Sam Lim (Tangney, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to thank the member for Lalor for moving the motion. I'm so proud to stand before you today as a member of the Albanese Labor government, one of the most diverse federal governments in Australian history. I'm proud to stand with a government that has a strong representation of women, that is inclusive and that welcomes different backgrounds, cultures, religions and experiences. I'm proud to stand with a government that is getting the job done. There are many changes that the Albanese Labor government have implemented in the last six months. I want to discuss three of these changes, because these changes have the most impact on my constituents, the people of Tangney.

The first is clearing the coalition visa blockage, the big backlog. Every day, my office receives many calls from people who are suffering at the hands of the previous government's cruel visa system. These people are wracked with anxiety. They are people who have not seen, heard or touched their loved ones for several years and who are not sure when they will get an opportunity to embrace them. They are people who do not know if they will be deported in a matter of hours, people who are crying, people who are hurt, people who are traumatised.

My staff, like me, have big hearts. We've worked very hard to help people in this painful situation. I have lost count of the number of constituents who have come into my office—to thank me and my staff—in tears of relief, hugging us for hearing their sufferings, for extending kindness, humility and empathy. I want to personally thank Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his compassionate leadership, in understanding the importance of clearing the coalition visa backlog, and Minister Andrew Giles for his tireless hard work.

The second change I want to speak about is the introduction of legislation to establish a National Anti-Corruption Commission. This is long overdue. The people of Australia rightfully demand integrity and trust in our national institutions. This trust was eroded through nine years of coalition governments, including a government that saw Prime Minister Scott Morrison secretly appoint himself to several ministries. The people of Australia demand better, The people of Australia deserve better, and an Albanese Labor government is delivering. I'm honoured to serve as a committee member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and I have played a role in introducing this crucial bill. It is my privilege to utilise my extensive background in law and order as a police officer throughout the process. Thank you, Mark Dreyfus, for the opportunity. There is more work to be done, and I look forward to continuing our work together.

Lastly, I would like to speak about another policy, that the Albanese Labor government has enacted, that is having a real effect on our older Australians. Our older Australians deserve dignity, care, security and respect. Under the previous government, many of our cherished elders were not being granted fundamental human decencies, and an Albanese government made fixing this mess a priority. We have implemented a pay rise for aged-care workers. We have put nurses back in nursing homes 24/7. We have lifted income limits for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. An Albanese Labor government has also made Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme medicines cheaper, the first time this has happened in 75 years. In addition, we have supported an increase to the pension. This is the biggest increase to the pension in 30 years. I am proud to stand behind this achievement.

I am proud to stand beside a team, the Albanese Labor government, that is building a better future for Australians. There is more work to be done, and I look forward to standing before the people of Tangney as we see local election commitments come to fruition. I thank members of parliament for getting the job done, and I thank the people of Australia for keeping us accountable. We will not waste a day.

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