Claire Clutterham (Sturt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Election commitments are an important part of election campaigns because they provide incumbents and candidates the opportunity to really connect with their communities, to listen to the needs of their communities, and to learn what projects and services might best serve those communities and be sustainable for the future. The task of then reviewing those commitments, of weighing those commitments up in order to get the balance right as to what the needs of the electorate are, and of determining the most efficient, effective and fair use of funding not only to the electorate but to the Australian taxpayer is challenging—but that's the job we're here to do.

I was very proud to have been able to make several commitments to my great electorate of Sturt during the campaign. These commitments were diverse, covering culture, health care, sports and infrastructure, but all will have an enduring benefit to my community. As well as an urgent care clinic and a Medicare mental health centre for the people of Sturt, who worked with me in signing a petition to ensure the pledge regarding the urgent care clinic was made, the other commitments include a pledge to upgrade a section of Sturt's great Linear Park, located within the city of Port Adelaide Enfield, to include better lighting, fitness equipment and safer footpaths and bike tracks. Linear Park is a place comprised of multiple extensive outdoor green spaces for families and is much loved by those using the BBQ facilities, having a picnic or simply watching their children play on the many playgrounds dotted throughout the park. It is also a beautiful place for walkers, cyclists and runners like myself, and these upgrades will make it even better and safer, especially during the early mornings and evenings. Community spaces that promote mental and physical fitness and connection are important for overall community wellbeing. The Labor government is committed to building a stronger, healthier community, and I was very proud of this announcement.

Community connection will also be facilitated through the upgrade of Foxfield Oval Hall in the suburb of Athelstone in the far-eastern part of Sturt, within the city of Campbelltown. The renovation will provide a fit-for-purpose space that can keep up with the growing community demand. The project will include providing internal and accessible toilets, a larger hall floor space with better acoustics, kitchen functionality, more storage and better access overall. Foxfield Oval Hall is regularly used for events run by local sporting and community groups and has been the home of the Athelstone Table Tennis Club for more than 60 years. It's also used by the Athelstone Football Club, the Athelstone Cricket Club and a private boxing gym. But, built more than 60 years ago, this ageing facility does not meet current demand or accessibility requirements, and it's the improvement of these types of facilities which election commitments are firmly aimed at, because they are for the betterment of the community.

As a huge Norwood Redlegs fan and a big supporter of the AFLW and SANFLW, I was very proud to announce an investment at the Norwood Football Club towards the long-overdue upgrade and renovation of the old, cold, outdated and, frankly, not fit for purpose female change rooms. Women's sport is growing rapidly in Australia, including in footy and at the highest, elite levels like the SANFLW, and the players deserve facilities that reflect their status as elite athletes competing in a high-performance environment. The Redlegs are ingrained in my community's history, and these upgrades mean that the women's team can continue to kick goals in a safe, new and fit-for-purpose environment, which is exactly what they deserve. Staying with sport, I was also proud to be able to commit to upgraded lighting and a new synthetic pitch for the mighty Campbelltown City Soccer and Social Club. I can't wait until club stalwart Don Leombruno is able to realise his vision for this family-friendly, growing and successful soccer club.

The Albanese Labor government went to the 2022 election promising to lift the standard of aged care in Australia, and we are working hard to deliver on that commitment. A key part of this is ensuring that people can access the care that they deserve, whether that be in residential care or whilst still at home. Nonna's Cucina is a Sturt community based service run mostly by volunteers which provides home cooked, Italian-style meals to the aged and to people with disabilities and their carers. They predominantly service the Adelaide Italian community throughout the north, south and eastern parts of the electorate of Sturt. Quite rightly, Nonna's has been receiving support from the Commonwealth government for over two decades, and I was proud to make a further commitment to them which will go towards upgrading their new premises in Holden Hill. Nonna's Cucina is more than just a cafe; it's a community institution and it's a vital feature of South Australia's Italian heritage. I participate in monthly delivery runs with Nonna's Cucina, which is not only about meal delivery; it also provides an opportunity to conduct a welfare check on clients. This is an organisation worth volunteering for and an organisation very worthy of the commitment made towards its sustainability and its newer and larger premises.

This is what election commitments are about, and this is what the Labor government is about: investing in communities and ensuring community and volunteer led and run organisations like Nonna's Cucina can keep thriving in our communities so they can keep contributing to our communities.

I was also very proud to support Sturt's other multicultural communities and the contribution that they all make to the harmony, vibrancy and productivity of our country. The commitment I made to the Sicilia Social and Sports Club in Klemzig to install new, commercial-grade ovens and replace community dining tables means the Sicilia club, which is run by dedicated volunteers, will celebrate its 40th birthday on 25 October this year, producing even more delicious Italian food, and will ensure that it can continue its work of delivering community events, promoting culture and supporting local groups.

I was also fortunate to join my friend the federal member for Makin, Tony Zappia, earlier this year to commit funding for the annual Festa della Madonna di Montevergine celebrated at the St Francis of Assisi Church in the suburb of Newton in the electorate of Sturt. The festival will hold its 70th anniversary celebration later this year, and I am assured by the lead organiser, Mr Dominic Zollo, that it will be bigger and better than ever and that the ever-present and controversial debate over whether the sweet zeppole or the anchovy zeppole is better will continue to rage.

Further, my dear friends at the Altavilla club in Beulah Park, particularly club manager and self-appointed head chef Dom Repucci, will also be able to continue to serve delicious and well-priced meals to the elderly Italian community due to the commitment to install new, commercial-grade ovens.

With these investments, the Albanese Labor government is ensuring that the heritage and culture of the Italian community of Sturt can continue to thrive well into the future.

An additional amendment which is being brought about by virtue of these bills is for direct appropriations to two new non-corporate Commonwealth entities, as that definition is understood within the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act. These are the Defence and Veterans' Services Commission, which is legislated to commence on 29 September of this year, and the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator, which is legislated to commence on 1 November 2025 at the latest. They are fully offset by reductions in the Department of Defence's annual appropriation. It goes without saying that both of these new non-corporate Commonwealth entities will play a critical role in the continued growth of Australia's defence industrial base, which means, in this context, growing the workforce and developing and cementing a sovereign supply chain.

In particular, the establishment of the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator, which was subject to public consultation between 1 and 30 July 2025, allowed for the development of a framework that will ensure that the highest standards of nuclear safety and radiological protection are applied across the nuclear powered submarine program. Once established, the Australian naval nuclear regulator will operate within a national regulatory system that supports the safety of people, of the general public and, critically, of the environment. Establishing the Australian naval nuclear regulator will be a critical milestone occurring under the AUKUS trilateral partnership, AUKUS being a core pillar of the Albanese government's national security policy. More importantly, it is also expected to create more than 20,000 direct jobs over the next 30 years, including 4,000 jobs designing, building and equipping the facilities at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia, and a further 4,000-5,500 shipyard jobs will be created in South Australia to design, build and sustain the fleet once submarine production is underway. This is an example of the efficient and effective use of appropriated funds, because AUKUS is the biggest, most significant security partnership Australia has entered into in a century.

The 2025-26 appropriation bills seek to appropriate funding of $83.4 billion in Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026, $14.6 billion in Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026 and $195.1 million in Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026. If passed, these bills would provide appropriations of circa $98.2 billion, meaning a total annual appropriation of $195.4 billion, including supply acts. But an appropriations bill is more than just numbers on a page. It is a commitment to the people of Australia. It is a commitment to the people of our communities. For me, it's a commitment to my community of Sturt. These numbers translate election commitments into real outcomes, investing in the future of our communities and making a real difference in the lives of everyday Australians.

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