Pat Conroy (Shortland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence Industry) Share this | Hansard source

Let me start by saying this: representing the people of Shortland is the greatest honour of my life. I'm incredibly thankful to my community for putting their trust in me once again. I won't take it for granted. I promise to keep working hard every single day to deliver for you and for our region.

The result of the 2025 election sent a strong message across the country: Australians want a government that listens, that delivers and that puts people first. I'm proud to stand here and say that's exactly what the Albanese Labor government is doing and will keep doing. Throughout the campaign, my team and I spoke with thousands of people across our community. We doorknocked, we phone-called, we held street stalls, eager to hear what mattered most to people. We listened, we made commitments and now we're delivering.

One example I'm especially proud of is our support for an amazing local organisation, Survivor's R Us. Survivor's R Us helps people dealing with domestic violence, homelessness and unemployment, some of the hardest things anyone can go through. They told us they needed a permanent space so they could keep doing their vital work. We listened, and now we deliver. A commitment by the Albanese Labor government of $2.8 million will help them buy a permanent site. This will give them the security they need to continue helping our community for many years to come. That's what good government looks like: backing local organisations, supporting people doing work on the ground and making a real change in people's lives. Everyone deserves safety, dignity and opportunity to rebuild.

But our work doesn't stop there. We've also committed funding to support important community upgrades across Shortland. There is $4.6 million to deliver the second state upgrade of Belmont Sporting Complex, $130,000 to fix the steps of Charlestown Netball Courts, $220,000 to address Windale rugby league club's drainage issues at Hunter Barnett Oval, $420,000 to upgrade the lighting at John Balcomb Oval, home of the Dudley Magpies, $275,000 to install new floodlighting at Lisle Carr Oval in Whitebridge, $275,000 to upgrade the lighting at Cardiff Netball Courts, $275,000 to install floodlighting at Jack Edwards Oval in Argenton, $325,000 to fix longstanding flooding issues at Slade Park and $35,000 for new fencing at Halekulani Oval, home of the Budgewoi Bulldogs. These projects may not make national headlines, but they matter deeply to our community and to the players, families and volunteers who use these spaces every week.

I'm also proud of the $90,000 in funding we've committed for the expansion of the Vedic Samiti Temple in Cardiff South. This will help deliver a new, all-weather dining space for our growing local Hindu community, making it easier to come together, celebrate and connect.

Across Shortland and across Australia, people voted for a better future, for fairness, for stability and for a government that backs everyday Australians, not just the big end of town. That's what Labor stands for, that's what I stand for and that's what we'll keep delivering.

When I was out and about in my community, my constituents told me they wanted help with the cost of living. They told me they were feeling the squeeze. That's why we're delivering real cost-of-living relief. We gave millions of households more direct energy bill belief, and there's another $150 off electricity bills to come. We've introduced cheaper child care and rolled out free TAFE, and now we're cutting the costs of medicines even further, cutting the price of PBS prescriptions to just $25, the lowest it's been since 2004. Meanwhile, pensioners and concession card holders will keep saving money thanks to the price freeze on PBS medicines, which will stay at just $7.70 until 2030. We'll continue to protect our PBS. That's how we help families, workers and pensioners right now—with practical support that makes a difference every day.

During the campaign, young people told me they were struggling. The Albanese Labor government believes in a fair day's pay for a fair day's work, and that's why we've backed minimum wage increases. If you're getting a pay slip soon, minimum wages are now 3.5 per cent higher. We didn't just promise more jobs; we delivered better jobs with better pay and better conditions.

That's why we're supporting apprentices in dealing with cost-of-living pressures while ensuring Australia has the workforce it needs to build 1.2 million homes over five years. We're paying housing construction apprentice tradies $10,000 in incentives, because we're building the workforce Australia needs for the future, and we're giving Australians real pathways into meaningful careers. That's what my community wants, and that's Labor's way—lifting people up, not leaving them behind.

We know education changes people's lives, and that's why Labor has made it easier to learn, train and grow. I've heard from students and their parents that crushing HECS debts were stopping young people from buying houses and getting ahead. That's why we cut 20 per cent off HECS debt, why we introduced free TAFE and why, for the first time ever, eligible student nurses, teachers, social workers and midwives are getting paid for their prac placements—as they should. This is not just good policy; it's common sense. Because, if we want a strong future, we need to invest in the people building it.

We know housing has become a major stressor for far too many people in Shortland and across Australia—renters, first home buyers and people trying to get a roof over their heads. That's why Labor is delivering. We're tackling the housing crisis with our $43 billion Homes for Australia plan, making it easier to buy and better to rent and building more homes. We're delivering up to 100,000 homes just for first home buyers, with no competition from investors, and we're making sure they're built near jobs, families and the community.

From 2026, every first home buyer can access a government backed five per cent deposit, with no income caps and no limits on how much you can earn to be eligible. Our Help to Buy scheme will make it easier to buy your first home by cutting the size of your mortgage, with the government covering up to 40 per cent of the upfront costs. We are also speeding up construction with prefab and modular homes, which will fast-track building times. We're cutting red tape and fast-tracking the qualifications of 6,000 tradies to get it done. We've backed renters with more rights and more assistance, and now we're making the dream of homeownership achievable again. We're not ignoring the housing crisis; we're tackling it head-on.

My constituents also told me how important Medicare is to our community, and I'm so proud that we're strengthening and protecting it. We tripled the bulk-billing incentive, making it easier to see a GP—especially for kids, pensioners and concession card holders. We all know how important it is to get medical care when you need it without spending hours waiting in a hospital emergency room. That's why we've opened urgent care clinics in Lake Haven and Charlestown. These clinics have quickly become some of the busiest in New South Wales, demonstrating just how vital they are to our community. Because of their success, we're delivering more resources to help them meet growing demand, so more people can get the care they need, when they need it, and for free. This is great news for local families, providing faster and more accessible care for our region.

When I'm out in the community, I hear time and time again how much people value these services, so I'd like to thank the dedicated staff who work in these clinics. Your care and commitment are making a real difference every day, as is the care and commitment of every single person in the health sector in Shortland. Now we're working to deliver expanded mental health support, because my community told me that's what they need next. I'm proud that we will have a Medicare mental health clinic in Charlestown in the near future—because your health should not depend on your bank balance, and, under Labor, it never will.

My constituents also care deeply about the environment. That's why we're taking bold, responsible action on climate change—not just because it's the right thing to do for our planet, but because it's the smart thing to do for our economy. Under Labor, Australia is becoming a renewable energy superpower. We're investing in batteries, home solar and the Rewiring the Nation project to modernise our grid. We're creating thousands of clean energy jobs and driving down power prices, all while cutting pollution and protecting our future.

You can characterise our government as being steady. We've been focused, and we've kept our promises. From cost-of-living relief to Medicare reform and from housing to climate, the Albanese Labor government has delivered what we said we would, and we'll continue to do exactly that. At the end of the day, this election wasn't just about policies; it was about values, Australians chose fairness over division.

But, unfortunately, the campaign also had its darker side. I saw scenes I'd never witnessed my time in politics. We had Exclusive Brethren in Liberal shirts busting into our neighbourhoods from as far away as South Australia. They were there not to campaign but to bully, harass and intimidate. They physically blocked voters from entering polling booths, ripped other parties' materials from voters' hands, tore down signs, hurled sexist and offensive remarks and confronted volunteers and voters with aggression and contempt. This was not about persuasion and campaigning; this was about coercion and intimidation. These tactics—the coordination, the coercion and the intimidation—were among the most egregious I've ever witnessed. They were corrosive to democracy and contrary to everything we stand for. They didn't even bother to pretend to know the electorate. They didn't even know where the Charlestown Medicare Urgent Care Clinic was, even though many of them were at a prepoll centre just around the corner from the clinic for two whole weeks.

All this, according to media reports, was coordinated out of the then Liberal leader's office—a nationwide, orchestrated effort by a secretive religious cult to influence our election. Let's ask ourselves: Why did the Exclusive Brethren, who don't even vote, mobilise in their thousands for the Liberal Party? What were they promised? What was the quid pro quo? Let's hope the Liberal Party never again employs such disgraceful, antidemocratic tactics.

I'm pleased to report the voters of Shortland, when faced with this orchestrated campaign of fear and intimidation, said no. They provided the Liberals with the result they deserved. My constituents chose compassion over cruelty, hope over fear and action over spin. They chose a government that builds, not blames; that backs workers, supports families and stands up for the vulnerable; and that listens, delivers and brings people together. So to everyone who put their trust in me and Labor: thank you. I won't take your support for granted. Together we'll keep building a better Australia—one that is fairer, stronger and full of opportunity for all.

I'd like to say a big, heartfelt thank you to my amazing team. I couldn't have done this without you. To the mighty trade union movement I say thank you. Every day you work tirelessly to improve the safety and working conditions of millions of Australians. In particular, I would acknowledge the support of the Mining and Energy Union, the AMWU, the MUA veterans and the SDA. Without your support, the result we achieved in Shortland would not have been possible. To my staff, my volunteers and, of course, my family: thank you for hitting the streets, knocking on doors, making countless phone calls, delivering flyers and handing out on polling places—on prepoll and on election day. We delivered one of the most active campaigns in all of New South Wales, and the results speak for themselves. Your support never wavered, and I have the great honour and privilege of serving the people of Shortland for another three years because of your hard work and dedication.

I'd like to take a moment to pay tribute to a very special member of my team: my former office manager Kylie Katalinic. Kylie joined the Labor Party at just 17, inspired by her proud Labor father, and from that day on she dedicated her life to the movement. Kylie joined my office in August 2023. From day one, Kylie was focused on the election campaign to come. She knew just how important it was to have a Labor government in office and how a Labor agenda can transform lives. Tragically, Kylie lost her life to cancer in February this year. Kylie was a passionate unionist, a fierce advocate for mental health and someone who lived her Labor values every single day. Kylie brought warmth, energy and kindness to everything she did in our office, with her family and in our community. She is deeply missed by all of us, and I know she would be incredibly proud of what we've achieved together. I again pass my condolences on to Kylie's family and friends.

In conclusion, I would like to thank two groups of people. First, I'd like to thank the Prime Minister for his continued leadership. He ran an incredibly disciplined, value driven, honest and effective government over the last three years, and the election result reflects the trust the people of Australia have in him and his agenda. He is a person who never forgets where he came from and is committed to fighting for Australians every single day.

Finally, in conclusion, I'd like to thank my family again. To my beautiful wife, Keara, and my two amazing kids, Rachel and Michael: thank you for the sacrifices you make. Thank you for believing in the Labor project of improving the lives of all Australians. I apologise in advance for another three years of my absence, but I hope I can continue to make you proud and to repay the trust and sacrifice you make every single day so that I can continue to represent the people of Shortland.

As I said earlier, representing my community in Shortland is the greatest honour of my life, and I will continue to work every day to make every moment in this place count. Thank you very much.

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