in infrastructure. Councillor Meredith Laverty has done great work there, talking with local businesses in the Kirrawee area who are complaining. They don't know how they're going to manage congestion. They don't know where their customers will park. Local businesses such as Brick Pit Espresso, Smalls Cellar, Great White Tattoo, Kids Inspired, Peach's Pages Bookstore, Mix Pizza Bar, Mi Fizzio Physiotherapy and Kirrawee Barbers have all expressed concerns about where their customers will park and how people will get access to their businesses. The coalition's position is clear. We believe in homeownership. We believe in policies that put Australians in the front yard of a home they own, not in line for a corporate lease. We believe in housing that rewards aspiration and that says, if you work hard and save hard, you can own a little piece of Australia to make your stand and raise your family. That means we support policies that increase supply for buyers, not just renters. We support first home buyers, apprentices and young people to get a home and a foothold into Australia and a foothold into their future. We support a housing system that rewards work and sacrifice, not speculation and subsidies for super funds. The choice before us is clear. Under Labor's model, homes are treated as just another financial instrument for big investors and their super fund mates. Under the coalition's model, Australians themselves can buy and own and secure their future. We call on all levels of government—local, state and federal—to come together on housing supply and affordability. Communities like my community in Cook, Kirrawee, deserve transparency. Australians don't want to rent forever, which is exactly what Labor's scheme is proposing. We say make it 'build to own', not 'build to rent'. Stop giving subsidies to corporates and super funds. Start giving them to people. People want to own their own homes. If the plan is to pack in more high-rises than deliver the schools, and the roads and the transport links that communities desperately need, Labor's approach may deliver the profits to super funds, but it will never deliver the keys to a first home to the hardworking people in my electorate of Cook. The coalition will always back hardworking Australians to get ahead and buy a home. Under Labor, many of these people will end up being tenants for life. We choose aspiration over dependency, ownership over renting and families over funds. That is our vision for housing, and that is why we'll oppose this flawed approach, fight for the great Australian dream and fight for hardworking young people and hardworking families. The hardworking everyday Australians in the seat of Cook know that I will fight for them. I will fight for better policies so they can own their own home and not be Labor renters for life. 12:15 Dr FREELANDER 265979 Macarthur Although I'm really not sure that the parliament has been waiting with bated breath to hear from a baby boomer about housing, accessing housing is a major concern for my constituents. Despite rapid development in my electorate over the years, being able to find secure, affordable housing remains a huge challenge. As a paediatrician, nothing is more disheartening than to see families have to frequently uproot their children from schools to move because the owner of the house they were renting wanted to sell it or move in or because the house wasn't big enough for an expanding family. It is very disheartening. That's why I'm very proud of our government's efforts to provide better housing opportunities for Australians, as it is providing real outcomes for those trying to get into the housing market in Macarthur and electorates way beyond. Since coming into government in May 2022, after 10 years of the coalition's neglect of the housing situation and putting of barriers in place in front of people who were looking for housing, over 870 households in Macarthur have participated in our Home Guarantee Scheme, equating to almost 2,000 individuals. This means almost 2,000 people have been able to start the exciting next chapter of their lives—homeownership in a secure manner—which is not only great for them but great for our communities, and it's great for our kids to continue to thrive. Housing affordability has long been an issue. We saw the coalition not only do very little in their 10 years of government but actively work against the government in the last term when it was trying to provide adequate housing solutions. Housing affordability has been an issue for many years. When those opposite were in government, whilst they spruiked their grand plans, nothing happened. It must have been a very light tackle when they said they were tackling this issue in previous governments, because the issue only continued to get worse. They voted against the Help to Buy scheme that we advocated and promised in fact to abolish the scheme. Those opposite have a really poor track record on housing affordability and accessibility in New South Wales at both the federal and state levels, whereas our government has grabbed the issue and run with it since coming into government in 2022. I am proud that our government is the boldest and most ambitious Australian government on housing since the postwar period. Our $43 billion agenda is focused on three things: (1) building more homes; (2) making it easier to rent and making it more stable to rent; and (3) making it easier to buy. Since being elected, our housing policies have made a real difference to many Australians. Over 180,000 Australians have bought their first home with our five per cent deposit scheme. On average, there are 6,000 more first home buyer loans a year under our government than there were during the coalition's previous period in government. One million households have received a nearly 50 per cent increase in rent assistance, 500,000 homes have been built since we came to office, new housing approvals are up 30 per cent and construction costs have stabilised after skyrocketing under the previous coalition government. We've got 28,000 social and affordable homes, supported by our government, in planning and under construction. We know that the long-term solution to address the housing crisis in our country is to build more homes, both in terms of social housing and housing that people can afford to buy. Our five per cent deposit plan is helping Australians gain homeownership even sooner, as it slashes the amount of time required to save for a deposit. This is very important for young families and the families in my electorate that I've looked after for many years. Even better, we're delivering this three months earlier than we previously announced, meaning it will now start from 1 October. As I said earlier, this housing crisis was not created overnight, and it sadly won't be fixed overnight. However, this is a real policy that will deliver real progress in our government's fight for achieving better housing affordability outcomes for all Australians. With our five per cent deposit policy, there are no income limits or limits on places, and there are house price caps that better reflect the cost of homes across Australia. Five per cent deposits will cut years off the time you need to save for a deposit, saving thousands in lenders mortgage insurance and rental payments over time and getting you into your own home much sooner—really important for the young families in my electorate of Macarthur and around Australia. It bothers me greatly to see my constituents, of all ages, struggling to get into the housing market. That includes older Australians as well as young families. There are families with parents who are in their 30s or 40s who are still saving to buy their first home. Our schemes will help that and will help it significantly. I truly hope that people across the age spectrum take advantage of the scheme. Under this program, a first home buyer could take up to eight years off the time it takes to save for a deposit on the median $844,000 home in Macarthur. On the way, they could save about $34,000 in mortgage insurance and could pay up to a quarter of a million dollars towards their own loan rather than paying rent. The median home price in Australia today is $844,000. Five per cent of this is around $42,000. The last time $42,000 covered the 20 per cent deposit for the median home was around 2002, more than 20 years ago. That shows you the scope of this change. That's what good governments do. They see the challenge, and they try to correct it. I congratulate Clare O'Neil, the Minister for Housing, for the amount of hard work and thought that she's put into this process. It is a really important change and something that will help families whose kids I've looked after for almost half a century get into their homes earlier. We're building more homes. We've increased rent supports, as well, and we're making it easier to access the housing market across the country. From the disadvantaged electorates in rural and regional areas to outer metropolitan areas like my own electorate of Macarthur and around the country in every state and territory in Australia, that's really important. I'm really proud to be part of this process. This will not only make the housing situation better for young families but create stability in the housing market. It means kids' schooling will be stable. As a paediatrician, I'll stop having to do the process of applying to different schools all the time for support packages for kids with disabilities who have to move all the time. It will really make things a lot better for young families and older people across the age spectrum in all our electorates. As I said, I'm really proud to be part of this, and I congratulate the housing minister. I think that those opposite, in the coalition, need to think really hard about why they lost so many electorates around the country. Part of it was housing policy. No matter how much they try and talk themselves up as financial managers and being more prudent et cetera, they clearly have not shown that expertise in housing. They had 10 years of a deteriorating housing market in Australia to do something about it, and they did virtually nothing. That put large numbers of Australian families at a huge disadvantage, and now we're trying to play catch-up. Whilst it is hard, the housing minister, Clare O'Neil, has done a wonderful job at improving housing affordability in Australia across the age spectrum and across the electorate spectrum. This has made things a lot better for those families and for those young people. In the future, it will also mean our younger people will find housing affordability better. This measure is part of what Australia is getting from the Albanese government: improved lifestyle, improved affordability and reduced costs across the housing market and the cost-of-living issues, which we are doing to make life better for the families that I care for. I congratulate the minister, and I commend this bill to the House. 12:24 Ms LE 295676 Fowler Obviously everybody in this house is really passionate about addressing this housing shortage crisis that, at the moment, we are all hearing about from our community. I have no doubt that many members of the House here either own their house outright or have a small mortgage, so it's probably not as big a challenge for many of us in this house as it is for the rest of the Australian population. The government's new five per cent housing deposit scheme is being championed as a breakthrough for first home buyers. With years shaved off deposit savings, no lenders mortgage insurance and no income cap it really sounds terrific. It's easy to see the appeal. Just a five per cent deposit and you're told you can finally buy that home. On paper it's a dream come true. But in my electorate residents are asking, 'If we're struggling to save five per cent, how will we ever manage the remaining 95 per cent of mortgage debt and the decades of interest that will follow?' Over a 25- to 30-year loan the bank stands to earn hundreds of thousands in interest while homeowners bear enormous financial risk. This five per cent doesn't really fix the root problem, which is supply. The five per cent doesn't even guarantee that you can actually buy the house, because the bank still has to assess the serviceability of your loan and your ability to pay it. What we're really seeing is a scheme that supercharges demand but does nothing for supply. I have constantly spoken in this house about the need to address the lack of supply, the infrastructure that we need—the roads, the public transport such as the east-west metro to connect south-west Sydney to the Western Sydney International Airport. We need to address all the infrastructure before we actually build homes. Evidence backs this up. Independent modelling from the Insurance Council of Australia and Lateral Economics warns this expansion could push house prices up by as much as 10 per cent, and we have heard that from the member for Kennedy. Entry-level homes, where first home buyers compete, will see the steepest hikes, with price rises of between 3.5 per cent and 6.6 per cent nationally and even higher in our capital cities. Yes, families may save $21,000 to $28,000 on mortgage insurance, but many will watch their home's price climb quite significantly, leaving them worse off. Apparently research from Professor Chris Leishman at the University of South Australia forecasts similar impacts. Deposit schemes can drive prices up by seven to 10 per cent, and international evidence from New Zealand shows that, when deposit access was eased, prices soared and homeownership among young people actually fell. Another thing is: why 1 October? What's this need to announce that, from 1 October, people can finally save up a deposit of five per cent? Can people realise how difficult it is for people to save up five per cent in the first place for a medium house in Fowler, currently around $1 million? For electorates like mine it's going to be a huge challenge. You don't need to be an economist to see the flaw. When you add demand to a market that's already short on supply, prices will certainly rise. The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute highlights this repeatedly. Treasury and the Housing Industry Association both project it could take three to six years for any real supply response, if it comes at all. In the meantime affordability only worsens. This isn't a theory for the people of Fowler. In my community, overcrowding, rising rents and a shortage of new homes are daily realities. Quick fixes don't ease that pressure. What families need are long-term investments in new supply, local infrastructure and genuine affordability measures. I have mentioned over and over again: infrastructure is critical for any housing development. If you don't have infrastructure, we won't be able to address housing shortages in addition to workforce shortages. Migration is another dimension. Migration is one of our greatest strengths. It fills skills gaps, grows our economy and enriches our communities. Electorates like Fowler are evidence of that. Our wonderful multicultural community contributes greatly to our diverse economy, our city, our community, our state and our nation. But, when growth outpaces planning and investment in schools, hospitals, transport and especially housing, the affordability squeeze intensifies. My constituents see this every day. Poor planning means rents and house prices spike, and both new arrivals and long-term residents struggle. In last week's Housing Industry Association forum, industry leaders were clear. The five per cent deposit scheme, in an already tight market, will only drive prices higher. The HIA has confirmed that Australia needs at least 83,000 more tradies in the years ahead, just to keep pace with construction needs. When it comes to housing, the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council projects a shortfall of over 200,000 homes by the end of the decade. Some industry bodies warn the real gap could be up to 400,000 dwellings. The government's own target of 1.2 million new homes by 2030 looks increasingly out of reach, while these workforce and supply constraints go unaddressed. So let's be honest. The five per cent deposit scheme by itself is not a solution. It's a demand booster—a headline, not a fix. Real solutions require investment in building new homes, training local workers and thoughtful, coordinated planning to match migration with infrastructure. Affordable housing is the bedrock of health, education and strong families. I arrived here as a refugee, and I was very lucky back in the days, in the seventies and eighties, when we were able to live in a housing commission. It gave my late mother the opportunity to work in kitchens and restaurants and allowed my sisters and me to work towards buying our first home. Back in those days, a house in our area was around 80 grand to 100 grand or 200 grand. Now it's in the millions. It's really out of reach for any new arrivals, I believe. To build a future where no family is left behind, we must match words with actions, short-term promises with long-term solutions, and demand with supply. My community in Fowler is not asking for another scheme. They're asking for real solutions, so don't give people false hope. I call on both the Labor and Liberals here to stop finger-pointing at one another and to focus on really addressing the issue at hand and focus on policies that are practical, implementable, affordable, accessible and impactful for the Australian people and the Australian economy. 12:33 Mr HUSIC 91219 Chifley Anyone in Sydney in the last week or so who thinks a lot about housing would have been absolutely perplexed with some of the reactions to boost housing supply in Sydney, especially the reaction of Woollahra council to the New South Wales government's proposal to build higher density homes close to the city but with infrastructure to be built alongside it. We had the Woollahra council reject that proposition of higher density homes being built in Woollahra. As someone from Western Sydney who has grown up and seen fields transformed into rows and rows of mortar and rooftop tiles continually, we would love the idea that you would have infrastructure built at the same time as housing, because I've got to tell you that that hasn't happened for quite some time. Full credit to the Minns government for coming up with the idea that they would provide that in there. In our neck of the woods, we're still waiting for the completion of the missing link of the metro, while all these homes get built and there is no infrastructure, yet Woollahra council seem to have walked into a stable full of gift horses and made sure they didn't miss the opportunity to smack each one of them in the mouth by rejecting a plan that would build infrastructure and homes in a city where we do need to find places where we can get the critical workers that are important to cities. The nurses, the teachers, the cleaners, the mechanics—all the people who help modern cities function but who are being pushed to the furthest fringes of the city and made to travel at the weirdest hours of the day just to start their shifts, after having travelled probably over two hours to get to work—we've got to be able to have homes for those folks, who make sure our cities run, and ensure that they're built in the face of nimbyism, which certainly is the case for the Woollahra council decision, and we've got to think laterally about how to address supply. I'm proud to be part of a government that's doing just that. We all recognise that we have to build more homes, and we have to do it in a range of different ways. If I can pick up on something the last speaker said, the member for Fowler, who talked about what's at the heart of what we're discussing here in the parliament at the moment—the five per cent deposit—we can't just rely on one thing. No-one from the government is suggesting that. We've actually got multiple options that are designed to address a housing crisis that has been decades in the making and to make sure that we provide relief to people. I've got to tell you, the fact that we are enabling first home buyers to get their homes sooner, with a five per cent deposit, is a big deal. Here's the stat that tells you why it's a big deal: today it takes someone on the median income around 12 years just to save for a deposit. Back in the nineties, it took four to five years, so you can see how those times have absolutely blown out. We've got to address it, and we're bringing forward the ability for first home buyers to get access to that scheme, slashing the amount of time required to save for a deposit and uncapping the scheme, which is a terrific move. Also, for single parents, I might add, we'll continue the Family Home Guarantee, which helps them buy a home with a two per cent deposit. It's a terrific way to be able to do that. We need to be able to open up those avenues for first home buyers to buy their homes. I know that, in my part of Western Sydney, this is a big issue. Later this month I'll be hosting a housing forum in my area to see how we can boost the building of social and affordable homes in Chifley in the outer western suburbs. We need to see more of that happen. We also need to see more homes built for people fleeing terrible situations such as domestic violence and to be able to provide crisis accommodation as well. We need to get that happening. I'm pleased to say that the New South Wales housing minister, Rose Jackson, will be coming along, and we'll be getting other experts in the field to talk through how we can create more social and affordable housing in the areas that I represent in my part of Western Sydney. Types of measures like what we're talking about today will be exceptionally important. We've got to build more homes, we've got to improve the range of homes that are being built, and we've also got to help renters. People want to be able to buy their own home, for sure, but they need to live somewhere in the interim. We've got big challenges, though, in building homes. In the construction trades, we're 90,000 short of people available to build homes. How are you supposed to do that? We also have competition. If you get more workers in to work in construction, you're instantly in competition with infrastructure projects, who are offering higher rates of pay for workers to go there. So, the minute you get people in construction, they get poached by infrastructure. That's a big deal. Also, we cannot keep importing labour to fill the gaps, which means we've got to find new ways to build homes. One of those ways is certainly prefab and modular housing, which'll help us build homes faster and smarter. For people who think that those homes are just akin to the school demountables that they lived in, they clearly haven't walked through a prefab home that has been built recently with current, seven-star energy efficiency standards and is a comfortable place to be able to live. We need to do more of this. In Japan, it's estimated that 15 per cent of their homes have been manufactured in a factory. In Germany, that's up to 20 per cent, and in Scandinavia it could be anywhere between 45 to 80 per cent. We've got to be able to have these modern manufacturing methods being used to build homes faster and smarter. In doing so, according to the Productivity Commission, you cut 20 per cent off the construction costs and halve the time it takes to build these homes. It creates a great manufacturing opportunity. I've seen it in the western suburbs with places like Fleetwood in Smithfield, who are doing great work in being able to build a home in a factory, take it on the back of a truck and build it on site, which is particularly important. We should use procurement to ramp this up. Future rounds of the HAFF should focus on using procurement and set a challenge to have the greatest number of prefab homes built using Australian industry and Australian manufacturers to do so. We should provide that platform of procurement and have the HAFF do that so that we can get the guarantee for the volume of supply. In other countries, prefab has fallen over because we have not seen governments provide the volume of work and the certainty of work that prefab manufacturers require to build their homes. We need more of that to be able to happen. And Australians, according to Amplify, want to be able to move into prefabricated homes. In fact, the advocacy group Amplify said that 95 per cent plus support reform aimed at unlocking modern housing, community support for the reform grows as people learn more about prefabricated building and the opportunity for debate, and 94 per cent strongly agree there should be diverse housing options for all. Interestingly, Amplify found that people of all politics backed the reform. There's broad consensus, and all generations back that reform, which is important as well. We do need to unlock that. As a government, we have put some money in to back that in. I don't think we've put anywhere near enough. We need to put more in and be able to have HAFF do it. But it's one of those great things about certain areas of policy that get put into Treasury—it takes a little bit longer to get ideas out the door. I often find Treasury is a great place for ideas to go to die, but housing being put in Treasury is probably one of the areas where I've always raised my eyebrows as to why it sits there. Treasury needs to probably—this is a subject for another day—get a clear focus on what its core functions are, but housing is in there for whatever reason. I'll be interested to see if Treasury does back the need for more prefab homes to be built and for us to be able to provide the existing procurement pathways for that to occur. I just want to end on the coalition. The coalition did nothing through their time in government and are using their time in opposition to oppose everything when it comes to what we're doing on housing. They hardly built enough homes under their watch, certainly nowhere near the amount of social and affordable housing that we needed. Interestingly, now they're setting up this debate that renting is worse than buying. We heard that from the member for Cook. I wouldn't want us to look down our nose at what needs to be done to get roofs over people's heads. People want a range of options, and I would hate to think that the next battleline here is to oppose build-to-rent as one of the areas that we think is important to create more homes in Australia. (Time expired) 12:43 Mr WILLCOX 286535 Dawson We need homes for every Australian. We need a housing policy that creates environments where everyone can find their own way into the housing market and stay there. We need actual housing policy that's more than writing a few cheques or throwing around big numbers with dollar signs. Getting housing policy right means getting supply right, and that supply needs to be in balance with demand. We need a housing policy where there's follow-through so that developers and builders can actually deliver so that the aspiration of homeownership is achieved more and more for everyday Aussies. Last week, Labor member after Labor member was rolled out to applaud the government's Home Guarantee Scheme of a five per cent deposit with the removal of lender's mortgage insurance for first home buyers. On the surface, that sounds great for first home buyers—well, for now, anyway. But it's a scam. It will end up a mess—a mess for our economy, a mess for current mortgage holders, a mess for the government books and eventually a mess for the first home buyers who purchase under this scheme. A five per cent deposit will probably end up being like 20 per cent today, because it's going to drive the market up. Again, lower deposit rates and creating greater buying power for first home buyers will not fix the problem. We need to fix the supply and demand imbalance first. We need to be building more and building quickly and efficiently. Time is critical. What about someone trying to get back into the market after previously owning a home? The scheme targeted at first home owners works against these people. The demand that Labor is creating will only add fuel to the fire and make homes for these people even further out of reach, and they won't have access to the same conditions. I'm talking about the people who have lost everything. Perhaps their marriage broke down or perhaps they had no choice but to sell up because interest rates have skyrocketed under this government. How are they meant to get back into the housing market? Where is their hand up? As an example, to paint a picture, imagine a 50-something-year-old woman. She may have devoted her life to her children, taking time away from work to care for them, and now they're all grown up, but her marriage is over. She has little or no savings and nothing left to get back into another home, because—here is the kicker for these people—housing just got more expensive off the back of this announcement. More demand without supply means higher house prices and higher rents as well. I'm supportive of fewer housing based taxes and feel the rules should apply to all Australians looking to buy a primary residence. What I'm not supportive of are policies that will only put more pressure on supply and put the taxpayer on the hook for loan defaults. Sadly, homelessness is on the rise. It is the worst in living memory. We, the coalition, care about those that are doing it tough. We care about people who have fallen on hard times, whether they find themselves without a roof over their heads for the first time or they have been sleeping rough for a long time. We genuinely care, unlike this government who are all about flashy headline announcements. Orange Sky is a charity that provides free laundry and conversation for people who are experiencing homelessness or hardship, and it is one that I have championed and lobbied for. These services are free and used by many who are finding it tough and have limited options. At the last election, only a few months ago, I, backed by the coalition, championed for a $30,000 grant to assist Orange Sky to move into upgraded facilities in Mackay. The funds are insignificant in government coffer terms, but are very significant for the people in my electorate. I've written to the Prime Minister to highlight this funding requirement and have asked for bipartisan support. I look forward to the government's response in backing this funding. When the coalition was last in office, there were around 200,000 houses being built per year—almost entirely through private investment, mind you—and we were contending with much lower immigration figures. Under Labor, the number of private builds has fallen to around 170,000 per year, and it is still falling, not growing. It is not even coming close to keeping pace with population growth. To adjust supply and demand in housing it's simple—balance the number of people coming into the country with the pace at which accommodation can be built. But we have a new housing minister, who was the previous home affairs minister, working alongside the immigration minister, who is no longer the immigration minister—they allowed the floodgates to open and in they came. What a mess! I suggest the minister's next move might be into climate change and energy, because that's a right mess too. What we see under Labor are immigration numbers soaring and promises being broken while housing supply stalls. They're piling up on demand without fixing supply. Labor's Housing Australia Future Fund is one of the biggest failures in the country's history at $10 billion of taxpayer's money. For how many houses? Nobody actually knows. Senators Wong and Gallagher have said they've acquired 2,000 homes. The government has purchased 2,000 homes. That's not helping supply but fuelling even more demand. Worse still, this isn't even an investment fund; it's a Ponzi scheme. Honestly, we'd get better returns at the track betting on No. 7. The money has gone in, and the country has paid the interest—for what return? The houses we need are not being built, and the fund value is shrinking. The money, along with the pipedream of 1.2 million homes in five years, is just disappearing. What a joke—an absolute joke. Let's not forget inflation. The year to July CPI figures, which came out just last week, hit 2.8 per cent—a sharp rise of one per cent over the last month and the steepest increase since last year. My concern is, if inflation is rising again—because, let's be honest, the government does not have the economy under control—then the rate cuts that we're all hoping for won't materialise. So, if you already have a mortgage, look out. With inflation demand on the rise, it won't be long before interest rates jump up again. Where will that leave those new first home buyers who have just bought with only a five per cent deposit? Those with their big bright dreams—gone. By the way, the Australian taxpayer will be on the hook for any defaults, and more debt means either cuts to services or the creation of new taxes—probably both at the rate this government is going. I'm glad to see the government has finally decided to put a freeze on the National Construction Code until 2029—a coalition policy that Labor rubbished at the election only a few months ago. Master Builders has also been calling for a freeze to take the handbrake off approvals and delays. The government has finally listened, albeit they did so kicking and screaming. They've had to hear from the economic roundtable before giving it the green light. But we can't just freeze it. We need to cut the mountain of paperwork that has found its way into every build under this government. Labor is choking builders with paperwork and regulation instead of giving them the freedom to build. And now Labor want to be mortgage brokers too. It's reckless and will end up hurting everyday Australians. What we need to see is the value of houses rising steadily, not rapidly, so one can buy. We also don't want to see a situation where property values fall. We need a strategy and a policy that ensure that the ratio of what someone owns and what they need to buy a home keeps advancing at the same rate. Under this government, the housing market's supply and demand are way out of whack. The government's solutions are only good for one thing—warm and fuzzy headlines. The construction of new homes needs policy that will encourage. We need to cut the red tape for all government, and they need to get out of the road. We need to create an environment where people can, once again, aspire to homeownership. We need to get the supply and demand right, get the houses built and get a home for all Australians. Labor are playing with fire, and, when the government play with fire, there's a real chance the house will get burnt to the ground and all Australians will get burnt. 12:53 Mr WATTS 193430 Gellibrand My community in Melbourne's west are hard-working, aspirational Australians who want a good life for themselves, their children and their grandchildren. They're tradies, small business owners, shift workers. They're young people who dream of security and independence. They're parents who want their children to grow with stability and opportunity and for their children to be afforded the same opportunities that were afforded to them. People in my community are doing everything right. They work hard, they're saving diligently, and they're contributing to their families and their community. They still can't afford a place to call home. All the time, I hear from Australians who dream of owning their home but can't see a pathway to homeownership. I hear from renters whose rents increase as they struggle to save for the 20 per cent deposit needed to buy their first home. It all just feels out of reach. A home is more than just a roof over your head. It's a place for family, where birthdays are celebrated, which kids take their first steps, where memories are made. For a generation of Australians, though, this homeownership has felt like a distant dream. On top of that, renters have felt insecure, with the scales tipped against them. The Albanese Labor government is continuing to listen to young Australians, and we're continuing to deliver for them. We're delivering on our election promise to ease the housing crisis and help more Australians to own their own home. From 1 October, everyone in Melbourne's west and across Australia will be able to buy their first home with a five per cent deposit. It's a game changer. For many, this will mean the difference between continuing to rent indefinitely and stepping into homeownership. It will cut years off the time that it takes to save for a deposit. There are no income caps and no limits on the number of places. It means that more families, more young people and more single parents can access this support. We'll have house-price caps that reflect the cost of homes where you live, which means people won't be forced to look too far from their communities or their families to qualify. And, because the government will guarantee part of these mortgages, people won't have to pay tens of thousands of dollars in lenders mortgage insurance. In just the first year alone, first home buyers using the scheme are expected to avoid around $1.5 billion in potential mortgage insurance costs. We're also continuing the Family Home Guarantee, which helps single parents buy a home with a two per cent deposit. For first home buyers in Melbourne's west, I know this will make a real difference. But expanding access to five per cent deposits to all first home buyers is just one plank of the Albanese government's Homes for Australia agenda. Since we first came to government, we've already seen 180,000 Australians get into homeownership with the Albanese Labor government's support. In my community alone, nearly 1,000 households have already participated in the Home Guarantee Scheme since we came to government in May 2022. That's a thousand families who now have a place to call their own and who have moved from renting to owning—from insecurity to stability. Under Labor, there have been 6,000 more first-home-buyer loans a year, compared to the coalition's previous period in office. Labor's shared-equity scheme, Help to Buy, will mean that the Commonwealth government pitches in up to 40 per cent of the upfront costs of a home, meaning first home buyers can purchase a home with a smaller mortgage. We're not just helping people buy homes, though; we're building more homes too, and building more homes means more affordable homes for everyone. We've started the biggest housing build in Australia's history, investing $43 billion in housing in pursuit of an ambitious target of the construction of 1.2 million homes over the next five years. As part of our plan to build more homes, we're investing $10 billion to build 100,000 homes reserved for first home buyers. Our investments in Australians' aspirations to own a home are complemented by our commitments to make renting more secure. We're working with states and territories to make renting fairer. We've built more rentals with stronger protections. We've passed legislation to help deliver 80,000 new rentals across the country, and all rentals under this scheme will have five-year leases, which will provide renters with more certainty and more security. We're working with the states and territories to implement stronger protections for tenants and to ensure that renters can make their rental their own. Because of our reforms, most states have implemented minimum standards for rental properties. Renters are now guaranteed a baseline standard for their rental property, which wasn't guaranteed before, to ensure that their rental is actually habitable. Our reforms have also meant that most states have now banned no-grounds evictions. Stamping out no-grounds evictions provides renters with more certainty, stability and security. It also allows renters to establish a more stable home and better plan for the future of themselves and their families. We've delivered a 45 per cent increase in Commonwealth rental assistance, helping one million low-income Australians to pay the rent. We're delivering 55,000 social and affordable rental homes for the Australians that need them the most. Through programs like the Housing Australia Future Fund, we're reducing the social housing waiting list and delivering homes for vulnerable women, children, veterans and key workers. We're investing $1.2 billion in building new crisis and transitional accommodation. This investment will ensure at-risk groups like women, younger Australians and those fleeing domestic violence have access to safe and stable housing. Building more homes and supporting renters wouldn't be possible if we didn't invest in the people we need to build these homes. We're training more tradies through our fee-free TAFE program. The fee-free construction program will boost the number of skilled workers in the construction and housing sector. This will ensure that Australia has the skilled workers to build the houses that we need. We're providing $10,000 incentive payments to apprentices in construction. We're investing $78 million to fast-track qualifications of 6,000 tradies, to help build more homes across Australia. The Advanced Entry Trades Training program will help experienced but unqualified workers get the qualifications and recognition they deserve for their work. The program will assess participants' skills by a recognition-of-prior-learning process and then fill in any gaps with individualised training delivered by TAFEs and other high-quality registered training organisations. The best bit is that if they need extra training, it will be free. We're also cutting red tape with our planning reforms. We're providing $120 million from the National Productivity Fund to incentivise states to remove red tape to help build houses faster, and we're leading efforts to speed up construction. We're delivering $54 million in investment in advanced manufacturing of prefab and modular homes. The Albanese Labor government is building new homes, supporting renters, ensuring we have a skilled workforce for our housing agenda, and cutting red tape. We're tackling this housing crisis from every angle. But, unfortunately, this crisis wasn't created overnight, and that means that it won't be fixed overnight. The crisis we're currently experiencing is a result of decades of underinvestment and neglect. We're working hard to undo this decade of neglect by the coalition, who didn't even have a housing minister for most of their time in office. As my colleague, Minister O'Neil, told parliament last week, they built just 373 social and affordable homes in nine years. If that wasn't bad enough, they continue to oppose homeownership for Australians. They voted against Help to Buy; in fact, they promised to abolish the scheme entirely. They didn't support our policy to deliver 100,000 homes for first home buyers. Bizarrely, they are now trying to scrap 80,000 new rentals by raising taxes on builders. It's as if they've completely given up. On this side of the House, we haven't. Owning a home is a dream that should be available to all Australians—not just some. We're making that dream more achievable. The Albanese Labor government was elected with a clear mandate to support the aspirations and dreams of all Australians. From 1 October, the days of 20 per cent deposits for first home buyers are over. We're bringing the dream of homeownership within reach of everyone in my community of Melbourne's west and across Australia. It's not just a policy change. It's a change which will support Australians to achieve their goals and dreams. We're removing barriers which hold Australians back from homeownership. We're building more rentals with stronger protections, and we're delivering more social and affordable homes for vulnerable Australians. We're working with states and territories to make renting fairer, and we're boosting rent assistance. We're offering a clear, fair pathway to homeownership for all Australians. We are investing in the future of housing. We're speeding up construction. We're investing in the workforce we need to build new homes, and we're fast-tracking the qualifications of experienced but unqualified tradies. This housing crisis has been decades in the making, but last weeks announcement of five per cent deposits for first home buyers is another plank in our Homes for Australia plan, a comprehensive plan that tackles every dimension of this crisis. 13:03 Ms CAMPBELL 312823 Moreton When I was growing up, the phrase 'the Australian dream' meant something, and it meant something to everyone; it was understood. It meant owning your own home. The Australian dream conjured up pictures of a house on a quarter-acre block with, perhaps, a hills hoist in the background and some kids and a dog running underneath a sprinkler on a hot summer day. Owning a home was a symbol of success, and it became part of our national identity. The Australian dream, at that time, was both aspirational and achievable. These days, the phrase 'the Australian dream' has evolved to encompass other facets of what it means to be Australian. What hasn't changed, however, is the need to have a safe and stable place to call home. Right now, that's tough because housing is hard across our country. It's hard in my community. Housing is hard whether you're looking to buy your very first home or you're looking to rent for your family. The realities of the housing market mean that there are barriers in the way of home ownership for many Australians. Owning your own home has become a life-defining challenge for many. Despite hard work and diligent saving, many people cannot afford to buy their own home. Labor wants a generation of Australians who feel left behind on housing to have the benefits and security that having your own home brings. It's the foundation of the extensive work this government is doing in supporting Australians to get into homes of their own. Australia's housing crisis wasn't created overnight, and it wasn't created in the last three years. It's been gathering momentum for 40 years, when not enough houses were being built. Then it took a decade of neglect from those opposite to really solidify it. In the suburbs of Moreton, I've spoken to young people who are concerned that they will never be able to afford to buy a home of their own. They've spoken to me about teaming up to buy a house. I've listened to gen Xers who are worried that their kids won't know financial security in their lifetimes and who can't afford to help out and get them a foothold in the property market. I've seen the pressure pile onto renters as they struggle to both find a place to live and afford increasing rent costs. I've spoken to community groups who are supporting rising numbers of people experiencing homelessness. Fixing this mess will take time—anyone who tells you it can be fixed overnight is being disingenuous—but we have to start now, and we have to go hard if we're going to make a difference. That's why the Albanese Labor government is taking unprecedented steps to resolve it with an ambitious and multifaceted approach. Our $43 billion agenda is focused on three main drivers: firstly, building more homes; secondly, making it better to rent; and thirdly, making it easier to buy. The page in front of me says that the coalition have no ideas when it comes to solving the housing crisis, but I don't actually think that's true. I think the coalition do have ideas when it comes to solving the housing crisis, and we know what those ideas are because the coalition put forward a proposal that the way to solve the housing crisis is to raid your super—to take from the money set aside for people's futures and use it to fix a housing crisis that they were instrumental in causing. What we now know about raiding your super is that it has monumental impacts on young people's futures, because we know that not only does it have the potential to cripple people's nest eggs; the vast majority of economists have said that it simply won't work and will place enormous inflationary pressure on the system. That is what the coalition's solution is to fixing a housing crisis. For most of the decade of neglect, they didn't even have a housing minister. Their contribution to the housing pool was a total of 373 social and affordable homes. That's an average of 41 houses built per year. Their lack of interest didn't change during the last parliament, and, in fact, they put all of their energy into teaming up with the Greens political party to block Labor's housing initiatives. They voted against Help to Buy, and they promised to abolish the scheme. It doesn't look like things have changed much this term. They are simply not interested in supporting first home buyers to turn their dreams into a reality. The shadow housing minister described Labor's five per cent deposit announcement as 'bizarre and ridiculous', laying bare their contempt for young battling Australians. The only thing that's bizarre and ridiculous when it comes to housing is the fact that those opposite have continually failed to act and have continually neglected to take action when it comes to putting supports in place and giving the support needed for young people to get into their first homes, for families to get into their first homes and for people who are struggling to rent. The headline news about housing last week was that the Albanese government has moved to help first home buyers get a home of their own faster. We have moved our plan forward by three months so that first home buyers can buy a home with a five per cent deposit from 1 October this year. The scheme will be uncapped so that every first home buyer can access its benefits. There are no income limits and no limits on places. We are increasing property price caps so that they are in line with average house prices, and this increase broadens the scope from small apartments, units or homes a long way from where people work. The benefits speak for themselves. A five per cent deposit slashes years off the time required to save for a deposit. It will save prospective buyers thousands of dollars in lenders mortgage insurance, not to mention rental payments, whilst saving. We want people to be able to spend their hard earned dollars not on someone else's mortgage but on their own. We're backing the five per cent deposit scheme because we know it works, and, on average, there are 6,000 more first-home-buyer loans a year under this government, in comparison with the former government. Housing Australia tells us that over 230,000 Australians have already bought their first home because they've accessed the scheme. I'm excited to see how much this number grows now that eligibility has been expanded. We've supported one million households with nearly 50 per cent rent assistance increases. Since May 2022, new housing approvals are up by 30 per cent, and half a million homes have been built. There are 28,000 social and affordable homes in the planning and construction phases. As the Minister for Housing said, we know the long-term solution to address the housing crisis in our country is to build, build, build. Labor's comprehensive approach to this involves funding the development of infrastructure needed for housing—those are the roads, that's the sewerage, that's the energy and those are the water connections needed for new developments and more social housing. Labor is training the workforce for this for free, with more free TAFE places in the construction industry so we can train the tradies that we need to build these homes. In my local electorate of Moreton on Brisbane's south side, we are the proud home to the largest trade-training centre in the entirety of the Southern Hemisphere. This is not only a place where people will have access to free TAFE but also a place where people will build those homes of the future and get the skills they need to be able to do so. The government is also focused on cutting the red tape that can cause delays in building houses. Participants in Labor's recent Economic Reform Roundtable were in broad agreement that the regulatory burden on builders needs to be decreased. This will be a fundamentally life-changing reform for prospective first home buyers. We know it's tough; we know we need to take action. That's why Labor is throwing the kitchen sink at the housing crisis. Labor are the only ones who can invest in the means for young people, for families— (Time expired) 13:13 Ms CLAYDON 248181 Newcastle I am honoured to be able to speak to this issue in strong support of the expansion of the five per cent deposit scheme—a practical, commonsense initiative that will make a real difference for Australians who have been locked out of the housing market. This scheme is, essentially, about fairness. It's about giving Australians—hardworking nurses, teachers, police officers, hospitality workers—a genuine shot at the great Australian dream of homeownership. For too many people, that dream has felt out of reach. Let's be honest. Saving a 20 per cent deposit in today's housing market is simply impossible for many Australians, particularly young people and families who are trying to buy that first home. In Newcastle the median house price is around $900,000. That means a 20 per cent deposit is $180,000—that's before we've even factored in stamp duty and other associated costs. How many people can realistically save that kind of money while paying rent, covering living costs and trying to get ahead? The answer is: not many. That's why this scheme is such a game changer. Under the current scheme, eligible first home buyers can purchase a home with as little as a five per cent deposit without having to fork out for costly lender's mortgage insurance. That's thousands of dollars saved upfront—money that stays in the pockets of people instead of going to the banks or insurers. It's a practical way to help first home buyers enter the market sooner and with less financial stress. Importantly, it's targeted to those who need it most: Australians who have the income to service a mortgage but simply can't break through the barrier of saving for that massive deposit. With this expansion of the scheme, all first home buyers will now have access, with no caps on places or income limits. Property price caps will also rise in line with average house prices, providing access to a greater variety of homes. It means a first home buyer in Newcastle can purchase a $900,000 home with a $45,000 deposit. They could save up to 10 years off the time it takes to save for a deposit, save about $40,000 in mortgage insurance and pay up to $345,000 towards their loan instead of paying rent. In the first year alone, first home buyers using the scheme are expected to avoid around $1.5 billion in potential mortgage insurance costs. This is about breaking down those barriers, giving people not a handout but a leg up, so they can take control of their future and build wealth for themselves and their families. In Newcastle, this means more young couples, more single parents and more key workers will be able to buy a home in the community they love, close to their families and close to their work. And that matters. This scheme is just one part of Labor's comprehensive plan to tackle Australia's housing crisis. We know there is no silver bullet, and that's why, through our $43 billion Homes for Australia program, we're investing right across the housing spectrum, from emergency accommodation to social housing, and from affordable rentals to home ownership. Through the Housing Australia Future Fund, we're building 30,000 new social and affordable homes. That's the single biggest investment in social and affordable housing in more than a decade. We've boosted funding for homelessness services and increased rent assistance to help those who are doing it tough right now. And we've struck the National Housing Accord, an agreement between all levels of government, investors and the construction sector, to deliver 1.2 million well located homes over the next five years. These are serious reform measures. They're big, ambitious policies that will deliver real results, and they're backed by billions of dollars in investments from the Albanese Labor government. But here's the truth: every step of the way, the Liberals and the Greens have tried to stop this. They blocked the Housing Australia Future Fund for months, playing politics while Australians struggled to keep a roof over their head. They delayed critical funding for social and affordable housing, because they wanted to grandstand instead of government. The Greens talked a big game on housing, but, when they had the chance to vote for more homes, they voted against it. They voted against $10 billion for social and affordable housing. That's 30,000 homes that they tried to block. And the Liberals—well, they spent a decade doing absolutely nothing on housing. They left a legacy of neglect, and that's what we are working hard to fix now. Australians deserve better than this. They deserve a government that rolls up its sleeves and gets things done, and that is exactly what Labor is doing. The five per cent deposit scheme is proof of what we can achieve when we focus on those practical solutions. Already, Australians have used this scheme to buy their first home, and we are going further, expanding eligibility so even more people get to benefit. In Newcastle, more than 1,000 people have gotten the keys to their new homes so far. That's more families getting a start in the market. It's more young people being able to stay in the region they love. It means stronger, more vibrant communities. This is real action making a real difference right now. Owning your own home shouldn't be a privilege reserved for a few. It should be an achievable aspiration for anyone who works hard and plays by the rules. The five per cent deposit scheme is helping make that aspiration a reality. It's giving hope and opportunity to thousands of Australians, and it's part of Labor's bigger plan to fix housing in this country. While others talk, Labor acts. While others block and delay, Labor builds. We build homes, we build communities, we build a better future, and we will keep doing that because every Australian deserves the security, stability and dignity of a place to call home. Debate adjourned. BILLS 35 BILLS Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025 35

Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025

Second Reading 35 13:22 Ms CLUTTERHAM 316101 Sturt Medicare is a Labor creation. Just over 40 years old, it is an institution in this country, the system people rely on, day in and day out, so that they can access the health care that they need—so that they can see a general practitioner, so that they can see a specialist, so that they can have a life-saving or life-changing operation. Labor will always work to ensure the sustainability of Medicare, work to ensure it is fit for purpose and work to ensure it is never taken away or diminished. Medicare works best, Medicare provides the healthcare support and services Australians need and deserve, and Medicare is funded most efficiently and effectively when it is underpinned and shaped by integrity. Critical to the motivation and necessity to strengthen Medicare is knowing that there are safeguards with respect to the taxpayer funds that reinforce it, and the Albanese Labor government is steadfast in its commitment to doing the work to ensure this. This legislation amendment amends several other pieces of legislation, being the National Health Act, the Health Insurance Act, the Human Services (Medicare) Act and the Dental Benefits Act. Its motivation in doing so is in response to complexities that affect the effective administration of health benefit schemes. These were highlighted by the Independent Review of Medicare Integrity and Compliance, which was undertaken by health economist Dr Pradeep Philip. Commissioned in 2022, the Philip review examined Medicare compliance and integrity, leading to the establishment of the Medicare Integrity Taskforce in 2023-24. We know that the overwhelming majority of practitioners working to support Australians within our Medicare system are honest and prepared to work hard and take care to ensure compliance with Medicare rules. The Philip review, however, illustrated a need for integrity activities in order to identify and respond to those few practitioners working in the system who are unintentionally suffering from compliance failures and to identify and deal with those practitioners who are dishonestly obtaining payments. It is this very small group of practitioners participating in unintentional and deliberate noncompliance who will be affected by this legislation. A general practitioner who lives in my electorate of Sturt, Dr Sian Goodson, is one of thousands of hardworking general practitioners dedicated to her craft and to serving the healthcare needs of Australians with passion and integrity. Dr Goodson, who is also chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in South Australia, originated from the UK and spent time training in hospital medicine and rheumatology before commencing a career in general practice in 2004. In 2013 Dr Goodson joined a family health clinic in Adelaide's northern suburbs, where she remains some 12 years later, having built strong and enduring relationships with her community and providing bulk-billed health care to her patients. Dr Goodson is also passionate about clinical education and acts as a supervisor to general practitioner registrars in her practice. Dr Goodson is a terrific example of general practitioners who put the healthcare needs of Australians first every day. Dr Goodson understands how precious Australia's Medicare system is and how important it is to ensure the Medicare system is underpinned by integrity and honesty, with taxpayer money used efficiently and effectively. Dr Goodson lives in my electorate of Sturt, which stretches across Adelaide's eastern border from Hope Valley in the south to Myrtle Bank in the north. My electorate is not regional or remote, but access to health care for regional and remote Australians is an issue close to my heart. Prior to being elected to federal parliament as the member for Sturt I was a volunteer board director on the board of the Royal Flying Doctor Service for South Australia and the Northern Territory. In that role I saw firsthand how important it is for regional and remote Australians to be able to access health care and how important it is that sufficient doctors, nurses and midwives from regional locations are trained so they can return to their communities and contribute to the health and wellbeing of those who live there. An appropriately funded and operational Medicare system underpinned by honesty and integrity is important for Australians who live in cities, and an appropriately funded and operational Medicare system underpinned by honesty and integrity is equally important to Australians who live in regional and remote Australia. I take the opportunity to share with this house that at this very moment around this great country Royal Flying Doctor Service planes are conducting aeromedical retrieval operations and that at this moment Royal Flying Doctor Service doctors, nurses, midwives and dentists are providing the finest care to the farthest corner, including remote communities in William Creek, Andamooka, Innamincka and Yunta, with planes taking off and landing at bases in Adelaide, Port Augusta and Alice Springs, transporting patients to where they need to go to receive the best health care that this country offers. Those working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service also form part of our national health system and, like Dr Goodson, are honest hardworking healthcare practitioners dedicated to their patients. The Philip review identified the need for integrity activities to identify and respond to any actors in the system who are unintentionally or dishonestly obtaining payments and further noted that the systems underpinning health benefit schemes require changes to ensure they remain rigorous and effective. In addition the Philip review highlighted the need to ensure patient safety is the first and foremost consideration with respect to all aspects of health services. Although the measures this legislation introduces will only directly affect the small number of practitioners and businesses practising noncompliance and fraud, the measures will also mean that patients and practitioners can expect to benefit from better protected health benefit schemes. 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 continue speaking when the debate is resumed. STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS 36 STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Wiluna Caravan Park 36 13:30 Mr RICK WILSON 198084 O'Connor I rise today to give a big shout-out to the Shire of Wiluna, shire president Peter Grundy and the entire community after last week's official opening of the Wiluna Caravan Park. I visited Wiluna back in April and saw the terrific progress on the $1.16 million Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program funded component. Since its completion, the Wiluna Caravan Park has welcomed over 500 guests, generating accommodation revenue of over $90,000. For those of you who have never heard of Wiluna, it truly is the outback. Situated on the edge of the Western Desert, the entire shire has just over 500 inhabitants, including the people of the Martu country. This new caravan park site is at the convergence of two iconic outback adventure routes: the Canning Stock Route, which connects Wiluna to the Kimberley and at 1,850 kilometres is perhaps the longest historic stock route in the world, and the Gunbarrel Highway, a remote desert track connecting Wiluna to Victory Downs Station in the Northern Territory. The new caravan park offers 22 powered caravan sites, seven queen-bed cabins with ensuites, two spacious family suites and a grassed camping area. It has a well-equipped camp kitchen, shaded barbecues, free laundry and wi-fi. So, whether you're overnighting in Wiluna to stock up on supplies for your big adventure or staying longer to explore the region, the Wiluna Caravan Park now offers all the creature comforts anyone could hope for. International Humanitarian Assistance 36 13:31 Mr ZAPPIA HWB Makin Last week, I met with representatives of the Micah women's network, who were in Canberra to raise awareness of the urgent humanitarian needs throughout the world and to call for Australia to increase overseas aid from 0.65 per cent to one per cent of the federal budget. Australia now ranks 28 out of 32 OECD countries for aid generosity, according to Micah. A combination of US cuts to foreign aid and an increase in global conflicts has left some 305 million people throughout the world in desperate need. Trade tensions and tariff wars, extreme weather events, conflict and climate driven displacement and strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific region are all adding to human misery. There are currently 59 active conflict zones in 35 countries, and one in six children live in a conflict zone. The spiralling crisis in Myanmar, where Micah is calling for $110 million emergency package, is particularly concerning, whilst 1.9 million people face catastrophic hunger in Gaza and Sudan. Overseas aid is not simply a moral humanitarian response; it is a critical strategy to ensure Australian safety, security and stability. Overseas aid is an effective strategic investment that pays real dividends to Australia. There are now an estimated 305 million people throughout the world in humanitarian need, and the numbers are growing. Victoria: Tourism Industry 36 13:33 Mr WOOD E0F La Trobe I rise today to speak about an exciting local business in my electorate doing incredible things when it comes to sustainable tourism: the GlamXperience in Pakenham. Their show yard is nothing short of a spectacular showcase of innovative tents, containers and domes that redefine camping as glamping. However, despite their enthusiasm and potential, they are facing significant hurdles from outdated and inconsistent regulations imposed by local councils but in particular forced by the state Labor government. Recently, I met the owners of GlamXperience, Leon Juffermans and Sandra Juffermans, alongside representatives from Caravan and Residential Parks Victoria, to hear firsthand the challenges facing the glamping industry in Victoria. Their message was clear: Victoria is very much failing. Victoria is the only jurisdiction without adequate statewide regulations in this growing sector. Meanwhile, states like New South Wales have made simple regulation changes and are now reaping the benefits—more investment, more jobs and stronger regional tourism. The new 2024 regulations in Victoria fail to even formally classify glamping tents as movable dwellings, leading to inconsistent and confusing planning and building requirements across local areas right across Victoria. To the Victorian state Labor government: you need to stop making business so difficult for Victorians trying to make a living and make the lives of Victorians easier. Greenwood-Jones, Ms Philippa 37 13:34 Mr FRENCH 316550 Moore I rise to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Philippa Greenwood-Jones, a remarkable woman from Moore who has turned her battle with bowel cancer into a mission of advocacy and hope. On 21 August, I had the privilege of meeting Phil, and she shared her story. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with stage III bowel cancer at the age of 40. Despite treatment at the Joondalup Health Campus, her cancer has since spread, and she's currently recovering from chemotherapy. Instead of retreating, Phil has become a voice for others and is here today as an envoy for Bowel Cancer Australia as part of their Call On Canberra campaign, which calls for greater awareness of this disease. She reminds us that bowel cancer does not just affect older Australians. Increasing numbers of younger people are being diagnosed. Phil is urging us to raise awareness, to promote early testing and to ensure that no patient is dismissed because of their age. She also champions the need for continued research and investment so that treatments are better targeted and lives are saved. She speaks honestly about the wider impacts—on families, on children, on careers and on relationships—of facing cancer at a young age. To ensure her voice is heard at the highest level, I have written to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, to share Phil's story and advocate directly to him. Phil's courage, advocacy and commitment to others embody the very best of our community. On behalf of this House and the people of Moore, I want to thank her and commit to carrying her message here in the parliament. (Time expired) Franklin, Private John Wilfrid 37 13:36 Mr GEE 261393 Calare During World War II, over 30,000 Australians became prisoners of war, with the Japanese capturing over 22,000. One of those taken prisoner by the Japanese was Private John Wilfrid Franklin, who was held in Changi, Singapore and, later, Japan. His family sent him numerous letters, not knowing if he was alive, and it took more than two years for most of them to finally be delivered to him. Those letters were held closely by Private Franklin and have survived to this day. Now, eighty years on, his 91-year-old niece, Rae-Maree Curtis from Bathurst, has launched a book titled Letters from Home. Maree has carefully preserved the letters, telegrams, photographs, documents and memorabilia from her uncle's time as a prisoner of war. She spent 18 months compiling the information into this book with the help of her son, Matthew Curtis, and the support of the Bathurst RSL sub-branch. The preservation of these letters is not only significant to Maree's family but also contributes to the broader understanding of the human cost of war both for those in captivity and for their loved ones. I wish to acknowledge and congratulate Maree and Matthew Curtis on this significant and important achievement. I also acknowledge and thank members of the Bathurst RSL sub-branch for their assistance—in particular, John Sutton and his son Owen Sutton. The Australian War Memorial has recognised the significance of the correspondence by accepting it into its official archives. It's vitally important that the sacrifice of those who served our nation in uniform, and the sacrifice of their families, is never forgotten. Lest we forget. Multiculturalism 37 13:37 Ms MASCARENHAS 298800 Swan I was born and bred in the Goldfields, and people may be surprised to find out how multicultural Kambalda was. We attracted skills not just from across Australia but from across the globe, and the truth is that, out there, people didn't care about the colour of your skin. What they wanted to know was whether you were good at your job and whether you'd stick by your mates out in the mines. My parents loved their new community, and they paid it forward by welcoming every single new person. People would come over for dinner and would also get a piece of furniture because my parents were hoarders. This multiculturalism is something that I see in Swan. We have Vietnamese bakeries in Bentley; Indian, Turkish, Lebanese and Somali businesses in Cannington; and Italian, Japanese, Bhutanese, Malaysian, Chinese and Nepalese restaurants in Victoria Park. We are the self-proclaimed restaurant capital of Western Australia. We have Christian, Catholic and Islamic colleges achieving excellence alongside each other. I have said many times that ecosystems are stronger—it's proven scientifically—when they have more diversity. And guess what? So is Australia. Our diversity is our greatest strength. Australia is one of the most egalitarian nations in the world, and you know what? It's because our equality is united by our citizenship bond. That is the real Australia that voted, at the last federal election, for the most multicultural parliament ever. (Time expired) Climate Change 38 13:39 Ms CHANEY 300006 Curtin This month, Australia faces a critical decision. We must submit our 2035 emissions reduction target to the United Nations. This decision will shape our climate policy, guide investment and define our national direction for the next decade. It also contributes to the planet our children will inherit. Based on the evidence, I believe we must aim for at least a 75 per cent emissions reduction target by 2035, and there's strong support for this in my electorate of Curtin. The reality is that, even if the whole world does this, we're likely to see an increase in temperature of 2.3 degrees. So a 100 per cent reduction is preferable, but 75 is an ambitious target that we can realistically achieve. It keeps us on the narrow path to net zero by 2050 and positions us as a leader in the global transition. To aim lower would be to turn away from the science and the opportunity. To gain a competitive edge and position ourselves for prosperity in the net zero global economy of the future, we must send investors a clear signal of our commitment to transformation. This decade presents a choice: we can cling to the climate wars of the past, settle for mediocrity or commit to building the industries, jobs and opportunities of the future. A target of 75 by '35 is that commitment, and all sides of politics should support it to end the climate wars and take a step forward to a future that's cleaner, fairer and more prosperous for all Australians. Robertson Electorate: Tourism 38 13:40 Dr REID 300126 Robertson As many in this chamber may already know, my electorate of Robertson incorporates the magnificent peninsula on the New South Wales Central Coast. The peninsula is home to the suburbs of Woy Woy, Blackwall, Booker Bay, Ettalong Beach and Umina Beach. The peninsula is where I was raised and where I went to school, and it's home to so many of my happy memories as a child. It is also blessed with natural beauty and is surrounded by the iconic Brisbane Water National Park, as well as sparkling waterways and family-friendly beaches. As a popular visitor destination during the summer months for Sydneysiders and people from all parts of Australia and, indeed, the world, a new tourist guide to explore the peninsula has been created. 'The Peninsula Path' has been marvellously put together by local businessowner and passionate local Kate Toon, with design assistance from Sue Waterson. Kate owns and operates the cosy bookshop Umina Beach Book Nook and is so optimistic about our peninsula community. Kate has lived in the area for 16 years and has seen the peninsula transformed from a sleepy seaside community to a thriving destination that's only an hour's drive from Sydney. 'The Peninsula Path' helps tourists discover hidden gems and must-see businesses, including Margarita Daze, Pro Juice, The Box and many others. It's an evolving project, and 'The Peninsula Path' will continue to add local businesses as it develops. Thank you, Kate Toon and all those involved in this magnificent app. Bowel Cancer 38 13:42 Mr YOUNG 201906 Longman This morning, I attended the #Never2Young Bowel Cancer Australia event in the Main Committee Room. It hits most of us because, in some way, shape or form, most of us have had a loved one or someone we know that's been affected by this terrible disease. My mother-in-law passed from bowel cancer, and, unfortunately, they got it too late. It was already in her liver, and she was gone a year after diagnosis, which was incredibly sad for the family. I met with an incredible young woman today, Tara Signall, who is just in her 40s and has suffered with IBS for many, many years. She came home from an overseas trip and something didn't feel right. She went and got checked and she was diagnosed, in her 40s, with bowel cancer. She has a young family. She endured the chemotherapy treatment, which is quite harsh, as we know, but her attitude was superb. She came down today because the perception, which is incorrect, of course, is that bowel cancer is an old person's disease, and, more and more, younger people are being diagnosed with this insidious disease. She wants to spread the awareness so people don't have to suffer like she did. I want to encourage everyone out there, if you're having any sort of symptoms or irregularity in your bowel movements, by all means, no matter how old you are, please make sure you go and get checked out, because the fact of the matter is that, if they can diagnose it early, 90 per cent of the cases are cured. Please go and get yourself checked out and do yourself a favour. NWS Spirit Football Club 38 13:44 Mr LAXALE 299174 Bennelong A massive shout out to Bennelong's very own the NWS Spirit Football Club, who have just been crowned premiers in the National Premier League New South Wales. As a proud local soccer dad and a self-confessed football tragic, I could not be happier to see the Spirit succeed. From early days, only establishing in 2005 as the Gladesville spirit, the club has grown with our community, and their premiership win is a fitting reward for years of hard work on and off the pitch. It wasn't just the men's team who shone this season. The NWS Spirit women's team may have missed the finals, but they finished with a statement—a 3-1 win over Football NSW Institute's first-grade side. That kind of result shows the depth and determination that makes this club so special for men and women, boys and girls. There are some exciting things to come. Christie Park is the Spirit's home ground, and it's set for a huge $1.9 million upgrade, funding five new synthetic futsal courts—funded by the Albanese Labor government. When I was mayor, I planned for this park and funded the construction of stages 1 and 2, and now, as their federal MP, I hope this will truly be the home of football for the north-west. It'll make it even better—good facilities make for good results for football. To coach David Perkovic, chair Frank Marchi, deputy chair Tony Melham, and every player at that wonderful club—congratulations. You've made Bennelong proud. Tobacco Regulation 39 13:45 Ms ALDRED 11788 Monash We have a major problem with illegal tobacco trade in Australia. It is putting lives at risk, increasing smoking rates, driving profits to organised crime and short-changing the Australian Taxation Office. Today marks yet another increase of five per cent on legal cigarettes, which are already taxed at among the highest levels in the world. The policy intention on excise tax is to reduce the number of people, particularly young people, who take up smoking, because of the financial impost. All of us in this place want to see a reduction in the number of people smoking and the number of people who take it up. The unintended policy consequence has been a surging black market of illegal tobacco. At the same time as the tax on cigarettes is going up, the associated government revenue has plummeted. The government cites figures that shows smoking rates among people 14 and above have gone down from 13.8 per cent in 2017 to 8.3 per cent. But as Jon Kaila writes in today's Herald Sun, the latest Australian Criminal Investigation Commission waste water report shows an uptick in nicotine rates. The ABC has reported that violent robberies in Victoria have grown by more than 150 per cent since February 2024 owing to tobacco related crime. I've spoken to a number of retailers about their concerns. They pay tax, they adhere to the regulations, and they are concerned about the safety and wellbeing of their staff. I call on the federal Labor government to urgently review all available options to address this crisis from taxation to law enforcement. (Time expired) Gorton Electorate: Community Events 39 13:47 Ms JORDAN-BAIRD 316021 Gorton While the blue light disco days might be over, Blue Light's mission is still making waves in our community. I recently saw the Blue Light youth program in action at Creekside College in Caroline Springs. This powerful initiative gives secondary students hands-on experiences with police and emergency services, fostering trust, open communication and a sense of belonging. That confidence, resilience and strong sense of community is essential to keeping the future of our youth and our community bright. Thank you to Principal Peter Dalinkiewicz, Elissa and Caroline from Blue Light, and the police at the Caroline Springs Police Station for all that you do to keep our communities and youth safe. Congratulations to the Green Gully Soccer Club on their 70 year anniversary. In 1955, Maltese migrants saw a need in our community and they provided, with one of the strongest clubs in the National Premier League in Victoria, right in the heart of Keilor Downs. I always love going to the Green Gully Reserve to support your games and grabbing a pastizz from the canteen. Green Gully's success comes from the committed members and volunteers who work hard week in and week out. Shoutout to Anthony, Raymond, Bianca and the rest of the executive team. I also acknowledge the late Harry Moaks OAM, Paul Azzopardi and Frank Kolbi. Their legacy will never be forgotten. Up the gully! Bowel Cancer 39 13:48 Mr BIRRELL 288713 Nicholls Today I was pleased to lodge the Parliamentary Friends of Bowel Cancer with my co-chair the member for Adelaide. Bowel Cancer Australia is in the parliament today, including 50 inspiring young people from across the country who represent the growing number of early-onset patients. Bowel cancer has affected my own family, and today I send a shoutout and my best wishes to Trent. Tegan, from my electorate of Nicholls, is in the gallery and one of the most inspirational people I've met. Prior to her visit today, we shared a coffee in her hometown of Kilmore, and she told me her story of being diagnosed with bowel cancer at age 39. Tegan has endured chemotherapy and radiation, all while being a mum to three young kids. There are positive signs that Tegan is on track for a healthy outcome, and she is using her experience to raise awareness, because she doesn't want other people to go through this. She wants more people to be aware that bowel cancer happens to people under the age of 50. We need to encourage screening and develop clinical practice guidelines for people who are going through this at a younger age. We need to invest more into research about the cause of early-onset bowel cancer. Bowel cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, but it still claims the lives of 101 Australians every week. Tegan has been through so much, but she maintains an incredibly positive attitude. We owe it to all of those brave ambassadors here today to help raise the level of awareness about early-onset bowel cancer and of how early diagnosis can save lives. Domestic and Family Violence 40 13:50 Ms LAWRENCE 299150 Hasluck Every 44 minutes, a restraining order is breached in Western Australia. That is how serious domestic violence is. Equipping victims with safe, untraceable phones provides an instant, secure lifeline when they need it most. That is why I'm proud to support DV Safe Phone, which is a national charity providing victims with a vital lifeline—a safe, untraceable phone to call for help, to stay connected with loved ones and to work with the police and frontline services when they are in danger. Already more than 1,600 Western Australians have received a DV Safe Phone. Here's the thing: I call on every Western Australian to find one of the 22 million phones that are in everyone's drawers, get it out and donate it to DV Safe Phone. You can do that now, because my office is a drop box location. I call on every single MP in this place and at state level to become a DV Safe Phone location. People know where we are. They can easily find us to drop off a phone. It is then cleared and repaired, if needed, and, importantly, provided with a SIM card so people can't be traced. Akita Princi, a survivor, spoke to me about having her phone hacked and her Facebook page and everything else being tracked and followed. Let's put an end to this. Let's get those unused phones into drop box locations and support people in need. Education: Civics 40 13:51 Mr BATT 315478 Hinkler Delivering and advocating for civics education is an absolute priority of mine. Whilst the Speaker has made the admirable commitment to visit each of our electorates around the nation to help spread the good word, my undertaking is to visit every single school in Hinkler throughout this term. That's a total of 54 schools. These schools are filled with thousands of students, our aspiring leaders of tomorrow, and some are already making their mark as the exceptional young leaders of today—including Sarah, a year 11 student from Urangan State High School, who I met here in Canberra last week. Sarah was selected as one of 12 in the country to participate in Research Australia's Future Health Leaders program. Having received a replica parliamentary mace from the Speaker, I'm very pleased to report that it has been on tour with me and is a very popular talking point. In Hervey Bay, I've presented flags and spoken with students who are striving for success at Sandy Strait State School. In the Bundaberg region, I've attended both Goodwood and Bundaberg South state schools. And, with immense pride, I returned to my former school, Bundaberg State High School. It was there I launched the My First Speech competition. (Time expired) Human Rights: Tibetan Australians 40 13:52 Ms TEMPLEMAN 181810 Macquarie Every Australian deserves to feel safe in our country, and that includes our newest Australians. At the weekend in the Blue Mountains, we welcomed nearly 70 new Australian citizens, including Tibetans. With my Tibetan friends in the gallery, I want to highlight that, unfortunately, foreign interference is real for some communities. For Tibetans, it can mean that calls to family members in Tibet may be monitored or their community activities here may be under surveillance by foreign actors, which is intimidating and can lead to self-censorship, especially when speaking out about their or their family's experiences of arrest and torture. There's no place for transnational repression here in Australia. I will continue to work with the Tibetan community, including to ensure they feel confident reporting any attempts to intimidate them. As we mark the 90th birthday this year of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, I want to reiterate the government's view that no government should interfere in the selection of religious leaders, and successions should be allowed to occur in accordance with religious norms and practices. That is the case for the next Dalai Lama, although we know that this one is planning a very long life. The Albanese government has expressed deep concern over the erosion of human rights and freedoms in Tibet. It has urged the Chinese government to uphold the fundamental human rights of Tibetan people and to enter into genuine dialogue with the Dalai Lama to achieve long-term peace and freedom for Tibet. Social Cohesion 40 13:54 Ms BELL 282981 Moncrieff I am an Australian and I'm proud to be an Australian and I'm proud of our Australian flag. Do those opposite feel as proud of our nation as we do on this side of the House; are they as proud of our national flag as we are—because, if they were proud of our nation, our multiculturalism and our rich Indigenous history, they would not be sitting idly by as our flag is set alight in the streets, and they certainly wouldn't be tolerating the pro-terrorism chants we saw on the weekend. This government and prime minister are weak. Their leadership is weak, and, as a result, they are dividing our nation. That is all this government has to show for itself after three years. It all started with the failed and divisive Voice referendum that cost taxpayers $450 million. Australians don't want to see tragic scenes of division and unrest on their TV screens or social feeds every night. We should be uplifting our migrant and Indigenous communities and supporting all Australians, supporting all communities, not pitting them against each other. Thanks to Labor, there has never been a more precarious time of civil unrest in this country. Australia is fractured, and social cohesion is on a knife's edge. Those opposite only have themselves to blame. They should reflect on their weak leadership. They only have themselves to blame. Dewey, Mr Cody 41 13:55 Mr REPACHOLI 298840 Hunter The Hunter is a region built on champion sporting legends past and present—and plenty more to come. And the next chapter is already here. Cessnock's own Cody Dewey has been called up to wear the green and gold at the 2025 PDC world youth darts championships. In October he's flying to the UK, carrying the Hunter spirit with him and representing the whole country. It's no surprise he's been picked. By day Cody is a hardworking boily; by night he's a dart-throwing machine. He's a bloke who puts in the hours on the tools and also on the board. It's the sort of grit and grind that really makes champions. From my own days as an Olympic shooter, I know what that takes—the discipline, the sacrifice and the hours that nobody else sees. Cody's got this in spades. And, mate, when you bring it home in October, don't forget to celebrate. Make sure you get out and have a good drink, because you deserve it. It's bloody good to see a young sportsman from the Hunter stepping up and showing the world what we're made of. The Hunter isn't just about coal and power, wine and grapes, and thoroughbreds. We're Australia's real sporting capital. Cody, the whole region's behind you, mate. Go smash it and make us proud. I hope we hear these words uttered a lot on the day:180! The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 I just remind the member for Hunter there are some words I'd rather not hear in the parliament, and you will not repeat that. Social Cohesion 41 13:57 Ms LEY 00AMN Farrer Australia's way of life is built on the values of fairness, tolerance and respect. We are a migrant nation built by generations of people who chose this country, who worked hard and who came together. That strength is now being tested. Since Hamas's barbarism on 7 October 2023, new pressures have been placed on our social cohesion. There have been multiple failures of government to keep our community safe and together. Synagogues have been firebombed, with our Jewish community under siege. Week after week, protests have taken place across our cities. We had the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the opera house turned into backdrops for division, with overt support for terrorist organisations. People of goodwill have been at demonstrations, but their voices have been consistently hijacked by those glorifying terrorism. That can never be accepted. This past weekend, rallies occurred across Australia, attended by people of goodwill but hijacked by violent neo-Nazis spouting hate and racism. That can never be accepted. Extremism has no place in Australia. We must never import the bitterness of overseas conflicts into our communities. What unites us as Australians will always be stronger than those who seek to divide us. That unity is at risk. The coalition stands ready to work with the government to repair our social cohesion. This is a moment that demands leadership. The Prime Minister must show that leadership now. Willaston Sporting Club 41 13:59 Mr BURNELL 300129 Spence I want to tell the House about a proud sporting club based in my electorate of Spence, one that I was proud to recently join for their much-anticipated sponsors' day: the Willaston Sporting Club, better known as the Donnybrooks. More than just a football club, they're a vital part of the community's identity, bringing together generations of players, families, volunteers and sponsors since 1889. They play on grounds rich in history—once a World War II RAAF base, later a migrant hostel and now Elliot Goodger Memorial Park, named after a local mayor who served his community with distinction. Like most sporting clubs across the community, at Willaston they are bound by a shared love of footy, netball, cricket and the unmistakable smell of Deep Heat from the sheds. But the club has grown far beyond its humble facilities, fielding more teams across all ages and genders without the modern infrastructure needed to keep pace. That's why the town of Gawler has developed a comprehensive master plan for the precinct in close consultation with the Donnybrooks and local residents. The goal is clear: facilities that reflect the modern game, encourage participation and honour the club's legacy. I'll continue working with council to help bring that vision to life, because Donnybrooks have earned it and this community deserves it. In closing, congratulations to the under-16 girls and the senior women on both securing a 2025 flag. The SPEAKER 53517 In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded. QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE 42 QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Aged Care 42 14:00 Ms LEY 00AMN Farrer My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. The Albanese government has promised to deliver 83,000 new home-care packages. Minister, how many of these promised packages have been delivered? 14:01 Mr RAE 300122 Hawke I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. In the last term of parliament, the now Minister for Communications moved the new Aged Care Act through the parliament with bipartisan support and, indeed, with cooperation from those on the crossbench as well. As part of the new Aged Care Act, which provides for a rights based framework for older people receiving care in Australia, we also see the Support at Home program, to which the Leader of the Opposition's question pertains. This is an entirely new program. It is an overhaul of the old home-care packages program. We've seen enormous growth in the demand for home care across our community. In fact, since 2020, the home-care program has grown from 155,000 people to over 300,000 people. In federal government expenditure terms, that growth looks like 800 per cent growth over a decade. Now, the Leader of the Opposition is quite right. Support at Home, which will come into effect from 1 November, along with the new Aged Care Act, will deliver an additional 83,000 home-care packages in the form of Support at Home, which will mean that 83,000 additional older Australians, on top of the more than 300,000 who are already receiving care— Ms Ley 00AMN I raise a point of order on relevance. With respect, I've listened to the minister for half of the allotted answer time and he hasn't answered the question, which was very tight and very direct: how many of these packages have been delivered? The SPEAKER 53517 I thank the leader for her point of order. The minister was asked a specific question about a number, and, as she knows, under the standing orders I can't direct the minister to answer in the way she would like. He can't go into alternative policies or what the opposition is doing. He's got to make it relevant, and he is doing so by talking about the new packages and when they're coming in. I know you'd like a number, but, at this stage, he's being directly relevant, and I'll continue to make sure he is. Mr RAE 300122 As I was saying, Support at Home will come into effect from 1 November alongside the new Aged Care Act, which provides the legislative framework for the new home-care approach that we are taking. We will deliver an additional 83,000 packages from 1 November in the first 12 months of Support at Home. That's on top of the more than 300,000 Australians that are currently receiving home-care packages who will be transitioned into the Support at Home program. Between now and November, we will continue to allocate packages every single week to older Australians who are in need of care. We will continue to allocate them at an average of above 2,000 packages per week, and every single Australian who is assessed through a clinical assessment process as high priority will receive their package within a month. The Albanese Labor government is absolutely committed to ensuring that older people all across Australia receive the care that they need and that they deserve. Cost of Living 42 14:04 Mr HOLZBERGER 88411 Forde My question is to the Prime Minister. How is the Albanese Labor government strengthening Medicare while easing cost-of-living pressures for Australians? 14:04 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler I thank the member for Forde for his question. Indeed, he understands and is proud of the fact that Labor created Medicare. It's also a fact that Labor created the PBS. Of course, our Labor government is very much focused on strengthening both while delivering real cost-of-living relief. In our first term, we brought down the cost of a PBS script from $42 to $30. That was the first time that PBS scripts had actually been lowered. Ever since it was introduced, they'd gone up—every now and again, over the years—so that they reached that point. We reduced it from $42 to $30, consistent with the policy that we took to the 2022 election. Indeed, that was the first reduction in the cost of medicines in eight decades—promised and then delivered. But we know that there is more work to do. So, at this election, after I addressed the big Pharmacy Guild conference—the first Prime Minister to do so—we promised to slash the cost of a PBS script to just $25. But, importantly as well, we have frozen the cost for concession cardholders to just $7.70 for the rest of the decade, making PBS medicines, at $25, the cheapest they have been since 2004. Bulk-billing is, of course, at the heart of Medicare, and it's also at the heart of our plans to ease the cost of living, so we've tripled the bulk-billing incentive first. We did it for concession cardholders, and we are now doing it for all Australians. We are investing $8½ billion to cover all 26 million Australians. In addition to that, we are delivering 50 additional Medicare urgent care clinics, meaning there'll be a network of some 137 clinics that have already serviced 1.6 million Australians. In addition to that, we're establishing 1800MEDICARE, a 24/7 health advice and bulk-billing hotline. Medicare is a Labor legacy. It is central to what makes us the best country on earth. Our government will strengthen Medicare, and we will defend it so that all Australians can get the high-quality health care that they deserve, making an enormous difference to not only the health but also the living standards of Australians. Aged Care 43 14:07 Ms LEY 00AMN Farrer My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. And allow us to assist the new minister. Of Labor's promised 83,000 new home-care packages, zero have been delivered! Meanwhile, more than 200,000 Australians are still waiting for either a home-care package or an assessment for a package. Will the minister apologise to these 200,000 elderly Australians and their families for this betrayal? 14:08 Mr RAE 300122 Hawke I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question, and I can perhaps assist the Leader of the Opposition to better understand some of the matters to which she refers. Firstly, the Support at Home program, to which the opposition has been supportive in moving the initial legislation, provides the legislative framework for Support at Home. The members opposite will understand that the legislation they voted for is a requirement for Support at Home packages to be delivered, so those 83,000 can begin to be delivered from the time the legislation comes into effect. Secondly, as I mentioned before, in the meantime, we will continue to deliver packages each and every single week—the average being above 2,000 packages per week—to ensure that Australians continue to receive the care that they need; we will ensure that every single Australian who is assessed as high priority will continue to receive their package within a month; and, from 1 November, we will continue to invest in the Support at Home program as the key mechanism for delivering the in-home care that older Australians tell us that they want. Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme 43 14:09 Dr FREELANDER 265979 Macarthur My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. How is the Albanese Labor government ensuring that life-changing medicines continue to be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme? Why is this so important? 14:10 Mr BUTLER HWK Hindmarsh on indulgence—Before I answer that question, I welcome the red T-shirts to the chamber, people with lived experience of early onset bowel cancer. Rates of this are exploding in Australia and many other countries around the world. They've come to Canberra to talk about their deeply powerful personal stories with members across the chamber. On behalf of the chamber, I'd like to thank them for doing that over the course of today. Honourable members: Hear, hear! Mr BUTLER HWK I thank the member for Macarthur for that question. He knows very much about the PBS, and, as the Prime Minister said, it truly is one of the core pillars of Australia's world-leading healthcare system, yet another feature of our healthcare system introduced by another reforming Labor government almost 80 years ago. It delivers access to the world's best medicines at affordable prices, and this government has been working hard to make those prices even more affordable. Four waves of cheaper medicines policies in our first term of government have already saved Australians more than $1½ billion in co-payments at the pharmacy counter. But those huge savings don't account for the huge benefit of 350 new or amended listings that we have made to the PBS in our time in government. The member for Macarthur, a deeply experienced paediatrician, knows just how impactful asthma is to Australia's children and young people. Every day almost 40 children are hospitalised by asthma and tens of thousands more struggle with everyday activities like playing sport or playing in the playground. Today is the beginning of the national asthma awareness week, so it's a terrific day to announce a new PBS listing that takes effect today: Dupixent, a highly effective medicine for serious asthma which is not responding to even quite high-intensity treatments. There are kids like Jack, a 10-year-old from south-western Sydney who was first admitted to Campbelltown Hospital when he was just three. Jack's mum has been saying that, even on a preventer inhaler, he couldn't play sport and couldn't run around with his friends at birthday parties. But several months ago he got early access to Dupixent, and his mum, Sarah, said recently: 'It's been a miracle. Last week we had our school sports carnival, and Jack came third. Previously, he wouldn't have even been able to take part.' That's the beauty of the PBS. Before today's listing, Jack's family would have paid $11,000 a year for that; from today, they'll pay $31, and from 1 January next year, if the Senate passes our bill, they'll pay just $25. That's great for Jack's health but also great for his family's hip pocket. Aged Care 44 14:13 Dr HAINES 282335 Indi My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. Last week the department of health and aged care confirmed that there are more than 120,000 people waiting for a home-care assessment on top of the 87,000 people waiting for a package. The department also confirmed that no additional plans have been released beyond the attrition rate. Will the government release 20,000 new home-care places now to stop the waitlist growing longer? 14:14 Mr RAE 300122 Hawke I thank the member for Indi for her question and acknowledge her genuine interest in ensuring that our reforms to aged care deliver safety, dignity and compassionate care to older Australians across all of our communities. In the last term of parliament, as I said, the Minister for Communications, with support from across the parliament, passed the new Aged Care Act, and we're preparing to implement it on 1 November, which is just two months from today, along with the Support at Home program to which the member's question pertains. At 31 March this year, the quarterly national priority system waitlist showed 87,597 people who have been approved for a home-care package through the clinical assessment process. As I said earlier, we continue to allocate an average of more than 2,000 home-care packages to people on the NPS every week. Those assessed as high priority will continue to receive their packages within a month. I'll say it again: those assessed as high priority will continue to receive their packages within a single month. Assessment for broader aged-care services forms a different process—a related one but a different one. We acknowledge that wait times for aged-care assessments are longer than we would like, and we are working to address this. Record numbers of Australians are both seeking and receiving home-care services—more care to more Australians than ever before. Last year alone, over 521,000 home support and comprehensive assessments were completed, and we currently have more than 300,000 older Australians receiving home-care packages. Only some people waiting for an assessment will ever end up on the national priority system. The assessment list contains those seeking lower level care, along with significant crossover and duplication of numbers on the national priority system. For example, 99 per cent of people waiting for a home-care package at their approved level are already receiving home care through a lower level home-care package or are approved for Commonwealth Home Support Package services and so are already receiving some level of care. The median wait time for an aged-care-needs assessment, from when a referral is issued to when the support plan is completed, is currently 25 days and continues to reduce under our new single assessment system. There are a number of reasons why home-care packages have freed up, but the important thing here is that every allocation of a package means another older Australian gets the care that they need. We know the system is not fit for purpose, and that's exactly why we're reforming this system from the ground up. Big reforms don't happen overnight, but we're working to deliver a smooth transition in just two months from today—one that minimises impacts to older Australians and gets them the care that they need quicker than it has been done before. Women's Health 44 14:17 Ms BYRNES 299145 Cunningham My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Women. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to deliver better choices, lower costs and better health care for women? 14:17 Ms CATHERINE KING 00AMR Ballarat I thank the member for Cunningham very much for her question and for her interest in advocacy for women's health. I also acknowledge both the previous and current assistant ministers who have done such a magnificent job in promoting women's health policy. This government is building Australia's future through strengthening Medicare, and delivering cheaper medicines is part of that. These investments will deliver more choice, lower cost and better health care for women and will also help with the cost of living and lifting women's living standards. This week, of course, is Women's Health Week, and it is a chance for the whole parliament to focus on the issues that affect over half of our population. Earlier this year, Labor announced an historic $790 million women's health package to bring more choice, lower costs and better health care to women. We introduced cheaper contraceptives, including for some of the most used contraceptive pills that are now listed on the PBS. Thousands of scripts have been issued since we made that decision, making a real impact on women's cost of living. We've also expanded support for women experiencing menopause, with greater Medicare support and a new Medicare rebate for menopause health assessments. Those are now available, alongside new training for professionals and the first-ever clinical guidelines and a national awareness campaign on menopause. We've also opened over 22 endo and pelvic pain clinics go, with 11 more of them to come, again making a significant and material difference for women across this country. From 1 July 2025, as I said, two new Medicare benefits schedule items were introduced for menopausal and perimenopausal health assessments, with approximately over 2½ thousand women already accessing that scheme. We've delivered the first PBS listing of a new menopausal hormone therapy in over 20 years, and now thousands of women are able to access that. From 1 July this year, greater support has also been provided for women who have complex conditions such as endometriosis and pelvic pain, with two new MBS items also introduced. This means Australian women are getting the medicine that they need. We know that, last week, legislation to see scripts costing no more than $25 from 1 January next year passed this House. We hope that it passes the Senate this week. The last time scripts were this low was back in 2004, over 20 years ago. Over the last three years, we've worked incredibly hard to make sure Australian women are heard when it comes to their health care, to help with the cost of living, to lift standards of living for women and to strengthen Medicare. It makes a difference for women across this country. DISTINGUISHED VISITORS 45 DISTINGUISHED VISITORS Vea Vea, Councillor Kelly, Williamson, Councillor Greg, Collins, Councillor Ry, Sharabi, Mr Eli, Entsch, the Hon. Warren, Joinbee, Mr Daniel 45 14:20 The SPEAKER 53517 Before I call the member for Grey, I'll acknowledge a few guests in the gallery today. I'm pleased to acknowledge delegates from the Greater Whitsunday in the electorate of Dawson, including Councillor Kelly Vea Vea, Councillor Greg Williamson and Councillor Ry Collins. I'd also like to inform the House that present in the gallery is Mr Eli Sharabi, an Israeli former hostage held for 491 days, accompanied by the ambassador. I also notice the Hon. Warren Entsch, former member for Leichhardt, in the gallery today with the founder and managing director of Gunggandji Aerospace, the CEO Mr Daniel Joinbee. Welcome to you all. Honourable members: Hear, hear! QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE 45 QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Aged Care 45 14:21 Mr VENNING 315434 Grey My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. In my electorate, a 90-year-old constituent who suffers from Parkinson's has been told it will be up to 12 months before he receives a home-care package. His daughter has to give up her permanent job as a teacher to care for him. As a result of Labor deferring the commencement of home-care packages from 1 July to 1 November, a vulnerable 90-year-old Australian is suffering for too long. Will the minister, as an immediate priority, expedite the delivery of this man's package before it is too late? 14:21 Mr RAE 300122 Hawke I thank the member for their question. This is clearly an important case to the member and to the community. I acknowledge the difficulties being experienced by people such as the member's question refers to. If the member can provide me with the details, I'll personally follow up as a matter of urgency to see what can be done. Opposition members interjecting— Mr RAE 300122 Stories like this remind us exactly why our reform program is so important. Our generational reforms will deliver aged care of the highest quality for older Australians, the people who have given so much to our country and who deserve nothing less than the very best care. Central to this is the Support at Home program, which will make it possible for older people to live independently at home for longer, with higher levels of care available close to family and in their own communities. With an ageing population, demand for home-care packages has been growing very, very fast. Today we have more than 300,000 Australians receiving a home-care package, and that's double the number from about five years ago. As I've said before, we are delivering more care to more Australians than ever before. From 1 November, as Support at Home begins, we will make available more than 80,000 new home-care places in the first 12 months of Support at Home. Until then, my No. 1 priority is making sure that older Australians continue to receive services, which is why packages are being released every single week to the people who need them most. Right now, more than 2,000 new packages are being allocated each and every single week. I can assure the House that anyone and everyone assessed as high priority through the clinical assessment process will continue to receive their package within a month. The short delay in commencing the new Aged Care Act is about ensuring programs like Support at Home are fully ready for older Australians and their families. Now, from 1 November, we will deliver the extra packages, we will ensure that those people who are currently receiving home care continue to receive that home care, and we will continue to work across the parliament to make sure that older Australians receive the very best care that they possibly can. The SPEAKER 53517 There's far too much interjection from the member for Nicholls. He'll leave the chamber under 94(a). I simply cannot have continual interjection after interjection after interjection. It will not be tolerated. Health Care 46 14:24 Ms CLUTTERHAM 316101 Sturt My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. How is the Albanese Labor government strengthening Medicare by opening more urgent care clinics? 14:24 Mr BUTLER HWK Hindmarsh Thank you to the member for Sturt, the first Labor candidate to win the seat of Sturt since the 1960s. As a candidate, the now member for Sturt was one of the most passionate advocates for our women's health policies, joining me at a number of key policy announcements. She was also a campaigner for a stronger Medicare more broadly and, in particular, had her commitment for an urgent care clinic in Adelaide's east. Last term we promised to deliver 50 urgent care clinics, and we delivered 87 of them. All of them are open seven days a week for extended hours and, importantly, fully bulk-billed. So, all you needed to take was your Medicare card. Already, almost 1.9 million Australians have been seen in an urgent care clinic, a third of them kids under the age of 15 who've fallen off their skateboard or their bike or injured themselves at Saturday afternoon sport. A third of all consultations have been on the weekend. Importantly, the majority of participants— Ms Penfold 248895 What about Taree? The SPEAKER 53517 Order! The member for Lyne is now warned. I'm going to ask you to cease interjecting for the remainder of this answer and question time. Someone left for that precise moment. We're going to hear from the minister in silence. Mr BUTLER HWK A majority of people going to these clinics say, otherwise, they'd have had to go to the local ED. These clinics are particularly making a huge difference to parents, when their kids have suddenly fallen ill or got injured. Last fortnight I visited the Elizabeth Medicare urgent care clinic with the member for Spence yet again; I've been there a number of times. You just have to look at Google reviews to see it's full of stories of parents doing exactly that— Mr Littleproud 265585 Go to Taree! The SPEAKER 53517 The Leader of the Nationals is not helping. Mr BUTLER HWK like Felicity, who has had to take her daughter, who has a disability, to that clinic three times already, or Kelly, who took her son to the clinic when he split his head open, or Jessica, who'd recently taken her two-year-old whose hand was swelling dangerously after a particularly nasty bite. All of those parents would otherwise have ended up at the Lyell McEwin Hospital emergency department, waiting for hours and hours and hours. Our 87 clinics, there's no doubt, no matter what they say opposite, are making a real difference. But we said to the Australian people at the last election we want to do more, and that's why we promised another 50 urgent care clinics on top of that. Three of them are already open, 44 of them are already subject to an open-tender process and the remaining three, just a small number, will have their tender process open very soon. I'm delighted to say that one of those 44 currently open for tender will be in eastern Adelaide, in the electorate of Sturt. That's another example of candidates like the member for Sturt and this government delivering on the commitments we gave to the Australian people. Aged Care 46 14:28 Mr LLEW O'BRIEN 265991 Wide Bay My question is for the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, and I refer to the government's decision to delay home-care-package rollouts from 1 July to 1 November. Almost 5,000 elderly Australians have died in the past year while on a waiting list for a home-care package. Will the minister apologise to these 5,000 families who have faced this tragedy and lost a loved one, and, Minister, how many more elderly Australians will have to die waiting for the government to stop the delays and commence the rollout? 14:29 Mr RAE 300122 Hawke I thank the member for the question. I'm always saddened when we hear of older Australians, whether they are in care or waiting for care, passing away. It's always distressing for people across the parliament and from any political party or crossbench group to hear of those stories. I offer my condolences to those families. It's the greatest example of why our reform process is so very important. The deferral to which the member's question refers is essentially arising from the nature of the legislation, which had bipartisan support and was passed through the last parliament. The legislative framework for the Support at Home program is enshrined within the legislation. The Support at Home program cannot begin before the legislation comes into effect. That will happen on 1 November, and from 1 November we will deliver an additional 83,000 packages under the Support at Home program as well as continue to support the more than 300,000 Australians who are currently cared for under our record Home Care Packages Program. Multiculturalism 47 14:30 Ms AMBIHAIPAHAR 315618 Barton My question is to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. How is the Albanese Labor government strengthening and building upon the success that is multicultural Australia? 14:30 Dr ALY 13050 Cowan I thank the wonderful member for Barton for her question and I welcome her to this place. She has already made an incredible contribution, and I know that she will continue to make an incredible contribution while she's here. For the first time, Australia has a standalone minister for multicultural affairs in cabinet, and I must say I'm incredibly humbled to be appointed to this position and I'm excited to have launched the new office for multicultural affairs. If I may, I'd like to take a moment to just reflect on the composition of this parliament here today, one that is beginning to reflect modern Australia and one that is very different from the one I delivered my first speech to in 2016. In this 48th Parliament we have the most multiculturally diverse government this nation has ever seen. Across the chamber we now see representatives with diverse heritage, just like Australia and the communities we represent. The anti-immigration protests on the weekend highlight, however, that questions of belonging and inclusion linger despite our successes. This government stands with all Australians, no matter where they were born, against those who seek to divide us and intimidate migrant communities. I want to be clear and unequivocal: targeting specific ethnic groups, like the wave of anti-Indian sentiment that we saw over the weekend, is racism—full stop. There is no excuse, no nuance, no justification. No-one in Australia should have to justify their belonging in this country, and this Albanese Labor government believes that every Australian, whatever their race or religion, wherever they or their parents were born, should be able to feel safe and at home in any community, without prejudice and without discrimination. Multiculturalism isn't just about a celebration of festivals and food; it is about ensuring everyone is empowered to participate in this democracy. That's why we continue to support the important work of our special envoys to combat Islamophobia and antisemitism, and that's why we have an office of multicultural affairs. Multiculturalism shouldn't be a policy that's tucked away somewhere in a file. It is about the character of modern Australia. It is about our modern identity, both in this nation and in our region. It should be about enabling fairness, respect and inclusion. That's how this Albanese Labor government sees a multicultural Australia, and that is what we aspire to do. Aged Care 47 14:33 Mrs McINTOSH 281513 Lindsay My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. When the government was asked in August about delays to the rollout of home-care packages, the minister said of the aged-care sector that 'they weren't ready'. However, as part of an aged-care Senate inquiry, every provider that appeared at that hearing, including UnitingCare's representative, said, 'We have capacity to take on people now.' Why is Labor blaming the hardworking sector for its own incompetence and failures? 14:34 Mr RAE 300122 Hawke I thank the member for her question. As I said, in the last parliament, the Minister for Communications passed the new Aged Care Act with the support of those opposite and with cooperation from across the parliament. The new Aged Care Act brings along with it the Support at Home program, to which the member's question relates. While it's encouraging to hear that there are providers who are enthusiastic, at this point, about delivering additional packages, we want these reforms to be delivered in a way that minimises disruption for older people. This is a system-wide reform that changes the way that care is delivered. We're spending each and every day until 1 November making sure that this system works for older people. Cybersafety 48 14:35 Ms PAYNE 144732 Canberra My question is to the Minister for Communications. How will the Albanese Labor government's world-leading social media minimum age law protect young Australians online? 14:35 Ms WELLS 264121 Lilley I thank the member for Canberra for her question, and I'm sure everybody in this place joins me in wishing her all the very best for the months ahead. We absolutely cannot wait for the next junior vice-undersecretary of Canberra to join us back in this place very soon. Today we have hit a significant milestone in the Albanese Labor government's mission to reduce online harms experienced by young Australians. We have 100 days to go until the start of our world-leading social media minimum age reforms. A hundred days until we give kids three more years to build real-world connections and online resilience; 100 days until our children are empowered to know who they are before platforms assume who they are. Delaying access to social media until the age of 16 will protect young Australians at a critical stage of their development. It will allow families reprieve from the pervasive and persuasive pull of social media platforms. The onus will be on the platforms, not the parents, to make sure under-16s cannot access social media. Because, if social media companies are using our data for their own commercial benefit, I don't think it is too much to ask for them to also use that for the benefit of Australian kids and their safety online. This belief is backed by the findings of the 1,200 page age assurance trial, published today in full. The trial report shows that age assurance online isn't just possible, but it can be done privately, effectively and efficiently. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to age assurance online, there are a range of technologies that can keep kids off social media and protect them from violent and explicit content. There is no perfect solution when it comes to keeping young Australians safer online, but our world-leading reforms will make a meaningful difference, which is why I was incredibly disappointed to see the coalition team up with the Greens and conservative conspirators to pass a motion in the Senate designed to sow doubt and fear about online age assurance. While the Greens and coalition seem to be teaming up to protect the interests of platforms with big tech talking points, the Albanese government is firmly on the side of parents. Online platforms can target children with chilling control, and now we are mandating they use that same control to give kids three more years to build real-world resilience. Australia should be immensely proud that, as a country, we are prioritising the online safety of our children and leading the world with these reforms. Migration 48 14:38 Mr KATTER HX4 Kennedy Prime Minister, you'd be aware that three appropriations bills before the House require a hundred billion dollars in funding. The appropriation 10 years ago required only $50 billion. Another $50 billion is required to house the 400,000 people coming from overseas each year, particularly the 92 per cent of them who go to Sydney and Melbourne. Wouldn't the urgent demand of 80 per cent of Australians to stop migration save $50 billion this year, plus wouldn't a reserve resource policy on gas provide another $32 billion a year? Greenlighting the Galilee coal project and its rail line would provide yet another $17 billion. Shouldn't the government be about carrying out the will of the people and creating economic development? 14:39 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler I make two points to the member for Kennedy before I ask the Minister for Resources to comment on the issues you raise regarding resources policy. First, regarding the will of the people, those are called elections, and we have a proud democracy in this country. I defend it. And people in this country voted for a government that would understand that modern Australia is, as the minister has just reflected, a different nation to the one it was under the White Australia policy some time ago. They voted for a government that would understand that our diversity is a strength in modern Australia, and it provides us with incredible economic opportunity as well, due to the diaspora here and their connections with every country on the planet. With regard to the figures—I don't accept some of the figures that he's raised. I'm not sure what the basis of them is, but I can refer to the latest NOM—the net overseas migration—which was down 37 per cent on an annual figure in the last figures that were raised in 2024. I'd ask the minister to comment. 14:40 Ms MADELEINE KING 102376 Brand Thank you, Prime Minister. The member for Kennedy referred to a resources reservation policy, and I'm happy to discuss that briefly. There are now many calls across many parts of the community for reservations of gas, in particular. This is something brought on by industrial users and manufacturers. Indeed, even those opposite have announced a reservation policy of their own—a great change from when they failed to support the Western Australian reservation policy, which has proved enormously successful for the price of gas and access to gas in Western Australia. At the moment, the government has reviewed the gas market regulations. There is a consultation paper out, and there have been many submissions to it. One of the concepts we put forward as a government was around a framework to ensure that domestic supply is secured for the east coast. Another part of our resources reservation policy goes to the Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve, which is about building up a national asset to make sure that we not only have a supply of critical minerals but also are a reliable supplier of critical minerals and rare earths to our partners right around the world. It will allow us to work with our partners, together, against disruptions and from a position of real strength. I look forward to the member for Kennedy's support for that reserve. I note that those opposite were very quick to dismiss the reserve and, indeed, oppose it, which is quite unusual, given they support a gas reserve but not a critical minerals reserve. That might go to some of the confusion opposite between gas and critical minerals—as we know, they have named gas as a critical mineral in the past. I hope they won't do that again. I thank the member for Kennedy for his question. Workplace Relations 49 14:42 Mr GEORGANAS DZY Adelaide My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. How is the Albanese Labor government progressing its commitment to help people to earn more and keep more of what they earn? 14:42 Ms RISHWORTH HWA Kingston I'd like to thank the member for Adelaide for that important question. Like everyone on this side of the House, we are committed to advocating for working Australians. I'm very, very pleased to update the House that, on Saturday, our bill to protect overtime and penalty rates for some of our lowest-paid workers came into effect. Because of the Albanese government, for the first time, retail award workers working yesterday and relying on Sunday penalty rates were reassured that their pay packets are now protected. This was a clear commitment that we took to the election, and we have now delivered for the 2.6 million award workers who rely on penalty and overtime rates. Last Friday, I had the absolute privilege of meeting several essential workers who rely on penalty rates. One retail worker, Rukman, who works Saturdays and Sundays to support his children, told me it was a huge relief that we are now protecting a critical part of his take-home pay. Liz, a supermarket worker who works nights, said she felt relieved by the news that our legislation had passed the parliament and was coming into effect. Protecting penalty and overtime rates was a priority for the government because there were current applications before the Fair Work Commission that would have stripped penalty and overtime rates from workers, meaning their pay would have gone backwards. If, for example, the retail award application had been successful, it is estimated that some retail workers could have been $10,000 worse off. This threat to pay packets is why our government took clear and decisive action. Our government would not stand by and watch workers' pay go backwards. Central to this government's agenda is ensuring that Australians earn more and keep more of what they earn. Since we've been elected, Aussie workers, on average, are earning an additional $9,000 per year extra. Our government has made a submission for the minimum award wage increases at the Fair Work Commission every single year since we've been in government. We've introduced important measures to stop labour hire workers being unfairly underpaid for doing the same job as their counterparts. The Albanese labour government has backed and funded pay rises for early educators and for aged-care workers, finally valuing the critical work that they do. On top of getting wages moving, we are providing a tax cut for every single Australian taxpayer. This Labor government is backing Australian workers, protecting their pay packets and helping people earn more and keep more of what they earn. Aged Care 49 14:45 Mr HAWKE HWO Mitchell My question is to the Minister for Aged Care. I refer the minister to his previous answers. The minister has justified the government's decision to delay home-care package rollouts from 1 July to 1 November this year by saying, 'The legislative framework didn't allow for that start date.' If the government knew its own legislation didn't allow for a 1 July start date this year, why did the Labor government mislead Australians and promise to deliver 83,000 new home-care packages in November last year for 1 July this year on a timeline that it knew was impossible? 14:46 Mr RAE 300122 Hawke I thank the member for his question. What I said was that the implementation of the new act provided the legislative framework for the Support at Home program. The implementation of the new act was scheduled for 1 July. On the basis of feedback from older people all across our country and from the sector themselves, we made the decision to briefly defer the implementation of the new act to 1 November. From 1 November, we will be introducing an additional 83,000 packages in the first 12 months of Support at Home, which will be the growth component of the more than 300,000 Australians who are currently receiving care under our Home Care Packages Program. Economy 50 14:47 Ms MILLER-FROST 296272 Boothby My question is to the Treasurer. What progress is being made on the economy, and what steps is the government taking to build on the broad consensus reached at the Economic Reform Roundtable? 14:47 Dr CHALMERS 37998 Rankin Thank you to the member for Boothby, who has got one more question than the shadow Treasurer today in question time and focused on a really important issue and a timely one. On Wednesday, we will get the national accounts for the June quarter. We already know that, since this government came to office, we got inflation down, we got the debt down, real wages are growing, unemployment is low and interest rates are falling. But there is no shortage of challenges in our economy, and we expect to see some of that in the June national accounts, which reflect that period of extreme volatility and uncertainty following the announcement of the tariffs in the United States. Our economy over the last three years has continued to grow, and that makes us one of a small number of countries in the OECD for which that is the case. In fact, 32 out of 38 OECD nations have had a negative quarter of growth over the last three years, but Australia's economy has continued to tick over. We know, in acknowledging that our economy has continued to tick over, that, in most of the countries with which we compare ourselves, that has not been the case. But we would like growth in our economy to be stronger. There has been an absence of strong growth in our economy, and that's because our economy is not productive enough. That's what a big focus of the Economic Reform Roundtable was in Canberra in the last couple of weeks. When it comes to productivity, our focus is on productivity because that is the best way to turn the progress that we've already made in our economy into sustained increases in living standards and real wages over time. We've got a big productivity agenda focused on skills and technology and energy and competition policy. We've added to it since the reform roundtable as well. We're blitzing the approvals backlog to approve 26,000 homes. We're pausing and streamlining the National Construction Code. We've fast-tracked the legislation to get the EPBC laws right as well. We're also abolishing another 500 nuisance tariffs, on top of the 457 we already abolished. These nuisance tariffs can often do more harm than good in our economy. That's why we've slashed more tariffs in two years than any Australian government in two decades. This is about cutting red tape, easing the compliance burden on businesses, boosting productivity and getting costs down in our economy. It means we will have removed around 1,000 tariffs over two years, streamlined approximately $23 billion worth of trade and saved Australian businesses $157 million in compliance costs each year. We've made a lot of progress in our economy together. We know that there is no shortage of challenges. There is more work to do, but already we are implementing some of the broad consensus achieved at the economic reform roundtable. (Time expired) Western Sydney Airport 50 14:50 Ms LE 295676 Fowler Prime Minister, Western Sydney airport was promised as a gateway for our community, delivering jobs and opportunities. Instead, it looks more like a freight hub dressed up as an airport. Without a metro rail link, we face more trucks on the roads, gridlocked motorways or freeways and a missed chance to build more affordable housing near where people live and work. You promised that under your government no-one would be left behind, so will we finally see a metro for Western Sydney and real connectivity and not just a cargo airport? 14:51 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler I'm delighted to get a question about the Western Sydney airport and why it will deliver and is already delivering jobs in Western Sydney, particularly jobs in south Western Sydney, including literally hundreds and hundreds of apprenticeships, which are taking place as part of the construction there. Part of the arrangements that were put in place for the Western Sydney airport construction is about local employment. Local contractors—over 50 per cent of people live in that local community. Local contractors are prioritised for the work that's taking place there. I've had the opportunity to visit the airport with the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. When it opens, you will have what will be undoubtably be the most modern airport in Australia by a long way, with the best facilities in terms of the entries into the best experience for passengers going through. As to the deals that have been signed, the latest one when I was there was a deal signed with Air New Zealand. We know there is a great New Zealand Kiwi diaspora that lives in Western Sydney as well, and that will be a very successful arrangement between New Zealand and Australia, coming on top of the deals that have already been signed with the Qantas Group and, in addition to that, Singapore Airlines. The airport, when it is operating there, will provide a massive boost for passenger aircraft, but we make no apologies for the fact that there will be a lot of freight through that airport as well. What that will do isn't just provide for higher productivity and more efficiency; it will take trucks off the Western Sydney roads, which currently go right through Sydney to get to Mascot. That makes no sense whatsoever. Together with the other major piece of infrastructure in south Western Sydney, the Moorebank Intermodal, those two things combined will transform Western Sydney. In addition to that, the Aerotropolis area will see a range of high-value industries created, creating high-value jobs there for locals in south Western Sydney. For the first time, instead of Sydney always turning towards the harbour and the CBD, this is about Sydney looking towards where most people live—Western Sydney—and will provide significant benefit. In addition to that, the public transport links to Western Sydney airport, as well as the road upgrades, are creating jobs in the short term but creating economic activity and efficiency in the medium term as well. Housing 51 14:54 Ms BRISKEY 263427 Maribyrnong My question is to the minister for housing, homelessness and cities: what is the Albanese Labor government doing to deliver homes that Australians need? Is the minister aware of any risks to the government's plans? 14:54 Ms O'NEIL 140590 Hotham I thank the member for Maribyrnong for her really important question. She is one of our housing guns, a group of members of parliament who have come into our chamber in 2025, and they share my view that our housing policies are amongst the most important things the Albanese government is doing for our country. We believe that because we see our housing policies changing the lives of the people that we come to this chamber to represent. In the Maribyrnong electorate alone there are now 929 social and affordable houses in planning or construction, almost a thousand homes in her electorate alone, and I want the chamber to know how many social and affordable homes the coalition built in her electorate in nine years. Can you guess the answer? The answer is zero. In three years we have got 929,000 homes on the go; in nine years they built none. You're not going to believe this, but the truth is that in the nine years they were in office they did not build a single social or affordable house in the whole state of Victoria. Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER 53517 Members on my left will cease interjecting. Ms O'NEIL 140590 I share this with the parliament partly because I'd like you to understand the scale of the transformation that our government is undertaking. We are taking the Commonwealth from where they were for nine years—negligent bystanders for most of that time, without a housing minister—and we have now built the most bold and ambitious housing agenda a Commonwealth government has had since the postwar period. We have got a $43 billion agenda on the go here, with three big things we're doing: we're building more homes, we're making sure renters get a better deal and we're making sure Australians get into homeownership. The results are starting to speak for themselves: 180,000 people around the country have got into their first home with our government's backing. We've got a million households around the country which are getting an almost 50 per cent increase in Commonwealth rent assistance, and we've got homebuilding that's turning a corner. I'm asked about risks. This is an important one because there is no question here: the single biggest risk to the progress we are making on housing is those opposite. It wasn't enough that they didn't do anything for a decade; for the last three years they've been coming to this parliament and being housing hypocrites, complaining about things not working and then stopping us building more homes desperately needed by Australians. What do the public think about this? A Fin Review poll published on the weekend shows that, of former coalition voters, more than 60 per cent do not support their approach to affordable housing. The voters can see right through them, and they've got an important question here: are we going to see three more years of housing hypocrisy, or are those opposite going to work with our government to get on with addressing this issue, key as it is to the lives of the people we represent? Aged Care 51 14:57 Dr WEBSTER 281688 Mallee My question is to the minister for aged care, and I refer to his previous answer. The minister justified Labor's delay in delivering the 83,000 home care packages it promised by implying it was the sector as well as elderly Australians who, when consulted, were asking for this delay. Can the minister identify a single provider or elderly Australian desperately waiting for a package who personally asked him for this delay? 14:58 Mr RAE 300122 Hawke I thank the member for her question. When I became minister a few months ago the first thing I did, the first focus I had, was to go around to speak to as many older people as I could and their families and their communities, to speak to people across the sector—to providers—and to speak to workers and their representatives. The overwhelming response I got from all of those groups was that they needed a brief deferral of the implementation of the new aged care act to ensure the implementation would be smooth and would meet the needs of older Australians. As I have previously referred to, the supported home program relies on the legislative framework that the new act heralds, and from 1 November we will be able to deliver more care to more people as we achieve the next milestone. Dr Webster 281688 The point of order is relevance. The question was to ask for a single provider or a single elderly Australian who asked for the delay. The SPEAKER 53517 The minister can answer the question as long as he's being directly relevant, and there were specifics in the question. I'm just going to make sure he's being directly relevant for the remaining two minutes of his answer. Given the subject matter, he is being directly relevant at the moment. Mr RAE 300122 As I was saying, I spoke to many older people and their families. I spoke to providers and people across the sector. I spoke to workers and their representatives. The overwhelming response, which is reflected in the public commentary from many across the sector, was that they needed a brief deferral of the new act. That is what we have done to ensure that older people across our community continue to receive the very best care. From 1 November, we will have the next milestone in our transformation of Australia's aged-care system. The SPEAKER 53517 The Leader of the Opposition is seeking leave to table a document. The minister has concluded his answer. Ms Ley 00AMN That's correct. I seek leave to table a document outlining the uniform position of the aged-care sector, aired at a recent Senate references committee, indicating that they are all, in unison, ready to deliver the aged-care package to elderly Australians. I seek leave to table the document. Mr Burke DYW Leave is not granted. We've already got the Hansard. Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER 53517 Order! I'm just going to bring the House to order because the member for Swan is on her feet and I'd like to hear her question. Renewable Energy 52 15:01 Ms MASCARENHAS 298800 Swan My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How is the Albanese Labor government helping households reduce their energy costs permanently. What policy proposals would distract from this progress? 15:01 Mr BOWEN DZS McMahon ():  I thank my honourable friend for the question. The Albanese government's cheaper home batteries policy is two months old today. It came into force on 1 July. I'm happy to tell the honourable member and the House that, in the first two months—as of today—43,695 Australian households have installed a cheaper home battery. They know and we know that that saves them, if they didn't have solar panels already, more than $2,000 a year, and, if they did have solar panels, more than $1,000 a year. Also, they have installed more than 785 megawatt hours of capacity. We are installing the same capacity as a Hornsdale big battery every week, and that puts downward pressure on prices for every single Australian. I have good and bad news for the Western Australian members. I have good news for the member for Tangney, because his electorate now has the biggest take-up in Western Australia. That means bad news for the member for Canning, who's been knocked off the top spot. He's now in second place for take-up in Western Australia. The good people of Canning are still taking up cheaper home batteries and moving towards net zero at a rapid rate, but just second in Western Australia now, not first. The honourable member asked me what policies could distract from this agenda and what proposals could distract from this agenda. Of course, there are many, and they all come from those opposite. We've seen today what I thought would be the rather unprecedented scene of a mover of a private member's bill requesting a member of his party to vote against it. We saw the member for New England say that the member for Canning should vote against it. This is part of the orderly and calm and considered policy process from those opposite. It reminds us that it's all about the Nationals' interest and internal politics when it comes to those opposite. I'm reminded that the member for New England was recently asked why he's proposing to abolish net zero. He went on—for the tough interview, of course—The Bolt Report. He said: 'No. 1, it's about our nation; No. 1 it's about our nation, but, for me personally, it's incredibly personal. I have to deal with it at the epicentre of New England.' He went on to say: 'I've got no interest in the sort of, oh, yeah, it might be this and it might be that. It's nothing. It's about net zero.' Well, that was very clear. I'm reminded that this is not the first rodeo for the member for New England. I'm reminded of this headline, 'Nationals win extra cabinet position for Keith Pitt as they sign up to net zero deal'. It went on to read: Resources Minister Keith Pitt has been elevated to cabinet under a deal between Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Nationals Leader Barnaby Joyce that sees the Nationals sign up to the 2050 net zero target. What principles! What great commitment for what they stand for! The member for New England— Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER 53517 Order! The minister's going to pause and take a breath, and we're going to hear from the Manager of Opposition Business. Mr Hawke HWO I have a point of order under standing order 64. I think he is referring to Ambassador Keith Pitt, whom he appointed to the Holy See. The SPEAKER 53517 In terms of correct titles, it doesn't refer to people not in the parliament. I remind members to refer to people by the correct titles, but members of the diplomatic corps aren't in that category. The minister will return to his response for 18 seconds. Mr BOWEN DZS To assist, I table the article 'Nationals win extra cabinet position for Keith Pitt as they sign up to net zero deal'. It's just to remind them. It's all about internal politics for those opposite. It's all about the leadership of each party. It's about the Nationals' interest, not the national interest. In the meantime, we will get on with helping Australians with the choices they want to make to afford cheaper energy as a result of a cheaper home battery. (Time expired) Aged Care 53 15:05 Ms SHARKIE 265980 Mayo My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. The department informed the Senate that 120,000 older Australians are waiting to be assessed for aged care, some for as long as 12 months. This is in addition to the estimated 100,000 older Australians waiting for up to 12 months for their approved package to materialise. Is the government deliberately slowing the aged-care assessment process so that the reality of approximately 200,000 older Australians waiting up to two years for care isn't revealed? 15:06 Mr RAE 300122 Hawke I thank the member for her question. The Labor government is delivering very ambitious reforms to the in-home aged-care system to make sure that every older person can get the care they need in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible. Recommendation 28 of the aged-care royal commission called for one single assessment process, and that's what the government is currently delivering. We're rolling out a new aged-care assessment system, one that'll be quicker, reduce wait times and improve the experience for older people and their loved ones. Rather than older Australians needing separate assessments as their needs change, the system is designed to make it easier for them to access the care they need. We acknowledge that wait times for aged-care assessments are longer than we would like, and we're working on that as we speak. Record levels of Australians are seeking home-care services. Last year alone, over 521,000 home-support and comprehensive assessments were completed. This is an incredibly complex system, and the assessment waitlist contains those seeking lower level care along with crossover and duplication of numbers on the MPS. The two systems can't simply be jammed together to create a bigger number. For example, 99 per cent of people waiting for a home-care package at their approved level are already receiving home care through a lower level home-care package or are approved for Commonwealth Home Support Program services and so may already be receiving a level of care. These matters that we've discussed today are exactly why we're reforming this system from the ground up. Big reforms don't happen overnight, but we're working hand in hand with assessment organisations—including the states and territories, who provide the majority of assessments—to ensure a smooth transition to minimise impacts on older Australians and, importantly, to get them the very best care that we can as quickly as possible. Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence 53 15:08 Ms CLAYDON 248181 Newcastle My question's to the Minister for Social Services. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to better support victims and survivors of family and domestic violence, including in our social security system? 15:08 Ms PLIBERSEK 83M Sydney I want to thank the member for Newcastle for her question. There are few people in this parliament who have done more to stand up for victims and survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence than the member for Newcastle, and all of us acknowledge that work. Too many Australians have experienced family, domestic and sexual violence, and too many of them have experienced financial abuse and coercive control. It's particularly bad when that happens in the private sector where debts are run up by perpetrators of violence, but we know that it also happens in government systems. The social security system, which is supposed to protect and support victims of violence, should never be able to be used by perpetrators to financially control or coerce victims of domestic violence. So we will be introducing legislation later this week to expand the special circumstances debt waiver in social security. That means that Services Australia will be able to take a more commonsense and more compassionate approach. Where there are debts run up by perpetrators of violence, they should not be left for victims of violence to pay. We've seen examples where perpetrators of violence have run up thousands of dollars worth of debts and then walked away and left the victim of the violence to suffer the consequences of that. But, of course, this is not the only thing that the Albanese Labor government is doing. No government has invested more in frontline services. No government has invested more in programs working with men to stop them using violence. No government has invested more in adolescent boys or children who have been the victims of domestic violence, to make sure that they're not going to go on and perpetrate violence in the future. We've introduced the leaving violence payment and made it permanent—up to $5,000 to support victims of violence as they're leaving home—because too often we've asked, 'Why doesn't she go?' when the reality is that she had no choice in the matter. There's $1.2 billion in emergency and transitional housing, and I have to compliment the Minister for Housing for this work. There's 10 days paid domestic violence leave. There are changes to family law that make the system safer and simpler. Too often we've seen the family law system also used against victims of violence. There's record legal services funding, and I have to particularly draw out the $800 million extra funding for family violence legal services. All of us, I'm sure, agree that one victim of domestic, family or sexual violence is one too many, and all of us across the parliament acknowledge that we have a role as parliamentarians to lead change in this area, and our state and territory colleagues have a role. Every single Australian can play a role, too, in keeping people safe where they should be safest—in their own homes. Mr Albanese R36 I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper. QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE: ADDITIONAL ANSWERS 54 QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE: ADDITIONAL ANSWERS Disaster and Emergency Management 54 15:11 The SPEAKER 53517 The Prime Minister is seeking to add to an answer. 15:11 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler I wish to add to an answer to a question from the member for Calare to me at the last question time, Thursday 28 August, where I indicated I would get more detail and get back to the member at the first opportunity, and this is the first opportunity. The member for Calare asked me about the availability of the National Emergency Medal for emergency responders, community workers and volunteers for their acts of service during the floods in the Central West of New South Wales in 2022. I am advised that the independent National Emergency Medal Committee has requested additional expert information on the timeline of events and overall impact on individual areas and localities. This will enable the committee to consider whether the Central West floods should be recommended to the minister—who would be the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, to whom I have allocated responsibility for this—to be considered a nationally significant emergency for the purpose of the National Emergency Medal. Under the National Emergency Medal Regulations 2011, the responsible minister must not make a recommendation to the Governor-General to declare an event as a nationally significant emergency unless the responsible minister has received advice from the National Emergency Medal Committee. To date, over 530 National Emergency Medals have been awarded to individuals who served during the 2022 flooding event. The National Emergency Management Committee will next meet in November this year and will be considering further events for possible declaration at that meeting, pending the receipt of this expert advice. I commit to the member for Calare that I will inform him at the first available opportunity as to their deliberations. DOCUMENTS 54 DOCUMENTS Presentation 54 15:14 Mr BURKE DYW Watson I acknowledge the members of the Lebanese Muslim Association, the LMA, and Sheikh Safi, who have been in the public gallery during question time today. Documents are tabled in accordance with the list circulated to honourable members earlier today. Full details of the documents will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings. QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE: ADDITIONAL ANSWERS 54 QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE: ADDITIONAL ANSWERS Housing 54 15:14 Ms O'NEIL 140590 Hotham The member for Maribyrnong asked me a question about housing, and I want to confirm the numbers. There are 929 social and affordable homes in planning or construction in Maribyrnong that are funded by our government, and I confirm that none were built by the coalition in nine years in office, and no homes were funded or built in Victoria in that nine years. BILLS 55 BILLS Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Bill 2025 55

Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Bill 2025

Reference to Committee 55 15:15 Ms CHANEY 300006 Curtin I move: That the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Bill 2025 be referred to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights for consideration and an advisory report. I rise today to highlight significant concerns about the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Bill 2025 that justify referring this bill to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights. This bill has been introduced in response to the High Court's NZYQ decision and the challenges that have followed. The government has been clear about its aim to expedite the removal of noncitizens who have exhausted all options to remain in Australia. I understand the government's concern. The NZYQ decision has left us with a group of people in the community who have serious criminal histories, and the government needs tools to deal with them quickly. I support the intention to manage that group in a way that protects the community, but there are serious question marks about whether this bill is the best way to do that. It retrospectively validates an unknown number of decisions that were based on an incorrect interpretation of the law. It also provides that procedural fairness doesn't apply at key steps in the removal process, without a proper assessment of whether this is appropriate, and it applies to a much broader group than the up to 300 individuals commonly described as the NZYQ cohort. It could also apply to many who have not committed any criminal offence and who may not have finished exercising their review rights. Some estimates suggest the practical reach could extend to around 80,000 people—well beyond what the public has been led to believe. The fundamental problem is that parliament does not currently have a clear understanding of the true impact of this bill. We do not know how many people this bill could affect or in which circumstances. For that reason, I do not believe this bill should be rushed through the chamber. That's why I'm moving this motion to refer the bill to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights for detailed scrutiny. Before parliament passes a law relating to the application of procedural fairness for large classes of people, we should understand exactly who will be affected, how the powers will operate in practice, and what safeguards are needed to avoid serious error. Let me step back to explain how we got here. In November 2023, the High Court handed down the NZYQ decision, and the court ruled that indefinite immigration detention is unconstitutional where there's no real prospect of removal in the reasonably foreseeable future. This meant the government could no longer keep certain noncitizens in detention indefinitely, and between 150 and 300 people were released into the community. These people became known as the NZYQ cohort. Some of them had serious criminal histories, including violent or sexual offences. The government scrambled to respond by granting this group visas known as bridging visa Rs with strict conditions—ankle bracelets, curfews and regular reporting. Later, some of those conditions were struck down by the courts as being unconstitutional. Since then, the government has sought ways to remove this group from Australia. One attempt was to deport three NZYQ members to Nauru. This was contested in the courts, based on the argument that the government had not applied the principle of procedural fairness. Earlier this year, the TCXM case found that procedural fairness did not apply to exercises of executive power like these, where a government is dealing with another government on behalf of an individual where a decision has already been made to deport them. This decision may be appealed in the future, but this bill aims to deal with this issue to limit further appeals. It appears that the government is trying to do two things with this bill: firstly, retrospectively fix any decision that was made before NZYQ, based on the erroneous belief that indefinite detention is legal; and, secondly, ensure that procedural fairness doesn't apply to certain types of executive power related to the removal of noncitizens, in line with the TCXM decision. By seeking to validate past removal decisions that might now be unlawful in light of the NZYQ court decision, this bill would remove the right for individuals to have their decisions remade based on a correct interpretation of the law. On procedural fairness, the bill makes it clear that the intention of the parliament is that procedural fairness does not apply in a set of specific powers used for deportation—namely, collecting, using and disclosing information to foreign countries—for example, sharing information about a potential migrant with a foreign country in preparation for deportation; collecting, using and disclosing criminal history information—for example, sharing criminal history information with a series of government officials in order to arrange for deportation; coming to arrangements with foreign countries to receive our deportees—for example, buying a Nauru visa for a migrant; and giving directions to a migrant to perform certain activities to facilitate their own deportation—for example, directing a migrant to purchase a passport. Procedural fairness is a simple concept that forms a fundamental safeguard in our legal system. When government is making a decision that will adversely affect a person, the person should be told, shown the evidence and given a fair chance to respond. If a person is set to be deported, the government can make all the arrangements overseas, such as negotiating a visa or entry into another country, without telling the person. That person will then be legally required to comply with directions, without any right to respond, even if the arrangements are mistaken, impractical or harmful. I have four main concerns with this bill which I think need to be considered by a committee. My first concern relates to the retrospective validation of unlawful decisions. The bill validates past visa decisions that may now be unlawful following the NZYQ decision. Retrospective lawmaking is always problematic. It undermines confidence in the rule of law when parliament steps in to rewrite the legality of past actions. People who may have had valid grounds to challenge decisions will lose that opportunity. The way the law works, if a court interprets the law in a particular way, that's seen to be the way the law always was. So, decisions made based on a previous, erroneous understanding of the law are then invalid. Changing the law retrospectively to declare decisions valid even though they were made based on an erroneous understanding of the law undermines this legal principle, and we should be very cautious before endorsing such a step. The minister has made visa decisions based on a series of factors, one of which was the belief that indefinite detention was legal. If this is not the case, those decisions are invalid. This is my main concern with the bill and the main reason this should be referred to a committee. When we're talking about decisions that deal with such fundamental issues as individual freedoms, we should not just paper over the cracks. My second concern is that the bill declares that procedural fairness doesn't apply to these types of executive actions. While this may confirm the law as it exists right now, based on the finding of the TCXM case, any law that limits procedural fairness should be considered very carefully and with proper scrutiny. Changing the application of procedural fairness strikes at the heart of our legal system. For centuries, our legal system has recognised that there are moral and philosophical concepts of fairness that are pretty universal. In the last 50 years, this has been articulated as a more specific concept of procedural fairness. Procedural fairness is not about giving people endless rights of appeal. It's about something much simpler: ensuring people have the chance to know what's being decided about them and to respond. Procedural fairness upholds the integrity, transparency and accountability of decision-making processes, especially in government and administrative contexts. It protects individual rights, which is especially important when decisions have serious personal consequences—like they do if we're deporting someone to a country they have no connection with—and it promotes trust in institutions. People are more likely to accept outcomes, even unfavourable ones, if they believe the process is fair. Exempting procedural fairness removes basic safeguards such as the right to be heard or to challenge adverse evidence. This undermines public confidence in the fairness of government decision-making and increases the risk of factual errors or bias. Not allowing procedural fairness may be in breach of our obligations under international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. Imagine being told you're to be deported to Nauru immediately. The government has already shared your personal information with the Nauru government and purchased a visa on your behalf. You might have children at school here. You might be caring for a partner with a serious illness. You might even be the wrong person, because of an administrative error. Under this bill, none of those matters could be raised as a matter of procedural fairness. You'd be legally obliged to comply with directions, and the government would be not required to hear your side. Following a Federal Court decision this year, the courts may have already found that procedural fairness doesn't apply to these particular powers. In that case, what's the rush? There's time to send this to a committee for proper scrutiny. If there is any doubt about the application of procedural fairness—which, presumably, there is, or the government would not be introducing this bill—then it deserves scrutiny. I'm not arguing that procedural fairness should never be removed from certain legal powers, but I believe that we always need proper scrutiny of the impacts when dealing with such a fundamental legal right. My third concern is that, while the government says this bill is aimed at the NZYQ cohort, its scope is far wider. The bill largely applies to removal pathway noncitizens. This includes people on bridging visa R, the specific visa for the NZYQ group, but also many people on bridging visa E and potentially people without visas. That's a much larger population. Previous Senate estimates found that this could apply to over 80,000 people rather than just the 300-odd in the NZYQ cohort. It also appears to apply to migrants who still have legal pathways to remain in Australia, contradictory to the government's claims. Some of this bill goes even further, to an even wider range of migrants. If we're going to pass a law that makes it clear that no procedural fairness applies to such a large number of people, it deserves scrutiny. Finally I'm concerned by the rushed nature of this bill. It was introduced last week without clear consultation and will likely be debated and passed tomorrow. The government is clearly desperate to deal with the NZYQ cohort. This is reflected in the eye-watering sums of money that the government is reportedly paying Nauru to accept these people. The Guardian has reported that the government has agreed to deport to 280 members of the NZYQ cohort to Nauru, compensating Nauru with a $400 million upfront payment and annual payments of $70 million a year. That's $1.4 million per individual, with an annual payment per individual of $250,000. It is essential that we deal with this cohort of people quickly and safely. Based on the TCXM case, procedural fairness has already been found, at least in the first-instance decision, not to apply to the exercise of executive power needed to remove the problem of this cohort to Nauru. If it's not needed, then what's the rush? Let's go through a proper process. The fact that this bill is being introduced rather than the TCXM decision being relied upon indicates that there may be some doubt about the application of procedural fairness. If there's doubt, we should be treading very carefully. The retrospective legalisation of all decisions made based on an erroneous understanding of the law deserves scrutiny rather than haste. This is a complex area of law intersecting with constitutional principles, international obligations and human rights. It should not be rushed. Parliament works best when we take the time to scrutinise legislation carefully, especially when fundamental rights are at stake. Concerns about the bill are shared by a number of groups that look deeply at these types of issues, including the Human Rights Law Centre, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, the Refugee Advice & Casework Service and Liberty Victoria. Given these concerns, I believe this bill should be referred to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights for consideration. The committee should consider, amongst other things, the number of visa decisions that may be affected by the original NZYQ court case and the implications for individuals of retrospectively validating these decisions, as opposed to allowing them to be reviewed; whether it's appropriate and justified to affirm the TCXM decision that procedural fairness does not apply in circumstances like this; and the potential impact of the bill beyond the NZYQ cohort. That scrutiny would give parliament the confidence to pass legislation that is precise, targeted and fair rather than broad and rushed. I would also like to see the bill reviewed by the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills. Let me be clear. I understand the government's desire to deal quickly with the NZYQ cohort. Community safety is paramount, and we must have tools to remove people with violent criminal histories when they have no right to remain here. But, as legislators, we have a duty to make good law not just fast law. We need to balance security with fairness and efficiency with accountability. That's why this bill should go to committee. We owe it to the Australian public and to those affected by these laws to get it right. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 249710 Is the motion seconded? 15:28 Ms STEGGALL 175696 Warringah I second the motion, and I commend the member for Curtin in relation to this motion. It is a really important question, and it's incredibly disappointing to see how few members of this newly elected government are here to show interest in the types of laws that they are going to be putting their names to. This motion calls on the government to apply greater scrutiny to the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Bill 2025 to ensure that, in removing noncitizens who have committed crimes, we do not unfairly impede fundamental human rights. In Warringah, we have a community that cares deeply about fairness and the rule of law. Over the last couple of days I've heard from many constituents—lawyers, advocates, families—who have raised serious concerns about the human rights impacts that will be raised by this bill. It's a serious responsibility of this parliament to consider where the balance lies between protecting our community and upholding our legal and moral obligations. This bill was introduced with the intention of strengthening border security integrity and dealing with the difficulties arising from the High Court case—specifically, to ensure that people without a right to remain here, who have committed crimes within Australia, cannot remain here. That is a legitimate and important goal. Australia absolutely has the right and responsibility to manage its borders and to decide who can remain in the country. Our communities must feel safe and our laws must protect Australians. While this intention is sound, this bill has been introduced with limited explanation, limited consultation, little public discussion and little assessment of its unintended consequences and how broadly it will impact other visa categories. It has not been accompanied by the careful scrutiny and community engagement that legislation with such profound consequences deserves. The Australian Human Rights Commission, Liberty Victoria and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre—among others—have all raised deep concerns about this bill. It must be stated that these concerns are not with the principle that serious offenders should not remain in Australia—instead, the concerns are with how the bill proposes to achieve that aim by stripping away essential safeguards of procedural fairness and natural justice in our legal system. Procedural fairness is not a box-ticking exercise. It is a fundamental protection against error, injustice and abuse of power. It ensures that decisions are transparent, that they are evidence based, and that individuals have the right to be heard before life-changing decisions are made about them. When we weaken these principles we set a precedent that extends beyond any one group. What today is applied to noncitizens could tomorrow be normalised in other areas of law. In this case, there are grave concerns about the number of additional visa categories that will be impacted by this change. We need a better balance to ensure that we contain our strong borders and domestic security while also making sure we have appropriate consequences for all those who commit serious crimes within Australia—there is no question about that. We also have to ensure that our processes are robust, fair and consistent with our obligations under international human rights law. This is where appropriate, independent oversight is crucial. Without it, we risk unchecked executive power. We also need more greater transparency of the memorandum of understanding signed by the minister and the Nauru government, to understand what the Australian public are now paying for. This bill should be carefully scrutinised by the Parliamentary Joint Committee for Human Rights. With this approach it will highlight the major concerns, ensure proper consideration of any amendments needed and reaffirm procedural safeguards. I want to be really clear, especially for the new members of this Labor government who will be endorsing this legislation and who may not have taken the time to properly reflect on and consider what they are endorsing. This bill raises serious human rights concerns, and must be subjected to proper scrutiny. We must not lose sight of the fact that protecting our communities and upholding human rights are not opposing goals. They can and must be pursued together. I urge the government to engage with stakeholders, to listen to the concerns of experts and advocates, and to amend this bill and agree to this motion to have it referred to the human rights committee. We must ensure that any question of legislative and retrospectively eroding principles of procedural fairness and natural justice are carefully considered. These are cornerstones of our legal system, and setting them aside should be done with incredible caution. Finally, I have a real fear that the concerns I have about this process and this bill around setting aside procedural fairness have undertones of the incredibly troubling process that is occurring in the US under their ICE division. The activities there of grabbing people and having them removed from the country without procedural fairness is incredibly troubling, and we all watched that on our screens with horror, thinking how could that possibly happen in Australia? But the risk is that this legislation before the House is the very first step of the path that the Albanese government is setting on. I commend the motion to the House and urge the government to support it. 15:34 Dr RYAN 297660 Kooyong I rise to support the motion moved by the member for Curtin, and I do that because so many members of my Kooyong community have contacted the electorate office in the last week with their grave concerns around the precedent set by this piece of legislation. All of us care about community safety. Certainly, in Victoria, we've had a significant increase in the incidence of aggravated burglaries and home invasions in recent years. They cause fear and anxiety, and the reports that we've seen in the media regarding the activities of some of the cohort that this legislation is targeted at have raised considerable concern. All of us care about keeping Australians safe; all of us care about protecting our borders, and it's the government's job to do that. It's the government's job to ensure national security, to protect the nation, to enforce our laws and to manage our borders. But it's also the government's job to act as a democratic government, to deal fairly and justly with some of the most consequential decisions that a government can make—decisions about the deportation, detention and transfer of vulnerable individuals who lack the ability or the power to defend themselves. We've seen, in relation to the NZYQ cohort and the way that the government has chosen to deal with it, a really concerning tendency to keep moving the goalposts when they don't suit the government. What we've seen is that the government is unhappy with the High Court rulings around it that its actions have previously been illegal. So what the government is seeking to do with this legislation is to retrospectively change the law, to move the goalposts and to remove the requirement for natural justice. That phrase in and of itself—removal of the requirement for natural justice, procedural fairness, for people who are noncitizens, when we would expect nothing less from our government for ourselves in that regard—is deeply concerning. What we're seeing with this government and this rushed legislation is a desire to remove noncitizens to a third-party country, one which is economically vulnerable and houses fewer than 11,000 citizens of its own, such that this cohort would constitute a significant percentage of the population of that country should they all be rehoused there, while implementing what is essentially a system of bullyboy tactics, where we're offering the government of Nauru huge sums of money to rehouse people because we simply can't deal with them domestically. This legislation flies in the face of the values of our community; it flies in the face of the fundamentals of our legal system. So, before we enact something which could well prove to be just the very beginning of a pattern of governmental activities, the limits of which are not at this point clear, it makes perfect sense that we subject this legislation to further examination. As a member of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, I think that that committee should have the opportunity to examine this legislation. We owe nothing less to our own communities and to all of the vulnerable people in this country who could potentially fall under the limits of this sort of legislation in the future than to legislate it with justice and with the sort of patience that decisions of this magnitude deserve. So I ask the government to rethink its punitive, rushed attitude to this group of vulnerable people; to take very seriously the responsibility that comes with the supermajority that it has; to not bully the parliament in the same way that it proposes to bully these vulnerable people, this cohort of individuals who will have no ability to defend themselves before the law with the removal of such considerations as natural justice; and to treat them with the sort of respect that we, as citizens of this country, expect for ourselves. 15:39 Ms BOELE 26417 Bradfield I rise in support of the motion brought by the member for Curtin to refer the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Bill 2025 to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights for inquiry and report. I watched with dismay in the last term of parliament when the Albanese government rushed through bill after bill limiting the rights of asylum seekers and visa holders in our communities. The measures they introduced included establishing mandatory visa cancellations for low-level offences, giving the government immunity from civil liabilities in connection with bridging visa cancellations and expanding powers to search and seize items in immigration detention centres without a warrant. Each time, there was some contraction of the usual parliamentary process to get the bills through quickly and quietly, whether it was failing to refer bills to relevant committees for review or gagging debate on the bills in this House. We're seeing it again here with this bill. This bill may have significant ramifications for the people to which it applies. Combined with the measures passed last term to which I've already referred, this bill may be another step in that slow creep towards stripping away rights of asylum seekers in this country. These are people we have harmed by exposing them to the cruel and unusual offshore detention system we dreamed up in a shameful world-first—a system that the UK government toyed with copying from us but abandoned, because it was just too inhumane. I agree with the Leader of the Opposition's statement that the bill is rushed. It's secretive and it's chaotic—this for a bill which explicitly confirms that people like these do not have a right to natural justice in administrative processes. This could result in them being involuntarily—read forcibly—removed from this country to a third country, with no ability to be heard in the courts about that occurring. What we're really talking about here is a breakdown in processes and a reduction of democratic norms at two very significant levels: the individual rights level, around people's right to natural justice, and the parliamentary level, by the curtailing of opportunities for scrutiny and informed debate. It's for both of these reasons that I consider the member for Curtin's motion to be entirely reasonable. Referring a bill with such significant ramifications for people's basic rights to a committee for review is the absolute bare minimum level of scrutiny that government should permit. The government won a big margin in the last election—94 seats in this House. They must not be tempted to exploit that position by abandoning basic tenets of our parliamentary and democratic processes. On the contrary, I strongly urge them to use their huge majority to be the leaders that our people have elected them to be. 15:43 Dr CHARLTON I8M Parramatta The government will not be supporting the referral of this bill to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights. As a matter of course, the human rights committee considers all bills that are introduced to parliament as part of its normal scrutiny process. In its scrutiny reports, the committee may make minor comment on legislation, provide its assessment on an advice-only basis or seek a written response from the minister. The government does not support any referral to the committee beyond that. The SPEAKER 53517 The question before the House is that the motion moved by the honourable member for Curtin be agreed to.  

The House divided. [15:48]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)

 9 AYES Boele, N. Chaney, K. E. (Teller) Haines, H. M. (Teller) Ryan, M. M. Scamps, S. A. Spender, A. M. Steggall, Z. Watson-Brown, E. Wilkie, A. D. 72 NOES Aldred, M. R. Ambihaipahar, A. Batt, D. J. Belyea, J. A. Berry, C. G. Birrell, S. J. Briskey, J. L. Buchholz, S. Burke, A. S. Caldwell, C. M. Campbell, J. P. Charlton, A. H. G. Chesters, L. M. Clutterham, C. L. Coffey, R. K. Comer, E. L. Conaghan, P. J. Cook, K. M. G. Cook, P. A. Doyle, M. J. J. Dreyfus, M. A. Elliot, M. J. France, A. A. French, T. A. Gee, A. R. Georganas, S. Gorman, P. P. Gregg, M. J. Hastie, A. W. Holzberger, R. A. V. Husic, E. N. Jarrett, M. L. Jordan-Baird, M. A. M. Kennedy, S. P. Landry, M. L. Laxale, J. A. A. Leeser, J. Lim, S. B. C. McCormack, M. F. McKenzie, Z. A. Moncrieff, D. S. Neumann, S. K. Ng, G. J. O'Brien, E. L. O'Brien, L. S. Pasin, A. Penfold, A. L. Phillips, F. E. Pike, H. J. Rebello, L. S. Repacholi, D. P. Sitou, S. Small, B. J. Smith, D. P. B. (Teller) Smith, M. J. H. Soon, X. Stanley, A. M. (Teller) Taylor, A. J. Teesdale, J. A. Templeman, S. R. Thwaites, K. L. Urquhart, A. E. Venning, T. H. Violi, A. A. Wallace, A. B. White, R. P. Wilson, J. H. Wilson, R. J. Wilson, T. R. Witty, S. J. Young, T. J. Zappia, A. 0 PAIRS

Question negatived.

 Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025 60

Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025

Second Reading 60 15:57 Ms CLUTTERHAM 316101 Sturt Specific changes that this bill prescribes include a change in the timeframe during which Medicare claims for bulk-billed services may be made, from two years to one year. With respect to investigative powers across the legislative framework—including the National Health Act, the Health Insurance Act, the Human Services (Medicare) Act and the Dental Benefits Act—they were found to be inconsistent and fragmented, resulting in difficulty in identifying which powers of investigation might be used in relation to offences. Further, there were unnecessary restrictions on the ability to search with consent and on the retention of important evidence, which could have the consequence that matters requiring prosecution, such as a serious criminal fraud prosecution under the Criminal Code, might be compromised or unable to be prosecuted at all. The current powers in this respect were found to be so narrow that the proper exercise of functions to detect, investigate and refer fraud matters was compromised. The bill amends the National Health Act to improve the efficiency of the process by which the minister may exercise discretion to approve a pharmacist. This is achieved by combining the two stages of the current process into one stage, restricting repeat applications, allowing the minister to delegate the approval of a request form and increasing the term of appointment for Australian Community Pharmacy Authority members to three years. These amendments will reduce the administrative burden and support more timely access to pharmaceutical benefits. The measures in the bill collectively improve powers to detect, respond to, investigate, disclose and deter misconduct, fraud and noncompliance and will support the ability to conduct efficient, timely and effective compliance activities. The overall effectiveness and efficiency of the government's compliance systems will be supported, and timely and proportionate responses to incorrect payments and fraud under health benefits schemes will be better facilitated. This legislation also encompasses amendments to the Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Act 2023, which are directed at clarifying the intended operation of the legislation, which commenced on 1 April last year. Of particular importance to me are the amendments that seek to harmonise the approach on advertising in the Tobacco Act and Therapeutic Goods Act in relation to e-cigarettes, otherwise known as vapes. Both acts prohibit the advertisement of vapes. These amendments reflect the changed approach to vaping goods following the introduction of vaping reforms and ensure the approach is harmonised. Earlier this year I visited the Charles Campbell College at Paradise in the electorate of Sturt to meet with the principal, Mr Kevin O'Neil, and talk to students about the impact of vaping reforms, which were aimed at limiting access. The federal government's action to outlaw the sale of vapes in a recreational or retail setting, meaning vapes can only legally be bought in pharmacies, had had a profound impact on the students of Charles Campbell College, on their learning and on their understanding of their own personal health and wellbeing. This, together with a series of information campaigns directed at young people to make sure they know the facts about vaping, know the harms that are caused by vapes and know the skills and methods to just say no to something so harmful to their health, had resulted in many students not only at Charles Campbell College but more broadly never having tried vaping and never having smoked a cigarette. The students I spoke to say that, following the education campaign, they were just not interested. The prohibition on the advertisement of vapes as prescribed by this legislation is yet another measure the Albanese Labor government has designed with a specific purpose of protecting the health and wellbeing of young people in this great country. Medicare is a Labor creation and an Australian institution. It is the envy of the world. We know that Medicare works best, provides the healthcare support and services Australians need and deserve best and is funded most effectively and efficiently when shaped by integrity. Promoting integrity in the Medicare system is exactly what this bill does. 16:02 Mr TIM WILSON IMW Goldstein I welcome the opportunity to offer a contribution on this legislation, because making sure we have access to affordable and viable health care is key to the sustainability of the country and to getting the maximum benefit from the human capital of our nation. It's also of critical importance to the Goldstein community. It has always been something I've taken a deep interest in, having a comparatively older population in the Goldstein community. Access to healthcare services has been of critical importance for people in getting the support and services they need at different stages of care. Last week we were in this chamber talking about access to all sorts of essential medicines to manage comorbidities and chronic conditions at later stages of life, but it's also important to make sure that people have access to the essential medical services they need and integrity in the health system. That is why the state of health services in the great state of Victoria is such a challenge at the moment. We have a state government completely incapable of managing its budget; as a consequence, the decay and decline of health services through tertiary hospitals is a lived reality every single day. We do not want to see this at a national level through primary care services, but we know that, because the Albanese government can't contain or manage its budget spending, more and more Australians are looking directly at their credit card or wallet every time they go to the GP, just to be able to get by. They're told by their government that their Medicare card is all they need, but their lived reality is that they need extra co-payments just to get the support they need, despite what they voted for at the ballot box. But it's more than that. More and more, we're seeing cons perpetrated against Australians, despite the claims of integrity being part of the health system. In 2017, when I was last a member in this chamber, we got an MRI Medicare licence for Cabrini Brighton. It was the first Medicare-funded licence for an MRI machine in the Goldstein electorate. I remember, when we secured it, many residents asked me the simple question of why it was secured for Cabrini Brighton rather than the local public hospital, Sandringham Hospital, part of the Alfred Health group. The answer was quite straightforward. It was that Sandringham Hospital didn't have an MRI machine. There is no point getting in an MRI licence funded by Medicare if you don't have an MRI machine to use it. Funnily enough, it shocked me slightly at the start of 2025 when it was brought to my attention that Sandringham Hospital had, as part of the Alfred Health group, been granted an MRI licence. Don't get me wrong, I welcome an MRI licence. I think it is an enormously wonderful thing where there is an MRI machine. There's just one problem: Sandringham Hospital still doesn't have an MRI machine. The Albanese government, for some very obscure reason, issued MRI licences to three hospitals in Australia. Two were at hospitals that had MRI machines and one—which curiously happened to be in one electorate where they desperately wanted to make sure that the incumbent teal member of parliament was returned—didn't have an MRI machine. But it enabled that member of parliament to go around deceiving the community by claiming they had secured an MRI Medicare-funded licence, even though the hospital didn't have an MRI machine. Have you ever seen the episode of Yes Minister, Deputy Speaker, about the idea of a hospital being built without any patients. It's kind of like having a hospital that has an MRI licence but no MRI machine. I have a simple and baseline expectation: since the minister for health has granted Sandringham Hospital an MRI licence, perhaps, as part of a system of integrity, the health minister could grant us an MRI machine so we could actually use it! If not, the expression 'gaslighting', which I seem to be using an awful lot when talking about at this government at the moment, justifiably comes to mind, because what we're seeing now is how our health system in the Goldstein community is being taken for a complete ride. We've not just seen it on this issue. When I was on the board of Alfred Health, over a decade ago, we came to an agreement between Alfred Health group and the Royal Women's Hospital. The Royal Women's Hospital is of course an enormously important hospital, which had fundraising help from and was partly founded by Vida Goldstein, the woman whom Goldstein electorate is named after. As part of their maternity services, they built a partnership to make sure that maternity services were available to women in the south-east of Melbourne, through the Sandringham Hospital. That partnership ended only a couple of years ago, during the period in which I was not a member. I am not going to pass judgement. In the end, it's up to Sandringham Hospital, Alfred Health, the Royal Women's Hospital, and Monash Health to decide the pathway to best deliver maternity services. But what I see consistently is the talk of integrity and the reality of delivering integrity being completely discordant. There are MRI licences where there is no MRI machine and a loss of women's health services and delivery in the Goldstein community. While we talk about this legislation, we've just heard from the member from Sturt about what's been happening in the context of vaping. One of the reasons that this country has a big problem with vaping right now is that this government has failed to do any proper regulation around vaping during its tenure and has actively shut down any pathway, including being practical participants in vaping regulation during the time when they weren't in government. Vaping has been a known problem for a long time now, but, because they have simply wanted to have a close their eyes and ears attitude towards discussing practical regulation, what they have done is let the criminals dictate the terms and regulation that sit behind vaping. You see this every day, at the moment. We've seen what's been happening in tobacco legislation, regulation and taxation, this obviously in the portfolio of small business, and has a direct impact of the health and wellbeing of the community. Over summer I read a book about the prohibition movement in the United States in the early part of the 20th century. It's extraordinary how many times this government continues to repeat the errors of that period when it comes to tobacco regulation. It actively fuels criminal gangs and criminal behaviour through its policies. Of course, we're seeing that in terms of the impact it's now having on small businesses. You might as well have government ministers handing firebombs to criminal gangs and organised crime to destroy people's lives and livelihoods. That's how much the government are stoking the behaviour through different forms of taxation, which actively increase the premiums. Organised gangs then have an incentive to go and engage in criminal activity, and it's having a direct impact on small businesses across this nation. This is the problem. We have a government that talk integrity but do not practise it in terms of operations—the people who are paying are small-business people on the ground in the Goldstein community—and they do it under the veneer of their boastfulness in talking about the government programs, but not in terms of what their building to improve the future of Australia. And Australians are suffering for it. Speaking of integrity, we're also seeing this in areas like the National Disability Insurance Scheme; it's not just in areas around health. To give you a parallel—to show how large the problem around integrity and this government is now and to show how much people are struggling—we had a roundtable bringing together service providers in the health care and NDIS space. The attendees—Fiona White, Dr Shona Bischof, Stephanie Williams. Simone Emery, Lauren Gingold and Tarryn Dee—raised concerns specifically around NDIS pricing arrangements and, particularly, the three-weeks notice they were given for pricing adjustments in the lead-up to the 2025-26 financial year. We spoke about the adjustment of the measures that the government introduced as part of their pricing review and the human consequences of what happened when it went down the pathway of so-called integrity measures. What was the impact? They were reducing the volume of sessions they were having with clients. They were reducing their travel times and the amount of time they were prepared to directly engage in supporting people in need. There's been a decrease in the personalisation of the service, particularly for people who have acute conditions or who need additional support. Of course, in addition to that, it's had a direct impact on those who are most marginalised. This is one of the biggest problems. You have people outside of urban communities or affluent communities. The further away you get, the more you cut travel times or reduce access to service providers. It's the people in the lower socioeconomic communities or the people who are further away, in rural and regional areas, who suffer. I think you would understand a bit of that, Deputy Speaker Chesters, considering the nature of your electorate. In the end, the impact is downstream and is greater because of the failure of early intervention, which pushes up costs in the long term which then drives up the cost to tertiary hospitals. The most devastating thing—we've seen this with the NDIS providers and in other areas like healthcare services and social services—is that at no point has there been a focus by the government on a really critical part of service delivery: reducing red tape. We're not saying 'red tape' because we want to just get rid of regulation. We're talking about the needless burden that takes practitioners out of their core focus and effort of things like caring and supporting children. They're putting that energy into filling out paperwork. Of course there's a role for filling out certain components of forms for compliance—I'm not arguing against that—and we need to make sure that people are doing the right thing. But when a practitioner is telling us stories about how they spend more time filling out paperwork than in providing care, how they spend more time complying with the NDIA's regulation than in paediatric support for people with a disability, how they spend more time finding out how to keep their practice open than in getting to people with disadvantage—you start to think that maybe this government's priorities are more focused on how to build the bureaucracy rather than on how to build the benefit to Australians. It shouldn't surprise you. If you read the Daily Telegraph today, you'll see that union bosses' wages are increasing by 25 percent while construction workers' pay is going down by five per cent and you'll start to realise that this is just one giant cartel. It's trickle-up economics. It feeds the few at the expense of the many. Whether that's in construction, the NDIA or the services and healthcare sector—it doesn't seem to matter where their priorities or focus are—Australians are at the bottom of the pile. It's our job to make sure that we hold this government to account and make sure that Australians have a voice and are stood up for. What's dispiriting is that there's such a dismissal and disinterest from the government when the consequences are so human. When we have a situation where we have a minister gaslighting the Goldstein community and who will issue Medicare licences for MRIs but then won't even provide an MRI machine, where they actively fuel organised crime and where they actively engage in interfering with and undermining the provision of healthcare services that desperately need integrity, you do have to start to question what this government's priorities are. You realise those priorities are itself, not the Australian people. 16:16 Mr LAXALE 299174 Bennelong When Australians talk about what they want from their government, fair and equitable access to health care is always near the top of the list. Medicare is one of Australia's greatest institutions and one of the proudest achievements of the Labor Party. Introduced in its current form in 1983, it remains as important today as it was on the day it was made law by the Hawke government. Let's not forget that, if it weren't for successive Labor governments in the 1980s, those opposite would have dismantled Medicare. During successive elections in the 1970s and 1980s, Medicare was opposed by the Liberals and the Nationals. They knocked off Medibank after the Whitlam government, and, had they beaten Bob Hawke, they would have knocked it off again after promising to bring down Medicare after it was reinstated by a Labor government in 1983. But it was Labor that locked it in. That tells you why people trust Labor to protect and strengthen Medicare in the face of opposition to and ongoing attacks of it by the Liberals and the Nationals. Medicare represents the simple but profound Australian value that access to health care should be affordable and accessible—where Australians can rely on their Medicare card, not their credit card, to see a doctor. Medicare is about fairness, universality and dignity. It's about knowing that, no matter your circumstances, you can get the care you need when you need it. When we came to government in 2022, Australians were facing the toughest conditions in Medicare's 40-year history. Bulk-billing was collapsing after a decade of neglect. Families were struggling to find a GP who would see them without huge and rising out-of-pocket costs. Medicines were becoming more and more expensive. Hospitals were under enormous strain. It had never been harder or more expensive to see a doctor. That was the reality that we inherited. That's why strengthening Medicare was at the front and centre of our election platform. We took a plan to the people, and we've been delivering on it ever since. In just our first term, we've made multiple massive investments in Medicare. In the latest record investment, which we took to the last election, we're putting an extra $8½ billion into delivering more bulk-billed GP visits every year, training more doctors and nurses and making health care more affordable for families. We're expanding bulk-billing incentives. They work so well for concession card holders that we're going to expand that to every Medicare card holder, ensuring that, by 2030, nine out of 10 GP visits will be bulk-billed—just as it should be. We've delivered the two largest increases of Medicare rebates in three decades, reversing years of Liberal freezes and cuts. Already, bulk-billing rates are climbing in every state and territory, with six million additional free visits to GPs delivered in just over a year. Importantly, we've also taken decisive action on medicines. Australians have already saved more than $1 billion through our reforms. We've slashed the costs of hundreds of common prescriptions. We've introduced 60-day dispensing for nearly 300 medicines. We've lowered the PBS safety net. Just last week, this parliament passed legislation to cut the maximum price of a script to just $25. That is the price it was in 2004. On top of that, we've delivered urgent care for families. We only promised 50 Medicare urgent care clinics; we've delivered 90 across the country. Already, more than 1.8 million Australians have walked through the doors of these clinics, getting free urgent care without waiting hours in a hospital emergency department. These clinics, just like the one in Bennelong, at Top Ryde, are open extended hours, seven days a week. All you need is your Medicare card to get urgent care. On top of that, we're delivering new Medicare mental health centres, creating walk-in support, so Australians can access mental healthcare when they need it most. We've invested half a billion dollars in women's health, funding more contraceptives, and new endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics—just like the one in Hunters Hill—for treatment for menopause and perimenopause. This is what strengthening Medicare looks like in practice: cheaper medicines, more bulk-billing, more urgent care, better mental health services and historic investment in women's health. This is what it means in Bennelong. Families in Bennelong have already saved more than $8.6 million on cheaper medicines since 2022. We've opened that Medicare urgent care clinic in Top Ryde, which has seen more than 10,000 presentations. I'm proud to tell the House that another one is coming soon to Chatswood, which will relieve pressure on Royal North Shore Hospital. Tenders are out right now, and I look forward to delivering that in this term of government. In Ryde, we'll also deliver a Medicare mental health centre, which means that locals can get walk-in mental health support when they're in crisis. These are real changes, improving the lives of families in Bennelong and across the nation. Strengthening Medicare is not only about expanding services or cutting costs but also about ensuring the system is sustainable and trusted, because when a program is as essential to Australian life as Medicare is, we have the responsibility to protect it, to protect taxpayer funds that underpin it and to protect patients from harm. The overwhelming majority of doctors, pharmacists, dentists and allied health professionals are honest and hardworking. They do the right thing, often under enormous pressure. But, in a system that processes more than a billion claims every year, there will always be some who don't. Sometimes, that noncompliance is unintentional, sometimes it is deliberate and fraudulent. Either way, it costs taxpayers money, it undermines confidence, and, in the worst cases, it puts patients at risk. That's why, in November 2022, our health minister commissioned respected economist Dr Philip to conduct an independent review of the Medicare integrity and compliance measures. His review made it clear that integrity measures across Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the Child Dental Benefits Schedule needed to be strengthened. He found that our systems had not kept pace with modern challenges and recommended reforms to better identify and deter noncompliance, to safeguard patient safety and to ensure that every dollar goes where it should—that's right into patient care. In response, the government established the Medicare Integrity Taskforce in the 2023-24 budget, and we provided further funding in the 2024-25 budget to continue this work. This bill is the next step on that much-needed and important reform. The Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025 implements a key recommendation of the Philip review. It amends the National Health Act, the Health Insurance Act, the human services act and the Dental Benefits Act. The changes are targeted but significant. They will strengthen compliance and enforcement powers, allowing for the proper investigation and deterrence of fraud and misconduct. They will modernise investigative powers that are currently inconsistent and fragmented, ensuring that serious offences—particularly in relation to pharmaceutical benefits—can be prosecuted effectively. The bill also shortens the timeframe for Medicare claims on bulk-billed services from two years to one. This will reduce the risk of delayed or duplicate claims whilst preserving the minister's discretion to allow late claims in truly genuine cases. The bill will also improve the efficiency of the process for approving pharmacists by combining two stages into one, reducing repeat applications and extending the term of appointment for members of the Australian Community Pharmacy Authority. These changes will cut red tape, reduce administrative burden and deliver timely access to medicines in communities. The bill also makes important adjustments to the Therapeutic Goods Act and the Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Act to support broader reforms. It strengthens the government's ability to manage therapeutic goods shortages, supports compliance with vaping reforms and ensures tobacco regulations are clear and enforceable. Together these measures safeguard Medicare for the future by protecting taxpayer funds, by strengthening patient safety and by ensuring sustainability. Integrity in Medicare and our systems is not only about protecting taxpayer dollars; it's about protecting patients. When fraudulent claims are made, when prescriptions are misused and when loopholes are exploited, patients are often the ones who suffer. The Philip review emphasised that patient safety must be at the centre of these integrity measures, and this bill delivers on that recommendation. By strengthening the powers, by harmonising enforcement across our health schemes and by closing loopholes, this bill will ensure we can respond quickly and proportionately to misconduct. Only a small percentage of practitioners and businesses will ever be affected by these measures. Those who deliberately and repeatedly do the wrong thing will have to be held accountable. But, for the overwhelming majority, this bill will provide confidence that their hard work is protected, their reputation is upheld and the system that they serve and participate in remains strong. Our government is strengthening Medicare in every sense of the word. We are investing in more doctors, more nurses, more urgent care, more mental health support, cheaper medicines and better women's health services. Through this bill, we're also protecting the system itself, ensuring integrity, sustainability and trust. Labor created Medicare; only Labor will protect and strengthen it. We're delivering on these investments, reforms and integrity measures to ensure that Medicare remains strong and sustainable for generations to come. This bill builds on historic investments we've already made in Medicare, it strengthens compliance and enforcement, it supports timely access to medicines, and it cuts red tape for pharmacists. These are all really important improvements. Most importantly, it ensures that Medicare, the program that has cared for Australians for over 40 years, will remain strong and sustainable. 16:27 Dr RYAN 297660 Kooyong I rise today to speak on the Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025, a bill which seeks to strengthen the integrity of our Medicare system. It is entirely appropriate that the government take all steps necessary to safeguard the sustainability of our universal healthcare system. Australians deserve confidence that their Medicare contributions are being used responsibly and that our system is well regulated and protected from abuse. The legislation currently before the House came out of the independent review of Medicare integrity and compliance, the Philip review. The Philip review was commissioned by the Minister for Health and Aged Care in November 2022 in response to fairly widespread allegations of widespread fraud in the Medicare system. Ultimately, that review dismissed the claims of an $8 billion fraud, claims which had been widely and harmfully trumpeted in the mainstream media. In fact, the Philip review found that the allegations were both inflated and speculative. The Philip review found that issues with the Medicare compliance of doctors are overwhelmingly caused by the complexity of the system. It found that Medicare is becoming outdated, that it doesn't reflect the changing needs of our healthcare system. Dr Philip cautioned that, without significant attention to the legislation, the governance, the systems, the processes and the tools of our Medicare system, which he found to be currently unfit for purpose, significant levels of fraud could well ensue. There are a number of real and increasing vulnerabilities in our Medicare system, which were described and elucidated in the Philip review. These include the changing burden of disease in Australia, the necessary and natural changing nature of healthcare delivery over time, the unnecessarily complex and challenging nature of the Medicare Benefits Schedule, the growing corporatisation of medicine in this country, the increasing uptake and complexity of medical billing software, the opaque nature of MBS billing arrangements in public hospitals and the lack of continuous monitoring and compliance services within our public health system. Dr Philip's review acknowledged that, with more than 3000 items, it's impossible to keep up with the MBS. But those changes continue. In fact as late as last week the Minister for Health and Ageing was proposing further changes to the MBS. It is little wonder that GPs and other health professionals struggle to keep up with compliance. This bill grants the chief executive of Medicare and their delegates expansive powers which are some concern. Under new section 129AACA any person, not just providers, can be compelled to produce relevant material within 21 days. This includes patients' records, correspondence and billing data. There is no requirement for a warrant, no judicial oversight and no obligation to explain why that information is needed. Failure to comply within 21 days is an strict liability offence with penalties of up to $50,000. This is a profound shift in the settings around such inquiries, and doctors very understandably have real concerns that these changes could override privacy protections under the Privacy Act and legal professional privilege. There's also a significant degree of nervousness amongst medical professionals regarding the Professional Services Review and other professional compliance bodies. These concerns relate to a lack of transparency in their processes. Those fears might well be exacerbated by this bill's removal of restrictions on the admission of information obtained under the Professional Services Review agency's notices to other investigations, such as those commissioned by Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency or the Medical Board. While these are limited to certain circumstances, the fact that they include cases in which the practitioner is not the subject of the original investigation is concerning. There's a reasonable concern that the change might undermine the principle of procedural fairness and risk lessened cooperation with investigations by those bodies. If medical professionals fear that any information they provide may later be used later to prosecute them, it's hardly surprising that they may hesitate to engage with those investigations. Finally, the bill introduces new powers to recover overpayments from practitioners even if they were not responsible for the error, even if they did not receive the funds, even if they were victims of fraud. The only requirement is that the practitioner was named on the claim form. This could include junior doctors, locums and deceased practitioners whose provider numbers were misused. The growing corporatisation of medicine has greatly weakened the previously simple relationship between provider, patient and payment. It often leads to practitioners being utterly unaware of what is being billed in their name. Doctors in public hospitals in particular often have limited oversight of or control over billing undertaken in their names months or years after the fact. As the Philip review found, much of the leakage in the Medicare system stems from errors, not from malice, and we shouldn't conflate the two. We must ensure recovery powers are exercised with fairness and discretion. Innocent medical practitioners can't be held liable for systemic failures or even criminal acts beyond their control. I do support the goal of improving the integrity of Medicare, but rather than piecemeal pieces of legislation like this we should be looking at big picture Medicare reform. As has been set out innumerable independent reviews, this should strengthen the governance model overseeing Medicare, it should enable continuous monitoring of claims transactions and it should redesign frontline processes and business rules to support earlier identification of fraud and of serious noncompliance. It should redesign the payment system to a level of capability commensurate with the size and complexity of the scheme, and it should review the legislative basis of Medicare to include a more contemporary basis to regulation. As the Philip review found, our Medicare system is overly fragmented. It's disjointed and is lacking in contemporary tools to detect and address noncompliance and fraud. That is not the fault of the medical professionals who do their very best within it. I commend this bill to the House, but I do wish that it had more vision and more effect. 16:35 Ms TEMPLEMAN 181810 Macquarie This is the second time I've spoken on the Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025 because this bill lapsed in the last parliament. This is something that we thought, several years ago, needed to be done, and that goes to the previous speaker's comments around the work done in the Philip review in 2022. We commissioned that in late 2022, and the report was delivered in 2023. What that really looked at was how Medicare was operating in the real world situation that we are now facing. I just want to speak for a moment about what the Philip review recognised. It recognised that there is a change in the burden of disease. That means that there are different diseases facing people. We have a different demographic. We have an ageing population with chronic diseases that they live with but which need care and need support. I think back to when I was a kid—you'd go to the doctor when you broke something or had something short and sharp, rather than for diseases of that chronic nature, because we didn't have the means to identify and treat those chronic diseases. That's one big difference in the environment in which the Medicare system is operating compared to when it started in the 1980s. There are also changes in how health care is delivered, and I think many people can see that there's a shift in the relationship with health providers. The family practice is not as prominent in the mix as it certainly was when I was young in the sixties and seventies or even when my children were young in the nineties through to the 2000s, and different parts of the country experience that differently. Certainly, the Philip review identified that there is just no longer the same connection between patient, practitioner and the payment that comes into it. Then, there are the changes that have occurred with the Medicare benefits scheme, with the complex nature and continuous changes—because of course things change—and then we add to that the corporatisation of medicine, which is another thing that comes into the mix. There is also the development of billing software—a totally different way—that could not have been conceived when Medicare first came on the scene, and then the general economics of medicine, and he goes on to list a few other circumstances that have changed. We're dealing with this in a very different time and place to when Medicare was first introduced. Of course, it was Labor that introduced Medicare, and it took two Labor governments, with a gap in the middle, to really ensure that Medicare was something that would be embedded. I think, from our side, we want to continue to do things that ensure Medicare is sustainable, embedded, never taken for granted and always appreciated by every member of parliament. I'm very pleased to be speaking on this bill a second time. The key part of this that really matters to me is protecting the integrity of Medicare. The bill also contains changes that will enhance the regulation of therapeutic goods and vaping goods under the Therapeutic Goods Act, and it makes minor amendments to ensure the smooth and consistent operation of the tobacco act. I'm going to focus on the Medicare side of this bill in the time that I have available. I think we in this chamber all know—and I know my constituents in the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Nepean region appreciate—that Medicare and its programs help Australians pay for the health care they need in a world-class system. We are committed to strengthening Medicare by improving the scheme's integrity. The areas that this bill is addressing are any that we've been able to identify, thanks to the Philip review, where there are issues that can inhibit the ability of the department to conduct efficient, timely and effective compliance activities, because you enhance integrity when you have a department that is empowered to act in a timely, effective way. The amendments include fraud deterrent provisions, such as the reduction of timeframes to make claims on Medicare, updated investigative powers and improvements to pharmacy approval processes. These really go to the core of the system. This is happening in a context where this bill is one part of many things that we have been doing to support Medicare. When we came to government in 2022, it had never been harder or more expensive to find a doctor. The situation we found was that bulk-billing was in freefall. That followed a decade of cuts to and neglect of Medicare, which we had seen, but it was in coming to government that we really recognised how profound the impact of that had been, particularly in peri-urban areas like mine and, no doubt, in regional and rural areas. That's why strengthening Medicare was a key focus of our election platform, and it became even more key when we'd had the time in government to lift up the hood, see what was happening underneath and really try and unpack some of the issues that we were facing. In our first term of government, we were able to deliver more doctors, more bulk-billing and cheaper medicines, and we opened 87 Medicare urgent care clinics. I want to note that there was some derision from those opposite towards our Medicare urgent care clinics for quite some time—that they were not needed and that they were just extra things that didn't need to happen. I noticed today in question time that every one of them seemed to be saying, 'Hey, give me one!' Their behaviour in question time seemed to indicate that there has been a bit of a turnaround. We know how effective the Medicare urgent care clinics have been, and it seemed to me that those opposite are starting to understand the difference that they are making in allowing people to get medical attention for things that are urgent but not life-threatening and in having a dual effect of providing people with quick attention and taking pressure off emergency departments in hospitals. I'm very pleased to say that the Hawkesbury urgent care clinic has a tender out for it. The Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network and Wentworth Healthcare are seeking GPs who are keen and interested in operating the Hawkesbury urgent care clinic, which was one of my election commitments this year. More than 1.8 million people have walked through the door of a Medicare urgent care clinic. They've received free care—the urgent care they need. The feedback I get from the Penrith urgent care clinic is that they're seeing a lot of sporting injuries and they're seeing big demand over weekends. But also, during the week, there's a steady flow of people, as they learn that they don't need to rock up to the Nepean Hospital emergency department for some things and that they may well be able to be treated at the Penrith urgent care clinic. I think that what it's showing people is that Labor has a commitment to adapt the health system to make the changes that are needed. I note the presence of the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. We've taken the same approach to mental health. It is no longer a requirement in this country to go and see a private psychologist, counsellor or psychiatrist. There are Medicare funded centres now. The Medicare mental health centres, including the one in my electorate, in Richmond, that the assistant minister was so engaged in showing we could deliver on the ground, are places where people can get free mental health support. It can be ongoing support. It's not limited to a certain number of visits. It's not limited to one thing or the other. It's available and accessible. What's more, it's accessible six days a week. So, even on Saturdays or Thursday evenings, there's the capacity to just walk in and say, 'I'm not okay, and I need to talk to someone.' These are the sorts of changes that go to the sustainability and the development of Medicare, and they are backed by the measures in this bill, which is about ensuring the integrity of Medicare. It's becoming very clear to people that, under Labor, what you need is your Medicare card, not your credit card, to access health services. I've spoken about how hard it was to see a GP when we first took office, and I want to say to my community that we know that in three years there hasn't been an instant fix to all those issues, but what we have been able to do, including in Macquarie, is increase the number of bulk-billed visits to GPs. Across the country, it's been an $8.5 billion investment into more bulk-billed visits, hundreds of nursing scholarships and thousands more doctors. Australian patients and families have been saving money on out-of-pockets. It's really the first time that bulk-billing incentives have been expanded in a very long time, and our latest round means, we hope, that nine out of 10 GP visits will be bulk-billed by 2030. This is what's coming and what will find its way onto the ground. It will boost the number of fully bulk-billed practices to around 4,800 nationally. That's triple the number of practices right now that bulk-bill. Our record investment restores every dollar the Australian Medical Association said was cut from Medicare through the funding freeze by the Liberals. It's a policy that ensures no-one is held back and no-one is left behind, and it does make Medicare even stronger. It helps with cost-of-living pressures, and it ensures that every Australian receives the very best health care that they deserve. When we talk about the integrity of Medicare, we want to know that, when someone visits their GP or another specialist, there is transparency in the payments that they receive, that they are being properly billed and that, if there are any issues, the department has the power to look into those swiftly. That's the extra layer that this bill brings. In the last couple of minutes that I have, what I'd like to talk about is how this legislation interacts with the other very key part of our health system, and that is the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. The two really go hand in hand, and we've had to do work on both those sides. At the same time as making it easier and more affordable to see a doctor, you also have to make sure that people are able to access what will be prescribed to them afterwards, and that means cheaper medicines. So making medicines cheaper, with a script coming down to no more than $25 under the PBS, is another Labor commitment working its way through the parliament. It's another key cost-of-living measure that will continue to put downward pressure on inflation. Remember that, along with all the things that we've done, including introducing this bill into the last parliament, we already slashed the cost of medicines with the largest cut to the cost of medicines in the history of the PBS, and that happened in 2023. Of course, we're going even further with that. It's going to save Australians more than $200 million each year. They've already saved more than $1 billion on the cost of scripts thanks to our commitment to make medicines cheaper. It has already been the largest medicines price reduction in the 75-year history of the PBS, plus there's the ability for people to get 300 medicines on 60-day prescriptions and a lower PBS safety net threshold. This is the other part of the health system where we make a difference to people's lives. I have people in my community, particularly older people, who say health is their No. 1 priority. They say, 'If I can keep my health, if I can get treated for things, then I know I can do a whole lot of other things, and I can be here for my family.' So I'm very proud to be supporting this legislation, legislation that will help secure the future of Medicare. 16:50 Mr McCORMACK 219646 Riverina I respect the member for Macquarie. She left the best till last in her speech on the Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025. And she's so right. People will come to members of parliament to say that the most important thing in their lives is their health. Make no mistake; you can have all the wealth in the world, but, if you don't have your health, you've really got nothing. Absolutely. But I really do take umbrage at the fact that Labor member after Labor member comes into the House and talks down what the coalition did during our nine years in government. I am glad that the Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health and Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention is in the chamber. I want to give her a couple of compliments. She came to Wagga Wagga recently to talk about mental health, and I appreciated the visit. I know that she understands as well as anybody in this place the issues of mental health, and I appreciate the fact that she is endeavouring to do something to help in this very important—very, very important—area. When funding was withdrawn from a town in my electorate, Gundagai, I called her, and she fixed the situation. She did it promptly, and she responded as a good minister should. That's all for compliments—although she should be the health minister, quite frankly. I don't want to put the kiss of death on her, but, quite frankly, she should be the health minister, because the health minister, the member for Hindmarsh, unfortunately doesn't respond to members of parliament when they write letters. We get letters back from his chief of staff. Seriously, that shouldn't happen. I shouldn't know the name of the chief of staff of the health minister straight off the top—I'm not going to mention his name, because I don't think it's right that we talk about staff members in the House and put it on the Hansard. But I shouldn't be getting letters back from the chief of staff; I should be getting them back from the minister. I really should. I don't think the assistant minister would do that. I can ring her, I can write letters to her, and I will get the response. I mightn't always like it, but at least I get it, and that's the way it ought to be. It also disturbs me greatly that the Prime Minister is around and he holds this thing up—it's called the Medicare card—and says that's all you need. 'That is all you need.' He has said it over and over again, repeatedly. But we all remember, prior to the 2022 election, when he said over and over and over again, repeatedly, that there was going to be a lowering of your—when I say 'your', I'm talking about people out there in voter land—energy bills. That $275 never ever occurred. Just for once, I'd like to see the Prime Minister or the health minister admit that that isn't all you need when you go to see a medical specialist or when you go to see a health professional. It's certainly not the case if you live in rural and regional, let alone remote, Australia. You need to also take this little thing—it's your credit card. What really irked me, what really got under my skin, was that, not that long ago, when there was a chorus of complaints about bulk-billing—bulk-billing rates dropped 11 per cent under the Labor government's first term—the health minister said, 'If you pick the phone up and you can't get bulk-billing from one doctor, just pick the phone up and make an appointment with another doctor in town.' It might all be well and good in the leafy suburbs of Adelaide. It might all be well and good in metropolitan Australia. Try getting another doctor—try getting any other doctor—in rural, regional and, particularly, remote Australia. I know the assistant minister would appreciate this, because it's impossible. Or, if you can get an appointment with another doctor—and the second doctor may well bulk-bill—it'll be quite a while. You might die waiting. I'm not exaggerating and I'm not making light of it; I'm being deadly serious. Often in regional Australia, when in pain, unfortunately, catch a plane, because there just aren't the health professionals. We saw how the Minister for Health and Ageing disrespected our pharmacists. I know the assistant minister is a pharmacist. I know that's her trade. But the government had to be dragged kicking and screaming to sign the pharmacy accord when it should have been a fait accompli. It should have been a negotiation in good faith with our friendly chemists. It should have been agreed to with what was needed, and signed by the president of the Pharmacy Guild, Trent Twomey—who's a good man, who wasn't asking for much—and what did we see? We saw this absolute opposition from the government to what the Pharmacy Guild wanted. Then we saw the spectacle of the pharmacists coming in in their white coats, and they were disparaged because they were wearing what they wear to work. Yes, they were in white coats. They turned up en masse, and that's what it took. And it took, of course, the Nationals, and the Liberals too, fighting the good fight for it on behalf of our chemists because we on this side of the chamber know that in many communities—hundreds, in fact—in rural Australia the only health professional in town is your friendly pharmacist. That is the truth. When it comes to policy, I heard the member for Macquarie talking about the days of the coalition government as if they were the Dark Ages—the bad old days when nothing was achieved in health. It was quite the opposite. You only have to look at the delivery under the coalition government. I'm very proud of and very pleased about the rural medical schools that we put in place. Indeed, we rolled those out in Bendigo, Dubbo, Mildura, Orange, Shepparton and my home town of Wagga Wagga, and in each of those facilities they are training dozens upon dozens of young hopefuls who will be the doctors of the future and will address the shortage of doctors in regional Australia. That shortage has not been helped by Labor changing the distribution priority areas as soon as it got into government. They changed the DPAs and they made it such that periurban centres and coastal areas that are not in regional Australia but are in high-density areas could claim the distribution priority area funding. What happened then—and don't just take my word for it; the Rural Doctors Association and other key stakeholders said this—was that some doctors took their shingle off the practice and headed to the Gold Coast, headed to the city areas, headed to Wollongong or headed to Newcastle because all of a sudden they became eligible for the DPA funding. This is not right, and it's particularly not right when you've got communities in rural areas that are reliant on the Royal Flying Doctor Service but also, as I described before, don't have a doctor. They don't have a doctor, let alone a bulk-billing doctor. They just don't have a doctor at all. I know the assistant minister is trying to do her best, and I commend her for it, but it's just not understood by the government. They've spurned regional Australia in so many areas but particularly in health—particularly when it comes to the wellbeing and health of those people who do not live in the bright city lights of a capital city. It's not right. We have members coming into this place, and they've got their talking points. They read them out like robots and they make out as if nothing happened on the coalition's watch. Quite the opposite is the case, because we had this thing called COVID-19, and it was lucky that there was a coalition government in office when that occurred. It wasn't lucky at all that it occurred, but it was lucky we had a coalition government that put every measure and every possible policy in place to protect Australians and keep Australians alive. The Johns Hopkins centre acknowledged the fact that we were the second best in the world for pandemic preparedness. As the former deputy prime minister, I'm very proud of that, because we not only saved peoples' jobs but, more importantly, saved people's lives. We got those vaccines out. I have to say I was so proud of the fact that, when the vaccines were the hottest item that people were scrambling to get, the former member for Flinders and health minister, Greg Hunt made sure that our Indigenous communities and our Pacific neighbours were very much in line to get the jabs at the same time and at the same rate as any Australian. That's important because not only did we save lives and protect livelihoods in Australia; we did it in the Pacific. Under the former coalition government, there were many headspaces put into country communities. I know headspace Cowra opened up whilst we were very much in government, and 1,400 additional nurse placements for the regions were funded and supported during a coalition government. We talk about doctors, but everyone should always put a value on what our nurses do. They are angels of mercy, and we should be doing everything we can to ensure that we have more nurses. We put in place 94 million telehealth consultations, through Medicare, to 16 million patients. I know Labor come in and make out as if they're the only ones who protect Medicare. For every election in the recent past, there's been this big scaremongering campaign saying that we're going to somehow dismantle Medicare. The next speaker will probably claim that too. It's nonsense. It's a furphy. If you don't know what a furphy is, it's a country term for something that just isn't true. Go and look it up. It's very much a furphy. When we talk about telehealth, when we come to that very important discussion, it's important to note that you'll never replace a face-to-face consultation—I appreciate that—but telehealth with modern technology is important, particularly in rural and regional Australia. So too were the 857 new medicines put on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme between 2019 and when we, unfortunately, lost government. This is one thing I will say in favour of the minister for health: any medicine that can go through that PBAC process and be placed on the register is a good thing. That is absolutely a good thing, and it saves lives. We've got a very proud record of supporting a strong PBS in Australia—a very strong record—whereas, in stark contrast, when we took over government in 2013, under Tony Abbott, the Labor government at the time had stopped listing new medicines because they couldn't manage the nation's finances. That is a sad reality. That isn't a furphy. That's actually the truth. They capped the number of new medicines that could be considered for listing on the PBS, and that created unacceptable delays for patients whose lives very much depend on them. I appreciate that the Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025 is important. It also galled me somewhat when I had the opportunity to listen to the member for Kooyong. The teals come in here, and they're never happy. They're a glum lot. The member for Kooyong was talking about how piecemeal this legislation is. They never tell us what they will do. They'll bag Labor and they hate the Liberal-National coalition, but they'll never actually tell us what they'll do. They're always that pious group that have aways got every answer to every problem, but they'll never give you the solution. They'll tell you how terrible the major parties are going, but—like independents, always—they're just, quite frankly, nothing more than an inbox for complaints. They pretend as though, make out as if, they're the panacea for all the nation's ills and woes but never tell you exactly what they'd do if they were in government. Seriously, it's just a joke. But I appreciate this particular legislation is important. Medicare is important. It's been delivering for 40 years, and I'm more than happy to acknowledge that. As a coalition government, we were proud of what we did in the bulk-billing space and proud of the fact that we did keep Medicare going. We've got the best health system in the world—we do—and, as an Australian and a member of this parliament, I'm very proud of that fact. 17:05 Mr SOON 298618 Banks I rise today to support the Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025, and I am so glad to have another opportunity to speak on this government's healthcare agenda. Australians know that it was a Labor government that created Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and their predecessors. These programs help Australians pay for the health care they need in a world-class system. It is only Labor that stands to protect these programs and, in turn, strengthen Australians' access to reliable, affordable, quality health care. Part of strengthening our country's healthcare system is protecting the integrity of the Medicare program, supporting the Therapeutic Goods Administration to manage goods shortfalls and enforce legislation and enabling more effective preventive health measures to deter the take-up of tobacco and nicotine products. The health legislation amendment bill before the parliament makes amendments to various pieces of legislation, including the National Health Act, the Health Insurance Act, the Human Services (Medicare) Act and the Dental Benefits Act, to respond to a range of issues that affect our health system as well as the administration and provision of our health benefits program. These changes come as a result of the Independent Review of Medicare Integrity and Compliance undertaken by Dr Pradeep Philip. The budget delivered by the government for financial year 2023-24 funded the establishment of the Medicare Integrity Taskforce to consider the findings of the Philip review and implement its recommendations. The Philip review referred to the need for the integrity activities to identify and respond to any actors in the system who are unintentionally or dishonestly obtaining payments. Australians know that the overwhelming majority of our doctors and healthcare professionals are honest and hardworking and comply with the Medicare rules—general practitioners and specialists are pillars of the community in my electorate—but unfortunately there are a small proportion out there who don't act with the integrity that the Australian people expect. The government has a responsibility to act to ensure that community expectations are met in all aspects of our healthcare system. These amendments are necessary to protect the integrity and support the ongoing sustainability of the Medicare Benefits Schedule, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the Child Dental Benefits Schedule and ensure patient safety is protected in all aspects of our healthcare system. Importantly, the measures introduced in the bill before the House will only directly impact the small percentage of practitioners and businesses engaged in noncompliance or fraudulent activities. The vast and overwhelming majority of practitioners and patients who do the right thing should notice no difference. Overall, patients and practitioners can expect to benefit from better protected health benefit schemes that will provide more secure access to safe, quality healthcare services. Where genuine fraud exists in our healthcare system, it is our responsibility to investigate it and pursue it through the avenues available. At present, the legislation does not provide adequate paths for government to take action in this regard. The investigative powers in part IID of the Human Services (Medicare) Act apply inconsistently across all of the health benefits programs, and, as a result, investigators do not have access to the full suite of powers for numerous offences, with particular weaknesses in relation to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. There are also unnecessary restrictions on the ability to search with consent and on the retention of important evidence, which can frustrate efforts to pursue prosecution in some serious instances that are dealt with under the Criminal Code. This Labor government isn't just strengthening the PBS by cutting the price of prescriptions to a maximum of $25; we are strengthening it by ensuring that the small handful of people out there who abuse it can be held accountable. Further, the bill amends the National Health Act to improve the efficiency of the process by which the minister may exercise discretion to approve a pharmacist, by combining two stages of the existing process, as well as restricting repeat applications, amongst other measures that will reduce administrative burden and support more timely access to medications and pharmaceutical benefits for Australian patients. While these legislative changes are hardly the flashiest part of the government's agenda in the healthcare space, they are both timely and important for the long-term sustainability of our healthcare programs. Overall, this suite of measures will collectively improve the power to detect, respond to, investigate, disclose and deter misconduct, fraud and non-compliance, and it will support the ability to conduct efficient, timely and effective compliance enforcement activities. It is important for this government to ensure that the PBS is not being exploited by bad actors out there, but it's equally important to ensure that the department is able to respond to shortages in the pharmaceuticals that Australians need. This legislation does just that. This bill makes amendments to the Therapeutic Goods Act to enhance the department's capacity to manage the situation and alleviate the effects on patients by allowing approval of the import of substitutable products when it becomes clear that there is a looming shortage. In recent years, we've seen the spread of vaping and e-cigarettes, including in concerning numbers among young Australians. The Minister for Health and Ageing, Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme has led the reform in this space, ensuring that we keep vaping products out of the hands of young people and stop the sale of illegal vapes. This legislation continues to move forward in this space, with measures to support compliance and enforcement activities undertaken in relation to vaping goods and to support existing legislation. Further, this legislation makes changes to the Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Act that remove the restrictions on the public service performance compliance enforcement activities as well as enable the refresh of health warnings on tobacco products and packaging to ensure these measures are effective in deterring the uptake of smoking and in the promotion of the cessation of smoking as an important preventative initiative. The specific provisions of the legislation will ensure this refresh can be undertaken without unnecessarily or excessively burdening business owners or retailers. As I indicated before, these provisions are not flashy and probably won't get on the front page of the paper, but they are an important part of the government's wider health agenda, making sure that we can deliver the high-quality, affordable and accessible health care that Australians expect and need. When Labor came to government in 2022, it had never been harder or more expensive to see a doctor. This is why Australians put their faith in us to repair the health system. That continues in this term of the 48th Parliament. The Labor government did the hard work and, in the last term of parliament, made record investments in Medicare to restore bulk-billing rates for those who need it most and got results. Bulk-billing rates began to climb in every state and territory as a result of millions of additional trips to the GP that wouldn't have been possible without our tripling of the incentive. Now, the Albanese government is making the single largest investment in Medicare since its creation, with $8.5 billion to deliver more bulk-billing for all Australians, meaning that nine out of 10 GP visits will be bulk-billed by 2030 and that triple the number of practices will be bulk-billing all of their patients. Only this side of the House respects the noble work that is done by our healthcare professionals and understands that nothing we do in this place can be implemented in the health system without them. It's why we're investing $662 million in the healthcare workforce, which will expand the largest GP training program in Australia's history. By 2028 we'll be funding the training of 2,000 new GP trainees every year alongside measures such as fee-free TAFE and the prac payment, which are helping more nurses and other healthcare professionals get qualified in our communities, to help develop our healthcare system further. During the election campaign in 2022, Labor promised that we would open 50 medical urgent care clinics across the country. We overdelivered, with 87 clinics nationwide, and I look forward to being part of the delivery of a further 50, as we promised at the latest election. The clinics that serve my community in Bankstown and Carlton have filled a gap in our healthcare system and taken the pressure off the emergency departments and the hardworking staff at the Bankstown-Lidcombe and St George hospitals. Across the whole network, more than 1.8 million patients have been seen and have received fully bulk-billed care. That is an astounding number of people who didn't have to wait in an emergency department or, even worse, forgo medical treatment altogether. I had the opportunity last week to speak on the National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025, and I'm so glad to be able to reiterate to the House the government's fantastic achievements in this space. In 2023 we cut the cost of PBS prescriptions from $42.50 to $30, and the legislation that passed the House last week will cut them from $31.50 to just $25 as well as maintain the $7.70 freeze for pensioners and concession card holders in our communities. The reduction in cost from the government is a cut of more than 20 per cent to the maximum cost of a script, which will save Australians a further $200 million each year, and the government's initiative to make 300 medicines available on 60-day prescriptions and lower the PBS safety net threshold will make sure Australian patients save more than a billion dollars on the cost of their scripts thanks to this government's commitment to making medicines cheaper. This is what tangible cost-of-living relief for Australians looks like, as we continue to put downward pressure on inflation while supporting our healthcare system. The Albanese Labor government has delivered a significant boost for public hospital funding, with $1.8 billion invested on 1 July this year, including $408 million for hospitals in my state of New South Wales. The agreement means Australians will benefit from better funded hospitals—like the one I visited in Bankstown on Friday last week—shorter waiting times in emergency departments and shorter waitlists as the government continues to work in partnership with the states and territories to deliver a five-year funding agreement for public hospitals. This is in stark contrast to those opposite, who cut $50 billion from public hospitals under the stewardship of the former leader of the opposition and member for Dickson. As I said, this government's health agenda is substantial. It covers the length and breadth of the portfolio. While the changes made by the Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025 might not get the headlines, they are no less important as we deliver the healthcare system that Australians deserve and expect. It is this government that continues to invest in Medicare, it is this government that continues to invest in the PBS, and it is this government that continues to invest in our healthcare workforce to make our healthcare system one of the best in the world. I commend this bill to the House and look forward to continuing to support our government's agenda in the health space in order to make sure it continues to remain affordable, of the highest quality and in line with what our communities expect to make sure that we have healthy Australians of all ages for generations to come. 17:19 Ms STEGGALL 175696 Warringah This bill implements minor amendments from the government's response to the Philip review by strengthening integrity measures across Medicare, pharmaceuticals and therapeutic goods. It equips regulators with stronger powers to tackle fraud, unlawful products and the growing threat of vaping. In fact, for those wanting the detail, schedule 1 of the bill aims to improve the enforcement of Medicare integrity by, first of all, changing claim timeframes for bulk-billed Medicare and dental services from two years to one year, broadening investigative powers to ensure they can be used across health benefit schemes, streamlining the pharmacy approval processes and providing greater oversight powers to obtain information about potential noncompliance. Schedule 1 also proposes amendments to the Therapeutic Goods Act to better manage and alleviate the consequences of medicine shortages. Critically, what I want to focus on today is schedules 2 and 3 of the bill, which strengthen legislative action against vaping by closing loopholes, strengthening enforcement and harmonising laws. The widespread availability of illegal vapes remains extremely concerning. We passed legislation during the last parliament in relation to vaping, but clearly it is not working and much more is needed. It's emerging as one of the major public health threats to Australia in our communities. Tobacconists are popping up within 300 metres of schools all over the place in our areas and communities, and it is unacceptable. Regularly I hear from parents, carers and other members of the community about the increasing number of these tobacco shops that are popping up just everywhere. I've talked about it at local government level; they are powerless about it because it's not a change of use, so we need a strong direction from the federal government to do something about this. My Independent colleagues at state level are pressing state government to do more to stop these tobacconists popping up everywhere, but we have to do something. People are alarmed about how this can continue to occur, especially in such close proximity to our schools, parks and childcare centres. It is clearly a targeted measure from vaping and illegal tobacco. Australia has a strong history of tackling public health issues. For years tobacco use continued to fall. The measures had worked. In 2001 about one in two people in Australia, 49 per cent, had smoked in their lifetime; 20 years later, by 2022-23, this had reduced to just one in three, 35 per cent, already a great outcome. But we need to keep pushing to do better. This was possible through world-leading measures such as plain packaging, advertising bans and tobacco excise. Unfortunately it's rebuilding. The tobacco companies have invested and    moved into the vaping space, and what we're seeing is now an attack on health that is incredibly concerning. Vaping rapidly filled the gap, and there are so many misconceptions in our community about vaping. There are a number of measures that governments need to take. Vaping have read the consumer and marketing playbook, marketed in bright colours and sweet flavours and sold illegally in rapidly emerging tobacco stores around the country. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare nearly 50 per cent of Australians aged 18 to 24 have tried e-cigarettes and vapes. In 17- to 18-year-olds it has tripled in just three years—a massive problem. Despite the 2024 vaping reforms the black market remains rampant, and the gap between legislation and enforcement continues to erode public trust. There has to be more done from a Border Force point of view and then policing and implementation. This bill introduces minor amendments that align with and add greater clarity to the existing vaping reforms. These are important progressive steps, but they must be matched with so much more. They need national enforcement, penalties and education. The wider issue here remains protecting young Australians from addiction. I actually recently had the opportunity to speak to some of our area commanders, from a policing point of view, and there was a real concern about lack of resources to properly police tobacco concerns. We need implementation of greater accountability for retailers and distributors who continue to sell vapes illegally; consideration of a nationwide licence for tobacconists with stricter compliance and oversight requirements; strengthening of penalties to deter the illegal behaviour; and properly resourced and staffed policing and enforcement capabilities. Further, we need more transparency, data around who is been provided with vapes and reporting on enforcement outcomes so communities know that action is being taken where it is needed. We need education campaigns in schools and in workplaces to counter this industry marketing, and we need to protect children. Too many do not think of vaping in the same way as they think of smoking. They do not understand that it is as bad—this is as bad for your health, community and children. The Youth Vaping Education Campaign in 2024 was good, but it must continue in our schools, and it needs to be amplified. Where is the national campaign on our screens telling people not to vape—that vaping is as dangerous and as harmful to your health as tobacco? In the past we've had strong anti-smoking campaigns to help educate Australians on those health risks and warnings. Where are the similar vaping campaigns? They are just missing, and this is a spot where the federal government must step into that responsibility. In fact, I had a meeting that was so sobering with a young Warringah based scientist, Andie Thorpe—an amazing young woman. She's been identified through STEM projects, and she's doing the most incredible research, but it was just horribly sobering. She is studying third-hand vaping. I would question how many people realise that vaping leaves a residue where you have vapes. If it's internally, in a car, house or any room, it leaves a residue on every surface. For example, you've vaped in your car thinking you're doing it before picking up the kids from school, it's safe and you're not giving them any kind of second-hand smoke. Then you pick them up—maybe you pick them up from child care. You put the baby in the car seat. In that car seat, they will maybe touch the surfaces in the car around them and put their fingers in their mouth. That is third-hand impact. What they are seeing is that residue is incredibly toxic. Not only is there a danger to those around you of firsthand and second-hand vaping; there's third-hand, where it has left a residue in the place where it has been consumed. What it's showing is that the chemicals linger on surfaces, impacting lung function, immunity and even, in situations of pregnancy, the embryo. This is incredibly toxic, and it's incredibly important that we quickly counter that with information. The government urgently needs to do a national campaign to warn against the dangers of vaping and the chemicals included. Andie's research shows that vaping harms extend well beyond the individual user, and this is so widespread. It affects our homes, our schools and the wider community. It really is a health menace. The government's actions with this bill are welcome, but so much more needs to be done to ensure that vaping does not entrench itself like tobacco has done in the past. Otherwise, we'll continue to see the health costs and harms escalating, and communities will lose faith that the government has an intention to protect health and the health of our communities. On the whole, the amendments are a welcome step in the right direction, but the stakes are high. I can't stress it enough. Laws alone are not enough. We must match legislative reform with enforcement, education and a nationally coordinated campaign if we want to protect young Australians from addiction with vaping. I commend this bill but urge the government to show much greater ambition when it comes to tackling the scourge of vaping, because nothing is more important than the health of our children and our communities. 17:29 Mr FRENCH 316550 Moore I rise to speak in support of the Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025. This bill is about fairness, trust and the future of Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. It is about making sure these pillars of our health system remain strong, sustainable and accessible for every Australian. In this country, health care cannot be treated as a privilege. It cannot be reduced to a commodity, rationed or auctioned to the highest bidder. It must remain a right guaranteed to all. That is why, when people in my electorate of Moore visit a pharmacy or a GP, they should be able to count on certainty—certainty that (1) the cost will be affordable and that (2) the system is fair, rigorous and sustainable. Cost-of-living pressures are real, and health expenses are often the silent burden within the household budget. When families skip medicines or delay care, the risks are not abstract. They are real and they are long-lasting. This bill helps lift that burden and remove those impossible choices. Our task is clear. We must strengthen Medicare, the PBS and their integrity so that every public dollar reaches the patients it was intended for. That is the clear purpose of this bill. Labor built Medicare, and Labor built the PBS. And, every time Labor has been in government, we have worked to reinforce and expand these foundations. This bill continues that tradition with focus and determination. In government, we have delivered cheaper medicines, stronger bulk-billing incentives and Medicare urgent care clinics to provide timely walk-in care for urgent but non-life-threatening needs. We have also increased Medicare rebates after years of neglect. This bill builds upon that record of reform. It advances integrity, access and accountability, the three elements that sustain public confidence. It targets fraud, error and waste while backing the overwhelming majority of providers who act with honesty and professionalism. Above all, it ensures patients remain at the centre of the system. The bill reduces the timeframe for bulk-billed claims from two years to one year, tightening oversight and improving integrity. Integrity delayed, after all, is integrity denied. A shorter window means faster reconciliation and earlier detection of abnormalities. Honest providers benefit from certainty and clear expectations while those who exploit the system lose the opportunity to rort. Regulators, in turn, gain sharper tools to detect and pursue misconduct. That is not bureaucracy for its own sake. It is targeted, intelligence led compliance. Proportionality remains central. The framework educates where mistakes are inadvertent, escalates when behaviour is reckless and imposes firm consequences when fraud is deliberate. That balance is what builds trust in the system. Faster, clearer processes mean more timely access to care for patients in Beldon, Currambine and Edgewater. Red tape should never become a barrier at the front door of health care. When approvals are delivered on time, pharmacies can plan, invest and hire with confidence. They can expand services like dose administration aids, home delivery and extended hours. This is reform with practical results. When public funds flow back into patient care, communities in suburbs like Hillarys, Sorrento and North Beach see the benefits. Every dollar returned is a dollar available for medicines and services. This is not punishment for its own sake; it is fairness to taxpayers and providers who do the right thing every day. Integrity is what preserves confidence in Medicare. This bill supports broader reforms to protect young people in suburbs like Woodvale and Watermans Bay from the health risks of today becoming the chronic diseases of tomorrow. Prevention now avoids heavier costs later. Integrity is not just a slogan. It is the oxygen of Medicare and the PBS. When people present a Medicare card or a prescription, they must trust the price, the rules and the system itself. Reviews have shown there is significant leakage from noncompliance and fraud in health funding. That is money not reaching patients in suburbs like Iluka, Marmion and Sorrento in my electorate. This bill responds directly to that challenge. It creates guardrails to ensure the system works as intended. It supports the majority who comply and identifies the small minority who do not. That is how integrity must operate. Let me turn to Medicare urgent care clinics. Across Australia, these clinics offer extended hours, walk-in care and no out-of-pocket expenses for urgent, but non-life-threatening, issues. They relieve pressure on emergency departments while keeping care close to home. A child's deep cut, a sprain or an ear infection may be urgent, but it is not an emergency. Urgent care clinics treat these needs quickly, safely and affordably. Hospitals are then free to focus on strokes, heart attacks and serious trauma. That is reform rooted in common sense and proven in practice. It is Medicare doing what it does best: delivering care when and where it is needed most. Turning to primary care, strengthening bulk-billing is vital for children, pensioners and concession card holders. It supports access, continuity and better outcomes that flow from consistent care. A fair and efficient PBS keeps people well and working. It reduces avoidable hospital admissions, and it helps families manage their household budgets with greater certainty. Data driven stewardship is another strength of this bill. Earlier identification of unusual patterns allows correction, education and enforcement before harm spreads. That protects patients, providers and taxpayers alike. This is not about 'gotcha' enforcement. It is about guardrails, clarity and predictable rules, and public confidence demands nothing less. The principle here is simple: care first, cost fair. Affordable medicine, supported GPs and pharmacists, convenient urgent care and honour systems create compounding benefits. That is how we build a healthier society, in Moore and nationwide. Prevention, too, saves lives and dollars. Immunisation, screening and risk factor management all reduce illness and hospital use. A stronger Medicare and a fairer PBS make prevention achievable for everyone. Health spending is not a sunk cost. It is an investment. Its return is measured in hospital bed days avoided, productivity preserved and dignity protected. This bill strengthens that return. Integrity also means clarity for providers. Compliance should be predictable, proportionate and transparent. The system should reward good practice and correct honest mistakes. By tightening claim timeframes and modernising investigations, the bill removes grey areas. It sets expectations that providers can clearly understand and meet. That is good governance. Technology and data, when applied properly, are allies of patient safety and value for money. Reliable data enables benchmarking and smarter targeting of education and enforcement. Secure, connected systems reduce duplication and errors. Community pharmacies remain a cornerstone of access. Transparent, timely approvals help them align staffing, invest in services and support patients with complex needs. Stronger pharmacies make for stronger communities. This bill strikes the right balance. It educates and corrects where appropriate, escalates when necessary and applies firm penalties for deliberate misconduct. In doing so, it protects patients while respecting professional autonomy. I know firsthand what the PBS means. In 2009, I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, and, in 2020, I received a kidney transplant from my brother. Immunosuppressant medicines keep that gift safe, and the PBS keeps them affordable. Without those medicines, a transplant is at risk. Without affordability, adherence is at risk. The PBS turns a medical miracle into a sustained reality. That is why affordable medicines are not an abstract policy to me; they are a lifeline for Australians managing serious illness. This bill helps protect that lifeline by strengthening integrity and access. In Moore, the benefits of cheaper medicines and stronger Medicare are felt daily. Every affordable prescription helps control chronic conditions. Every bulk-billed consultation supports early treatment and prevention. Urgent care that is convenient and free keeps people healthy and productive. It also preserves hospital capacity for emergencies, and it strengthens confidence in our local health services. This bill supports patients and providers together. Clear rules and fair processes ease the compliance load for those doing the right thing. Shorter claim windows reduce administrative tail risks. They encourage accurate billing at the point of care. They help detect anomalies quickly. Modern investigative powers allow proportionate responses. Most errors can be corrected through education, but serious misconduct demands firm consequences. Streamlined pharmacy approvals mean real-world improvements in access. Families can obtain timely medicines without unnecessary delay. Communities retain the services they depend upon, and efficient debt recovery returns money directly to patient care. That ensures fairness to contributors and compliance with community standards. It also sends a clear signal that public funds are stewarded responsibly. Vaping and tobacco reforms are another essential step. Protecting young people today prevents the chronic diseases of tomorrow. This bill complements those efforts with a coherent package of reforms. Together, they align incentives, clarify responsibilities and deliver better outcomes. They are built on evidence, consultation and practical experience. The design of the bill respects clinical judgement. It sets system rules without intruding into the consult room. That balance ensures care remains patient-centred. Medicare and the PBS are social compacts. We fund them collectively because illness does not discriminate. We maintain them carefully because public trust sustains them. For households, affordability means dignity. It is the difference between adherence and risk. It is the reassurance that care is within reach. For the health workforce, clarity means respect. Clear and consistent rules honour professional effort. They allow clinicians to spend time where it matters: with the patients. For governments, integrity means stewardship. Every dollar must reach the front line. Leakage must be found and fixed. This bill advances all three principles: dignity, respect and stewardship. It strengthens the social licence of Medicare. It keeps faith with the Australian public. This is Labor's enduring story in health. From foundations to modernisation, the path has always been forward. Each time Labor governs, health care is broadened, strengthened and secured. Whitlam laid the foundations. Hawke and Keating strengthened the PBS. Labor governments resisted efforts to impose higher co-payments. Today, we deliver the largest investment in Medicare in decades and the lowest PBS co-payments in 20 years. The point is consistency of purpose. Fairness, dignity and security remain our compass, and this bill follows that compass faithfully. For families in Beldon, it means a child's inhaler without a trade-off at the checkout. For apprentices in Padbury, it means pain relief that does not jeopardise rent. For seniors in Kingsley and Duncraig, it means every script filled on time. For pharmacies in Joondalup, it means certainty to plan. For clinics across Moore, it means predictable settings that support quality care. For the system, it means integrity that is visible and reliable. Every affordable script is a step away from an avoidable ambulance. Every bulk-billed visit frees a hospital bed. Every strong pharmacy anchors access in the community. These reforms are practical, balanced and targeted. They keep patients at the centre. They maintain the trust that makes Medicare work. This bill is not just words passed in Canberra; it is Medicare and the PBS doing their jobs. Australians expect a system that is fair, strong and sustainable. They expect governments to safeguard integrity and improve access. This bill meets those expectations. Its benefits will be seen in homes, workplaces and clinics. I commend this bill to the House, and I do so confident that it strengthens Medicare and the PBS as pillars of fairness, dignity and trust for all Australians. 17:44 Mr HILL 86256 Bruce This bill brings together a number of important strands of the government's ongoing work to improve and reform Australia's healthcare system. It brings together a number of elements that were contained in the bill that was considered by the previous parliament which lapsed in the Senate but which I note had been the subject of a Senate committee report recommending that those important measures be passed. The context is also important because it complements and links to all of the work—and I see the assistant minister for health here—which the government is powering ahead with, delivering on election commitments around cheaper medicines, Medicare urgent care clinics and all of the other reforms in the health system. I commend the member for Moore for his speech. Already in this place he's become a powerful advocate for his community but also has been courageous enough to share many of his own health challenges and highlight in a very personal way the importance of Medicare to everyday Australians. He's a real asset to the parliament. To summarise the bill, the measures are principally intended to protect the integrity of Medicare, enhance the regulation of therapeutic goods and, importantly, vaping goods under the Therapeutic Goods Act and make minor amendments to ensure the smooth and consistent operation of the tobacco act. I'll just touch firstly on the Medicare integrity measures. These are not made-up. They implement recommendations from the Independent Review of Medicare Integrity and Compliance, known as the Philip review. Medicare and its programs help Australians pay for their health care. It's a world-class system that is rightly the envy of the world. My electorate in south-east Melbourne is home to many new migrants, people new to Australia, and one of the things they marvel at is that, when they become a permanent resident and then a citizen of our country, they get the little green and gold card which gives them access to the doctor, medicines and so on. Most people in the world do not live in a country where they can enjoy the kind of health care we have. But money doesn't fall from the sky. It's incumbent on the government to make sure every single taxpayer dollar that goes into Medicare is managed properly and managed with integrity. That's important for the sustainability of the scheme. Of course it's important and a focus of the government to make sure every dollar is spent efficiently, effectively, economically and ethically by the public agencies that administer it, but it's also important for public trust because when taxpayers and citizens see rorting of public programs it undermines public trust in these universal programs which Labor governments introduce. Integrity really matters, and it is important that our agencies have the powers they need to support investigations, conduct efficient and timely and effective compliance activities and crack down on any rorting and misuse of the system that they see. To contrast, we saw under the former government the shocking scandal of robodebt, sending fake debt notices to the most vulnerable Australians with the power of the Commonwealth logo for money they did not owe—absolutely shameful. It was a deliberate budget measure continued under successive ministers. If only they'd put the same amount of effort into pursuing rorting in schemes like the NDIS, which the government is now investing through the Fraud Fusion Taskforce and other measures, to find the crooks and charge and prosecute them. My dad was a doctor. As I was saying to the assistant minister, I was a great disappointment to the family. I was supposed to be a doctor because he was a doctor and his dad was a doctor and his dad was a doctor—a line of obstetricians, one of them very famous actually. My mum was a nurse, and my uncle had two PhDs in nursing. I not only refused to do medicine, even though I did science and had the marks; I rebelled against my mother by refusing to go to Melbourne University—I went to Monash and studied other things. But I've got great regard, coming from a family immersed in medicine, for the work that doctors do. The vast majority of doctors serve their patients with care and distinction. My dad died when I was young, but Mum used to tell the story that when he'd come home and she'd do the monthly books for his doctor's surgery—it was back in the day where you could be a GP and a specialist obstetrician/gynaecologist—she'd get very frustrated at the end of the month and say, 'You haven't charged all these patients,' and he'd say, 'But they were sick. I had to help them.' The ethos of care that most people in the medical profession exhibit to their patients is admirable, but the truth is there are also some filthy rich doctors who rort the system—absolutely unacceptable. Those doctors—we have seen the examples—come up rarely, but when they do come up they completely undermine public trust in our Medicare system. It's really important that those doctors are cracked down on with the full force of the law, and these measures to give agencies powers to conduct proper investigations and go after them are absolutely critical; I commend them. As I said, this is part of the delivery of our ambitious health agenda, and one part of that, as many speakers, both government and opposition, have remarked upon in their own way is the government's measures to make cheaper medicines even cheaper and to reduce the general PBS copayment so that, when the bill passes, Australians will pay a maximum of $25 per script. I'll say that again. The Labor government is delivering on our election commitments to charge a maximum copayment, under the PBS, of $25 a script. The last time the copayment was $25 was in 2004. That's more than 20 years ago. This reduction represents a more than 20 per cent cut to the maximum cost of PBS medicines. Importantly, the bill is drafted so that, for all medicines that pharmacies can currently discount today, they'll be still able to be discounted. There's a specific provision in the bill to protect the availability of discounting, which is so important for competition and to many people who pursue and focus on saving every dollar. One of the key cost-of-living measures is the reduction in medicine costs. It comes on top of the largest reduction to PBS medicines, which we affected in 2023. These measures will make four out of five PBS medicines cheaper. In my electorate of Bruce, more than $10 million has already been saved by people because of those changes, as at 31 July. As I said, it builds on action we've already taken to deliver important cost-of-living measures through the PBS through cheaper medicines—more free and cheaper medicines sooner, with a 25 per cent reduction in the number of scripts that a concessional patient has to fill out once the safety net kicks in. That was July 2022, and it was one of the first actions the elected Albanese Labor government took. Then, as I said, came the largest cut to the cost of PBS medicines in the history of the PBS, with the maximum cost of a general script falling to $30 from $42.50, where it had risen to under the Liberals, and then came the 60-day prescriptions, saving time and money. There was a little bit of an unhelpful debate. I think it's fair to say some of the pharmacy lobby went a little bit over the top. The sky was going to fall in, and pharmacies were going to close. There were going to be no pharmacies left. I remember them up there, yelling in the gallery and carrying on. Full credit to the health minister for persevering with this important reform. Again, the former government had the advice. They'd been told, year after year, when they were sitting on the Treasury benches, that this was a reform that they should do for people with chronic health conditions and that there was no reason for them to have to go to the pharmacy every month and pay the prescribing fee when they were going to be on a medication for life. I'll give you an example. Often, when you talk about these things, people think of older Australians who may have more health conditions or be on more medicines or they think of people our age, my age, who may start to develop some health conditions, if they see the doctor regularly enough. But I got a rare phone call from my daughter when we made that change. Well, she calls me quite a bit, but it was rare that I got a call that said, 'Dad, you've done some useful.' I said, 'Oh, what's that, darling?' And she said, 'This 60-day prescribing is going to save me a fortune,' because she had just bought a house and her life revolved around keeping money in the offset account and trying to get me to pay for as many things as possible. That's a fairly predictable modus operandi. I see a bit of camaraderie across the chamber here; it's relatable. It's true. We've all been there, if we've got kids of that age. The point is she has a chronic DVT. She almost died, as I spoke about in the parliament at the time, at her request, to raise awareness of the issue. She got a DVT overseas. We were in Sri Lanka. They fixed her up in ICU, but she has chronic vein damage in her leg and will be a blood thinners for the rest of her life. There is no reason for people who suffer a chronic health condition to have to go to the doctor every 30 days, but, unfortunately, the former government failed to act. To this government's credit and to the health minister's eternal credit, he toughed it out and pushed that reform through, and it's saving hundreds of millions of dollars for Australians every year. The final thing I'll just note is with respect to the measures in the bill that contribute to tobacco and vaping management. This is a really important amendment with respect to tobacco and vaping. As previous speakers—including, I note, the member for Warringah—rightly observed, it doesn't solve the problem of illegal tobacco or vaping, but it does contribute through the health portfolio to tightening the regulatory environment and taking steps in that direction. Australia's efforts over generations now to curb smoking rates are world leading. People come from overseas to have a look at the public policy initiatives we put in place, a combination of education and interventions in the younger years and also excise increases over time. The combination of measures that Australia has taken in public education have seen smoking rates consistently decrease for a very long time now and flatline. That's a good thing. It saves lives and it saves untold billions in the health system. But what we have been seeing in recent years, with the infiltration of organised crime into the illicit tobacco market and, of course, vaping, is deeply concerning, as previous speakers have said, and rightly so—vaping is bad for your health. Of course, people who are chronically addicted to nicotine can see their doctor and receive a prescription. If it's a harm minimisation approach—vaping versus cigarettes—then that might be the right choice for the individual. But the explosion of vaping in the next generation that we have seen and that the government is acting on is deeply concerning not only for the future health of our kids and that generation but also for society because we know that, as people become addicted to nicotine—a highly addictive substance—through vaping, at some point many people then start to transition to smoking cigarettes because, for a lot of people, it's actually cheaper to go and buy illicit tobacco than stick with the vapes. These are all publicly known facts. There's obviously a lot of work underway. One of the responsibilities I have in the customs portfolio, with the Australian Border Force, is oversighting their fantastic, incredible work to intercept illegal tobacco and vapes at the border. You can think about it like this: there's pre border, there's at border and there's post border. The work that the ABF is doing with international counterparts on shipping and intelligence to improve our ability to detect at the border and disrupt production offshore is going well. We've seen record numbers in seizures of vapes and cigarettes over the last 12 months. Don't hold me to the figure, but I think it was in the order of 2.5 billion cigarette equivalents intercepted at the border through the fantastic work of the ABF. I've visited them in Perth and Melbourne and seen firsthand the work that the team does. But, of course, as other speakers have observed, there is more to do in the postborder environment, particularly in working with the states and territories on tobacco and vaping. I commend the work of the Illicit Tobacco and E-cigarette Commissioner. It sits in the ABF but works across the whole of the Commonwealth and with all states and territories; there are in the order of 40 separate agencies involved, if you add up the consumer agencies, the health agencies and so on, to disrupt this trade. I commend the work that's underway while acknowledging that there's more to do and commend this bill to the House for making an important contribution to that effort. 17:58 Ms WHITE 224102 Lyons Thank you to all members who've made a contribution on the Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025. I've appreciated listening to everybody's speeches. I'd just sum up by saying that Australia has a world-class health system, largely thanks to the various health benefits schemes such as Medicare which help Australians pay for the health care that they need. We've heard lots of contributions today talking about how important Medicare is for our various electorates and, more importantly, the people who rely on access to great health care in our country. In 2023-24 payments for health benefits including medical services, pharmaceutical services and private health insurance rebates totalled at least $65.1 billion in Australia. The government is committed to protecting this investment and strengthening Medicare by improving the compliance framework that ensures its integrity. The government commissioned the independent review of Medicare integrity and compliance known as the Philip review in November 2022 to respond to concerns about the operation of the Medicare system. The Health Insurance Amendment (Professional Services Review Scheme) Act 2023 and the Health Insurance Amendment (Professional Services Review Scheme No. 2) Act 2023 made amendments in response to recommendations of the Philip review. This bill will support the integrity and sustainability of Medicare by addressing a range of issues to enable the department to conduct more efficient, timely and effective compliance activities. The bill will improve payment integrity by reducing the timeframe for making bulk-billed claims. The bill will allow investigative powers to be used consistently and effectively across all health systems and schemes, including Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and will improve the processes related to pharmacy approvals. The bill also makes several sensible amendments to the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 to enhance the capacity of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to manage and alleviate the consequences of therapeutic goods shortages and to support compliance and enforcement activities undertaken in relation to unlawful therapeutic goods and unlawful vaping goods. These amendments are consistent with this government's unwavering commitment to public health and mitigate the public health risks associated with therapeutic goods and vaping goods by supporting strong and effective regulation under the Therapeutic Goods Act. The bill also amends the Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Act 2023. These amendments are largely clarifying in nature and have been identified as necessary during the implementation to ensure the smooth and consistent operation of the act. I commend the bill to the House. Question agreed to. Bill read a second time. Third Reading 78 18:01 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. Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026, Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026, Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026 78

Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026

Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026

Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026

Second Reading 78 18:02 Mr TED O'BRIEN 138932 Fairfax I rise to speak on the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026, the Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026 and the Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026. These bills draw on the Consolidated Revenue Fund to finance continued operation of government and to give effect to decisions taken since the budget. Together, they appropriate $98.2 billion from consolidated revenue for the 2025-26 year. To be very clear, the opposition will not oppose these bills. Our support ensures the continuity of essential government services and funding for ongoing activities. However, that support does not mean that the coalition, the opposition, endorses the government's management of the Australian economy or its economic program. In fact, we are strongly of the view, based on the evidence already in after three years of the Albanese government, that they are doing a very poor job of managing the economy. As a consequence of their poor economic management, we are seeing Australians becoming poorer and the economy becoming weaker. We know Australians are poorer because they are experiencing the largest drop in living standards among the developed world. The largest single drop is here in Australia, and the Australian people are feeling it. They're feeling it right across the country, no matter what it is people are doing in their daily lives. When one's living standards fall so much, families in particular have hard decisions to make. We are talking about families who are not just cancelling holidays but are telling their children they can't buy that new pair of shoes. Some children are having to move school because their parents can't afford the school they were going to. We are seeing hard decisions being made by families about how to live their lives. We are seeing senior citizens make hard decisions such as do they eat at night or do they heat their homes. These are the day-to-day consequences of very poor economic management, where you do see the Australian people suffering, and enormously so. We know that the Australian people have been experiencing a per capita recession. That continues to be the case. We have the cost of living only getting worse. We've seen the price of rent and housing go up by around 20 per cent. Insurance is up by well over 20 per cent. Electricity and gas have gone up by well over 38 or 39 per cent. These are enormous increases in everyday costs for the everyday Australian, and that's just the start. We know that it's not just the Australian people feeling poorer but the economy itself being weaker. We see that through the insolvency figures, because, under this government, this is the biggest drop in solvent businesses that we've had in our history—that is, more companies than ever before have become insolvent. We know that, and, in every town in Australia you walk through, you can see the shops which have closed. You can talk to the cafe and restaurant owners; they've been doing it tough—the small businesses. Any business which is reliant on energy in particular is suffering because they're dealing with the highest electricity prices in the world today. That's Australia. That's the Australia of 2025 under this government. It is why you also see our major manufacturers closing their doors. Look at smelters right across the country; the only thing that's keeping them working at the moment is the fact that governments come in and basically subsidise their operations. Such is the pain being felt by not just the Australian people but businesses operating in the Australian economy. There are two imperatives that this government should be mindful of: (1) it needs to stop its spending spree and (2) it needs to start growing the economic pie. On the first, when it comes to stopping the spending spree, outside of recession we have not seen this level of government spending since 1986—an extraordinary amount of spending. We have seen spending as a percentage of GDP go from 24 to 27 per cent. We have seen in this year's budget the plan for this government to spend $160 billion more than only a bit over three years ago, in the last coalition budget. They just keep on spending. And this government cannot claim that the spending spree is due to pressures on the budget that are coming from the NDIS, aged care, pensions et cetera alone. No, this is a government that has made deliberate decisions on budget measures from which, quite candidly, this economy has not been able to produce the revenues. So what does this government do? It goes to debt and it goes to tax. When it comes to debt, we have seen debt go up enormously. This government has added around $100 billion to the national credit card over the last three years. We have debt quickly racing to $1 trillion. It'll hit around $1.2 trillion by the time of the next election. Every time this government puts more debt on the national credit card, it's putting debt on the next generation of Australians, because it's them, the next generation, who will have to pay off Labor's debt. This government knows it, but it continues to saddle the next generation with more and more debt. Why? Because it cannot stop its spending spree. The second imperative is to start growing the economic pie. The problem here again—it's all in the evidence of the last three years, and we've seen it at the household level. We've seen this economy actually shrink in size. We have seen productivity go backwards—it's been in decline—by over five per cent over the last three years. This is a government which is sending the economy backwards. Just recently, the RBA downgraded their forecast for both productivity and economic growth. Here we have a government where economic growth is less than half of the long-run average. When the economy actually shrinks for the Australian household, you know there's a problem. So what do they do? If it's not debt, there's one other thing they're doing: taxes. We are still in the early days of the second term of the Albanese government. The only tangible economic measure this government brought into this term is to saddle Australians with higher taxes, and that is through its superannuation tax. It's super big and super bad, and it will be hitting the Australian people. Worst of all, it crosses a red line in tax law by introducing the taxation of unrealised capital gains—in other words, theoretical profits. This government wants to tax Australians on profits they haven't even made. This is the state of affairs we are dealing with. We have asked in this chamber many a time of the Treasurer or the Prime Minister whether or not they would rule out extending the taxation of unrealised capital gains into other areas. They will not rule that out. Whether that be family trust or the family home, who knows? This government has been asked many a time in this chamber over recent weeks as to whether or not it would rule out a series of taxes. It will not rule out any further taxes, and we know why it needs more taxes—because (1) it will not stop its spending spree and (2) it has proven to be incapable of growing the economic pie, which means it's either debt or taxes. They're the only things. If you're going to just keep on spending, you've got to put more on the next generation in terms of debt—which, yes, they're doing—or they've got to come after people's tax, and that's precisely what they plan to do. I'll finish with this: there's one simple thing this government could do it if it wanted to fix the fiscal mess that it has created. The first thing it could do, if it wanted to start fixing the budget, is to introduce some fiscal rules. Every single government since the Hawke government, except the Albanese government, has had rules that the Treasurer has had to abide by, rules that would basically contain spending. This prime minister has allowed this treasurer to have free rein. As cabinet ministers and backbenchers rock up with their hands out, wanting more from the Treasurer, there are no rules—off it goes! More money is spent. The starting point to fixing the budget is to introduce fiscal rules. If it's good enough for every single government since Hawke, why is it not good enough for this government, especially given that spending is out of control, that they're not growing the economy, that Australians are feeling so poor and that the economy is becoming so weak? With that, I conclude my remarks on the appropriation bills. 18:12 Mr NEUMANN HVO Blair I'm pleased to speak on the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026, the Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026 and the Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026, to support the passage of them and to talk about the positive impact of the budget handed down in March and our commitments from the May election and the government's economic plan and reform agenda for this term of government, both for the nation and for my electorate of Blair. At the outset, I want to say a few things about the broader economic context because it's always critical for the framing of any budget. The Labor Party is the party of lower taxes. The coalition voted against our tax cuts in the last parliament and took a policy to the last election, notwithstanding what the shadow Treasurer said, that would increase personal income tax on the 80,000 Australian taxpayers in my electorate and also around the country. Let's be clear. When we came to power, we were emerging from a sustained period of global inflation, and that inflation surge was primarily caused by international supply-side factors such as the war in Ukraine, which had an impact on energy prices, and the global supply chain pressures arising out of the post-COVID international economic environment. This caused inflation and cost-of-living pressures to rise well before our government came to power in Australia. Inflation at a high level is something we inherited, not something we caused, as those opposite and their cheer squads, some in the media, would like to assert. We're putting downward pressure on inflation and bringing inflation into the band of two to three per cent, and we have done so. That has been the centrepiece of government economic strategy not just over our first four budgets. For governments for a long time, the aspiration has been to have inflation within a two to three per cent band. Of course, it is something that the Reserve Bank of Australia also supports strongly. We've made significant progress on that front—inflation is below three per cent; it was six per cent and rising when we came to office in 2022. New monthly ABS figures out last week show headline and underlying inflation is still well below three per cent, for the eighth month in a row, and still within the Reserve Bank's target band. On top of this, the ABS data shows that the government's cost-of-living policies are actually detracting from inflationary pressures, not adding to them—contrary to what those opposite think. While most other advanced economies have had to trade progress on inflation for higher unemployment, negative economic growth or, indeed, a recession, we've managed to preserve a strong labour market at the same time as strong job and wage growth. It's no small achievement, and I commend the government—the Treasurer, in particular—for it. The latest jobs figures for July show Australia's unemployment rate remains historically low, falling to 4.2 per cent, while a record 1.15 million new jobs have been created since Labor came to office in 2022. What's more is that real wages, which were falling sharply under those opposite—remember, it's a deliberate design feature to keep wages low under them—have been growing strongly under us. We've improved the budget, with the first back-to-back surpluses in almost two decades. They promised to be 'back in black' and to have a budget surplus every year. They didn't deliver one for the near-decade they were in government. We've brought debt and debt interest down and we've restrained real spending growth with a $207 billion positive turnaround in the budget, the biggest nominal improvement in the budget in a single term. Unlike our predecessors, we've banked the vast majority of revenue upgrades, with fiscal policy and cost-of-living assistance working hand in glove with the Reserve Bank's monetary policy. In summary, we've been able to pull off lower debt, reduced inflation, low unemployment, falling interest rates, higher real wages, improved living standards, record job creation and a growing economy. That's what a good government does. It's no small feat, and it means we're well-positioned to navigate the uncertainty and volatility we're seeing in the global economy right now. But there's more work to do. While the data and economic fundamentals are looking much better, these numbers don't always reflect people's lived experience or how people are feeling in the real world. We know a lot of people are still doing it tough, especially those vulnerable members of our community, so the government's focus has also been about cost-of-living relief. We've been responsible economic managers but want to make meaningful cost-of-living relief while building Australia's future with a stronger and more productive economy. I want to talk about some key budget measures and election commitments that will benefit my local community. First, the government is delivering more tax relief in the budget, with two more tax cuts— those opposite took to the election a position opposing them—to every Australian taxpayer in 2026 and 2027, adding to the first round we delivered in July last year. That means 80,000 taxpayers in my electorate of Blair will receive a new tax cut from next year of up to $268 in 2026-27 and up to $536 in 2027-28. It will increase take-home pay for people and ease cost-of-living pressures, especially for people on low and middle incomes. In fact, the OECD's 2025 employment outlook analysis confirms that the Albanese government is delivering the lowest personal income tax rates in 50 years, while unemployment levels are below the OECD average. That analysis also notes that, when combined with the government's cheaper childcare policy, our tax cuts will increase the financial rewards for working people and, in fact, will help with additional working days, especially for secondary earners in the household—in other words, people will get a benefit from working harder and longer, including more money in their pockets and more financial security for their households. It is also expected that there would be a boost female workforce participation, which, in turn, would increase our GDP or economic growth. The OECD analysis is really a ringing endorsement of the government's economic strategy. In addition to tax cuts, every household in my electorate, along with eligible small businesses, is getting an extra $150 to help with their power bills, building on previous rounds of energy bill relief. On the health front, our record $8.5 billion investment in Medicare announced earlier this year is expected to see an additional 117,700 bulk-billed visits and a boost to the number of fully bulk-billed GP practices to around 35 in my electorate. This will save local patients hundreds of dollars a year, depending on how often they visit their GP. On top of this, the government has delivered two Medicare urgent care clinics for our community—one in Ipswich, in my electorate, and one in Goodna in the member for Oxley's electorate—which provide bulk-billed walk-in care to locals who need it. I'm proud to have opened the Ipswich Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in 2023. It's been a huge success, with more than 2,500 visits in the first year alone, and it's helped to ease pressure on the Ipswich Hospital emergency department. Complementing our record investments in Medicare, my constituents will also save from cheaper medicines with the government's reduction of the maximum general co-payment for medicines to $25 under the PBS from 1 January next year. That means more than 42,000 cheaper scripts are expected to be dispensed, on average, each year in Blair, saving people more than $1.5 million and building on our expansion of the number of medicines eligible for the 60-day scripts, which those opposite opposed, as well. Another measure which is really resonating with students and young people in my electorate is our policy to cut student debts by 20 per cent. You only need to stand at a prepoll to know how popular that was. It will ensure that about 23,000 people in Blair with a HECS debt will see an average reduction of $5,500 to their outstanding student loans. A key issue on the ground in Blair is housing supply and affordability. In my community, some people are finding it very hard to break into the housing market. Some experience mortgage stress, and others struggle to pay the rent from week to week. During the election, Labor announced that first home buyers will be able to get into the housing market with just a five per cent deposit. Just last week, the Prime Minister announced that this will start from 1 October 2025 instead of next year for all first home buyers, with no caps on places or income limits—in other words, it'll be demand driven. Property price caps will also be set high, in line with the average house prices. This is a real game changer, and it will bring the great Australian dream of owning a home back into reach for so many people. We're also going to invest $10 billion to build 100,000 homes that only first home buyers can buy. This is building on the fact that we've already helped more locals buy their own home, with more than 3,400 people in my community able to get into home ownership with the support of the Albanese government—the highest rate of take-up in the country. We're also supporting renters through a range of measures, including improving renters' rights, incentives for the private sector to build more long-term rentals, a 45 per cent increase in Commonwealth rent assistance and delivering more social and affordable housing rentals. Another area that's made a big difference to families in Blair is support for child care. The government is taking the next step in building a universal early education and care system by replacing the much discredited and loathed current activity test with a guaranteed eligibility for three days a week of subsidised early education for children who need it. We've established a $1 billion Building Early Education Fund, allowing more centres to be built and expanded in areas of need. That'll help in electorates like mine, outer suburbs and regional areas. The Building Early Education Fund will deliver grants to providers, and the government will look at options for the Commonwealth to invest in owning and leasing out services. This will build on our earlier Cheaper Child Care reforms, which have helped 8,900 families in Blair, saving families $7,049 on average over the last two years. On the eve of this year's budget, the Albanese government signed a new $2.8 billion school funding agreement with the Queensland government, which will see more funding for local state schools in Blair over the next 10 years. I recall going to a number of schools after that agreement, particularly schools like Raceview State School and Bremer State High School, where that announcement was really well received. Finally, this budget invests in key road infrastructure that will improve congestion and safety in our fast-growing region. It locks in the $20 million in funding for the Brisbane Valley Highway safety upgrades, bringing the total Australian government commitment to $40 million. That's the amount that was asked for by the Somerset Regional Council. During the election campaign, I was delighted to announce $200 million to deliver a new Amberley interchange on the Cunningham Highway, drawing on previously allocated funding. I call on the Crisafulli government to match that funding; they didn't do it in their recent budget. In the last term, our budgets focused largely on inflation and the cost of living, but this term we know we also need to look at reforms to drive growth and productivity while ensuring inclusion and intergenerational equity. The best way to improve living standards over time is to make our economy more productive, to make it more resilient and to make sure our budget is more sustainable. These themes were all discussed at a recent Blair economic reform roundtable I hosted in Ipswich at the Ipswich Jets Leagues Club with representatives from local business, chambers of commerce, unions, government agencies, community groups and experts. The forum canvassed a wide range of issues from the need to fast-track more housing and road infrastructure to cutting red tape for local charities and cracking down on sham contracting and tax evasion. Locally we've seen strong economic and jobs growth in recent years, but we've got growing pains in a fast-growing region. We need to be investing in more housing, infrastructure, skills and services to support our high population growth. We want to keep securing good, well-paid jobs for locals now and into the future. That means backing local industries, tracking new investment and equipping people with the skills they need to succeed. I wrote to the Treasurer with a range of ideas coming out of the Blair roundtable and sent that feedback back to participants in the roundtable. This has been fed into the national economic reform roundtable, and I'm pleased to see the initiatives coming out of the national reform roundtable. The announcements last week to cut through red tape and delays in federal environmental laws are very welcome and precisely what a number of local participants said. Going forward, the economic reform roundtable will inform the next three budgets and beyond with clear and broad areas of consensus and common ground. It's very encouraging to see real appetite and ambition for change with some clear reform directions and a number of immediate actions, or low-hanging fruit, and some further work areas coming out of the event. In closing, we know the best way to boost living standards and modernise our economy is to make our economy more productive and resilient and to make our budget more sustainable, but we need to ensure that promotes fairness and tackles intergenerational equity so that no-one is left behind or held back. That's exactly what this budget, along with the associated appropriations bills discussed here today, will do. Our election commitments and our second-term agenda will achieve this. It backs my electorate of Blair and the strong record I have of delivering for our community, and it builds for the future. That's why this budget and the appropriations bills that we are discussing are important. I commend the appropriations bills to the House. 18:27 Mr BIRRELL 288713 Nicholls ():  I rise to speak about Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026, Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026 and Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026 in relation to the budget. It gives me an opportunity to talk about the things that are important to my community and my electorate of Nicholls, which is, as many people in this place would know, in northern Victoria. The northern border of it is the Murray River. The Goulburn Valley, which is obviously the Goulburn River, comes up through the middle of it and provides fantastic irrigation, water, fertile soils—some of the greatest agriculture in Australia—and the ability to grow, manufacture and process food that not only benefits Australia domestically but earns great export dollars. However, I feel this is under threat from the policies of the Labor government in relation to energy, water, infrastructure and labour. I think that, if you want to see an example—not the only example but an example—of the entrepreneurial spirit that has built Australia, you can go up to the Goulburn Valley. See what waves of migration and that entrepreneurial spirit have done—arrive with nothing and build it into a terrific business based on the principles of liberalism and the free market. In relation to energy, obviously there's a lot of talk in this place about net zero, which is an ambition. It's an ambition I support. It appears to be somewhat more of a slogan than a policy. I said in my maiden speech that climate change is an important and serious problem facing Australia, but the transition is an incredibly nuanced and complex problem. If we get it wrong, all that will happen is that businesses will see that Australia is too expensive a place to do business, and they'll move the business, the economic opportunities and the jobs offshore, along with the emissions. So in terms of reducing global emissions, which I think is the desire of many people, we will have achieved nothing. But we will have damaged our own economy and the future of our generation. I don't think the energy transition is going as well as the minister would have us believe. I have serious doubts about thinking that you can do the energy transition limiting yourself to a very small number of technologies. I think we have to have a much more technology-agnostic approach to this area. I worry about legislating ourselves into a corner where we could seriously damage our economy in trying to reduce emissions, which—let's face it—given the percentage of our emissions compared to the rest of the world, wouldn't have an overwhelmingly significant impact on global climate change. There's not only that. The rollout of wind turbines, solar factories and transmission lines is happening without social licence and without community consultation, causing great distress and great anger in the regions. That needs to be addressed. We need to have an honest conversation and an honest answer from the government about what this is going to cost. It's very difficult to make assessments of what you should do without knowing what it's going to cost, and we don't know that. In relation to water, I was very vocal in the last term of parliament about incredibly regrettable changes to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. I thought they were unnecessary. I thought they were based on politics and not science. I've been following this, having been involved in irrigated agricultural agronomy before I came into this place. As CEO of the Committee for Greater Shepparton, I was trying to futureproof the economic prosperity of the Goulburn Valley and the Greater Shepparton region up to the Murray Valley. It's based on irrigated agriculture; that's what we do. We grow 90 per cent of Australia's pears and over 50 per cent of Australia's apples, and we produce a significant proportion of Australia's dairy products, particularly those that get exported. That all relies on access to reliable and cheap irrigation water. When governments come in and want to pull a whole heap of that water out of what we call the consumptive pool for irrigation and put it into environmental accounts that, in many cases, do not get used, it damages our economy. It damages Australia's ability to export food, and that's something that we do so well. It's an area I'm very passionate about. There were a lot of compromises through many governments, from the Gillard government to the coalition governments, and with the states. There were many compromises that were made to reach an agreement that not everyone liked but everyone was able to live with. The previous minister came in and said, 'I'm going to tear those agreements up. I'm going to tear up a socio-economic neutrality test.' That test, which protected basin communities, had been painstakingly arrived at by state premiers, many of them Labor state premiers. I want to pay particular tribute to the former water minister in the Andrews government, Lisa Neville, who was very constructive in this area. That test was torn up and taken away, and we've ended up with regrettable and unnecessary water buybacks. Agriculture is really important to my region, and it's important to Australia from a cultural perspective, from an export perspective and an employment perspective. It's also important for our sovereign food capability. I'm very proud to have been involved in the agricultural industries. I had a go at uni when I first left school and tried an arts degree. It didn't quite work out, mainly because of my immaturity, which some people might say still exists. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 265979 Never! Mr BIRRELL 288713 But, when I went back to university, I did agricultural science. What an incredible profession to be involved in—the growing of food, the technological advancements in growing food, trying to feed people and trying to make sure that South-East Asia, Asia and places further afield have the benefit of our sustainably produced agricultural produce. I was disappointed with some of Labor's attitudes towards agriculture in the last term of government. It's just an area I don't think they get. The biosecurity tax was withdrawn eventually, but it was a bad idea. It showed disrespect for people who run agricultural businesses in Australia to think that you could introduce a levy that said, 'We're going to allow people to bring food products into the country to compete with you.' Okay, we're a trading nation. We've got to accept that. But to then say to those Australian businesses, 'And you're going to pay their biosecurity costs so they can bring the food in and compete with you'—it was a nonsense. Someone eventually saw sense, and it was withdrawn, but the fact it was put out there shows a bit of an anti-agriculture flavour to the government which I wasn't incredibly impressed and neither were the people in my electorate. Then we come to the live exports. It's not an issue that I was hugely involved in. It was very much a Western Australian issue. I visited Western Australia as part of a backbench committee with the member for Durack, and she help me to understand the importance of these industries to her constituents. Again, it's an issue I don't think Labor got. They had an ideological fixation that we're going to ban live export. There were problems, many years ago, in the industry. The industry worked incredibly hard and was given an ultimatum by the previous coalition government to improve animal safety standards. They did so in a very impressive way. What's going to happen now that we've banned it? The countries that still have markets for live sheep imports into their own countries are going to get it from places like those in Africa that don't have the animal standards, so it actually decreases animal welfare in that industry globally. There are things that people might not like doing, but, if we stop doing them in a way that's sustainable and responsible, other countries are going to take up the slack in a way that's not sustainable and not responsible. That's what's going to happen with live export. I also think that, in terms of labour, we had a really good plan that a lot of people were keen on in my electorate, before I came into parliament, called the ag visa, which was going to put people into agricultural jobs on a pathway to permanency, but, regrettably, that hasn't been followed through by the Albanese government. Infrastructure is really important to the regions. Part of the reason I ran for parliament and part of the reason I ran for parliament in the National Party—I'm not a born and bred Nat; I came to it a bit later. I had a great admiration for earlier Labor governments of the eighties and nineties who got business, but I saw the coalition, driven by the National Party, take infrastructure in the regions very seriously. We saw both infrastructure that enabled productivity for farm businesses, manufacturing and the infrastructure that gets people to move to regional places in the first place. For example, the Echuca-Moama Bridge over the Murray River which has linked that Victorian town with the New South Wales town over the river has seen significant improvements in transport movement across the Murray River. It was driven by a Victorian coalition government, and it was acted on by a federal coalition government. I saw the coalition come in, take it seriously and try and get things done. I hope, one day, I'm part of a coalition government that will do that, because we've got another bridge that needs to be built across the Murray River—the Yarrawonga-Mulwala bridge. I am not blaming the federal Labor government for that at this point, because the Victorian Labor government are holding that up. The New South Wales government has decided which route it will take, and I'm hoping they can drive the project. Victoria don't even know it exists. When it comes time to fund that project, I really encourage federal Labor to do that, unless we're in power and we do it. There are some other cultural areas where it's not as apparent how important this is to regional communities as a bridge, but it is important. The Shepparton Art Museum is a great example. It was funded by the coalition government and driven by the knowledge that we've got to move people to regional areas, particularly professional people, and, more particularly, health professionals. If we build cultural institutions, like the incredible Shepparton Art Museum, then we help to achieve that. There are a number of other infrastructure projects that deserve funding, and it disappoints me that the cupboard is bare when it comes to regional funding at the moment. The Growing Regions Program has not had any new money put into. We try to explain to this parliament, in the best possible way, how important this is for regional communities. The link roads in Kilmore; the safety upgrades to High Street in Broadford—there's a bridge being built over what will be the inland rail route, but there needs to be some traffic safety features; the Shepparton sports and events stadium; the Seymour RSL club; and the completion of the Welsford link road are all important things to regional communities. Shepparton is my home town and I love it. It's not as obvious a place for tourists to go as the Gold Coast or Noosa, but people go there for what's called 'the visitor economy'. There's always an event on in Shepparton, whether it be BMX or beach volleyball. If we could build the Shepparton sports and events stadium, we would get so much extra leverage in economic activity because of it. In the minute I've got left, I also encourage the government to focus and look at the successes of the coalition government in the health workforce. The most important one of these is the Murray-Darling medical school, which has moved medical degrees outside the big cities to places like Bathurst and Shepparton. At the end of 2025, we are going to have 30 young people graduate with a degree in medicine. They have been living in Shepparton, Bathurst or wherever else for a long period—four years—and are more likely to stay there and practice, because they've put down roots in those communities. We need more of that. In terms of education, I'm very honoured to be the shadow minister for regional education. I'm the beneficiary of a degree in agricultural science from Dookie, a university campus outside Melbourne, and an MBA from university campus in Shepparton. These are some of the things that we need to talk about in this term of parliament. 18:42 Ms TRISH COOK 312871 Bullwinkel I rise today to speak on behalf of the people of Bullwinkel on Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026. An appropriation bill might not sound terribly exciting at first, but it is one of the most important pieces of legislation that the federal parliament will pass this year. In simple terms, it's the government's budget bill—the legal authority for the government to spend money from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. Labor's appropriation bill reflects our priorities and our Labor values. It shows us what matters to us most, and these are some of those things: investing in Medicare, aged-care reform, housing, renewable energy, cost-of-living relief and education. The bill gives legal effect to our budget commitments and allows the government agencies to spend the money accordingly. In short, Labor's appropriation bill is the legislation that puts our budget into action, and it authorises government spending in line with the values that I mentioned and others. I come to this parliament with a range of experiences. I'm a nurse, midwife, occupational health and safety consultant, small-business owner, lecturer in nursing studies at TAFE and Edith Cowan University, community volunteer, shire councillor, PhD candidate, and, now, of course, I'm an MP. The first half of my career was as a remote-area nurse and midwife in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of Western Australia. I had the privilege of caring for people in remote Indigenous communities such as Ardyaloon, Lombadina, Bidyadanga and Looma—small Aboriginal communities. It was in these communities that I saw the true impact of a model of health you may be familiar with, what we call the social determinants of health—access to fresh food, local employment, education, housing and connection with country and culture. They're not just abstract ideas; they are real, measurable factors that affect the health and wellbeing of the community. They're not just unique to health; the same principles apply to justice and to mental health. When these social determinants are addressed, people and communities are healthier, safer and more resilient. That's why I am proud to be part of a Labor government committed to improving these social determinants. I'll speak to three of these issues. Housing, education and health are all priorities because we know that investing in these delivers real outcomes for Australia. Let's start with housing. From 1 October 2025 every first home buyer will be able to purchase a home with just a five per cent deposit, and they won't pay a cent in expensive mortgage insurance. For many young Australians this could shave years off the time it takes to save for a home. For example, somebody buying a $1 million home could do so with just a $50,000 deposit backed by the Albanese government. This is a change that brings hope. Owning a home will no longer be a privilege just for the lucky few or those that have been helped by the bank of mum and dad; it'll be achievable for hardworking Australians across the country. That's the Labor commitment: to give everyone a fair go. Education is another cornerstone of social investment. We have made fee-free TAFE permanent so Australians can gain the skills they need for a well-paid, secure job. Fee-free TAFE is already helping Australians get ahead while easing cost-of-living pressures. It gives people the opportunity to work in meaningful jobs and give back to the community. We've also cut student debt by 20 per cent, and the Commonwealth practical placement payment provides support for student nurses, teachers, midwives and social workers while they're on their mandatory placements. These programs ensure that our important future workforce can contribute fully and confidently without being burdened by crippling debt. Of course health is always at the forefront of my mind personally and professionally. The Albanese Labor government went to the last election, in 2022, promising 50 Medicare urgent care clinics. They overdelivered 87 clinics. For this election we promised to open 50 more across Australia, and I'm thrilled that one of them will be in my community in Bullwinkle, in the suburb of Mundaring, to cater for the hills people and regional people nearby. These clinics make it easier for Australians to gain access to urgent care free of charge, taking the pressure off hospital emergency departments and GP clinics. Our goal is for four in five Australians to live within a 20-minute drive of a Medicare urgent care clinic. That's the kind of change that makes a real difference in people's lives. Alongside that we're delivering the largest investment in Medicare in history. This means 18 million more bulk-billed GP visits every year, giving Australians the confidence to see a doctor without worrying about cost. When someone falls ill, when a parent is concerned about a child or when an older Australian needs ongoing care, access should not be a barrier. Labor created the PBS, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and our commitment extends to these medicines as well. In 2023 we delivered the largest cut to the cost of medicines in the history of the PBS, and we're going even further. As of 1 January next year no Australian will pay more than $25 for a PBS prescription. For pensioners and concession card holders we have frozen PBS medicines at $7.70 until 2030—no surprises, no rises, just certainty. I know from my own life that this is extremely important. Many people on medications simply aren't on just one medication; they're often on multiple medications. It's making a real difference. I became a nurse when I was 18, following in my mother's footsteps, and being a nurse quickly teaches you that affordable medicine can be the difference between seeing somebody get better and somebody ending up in hospital. I've seen people skip doses because the cost is too high, and I've seen the consequences. That's why cheaper medicines aren't just good for the pocket; they're good for health as well. Health is something very close to my heart and one of the favourite topics when I go doorknocking out in Bullwinkel. One of the most exciting things I talk about is delivering the new Medicare urgent care clinic in Mundaring, but there's also, alongside that, a new Medicare mental health centre in the suburb of Kalamunda, also in the hills of Perth. We've recently set up a Medicare mental health centre in the regional area of Northam. That was opened late last year, and we've seen firsthand how valuable it is for locals. It offers free, walk-in services for people aged 18 and over. It's a safe, welcoming place to access mental health care from qualified professionals. No appointment is needed; no referral is required. You don't even need your Medicare card; you can just walk in seeking help for yourself, supporting a loved one or assisting a patient. That is universal, compassionate care, and it's exactly what we want for Kalamunda and for communities across Bullwinkel and Australia. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and no-one, once again, should face the barriers. Firsthand life experience also plays a role, and I didn't need surveys or focus groups to see the impact of these services. I had a very personal experience with a Medicare urgent care clinic just last week, so I'll quickly tell you a little bit about that. It's not a prop; it's a legitimate splint on my finger. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 265979 That would, of course, not be right, would it? Ms TRISH COOK 312871 I injured my finger just the night before I was meant to come to Canberra with a silly incident of ripping my sock off extravagantly. I also ripped my tendon off. But this is how it went. It was an obvious deformity. I went to an urgent care clinic. I waited five minutes, saw a triage nurse, saw a doctor, went five minutes up the road to the X-ray department, waited five minutes, had the X-ray and went back. By the time I got back, the doctor had my X-ray, he had assessed it and then I waited, probably, another five minutes while I got a referral for a proper, customised splint, some analgesia for the pain and, obviously, the splint. It took, in total, one hour. I was able to come to Canberra happily the next day. There were no charges and no delays, just quality, accessible care. I wasn't the only patient in there; it was just an efficient service. All I needed was my Medicare card, and that experience isn't unique. I'm proud to be part of a government that invests in these services—housing, education and health. I'm proud to be part of a government that understands the social determinants of health. Improving these factors and the other ones that I mentioned earlier in the speech is the most effective investment that we can make in our communities, and it's why Labor's appropriation bill matters so much. It translates into real, relatable impacts on people's lives. It's the parent who can take their child to a doctor without worrying about costs, it's the student who can pursue a nursing career without crippling debt, it's the young person who can own their first home with hope and security and it's the community that has access to mental health support without barriers. For me, personally, it connects directly back to my life and my career. From my earliest days as a nurse in the remote communities to my work in occupational health and safety, volunteering and serving on the shire council, I've always seen the importance of putting people first. I've seen the difference that accessible services, compassionate care and real investment can make in people's lives. We will continue to work on expanding Medicare, improving access to urgent care and mental health services, lowering the cost of medicines, making housing more achievable and supporting education and skills for all Australians. It's a reflection of our values, our priorities and our vision for a fairer, healthier Australia. I'm proud to be part of a government that invests in people. I will continue to work every day to make sure that healthcare, education, housing and support services are accessible, affordable and compassionate. I will continue to advocate for the social determinants of health because I know from experience that, when we get things right, communities like Bullwinkel thrive. It's about people, and it's making life better for every Australian. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 265979 I thank the member for Bullwinkel, and I will be very careful taking my socks off tonight. 18:55 Dr WEBSTER 281688 Mallee Labor promised Australians permanent energy bill relief, but, instead, they have been hit with yet another spike in the cost of living. Inflation has risen at its fastest pace in a year, now sitting at 2.8 per cent, driven by a jump in electricity bills of 13 per cent just in this year to July. Inflation is up, power bills are soaring, and interest-rate relief is now further away because of Labor's failures. This is the direct opposite of Labor's election promise of a $275 cut to power bills. Instead, families are paying thousands more. The Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026 enables government spending, but why would we pass such a bill without commenting on, firstly, the Albanese government's woeful record on spending in the energy portfolio and, secondly, Labor's brazen spin that their energy achievements are positive when clearly they are negative? This is a government that, shortly, this month, in September 2025, wants to set an emissions reduction target for 2035. They might be preparing to admit that they cannot actually reach the 2030 target by setting a new 2035 target. Labor's current target is 82 per cent renewables in less than five years time. Current renewables billed are just at 43 per cent. To be clear, that is a gap of 39 per cent. Global energy consultancy Rystad estimates that Labor will only get, at best, to 60 per cent by 2030, not their commitment of 82 per cent. In fact, Rystad said 80 per cent will only be reached by 2037. So how on earth can Labor set a higher target for 2035 than the 82 per cent they have set for 2030 when 82 per cent renewables won't be reached until two years later, in 2037, at best? Before I go on, I have to mention that, in my home state of Victoria, the Allan Labor government has an even more aggressive renewable energy target of 95 per cent by 2035 and has a 2045 net zero target, five years earlier than federal Labor's 2050 target for net zero. I must highlight that Spain had a 100 per cent renewable energy generation on 16 April this year. Twelve days later, its entire electricity grid collapsed in a 12-hour blackout. While Victorian Labor claim their renewables rollout is on track, Victoria Energy Policy Centre's Professor Bruce Mountain says achieving it will cost more than the Victorian government's $7.9 billion estimate—possibly as much as $28 billion. I also highlight, as I will every time I speak on these matters, that the Victorian government said it will need up to 70 per cent of prime agricultural land if it cannot build offshore wind energy, and that objective is looking increasingly doubtful. Here's the rub: these targets, in the bullish race to net zero, are already resulting in mammoth cost blowouts, and these are being felt by (1) all energy bill customers and (2) farmers in my electorate of Mallee and across the nation. These farmers are being told, not asked, to bear the burden of the rollout of panels, turbines and transmission lines over their prime agricultural land. I say 'told, not asked' because the Victorian government, last Thursday, passed a bill imposing $8,000 fines for refusing to open the farm gate to allow Transmission Company Victoria, or TCV, to build hundreds of kilometres of the VNI West transmission line exclusively through my electorate of Mallee and $6,000 fines for farmers taking TCV signs off their own fences. On the cost blowouts, let me take you through a few project examples. This is the federal government's Rewiring the Nation funding and other federal funding sources enabling this waste of precious taxpayer funds. VNI West itself was projected to have a $1.6 billion price tag in 2018, rising to $3.6 billion in 2024. Just one year on, it's been estimated to cost between $7 billion and $11.4 billion. Professor Mountain estimates that around 50 per cent of those cost blowouts will show up on our power bills. Looking further afield, the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone in regional New South Wales was initially estimated to cost $650 million in 2020 but is now projected to cost $5.5 billion—a slight rise! A 2020 estimate of the CopperString project from Townsville to Mount Isa put the price tag at $1.8 billion, but it's now estimated to come in at $13.9 billion. A Queensland Labor project, the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro project near Mackay, was initially estimated, in September 2022, to cost $12 billion. When the new LNP government cancelled it, in October 2024, the cost estimate was $36.8 billion. Anyone who believes that renewables are the cheapest form of electricity and that they will bring down your power bills are off with Minister Bowen and the fairies. Every Australian taxpayer will absolutely feel these multibillion-dollar cost blowouts on their power bills. Make no mistake: they already are. And guess what? Everyday Aussies don't want to pay for net zero. In fact, when I recently surveyed my electorate of Mallee, collecting over 5,000 responses, almost 70 per cent said that they do not want to pay a single cent towards attaining net zero—not one cent. But they already are. This brings me to the wonderful, lucid comments of former Labor MP and Australian Council of Trade Unions leader, Jennie George. Her truth bombs are so critical and so damaging that I have to read some of them into Hansard. Labor luminary Jennie George said: Labor's 2030 targets won't be met. It's an all too familiar story. Labor has set its modelling was "the most comprehensive ever done, for any policy, by any opposition in Australia's history since Federation". When reality struck, it was quietly abandoned just before the election. This is still Ms George: The promise of $275 by 2025, the $378 cut and 604,000 green jobs by 2030 disappeared, never to be aired again. Ms George goes on to explain the broader cost of Labor's reckless race to net zero: Labor refuses to disclose its whole-of-system costs for a transition held together by billions in taxpayer subsidies and relief packages. The secrecy is indefensible. The public's right to know should be defended by a Labor government promising transparency and accountability. The reason for this might lie in the eye-watering costs revealed in independent research. Ms George goes on: Take the Net Zero Australia report, a joint effort by three universities, chaired by Professor Robin Batterham. It found: "The modelled capital requirement $1.2 trillion to $1.5 trillion of commitments by 2030, and $7 trillion to $9 trillion by 2060 will not be met at the current rate; the gap is enormous." Ms George proceeds to discuss the plight of another group of forgotten Australians—the workers; remember them? My mind goes back to the Australian Workers' Union's support of nuclear energy, but I digress. Ms George says: Our metals smelters and Tomago aluminium smelter in NSW are now at risk; thousands of workers face an uncertain future. It makes no sense to provide taxpayer-funded bailout packages, while hitting them with a de facto carbon tax. What wise words. On this note, I note the Prime Minister, in a far-from-dazzling performance at the Bush Summit in Ballarat on Friday, in response to a one-word-answer challenge regarding a question on coal, responded, 'Jobs.' Really? This is the man who told ABC radio in February 2020: I don't think there's a place for coal-fired power plants in Australia, full stop. But he had the hide to tell the Ballarat audience, regarding coal-fired power stations—and I quote from Friday: … there hasn't been any regulations stopping that. After the audience scoffed at that suggestion, the Prime Minister went on to say that the 'market determined it doesn't stack up'. The audience jeered the Prime Minister on that blatant spin, and rightly so. Somehow, the speechwriters thought he'd be safe talking BS—yes, he did actually use that word—to regional Australians. Victorian farmers called him out. It is little wonder the farmers are protesting, when the bulldozers will be moving across their farms with the accelerator pedal down to reach Labor's political targets. We, on this side of the House, know that energy is the economy, and we take a technology-agnostic view on our energy mix. By contrast, Labor is taking away our key competitive advantage and jobs by taking a renewables-only zealotry approach. We go back to Ms George, who summarised this perfectly by saying—and I paraphrase—'Labor's spin is like a burning wind turbine.' She also said: The Clean Energy Council reported only 1.17GW of renewable energy generation reached financial close in the first six months of 2025. This is just a third of the 6-7GW required annually to meet the 82 per cent target. Already, Wood Mackenzie forecasts reaching only 58 per cent renewable energy generation by the end of the decade, and Rystad Energy estimates a substantial shortfall of about 18 per cent by 2030. The minister often reminds us "there's no transition without transmission". In his own words— and I'm still quoting Ms George— he concedes the impossibility of reaching the targets. Soon after Labor's election in 2022, five "urgently needed" transmission projects were identified: HumeLink, VNI West, Sydney Ring, New England REZ and Marinus Link. Ms George goes on: Three years on, not one of the projects is at construction stage. All are years late and billions over budget, and most won't be in operation by 2030. It's Snowy 2.0 on a grand scale. Be warned: a tsunami of transmission costs is still to hit our power bills. So much for the claim that renewables are the cheapest form of energy. The newly minted Labor MPs might want to listen to the Labor elder's truth bombs. I repeat that a 'tsunami of transmission costs is still to hit'. Those opposite can continue to parrot Minister Bowen and the Prime Minister, but understand this: it is at your peril. When the Prime Minister told the Ballarat audience renewables are the cheapest form of energy, he made himself a laughing stock. The lived reality for Australians is that power prices are up 30 per cent, or $1,300 more than Labor promised for 2025 to 2026. Even on the metric of greenhouse gas emissions, Labor are failing. Emissions have gone up, not down, under this government and are now only back at 28 per cent on 2005 levels, which, by the way, is the same as when we left office. Fascinatingly, when Australian emissions increased by 0.05 per cent last year over the same period, steel production fell by 12 per cent. Labor are shipping jobs offshore in the reckless and destructive pursuit of political targets that are not being attempted on this geographical scale anywhere else in the world. While the Minister for Climate Change and Energy tries to cover his failures with clown-like antics and smirks and waves his hands about arguing, 'There is nothing to see here,' the facts are plain. The renewable energy and emissions targets he has set are not going to be met. Meanwhile, he continues to hide the enormous costs to taxpayers from the public under a shroud of rhetoric and obfuscation. It's little wonder public sentiment is shifting. A survey from the Bush Summit indicated that, a year ago, support for renewables was at 66 per cent. Now it is at 44 per cent, and, I assure you, support is plummeting fast. Momentum is turning. It is turning because Australians can see that their power bill prices are going up, not down. 19:11 Ms CAMPBELL 312823 Moreton In my electorate on the south side of Brisbane, it doesn't matter if you're speaking over the back fence in Corinda, it doesn't matter whether you're on someone's doorstep having a conversation in Salisbury, and it doesn't matter whether you're down at the shops in Sunnybank; the conversation is always the same. The thing that is impacting people in my electorate on Brisbane's south side, and indeed across Australia, is the cost of living. During the election campaign, I had the great privilege of speaking to thousands of people from across Moreton, and they told me very clearly that what matters to them is the cost of living, health and housing. The 2025-26 budget is firmly focused on those issues—not just talking about them, not just empty rhetoric about them, not blocking them as we have seen the Greens and the Liberals do together, not mere chatter, but actual delivery when it comes to these critical issues. The member for Mallee talked about truth bombs before. I tell you that, particularly when it comes to the cost of living, the biggest truth bomb in this chamber is the fact that those opposite have voted against every single cost-of-living measure that Labor has put forward. When it comes to the opposition, what is clear is that they do not want to take action on the cost of living—because, if you don't vote for 20 per cent off HECS, if you don't vote for free TAFE, if you don't vote for a tax cut, if you don't vote for better health care, that means that you are voting against tackling the cost of living. I would like to spend my time tonight talking not only about what Labor has done in terms of the cost of living and health care and in terms of housing but also about what we're doing locally in my community. When it comes to the cost of living, Labor has undertaken a tax cut. We know the opposition has voted against that tax cut—because Labor helps Australian taxpayers earn more and keep more of what they earn. We did the first round in July 2024, and additional cuts in both 2026 and 2027 are coming down the pipeline so that people are paying less tax at the same time as Labor is investing in making sure that some of the lowest paid workers are given a pay rise. This is all in the context of inflation coming down from having a six in front of it to having a two in front of it. It is all in the context of making sure that we have kept unemployment at a low level and of delivering a critical tax cut to everyone around the country. Energy bill relief is one of the other things that we have been incredibly passionate about. We have been delivering for people across Australia and extending relief to the end of 2025 for every household and around one million small businesses—two $75 rebates. I'll tell you, in Queensland, where we had a Labor government that also delivered back-to-back energy rebates for people in my patch, what that meant and what that continues to mean is hundreds of dollars worth of energy relief. When you get your bill, it means it's going to be cheaper. This is around $1.8 billion in additional payments on top of the nearly $5 billion of bill relief delivered so far. I spoke earlier about cutting student debt, but it bears repeating, because this Labor government has cut student debt by 20 per cent. It doesn't matter if you have a university debt, it doesn't matter if you have a TAFE debt, it doesn't matter if you are studying to be a sparky or if you are studying to be a journalist at university—wherever you are and whoever you are, you will get a 20 per cent cut when it comes to your student debt. We're cutting a combined $19 billion in student loans for three million Australians, reducing all HELP debt and other student debts by 20 per cent. These reforms made indexation arrangements fairer, limiting future indexation and retrospectively reducing the indexation applied in 2023 and in 2024, which have already decreased student loan debt by $3 billion. It's designed to give people a flying start to life, because, when you start your career, when you start your family and when you start your journey towards your future, having 20 per cent off your debt makes a difference. Deputy Speaker Freelander, I want to go to health—something very close to your heart—and making medicines cheaper. From 1 January 2026, the maximum cost of medicines on the PBS for everyone with a Medicare card and no concession card will be lowered from $31.60 to $25 per script. Labor created the PBS, and it runs through our veins—the importance of making sure that health care is accessible and that health care is affordable. This is the lowest in 20 years. It will remain frozen at $7.70 for pensioners, and $1.8 billion has been invested for new medicines on the PBS. We've seen that from the health minister just today. Urgent care clinics and strengthening Medicare are some of the other important things that we're doing to make sure that health care remains affordable and accessible, and, in my patch, I am lucky enough to have an urgent care clinic in Oxley. My daughter Margaret, who turned two in June, has something called reactive airways, and what that means is she has trouble breathing sometimes. For our family to be able to nip down to the Oxley urgent care clinic and get an assessment quickly, professionally and without having to wait in enormous emergency room lines for people who are more critical than her, it means that, as a family, we have peace of mind and the advice that we need, when we need it. It's not just on the south side of Moreton. It's not just at the PA. It's not just at Canossa at Oxley. This is 87 urgent care clinics across the country, and there are plans for an additional 50. This is an example of how Labor delivers when it comes to health care. It strengthens Medicare with increasing rates of bulk-billing, and we're doing more training for doctors and nurses to be able to deliver it. When it comes to housing, we're making it easier to buy, we are making it better to rent, and we are building more homes, because we know that the challenges around housing are hard for everyday families. We know that this is something that has been building not just for the last few years but for 40 years. What we also know is that the opposition has been a major contributor to the challenges that we face around housing. It's not just young people trying to get in their first home; it's families who are trying to scrape together rent and also save for their first home. It is parents who are worried about whether their children will ever get into the housing market. We know that those opposite not only want to raid people's super to address housing, causing significant issues to people's future nest eggs, but failed to have a housing minister for most of their tenure last time they were government. In the last three years, over 180,000 Australians bought their first home with a five per cent deposit, and more than a million households have been supported with our 45 per cent increase to rent assistance. More than 500,000 homes have been built since we came to office. There are 28,000 social and affordable homes in planning and construction with Labor's investments. When you contrast that with those opposite, we know that, when it comes to social and affordable dwellings, they built just 300-odd houses. I want to take the opportunity to talk about my electorate of Moreton. We've been talking about the big picture, and it's something that impacts on people in my electorate every single day. It's reflected everyday. These measures in the budget add to significant Labor commitments to the community. We're delivering on health, we're boosting our green spaces and we're providing tangible support to grassroots community groups. There's the Southern Suburbs Junior Rugby League club, or Souths Junior Magpies, with their president, Ryan Bartley. I'm incredibly excited that we made an election commitment to deliver an important upgrade to the change rooms at that facility. It's a community hub on the south side, with players from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds, in Acacia Ridge, which is the suburb where I first chose to live—and we decided to stake our claim on the south side because we knew it was a great place to raise a family. That election commitment is for $693,000 to upgrade the change rooms, allowing women and girls to play rugby league on the south side. The Old Bridge Football Club in Salisbury—the club president is Amer Sadikovic—has kids' football and 150 senior players. We made an election commitment of $190,000 to install new lighting at that club so it will be able to host games and run training at night. That will help the club attract more players and increase participation from juniors all the way through to seniors. There will be a Medicare mental health clinic in Moorooka. That's something that we have not ever seen in our part of the world. It will be a first. There has been a $1 billion investment to expand free public mental health services via Medicare, including $225 million for 31 new or upgraded Medicare mental health centres, and one of them will be in the heart of Brisbane's south side. It's got free walk-in mental health care. Every centre provides free access to a psychiatrist and psychologist either onsite or on call. This is an important facility to ensure that, when it comes to mental health, people have the support that they need. There's the M1 upgrade. The Treasurer and I had the great privilege of going out to the park-and-ride at Rochedale just a few days ago. From Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill, the M1 Pacific Motorway upgrade has been completed. It means the six to eight lanes will reduce congestion and improve travel times along one of Queensland's busiest roads. Also, the busway extension, a new bus station and the park-and-ride at Rochedale will improve public transport connectivity. It includes an extension of the cycleway for more active transport opportunities, and there will be approximately 700 jobs during construction. So it doesn't matter whether you're riding your bike, you're catching the bus or you're driving your car, it's an investment that Labor have made to ensure that we are getting people home to their families faster and more safely. In terms of the environment, at Toohey Forest, which Minister Plibersek and the former member for Moreton, Graham Perrett, and I visited early this year, we have a $3 million funding injection for the Brisbane City Council—and I do want to acknowledge the work of our local councillor, Steve Griffiths—to construct a fauna crossing under Toohey Road, connecting two large bushland habitats. It's designed to make sure that koalas, wallabies and echidnas have a safe mode of passage across to fantastic, beautiful parts of bushland in my local community. There is $2 million for the restoration of the Archerfield Wetlands, which forms part of the $200 million Urban Rivers and Catchment Program. This project will restore degraded man-made ponds to natural wetland systems. The project will support native species and create habitat for threatened species. Graceville Riverside Parklands will receive part of $11.7 million, from the government's Thriving Suburbs Program, for six projects in Brisbane. Minister King and I visited the site where this upgrade will happen. It's $1.4 million going into Graceville Riverside Parklands to revitalise the park's existing structure and transform the area with activated, open green space; a children's nature play area; picnic facilities; and riverbank and fauna habitat stabilisation. The Acacia Ridge TAFE is the largest trade training centre in all of the southern hemisphere. Labor is investing $20 million over five years to create the TAFE Queensland Batteries Centre of Excellence at the Acacia Ridge campus, and I want to thank Minister Giles and the Deputy Prime Minister for visiting there with me recently. In addition to that, we have seen so many local community groups again and again receive support from this Labor government. Whether it's women's hockey, Meals on Wheels, neighbourhood community centres, Girl Guides, the RSL, horse and pony clubs, basketball clubs, P&C or sailing clubs—and so on—this is a Labor government that supports the community every day. This budget delivers real results for Moreton: lower bills, more access to health care, more homes and stronger community support. 19:26 Mr TIM WILSON IMW Goldstein Every community needs essential services to help residents live successful lives. The Glen Eira Adult Learning Centre, or GEALC, supports the education needs of many older and new Australians in relation to digital exclusion, adult education and workforce readiness, particularly those re-entering the workforce. Prior to the election, the Labor Party made a commitment to fund GEALC with $60,000 to support the expansion of digital literacy programs and the upgrading of learning spaces at GEALC's Glen Eira campus. A few weeks ago, I wrote to the minister and the Treasurer asking for the funding commitment to GEALC to be honoured. Labor won the election, so it is now time for the government to fund GEALC so Philippa and her wonderful team can get on with the job. Minister and Treasurer, it is time to deliver on your promise. This funding will provide essential services and enable digital literacy services for older and new Australians and those seeking to re-enter the workforce. Don't be known for empty promises and leaving vulnerable Australians behind. I seek leave to table copies of the letters sent to the minister and the Treasurer and the social media post by the Labor Party announcing the funding commitment during the election. Leave not granted. Mr TIM WILSON IMW Bayside, Glen Eira and Kingston residents should have decent infrastructure. Labor ripped $100 million from our community, and we are still living with the consequences. The Peterson Street Reserve sports ground in Highett has been waiting years for an upgrade. It doesn't have modern facilities, particularly for women's sport. At the 2022 and 2025 elections, we committed funding. Earlier this year we committed $3 million to build the facilities that the Highett community needs for the 21st century so it could have modern facilities for the Highett West Cricket Club, the Hampton Hammers Football Netball Club and the East Sandringham Junior Football Club. Bayside is ready; if the federal government helped, it would mean Highett would get the facilities it needs and wouldn't be left behind. Take action and sign the petition at timwilsonmp.com.au. I note some MPs are questioning Australia's commitment to net zero. As you will know, I have a long-term interest in this important area and know delivering long-term emissions reduction depends on trust. Nothing will corrode that trust more than price increases and outages, which takes us to the teals. They were elected on a platform of explicit trust and integrity in politics, so it is fair to hold them to account on this standard. So, when the member for Warringah was elected on the basis of climate action and reducing fossil fuel subsidies but then voted for $2 billion of new coal and gas subsidies, it was a direct betrayal of their commitment to integrity in public office. They have tried to sweep it under the carpet, hoping no-one would notice. When one teal MP was asked why they broke this trust, they first said it was 'misinformation' before begging forgiveness, saying that they would have had strips torn off them rightly if they voted against it. If you get elected on a platform of climate action and then you vote for $2 billion in new coal and gas subsidies, I'm sorry but you have no integrity. Bayside, Glen Eira and Kingston residents should have decent infrastructure. After Labor ripped $100 million out of our community, we are still living with the consequences. The Brighton Beach Oval Pavilion on South Road has been waiting years for an upgrade. It doesn't have facilities for women's footy or cricket. Before the election we committed $2 million to bring the ovals into the 21st century so they could have modern facilities, including change rooms for women's football and cricket at clubs like Old Brighton Grammarians Football Club and Brighton Cricket Club. Bayside is ready. If the federal government helped, it would mean women got the facilities they needed and wouldn't be left behind. Take action and sign the petition at timwilsonmp.com.au. ADJOURNMENT 91 ADJOURNMENT Berowra Electorate: Australia's Biggest Morning Tea, Cancer 91 19:30 Mr LEESER 109556 Berowra Tonight I want to speak about a remarkable young woman from Thornleigh West Public School and what has motivated her to do an extraordinary thing. In May this year I had the privilege of joining year 6 student Amelia Raison and her school community for Australia's Biggest Morning Tea. Amelia is just seven years old, and she led the charge with a business plan, organising the event and galvanising her teachers, her classmates, the parents and the wider Thornleigh West family. Together, Thornleigh West Public School families baked, donated and contributed with such generosity that the morning tea raised more than $9,000 for cancer research—a fantastic achievement. What struck me most that day wasn't the generosity of the school community but the leadership of Amelia. Amelia is a great young woman with a big future, and she was inspired to act because of Simone. Simone is a lifelong local. She and her husband, Dan—also a local—are raising their family in the community they grew up in, because they know, in our community, we have a strong, tight-knit electorate. Simone is also Amelia's mum, and Simone, who is in the gallery this evening with her husband, Dan, is living with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer. Diagnosed in September last year, Simone is having chemotherapy and immunotherapy under the care of the dedicated team at the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse in Camperdown. Cholangiocarcinoma is not only rare; it's aggressive. Around 1,300 Australians are diagnosed each year, and outcomes are significantly poorer than for more common cancers. Too often, symptoms appear only when the disease is advanced, and that really underlies why we must accelerate access to innovative treatments and why investment in research is so vital. For families like Simone's, every advance in treatment offers the possibility of more time, more milestones and more moments together. Right now, that means exploring access to treatments like histotripsy, a promising non-invasive treatment using high-frequency ultrasound to destroy cancer cells. Encouragingly, a histotripsy machine is expected to arrive at the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse centre later this year, with more machines to follow across the states in 2026. The establishment of these machines has only been made possible because of a generous philanthropic donation of multiple millions of dollars. That generosity has given families hope, but two hurdles remain. The first is time. Australians need faster access to therapies like this. The second hurdle is cost. At first, histotripsy will not be covered by Medicare or private health insurance, leaving families to face tens of thousands of dollars of out-of-pocket expenses. These challenges extend beyond new technologies. In July the PBAC meeting, futibatinib, a medication for patients with cholangiocarcinoma carrying the FGFR2 mutation, was recently not recommended for listing. Another targeted inhibitor, pemigatinib, is only available through costly co-funding of around $24,000. Urgent reconsideration of these medicines would help Australians and ensure they are not denied access to life-extending treatments available internationally. This isn't just an issue for cholangiocarcinoma patients but for all Australians with rare cancers. Approximately 40,000 Australians are diagnosed with a rare cancer each year. Because these cancers are individually uncommon, they attract less attention, and patients are too often left behind. The PBS has been transformative for many cancers, but, when a promising drug is only listed for one indication, patients with rare cancers who may share the same genetic mutations are excluded. A system that ties access to how common a cancer is rather than whether the science supports treatment is unjust. Other countries are moving faster. In the US, histotripsy has already been used in leading cancer centres. The UK is making strides. Australian families cannot afford for us to leave them behind. Our regulatory processes must be both safe and timely. I want to acknowledge the tireless advocacy of groups like Rare Cancers Australia and the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, made of dedicated clinicians pushing for reform. They remind us that our world-class health system has people continuing to fight for innovation in medicine and treatments. For people with common cancers, subsidised treatments and clear pathways exist. For those with rare cancers, the journey is too often fragmented, bureaucratic and prohibitively expensive. The launch in parliament this evening of the Rare Cancers Australia policy report shows there's so much more to do. The story of Simone, Dan, Amelia and her sister, Evie, is both deeply personal and powerfully universal. But it's also about a health system that too often trails innovation, leaving Australians with rare cancers at the back of the queue. The courage of families like the Raisons to challenge us to do better is inspiring. Amelia has shown what a determined young woman can do. Simone has shown remarkable strength on her journey. Their school has shown what our community can do when it pulls together. Now we owe it to them to bring compassion, urgency and fairness into the way our health system responds. Tilly Aston Community Awards, Labor Government 92 19:35 Ms DOYLE 299962 Aston Over the weekend I had the wonderful privilege of hosting the second annual Tilly Aston Community Awards. Held in Wantirna, at the Chinese Association of Victoria, these awards honoured outstanding contributions and achievements within the Aston community. Named after Tilly Aston, a renowned advocate for social causes, these awards aim to celebrate individuals and groups that have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership and positive impact in various aspects of community life. Among the recipients of the awards were tireless volunteers in schools, charitable and community organisations and sporting clubs who've been working selflessly for others in ways that bring the community together. It was fantastic to be able to honour and recognise so many outstanding members of the Aston community and highlight their work with others. Speaking of bringing community together, I want to now highlight a great club in my electorate: the Knox United Soccer Club. This club, which began in 1993 and has many passionate members, had needed a new forever home for a while. I have met and consulted with them several times since becoming the member for Aston, and their advocacy for upgrades to facilities and the new pavilion paid off. I was rapt to have announced, alongside the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon. Catherine King MP, in April that a re-elected Albanese Labor government would commit $1.8 million towards a brand new pavilion with two extra change rooms catering to the needs of the increasing number of girls and women who play soccer with this club. Knox United Soccer Club, as well as Knoxfield Knights Cricket Club, were very happy to have this $1.8 million commitment from our government alongside a $5.3 million commitment from Knox City Council, and they're now looking forward to seeing the pavilion's implementation. The Albanese Labor government are committed to women's sport, as I am too, and this investment in local sport will ensure that all members of the community are able to access these fantastic sporting clubs. Another Albanese Labor government commitment is the Home Guarantee Scheme, which 782 people in Aston have already accessed, and now the dream of owning a home is getting closer for more people. From 1 October this year, every Australian buying their first home will be able to do so with just a five per cent deposit and without the added cost of lenders mortgage insurance. This will ensure that more young people, families and hardworking people in Aston and, indeed, in Australia will have the chance to buy their first home sooner. For example, people living in Aston suburbs like Heathmont, Wantirna, Rowville and Knoxfield can purchase a $1 million home with a $50,000 deposit instead of a $200,000 deposit. In its first year of operating alone, this scheme will save homeowners approximately $1.5 billion in mortgage insurance costs. Wow! That's much-needed money that will stay in the pockets of household budgets, and it's bringing homeownership within reach so much sooner. This scheme is part of the Albanese government's $43 billion housing agenda, including a $10 billion commitment to deliver 100,000 homes exclusively for first home buyers. By delivering this reform, we are giving Australians a chance to step into their first home, build security for their families and invest in their futures. One more wonderful thing that the Albanese Labor government has done for the people of Australia and the good people of Aston is ensure that there is a Medicare urgent care clinic close by for those types of non-life-threatening injuries that still need to be seen to urgently. Recently, I received a lovely thankyou card from Jennifer from Wantirna South, who wrote to me about having to access the urgent care clinic in Bayswater when her husband needed it. She said in her card that she and her husband could not thank me enough for this service and that both the nurse and doctor there were very caring to both her husband and her. Of course, the urgent care clinic in Bayswater is bulk-billed as well, another fantastic aspect of this initiative that this government has achieved for the Australian people—real changes for which people like Jennifer and her husband are 100 per cent thankful and of which the benefits are obvious. I am very proud to be part of the Albanese Labor government that is delivering so many excellent policies that help people in my community and across Australia. Social Cohesion 93 19:40 Ms PRICE 249308 Durack Earlier today, I was proud to see one of the Australian flags that fly above this building on display in the great hall, hosted by your good self, Mr Speaker. Thank you. This coincided with Australian National Flag Day, marking 124 years since our flag was first officially flown on 3 September 1901. Our flag is more than a piece of blue, red and white cloth. It is a symbol of sacrifice, national identity and unity. More than 100,000 Australians have fought and died under our flag. In times of peace and war, it has bound us together. I've personally been disgusted to see that our flag has been defiled. In protests across the nation, it has been burnt and stomped on. Australians are likewise disgusted by these actions and have been alarmed by the waving of foreign flags, including those of terrorist groups like ISIS, the Taliban, Hezbollah and Hamas. Many patriotic Australians have taken notice of this and started to wonder if indeed we are losing our way as a nation. That sense of disillusionment and frustration is real, and I believe it is part of what led ordinary Australians to attend a March for Australia protest yesterday. Let me be absolutely, abundantly clear—anyone who tries to use the Australian flag to spread hate or division is not a patriot. They are not standing up for our country, and Neo-Nazis must be condemned absolutely. Our diggers fought the Nazis. Embracing this ideology is the opposite of Australian patriotism. But I will say this: I refuse to condemn everyone who attended one of these marches yesterday, like many of those opposite have done. I've heard them in a number of speeches today in this place. I note that they have not been so quick to condemn extremists in the pro-Palestinian camp. I'll leave people to make up their own minds as to why that would be so. Among the crowds were thousands of good, fair-minded Australians—everyday mums and dads, workers and retirees, people who simply love our country and just want to be heard by their government. To dismiss all of them as hateful or divisive is wrong. The fact is that these rallies would not have attracted the same crowds if they had been organised a few years ago. Australians are hurting. I have repeatedly spoken about the rising cost of living impacting families, small businesses and young Australians in particular, who have almost given up on ever owning their own homes. For most, I think this wasn't about demonising anyone. This was about calling on the government to have a sensible approach to migration. One man who marched in Brisbane outlined on Channel 9 a sentiment which I believe would reflect the view of most Australians. He said: 'I love migration, okay? I'm from a family of immigrants as well. The point is how many you bring in the country. Where do you house them?' And I think that is a very worthy question to ask. In less than 10 years, my home state of WA has gone from having a population of less than 2.5 million people to a population of over three million people. Most of that growth has been driven by overseas migration. This wouldn't be so bad if housing supply, infrastructure and the hospital system were keeping up with this growth, but they simply are not. When I raise Labor's reckless migration, I don't seek to demonise migrants—far from it. I do not blame anyone who wants to come here. After all, we are the greatest country in the world. Why wouldn't you want to come here? We have also long benefited from a steady migration program. Our multicultural character is one of the defining qualities of our great country. I think most people who marched would share that sentiment. I think their anger is directed solely at the Albanese Labor government for not managing the migration program properly. Our prime minister promised to be a leader who would take responsibility. Yet he has not once conceded that his reckless increase of the migration program is making life harder for all Australians. The challenge before us is not to lecture or to condemn but to listen and to respond, to restore faith that this country can once again be a place where a young person can dream of buying their own home, raising their family and building their future in a nation that is united, not divided, and that Australia is still the lucky country. Housing 94 19:45 Ms FRANCE 270198 Dickson Young Australians wish they could afford a home amongst the gum trees or a home with lots of plum trees, a sheep or two or a kangaroo. Young Australians just want a roof over their heads. An eighties built flat with no veranda out the back would do. Owning your own home is the great Australian dream, but, for many hardworking Australians, the dream of owning a home is slipping further and further out of reach. That is why the Albanese Labor government is helping first home buyers get into a home of their own by offering five per cent deposits and guaranteeing a portion of their home loan so they don't have to pay lenders mortgage insurance. Single parents will also be able to buy a home with just a two per cent deposit. Young people have the same homeownership aspirations as generations gone by, but our young people are losing hope that homeownership is possible. The portion of average wages dedicated to mortgage payments has risen dramatically, from 32 per cent in the late nineties to 49 per cent in 2024. That means Australians are now spending nearly half their household income on mortgage repayments, and, in some states, they spend over 50 per cent. House prices have gone up, and interest rates have gone up. But, for a decade, while the coalition was in power, wages stagnated. All of these things combined have made homeownership so much more difficult than in previous generations. That's why the Albanese Labor government is expanding our First Home Guarantee. From 1 October, first home buyers will be able to purchase a home with just a five per cent deposit. And, because the government will guarantee part of these mortgages, buyers won't be hit with tens of thousands of dollars in lenders mortgage insurance. On average, they will save about $25,000. For first-time homebuyers in my community of Dickson, I know this will make a real difference. Our beautiful Moreton Bay community is one of the fastest growing regions in the country. North of Brisbane, many young families are moving to Moreton Bay after being priced out of Brisbane. Nearly 800,000 people are expected to live in the City of Moreton Bay by 2046. That's more than double the size of Hobart and almost double the size of the whole of the ACT. During the election campaign, I spoke to many young couples and single parents—long-term renters—who told me they feel like they're always just that one step behind. Many of them told me that making it easier to buy their first home was what they cared about most. Since we came to government in 2022, 1,200 people in Dickson have already been able to buy their first home with a five per cent deposit or less. We are also building 100,000 new homes exclusively for first home buyers so they don't miss out to property investors. We are continuing the largest housing build in Australian history, because more housing means more affordable homes. Whether it's apartments for young professionals, townhouses for growing families or accessible homes for older Australians and those with a disability, we're building for everyone. As a single mum, I am also incredibly proud that the Albanese Labor government is backing single parents, who often face even greater challenges when it comes to homeownership. We are also investing in social and affordable homes for vulnerable people who can't afford rent let alone buy a home. There are around 28,000 social and affordable homes in planning or under construction. When those opposite were in government they failed to invest in housing, only building 373 social and affordable homes in nine long years of government. The Albanese government is making real progress. We're listening to Australians. We're acting on what matters, and we're delivering on our promise to get more people into their own homes—perhaps a little bush retreat where the kookaburras call—with their own kitchens so that they can cook up a roast or vegemite on toast. National Disability Insurance Scheme 94 19:50 Mr REBELLO 316547 McPherson I rise tonight to speak about an issue that I am incredibly passionate about. It's a decision of this Labor government that's having devastating impacts on members of my community. The same prime minister who ran a health-cuts scare campaign against our former leader has now stripped health and disability care funding and access from our community's most vulnerable. When this Labor government make decisions about numbers on a page, they seem to forget that those numbers represent people. Right now, people in my electorate are paying the price for Labor's poor decisions. On 1 July, Labor allowed new NDIS pricing arrangements to come into effect. These changes were thrust upon participants and the sector with very little opportunity for preparation, and the impacts are already being felt across the country. Labor's approach has been blunt, heavy handed and, as many providers have told me, entirely disconnected from the realities on the ground. Recently, I met with Ross from Custom Prosthetics and Orthotics in Mudgeeraba, one of the many providers and participants I have spoken with since these changes came into effect. Ross shared the story of a Coolangatta resident, a recent amputee who, having been fitted with a new leg, is now unable to access the physiotherapy required to relearn how to walk using that new leg. This is the cost of Labor's ill-considered decisions. I also met with Physio 4 Kids in Robina, who raised serious concerns about the assumptions these changes are grounded on. They explained that the rates being used for comparison were based on musculoskeletal physiotherapy, a completely different service to the highly specialised, intensive care required by many NDIS participants. Physio 4 Kids told me this flawed benchmarking leaves providers questioning their viability and families fearful of losing access to essential support. During my meetings with local providers, I heard the same story over and over again. Providers are already underselling their services to put participants first. A local physiotherapist told me that each appointment with a participant, perhaps billed for two hours, comes with upwards of four hours worth of paperwork and reporting. That is time and cost the providers currently absorb for the sake of the participants they serve. When making changes to the NDIS we must remember that if delivering services isn't viable for providers, there will be no-one left to support participants. With that being said, I recognise growing need for greater efficiency and integrity in the NDIS because every dollar we invest should reach the people that it is intended to help, and the scheme must have the financial sustainability to endure for the long-term. We all recognise that the NDIS must remain financially sustainable. This year the scheme is costing taxpayers around $48.5 billion, projected to rise to $52.3 billion next year and $63.4 billion by 2028-29. These are significant figures. But ensuring sustainability cannot mean undermining access. That balance requires careful thought, proper consultation and an approach that puts participants at the centre. Meaningful reform cannot be done by spreadsheets alone. It must be strategic, evidence based and carefully implemented with clear transition paths. Providers across the Gold Coast tell me these price settings look less like reform and more like a blunt savings measure. They've urged the government to tackle waste, fraud and duplication, to standardise reporting and to accelerate early intervention pathways—not to pull funding levers that choke off access. When travel allowances are cut and specialist therapy is benchmarked against the wrong services, those with the most complex needs pay first and pay most. The NDIS is supposed to be there for those who need it most. It's important that the scheme is efficient and targeted to ensure long-term sustainability. But these changes are disproportionately hitting hardest for those participants with some of the most complex needs—people for whom travelling to appointments is not simply difficult but impossible. To halve their travel allowance without consultation is to halve their ability to access support. I will continue to raise the voices of my community in this place, and I urge the government to take those voices very seriously. The NDIS must work for those who rely on it. Housing Affordability 95 19:55 Mr HOLZBERGER 88411 Forde During the election I said that housing is my No. 1 priority. That's for two reasons. First, housing is one of those basic human needs. Once you have met it, it gives you the literal space to become the person that you were meant to be and to do the things for your community that only you can do. Without a roof over your head, nothing else is possible. The second reason is that there is no greater impact a government can have on the economy than providing affordable housing. It really twigged for me in a casual conversation that I had about 20 years ago, when somebody told me that public housing was to be built around a meatworks in Brisbane to provide affordable housing to workers. That one conversation sparked an interest, and I went on to learn that the postwar economic miracle of Australia was achieved through two things: cheap housing and cheap energy. It was state and federal Labor and Liberal governments working together to build Australia. It's largely forgotten now. But, before World War II, in the heart of Australian cities, there were great slums. Look at those genteel inner-city terrace homes today and just remember that, before the war, three or four families would be jammed into each of them—and those families were the lucky ones. Governments knew that it just wasn't good enough for our veterans to come back from World War II and live in slums, and so that was one impetus to build affordable housing. The other impetus was the economy. It was to provide cheap rent not just for vulnerable people but for workers. It's easy to think that cheap rent means more money in people's pockets to spend in local businesses, and, sure, that's important. But the economic benefit is much more profound than that. The real economic benefit is that cheap rent means wages don't need to be so high. That helps attract business. In fact, it's how the car industry, for example, became an industry. Public housing came to Australia. Public housing was built around car plants. One of the greatest proponents of public housing was the South Australian Liberal premier Thomas Playford during World War II and for 20 years after it. He put into the charter of the South Australia Housing Trust that it would aid in the economic development of the state. By the 1990s, over 40 per cent of every rental in South Australia was public housing. Now that number is half. Nationally, public housing was about 20 per cent of every rental at the start of the nineties. Now it's about 10 per cent. On the Gold Coast, public housing accounts for about five per cent of every rental. You wonder why we have a housing crisis! I don't want to play the blame game, because, like the Minister for Housing said, this problem has been over 40 years in the making—so it's both sides of politics. But it became the most extreme in the nine years of the former government, when just 373 social and affordable homes were built. The only way out of it is for all political parties to work together again, just like in postwar Australia. I'm sure the National Party wants to do it. Joh Bjelke-Petersen was famous for building public housing—for saying to mining companies that they could have their lease, but they'd need to develop towns like Moranbah and Dysart. So I implore the other side of the House: change tack. Let's work together. Support the HAFF—the Housing Australia Future Fund—which is undertaking the biggest public housing program of a generation. Support the expansion of the five per cent deposit program. Get behind National Cabinet's ambitious but necessary target to build 1.2 million homes, 100,000 of which will be for first home buyers. Get behind the Help to Buy program, in which the government will partner with buyers to share the equity and dramatically slash the cost of entering the market. Support measures which will help make life better for renters. Like the housing minister said, housing is the Labor project of our generation. But wouldn't it be even better for our grandkids if they could look at us and say that housing was the project of our generation, from all political parties—just like we look back on the postwar generation, who worked together across the parties to literally build Australia and who set us up for decades of economic prosperity. House adjourned at 20:00 The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Mascarenhas ) took the chair at 10:30.

Monday, 1 September 2025

The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Mascarenhas ) took the chair at 10:30.

CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS 97 CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS Ryan Electorate: Infrastructure 97 10:30 Ms WATSON-BROWN 300127 Ryan Why is it easier to imagine doubling the number of flights than building high-speed rail, or to imagine flying cars or drone taxis rather than a properly funded, fast, frequent, connected public transport network? It's because both major parties are completely captured by the aviation industry, with no regard for sensible alternatives to the unchecked growth of aviation. The government's aviation white paper set out the future of Australian aviation to 2050. High-speed rail was mentioned not once in the 240-page report—not once. Extraordinary! Brisbane Airport recently released their draft master plan that's meant to cover the next two decades to 2046. They predict a doubling of the number of flights. Where is this demand coming from? It far outstrips predicted population growth over the same period. This is the result of policy choices not providing alternatives. We all know that the routes among Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are some of the busiest air corridors in the world. Instead of doubling the number of flights, along with the carbon emissions and noise pollution they produce, there's no reason we couldn't instead have east coast high-speed rail by 2046. I have a simple message for the LNP Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Adrian Schrinner: Close Mount Coot-tha Quarry and rehabilitate it with a publicly owned and community led vision. It's that simple. For over a decade the community has called for the closure of the outdated, unnecessary quarry on Mount Coot-tha. After much pressure, council committed to its closure by 2025 and its rehabilitation. And now we find out—with no community consultation, no transparency, just a few lines buried in a long media release—that Mount Coot-tha quarry 'could continue to operate for another decade due to increasing use of recycled material in road base'. Another decade? This is another shameful broken promise. What is a little puzzling is that the lord mayor is also talking up his vision of a renewed Mount Coot-tha in time for the 2032 Olympics that would involve luxury hotels, pay-for-access zip-lines and night-time light shows. A decade takes us to 2035, Adrian, well after the Olympics. There is something, though, that unites these two seemingly contradictory announcements: the love of private profiteering and a deep disregard for genuine public space. Instead of giving the big developers and mining companies everything they want, here's a thought: commit to making all of Mount Coot-tha a beautiful public asset, a luxury that everyone can access for free. Racism 97 10:33 Mr WATTS 193430 Gellibrand Indigenous leader Noel Pearson has said that you can't tell the full story of Australia without telling three stories: the story of our oldest continuous culture on earth, the story of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders; the story of the Westminster institutions that followed, our rule of law and our democratic institutions; and the story of our multicultural migration, a migration that has built a country where half of us either are born overseas or have a parent born overseas—the most successful multicultural nation on earth. The marches against Australia we saw on the weekend were an insult to all three of these stories that make our country great. Australians are rightly proud of the diverse country that we have built here together. We are a country that produced John Wing, a 10-year-old Chinese-Australian boy who suggested that, in the closing ceremony of the Melbourne Olympics, athletes march not as separate countries but together as friends. That is a unique, egalitarian, Australian Olympic innovation. We are a country that has produced two Fields Medal winners, Terence Tao and Akshay Venkatesh, a migrant and a child of a migrant. We are a country enriched by the diverse contributions of Australians like Sir Gustav Nossal, Harry Seidler, Harry Triguboff, Frank Lowy, Victor Chang, Gout Gout, Usman Khawaja, Sam Kerr, Jason Day, Melanie Perkins and Jack Zhang. We're proud that the Australians who work in our hospitals, care for our elderly, help our country grow and help our parliament govern have heritages from every corner of the globe. We're proud of them because they are us—they're our family, our friends, our teammates, our work colleagues and our classmates. The tiny number of protesters on the weekend are scared of this. They want an Australia that's small and weak. They want an Australia that never grows or changes. They want an Australia that would be left behind in the modern world. They are so clearly wrong, and that's why the vast majority of Australians disagree with them. The Scanlon Foundation's Mapping social cohesionreport has consistently found that nine out of 10 Australians believe that multiculturalism has been good for our country. We should understand that, at most, the views of those protesters are one in 10 Australians. We have a choice about how to respond to these rallies. We should choose to take the public presence of Neo-Nazis at these rallies seriously. All groups with hateful and violent ideologies need to be taken seriously by our law enforcement and security agencies. I have been increasingly concerned about the way these groups have intimidated people, including in my electorate, without law enforcement action. We should choose to make another choice, too, and that's to not empower these protesters by believing the lies they tell about our country. We shouldn't give the tiny number of people who turned out at these protests the unjustified power of wrongly believing that their views are widely shared by other Australians. These protests were sadder than they were scary. It's understandable that a freakshow of Neo-Nazis, sovereign citizens and racists attracted significant media attention—freakshows generally do. But we shouldn't empower this fringe element by taking the lies that they tell about our country seriously. Carter, Mr Arnold 98 10:36 Ms PRICE 249308 Durack I rise today to acknowledge the life of Arnold Carter of Port Hedland, whose recent passing will leave a hole in the heart of Port Hedland. Arnold wasn't just a long-term resident; he was Port Hedland—its spirit, its strength and its story. For over 60 years, Arnold called Port Hedland home, and, in doing so, he helped shape it into what it is today. His passing is not just a loss for Port Hedland; it is a loss for the Pilbara and for all of Western Australia. Arnold was a living piece of history. He arrived in Port Hedland in 1962, when it was still a small northern town, and became one of the driving forces behind its transformation into a global iron ore hub. He was there from the very beginning, helping to establish the port, managing key projects and working hard to secure Port Hedland's place in the national economy. But Arnold's contributions went far beyond industry. He served on council for 34 years, including as shire president from 1979 to 1985, and helped to lead the community through enormous change, enormous growth and more than a few cyclones. He was there when decisions mattered most, and he always put the people of Port Hedland, of the Pilbara, first. He was also a fierce advocate who was never afraid to speak his mind, even well into his 90s. Whether fighting for underground power, better transparency in government or, more recently, the right to be buried in the local pioneer cemetery he so loved, Arnold never backed down on what he believed in. That determination paid off. He and his beloved wife, Frances, were granted the honour of being buried in Port Hedland, resting on that small hill overlooking the ocean, a final tribute to two of the longest standing Port Hedland residents. 'To know where you're going to go is a big thing,' Arnold once said. Arnold lived through 29 cyclones, owned 26 businesses and was involved in almost every community group you could name, from marine rescue, to the chamber of commerce, to the turf club. He gave, he led and he never stopped caring about his beloved Port Hedland. Arnold often attended Liberal Party events and was never backwards in providing me with advice; however, he always did so in a gentle, well-mannered way because he was a gentleman. To Fran and the Carter family, together with all of the residents of Port Hedland, I offer my deepest condolences. And to Arnold, we simply say: thank you. Thank you for your service, your vision, your courage and your heart. Rest peacefully, Arnold. The ocean watches over you now, just as you have watched over Port Hedland. Defence Exercises 98 10:39 Mr BURNELL 300129 Spence I rise to speak about Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, the 11th and largest iteration of Australia's premiere military training operation. It serves as a demonstration of our deepening alliances, expanding capability and nationwide defence preparedness. From July 13 to 4 August 2025 Australia was host to more than 30,000 personnel from 19 nations, with Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam attending as observers. For the first time, the exercise was also held with our neighbours Papua New Guinea, honouring their 50th anniversary of independence and our shared commitment to regional security. Talisman Sabre started as a bilateral exercise between Australia and the United States. Now it's a global partnership, with participation from other friends in Japan, India, Indonesia, France, Germany, the UK, Canada, South Korea, Fiji, Tonga, Singapore, New Zealand and the Philippines, working side-by-side across all theatres: land, air, sea, cyber and space. These aren't just war games; it's a live, real-world rehearsal of how we operate as a coordinated force. Amphibious landings, ground manoeuvres, air combat operations and live fire drills are part of this year's multidomain exercise. The scale of this operation is unprecedented. Forces began arriving in mid-July, moving across Queensland, Western Australia, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Christmas Island and now our nearest Pacific neighbour. The logistics involved are among the most complex in our history. As Vice Admiral Justin Jones noted, Talisman Sabre demonstrates our enduring alliance with the United States through deepening cooperation in training and force integration, and it is that level of integration across defence, diplomacy and community that will define our success. Importantly, defence is working closely with local governments, traditional owners, emergency services and communities because we understand that a strong defence must also be a respectful one. I was also fortunate enough to be able to attend the live-fire demonstration at Shoalwater Bay, witnessing live fire of our new HIMARS platform among other demonstrations. To Brigadier Ben McLennan, commanding officer of 3rd Brigade: thank you for your warm hospitality during week 1 of the exercise. To Lieutenant Colonel Dan Ellis, commanding officer of 3RAR, 'Old Faithful', it was a privilege to embed with your team for three days as part of the ADF Parliamentary Program. The professionalism on display during our stay was first rate by all under your command—thank you. Talisman Sabre is more than a defence exercise; it's a display of trust, teamwork and the enduring value of peace secured through unified preparation. McPherson Electorate: Community Events, Tertiary Education 99 10:42 Mr REBELLO 316547 McPherson The past several weeks have been an incredibly busy time for the southern Gold Coast, and I would like to take a moment to put a very special achievement on the record. Recently, our community gathered to celebrate 100 years of our much loved Tugun Surf Life Saving Club. For a century, generations of volunteers have braved the surf and the seasons to keep our coastline and our community safe. It was an honour to join them in celebrating an extraordinary history and in recognising some of the dedicated club members who have built the organisation into what it is today. As we look to the next 100 years, I have every confidence that Tugun Surf Life Saving Club will continue its proud legacy of service and contribution to our community. Just as our surf lifesavers give their time and energy to protect the community, our local educators and researchers are working tirelessly to prepare the next generation, but too often their efforts are made harder by government. I recently met with the Vice-Chancellor Tyrone Carlin from Southern Cross University, which is in my electorate, to discuss the challenges facing higher education in Australia. Professor Carlin's message was clear: universities are being weighed down by red tape at the very time we should be empowering them to grow, innovate and compete. This is not just a university problem; it's a national problem. When we make it harder for our institutions to attract students, researchers and investment, we put Australia at risk of falling further behind in skills, technology and discovery. This is a sentiment I hear consistently from my community, from small businesses dealing with rising costs and red tape, from tradies in the building industry with skill shortages and mounting compliance costs and from community groups who want to do more but are held back by endless paperwork. Labor's addiction to red tape is stifling our potential instead of fostering innovation and supporting growth. This Labor government is tying down the very people and industries that drive our prosperity. But the strength of our community is found not only on our beaches, in our businesses and at our campuses but also in the everyday places where people come together. This weekend at the Gold Coast Show I saw firsthand the talent, the camaraderie and the joy of our community. It's events like these that remind me what matters most on the Gold Coast: people pitching in, creating opportunities and looking out for each other. In this parliament, our responsibility is to match that effort, to support volunteers, to remove the barriers that hold back productivity and to keep investing in the life of our community. The next century doesn't need more bureaucracy. It demands stronger communities, greater innovation and higher productivity, with service surpassing that of the last. Reid Electorate: Schools 99 10:45 Ms SITOU 298121 Reid Today, almost 800,000 students walked through the gates of a public school, and around 10,000 of those students live in my electorate of Reid. One of those students is my son. He follows in the footsteps of his parents; my husband and I are proud products of public education. Now, with federal and state Labor governments in New South Wales, public education is finally getting the funding and spotlight it deserves, and this speech is my love letter to public education. Public education transforms lives. It changes a family's entire trajectory. Its magic lies in the dedicated teaching staff. Their impact is immeasurable, and it goes through generations. I see that work in Alice Leung, a teacher at Concord High School, who was awarded the Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools. Not only is she a great teacher but she is also fiercely committed to ensuring every child gets a good-quality education. She teaches at a high school which has achieved remarkable results because of the hard work of the teachers and students. Thanks to the leadership of Victor Newby and Kathy Kalachian, Concord High School has successfully improved maths results by adding a senior study coach, a dedicated learning centre and an after-hours algebra club. These changes lifted their average HSC maths score to among the top five non-selective schools in New South Wales. The public schools in Reid are deeply embedded in the community. The work of teachers and staff extend beyond the classroom, and I've been lucky to work with so many wonderful public schools who have co-hosted community events with me. Thanks to Newington, Lidcombe and Homebush West public schools for co-hosting the Cost of Living Help Hubs to ensure households get access to government support services. Thanks to Five Dock and Burwood public schools, and Strathfield Girls High School for generously hosting seniors afternoon teas, providing an opportunity for students and older residents to sit together and share stories. To teach in a public school is to believe in the power of equity and the promise of potential. It is one of the most profoundly important professions in our society, and there's no better example of that than at Lucas Gardens School. The dedicated staff, led by Principal Jenny Zagas, provide education to students with intellectual and physical disabilities, helping them reach their full potential. Let us celebrate public schools and teachers who are true nation builders. They shape minds and fulfil the potential. Forrest Electorate: Renewable Energy 100 10:48 Mr SMALL 291406 Forrest Last Thursday, in a committee room just downstairs from this chamber, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, announced the granting of additional preliminary feasibility licences for proponents proposing to build offshore wind in Geographe Bay, which is of course just off the coast of my electorate of Forrest. I want to take the chamber back to the beginning of this process, when the government announced a consultation process for local people to have a say. From wild scenes, frankly, at the Binningup Surf Life Saving Club, through to the many hundreds of people that attended the department led consultation in Bunbury and asked valid questions but left without any answers, through to the 300 people that requisitioned a City of Busselton special ratepayer meeting out of sheer frustration at how inadequate the federal government led consultation process had been, my electorate has been clear: this is a project that doesn't suit our coastline. They've asked simple questions and been denied answers by this government at every turn. If we look at the simple proposition of offshore wind overseas, we see significant projects on the eastern seaboard of the United States having been cancelled due to significant cost escalations. We've seen the largest project in Sweden go bankrupt and, of course, we've seen the largest manufacturers of turbines in the world making significant parts of their manufacturing workforce redundant due to decreasing demand for offshore wind turbines globally. It begs the question as to why we are pursuing this madness and why we are pursuing this madness with such fervour. So it was with some surprise, having campaigned so strongly against offshore wind Geographe Bay, that I recently received an invitation from the Danish consulate to attend a delegation to visit and to examine the offshore wind industry in Denmark. After writing back to them and suggesting that, as a fierce critic of these proposals, my place was not amongst their trip, they in fact explicitly invited me again because of my strident opposition to this. So, having taken the decision to attend—and I am paying for my own flights because that is the right thing to do—I will be taking an open mind on the trip and asking those simple questions that the people of Forrest have been unable to get answers to from this government. They will be centred on economics. Will this make power cheaper, cleaner and more consistent in the SA West integrated system? Will it result in lower power prices for households and businesses in the south-west? Are the very genuine questions around environmental risk, with it being centred on a whale migration superhighway, in fact debunked by the science or, as I see it, hotly contested? These are the questions I'm looking for answers for. Bean Electorate: Schools 100 10:51 Mr DAVID SMITH 276714 Bean I rise to speak about three leaders from my electorate and the values they embody. In Bean we are fortunate to have many impressive school leaders who guide and shape our school communities—school leaders who I've enjoyed engaging with and learning from over the years. Principals are very much community leaders, and these three have provided significant service to the community in Bean. Michael Lee has been the Principal of St Mary MacKillop College since 2008. He is a dynamic and inspiring leader who has led his school community with distinction, compassion and moral courage. Michael is very much a force of nature, a man of deep learning and intelligence as well as unshakeable values of social justice and fairness. Under Michael's leadership, St Mary MacKillop College has become a powerhouse of achievement in sports, academics, the performing arts and community service. Michael will be stepping down as principal at the end of the year but has so much still to contribute. Ian Hewitt was until recently the Principal of Trinity Christian School after commencing there as a teacher in the 1980s. As principal, his growing Trinity moved from strength to strength. He oversaw significant investment in the school's physical infrastructure, including a very impressive new performing arts space. He has also found time to contribute at a national level. I've always enjoyed my engagements with Trinity under Ian's leadership. I've always found the school mirrored Ian in important ways: warm, welcoming and inclusive. Ian is a leader of integrity, faith and conviction, and I hope he enjoys time with his family and continues to contribute on his own terms. For nearly 10 years Greg Terrell was the Principal of Bonython Primary School. He led the school with empathy and focus, bringing a wealth of experience to bear in his approach to school leadership. He helped to foster at Bonython a culture of connection, community and belonging for all students. Greg cultivated a spirit of inclusivity and learning, as is captured by the school framework values of grit, integrity, embracing diversity, and self-management. He is now the principal of Palmerston District Primary School, outside of the electorate, and I thank him for his service at Bonython. Michael, Ian and Greg have inspired, supported and believed in thousands of students under their watches. They have been the best community leaders in Bean, and may their example inspire the next generation of assistant principals and principals to lead with courage, compassion and care. We are fortunate to have community leaders like Michael, Ian and Greg, and I thank them for their deep ongoing service. Hume Electorate: Volunteer Grants Program 101 10:54 Mr TAYLOR 231027 Hume I rise today to acknowledge the extraordinary contribution of volunteers across my electorate of Hume and to congratulate the recipients of the 2024-25 Volunteer Grants Program, a program that we strongly supported when we were in government and continue to support, because volunteers are the backbone of our communities, and that's absolutely true in my community of Hume. They dedicate their time, skills and energy to local sporting clubs, community associations and service organisations. These grants recognise their efforts and provide much-needed support to help them continue their vital work. Small amounts of money can make a really big difference to these organisations, and this year a diverse range of organisations have been successful. In Camden, the Camden Bowling Club received $1,500 to purchase new bowling equipment for the junior competition, the Camden Rugby Club received $3,000 for a generator, the Rotary Club of Camden received $3,100 for insurance, and the Camden CWA also got $2,500 for insurance. In Wollondilly, grassroots sport has received a welcome boost, with the Wilton Warriors Football Club receiving $4½ thousand to purchase a new line-marking machine, the Wollondilly Junior Australian Football Club receiving $2,400 to reimburse coaches for travel costs, and the Wollondilly Pony Club receiving $1,800 to cover insurance costs. We know those insurance costs are a really big deal for these organisations, and getting support so that they can cover their insurance has been a feature of the grants this year. We know insurance is becoming a crippling cost indeed for many organisations. The Oaks Junior Rugby League Football Club has been awarded $1,640 to get a new freezer. South West Rugby League Football Club secured $4,000 for line-marking equipment. Appin United Football Club received $2,000 for a portable gazebo and tablet, and the Wallacia Progress Association received $2,500, again to cover insurance costs. Other successful organisations include the Australian Breastfeeding Association in Macarthur, Buxton Community Association, Equestriad Camden, Macarthur Lions Club and Shining Stars Foundation. Every one of these organisations is powered by volunteers—ordinary people doing extraordinary things. You see time and time again that in these clubs it's the same people over and over who are taking on an incredible workload to support these organisations. It brings together people in our local communities, and that makes them better places to live, work and raise a family. I'm proud to say these grants will help to cover so many of these costs. I absolutely congratulate all successful organisations, and I thank, most importantly of all, the thousands and thousands of volunteers across my electorate of Hume, in my local communities, for the time, the care and the commitment they give every single day. DV Safe Phone 101 10:57 Ms LAWRENCE 299150 Hasluck Domestic and family violence remains one of the most pressing concerns in our community. Recently a young woman's life was tragically lost in my electorate of Hasluck in an alleged incident of domestic violence at the hands of her fiance. Today my thoughts are with her family and her friends and loved ones and with all those affected by domestic and family violence. Ending gender-based violence remains a national priority for this government. The Albanese Labor government has invested more in this than any previous government. Over $4 billion, in fact, has been delivered through prevention programs and frontline services. While this important work is being delivered by dedicated professionals around the country, I was concerned to learn that, too often still, survivors are left feeling isolated, without safe ways to reach out for help or connect with their loved ones. To this end, I looked for a way in which I could help to make a tangible difference, and I'm proud to be championing the work of DV Safe Phone's initiative in Western Australia. DV Safe Phone is a national charity founded by the extraordinary Ashton Wood. It takes donated mobile phones, repurposes them into safe, untraceable devices and equips them with new SIM cards. These phones are then distributed free of charge through frontline services such as shelters, hospitals, police stations and community organisations, giving survivors a lifeline when they need it most. Since it began in 2020, DV Safe Phone has already delivered more than 14,700 safe phones across Australia, including about 1,600 in Western Australia. That means more than 1,600 people in our state now have a secure way to call for help, organise safe accommodation and stay connected at the most dangerous and vulnerable point in their lives. When I discovered that 14 per cent of phones distributed nationally by DV Safe Phone are given to victims in Western Australia but only four per cent of phones are donated from Western Australia, I knew this was a gap that I could fill. Together with the fabulous team at DV Safe Phone—Nikki Firmin and Anna Gilbert—my office has now become a DV Safe Phone drop box location. Some 22 million phones are in desks and drawers around the country. If we can just get a fraction of those phones donated, that will obviously make a world of difference to those in need. Working with local partner organisations, like Indigo Junction, a local accommodation, crisis-support service, these phones will then get repaired, if need be, cleaned up and provided to these service providers to give to people in need. For survivors like Akita, who has bravely shared with me the difference these phones make when someone's stalking them or trying to track them by tapping into their Facebook account and so forth, this is a way that gives them freedom and control back over their lives. So I encourage every single federal and state member of parliament to become a DV Safe Phone drop box location. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 298800 In accordance with standing order 193, the time for members' constituency statements has concluded. PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS 102 PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS Women's Health Week 102 11:00 Ms COFFEY 312323 Griffith I move: That this House: (1) affirms the importance of Women's Health Week, held annually in the first week in September, as a national campaign led by Jean Hailes for Women's Health, promoting health awareness, education, and empowerment for women, girls, and gender-diverse people across Australia; (2) celebrates the 2025 theme, 'Say yes to you', which encourages women to prioritise their health, speak up, and access the care they need, values that align with the Government's commitment to equity, dignity, and universal healthcare; (3) acknowledges the systemic challenges women face in accessing timely, affordable, and appropriate healthcare, including underdiagnosed conditions such as endometriosis, pelvic pain, cardiovascular disease, and menopause-related symptoms; (4) commends the Government for its historic investment of $793 million to strengthen Medicare and improve women's health outcomes, including: (a) new Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme listings for oral contraceptives and menopause hormone therapies; (b) expanded bulk billing and Medicare rebates for long-acting reversible contraceptives and menopause health assessments; (c) the establishment of 11 new endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics, increasing the national total to 33 clinics; and (d) national trials enabling pharmacists to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections, improving access for over 250,000 concession cardholders; and (5) reaffirms this House's ongoing commitment to a fairer, stronger healthcare system that meets the needs of all Australians, especially women, through evidence-based policy, investment, and compassion. This week is Women's Health Week, which is held annually in the first week of September. It's a national campaign led by Jean Hailes for Women's Health, a national non-profit organisation dedicated to improving women's health across Australia and through every stage of life. Women's Health Week promotes health awareness, education and empowerment for women, girls and gender-diverse people across Australia because, for too long, women's health has too often been overlooked, ignored and pushed to the side. This has been a result of historical neglect in research and care, leading to gender bias, medical misogyny and systemic inequities. In 2023, the National Women's Health Advisory Council conducted the #EndGenderBias survey to better understand the unique barriers women face in Australia's healthcare system. From across the country, thousands of responses were received. Two-thirds of women reported that they experienced healthcare related gender bias and discrimination. These have a far-reaching impact on women's lives. Women reported feelings of abandonment, shame, blame and self-doubt; significant financial burden; lost educational and career opportunities; and delayed diagnosis and treatment, which led to disease progression, fewer treatments and worse health outcomes. The 2025 theme of Women's Health Week is Say Yes to You, which encourages women to prioritise their health, speak up and access the care that they need. These values align strongly with our government's commitment to equity, dignity and universal health care. Improving the health and wellbeing of all women, girls and gender-diverse people is a key priority for the Australian government. We know that women's interactions with the healthcare system are different to that of men's. We know women spend more on out-of-pocket healthcare costs than men, and younger women spend more than men their age, partly due to maternity care and the higher prevalence of chronic illness. We know that women experience delayed diagnosis across a wide range of conditions and diseases. This government, the continuation of Australia's first majority women government, understands and acknowledges there are systemic challenges women face in accessing timely, affordable and appropriate health care. That's why I'm so proud to acknowledge the groundbreaking women's healthcare package included in the 2025-26 budget. The Australian government is investing $792.9 million through the 2025-26 budget to increase the capacity of the primary care workforce to support women's health needs, increase access to services and make both services and medicines more affordable. This funding includes $159.9 million to make it easier for women in Australia to access affordable, long-acting, reversible contraception, one of the most effective and reliable methods of contraception. We're also investing $64.5 million to improve access to more effective and high-quality models of care for endometriosis and pelvic pain, and perimenopause and menopause management and support. This includes 11 new endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics across Australia, bringing the total to 33 clinics and expanding their scope. We're developing national clinical guidelines for perimenopause and menopause to support a national consistent approach for care and increasing awareness and access to education and training on perimenopause and menopause for health professionals. We're investing $109.1 million to support women's health trials through pharmacists for the effective treatment of uncomplicated UTIs and access to contraceptives. These trials will make it easier for women to get the care they need from a pharmacist. We're investing $443.4 million for the listing of more medicines on the PBS, including oral contraceptive pills as well as menopausal hormone therapies. In addition, the oral contraceptive pills Slinda and Ryeqo for endometriosis were listed on the PBS from May this year. This is what you can achieve when you have equal representation in our parliament—a government that deeply understands women's health and the challenges we face, because more than half of the representatives sitting on this side of the House are women. As of May 2025, women make up 56 per cent of the Australian Labor Party caucus in federal parliament, and this Albanese Labor government's cabinet is now the first-ever federal cabinet to be gender equal, with women comprising 11 of the 22 ministers. As Senator Katy Gallagher, Minister for Women, explained earlier this year: And when you have that, the conversations change. And we can see it not only in women's health, but we've been doing it in terms of women's wages, in terms of access to PPL, super on PPL, in women's safety, in women's sport, in housing for women. This government has been working incredibly hard for the women of Australia. For generations women have fought to have their health recognised, respected and prioritised. Today, with this Labor government that truly reflects the voices of women, that change is happening. We will continue to stand with women every step of the way, ensuring their health and wellbeing are no longer left behind. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 298800 Is there a seconder for the motion? Mr Burnell 300129 I second the motion and reserve my right to speak. 11:05 Mr TIM WILSON IMW Goldstein Thank you for the opportunity to speak on this important motion on Women's Health Week. It is a good opportunity to speak about the importance of women's health, obviously affecting a large section of the population, and the importance of bringing it to national importance as part of this parliament's work. Women's health is central to the longevity and full quality of life that we need to make sure the citizens of our community have. Women's Health Week, held annually in the first week of September as a national campaign led by Jean Hailes for women's health, is promoting health awareness, education and empowerment for women, girls and gender-diverse people across Australia. It celebrates the 2025 theme, 'Say yes to you', which encourages women to prioritise their health, to speak up and to access the care that they desperately need—values that align with the government's commitment around equity, dignity and universal health care, which is shared across the political aisle because we all want to see the best health outcomes for Australians. Making sure that we can access health services that Australians need is incredibly important for making sure that our citizens live out the best of their lives, as is making sure that people get support over the full length of their life cycle. Chronic conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome have a deep impact on people's daily lives and work and their capacity to live a quality of life and personal relationships. We know that in Australia approximately one in seven women are diagnosed with endometriosis by the age of 44 to 49, and around 8.8 per cent are diagnosed by the age of 26 to 31. It affects around five to 13 per cent of reproductive age women, depending on their diagnostic criteria. Diagnosis often takes six to eight years, with sufferers encountering dismissive care and enduring emotional and physical strain. This is not something that is unique to any section of the community. In the Goldstein electorate, the 52 per cent of female residents have a median age of around 43 years. A Goldstein constituent who wants to remain anonymous contacted the Goldstein office recently to share her specific experience. She lives with both endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome and faces debilitating pain, extensive medical appointments, financial strain from allied health costs and telehealth fees, and the excruciating prospect of considering surgical intervention due to a lack of accessible and affordable care. She wrote to the Goldstein office about the devastating reality of these chronic conditions; the relentless pain and fatigue; and the need to constantly juggle multiple medical appointments, often during business hours, forcing her to choose between her health and her income. Despite the promises of making sure that there would be full access to healthcare services, that isn't always something that's actually being delivered to people in the community and being realised. She is 28 years old and still very much in youth, the prime of her life, yet she is already being forced to consider surgical removal of an ovary, not solely for medical reasons but because the financial cost of ongoing care is becoming unsustainable for her. This, of course, is not something anybody would wish for any woman, let alone somebody so young, at such a tender age in their lives. We always look forward to the future with hope, and we hope that she does as well because, as difficult as her challenges are—we are not seeking in any way to diminish them—there must always be hope about your healthcare journey and making sure you can live out the best of your life. We wish her all the best on her journey. This year, the theme of 2025 Women's Health Week is, 'Say yes to you', and that's why it's important to make sure you prioritise your health in this important week. It's not about being selfish; it's actually about doing the right thing by yourself, so you can be there not just for yourself but for your loved ones, for your family, for your friends and for the other people in your care network. It's so important to make sure that you are your best self and able to contribute the most to those in your broader network. The reality is that too many people wait too long to get the support and assistance they need. When they delay appointments, whether because of out-of-pocket costs or because they have barriers around time commitments or capacity to access services, it places a bigger long-term health consequence on them that can have longer-term consequences. Making sure that dignity is at the centre of all healthcare policy is incredibly important, and women shouldn't be left behind on this important journey where we are making sure that health care serves everybody. Investment is not just about fairness in healthcare; it's about making sure people can live out their full dignity and their full participation in society, in the economy and, of course, in their family. Today is an opportunity to take stock, but also to be part of the solution. 11:10 Ms COMER 316551 Petrie This week is Women's Health Week, and the theme is 'Say yes to you'. It's a powerful reminder that women so often put themselves last. Between work, caring for children, supporting partners and looking after ageing parents, women are the ones who hold families and communities together—but too often that means putting their own health on the back burner. 'Say yes to you' is about encouraging women to take that time to book a check-up, to follow up on that referral and to put their own wellbeing first, because, when women are healthy, whole communities are healthy. When Labor came into government, we made a clear commitment that women's health would no longer be treated as an afterthought. For too long, policies and programs were designed with a one-size-fits-all approach—and that size rarely fits women. Labor is listening to women. We've established the National Women's Health Advisory Council, that brings together experts, advocates and women with lived experience, making sure women's voices shape the policies that affect them. We're investing in women's reproductive health. That includes funding to expand access to clinics for endometriosis and pelvic pain, conditions that have been dismissed and underdiagnosed. For the first time, women don't have to suffer in silence. We are also increasing access to contraception and reproductive health services so that women have greater choice and control over their own bodies. Women's pain is too often dismissed and swept under the rug. Today, I met with one of my constituents, Rachel, who was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer at 38. Her GP dismissed her pains. After a year of fatigue and stomach pains, she was admitted to the ED with stage 3 bowel cancer. Rachel was having symptoms of fatigue, which were attributed to the fact that she's a busy mother. This is a story that is too common. I also met with Kelly, who had constant medical challenges for four years before being diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer. We know the facts. On average, it takes seven years for a woman with endometriosis to be properly diagnosed; seven years of being told their period pain was just part of being a woman; seven years of missing school, missing work and missing out on life, while the health system failed to listen. It's not just endometriosis. Studies show that women are less likely than men to be given adequate pain relief in emergency rooms. Women presenting with heart attack symptoms are more likely to be misdiagnosed. Conditions like menopause and pelvic pain were barely researched, because the system didn't think they were important enough. This is what happens when there are no women at the decision-making table. When half the population hasn't been properly represented in parliament, it's no surprise that issues like endometriosis, pelvic pain, menopause or the cost of contraception were pushed to the bottom of the pile for decades. They were underdiagnosed, and support was not prioritised. These are real issues that affect millions of Australians every single day. For the first time in our nation's history, we have a female majority caucus. We have a cabinet where women hold critical portfolios in finance, in sport and in foreign affairs. When women are in the room, women's experiences are heard. This representation matters. It means that, when a woman talks about waiting 10 years for an endometriosis diagnosis, there are MPs and senators who nod, because they've lived it. When women share stories of juggling child care, work and caring for elderly parents while managing their own health, there are ministers who don't just sympathise; they understand from personal experience. That empathy, that lived experience, transforms into policy priorities. It's why Labor has funded specialised endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics across the country. It's why we're expanding Medicare coverage for reproductive and maternal health. It's why women's health is not a side note in our health policy; it's front and centre. Representation also ensures accountability. Women in caucus push for women in the community. They make sure the government doesn't let these issues slide back into the too-hard basket and keep women's health on the national agenda. It's worth remembering that women's health has always been undervalued not because it isn't important but because the people with the power to set priorities didn't see themselves in it. Changing who sits at the table changes what's on the agenda. Representation matters. It matters because it leads directly to outcomes—outcomes that change lives, outcomes that save lives—and under Labor, with more women in parliament than ever before, we are finally starting to close the gap on decades of neglect in women's health. 11:15 Mrs PHILLIPS 147140 Gilmore I am really proud to stand up today to talk about some of the incredible women's health initiatives that the Albanese Labor government is backing in my electorate of Gilmore. The South-Eastern Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic, located in Milton, is an essential health service that is changing the lives of women. Since the doors opened in September 2023, hundreds of women whose symptoms have been ignored for many years or even decades have gained a new sense of hope. I've spoken with women of all ages who have told me that for the first time their symptoms have been taken seriously by the wonderful Milton team, led by Dr Katie Macartney and specialist women's health nurse Susan Wilford. The team provides accessible specialist health support in a safe place. They take the time to really listen to and validate women. As a wife and mother of four, I understand how women can struggle with a range of health conditions. We are so busy with work and families that we often put ourselves last and just put up with the pain. As we kick off Women's Health Week, I encourage all Australian women to slow down and take the time to look after yourselves. Check your boobs, have that pap smear and talk to your health professional. Don't give up if you don't get the answer you're looking for straightaway. One woman aged in her 40s went to see the team at the south-eastern New South Wales clinic, and she was given fresh hope after living with pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, bowel changes and sleep disturbance for 30 years. She required surgery, and is now receiving ongoing care to assist with pain management, including pain reprocessing therapy, pelvic floor function, defecation dynamics training, and strategies to unwind the body and mind, such as yoga. She has returned to work, has a better relationship with her partner, and is feeling healthier and happier than she has for three decades. It's essential that women with endometriosis symptoms receive good support and a timely diagnosis—even better, that they can access that help close to home. Endometriosis and other pelvic issues can have a devastating impact on women's daily lives. They wait an average of seven years before diagnosis. I'm so pleased that as part of the Albanese Labor government's $792.9 million women's health package, 11 new endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics will open across the nation. I am also immensely proud that Australia's first Aboriginal-owned and midwifery-led Birthing on Country Centre of Excellence is now under construction in Nowra. The purpose-built hub will provide culturally safe and continuative midwifery care, including antenatal, birthing and postnatal support for Aboriginal women and their families. I've been working towards this facility alongside the amazing team at Waminda, the South-Coast women's Health and Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation for almost a decade, and have always supported their vision to improve outcomes for local Indigenous women and children. I'm so proud to have delivered $22.5 million from the Albanese Labor government for construction of the state-of-the-art centre, which is expected to welcome its first baby in mid-2026. Waminda is a dynamic organisation, deeply embedded in our community, and its birthing on country centre will ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and families get the best possible maternity care for generations to come. We know that birthing on country leads to significantly better health outcomes for First Nations mothers and babies. It improves maternal and perinatal outcomes, including attending more antenatal visits, being less likely to have a premature birth and being more likely to exclusively breastfeed. The new facility will be a wonderful asset for not only women across the South Coast but also women right around Australia who seek to give birth on country, to whom its doors will be open. During Women's Health Week, I want to congratulate the dedicated team at Waminda and everyone involved in establishing what will be the most comprehensive Aboriginal led birthing-on-country service in the world. I want to express how proud I am to be part of the Albanese Labor government—the first majority-women government that is finally taking women's health seriously. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 298800 There being no further speakers, the debate is adjourned, and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting. Commonwealth Home Support Program 106 11:20 Ms SHARKIE 265980 Mayo I move: That this House: (1) recognises that: (a) on 31 March 2025, 89,597 older Australians were waiting for a Home Care Package at their approved level, 70,223 without receiving lower-level Home Care Package services; (b) many older Australians are waiting up to a year to receive a Home Care Package at their approved level; and (c) although many people are approved to receive Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) services while waiting for Home Care at their approved level, those in regional and rural areas have great difficulty accessing CHSP services due to providers' lack of capacity and poor coverage of some Aged Care Planning Regions (ACPRs); (2) acknowledges that: (a) during 2023-24, 3,383 people passed away and 7,380 people entered residential aged care while waiting for a Home Care Package at their approved level; (b) the Government's deferral of an additional 80,000 Support at Home places from the commencement of the new Aged Care Act 2024 from 1 July 2025 to the revised start date of 1 November 2025 is having a profound, adverse impact on older Australians; and (c) CHSP providers are funded under grant agreements to deliver services in ACPRs, but it is a provider's business decision whether to deliver services to specific areas within the ACPR, meaning some would-be recipients miss out; and (3) calls on the Government to urgently: (a) address systemic issues in the CHSP which see people in many regional and rural areas unable to even get on a provider's waiting list for services; and (b) commence delivery of 80,000 additional packages promised in December 2024 so that older Australians are not left waiting up to a year or more for much-needed care. The government is failing on aged care. The government said they would put care back into aged care, but they are categorically failing in this regard. They're failing in every aspect of home care—whether it's the Commonwealth Home Support Program, getting assessed for home care, or receiving a home-care package. I don't even have the time to talk about residential care and the waiting lists to get into it. Let's start with this: at the end of last year, the government promised 83,000 home-care packages. They were going to be delivering 20,000 of these home-care packages, the first tranche, by 1 July this year. Then they pushed that out to November this year—we believe November this year. As of 31 March, there were more than 89,000 older Australians waiting for a home-care package. Those were the ones that were being assessed. We found out in the Senate last week that there are 120,000 Australians waiting for that phone call—waiting for that appointment, to get assessed for home care. Right now, we believe there are more than 100,000 older Australians that have been assessed for home care but have not received a package and that are desperately waiting—waiting for over a year—plus 120,000 people that the government doesn't want to have on that waitlist that are waiting to be assessed. This is an abject moral failure at every step. Two things happen. The government says, 'People will get a CHSP code.' Well, that means nothing, because the CHSP is full. Many organisations are not even taking a waitlist for CHSP because it's full, and the government hasn't put extra money into it. The other thing they say is, 'It's okay; if you are a high priority, you'll get your package within a month.' Well, I don't know anyone who is a high priority. In my office—in the electorate with the oldest median age in South Australia—we are working with people who are desperate for home care. One of those people is Graham. Graham is on a level 2 package. In August 2024, Graham was assessed as needing level 4. He has a degenerative neurological condition and he desperately needs that care. He has already spent nine weeks in hospital. He's lost significant mobility. He can no longer stand unassisted. He's lost his independence and can no longer drive. Yet Graham is not considered high priority. Graham is medium priority, like everyone else. The government promised they were going to put care back into aged care, but it has been a complete failure, and it's a failure because of government will. That is the only reason. When government wants to spend money on stuff, the dollars magically appear—the chequebook is out. But the government has delayed putting up these home-care packages because, I think, it doesn't care. Maybe older people don't vote for the Labor government, so they're thinking, 'The election's done; we don't need to worry about that now.' But, right now, we have people dying waiting for home-care packages. How can it be acceptable in our nation for people to be waiting up to a year to get an assessment? In many cases in my electorate, it's over six months. And how can it then be acceptable, once they get that assessment, to wait another year for a package? How can that be so? And, you know what, this affects all of us. This doesn't just affect older people and it doesn't just affect their daughters—and it's largely their daughters who are helping to care for people. It affects all of us, because in nearly every state we've got ambulance ramping. Why? This is because older people that desperately need help in the home end up hospitalised, and then they're taking up those beds. The emergency department can't get through them, and it's a clog the whole way. Peak bodies, like COTA, National Seniors, OPAN and Ageing Australia, are all talking about this. They're all demanding urgent action. Over 3,300 people died in the previous financial year while waiting for a home-care package. Shame on this government for not delivering those packages. And it's only because of the will of government—nothing else. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 298800 Is the motion seconded? 11:25 Dr HAINES 282335 Indi I'm pleased today to rise in support and to second this motion from the member for Mayo, and I thank her for her longstanding commitment to improving aged-care services over many years, particularly home care, in her electorate and right across Australia. And she has good reason to be angry this morning. Like Mayo, my electorate of Indi has an older population with a median age above 45 years, and both of our electorates are amongst the oldest electorates in this country. So we know this issue extremely well. Accessible aged-care services are vital to communities in our electorates, as they are right across regional Australia. For many, access to home-care support is often the difference between staying at home in their local community or having to pack up, leave town and go to a regional centre where residential aged care is available—uprooting their lives. People are having to do that faster than they should because of this problem with aged care in the home. The reality is home care is harder to access in the regions than in the cities. In Indi, families face long waits, not just because there's the assessment backlog but because there are fewer home-care providers willing or able to service rural towns. In places like Bright, Corryong, Kinglake and Alexandra, older Australians are often waiting longer simply because providers cannot staff those areas. Because of the need to travel further, packages cost more to deliver in regional Australia, and yet the funding model does not adequately account for this reality. So, while the motion before the House notes that people are waiting three to six months for an assessment, I can say that in my electorate that is a conservative estimate. Without home care, families are often to fill the gap, as the member for Mayo has just told us. In regional communities this means adult children juggling work, small businesses, long commutes and unpaid caring duties. It's why I welcomed the Aged Care Act, a new aged care act that we so desperately needed. I was optimistic, and I remain optimistic that finally, when it comes to pass, the new Support at Home program will make home care simpler and easier to access for older persons and their families. But here's the rub. The government's six-month delay of the new act was reluctantly supported by the sector, because it is important to get this transition right. However, this delay has real-world implications for home-care support. In particular, the sector opposes the delayed release of 80,000 new home-care packages. The government has consistently rejected calls from peak bodies, such as OPAN and COTA, as well as from members of the crossbench to release, at a minimum, 20,000 packages to hold the waitlist steady until the new system commences in November. Now, despite this commonsense approach, a commonsense call, incredibly, the minister has offered little reason for rejecting the ask and—even more extraordinarily, astonishingly—is accusing them of politicising the issue. Look, I can't understand this. While the member for Mayo's motion notes a waitlist of 86,000 people in March, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing last week confirmed the waitlist is now above 120,000 people—an almost 50 per cent increase in six months. These are people. Now consider this. With another 87,000 people approved but not yet receiving care, this means that there are more than 200,000 Australians—staggering numbers—not getting the care they need and absolutely deserve. It's why the current Senate inquiry into home-care delays is so important. It is already uncovering concerning figures that reinforce the need for urgent action to reduce the home-care waitlist. For example, the Department of Health and Aged Care confirmed the gridlock, admitting last week that there have been no—I mean no—additional home-care packages made available in the last two months. The 2,700 weekly plans often spruiked by the minister are not new packages but plans made available due to older persons dying or moving into residential aged care. While the minister repeatedly says that high-priority applicants would receive help within a month, high-priority applicants in my electorate are waiting months, not weeks. The fact is that the waitlist for home care is getting longer, not shorter, and this is the last thing older persons and their families need—more delays and more uncertainty when they were promised the opposite by this government. This motion is not about political pointscoring. This motion is about listening to older Australians, looking at the data and asking the government to do what is necessary and to do what is right. I commend the member for Mayo for bringing this to the attention of the House, and it's time the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors stepped up and delivered. 11:31 Ms BRISKEY 263427 Maribyrnong The No.1 recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was clear: deliver a new aged care act that puts older people at the very centre of the system. That's exactly what this Labor government is delivering on 1 November this year. This isn't tinkering around the edges; these are once-in-a-generation reforms—reforms that will deliver world-class aged care to the Australians who have worked hard all their lives to build this country, including many people in my own electorate of Maribyrnong. The new Aged Care Act is the next step in Labor's ambitious plan to fix aged care. We know demand for home care is growing as our population ages. Families in my community tell me time and time again how important it is that their loved ones can get the right support to stay at home longer, because home is where they feel most connected, most independent and most valued. That's why these reforms matter. Today around 300,000 people across Australia access a home-care package, double the number just five years ago. In Maribyrnong, thousands of older residents rely on home-care services every single day. These packages are the differences between independence and isolation and the difference between someone being able to cook a meal in their own kitchen and being forced prematurely into residential care. Last year alone, the government invested more than $8 billion into home-care packages, compared to just over $1 billion a decade ago. That's real investment delivering real care to more people than ever before. Crucially, older Australians assessed as high priority will continue to receive their package within a month. That's peace of mind for families and peace of mind for carers. From 1 November, under the new Support at Home program, more than 80,000 new home-care places will be rolled out in the first 12 months. Until then, our No. 1 priority is ensuring continuity of care for every older person already receiving services. Every older Australian deserves access to high-quality aged care no matter where they live or what kind of care they need. That's why Labor is investing more than $1 billion every single year to strengthen services in regional, rural and remote areas, and this year alone $2.3 billion will support providers in thin markets, including $840 million in extra funding for residential aged-care providers in the regions, better reflecting the true cost of care, and $490 million for integrated health and aged-care services for more than 5,000 people and for culturally safe care for around 2,000 First Nations elders. In Maribyrnong, I've spoken with local aged-care providers and community organisations, from small multicultural groups in suburbs like Essendon and Keilor East to larger residential homes in Flemington and Ascot Vale. They tell me that funding certainly matters. It means that they can employ staff, expand services and give families confidence that their loved ones will be looked after properly. As part of Labor's $5.6 billion aged-care reform package, we are also delivering $300 million in capital support for providers in regional, rural and remote Australia, funding construction upgrades and expansion of services, and $637 million to ensure home care is available in remote communities and for people with diverse backgrounds and life experiences. Maribyrnong is home to a vibrant multicultural community, most notably the Greek and Italian diaspora. Our community has been built by generations of migrants, and today many of those same families are caring for ageing parents and grandparents. The new Aged Care Act will ensure culturally appropriate care is front and centre so older people in communities like mine can age with dignity, language support and services that truly understand their needs. Last year we invested more than $400 million to make Commonwealth Home Support Program services more accessible. Through over 1,200 providers, not-for-profits, local councils and community organisations, we are helping older Australians remain in their homes and communities for longer. Under Labor's reforms, the CHSP will transition into the new Support at Home program, creating a simpler, fairer and more equitable system that gives older people greater choice and control. The message is simple: Labor is delivering more care for more Australians than ever before. We are delivering a record number of home-care packages, and we are delivering reforms that put dignity, quality and fairness back into aged care. For communities like mine where families value staying connected, where ageing parents are the foundation of households and where diversity is our greatest strength, these reforms will mean older Australians can keep living the lives that they choose, surrounded by the people and places that they love. Every older Australian, whether they live in Maribyrnong or Mayo, deserves nothing less. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 265980 There being no further speakers the debate is adjourned and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting. Prostate Cancer Awareness Month 109 11:36 Mr REPACHOLI 298840 Hunter I move: That this House: (1) notes that September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and that prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Australian men, with a profound impact on men, their partners, families and communities; (2) recognises the vital role of general practitioners, nurses, specialists and allied health workers in early detection, treatment, recovery and survivorship, and acknowledges the important work of community organisations including the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and local support groups; (3) acknowledges that men in regional and rural communities, First Nations men, and men with a family history of prostate cancer face higher risks and often greater barriers to timely screening, diagnosis and care; (4) encourages men, particularly those aged 50 to 69, and younger men with additional risk factors, to talk with their general practitioner about prostate-specific antigen testing and individual risk, and to act early on symptoms or concerns; (5) commends the work underway, including by the Government, to improve access to high quality diagnosis and treatment, with initiatives such as specialist nurses, mental health supports and better follow-up care; and (6) affirms that talking about men's health saves lives and that early action gives men the best chance to live long and well. Let's talk about an extremely important issue that is impacting men all around this country: prostate cancer. Once upon a time, getting your prostate checked meant having a doctor get a little bit closer than what most people—definitely most men—would ever want their doctors to be. I get why some blokes may not have been lining up to have their prostate checked, even if it's something that really must be done, but it's 2025, and you no longer need a finger up the bum to get your prostate checked. With just a simple little prick on your finger, you can get all the results through a simple blood test. It's quick and easy—you get to keep your pants on!—and you can find out the important information about your prostate to save your life. If we're not talking about prostate cancer, men will not know how big of a threat it poses to so many blokes around this amazing country and they will not know how easy it is to be able to get on top of it early and keep living a fantastic life. September gives us the perfect opportunity to bring up this very important conversation. The point of this month is to make men aware of prostate cancer, inform them of what to look out for and when to get checked and, importantly, remind them of the huge impact it can have on partners, families and mates if they do not keep on top of it. Unfortunately, not everyone bloke has the same access to screening, diagnosis and care. Men in rural and regional areas, like mine in the Hunter; First Nations men; and men with a family history of prostate cancer often face barriers preventing them from getting checked and detecting it early. This is something we are working urgently to address. If you are a man between 50 and 69, if you are younger and have additional risk factors like a family history of prostate cancer or if you have a Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, I urge you to get checked. Talk to your GP about the risks, get a simple PSA test, and act early on any concerns or symptoms. Work is well underway to make sure that men have the best access to possible treatment. I commend what is being done by the federal government to improve access to high-quality diagnosis and treatment, with initiatives such as specialist nurses, mental health support and better follow-up care. These are things that make all the difference and often keep men alive for longer. I also want to recognise the vital role that GPs, nurses, specialists and allied health workers play in early detection, treatment, recovery and survivorship. You are doing bloody important work, and there are countless men who are still alive today because of you. Finally, I want to acknowledge the important work of community organisations including the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and local support groups. Without the work you do we would not have the same level of awareness about one of our most common cancers, and without this awareness we would not be taking action to help men get on top of it. For this year's Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is fighting for zero deaths from prostate cancer. You can get involved by taking part in the Long Run, which encourages people to walk, ride or run 72km during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness and funds for the 72 Australian men diagnosed with prostate cancer each day. It is an easy thing for us to do that can make a huge difference. Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer for men in Australia, but, if caught early, it can also be one of the most successfully treated cancers. So to the men of Australia I say don't wait until it's too late. Don't put off getting checked like you have been putting off painting the house for the last two years. Get checked and stay alive. You owe it to your family, you owe it to your mates and you owe it to yourself. This motion is about encouraging early checks, supporting health workers and making sure that no man is left behind—and no family is left behind either. Talking about men's health saves lives, and early action gives men the best chance to live long and well. So let's use this September to have a conversation about prostate cancer, to remember there are no more fingers in the anus, no more being scared to see your doctor; it's a simple little blood test. Get out there and have a chat to your mates. And to the amazing women in all the blokes' lives: whether you're talking to your partner, your husband, your dad, your brother or just one of your mates, have a conversation with them about how much prostate cancer matters and about how easy it is to get it checked. There are still so many men out there who don't realise how simple this is to get checked. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 265980 Is the motion seconded? Mr Burnell 300129 I second the motion and reserve my right to speak. 11:41 Mr WILLCOX 286535 Dawson I rise today as Co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Prostate Cancer Awareness group, alongside the member for Hunter. I thank the member the Hunter, the government Special Envoy for Men's Health, the honourable Dan Repacholi MP, for bringing forward this important motion. September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and a vital opportunity for us to draw attention to the realities of this disease. Prostate cancer is now the most diagnosed cancer in Australia. It's not just a statistic; it's fathers, brothers, colleagues, friends and communities that are affected each and every day. Let me offer some context. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, some 26,000 Australian men are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer every year, surpassing even breast cancer cases. To break that down, that's roughly 72 men diagnosed each day and about 4,000 deaths annually. Lifetime risk is profound: one in five Australian men will be diagnosed by the age of 85. Despite these sobering facts, there's hope thanks to early detection and better treatment. The five-year relative survival rate is now 96 per cent, and 91 per cent of men survive their diagnosis for at least 10 years. Going back to 1982, the five-year relative survival rate was only 60 per cent. These numbers underscore both the urgency and the opportunity before us, highlighting the fact that early diagnosis saves lives. In fact, much of our progress over recent decades has been thanks to the update of the PSA testing and the advent of new imaging technologies that enable more accurate diagnosis, including MRI, PSMA, and PET and CT scans. Yet, not all Australians benefit equally. As the member for Hunter correctly stated, men in rural and regional communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and men with a family history of disease face a higher risks and significant barriers to timely screening, diagnosis and care, whether due to geography, access constraints or awareness gaps. Studies of PSA testing patterns across the country reveal rural and remote areas report lower screening rates. This highlights the disparity we must address. That's why the motion rightly emphasises support for all men, regardless of their location or their background. Here's where our community leadership shines. The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, PCFA, founded in 1996, stands at the forefront of research, awareness, support, education and advocacy. It collaborates across sectors to reduce the impact of prostate cancer on men, their partners and their families. Over the last two years, PCFA has been working with experts around the country to develop new clinical guidelines for early detection of prostate cancer, ensuring clinicians are armed with evidence in the fight against diagnosis and certain death. In fact, the new draft guidelines could see a global standard in early detection, positioning Australia to lead the world in eliminating avoidable deaths. Meanwhile, inspiring stories, including individuals who have championed awareness in their communities, are powerful. As one member of our community put it, 'I urge men to be invested and get tested, knowing that early detection saves lives.' The high-profile case of the Brisbane city councillor Ryan Murphy, diagnosed earlier this year at age 36, is a call to arms for men, underscoring the fact that this disease can strike younger men, backing up community calls for risk based national screening levels. I ask myself what we can do as parliamentarians and as a nation to encourage men over 50 and especially those with family histories to consult their GPs about their individual risk and the option of PSA testing. Each year, thousands of Australian men receive a prostate cancer diagnosis. Many go on to live long, fulfilling lives—but only because they are diagnosed early and supported well. Talking about men's health should never feel taboo. Promotion of proactive, evidence informed action is also empowering us. I recommend this motion to the House and encourage all members to support it. Let's work towards the goal of zero deaths from prostate cancer. 11:46 Mr BURNELL 300129 Spence I rise today to mark September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the impact of the most common cancer facing Australian men. Prostate cancer's reach is profound, affecting not only the men diagnosed but their partners, families and communities, who carry that burden alongside them. Behind every statistic is a real story of a father, a brother, a mate. Their journeys remind us why early detection, timely treatment and continued support matter so deeply. The Albanese government is committed to taking action, because we know that early detection and better treatment saves lives. That's why we have made the biggest investment in cancer nurses on record. In 2023, the government delivered $166 million for the Australian Cancer Nursing and Navigation Program, the first of its kind. This program is helping patients navigate everything between diagnosis and recovery, ensuring that no-one is left alone in the complexity of a cancer journey. At the election, Labor also announced a $32 million package to strengthen Medicare and support men's health, recognising that prostate cancer is part of a wider challenge to how men engage with their health. Research conducted by the Movember Institute of Men's Health shows that, because of gender stereotypes, two in every three men avoid seeking health support. Almost half of men believe it is normal to avoid health checkups altogether. This culture costs lives. Talking about men's health, breaking down stigma and encouraging action are vital if we are to change outcomes. I also recognise all healthcare professionals, whose work saves lives and supports families every day. They are supported by organisations such as the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and by countless community support groups who offer safe spaces and peer support. These networks remind us that strength is found not only in medicine but also in community, yet we must acknowledge the inequities that persist. Men in rural and regional Australia face longer wait times, higher costs and greater distances to care. First Nations men often face additional barriers, including the lack of culturally safe health services. Men with a family history of prostate cancer are at greater risk and need earlier, more proactive screening. These inequities demand action, and Labor is acting. Beyond cancer treatment the Albanese government is also investing in men's health and wellbeing at the community level. We are delivering $20.7 million for grassroots initiatives that strengthen resilience and encourage men to seek support early. That includes $8.3 million to continue the men's sheds initiative, with grants of up to $10,000 for sheds around the country and new health promotion programs; $7.4 million to expand the Movember Ahead of the Game program in partnership with the AFL, helping young men build resilience and understand the importance of asking for help; $3 million to Healthy Male, delivering the Plus Paternal initiative to support men preparing for fatherhood and building good parenting skills; and $2 million to the Black Dog Institute, supporting research at the Dani Foley Centre for Health and Wellbeing, linked to St Kilda Football Club's annul Spud's Game at the MCG, which raises awareness of men's health, mental health and suicide prevention. These initiatives remind us that cancer care and men's health are connected, but these conversations must go beyond the clinic. They need to be had at home, on the job site or at the footy field. Talking about health saves lives. Acting early on symptoms, taking up screening and reaching out for support—these choices give men the best chance to live long and well. Every Australian man deserves that chance, whether he lives in the city or in the regions, whether he comes from a First Nations community, whether he carries a family history of risk. This government must stand with them, and we are taking steps in the right direction to help our communities. Together we can change the future of prostate cancer and men's health in Australia. I want to conclude by commending my good mate the Member for Hunter, who serves as the Special Envoy for Men's Health. His leadership is driving real improvements in how men's health is understood and supported, delivering both immediate outcomes and long-term benefits. The work he is doing is helping to create a healthier Australia today and a stronger future for generations of men to come. In closing, there's nothing tough about being silent and not seeking help. If you really want to be courageous, you've got to go and see your GP and get that little niggle checked out. You never know; it just might save your life. 11:51 Mr VENNING 315434 Grey I rise to acknowledge that September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Prostate cancer remains one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Australian men, with a profound impact not only on those diagnosed but also on their partners, families and communities. This is not just a health statistic; it is a reality faced by too many families across our nation. Every diagnosis sends ripples well beyond the individual, and the road to recovery depends on the strength of our health system, the skill of our medical professionals and the support of our community organisations. I want to take the opportunity to recognise the vital role of general practitioners, nurses, specialists and allied health workers who are on the front line of early detection, treatment, recovery and survivorship. Organisations such as the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and the local support groups in towns and regional centres provide care, advice and much-needed hope for men and their loved ones. But we cannot ignore that access to these services is not the same everywhere. Men living in regional and rural communities face greater barriers when it comes to prostate cancer screening and treatment. Many of my constituents must travel hundreds of kilometres for specialist appointments or advanced treatment facilities. For families already under financial pressure, that means time off work, high travel costs and enormous strain. Whilst city residents may have a choice of providers within a short drive, regional Australians often wait months for an appointment or will go without care altogether. First Nations men and those with a family history of prostate cancer face even higher risks, yet too often they are the ones least able to access timely screening and follow-up care. This inequality is not acceptable, and it is the key reason why outcomes in the regions remain worse than those in metropolitan areas. That is why awareness months like this matter. We must encourage men, particularly those aged 50 to 69 and younger men with additional risk factors, to have a conversation with their GP about prostate cancer, specific antigen testing and their individual risk. Acting early on symptoms or concerns can be the difference between a long, healthy life and one cut short by late diagnosis. I commend the work already underway, including initiatives supported by government to improve access to high-quality diagnosis and treatment. Specialist nurses, mental health supports and better follow-up care are all vital steps, but we must go further, particularly for regional Australians. Telehealth can help, but it is not a substitute for the presence of skilled professionals in our regional hospitals and clinics. We need to make sure that, no matter where you live, you have the same chance of surviving cancer as someone in the city. Finally, we must continue to break down the barriers around men's health. Too often, men are reluctant to talk about their health or delay seeking help. This is even more prevalent in farming communities and among farmers. But talking saves lives. Early action gives men the best chance to live long and well. This September, I join with colleagues across the chamber in affirming the importance of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, in thanking our health professionals and community groups and in urging all men, especially in regional and rural communities, to prioritise their health. Thank you. 11:55 Mr SOON 298618 Banks I rise to support the member for Hunter's motion. Like many of my colleagues have mentioned, September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, drawing attention to one of Australia's most commonly diagnosed cancers and the most commonly diagnosed cancer amongst Australian men. Sadly, in 2024, it was estimated that we lost more than 10 men to prostate cancer every single day. It is the simple but too often tragic reality that, if you can't get diagnosed, you can't get access to care, and, as the motion rightly notes, unfortunately, the barriers to diagnosis in our rural and remote communities are the largest, delaying access to timely care for patients. That is why access to general practitioners, specialists and the entire healthcare workforce is so important to detection, diagnosis, treatment and recovery for patients, and we acknowledge the life-changing, life-saving work that they do today. This Labor government is working hard to improve the early detection and treatment of prostate cancer. In 2023, we invested $166 million in the Australian Cancer Nursing and Navigation Program, a first-of-its-kind initiative that improves access to high-quality, multidisciplinary and integrated cancer services for all patients, irrespective of their type of cancer or whether they live as part of the biggest investment in cancer nurses on record. In addition to this investment, there's $35.4 million over four years to continue supporting the prostate cancer nurses delivered by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, an organisation that does fantastic work in this space. The government has also listed a number of medications on the PBS to ensure life-changing treatments are affordable and accessible for all Australians. Earlier this year, talazoparib was listed for the first time to treat patients with metastatic prostate cancer and is expected to benefit 180 patients per year. Without this subsidy provided by the PBS, a course of treatment will cost patients around $101,000. Further, the government listed darolutamide for patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, making treatment accessible and affordable for about 5,000 men across this country. Issues in the men's health space are incredibly complex. Statistics from Movember show that as many as two in every three men are foregoing health support due to real or perceived social pressures and gender stereotypes, with around half believing avoiding health check-ups is normal. We need to find ways to get men talking about their own health, and this government is partnering with Movember to provide training to primary healthcare workers and develop a strategy and a campaign to encourage men to visit the doctor. Often, the first step to diagnosing and treating prostate cancer is a trip to the GP and a simple blood test. I encourage men, especially those over 50 and with higher risk factors, to get to their GP to talk about the risks and the steps they can take to prevent and detect it. We have lost far too many men too early to prostate cancer. Don't leave it to chance. This government takes health care seriously. You only need to look at our agenda to see that. For the first time ever, we have a Special Envoy for Men's Health to draw attention to men's health issues and to advocate for new and innovative solutions, particularly those in the mental health space. I can think of no better person in this Labor caucus for this role than the member for Hunter. Everyone in this place knows the depth of his passion for men's health, and he's thrown himself into this new role. I look forward to working with him to ensure that we lose fewer men too soon, be it to prostate cancer or to other mental health challenges. I thank him for bringing this very important motion to this parliament. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 265980 There being no further speakers, the debate is adjourned and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting. Australian National Flag 113 12:00 Mr THOMPSON 281826 Herbert I move: That this House: (1) notes the: (a) abhorrent behaviour of protestors burning the Australian national flag at rallies throughout our country which is deplorable, disrespectful and goes against our values as a nation; (b) Australian flag is the flag members of our Australian Defence Forces wear on their shoulders and the flag that sits on the coffin of our fallen men and women; and (c) Flags Act 1953 fails to criminalise the destruction of the Australian national flag; (2) condemns the: (a) Government's failure to enact legislative power to punish those who burn the Australian national flag; and (b) Government for allowing protestors to carry and display declared terrorist flags throughout our community; and (3) calls on the Government to: (a) criminalise the desecration and/or burning of the Australian national flag; and (b) punish those supporting declared terrorists' groups. The Australian national flag represents the heart and soul of our nation. It is more than just a piece of fabric. It unites us all as Australians, and it's proudly worn on the shoulders of the Australian Defence Force. Yet we've witnessed shocking scenes of protesters on our streets desecrating and burning the Australian national flag. Most Australians are rightly appalled by what they've seen, because, unlike the fringe radicals, most Australians cherish our flag. They have now spoken out in overwhelming numbers to say enough is enough. My petition to criminalise burning the Australian flag has gained more than 20,000 signatures in under two weeks. This landslide support reflects the views of a majority of Australians. Recent polling shows that 77 per cent of Australians believe that burning the Australian flag should be against the law. With such enormous public backing for our flag, you'd think this Labor government would be listening. Respecting the Australian flag is not a controversial idea. Indeed, 77 per cent of Australians say they are proud of our flag and 71 per cent say it unites us. And they are absolutely right. Our flag's symbols, the Federation Star, the Union Jack and southern cross, represent the coming together of our states and people, the rule of law and our unique place in the world. To me it's much more than just a symbol. As a former soldier, I wore the Australian flag on my shoulder and fought on the battlefield under its colours. My mates who were killed in combat, died in training or succumbed to their war within had the Australian flag draped over their coffins. It's deeply personal and an insult to every Australian every time one of these thugs on the streets puts a torch to our national flag without consequence. Thousands upon thousands of Australians have written to me expressing this. Megan from Ipswich said: My family fought and died for our country under the Australian Flag. Burning it is abhorrent to me. Anthony, a veteran from Gunnedah, said: Many Australians have sacrificed blood, sweat, and tears for our country. Just as their legacy should be respected and protected, so should our National Flag. Gavin from Albury said: Our Flag represents everyone who wants to be a part of our great country. It is highly disrespectful and hurtful to see people burn it and get away with it. It breaks my heart to see the desecration of the flag that unites us as Australians. The Flags Act 1953 fails to criminalise burning the Australian flag, with charges only applied when it involves stealing or destroying someone else's property. This is unacceptable. Our flag must be protected in its own right. Burning our flag is not a legitimate use of freedom of expression; it's an assault on our society and the sacrifices of our bravest. Protesters, regardless of their cause, can make their point without desecrating our flag. It's unbelievable that this Labor government has failed to protect the Australian flag while allowing flags of listed terrorist organisations to be paraded in our streets. Australians are rightly fed up with it and are demanding this government do something. So this week, ahead of Flag Day, I call on the Albanese Labor government to support my motion and make it a criminal offence to burn or otherwise desecrate the Australian national flag. I also call on the government to criminalise flying the flags of listed terrorist organisations in our freedom loving country. Every Australian deserves to see our flag treated with dignity and respect, not trampled on and set on fire. If this Albanese Labor government refuses to protect our flag, I call on this parliament to condemn them for their failure to act. We must not fail our veterans, our families and every Australian who loves their country. We must honour those who fought and died under our flag, and we must protect the flag that unites us all as Australians. This flag is not controversial. We should stand up for it, stand behind it and protect it. We shouldn't have to debate this and be against each other. I'm calling on all the parliamentarians speaking today to protect the Australian national flag. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 265980 Is the motion seconded? Mr Conaghan 279991 I second the motion and reserve my right to speak. 12:05 Mr REPACHOLI 298840 Hunter There are some things in this country that should never be up for debate. Our national flag is one of them. The flag is what our diggers in the Defence Force, men and women, wear on their shoulders when they serve this amazing country. It's the flag that gets handed to a grieving family when their loved one has made the ultimate sacrifice. It's the flag that kids salute at school assemblies. It gets waved at the footy and flies proudly over local town halls right across the Hunter and right across this great nation. It's not just a bit of cloth; it's who we are. It represents sacrifice, service, mateship and the freedoms we all enjoy. So when we see protesters setting fire to the Australian flag, most Australians feel the exact same way that I do. They feel sick, they feel angry, because it's a slap in the face to everything that that flag stands for. It's disrespectful and it's disgraceful. It goes against the values that unite us as Australians. Let me be clear. Australia is a free country. We believe in free speech and we believe in the right to protest. But free speech does not mean you get to spit in the face of every soldier who has worn that flag or every family who has laid a loved one to rest under it. There are plenty of ways to make your point in this country. You can march, you can speak, you can write, you can even vote. None of those things require burning our national flag. The Flags Act 1953 makes it clear how the flag should be treated with dignity and respect. Whilst it doesn't impose criminal penalties for desecration, people are not above the law. Property offences, public order offences and other laws apply. Ultimately, Australians themselves will judge those who show such disrespect. That's the balance our government has struck—protecting the freedom to speak in protest whilst ensuring the laws apply when behaviour crosses into violence, disorder and hate. That's the mark of a confident democracy. Another issue tied up in this debate is the flying of terrorist flags in our community. We've all seen the images of groups waving the symbols of organisations that have murdered innocent women, men and children and are trying to spread fear across this country. These groups stand against everything Australia is about. To see their flags paraded down the street makes my blood boil, and it also makes me sick. But, again, the law is very clear. Under the Commonwealth Criminal Code, it's already an offence to support a terrorist organisation, whether that's through funds, recruitment, training or backing in any form. Waving their flag can amount to support, and, when it does, it's rightly a matter for the police. That sends a strong message. The Australian government does not and will not condone the actions of groups who use violence and terror to pursue their goals. Most Australians respect our flag. They stand silently on Anzac Day. They cheer it on when it's raised at the Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games. They put one up on Australia Day. They know it's not about politics; it's about pride in our country, the sacrifices that built it and the unity that keeps it strong. I see that paraded every single week in the Hunter, whether it's at local school presentations, the RSL ceremony, a community footy game or just an old mate who has one up on Wollombi Road. I see it there every single day; he takes it down and brings it up every single day. It's a reminder that, no matter our differences, there are things we hold in common. The people who burn it are a tiny minority, but their actions sting all of us. It's an insult to every digger who put their life on the line. They mock every family who has lost someone in uniform. They test the patience of decent Australians who are rightly proud of their nation. That's why it matters that this parliament speaks clearly, that we retain the protections already in place, that we back the law and that we send a clear message of respect. Our flag unites us. It honours those who came before us, inspires those who will come after us and reminds us that we are a nation with a proud history and a shared future. Let's respect it; let's protect it. Let's never allow it to be used as fuel for hate or division in this country. If you want to burn our flag, you're not making a statement; you're making an absolute fool of yourself, and nobody in this country respects people that are burning our flags. To those who have done it: you should be disgusted in yourselves because it's an absolutely atrocious thing to do. We need to make sure that we're respecting our flag, because this is the country we have. 12:10 Mr CONAGHAN 279991 Cowper I thank the member for Herbert for bringing on this motion to make it a criminal offence to deface or burn the Australian flag. The Australian flag is more than just a bit of fabric; it is our fabric. It is our values, our traditions, our history—everything that makes us Australian. This week we celebrate 124 years of our national flag—the same flag that our men and women, including the member for Herbert, served under; the same flag that men and women died under; and the same flag that draped their coffins. The Australian flag symbolises the freedoms that they wanted for us then, now and into the future, and it symbolises everything good about Australia and everything good that Australian people do and give. You can also look at our sportspeople. Across the years, the Australian flag has draped their shoulders in Olympic Games and other sporting events across the world. Cathy Freeman, Betty Cuthbert—so many athletes held the Australian flag aloft and celebrated their wins and, quite often, celebrated their losses. The Flags Act is now 70 years old. That's seven decades, and it is time that we upgraded it. We have seen, in recent weeks and months, people out there burning the Australian flag. I never thought that I'd stand in this place talking about the need to legislate and to prevent those people intent on doing harm to Australia by burning the Australian flag. I never thought I'd see that day. So what we would like to see is this government legislate to outlaw burning the Australian flag. Some politicians have called it 'disappointing'. I'm sorry, but 'disappointing' is missing a bus when you're already running late. Burning the Australian flag is treacherous and treasonous, and it should bring with it the penalties that go along with being treacherous and treasonous. We should see jail sentences for burning the Australian flag, and, if you are not an Australian citizen, then you don't respect our Australian views and you should go back to your country. Your visa should be revoked on the spot. You might say that it's not a violent act to burn the Australian flag, but it's violent in its intent. What it is saying to us Australians and to the 77 per cent who love our Australian flag is: 'We want to burn you down. We want to burn you down with your flag and replace it with our values—with values that we have brought from other places that don't sit well with Australian people.' How did we get here? We got here because we have been far too tolerant for far too long. Well, tolerance no more. This government needs to legislate now to criminalise the burning of the flag, to put in place fines and imprisonment for Australian citizens and to revoke the visas of noncitizens, because we have had enough. Us Australians love our flag and we will protect it by all means. 12:15 Ms AMBIHAIPAHAR 315618 Barton Yesterday, across our country, we saw disturbing scenes of anti-immigration marches that sought to divide Australians. Today we debate the question of our flag, its protection and its meaning. These two issues are not separate; they go to the heart of who we are as a nation. The Australian flag is more than cloth and colour; it is a living symbol of our history, our sacrifice and our shared future. It flies over schools, town halls and RSLs, and we see it in citizenship ceremonies and above our parliament. It drapes the coffins of those who have served this nation. It is carried proudly at international sporting events. In my own community of Barton the flag is held with particular pride. Barton is one of the most culturally diverse electorates in the nation. In Barton you will see the Australian flag flying alongside the flags of Greece, Lebanon, China and so many others. Migrant families, refugees and First Nations Australians live side-by-side. Together we embody the very values of the flag and what it represents—unity, fairness and respect. For my community the flag is not about exclusion; it is absolutely about belonging. The government believes and I believe that the overwhelming majority of Australians deplore the actions of those who violate our flag. For many it feels like an insult to the sacrifice of generations. Yet we are also a democracy—freedom of expression, even expression that offends us, is a basis of the democracy. That is what sets us apart from authoritarian regimes where symbols are protected with fear and punishment rather than with pride and respect. Vandalising our flag does not strengthen a cause—it diminishes it. There are far more appropriate, respectful and powerful ways to make one's political views heard, and Australians know this. As a government, we are confident that our community will make its own judgement peacefully and respectfully against those who dishonour the flag. Let me be very clear—while there are no specific penalties for desecration under the Flags Act 1953, the individuals must still comply with other Australian laws. In certain circumstances such conduct may amount to criminal offences under state and territory law—for example, property damage or public order offences—and under the Commonwealth Criminal Code those who promote or associate with terrorist organisations already face some of the strongest penalties in our legal system. Our suite of national flags belong to every Australian. They belong to the First Nations people of this land, whose sovereignty was never ceded. They belong to the migrants who arrive here in search of safety, opportunity and a better future for their families. They belong to those who marched yesterday, even if their words and actions dishonoured some of the very values the flag represents. They belong to the electorates like Barton, where Australians of every background live, work and celebrate together. The Australian national flags represent not division but unity, not hate but hope, not exclusion but belonging. The true power of the flag is not in punishing those who abuse it but in how we as a people choose to honour it: by teaching our children its history, by flying it with respect, by carrying forward the values it represents—democracy, equality, fairness and a deep belief in the dignity of every human being who calls this country home. There was a debate during the election campaign about what flags our prime minister should stand in front of. Mr Dutton, then leader of the opposition, thought he should have to stand in front of only one. Again, this was an attempt to sow fear and division, all for the sake of his political career. The flags are above the whims of politics. We stand in front of all three of our Australian flags with pride and deep respect for the nation they represent. When I look at our flags, I do not see fear or division. I see the Anzacs; I see the migrants who built our suburbs; I see the First Nation elders who fought for recognition; and I see Barton, one of the most diverse electorates in Australia, standing together, proud of who we are and what we share. That's what our flags represent, that's what we must defend and that's what we must never forget. 12:20 Mr WILLCOX 286535 Dawson I proudly support this motion put forward by my friend the member for Herbert to criminalise the burning and/or desecration of the Australian flag. I was keen for the opportunity to speak to this motion because this act can only be seen as one thing: a disgraceful and abhorrent criminal act. Our Australian flag is not just a piece of fabric; it's an enduring symbol of who we are. It represents our shared history, our sacrifices and the freedoms earned through generations of courage and service. Our ADF wear our flag on their shoulders. They have fought under the blanket of our flag, and its draped on the coffins of the dead. To desecrate our flag is deplorable and to dishonour service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. It's disgraceful. Our veterans fought for the rights of Australians to freely express themselves, but they did not fight to enable protesters to defile our Australian national flag. As the federal member for Dawson, I make a point to include a supply of flags in my budget, and one of my favourite tasks is presenting an upstanding community member with an Australian flag. It makes me so happy to see, in that moment of handover, genuine pride smiling back at me. Just last week, I had the privilege of attending my primary school's 160th birthday celebration. This brought back memories of each student parade and how we would say, 'I love my country and I honour the flag.' This is a state school. This should be compulsory in all schools. Sadly, in recent times, our national flag has come under attack, and with it there's been an attack on our country and what it means to be Australian. More and more frequently, the streets of our major cities have been overrun by extremists' flags and hate filled chants, while the burning of our national flag has been cheered. Despite what we are being told, these are not peaceful protests. These are demonstrations of division and contempt and are worryingly disdainful of the values we hold as Australians. I find this deeply disturbing. Under this Albanese Labor government, it seems we have become a country that's too afraid to be proud of our flag and who we are. Is it any wonder when we have a prime minister who doesn't proudly fly the flag but hides it? As a country, we must be strong, stand up to this behaviour and say: 'Enough! No more!' Yesterday, there were peaceful rallies right across our nation, where thousands came together to say, 'We are proud to be Australians and we are proud to fly our flag.' Sadly, at the very same time, there was more burning of our flag by extremists. Recently, at one of those extremist rallies, a lone man emerged with an Australian flag, holding it up with pride against the wave of angry voices. The result was the man was swarmed by protesters and punched in the side of the head before being escorted away by police. Honestly, how is it that someone adorned in a national flag is carted away by the cops, yet our prime minister and government turn a blind eye to our national flag being burnt? This is an absolute disgrace. I honestly cannot believe what I've been witnessing. To burn our flag is to fuel hate of our country and incite future attacks. If those who carry out these acts of violence are not Australian citizens, they must be removed from our shores. They must be sent back to their country. If they are dual citizens, strip them of their Australian citizenship and deport them, too. If they're Aussies, how can they call themselves Aussies or Australian if they're part of this campaign? That is completely beyond my comprehension. Lock them up, throw them in jail and throw away the key. No-one has the right to desecrate a flag, let alone our national flag. We must honour our soldiers who fought and died under our flag. Our Australian flag is a symbol of what it is to be Australian. I fully support this motion to criminalise the destruction or desecration of the Australian national flag, and I thank the member for Herbert, the honourable Phil Thompson, a returned serviceman himself, for bringing this very important motion. Australia salutes you, sir. 12:25 Mr FRENCH 316550 Moore I rise today as the member for Moore, a proud and diverse community of tradespeople, young families, health workers, professionals and retirees. For many of them, our freedoms are valued just as deeply as the flag that represents them. But this motion is nothing more than a flag-waving stunt from those opposite. It offers nothing. It offers no legislative substance. It is just another opportunity for the coalition to play culture wars while pretending to defend the national interest. Let me be absolutely clear: the government deplores the burning or desecration of the Australian flag. So do the overwhelming majority of Australians. It is offensive, it is disrespectful and it runs against the grain of what our community expects. But what's even more offensive is the hypocrisy of the coalition in trying to make political mileage out of this. This is the same coalition that wrapped itself in the flag while cutting services to veterans and attacking multicultural communities. Now they want to criminalise protest, but only the kind of protest they disagree with. It's the oldest trick in the book: pretend to defend freedom while quietly undermining it. Let's be clear: the Australian flag deserves respect. It flies over our parliament, our embassies, our schools and our RSLs. It is worn by the men and women of the ADF and laid on the coffins of our fallen. But it is not fragile. It does not need to be protected from every offensive act with criminal punishment. I've seen what that flag means. My brother Joe wears it on his shoulder as a serving member of the Royal Australian Navy. I've seen it fly on the back of his ship, proud, powerful and purposeful. Just last month, I visited the cadets at TS Marmion in Hillarys. These young people represent the flag with discipline and respect, not because of legislation but because they understand its meaning. The government recognises that Australians know the difference between protest and patriotism. We trust their judgement, and we trust the law as it stands. Desecration of the flag can already be dealt with under existing criminal laws where property is damaged or public order is disturbed. Police already have the power to act under state and territory law. In cases where terrorist symbols or organisations are involved, Commonwealth law applies. The Criminal Code contains serious offences for persons who support fund, train with or associate with listed terrorist organisations. We don't need symbolic legislation. We already have enforceable laws. So what is this motion really about? It's not about legal reform. It's not about community safety. It's about political theatre. It's about those opposite trying to look tough while offering nothing: no investment in education and no plan to build social cohesion—just another divisive headline to feed the evening news cycle. The 1953 Flags Act has never criminalised desecration—not under Labor and not under the coalition. That's because every government until now has understood that democracy means protecting freedom of expression even when it offends. The government finds flag burning repugnant, but we will not sacrifice fundamental democratic rights for the sake of a press release. We will not pretend that more criminal law is the answer to cultural frustration. We are a liberal democracy. That means we tolerate peaceful dissent even when we disagree with the method. The moment we start criminalising lawful political expression simply because it offends us, we risk losing sight of the very freedoms we claim to defend. Let me be clear: this government takes action when it matters. We enforce the law, we prosecute actual crimes, we do the work. The opposition stage hollow debates to distract from their own policy vacuum. They are not a party of principle; they are a party of slogans. If they truly cared about national unity, they'd support measures to bring Australians together, not punish them into silence. The Australian flag is not strengthened by legislation like this. It is strengthened by the way we live our values—freedom, fairness and respect for the rule of law. I say this not as a parliamentarian but as someone who owes their life to the public health system. As a kidney transplant recipient, I've seen firsthand what national service and public care mean to real people. Those values are the ones our flag represents. I oppose this motion and invite members of the house to treat the flag and the freedoms it represents with more seriousness than those opposite have done today. Thank you. 12:30 Mr BOYCE 299498 Flynn I will just remind you, Deputy Speaker, that we have just witnessed one of the most appalling speeches from the member for Moore in respect of respecting the Australian flag. I cannot believe it. I'd like to start my speech today by acknowledging all Australian veterans, both past and present, for their courage, service and sacrifice, and remember those who gave their lives to protect our freedoms, and we express our gratitude to those who continue to serve our nation. I'd like to recognise my good friend and colleague the member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson, for moving this motion today. Phil's a veteran and he's devoted his life to Australia and to our national flag, and I thank him for his service. The member for Herbert's motion states: That this House: (1) notes the: (a) abhorrent behaviour of protestors burning the Australian national flag at rallies throughout our country which is deplorable, disrespectful and goes against our values as a nation; (b) Australian flag is the flag members of our Australian Defence Forces wear on their shoulders and the flag that sits on the coffin of our fallen men and women; and (c) Flags Act 1953 fails to criminalise the destruction of the Australian national flag; (2) condemns the: (a) Government's failure to enact legislative power to punish those who burn the Australian national flag; and (b) Government for allowing protestors to carry and display declared terrorist flags throughout our community; and (3) calls on the Government to: (a) criminalise the desecration and/or burning of the Australian national flag; and (b) punish those supporting declared terrorists' groups. Australia is currently a divided nation. Recently, masked protesters at pro-Palestine rallies were filmed burning and ripping up the Australian flag. The masked cowards are nothing more than traitors. But, even more disturbingly, the current laws mean that these traitors can walk away scot-free—no repercussions, not even a fine. Criminalising the desecration and/or burning of the national flag would not be a first around the globe. A number of countries in Europe have criminalised the burning of their national flags, including France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland. The punishment for burning the national flag in Russia is reportedly one year in jail. Some countries across Africa also have bans on flag desecration, as well as many nations in Asia; China, Hong Kong the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, India and Indonesia all have punishments in place for those who desecrate their national flag. In South America, Mexico and Brazil also have laws in place to protect their flags. The US government has also announced their intention to make it illegal to burn the US flag. Whilst some on the left of politics believe that criminalisation of the desecration and/or burning of the national flag is a fringe issue, following are the facts. The Institute of Public Affairs released polling data last month that found: 77 per cent of Australians believe burning the Australian National Flag should be against the law. This includes 76 per cent of Australians aged 18-24. 63 per cent of Australians believe people who burn the Australian National Flag should face jail time. This includes 64 per cent of those aged 18-24. 71 per cent of Australians believe non-citizens who burn the Australian National Flag should be deported. This includes 66 per cent of those aged 18-24. …   …   … Recent IPA research found 71 per cent of Australians believe our National Flag unites us, with just 13 per cent disagreeing, and 77 per cent of Australians are proud of our National Flag, with just 7 per cent disagreeing. I make the assumption that the seven per cent who disagree are most likely the Greens supporters or the far-left side of politics joining the likes of Greens members Senator Penny Allman-Payne and the member for Ryan, who refuse to display the Australian national flag. Many men and women have fought, and died fighting, for our country and for the freedom of its people under the Australian national flag. Once again I call on the government to criminalise the desecration and/or the burning of the Australian national flag and to punish those supporting declared terrorist groups. It's time the Labor government showed some leadership. This is the least we can do to honour and respect our veterans, both past and present. The DEPUTY SPEAKER C2T The time allotted for this debate has expired. The debate is adjourned and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting. Secure Jobs, Better Pay Review 118 12:35 Mr FRENCH 316550 Moore I rise today to support this motion because it speaks directly to what the people of Moore tell me every day: they want secure jobs, better pay and a fair go at work. Before I came into this place I was an industrial lawyer, representing workers who too often had the odds stacked against them. Before that I was an electrician, working on the tools on job sites, experiencing firsthand the difference between a fair employer and the ones who tried to cut corners. So, when I talk about wages, job security and fairness at work, this is not theory to me; it's lived experience. That's why I know how important it is that the Albanese government has put working people back at the centre of our industrial relations system, because the secure jobs, better pay reforms are delivering on exactly what we promised. The independent interim review confirmed that they are, on the whole, achieving the government's intent. Collective agreement coverage has grown 27 per cent since September 2022. That means more workers are now covered by agreements that deliver high wages and better conditions—the highest coverage since enterprise bargaining began in 1991. That's not just a statistic; it's proof that workers and businesses are once again finding common ground. When workers have bargaining power, wages go up, conditions improve and families benefit. Since these reforms, real wages have grown every quarter. After a decade of wages being deliberately kept low under the coalition, we have finally turned the tide. The ABS confirms this: seven consecutive quarters of real wages growth, the strongest in five years and the longest sustained run in more than a decade. For women in particular, the progress is clear. Early trends in the gender pay gap show positive outcomes, with that gap now at an equal historic low of 11.5 per cent. That means more women, in Moore and across the country, are finally getting closer to the pay they deserve. Those opposite don't want to hear this; they are desperate to discredit these reforms because they want to axe them. Senator Cash went so far as to call them the most radical laws she has ever seen. But what's radical about Australians getting their fair share of the wealth they create? What's so radical about more workers being on agreements than at any time since the early nineties? What's so radical about wages outpacing inflation and the gender gap narrowing? The truth is there is nothing radical about fairness. It is the coalition who were radical when they sat back and watched a decade of low wages growth while cost-of-living pressures mounted for working families. I know that families in Beldon, Craigie and Karrinyup are still feeling those pressures at the checkout, at the petrol bowser and with their mortgage repayments. People in my electorate are doing it tough. That is why it matters so much that wages are moving again. Since coming to government, Labor has fought to increase the minimum wage, delivering four consecutive raises for 2.9 million workers. In just three years, the national minimum wage has gone up by $4.62 per hour. That's more than $175 a week—over $9,000 a year—or a 22.7 per cent increase, making a real difference to families who are struggling to keep up. We have made sure that the benefits are not just for some but for all. In aged care and early childhood education, we have delivered funded pay rises for workers who were underpaid for far too long. These are life-changing increases for essential workers who hold our communities together. We have also closed loopholes that allow labour-hire workers to be paid less than permanent employees doing the same job. That is something I experienced myself while on the tools, and I understand how unfair it was. We have criminalised wage theft because taking money out of a worker's pocket is not a dispute; it is theft. And we've introduce the right to disconnect so workers can properly clock off and spend time with their families without the boss calling them at all hours. These reforms are built on a simple principle: Australians should earn more and keep more of what they earn. That is the goal we are delivering on, and we are doing it while growing the economy. Since Labor came to office, we have created more than 1.1 million new jobs. Unemployment remains low, workforce participation remains high and wages are moving in the right direction. This is what Labor government delivers: secure jobs, better pay and fairer workplaces. I am proud to be part of a government that is putting working people first. I commend the motion to the House. 12:40 Mr TIM WILSON IMW Goldstein Deputy Speaker Wilkie, you would be familiar with this analogy: in 2003, on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln, George Bush stepped out in front of a banner that said 'mission accomplished'. That is what it felt like listening to the member for Moore giving his erudite speech right then. I'm afraid the right to disconnect wasn't the right of the government to disconnect from economic reality, but that is what we just heard. We heard boastfully about the direction of wages under this government, but, unfortunately, there is a brutal reality. If you actually adjust for inflation, real wages in Australia haven't gone up for the past 15 years, including under this government. In fact, we have consistently trailed the OECD average. That is not something to be proud of, and it shows how much work needs to be done to boost wages in this country, because around this nation right now so many Australians feel like, no matter how hard they work, they aren't getting ahead. No matter what this government does and no matter how much they crow about their achievements, we aren't seeing that materialise or improve in people lived conditions. You just need to look at what's happening with small business. We have record small business insolvencies, which is a tragedy not just because of the impact it has on the owners but also because small business is the gateway for so many young Australians to get their first job. It's the pathway where they get their first foot on the ladder of economic opportunity and, of course, the pathway they go on to get their next job as part of their pathway to success in life. It's because this government is focused more on what they need to do to feed the outcomes for union bosses rather than improving workers' wages. We saw this very explicitly in an article in the Daily Telegraph today that did an analysis looking at what has been happening with union bosses' wages over the last five years. It shows that CFMEU officials' wages have gone up by 26 per cent. Meanwhile, construction workers' wages in the same time have gone down by around five per cent. That is not something to boast about, Member for Moore. It suggests that this government's policy is trickle-up economics towards union officials at the expense of workers' wages. It suggests to me very clearly that we have a problem where the government's focus is not on what it needs to do to boost the interests of Australian workers but rather, of course, on their political patrons. We're seeing this in other areas of the legislative agenda of this government. Just look at what they've done with penalty rates. We literally had an industry association apply to increase the base rate of wages in the retail sector by 35 per cent, but Labor wasn't going to have that, because, if they had that, what would it have done? It would have cut out the union interest in the decision-making power of wages and penalty rates. So what did they do? They outlawed a pathway to increase wages for retail workers, because it would have undermined the power of the unions and increased the power of wages for workers. These are the disgraceful priorities of this government. They are focused more on what they need to do to boost union bosses' pay at the expense of workers. We're seeing this now. Another report, just today in the Australian Financial Review, said: Labor's multi-employer bargaining regime has received a dual setback, with the collapse of the mining industry's first negotiations— This was the big crow out of their first jobs-and-skills summit. Remember that? We had a tax hike talkfest recently. They had the Jobs and Skills Summit at the end of 2022, and their first big outcome from that was the multi-employer bargaining regime. According to the Australian Financial Review: The Australian Financial Review can reveal that almost all the air-conditioning manufacturers that signed up to the first multi-employer agreement are now seeking to exit the deal in the face of opposition from a rival union. …   …   … After bargaining for 12 months for one agreement for critical site supervisors in NSW, the Collieries' Staff and Officials Association last week opted instead to pursue single agreements … …   …   … During the five bargaining meetings held since last year neither side could reach consensus on any potential terms. The other part is that the mining sector has said that multi-employer agreements are 'unworkable'. The collective noun for clowns is a chuckle. I think we need to officially adopt, as part of this parliamentary procedure, chuckle as the collective noun for multi-employer bargaining agreements, because it is turning into a joke. Under this government, the focus of industrial relations laws is on how to boost the interests of union bosses at the expense of workers. There is nothing to chuckle about. 12:45 Mr NG 316052 Menzies I rise today to acknowledge the secure jobs, better pay review, which demonstrates the success of the ambitious reforms the Albanese Labor government implemented in our first term. The report shows that the workplace changes that we legislated are delivering for Australians. In December 2022, we introduced the secure jobs, better pay act to ensure workplace rules are fair and that the benefits of a growing economy are shared with every Australian. These reforms were designed to lift wages, strengthen job security, improve enterprise bargaining and address the gender pay gap. The final independent review of the act has confirmed that these reforms are already delivering real outcomes. Collective bargaining has increased significantly, with the number of employees covered by agreements rising from about 1.72 million in September 2022 to around 2.6 million by March 2025. This is an increase of approximately 880,000 workers. This includes workers across multiple employers, who, thanks to this government, are now covered by enterprise bargaining. Unions and employees can bargain for improved wages and conditions, particularly for those in traditionally feminised industries, like aged care and child care. Importantly, the act has made a substantial contribution to improving outcomes for women, with the gender pay gap now at its lowest level since records began. Through our closing loopholes laws, which ensure labour hire workers are not paid less than permanent employees for the same work, we have improved wages for people on insecure contracts and also disincentivised dodgy employers from outsourcing to labour hire companies to save themselves money on wages and conditions. We have criminalised intentional wage theft. An employee who puts their hand in the till can be charged with a criminal offence. In the same way, a boss who knowingly takes money out of their worker's pay packet should be criminalised. We have introduced the right to disconnect so workers can properly clock off and enjoy a decent work-life balance. Despite this evidence in the latest review, the coalition are still desperately trying to discredit our legislation because they want to axe the very laws that have seen workers get pay rises. We all remember Senator Michaelia Cash declaring that these laws were the most radical she had ever seen. If it's radical to have the highest number of employees on workplace agreements since enterprise bargaining began in 1991, if it's radical to have the strongest rate of annual wage growth in five years, if it's radical to have the gender pay gap hitting a historic low of 11.5 per cent in the latest ABS statistics and if it's radical to have the unemployment rate remaining low while workplace participation stays high then we will proudly accept the badge of being radical. This is what happens when governments deliver for workers. Other independent data shows the success of our workplace reforms and wider agenda in guiding Australia through difficult times while increasing wages and keeping unemployment low. The latest data from the ABS shows that real wages have risen for seven consecutive quarters. This is the strongest annual wage growth in real terms in five years and the longest period of consistent growth above 0.7 per cent in a decade. Average annual wages are growing at 3.7 per cent, compared with just 2.2 per cent under our predecessors. We have also delivered four consecutive increases to the minimum wage, benefiting 2.2 million of Australia's lowest paid workers. In just three years, the national minimum wage has increased by $4.62 per hour. That's $175 a week or more than $9,000 a year. That's real money in the pockets of some of our lowest paid workers. The same ABS release shows that employment has continued to grow at record pace. Since May 2022, we have seen more than 1.1 million new jobs created. That represents an increase of 8.6 per cent in total employment, a faster rate of job growth than any other major advanced economy. These numbers confirm what Australians are seeing in their communities: more people in work and more families benefiting from secure income thanks to the reforms of the Albanese Labor government. (Time expired) 12:51 Mr GREGG 315154 Deakin There was a lengthy period of time in Australian history where low wages were a deliberate design feature of our economy. The election of the Albanese Labor government put a fortunate end to that silly spiral that we found ourselves in in the Australian economy. Secure jobs, better pay means that workers get their fair share of the prosperity that their work creates. It means that a person who does their fair day of work gets to go home and live their life with their family in peace, without being concerned by constant harassment through phone calls from their employer without justified purpose. It is a regime that gets the balance right between the interests of workers and employees. We've had very little disputation about many of the new features of secure jobs, better pay. The right to disconnect, for example, has not led to industrial disharmony. People understand the common sense that underrides the rule, 'Contact them if needed but don't go overboard with contacting your workers when they're trying to enjoy their own time with their families.' The objective of increasing the wages of working people is a noble one. Also, when we think about it, if you create an economy that incentivises a race to the bottom on wages, we see the very kinds of issues we've seen in aged care and child care: if you make it all too easy for firms to compete on a low cost base by undercutting the wages of working people, that's exactly what they'll do. So we had a system that, by design, incentivised a competitive approach which meant the way you got your advantage over the other firm was by paying your workers less, by exploiting contractual arrangements with labour hire companies and the like in an attempt to drive down wages. While that was legal and a legitimate business practice, that is clearly not a sustainable pathway to productivity in our economy. The way we achieve that is by incentivising firms to get competitive advantage by innovation—by more efficient procedures and by ensuring that we do the jobs better rather than just finding new and clever ways of undercutting workers' wages. The new approach to industrial relations unashamedly means that workers do better, that the work done by employees is duly rewarded and that we put an end to the cycle of continual locking of the prosperity of working people. It is only fair that they get their fair share of the spoils of the work they do. But, at the same time, we want to make sure that we have a system that incentivises businesses competing on merit, on innovation and on new ways of doing things, whether that's through a differentiation strategy or by finding other ways to cut costs, such as more efficient machinery and the like. The cherrypicking of small business data by the coalition as somehow providing support for their position, firstly, fails in a basic causation argument. Secondly, it ignores the fact that new businesses are being created in Australia all the time. The number of new entrants into the market exceeds the number of business insolvencies. There are a number of explanations for business insolvencies. We've obviously had high inflation and it's become increasingly difficult for small businesses to access credit, and these are very serious economic problems that we have to work on. But to suggest that giving fairness to working people is somehow the cause of economic carnage simply isn't borne out by the fact. We've got record employment at the same time as having an increase in wages. That common argument we heard for decades—that increasing wages means everyone will be out of a job—has been proven bunk. We now know that you can get the balance right, that you can have an industrial regime that incentivises workers, their representatives and employers getting together and coming to an appropriate arrangement for their business. That is what enterprise agreements are all about: they're about making sure that the interests of all concerned are duly regarded, that they fall outside the generic regime of a modern award and that those involved get to do something that gets it right for their particular business organisation. We encourage that. We're also encouraged by the fact that we've seen a record number of enterprise agreements and a record number of workers subject to enterprise agreements. That means appropriate industrial relations tailored to the work, to workers and to the businesses that employ them. This has been a fantastic set of reforms, and we will see the benefits of them continue in the years ahead. I'm encouraged by the fact that real wages are going up for consecutive quarters, and may that long continue. We've also got to make sure we continue to improve the legal arrangements around businesses to make sure that they have every incentive to increase productivity. Again, increased productivity means more efficient ways of conducting business. I'm so glad to finally see the end of this horrible cycle of trying to win the game by cutting wages to the lowest amount possible. It does not serve families, it does not serve our society and it does not serve business in the longer term. The race to the bottom on wages hurts everyone in the end. You end up with inferior industries. We saw it in child care and we saw it in aged care. If you continue the race to the bottom on wages, what you end up with is an unmotivated workforce, poor productivity and poor service delivery. So I'm glad to see that these reforms are continuing to benefit workers. May they long reign. The DEPUTY SPEAKER C2T The member's time has expired. The time allotted for this debate has expired. The debate is adjourned and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting. B'nai B'rith: 80th Anniversary 122 12:57 Mr LEESER 109556 Berowra I move: That this House: (1) recognises the 80th anniversary of B'nai B'rith in Australia, an organisation whose work has strengthened not only the Australian Jewish community but the entire Australian population; (2) commends B'nai B'rith for its leadership in promoting education, interfaith understanding, cultural expression, and the fight against antisemitism; (3) notes its range of initiatives to support the community including the Courage to Care program, youth leadership development, and its charitable trust, which have left a lasting mark on the community; and (4) acknowledges the volunteers and members of B'nai B'rith past and present, whose 80 years of service reflect our nation's values of compassion, justice, and responsibility. I'd like to welcome members of B'nai B'rith. We don't usually get such a crowd here in the Federation Chamber, but such is the importance of the 80th anniversary of B'nai B'rith. I'd like to acknowledge the member for Macnamara and the member for Wentworth, who are also going to be making contributions in this debate. And I'd particularly like to thank past president James Allman, who alerted me to the 80th anniversary of B'nai B'rith. B'nai B'rith have been here having their triennial convention, from both Australia and New Zealand, and it's wonderful to welcome them to the Federation Chamber this day. Eighty years ago, in 1944, a group of Jewish German and Austrian refugees, who fled the horrors of Nazism, gathered in Sydney to establish B'nai B'rith in Australia. They built on the traditions of a global organisation that had already existed for a century, animated by the values of fellowship, compassion and communal responsibility. What began as a small social and cultural organisation quickly grew into one of the most enduring and impactful community organisations in this country. From its earliest days, B'nai B'rith created spaces where people could connect, learn and share Jewish culture with the broader Australian community. In 1945, it founded one of the first youth groups in Sydney, followed soon after by one in Melbourne. In 1948, it established its first community home in Darlinghurst, with further centres in Sydney and Melbourne to follow. By the 1960s B'nai B'rith had expanded across the Tasmin, with branches in Wellington and Auckland, ensuring its mission reached Jewish communities in New Zealand, as well. In 1961, it launched the Hillel foundation. B'nai B'rith has established so many offshoots in its time. Hillel offered residential facilities and counselling for universities students, a project so successful that it became an independent organisation after nearly four decades. Closer to home for me—and I'm so delighted to have a Jewish community institution in my electorate—B'nai B'rith also founded retirement villages, beginning in Wahroonga in 1964, in my electorate. Today, Kadimah Gardens continues the proud tradition of providing quality affordable accommodation for older members of the community. I want to acknowledge the Kadimah Gardens committee, led by Ada Berger. In particular, it's great to see the great Jack Aghion here, also from Kadimah, in my electorate, and others. Perhaps B'nai B'rith's most enduring contributions have been in education and building bridges between communities. In 1981, it organised the Holocaust exhibition in Australia, held at the Sydney Town Hall. That exhibition travelled the country, was attended by tens of thousands, and ultimately led to Holocaust studies being part of the school syllabus. The work directly inspired the Courage to Care program, and I want to acknowledge Ernie Friedlander and his great work in that. Launched in Melbourne and then in Sydney, Courage to Care teaches Australians—especially school students—about the dangers of prejudice and discrimination. It empowers them to become upstanders, not bystanders, inspiring young people to embrace and celebrate the beauty of our Jewish tradition, which teaches us to treat others with loving kindness. In a period where antisemitism is escalating, Courage to Care has never been more important. B'nai B'rith have established intercultural celebrations since the early 90s across a range of communities, and their work on intercultural and interfaith dialogue is very important. Of course, B'nai B'rith understands and appreciates freedom. Its antidefamation oration began in 1988, and it has provided platforms for people like Pat Dodson, David Rosen and Helen Suzman. Its Gold Medal Award has been given to both Bob Hawke and John Howard. Its Raoul Wallenberg Humanitarian Award was initiated in 1990, with recipients like Tim Costello and Gus Nossal. In 2004, they helped secure parliamentary resolutions against racism and antisemitism in this parliament and in various state parliaments. I was proud to deliver the B'nai B'rith Human Rights Oration in 2018, called Human Rights Hijacked. I should acknowledge Anna Berger, who was the state president at that time. It was probably one of the most important speeches I've made. In fact, it spurred on a book, Nonsense on Stilts, in response to it. It's always a place to go to make important speeches and contributions. B'nai B'rith has also done much, whether it's work for young people, work that relates to the arts, work that relates to antidiscrimination and reducing racism in this country, or work that is focused on the advancement of human rights. In celebrating this anniversary today, we celebrate not only a story of remarkable organisation but also a story of modern Australia: of refugees who arrived in this country with little, but who built institutions of strength and who, in turn, strengthened the nation that welcomed them. May B'nai B'rith continue for another 80 years to lead, to educate, to inspire and to unite Australians of all backgrounds. The DEPUTY SPEAKER C2T Is the motion seconded? 13:02 Mr BURNS 278522 Macnamara I second the motion. The DEPUTY SPEAKER C2T Do you reserve your right to speak? Mr BURNS 278522 No, I'm going to speak right now. The DEPUTY SPEAKER C2T In that case, I give the call to the member to Macnamara. Mr BURNS 278522 It is rare for the Federation Chamber to be standing room only, but it is a great privilege for us to have members of B'nai B'rith here to be part of this fitting and important tribute to B'nai B'rith's 80 years in this country. I am a product of a community designed and fed by B'nai B'rith. I grew up in Melbourne's Jewish community, which was and still is a vibrant community—one which is full of people who give back to the community and who speak up on its behalf in a way that feeds Australian public life and celebrates multiculturalism and diversity whilst never forgetting the history of Melbourne's Jewish community: one of persecution and one of Holocaust survivors coming and making their place here in this country of ours, finding a safe haven in doing so. For me, B'nai B'rith is an organisation that helps shape the very vibrant and wonderful community that I'm in and helps shape the identity that I'm proud to have, as a proud Jewish Australian. Since coming to and being established in Australia in 1944, B'nai B'rith has been more than just a community organisation. It has been a home to the largest percentage of Holocaust survivors of any other city outside of Israel, and it has also been a place where the vibrancy and breadth of the activity it's involved in has been truly astonishing. The first B'nai B'rith youth group was formed in Sydney, followed by one in Melbourne in 1945. The opening of the first offices for B'nai B'rith was in Darlinghurst in 1948, and the Hillel Foundation was established in 1961, serving as a residential campus for Jewish university students. Affordable accommodation for elderly Jewish Australians was set up in Sydney in 1964 and then, a few years later, in Melbourne. In 1977 there was also an opportunity shop known as the B'nai B'rith Bargain Bazaar, a fantastic and catchy title. In 1981, B'nai B'rith organised—as the member for Berowra so eloquently put before—the first-ever Holocaust exhibition in Australia, held at Sydney Town Hall, which I believe was visited by over 55,000 Australians and 12,000 school students. For 80 years, more broadly, B'nai B'rith has comprised wonderful units that are scattered around the country, giving so much to not only each other but the broader community as well. The highlight for me also, I have to mention, just like the member for Berowra, is Courage to Care, which is a program designed, led and fed by B'nai B'rith, which is all about telling young people in Australia that you must be an upstander against racism, not a bystander in witnessing it. That lesson, as the member for Berowra mentioned before, has never been more important. To have young people in Australia willing to speak up against racism has never been more important. We can write laws outlawing it, we can write laws giving more protection for security agencies, but what actually is our best and most important fight against racism is the collective commitment to fight it as one united society. For young people, that is so important across schools and universities, and that work by Courage to Care is work that I'm extremely proud of. I met with Mike Zervos, our local staff member for Courage to Care, who's a great person and one who believes in this. I spoke to the Armchair Society recently, I've sponsored the B'nai B'rith Jewish youth art competition for many years, and I am so proud to stand in this place to acknowledge, alongside the member for Berowra and the member for Wentworth, the incredible contribution of B'nai B'rith to Australian life. I'll mention a few people by name so they're etched into the Hansard because they have made an enormous contribution to B'nai B'rith and to our country. To James Altman, Elaine Altman, Peter Cappe, Clare Cappe, Irene Kirschner, Leon Nissen, Deirdre Wainrit, Alan Wainrit, Anna Marks, Denise Monheit, Rosa Schattner and Peter Schattner, thank you. No doubt, whenever you create a list like that you forget many, many people. But to anyone who has contributed to B'nai B'rith; to anyone who has walked inside a unit of B'nai B'rith to engage, to learn, to discuss, to challenge; and to anyone who has been a part of any of B'nai B'rith's programs that have done not only so much for the Australian Jewish community but for the Australian community at large, I say thank you. I am proud to stand here in the House of Representatives' off-Chamber, the Federation Chamber, to mark 80 years of B'nai B'rith in Australia and as they say in Yiddish, biz hundert un tsvantik, to 120 and more. Congratulations. 13:07 Ms SPENDER 286042 Wentworth I'd also like to commend the member for Berowra for bringing forward this important motion, as well as support the words of the member for Macnamara. It is an absolute pleasure and honour to be able to stand here today and celebrate B'nai B'rith and everything that the organisation has brought to this country. One of the great privileges in my place, particularly in Wentworth, is to see firsthand the huge contribution the Jewish community has made to the strength of not only the community in Wentworth and not only the Jewish community but the entire country. B'nai B'rith is just a perfect example of this. Their core message I read as I was researching this is: Our core values place humanity at the centre of everything we do. And it is those core values that I believe are more important than ever in this country. It is remarkable to see the breadth of positive impact that B'nai B'rith has brought to the country over its 80 years, from retirement villages, shopping centres and social groups to really starting Holocaust education. I'm very privileged to have the Sydney Jewish Museum in my electorate. To know that Holocaust awareness and education was really born out of that 1981 Holocaust exhibition, which has now transformed to museums around the country, is absolutely critical and really speaks to the impact that B'nai B'rith has had on this country. Very much like the previous two speakers, I want to shout out Courage to Care, because that is the organisation and the program that I have seen having the greatest direct impact on students of all faiths in my electorate. I had the enormous privilege of being in one of those programs recently at Rose Bay secondary College. I sat in the room, in the circles with the students, listening to Susan Warhaftig. She talked about her own experience as a two-year-old escaping the horrors of the Holocaust and World War II. Seeing how that lived history transformed the perspectives of those young people of all faiths and all backgrounds in the room was incredible. It was a beautiful and very uplifting experience. It is remarkable to see that Courage to Care has had that sort of impact on 400,000 students around Australia. That is absolutely critical. Again, that message of being an upstander, not a bystander, is one that I think is more important than ever. When I contemplate where we are right now as a country and some of the challenges that we do face as a country, how do we bring that forward? How do we deal with some of those? I think it is very much the values that B'nai B'rith has brought to the country that are the ones the ones we need to continue to live with. Last week I was speaking to members of the Australian Union of Jewish Students who were in Canberra, and I'm going to be speaking to members again this week, about how we fight antisemitism. This is not just about antisemitism; it's about how we continue to make sure that this country is the most successful and welcoming multicultural, multifaith country in the world. It is through programs like those championed by B'nai B'rith that we can continue to do that. It is that message of compassion and of bridging divides that B'nai B'rith has championed throughout its work. Its championship of human rights has set an incredible example both to the local community in Wentworth and around the country as well. I think this has been a remarkable contribution to the broader country. I would also like to shout out a few people in the room. I don't have everyone's name on this list, but I would particularly like to shout out Anna Marks and Janine Zimbler as the president and immediate past president for what they have done. I'm not going to do any more names lest I leave out those who should be recognised. It is really important and wonderful that they've come to Canberra to celebrate this. I am really proud to be able to stand here and celebrate B'nai B'rith as well. We all try to have lives beyond the concerns of our families and our work, and it is that gift of giving beyond yourself and beyond your immediate concerns which makes this country stronger, more successful and a more compassionate and happier place to live in. So thank you to everyone from B'nai B'rith for those decades of service to the country. It has made an enormous difference and, I hope, will continue to for another 80 years. The DEPUTY SPEAKER C2T There being no further speakers, the debate is adjourned, and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting. Sitting suspended from 13:13 to 16:00 STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS 125 STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Fossil Fuel Industry 125 16:00 Dr RYAN 297660 Kooyong The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is currently undertaking a review of arrangements to supply the eastern states' gas market—a review based on the false proposition that new gas production is required to meet our domestic needs. The myth that Australia has a shortage of gas is a creation of multinational fossil fuel companies. Only 16 per cent of Australian LNG was sold domestically last year. The rest was exported. Some of those exports honour long-term contracts, but a quarter do not. Uncontracted Australian gas is sold every day on the spot market for export to international markets. Australians compete with exporters for our own gas—gas which is taken from us tax free. The IEA reports that the world is heading for an oversupply of oil and gas by 2030. That will leave new projects as stranded assets. Australians do not need new fossil fuel projects. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned that any new fossil fuel projects will take us over the 1.5 degrees of global warming. Australians do not want new gas projects; we want our government to stop approving new fossil fuel projects and to legislate the redirection of gas from the export market to our domestic market for our own use. Vietnam Veterans' Day 125 16:01 Ms TRISH COOK 312871 Bullwinkel On 18 August I had the honour of joining the Northam RSL to mark Vietnam Veterans' Day. It was a moving occasion where we remembered the courage and sacrifice of more than 60,000 Australians who served and we honoured those who never came home. As part of that beautiful ceremony I also reflected on Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel's role in the war. She was a nurse and a World War II hero, and the sole survivor of the Banka Island massacre in 1942, where 21 of her fellow nurses were murdered. She endured 3½ years as a prisoner of war, and when she returned she devoted her life to nursing, supporting veterans and honouring those who had perished. As many of you know, the electorate of Bullwinkel is named in her honour. Vivian's story didn't end there; in 1975, as the Vietnam War drew to a close, she led a team of nurses in Operation Babylift, a mission to rescue orphaned and surrendered Vietnamese Australian-fathered babies and children. Around 300 of those children were brought to Australia in cardboard boxes on the aircraft floor. It was far from ideal, but it saved their lives. So, on 18 August at the RSL in Northam, I honoured our Vietnam veterans, support personnel and nurses like Vivian Bullwinkel, whose courage reminds us that service comes in many forms. Lest we forget. Climate Change 125 16:03 Dr SCAMPS 299623 Mackellar Climate change is continually raised as one of the biggest concerns of my community. From parents worried about their children's future, to people who are concerned whether they'll be able to insure their home in areas prone to fires, floods or coastal erosion, they want action that's grounded in science and urgency. Right now, we have a critical opportunity to set Australia's 2035 emissions reduction target, a target that will shape our path towards a net zero economy. This isn't just a number; it's a signal to the world, to investors and to our communities about how serious we are about tackling the climate crisis. Australia is a privileged, wealthy and respected nation. What we do counts, especially in the eyes of our Pacific neighbours. Anything less than 75 per cent by 2035 risks locking in dangerous climate impacts and undermining our credibility, while a strong target would drive clean energy investment, protect public health and help Australia thrive in a decarbonising global economy. This is also about fairness. Communities on the front line of climate change—regional towns, coastal suburbs and vulnerable populations—deserve leadership that puts their safety and future first. We cannot afford to be timid. The decisions we make now will shape the next generations' opportunities, wellbeing and security. Let's be bold, let's be science led and let's get this right for the sake of our climate, economy and children. Parents for Climate 126 16:05 Ms CAMPBELL 312823 Moreton On the Friday just gone, I had the great privilege of meeting Parents for Climate in my electorate. I met with my constituent Kate Smolders, who lives just down the road from me in Chelmer. In 2022, in the flood, she had to evacuate her house with her children, a terrifying prospect and something that people in my electorate—whether it be in Oxley, in Yeronga, in Fairfield, in Corinda, in Graceville or in Sherwood—have had to do. We know, when it comes to significant and serious weather events, that this is something that is driven by climate change, and Parents for Climate is a climate advocacy organisation for parents, carers, families and all who care about a safe future for our kids. It has 25,000 supporters, with supporters in every federal electorate in Australia. There are over 1,000 supporters in the Brisbane network alone and over 3,000 in Queensland. Their mission is to ensure that, when it comes to climate, we take it seriously and action is taken. I am incredibly proud to be part of a Labor government that is investing in batteries, that has set the first target when it comes to warming and that has been working to get renewables to over 40 per cent of the grid. Parents for Climate are working to support strong targets but also strong, science aligned action, and science aligned action is what Labor has been doing when it comes to climate. Dementia 126 16:06 Ms SHARKIE 265980 Mayo Dementia Australia will hold their Parliamentary Friends of Dementia event tomorrow, 2 September, and I urge all members to attend and hear firsthand from people living with dementia. Dementia is a public health, disability and aged-care challenge facing Australia. This issue matters to Mayo. I have the oldest electorate by median age in South Australia. Dementia is already the leading cause of death for Australian women and will soon become the leading cause for all Australians. There are around 433,000 Australians living with dementia today, and around 1,500 children and many families and carers are affected. The figure is expected to double over the next 30 years in the absence of significant intervention and medical breakthroughs. Dementia can be prevented. Evidence suggests that around 14 modifiable risk factors throughout life could prevent or delay up to 45 per cent of dementia cases. Dementia Australia is advocating for support in a number of ways. We need to lead a national conversation in this place on dementia to raise awareness and promote brain health for all Australians; establish a team of Dementia Australia specialist navigators to improve service, support and access; and, finally, build the capability of the workforce to provide care and support for people living with dementia. We can't afford to wait. This 48th Parliament must be the one to commit to taking action on dementia. Social Cohesion 126 16:08 Ms KARA COOK 316537 Bonner Yesterday's so-called March for Australia rallies were not patriotic gatherings; they were parades of division, fear and prejudice. Let's be clear: when elected representatives stand alongside extremists, they are complicit. Senators Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts and Bob Katter chose to legitimise hate yesterday. They marched not for Australia but against the very values that make Australia strong. They stood shoulder to shoulder with people who reject our multicultural success story, who would seek to turn back the clock on decades of progress and who thrive on hate and suspicion. That is dangerous, it is reckless and it is utterly un-Australian. Australia is at its best when it is inclusive, diverse and welcoming. Those who preach division tear at the social fabric of our nation for their own political gain. Labor has sent a clear message: division has no place here, and those who fan the flames of intolerance betray the very people they are elected to serve. While others divide, Labor will unite. We will always stand for respect, equality and fairness. We'll bring Australians together no matter where they come from, what they believe or who they love, because that is how we build a stronger, prouder and more united nation. I am proud of the multicultural community I serve in Bonner, and I'm proud to be part of a political party who has the back of all Australians, because we are stronger together. Fraud 126 16:09 Ms PRICE 249308 Durack I was concerned to read over the weekend in the Sunday Times that young Australians are increasingly falling for phishing scams. Phishing—spelt with a 'ph'—is a way that cybercriminals trick you into giving them your personal information by sending fraudulent emails or text messages pretending to be someone else. In this case, it was Bankwest being impersonated, and they have reported a 49 per cent increase in losses from phishing scams for those aged between 18 to 24 years old. This was during last financial year compared to the year prior. Young people are often considered to have a greater understanding of cyberthreats given their greater use of devices; however, this news should serve as a reminder to young Australian adults that you are not invincible. Let me say that again: young Australian adults, you are not invincible and you are also vulnerable to scams. The Bankwest experience is proof of that. If you have revealed information through a phishing email or text, you should contact your bank to secure your accounts immediately. You should also contact other services where the information could be used to access accounts, including ATO or Services Australia. In addition to changing passwords, you should also report the incident through the ReportCyber service. But, to avoid all doubt, please don't click on any suspicious links, and, if in doubt, contact the institution directly. Brisbane Electorate: Sport 127 16:11 Ms JARRETT 298574 Brisbane On Saturday night, it was my pleasure to present the 2025 premiership trophy to the Newmarket metro 2 women's soccer team. The team went undefeated for the season to take out the premiership, and, as a retired soccer mum, I really do understand what a feat that is. It wasn't their night on Saturday though. They did lose the nailbiting semifinal in a thrilling penalty shootout, but they can still hold their heads high. This is a big shout-out to the coaches, clubs, mums, dads, carers and, of course, the players for their hard work and dedication. Community sports play such an important part across the Brisbane community. It brings people together and provides a purpose for our community. It teaches players and participants resilience, leadership, teamwork, the importance of lifting others up and the importance of being lifted when one needs it. Although I was hugely sporty growing up, soccer wasn't an option for me, but, at my local swimming club and lifesaving club, I found my peeps and I benefited, as the Newmarket girls have done with their sport. Soccer is a rapidly growing sport for girls, spurred on by the Tillies during the 2023 World Cup and not to mention the upcoming 2027 Women's Asian Cup. Young girls can now see what they want to be. The Newmarket division 2 women have given the young girls at Newmarket someone to look up to and something to aim for, and, given a few of them have become Tillies, maybe there are a few more. Thank you to Ken and the club for having me along on Sunday. It was a night to be proud of. Monash Electorate: Water Safety 127 16:12 Ms ALDRED 11788 Monash Australia has recorded its highest number of drowning deaths since records began. That's one of the key take-outs from the Royal Life Saving Society Australia's latest report, which was launched at Parliament House, and I commend them on an excellent report. Tragically, Phillip Island has seen a number of drownings in recent years. Lives have been lost, families remain in grief and first responders carry lifelong scars. About six months ago, Coroners Court of Victoria handed down findings into the state's deadliest drowning tragedy in almost 20 years. It is horrific to read, and yet Victorian Labor proceeds to cut and cost shift to already stretched local councils. Surf Life Saving Victoria has recently written to local government organisations in coastal communities saying that ratepayers will need to pay more to ensure patrolled beaches can be sustained at their current levels. The alternative is that those patrols will drop. The consequence will be that more people will be at risk of drowning. Last year, Bass Coast Shire Council contributed $98,000 towards the Royal Life Saving Society surf patrols. This year they have been requested to fund $260,000. That is a 160 per cent increase with minimal consultation—outside standard budget requests. The council have 2,000 short-stay rentals. This is a looming disaster. We know Labor has never met a levy it didn't like. Our community deserves so much better. Griffith Electorate: Community Services 127 16:14 Ms COFFEY 312323 Griffith I ask you to imagine being a child in an unknown place, without a toothbrush, without clothes that fit or without something as simple as a toy or book to call your own. Sadly, this is the reality for thousands of children across Queensland in care or crisis—kids facing neglect, poverty, domestic violence or homelessness. That's why Care Kits for Kids Qld, based in Camp Hill in my electorate of Griffith, is so important. They send a powerful message to children in care or crisis: you matter, and your community cares about you. Each care kit contains essential items, including new clothes, toiletries, books and comfort items, all lovingly packed into a backpack. I was delighted to join co-founder Stephanie and some of their amazing volunteers last month as they celebrated their third birthday. I want to say a huge thank you to Care Kits for Kids Qld, their donors and volunteers. Your compassion ensures that some of Queensland's most vulnerable kids are cared for and supported when they need it most. Thank you. I would like to recognise Kate Warhurst, a courageous and compassionate change maker from my electorate, and founder of It's from Elsie. Devastatingly, Kate's beautiful baby girl, Elsie, passed away just seven days after she was born. In her grief, Kate has created an impactful way to honour Elsie's life by creating It's from Elsie, through which picture books are donated to NICUs so parents can read to their babies even when they can't hold them. Recently, what would have been Elsie's third birthday was marked with a special campaign to raise funds for Elsie's House. I encourage our community to join with me in supporting It's from Elsie and the vision of Elsie's House. Greenhalgh, Mr Michael (John) 128 16:15 Mr BATT 315478 Hinkler Today my community farewells a beloved personality. John Greenhalgh, Bundaberg born and bred, passed away on August 14. He coined the phrase, 'the Paris end of Bourbong', a reference to the eastern end of the city of Bundaberg's main street. It's this part of the CBD where his family business, the famous Avenell Brothers, proudly operates. John lived a full and vibrant life. He was always exceptionally dressed, renowned for those colourful bow ties. He was the heart and soul of Bundaberg's oldest gift and homewares store. More than a shop, the business delivers an iconic experience, meticulously filled to the brim with fine gifts, and offering a first-class service. Avenell's of Bundaberg was opened in 1898 by Frederick William Avenell, John's great-grandfather. The first store was established diagonally opposite its current site. John's funeral was held this morning in Bundaberg, and while I couldn't be there, it's an honour to pay tribute to him here in parliament today. Melanice Jacobsen is the owner of a neighbouring store, Cha Cha Chocolate. She summed up John's passing by saying he will be deeply missed and that our community will never be the same, and neither will our hearts. I pass on my condolences to the family, friends and customers who are mourning John's passing today. May the Avenell Brothers' traditions live on, and so too John 's legacy. He will be dearly missed and always remembered. John was the Paris end of Bundaberg. He was 70. Oceans 128 16:17 Ms BERRY 23497 Whitlam One of the jewels in the electorate of Whitlam is The Farm at Killalea, which has been named the best beach in New South Wales and the second-best beach in Australia. This extraordinary place was protected by the local community, and was also where I learnt to surf, an experience that has only deepened my love of the ocean. Australia's beaches are iconic and form an important part of our national identity. Oceans are a vital life-support system for our planet, producing 50 to 80 per cent of the world's oxygen and acting as a significant carbon sink. I'm therefore delighted and honoured to be the co-chair of Parliamentary Friends of Oceans and Sustainable Development. This group will provide a platform for politicians from all parties, including independents, to engage with key issues affecting Australia's oceans. I am proud of the Albanese government's achievements when it comes to protecting our oceans. We've substantially expanded our marine parks so that over 50 per cent of Australia's oceans are now under protection. Australia now protects more ocean than any other country. Australia is a world leader in ocean protection, working domestically and with our Pacific and Indian Ocean neighbours to protect this precious and incredibly important shared resource. Our oceans support hundreds of thousands of species of marine life. We need to protect our oceans from plastic waste, pollution and overfishing to ensure we look after these amazing environments for our future generations. I look forward to working with my colleagues who've joined Parliamentary Friends of Oceans to ensure we continue to take action to protect this incredibly valuable resource for our nation. Wagga Wagga Show 128 16:19 Mr McCORMACK 219646 Riverina Rural agricultural shows are, as the winner of the Junior Young Woman of the Year from the Wagga Wagga Show last year, Lucy Goodyer, pointed out on Saturday night, at a very special dinner, the heartbeat of our local communities. She is so very, very right. I really like the comments made by Rural Young Achiever awardee Will Day, who talked about drone mapping, data analytics, livestock genetics and soil science: 'There's so much innovation happening every day that people just don't see.' He wants to see more of a bridging of the gap between metropolitan and regional communities, and one way to do that is through the local shows. Attend one soon. I was really impressed with the young women who put their names forward to represent Wagga in the show competition. They have been so good for so long. Brielle Ayres; Tayla Collins; Annie Corbett; Georgia Jackson; Stephanie Lezaich; Grace Cox, the junior young woman; and, of course, Will Day, as I mentioned. Congratulations too to the rural achiever from last year, Michael Roffe. These young people are outstanding, and they want to see shows succeed. Whether it's Wagga Wagga's, first held in 1864, or any of the district shows around—Ganmain puts on a wonderful show. Get yourself to Wagga Wagga Friday and Saturday 12 and 13 September. You won't be disappointed. It'll be a show to remember. Maribyrnong Electorate: Labor Party 129 16:20 Ms BRISKEY 263427 Maribyrnong As a new member of this place, I wanted to make sure to thank the rank-and-file Labor members of Maribyrnong as it truly takes a village to get here. Mine represent the very best of the Australian Labor party: a proud mix of true believers, stalwarts of the union movement and young activists who see Labor as a vehicle for real progressive change. It is their voices I now have the honour of carrying to this place. I would not stand here today without the incredible support of Helene McNamara, Jane and Ivan Bertoncello, Rosie Spears, Marg Gannon-Blair, Paul Miles, Roy and Marlene Burrows, Mark Cassar, James Everard, Tony Nippard, Siobhan Loukomitis, Chris Blandthorn, Martin Schriech, Zelko Ivic, Ezio Paciocco, Virginia Wills and many others who worked on booths and street stalls, knocked on doors, made calls and welcomed me so warmly throughout the campaign. A special thanks goes to the Essendon, Niddrie and Melbourne branches for their tireless support and, of course, to the mighty Ascot Vale sub-branch, where a glass of wine and Marlene's delicious dip are paired perfectly with lively debate. To all the Labor members of Maribyrnong, many of whom have carried the work for years or even decades: thank you for making sure Labor continues to deliver for our community and for our nation. It is your commitment that keeps the light on the hill burning brightly. Tan, Dr Richard, Roseberry QLD Dignity Hub 129 16:21 Mr BOYCE 299498 Flynn I would like to acknowledge the passing of Dr Richard Tan, a much-loved member of the Biloela community who had been providing medical expertise to the region since 1968. In those decades, Dr Tan performed over 10,000 operations in the Biloela community and delivered over 3,000 babies. The Biloela community are invited to gather to honour Dr Tan and his life at his memorial service, which will be held on Saturday 18 October at the Biloela Civic Centre. My thoughts are with Dr Tan's family and the Biloela community. On another note: team Boyce has recently donated food supplies and vouchers to Roseberry QLD's Dignity Hub in Gladstone. The Dignity Hub provides community members and families of any age bracket experiencing homelessness access for free. There are laundry facilities, bathroom facilities, kitchenettes, tea- and coffee-making facilities, access to perishable food items for those experiencing crisis, and information and referral to other services. The demand at Dignity Hub has surged in recent weeks, and the pantry is running critically low. I would like to encourage anybody in the Gladstone region who is able: please consider donating physical supplies of non-perishable food items and cash donations or grocery vouchers to the hub. Congregation of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan 129 16:23 Ms TEMPLEMAN 181810 Macquarie For a century, the Congregation of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan have been part of the Mid-Mountains community in Macquarie, and on Sunday I was honoured to speak at their farewell from Our Lady of the Nativity Parish. The sisters have provided leadership in compassion, social justice and care to our community. Among many things in that 100 years, they've more recently supported novices from Kiribati and people with disability, and they've allowed their centre to be used for groups supporting refugees and community services. The sisters also have a connection with the Hawkesbury region, the other half of my federal electorate. Back in 1859, it was reported that two Good Samaritan sisters travelled with Archbishop John Bede, for whom Bede Polding College, a very large Catholic high school in my Hawkesbury area, is named. Over the next few decades, a community of sisters came to Windsor; a convent was established; schools were opened, including a boarding school and a high school; and the sisters would travel to other townships via horse and buggy to give religious instruction—all of this before 1885. The Sisters of the Good Samaritan are formidable. The turnout of parish members in Lawson to say farewell demonstrates how their presence and support has been valued, and they will be missed by their Mountains community. We wish them well. Oxenford Men's Shed, Fadden Electorate: Community Events 129 16:24 Mr CALDWELL 306489 Fadden Today I rise to pay tribute to a wonderful part of our community, to those in the suburb of Oxenford. Recently, I visited the Oxenford Men's Shed, where I caught up with President Keith Ward and Secretary Les Chapman. I provided them with a cheque for a grant of $3,500 to support their volunteers. That will help with tools, programs and safety. It was also great to catch up with John Spieker, Barry Watling, Taz Kendrick, Graeme Cook, Max Sutherland, Brian Sore, Tony Down, Michael Williams and Robert Loftus. Of course, it's worthwhile to reflect on the great work that the men's sheds do to provide a safe place for older men and to help them with their mental health. Additionally, last Saturday night I was fortunate enough to have a daddy-daughter night with my daughter, Clementine. We visited the Oxenford State School to watch a performance of Aladdin. It was a great night and a huge credit to Principal Brendan Creighton and Deputy Principal Kristin Tembaro. There was wonderful support from the P&C, from Melanie Pearson, Angela Geddes, Ava Abbott and Christine New. I want to give a special shout-out to Miss Price and the crew of volunteers who set up all the gear and painted all the backdrops, and to the students who did an incredible job in putting on a performance they should be very proud of. Sturt Electorate: Glenunga Rams 130 16:26 Ms CLUTTERHAM 316101 Sturt Sunday 31 August 2025 was grand final day in the South Australian National Football League junior competition. I am very pleased to report that the Glenunga Rams, located at Webb Oval in the electorate of Sturt, emerged as big winners, taking out the under-14 girls division 1 title and the under-12 girls division 1 flag. Firstly, the under-14 girls went back to back in a runaway 28-point victory over Marion. Kicking six goals and eight behinds, for a total 44, the team dominated right from the first whistle. Then the under-12 girls claimed the flag with a 20-6 victory over their fierce rivals, the Goodwood Saints. The success at the junior level followed the Glenunga Rams senior women's side, who took out the Adelaide Football League division 4 premiership with a 44-15 victory over the Modbury Hawks on 16 August 2025. To say that women's footy is thriving at the Glenunga Rams would be an understatement. I congratulate the coaches, umpires, parents, administrators, snack providers and other volunteers on what was an overwhelmingly successful day for the Glenunga Rams junior girls program, and I offer an even bigger congratulations to the players on their victory. There is nothing better than participating in a team sport, especially when you win a flag. Congratulations, players. Frontline Services Ball 2025, Legacy Week 130 16:27 Mr CHAFFEY 316312 Parkes On Saturday night, the Parkes community gathered for this year's Frontline Services Ball. My wife and I were pleased to attend the ball to support Birds in the Bush and Ronald McDonald House Central West, who were the chosen charities for this year's fundraising. The ball first started in 2022 on the back of recognising the frontline workers who supported their community through the COVID pandemic, raising over $64,000 for the Parkes community. The second ball in 2023 topped that fundraising with over $105,000 raised. These funds went towards purchasing defibrillators for police vehicles, a new boxing room for the PCYC and a car trailer for Parkes and Forbes SES, and over $78,000 went to Ronald McDonald House Central West. This equates to over 500 free nights for families with sick kids seeking treatment, so they don't need to worry about the stress of finding and paying for accommodation. I was proud to be part of this event that does such great work in that community. This week is Legacy Week. It started yesterday and runs until Saturday. Legacy Week Appeal is a time for all Australians to show their support for widows and children of those who served our country. Legacy is an amazing charity that has been supporting our veterans and their families since the 1940s. Purchasing a Legacy badge may be a small thing, but the funds raised make a huge impact on the lives of our veterans and families. Legacy Week is a time to give back to those families for those who've given so much. Thank you to all veterans and their families and to the volunteers who serve their communities and their nation. 48th WorldSkills Competition 130 16:29 Mr REPACHOLI 298840 Hunter The Hunter was built by skilled people, and, to this day, it's skilled people we still rely on. They are the ones building our houses, keeping the lights on, mining our coal, looking after us when we're crook and being there when we're old. Today I want to talk about one Hunter local whose skills really stand out from the crowd. Anne MacLeod has been picked for the WorldSkills Australia Team Australia training squad as an expert in health and social care. She is now training to represent Australia at the international 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai this month—one of the biggest stages for skills in the world. WorldSkills Australia does incredible work spotting talent, backing it in and showing the world the skills that keep this country ticking over. They help young Australians sharpen their craft, chase new opportunities and make sure we're leading the pack when it comes to skills and training. We all know skills are the backbone of our workforce, and, in the Hunter, we know it better than most, because skills are in our blood. Congratulations, Anne! Your spot in Team Australia is a massive credit to you, your hard work, your dedication and your passion in the field. Go and smash them in Shanghai—the Hunter and the whole community will be cheering you on. I look forward to seeing your results, to wishing the team good luck, and to seeing what happens in Shanghai. Medicare 131 16:30 Mr SMALL 291406 Forrest Today I'm calling out the disgracefully sneaky attack on Medicare from this government that South West locals have alerted me to. From 1 July this year, new rules have placed an extra administrative burden on GPs and a financial one on some of our most vulnerable citizens. The idea that a patient can receive Medicare and the tests that they need with nothing more than a Medicare card is, plainly, a myth. We're hearing real stories from constituents, particularly older retirees, being hit with new out-of-pocket costs for routine and essential pathology tests such as those for prostate health, kidney function and urinary tract infections. These are tests that were once, under a coalition government, fully covered by Medicare. Why is this happening? Because GPs must now provide a detailed medical rationale for each test they request. If the right wording is not included, the pathology lab passes the full cost directly to the patient. This is a double blow. For doctors, it means more time at the keyboard and less time in quality face-to-face consultation. For patients—especially those in regional communities like mine, already struggling with the cost of living—it means an unexpected and unfair bill for their Medicare. This is not just an administrative hiccup; it is a decision of the Albanese government. Ultimately, Medicare reforms should strengthen the trust we have in our doctors, not shackle them with additional paperwork. Petrie Electorate: Roads 131 16:32 Ms COMER 316551 Petrie Like so many locals, I've become an expert at avoiding the Beams Road level crossing. I've tried every back street, every sneaky detour. For so long, for too long, the congestion on Beams Road has been a daily frustration for locals—families stuck in traffic, buses running late and students struggling to get to school on time. This road is one of the busiest roads that connects the northern suburbs of Brisbane, and yet the railway crossing creates bottlenecks and safety concerns. That's why I'm proud to be part of a government that's fixing it. The Beams Road level crossing is being replaced by an overpass, which I am proud to announce will soon be open to the public. This crossing will cut travel times, improve safety and make life easier for my community. This project is about more than just reducing congestion; it's about building the infrastructure our growing community deserves. The Beams Road overpass didn't happen by chance. The shadow transport minister and local member, Bart Mellish, advocated tirelessly for this project—as a local who uses the road daily and as a former state transport minister who helped secure the funding.    Bart listened to the community, pushed this project up the priority list and fought to make sure the funding was secured. His determination means the north side is finally getting the infrastructure it deserves. This overpass is a vital investment in the future. It's a commitment from the government that we hear you, we value you and we are delivering for you. Together, we're building a safer, faster and more connected community. Financial Security 131 16:34 Mr JOYCE e5d New England You'll never see a greater example—amongst a whole range of equivalents—of the destruction of this government than in light of one of the biggest frauds: $1.2 billion has been swindled from nearly 12,000 people through the Shield and First Guardian master funds. I say to the people of New England: if you are in these funds, check your balance sheets. People have woken up to find there is no money left. Yet the government hasn't asked one question about it today—not one. Not one reflection on what's happening to these people. These people are at their wits' end; their whole savings are gone. They are penniless in their retirement, and we have to work out how we're going to help these people. There are 40 investigators now looking at this—40 investigators too late. They should have been picking this up before these people were ripped off, and now it has turned up in safes full of cash and jewellery and all manner of things and monies flown overseas. So where do we find the money for these Australians who have been swindled out of their money? I think you can find it in Australia's biggest swindle, which is net zero, and the billions and billions and billions of dollars being paid to domestic billionaires and overseas companies. When are we going to get our priorities right, start looking after Australians and get our eyes on the main game? Albanese Government: Health Care 131 16:35 Ms MILLER-FROST 296272 Boothby Australia has a world-class health system. Despite its challenges, if you're sick or injured you wouldn't want to be anywhere else, Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme are some of the great social reforms of our time, ensuring that health care is available according to your need, not your ability to pay. Consequently, our population health is among the best in the world. This Labor government has strengthened Medicare and the PBS because we know how important it is. We funded an increase in bulk-billing that has already seen an increase of more than four per cent in Boothby after a decade of frozen MBS under those opposite. We've committed to increasing bulk-billing to 90 per cent by 2030, and we introduced a raft of measures to make medications cheaper, making the safety net more available, reducing the cost of PBS medications, introducing 60-day scripts and lowering the maximum PBS co-payment to $25—the same price as in 2024. We've also made health care more accessible by introducing walk-in, bulk-billed, urgent care clinics across the country. We established endometriosis clinics and funded a groundbreaking women's health package including longer MBS items for women's health assessments. We've established children's hubs—with one coming in Boothby by the end of the year—and Medicare mental health clinics. We're establishing a national 1800 Medicare helpline. Medicare is core business for Labor. Health care matters to our Australian way of life, and this Labor government is here for all Australians. Cook Electorate: North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club 132 16:37 Mr KENNEDY 267506 Cook The North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club, in its 100th year, has shown the strength and spirit of my local community with its annual awards. The CN Norm Rees Award went to Donna Hargreaves, the Mario Peryman Memorial Trophy went to David Cannings, and the Patrons Award went to Wayne 'Tommy' Turner. The Junior Club Captain's Award was presented to Caden McDonald, and the Senior Club Captain's Award was presented to Alison Winkelmeier. In life-saving, the Brendan Lynch Award recognised James Doyle as the most outstanding senior patrol person, while Sonny and Boyd Bell received the David Cotter Award for Most Outstanding Junior Patrol Person. Longstanding service was honoured, with Harrison Maddern, Emily Maythers, Kane Hughes and Martin Fulton achieving 10 and 20 years of perfect patrol attendance. In competition, Emily Rampoldi was named most outstanding competitor, with honours to Sari McKee, Kaitlyn Williams and Scarlett Hoerr. The Purds as Open Male Surf Boat Crew—sweep Adam Purdie, with Zach Hughes, James Budd, Corey Dietrick and Tyrell Duff—earned the Brian Trouville Award for team achievement. Special mention also goes to coach of the year Tom Rampoldi and official of the year Liam Munro. Congratulations to all recipients. Your service, teamwork and community pride are an inspiration to all our community. Women's Health 132 16:38 Mr LIM 300130 Tangney I recently met Bree, a Willetton resident whose small business is dedicated to supporting women's health. Bree is a fitness trainer and she helps new mums return to exercise safely after they have given birth. She is advocating for better pelvic health support for pregnant and postpartum women, and for more education about a safe return to exercise. Bree and some of the mums taking her classes shared their stories about the specific health needs for new mums. Too often, women's health hasn't been taken seriously. Labor is changing that with more choices, lower costs and better health care for women. In Tangney I meet with women who are happy to see these changes, such as new and amended listings on the PBS, more support for women experiencing menopause. As Bree talked to me about postpartum pelvic health and some of the long-term consequences that can happen without it, I reflected on the women in my own family, including my wife and what she went through as she had our own three children. Women's health and postpartum health are so important. Thank you, Bree, for sharing your story. Watters, Mrs Wendy 132 16:40 Mr BIRRELL 288713 Nicholls I rise to pay a tribute to Wendy Watters, who passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Sunday 17 August at Shepparton Private Hospital. Wendy was 90 years of age, having been born in Wangaratta in 1935. She grew up on a dairy farm and understood hard work from a very young age. With husband Lance, they run a thriving electrical business in Shepparton. Wendy also loved politics, and in 1966 she joined the Nationals. And she was still active right up until her passing. During the last campaign, Wendy was in hospital. She called to say that, once discharged, she didn't think she would be up to standing at prepoll, but she offered to help with anything else. She forged great, long-lasting friendships with past members at a state and federal level, including Peter Ross-Edwards, Bruce Lloyd and my predecessor, Damian Drum. It wasn't all politics; Wendy administered to the sick and dying, raised money for countless charities and enjoyed waterskiing, golf and playing bridge. One of Wendy's favourite sayings was, 'God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the strength to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.' Wendy Watters lived a full and wonderful life, and I offer my sincere condolences to her family and many friends. Vale, Wendy. Braddon Electorate: Community Events 132 16:41 Ms URQUHART 231199 Braddon The seaside town of Penguin on Tasmania's north-west coast is turning 150 this year in October. Through the year there have been many events to celebrate this occasion. Penguin was officially proclaimed a town in 1875, although settlers had arrived as early as 1861, drawn to the area by timber and spectacular farmlands. In March, hundreds of us—and I joined in—from all along the coast dressed up in Penguin suits and masks and participated in the Great Penguin Waddle. It was a lot of fun. In April there was the Penguin Egg-Stravaganza, a huge Easter egg hunt, lawn games and painted penguin rookeries from the Antarctica exhibition in Hobart. Coming up in September there are two events: one to celebrate the legacy of the Lette sisters, who were instrumental in the town's early development, and the Penguin Cemetery Walk, to learn about the town's forbears. In October there's a huge street party scheduled, and I'm anticipating going along to that. I want to congratulate the small group of organisers who have very successfully put together the Penguin 150, putting this little piece of paradise on the map and celebrating the 150th birthday of Penguin. Rosebud Hospital 133 16:42 Ms McKENZIE 124514 Flinders I rise to raise the issue of the Rosebud Hospital on the southern Mornington Peninsula again. I have raised it before; I've raised it in the news, I've raised it with my local council, I've raised it with the state opposition and I've raised it with the state government—whose responsibility it is to rebuild it—repeatedly. I have some good news. Last week, Labor MLC Tom McIntosh stood in front of the hospital with a merry bunch of Labor supporters and friends to declare that the Rosebud Hospital is here to stay. He then went on to announce a new public melanoma clinic at Rosebud Hospital, where patients are now able to be seen and treated in the one appointment. 'Yay!' I think, 'That's great!' The Mornington Peninsula has one of the highest rates of melanoma countrywide, and I thanked you, Labor, for this investment—until I read the fine print and realised it's got nothing to do with a new investment and everything to do with Labor's forced merger between Peninsula Health and Alfred Health to make Bayside Health. So, if Rosebud hospital is indeed here to stay, where is the $340 million needed to rebuild it? Right now, that hospital is in a perilous state. The doors are too small for modern hospital beds to navigate, maternity is closed, surgery is closed and the roof collapses from time to time. This is Labor once again making false promises to my community. Own it. Fix it. We have waited long enough. Bowel Cancer 133 16:44 Mr NEUMANN HVO Blair Today I met with a constituent of mine, Ipswich mother-of-three Ann-Marie Foster, who is affected by early-onset bowel cancer. Anne-Marie is in parliament today for the Call on Canberra, Bowel Cancer Australia's annual advocacy event, which is supported by the Parliamentary Friends of Bowel Cancer, of which I'm a member. Australia has the world's highest rates of early-onset bowel cancer—diagnosed in people under 50 years of age—with over 1,700 young Australians diagnosed every year. This is despite the fact that we have a world-class health system. Early-onset patients can take 60 per cent longer to receive a diagnosis, and that results in delays in treatment and poorer outcomes. Ann-Marie was diagnosed in October 2023 and has had to undergo five surgeries and more than 20 gruelling rounds of chemotherapy, with ongoing treatment. Throughout this journey she's become deeply committed to advocating for change and is currently involved in Bowel Cancer Australia's Never2Young campaign, calling for greater investment in primary care, development of age-specific clinical practice guidelines and increased federal funding for research to investigate the causes of early-onset bowel cancer. Sadly, Ann-Marie lost her best friend in February this year at the age of 44 due to the same illness. I want to thank Ann-Marie for sharing her experiences with me today. I wish Anne-Marie and all those like her well. We must do better in this country. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 299498 In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded. PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS 133 PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS Telecommunications 133 16:46 Dr WEBSTER 281688 Mallee I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) regional Australians are subject to ongoing and significant challenges with access to reliable telecommunications coverage, despite many years of government investment and the fast pace of technological advance; (b) regional connectivity is essential to modern life, for business and work, farm productivity, education, healthcare and social connection; (c) many areas of poor mobile phone coverage remain across our regions, and regional Australians face ongoing impediments to their internet and landline voice service access, quality and reliability; (d) the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee (RTIRC) provides three-yearly investigations into the state and needs of telecommunications in regional, rural and remote Australia, as mandated by Part 9B of the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999; (e) the first legislated review with a focus on the regions was in 2000; (f) section 158Q(6) of the Act states that: 'if a report sets out one or more recommendations to the Commonwealth Government: (a) as soon as practicable after receiving the report, the Minister must cause to be prepared a statement setting out the Commonwealth Government's response to the recommendations; and (b) within 6 months after receiving the report, the Minister must cause copies of the statement to be tabled in each House of the Parliament'; and (g) the Government is yet to meet the legislated requirements of the Act in respect of the 2024 RTIRC report which was tabled in December 2024; and (2) calls upon the Minister to respond to and table said response to the recommendations of the 2024 RTIRC report forthwith, in accordance with the requirements of the Act. I rise this afternoon to call out the Albanese Labor government's failure to prioritise action on regional telecommunications. The Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee, RTIRC, report was released in December 2024, and, while there is a legislative requirement for the government to respond to recommendations, of which there are many, within six months, we are yet to hear a peep nine months on. The coalition's form in government in responding to RTIRC reports within the legislative timeframe was far stronger than Labor's, and I hope the government's response to the RTIRC report is not waiting until the universal outdoor mobile obligation, or UOMO legislation, passes parliament. UOMO is by no means a comprehensive solution to shortcomings in regional telecommunications. RTIRC is not tasked with investigating how Australia can best plan for a transition to 6G or ensure sufficient broadband bandwidth to use multiple streaming devices and web based gaming. RTIRC looks at how to make sure regional Australians have a basic level of connectivity to participate in the essentials of life in the 21st century. While connectivity is essential to modern life for safety, business, work, farm productivity, education, health care and social connection, many regions across this vast nation face continuing impediments to their broadband internet and voice service access, quality and reliability, in addition to poor mobile phone coverage. As the shadow minister for regional communications, I want to point to the Nationals, who champion regional connectivity and are committed to working with consumers and the telecommunications sector to design an updated universal service obligation that ensures regional Australians have the connectivity required to enable economic participation and maximise productivity gains, to access high-quality education content and virtual health care and for meaningful social connection. The RTIRC report calls upon the government to expedite universal service modernisation, which includes providing voice-capable broadband services with minimum speeds and standards for all premises; phasing out the copper continuity obligation where and when there is a proven and effective alternative technology; and having a USO that is technology neutral and flexible enough to readily adapt and be relevant to changing needs. The report also calls for system redundancy—namely, that premises without terrestrial mobile coverage can access an affordable secondary broadband service. It is unacceptable that farmers who work out in the paddocks alone all day have no way of letting a loved one know if they've had an accident or a medical event, because they don't have mobile phone coverage, let alone continuous internet access for modern farm technology. It is unacceptable that regional consumers face lengthy delays without an internet connection when a mobile phone tower is being upgraded, where their only form of broadband is via the mobile phone system, with no alternative form of reliable redundancy. Regional people deserve better. Technology is changing at pace, and we must keep abreast of it, harnessing its power to provide meaningful gains for regional Australians, who need it most. An upgraded USO may mean using low-Earth-orbit—LEO—satellite technology for home and commercial broadband and voice connectivity in the bush. It might also mean that LEO satellites provide basic mobile phone connectivity in areas where there is currently none and in places where expanding the terrestrial network is not feasible. We also need to be realistic about what these technological advances look like and the timeframes involved; be aware of what industry is doing or likely to continue to do off its own back because it continues to make commercial sense; and listen to the experience and needs of consumers in the regions, who are often most cognisant of what really will make a difference on the ground. As the shadow minister for regional communications, I call on the government to table a response to this report with haste and to work in good faith with key stakeholders to address the recommendations of this report. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 299498 Is there a seconder for the motion? Ms Aldred 11788 I second the motion and reserve my right to speak. 16:51 Ms TEESDALE 314526 Bass I welcome the opportunity to speak on telecommunications in regional Australia. This is a matter of real importance to the communities that I represent in Bass and across regional, rural and remote Australia. In 2025, telecommunications are absolutely not a luxury; they are an essential service. From a farmer in the Tamar Valley using agtech to monitor water levels to a student in George Town learning online to a mill worker in Branxholm who's connecting to a telehealth appointment, the ability to get that reliable service determines whether people can live, work and thrive within our regions. But, as the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee made clear, too many Australians do still face challenges. The committee conducted more than 20 consultations and received over 300 written submissions and over 3,000 survey responses, an impressive effort—well done. This report has set out 14 recommendations that focus on affordability, mobile capacity, resilience, connectivity literacy and digital inclusion. The committee's work highlights clearly what we already hear on the ground in Bass: mobile network congestion is rising, affordability is a concern and many people are actually unaware of the different connectivity options that are available to them. Tasmania in particular continues to face digital exclusion, with the Australian Digital Inclusion Index ranking our state below the national average on all things—access, affordability and digital ability. TasCOSS have noted that Tasmania also recorded the lowest digital literacy and skill score in the country. We have a lot of work to do. I am pleased that our government, the Albanese Labor government, has made record investments in this space since 2022 through a $1.1 billion Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia. It is the single largest investment in regional communications since the rollout of the NBN. In Bass, this is already making a difference. We've got seven new mobile base stations that have been delivered and two new towers currently underway at Grindelwald and along the West Tamar Highway, along with a further $2.3 million committed. Battery backup systems have been installed at three sites to improve resilience during natural disasters, and in 2026 Tasmania will be the first state to access NBN's low-Earth-orbit satellite service, bringing high speeds and lower latency to communities currently on legacy satellite services. I can speak very clearly to how important this will be. I was having a bit of an adventure when I was working remotely. My car broke down on the Arnhem Highway for two days. I am very lucky that we didn't have a crash. I'm also very lucky that I'm a little bit of a prepper at heart. We had water, food and a satphone. But unfortunately, at that time, if you had run out of data you couldn't actually restore that from your satphone device, so we were completely isolated. Two days on that road in April was really tough. The weather conditions were poor and not a single person drove past. So these low-Earth-orbit-satellite services will help save lives. That is absolutely key. We have a particular area in regional Bass that is notorious for car crashes. It's a dirt road, it is very remote and there is no service. This will save lives, and I'm really excited to see this come about. The government is also committed to responding formally to the RTIRC report, in line with the telecommunications act 1999. While the timeline has been affected by the 2025 federal election and caretaker period, the minister has made clear that the recommendations remain under active consideration. It's a matter of process and not neglect, and the government response will reflect the seriousness and thoroughness of the committee's work. Importantly, telecommunications policy is not just about infrastructure; it's also about confidence and inclusion. People need to know what services are available, how to us them and how to stay connected. That is why programs like the Regional Tech Hub, community wi-fi initiatives and connectivity literacy training are essential, alongside the infrastructure investment. Telecommunications are vital for regional prosperity, safety and participation. I thank the committee for its work, I commend the Minister for Communications for her leadership and I look forward to continuing to work with my community and the government to ensure that every corner of Bass and every corner of regional and remote Australia is connected and ready for the future. 16:56 Ms ALDRED 11788 Monash Regional communications and digital connectivity are critical issues for my electorate of Monash, and I commend my Victorian colleague the member for Mallee for her very strong advocacy and efforts to promote these issues. I am passionate about securing better mobile connectivity and communications infrastructure in Monash. The coalition walks the talk on this. The Albanese Labor government does not. During the recent election I was joined by the Leader of the Opposition, Sussan Ley, in Korumburra to announce a commitment of $3 million to address mobile black spots across South Gippsland, West Gippsland and Bass Coast. Of course I'm disappointed that the coalition is not in government to deliver this. You don't need to go far to know why this commitment had such major support right across my electorate. I spoke to the local florist in Korumburra—a fantastic business, by the way—about her challenges talking to customers placing orders and having the phone drop out. Everyone in South Gippsland knows that, when you leave Korumburra heading to Leongatha, nine times out of 10 if you're on the phone it will drop out just past the timber yard as you leave town. Although, it seems to happen to me 10 times out of 10. Mobile connectivity is a major challenge for small businesses, families and community organisations right across my electorate and beyond, and it's something that I believe needs to be addressed as a major national challenge. Unfortunately, regional Australia too often finds itself in Labor's no-care zone. It's something I have a long-term track record of advocating for in my electorate. Over a decade ago, when I was CEO of the Committee for Gippsland, I initiated one of the first Gippsland digital connectivity master plans to map out major mobile black spot and digital connectivity challenges. The gap between metropolitan and regional Australia is widening, not closing, on critical infrastructure under this Labor government. Connectivity is a prime example. Even the OECD agrees. Last week the OECD released its report Closing broadband connectivity divides for all: from evidence to practice, and the findings are stark. While this government loves to talk a big game on its NBN performance, the OECD findings have a different take. In fact, they are particularly critical of the growing discrepancy between metro and rural broadband performance. There is still a lack of reliable high-speed infrastructure in many parts of regional Australia. We're not just talking about access here. Regional Australians have a right to demand metrics based on quality in digital and communication infrastructure as well. This means talking about not just where a property is technically able to access a service; it should be able to count on a benchmark of other metrics as well, including speed and consistency in connectivity. One of the points the OECD makes very well in its report is that Australia is one of a group of countries that, whilst having extensive networks of broadband, is still struggling with the challenge of equality of access in regional areas. There could be no clearer message to this government in this report. The coalition is on a mission to eliminate mobile black spots from regional Australia, and I know how much advocacy and effort my good colleague the member for Mallee has invested on this front. Under the former coalition government, 1,295 mobile black spots were funded to provide improved mobile coverage for communities to stay connected, access essential services like health and education, and conduct business. I know how important this is for small business owners especially. We won't stop there, because on this side of the Chamber we appreciate that much of Australia's wealth is generated in regional Australia. To continue to grow, make and manufacture goods and services the rest of Australia and, indeed, many parts of the world rely on us for, we need to be connected. The Albanese Labor government is holding regional Australia back through its lack of investment and proper support for digital connectivity. It is disconnecting us from a stronger, better future. I have no hesitation in saying on this front that regional Australia deserves so much better. 17:02 Mr MATT SMITH 312393 Leichhardt I rise to speak on the motion moved by the member for Mallee regarding telecommunications. I couldn't agree more with the member; communication remains essential to rural and regional communities. For too many electorates such as mine, the digital revolution has been less of a revolution and more of a passive-aggressive email—at least, it would be if email were available. The lack of mobile and internet coverage across regional and remote communities is stymieing opportunity, creating negative health outcomes, making education harder to deliver and creating a safety issue on remote roads and for women fleeing DV scenarios. In too many communities, the second you are 800 metres out of town, the coverage drops out. In the trips I take up the cape, I know when I'm approaching town again as my phone starts pinging. Whilst I personally enjoy a few hours of solitude as I drive through my electorate, my enjoyment does not outweigh other people's safety or opportunity. These problems are not new. Connectivity has always been an issue for Leichhardt. In fact, 97 per cent of the electorate of Leichhardt is without coverage. The cape is one of the great bucket list experiences traversed by tens of thousands of grey nomads yearly, and there is no mobile connection for them to call for help should something happen halfway between Coen and Weipa. There are a lot of very big animals on that road, especially at dawn and dusk, and, frankly, they are pretty cocky and do not necessarily yield to cars. A couple of years ago, I was caught on the wrong side of the river as the monsoon set in, with no coverage and not enough fuel to get back where I came from. With no coverage, I couldn't call for help. The road behind me was already cut off, so nobody was coming. I had to make some decisions that day that I would prefer not to have to make again. Even between Cairns and Babinda, Cairns and Mareeba or Cairns and Port Douglas, reception drops out in certain places. These are major communities all within an hour of the 15th largest city in the country. Country people know where the coverage ends almost to the exact bend on the road. For too long, people from the bush have been forced to accept substandard reception with no choice of providers. I used to actually enjoy it when, in a past life, my managers would join me on some cape trips and their phones would stop working because they were with the wrong telco that had no footprint in the Torres Strait or the cape. For all the complaints about Labor not caring about the regions, I do feel obliged to remind the member and all those opposite that we are taking action to improve communication access. Those opposite had 10 years to act and delivered very little, but Labor has been working since day one of government to help regional areas. While the coalition put connectivity for regional areas into the too-hard basket, those of us in government know the hard work must be done to help connect regional Australia. They beat about the bush, but when the time comes to actually take a stand, nothing happens. I guess we could take a look at the mess of the NBN to know they are either unwilling or unable to improve connectivity. A decade—that's how long they had to get this done. My daughter Sienna was five when they came to power, and now she's driving and about to finish high school. It's like a song stuck on repeat. Of course the regions matter. But you would think, instead of just saying it over and over again, those opposite would rather take action and actually get help to the regions. You bet I'll be working to deliver better connectivity to my region. In fact, in one term and three months of the Albanese government, Labor has delivered more than those 10 years did. There is free community wi-fi in Pormpuraaw, Kowanyama and Hope Vale, improving education and health outcomes. The macro base cell station at Kuranda is being built right now. I was very proud to become part of an Albanese Labor government which, prior to the last election, committed to bringing coverage to all of Leichhardt. Not bits; not just the towns—all. And that's not to mention the millions invested in black-spot funding, improving the NBN or better protecting phone and internet customers. Children living in the bush have the same right to education, health, security and safety—and this is what connectivity can bring. You'd think that's what those opposite might want to focus on, but instead they're intent on driving us straight towards a climate crisis with more expensive power and fewer regional jobs. The former member for Leichhardt was a warrior for his, and now, my electorate. He was repaid with indifference from the leadership of the LNP, as opportunity after opportunity slipped us by, and they took the regions for granted. But not us—we will meet the problem where it lies, invest in these communities and give them a chance to thrive. Communication in the bush has always been a challenge, but it appears only one side wants to act on it. 17:06 Dr HAINES 282335 Indi Every three years, the federal government conducts a regional telecommunications infrastructure review. Its purpose is simple: to assess the quality of phone and internet infrastructure and services across regional Australia. It assesses what's working, where the gaps are and what needs fixing. Poor phone and internet connection is one of the top issues I hear about from my constituents and one of the top issues I have worked on since I came to this parliament. So I thank the member for Mallee for this motion. In Indi, we've made great progress delivering more than 65 new or upgraded mobile phone towers since 2013. That makes us the most successful electorate in Victoria, and that didn't happen by chance; that happened by solid, hard, consistent work. It's real progress, but there's so much more to be done. The federal government has a responsibility to ensure regional communities have access to stable, affordable high-speed telecommunications. Our regions simply cannot afford second-rate services. Poor telecommunications are a barrier to prosperity, a handbrake on productivity and create significant challenges for our communities in times of emergency. In May last year, I was glad to welcome the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee to Benalla, in my electorate. In the morning, mayors and CEOs from across Indi's nine local governments joined me for a roundtable discussion with the committee. We were able to share our concerns directly and robustly. Later in the day, a public meeting was held at the Benalla town hall, with more than 50 local people turning up to share their stories. One clear message emerged, and that is that there's a lot more to be done. I was determined to make a submission that would meaningfully shift the dial and reflect what my community was saying. My submission to the review contained nine recommendations based on local experience and solid community input. My submission was informed by meetings of the Indi Telecommunications Advisory Group, a consultative group of nine local governments, telco representatives and community members—and a group that I pulled together following the great example from my predecessor, Cathy McGowan, who set up the same type of group. Time and time again, ITAG has shown that when we work together we get results. When the regional telecommunications review report was published in late 2024, the recommendations reflected several of my own, which I was extremely glad to see. So I am now calling on the Albanese government to respond to that report and lay out its plan for the next three years. We can't wait until the next fire or flood to build resilience—we must act now. A great local example is in Jamieson, where the STAND program supported the installation of a community energy node at the memorial hall. In an emergency, the hall can now offer satellite internet and power backup for several days. This keeps the community connected, long after the power goes out. My recommendation to the government is simple: replicate this model right across Australia. Another key recommendation that I took to the election was the need for more generators and batteries to provide backup to mobile phone towers when the power goes out. I have put forward a policy, costed by the Parliamentary Budget Office, to install 24-hour power backup at mobile phone towers in high-bushfire-risk areas. I hope the government and the opposition will support this practical and cost-effective policy which the committee backed. Affordability is another issue, and I simply don't accept that a regional internet tax is the price we must pay for living outside of the major cities. The regional internet tax comes in many forms. It's businesses that miss out on sales because EFTPOS machines drop out of connections; it's farmers forced to buy expensive signal boosters just so they can run the farm using modern technology; it's parents who struggle to work from home because the internet can't handle online meetings. This unfair burden falls onto regional Australians just because of where they live. It's not right, and I'm disappointed that affordability was not a focus of the government's review. I am encouraged, however, by the NBN's recent announcement that it will offer satellite internet at affordable rates to regional Australians. This is encouraging. It's a development I was glad to see, and I was glad to meet with NBN directly to discuss this promising development. The government has a quality review before it, with robust recommendations that would make a real benefit to regional Australia. Implement these recommendations, make us safer and unlock significant economic potential and productivity gains. The government have been sitting on this review now for over six months, so it's time they stood up, responded and laid out their plan for regional telecommunications over this term of parliament, built on the solid progress made in the last three years and demonstrated that regional communities matter. 17:11 Ms CHESTERS 249710 Bendigo I'm pleased to rise to speak on this motion because it gives me an opportunity to share with people and to talk about our government's plan for the universal outdoor mobile obligation. Now I forgive those opposite if they've missed this, but this is a critical step that our government is taking to make sure every Australian has access to mobiles. It comes as no surprise to any of us that represent regional electorates that, right now, approximately 30 per cent of Australia's landmass receives outdoor mobile service—meaning 70 per cent don't. There are around five million square kilometres of Australia that are currently without coverage, where there is also no access to triple 0. This is today, in 2025. Despite all the advances of technology, this is where we're at. Our government is the first government to be taking action. I'm actually genuinely talking about a universal outdoor mobile phone obligation. It is us talking about it, not the previous government who had 10 years to talk about it and act. Instead it has fallen to a Labor government to take action. The universal outdoor mobile obligation will enable, for the first time, baseline outdoor mobile connectivity across Australia. The UOMO will require Telstra, Optus and TPG to provide access to outdoor mobile, SMS and voice across Australia. They will be expected to leverage their existing mobile networks, as well as new low-Earth-orbit satellites, using direct-to-device technology. The government is working to introduce legislation as soon as possible, subject to the development of the satellite network. The obligation will be expected to commence in late 2027. That is what we're doing. Within two years, we are saying that we hope to have, for the very first time in our country, the universal outdoor mobile obligation—not in a motion, not as chatter, not to be shut down by the Liberals in the coalition party room. It's a Labor government that is delivering. Our government is engaging closely and constructively with industry to develop the legislation and the plan for implementation. This reform is vital. It is a vital safety net for communities, as we have heard from the member for Leichhardt and the member for Bass, and even in areas of my own electorate. It will ensure that, all across Australia, people will have access to free calls to triple 0, not to mention the ability to do their day-to-day work. Introduction of the legislation sends a very clear message to the market that the government wants to see day-to-day services delivered in Australia, and we want strong and competitive markets to provide the best experience for end users. This is just one of the many telecommunication messes that our government is cleaning up from the previous coalition government—the mess to the NBN. Far too many of our regional towns received fibre to the node, trying to rely on out-of-date, broken copper to receive communication and internet. It just didn't work. In my own electorate of Bendigo, our government is completing the job, rolling out more fibre to the curb as we speak, to ensure all of our households can connect to fast, reliable internet, critical for the businesses that might be on more urbanised streets and for schoolchildren and university students, as well as those who might be working from home. Let's also not forget the mess of the Mobile Black Spot Program rolled out by those opposite. It was clunky, it didn't improve connectivity and it was quite biased in where it was allocated. Whilst I acknowledge that we did receive some upgrades in my electorate during their time in government, it rarely actually increased coverage. That was what the Auditor-General's report found. What we have done has started to improve that by doing our own audit to discover where the real black spots are. That will be the foundation of where we allocate future funding. There are so many programs that our government is rolling out to improve connectivity in the bush. From the pump to the on-farm scheme to improvements to the mobile black spot scheme to the universal obligation that I have outlined, our government is getting on with ensuring regions are connected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 299498 The time allotted for this debate has expired Mental Health 139 17:16 Ms COFFEY 312323 Griffith The towns of Kiama and Gerringong on the New South Wales South Coast are simply stunning, with incredible beaches and surrounded by rolling farmland and pristine rainforest. Local families enjoy surfing, bushwalking and making the most of everything our spectacular region has to offer. The community is close-knit, with music festivals, cultural groups, very active surf lifesaving clubs, great schools and loads of sporting and community organisations. It's the kind of laid-back, fun-loving beachside community where you want to raise your kids. So you can imagine the utter devastation in 2020 when a number of much-loved young people took their own lives in Gerringong and Kiama. People in the community were rocked to the core, but they wrapped their arms around the families, friends and students. It was then, in 2020, that I joined with our community to campaign to establish a headspace facility to support the young people in Kiama and surrounding villages. I spoke with kids, local schools and amazing community groups about what was needed and set about lobbying for a headspace service on their behalf. It wasn't easy, with a new centre opened at Shellharbour and an established headspace at Nowra, but I wasn't going to give up the fight until we won—and we did. I was so thrilled when headspace Kiama officially opened its doors in October 2024, and I am delighted to say it's having a massive impact on the lives of our young people in Kiama, Gerringong and surrounding areas. Cutting the green ribbon alongside the young people of Kiama, who helped to shape this essential service, was a fabulous celebration. It also recognised the resilience of a community that has had to bear way too much loss. Headspace Kiama manager Charro and his fantastic team have embraced our youth, and they're providing mental health support as well as sexual health and drug and alcohol services and helping young people reach their work and study goals. Opening headspace Kiama is one of my proudest achievements as the federal member for Gilmore. The youth of Kiama, Nowra and Batemans Bay now have access to essential mental health support at three of the 89 headspace services helping people aged 12 to 24 across regional Australia thanks to the Albanese Labor government. Many people in my region are still reeling from the catastrophic Black Summer bushfires, from drought, from a string of floods and storms and of course from the challenges of the COVID pandemic, which is why I'm delighted to have opened the doors of two new adult mental health facilities in my electorate. People across the Eurobodalla now have access to free walk-in mental health support and care with the opening of a Medicare mental health centre at Moruya in December 2024. The centre provides on-the-spot support for people in distress and ongoing care for more complex mental health needs. It's staffed by a multidisciplinary care team, including social workers, nurses and peer support workers, who provide free wraparound support and care for people when they need it. The Moruya centre is a welcoming, friendly space that caters for the health needs of the local community and it will take pressure off the local hospital emergency departments. I'm thrilled that the recently opened mental health hub in Nowra will also soon be expanded to a full Medicare mental health centre. This means Shoalhaven locals will also have access to free walk-in mental health support and care when they need it, including access to psychologists and psychiatrists. These centres will improve access to, and awareness of, mental health care, especially for people who haven't accessed mental health support before. These are such important and needed services for the South Coast region, and I hope that everyone who walks through the doors at Nowra or Moruya finds the support they need without worrying about the cost. The two Medicare mental health centres in Gilmore are among 91 that will be operating across the country thanks to a $1 billion investment by the Albanese Labor government. And Gilmore's three headspace services will be bolstered by 58 new or expanded headspace services nationally, plus 20 youth specialist care centres for young people with complex needs. Whether people young or old need short-term help or ongoing care, we will ensure that a free mental health service backed by Medicare will be there for everyone. 17:22 Mr MATT SMITH 312393 Leichhardt We know that mental health outcomes in the regions are different to those in the cities. That can come from different pressures and from different sorts of services. My region in particular has struggled under the weight of some mental health issues over the last few years as a result of natural disasters. What we found is quite interesting. From the initial damage or disaster, people got on with their lives as long as they had something to do: 'What is the next task? What is the next process? Do I have to clean up my house? Do I have to find the dog? Do I have to talk to my insurance company?' It wasn't until after the event—six months after the event on average—when the mental health issues really started to come to the forefront. It's this sort of understanding, coming from these events, that the Anthony Albanese Labor government is really seeking to get a handle on. That is why, when the disaster funding was released, a portion of that was set aside to understand the human cost of these disasters. Ultimately, it's not just businesses, it's not just homes and it's not just roads. They can be rebuilt. The question is: what is the mental health toll going to be like? Many young people from Holloways Beach are still living in hotels, which is not a great outcome, particularly for teenagers as they're going through years 11 and 12. The entire town of Wujal Wujal was removed and then replaced, and we're still working with them. So I'm very proud of the work that the Anthony Albanese Labor government has put into the mental health space. Cairns is getting its headspace upgraded; we're getting our own Medicare mental health clinic to help assist with these things as they happen and to get a better understanding for our next lot of natural disasters. 17:24 Ms CLAYDON 248181 Newcastle I am delighted to rise in support of this motion put forward by the fabulous member for Griffith. When it comes to mental health, we know there is no health without it. Every single one of us knows somebody—a friend, a colleague, a neighbour, a family member—who has struggled. For too long mental health has been treated as an afterthought, but under Labor that is changing. We know that access to affordable, timely mental health support can be life changing and lifesaving. That's why the Albanese Labor government is making the biggest investment in mental health care that Newcastle has ever seen. At the election, our government made a historic $1.1 billion commitment to deliver new and expanded mental health services. For Novocastrians, we're delivering a brand new Medicare mental health centre in Charlestown. This will provide fully bulk-billed, walk-in mental healthcare services—no referral and no cost. It means people can get help when they need it without worrying about how to pay for it. Importantly, Charlestown isn't the only one. This centre is part of a national network of 91 Medicare mental health centres, all providing free professional mental health care across the country. The centres are designed for people who need more than a GP but are not in crisis. They fill a critical gap in our system, ensuring help is there before people hit breaking point. On top of that, we've announced the expansion of Newcastle's headspace into a headspace Plus, a service designed specifically for young people aged 12 to 25 who need extra support. We know how tough it has been for young people through COVID, with cost-of-living pressures and the day-to-day pressures of growing up. These investments are about breaking down barriers—barriers of cost, barriers of stigma and barriers of access—because mental health care should never depend on the size of your wallet or your postcode. Labor are stepping up because we believe every Australian deserves the right to high-quality mental health care close to home. That's why we've also committed to opening a network of 20 youth specialist care centres for young people with complex needs. We've established the Medicare mental health phone line and website, helping Australians to find a free service that is right for them. We've established perinatal mental health centres to provide support for new parents. We've restored bulk-billed telehealth psychiatry Medicare rebates so that Australians living outside metropolitan areas get equal access to clinical mental health support. We've expanded the mental health workforce with more than 4,000 psychology scholarships, internships and training places. From January next year, we're rolling out our new National Early Intervention Service, which will deliver free mental health phone and online support from trained professionals and is expected to support 150,000 people each year. These services will save lives, they will strengthen families and they will make our community a healthier and more compassionate place to live. Let's keep fighting for a future where help is simple, stigma free and affordable for everyone who needs it. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 299498 The time allocated for this debate has expired. Police Week 140 17:28 Mr LLEW O'BRIEN 265991 Wide Bay I move: That this House: (1) notes that Police Week commences on 13 September 2025 with the 16th Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance, and concludes on National Police Remembrance Day, which will be commemorated on 29 September 2025; (2) acknowledges the role and service of police officers in communities across Australia, their work in protecting people, communities and property, and the risk and sacrifice that is associated with their service; (3) honours the lives of those police officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the course of their duty, as well as those police officers who have suffered injuries in the course of their work; (4) conveys its respects and condolences to the families, loved ones and colleagues of police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty; (5) commends the work of Police Legacy, which provides care and comfort to the loved ones of fallen police officers; and (6) reaffirms its support for police and thanks police officers for their courage and dedicated service to keeping Australian communities safe. It's a great honour for me, as a former Queensland police officer of 16 years, to move this private member's motion and speak about the wonderful police officers who serve us every day, protecting our communities, and to also highlight and bring to the attention of parliament that on 13 September Police Week starts, and on 29 September we pause to remember those who paid the ultimate price and lost their lives in the line of duty on Police Remembrance Day. When you swear your oath of service as a police officer, you swear to do the job ethically and professionally, to keep the peace and to preserve property and life. You know that you could be called upon at any time to do that, under very extreme circumstances. I think there are probably not too many events that highlight that more than 13 April last year in Bondi. When Inspector Amy Scott started her shift that day, no doubt she would have put on her accoutrements, she would have loaded her weapon and she would have hoped for the best but prepared for the worst. And the worst is what she ended up having to deal with when she was on foot patrol, alone, that afternoon and she was called to the Bondi Junction Westfield, where a mentally ill man had committed a rampage of death, stabbing six people to death and injuring 12 others. Inspector Scott ran towards that danger with the greatest amount of courage and professionalism. She eliminated that threat in the way that she was trained to do, no doubt saving more lives in doing so. But, once she did that, she rendered help to the person that she had to engage. She should be held up as a role model, and her actions on that day were courageous and showed incredible strength of character. Unfortunately, there are people out there who wish to cause police harm. In the past year, we've seen three officers lose their lives as a result of people trying to harm them. On 16 June this year, in North Motton, in Tasmania, Constable Keith Smith lost his life when he was shot and killed on duty. And, as we've all recently heard, on 26 August this year, at Porepunkah in Victoria, Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart were shot and killed in the line of duty. My deepest condolences go to their families and their colleagues, who are no doubt devastated by that loss. There are people in society, and there always have been, who enjoy the freedoms and the protections that are hard fought for in our liberal democracy but who believe they are above the law; they operate outside the law to the detriment of others. They believe the rule of law doesn't apply to them, and they are un-Australian. They are cowards and, unfortunately, I think they are becoming more frequent. Whether they are political extremists on both ends of the spectrum, whether they are organised crime or whether they are so-called sovereign citizens, they are not true Australians; they are cowards. Our police officers will be there to address these threats and they will do it fairly and in accordance with the law. But they will do it on behalf of every good Australian. This Police Week, and on Police Remembrance Day, I ask that all Australians stop and consider the great job that our police do for us every day they put on that uniform, every day they go out and represent every good citizen in society, and every day they chance themselves being in some of the most dangerous and dire circumstances on behalf of the people that they serve. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 299498 Is there a seconder for the motion? 17:33 Mr DAVID SMITH 276714 Bean I rise with a sense of sadness and resolution to speak to this motion. I thank the member for Wide Bay for introducing this motion and acknowledge his service as a police officer before coming into this place. I'd also like to acknowledge the work I've undertaken with him and the member for Tangney as the leaders of the Parliamentary Friends of Policing. I also recognise the member for Cowper and thank him for his service. For me, the three years I've spent representing AFP members have been amongst the most memorable and transformative in my career. Police Week this year commences on 13 September and culminates with National Police Remembrance Day on 29 September. Later this week, we will recognise the Police Bravery Awards. Police Week and the National Police Memorial Day afford us an opportunity to reflect upon and remember the importance of policing and the sacrifices that those we trust to protect us must sometimes make. For reasons that are entirely clear, the weight of this feels almost unbearable this year. Each year, in connection with National Police Remembrance Day, we gather at the National Police Memorial across Lake Burley Griffin from here. On the simple yet poignant wall of that memorial is inscribed the names of the police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, who gave their lives in the protection of their communities. Now we will see the addition of two more names to that sacred wall: Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, alongside Constable Keith Smith. These officers were shot in cold blood in the course of doing their duty, serving a warrant on a dangerous offender in regional Victoria. I pay tribute to those fallen officers as well as those injured. I also pay tribute to the bravery of the officers on the scene who acted with such courage and selflessness. I extend that tribute to those officers who, as we speak, are engaged in the dangerous and treacherous mission to bring the violent and ruthless offender to justice. The deep sorrow and shock felt at this terrible crime is felt most deeply by the family and loved ones of the officers in question. They leave grieving families, but also the loss is immense for their colleagues. The entire community they served will feel the impact of this atrocity. In thinking about this speech and National Police Remembrance Day, I recalled a contribution made by the member for Wide Bay in the House on 15 December 2022 after the murder of Constable Rachel McCrow and Constable Matthew Arnold at Wieambilla in Queensland. The member said, reflecting on his own response as a former police officer to that terrible violence: You're a part of the community. You keep order. You help people. They rely on you and you rely on them. That's policing in Australia, and I think that is part of why this has struck so deep. Attacks like this, they attack the very fabric of who we are. That is the crux of this outrage. It's not just simply an attack by a criminal on police; it's an attack on who we are. An attack on those meant to protect us is an attack on all of us. It is an attack on Australia. It is sad and emotional that this Police Week carries enhanced meaning because of this terrible violence and loss of life. I'd like to recognise the member for Richmond, who has just come into the Chamber, and her service to her community. To the families of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, I offer my deepest and most sincere condolences. There is nothing I nor anyone else can say that will take away your pain, but I can say with confidence that this House, this parliament and the entire nation stand with you in this time of grief. I say to my colleagues here, as lawmakers and leaders, let us work together to ensure that future National Police Remembrance Days are occasions of reflection and remembrance and not raw grief. Let us work together to ensure that gratuitous violence like this does not occur again. 17:38 Mr CONAGHAN 279991 Cowper I am very pleased to rise and speak on this motion filed by the member for Wide Bay on Police Week. I'm very proud to stand here because in the room we have the member for Wide Bay, the member for Hinkler, the member for Richmond, myself and the member for Tangney; the member for Latrobe is not here. We all served. I'm proud that this government can have people with experience in the police to bring that experience and make those decisions. I thank you all for your service. All members of the police force take an oath to protect and serve. As a former police officer myself, I know we proudly wear the uniform in order to keep our communities safe. We know the risks. We know how difficult the job can be. But I can honestly say that my 12 years in the police force provided me with some of my best memories. The camaraderie of my friends, my fellow men and women in blue, and the satisfaction when you know you've locked up a crook who has committed an offence, the fact that you've protected a victim and prevented further suffering in the community, is something only police officers can understand. Having said that, equally the job provided some of my worst memories, our worst memories. We were faced with unimaginable scenes and personal accounts that ripped away any rose-coloured glasses. There is stress in knowing that any failure on your part, whether it's putting together a brief of evidence or a prosecution, has the potential to negatively impact lives and livelihoods. We suffer the loss of brave colleagues whose lives were taken by the job or because of the job after they left the service. On 13 September current and former police officers from every state will commence the Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance, an inaugural journey that begins in each capital city and concludes here in Canberra at the National Police Memorial. The event is open to serving and retired police officers. They will travel in convoy by motorcycle to Canberra and arrive at the National Police Memorial, a journey made in honour of our fallen colleagues right across the country. I'd like to acknowledge the event organisers, entering into their 16th year. I know the member for Wide Bay has been doing it for a number of years now. Recently, the sad results in Porepunkah, Victoria, mean two new names will be added to that memorial: Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, tragically killed in the line of duty. I'd like to acknowledge their families, their friends. I know that your communities will embrace you with the compassion and support you need. I've been through the exact same thing, with two of my colleagues killed in Crescent Head, now 30 years ago. With that, I thank all sworn and unsworn members of our police forces around the nation for your service. What is seen cannot be unseen. What is heard cannot be unheard. Thank you for getting up every single day and bearing witness to sometimes horrific events so that others do not have to. Thank you for your personal sacrifices. I can promise you that they do not go unnoticed. Thanks must also go to your families and loved ones for their own sacrifices. Every day you head out on the job, it's your families and loved ones who pray for your safe return ,who worry if texts go unanswered, who witness the impact of a bad day on you. They carry the burden and knowledge that you are serving others. While you willingly signed up to serve, your families are conscripted, and they deserve our collective acknowledgement. Finally, I'd like to acknowledge the work of police legacy and their important role in family and community support. Your compassion and care is invaluable, and we are lucky to have you. To all the members, thank you for your service. 17:43 Mr LIM 300130 Tangney Thank you, Member for Wide Bay, for this motion. As a police officer who spent almost 16 years in WA Police Force, I want to share with you what it's like to be on the front lines. You may already know about the long shifts, about how we kit up in our uniform and accoutrements and then head out onto the streets with a job list that never ends. Maybe you can imagine that this job is intense, heartbreaking and overwhelming, but, unless you are a police officer, you can't understand that, even on these most difficult jobs, you don't have a choice. It's your duty. You have to stay and you have to be there. I retired from the WA Police Force when I was elected as the federal member for Tangney. But being a police officer does not leave me; it still stays with me. I can drive by a tree and remember a body I retrieved from that same tree—or from a public toilet, from a bus stop or from a road. I can still feel and smell it. This work stays in our minds forever. National Police Remembrance Day is important to honour the police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty—police officers who were just doing their jobs and have been killed. The loss deeply hits our police brothers and sisters everywhere. We can never forget, because they are part of us. I pay tribute to my two police officer brothers who recently lost their lives in the line of duty and to my police officer brother who is injured. I send my condolences and my sorrow to their families, friends, communities and all police brothers and sisters. My thoughts are also with police officers across Australia who are struggling with or who have lost their lives to injury or mental health. Through this day of remembrance, I hope that the public can appreciate the work done by our good police officers out there. They are there 24 hours a day, seven days a week, never resting. They do their job well to protect us and our community. The scars stay long after we hand in our badges. I was speaking to a Tangney constituent who is also a former police officer, and I said, 'Peter, I have had four operations from this job—my back, my knee, my shoulder and my wrist.' The scar is still here. And he replied, 'Sam, I've had six.' Being a police officer was my childhood dream. It is still the dream of many young children. If we want it to keep being a childhood dream, we need to ensure that police officers are well supported, not only when they are active police officers but also in their retirement. I have lost colleagues to work related stress. When they go home, they don't have the energy to take care of their own families, or they try but they burn out, collapse and their family falls apart too. When police officers are in dangerous situations, we don't think for ourselves. We think about how to protect the victims and how to get the job done. We do not know what dangers await us at each and every job. These days, when I drive home from work on the same road I once sped down with my lights and sirens on, I start to think: 'Wow, I was driving so fast. I am lucky there were no cars coming from the left or from the right.' Today I see the risk I took as a police officer. I want the public to know that police officers take this risk every day for us. I want my police brothers and sisters to know that, if you are struggling, please reach out to someone or reach out to my office. Thank you for everything you do for our community to keep us safe. 17:48 Mr BATT 315478 Hinkler I rise to support the motion moved by the member for Wide Bay and fellow former Queensland police officer, Llew O'Brien. I am honoured to speak after all the others who have spoken in this chamber from all sides of the parliament who either have been police officers or are supporting police right across Australia. I note that Police Week will be held across Australia this month and will conclude on National Police Remembrance Day, on Monday 29 September 2025. I begin by expressing my sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues mourning the tragic and senseless deaths of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, murdered in the line of duty. They were two respected police officers killed in Porepunkah, Victoria. One was a keen traveller on secondment and the other was a senior colleague nearing retirement. At times of tragedy, we throw assistance around those who need it most, and so we should, but we must give police officers more support all the time, every day. Those who are serving and those who have served deserve better. Being a police officer at any level is a tough job, and it's getting harder. The thin blue line is getting thinner. I spent 23 years as a copper. In my time in the Queensland Police Service, I served in uniform and as a detective. Recognising the hardships of those I worked alongside, I became a police union representative for a 14-year period. I also volunteered as a peer support officer for over 10 years, helping officers and their families in times of need. Close friends of mine have lost their lives. A former partner, while conducting a raid, was accidentally shot by a police firearm. His life was lost. In a shooting in my home town of Bundaberg, an armed suspect died. Police officers have to live with that trauma. Yes, I have friends, colleagues, who have taken their own lives while serving, and also those who haven't been able to deal with the memories that haunted them years after they left the force. Today I renew calls for a parliamentary inquiry into the police recruitment and retention crisis because if there is no swift action, more lives will be lost. How on Earth will we attract anyone to join that thin blue line? When the Police Federation of Australia calls for fringe benefit tax concessions for police officers, we must listen. When there are proposals put forward to consider the introduction of a blue card to cover medical and allied health services like the ones afforded to members of the Australian Defence Force, we must assess. When there are requests for early access to superannuation for police officers, recognising the significant physical and mental demands placed on them throughout their careers, we must give this the consideration it deserves. I don't want to lose any more friends. In addition, while I have the privilege of being able to speak in this chamber on behalf of police officers from across Australia and their families and friends, I believe we should take another important step. The parliamentary inquiry should include a full review of police suicides of serving and retired officers across Australia. Let us find a way to invest properly in mental health support for police, and not only while they are serving; let's have meaningful support services and networks in place once they have left the force. In support of the motion from the federal member for Wide Bay, I also take this opportunity to commend the work of Police Legacy. I had a great friend and mentor who was taken too soon, Peter Edwards, a detective sergeant from the Bundaberg criminal investigation branch. Peter died from a brain tumour. He left behind four children and his wife, Debbie. While his colleagues, as they always do, wrap their arms around Pete's family, it was Police Legacy that assisted his family with financial support, even helping with school and university fees for all four of his children. I support the call to acknowledge the role and service of police officers in our communities. Let us honour the lives of those police officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and not forget those who have suffered injury. To the police officers keeping us safe in my electorate of Hinkler and right across this nation, thank you for your support, courage and bravery. Thank you for your dedicated service. We must do better for you. I have been to far too many police funerals. Let's make a difference now before it's too late. 17:53 Mrs ELLIOT DZW Richmond I too rise to speak on the private member's motion on Police Week put forward by the member for Wide Bay. I note his and indeed all the speakers' commitment to honouring those police who have lost their lives in the line of duty and the shared commitment of all members of parliament in honouring that. All Australians were deeply saddened and heartbroken by the tragic events that unfolded in Victoria last week. On Tuesday we learnt that two Victorian police officers, Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, were cruelly and senselessly killed in the line of duty. I honour these officers, recognise their dedication and courage, and share in the grief felt right across our nation. I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the families of these officers as well as the entire police family. Police officers understand the risks they face every time they put their uniforms on. They know these risks can have an absolutely devastating impact, yet, despite this, police show up. They show up during the darkest moments in people's lives, and they do what needs to be done. In Victoria, these families have faced the worst nightmare imaginable: the fear that someone they know who is so dedicated and so selfless could be taken from them so suddenly. The families of the two Victorian police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty and another who was seriously injured are now enduring a form of grief that no-one should ever have to face. Our thoughts are also with the emergency services who responded to this unthinkable crime, and our hearts go out to the families, friends and colleagues of all those officers. Of course, this tragedy underscores the significance of Police Week 2025, which begins across Australia on Saturday 13 September with the 16th annual Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance. On Monday 29 September, we will observe National Police Remembrance Day, and on that day we honour the men and women of the service who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Together we must ensure that their legacies are preserved. As a former police officer, I have seen firsthand, as I know have many of my colleagues who are former police officers, the challenges, complexities and confronting situations that officers face daily whilst serving their communities. Police are often called to dangerous and traumatic incidents, including fatalities and horrific tragedies. Indeed, these challenges are especially pronounced in regional areas and close-knit communities, like mine on the New South Wales far north coast. Police Remembrance Day is a time for all of us to reflect on the very real risks our officers face every day. It is a moment to honour the lives and memories of those who lost their lives, tragically cut short whilst protecting others. It is a very solemn and deeply important day for police officers, their loved ones and the wider police family. I also pay tribute to the enduring work of Police Legacy, an incredible organisation that provides support to police legatees across the nation. Police Legacy was set up to provide support, services and financial assistance to the families of police officers who pass away, whether it's on or off duty, whatever the circumstances may be. The services and programs led by Police Legacy are designed to meet the needs of those they support and provide specialist care to ensure that legatees do not face grief, bereavement and life challenges alone. I also wish to acknowledge the tireless efforts of all police associations, unions and the Police Federation of Australia, who work to represent and support Australian police officers. In my electorate of Richmond, I acknowledge all our local police, who serve and protect our community. I know firsthand the outstanding work they do. On Police Remembrance Day, I encourage everyone locally and across the country to take a moment to reflect on the vital role police officers play in all of our communities across all of our states and territories and, indeed, right across the nation. I ask everyone to take that time to reflect, because Monday 29 September is a day for all of us to recognise their service, appreciate their dedication and, most importantly, remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep all of us safe. We must always remember that it's with honour they served, and we will never forget their service. I commend the motion to the House. As I said, I thank the member for Wide Bay for putting forward this motion. To all of my colleagues who have spoken: it's important that we all remember the outstanding work of our local police and reflect and remember all of those who've lost their lives in the line of duty. 17:58 Ms PAYNE 144732 Canberra On 29 September, we will mark National Police Remembrance Day. This is a day to reflect on the courageous officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. This is the 36th National Police Remembrance Day, and it is an opportunity to pay tribute to the courage, commitment and dedication of police officers who protect our community each and every day. On the 29th, a ceremony is held at the National Police Memorial, in my electorate of Canberra, each year. It complements the ceremonies that are held in each state and territory around the country. The National Police Memorial honours and remembers those police officers from all Australian police jurisdictions who gave their lives in the line of duty. It provides an opportunity for solemn reflection and seeks to encourage serving and retired police officers, their families and the community to honour the memory of those who have given their lives in service. Here in the ACT, ACT police officers have been serving the capital since 1927. The original local police force had one police sergeant and 10 Commonwealth police officers. While ACT policing has now expanded and become the community policing arm of the Australian Federal Police, these officers have diligently protected our city no matter the challenges put ahead of them. The Australian community is reminded of the importance of National Police Remembrance Day by the terrible events at Porepunkah. They are a reminder to all of us of the dangers that police officers face in keeping our communities safe each day. I offer my deepest condolences, on behalf of the people of Canberra, to the families, loved ones and colleagues of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart. Detective Leading Senior Constable Thompson was looking forward to retirement and all the possibilities that would open up for him with his partner, Lisa. Senior Constable De Waart came from Belgium and served his community in Victoria. He was a man with many passions, including motorbikes and scuba diving. Both of these men will be deeply missed by their families and communities. May they rest in peace. We honour their bravery, and my thoughts are with their fellow officers who were at the scene, including their colleague who is recovering in hospital from gunshot wounds. As the Prime Minister said, the death of any officer in the line of duty hits deeply at the heart of members of the police family. Every day, as a police officer puts themselves on the line, they are doing it for the safety of their community, and they know that there is a possibility that the worst could happen on that, or on any, day. Often police officers are the first responders—whether in an emergency, during a pandemic or in a natural disaster—at significant personal risk. It is they whom we look to, to keep us safe, protect us and guide us in the most challenging of times. It is the bravery of these police officers at work every day that makes their loss even more deeply felt. For the families of police officers who have passed away, on or off duty, Police Legacy is there to support them. This service provides support and financial assistance to these families, no matter the circumstances—through accident, injury or illness. The Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance is another event that celebrates and remembers those police officers from around Australia who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. This year, the final leg of the ride, between the New South Wales Wall of Remembrance in Sydney and the National Police Memorial here in Canberra, will take place on Saturday 13 September. Police, family, friends and visitors are welcome at the National Police Remembrance Day events, and I strongly encourage the community to attend. This day is a time to grieve with police families who have lost loved ones and reflect on their commitment to duty and to keeping our communities safe from harm. We all stand with the families and loved ones of the fallen officers, who we will come together to commemorate. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 282335 There being no further speakers, the debate is adjourned and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting. Battery Industry 146 18:03 Ms MASCARENHAS 298800 Swan I move: That this House: (1) commends the Government for its $500 million Battery Breakthrough Initiative that will give Australian businesses access to capital grants and production incentives through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA); (2) recognises: (a) that this latest piece of the Future Made in Australia represents a commitment to the growth of our national battery manufacturing industry which is essential to our future energy independence, affordability and our sovereign capabilities; (b) that batteries are essential to all aspects of modem life both in Australia and abroad, and that securing jobs in this growing sector is a race with global competition; and (c) the urgent need to progress Australian industry up the manufacturing value chain to lock in our place in the global energy economy and make the most of our comparative advantages in resources and renewables; (3) further commends: (a) the Government for its commitment to consultation in designing this scheme alongside ARENA, with stakeholders in industry for maximum impact; and (b) Australian industry and researchers for driving the move towards a clean energy future even before they had a partner in Canberra; and (4) calls on the Opposition to: (a) support the Government's commitment to local manufacturing and securing the Australian jobs of the future; and (b) cease its attempts to distract from and derail the global push to reduce emissions as it is out of step with the national interest and decreases certainty for businesses. I rise today as the mover of this motion to commend the Albanese Labor government's $500 million Battery Breakthrough Initiative. This a vital step, one of many, in picking up the pace for the Future Made in Australia race. It is one step closer, as we move in the right direction towards our goal of setting the National Battery Strategy. This ambitious target for 2035 is about Australia becoming a globally competitive producer of batteries and battery materials. This will leverage our natural advantages—our abundant critical minerals below the ground and our abundant renewable energy above the ground—and, of course, our skilled people. Building future export industries and strengthening our economic resilience, this initiative supports that goal by investing in manufacturing capability, innovation and workforce development. In my first speech, I described to the House the six steps required to make a battery: first, mining the raw materials; then processing the materials; then, of course, manufacturing the battery components; assembling those components; and, finally, installation and maintenance. I spoke with the hope that, if we could do all six of these steps, including manufacturing, it would help create a competitive export industry as well as high-quality jobs. This initiative will provide targeted funding to help manufacturers produce high-value battery products and scale up operations. I'm pleased to say that Australian companies actually have form already in this exciting space—for example, Feline Industries, which is solving battery safety challenges for the defence and maritime sectors. We have Sicona, with their breakthrough new materials that increase both the driving range and charging speed of electric vehicles. Then we have Gelion, producing non-flammable zinc-bromide batteries ideal for remote, hot environments. Non-flammable battery chemistries are needed to improve safety in Australian heat. This was explored during the electric vehicle inquiry. Gelion received $4.8 million in ARENA funding, with around matched funding to support their advanced commercial prototyping centres. We are proud to be backing companies like this. New industry will create value and share it better than ever. The initiative applies community benefit principles to ensure that investment reaches local communities, ensuring private and public investment flows to create real jobs right here in Australia. It promotes inclusive workforce development, supporting First Nations employment, gender equality and regional transition opportunities. Whether you want to call it stepping up, tooling up or powering up—either way, we are acting because we want to compete in the global supply chain. As these companies show, projects must demonstrate their readiness for deployment with technologies at TRL 6 or higher. That means that the system process has a prototype demonstrating itself in an operational environment as the minimum. We are backing scalable, real-world solutions that reduce emissions and grow the economy. For those supposed competition hawks on the other side—they always forget one of the economic keys to competition, and that is the flow of information and data. All funded projects will be required to share data insights, which will help accelerate innovation across the sector. Australia doesn't have to be the biggest manufacturing sector, but we can damn well try to be the smartest. This is a government that believes that, when Aussies put their heads together, we can solve problems with the best of them. This collaborative approach builds a stronger, faster, smarter and better industry. We're doing this because there is a race in the decarbonised economy. This is a race, and we're all in it together to win it—but will we? The opposition continues to undermine renewables. They can't support clean energy because of ideological purposes. They can't tell the difference between the nation's interests and the National Party's interests. They have confined themselves to the bench in the game of the century. When they're not fighting amongst themselves, they're sending the member for New England out as a distracting mascot. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 282335 Is the motion seconded? 18:08 Ms CAMPBELL 312823 Moreton I second the motion and reserve my right to speak. 18:08 Mrs MARINO HWP Forrest Another day, another big-spending program from the Albanese government. I rise this evening to express my strong opposition to the federal government's proposal to subsidise home battery systems across Australia. Those opposite might dress this policy up in noble terms, but the reality is that this is putting lipstick on a pig of a policy. It's a pig of a policy because it's inequitable. It clearly favours the relatively wealthy and does nothing to further the energy affordability and reliability that our national prosperity depends upon. Let us begin with the economic reality. Home battery systems remain prohibitively expensive for most Australians. Even with these subsidies, the upfront costs can exceed $10,000 per household. This is a significant burden, particularly for Australian families already grappling with rising living costs, mortgage stress, rental stress and inflation. The government's plan effectively asks Australian taxpayers—many of whom can't afford these battery systems themselves—to foot the bill for wealthier households to install batteries. That is not equity; that is redistribution in reverse. Moreover, the return on investment for these systems is questionable. Studies show that, even with generous rebates, the payback period for a home battery can stretch beyond a decade and, in many cases, the batteries will need replacing before they've paid for themselves. That is not a prudent use of taxpayer money. It's also not the first time that we've seen this movie. In the first phase of large-scale growth in rooftop solar, lavish feed-in tariff schemes across the country introduced between 2008 and 2011 encouraged some 1.4 million households to install panels on their roofs. That was the highest proportion of households of any country, sure. But, according to the Grattan Institute—and the Grattan Institute is hardly a rabid right-wing think tank—state governments began winding back the schemes in 2012. By the time the last of these runs out in 2028, they will have cost the Australian economy some $9 billion. Worse, people who chose not to install solar or who simply couldn't afford it will have paid for the schemes through these subsidies to those who could install the panels worth an eye-watering $14 billion. These numbers expose the folly of these big-spending government programs that Labor are addicted to. Every time a Labor government decides to shovel billions of taxpayer dollars into a new energy scheme, the economic costs exceed the benefits, there are unintended consequences in terms of market distortion and we end up wondering why we didn't just wait for the technology to mature and become financially viable in the first place. We also need some honesty around the environmental implications of this. While batteries can support renewable energy, their production is resource intensive. Mining for lithium and other critical rare-earth metals carries significant environmental and social costs, which are often opposed by members of this very government. Remember the McPhillamys gold mine, a $1 billion shovel-ready project whose approval was cancelled at five minutes to midnight because they wanted to appease a small group of noisy agitators. If we're serious about sustainability in this country, we need to consider the full life cycle of these technologies, not just their benefits at the point of use. My main concern with energy policy under this government in Australia is that nobody is being honest with the Australian people about the trajectory of energy prices in real terms. I'm not just talking about the Prime Minister and his 98-times promised $275 savings on power bills that have, in fact, transformed into households being worse off by more than $1,200 a year. My issue is that even those who support the government agenda, like the Clean Energy Council, told me last week in this very building that power prices will continue to rise, even with the billions that this government is shovelling into its renewable-only fantasy. I find it simply unfathomable that this government is pushing forward with a policy that is economically inefficient, socially inequitable and environmentally questionable. Let us pursue energy reform that is fair, affordable and grounded in sound policy, not one that subsidises the wealthier few at the expense of the many hardworking Aussies whose kids will ultimately be lumped with the national debt from this madness. 18:13 Ms CAMPBELL 312823 Moreton It does not surprise me one iota that the member for Forrest does not support this motion. It doesn't surprise me, because this motion is fundamentally about two things. Firstly, it is about the creation of manufacturing jobs, and, secondly, it is about renewables and sustainability in our energy space. What we know about those opposite is that, in terms of manufacturing, at every opportunity they have had, they have sent manufacturing jobs overseas. They have sent shipbuilding overseas and they have sent train manufacturing overseas. At every moment, every opportunity, every choice and every point, that is what they do. The second point, in terms of renewables, is that we know that this is an opposition that despises renewables. We know that only weeks ago they said at the LNP convention up in Queensland, in my city of Brisbane, that they want to move away from net zero. It's because, when it comes to sustainability and climate change, those opposite are people who simply don't believe. So I want to take the opportunity, in opening today, to really thank and congratulate the member for Swan for moving this motion. I'm pleased to have the opportunity today to talk about the Albanese Labor government's Battery Breakthrough initiative, a significant and forward-thinking investment that is a key part of building a future made in Australia. But first I would like to acknowledge a battery on a local rather than a national scale. It's the upcoming launch of the community battery in my community in Moorooka. This is part of the Community Batteries for Household Solar program, which is installing 400 batteries across Australia. The batteries will store excess solar energy for households to use during peak times, and Southside residents will benefit from lower electricity bills, support to install rooftop solar and access to renewable energy. Let's talk about the Battery Breakthrough initiative. It's worth $500 million and is one of the most significant investments in battery manufacturing in our history in this country. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency, ARENA, will administer the funding, providing access to capital grants and production incentives. The initiative was designed by a consultative progress with ARENA and industry stakeholders, ensuring it will be fit for purpose and have a positive impact. In the manufacturing space, for many years I worked representing manufacturing workers, whether they were fitters and turners, boilermakers or working in the vehicle industry as vehicle builders—and we know that there aren't too many of them around anymore, because those opposite systematically moved their industry offshore and we lost jobs. But what we know in the manufacturing industry is that we have an opportunity to make things here again. We have an opportunity to make sure that, when we come up with ideas at universities and we drive technological advancement, we in this country can have the benefit of that scale-up. But we have to invest in the jobs, the skills and the industries that make that possible. Australian researchers and companies are at the forefront of battery technologies, and showcasing that R&D excellence with practical industry application is what Labor is all about. We've been backing projects that firm supply chain resilience as well as contributing to emissions reduction. This combined focus benefits vital climate goals, as well as boosting economic growth. Companies such as Li-S Energy, based in Brisbane, and Sicona, in Wollongong, are collaborating with CSIRO, with universities and with Defence to help develop advanced battery components and systems. The Battery Breakthrough initiative builds on Labor's $22.7 billion Future Made in Australia agenda, which includes major investments in solar, in hydrogen, in green iron, in aluminium and in critical minerals. What this motion is about at its core is what Labor believes in. We believe in a renewable energy future because it is cheaper, it is better, it is more resilient and it means that we have cheaper energy for everyone. What we believe as a Labor government is that we should make things in this country. In order to do that, we need initiatives that call out and drive the skills that we need to manufacture, and we need to back in renewable energy at every moment. That is what this motion calls for, and that is what Labor does every day. 18:18 Mr VENNING 315434 Grey I rise to speak on this motion. While I acknowledge the intent behind the government's Battery Breakthrough initiative, I cannot support the suggestion that this policy will deliver the energy security and affordability that Australians so desperately need. I am an engineer, an economist and a farmer, and I'm going to limit this address to facts and figures and to common sense, not to ideology. We must be honest with the Australian people. Batteries are not a replacement for baseload power. They are useful for short bursts of firming capacity when a cloud comes over the state and there is no solar, for gas peaking plants to spool up so that gas can run the grid. Batteries cannot drive heavy industry, nor can they replace the consistent, reliable power that our nation depends on. Yet the government continues to suggest that this initiative will reduce power prices. That is misleading. Around the world there is no evidence that battery rollouts of this scale have reduced power prices for households or for industry. Australians also need to understand that energy demand from industry is four times greater than household demand. I repeat that: energy demand from industry is four times that of household demand. So, while a battery in your home may trim your power bill, it does nothing for the manufacturer down the road and even less for heavy industry. In my electorate of Grey, industries like the Whyalla steelworks and Port Pirie smelter are the backbone of our economy. These facilities require vast, reliable and around-the-clock energy. A few batteries scattered around the grid will not make steelmaking more viable in Whyalla. They will not make lead smelting in Port Pirie more competitive. Large-scale energy storage is possible through pumped hydro, but Australia is one of the flattest continents on earth. We do not have the geography or indeed the water to rely on hydro in the way that other nations do. So South Australia, already 80 per cent renewable, has been forced to build generation capacity nearly five times greater than our average consumption. I repeat that: in my home state of South Australia we have generation capacity nearly five times average consumption. The result? South Australia has the highest power prices in Australia and, depending on how you measure it, the highest power prices in the world. This is not theoretical. Right now in Whyalla there are seven serious domestic and international buyers considering investing $5 billion to $8 billion in the steelworks. They know the Commonwealth has put a $1.9 billion carrot on the table to support that transformation. But do you know what their single biggest concern is? Access to reliable and affordable energy. Whyalla is the best place in the world to be making steel. Just down the road we have a 100-year-long magnetite asset, we have road facilities, port facilities and rail facilities and we have an existing workforce that knows how to make steel. Today in South Australia the wholesale power price can go from minus $200 when we are overgenerating renewables to $2,000 when the wind isn't blowing and the sun isn't shining. At those times, running the steelworks can cost $34,000 an hour in losses. This is not a pathway to investment certainty; it is a pathway to closure, and batteries will not change that fact. Energy is a global marketplace. Our high power prices mean that we are losing opportunities that we should be winning, not just in heavy industry but in emerging sectors like artificial intelligence and advanced computing. Global companies are voting with their feet and investing elsewhere because energy in Australia is simply too expensive. When there is no wind or solar power, we import coal from Victoria. This problem will only worsen as Victoria's coal fired generation closes. South Australia, in particular, faces a stark future. Additionally, South Australia is the driest state on the driest continent. We will rely increasingly less on water from the Murray River and therefore increasingly more on desalinated water. But desalination plants, too, cannot run on intermittent power. They require baseload energy—continuous affordable and reliable. Without it we risk not only our industries but our very capacity to secure water for our regions. The government's motion talks about sovereign capability, but true sovereignty in energy means building a system that can support both households and industry, that can attract local industry rather than repel it and that can provide water security to the communities that need it most. 18:23 Ms PAYNE 144732 Canberra I thank the member for Swan for bringing this motion and rise today to speak in support of the Albanese Labor government's vision for a future made in Australia and to highlight one of the most exciting new programs under that agenda, the Battery Breakthrough Initiative. A future made in Australia is about making sure that all Australians thrive in a changing world. It's about seizing the opportunities of the global clean energy transformation rather than letting them pass us by. It's about using the resources, the ingenuity and the skills we have right here at home to create the jobs and industries of the future. Australia has abundant natural advantages. We have world-class deposits of critical minerals, unmatched renewable energy resources and outstanding research institutions, including, of course, right here in Canberra. Together they form the foundation of future export industries. But to secure these opportunities we need to make smart, strategic investments today. That's exactly what the Albanese government is doing. We are building a more resilient economy—one that ensures us against a changing geopolitical environment and protects us against global shocks. In last year's budget, we committed nearly $23 billion to our Future Made in Australia agenda, and this investment is already transforming our industrial base. The $500 million Battery Breakthrough Initiative is part of that plan and will enable us to accelerate battery manufacturing here at home. Labor's National Battery Strategy sets a bold vision. By 2035 Australia will be a globally competitive producer of batteries and battery materials, delivering secure supply chains and affordable energy and creating secure, well-paid jobs. And it's backed by significant investment. We've already committed over $20 million for battery innovation, scale-up programs, best practice guidelines and workforce training. This includes support for the Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre and the Powering Australia Industry Growth Centre. The Battery Breakthrough Initiative is one of the largest investments in Australian battery manufacturing capability to date. We're also ensuring this investment delivers on our climate commitments, by backing projects that not only strengthen supply chains but also contribute to emissions reduction. The Battery Breakthrough Initiative will also ensure that public and private investment flows to local communities, creating safe, secure and well-paid jobs. It promotes inclusive workforce development, supporting First Nations employment, gender equality and regional transition opportunities. Every funded project will also be required to share data and insights, building a collective knowledge base that benefits the whole industry and accelerates innovation. The government's approach stands in stark contrast to those opposite. The coalition have never reckoned with the changing global landscape. They are happiest when they're talking Australian industry down. They spent a decade in government doing nothing to address our declining productivity, nothing to strengthen our sovereign capability and nothing to prepare Australia for a clean energy future. They cannot even agree on whether climate change is real, let alone put forward a serious plan to seize the opportunities of the global energy transformation. Their approach is one of complacency and neglect, leaving Australia underinvested and vulnerable to global shocks. By contrast Labor is acting with urgency and ambition. We are building new industries, new jobs and new opportunities and securing our place in the global clean energy economy. We are ensuring that the benefits of this transformation are felt by communities across our country. Fundamentally, the Future Made in Australia agenda, with the Battery Breakthrough Initiative, is about people. It's about the workers in Port Kembla, in Geelong, in Brisbane, in Sydney and in regional towns across the country who will find new opportunities in the industries of the future. It's about the students in our universities who will help develop the next breakthroughs. It's about the communities who will benefit from cleaner, cheaper and more reliable energy. This is what a future made in Australia looks like—a future where we not only mine the minerals but manufacture the products; a future where our economy is more resilient, our communities are stronger and our environment is safeguarded. I am proud to be part of a government that is making this vision a reality. 18:28 Ms PENFOLD 248895 Lyne This government's latest step in its energy policy, the $500 million Battery Breakthrough Initiative to strengthen Australia's battery manufacturing capability, will succumb to the crunch of reality. Dressed up as part of the net zero mandate, it's also a big subsidy to industry, paid for by taxpayers. I wonder what the black-hat economists who made some comments about the $22 billion Future Made in Australia agenda—that it was picking winners and creating subsidy dependence—will think about this latest Albanese government initiative. For my part, there's a problem in the government's stated intent to re-industrialise the economy with a focus on clean technologies. If we didn't have this headlong rush to renewables as base-load power and the subsequent higher electricity prices, we would not need to re-industrialise. Our industries would be alive, kicking goals and internationally competitive, rather than downsizing and looking to go offshore. The member for Swan mentioned the national interest in her motion. Well, I think this rush to renewables as base-load power has not been in the national interest, as targets are not being met, costs keep climbing and businesses keep closing. When more people realise that their big power bills are due to the big cost of building a big new wind-and-solar-driven intermittent grid, their view will change. Yes, batteries have their place in households as a way for Australians to participate in reducing emissions and building their own energy independence. In this ambition, I acknowledge the initiative of the Bonny Hills Progress Association for their recent energy saving expo, which I attended. There was a lot of information for households on ways to reduce energy bills with a strong focus on electrification. A lot of people talk to me about the need for Australia to participate in emissions reduction, but they also speak to me about the dilemma of how to achieve this—that is, this dilemma of pursuing emissions reduction and securing the means to continue to increase our living standards. Rather than address this dilemma, this government is trying to hoodwink the public into thinking that its net zero policy addresses climate change, creates jobs and supports a strong and resilient energy grid and economy. It simply doesn't. Government and indeed this parliament have an incredible responsibility to make sure we get our energy policy and all the other changes to other parts of industry in the economy calibrated to serve the best interests of Australia. This government's energy policy also deserves scrutiny because this government wants you to believe that its renewables-only policy is the only way to reduce emissions, regardless of the cost and the negative impact on our living standards. The fact is that the race to reduce emissions varies around the world, and some other countries are pursuing real solutions to the dilemma of reducing emissions while maintaining and increasing living standards. Other countries have understood that building an industrial capable energy grid with intermittent power cannot do the job of providing permanent, reliable and affordable power. Look at Finland. It's achieving its net zero policy with nuclear power. France, the US, Japan, South Korea, the UK, Canada and Sweden are all using nuclear power as part of their net zero strategies. Other nations are expanding their use of nuclear energy, with another 20 countries moving to triple nuclear capacity by 2050—all in recognition of nuclear's low-carbon benefits in reducing greenhouse gases. Every economy is powered by electricity, and industrial ones with abundant natural resources and a highly skilled workforce on an island continent like Australia need base-load power from energy dense sources, like nuclear, coal and gas. While batteries and intermittent power certainly have their place, they cannot provide the power that we need on all the time for our hospitals, industries and cities to function and avoid chaos. Australia and the Australian people will be at our strongest with an energy system underpinned by base-load power, produced by energy dense inputs. Energy dense inputs not only provide the cheapest form of electricity but also are gentler on our natural landscapes and rural communities. My argument is for Australia both to be part of global emissions reduction and to have a strong, reliable and affordable energy system—one that supports heavy industry, high-tech industry and data centres, as well as our cities, sovereign manufacturing and defence capabilities. Renewables might deliver on the emissions reduction goal, but they do not deliver a strong, reliable and affordable energy system. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 282335 There being no further speakers, the debate is adjourned, and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting. Ukraine 151 18:33 Mr GEORGANAS DZY Adelaide I move: That this House: (1) notes that 24 August 2025 marks three and a half years since Russia's illegal, immoral and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine; (2) reaffirms Australia's continued support for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity; (3) condemns Russia's: (a) attacks on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity since Ukraine gained independence in 1991; (b) backing of separatist militias in the Donbas; (c) illegal attempted annexation of Crimea; and (d) full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as well as its interference in Ukraine's domestic politics; (4) supports: (a) the Government's: (i) efforts since the full-scale invasion to provide military, humanitarian, energy, reconstruction and recovery assistance to Ukraine; and (ii) measures that impose costs on Russia for its violations of international law, including trade sanctions and targeted financial sanctions; and (b) Australia's continued calls on Russia to fulfil its obligations under international humanitarian law and end its illegal invasion of Ukraine; and (5) endorses the Government's commitment to continue to support a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. I'll just start off by saying Friday 24 February 2022 was a very dark day in human history. On this day, just over 3½ years ago, the world witnessed in dismay the full-scale, unlawful, illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia. What we saw that day—and it's been going on for 3½ years now—was the illegal invasion of a sovereign nation by brute force. On that day, the lives of 40 million Ukrainians changed forever. The invasion has been a catastrophe for many thousands of Ukrainians. We've seen these scenes on our televisions every day for the last 3½ years. In fact, only this weekend and last week we saw the bombardment and missiles attacking Kyiv once again. The invasion has been absolute catastrophe the Ukrainian people. We see it on our televisions every day. On 24 August I was proud to join the Ukrainian community in my electorate for an independence day event at the Ukraine community centre. I'd like to start by congratulating His Excellency Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ukraine's Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand. Ms Kateryna Argyrou, the Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, was there. I'd like to pay tribute to Mr Frank Fursenko, the President of the Association of Ukrainians in South Australia. His leadership and the leadership of the ambassador and Kateryna Argyrou in the local community during this terrifying time has been truly inspirational. The message I'd like to convey to my parliamentary colleagues here is that our support of Ukraine is truly appreciated. I heard that loud and clear. Australia has provided more than $1.5 billion in support, including $1.3 billion in military assistance—making us the largest non-NATO contributor of military assistance to Ukraine—and more than $85 million in humanitarian assistance. In August Australia deployed Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to Europe, with up to 150 ADF personnel under Operation Kudu, to help protect a vital international gateway for humanitarian and military assistance into Ukraine. We continue to work closely with Ukraine to provide them with the support they need. Australia has imposed a comprehensive and strict suite of over 1,500 sanctions and trade measures against Russia. These measures ensure Russia pays a heavy price for its illegal invasion of Ukraine, including by denying it access to Australia's markets and ensuring Australia does not inadvertently fund Russia's war machine. Most recently, the government has imposed another two waves of targeted financial sanctions on 44 individuals and entities across several of Russia's critical industries, as well as targeted sanctions on 60 shadow fleet vessels to help starve the Russian war economy of oil revenue. This is in addition to other measures that restrict the import, purchase and transport of oil coming from or originating in Russia. Mr Putin needs to show that he is serious about peace. The attacks over the weekend that we saw on our TVs show that he is not serious about peace. Recently I went to the Ukrainian community, and they were absolutely grateful for the support Australia is giving. We need this war to stop. We must not relent on this. Giving way to Putin and Russia is giving way to bullies in this world. It sends a strong message to the rest of the world—people and nations that perhaps do not abide by the international rule of law—that they too can get away with it if we back off. Ukraine needs our support. It needs the support of every free nation and democratically elected nation around the world to ensure that the Russians retreat and leave the Ukrainians their own sovereign nation to determine their future. As I said, Australia will continue to support a just, lasting, comprehensive peace for Ukraine, and security and stability in Europe. Australia and Ukraine continue to stand shoulder to shoulder as we seek a world where, regardless of size or power, no country dominates and no country is dominated. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 282335 Is the motion seconded? Mr Repacholi 298840 I second the motion and reserve my right to speak. 18:39 Mr WALLACE 265967 Fisher I want to thank the member for Adelaide for bringing on this important motion because it is critical, in times like this, that Australia stands with like-minded countries like Ukraine. Like-minded democracies must stand together against oppression and military attacks such as we've seen in Ukraine since Russia's illegal and immoral invasion 3½ years ago. The efforts of President Zelenskyy must be highlighted. When Ukraine was first invaded, in February 2022, the story has it that President Zelenskyy was encouraged to flee ' Ukraine to save himself and his family because Russia was expected to take Kyiv in a matter of days. And you know what his response was? His response was, 'I don't want a lift; what I need is ammunition.' That one line garnered the support of the Ukrainian people, who saw their president stand up against the totalitarian oppression of President Putin, who is trying to take part, if not all, of Ukraine by force. That one sentence has galvanised the Ukrainian people to now, three and a half years later, still maintain control over most of Ukraine. It's an absolute travesty—a tragedy, a human tragedy—to see the number of lives that are being lost in Ukraine during this fight. I also want to send a shout-out to the Ukrainian ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko. When I was Speaker of the House of Representatives, I was fortunate enough to secure an address ' President Zelenskyy, and Vasyl was instrumental in facilitating that address. But Vasyl, as Ukrainian ambassador, has been a model diplomat for Australia and our foreign dealings with Ukraine. Vasyl, I know you'll be reading this, or you may even be watching it, now. I am, personally, incredibly proud of the way that you have represented your country. I think you said the other night, at your celebration, that you've been back to Ukraine eight or nine times. No country could expect more ' their diplomatic corps than the way you have so incredibly, proudly represented your people and your country here in Australia—or anywhere else in the world, for that matter. Hats off to you, Vasyl. I want you to know that the coalition—and this is a bipartisan perspective shared by both the coalition and, I think, most people in this chamber—absolutely support and applaud you and the people of Ukraine for standing up against aggression. We face a lot of challenges in this world right now, in so many respects. We have conflict in the Middle East, conflict in the subcontinent, conflict in Europe and threatened conflict in Asia. The world is so unstable right now, but this is where countries like Australia must stand resolutely with our friends and allies—in the Pacific and in Europe. Thank you, Vasyl, for the work you have done in representing your people. There is much work to be done in securing this country ' the perils that lie ahead, but we must work together to do it. 18:44 Mr NEUMANN HVO Blair I want to thank my good friend the member for Adelaide for this motion. I want to acknowledge his longstanding support for the people of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Australian community in his electorate and across the country. Just over a week ago, on 24 August, we marked the 34th anniversary of the Ukrainian declaration of independence. It was wonderful to see the Ukrainian community sharing the occasion, with independence day events around Australia, many of which were attended by MPs and senators, including in Brisbane. At the same time, it was a bittersweet moment and a poignant reminder of the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people in the face of Russia's illegal, immoral and unprovoked full-scale invasion of their country. I want to take this opportunity to reiterate Australia's strong and steadfast support for Ukraine and its people, not just because it's in Australia's national interest but because it's the right thing to do. What happens in the Euro-Atlantic region has serious implications for our region, the Indo Pacific, and vice-versa. In my capacity as Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, I have met the Ukrainian ambassador, His Excellency Vasyl Myroshnychenko, a number of times, and I've conveyed that message to him directly. Make no mistake: this is a David and Goliath struggle not just for the people of Ukraine but for their national sovereignty and existence. This is a monumental struggle for international rule of law and the global rules based order, and it is a just war on the part of Ukraine. It's clear that President Putin's regime has imperialistic designs for Ukraine and beyond. We must ensure that Russia's illegal and immoral actions are not rewarded through any peace process. Australia supports all meaningful progress towards a just and enduring peace in Ukraine for broader security in Europe, but pressure will need to be applied to Russia to engage in good faith. Australia will continue to work on delivering concrete actions to support Ukraine now and into the future. We are always open to considering any new proposal to support Ukraine, as we've done in the past according to our capacity and based on our comparative strengths. We have provided more than $1.5 billion in support, including $1.3 billion in military assistance and through vital equipment and training of Ukrainian forces—making us the largest non-NATO contributor of military assistance to Ukraine—and more than $85 million in humanitarian assistance. As part of this, we transferred the first tranche of Australian gifted M1A1 Abrams tanks in July, in response to a request from Ukraine. The Australian Defence Force also continues to contribute to multinational efforts to train Ukrainian military personnel under Operation Kudu. I met with ADF personnel based in southern England who are training with Ukrainian citizen soldiers as a part of Operation Interflex, and I spoke with Ukrainian translators and Ukrainian troops. I did this as part of a parliamentary delegation to the UK in 2023. The ADF personnel who were there are committed, like the Australian public, to training thousands of these Ukrainian citizen soldiers. We have, in fact, trained about 3,000 of their soldiers. Australia is open to working with other countries, as we've done in that effort and operation. Australia will consider any further request to contribute to future peacekeeping efforts in support of a just and lasting peace, which we all want for Ukraine. We have, as a country, a proud tradition of supporting peace through 80 years of contributions to international peacekeeping missions. Of course, peacekeeping missions, by definition, require a precondition of peace, and that's why we support all meaningful progress towards a just and enduring peace in Ukraine for the broader security of Europe. The future of Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. At the end of the day, a lasting peace should uphold Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, support security and stability in Europe and ensure that Russia does not renew its aggression. To that end, we welcome the United States recently convening the meeting with President Zelenskyy and the European leaders to work towards a peace deal that ends Russia's illegal and immoral war and safeguards security and stability. Now it's up to President Putin. He needs to show he's serious. So far, he hasn't. We will continue to support a just, lasting and comprehensive peace for Ukraine, on its terms, and security and stability in Europe. 18:49 Ms AMBIHAIPAHAR 315618 Barton I rise today to speak about Russia's ongoing and illegal invasion of Ukraine. For my community in Barton, this war is not a far-off conflict. Many Ukrainians now call Barton home, having fled the violence of war. Their stories remind us that this invasion is not just about geopolitics; it is about people. Key groups like the Migrant Resource Centre and Reverend Steve Bryan, from St John's Anglican Church, have been important in supporting many Ukrainians being displaced by this war—families who want safety, children who deserve peace and communities that long to rebuild. These two groups help these new community members connect with employers, provide them with groceries to help them get on their feet and advocate on their behalf. They are essential to making sure that their transition into the community is smooth, safe and surrounded by support. Just last month, on 23 August, I had the privilege of attending the Ukrainian Council of New South Wales independence day celebration, led by its president, Andrew Mencinsky. It was a powerful event celebrating not only Ukraine's independence and freedom but also its strength, love, art and culture. It included a showcase of traditional Ukrainian costumes, modelled proudly across the stage. They captured the theme of the event perfectly: spirit in colour. We also heard a powerful poem by Illia Kyrychenko, who fled Ukraine with his family in 2022. He mourned all the children lost, many of whom are still missing. Even in the face of war, the Ukrainian people show us their resilience and their pride. Their resilience lives in our community in Barton. Australia has stood strongly with Ukraine since the earliest days of this conflict. To date, we have provided more than $1.5 billion in support, including $1.3 billion in military assistance, making us the largest non-NATO contributor of military aid to Ukraine. We have also delivered more than $85 million in humanitarian assistance, ensuring that the most vulnerable receive help and hope. In August, our commitment was demonstrated once again when Australia deployed a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to Europe with up to 150 ADF personnel under Operation Kudu. Their mission is to protect a critical international gateway for humanitarian and military assistance into Ukraine. These contributions matter. They save lives, they strengthen Ukraine's defence and they send a clear signal: Australia will not sit by while international law is crushed. We have also imposed a thorough and strict suite of more than 1,500 sanctions and trade measures against Russia. These measures make sure that Russia pays a heavy price for its illegal invasion. They deny it access to Australian markets and prevent us from inadvertently funding Putin's war machine. Most recently, the Albanese government has imposed two new waves of targeted sanctions against 44 individuals and entities across Russia's critical industries and on 60 shadow fleet vessels used to move Russian oil. These steps are designed to starve Russia's war economy of oil revenue, the very lifeblood of its aggression. Australia does not act alone. The role of the United States and our European allies has been crucial in supporting Ukraine's defence of its sovereignty. We welcome President Trump working with President Zelenskyy and European leaders towards a deal that can end this illegal and immoral war and restore stability in Europe. But Putin must show he's serious about peace. Any settlement must be just, lasting and comprehensive. Australia has a proud convention of peacekeeping yielding back more than 80 years. As the Prime Minister has said, the Albanese Labor government remains open to considering any future request to contribute to peacekeeping efforts if it supports a just and enduring peace for Ukraine. This war is more than Ukraine; it's about the world we want to live in, one where, regardless of size or power, no country dominates and no country is dominated. Australia and Ukraine continue to stand side-by-side, and we will continue to support Ukraine until a peace is secured that is fair, stable and respectful of their sovereignty and freedom. For the Ukrainian community in Barton, for the people I joined in celebration on their independence day and for all who believe in a rules based international order, our message is very clear: Australia stands with Ukraine. You will always have a home in our community. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 282335 There being no further speakers, the debate is adjourned and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next day of sitting. Domestic and Family Violence 154 18:54 Ms SPENDER 286042 Wentworth I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) one in four women and one in 14 men have experienced violence by an intimate partner since the age of 15 as of 2024; (b) 37 women were killed by a current or former intimate partner in 2024 according to the Status for Women Report Card; (c) the Report of the Rapid Review of Prevention Approaches, Unlocking the Prevention Potential: accelerating action to end family, domestic and sexual violence provided the Government with 21 recommendations which have not yet all been responded to; and (d) the Government has made some meaningful commitments including a $4.7 billion investment into a range of preventative measures and support services; and (2) calls on the Government to: (a) urgently respond to all recommendations put forward by the Rapid Review; and (b) expand the eligibility requirements of the Family Violence Crisis Payment to allow for victim-survivors to receive the support they need. We are living in a national crisis. One in four women and one in 14 men have experienced violence by an intimate partner. According to the Status of Women Report Card, 37 women were killed by a current or former partner in 2024 alone. These statistics no longer shock us. They are there now in the community. But it doesn't make them any less devastating. They have become expected and, for far too many people, a reality. Police commanders in my local area, where sometimes people think, 'Oh, this violence doesn't happen,' tell me that up to 50 per cent of their time is spent on domestic violence. I have heard countless heartbreaking accounts of women fleeing domestic violence, including that of Claire Austin, a local who tragically lost her life earlier this year to suspected domestic violence. In April, I tabled a petition from one of my constituents, Mel Arnost, signed by more than 25,000 Australians. It called for urgent national reforms to better protect women, including action on education, mental health, substance abuse and our court systems. I was proud to bring that petition to parliament, and I remain committed to standing up in this parliament and standing against violence against women. Women in my community have sent me here to keep the faith on this, to keep the pressure up on the government. There have been positive steps forward, and I respect and commend those, but we need to keep the faith in this parliament to make sure that action is sustained, that action is evidence based and that we truly make a difference to the scourge of intimate partner and domestic violence and sexual violence in our community. I welcome the government's decision to commission a rapid review into prevention strategies, and I acknowledge the work of the expert panel who delivered 21 evidence based recommendations. I do believe the government is committed to change, but we are still waiting on some of the decisions in relation to those reviews, and we need to keep that pressure up—and also at the state level to make sure that those actions that are dependent on the states are also being actioned. There are a number of areas where I feel the government does need to move faster, and I will call them out: gambling reform and alcohol reform. The federal government has a role, as do the states, in these areas; making sure that we are supporting young people who have experienced domestic violence but also young people who have experienced sexual violence; and, finally, making sure that we're really evaluating everything we do to see what really works. I would like to talk about one specific and really quite simple change which I believe could make a difference to thousands of women, and this is around crisis payment reform. The family violence crisis payment is a one-off, non-taxable payment for people in severe financial hardship and in extreme circumstances such as escaping a violent home. But right now the system is failing. According to the 2025 Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee report, only half the eligible people actually receive the payment, with many rejected on technical grounds. This should be a lifeline payment to those in our community who need our help most, but it is wrapped up in red tape. So I'm asking the government, urging the government, to take action on this legislation and improve it for the benefit of those people who need it the most. There are three problems with the payment at the moment. The first is the seven-day claim period; for many people in the trauma of escaping violence, seven days goes by in a flash. This should be extended to 14 days at least. We do know that at least seven per cent of rejections were because they missed that seven-day deadline. The second issue is the definition of 'home'. The payment only applies to people who have left or who have stayed in their home. Under the current legislation, home doesn't include hostels, refuges, temporary accommodation or even tents. People are struggling right now; that sense of home and permanency is not available to some of the most vulnerable people in our community, and it should be mitigated in this legislation. Finally, there is a requirement in the legislation that applicants must prove that they are intending to establish a new home. But with the housing crisis and limited resources, that can be really hard for this particular group of vulnerable people to establish and to prove, and 14 per cent of people were rejected on the basis of this. This payment was designed to help people in a crisis, but it's not doing its job, and there is an opportunity to reform it to make a difference for thousands of people while we tackle the raft of other actions we need to tackle under the rapid review of prevention. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 299150 Is there a seconder? Ms Steggall 175696 I second the motion and reserve my right to speak. 19:00 Mr NG 316052 Menzies Thank you to the member for Wentworth for moving this motion acknowledging the actions taken by the government in this important space of addressing family violence. I rise today because urgent action is required to stop violence against women and children. Every nine days, a man in Australia kills his female partner. One in four women in Australia have experienced intimate partner violence since the age of 15. Each week, a woman is killed by a man's use of violence—almost always a man she knows. They are young women whose lives were only beginning and older women with so much to look forward to, and so many more women live with lasting injuries and trauma, particularly because of men who are making a choice to use violence. But it doesn't need to be this way. We can prevent this violence. The Albanese Labor government is acting with the urgency that is required to tackle this pervasive issue. We all have a role to play when it comes to preventing violence against women, but is it us as men who need to step up and speak up, because the evidence tells us that the key driver of family violence is gender inequality. Since coming to government, we have invested over $4 billion in preventing and responding to family, sexual and domestic violence; strengthening services for women; providing tailored support to help children and young people heal and recover; and driving change to men's violence-enabling behaviour. This is in addition to $3.9 billion for legal assistance frontline services announced at the 6 September national cabinet on gender based violence as well as billions in funding for housing for victims of family and domestic violence who are looking for emergency accommodation. This investment reflects the priorities of a government that understands the scale and the depth of this crisis. Properly addressing family violence means understanding the number of ways in which it affects victim-survivors. The consequences of abuse can be felt far beyond immediate physical risks, impacting women and children financially, legally and psychologically. That is why our government has been focused on ensuring that women have the support and resources to be safe. The actions we have taken include introducing 10 days of paid family violence leave, permanent leaving-violence payments and delivering on our election commitment to ensure the social security system cannot be weaponised against women experiencing family violence. Just this week, the Minister for Social Services week announced that there can be compassionate waivers for women who have had debts accrued against them due to financial and systems abuse. We have also strengthened access to legal support through our National Access to Justice Partnership 2025-30, which invests in community legal services, like the Eastern Community Legal Centre, in my electorate of Menzies. We've invested in dedicated social and affordable housing for victim-survivors so that women and children know they have a safe place to go. We've worked with state and territory governments around the country through our national plan to end violence against women and children to ensure we invest in evidence based, high-quality and specialised services that meet local needs. Within the community I'm lucky enough to represent, there are several services that are dedicated to prevention, early intervention and response to family and domestic violence who help thousands of locals get the support they need. In particular, I want to acknowledge the work of our community health centres Doncare Community Services and Eastern Community Legal Centre, as well as the workforce at the Orange Door in Box Hill, who facilitate the critical links between victim-survivors and the people who help them. Having volunteered in a community legal centre, I know what a vital role they play in preventing family violence. Most of the cases that came through the door of Fitzroy Legal Service, where I volunteered, related to family violence, and the urgency of the issue and how endemic family violence is throughout our communities was clear. Having worked at the County Court of Victoria, I also note that the courts themselves are sometimes used to enact systems abuse on victim-survivors through the use of applications against family violence intervention orders and personal safety intervention orders. I know that, given the scale of this problem, the community groups who offer family violence support in my community alone are too numerous to name. I thank them for the sensitivity and care they show to so many vulnerable people in Menzies. This is an important motion that speaks to the government and what we are doing to invest in research and best-practice development in the prevention space. 19:05 Ms STEGGALL 175696 Warringah I seconded the motion of the member for Wentworth, and I thank her for her advocacy, but really I wish we did not need to put such a motion forward, because better progress—more progress—from the government is desperately needed on this issue. In Warringah, more than 450 domestic and family violence assaults were reported in the last year. When we talk to our local police, they will say that domestic and family violence is the No. 1 issue for which they are called out. Nationally, the picture is simply devastating. Whilst we have the Status of women report card identifying 37 women killed in 2024, unfortunately other metrics will often say that the number is even greater. Australian Femicide Watch puts the number as high as 103 women and 16 children killed. Even the fact that we have such a disparity of numbers is frightening, and it highlights the level of crisis this is. We know that in 2025 there have been, on some counts, 48 women killed already. On average, one woman every nine days is killed by a current or former partner. If that is not a national crisis, I don't know what qualifies as one. It is an absolute tragedy, and more needs to be done. It's not good enough to just say, 'We are the government that has put a record amount of money out there, and we have a national plan over this decade to eradicate domestic and family violence.' Unfortunately, it is not working. It's not moving the dial yet. In May last year, I brought a motion to this House calling for stronger action. Since then, sure, the government has announced $4.7 billion over five years for frontline services in partnership with the states. These are welcome commitments, but the reality is that they are not shifting the dial. Ninety-four per cent of New South Wales services report increased demand. There is a two-month average wait for critical support for women and children needing to access those critical services, and, for a woman in danger, a two-month wait is far too long. In Warringah—and this problem is a scourge everywhere—we're fortunate to have incredible local services: Northern Beaches Women's Shelter, Mary's House, Women & Children First and the Women's Resilience Centre. All are manned by so many incredible volunteers doing amazing work. They provide crisis accommodation and wraparound support. But they are chronically underfunded and overstretched. Long waitlists mean women and children are left at risk at the most dangerous moment: when they are trying to leave. We are one year on from the rapid review. Cast your mind back to May last year. Obviously, the numbers of women killed were reaching crisis point. There was a lot of pressure. The government announced a rapid review to try and move the dial. They brought together experts. They called it a national emergency, and there were key recommendations that came out of that rapid review report. Unfortunately, some key recommendations remain unaddressed. The government is still sitting on its hands because it doesn't want to tackle these hard decisions. It means tighter restrictions on alcohol sales, delivery times and advertising. It does mean banning gambling advertising. We have been trying to push the government to move on this, and it is linked so many issues, but it is also linked to domestic and family violence. We know the combination of alcohol and gambling fuels domestic violence incidents. The evidence is clear. There's no point in saying you're doing the right thing if you don't tackle these two massive areas. We know alcohol was involved in 20 per cent of domestic homicides. During major sporting events like State of Origin, family violence reports spike by up to 40 per cent. In New South Wales, the extension of takeaway alcohol sales by one hour led to 1,100 additional domestic violence assaults in the following 38 months. The data is there. The government just needs to act. The member for Wentworth has raised the question of eligibility for the family violence crisis payment. It is far too narrow. The complications of being able to apply for it are difficult, and this needs to be changed. We also have system weaponisation, where too often the system makes it even harder for women trying to get support. We see this through child support payments, where we have that link between the income test and recovery attempts. There are so many areas in which systems abuse is facilitated for perpetrators, so we really have to rethink that model urgently. We are now some time on. I urge the government to implement all the recommendations of the review. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 299150 There being no further speakers, the debate is adjourned and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting. Federation Chamber adjourned at 19:10