Jason Wood's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
type: channel
language: en-gb
creator: OpenAustralia.org, mprss.php script
date: 2026-02-10T22:05:30+00:00
items: Casey Hospital | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Porter, Carol Anne, OAM | Adjournment | House debates
items: Australia Day Awards and Honours | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
items: Taunet Nelel Organisation, Pacific Australian Emerging Leaders Summit | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Energy | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Bureau of Meteorology: Website | Statements by Members | House debates
items: National Police Remembrance Day | Statements on Significant Matters | House debates
items: Micah Australia, Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Victoria: Tourism Industry | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme | Private Members' Business | House debates
items: La Trobe Electorate: Cultural Celebrations | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Pacific Banking Guarantee Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Reconsiderations) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Taxation | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Youth Crime | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Criminal Code Amendment (Hate Crimes) Bill 2024; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Albanese Government | Statements by Members | House debates

Casey Hospital | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: When it comes to any parent, any time their child needs emergency attention and goes to hospital, they want to make sure the child is seen very quickly. It's the same with anyone who needs to go...
encoded: When it comes to any parent, any time their child needs emergency attention and goes to hospital, they want to make sure the child is seen very quickly. It's the same with anyone who needs to go to the emergency department at a hospital. That's so important. I had this experience back in 2019, when my daughter, Jasmine, had an anaphylactic reaction to cashew nuts. We urgently ran down to the Casey Hospital at the time. Like I said, it was 2019. The hospital staff were amazing. They saw her quickly, and everything was fine. But the line of people waiting to be seen went right out of the emergency department. At the time I got on the phone to the then minister for health Greg Hunt and said, 'This is a huge issue; we need to do something about it.' Back in 2019, under the former Liberal government, we committed half the funding to a children's emergency department at the hospital, something we're very excited about. The state government also agreed to put in half the funding. It was a joint announcement and very exciting at the time. That was back in 2019, and just last Friday, 6 February 2026, the government issued a press release stating that a builder has been appointed to deliver the expansion. It was announced in 2019, and we haven't even seen works started. They described this as a major milestone. I say it's a major disgrace for all those parents in one of the fastest growth corridors in Australia. We've seen so many people move into areas in Clyde North, and we go right up to Pakenham, where the state government's building a so-called community hospital. The emergency department work should be finished by now, yet it still hasn't started. I feel so sorry for the parents and so many people every time they go down to the emergency department, in particular the staff. I have paid a few visits there over the years and the staff and the nurses tell me they have been waiting to get this new emergency department started. It just never seems to happen under Labor. I ca…
date: 2026-02-10T16:42:00+00:00

Porter, Carol Anne, OAM | Adjournment | House debates
type: item
description: I rise today with a heavy heart to honour the life and legacy of an extraordinary woman, Carol Porter OAM, a longtime resident of Latrobe, a pillar of our community and a very close and dear...
encoded: I rise today with a heavy heart to honour the life and legacy of an extraordinary woman, Carol Porter OAM, a longtime resident of Latrobe, a pillar of our community and a very close and dear friend to myself and so many. Just two weeks ago we lost Carol. With her passing our community has lost one of the greatest champions. Carol Porter was a local legend who impacted many lives with her selfless service. A lifelong resident of Officer district, Carol poured her heart, energy and her remarkable generosity of spirit into helping others, particularly in the community. Carol was involved in an incredible 15 organisations. She served with the Officer Hall Committee, the Officer Football Club, the Officer Union Church committee, the St John of God hospital and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She also served her community through her work with the Officer community association, the Probus club, the Red Cross and the Officer Memorial Gates. Those gates were moved when the oval had to be realigned, and Carol was the one who did all the hard work putting the application in. Carol also played a significant leadership role as a director of the Board of Directors for Beaconsfield District Community Financial Services, serving since it was established nearly seven years ago and helping ensure local banking profits were reinvested back into our local community. Carol's advocacy helped shape the Officer community we know today. She was instrumental in so many local achievements. She fought to return the post office box to Officer, and that was a very interesting one. One day Australia Post decided to move the Officer post office box, and Carol got me down there and said we want it back. I said, 'Carol, you can't go up against Australia Post.' She said, 'Well, you'd better start making speeches and petitions.' We did all that. Eventually we had the Australia Post regional manager in the office, and, after the meeting, the regional manager said to me, 'Is this Carol Porter going to give…
date: 2026-02-05T13:22:00+00:00

Australia Day Awards and Honours | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: I rise today to acknowledge an extraordinary woman from my electorate of La Trobe, Norliah Syer-Peterson, who I had the great honour of presenting the Citizen of the Year to at the Latrobe...
encoded: I rise today to acknowledge an extraordinary woman from my electorate of La Trobe, Norliah Syer-Peterson, who I had the great honour of presenting the Citizen of the Year to at the Latrobe Australia Day awards for her remarkable courage, compassion and unwavering adversity after the tragic death of her son Levi Syer. Levi was just 16 years of age, a bright year 10 student, at St Francis Xavier College at Beaconsfield when he passed away from meningococcal B disease in September last year. Heartbreakingly, he passed away within six hours of realising that something was actually wrong with him. Meningococcal B is a very fast-moving bacterial infection. It causes meningitis and blood-poisoning. And I would just say to Norliah, you are so amazing and you had so many friends and family with you—it was a very emotional day. What the family is fighting for is to make sure that the meningococcal B vaccine is funded in Victoria, especially for year 10 students. It's currently funded in South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. I call on the Australian government—I know Minister Mark Butler is working with the family—to make sure we have all kids in Australia receive the vaccination so that there are no more tragic deaths.
date: 2026-02-03T13:51:00+00:00

Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: Islamic terrorism is nothing new. On September 11, 2001, we saw the awful events in America. Another incident was the bombing in Oklahoma by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, who were two...
encoded: Islamic terrorism is nothing new. On September 11, 2001, we saw the awful events in America. Another incident was the bombing in Oklahoma by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, who were two hardline white supremacists. These laws here today must target both Nazi sympathisers and Islamic extremists. Here in Australia in 2008, Abdul Benbrika was convicted of directing planned terrorist attacks on the MCG and the Crown casino in Melbourne. He had been removed from his mosque because of his radical beliefs, but he went out there to use his influence to target young people. That's something important about the need to target hate speech. Back in, I think, 2008, I was out there saying that we need to target hate preachers. The reason for that is my background with Victoria Police. When I look at laws and legislation, I'm looking at how police can find a conviction. I've had concerns in the past. For example, going back to September 11, you had radical preachers out there talking about how the September 11 attacks were justified and saying that it's a good thing when infidels die. It's not actually going far enough to be incitement or threats. That's why this legislation here today is very important: to make sure we capture people who are trying to influence younger people to commit hideous attacks. We look at what's happened in recent times. It's even been reported in the news overnight that, again, our Jewish Australian community has been targeted. Young Jewish teens had to escape from a ute trying to hit them in St Kilda East as the offenders drove away doing Nazi salutes. Antisemitism has got much worse since 7 October, when those awful attacks happened in Israel. Two days after, we had statements and awful chants made in the Sydney Opera House by pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Then it went further, with weekly protests at universities, with chants targeting the Jewish community—and no action was taken. You then had Neo-Nazis with their chants and their salutes, trying …
date: 2026-01-20T12:47:00+00:00

Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
type: item
description: I rise to speak on the condolence motion. One of the saddest aspects of being a member of parliament here is speaking to this awful tragedy at Bondi. If you asked every Australian what the most...
encoded: I rise to speak on the condolence motion. One of the saddest aspects of being a member of parliament here is speaking to this awful tragedy at Bondi. If you asked every Australian what the most significant places in Australia are, if their reply was not the MCG or the Opera House, it would be Bondi—everyone has been there. I'll start by putting on my hat as a former police officer. I really want to acknowledge those first responders. There is Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert, who was just four months into the job. He was shot in the head and also the shoulder, and lost vision in one eye. Then there is Constable Scott Dyson, who suffered two gunshot wounds. He was put in an induced coma and underwent multiple surgeries. I've been asked, 'Why didn't they just shoot the offenders?' The simple reason, as I've explained to people, is that they have pistols; they were up against terrorists who had been planning this for months, if not years, and who had rifles and far superior weapons. The two constables, in particular, charging up to the offenders—or the terrorists—were simply putting their lives on the line. Again, there is Detective Senior Constable Cesar Barraza. He is another hero police officer. We saw the footage of him taking a miracle shot. To shoot a revolver with any accuracy over 20 metres is difficult, but he did it over 40 or 50 metres. Then there's the father of two Ahmed al-Ahmed, who disarmed one of the terrorists—and that's what they are; they should be referred to not as 'gunmen' but as 'terrorists'—and was shot five times. They are all community heroes. They all did amazing work. There are those who should not be forgotten: Edith Brutman, 68, vice president of B'nai B'rith's New South Wales antiprejudice and antidiscrimination committee; Dan Elkayam, 27, a French national who played for Rockdale Ilinden Football Club and worked in Sydney as an IT analyst; Boris Gurman, 69, and Sofia Gurman, 61, two everyday Australians who, amazingly, tried to disar…
date: 2026-01-19T11:29:00+00:00

Taunet Nelel Organisation, Pacific Australian Emerging Leaders Summit | Constituency Statements | House debates
type: item
description: I recently had the great privilege of joining the Kenyan Australian community for the Taunet Nelel Organisation's third Cultural Fashion show. I've been to many of their events. This celebration...
encoded: I recently had the great privilege of joining the Kenyan Australian community for the Taunet Nelel Organisation's third Cultural Fashion show. I've been to many of their events. This celebration was true to the Kenyan and Kalenjin heritage, and a fantastic display of culture, tradition and community spirit—all done in an alcohol free environment. I was deeply honoured to be joined by the elders of the Kenyan Australian community, who bestowed upon me the Ceremonial Elders Stick. I was also very privileged to be given a Kenyan name, Arap Kalya—meaning 'man of peace' in the Kalenjin language. It was truly a great honour. I am very humbled by this gesture. I thank the chairman, Charles Ruto; events director, Nicky Boit; and all the members of the Taunet Nelel Organisation for their warm welcome and hospitality. As always, was a fantastic event. The event was much more than a fashion pageant. It was about confidence, culture and character, giving our Kenyan Australian community a platform to share their talents, dreams and identity with pride, which is precisely what they did. These events help our youth connect with their roots, understand their heritage and build resilience. Congratulations again, and thanks to Taunet Nelel for three years of service to the Kenyan Australian community. I also had the honour of attending a welcoming event for the Pacific Australian Emerging Leaders Summit, known as PAELS. I acknowledge Her Excellency the Governor-General, the Hon. Sam Mostyn AC; the Pacific high commissioners and the great work they do; Reverend Tim Costello, who's done an amazing job with the foundation of Micah; Matt Darvas of Micah Australia; and the delegates who attended this summit. This was a very powerful reminder that the Pacific is one family. Our wellbeing is interconnected. Our futures are bound together by the ocean that links us rather than divides us. For four years now, PAELS has brought together emerging leaders from 16 Pacific nations and Australia. M…
date: 2025-11-27T09:48:00+00:00

Energy | Questions without Notice | House debates
type: item
description: My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Under Labor, the number of Australian families on financial hardship claims has surged by nearly 50 per cent. Australians, including...
encoded: My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Under Labor, the number of Australian families on financial hardship claims has surged by nearly 50 per cent. Australians, including families in my electorate of La Trobe, are hurting. What is the message from this minister, who works part time, to more than 200,000 Australian families struggling to pay their power bills and cutting back this Christmas because of Labor's broken promise to bring down power prices?
date: 2025-11-27T14:23:00+00:00

Bureau of Meteorology: Website | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: When it comes to storms in the electorate of La Trobe, especially the Dandenong Ranges, we get big storms. Back in 2021, areas in the Dandenong Ranges, including La Trobe—such as Cockatoo,...
encoded: When it comes to storms in the electorate of La Trobe, especially the Dandenong Ranges, we get big storms. Back in 2021, areas in the Dandenong Ranges, including La Trobe—such as Cockatoo, Gembrook and Emerald—lost power for many days. Everyone in the hills, if not right around Australia, relies on the Bureau of Meteorology's website to make sure they get up-to-date information when storms are coming. Recently, when I went on the website, like so many Australians, it was actually very hard to follow. I landed on a map of Australia rather than locally, and, when I looked at when the storm was coming, in actual fact, it had been changed from a bad storm of red to a different colour of blue. Then we found out that the bureau had actually upgraded their website with the full go-ahead of the Albanese government. It was supposed to be $4.1 million. When it comes to anyone building a website, $4 million is a lot of money. Yet, remarkably, under the Labor government, it blew out to $96 million. How can a website cost $96 million? It is an absolute disgrace, and the website didn't even work the way we expected it to. It was absolutely hopeless. Shame on the Labor government for wasting $96 million of taxpayers' money on a website that doesn't even work.
date: 2025-11-25T13:48:00+00:00

National Police Remembrance Day | Statements on Significant Matters | House debates
type: item
description: I too am very saddened by the murders of two police officers who very tragically were taken from us. Detective Senior Constable Neal Thompson served an amazing 40 years with Victoria Police, and...
encoded: I too am very saddened by the murders of two police officers who very tragically were taken from us. Detective Senior Constable Neal Thompson served an amazing 40 years with Victoria Police, and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart—they were both doing their job in protecting and upholding right. I know about upholding right, because I served 18 in the Victoria Police force. What's happened for these members and their family is very tragic. This is really hurting the brotherhood and sisterhood of Victoria Police at the moment. One thing I do know is that Victoria Police will not give up. As the search goes on, they will continue and continue until they get their man. Sadly, we saw in some protests—and I note what the member for Riverina said—people holding up placards trying to somehow honour the alleged police murderer. I'm hoping the courts take tough action against that, especially at a time when Victorian police members and their families are grieving, because it is a very close community. I joined the Victorian police force and graduated in April 1987. Just 12 months before that, we had the most awful bombing, the Russell Street bombing, in March 1986. That was outside the Russell Street police station. Tragically, Constable Angela Taylor was walking past and was killed in that explosion. Minutes beforehand, they had two groups of schoolchildren walking past, and, miraculously, they were spared. It was amazing work that the detectives did at the time. In actual fact, it was a stolen motor vehicle squad. A member went down to Dawson Street, I believe. He was investigating stolen cars on a racket, and he walked past the car which was actually the remains of the car used for the Russell Street bombing. He noticed the serial number had been drilled out in the same way as in his investigation, and that eventually led the police onto charging those responsible. I don't name them because they don't deserve to be named. But, again, it was just to go after the author…
date: 2025-09-04T10:48:00+00:00

Micah Australia, Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria | Constituency Statements | House debates
type: item
description: I rise today to speak on the commendable work of two outstanding organisations—Micah Australia and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria—and their tremendous...
encoded: I rise today to speak on the commendable work of two outstanding organisations—Micah Australia and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria—and their tremendous contribution in serving communities both here in Australia and across our region. I've had many years working with Micah Australia. I recently had the privilege to meet with the Micah Women Leaders Delegation in Parliament House, and can I say they were very impressive and very passionate. These advocates set a compelling agenda centred on the modern case for Australian aid, grounded in the values of compassion and global responsibility. The delegation highlighted how effective aid fosters not only prevention but also, very importantly, stability. It also bolsters security, aligning with Australia's strategic interests in the region. Their key priorities include building broad bipartisan support for aid, advocating for its restoration to one per cent of the federal budget, and advancing an urgent humanitarian package for Myanmar. We have the Minister for International Development in the Chamber, and I'm sure she will look at that very closely and compassionately, as Myanmar is facing a very large humanitarian emergency. Micah's Safer World for All campaign—I must say that, when they first said it to me, I though it was 'safer world for oil', but it's actually Safer World for All, and I had to clarify that with them—reminds us that aid is not a charity; it's a strategic investment in peace, stability and prosperity. The work underscores the strong public support for aid, reflecting the values of compassion and solidarity that define us as a nation. In another significant engagement, I had the honour of meeting Lady Roslyn Morauta, chair of the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria. She briefed me on Australia's impactful partnership with the global fund, particularly in the pivotal role of pandemic preparedness. Australia stands as one of the most valued and longstanding partners …
date: 2025-09-03T09:59:00+00:00

Victoria: Tourism Industry | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: 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...
encoded: 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.
date: 2025-09-01T13:33:00+00:00

Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme | Private Members' Business | House debates
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description: I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the establishment and ongoing implementation of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, a significant bipartisan initiative designed to...
encoded: I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the establishment and ongoing implementation of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, a significant bipartisan initiative designed to address chronic workforce shortages in regional and rural Australia; (2) recognises the role of the former Government in consolidating the Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme into the unified PALM scheme in 2021, streamlining Pacific labour mobility and enhancing regional cooperation; (3) notes that the PALM scheme provides a vital workforce for Australian farmers, growers, food processors, and regional businesses, particularly in horticulture, meat processing and essential services—sectors that face ongoing labour constraints; (4) further recognises the mutual benefits of the PALM scheme, delivering reliable employment and remittance opportunities to workers from nine Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste, while strengthening Australia's diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties with our Pacific family; and (5) affirms Australia's responsibility as a regional partner, upholding its moral and regional leadership responsibility as a trusted partner in Pacific development. I rise to speak today in support of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme, known to many as the PALM scheme, which has been a significant and positive force in supporting Australia's regional and rural employers and building stronger relationships with our Pacific island neighbours and Timor-Leste. The PALM scheme is a significant bipartisan initiative. It allows Australian employers, particularly those in rural and regional areas, to access a reliable pool of workers from nine Pacific island nations and Timor-Leste. Introduced in April 2022 by the Morrison coalition government—and I acknowledge the former minister, the member for Riverina, for the great work he did in this space—the PALM scheme replaced earlier programs, the Seasonal Worker Program and the Pacific Labour Scheme, and in doi…
date: 2025-08-25T18:40:00+00:00

La Trobe Electorate: Cultural Celebrations | Constituency Statements | House debates
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description: I recently had the honour of attending two vibrant cultural celebrations reflecting the rich diversity and community spirit of my electorate of La Trobe. Namaskaram! On Saturday I joined the...
encoded: I recently had the honour of attending two vibrant cultural celebrations reflecting the rich diversity and community spirit of my electorate of La Trobe. Namaskaram! On Saturday I joined the Berwick Malayalam community for their Onam 2025 celebrations. I extend my sincere thanks to: Jose P Mathew, the Berwick Ayalkoottam committee's president; Ancy Aby, vice-president; Lalson Mathews, secretary; Unnimaya Febin, joint secretary; Midhun Francis, treasurer; and committee members Sajith Varkey, Jotsna Jose, Deon Boby and Sarath Purushothaman, as well as the entire Berwick Ayalkoottam team for organising such a fantastic and colourful event. Onam is one of the most cherished festivals of our Malayalam community. It celebrates Kerala's rich cultural heritage and brings families together to honour the legendary King Mahabali, who again showed up on this great occasion. I've had the privilege of attending many Onam celebrations over the years and have always been moved by the traditional performances and the spirit of unity, as well as their friendship. Berwick Ayalkoottam, funded in 2008 by eight families, now represents more than 160 families and nearly 500 members from Berwick and the surrounding suburbs, and they put on a magnificent event. With more than 80,000 Malayalam speakers in Australia, the contributions of our Malayalam community continue to enrich our nation. Once again, I commend the members of Berwick Ayalkoottam for their initiatives, support and celebration of our amazing Australian Malayalam community, and I wish everyone a joyful Onam. I also had the great privilege of attending the Cardinia Gujarati Association—and namaste to all of them. They held the Janmashtami and Ganesh Utsav celebrations in Pakenham. I thank Brijal, who's a great friend as well as the trustee, and all the committee members, for putting on such a magnificent event. Janmashtami marks the birth of Sri Krishna, who symbolises knowledge and wisdom. Ganesh Utsav celebrates the birth of …
date: 2025-08-25T10:40:00+00:00

Pacific Banking Guarantee Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I thank the minister for his eagerness to support our great friends in the Pacific. I know his intentions are well and truly for the right reasons. It is the same on the side of the House; I...
encoded: I thank the minister for his eagerness to support our great friends in the Pacific. I know his intentions are well and truly for the right reasons. It is the same on the side of the House; I acknowledge the member for Riverina, the former shadow minister for international development and the Pacific, who I know will be speaking after me. I make the point that the previous government never neglected our Pacific neighbours; in actual fact, it delivered a record $2.7 billion in Pacific support in 2021-22 across aid infrastructure, health and security. We became the first and only country with diplomatic posts in every Pacific Islands Forum nation, and we expanded regional security through the $2 billion Pacific Marine Security Program, including the delivery of the Guardian class patrol boat—something so important for our region. When it comes to this bill, the Pacific Banking Guarantee Bill 2025, we definitely support the bill in principle. We support the intentions of the bill. However, we believe it needs to go to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee because there are questions which need to be answered in regard to it. One of the first things I will talk about is that the local bank over there in the South Pacific, the Bank South Pacific itself, is ASX listed. I met with a number of the executives the other day, and they gave me a bit of a rundown of what they do; I will just go through it here. Ninety-seven per cent of the BSP is owned by the South Pacific, making it the fundamental driver of the region's prosperity. The PNG government owns 22 per cent of South Pacific superannuation funds and is the largest shareholder in the BSP, with 36 per cent. It is one of the largest employers, with 4,600 employees. One of the points I'd like to make is that we want to make sure their voices are heard. When it comes to remote areas in the Pacific, that's where, I've been advised, the Bank South Pacific does a lot of good work on the ground. When we had the situation w…
date: 2025-07-30T16:42:00+00:00

Casey Hospital | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: At a time of emergency, when you go to the hospital you want to make sure you're seen quickly, especially if it's your child. Back in 2019 my own daughter, Jasmine, had an anaphylactic reaction,...
encoded: At a time of emergency, when you go to the hospital you want to make sure you're seen quickly, especially if it's your child. Back in 2019 my own daughter, Jasmine, had an anaphylactic reaction, and they took her to Casey Hospital. I was amazed by how many people were waiting in the emergency department. The great news back in 2019 was that funding was announced under the former health minister Greg Hunt for an emergency department specifically for children. The state Labor government agreed to this, and yet we've had delays since 2020. It was delayed in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and, guess what, again in 2025. When it comes to a children's emergency department at Casey Hospital, the whole project is still delayed. Parents are contacting me all the time saying, 'When is work going to start?' When I visit the hospital, the nurses and the doctors are under so much pressure and stress. They want this emergency department for children to be up and running. It is an absolute crying shame and disgraceful that the Labor government of Victoria hasn't got Casey Hospital emergency department for children up and running. It is in one of the fastest-growing areas in Australia. It needs this emergency department for children, it needed it six years ago, it needs work— (Time expired)
date: 2025-07-30T13:48:00+00:00

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Reconsiderations) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I raise a point of order on correct titles.
encoded: I raise a point of order on correct titles.
date: 2025-03-25T17:03:00+00:00

Taxation | Questions without Notice | House debates
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description: You still take their preferences!
encoded: You still take their preferences!
date: 2025-02-12T14:32:00+00:00

Youth Crime | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: Youth crime is out of control under Labor, with no consequences for violent crimes. Labor's way of weak bail laws and raising the age of criminal responsibility makes the problem worse. Instead...
encoded: Youth crime is out of control under Labor, with no consequences for violent crimes. Labor's way of weak bail laws and raising the age of criminal responsibility makes the problem worse. Instead of stringent bail laws, Labor allows violent youth to receive multiple bails for serious crimes. A Dutton-led government would work with the states to deliver strong laws and tackle knife crime. Under Labor, youth gangs post assault videos on social media. A Dutton-led government would punish those posting these videos, removing their criminal glory. Early intervention is crucial to prevent young people from engaging in crime, yet Prime Minister Albanese cut $50 million from high-risk-youth programs, leaving kids and families helpless. For example, Labor cut the funding for regional youth support services in Gosford, New South Wales which helped 3,000 young people and achieved a 25 per cent reduction in crime and an 85 per cent reduction in recidivism. Former member for Robertson Lucy Wicks initiated this program. Now it has been cut, but well done to Lucy, who's standing up for the people of Robertson to have this program recommitted. Under the Liberals, we committed $120 million. This Prime Minister should be condemned for allowing youth crime to go untouched across the nation. (Time expired)
date: 2025-02-12T13:58:00+00:00

Criminal Code Amendment (Hate Crimes) Bill 2024; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: First of all, I must take up the Greens leader and member for Melbourne when it comes to some of his colleagues who've been really revving up the crowds and going to violent protests in...
encoded: First of all, I must take up the Greens leader and member for Melbourne when it comes to some of his colleagues who've been really revving up the crowds and going to violent protests in Melbourne, which, sadly, have been very much against the Jewish community. They are now basically calling for peace and harmony when the Greens leader himself and his Greens colleagues voted so many times against motions supporting the Jewish people in Australia and condemning Hamas. All of a sudden—I think because of election results in Queensland and also some council results—the Greens have realised, 'We might just want to get out there and support the Jewish community a tiny bit.' The Criminal Code Amendment (Hate Crimes) Bill 2024 is necessary because of repeated failures of the Albanese government—in particular when it comes to the Prime Minister. Rather than stamping out antisemitism right from the start and really showing strong leadership in calling it out, especially when it started at the Opera House in New South Wales—sadly, that hasn't taken place. We're a country that prides itself on treating people equally regardless of faith or background, which is so important. It's a core national value. Antisemitism is a direct rejection of that value and of being Australian. Hamas is a Palestinian armed group and political movement in the Gaza Strip. We should never forget—and again, I didn't hear the Greens leader say this—why this awful situation has happened. It goes back to 7 October 2023, when Israel was attacked, with Hamas killing around 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages, of which we're now seeing some of the remainder being released. The 7 October attacks are the single greatest loss of Jewish lives on any day since the Holocaust. Jewish businesses, homes, cars and synagogues in Australia have been targeted, and the spread of antisemitism in Australia after 7 October has just been relentless, especially in recent months. It started with those demonstrations. Can I…
date: 2025-02-05T16:50:00+00:00

Albanese Government | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: I wish to highlight 10 of Labor's massive fails. In fact, there have been hundreds of failures by this Albanese Labor government. No.1, they wasted 18 months of government and $500 million on...
encoded: I wish to highlight 10 of Labor's massive fails. In fact, there have been hundreds of failures by this Albanese Labor government. No.1, they wasted 18 months of government and $500 million on their failed Voice campaign while ignoring the cost of living. No. 2 is the out-of-control spending that's fuelling inflation and keeping prices high. Even the RBA has acknowledged the homegrown inflation problem. Under Labor, we've had 12 interest rate hikes. The PM promised we'd actually have mortgage relief; that hasn't happened. The PM promised 97 times to reduce energy bills by $275. Instead, they've risen by a thousand dollars. No. 5, their weakness has allowed antisemitism to flourish in Australia. I feel so sorry for the Jewish community, under Labor. Sadly, 27,000 businesses have become insolvent under Labor. You can't forget Labor's immigration chaos, which has seen record-breaking migration fuelling the housing crisis. No. 8, you can't leave out Labor's release from detention of 215 dangerous, foreign born criminals. And guess what? The minister in charge then got promoted by the Prime Minister. Go figure that one. And, back in 2022, the PM promised life would be easier under him. Well, it's not. We can't afford three more years of this weak Labor government and weak Labor Prime Minister.
date: 2025-02-05T13:57:00+00:00