Gordon Reid (Robertson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There are words to define the LNP opposition now, and in their time in government: words like 'mismanagement', 'botched' and 'swirling misery'. It's right across the spectrum of policy, whether it be environment and letting our precious flora and fauna perish; or health, introducing a GP or an ED tax—effectively ending universal health care in Australia; or energy, with no plan and no investment; or in foreign affairs and trade, decimating our foreign relationships and our diplomatic corps. But what I want to touch on today is processing passports.

The Liberal National Party hindered and, in some cases stopped, people's ability to travel because of their mismanagement of the Australian Passport Office and passport systems and processing. This isn't just about travel for holidays; this is also about travel where people can go overseas to work and contribute to the global economy, or to visit loved ones for a reunion or to be with those who might be unwell. Under the former government, and just following its rule, passport wait times blew out to over 50 days in the electorate of Robertson. Even worse, the former government was warned as early as 2020 that there would be a surge in demand and they failed to prepare—like they do time and time again. It is shameful!

The government accepts all recommendations made by the ANAO report today, and has already taken steps to fix the problems and mismanagement that the former government made in our passport system.