Kate Chaney (Curtin, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On the last scheduled sitting day of the parliamentary year, I couldn't be prouder of the constructive, positive and accountable way my community and the crossbench have contributed since the start of the 48th parliament. After eight weeks of parliament, the crossbench is already showing its impact. We've had some good wins this year already.

The crossbench rigorously interrogated the EPBC bill, collectively proposing 119 amendments. The House knocked back 118, but I was pleased that one of my amendments was accepted—to improve the transparency of the offsets fund. Tomorrow morning we're expecting the bill to come back from the Senate with additional amendments, originally proposed by the crossbench in the House, to protect forests and prevent fossil fuel projects from using the national interest process.

Additionally, after fighting for the huge number of older Australians who are waiting, we saw 20,000 home-care packages brought forward ahead of the delayed implementation dates. After repeated demands by the crossbench in the last parliament, the Treasurer agreed not to tax unrealised gains in the new superannuation laws. After I'd tried to split the education bill to ensure the integrity of the higher education system without an international student cap, the government saw sense and did the same thing. After advocating for tax reform in the last term, it's now finally on the agenda, and, after its inclusion in the Economic Reform Roundtable, momentum is building. After I called for the establishment of an Australian AI safety institute to identify risks and support policymakers and regulators, the government announced a similar body would be established. As the government tried to undermine our freedom-of-information laws, it was the crossbench that proposed and debated amendments, drawing attention to the dangerous signs of increasing secrecy. It's now languishing in the Senate.

Part of being a constructive crossbench is finding ways to improve or refine legislation. In the last eight sitting weeks, the crossbench has introduced 160 amendments to 10 pieces of legislation, drafted in consultation with experts and stakeholders. As a comparison, the opposition has introduced only 18 amendments to five pieces of legislation. The crossbench has introduced 10 private members' bills, ranging in topic from climate to gambling to ebike regulation to responding to robodebt. These put pressure on the government, showing that change is possible.

My private members' bills were to ban AI tools designed to generate child sexual abuse material, and to clean-up data harvesting in the postal voting process. Both demonstrate issues with clear solutions that the government needs to implement, but, of course, the most important thing to me is ensuring that the voice of our community is heard in Canberra and that the people of Curtin feel informed and engaged in our democracy.

Since May, I've made eight Curtin submissions to committee inquiries, including recommendations on economic reform, productivity, aged care, Thriving Kids, net zero, the FOI Bill and electoral laws. We've held community events with Saul Griffith on electrification and Ken Henry on tax reform, a grants-writing workshop and an innovative online event using a new AI powered tool to all together community views on negative-gearing and CGT reforms. My community liaison team, Joe and Felicity, continue to go above and beyond for the constituents of Curtin, and, in the last five months, they have helped more than 250 people with their concerns with aged care, Centrelink, immigration and child support, as well as responded to nearly 2,000 emails. I'm so grateful that our team Chaney volunteers keep showing up—from a river clean-up to doorknocking and public pop-ups.

On this last day of parliament, I want to particularly thank some team members. This year I farewelled Tony Fairweather and Louise Jones, who were foundational members of Curtin Independent and followed up with operational roles in my first term. Their integrity, vision, strategic insight and willingness to turn their hand to whatever was needed made the last three years and two campaigns possible. Thank you, Tony and Louise.

My senior policy adviser Katherine Parkinson has been by my side since day one, making significant personal sacrifices, leaving her young children to travel with me across the country for every sitting week for 3½ years. I could not have survived these years without her humour, her intellect and her loyalty, and I will miss her terribly as she moves into her next, less travel-intensive, role.

I'm hugely grateful to my whole team, my husband, my three kids, my extended family and the nearly 1,000 volunteers who gave up their time this year to keep Curtin independent. I'm also very grateful to the people of Curtin for the opportunity to represent them. Thank you for showing we can do politics differently in 2025. I look forward to 2026.

Mary Doyle (Aston, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As 2025 draws to a close, I reflect on what a rollercoaster of a year it was—a huge federal election campaign in the first half, an amazing win and many things delivered in the second half of 2025 by this second term Albanese Labor government. I want to take this opportunity to thank the good people of Aston for re-electing me as their federal member on 3 May. It is such an incredible honour to represent you here in this place, and I assure you I do not take that privilege for granted.

Our government has spent the past year working to strengthen communities and make everyday life a little easier by providing effective cost-of-living relief. For young people, this year has brought meaningful improvements in education and financial security. Our 20 per cent reduction to student debt has helped millions of Australians, including 21,439 people in Aston, with a HECS debt. This change has eased financial pressure for locals studying at nearby tertiary institutions or those beginning professional careers. Instead of entering the workforce burdened by debt, students and graduates now have a little breathing room, whether they are pursuing additional study, saving for a home or planning the next steps in their lives.

For those in Aston aspiring to own their first home, policy changes this year have also had a real impact. With the introduction of the five per cent deposit scheme for first home buyers, more residents in suburbs like Bayswater, Rowville, Wantirna, Knoxfield and Scoresby can now see a clearer path to entering the housing market. For many local families, this has shortened the timeline for saving for a deposit, making what was once a distant dream of homeownership a more achievable goal.

Additionally, Australia's healthcare system has seen substantial strengthening, with the single biggest investment in Medicare since its establishment. The expansion of urgent care clinics nationally, alongside increased bulk-billing for GP visits, has ensured that Australians can access timely and affordable care. In the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, where families rely on a mix of local clinics and nearby hospitals, these improvements have contributed to better access to essential health services. More bulk-billed GP appointments mean fewer barriers for parents bringing children to the doctor, older residents seeking routine care and individuals managing ongoing health needs. These measures contribute to a more accessible and affordable healthcare environment for the entire community.

Education and vocational training have continued to support opportunities and skills development across electorates like Aston. The ongoing expansion of free TAFE has opened doors for people looking to retrain, upskill or pursue new career pathways. Local students and workers have benefited from easier access to courses that align with key industries in the outer eastern suburbs, helping strengthen both their employment prospects and their region's economic resilience.

Workers in Aston have also seen practical improvements to their financial security through the introduction of payday super, which ensures that superannuation is paid at the same time as wages. This change has been particularly meaningful for residents in casual, part-time or shift based roles.

This year the Albanese Labor government has additionally committed to ensuring that working parents who experience the unimaginable tragedy of stillbirth or early infant death can continue to access the employer paid parental leave to which they are entitled. The Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya's) Bill 2025, which passed the parliament, makes that possible where it is consistent with an employee's terms and conditions of employment.

At a time when cost-of-living pressures have been front of mind for families and small businesses, energy bill relief and tax changes have provided further support. Households across the Aston electorate, many of which have felt cost-of-living pressures, have benefited from additional assistance to manage utility bills, while tax adjustments have helped ensure that workers can earn more and keep more of what they earn. These measures offer both immediate relief and long-term financial stability.

Furthermore, from 10 December 2025, the Albanese government's world-leading action to ban social media for under-16's will come into effect. The restrictions will aim to protect young Australians from pressures and risks that users can be exposed to while logged in to social media accounts.

As we reflect on the year it becomes clear that the broader national reforms delivered have had real, tangible effects on the Australian people. From easing the burden of student debt to making homeownership more accessible and from strengthening Medicare to broadening education opportunities and supporting household budgets, these changes collectively contribute to the wellbeing and stability of families across my electorate. I want to wish all the people of my electorate all the very best over the holiday season. Stay safe when out driving. For those of you who celebrate it, have a very merry Christmas, and to all: have a happy new year in 2026.

Tom Venning (Grey, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As the Christmas season arrives, it's time for family, reflection and festive cheer, and I extend my warmest regards to everyone in regional South Australia. It's a moment to appreciate the incredible contribution that all of you make to your community and to your country. As we enjoy the summer, I also hope the worst of the algal bloom is behind us and that the beautiful beaches and coastlines of Gulf St Vincent can recover. As I continue to be your representative in Canberra, I will fight to support you on this matter.

This year in Grey we faced significant challenges. I mentioned the algal bloom, but we also spent much of 2025 in generational drought. This period was one of the toughest faced by South Australian farmers ever. It is my hope that the government will reflect on its response and that, the next time we face drought, farmers receive timely and meaningful support.

A shared goal of my coalition partners and I is to strengthen Australia's position as a leading producer of high-quality food and fibre for domestic and international markets. To achieve this, we need to address some key issues. A focus is needed on the rising cost of energy, which impacts every single step of the supply chain. Ensuring access to affordable and reliable power is crucial for businesses of all types to remain competitive and indeed successful. We also need to make processes simpler and more efficient by streamlining rules and by reducing unnecessary red tape. We can free up businesses to focus on what they need, so we can free up businesses to focus on what they do best.

As the member for Grey, I am acutely aware that those living in regional South Australia often feel left behind, so, while Christmas and the holiday season are a precious time that should be enjoyed by all, this time of year also brings into focus the inequality of services each of us outside of those who live in the city faces. Whether it be health care, aged care or child care, this government and governments all over Australia have significant work to do to ensure that nobody is worse off just because of their postcode. In the New Year, it will be a priority of mine to continue bringing these issues of inequality to Canberra.

I am reminded of something I said during my first speech back in July. I spoke about the unwritten rule of the country, that when time gets tough, we don't retreat; we stand united. Whether it is fighting fires alongside a neighbour or rallying after losing a grand final, we show up. And looking back at the thousands of kilometres my team and I have travelled this year, from the dusty tracks of the far north to the beaches and farms of the Eyre and Yorke peninsulas, I can say with absolute certainty to the people of Grey: you showed up.

This year I had the pleasure of attending countless amazing regional events. Who could forget the 54th Whyalla Show? Seeing 12,000 people flood the gates on a Saturday was a testament to the resilience and the pride of our steel city in one of its toughest years. I saw that same pride at the Crystal Brook Show, celebrating its 146the year. I remember standing at the 110th Port Lincoln Show having serious conversations about the harmful algal bloom in our waterways, proving that shows are not just about fairy floss but are vital forums for our primary industries.

Of course, it was a real highlight to officially open the Yorke Peninsula Field Days at Paskeville in September, standing there with President Greg Stevens and the whole committee, looking out at the innovation on display, reaffirming what I have always known—our farmers are indeed the best in the world. But we didn't just celebrate; we tackled the hard stuff too. I think back to the Coober Pedy RSL, standing alongside Leon Stevens. We listened to locals, rightfully angry about water costs and the unique pressures of remote living. That meeting reminded me why I am here in Canberra.

As we close 2025, I am filled with optimism. We have challenges. Labor's cost-of-living crisis bites hard, and the seasons are uncertain. But I look at the strength of the people in Grey and I know they will persevere. With the right leadership in the right political will, I know better days are ahead. Merry Christmas and a safe and restful New Year to all in this parliament. See you again in 2026.