David Moncrieff (Hughes, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Cost-of-living relief provided by the Albanese Labor government is being rolled out right across the country, and it's making a real difference to communities like mine in southern Sydney. Our cheaper medicines have made vital medications more affordable and more accessible for Australians. It has been great to visit pharmacists like Ahmad at Cincotta Discount Pharmacy at Macquarie Fields and the On family and pharmacist manager Connie at Terry White Chemmart Pharmacy Illawong and see the real impact that this program is making in my community. It has meant that locals are able to get the medicines they need without having to sacrifice other essentials.

We're also seeing a huge take-up by families and local businesses of the savings associated with our cheaper home batteries. In Hughes, more than 2,110 families and local businesses have embraced the savings in their budgets that come with embracing energy upgrades that make their homes and businesses more energy efficient. This is being taken up in the Sutherland Shire. In the 2234 postcode, including suburbs Menai, Illawong, Bangor, Barden Ridge, Alfords Point and Lucas Heights, we have seen a take-up approaching 500. In the 2233 postcode, which includes suburbs Engadine, Heathcote, Yarrawarrah, Woronora Heights and Waterfall, we have seen a take-up of more than 300. This is being taken up in the Macarthur region. In the 2565 postcode, which includes suburbs Ingleburn, Bardia and Macquarie Links, we have seen a take-up of more than 250. These results show that our community is getting on with playing its role in modernising our energy grid and backing a cheaper and cleaner energy future built on Australia's abundant renewable resources—a clean energy future that reduces cost-of-living pressure on families.

My community rejects the division that those opposite have brought to the energy debate. They just want a government that is getting on with the job of putting downward pressure on energy bills, and it's a sentiment that's shared right across Hughes, right across New South Wales and right across Australia. Australians want bills that are easier to pay and a plan that delivers. And that is exactly what this program is doing.

Today is Red & Yellow Day, which celebrates the volunteers right across Australia who dedicate their time, energy and courage to keeping Australia's beaches safe. It's an opportunity for Australians to show their support for the surf lifesavers who show up season after season in selfless service. In February, I had the opportunity to attend the 2026 branch championships with Surf Life Saving Sydney and be part of the SLSS awards. It was great to see recognition of surf lifesavers for the efforts that they put in to keep our beaches safe each year—clubs like Garie Surf Life Saving Club in my electorate, which has been safeguarding Sydney summers since 1938.

Garie Surf Life Saving Club has had a rough few years, with the closure of Garie Road limiting access to the beach and impacting their ability to help the community. It has been great to see the reopening of the road last year and the club able to get back to doing what it does best. With the beach back up and running, the club is always looking for new members and volunteers. If you are interested, please get in touch with the club or with my office. Thank you so much to all of our surf lifesavers for all the incredible work that you do to keep our lives safe.

Sunday, 8 March, marks International Women's Day. I'm proud that this government not only represents the gender balance across our country but is delivering for women like no government before it. We know how serious and widespread the problem of domestic and family violence is in 2026, and we know that more needs to be done. That's why the Albanese Labor government is delivering a 72 per cent funding boost for our frontline family, domestic and sexual violence workforce. This new $291.7 million initiative is for the next phase of the 500 Workers Initiative. It supports the sustainability and security of this critical workforce and recognises the specialist skills and expertise they have to support women and children fleeing violence.

Frontline workers are a crucial part of the government's response to family, domestic and sexual violence. They help women and children escaping violence with safety planning, counselling and access to housing and financial support. This announcement builds on the $169.4 million that the Albanese Labor government already invested in the 2022-23 budget. This is a government that is getting on with the job of delivering for women across Australia. The 500 Workers Initiative is just one part of our more than $4 billion investment in tackling family, domestic and sexual violence to be delivered through the states and territories, and it will roll out from 1 July through the family, domestic and sexual violence federation funding agreement.

House adjourned at 20:00

The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Lawrence ) took the chair at 09:30.