Matt Burnell's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
Eastick, Dr Bruce Charles | Statements by Members | House debates
Today I speak to acknowledge the life and legacy of Bruce Eastick, a giant of our community in the north and a man whose leadership, wisdom and service helped shape Gawler and South Australia for...
Today I speak to acknowledge the life and legacy of Bruce Eastick, a giant of our community in the north and a man whose leadership, wisdom and service helped shape Gawler and South Australia for generations. Bruce's contribution to public life was defined by purpose and a genuine belief that public office is a responsibility to serve others. He served the people of the district of Light for 23 years, a remarkable period of dedication that speaks to the trust his community placed in him election after election. In that time, he held some of the highest offices in the South Australian parliament, serving as Speaker of the House during the Tonkin government and later as Leader of the Opposition from 1972 to 1975. But no matter the title he held, Bruce never lost sight of who he was there to serve—the people of Gawler and the communities that make up Light. His commitment to local government was just as profound. He served as Mayor of Gawler from 1968 to 1972 and again from 1993 to 2000, returning to the role decades later out of a continued sense of duty to his town. Across those years, he helped guide Gawler through periods of growth and change, always with a steady hand, a practical mindset and a deep respect for community voices. Outside of politics, Bruce was also a pioneer in his profession of veterinarian. He became the first self-employed rural vet in the Gawler region, building a practice that supported local farmers and families alike in Williston—a place I now call home, too. His leadership extended to the profession more broadly, serving as president of the South Australian division of the Australian Veterinary Association in 1961 and later as national president in 1966. That same dedication to service carried through every chapter of his life. In recognition of his extraordinary contribution, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1996, a fitting acknowledgement of decades spent giving back. While his public achievements were significant, those who knew him best will remember the man behind the titles, including his simple joys like the genuine love of a good vanilla ice cream with caramel topping, his only vice. Above all else, Bruce Eastick will be remembered as a great man of his community, someone who worked tirelessly for the good of the north. On behalf of this chamber, I extend our deepest condolences to Bruce's family, friends and loved ones and thank them for sharing him with our community for so many years. His legacy lives on in the institutions he strengthened, the community he served and the example he set for future generations. May you rest in peace.
Labor Government | Statements by Members | House debates
After the greatest public display of chucking the toys out of the cot, the Nats are back with the Libs. The coalition, the 'on-alition', the 'off-alition', the...
After the greatest public display of chucking the toys out of the cot, the Nats are back with the Libs. The coalition, the 'on-alition', the 'off-alition', the 'I-don't-know-what-alition'—same chaos, new week. One minute, they're breaking up; the next, they're back together, proving, once again, the only thing holding the coalition together is the fear of being alone. While they squabble over titles and egos, Australians are left wondering who's leading who over there. While they remain divided and divisive, the Albanese Labor government remains focused on delivering for everyday Aussies, not serving egos. We're investing $25 billion to support workers across 750 hospitals, backing nurses, doctors and frontline staff. We're putting a billion dollars into training doctors in more communities, strengthening the pipeline and delivering fairer outcomes to communities like mine. We've signed a historic security treaty with Indonesia, strengthening regional stability and Australia's place in our neighbourhood. Those are just our announcements since parliament last sat four days ago. We've been delivering for Australians since we came into government in 2022. We've delivered cheaper scripts, listing new contraceptives, menopausal hormone therapies and endometriosis treatments on the PBS; celebrated three years of free TAFE, opening doors to future workforces; cut HECS debts by 20 per cent; legislated five per cent house deposits, building 100,000 new homes; and delivered record Medicare urgent care clinics and a three-day childcare guarantee. All of that is because we're focused on delivering for Australians every day we're in government. (Time expired)
Jonceski, Mr Ljupco (Luch) | Condolences | House debates
Today I rise to also associate my comments with others' on the passing of a much loved and deeply respected figure in this place, Ljupco Jonceski, known affectionately as 'Luch', but, as an avid...
Today I rise to also associate my comments with others' on the passing of a much loved and deeply respected figure in this place, Ljupco Jonceski, known affectionately as 'Luch', but, as an avid Collingwood supporter, to me, I think, the Parliament House's very own Macedonian marvel. He was not an elected member, he never stood to speak at the dispatch box and his name will not appear on the rolls of parliament, but make no mistake: he was part of the fabric of this place. Listening to other members' contributions today, and having had time to think about what Luch meant to me, and to other people in this place, since his passing, I keep coming back to one known fact, and that is that Luch spent his time helping to build this place, and I think it's part of the reason why his fabric is so interwoven into every little facet of this building—someone of the people who helped to build the people's house and then attend us in the House of Representatives for four decades. I think it's quite a fitting achievement for the man. I often come here early in the morning and I leave late at night, and Luch was always someone who I would come across very early, on my path in, and probably the last person I'd see, apart from security, as I'd leave the building, and I was always met with, 'How're you going, boss?' and I'd reply with, 'Good thanks, chief.' The interactions that we had with him were so genuine, at just the purest, simplest level. There was no fuss about all the other noise going on in this place. It was his opportunity to make sure that you felt grounded in this place and that you weren't being lost in the hustle and bustle and noise. I know there have been a lot of comments around how people have felt et cetera, but I do want to extend my condolences not only to his family but, importantly, to all of the chamber attendants. I know that it was extremely difficult when we came back for the couple of days' sitting in January. I had the good fortune to speak to a few of our wonderful staff that assist us every day and I know that it was extremely difficult. I think the member for Fisher spoke about legacy and the desire to have people cut from the same cloth as Luch. I think that Luch's presence in this building and his service to this place have left an imprint on each and every single attendant, so I think that there is, without doubt, no risk to the fact of his legacy living on, because I am very certain that every attendant will do everything they can to uphold the values for which Luch stood. We often speak in this chamber about service to the nation. Luch was a great servant of Australian democracy, not through speeches or legislation but through constancy, professionalism and decency, and through decades of showing up early, staying late and making sure this place functioned with care and respect. His contribution reminds us that democracy depends not only on those who debate and decide but on those who support, sustain and uphold the institution itself. Luch did that for longer than anyone, and since his passing, Parliament House has been a quieter place, but his legacy remains in the memories of colleagues, in the stories shared in these corridors and chambers and in the culture of respect he embodied. On behalf of the parliament he served and the nation that parliament represents, I extend my deepest love and sympathy to Luch's family, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing him. May you take comfort in knowing that he was admired, respected and genuinely loved. Vale Luch.
Bolkus, Hon. Nick | Condolences | House debates
Today I speak to honour the life and service of a man whose contribution to the Australian Labor Party was profound, enduring and deeply principled: Nick Bolkus. Nick Bolkus was not a loud figure...
Today I speak to honour the life and service of a man whose contribution to the Australian Labor Party was profound, enduring and deeply principled: Nick Bolkus. Nick Bolkus was not a loud figure in Australian politics, but he was one who left a lasting impact on this country—a thinker, a reformer, a believer in Labor values and a man who devoted his life to public service with integrity and quiet determination. Nick entered political life driven not by ego or ambition but by a belief that government could be a powerful force for fairness and opportunity for everyone. He joined the Labor Party as a young man, and from the very beginning he understood that politics was about fair representation for the people of Australia. He represented South Australia in the Senate with distinction, and later served as a minister in the Hawke and Keating governments during one of the most transformative periods in our nation's history. Those were years of big reform, years that reshaped Australia's economy, our education system and our place in the world, and Nick Bolkus was there, working thoughtfully, diligently and often behind the scenes to help make that change possible. As the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs and later as the Minister for Administrative Services, he approached his responsibilities with seriousness and care. He believed that public administration mattered, that institutions mattered and that the way government treated people said everything about the values it stood for. He had a deep respect for multicultural Australia and a clear understanding that our diversity was not a weakness to be managed but a strength to be embraced. In every role he held, Nick brought a sense of fairness, balance and intellectual rigour. He was not interested in shortcuts. He believed policy should be well-considered, evidence-based and grounded in Labor's enduring commitment to social justice. Nick was also a strong believer in education, both as a policy priority and as a personal calling. Nick Bolkus represented a particular kind of Labor figure, one defined by substance rather than spectacle. He did not seek the spotlight. He did it because he believed in the hard work of reform, the patient work of persuasion and the enduring importance of institutions. Within the Labor Party, he was highly respected, a thoughtful contributor and a colleague who brought reason and principle to every discussion. He believed deeply in party unity and in the idea that Labor, at its best, is stronger when it listens, debates and moves forward together. For many members and colleagues, Nick was also a mentor. He gave advice freely, offered encouragement generously and was always willing to share his experience with those coming up behind him. That generosity of spirit is one of the great quiet gifts of public life. In South Australia and across the Labor movement nationally, his passing will be felt deeply, not just because of the offices he held but because of the values he embodied: decency, thoughtfulness, service. Nick Bolkus acts as a reminder that good government is built on patience, preparation and principle. Condolence motions ask us to reflect not just on a life lived but on a legacy left behind. Nick Bolkus leaves a legacy of service, of reform and of belief in the Labor cause—a belief that Australia can be fairer; that opportunity should be shared; and that government, when guided by values, can improve lives. To his family and his friends and all who had the privilege of working with him, I extend my deepest sympathies. To his daughter, Aria: I wish you the best of luck in the upcoming South Australian election as the Labor candidate for the seat of Colton. I know you will carry the Bolkus family name with pride while representing the Labor Party, and that your dad's example will continue to guide you as you follow in his footsteps. Nick Bolkus served Australia with honour, he served the Labor Party with loyalty and he served the public with integrity. Vale, Nick. May you rest in peace.
Uni Hub Playford | Adjournment | House debates
Last week I was joined by the Minister for Education to officially open Uni Hub Playford, our very own suburban university study hub located right in the heart of my electorate of Spence. This...
Last week I was joined by the Minister for Education to officially open Uni Hub Playford, our very own suburban university study hub located right in the heart of my electorate of Spence. This journey started quite some time ago, when I was a newly elected MP. I visited schools, speaking with students, teachers and principals. I spoke with families who wanted more for their children. I spoke with workers who were looking to upskill but didn't know how they could fit that around their busy lives. And I started listening to reports and statistics, some of them quite sobering. A Jobs and Skills Australia report stated that nine out of 10 new jobs created in our economy will require some form of postschool qualification and that over half of those will require a higher education qualification. Locally, only 9.7 per cent of people in the electorate of Spence held a bachelor's degree or higher—the kind of gap that doesn't close on its own. In mid-2023, the interim report of the Australian Universities Accord was released. As its first priority action, it recommended the establishment of what were then called tertiary study hubs. From that point, my goal was obvious: bring one of those hubs to the north. Now, I can proudly say that we have delivered that. South Australia's first and only suburban university study hub is proudly at its new home at the Elizabeth TAFE, all thanks to the Albanese Labor government's $66.9 million investment in this program—a program that makes it clear that your postcode isn't going to put a ceiling on what you can do in life. Uni Hub Playford brings uni closer for students in the north, making tertiary study more accessible for our community. For a long time, the path to university has been much harder than it should be, not because people in the north lack talent and not because we lack the ability to put in the hard yards but because the barriers have been real. In Elizabeth, where the hub is located, only around 7.2 per cent of people have a degree. If people don't have access, they don't get the same outcomes. By making study feel achievable for people living real lives—real life in our community looks like shiftwork, it looks like raising kids and watching every dollar, and it looks like people who are already doing a lot and trying to add study on top. That's why Uni Hub Playford matters. It doesn't ask people to magically create more hours in the day; it gives students time, support and space to focus. It also sends a message, especially to young people in the north, that higher education isn't some narrow, linear path. It's about people studying in different ways, at different times and for different reasons. It's for someone fresh out of school trying to get a start. It's for someone working full time and trying to retrain, upskill or pivot to a new profession. But too often in the north the issue isn't motivation or ability. It's whether study is actually convenient, reachable and able to fit around the day-to-day lives of students. The most obvious barrier for people in the north is travel, the tyranny of distance. An hour or so can be lost travelling from the north to university campuses every day—hours that could have been spent studying, spending time with the kids or working an extra shift. Over time, it all adds up. That's why this place was designed to bring study closer, bring support closer and make tertiary education feel less distant, because that support matters most when things get hard—not on the first days of O-week but when there's a major assessment due. Fatigue sets in, the kids are sick, the car's broken down, and many begin to think about giving up on the dream. Having a place like this is how people push past that. This place is about encouraging more people to enrol in a university course and helping more people complete them too, because, when more people finish their qualifications, our whole community benefits. Local industry benefits, local services benefit and families benefit. That's why the Albanese Labor government has invested in this program, recognising that opportunity shouldn't exist only in a few pockets across the country. It has been built around where people live, where people work and where people are raising their families. That's what this place represents—a practical investment in people and a recognition that potential exists everywhere, even where opportunity does not, unless we choose to build it. In closing, I want to give a massive shout-out to the City of Playford council, who worked tirelessly to ensure that this was able to be delivered in the centre of our community. Thank you for all your hard work.
Housing | Questions without Notice | House debates
My question is for the Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Cities. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to build more houses and help more Australians into...
My question is for the Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Cities. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to build more houses and help more Australians into homeownership? Why is a focus on delivery, not division, so important?
Housing | Statements by Members | House debates
Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz clicked her heels three times and said, 'There's no place like home.' And she's right. There is no place like home. And a home is exactly what John, Yolanda and Luca...
Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz clicked her heels three times and said, 'There's no place like home.' And she's right. There is no place like home. And a home is exactly what John, Yolanda and Luca Tramantono from Munno Para in my electorate of Spence have been able to build with the help of the Albanese government. They graciously hosted us on the weekend for a historic announcement by our government, an announcement that includes a landmark agreement to unlock 17,000 new homes for South Australians, including nearly 7,000 homes for first home buyers. The $800 million investment marked a major milestone in delivering our election commitment to help build 100,000 homes for first home buyers. This is about providing real housing accessibility for South Australians who want the security of their own home, and it would not have been possible without the united, cohesive and driven leadership from the Albanese and Malinauskas Labor governments and our unwavering dedication to delivering for Australians. Whilst those opposite continue to be divided, divisive and too busy fighting with themselves, we are driven in our pursuit of helping Australians purchase their first home. We are focused on delivering real progress, real supply and real hope to make sure anyone has access to their own home.
Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
I rise today to join the Prime Minister and many other members to express my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of Edith Brutman, Dan Elkayam, Boris and Sofia Gurman, Alexander...
I rise today to join the Prime Minister and many other members to express my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of Edith Brutman, Dan Elkayam, Boris and Sofia Gurman, Alexander Kleytman, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, Peter Meagher, Reuven Morrison, Marika Pogany, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, Adam Smyth, Boris Tetleroyd, Tania Tretiak, Tibor Weitzen and Matilda, aged just 10 years old: 15 people, 15 souls, 15 innocent lives. They were loved; they were known; they were part of families, part of a community and friends to many; and they should still be here. To their families and loved ones: we cannot undo what has been done; we cannot take away your grief; but in this place, here today, we can honour their memory, we can mourn with you and we can stand with you, and we can commit ourselves to ensuring that our country never accepts hatred as normality and to doing so whilst the Australian Jewish community carries this grief—a grief so profound that no family or community should ever have to carry it. These lives were lost on the first night of Hanukkah, as Jewish Australians came together to mark a moment of faith, identity and tradition—Hanukkah, a time of lights; a time of resilience; a time of gathering together, openly and proudly, to affirm what you believe and who you are; a time meant for moments of joy and togetherness, not fear. This wasn't a random act of violence, nor an act of senseless violence. This was a targeted, premeditated act of antisemitic violence. It was an act of evil. It is a reminder, albeit a confronting one, that Australia is not immune from hatred directed at people because of who they are or who they worship. We have always wanted to think of this kind of violence as not something that happens on our shores, but it is a reality that we must now confront, no matter how ugly this may be. Even in that darkness, Australians did what Australians do best. In the face of such immeasurable evil, and at the very real risk of injury or death, they steeled themselves and made the conscious decision to run towards danger, not away from it—doing so to protect, in most instances, complete strangers. That courage deserves to be recognised in this place—an example of the best of humanity, in the face of the worst unfolding in front of them. That courage in a moment of crisis does not remove the responsibility that sits with all of us here today. No Australian should ever have to think twice before celebrating their faith in public, and no Australian should ever feel they have to hide who they worship in order to feel safe or in order to be safe. In Australia, we cannot become a place where Jewish Australians are made to feel that their faith must be practised quietly behind closed doors, because that is not who we are. We are a proud multicultural, multifaith nation. Every Australian should be able to live their life openly, safely and with dignity. It is now on all of us in this place to uphold and set this standard: to refuse to excuse hate; to refuse to qualify it or downplay it; and to make it clear that Jewish Australians have every right to live their lives without fear or intimidation and without further acts of wanton violence. In my electorate of Spence, we grieve with Australia's Jewish community. When an atrocity such as this happens, it doesn't remain in one place. It reaches across our country. It leaves entire communities shaken, searching for reassurance that they are safe in the nation they call home. To the Australian Jewish community: I stand with you, and we, here in this place, stand with you. We stand with you in grief and in solidarity. May those who have lost their lives rest in eternal peace, but may their memories live on and may their families find comfort, in time, surrounded by a community and a nation that refuses to look away.
Richardson, Hon. Graham Frederick 'Richo', AO | Condolences | House debates
Today we pause to remember a towering figure in the Australian Labor Party—a strategist, a fighter and a loyal servant of the movement—Graham 'Richo' Richardson. Richo was many things...
Today we pause to remember a towering figure in the Australian Labor Party—a strategist, a fighter and a loyal servant of the movement—Graham 'Richo' Richardson. Richo was many things over his long public life: a senator, a minister, a commentator. But, more than anything, he was Labor to his bones. He understood the party not as an institution but as a living thing carried forward by people, by values and by the promise of a better life for working Australians. He dedicated every waking hour of his career to that mission. Born in 1949 and raised in a family steeped in Labor tradition, Richo was shaped early by the stories of struggle and solidarity that define our movement. He joined the party as a teenager, not for prestige but because he believed in something bigger than himself. By his 20s, he was already deep in the engine room of the New South Wales branch, learning, negotiating, persuading and doing whatever he had to do to keep Labor competitive, united and capable of governing. And then came his extraordinary career in the Senate, where he quickly became one of the most influential political thinkers of his generation. As Minister for Social Security and then as minister for the environment, he carried the same unwavering purpose of improving people's lives. The preservation of our natural heritage, of Kakadu and the Daintree, bears his fingerprints to this day. He understood something profound: working people deserve not only economic security but a country worth passing on to their children. In the great tradition of Labor reformers, he fought hard and sometimes fiercely to make that vision real. Richo was known for many things: his sharp political instincts, his unmatched ability to read a room, his blunt humour and, yes, his famous willingness to do whatever it takes for the party he loved. But beneath all of that was a deep loyalty to colleagues, to friends, to the labour movement and to the ordinary Australians he believed Labor existed to serve. He never drifted from those roots. Even after leaving parliament, his voice remained unmistakeably Labor, on television, in commentary, at party events and in quiet conversations with leaders seeking his counsel. People listened to him not because he demanded it but because he understood politics the way few ever will and because his advice was always grounded in purpose, not ego. Richo was not a saint, nor would he want to be remembered as one. He was a human—imperfect, fiery, passionate and utterly committed to his cause. But that is what makes a political life real. He believed in government as a force for good, he believed in the power of solidarity and he believed in the idea that no Australian should be left behind, and he fought for those beliefs with a seriousness and intensity that shaped a generation of Labor thinking. In the electorate of Spence, in the northern suburbs of Adelaide, where working-class traditions run deep, there would be many who remember Richo not as a distant political figure but as a symbol of Labor's determination to keep fighting for ordinary families. He spoke in a language people understood. He didn't hide behind jargon or niceties. He cut through. And, whether you agreed with him or not, you always knew where he stood. That clarity and that conviction are rare. Richo's passing marks the end of an era for Labor—an era defined by bold reform, tough decisions and unwavering belief in the transformative power of government. But his legacy lives on in the environmental protections he helped deliver; in the electoral victories he helped secure; in the culture of strategy, loyalty and purpose he instilled in the party; and in the countless Labor MPs, staffers and members who learned from him, formally or informally, what it means to serve. Richo faced significant health battles over recent years, yet even in illness he remained engaged, insightful and committed. His courage in those final years was immense. He continued to write, to analyse, to mentor and to speak his mind. He continued to give back to the movement that had given him purpose. Condolence motions remind us that politics is not just policy or contest; it is the people, people who dedicate their talents, their energy and, at times, their health to the service of others. Graham Richardson was one of those people. He lived a big life. He leaves a big legacy. To his family, his friends, his colleagues in the Labor Party and all who mourn him today: I offer my deepest sympathies. May they find comfort in knowing his work changed this country for the better, and may they know that his contribution will be remembered not only in the history books but in the lives of Australians who benefit from his determination and his belief in a fairer nation. Vale, Richo. May you rest in peace. Debate adjourned.
Spence Electorate: Medicare | Statements by Members | House debates
Medicare is at the heart of our healthcare system, and, in communities like Spence, it's a lifeline. That's why the Albanese Labor government is making historic investments to strengthen Medicare...
Medicare is at the heart of our healthcare system, and, in communities like Spence, it's a lifeline. That's why the Albanese Labor government is making historic investments to strengthen Medicare and bring bulk-billing into more communities than ever before—because no Australian should ever have to choose between their health and their hip pocket. I'm proud to report that in the north we are seeing the results. The bulk-billing rate for GP visits in Spence reached 83.4 per cent in the June quarter of 2025. That means that more people in the north are seeing a doctor without paying out of pocket. Even more encouraging, 22 GP practices in Spence have now indicated their intention to become Medicare bulk-billing practices. That's 22 local clinics stepping up to provide fairer access, thanks to Labor's tripling of the bulk-billing incentive. So, whether you're in Angle Vale, Salisbury, Gawler or Elizabeth, keep an eye out for the green and gold bulk-billing signs going up around the practices in your communities. We're making Medicare what it was always meant to be: universal, affordable and there when you need it. In Spence, the results are already being felt in waiting rooms, in family budgets and in the confidence people have in getting the care they need. Labor will always care for Medicare. I care for Medicare. The Prime Minister cares for Medicare. But the question that's on everyone's lips is: do those opposite care for Medicare?
Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
The member for Casey reminds me more of a baker than a brewer, but thank you for that contribution. I wish to speak in the House today on a matter that cuts to the core of Australian identity,...
The member for Casey reminds me more of a baker than a brewer, but thank you for that contribution. I wish to speak in the House today on a matter that cuts to the core of Australian identity, not just in culture or economy but in how we relate to one each other. In Australia, when you say, 'Let's have a beer,' what you are really saying is, 'Let's spend time together.' You are saying, 'Let's take a break, let's reconnect, let's share a moment,' with no expectations, no pressure. That sentiment is worth protecting. Across the country from city laneways to outback roadhouses, sports clubs and RSLs, the act of sharing a pint, schooner, pot or middy has remained a deeply Australian gesture. It is a fixture of everyday life, woven into everything from weekend routines, once-in-a-lifetime milestones or even just the fact it is 5pm and you are leaving work. Engagements, wakes, promotions, demotions, cricket wins and footy losses, they all seem to land us at the local with a pint in hand. And the pub itself, that humble institution, is more than just a venue; it is our unofficial community hall, a place where birthdays are celebrated, meat raffles are drawn and people come together not because they must but because they want to. I have been to countless venues across the north from the Gawler Exchange to the Angle Vale Tavern and no matter the size, postcode or whoever is pouring the beers, that sense of belonging is always the same. It is not about the status, income or background. In the pub, you can be a sparky, a student, a senior citizen or a small-business owner, and everyone's just there to unwind and be part of something familiar. That's the magic of the pub—equality over the bar. The price of a pint doesn't vary depending on your politics. It doesn't matter where you went to school or where you're from, and that shared experience, that conversation over a cold one, is part of how we strengthen the social fabric in this country. In fact, when I speak to local veterans at the Salisbury RSL or when I drop by the Playford Bowling Club, I always see the unwritten rule: it's not the beer that matters; it's the mateship. As trivial as that might sound to some, it's in these spaces that you'll find connection, belonging and even mental health support happening informally but powerfully. Let's not forget, it's also a proud part of our national pastimes. When watching the cricket—our national sport—at any level, it's always a scorching-hot day, but you have a draught beer in hand. There is a long list of things that can be considered Australian, but it's definitely up there. Even our prime ministers have known that feeling—mingling in the stands, sleeves rolled up, beer in hand, watching the game not as a politician but as an Aussie. These moments matter. They help define who we are. That's why government should never treat communal spaces such as the pub as an afterthought. They're more than bricks and mortar; they're the cornerstone of community. But we must also speak to the economic reality that underpins them. Hospitality is a huge employer in Australia, one of the most diverse and most community-facing sectors in our economy. It includes bar staff, cooks, cleaners, brewery techs, grain producers, logistics teams, refrigeration mechanics and young people on their first job. These are working Australians who often work the late nights on weekends or public holidays to keep the good times rolling for anyone who wants a cold one with their mates. In South Australia beer production is part of our industrial story. Coopers Brewery is an iconic institution. You would be hard-pressed not to find a Coopers logo on any street in Adelaide. They even sponsor Adelaide United's soccer stadium. West End, too, is another iconic brewery that has woven itself into what it means to be South Australian—and who doesn't love a good red tin? And we're now seeing the rise of dozens of independent brewers who are crafting unique beer while providing local jobs, supporting agriculture and drawing tourists. These are enterprises built from the ground up by risktakers and innovators who are backing locals, and they're all relying on a thriving venue economy, because it's the kegs flowing through pubs and clubs that generate cash flow, enable hiring and keep the lights on. So, when rising costs—from insurance hikes and energy prices to automatic tax increases—threaten these venues, we must act, and that's exactly what the Albanese Labor government is doing. As of 1 August 2025, we have paused the indexation of draught beer excise and excise-equivalent customs duties for two years. That's a real, meaningful change designed to help local venues remain viable and competitive. This measure is targeted. It applies only to draught beer poured from eight- to 48-litre containers—your typical keg sizes—and to larger containers used in high-volume hospitality settings. It does not apply to packaged beer, spirits or wine. This isn't about retailers or bottle shops. This is for pubs, clubs and hospitality venues. Recently I had the opportunity to speak with Damian McGee, who runs the Exchange Hotel in Gawler. He told me that he was fully supportive of this bill. It means that patrons get a fair go when they're at the pub and are not hit by an unfair price hike. It also means that business gets retained—a benefit for everyone involved in running a business. This bill, and the benefits it draws, is a decision grounded in fairness and pragmatism, because small-business owners can't plan properly if they're blindsided by tax rises every six months and patrons shouldn't be priced out of their local by the incremental hikes that compound year after year. There are around 10,000 hospitality venues around the country that will benefit directly from this measure. Roughly 75 per cent of those are small, independent businesses, many of them family run and many employing locals. Altogether, the brewing and hospitality sector supports over 160,000 jobs tied to draught beer. From brewers to truckies, this measure reaches them all and ensures they have certainty. It helps them hold their margins and it gives them the confidence to keep investing in staff, venues and innovation. Let me be clear, this is also about regional resilience. In the north and in towns right across Australia the pub is often the last true gathering space. When the banks are closed, the post office is gone and the sporting clubs struggle, it's the pub that remains. Lose that and you don't just lose a business; you lose a community anchor. This policy protects that anchor and keeps it firmly grounded. It supports independent brewers and microbrewers, those who don't have the marketing might of multinationals but who live and work in the same towns as the people they serve. For them, keg sales are often the difference between breaking even and shutting the doors. For the wider supply chain—the real grain growers, the forklift drivers, the fitters and turners—this pause keeps production moving. One shift cut at a brewery could mean fewer deliveries, slower distribution or deferred upgrades. It's all connected, and we're acting to protect those connections. We know the industry has done it tough: COVID lockdowns, staff shortages, delivery delays, rent increases—all of it compounding year after year. This isn't just a tax measure; it's a lifeline. It's a signal that the government understands and is willing to act. That's what good government looks like: listening, not lecturing; partnering, not posturing; delivering relief where it's needed most. This measure forms part of a broader suite of cost-of-living support delivered by our government. We've raised the minimum wage and award wages by 3½ per cent. We've lifted superannuation contributions to 12 per cent, helping you feel more comfortable in retirement. We're increasing paid parental leave to 24 weeks, ensuring you can spend more time with your family and still feel supported. We've cut 20 per cent from student loan debts for more than three million Australians. We've cut tax for every taxpayer and have legislated more cuts to come. For students in critical sectors like teaching, nursing and social work, we've rolled out Commonwealth practical placement payments, recognising their contribution and easing placement costs. We've delivered long-overdue pay rises for aged-care workers, and we've rolled out relief on emergency bills, health care and essential services, all while keeping inflation heading in the right direction. Although I could go on about the positive changes this Labor government has ushered in already, it is worth noting it is not all just smart policy. It is steady leadership, all with the plan to try to make life for the average Aussie battler better. We know that inflationary pressures continue to affect families here at home, and we're not immune to global cost increases, but we are responding with discipline, care and action. That's the mark of responsible government—staying focused when the economic pressures are high and delivering relief with actions like this bill. The draft beer excise pause is part of that same philosophy. We understand the importance of a beer off the tap with your mates, and we want to protect that. This is temporary, targeted and tightly scoped. It doesn't undermine our health commitments, it doesn't rewrite the alcohol tax system, but it does offer relief when it counts and where it counts. Fairness is not just a value; it's what defines the classic pub test. It's fairness for a mum-and-dad operator running the local tavern who are trying to keep staff on, stay competitive and avoid raising prices on their regulars. It's fairness for a casual worker clocking off a late shift who depends on those weekend hours behind the bar or in the kitchen to help pay rent or cover textbooks. It's fairness for a pensioner visiting their favourite club for a midweek meal, relying on those outings not just for sustenance but for social connection and companionship. It's fairness for the brewer in a regional town who is not just making beer but employing locals, sourcing local supplies and maybe even sponsoring the local sports club. This pause in excise helps level the playing field for them too against bigger competitors and unpredictable costs. It means they can plan production runs, stabilise overheads and focus on growth, not just survival. This measure also supports the hidden workforce, the people you don't always see in the front bar: the truck driver delivering kegs at dawn, the cleaner ensuring the club is spotless before the doors open, the refrigeration technician who fixes the cool room so the beer stays cold even in the middle of the searing South Australian summer. These are not just lines on a budget passed through parliament; they are our neighbours, our family members and our constituents. This decision aligns with our broader commitment to back in small businesses, not just with words but with tangible support—from digital transformation grants that help venues modernise booking systems and manage inventory to energy efficiency incentives that allow clubs and hostels to cut power bills by upgrading refrigeration or installing solar, from extended instant asset write-offs that allow investment in kitchen upgrades or new tap systems to training support that ensures young workers in the north can develop hospitality skills and advance their careers locally. This is a government that sees value in small business, not only as an engine of the economy but as a cornerstone of national life. When small businesses succeed, communities stay strong. When the local pub thrives, the town thrives. When workers feel supported, everyone benefits. I'm proud that we're not only listening to brewers, publicans and industry groups but also co-designing solutions with them: practical, responsible and targeted measures that reflect what the industry has asked for and what the moment demands. This is a government acting with care, clarity and confidence in the role that small business plays in shaping the Australia we all share. The support for this measure—from the Brewers Association and the Australian Hotels Association to independent brewers across South Australia—shows we've listened. Every time we support a pub, we support jobs. Every time we ease pressure on a local venue, we make connection more accessible. Every time we stand up for small business, we stand up for our values. This pause on draught beer excise isn't just economic; it's social. It's cultural, it's Australian and it's smart, responsible and timely. That's why I proudly commend this bill to the House.
Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
Before I start, I would like to acknowledge the previous speaker, the member for Macquarie, for that very fine contribution to the House. As a special envoy, I know she carries out her duty with...
Before I start, I would like to acknowledge the previous speaker, the member for Macquarie, for that very fine contribution to the House. As a special envoy, I know she carries out her duty with great passion and care. She should be commended for the work that she does. Thank you. I stand today to speak in strong support of the Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill 2025—a bill that ensures that, no matter where they live, where they stream or what device they watch it on, Australians will always be able to see a bit of themselves on screen. Whether you're 'home and away' or just popping in to see your 'neighbours', this bill guarantees that Australian stories remain on Australian screens. It's about making sure our voices, our humour, our landscapes and the real Australian accents don't get lost in the noise of global content. We're not just a country that consumes stories; we are creators of them. This bill delivers on a core commitment in our national cultural policy, Revive, ensuring that streaming services invest in Australian content so that our screen industry, our creatives and our communities all share in the benefits. As someone from Adelaide's north, I know what opportunity looks like when it's backed by government and action. The same way we've supported manufacturing, defence and apprenticeships, this bill supports the next generation of storytellers, filmmakers, editors and animators. The communications legislation amendment bill makes one simple promise—if you're making money from Australian audiences, you should be investing in Australian stories. It's pretty simple. Under this legislation, major streaming platforms with over a million Australian subscribers, like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and others, will need invest a minimum of 10 per cent of their total Australian program expenditure on new local drama, documentary, children's, arts or educational content. Alternatively, they can contribute 7½ per cent of their Australian revenue to meet the same goal. It's simple, it's fair, and it's long overdue. For too long, we've been told that streaming services are different, that they exist outside of the rules that apply to free-to-air and pay television. But, when you're charging Australians for subscriptions, when you're part of our entertainment diet, when our shows dominate the cultural conversation, you have responsibilities too—responsibilities to invest locally, to tell Australian stories and to hire Australian talent. When Australians turn on their screens, they should see their stories reflected back, whether it's a gritty true crime story, an animated family of dogs teaching us all life lessons or a surf lifesaver in Summer Bay, because those moments of recognition matter. They make us laugh, they make us proud, and, sometimes, they even make us cry. This bill ensures those moments don't vanish into the algorithm. It brings streaming platforms into the same fair framework that already applies to broadcasters. If you ask me, that's just common sense. As Kath Day-Knight might put it: 'It's noice. It's different. It's unusual.' We're a creative nation. We've given the world The Castle; Picnic at Hanging Rock; The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert; Mad Max; Muriel's Wedding; Crocodile Dundee; Red Dog; The Dry; and Bluey. Each one is a reminder that our stories, when told authentically, have a power that resonates globally. But they also start small, in communities like mine in the north, with local filmmakers and creative graduates taking their first steps. For every Oscar-winning performance by Nicole Kidman or Cate Blanchett, there's a local production assistant working on their first short film at Elizabeth TAFE. As this bill reminds us, if we want our next generation of storytellers to thrive, we have to make space for them to start. When it comes to the north, we have our fair share of creatives leading the way, like award-winning director Justin Kurzel, who brought the haunting story of Snowtown to the world and, just a few years later, reimagined Macbeth as a striking historical epic. His success reminds us that talent from our suburbs can capture the world's attention and that the next generation of filmmakers in Australia can turn local stories into international cinema. That's what this bill delivers—guaranteed access for Australian audiences to Australian content and guaranteed investment into the local industry. Revive, the national cultural policy, was built around the one simple belief that our people and their stories are our greatest cultural asset. This bill turns that belief into law. It makes sure that Australian stories don't just survive; they thrive. Frankly, if we can binge-watch three seasons of The Office in a weekend, we can certainly make room for Utopia or Rosehaven. This legislation doesn't just talk about culture; it delivers for the economy. The Australian screen industry already supports more than 50,000 jobs. Every film, every series and every documentary made here creates work for actors, sound engineers, set builders, caterers, drivers and designers. The benefits ripple through local economies, and that's true for Adelaide's north too. Our communities and our TAFE campuses provide the pathways for the next generation of storytelling. This bill helps solidify that pathway. It's a jobs and justice policy for the creative sector, ensuring that, when global giants profit here, Australian workers share in the dividends. It's fair, because the same principle applies across our economy—if you make money in Australia, you invest it back into Australia. That's the foundation of the Future Made in Australia agenda, and it's just as relevant to culture as it is to critical minerals or clean energy. We've all had that experience of opening a streaming app, ready to relax after a long day, and being flooded with options that are anything but local—endless lists of shows about New York lawyers or London detectives or maybe even a Nordic noir crime thriller. Sometimes you just want to see someone in the suburbs and landmarks you know, like Kath Knight telling off Kel for wearing a Sydney Swans scarf or Ray Shoesmith trying to balance a life of crime with trying to be a good dad. This bill generates that balance, ensuring that, no matter how global the content landscapes become, there will always be room for stories grounded in the Australian experience. It ensures that, when the next Underbelly, Offspring or SeaChange comes along, there's space and funding for it to be made. It also helps ensure that shows like Bluey, which is now our most iconic export since Vegemite or the Tim Tam, have a future. Bluey didn't come out of nowhere; it was born from years of sustained investment in children's content. If we lose those frameworks, we lose the foundation for the next generation of Australian success stories. And, as any parent will you, if we lose Bluey, bedtime negotiations across the country will collapse overnight. Yes, this bill is partly about national security—the security of parents' sanity—but it's also about identity, belonging and opportunity. It says to every kid watching TV in Gawler, Salisbury or Elizabeth: 'Your world matters. Your story matters. You belong here.' That's powerful. The bill also supports documentary production—a genre where Australia punches well above its weight. Our documentaries tackle big issues, from The Australian Dream to Working Class Boy, Back Roads and Australia in Colour. These are stories that educate, challenge and inspire. They capture who we are, where we've been and where we're going. This bill ensures that that kind of storytelling has a sustainable future too. Importantly, the legislation has a built-in flexibility. It includes a three-year carry-over period for investment, giving streaming services the time to plan major projects. It also mandates a statutory review for four years after commencement, ensuring it continues to meet its goals effectively. There are sensible exemptions, too. This isn't about hobbyists uploading to YouTube or niche services streaming wedding videos; it applies to the big players—the ones with serious market presence and serious profits. That's why it is fair, proportionate and enforceable. Civil penalties apply for breaches because we're serious about this. That's what we do as the Labor Party; we protect and solidify the arts. We recognise that a nation's creativity is not a luxury; it's a foundation—one that fuels innovation, identity and pride. We back the painters, the playwrights, the performers and the producers because we know that, when Australian art thrives, Australia thrives. We do it not for applause or accolades but because storytelling in every form is how we strengthen the social fabric that binds us together. This bill also protects innovation. By ensuring a steady flow of investment into local production, it encourages creative risk taking—the kind that leads to new voices, new genres and new success stories. We know from experience that, when Australians tell their stories, the world listens. The Dry brought the Mallee to the big screen. Lion told of a story that spanned continents. The Twelve showed that Aussie courtroom drama can rival anything out of Hollywood. This is the pipeline we're protecting, and we do it not because we fear global content but because we value local creativity. It's also about balance—cultural and economic. In recent years, global streaming services have spent billions worldwide on content but only a fraction of that in Australia. This bill fixes that imbalance. It ensures that Australian subscribers aren't just paying for foreign content; they're helping fund Australian production too. That's not protectionism; that's participation. It's saying, 'If you're part of our cultural ecosystem, you play by the same rules as everyone else.' I'd argue that that's as fair as splitting the bill at the pub—everyone chips in for their fair share. We should also recognise how this legislation supports regional Australia. More and more productions are being filmed outside capital cities, and that's good news for places like the Barossa, the Riverland and Adelaide's north. When crews roll into town, they book local hotels, hire local transport and eat at local cafes. The economic multiplier is real, and every dollar spent on screen production benefits the broader community. That's why this bill matters not just to Sydney or Melbourne but to every region that wants to be part of Australia's storytelling future. In a world of deepfakes, AI generated voices and synthetic scripts, authenticity matters more than ever. You can train an algorithm to mimic a voice, but you can't code an Aussie sense of humour. You can't fake the heart of The Sullivans or the warmth of McLeod's Daughters. You can't replicate the chaos of Rake or the absurd brilliance of Utopia. Those shows work because they're grounded in who we are. This bill ensures that that identity endures and evolves in the digital age. I also want to acknowledge the arts workers who have been calling for this reform for years: writers, producers, directors, editors and crews—people who love this country enough to tell its stories. They've waited long enough for fair treatment. This government listened, and we're delivering. The previous government spent a decade talking about creative industries without giving them the creative certainty they needed, but we're changing that. We're turning commitment into legislation, and we're doing it because we believe that storytelling is nation building. It shapes how we see ourselves and how the world sees us. For me, this bill also speaks to fairness—something Australians instinctively understand. If a teacher in Elizabeth pays taxes, if a nurse in Gawler contributes to super and if a tradie in Munno Para follows the rules, why should multibillion-dollar streaming companies be the exception? Everyone should do their bit. That's what fairness looks like, and fairness is what this bill delivers. Whether you're watching Heartbreak High or Hey Hey It's Saturday, Gladiators or Glitch, you'll know that what's on your screen is part of something bigger—a fair go for Australian stories. Maybe that's the real takeaway here—that our screens aren't just entertainment; they're mirrors. They show us who we are, where we've been and what we can become. Whether you're watching from a lounge in Virginia, a kitchen in Truro or a shed in Angle Vale, you'll always have access to stories that sound like home. That's what this bill guarantees. As The Castle taught us, when you stand up for what's right, 'it's the vibe'—it's the vibe of fairness, creativity and community. It's the vibe of Australia. For that reason, I proudly commend the Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill 2025 to the House.
Cybersafety | Questions without Notice | House debates
My question is to the Minister for Communications. How will the Albanese Labor government's world-leading social media minimum age law help to protect young Australians?
Cricket | Statements by Members | House debates
Over the weekend Australians were treated to something truly special on the cricket field. In Adelaide's north, we felt just a little bit prouder than most, because Travis Head, a proud product...
Over the weekend Australians were treated to something truly special on the cricket field. In Adelaide's north, we felt just a little bit prouder than most, because Travis Head, a proud product of Craig Moore, walked out in the first Ashes test and delivered one of the great modern innings—a century off just 69 balls, the second-fastest in Ashes history, made under pressure against a full-strength England attack on a pitch. And he did not just survive; he dominated. He took the game on in a way only he can, with a mix of intent, fearlessness and pure striking ability. His 123 off 83 balls didn't just win a test; it lit up a series. It made jaws drop in lounge rooms across the country and heads drop in the Barmy Army. It reminded us why our national sport matters so much in communities like mine: because kids in Salisbury, in Elizabeth, in Gawler and in Craigmore see one of their own stepping up on the bigger stage. It tells them that talent from the north can go anywhere. Travis Head is more than a world-class batter; he's an example of what hard work, resilience and local pride can achieve. And, because of Travis's work, we're already one step closer to another Ashes victory in Australia.
Mental Health | Statements on Significant Matters | House debates
October was Mental Health Month, which is an opportunity for every one of us to reflect on the importance of mental health care, access, dignity and hope in every Australian community. In the...
October was Mental Health Month, which is an opportunity for every one of us to reflect on the importance of mental health care, access, dignity and hope in every Australian community. In the electorate of Spence these words carry meaning, because we are delivering the services that our community has asked for. They are services that are saving lives, supporting families and reaching people earlier—before crisis sets in. This government, this parliament and this community understand that mental health care is not a luxury; it is a core part of our health system, and a foundation of a fair and caring society. That is why the Albanese Labor government is delivering more mental health care in the part of the community where people live, work, study and raise families. We made a historic commitment of $1.1 billion at the last election to deliver free walk-in mental health services across the country and to build mental health systems that meet people where they are no matter their postcode, age or income. This funding supports new and expanded services across the full lifespan, from early childhood through adolescence into parenthood and beyond. It is a vision backed by action. Nowhere is that clearer than in my electorate. In the northern suburbs we have delivered the Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre, located in the heart of Elizabeth. This service offers free walk-in mental health support seven days a week, with extended hours—no appointment, no referral and no gap fees. It brings together a multidisciplinary team—psychologists and social workers, mental health workers and peer workers—all working together to provide wraparound care. People in crisis can walk through the door and know they will be treated with dignity, compassion and professionalism, people like Ruth, who said, 'I'm 55 and I cannot thank Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre enough. I was listened to and supported with no judgement, and talked with a peer worker with lived experience. I finally found a place for me. They get me and they understand me.' That is what community based care looks like and that is what our government is delivering, but we didn't stop there. Mental Health Month is also Youth Mental Health Month, and I'm proud to confirm in this place that Gawler will soon have its own Headspace service. The Gawler Headspace centre will open its doors in coming weeks, so stay tuned closely for that announcement. This is a major win for young people across the Gawler region and is something the community has fought for for many years. Young people aged 12 to 25 will now be able to access support for the mental health and wellbeing free of charge and close to home. They won't need to travel to the city or wait in long queues or pay out-of-pocket gap fees for basic support. Most importantly, they will be able to walk into a service that understands them, listens to them and provides tailored help. We also continue to support Headspace Edinburgh North, another vital part of our youth mental health system. On Headspace Day, 9 October, we announced another $275,000 in funding for the Edinburgh North site to upgrade facilities, improve accessibility and enhance IT capacity. That investment will ensure the service remains modern, fit for purpose and able to respond to increasing demand. It sends a clear message that we don't just open centres and walk away; we continue to support and strengthen them over time. Supporting the next generation means supporting new and expectant parents, because the mental health journey begins well before birth. That's why I'm proud that Elizabeth will be home to one of Australia's new perinatal mental health centres. These centres are purpose-built to support new and expectant mums and dads during what can be a beautiful but vulnerable time. Many parents experience as anxiety, depression or emotional distress during the perinatal period, and they often feel isolated, guilty or unsure where to turn. Our perinatal mental health centre in Elizabeth will provide that support in a welcoming, nonjudgemental way. All of this reflects a broader commitment to mental health system that is free, local, accessible and compassionate. Across the country we are delivering 91 Medicare Mental Health Centres for walk-in multidisciplinary care, 20 perinatal mental health centres including Elizabeth, 17 mental health kids hubs providing emotional and behavioural support for children, and 203 Headspace services supporting the mental wellbeing of young people aged 12 to 25. But we know the future of mental health also lies in early intervention. That's why from early next year we will launch a new national early intervention service. This will provide free phone and online mental health support staffed by trained professionals for people experiencing distress, anxiety or early signs of illness. It is expected to support more than 150,000 Australians a year. It will fill a gap between prevention and crisis, offering care at the first sign of struggle. This model reflects modern life, where people need flexible access to care—after hours, online and without barriers. It's about meeting Australians where they are and making it as easy as possible for them to get help. We also know that more access requires more people. That's why we're investing in the mental health workforce across every level of the system. That includes over 4,000 scholarships, internships and training places for psychology students to build the next generation of clinicians. It includes investing in social workers, occupational therapists, peer workers and GPs, to make sure every professional has the tools and training they need. And it includes valuing lived experience—not as an afterthought, but as a vital part of recovery and care. Next year, we will establish a Peer Workforce Association, to recognise, professionalise and support the peer workforce across Australia. We'll also conduct the first-ever census of the peer workforce, to better understand how to support and expand this vital group, because someone who's been through the system and knows what it feels like to struggle can offer something powerful: empathy, trust, and hope. That word 'hope' is at the heart of everything we're doing: hope for young people who feel like the walls are closing in; hope for parents who don't know how to support their child; hope for workers managing stress, burnout or trauma; hope for men who feel they have no-one to talk to, and for women who carry too much, too silently—hope that if you reach out there'll be someone there to listen to you. This month, many Australians will grow a moustache for Movember, to raise awareness of men's mental health, suicide prevention and early intervention. It's a reminder that behind every face is a story, a struggle and a community. Initiatives like Beyond Blue, Lifeline, Kids Helpline and 13YARN also play a vital role in helping people to stay connected and supported. But our job as a parliament is to ensure that government does its part too, by investing in services before crisis strikes and reducing wait times; eliminating gap fees and making help easier to access; building a system that is community based, culturally safe and evidence-informed; supporting First Nations led mental health services, because the journey to healing must be grounded in voice, culture and self-determination; continuing to listen to young people, parents, clinicians and those with lived experience; treating mental health not as a line item in a budget but as a fundamental component of Australia's social fabric; and embedding mental health care into our health system in the same way we do for physical injuries or chronic disease—because mental health is health and because no Australian should ever feel alone, ashamed or unsupported when they're doing it tough. In the north, we're showing what it means to put these words into action. We've opened new doors in Elizabeth, Gawler and Edinburgh North, where we're creating new pathways for young people, for parents and for those who just need someone to talk to. We're investing in new futures, where care is accessible, recovery is possible and support is never out of reach. That's the difference good government makes. That's what it means to strengthen Medicare and restore integrity to our mental health system and that's what we will continue to deliver, not just during Mental Health Month but every day. I commend our government's work and reaffirm our shared commitment to the mental health of every Australian in every corner of the country. Don't forget to check in on your friends and family, but, most importantly, don't forget to check in on yourself and give yourself the care you might need to feel okay.
VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
I wish to address the House on the VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025, a bill that strengthens our vocational education system, ensures the integrity of student loan...
I wish to address the House on the VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025, a bill that strengthens our vocational education system, ensures the integrity of student loan administration and delivers certainty for students, providers and the Commonwealth alike. This bill is not a headline-grabbing measure but is one that matters deeply to those who trust our system to work as it should. It's a technical bill with a very human purpose—to make sure that every student who relied on the VET student loan program since its commencement in 2017 can do so with confidence in the law and confidence in their privacy. Our government is taking steps to fix a problem identified during a review conducted in the previous term of government, a problem that goes to the heart of how VET student loans were administered and how tax file numbers were handled under the 2016 act. That review revealed that the VET Student Loans Act 2016 did not explicitly authorise loan providers to handle student tax file numbers for the purpose of administering those loans. While the practice had been long established and no evidence of misuse ever arose, the legislation itself has not kept pace with the system it was designed to govern. That is why the Albanese Labor government has brought forward this bill—to make sure that alignment between our IT systems and our law is restored and to provide certainty where uncertainty once stood. This bill retrospectively authorises the handling of students' tax file numbers by VET student loan providers for the purpose of administering the program from 1 January 2017 to 30 September 2025. In doing so, it ensures that providers and Commonwealth officers alike can be confident that their past actions were lawful and necessary in the delivery of a program that has helped hundreds of thousands of Australians gain a qualification and build a career. The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has, since early 2025, made the technical changes required to modernise the system. The tax file numbers are now masked from providers and transferred automatically between relevant Commonwealth systems. That means, from 1 October 2025, providers will no longer need to handle TFNs at all. This is a simple but significant change, one that closes the loop between legislation, technology and practice. It is also a demonstration of what good governance looks like—identifying an administrative gap, consulting with providers, building a solution and enshrining it in law. A tax file number is not a small piece of information. It is the key that connects a student's loan to their future earnings and their repayment through the tax system. Without it, the integrity of the entire loan repayment framework could be compromised. So this bill recognises that reality—that a TFN is for accurate tracking, for fairness to taxpayers and for confidence in the system. At the same time, it ensures that personal data is handled with the utmost care and respect for privacy law and community expectation. It is important to note there's never been a student complaint about the handling of TFNs in the VET Student Loans program since its commencement in 2017. That is not by accident. It is because providers have been operating under strict security controls and integrity safeguards from the outset. Those safeguards include compliance with use and disclosure provisions under the VET Student Loans Act, rigorous approval processes to become an approved provider and mandatory notification of any data breach involving student information. The bill before us does not remove or weaken these safeguards; it cements them and confirms that they were lawfully applied from the beginning. It will apply to all current and former VET student loan providers and their officers who handled students' TFNs in good faith to administer loan applications and repayments prior to 1 October 2025. It will also cover the Secretary of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, the Commissioner of Taxation and other Commonwealth officers involved in the process. In other words, this bill draws a clear line under the past and sets a clear standard for the future. The department has communicated with providers throughout this process, keeping them informed about the IT changes, about the policy intent and about this legislation. This has been an example of good-faith collaboration between government and industry, the kind of practical problem-solving that is too often overlooked but which keeps our systems running smoothly. Behind every technical fix like this are real students, real trainers and real providers trying to get on with the job of building skills and careers. For those listening who might not be familiar with what a VET Student Loans provider is, they are registered training organisations approved by the Australian government to deliver VSL-approved courses. That includes our TAFEs, the bedrock of Australian skills and training, and also private colleges that meet the standards set by the Commonwealth. Together, they make up the network that trained electricians, nurses, childcare workers, fitters, technicians and hundreds of other skilled Australians who keep this country running. These are the people training the next generation of workers for the renewable energy sector, for aged care, for construction and manufacturing—industries that define the economy of tomorrow. The bill before us commences the day after it receives royal assent, but its provisions will apply retrospectively from 1 January 2017 to 30 September 2025, a clear and comprehensive window covering the life of the program to date. The department at first learned of this problem through its routine review of how VET student loans were administered. Officials identified that the legislation did not clearly authorise the handling of tax file numbers by providers, despite the fact that the practice was necessary and well-controlled. The review recommended stronger alignment between relevant IT systems and the law, and that is precisely what we are now delivering. It is a measure of good administration that when issues are identified, they are addressed promptly and openly, and that is exactly what this government is doing. The bill also formally authorises the department's past disclosure of TFNs to providers for the same lawful purpose. After 1 October 2025, no VET student loans provider will be authorised to handle a student tax file numbers, because the system will have fully transitioned to automated data transfer between Commonwealth agencies. That is a positive evolution. It protects privacy, simplifies administration and reduces risks for all involved. Since early 2025, the department has rolled out these updates to its IT systems, a modern approach to data security that meets the expectations of students today. This has been backed by a $42.2 million investment over four years to build a modernised VET student loans IT system, one that will be fully operational from 2026 and will strengthen every aspect of the program's administration. That new system will underpin faster assessments, smarter payments and stronger integrity, ensuring that public funds are well spent and students are well served. For students, the impact of this bill is simple—continuity, certainty, confidence. The way students apply for a VET student loan will not change. They will continue to use the electronic Commonwealth assistance form, just as they do now. Their tax file number will continue to be required because it is the link between their loan and their tax record but they can be assured that is protected by modern IT architecture and clear legislative authority. If any student does have a concern about the use of their tax file number, they can contact the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations or the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, but I reiterate: such misuse has never been reported. The VET Student Loans program is a cornerstone of our training system. It enables Australians to undertake vocational education and training without the immediate burden of upfront fees through an income contingent loan that is fair, accessible and sustainable. It means that a student in my electorate can enrol in a Elizabeth or Salisbury TAFE course today, gain a qualification, find a secure job and repay their loans through the tax system once they are earning a good income. That is how a fair society builds its skill base, by removing barriers to education and backing people to succeed. The program also supports national priorities, addressing skills shortages and engineering, construction, health care and occupational licensing trades that are vital to our economic growth. It aligns training supply with industry demand, a practical example of how policy can serve both people and productivity. It ensures opportunities not just those for those who can afford it upfront but for everyone willing to work hard to build a career. Without programs like VET Student Loans, tens of thousands of Australians would never have had the chance to study a trade, a technical qualification or a diploma that changed their lives. And without those graduates, Australian businesses would be facing even greater skills shortages than they do today. That is why this bill is so important. It protects the integrity of a program that is central to our future. Now, it would be fair to ask why VET student loans require such careful handling of tax file numbers when students in the higher education sector provide theirs routinely. The answer is that the VET Student Loans program and the Higher Education Loan Program are governed by different legislation, the VET Student Loans Act 2016 and the Higher Education Support Act 2003. Each framework has its own data-handling arrangements, and this bill ensures that the VSL framework is now as clear and as comprehensive as its counterpart in higher education. It brings consistency and certainty, both vital to the confidence of students and providers alike. In a broader sense, it also reflects the values of this government that integrity in public administration is non-negotiable and that every student has the right to know that their personal information is safe and their loan is secure. There is nothing more fundamental to good government than accountability and trust. When people hand over their personal information, especially something as sensitive as a tax file number, they are placing their trust in a system that serves them. They trust that their data will be handled lawfully, used only for the purpose for which it was given and protected against misuse. They also trust that, if something goes wrong, their government will not hide from it but will act to put it right. That is precisely what this bill does. It acknowledges an administrative gap that should never have existed and closes its transparently, decisively and permanently. It ensures that neither providers nor students are left exposed because of a technical oversight in the original act. This sends a clear message that, when issues arise, the Albanese Labor government deals with them head on, with honesty, integrity and action, and that, importantly, it does so without disruption to students, without cost to providers and without undermining the stability of the system. It restores confidence that, when you apply for a VET student loan, your data is protected and your loan is administered under clear, lawful authority. It also restores confidence to providers, who can continue to focus on what they do best: deliver quality education and training to the Australian workforce. Vocational education and training is at the heart of the Future Made in Australia agenda. It is how we equip our people with the skills to fill the jobs of the future in the clean energy, advanced manufacturing, defence industry and care sectors. Programs like VET Student Loans make that possible by ensuring that cost is not a barrier to opportunity. This is particularly true for communities like those in Adelaide's north. In the electorate of Spence, where access to affordable training means access to local jobs and lifelong security, it means that a young person who starts welding at TAFE SA in Elizabeth can take up work in one of the growing defence and manufacturing facilities across northern Adelaide. It means that mature-age workers can reskill into emerging industries like renewable technologies or advanced manufacturing without being deterred by upfront fees. It means that our regional training providers can continue to deliver high-quality, industry-relevant courses, knowing that the student loan framework supporting them is sound. I commend the VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025 to the House as a bill that strengthens our education system, protects our students and upholds the integrity of public administration in Australia. When we build trust in our systems, we build confidence in our institutions, and when we build confidence in our institutions, we build a stronger, fairer and more skilled nation. In closing, I have been the very good benefactor of a VET provided course. It gave me a 10-year career at sea that I loved, and I know, Deputy Speaker Small, that you are a man of the sea as well. To all those young people out there who are considering what they do next after their year 12 exams over the coming weeks: there is nothing wrong with taking the pathway towards a trade. It is an honest job. It gives you a great sense of purpose. You'll be able to put a roof over your head and provide for your family. There's nothing shameful about that. There's only honour to be found in pursuing a trade, so get to it, everybody out there.
Customs Tariff Amendment (Geelong Treaty Implementation) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
Recently, I had the pleasure as co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of AUKUS to welcome members of the UK House of Commons Defence Select Committee to Parliament House. It was a powerful...
Recently, I had the pleasure as co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of AUKUS to welcome members of the UK House of Commons Defence Select Committee to Parliament House. It was a powerful reminder that the AUKUS partnership is not just a policy or a simple handshake agreement. It is a relationship between people, parliaments and communities that share values, trust and ideas. The conversations I had reaffirmed what the Geelong treaty embodies: a 50-year commitment to industrial cooperation, technological exchange and mutual security. That is why today I speak in strong support of the Customs Tariff Amendment (Geelong Treaty Implementation) Bill 2025, legislation that brings to life one of the most significant defence partnerships in our nation's history. This bill gives domestic effect to the Geelong treaty, signed on 26 July 2025 by the Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles, and the UK Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey. It marks a moment of deep renewal between two nations whose friendship pre-dates Federation but now finds new expression in shared capability, shared technology and shared purpose under AUKUS. Our relationship with the United Kingdom is among our oldest. We have fought together across Europe, Africa and Asia and built together and grown together as nations. Now, through AUKUS, that historic bond carries a contemporary, strategic weight deep into the 21st century. The Geelong treaty represents the most significant bilateral agreement between Australia and the UK since 1901. It sets the foundation for the design, construction, operation, sustainment and eventual deployment of a new class of conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines, the SSN-AUKUS, and ensures both our nations' navies will sail side by side for generations to come, protecting both of our island homes. The treaty is a cornerstone of AUKUS Pillar I, the submarine program that will create over 20,000 high-skill jobs in Australia through the design and construction of these vessels. Those jobs will not just be in shipyards; they will span engineering, science, cyber, welding, nuclear stewardship, logistics and advanced manufacturing. Across our TAFEs, universities and research institutes, new education pathways are opening that will link directly into these AUKUS jobs. Students in high school today will graduate into apprenticeships and degrees tailored to AUKUS industries: nuclear engineering streams, maritime systems training and defence technology courses developed through partnership between government and education providers. These pathways mean that a student in my electorate of Spence, Geelong or Osborne can see a clear line from the classroom to a career in sovereign shipbuilding and defence innovation. The Geelong treaty cements that pipeline. It supports the growth of the workforce, infrastructure and regulatory systems required to build and sustain our submarines here in Australia. It also enables the rotational presence of a UK Astute-class submarine as part of the Submarine Rotational Force - West in Perth. This will be a training ground for our sailors and technicians and a living classroom for the transfer of skills and knowledge. Beyond the strategic benefits, the treaty delivers real economic and commercial benefits through trade, information sharing and joint procurement arrangements. It will allow both countries to share materials and equipment freely under the treaty framework without additional tariffs adding cost to the trade exchange. That is why this bill is so important. It provides the legislative mechanism to apply a free rate of duty for goods imported for use under the Geelong treaty. It amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 by inserting a new item, item 58A, ensuring that the movement of materials under AUKUS is swift, efficient and cost neutral. There are no revenue implications from this change. It delivers clarity and readiness and is a necessary step before Australia can declare it has completed its domestic obligations for the treaty to enter into force later this year. When I welcomed the UK Defence Select Committee to Parliament House as co-chair of Parliamentary Friends of AUKUS, I was struck by how aligned we are on the fundamentals: safety, sovereignty, transparency and the long game required to do this right. Doing it right means maintaining the highest safeguards and non-proliferation standards, a culture of safety in every workshop and laboratory and an unwavering commitment to the communities that will host these capabilities. Doing it right means building partnerships with industry and education providers and aligning curricula, equipment and placements so that graduates are job ready on day one. Doing it right means ensuring small- and medium-sized Australian businesses can access the opportunities that come with AUKUS, with capability uplift, quality accreditation and payment terms that let small firms scale into global supply chains. Extensive consultation has been undertaken across the Commonwealth with the Department of Defence, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Prime Minister and Cabinet, Treasury, Finance, the Attorney-General's Department, the Australian Submarine Agency, Border Force and nuclear safety bodies. All agencies support the implementation of this treaty and the amendments contained in this bill. The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has already held public hearings, receiving a range of submissions from industry and the public. That consultation shows a healthy engagement with his national endeavour—an endeavour that belongs not to one government or party but to the nation itself. This is a 50-year undertaking. It is a project that will span decades of policy, decades of people and decades of progress. The AUKUS program is already building momentum across our regions. From Perth to Adelaide to Geelong, in TAFE campuses— A division having been called in the House of Representatives— Sitting suspended from 12:34 to 12:45 As I was saying, the AUKUS program is already building momentum across our regions. From Perth to Adelaide to Geelong, in TAFE campuses and university hubs across the nation, young Australians are preparing for a new era of opportunity. Every course, every apprenticeship and every partnership that flows from AUKUS builds a pipeline of skills and careers for decades to come. These aren't just defence jobs; they are jobs that will strengthen advanced manufacturing, robotics, AI and engineering industries across Australia. That is why the Geelong treaty is so vital. It ties our education system, our workforce and our industrial base together in service of a shared national mission. The treaty also deepens our people-to-people connections. As we welcome UK sailors, engineers and scientists to our shores, Australian workers and students will train and work in the UK, creating knowledge, sharing and cooperation that will stand the test of time. As its name suggests, this treaty was signed in Geelong, and fittingly so—it is a city with a heritage of industry and innovation. The treaty represents the same spirit that built our manufacturing base and our naval tradition. It reminds us that nation building is never a thing of the past; it is an ongoing responsibility. The Geelong treaty is how we continue to carry that responsibility forward into the 21st century. It is how we equip our nation to defend our interests, strengthen our alliances and grow our economy through technological excellence and people power. It's how we ensure that the next generation of Australians, from our classrooms to our shipyards, inherits a country that is secure, prosperous and respected. That is why this parliament should support the passage of this bill without delay. The Geelong treaty will shape our strategic landscape for the next half-century. It is not merely about submarines; it is about sovereignty, skills and shared security. I commend this bill to the House.
Spence Electorate: City of Playford | Constituency Statements | House debates
In Adelaide's north we have long memories. Residents in the city of Playford have had to endure their share of fizzers, spanning from a hotel to a carpark that ratepayers spent millions on yet...
In Adelaide's north we have long memories. Residents in the city of Playford have had to endure their share of fizzers, spanning from a hotel to a carpark that ratepayers spent millions on yet no-one uses—white elephants hidden in plain sight. Under the leadership of Mayor Glenn Docherty, the City of Playford has too often prioritised publicity over planning and focused on ribbon-cutting events before due diligence. But this isn't about personalities; it's about priorities. It's about how every dollar spent on these vanity projects is a dollar not spent fixing local roads, parks and community facilities. The ice arena in Elizabeth is yet another one of these projects. When the City of Playford sought my support for federal funding for this project, I declined, making it clear that they should instead focus on delivering long-overdue local road and infrastructure upgrades that have been overlooked for far too long. These are the projects I will support every day of the week. The ice arena was given development approval back in April last year, hailed by many as a huge win for the north with few downsides. Now, I'm told that, as of late last week, residents only have until 20 November to make submissions on the ice arena after the developers proposed a number of changes. You'd have known this if you drove past the site and scanned the QR code on a sign they placed there. It leads to a 143-page document outlining these changes. It's a token consultation if ever I saw it! Despite this, I strongly encourage locals to use the next 15 days to make a submission and make your voices heard. In their application, we can see their original plans being put on ice, and many aspects of this development are being pared back entirely. The elite rock climbing gym, basement car parking, basketball courts, playground, restaurant and outdoor dining area and more are all gone; although, we've been assured that the ice arena in Elizabeth isn't skating on thin ice, like the arena that was proposed in the city of Marion. We're also assured that ratepayers will not end up paying for this development. What aren't you telling us, Mayor Docherty? I welcome investment in the north and I welcome ambition, but I don't accept poor judgement calls. I encourage the City of Playford to stop with the secrecy and act with integrity to ensure we are not left with another cost blowout for ratepayers to clean up. Start prioritising the basics. We deserve delivery and not more debt and disappointment. It's time to pull up your socks, Mayor Docherty. Get on the program and start engaging in good faith with the entire ratepayer community in the city of Playford. Enough with a smoke and mirrors. Come out of the dark and be honest with everyone in our community.
World Teachers' Day | Statements by Members | House debates
Recently we had the pleasure of celebrating World Teachers' Day. It reminds us that teachers do more than deliver lessons; they inspire curiosity, build confidence and help young people find...
Recently we had the pleasure of celebrating World Teachers' Day. It reminds us that teachers do more than deliver lessons; they inspire curiosity, build confidence and help young people find their place in the world. When I asked constituents in my electorate about teachers that had the biggest impact on them, Georgia had this to say: I had the most wonderful music teacher, Mrs Morrison from Angle Vale Primary School. She helped me write and perform a political protest song when I was just 7 years old! Teachers like Mrs Morrison create lifelong memories for their students. Whether they're teaching the alphabet, songs or extension mathematics, their impact remains the same. They nurture potential, open doors to opportunity and equip students with skills and values needed for life beyond the classroom. In every community, from city schools to small regional classrooms, there are teachers like Mrs Morrison. They are at the heart of progress and inclusion in and out of the classroom. World Teachers' Day is a day to reflect on the impact of great teaching and the teachers who have changed lives, encouraged ambition and sparked ideas and to reaffirm that education is one of the strongest forces for good in our world. To all teachers out there, I say thank you for your tireless work and patience in preparing the next generation of Australians for the future.
United States-Australia Framework for Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths | Private Members' Business | House debates
I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the Prime Minister's successful visit to Washington DC, during which the United States-Australia framework for securing the supply of critical minerals...
I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the Prime Minister's successful visit to Washington DC, during which the United States-Australia framework for securing the supply of critical minerals and rare earths was signed with the President of the United States, a landmark bilateral framework on critical minerals and rare earths; (2) notes that the agreement will: (a) assist both countries in achieving resilience and security of critical minerals and rare earth supply chains; (b) support Australian jobs in the mining, separation, and processing of these minerals through the use of economic policy tools and coordinated investment; and (c) support defence and other advanced technologies; and (3) recognises that this agreement: (a) represents a further strengthening of the enduring Australia-United States alliance and a significant milestone in the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two nations; and (b) is delivering on the Government's Future Made in Australia agenda by driving investment in new export industries and providing good jobs in regional Australia. Today I speak about a landmark achievement for Australia's economic and strategic future, the signing of the United States-Australia Framework for Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths, reached during Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's successful visit to Washington DC. This agreement represents a major milestone in the enduring friendship between our two nations and a deepening of the alliance that has shaped our shared prosperity and security for generations. It is also a cornerstone of our Future Made in Australia agenda, driving investment in new export industries, creating jobs in local communities and securing the resources and technologies that will power our clean energy future. Australia is home to some of the most valuable deposits of critical minerals and rare earths in the world. Nearly the whole of the periodic table sits below the ground we stand on. These are called critical because they are essential to the world's transition to net zero: the batteries that store renewable energy, the turbines that generate it and the solar panels that capture it. But their importance goes further. Light and heavy rare earths are central to high-tech manufacturing, defence, artificial intelligence and clean energy. They power the data centres, precision systems and advanced technologies that underpin the evolving modern economy. The US-Australia framework will help create diverse, resilient and sustainable critical minerals supply chains that reduce global market concentration and strengthen both nations' economic security. It provides the architecture for coordinated investment, mobilising financing from both governments and private industry to support mining, processing and manufacturing projects in both countries. It will diversify supply chains essential for defence and advanced technology manufacturing and will enhance investor confidence through transparency, clear regulation and shared standards. Through the framework both nations have committed to at least $1 billion each in funding to accelerate projects that strengthen critical mineral and rare earth supply. This is about jobs. It's about making sure that regional Australians—those working in our mines, refineries and processing facilities—are at the centre of the industries that define the 21st century. It's about securing Australia's role in global supply chains so that, when the world looks for responsibly sourced, high-quality materials, they look to Australia first. And it's about strengthening the industries that underpin our national security, ensuring we have the materials we need for clean energy, advanced manufacturing and defence capability. The framework will also leverage our existing policy tools and international partnerships through the G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan, the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative and our Critical Minerals Strategy 2023-2030. Australia and the United States have worked closely for years to identify and support projects of shared interests, and this framework formalises that partnership. Together we will invest in new critical minerals projects, enhanced mining and processing capability, promote high-standard production and cooperate to address market challenges such as unfair trade and price volatility. The Prime Minister said in Washington that this is about ensuring that our nations lead in the industries that matter most to our future prosperity, climate security and defence capability. Domestically the Albanese Labor government is reinforcing this international effort by establishing the Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve. The reserve will help Australia manage volatility in global supply chains—something we saw last year in nickel and lithium—by allowing the government to act from a position of strength when markets are disrupted. It will operate through two key mechanisms: national offtake agreements to acquire or option key minerals at set prices and selective stockpiling to secure access to the minerals most vital to our national interests. A dedicated taskforce has been established to deliver this work and the reserve is on track to be operational by the end of 2026. Together the framework and the reserve reflect a clear vision: an Australia that doesn't just export raw materials but refines, processes and manufactures the products the world needs; a nation that turns our natural resources into long-term prosperity for regional communities; a trusted partner to our allies; and a global leader in sustainable, high-standard production. This is a future made in Australia—stronger, fairer and more secure. That is what good leadership looks like—a plan for a cleaner, stronger and more sovereign Australia.