Alicia Payne (Canberra, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise in support of the package of appropriation bills. Budget management is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of government. It's about ensuring the resources and the wealth of this nation and its people are managed well. It's about ensuring that the services that Australians rely on and expect and deserve are funded and delivered. It's about protecting our people and our nation, whether from the global challenge of climate change or from other threats in an increasingly uncertain world. Most importantly, budget management is about priorities—the priorities that reflect the values and choices of the Australian people when they cast their vote.

Since coming to government in 2022, this government has delivered meaningful reform and real progress for our nation. We are a government that acts, whether it's action on climate change after a decade of denial and delay; whether it's the introduction of the National Anti-Corruption Commission that is restoring accountability and integrity into public life; whether it's more affordable early childhood education, cheaper medicines or cheaper home batteries; whether it's the ambition to build 1.2 million new homes and help young Australians achieve the dream of homeownership; or whether it's cutting student debt or the introduction of fee-free TAFE and paid prac placements. At every step, the Albanese Labor government has been guided by the core Labor values of fairness, opportunity and support for those who need it most. We have delivered these reforms while maintaining strong fiscal discipline under the leadership of the Treasurer and the Minister for Finance.

In the last term, we delivered the largest nominal budget improvement in a single parliamentary term. We delivered the first back-to-back budget surpluses in nearly two decades because, for all the bluff and bluster about surpluses from those opposite when they were in government, it took Labor to actually deliver one. That is the harsh reality for those opposite. This is responsible economic management in action, and it's what we are continuing to deliver in this second term in government.

When Australians went to the polls, they voted for a government that would tackle the big challenges, invest in the services they rely on and build a stronger, fairer future. These appropriation bills reflect that choice. They give effect to the commitments we took to the people, commitments we are proud to deliver, commitments to reduce the cost of living and fight inflation, including more relief on energy bills, tax cuts for every Australian taxpayer, cheaper medicines and a 20 per cent cut to student debt.

We are strengthening Medicare, including funding so that, by 2030, nine out of 10 GP visits will be bulk-billed; a huge issue in my community. There'll be more investment in our public hospitals; more urgent care clinics—with 137 right across the nation, including a new one right here in Canberra; more doctors and nurses in the system; and lower costs, more choice and more accessible health care for women.

We're also making it easier to buy and rent a home. We're building more homes faster, using modern construction methods and expanding the Help to Buy scheme. We're providing up to $10,000 for apprentices in housing construction to ensure we have the tradies we need to build the homes Australians need. We're expanding the five per cent deposit scheme to all first home buyers, so the once insurmountable burden of saving for a deposit is less of a hurdle. We've invested $43 billion in our Homes for Australia plan, as we work towards our 1.2 million new homes by 2030. We're fast-tracking the approvals of 26,000 homes that have stagnated, and we're freezing changes to the Construction Code so that builders can get on with the job of building. Alongside the Housing Australia Future Fund, build-to-rent, our shared equity schemes and other initiatives, this government is by far the most ambitious when it comes to housing policy in a generation.

On education, we're investing at every stage. We're guaranteeing access to at least three days a week of subsidised early childhood education and care. We're fully funding every public school. We've made free TAFE permanent, and we're delivering reform to the university sector through the Universities Accord.

We're building a stronger, more resilient economy through our new National Competition Policy, the Future Made in Australia plan supporting green metals production and clean energy manufacturing, and through expanded funding for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.

I also want to talk about some of the commitments we made at the election specifically for the people of Canberra. Our flagship announcement at our campaign launch was game-changing for our city. Labor announced a $200 million investment to green-light a new national convention and entertainment precinct and a new aquatic centre in Commonwealth Park. This is something that I have advocated for the whole time I have been in parliament, because this new convention centre will be befitting of a national capital. It's so important that our city can host the sort of events that we need to play our part on the world stage. This will be a game changer for our local economy as well.

The joint project with the ACT government will create jobs, boost our local economy and give Canberra the modern facilities the national capital deserves. It will deliver a new convention and entertainment precinct capable of hosting major summits, conferences and events befitting a national capital, as well as a new aquatic centre to replace the ageing Civic Pool. This investment is about building Canberra's future, supporting local business, tourism and hospitality, and ensuring our city has the infrastructure it needs to grow. It shows the difference a federal Labor government makes when it works hand in hand with an ACT Labor government to deliver for Canberra—a government that's not ashamed of our national capital and that doesn't engage in cheap pointscoring, as the former opposition leader did with his attacks on the public service, which clearly backfired in the last election.

We're also backing our local sporting community with $1.5 million for Hockey ACT to upgrade and replace the ageing Carter Field at the National Hockey Centre in Lyneham. This is another project I was very proud to advocate for on behalf of my community, and I'm very pleased that we can deliver. The Carter Field is Canberra's premier hockey pitch, home to the Canberra Chill and the large Canberra hockey community. Everyone who plays hockey in Canberra plays at the Lyneham fields. But, after nine seasons, the playing surface has deteriorated, posing a safety risk to players and falling below international standards.

I was very proud to run a petition which saw over 1,000 Canberra hockey players and fans show their support for an upgrade to our hockey centre. With this strong community support, I was pleased to secure a commitment from the government. Our commitment will deliver a full pitch replacement, including a new international category 1 surface—the same as what was used in the Paris Olympics. This investment will also upgrade irrigation, fencing and other essential infrastructure. The new surface will reduce water consumption by 45 per cent and will support over 10,000 community fixtures and training sessions over the next decade. Our commitment secures the future of hockey in Canberra and ensures that players at all levels, from juniors through to elite athletes, have access to a world-class facility.

Our government recognises the specific challenges Canberrans face when seeing a GP. Our city has some of the lowest bulk-billing rates in the country and Canberrans pay some of the highest GP fees. It's simply not good enough. That is why, on top of our national commitment to make nine in 10 GP appointments free by 2030, we're investing $14.3 million to directly boost bulk-billing GP rates in Canberra. This funding will go towards funding three new fully bulk-billed GP practices across the city and will guarantee the ongoing operation of Interchange Health Co-operative in Tuggeranong.

We're also delivering new training initiatives, including the first metropolitan trial of the single-employer model, to attract more GPs to Canberra and keep them here. This is a game-changing investment for our city. It will mean more choice, better access and more affordable health care for Canberra families. Labor has also committed to delivering a new Medicare urgent care clinic in Woden, which is much needed. This clinic will be open seven days a week, over extended hours, with no appointment needed, and every patient will be fully bulk-billed. It will provide urgent medical care close to home without the stress of going to the emergency department.

The Woden clinic will also take pressure off Canberra Hospital and make sure that families in Woden and across the city can see a doctor when it really matters. It will build on the five existing nurse led walk-in clinics already operating in the ACT, which have seen more than 236,000 presentations since opening, and it shows once again the difference a Labor government makes when it invests in the health of our community. We're also investing an extra $10 million into respite services here in Canberra to ensure that people who need a bed in a respite centre will get one, because the health and wellbeing of Canberrans matters to our government.

We are also helping Canberrans electrify their homes and reduce energy bills through the Albanese government's suburb-wide electrification programs. Building on the success of early pilots like Electrify 2015, we are expanding this approach here in Canberra and working with communities such as Giralang to help households transition from gas to electric heating, cooking and hot water. These programs provide funding support, expert guidance and practical solutions to make upgrades easier and more affordable for families. Early results from similar pilots have been very encouraging. Households have cut energy use, lowered bills by thousands of dollars a year and reduced emissions, all while improving comfort and efficiency. By bringing this program to Canberra, we are giving residents choice, saving families money and building the renewable energy infrastructure that will power our city into the future.

We're also contributing $5 million to stage 2 of the Garden City Cycleway through the inner north. Stage 1 has been an absolutely massive success. I'm looking forward to seeing the cycleway extend to Watson. I was thrilled to join the minister for infrastructure, the Chief Minister and the ACT transport minister to turn the sod of the light rail stage 2A to Commonwealth Park. It is a great example of our two governments working together. The government is also investing in the roads infrastructure that Canberrans need. We're providing $53.5 million to support key projects, including completing stage 1 of the Monaro Highway upgrade, planning for stage 2 and finishing the duplication of Gundaroo Drive. These upgrades will improve safety, ease congestion and make daily commutes faster and smoother for Canberran residents on these key arterial roads.

The Albanese government is also backing Canberra's local defence industry, and building Australia's future through this. It was great to join Defence Minister Richard Marles and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy in the last term to announce a $272 million investment in CEA Technologies in Fyshwick, supporting 720 local Canberra jobs and delivering 14 world-class active phased array radars to the Australian Army's long-range fire capability. CEA is a Canberra success story, producing cutting-edge radar technology that strengthens our Defence Force, and has exported globally. This project highlights how the Albanese government is creating high-tech Australian made solutions while boosting local employment and capability. It was wonderful to tour this facility and hear about the Canberra history of this major employer in our city. They are a great example of Canberra punching above our weight when it comes to innovation and incredible capability in our city that is exported to the world.

Many in Canberra who commute through or around State Circle would also know our government is building a brand new national security precinct in Barton which will employ around 10,000 people. The multiplier effect will be major, with this project providing a huge economic boost to our city. Just this week, we are one step closer to setting up Australia's Centre for Disease Control, which will be headquartered right here in Canberra, something I and the other Labor representatives—the members for Fenner and Bean, and Senator Gallagher—were very keen to see. The Minister for Health and Ageing has introduced legislation to establish the agency which will deliver $251.7 million to set up the CDC and ongoing annual funding of $73.3 million in 2028.

These bills deliver for Canberra and deliver for Australia. They are about keeping faith for the Australian people, delivering on the commitments we have made, strengthening the services that Australians rely on and building a stronger, fairer future for our economy. They reflect the values of this Labor government—fairness, opportunity and responsibility. I commend them to the House.

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