House debates
Thursday, 15 October 2026
- Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
- Statements on Significant Matters (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Private Health Insurance (24 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) congratulates the Senate on yesterday discharging the Government's bill to tax seniors for accessing basic health care; (2) notes that despite broad community and...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Industry, Innovation and Science Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation and Science, I present the committee's report entitled When the rubber hits the road: inquiry into the Australian tyre industry,...
- Treaties Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, I present the committee's Report 236: Vuvale union; Ocean of Peace Alliance; USA space agreement; Canada CMAA agreement. Report made a...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Australia Post (1 speech)
Our country post offices are under threat, and the government needs to take immediate action to save them. The alarm bells are ringing across the Central West and regional Australia over this....
- Hearing Health (1 speech)
This week, I met two incredible sisters from Wollongong, 13-year-old Mia and 12-year-old Halle Shaw, who were born with moderate hearing loss. They came to parliament to tell their story for the...
- Migration (1 speech)
Migration is one of the most contested issues in our national debate, but too often the discussion comes back to a single number. Net overseas migration counts everyone who arrives and leaves,...
- Raise Our Voice in Parliament (1 speech)
Today I'm reading a speech from Vedant, a 12-year-old student in my electorate who wrote this contribution for Youth Voice in Parliament Week: One major issue shaping young people's futures is...
- Motor Neurone Disease (1 speech)
(): I want to talk about Warringah constituent Ron Hobden, also known as 'Hobbo', who sadly passed away a few weeks ago from motor neurone disease. Ron was a husband to Annie, a father...
- South Australia: Hospitality Industry (1 speech)
For years, South Australians have known that our state produces some of the best food and wine in the world, and now the Michelin Guide has proven it. That is a fantastic recognition of our...
- Wide Bay Electorate: Agricultural Industry (1 speech)
'We have the room and machinery to expand but we don't have the confidence in the Australian government to do so.' Those are the words of my mate Col, a pineapple grower from Munga. Col runs a...
- Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day (1 speech)
Today is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. We remember the babies who never took their first breath, the babies held for only a moment and the babies whose parents never had the chance...
- Small Business (3 speeches)
The Treasurer's complete lack of business experience is finally catching up with him. We're witnessing a government completely and utterly out of its depth when it comes to the economy. Little...
- Austin, Mr James (1 speech)
James Austin received the NT Great Mate Award last month at a Parliamentary Friends of Healthy Masculinities event. A program facilitator at Darwin Youth Services, James runs the I Respect...
- Private Health Insurance (1 speech)
Yesterday, the Senate voted to throw out the government's rebate that they were going to take from our elderly people for their health insurance. Not only did they vote to throw it out; they...
- Shellharbour Surf Life Saving Club (1 speech)
I rise today to honour the proud history of the Shellharbour Surf Life Saving Club, which this year marks an incredible 90 years of service to our community. That is 90 years of dedicated locals...
- Small Business (1 speech)
This week we've enjoyed the spectacle of the Minister for Small Business trying to compare the record of the Labor Party with that of the coalition when it comes to supporting small business. It...
- Superannuation (1 speech)
I've been rereading Donald Horne's 1964 book The Lucky Country. In it he wrote: The greatest single disaster in Australia is to grow old. He went on to describe Australians being left to fend for...
- Small Business (1 speech)
We have been talking intensely about small businesses this week—about the policies this government has introduced into this place that crush small business. Whether they're policies in...
- Child Support Payments (1 speech)
(): My child support is $10 per week, with 100% care. How can a parent declare zero income? A working professional, why is that allowed. My ex owes me … $107,000, I have three neurodiverse...
- Small Business (1 speech)
There's been a lot of talk this week about small business—about how small businesses need to be supported, small businesses need to be encouraged and small businesses need to flourish in...
- Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (1 speech)
If bulk-billing is the beating heart of Medicare, then the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is its bloodstream, quietly ensuring essential medicines are made affordable and accessible to every...
- Economy (1 speech)
This week alone, the IMF downgraded Australia's economic growth forecast, COSBOA raised the alarm about the financial stress of small businesses due to energy costs and interest rates, Creditor...
- Cybersafety (2 speeches)
In my first term, there was a private member's motion on eating disorders. I remember sitting in this chamber listening to coalition members who had gone through the painful experience of their...
- Ministry (0 speeches)
- Temporary Arrangements (1 speech)
I inform the House that the Treasurer will be absent from question time today, attending the G20 finance ministers meetings. The Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services will...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Fiscal Policy (17 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister overruled and publicly humiliated the Treasurer over his widow's tax, his death tax, his super tax, his cap on veterans' health care and...
- Cybersafety (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Communications. Today, the Albanese Labor government introduced Australia's Online Safety Amendment (Digital Duty of Care) Bill 2026. Why is it important that...
- Employment (21 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Today, the unemployment rate rose to 4.7 per cent, the highest rate in five years. Because of Labor, 103,000 more Australians have lost their jobs this year....
- Cybersafety (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Education. How is the Albanese Labor government acting to help children learn and protect them online? What has been the response?
- Middle East (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Navi Pillay, Chair of the UN independent commission of inquiry on the occupied Palestinian territories, which...
- Senior Australians (9 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. How is the Albanese Labor government managing the budget responsibly, and how will this lead to better services for older Australians? What is standing in...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- Acknowledgement (1 speech)
I'd like to acknowledge Councillor Matt Burnett, the Australian Local Government Association president and Mayor of Gladstone Regional Council, and Councillor Nathan Errington, the Deputy Mayor...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Private Health Insurance (5 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister, on behalf of the 3.2 million older Australians and 1.2 million pensioners he has let down. After suffering a humiliating defeat in the Senate, Labor has...
- Aged Care (7 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. How is the Albanese Labor government strengthening our health and aged-care system after a decade of cuts and neglect? Why is it important to...
- Small Business (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Small Business. Can the minister confirm Labor's digital duty of care bill introduces a new requirement for every small business with a website to undertake...
- Economy (5 speeches)
My question is to the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering responsible economic management, and are there any alternative...
- Taxation (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Small Business. Around 350,000 small businesses are operated through a trust structure. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry estimates that these...
- Multiculturalism (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Today the Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia is holding its national conference here at Parliament House. How does the contribution of...
- Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence (2 speeches)
My question is to the Attorney-General. Women in Curtin have told me about the continued abuse they've experienced from former partners through family law systems. The Domestic, Family and Sexual...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- Acknowledgement (1 speech)
Before I call the member for Richmond, I'm pleased to advise the House we have a delegation of members of One Gippsland, a regional advocacy group, as guests of the member for Monash in the...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Aged Care (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. How is the Albanese Labor government supporting the workers who help our older Australians stay in their own homes, and why is this...
- Small Business (4 speeches)
My question is to the minister for Small Business. Today the Daily Telegraph revealed the minister spent more than $150,000 travelling to nine countries in four months. Thirty businesses have...
- Cybersecurity (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Home Affairs. How is the Albanese Labor government helping Australian businesses with the challenges of cybersecurity?
- Prime Minister (10 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. After four and a half years of your government, real wages are going backwards. Corporate profits are increasing while Australians' living standards are...
- Avian Influenza (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. How is the Albanese Labor government responding to the latest H5 bird flu detections?
- Small Business (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Small Business. There are over 60,000 small businesses in the construction sector that operate as trusts. Master Builders Australia said there is 'a complete...
- Infrastructure (4 speeches)
My question is to the minister for infrastructure. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering real change through infrastructure investment in Western Sydney and across Australia? How does...
- Invasive Species Management: Red Imported Fire Ants (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. How long was the fire ant nest that was discovered at the Enfield intermodal there for?
- Wages and Salaries (3 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. How is the Albanese Labor government getting wages moving for working Australians? What policies would deliver lower wages...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
These 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.
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Taxation (18 speeches)
I have received a letter from the Leader of the Opposition proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The damage done by the current...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Raise Our Voice in Parliament (2 speeches)
During my time here, I've had the privilege of receiving dozens of wonderful speeches written by young Australians as part of the Raise Our Voice program. Thanks to everyone who submitted a...
- Agriculture Industry (1 speech)
Labor is going after our sweet and iconic pineapples. If we don't stop this soon, next it will be our nuts—a low blow for some growers, perhaps even a knockout. When will those opposite...
- Artificial Intelligence (1 speech)
I rise to share 16-year-old Dion's speech, provided to me through the Raise Our Voice program. Dion writes: An issue that requires immediate attention is the growing uncertainty surrounding the...
- Murray-Darling Basin Plan (1 speech)
Earlier today, the coalition announced a water taskforce, chaired by the member for Riverina, of which I am part. That taskforce is going to look at water for agriculture with a focus on ensuring...
- Bernie's Bar, Squires, Ms Julie, Wallsend Touch Association (1 speech)
I want to congratulate Bernie's Bar in Newcastle on receiving a business award at the 2026 Honour awards. Presented by ACON, the Honour awards are the premier LGBTIQA+ community awards...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- New England Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
We've had the announcement of $1.74 billion to be invested in three key New South Wales roads. Two of these are in the electorate of New England. I welcome the announcements, but we've already...
- Lalor Electorate: Community Events (1 speech)
Spring is happening all around Australia, but particularly in my electorate. Spring is definitely in the air, and I was pleased on 30 September to attend the Werribee Park National Equestrian...
- Berowra Electorate: Road Safety (1 speech)
I rise to support some amazing mums in my community who are campaigning for road safety improvements at one of the most dangerous intersections in my electorate outside Asquith station on the...
- Multiculturalism (1 speech)
A little over a year ago, the Australian South East Asian Network, ASEAN Ltd, was formed and registered with ASIC. It's a local community group based in south-west Sydney. In just 12 months, this...
- Gee Electorate: Agricultural Shows (1 speech)
Few traditions capture the spirit of regional Australia better than a country show. They are a celebration of country Australia at its very best, bringing together families, farmers, volunteers...
- Raise Our Voice in Parliament, Robinson, Ms Dorothy 'Dot' (1 speech)
It's Youth Voice in Parliament week, and today I rise to deliver a speech which was written by a young person in my electorate, Sofia on sports participation and the cost of living. Sofia writes:...
- Raise Our Voice in Parliament (1 speech)
This week marks Raise Our Voice in Parliament. I had the pleasure of meeting Tasman, a 15-year-old from my electorate. Before I read Tasman's speech, I want to set the scene of my meeting with...
- Petitions: EN10252 and PN0666 (1 speech)
I rise today to table the paper and epetitions prepared by Clover Goddard, who is a 10-year-old student at Aspendale Primary School in my electorate of Isaacs. I can inform the House that the two...
- Tara Wind Farm (1 speech)
In the last sitting, I brought the chamber's attention to the abhorrent actions of Vestas, a Danish renewable energy company, that in my electorate of Maranoa put up a wind-monitoring tower...
- Tilly Aston Community Awards (1 speech)
It is a privilege to celebrate the recipients of the 2026 Tilly Aston Outstanding Young Achiever Award. The Tilley Aston Community Awards shine a light on the remarkable people who make the Aston...
- Manufacturing Industry (1 speech)
Last week I visited a local steel fabrication business, NEACH, in Noosa, where skilled workers and apprentices fabricate structural steel for major projects. This is not about where raw steel is...
- Veterans: Arts (1 speech)
I want to acknowledge the NT veterans and families art exhibition, which is showing right now at Darwin Visual Arts. Veteran artist Robby McKenzie has put the exhibition together. He's done an...
- Small Business (1 speech)
The Australian Bureau of Statistics Business Register shows that there are about a total of 20,000 businesses located within the Riverina federal electorate. The vast majority of those—97...
- Indigenous Australians (1 speech)
Recently, I had the pleasure of welcoming Noah from the Northern Adelaide Senior College to my electorate office for work experience. During his time with us, I asked him to write a speech for me...
- Flinders Electorate: Health Care, Victorian State Election (1 speech)
After 12 years of Victorian Labor, the people of the southern Mornington peninsula are still waiting for a hospital that is fit for purpose. The Rosebud Hospital serves a growing and ageing...
- Jagajaga Electorate: Community Facilities (1 speech)
I am proud to be part of a government that is investing in the infrastructure that my community needs and deserves. In Jagajaga, 3081 is a growing and changing community with young families who...
- Lindsay Electorate: Cost of Living (1 speech)
I want to tell the chamber about a hardworking 55-year-old man from Lindsay who recently reached out in absolute desperation. He works full-time, yet for the first time in his life he cannot...
- Bullwinkel Electorate: Building Approvals, Comfort Quilts Against Cancer (1 speech)
I rise today to highlight a huge win for the Perth Hills environment and community, and it's also a win for common sense. The WA State Administration Tribunal has upheld their refusal for the...
- Raise Our Voice in Parliament (1 speech)
I rise to share the words of nine year 11 students from my electorate. These incredible young and rural achievers from Grey are the future of our nation. These are the voices everyone in this...
- Savannah Pride, Malek, Dr Michael, Penshurst Mosque (2 speeches)
Last Friday, I was really pleased to be able to drop into Savannah Pride's celebration of 20 years of operation. Savannah Pride compares itself to the savanna tree—deep roots, strong...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Economics Committee; Report (1 speech)
I rise to speak on the House Standing Committee on Economics report A level playing field: report on the inquiry into schemes, digital wallets and innovation in the payments sector. I...
- Health, Aged Care and Disability Committee; Report (2 speeches)
As a community, Australia continues to underestimate the economic, social and health toll of alcohol and drug consumption. For many, drinking alcohol is our national pastime. In my home state of...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- United Nations Climate Change Conference, Fossil Fuel Industry (1 speech)
Two things happened recently. Last week, the Australian government hosted a climate conference in Fiji to help drive climate action and focus the world's attention on climate impacts in the...
- National Carers Week (1 speech)
It is National Carers Week, and, as a foster carer for many years, I want to start by thanking carers of all ages and backgrounds for their tireless and often thankless work. Even on the hardest...
- Roads, Private Health Insurance (1 speech)
I rise today to once again implore the Victorian state Labor government and the Albanese Labor government to put more funding into our roads. I ask the Albanese Labor government to stop taking...
- Cost of Living (1 speech)
Since the turn of the century, the world has drifted from one crisis to another, beginning with the 11 September 2001 Twin Tower and Pentagon attacks in the USA, followed by the October 2002 Bali...
- Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (1 speech)
I rise today to acknowledge the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia's specialist nurses who are here in Canberra and Parliament House this week. They have travelled here because they are...
- Housing (1 speech)
No Australian should ever be turned away from crisis or transitional housing, but we know that too many Australians each and every night, whether it be young people, or women and children fleeing...
