House debates
Monday, 7 September 2026
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Petitions Committee; Report (1 speech)
I present the 14th report of the Standing Committee on Petitions of the 48th Parliament: The report read as follows— HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PETITIONS COMMITTEE REPORT No. 14 Ministerial...
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- Responses (1 speech)
I present 12 ministerial responses to petitions presented previously.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Mental Health Month (11 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that Mental Health Month is observed throughout October each year to raise awareness of mental health, reduce stigma and encourage all Australians to seek...
- Economy (8 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises the Opposition's plan to: (a) deliver lower taxes; (b) deliver lower power prices; (c) provide more housing; and (d) put Australians first; (2)...
- Vanuatu-Australia Nakamal Agreement (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the significance of the recent signing of the Australia-Vanuatu Nakamal Agreement; (2) notes that this broad ranging partnership reflects: (a) the...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Selection Committee; Membership (2 speeches)
I have to report to the House that, on 21 August 2026, I received advice from the Chief Government Whip nominating members to be members of the Selection Committee. In accordance with standing...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Canley Heights Cobras Football Club (1 speech)
Canley Heights Cobras Football Club celebrated 80 years of football and community service this year. It's the oldest club in the southern districts region and the only local club to reach that...
- Himalayas: Floods (1 speech)
I rise to speak about the devastating floods in Nepal, Tibet and China. When I saw the footage, it looked like a Hollywood disaster movie, and I can only imagine how hard it was for the Nepali...
- Tertiary Education and Training (3 speeches)
Last week, most semester 2 university census states passed. Those dates marked the last day that a student could withdraw from a unit of study without financial penalty, without taking on more...
- Women's Health (1 speech)
For almost nine years under the coalition, women's health simply wasn't a priority. Federal Labor is changing that. In my electorate, I secured funding for the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain...
- Anna's Walk (1 speech)
Today I want to recognise an extraordinary movement that began in my community on Sydney's Northern Beaches. Anna's Walk was created in memory of much loved local mum Anna Lynch, who died from...
- Home Insurance (1 speech)
I want to put access and affordability of insurance in the flood-prone areas of Macquarie in the spotlight. Andrew Hall, the CEO of the Insurance Council of Australia, recently joined me in St...
- Aged Care (1 speech)
What did older Australians do to deserve to be treated so badly by this Labor government? The electorate of Hinkler is serviced by the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service, and, at last count,...
- Chard, Reginald James (Reg), OAM (1 speech)
I was incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Reg Chard OAM, aged 102, Australia's last surviving Kokoda veteran. Reg enlisted in the Australian Army in 1942 at just 18 years of age. He...
- Himalayas: Floods (1 speech)
I want to acknowledge all those suffering as a result of the tragic floods on the Nepal-Tibet border, especially my constituents in the Berowra electorate, which is home to a significant Nepalese...
- Hope Network (1 speech)
I recently met with Amelia Pickering, CEO of the Hope Network, formerly known as Prison Network. This incredible organisation dates back to 1947, when Myrtle Breen walked up to the gate of...
- Lyne Electorate: Tobacco Control (1 speech)
I will always champion small business, and I will always champion action that smashes organised crime. That's why I'm backing the coalition's plans to dismantle the criminal business model behind...
- Superannuation (1 speech)
Labor is the party of superannuation. In 2024 the Albanese Labor government passed the superannuation objective legislation to strengthen Australia's world-leading and much envied retirement...
- Tobacco Control (1 speech)
When gangs are firebombing small business to take control of the tobacco market, you know Labor's tobacco policy isn't working. The local retailers who are doing the right thing—paying...
- Himalayas: Floods (1 speech)
Thirty-six Australians remain unaccounted for, following the disastrous floods in Nepal and Tibet. For their families, every hour without news brings greater uncertainty. Australian officials are...
- Tobacco Control (1 speech)
Nearly 300 firebombings, a terrorist attack, bikie gangs, multiple murders and retail staff bashed on their job—funded by $6 billion a year that is not evaporating; it's funding the...
- Women's Health (1 speech)
A friend once described women's health as the 'gender, pain, agony and hot flushes gap', because, for years and years, she was told her endo and menopause symptoms were 'normal' and 'just part of...
- Tobacco Control (1 speech)
Under Labor, Australia's illicit tobacco market has become a national organised crime crisis. Criminal gangs are making billions from the illicit tobacco trade, while legitimate businesses and...
- Braddon Electorate: Rosebery District School (1 speech)
Last Friday, I had the great pleasure of visiting Rosebery District School on the remote and rugged west coast of Tasmania. Rosebery District School has students from kindergarten to grade 12 and...
- Prime Minister (1 speech)
Sometimes in this place we need to be reminded of our own words. The then leader of the opposition, now prime minister, said before the 2022 election: 'What I want to do is make sure that, if I...
- Women's Economic Security (1 speech)
I can see that my time is short. I was intending to talk to you all about the one million women who have saved on medicines because of this Labor government. I was intending to talk to you all...
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Margetts, Dr Diane Elizabeth (Dee) (1 speech)
I inform the House of the death on 16 August 2026 of Diane Elizabeth (Dee) Margetts, a former senator. Dee Margetts represented the state of Western Australia from 1993 to 1999. As a mark of...
- Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- Acknowledgement (1 speech)
Before we begin question time, I'm pleased to inform the House that present in the southern gallery today are participants of the Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program....
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Housing (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. The chief executive of the Property Council, Mike Zorbas, has described Labor's toxic taxes as a ram raid on house prices. He says 'buyer confidence is at...
- International Relations: Australia and the United States of America (2 speeches)
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. How is the Albanese government strengthening our alliance with the United States 70 years on from signing the ANZUS Treaty?
- Housing (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Housing. Sydney house prices are plummeting so fast that they are on track for the biggest crash in 40 years. The Prime Minister has not been transparent with...
- Cybersafety (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Communications. How is the Albanese Labor government working to protect young Australians from the harms of social media? What is standing in the way of holding...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- Acknowledgement (1 speech)
I'm pleased to inform the House that present in the gallery today is a delegation from the mighty Queensland Tourism Industry Council, as well as the winners of the 2026 My First Speech...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Taxation (2 speeches)
Treasurer, Australian families cannot make ends meet. Household debt is over $300,000—under 50s, $400,000. The hyperinflating cost of living cripples that 25 per cent of Australians trying...
- International Relations: Australia and the Pacific Islands (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Pacific Island Affairs. How is the Albanese Labor government backing Pacific nations to help deliver a safe, peaceful and prosperous region?
- Tobacco Control (8 speeches)
Prime Minister, illicit tobacco now accounts for around 80 per cent of the tobacco market, and rising. Last week I visited Victoria Street in Melbourne, where 10 small businesses were firebombed...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- Acknowledgement (1 speech)
Before I call the member for Adelaide, I'm pleased to inform the House that joining us today is a parliamentary delegation from the National Diet of Japan, led by His Excellency Mr Masakazu...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Superannuation (4 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to strengthen superannuation and help Australians get ahead? How does this compare to other approaches?
- Tobacco Control (10 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. In Victoria, there have been almost 200 tobacco related arson attacks in the past three years alone. Because of Labor's failed policies, the gangs are making...
- Superannuation (2 speeches)
My question is to the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering real change and a fairer, stronger superannuation system for...
- Tobacco Control (12 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister rule out any reduction in the tobacco excise—yes or no?
- Workplace Relations (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering for Australian workers? And what could place this at risk?
- Gas Industry (6 speeches)
To the Prime Minister: last week, while you met Pacific leaders, your Minister for Resources and the NT Chief Minister turned on fracked gas from the Beetaloo. Experts at Climate Integrity say...
- Australian Curriculum (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Education. Why is consent and respectful relationships education important? Are there opposing views on the importance of teaching respect in our schools?
- Veterans: Health Care (9 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. The Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel has been unable to name a single ex-service organisation that supports Labor's $5,000...
- Critical and Strategic Minerals Industry (3 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Resources. How is the Albanese Labor government working with industry and international partners to build Australia's sovereign critical minerals capability,...
- Governor-General's Speech (0 speeches)
- Address-in-Reply (1 speech)
I inform the House that on 17 August 2026, accompanied by the honourable members, I waited upon Her Excellency, the Governor-General, at Government House and presented to her the address in reply...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Commonwealth Ombudsman; Presentation (1 speech)
I present the following: Commonwealth Ombudsman 2024-2025 annual review of the AFP's administration of part 5 of the Australian Federal Police Act 1979 and the quarterly reports by the...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Leave of Absence (1 speech)
I move: That leave of absence until 17 September 2026 be given to the members for Aston and Paterson, for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
Documents are tabled in accordance with the list circulated to honourable members earlier today. Full details of the documents will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings.
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Veterans (14 speeches)
I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Riverina from moving the following motion immediately—That this House: (1) requires...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Gambling Advertising, Raise Our Voice in Parliament (1 speech)
I'd like to thank Deputy Speaker Dr Freelander for his advocacy recently on the gambling reform. He did an amazing job, and I was very much in awe of the deputy speaker, so congratulations to...
- Commonwealth Home Support Program, Gorton Electorate: King's Birthday Honours and Awards (1 speech)
I often speak in this chamber about the incredible people and programs we have in Melbourne's west—people who work hard, care deeply about our local community and make sure that, as we grow...
- Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing Service (1 speech)
Prostate cancer is Australia's most common cancer, and September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, so you'd think this would be an ideal time for the government to announce something positive...
- Mental Health (1 speech)
Mental health is one of the defining health challenges of our time. Almost every Australian will, at some point in their life, be touched by mental ill health, whether it's personally, through a...
- Roodenburg, Levi Jack (1 speech)
Tonight, I want to put on the national record the story of a remarkable little boy who's inspired people right across the Berowra electorate and beyond. His name is Levi Roodenburg. Levi was the...
- McEwen Electorate: Infrastructure (1 speech)
I rise tonight to speak about something that matters deeply to the people of McEwen: the essential investment in infrastructure and jobs needed to support our growing community. Three weeks ago,...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Parliamentary Petitions (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about petition EN10266 launched by Alecia Staines and the Maternity Consumer Network concerning professional indemnity insurance for midwives attending homebirths. The...
- National Child Protection Week (1 speech)
This week is National Child Protection Week, a time to reflect on what every child deserves: to be safe, supported and given the opportunity to thrive. It is also a reminder that behind every...
- Western Sydney Airport (1 speech)
Western Sydney International Airport will shortly open its doors to passengers. It's exciting for travellers and for workers and for Western Sydney. But the Albanese Labor government has put the...
- Northern Light Theatre Company (1 speech)
On Saturday 5 September I attended the 60th anniversary celebration of the Northern Light Theatre Company at the iconic Shedley Theatre in Elizabeth in the electorate of the member for Spence,...
- Flinders Electorate: Small Business (1 speech)
Last week, the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party came to my electorate to meet with a large number of small businesses. They came from industries as wide as agriculture, fresh food, tourism,...
- Himalayas: Floods, Calwell Electorate: Sporting Clubs (1 speech)
I rise to acknowledge the national day of mourning being observed in Nepal today and to stand with my local Nepalese community. On Saturday, I joined my community for a candlelight vigil in...
- Australian Parliament (1 speech)
Australia's political lobbying rules are broken. Nearly two-thirds of registered lobbyists in Canberra are former government representatives: former ministers, advisers and party officials. These...
- Frankston Inclusive Beach Project (1 speech)
Dunkley is buzzing. Last week I announced that we have secured $108,000 for the Frankston inclusive beach project through the Accessible Australia initiative. This project has been championed by...
- Prostate Cancer (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about my Big Aussie Barbie, which this year raised $1,200 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. This is the 12th barbecue I've hosted, after I attended a prostate...
- Arncliffe Scots Junior Rugby League Football Club, Southern Sydney Jobs and Skills Fair, Fix it Sisters (2 speeches)
I rise to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Arncliffe Scots Junior Rugby League Football Club, the oldest club in the St George area. Their story started in 1913, when members of Arncliffe...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Housing (8 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) condemns the Government's housing failures, which under this Government has seen the housing shortfall increase to 400,000 persons, roughly the population of...
- Workplace Relations (9 speeches)
by leave—On behalf of the member for Holt, I move: That this House: (1) recognises the Prime Minister's announcement that the Government will establish a new Fair Work Court; (2) notes that...
- Private Health Insurance (9 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) private health insurance is an important component of Australia's health care system, providing greater choice while reducing demand on the public...
- Infrastructure (9 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises that the Government is delivering the infrastructure Australia needs to support growing communities, improve road safety, strengthen productivity and build...
- Energy (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that power prices are far too high under the Government, with electricity bills increasing by around 40 per cent and Australian households spending an extra $23...
- Tertiary Education and Training (4 speeches)
It was this Labor government that, in 2024, introduced the Commonwealth paid prac payment for students in teaching, nursing, social work and midwifery courses. In doing so, the federal government...
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail (1 speech)
For 30 years Kooyong has been calling for construction of the missing link in Melbourne's active transport network, the Hawthorn to Box Hill trail. First proposed in 1995, the trail has been...
- Himalayas: Floods (1 speech)
On Saturday night I gathered with many Austral residents to remember those in our community who've been affected by the Nepal and Tibet floods. South-west Sydney is home to many people who have...
- Electric Vehicles (1 speech)
I'd like to recognise an outstanding and innovative local business in my electorate of Mackellar, Droptruck. Based in Ingleside, Droptruck has developed patented lightweight truck body technology...
- Wollongong Festival (1 speech)
This month, in September, the inaugural Wollongong Festival takes centre stage, a month-long showcase of music, culture and creativity. The Yours and Owls team have brought together local...
- Peck, Mr Kerry (Pecky) (1 speech)
Today. I pay tribute to my good friend, a legend of regional broadcasting and a true icon of the Central West, Mr Kerry Peck, better known as Pecky. For over six decades, Pecky has become the...
- Brookman Primary School (1 speech)
What do vegies, a primary school called Brookman and old drink bottles have in common? This is something that is connected to a bloke called Don in my community. I recently visited Brookman...
- Radmore, Det. Supt Jodi (1 speech)
I rise today to congratulate an outstanding leader from my community, Jodi Radmore, who is the commander of the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command. Jodi was recently awarded the Bev Lawson...
- New South Wales: Storms (1 speech)
A fierce storm swept across Macquarie at the weekend, causing widespread fallen trees, branches and powerlines and requiring an immediate emergency response to clear roads and damaged homes. I...
- Veterans (1 speech)
There is no more important policy position being discussed in this parliament today and for the past couple of weeks than the allied healthcare cap being placed on our veterans. For the past...
- Walsh, Mrs Louise (1 speech)
I rise to recognise an extraordinary Novocastrian, Louise Walsh, who has recently closed the classroom door for the final time after an incredible 45 years as a teacher. Louise began teaching in...
- Housing (1 speech)
This government is actively sabotaging the aspirations of young Australians right across this country with punitive property taxes, raiding their future and tearing down the Australian dream of...
- Reed, Mr Neal (1 speech)
I rise today to thank Neal Reed, principal of Albion Park High School, for his extraordinary contribution to Southern Stars and to the thousands of young people who have been given the...
- Defence Properties (1 speech)
For more than a century, HMAS Cerberus has been the cradle of the Navy, the place where generations of Australians sailors have begun their careers in the service of our nation. Cerberus sits on...
- Gilmore Electorate: Aged Care (1 speech)
Last week I was delighted to officially open the renovations at the beautiful Banksia Village aged care community in Broulee. This important project was carried out thanks to a $3.8 million grant...
- Veterans: Health Care (1 speech)
If someone has served their country, their country must be there for them when they need support. But this Labor government has created distress, anxiety and uncertainty across the veteran...
- Griffith Electorate: Montague Road Precinct (1 speech)
In my community of Griffith decisions about the Montague Road precinct will change South Brisbane and West End forever. The former Visy site is a 7.1 hectare site on Montague Road in South...
- Forrest Electorate: Sport (1 speech)
I rise today to give a shout-out to the Busselton Bunbury Rifle Club. I recently had the pleasure of attending the range, and there I found a most professional volunteer run organisation with a...
- NT Caught Seafood Festival (1 speech)
This September, restaurants, cafes and bars will come together to celebrate seafood caught and grown across the Northern Territory. We are celebrating NT Caught Seafood Festival. Territorians...
- Energy (1 speech)
Energy bills for Australian businesses, families and industry, including in Barker, have skyrocketed by nearly 40 per cent. The Albanese Labor government promised power bills would fall by $275....
- Sturt Electorate: Peace Poles (1 speech)
On 4 September 2026, I attended Morialta Secondary College in my electorate of Sturt to witness a peace pole ceremony. The installation of a peace pole at the school was initiated by the Rotary...
- Health Care (1 speech)
Sometimes government needs to look beyond a bureaucratic classification and see what is actually happening in a community. Today, I'm asking the government to do exactly that for the Manning and...
- Early Childhood Education (1 speech)
Today I'm delighted to inform the House that a new early childhood education centre will be co-located alongside Greenmount Primary School in the Shire of Mundaring in my electorate of...
- Holzapfel, Mr Daniel (1 speech)
I rise today to acknowledge the life and legacy of a remarkable Redlander, Mr Dan Holzapfel, who passed away recently at the extraordinary age of 103. Mr Holzapfel was born into one of Mount...
- St George Basketball, Bardwell Park Uniting Church: 85th Anniversary (1 speech)
I rise to celebrate St George Basketball's incredible 2026 season. The club welcomed record player growth this year while crowds also surged, making it standing room only at the Sutherland...
- Tobacco Control (1 speech)
I am very proud to be part of the only party in Australia to have the courage to develop a proper plan to kill the illicit tobacco market and smash the gangs. Across Australia, including in...
- Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month, Costa, Ms Ava (1 speech)
September is Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month. Ava Costa, in my community of Bonner, was just 14 years old and training as an elite gymnast when, in April 2023, a fall from the balance beam...
- Private Health Insurance (1 speech)
Older Australians have worked hard, planned responsibly and maintained private health cover for decades, as they were asked to do. Now the Prime Minister has broken a covenant with Australians by...
- Moreton Electorate: Community Events (1 speech)
Ashley Hughes walked into a classroom where I was just last week on 1 September. She was dressed in a lab coat and talking about her future career in a way that only someone who was so passionate...
- Mental Health Month (1 speech)
This week marks R U OK? Day. It's a day that we should all very well be aware of. R U OK? Day is about Australians being asked to do something remarkably simple, and that's just to check in with...
- Health Care (2 speeches)
Recently, I dropped into the Ipswich Medicare Urgent Care Clinic to thank the staff and wish them happy birthday. It's their third birthday. The clinic opened its doors in August 2023. They're...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Tertiary Education and Training (6 speeches)
The motion moved by the member for Holt is an interesting one, and there's a bittersweet irony to this particular motion about Commonwealth practicum payments because on one hand Labor is asking...
- Agriculture Industry (13 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges that: (a) Australian agriculture contributes about $100 billion to Australia's economy, feeds our nation and is fundamental to the nation's food...
- Cheaper Home Batteries Program (9 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) 1 July 2026 marks one year since the Government launched the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, providing a discount of around 30 per cent on the cost of...
- Taxation (9 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that the Government's cost of living crisis is forcing Australians to pay more for groceries, power, insurance, mortgages and rents, while inflation and bracket...
- Space Industry (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) commends the Government for its Statement on Space, which provides a clear, focused, and strategic framework to support the growth and development of Australia's...
- Economy (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes the Opposition's plan to put Australians first by: (a) managing the budget responsibly; (b) reducing debt; and (c) making sure the Government spends within its...
- Productivity Reforms (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises that lifting productivity requires governments to remove unnecessary costs and barriers that make it harder for businesses to invest, hire and expand; (2)...
