Matt Burnell (Spence, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Appropriation bills may not always attract the attention of this House or get the front-page headlines in the morning paper but they sit at the very heart of our parliamentary democracy. They are how parliament exercised one of its oldest and most important responsibilities—control and release of public expenditure. Without an appropriation passed by this House, the Commonwealth cannot lawfully spend a single dollar. Programs cannot operate, services cannot be delivered and commitments made to the Australian people cannot be honoured.

Appropriation bills are what turn policy decisions into real outcomes. They provide the legal authority that allows government to fund hospitals, schools, payments and national institutions. They ensure transparency, accountability and parliamentary oversight over how public money is used. Importantly, they allow government to respond to reality, to changes in demand, to updated cost pressures and to circumstances that could not have been fully anticipated at budget time. They ensure continuity of government, stability of services and confidence across the economy. At their core, appropriation bills are about responsible governance, about meeting obligations, paying the bills and ensuring the machinery of government continues to function as intended. That is why appropriation bills matter and why this House must always treat them with the seriousness they deserve. When appropriation bills are passed, it means that government promises can be delivered to communities. Communities like mine in Spence have been reaping the benefits of Labor delivery since 2022.

Recently, I had the pleasure of welcoming the Minister for Education to Elizabeth to officially open Uni Hub Playford, South Australia's first permanent suburban university study hub right in the heart of Adelaide's north. This is a significant moment for our community because, for too long, where you lived has determined whether higher education felt possible. Located at the TAFE SA Elizabeth campus, the hub provides modern, purpose-built study spaces, high-speed internet, quiet work areas and shared facilities for students enrolled at any university or training provider.

But this hub is about much more than desks and wi-fi. Students will have access to academic skills assistance, career advice, wellbeing support and guidance to help them stay on track and succeed. For many people in the north, the barriers to study are real: long travel times into the city; juggling work, caring responsibilities and family life. Uni Hub Playford helps break down those barriers by making study reachable, practicable and part of everyday life.

This hub is part of the Australian government's Suburban University Study Hubs program. Working in partnership with local universities, TAFE and our school communities, it supports pathways into the jobs of the future in areas like defence, health, advanced manufacturing and technology. Most importantly, it sends a clear message to young people and mature-aged learners alike: you don't have to leave the north to build your future. Opportunity is no longer something you travel hours to reach. It has arrived right in the heart of Elizabeth, and that is something our community can be proud of.

In keeping with the topic of this Labor government delivering on education, we recently had the pleasure of celebrating three years of fee-free TAFE courses. Free TAFE is about opening doors for young people leaving school, for workers retraining or changing careers, and for people looking to upskill without taking on more debt. It recognises a simple truth: a strong economy needs skilled workers and Australians deserve clear, affordable pathways to secure jobs.

At TAFE SA, some of the most popular fee-free TAFE courses reflect the real needs of our workforce. Courses in information technology are in high demand, building digital skills that are now essential across almost every industry. Early childhood education and care has also seen strong uptake, supporting the educators who underpin families, communities and workforce participation. Building and construction courses continue to attract strong interest, helping train the tradies needed to deliver homes and vital infrastructure.

Importantly, free TAFE is delivering real cost-of-living relief, with South Australian students able to save up to $4,400 on courses like certificate IV in information technology and certificate III in early childhood education and care. Free TAFE isn't just an education policy; it's a workforce reform, a cost-of-living measure and an investment in Australia's future. If you're willing to learn, the government is willing to back you

Beyond education, another key area of deliverables for any Labor government comes in health care. In the town of Gawler, we have just opened the new headspace facility to provide high-quality mental health services for the north. This new facility means more young people in the Gawler region will now have timely access to mental health support, counselling services and wellbeing programs right here in their town. Headspace has a proud national reputation for delivering youth-friendly, evidence based care, and bringing that service to Gawler recognises the very real challenges local young people and families have been facing.

For too long, many in our community have had to travel long distances to get the help they need. At a time when reaching out for support can feel only too hard, the centre provides confidential mental health support, assistance with work and study concerns, alcohol and drug counselling and guidance on physical and sexual health, all in a safe, welcoming space. This investment means that a young person struggling with anxiety, depression or stress doesn't have to wait weeks for help or leave their community to access care.

Importantly, the new headspace in Gawler will be a community hub where young people feel seen, heard and supported by professionals who understand their world. It's a recognition that mental health is as important as physical health and that early intervention changes lives. This centre will make a real difference in the lives of young people and families across Gawler and the surrounding districts.

Across the country, we are also providing a record investment into more bulk-billing practices so anyone can see a doctor for free. This is real relief for families facing cost-of-living pressures, for pensioners, for parents and for people managing chronic conditions. By increasing Medicare rebates and introducing new incentives for bulk-billing practices, Labor is helping clinics to keep their doors open and continue offering care that is free at the point of use.

At its core, Medicare is about universality—the idea that everyone deserves access to quality health care, no matter their income or postcode. In my electorate of Spence, that investment is already delivering results. We now have 16 fully bulk-billed practices, out of 25 GP practices in total, meaning more locals can see a doctor without delay or cost. That translates to earlier diagnoses, better preventive care and less pressure on our hospitals. It also supports the hardworking GPs and practice staff who keep our primary-care systems running. Labor's commitment to bulk-billing is a commitment to fairness, prevention and a healthcare system that works for everyone. It's a commitment we will continue to deliver on for communities like Spence.

A strong health system starts with a strong workforce. That is why the Albanese Labor government is investing more than $1 billion to train more doctors in more communities. This historic investment is about planning for the future and ensuring that Australians can see a GP when they need one, no matter where they live. Through new five-year grant agreements, we are supporting the continued growth of Australia's GP and rural generalist workforce, providing certainty for training providers and for doctors choosing general practice. This year is on track to surpass 2025 as the largest GP training cohort on record. An estimated 2,100 doctors will commence GP training in 2026—including rural generalist trainees, who play a critical role in delivering care in regional and rural communities. These trainees begin their training this month, stepping into a pathway that is essential to the long-term strength of primary health care.

Importantly, this work is being delivered through the Australian General Practice Training Program, with both the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners committed to continuing their role. By backing training, Labor is backing access, prevention and continuity of care. It is a clear signal that general practice matters and that Labor is serious about building a healthcare system that works for every community.

Another area we pride ourselves on is housing. One of the clearest commitments made by the Albanese Labor government was to tackle Australia's housing shortage head-on by building 100,000 new homes for Australians who have been locked out of the market for too long. This wasn't a slogan. It was a promise grounded in the reality facing families, renters and first home buyers across the country.

In South Australia, that promise has been delivered in a very real and tangible way. The announcement of 17,000 new homes to be built in South Australia is a game changer for our state, boosting supply and easing pressure in a tight housing market. Importantly, around 7,000 of these homes will be reserved specifically for first home buyers, giving young people and working families a genuine pathway to homeownership. For too many South Australians, owning a home has felt like something slipping further out of reach, with rising prices, rising rents and limited supply. This investment is about changing that trajectory. It's about increasing housing where people actually want and need to live—close to jobs, schools, transport and services. It's also about supporting local construction jobs, apprentices, apprenticeships and the small businesses that rely on a strong building sector.

By partnering with states to unlock land and accelerate construction, Labor is addressing housing from every angle: supply, affordability and opportunity. This is nation-building work, but it's also deeply personal for the families who will finally get the keys to their first home. Labor said we would act on housing, and in South Australia that action is now underway.

And what is a house without a source of power? The Albanese Labor government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program is about helping households take control of their power bills and take part in Australia's clean energy future. For many families, rooftop solar has already made a difference. But, without a battery, too much of that energy is sent back to the grid during the day and bought back at night. This scheme changes that, making home batteries more affordable so families can store the power they generate and use it when they need it most. It means lower electricity bills, greater energy independence and a more stable, reliable grid for everyone. It also strengthens our transition to renewables by supporting distributed storage across suburbs and communities, rather than relying on a handful of large projects alone.

In my electorate of Spence, locals are already embracing this opportunity. We now have 2,622 home batteries installed—the fifth-highest total in South Australia and the ninth highest in Australia. That tells you something about our community. It's practical, forward looking and ready to back solutions that save money and support the environment. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program builds on that momentum, helping more families participate in reducing upfront costs that can otherwise be a barrier. This is good for households, good for cost-of-living relief and good for our national energy security. Labor understands that the energy transition must be affordable and fair, and schemes like this ensure communities like Spence are not left behind but leading the way.

As I conclude, it is worth reminding ourselves why appropriation bills matter so profoundly in this place. They are not simply numbers on a page, lines in a ledger nor dry counting exercises. They are the mechanism by which this parliament turns priorities into progress. Through appropriations, we give legal authority for the public's money to be invested in the public good. It is through these bills that Medicare is strengthened, that bulk-billing clinics keep the doors open and that free TAFE students gain new skills without new debt. It is through these bills that new homes are built, that mental health services open their doors and that more doctors are trained for more communities. Every initiative we have spoken about today, from education to housing, from health care to energy, depends on the authority granted by this parliament.

Without appropriations, commitments cannot be delivered. Services cannot operate. Communities cannot rely on continuity and certainty. These bills are how we uphold responsible government, ensuring transparency, scrutiny and accountability in every dollar spent. They reflect our values, what we choose to prioritise and who we choose to support. Ultimately, appropriation bills are about trust—the trust Australians place in us to steward their resources wisely. Through these measures, we demonstrate that trust is being honoured with investments that strengthen communities and build Australia's future.

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