Anne Urquhart's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
type: channel
language: en-gb
creator: OpenAustralia.org, mprss.php script
date: 2026-02-10T22:05:31+00:00
items: Day on the Duck | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Kennedy, Ms Alyssia, Mount Lyell Strahan Picnic | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Braddon Electorate: Health Care | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Regional Australia | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Mental Health Month | Statements on Significant Matters | House debates
items: VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Carers | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Braddon Electorate: Child Care | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Regional Australia | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
items: Regional Australia: Roads | Private Members' Business | House debates
items: Braddon Electorate: Wynyard Tulip Festival, Braddon Electorate: Penguin | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Unconformity | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Timber industry | Private Members' Business | House debates
items: Braddon Electorate: Medicare Mental Health Centres, Rural and Regional Health Services | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Renewable Energy | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Renewable Energy | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Kiely Plumbing | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026, Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026, Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Braddon Electorate: Community Events | Statements by Members | House debates

Day on the Duck | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: I want to acknowledge a fantastic community celebration held in Smithton over the Australia Day weekend: the fun-filled Day on the Duck. This annual summer event once again transformed the West...
encoded: I want to acknowledge a fantastic community celebration held in Smithton over the Australia Day weekend: the fun-filled Day on the Duck. This annual summer event once again transformed the West Esplanade into a vibrant and welcoming gathering place for families, visitors and locals alike. From midday through to the early evening, children were treated to a huge range of free entertainment—everything from the mini Ferris wheel to face painting, laser tag and even Scotty's Snakes making an appearance. Throughout the afternoon, local performers filled the foreshore with music, adding to the festive atmosphere. Food vendors and community groups served up crowd favourites such as mini dutch pancakes and waffles. The highlight was the duck race at 6 pm, where 600 colourful ducks were released onto the Duck River, near the bridge, navigating that river and the occasional rebellious competitor. A special thank you goes to the dedicated volunteers, especially the stray-duck catchers in kayaks, who keep the race running smoothly every year. I extend my warmest congratulations to the sponsors, McCain Foods and Circular Head Council, along with others, and to every volunteer who played a role in bringing this event together. Their hard work, creativity and commitment are what make Day on the Duck such a stand-out feature on the local calendar. It really reflects the true heart of Circular Head.
date: 2026-02-09T16:43:00+00:00

Kennedy, Ms Alyssia, Mount Lyell Strahan Picnic | Constituency Statements | House debates
type: item
description: I'm extremely proud to say that the 2026 Young Australian of the Year for Tasmania was awarded to Braddon local Alyssia Kennedy, a remarkable young woman who has turned her own lived experience...
encoded: I'm extremely proud to say that the 2026 Young Australian of the Year for Tasmania was awarded to Braddon local Alyssia Kennedy, a remarkable young woman who has turned her own lived experience into meaningful change. After leaving school, Alyssia discovered gaps familiar to many young Australians. Despite strong academic results, she found herself without the practical life skills needed to navigate adulthood: budgeting, managing bills, completing a tax return. She learnt these lessons the hard way, but she was determined that others shouldn't have to. Alyssia created the Upturned Tasmania program Life After School, an initiative designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world skills. She now works with schools and youth groups to empower young people with the confidence and capability they need to thrive as adults. Alyssia's vision is simple but also powerful: every young person deserves the tools to succeed in life, not just in school. Her dedication is helping build a more capable and confident generation of young Tasmanians. I want to congratulate Alyssia on this outstanding achievement and thank her for the profound contribution she's making to young people right across Tasmania. Her work is transforming lives today and strengthening our future but also the future of our young people. On 26 January I attended the 128th annual Mount Lyell Strahan Picnic, at West Strahan Beach. This event is one of the West Coast's most enduring and treasured community traditions. For more than a century, the picnic has brought together workers, families and visitors from right across the region, and it continues to reflect the resilience, camaraderie and deep sense of belonging that define the West Coast community of Tasmania. It began with mine workers travelling from Queenstown to Strahan Beach by train in 1897, and that tradition has continued every year. From traditional games and footraces to the food stalls that local volunteers prepared with such pri…
date: 2026-02-05T09:40:00+00:00

Braddon Electorate: Health Care | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: Thanks to the Albanese Labor government, residents of Braddon now have access to free mental health care with the opening of a temporary pop-up Medicare mental health centre in Burnie. Located in...
encoded: Thanks to the Albanese Labor government, residents of Braddon now have access to free mental health care with the opening of a temporary pop-up Medicare mental health centre in Burnie. Located in Cooee along the Bass Highway, this walk-in service provides immediate support for anyone in distress—no appointment, no referral, just help when they need it most. It is staffed by a dedicated team of clinicians and peer workers, ensuring that our locals receive the right care at the right time. This temporary centre will remain in place while a permanent Medicare mental health centre is established at the Burnie Health Hub, due open in late 2026. This is the second Medicare mental health centre in Braddon, with a national roll-out of 92 centres right across the country. Along with this clinic, a new Medicare urgent care clinic will open on 9 February, offering bulk-billed extended hours care for non-emergency conditions also in Burnie at the Health Hub. This will be the second urgent care clinic in Braddon and is something I campaigned for in the election. This provides my constituents with better access to urgent care and mental health assistance when they need it most, taking pressure off the emergency department at the North West Regional Hospital in Burnie. On this side, all of us are about delivering on our promises. Over on that side, it's all about division.
date: 2026-02-04T13:56:00+00:00

Regional Australia | Questions without Notice | House debates
type: item
description: My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. How is the Albanese Labor government focused on keeping regional communities connected in...
encoded: My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. How is the Albanese Labor government focused on keeping regional communities connected in the air and on the ground? What approaches to regional Australia has the government rejected.
date: 2026-02-03T14:37:00+00:00

Mental Health Month | Statements on Significant Matters | House debates
type: item
description: October was Mental Health Month, a time to reflect on and to raise awareness of the wellbeing of every Australian. It's a time to speak openly, to listen deeply and to act with compassion. In my...
encoded: October was Mental Health Month, a time to reflect on and to raise awareness of the wellbeing of every Australian. It's a time to speak openly, to listen deeply and to act with compassion. In my electorate of Braddon, we have a powerful reason to celebrate. We just marked a major milestone for mental health care in our region, with the official opening, alongside Assistant Minister Emma McBride, of the new Medicare mental health centre in Devonport. This isn't just another health facility; it's a lifeline, a place where people in distress can walk through the door and find support without barriers, without judgement and without delay. For too long, mental health support has been out of reach for many Tasmanians, particularly in our regional areas. We've heard the stories of long wait times, referral requirements and those cost barriers—people struggling in silence, unsure where to turn or unable to afford the help that they need. That's not good enough, and it's not the kind of Australia we want to build. The Devonport Medicare mental health centre changes that. It offers free, walk-in support, with no appointment, no referral and no treatment plan required—just help when and where it's needed most. The model of care is built around the individual. It's staffed by a team of clinicians and peer workers—people with both professional expertise and lived experience. Together they provide support that is compassionate, timely and tailored to each person's needs. Whether someone is experiencing a crisis or seeking ongoing care, the centre is ready to respond. It's a safe space, a welcoming space and a place where people are seen, heard and supported. I'm proud to say that we'll take a major step forward soon with the opening of a new Medicare mental health centre in Burnie. This centre will join the growing network of Medicare mental health centres across Australia designed to fill critical gaps in the mental health system and reduce that pressure on our hospital emergenc…
date: 2025-11-26T12:44:00+00:00

VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I rise today to speak in support of the VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025. This bill is about fixing a problem identified during a review of how VET student loans were...
encoded: I rise today to speak in support of the VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025. This bill is about fixing a problem identified during a review of how VET student loans were administered under the previous government. It is a practical measure that ensures certainty for students, providers and the integrity of the system. Since the VET Student Loans Act commenced in 2017, VET student loans providers and registered training organisations, including TAFEs and private colleges, have played an important role in administering loan applications. In practice, this involved handling tax file numbers for the purpose of verifying a student's identity and ensuring loan repayment through the tax system. However, during a review of how VET student loans were administered, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations identified that the Vet Student Loans Act 2016 did not explicitly authorise providers to handle TFNs. The program operated as intended, providers acted in good faith and the system functioned to help Australians access training without upfront costs, but the legal footing needed to be clearer. This bill addresses that gap. It clarifies the authority retrospectively so that everyone involved—providers, Commonwealth officers and the department—has certainty that their past handling of TFNs for the administration of loans was lawful. The bill does three key things. First, it retrospectively authorises the handling of those tax file numbers by VET student loans providers and relevant Commonwealth officers for the purposes of administering VSLs from 1 January 2017 to 30 September 2025. This ensures that the good-faith actions taken to administer the scheme were legally supported. Second, it provides certainty to providers, government officers and students that past practices where tax file numbers were used to correctly link a student's loan account to their Australian Taxation Office record were lawful and appropriate. Third, from 1 October 2025 prov…
date: 2025-11-26T11:20:00+00:00

Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I rise today to speak in support of the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 and the associated bill—a practical, targeted and responsible measure from the Albanese Labor...
encoded: I rise today to speak in support of the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 and the associated bill—a practical, targeted and responsible measure from the Albanese Labor government, one that backs our pubs, clubs, brewers and hospitality workers right across Australia, including in the electorate of Braddon in regional Tasmania, where I come from. From 1 August 2025 the government will pause indexation on draught beer excise and excise equivalent customs duties for two years. This is a sensible decision that supports small businesses, protects jobs and helps keep the price of a pint stable for everyday Australians. In towns across the electorate of Braddon, the local pub is more than a business; it's where people gather for sport, celebrations and support in their tough times. It's where locals find work, where small brewers find customers and where regional economies find strength. These venues are the heart of our communities and they deserve our support. This excise applies to containers between eight and 48 litres, those commonly used in pubs and clubs and larger containers used in hospitality venues. It's tightly targeted. It doesn't apply to bottled or canned beer, spirits or other excisable beverages. That's deliberate. This is about supporting our hospitality operators, not the retailers. Around 10,000 venues will benefit from this measure, and about 75 per cent of those are small family-run businesses. These are the venues that sponsor the local footy team, host charity raffles and employ young people starting out in the workforce, many of them university students. It also supports our brewers, especially small and independent producers, who rely on keg sales to stay afloat. (Quorum formed) Take Communion Brewing in Burnie, in the electorate of Braddon, for example. This family-friendly brewpub is the heart of the CBD. It brews all its beer onsite, with names inspired by local heritage, like the Paper Maker, a nod to Burnie's industrial past. C…
date: 2025-11-25T16:30:00+00:00

Carers | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: This week I had the privilege of attending Carers Australia's young carers Australia barbecue right here in Parliament House, where I met the wonderful Taya and her mum, Kathryn, from Burnie in...
encoded: This week I had the privilege of attending Carers Australia's young carers Australia barbecue right here in Parliament House, where I met the wonderful Taya and her mum, Kathryn, from Burnie in the electorate that I represent. Taya is an extraordinary 15-year-old and a proud young carer. She cares for her younger brother Kye, who has level 3 autism, is nonverbal and lives with a global development delay. When Kye was first diagnosed, Taya knew nothing about autism or the challenges ahead, but she embraced her role with courage and resilience. Her caring responsibilities are significant. She manages toileting, nightly medication, getting both herself and Kye ready for school, ensuring someone is home to meet his bus and providing constant supervision. These are just some of the daily tasks that make life more complex for her family. While many of her peers may not fully understand the demands of her role, Taya continues to show incredible strength. Despite these responsibilities, she's still a teenager with really big dreams. She plays club football, performs in musicals, takes on leadership roles in school, works part time and maintains a social life. She speaks honestly about carer burn out and the struggle to balance her own needs with Kye's and reminds us that caring takes a village. She's grateful for the support around her. Her story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of our young carers, and my hat goes off to her.
date: 2025-11-25T13:32:00+00:00

Braddon Electorate: Child Care | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: The closure of St Patrick's Child Care Centre in Latrobe on the 24 December would have created a significant gap in early learning services for families in the Braddon electorate that I...
encoded: The closure of St Patrick's Child Care Centre in Latrobe on the 24 December would have created a significant gap in early learning services for families in the Braddon electorate that I represent. Surrounding centres are already operating at capacity, and this planned closure placed immediate pressure on parents who rely on quality care to stay in the workforce. I was pleased to announce last week that the Albanese Labor government has stepped in to support local families. Lady Gowrie Tasmania successfully secured $334,000 in federal funding to redevelop a temporary early learning space on Gilbert Street in Latrobe. This interim solution will ensure continuity of care for children and peace of mind for parents until the permanent Cotton Street centre is completed between July and September next year. As one parent told me, 'Without this support, I didn't know how I'd keep working. Knowing there's a safe, quality place for my child means everything to our family.' This is a great outcome for our community. It demonstrates our commitment to making early childhood education accessible and to supporting working families in Braddon. I also want to thank the Latrobe Council, the state government and Lady Gowrie Tasmania for supporting the federal government to deliver this much needed service in Latrobe when it looked like there was going to be no other opportunity. Everyone has worked really hard together, and I want to thank all of them.
date: 2025-11-24T16:17:00+00:00

Regional Australia | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
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description: I rise today to speak on the matter of public importance, borne to the chamber by the member for Page. The MPI is really a load of rubbish. Honestly, it's not worth the paper it's written on. The...
encoded: I rise today to speak on the matter of public importance, borne to the chamber by the member for Page. The MPI is really a load of rubbish. Honestly, it's not worth the paper it's written on. The Albanese Labor government understands that families in our region are doing it tough. Whether it's rising grocery prices, energy bills or housing costs, the pressure is real. I come from regional Australia. I travel to regional Tasmania regularly. I see the difficulties that people face. That's why the Albanese Labor government is focused on responsible, targeted cost-of-living relief and relief that makes a real difference to the lives of people, particularly those living in regional Australia. We're not here to play politics with issues facing those Australians; we're here to deliver on the promises we made, and that's exactly what we're doing. Since 1 July, a suite of measures rolled out right across the country, and I've seen firsthand my electorate how they're helping households in regional Australia. Wages are up. The national minimum wage and award wages have increased by 3.5 per cent, a direct boost for thousands of workers in regional areas—workers in our factories. The previous speaker spoke about the farmers, we have lots of farmers in our region, and they support the workers in those factories that, now, many of whom will get the benefit of the wage increase we have provided to them, which is a direct boost for thousands of workers. It's money in their pockets, not promises on paper but money in their pockets. Superannuation is stronger. The superannuation guarantee has risen to 12 per cent, helping to secure a better retirement for locals who've worked hard all their lives. We have introduced that payday super for workers to get a better deal so they don't get ripped off. Families are better supported. Paid parental leave has increased to 24 weeks and, for the first time, superannuation is paid on government PPL. That's a gamechanger for young families planning…
date: 2025-11-05T16:01:00+00:00

Regional Australia: Roads | Private Members' Business | House debates
type: item
description: After a decade of neglect and underinvestment by the former coalition government, the Albanese Labor government is delivering record infrastructure investment to rebuild our regions and make our...
encoded: After a decade of neglect and underinvestment by the former coalition government, the Albanese Labor government is delivering record infrastructure investment to rebuild our regions and make our roads safer for all Australians. We're not just talking about change; we're actually delivering it. We understand that safe, reliable infrastructure is the backbone of thriving communities. That's why the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is undertaking a comprehensive consultation process, engaging with road safety experts, industry leaders, local governments and, of course, everyday Australians. We've committed to a 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline that exceeds $120 billion, the largest and most sustainable infrastructure investment in our nation's history. This pipeline supports a program of nationally significant transport infrastructure projects across each state and territory, with a strong focus on regional Australia. As part of the 2025-26 budget, we allocated $8.6 billion under the infrastructure investment pipeline towards 22 new major projects that will directly benefit regional communities. In Tasmania, we are investing $2.3 billion over the next decade to deliver transformative infrastructure upgrades across the state. This includes $628.8 million for the new Bridgewater Bridge, which officially opened in June 2025 and is already improving travel times and safety for thousands of Tasmanians who travel that every day, and $363.2 million for upgrades to the East and West Tamar highways, the Bass Highway and the Ridgley Highway. When I talk about highways, I also talk about these roads that are in regional Tasmania. Many of them are in the area that I represent. There is $150 million to duplicate the Tasman Highway causeways, easing congestion and improving safety; $100 million for safety improvements to the iconic Great Eastern Drive; $82 million to expand the bulk minerals export facility a…
date: 2025-11-03T17:10:00+00:00

Braddon Electorate: Wynyard Tulip Festival, Braddon Electorate: Penguin | Constituency Statements | House debates
type: item
description: Despite wild weather in the lead-up to the event, the skies cleared just in time and the community turned out in force with gumboots on and spirits high for the 2025 Tulip Festival in Wynyard....
encoded: Despite wild weather in the lead-up to the event, the skies cleared just in time and the community turned out in force with gumboots on and spirits high for the 2025 Tulip Festival in Wynyard. This festival began in 1991, born from the pride the Wynyard community felt in the breathtaking beauty of the region. What started as a small local celebration has blossomed, quite literally, into a nationally recognised event, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year. Over the past 33 years, we've seen the festival grow in scale and significance, with only one pause in 2020 due to COVID, which is an amazing result. Last year alone, Wynyard welcomed an estimated 20,000 people. That's a testament to the enduring appeal of the festival and the tireless work of the Waratah-Wynyard Council, staff, volunteers and stallholders, who make it all happen. This year's festival was made even more special by the presence of guest ambassadors MasterChef runner up from Smithton, Josh "Pezza" Perry, and Hannah Moloney, a host of ABC TV's Gardening Australia. Here's to 33 years of the Wynyard Tulip Festival, and I look forward to seeing everyone again in 2026 for the 34th year! A week ago I attended a birthday party. That's not all that revolutionary; however, this was a combined 150th birthday for the township of Penguin and 50th birthday for the giant three-metre high penguin that sits on the foreshore. The town of Penguin, nestled beside the sea on the north-west coast in Braddon, had the biggest and best birthday party that I've ever been to. The Penguin 150 Street Party was the highlight of the year of festivities to celebrate the birthday of the town. There was live music, food stalls, local markets, entertainment and a lot of community spirit, capped off with a fabulous show of fireworks. The main street was closed off so it was safe to roam, and the street was abuzz with crowds, prams, children, dogs and people enjoying the sunshine and the atmosphere. For the occasion, Australi…
date: 2025-11-03T10:33:00+00:00

Unconformity | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: An unconformity is a buried erosion surface separating two rock masses, or, as it happens on the west coast of Tasmania, it's a contemporary arts festival exploring the unique paradoxes of...
encoded: An unconformity is a buried erosion surface separating two rock masses, or, as it happens on the west coast of Tasmania, it's a contemporary arts festival exploring the unique paradoxes of Queenstown—a four-day biennial festival, where you can walk the landscape, meet the people, be provoked by the different art, learn and be taught, or just have a damn good time enjoying art and all of the different iterations. This year I had the honour of being joined by the federal arts minister, Tony Burke. I proudly escorted him around Queenstown, through many of the festival's venues, and introduced him to a wide range of artists. It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase our local arts community. There's something truly special about meeting artists in their element, seeing their work, hearing their stories. Whether you were sitting on Crib Road enjoying the music, sampling food from the local vendors or browsing artworks in pop-up galleries, Queenstown was really alive with creativity. Spiderbait, the legendary Aussie rock band, headlined the music program and brought an incredible energy to the weekend. Their performance drew crowds from across the region and was a highlight for many, myself included. I've been to every Unconformity since the festival's inception and I can say, without hesitation, that they just get better and better. Thank you to everyone who makes this festival possible: the artists, the organisers, the volunteers, the local businesses and the community of Queenstown. You continue to produce a top-tier festival.
date: 2025-10-27T16:32:00+00:00

Timber industry | Private Members' Business | House debates
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description: The Albanese Labor government is unequivocal in its support for a sustainable and innovative Australian forestry industry. This means both native forestry and plantations. We recognise that...
encoded: The Albanese Labor government is unequivocal in its support for a sustainable and innovative Australian forestry industry. This means both native forestry and plantations. We recognise that native forests are a crucial and complementary source of wood products that plantations cannot supply. This reduces our reliance on importing this timber from countries that have weaker environmental standards. I recently visited Britton Timbers in Smithton in the Circular Head region on the far north-west coast of Tasmania. Britton Timbers celebrated its centenary in 2007. Britton Timbers has been a provider of quality Tasmanian timber—timber like blackwood, Tasmanian hardwood and other timbers—for over 100 years, providing good jobs for locals. Around one-third of the employees have been with Britton's for more than 10 years, and 17 per cent have been with the company for over 20 years. Britton Timbers have invested significantly in new technology to provide for more product flexibility to meet their customer requirements. The imported timber that they use is sourced from suppliers who identify environmental sustainability as a principal factor. Their timbers are also sourced principally from forests with international certification. Sitting down and talking with Shawn Britton was not only educational but also refreshing—hearing about how they care about their resource and also about their environment. The forest industry, like all our resource based industries, have long value chains. The Tasmanian forestry industry's value chain is made up of forest managers, harvesting contractors, log-truck drivers, sawmill operators and timber wholesalers and retailers. This flows through to house builders and furniture makers—and we have some wonderful specialty furniture makers in Tasmania, who use some of the most stunning timber that we grow. And, of course, we have many craft product makers, who sell their products in the boutique galleries that support our tourism and visitor economy…
date: 2025-10-27T11:59:00+00:00

Braddon Electorate: Medicare Mental Health Centres, Rural and Regional Health Services | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: Last week, along with Minister Emma McBride, we officially opened the Medicare mental health centre in Devonport, in the electorate of Braddon. This walk-in centre offers free mental health care...
encoded: Last week, along with Minister Emma McBride, we officially opened the Medicare mental health centre in Devonport, in the electorate of Braddon. This walk-in centre offers free mental health care for anyone aged 18 and over. It's open five days a week, with no appointment, no referral and no payment required. It's staffed with qualified mental health professionals, who can find the support that people need either on the phone, face to face or via the website. It's a warm, soothing environment, and as soon as you walk in the door you feel like it's giving you a warm hug. These centres are a much-needed addition to my community. Following the soft opening the week prior to the official opening, the centre had 15 walk-ins. When I dropped in last week to say hello, they told me they'd had a further 10 walk-ins since the official opening. These are services which really matter in a community, particularly in regional communities like the one that I represent, and I look forward to a second Medicare mental health centre opening soon, in Burnie. This will provide services right across the two major centres within the electorate of Braddon. The Albanese Labor government is getting on with the job of supporting our regional communities with these very important services. Again, they provide a walk-in service, with no referral and no payment required. We are getting on with the job of helping people in our regional communities.
date: 2025-10-27T13:31:00+00:00

Renewable Energy | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: The $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program is now helping more Australians take control of their energy bills and make the most of their rooftop solar. While over four million households...
encoded: The $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program is now helping more Australians take control of their energy bills and make the most of their rooftop solar. While over four million households have solar panels, only one in 40 had installed batteries, largely due to high upfront costs. This program is changing that. Last week in my electorate of Braddon, I spoke with Adrian from DMS Energy in Spreyton, who welcomed the program and its benefits. He described it as a smart forward-looking initiative that will help reduce electricity bills, lower peak demand and create a more stable grid. He also praised the program's strong focus on safety and permanent installation standards. This is about delivering real cost-of-living relief, supporting clean energy uptake and ensuring regional communities like Braddon aren't left behind. The Albanese government is taking practical steps to help Australians store the solar energy they generate and use it when they need it most. While we, on this side, are getting on with commitments we took to the election and helping Australians with the cost of living by supporting eligible households, businesses and community organisations to access a 30 per cent discount on small-scale battery systems, those on that side only seem interested in their internals, tearing themselves apart and looking inward. We are getting on with the job that we were elected to do.
date: 2025-10-09T13:34:00+00:00

Renewable Energy | Questions without Notice | House debates
type: item
description: My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. What progress is the Albanese government making on clean energy, and what are the risks?
encoded: My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. What progress is the Albanese government making on clean energy, and what are the risks?
date: 2025-09-03T14:49:00+00:00

Kiely Plumbing | Constituency Statements | House debates
type: item
description: The Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles, and I recently visited Kiely Plumbing in Burnie, in the electorate of Braddon. Thank you to Sam Kiely and his team for hosting us. Kiely...
encoded: The Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles, and I recently visited Kiely Plumbing in Burnie, in the electorate of Braddon. Thank you to Sam Kiely and his team for hosting us. Kiely Plumbing started in 1967 in Sam's pop's shed in Sulphur Creek. It has grown into a well-respected, modern, family owned and operated business. Kiely Plumbing is focused on delivering great service to customers and building a healthy and safe workplace culture with a focus on equality, diversity and inclusion. I was very impressed with the young apprentices I met during my visit, including Isabella, a young woman working in what is still a non-traditional trade for women. She's being encouraged and supported in her chosen trade, and the minister and I enjoyed hearing about her experience. Kiely Plumbing is the first business in Tasmania to partner with Tradeswomen Australia. This is what Sam has to say about that partnership: We believe there is absolutely nothing more important than equality in life. It led us to partner with Tradeswomen Australia and participate in their Workplace Diversity Project. Proud to say we have employed our first woman apprentice and strive to create an inclusive workplace for future female tradeswomen. And it's not just in the workshop that he is encouraging girls and women to meet their potential. Sam wrote Plumbing Power with Mila and Maya to show that there's no limit to what girls can do, to encourage more women into trades and, in his words, 'to show kids that trade jobs aren't just about tools; they are about superpowers.' Congratulations to Sam and the team at Kylie Plumbing.
date: 2025-09-02T16:02:00+00:00

Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026, Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026, Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
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description: I rise to speak on the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026, cognate with Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026 and Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026. I'm very proud...
encoded: I rise to speak on the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026, cognate with Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026 and Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026. I'm very proud to represent the people of the federal seat of Braddon in this place. As you know, Deputy Speaker Claydon, I also served as a senator for Tasmania in the other place between 2011 and 2025. I'm a strong advocate for all things Tasmanian and particularly for the north-west, the West Coast and King Island. It's worth reminding everyone from metropolitan and regional electorates that my electorate is rural, it's remote and it's very remote. Braddon is a large electorate, and the population is geographically dispersed. Circular Head, one of eight local government areas in the electorate, boasts a location called 'the edge of the world'. At this location, looking out to the sea, the next closest piece of land in a straight line is Argentina, more than 15,000 kilometres away. I'm told it's the longest uninterrupted expanse of ocean on Earth. I'm yet to swim it! The electorate boasts extensive areas of wilderness, and it's no surprise that the West Coast was chosen not once but twice as the location for the SBS series Alone Australiaa wild place indeed. In Braddon, people commute long distances to work, to study, to see loved ones and to access services that, for many other people, are available just around the corner. On average, the electorate has an older population and has poorer health outcomes than other parts of Australia. These are issues in the electorate that are attributed to remoteness, but, for some issues, this is a poor excuse from service agencies who should work harder—and this is not good enough. For example, there are areas of my electorate that have persistently poor digital connectivity. This is a handbrake on businesses, it disadvantages students, and it isolates people and their communities. Consumers in my electorate are signing the same standard price contr…
date: 2025-09-02T18:44:00+00:00

Braddon Electorate: Community Events | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: 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...
encoded: 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.
date: 2025-09-01T16:41:00+00:00