Matt Burnell's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
type: channel
language: en-gb
creator: OpenAustralia.org, mprss.php script
date: 2026-02-10T22:05:33+00:00
items: Eastick, Dr Bruce Charles | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Labor Government | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Jonceski, Mr Ljupco (Luch) | Condolences | House debates
items: Bolkus, Hon. Nick | Condolences | House debates
items: Uni Hub Playford | Adjournment | House debates
items: Housing | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Housing | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
items: Richardson, Hon. Graham Frederick 'Richo', AO | Condolences | House debates
items: Spence Electorate: Medicare | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Cybersafety | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Cricket | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Mental Health | Statements on Significant Matters | House debates
items: VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Customs Tariff Amendment (Geelong Treaty Implementation) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Spence Electorate: City of Playford | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: World Teachers' Day | Statements by Members | House debates
items: United States-Australia Framework for Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths | Private Members' Business | House debates

Eastick, Dr Bruce Charles | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: 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...
encoded: 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, t…
date: 2026-02-10T16:03:00+00:00

Labor Government | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: 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...
encoded: 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)
date: 2026-02-09T13:58:00+00:00

Jonceski, Mr Ljupco (Luch) | Condolences | House debates
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description: 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...
encoded: 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…
date: 2026-02-05T12:57:00+00:00

Bolkus, Hon. Nick | Condolences | House debates
type: item
description: 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...
encoded: 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…
date: 2026-02-05T11:01:00+00:00

Uni Hub Playford | Adjournment | House debates
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description: 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...
encoded: 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 …
date: 2026-02-05T16:45:00+00:00

Housing | Questions without Notice | House debates
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description: 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...
encoded: 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?
date: 2026-02-04T15:04:00+00:00

Housing | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: 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...
encoded: 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.
date: 2026-02-04T13:59:00+00:00

Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
type: item
description: 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...
encoded: 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, the…
date: 2026-01-19T20:58:00+00:00

Richardson, Hon. Graham Frederick 'Richo', AO | Condolences | House debates
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description: 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...
encoded: 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 n…
date: 2025-11-26T11:20:00+00:00

Spence Electorate: Medicare | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: 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...
encoded: 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?
date: 2025-11-26T13:59:00+00:00

Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
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description: 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,...
encoded: 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 veter…
date: 2025-11-25T16:57:00+00:00

Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: 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...
encoded: 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…
date: 2025-11-24T17:50:00+00:00

Cybersafety | Questions without Notice | House debates
type: item
description: 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?
encoded: 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?
date: 2025-11-24T14:47:00+00:00

Cricket | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: 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...
encoded: 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.
date: 2025-11-24T13:44:00+00:00

Mental Health | Statements on Significant Matters | House debates
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description: 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...
encoded: 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 exp…
date: 2025-11-05T19:09:00+00:00

VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: 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...
encoded: 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 require…
date: 2025-11-05T18:14:00+00:00

Customs Tariff Amendment (Geelong Treaty Implementation) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: 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...
encoded: 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 thes…
date: 2025-11-05T12:28:00+00:00

Spence Electorate: City of Playford | Constituency Statements | House debates
type: item
description: 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...
encoded: 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 …
date: 2025-11-05T09:39:00+00:00

World Teachers' Day | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: 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...
encoded: 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.
date: 2025-11-04T13:43:00+00:00

United States-Australia Framework for Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths | Private Members' Business | House debates
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description: 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...
encoded: 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 …
date: 2025-11-03T12:18:00+00:00