As the Minister for Social Services outlined in her second reading speech, as a result of the Douglas decision, we can no longer treat invalidity benefit payments from the Defence Force Retirements and Death Benefits Scheme and the Military Superannuation Benefits Scheme as asset-test-exempt defined benefit income streams in the social security means test. When we apply the framework used to assess income types in the Social Security Act and the Veterans' Entitlements Act, it is apparent that there's actually no explicit alternative means-testing treatment for these payments that we can use instead.
The only alternative identified in existing legislation is clearly not intended for statutory superannuation benefits of this type, and analysis shows this alternative has significant legal risk and uncertainty, is unclear and would create inequities in the system, including amongst veterans themselves. That's why we need to establish a clear legal basis for means testing these payments in the social security system.
One option would have been for the government to make amendments to classify these invalidity benefit payments as lump sums for the purposes of income support legislation. This would be similar to the way the payments were classified in tax law following the Douglas decision. But the Social Security Act and Veterans' Entitlements Act are not bound by the way different types of payments are classified in the tax system. In fact, if the lump-sum treatment were applied to these payments in the social security means test, these veterans would actually be worse off because it would have the effect of reducing recipients' rates of support, leaving them with less money in their pockets.
That's why, with this bill, the Minister for Social Services is introducing a new classification of military invalidity pension income stream in the Social Security Act and Veterans' Entitlements Act, to cover the military invalidity payments that are impacted and affected by the Douglas decision. The assessment of the military invalidity pension income stream within the means test is designed to produce the same result as the historical assessments of the affected invalidity payments.
In addition, the bill provides for military invalidity pension income streams to be considered asset-test-exempt income streams under the acts, ensuring the payments remain exempt from the assets test for income support. In almost every case, the bill results in no change to the rate of income support veterans or their partners are currently receiving. Importantly, it would also mean veterans and their partners will continue to receive income support at a rate that is consistent with entitlements for other income support recipients under existing arrangements, including other DFRDB and MSBS veterans who receive retirement defined benefit income streams.
In addition, the bill validates past assessments of the affected invalidity payments under the previous treatment, which may be invalid in light of the Douglas decision. It also gives the secretary of the Department of Social Services and the Repatriation Commission the power to create instruments under relevant acts to set out conditions under which other income stream payments can be classified as military invalidity pension income streams if this is required down the track.
On behalf of the Minister for Social Services, I want to thank the member for Deakin and the opposition for indicating the bipartisan approach and support that has been taken by the coalition, and also the member for Deakin for engaging so positively and constructively with the minister's office and the minister herself on this really important legislation. With this bill, we are establishing a clear legal basis where currently there isn't one for means testing the income from those payments affected by the Douglas decision when recipients of these payments also seek support through our income support system.
It's so important to give our veterans certainty. For those who have served our nation, this change maintains equality in a way different income support recipients are means tested and gives that certainty to it. Again, I acknowledge the bipartisan support from across the parliament on this very important change.
Question agreed to.
Bill read a second time.
Ordered that this bill be reported to the House without amendment.
]]>I too am going to speak on the Crimes Amendment (Strengthening the Criminal Justice Response to Sexual Violence) Bill 2024. As the Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence in the Albanese government, I'm very proud to be here today supporting this very comprehensive suite of reforms which stakeholders, experts and victims-survivors have been calling for. Many people right throughout the community—so many people—have been calling for this for a long period of time. I know I and my colleagues are all proud to be delivering this suite of measures to address these issues.
Our government is deeply committed to improving criminal justice responses to sexual assault. This means ensuring the criminal justice system supports vulnerable people at all stages of the criminal justice process. The bill before us today will improve the experience of victims-survivors of sexual violence in our justice system and builds on the very extensive work of the Albanese government to strengthen those criminal justice responses to sexual assault.
In our 2023-24 budget, our government committed $14.7 million to strengthen the way the justice system responds to sexual assault. This includes an Australian Law Reform Commission inquiry into justice responses to sexual violence, a lived experience expert advisory group to support that inquiry and a ministerial led national roundtable to drive cross-sector collaboration.
This bill seeks to amend the Crimes Act 1914 to strengthen protections for vulnerable persons involved in Commonwealth criminal proceedings, building on our government's extensive reforms in this space. In addition, the bill implements a number of outstanding recommendations from the 2017 final report of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and supports the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse.
Importantly, this bill expands the circumstances in which vulnerable people who are involved in court proceedings as complainants or witnesses are afforded enhanced protections. It makes evidence about sexual reputation inadmissible for all victims-survivors of child sexual abuse and places greater restrictions on evidence relating to a person's sexual experience. It addresses barriers that may deter vulnerable people from giving evidence by introducing evidence recording hearings and allowing those hearings to be used in subsequent trials and retrials. It ensures victims-survivors can speak out about their experiences if they wish to do so by clarifying that they may publish self-identifying information or give their informed consent to a third party, such as a media organisation, to publish that information. They are able to do that if they want to.
To more comprehensively protect vulnerable persons, this bill will expand the range of offences covered by existing protections for vulnerable persons, including crimes against humanity and drug offences involving children. In recognising that it can take many, many years for people to disclose the abuse that has occurred, it will also ensure that adult complainants are able to access vulnerable witness protections for offences that occurred when they were children. As we know, often it as many years later that people are able to express what has happened to them.
Importantly, this bill also introduces a number of measures to address the admissibility of evidence concerning vulnerable people. Any evidence about a vulnerable person's sexual reputation will be made inadmissible. The bill also restricts the admissibility of sexual experience of vulnerable adult complainants unless the court grants leave and considers specific criteria, including that the evidence is substantially relevant to the facts at issue. It has to have relevance. The court must also give regard to whether its probative value outweighs any distress, humiliation or embarrassment to that vulnerable person, because it's so important that we do not retraumatise people through victim-blaming. It cannot happen.
The bill will also address barriers that may in fact deter witnesses from actually giving evidence. The new measures empower a court in some cases to order an evidence recording hearing for a vulnerable person to give evidence. It also requires all evidence given by that person outside of an evidence recording hearing, including on cross-examination, to be recorded so that it may be used in later proceedings. These amendments are another way to reduce the risk of retraumatising victims-survivors that may have to provide evidence multiple times in relation to the same matter and ensures those vulnerable persons can give evidence in a safe and controlled environment and do not have to repeat it over and over and be retraumatised by that.
The bill supports the voices of victims-survivors by ensuring they're empowered to speak about their experiences if they choose to do so. The bill makes clear the current restriction on publishing material that identifies another person as a child witness, child complainant or vulnerable adult complainant in a proceeding does not apply to a person who publishes material that identifies themselves. The bill will also remove the requirement for the proceedings to be finalised before such self-publication may occur. This means victims-survivors are supported to speak out should they wish to do so, giving them agency, power and control over their lives and experiences.
The reforms in this bill have been rightly welcomed by many advocacy groups around the country. The CEO of Rape & Sexual Assault Research & Advocacy, Rachael Burgin, said these amendments are:
… a necessary shift of focus away from victims of crime and onto the actions of the accused.
The National Women's Safety Alliance have also welcomed the changes, acknowledging the extensive consultation undertaken and our government's commitment to tangible and real change in the criminal justice system. I really want to commend and thank all of these groups for their involvement in the ongoing consultation period and thank them for the work that they do in highlighting the voices of victims-survivors right across the country.
These reforms support victims-survivors in engaging with the Commonwealth criminal justice system. It is absolutely crucial that victims-survivors are given support and confidence that the justice system will deliver equitable and persistent outcomes whilst always being cognisant of minimising the risk of retraumatisation through the justice process, because we know how incredibly challenging and difficult that can be. Our Attorney-General has ensured that these reforms have been developed in close consultation with victims-survivors, and I would like to acknowledge any victims-survivors who may be listening today. Our government knows how vital it is that the voices of those victims-survivors are listened to and are heard right throughout all portfolios that may impact them, and we will continue to make sure that they are at the centre of all the decision-making. These voices are very central to our efforts. I offer my acknowledgement and thanks to those who have shared their experiences as a platform for change. We have listened, and we continue to listen. I also particularly want to thank the Attorney-General for his tireless dedication to this cause.
Importantly, the amendments brought before the House today directly align with our National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-32 and the First Action Plan 2023-2027. Specifically, action 9 of the First Action Plan aims to ensure justice systems are safe, accessible and easier for victims-survivors to navigate. We know that initiatives in the justice system can create change through providing appropriate survivor-centred justice responses, holding perpetrators to account and responding to all victims-survivors, including children and young people, by listening, acting and responding in a trauma informed way.
Our government has invested $2.3 billion across the past two budgets to deliver ambitious reforms to address the drivers of family, domestic and sexual violence, and to ensure victims-survivors have the support they need and require. In our 2023-24 budget we also committed funding for a number of sexual violence prevention initiatives, including $8.2 million to design, deliver and evaluate multiple trials to prevent sexual violence and harm; $3.5 million to support Teach Us Consent to develop resources for young people aged 16 and above; and $6.5 million to work with states and territories to strengthen and harmonise sexual assault and consent laws and improve criminal justice responses for victims-survivors. And, of course, we appointed the nations first Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner, Micaela Cronin, to ensure that the diversity of lived experiences is heard and constantly raised and championed at a national level.
Today's bill is another example of a further significant step being taken by the Commonwealth to address these very important issues within our criminal justice system and ensure that those voices of victims-survivors are central to that. I commend the bill to the House.
]]>… we believe very strongly in having a price signal. There's no sense me pretending to Australians that when you walk through the door of your GP that everything can be for free.
How out of touch can you get? Australians remember that. They know; don't worry. He also wanted to jack up the prices of essential medicines by $5 a script, making them unaffordable. What have we done, Madam Deputy Speaker Claydon? We have made medicines cheaper. We know that people need to be able to access them. He also wanted to charge Australians who needed to access public hospital emergency departments. How catastrophic would that be? He said at the time:
The government will also remove the restrictions on state and territory governments that prevent hospital emergency departments charging a modest fee for presentations.
Absurd! He froze the indexation of the Medicare rebate, undermining the viability of our great GP practices and increasing out-of-pocket costs. What have we done since we've been in government? We've tripled the Medicare rebate to make accessing bulk-billing easier—so important—because we understand that Australians need to have that cost-of-living relief.
We also saw the opposition leader, when he was health minister, rip more than $50 billion out of our public hospitals. Of course, we inherited this absolute mess, which our government is fixing with a massive investment in Medicare. The damage that was done was so wide ranging, impacting people and their health and wellbeing over the nine years they were in government. In fact, the opposition leader was so bad as health minister that he was named the worst health minister in 35 years in a pile of GPs and specialists. That is the reality, and that was just one of the many, many bad, bad policies that we saw from this government with all of their failures.
Let's not forget when he was the Minister for Home Affairs as well. The opposition leader as minister then wrecked Australia's system of immigration and border security. We saw this in the Richardson Review. You have all seen it and read the details. He left our borders wide open, our communities less safe and our economy weaker. This has all been detailed very, very clearly in the Richardson report.
We had that nine years of chaos. We had the three leaders. We are all seeing it played out in Nemesis, every detail of it, all the infighting. It is because those opposite were so focused on themselves and their infighting, and there was always the opposition leader there lurking about, undermining all the time. Their focus was completely on themselves.
We on this side are focused on the Australian people and delivering for them right across the board, particularly delivering the really important cost-of-living relief. But those opposite will keep on with their infighting. We are all waiting for Nemesis part 2. It will be good to hear about the Dutton years in opposition. It will be Nemesis part 2.
]]>Of course, Nemesis shows us they were totally consumed with themselves, whilst also there were a whole series of harsh cuts and failed policies. All we get now from the Leader of the Opposition is negativity—whinging and negativity, constantly. There are no positive policies. We never hear any of them, just non-stop whinging. They haven't got a plan to relieve the cost-of-living burden on Australian families. They've got nothing to offer the country except negativity and division.
What we do know is that the Leader of the Opposition wants Australians to work longer and get paid less. That's what we know about him. The fact is the Leader of the Opposition is out of touch and cannot be trusted. In contrast, our government, the Albanese Labor government, is focused on delivering for the Australian people. Our No. 1 priority is addressing cost-of-living pressures. We know people are doing it tough; we understand that. This government is proudly delivering a tax cut to all Australian taxpayers, and a bigger tax cut for Middle Australia to help with the cost of living. This builds on our targeted relief that's already in place. That includes electricity bill relief. It includes making medicines cheaper—this has made a huge difference—and making it easier and cheaper to see a doctor. It includes cheaper child care and expanding paid parental leave. We're building more social and affordable homes and increasing rent assistance. We've also delivered fee-free TAFE, which has made a huge difference for training opportunities for people right across the country.
As I've said, the Leader of the Opposition has made it clear that he doesn't believe in tax cuts for Middle Australia. We know that. They've had so many different positions and policies right across the board. The fact is these tax cuts are good for Middle Australia. They're good for helping with cost-of-living pressures, good for labour supply and good for the economy. Our tax cuts mean that 11.5 million taxpayers will receive a bigger tax cut. That's the reality. Nurses, teachers and police are some of the most likely to benefit, with more than 95 per cent of these taxpayers getting a bigger tax cut.
Let's look at this in the context of how strongly Labor supports Australian workers and improving working conditions right across the board, whether it's job security, working conditions or tax cuts. It's only Labor that supports all of these initiatives.
As I said before, the opposition leader wants Australians to work longer and get paid less. He even applies that to our brave and hardworking police officers. Let's have a look at that in terms of Labor's right-to-disconnect laws. They're so vitally important for workers across the country and especially important for our police and emergency services personnel. I'm a former frontline police officer and I know how important it is for police to have incredibly good working conditions, especially the right to disconnect. They need to have that work-life family balance. But the opposition leader is opposed to the right to disconnect—of course he is; he's so negative. Unbelievable!
A lot of police have contacted me saying they are absolutely appalled that the opposition leader has taken this stance. Our police do an incredible job, and Labor back them; we do. We know they've got to have protected working conditions, but the opposition leader is so out of touch he wants to get rid of all these laws that protect their working conditions. In fact, it was only a couple of days ago that the Police Federation of Australia came out and condemned the opposition leader for this. I'll quote what they said in relation to the opposition leader's actions, which is that they are 'disrespectful and wrong'. Even they're onto him. Everybody's onto him. We're all onto him. He can't be trusted.
I stand with the Police Federation of Australia. I stand with the police across the country. I stand with workers across the country—with Middle Australia, who are doing it tough. They're onto you and they're onto the opposition leader. They know that he cannot be trusted. That's just one of the many examples we see when it comes to the policies the opposition. In fact, we finally have seen an election policy from them: they want to take away more of workers' rights; that's all they want to do.
I would like to focus on the record of the opposition leader when he was health minister. I remember it. I was here, and we saw this. Every day we heard from our local constituents about what he was doing, and particularly about how he was destroying the health system in this country. Let's have a look at what he did in trying to dismantle Medicare.
]]>Feros Village has as its namesake the late George Feros, who was a well-known resident of the Byron Bay community. For many years George walked the streets with a wooden box and bell collecting money for his vision of aged-care services in the Byron region. Over a period of 20 years he raised more than $180,000 for what would later become Feros Care. In February 2023, Feros Care very suddenly and unexpectedly announced that they would cease providing those aged-care services and redevelop the much-loved village in Byron Bay. The whole community were distressed. Residents and their families were understandably disappointed and faced months of uncertainty as to their future. When the news broke I, like everyone in the community, was equally disappointed and distressed by that decision and the absolute stress it placed on the residents.
After this news, both the state and federal Labor governments and the Byron Shire Council worked to find a resolution and a new provider to keep the site open for residents. I spoke with many of the affected residents when I visited the village, and they talked about how much they loved living there and the really special friendships they had forged in their time as residents. I personally raised all of the concerns of residents with the Minister for Aged Care, the member for Lilley, and I commend the minister for her deep concern and compassion about the situation and for the work done by the department in supporting many of the residents through this incredibly difficult time.
Can I also strongly commend the New South Wales minister for Crown land, Steve Kamper, for his and the state government's work in securing the new provider. Minister Kamper worked tirelessly, and in response to the feedback from residents in the community he ensured Crown Lands conducted an expression of interest process to attract a new operator for the Feros Village facility with a long-term lease arrangement. Thanks to this incredible work, just last month St Andrews Village Ballina took official management of the Byron Bay facility.
I want to thank and acknowledge all those community members who stood up and stood with the residents. With St Andrews taking over the operation, the site is secure and the future of those residents is secure. This is as a result of federal and state Labor governments working together with the community and acting on their concerns. I want to thank everyone who fought so hard to make this a reality.
St Andrews is a community based organisation that has been in our region since 1983. They've now been awarded this opportunity to negotiate a 40-year lease over the site. Again, I want to thank the residents, families and community members who never gave up the fight for their home at Feros Village. State and federal Labor governments listened to our community and worked with them, and we're all very proud to be delivering this result.
Aged care is a priority for the Albanese government. We're very proud to have worked closely with the state government to deliver this outcome.
]]>The Albanese government understands the significance of this reform, and we're committed to championing the wellbeing of parents and their children while striving for gender equality and focusing on economic growth. Paid parental leave is the absolute basis upon which we build a healthier, more nurturing environment for parents and their children. It's important because it provides much-needed support to new parents during a really crucial and often difficult phase of life and really fosters a strong and healthy start for our children as well. It can be a very challenging time, and we should all be there to provide support for those new parents. As a government, there's a lot that we can do, and paid parental leave is vitally important in that.
This is not merely a social policy that's good for families but also an economic one, contributing significantly to the stability of families and the efficiency of our workforce. And it is, importantly, a key instrument for achieving gender equality—a goal that unites us all. All of us—governments, businesses, unions, community and economists—recognise its profound importance.
When implemented correctly, paid parental leave can be a win-win, not only fostering individual wellbeing and family wellbeing but contributing to the greater economic good, because it offers support for working parents, reduces turnover in the workplace and results in a more engaged and productive workforce. Moreover and so importantly, it empowers women to maintain their careers and economic independence, bridging so many gender disparities.
Businesses, unions, experts and economists all understand that one of the most effective ways to boost productivity and participation is providing more choices and more support for families, alongside greater opportunities for women. Our commitment to this cause was evidenced in our first budget, where we invested half a billion dollars to extend the scheme to six months by 2026. This monumental investment represents the most substantial commitment to paid parental leave since we introduced the scheme in 2011, benefitting over 180,000 families every year. This reflects the Albanese government's unwavering commitment to improving the lives of working families, ensuring better outcomes for children and furthering women's economic equality.
The paid parental leave bill that we're debating today is, of course, the second phase of the government's reforms, building on the changes we initiated last year. These initial reforms, which came into effect on 1 July, expanded access to the payment, providing parents with greater flexibility in how they take their leave, and encouraged shared caregiving responsibilities. It's so important to do that, recognising different working environments and family environments as well. These changes were designed as the building blocks for the comprehensive 26-week expansion outlined in this bill.
This bill is a really significant leap forward in the evolution of our paid parental leave scheme, as it increases the length of the payment from 20 weeks to 26 weeks. Furthermore, it extends the period reserved for each parent from two weeks to four weeks and doubles the period during which parents can take leave at the same time, from two weeks to four weeks. Implementation will commence on 1 July 2024, and two additional weeks of leave will be added each year until we reach the full 26-week period in 2026.
The significance of this expansion cannot be overstated. It provides mothers with up to 22 weeks of paid parental leave—an additional month compared to the current scheme. That extra time is so invaluable for mothers to recover after childbirth and establish those strong bonds with their newborns. Furthermore, it doubles the period reserved for fathers or partners, encouraging them to take a more active role in parenting. Whether you're a mother or a father caring for your child, gender should not affect your access to parental leave payments.
This bill also sends a resounding message that parenting is an equal partnership, and it actively supports gender equality. This government values men as caregivers just as much as women. We understand that, we want this to be reinforced in both workplaces and communities and we see that so often in our communities and our families—but there needs to be legislation like this to encourage people to take it up.
The bill also ensures that single parents are not left behind. They, too, will have access to the full 26 weeks of paid parental leave. Moreover, the bill introduces flexibility by increasing the number of weeks during which parents can take paid parental leave at the same time.
When we announced our paid parental leave reform in the 2022-23 October budget, we, of course, sought the guidance of and listened to the Women's Economic Equality Taskforce to determine the best model for the 26 weeks—one that would really work to advance women's economic equality. The task force recommended reserving four weeks for each parent on a 'use it or lose it' basis and allowing parents to take up to four weeks of leave at the same time, which is a great option as well. We wholeheartedly embrace this advice, as it represents a well-balanced approach that increases support for mothers, encourages fathers to take leave and provides families with the flexibility to structure their care arrangements to their unique needs.
As a result of these reforms, from 2026-27 the government's total investment in paid parental leave will be around $4.4 billion a year. It is a massive investment in a plan that will be so important for families. The government payment is a minimum entitlement designed to complement employer provided leave as well. Of course, we were all really pleased to hear the data that was collected by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, which reported that in 2021-22, 62 per cent of employers offered employer funded paid parental leave. This is a very positive trend, as in 2013-14 that same figure was only at 48 per cent. Seeing that increase in employer contributions means that employers are recognising the value and the worth to their employees and to the economic productivity of their business as well. Data such as this is indicative of a society that has evolved greatly and a business community that sees itself as having a role alongside government in providing that paid parental leave. I concur with the comments by Minister Rishworth in saying that we want to continue to see this trend grow, and I thank all those employers who have seen paid parental as a workplace investment that returns better benefits for parents, employees and the economy.
In summary, the changes that are outlined in this bill strike a critical balance between providing more support to mothers, encouraging fathers and partners to take an active role in parenting and offering families the flexibility they need to structure their care arrangements effectively depending upon their family circumstances, their particular occupations and their working environments. They will be able to do that effectively. We know that for so many people they were unable to continue to work in the past because that capacity was not there, that financial support wasn't there, that flexibility wasn't there. But that's what we are saying with this bill in terms of providing that.
It's so essential that our Paid Parental Leave scheme aligns with the needs and dynamics of modern Australian families and embodies a policy that's flexible and fair and that promotes positive health, social and economic outcomes for both parents and their children. When children are born is wonderful time, and to have access to that leave to be able to do all the necessary bonding, to have that time and to not be rushed will reap huge benefits.
This bill is a foundation support for parents and children. It's good for employers and a catalyst for economic growth. The Albanese government is always proud to provide the support that Australian families need and deserve, to strengthen our economy and to promote gender equality. We have seen that same belief in terms of our tax cuts for every taxpayer throughout Australia. We are always looking at measures that will help Australian families, and, as our tax cuts will do a great job, so too will this paid parental leave be at the heart of providing that support to Australian families.
We, as Labor governments, have a proud history of improving the lives of Australian families, whether it be from Medicare and the National Disability Insurance Scheme to no-fault divorce, the single mother's benefit and the child support system. It was Labor who first introduced the maternity allowance in the early 1900s. Despite many efforts from those opposite to dismantle the support for Australian families, it's Labor who introduced the Paid Parental Leave scheme that we know now.
I also acknowledge those many people who have advocated for paid parental leave for years and years. So many different groups and organisations and unions were advocating for this for years. We listened and we delivered it in 2011, and we extended it and we're expanding it again. As I said, it's been wonderful to see the changing attitudes in the community, and business as well, recognising the value and the worth of it. Now, here we, Labor, are again, continuing to bring forth reforms to improve the lives for all Australian families.
I'm really proud to be a part of a Labor government who have been, and always will be, on the side of Australian families. This bill, along with our many, many other measures—including, as I mentioned earlier, our tax cuts—are making a huge difference to Australian families. All of these measures are designed to improve the lives of Australian families, and we're very proud of them. I certainly commend the bill to the House.
]]>We were all so heartbroken to hear the news of Peta's death just two days ago because we'll all miss her so much. We'll miss her incredible passion and dedication, her immense intellect and sharp wit and humour, her vast generosity and kindness, that massive smile she had that would just light up every single room she was in, and her absolute authenticity—which we saw all the time with Peta. She was always so incredibly down-to-earth and you knew exactly where she stood on all issues and how fiercely she believed in them, how well she articulated them and the passionate intellect she brought to every task she had. We'll miss her courage; she was so tough and was truly fearless.
There are many people here who have spoken who knew Peta for very long periods of time, over various times throughout her life. Unfortunately, I'd only known her since she came to parliament but I felt like I'd known her for so long; I think many of us who had only met her since she came to parliament felt that. That was the magic of Peta; she was so warm and engaging with everyone she came across.
Just two weeks before being sworn in as an MP in 2019, as we know, Peta received the terrible news that her cancer had returned. In that remarkable first speech in parliament, she said:
I am neither unique nor alone in the fight that I am about to take on.
The courage she showed then and since then was remarkable. She fought on, and she bravely fought cancer whilst tirelessly continuing to raise awareness and action needed around breast cancer. She did that in so many different ways and different forums. Even last week she was here, raising the issue. She just didn't stop.
Peta epitomised the great privilege we all share in serving in our federal parliament and the opportunity to make a real difference. Making a difference is exactly what Peta did across so many areas, whether it was in women's health, gender equality—her strong commitment to ensuring we had greater gender equality was fierce—education, workers rights, climate change and the environment, and, most recently, as many people have spoken of, online gambling; she raised her concerns about that. She was here last week talking about that. She used every minute in this place to further the fight for action on these and so many other issues, and she understood the true power of change that Labor governments can bring to our nation. She was Labor through and through, always focused on delivering outcomes for the most vulnerable in our community and always focused on social justice and equity.
I'd like to quote from her first speech:
It's been quite a journey to this place for a public-school girl from Wagga. I grew up during the Hawke and Keating years, benefitting from the long list of economic, social and environmental reforms their government introduced. Their government was a Labor government who, like all Labor governments before and since, took seriously their core business of enlarging opportunities for those without power or resources. But what really inspired teenage me was the way Hawke and Keating also enlarged our national imagination about who we could be and the place we could take in the world. They made me believe in our democratic system because they demonstrated how that system could deliver good government and how good government could deliver a better future. They, and the values my parents instilled in me, also made me Labor.
And Peta certainly was, as I said, Labor through and through with her deep commitment to social justice.
As we've heard from so many people here, she was such a dedicated local member in terms of representing the people of Dunkley here in parliament and her strong role within her community. She was so passionate about all the issues impacting her region and the people within her area. She was always raising those issues, community issues, and standing up for those people in her community that she was so incredibly proud to represent—a community that loved her so much in return. She was held in such high regard, and she kept representing them fiercely right up until last week.
I had the privilege of working closely with Peta on our Protecting Pensioners Taskforce during the last term of parliament. As with everything else that she was involved in, she was fearless and dedicated to the cause of getting rid of the cashless debit card. She was so proud we did that in government and her contributions, her involvement and working with her were, like at all times, so smart, so values based, so clearly focused in everything she put her mind to do and everything she was involved in.
Peta was so strong, and she was such a true warrior. As many people have mentioned here today, she wonderfully quoted the great Pippi Longstocking in her first speech. She said:
Finally, I want to end with a quote from Pippi Longstocking … Pippi's friend Annika had just told her that she couldn't beat the strong man at the show because 'he's the strongest man in the world'.
'Man, yes,' said Pippi, 'but I'm the strongest girl in the world, remember that.'
And she was that; she was so strong.
At this saddest of times, we offer our deepest sympathies to Peta's loving husband, Rod, and all her family, friends, colleagues and her wonderful staff. We feel for all of them. Our deepest condolences to all of them. Peta inspired us all and, as the Prime Minister said here earlier today, it's hard to believe she isn't here and it's harder to believe she won't be here. She was a true warrior. May she rest in peace. We'll miss her so dearly.
]]>That further statements in relation to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women be permitted in the Federation Chamber.
Question agreed to.
]]>As the Assistant Minister for Social Services, I'm very proud to be speaking on this very critical bill, which sets out the smooth transition between income support and employment. It has a lot of benefits. As the member for Richmond, I also have a large proportion of seniors in my electorate—as the member for Dobell spoke about—and I'm very fortunate to have many senior Australians in my area. As I often say, these are the people that built our nation and we should always be cognisant of serving their needs whatever they may be. A lot of the changes in the bill are ones that have echoed what they have told me over a period of time.
In terms of our government, the Albanese Labor government's No. 1 priority is helping all Australians, ensuring that no-one is left behind or held back and are provided with the support and changes that they may need. We've certainly seen that in a whole host of our cost-of-living initiatives, which, particularly in terms of our seniors, have been of great benefit—whether that be cheaper medicines, energy bill relief or our absolutely huge investment in Medicare, in terms of tripling the bulk billing rate, which has been absolutely crucial for our seniors, who rely on those particular services. We are also very focused on job creation and driving employment, and that's vital in regional economies too to ensure we have strong economic growth through employment in our regions.
The changes in this bill will permanently enhance the pension work bonus and also extend, very importantly, the employment income nil rate period for those on income support. The bill will give people the support they need to be able to work. Following on from last year's Jobs and Skills Summit, the Albanese Labor government has undertaken a number of measures that focus on inclusion and reducing some of the barriers to employment. This includes our work bonus boost, the Carer Inclusive Workplace Initiative and the development of the Career Pathways Pilot for people with a disability.
Through our landmark employment white paper released in September, we set the road map for a more dynamic and inclusive labour market—one that will deliver sustainable employment, underpinned by job security and wages growth. It's so important to have all that in place. We really want to continue to ensure that older Australians have the option should they wish to take up more work and do more work. I certainly hear that from many of my local constituents as well. Some of them are keen to do that and pursue it and have the capacity to do it. That's what this bill is allowing. This bill really does represent the very immediate actions we're taking to deliver on many of the objectives of that white paper.
The changes to the pension work bonus will enable our older Australians who choose to work—and only if they want to—to earn more income from working before their pension is affected, and that could be through a variety of different forms of employment at times of the year when different circumstances arise. They want to be able to have that flexibility.
This builds on the temporary work bonus measure the government announced at the Jobs and Skills Summit, which gave all eligible pensioners a one-off $4,000 upfront credit in their work bonus balance and increased their work bonus income balance from $7,800 to $11,800. This temporary measure was in place from 1 December 2022 to 31 December 2023. But now, with this bill before the House, we will permanently extend these changes, from 1 January 2024, to all eligible new recipients who are of age-pension age, who will commence with a work bonus balance of $4,000 from day 1 instead of starting with zero. We're making this particular objective permanent. It's wonderful that that will be in place. It gives people certainty for the future they are planning as well. Throughout this bill we will retain on a permanent basis the maximum income balance of $11,800 for all eligible pensioners and veterans to accrue in their work bonus income bank. It's a massive change that will assist many of our seniors and our veterans.
In addition to enhancing the work bonus, from 1 July 2024 this bill will also double the length of the employment income nil rate period from 12 to 24 weeks and extend access for people who start full-time work. Of course, the employment income nil rate period is available to people on a whole range of different payments, including the JobSeeker payment, youth allowance, Austudy, the ABSTUDY living allowance, the parenting payment, the disability support pension and the carer payment. Having that in place will make such a huge difference, because people on these particular pensions won't be penalised or have their pension affected if they are working for that period of time. As we all know, once people gain employment, they have to see whether it does actually work out and if it meets the objectives that they and the employer had hoped for. Having those 24 weeks gives a certainty for all involved, particularly to those people who are in employment and making sure that it is exactly the course that they want to take. Of course, having to go off those pensions and then come back on, for many people, is a very lengthy process. To have the opportunity for choice gives a real certainty and a security to those people as well, just having that extension of time to 24 weeks.
There are two very important parts to this bill. We understand, as a government, not only the substantial benefits for older Australians and the broader community, with older Australians returning to work in response to the changes in the bill, but also the economic benefits to that as well. When we look at our older workers, we know they have a wealth of experience and highly skilled working backgrounds to contribute, if they are able and want to be able to do that. I hear from many of my older constituents about the extensive experience and great wealth of knowledge they have that they'll be able to use in a whole variety of employment settings. I know a lot of employers are very keen to hire older workers purely because of that reason. It gives them an opportunity to do that and to be able to fit in employment with whatever they have in their busy lives as well.
This bill will ensure that more than 195,000 senior Australians who commence getting the pension each year will be given added incentive to maintain their connection to the workforce and have that choice. It is important, and, of course, absolutely invaluable when it comes to both our labour market and our local economies to have those people working as well.
The maximum income bank balance of $11,800 also means pensioners who are not working regularly are able to accrue credits with this higher maximum balance, allowing them to earn more, if they do take up some work, before their pension is even affected. It also means pensioners who haven't used their one-off $4,000 credit will be able to keep it in their income bank to use at a later date. Together, the higher maximum income bank balance limit and the starting balance are targeted and effective changes that really will deliver benefits to those pensioners who do choose to work. By doubling the length of the employment income, it will allow people to be more involved in the system and retain these benefits for longer when they first get back into work.
We know that to improve employment outcomes, it's critical that people are not disincentivised from taking on short-term or ad hoc opportunities that could and may turn into longer term work. The changes to the income nil rate period are expected to benefit about 138,000 people each year, particularly those receiving JobSeeker and youth allowance, and it really is a game changer particularly for those younger people, to have the time to really see that they are settled in that employment environment. All of that allows us to provide more support for people to get back into work, without the fear they would obviously have if that social safety net wasn't there if they do need it again; they know it is there, over that period of time, and that is so incredibly important.
In conclusion, the Albanese government is committed to giving many Australians more choice and flexibility to participate in the workforce, particularly older Australians with the work bonus. These changes deliver on our commitment of building on a really strong social security safety net that protects our vulnerable Australians and doesn't stigmatise people for needing help. We are very proud of our history of doing that. Our suite of safety net measures includes additional support for working age and student payment recipients. We would have seen, too, our increases to the Commonwealth rent assistance and expansion of the parenting payment, as well, providing that targeted support when it is required. The importance of this bill is that it really does work to overcome barriers to employment and broaden opportunity by reducing disincentives in the social security system and supporting more people to take up work. The measures in this bill will provide a broad range of support to many more Australians, and I commend the bill to the House.
]]>My electorate of Richmond is on the north coast of New South Wales, and many would be aware that our area was devastated by floods in early 2022. It was the largest recorded flooding event to have ever hit our area. Homes, livelihoods and businesses were destroyed, and we are still rebuilding, even today. These disasters take an enormous toll on individuals and families, and right throughout the entire community. Rebuilding is a long road back, and our government understands the importance of getting the specific funding to where it is needed most.
This joint funding will deliver more than $121 million in those projects through the Infrastructure Betterment Fund and the Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Package. Those funding initiatives are focused on building back essential public assets, such as roads, bridges and drainage, that have been impacted by storm and flood events. It also, through the Community Assets Program, repairs a lot of community assets like parks, walkways and buildings, many of which were so badly damaged. This funding means assets are repaired to a more resilient standard that can better withstand future disasters. Some of the projects include: a new works depot for Tweed Shire out of the flood zone; drainage upgrades for the Byron Bay town centre to reduce flooding; flood-proofing the Mullumbimby ambulance station; remediation at Lake Ainsworth; access repairs at Ballina's Lighthouse Beach; and upgrades to many schools, roads, parks, pools, community halls, toilet blocks, and so much more right across the community.
I was joined in this announcement by the state member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, and many of our great mayors and deputy mayors from councils across the north coast. Including Lismore mayor Steve Krieg, Tweed mayor Chris Cherry, Ballina mayor Sharon Cadwallader, Kyogle deputy mayor Tom Cooper, Richmond Valley mayor Robert Mustow, and Byron Shire mayor Michael Lyon. This funding is a game-changer for the councils in my area—and, indeed, right across the north coast and northern rivers. By investing in better designs and better materials, we can make sure all of our resources are built to last and withstand future natural disasters.
A division having been called in the House of Representatives—
Proceedings suspended from 09 : 58 to 10 : 22
]]>That further statements on Hamas attacks on Israel and ongoing conflict be permitted in the Federation Chamber.
Question agreed to.
]]>We are very proud of what this government is doing in terms of our targets for net zero and our Nature Positive Plan as well. For the first time in a decade we have a policy designed to reduce emissions, which is so vitally important, and make Australia a renewable energy superpower. We have been running fast and have hit the ground running on all of these measures together, along with our Nature Positive Plan, because of the inaction over the last decade.
I'll go through some of the action that we're taking and then get onto our Nature Positive Plan as well. Some of the actions include emission reduction targets of 43 per cent by 2030 and a clear path to net zero by 2050; $2 billion for green hydrogen; $1.6 billion for home and small business energy efficiency; passing the safeguard mechanism; $20 billion for Rewiring the Nation; establishing massive new offshore wind projects around the country; $3 billion on the National Reconstruction Fund for renewables and low-emission technologies; and, very importantly, setting up the new environment protection agency with much stronger laws, much quicker decisions and much better regulatory frameworks.
We've also doubled funding to national parks like Uluru and Kakadu to create jobs on country. We're delivering the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, spending $1.2 billion to protect and restore the Great Barrier Reef, and proclaiming 10 new Indigenous protected areas and doubling the number of rangers. Under this government, the Albanese Labor government, Australia is leading the world again. We are working incredibly hard to clean up the mess the Liberals and Nationals left us, because we know how vitally important it is to protect and preserve our environment for future generations.
We are very proud to be reforming our very broken environmental laws. Under the previous government, under the Liberals and Nationals, they in fact trashed those environmental laws. We saw it time and time again, how they watered down the EPBC and took no action in this area. Professor Graham Samuel's 2019 review into the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act found:
The EPBC Act is out dated and requires fundamental reform.
It continues:
… Australians do not trust that the … Act is delivering for the environment, for business or for the community.
That is indeed true. Nature was being destroyed. Businesses were waiting too long for decisions. This has to change.
We responded to Professor Samuel's review and announced our nature-positive plan: better for the environment and also better for business. We want an economy that is nature-positive to stop the decline and repair nature. We are building towards this legislation using three basic principles: clear national standards of environmental protection, improving and speeding up decisions, and building trust and integrity in our environmental laws.
Our nature-positive plan will be better for the environment for a number of reasons: by delivering those stronger laws to protect nature; to protect precious plants, animals and places; and for the first time these laws will introduce standards. Decisions must meet the standards that describe the environmental outcomes we want to achieve. This will ensure decisions made will protect our threatened species and ecosystems and, importantly, let that new environmental protection agency make decisions and properly enforce them.
As I said, our nature-positive plan will be better for business as well, with more certainty and less red tape. This plan is indeed a win-win: a win for the environment and a win for business. It is incredibly extensive, and we have very positive responses to this plan from Greenpeace:
The reforms outlined are a very welcome and long-overdue step to better protecting Australia's extraordinary wildlife, forests and natural environment.
The Business Council of Australia said:
Business welcomes the government's commitment to implementing recommendations of the Samuel Review—
and many other groups have welcomed the announcement, like the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Environmental Defenders Office.
We are, and we have always been, committed to working with environment and business communities and First Nation groups to make sure we get this right into the future. As has been said before, the legislation will be released as an exposure draft by the end of 2023, and we are working constructively right across the community to make sure that we do in fact get this right.
Of course, another important aspect in protecting our environment is protecting threatened species. Unlike the previous government, the Albanese Labor government does not accept that extinctions are inevitable. What we accept and acknowledge is that we need to act. It's important that we do what we can to understand the threats to certain species and to use the most up-to-date advice in our capacity to protect them. Since we've been in government, we have been taking strong action to protect threatened species. We are investing over $500 million in directly helping threatened species in and tackling feral species too. There's over $224 million for the Saving Native Species Program, including $70 million for koalas; $440 million for the Natural Heritage Trust for programs to conserve threatened species; double the funding for national parks, which is so vitally important; triple the funding to clean up and restore urban rivers and catchments. There are many other policies as well, which include delivering our Murray-Darling Basin Plan and $1.2 billion for the Great Barrier Reef. We have had an extensive array of investment in ensuring we are doing all that we can to protect our threatened species.
As I said at the beginning, we are very proud to be acting on climate change because the Australian people voted for this. They were sick of the inaction of the previous government. That's why we've taken that strong action, particularly that investment in renewable energy, which is the cheapest form of energy, and that's why we've got, and are investing in, nation-building initiatives such as Rewiring the Nation. We know this is vitally important because we actually appreciate the value of renewable energy and the importance of that. I particularly want to add that, in regional areas like mine, not only is there great enthusiasm as we transition to renewables, but it is a massive economic driver for regional areas as well. People in the country absolutely recognise that and are very complimentary of what we're doing.
We have also legislated Australia's target of a 43 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050. As I've said, there's the offshore wind industry and Rewiring the Nation—a whole range of measures in place. That's what is at the heart of taking action on climate change: a whole series of measures, those massive investments supporting households and business, and legislated targets. In the time that we have been in government we have done a huge amount because there was so much inaction over those previous 10 years from the Liberals and Nationals. In fact, we know, those of us that were here, that there were more than 20 failed policies over that time. It seemed every week there was another policy that they just didn't land at all. There was no desire from them to address this pressing issue, unlike from those of us in the Labor Party.
Since that time, in the last year, the only policy we've seen from the Liberals and Nationals is the one they keep rehashing, and that is of course nuclear power. We hear it every couple of weeks. Whenever we talk about energy, what do they say? Nuclear power. As I've said many times in this House, many communities right throughout the nation, and particularly in my electorate, are completely opposed to the use of nuclear power for a whole variety of reasons. It is far too dangerous and far too expensive. We know that a small reactor would cost a massive $5 billion to build, and they need about 80 of them around Australia at least. Of course they won't tell us where they'll go, and we know these reactors would have to be near water. Communities like mine—in fact, communities up, down and around the country—would be little bit worried about what the plans are when it comes rolling out nuclear energy. And that is all we ever seem to hear from the Liberals and Nationals.
Those of us on this side have an absolutely huge, strong commitment to acting on climate change, protecting our environment and protecting our threatened species, and we are doing that by strengthening the EPBC Act, which is at the heart of this and gives us the basis to keep taking this strong action. This act, which was watered down by the Liberals and Nationals, is the one we are focusing on, through massive consultation, to make sure we get it right. We have to get it right. We have to get it right for future generations because this is our chance to protect our environment and our threatened species, and the Albanese Labor government is committed to doing that.
]]>The bill contains four main elements: criminalising wage theft, introducing minimum standards for workers in the gig economy, closing the forced permanent casual-worker loophole and closing the labour hire loophole as well. We announced all of these four policies whilst in opposition and we took all of these to the Australian people at the election in 2022. People were very supportive of this in terms of providing those better conditions for workers.
This legislation is very extensive. It does a number of different things. First of all, it legislates a fair and objective definition of 'casual employee', with a new pathway for eligible employees to change to permanent employment if they wish to do so. It protects bargained wages and enterprise agreements from being undercut by using labour hire workers who are paid less than the minimum rates.
Importantly, it allows the Fair Work Commission to set out fair minimum standards for employee-like workers in the gig economy, introduces a new criminal offence for wage theft which applies to intentional conduct, allows the Fair Work Commission to set fair minimum standard to ensure the road transport industry is safe, sustainable and viable and introduces a new offence of industrial manslaughter in the Work Health and Safety Act. It also extends the functions of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency to address silica related diseases. Very importantly, it makes it unlawful to discriminate against an employee that has been or continues to be subjected to family and domestic violence.
All of these changes that are contained within this bill are not radical; they are very, very reasonable changes. All we are doing is making the current law work more effectively. Closing labour hire loopholes will simply require an employer to pay rates that have already been negotiated and agreed to. These are rates of pay that are already set for the work that is being done. Our employee-like reforms simply require workers to have some minimum standards benchmarked against existing award rates when they are working in a way which is similar to employees. Our wage theft reforms will simply strengthen the enforcement of existing rates of pay. Most employers out there don't want to be undercut by those who are doing the wrong thing. There is support for these changes. Our new definition of 'casual employment' will clarify what was always intended with casual work—that is, if you are working regular, predictable hours and you want to be permanent you will have that pathway available to you.
In this bill, the Albanese government is also standing up for casual workers who want to become permanent employees. We're closing the loophole that leaves people classified as casuals when they actually do in fact work permanent, regular hours. That means they work just like permanent employees but don't get any of those benefits of job security currently. We're legislating a fair, objective definition to determine when an employee can be classified as casual, and this will help more than 850,000 casual workers who have regular work arrangements, giving them greater access to leave entitlements and, really importantly, greater financial security. The fact is that household bills aren't casual. That's the reality. Rent isn't casual. Electricity bills aren't casual. School fees aren't casual. They are absolute certainties. But these people in insecure work do not have the same certainty about their hours or their regular income. The fact is that no-one will be forced to convert from casual to permanent employment if they don't want to. Employees should not be stuck as a casual when they are working just like permanent employees but don't receive the benefits of job security or leave entitlements. That's why we brought in this incredibly important change.
We are also closing the labour hire loophole. We know that labour hire has legitimate uses in providing surge and specialist workforces, and that will continue to be the case. But this bill amends the Fair Work Act to give powers to the Fair Work Commission to make orders that labour hire employees be paid at least the wages in a host's enterprise agreement. The bill is delivering on the government's 'same job, same pay' election commitment. The loophole is that the Fair Work Act allows employers to use labour hire workers who are paid less than the rates of pay agreed to in a workplace's enterprise agreement as a way to circumvent the agreed rates of pay. What the government is concerned about is the labour hire loophole which companies deliberately use to undercut the agreements they have already made with their workers. This loophole is simply unacceptable, and that is why we are changing it.
We are also introducing minimum standards for employee-like workers, particularly those in the gig economy. This bill will also extend the powers of the Fair Work Commission to include employee-like forms of work, allowing it to better protect people in new forms of work from exploitation and dangerous working conditions. The bill implements an election commitment to allow the Fair Work Commission to set minimum standards for those employee-like workers, especially those within the gig economy. The bill provides a list of content that minimum standard orders can cover, like payment terms, deductions, insurance and cost recovery. We all know how important it is to address this, particularly when we have seen the growth in the gig economy and many great safety concerns. We have acted on that because we understand how important it is to have these changes there.
Very importantly, this bill makes it unlawful to discriminate against an employee who is or was subject to family and domestic violence. These proposed changes are so incredibly important because they ensure that workers are not penalised in any way if they disclose that they have been subjected to family and domestic violence. It's very important to have this in place for those victims-survivors. On top of this, we saw the government's reforms last year in terms of employees in this country having access to 10 days paid domestic and family violence leave. That indeed is a work entitlement that will save lives, and this change will also save lives. Particularly, on those 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave, this was an issue that many, many people campaigned and advocated for so many years. We were very proud to be delivering that as a Labor government and are equally proud to be delivering these changes to ensure that there isn't any discrimination against employees who are subject to family and domestic violence.
This government, as we have stated many times, is absolutely committed to ending violence against women and children in one generation. We've made that incredibly clear, and we have also had lots of bipartisan support for all of these measures. I know that everyone in this chamber shares that view, with all of us working together to get to that point. We have also had a record investment of $2.3 billion to address gender-based violence. So we do have that whole range of measures, but the aspects in this bill are incredibly important. This proposal is to implement a jobs summit outcome to provide stronger protections against discrimination by including a new protected attribute of 'subjugation to family and domestic violence' in the Fair Work Act. We know family and domestic violence can affect all aspects of a person's life, including their wellbeing and their productivity at work, and they should not be subject to discrimination in the workplace because of what has occurred to them. This proposal will clarify and strengthen protections and assist victims-survivors so as to make available to them these important workplace rights. These amendments will prohibit national system employers taking adverse actions such as termination of employment against employees because of their subjugation to family and domestic violence. So this is a very important provision within the changes of these bills.
Another one that I would like to talk about that is also incredibly important is that our government will make it easier for first responders who develop post-traumatic stress disorder to access workers compensation. We know that first responders suffering from mental health conditions such as PTSD can often find the workers compensation claims process challenging and stressful. It's so vital they get all the support that they need. As part of this bill, affected workers will no longer be required to prove that their job significantly contributed to their PTSD when making a compensation claim. This is referred to as 'presumptive provisions', effectively reversing the onus of proof from the injured worker to the employer. The specific reforms in this bill cover Commonwealth and ACT government first responders, including Australian Federal Police employees, ambulance officers and paramedics. This government will always provide support for and stand alongside the first responders who keep our nation safe. I'm very pleased to be referring to this too; as a former frontline police officer, I know how important it is to have these measures in place and how widely they have been welcomed, to provide that support to our first responders who do an incredible job.
In this bill, the government is particularly taking action to make our trucking industry safer, sustainable and more viable. As part of this bill, the Fair Work Commission will have the power to set fair minimum standards for the road transport industry. Setting standards in the road transport industry will save lives. That is the reality, not just for those in the industry but for all of us who share the roads. That's why these changes are equally important. For too long, we have all heard so many stories of the very deadly impact of the cost-cutting and many of the unrealistic deadlines, which are often placed upon many of those people. We saw that in the very starkly illustrated Senate report Without trucks Australia stops. That's why having this in place will make a major difference—unsustainable business practices and increasing commercial pressures are also threatening the viability of the road transport industry. That's exactly why we're acting and why we do have these very important changes here now. Under our legislation, the Fair Work Commission will have the discretion on what those minimum standards will cover, such as fair payment terms, and must be satisfied that its orders won't adversely impact the viability or competitiveness of road transport contractor workers as well.
We have taken very decisive action across a whole range of measures to provide greater job security, greater conditions and better wages for a whole range of workers, particularly those in the emerging areas such as the gig economy. That is an area we are all very familiar with, and for quite a substantial period of time people have been calling for changes in this area to ensure there's greater security and greater safety. So across a whole range of measures we have acted because we know how important it is to provide that support to workers. And we were elected on that mandate. We were elected on the mandate to get wages moving, to make workplaces fairer for everyday Australians. In conclusion, that's exactly what they've done. I certainly commend the bill to the House.
]]>In fact, the tragic toll this year has witnessed an alarming and heartbreaking number of lives cut short due to family and domestic violence. These losses of life encompassed women of all ages, a multitude of cultural backgrounds, different employment situations, different education levels and different income ranges. These women resided in our neighbourhoods, leading lives uniquely their own. Tragically, their lives were cut short at the hands of their current or former intimate partners.
We all know these horrific statistics. One in four women have experienced intimate partner violence since the age of 15. One in four women have experienced emotional abuse by a current or former partner since the age of 15. One in five women have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15. One in six women and one in nine men have experienced physical or sexual abuse before the age of 15. But these individuals are not just anonymous statistics. These were women who were held dear and whose presence in the lives of those who loved them was so abruptly and violently taken away.
However, let us not forget that the reach of violence is, of course, not confined to lives lost. It extends to those living every day in fear of such violence. This reality is a painful reminder of the magnitude of the issue at hand.
Of course, all forms of violence against women and children are utterly, utterly unacceptable. Our government's commitment to ending family and domestic violence is unwavering and absolute.
Just last week, as the Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, I was very proud to join the Minister for Social Services in commemorating the start of 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave for small businesses. From 1 August, small business employees were given a new right to 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave. This brings them in line with the same entitlements in place since 1 February for at least seven million employees who work for large or medium businesses. And it includes casuals.
Small businesses have an extra six months to adjust to the change, in recognition that they may not have the same human resources capacity as larger businesses, and to make arrangements to make sure they can administer that leave effectively. The government has provided a range of tailored supports and guidance to help small businesses to understand their obligation and be able to administer the leave entitlement both sensitively and lawfully. This includes a newly-launched podcast, Small Business, Big Impact, hosted by Gretel Killeen, which I know will greatly assist small businesses in recognising and responding to family and domestic violence. Crucially, the 10 days paid leave extended to all categories of employment, whether they be rostered, casual and part-time positions or full-time roles.
As a Labor government, we know how crucial this is. We know that all employees must have the right to access this life-saving entitlement, and now they do.
Research underscores the vital role that access to a stable income plays in empowering individuals to be able to actually leave violent relationships. Statistics reveal such a stark reality: one in five women have taken time off due to violence inflicted by a former partner, and one in 11 due to violence perpetrated by a current partner. Paid leave supports individuals to attend court proceedings, seek counselling, engage with law enforcement or navigate the many challenges involved in the process of relocating home or changing their children's school. This leave represents a tangible layer of support for those vulnerable women and children who are experiencing the trauma and reality of domestic violence. This leave will save lives and it represents yet another stride towards our goal of ending violence against women and children in one generation, as outlined in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032. The national plan launched by this government provides a blueprint for all of society and all levels of government to end violence against women and children in one generation. Clear actions to implement the national plan will be outlined in two supporting five-year action plans. Those action plans will show steps that the Commonwealth, state and territory governments will take to address the key areas in the national plan.
In our 2023-24 budget, the Albanese government was proud to commit an additional $589.3 million to deliver women's safety initiatives under the national plan, and this was on top of our record investment of $1.7 billion in women's safety through the October budget. That's a total of $2.3 billion. We are funding a whole range of different initiatives to help deliver this plan across prevention, intervening early and supporting the delivery of vital frontline services. These include: $169.4 million over four years for 500 frontline service and community workers; $159 million over two years to extend the National Partnership on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses, with state and territory governments to continue to address many service gaps; $104.4 million to expand the role of Our Watch, to address the drivers of violence against women and children; $38.2 million in funding to extend the escaping violence payment trial and the Temporary Visa Holders Experiencing Violence Pilot Project; and $12.1 million over four years to develop and distribute social media resources on consent for young people and to support community led sexual violence prevention programs. Our government is steadfast in our commitment to ending gender based violence, and we know that it's this coordinated action that will get us there.
As we also know, on 28 October 2022 our government appointed the inaugural Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner. Ms Micaela Cronin commenced in the role on 1 November 2022, and is one of only three national domestic violence commissioners worldwide. The commissioner is absolutely central to the oversight of the national plan. Commissioner Cronin is a really key advocate for victim-survivors, and she works across states and territories to help coordinate key national safety and service frameworks. I would also like to make very specific mention of the Lived Experience Advisory Group currently being established by the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission. We know that all policy responses must have the voices of victim-survivors embedded within them and listened to. This must be ongoing and constant.
Ending violence against women and children requires our collective commitment, action and unwavering resolve—that's all of us, all levels of government and all of us within the community. The lives lost, the trauma experienced and the fear endured by victim-survivors demand our understanding, our empathy, our attention and, most importantly, effective measures and effective action. Some of the initiatives I have outlined here today mark steps in the right direction, but we all know that our work is far from done. We know that we have to continue working together. We must continue to advocate, implement and evolve our efforts until we can, collectively and proudly, declare that our society is free from family, domestic and sexual violence. I know that these views are shared throughout the entire chamber and held very, very deeply, and that we're all working together towards this goal. In fact it's the duty of all of us, collectively, to ensure that every woman and child lives in safety, with dignity and without fear.
]]>Our government made an election commitment to tackle modern slavery, with a focus on prevention and disruption initiatives as well as improved programs for survivors to access the support they need. I was privileged last month to address the Modern Slavery Conference in Melbourne, which brought together governments, experts in the field, police and, very importantly, those with lived experience of modern slavery. The value of people with lived experience of modern slavery being able to safely share their experiences and insights cannot be overemphasised.
In our 2023-24 budget, our government committed $5.3 million to establish an antislavery commissioner, and we committed an additional $24.3 million in funding over four years for the Support for Trafficked People Program. The program seeks to address the immediate needs of survivors while supporting them to rebuild their lives and achieve the best possible health, community, education and employment outcomes. We've also announced a pilot commencing mid next year that will enable survivors to come forward and receive support from the program without having to first speak to and notify the police.
Improvements to our policy responses directly reflect feedback we receive from the community, from survivors and also from our incredible service providers. Just last week, I was able to visit a safe house for victims and survivors of modern slavery and to meet with those on the front line, who are working tirelessly to support victims and survivors to rebuild their lives. I commend them for the work they're doing. We must all work together when it comes to ensuring that no-one is subjected to modern slavery.
]]>Remember that these parties, the Liberals and Nationals, are the ones who voted against lowering energy prices. They voted against giving relief to people for their power bills. I don't know how they look people in the face. We had the Deputy Leader of the Opposition talking about the many people she was chatting to, but does she tell them that she voted against some sort of relief for their power bills? That's the reality of what's happening. Remember also that they voted against a $10-billion investment in social and affordable housing, and they voted against laws for secure jobs and better pay. They consistently vote against the better interests of all Australians.
Today we have legislation before the Senate, the safety net bill, which will really help take the pressure off many of those vulnerable people who are doing it tough. What are the Liberals and Nationals doing now with that? Trying to delay it, teaming up with the Greens. That is the reality of what is happening. When it comes to assisting vulnerable people, we have seen what has been highlighted, in terms of their actions, around robodebt. How horrific that was. It was unfair and illegal and people's lives were devastated. The Liberals and Nationals can't come in here and talk to us about assisting vulnerable people when they consistently vote against any support for them, and their policies in government were so destructive.
We on this side of the House understand the challenges that many Australians are facing, particularly in terms of the cost of living. That is our No. 1 priority, and that's why we have a whole suite of measures to provide assistance. In doing that, we're also delivering stronger foundations for a better future, dealing with many of those very strong pressures and challenges, right here and now.
The $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund is committed to providing that social and affordable housing. We're strengthening Medicare and helping Australians save on their prescriptions, which is so important. We're making child care cheaper for 1.2 million families. That is in place, and I know many families who are now utilising that and it's making such a difference. Cheaper child care is good for children, good for families, good for job creation and good for the economy. We're funding fee-free TAFE places for over 480,000 Australians. Thousands, particularly, of young people are taking up these offers to get training, to get better skilled, to get more jobs. That helps with our overall economic growth.
Really importantly, we're working with the states to deliver $3 billion of electricity bill relief. It's so important to have that in place. As I said, they voted against that. They voted against providing that assistance for Australians. We're also backing real pay increases so that millions of workers can receive pay rises and so that aged-care workers get a historic 15 per cent pay rise. It is so important. Through our $14.6 billion cost-of-living relief plan, this government has a firm plan to help those millions of Australians in different settings and circumstances, because we're on their side, listening to them and delivering for them in challenging times. Of course, this is all designed to not put pressure on inflation. We are very cognisant of that. As I said, this whole suite of relief includes relief for power bills, cheaper medicines, our historic investment in Medicare to triple bulk-billing rates, cheaper child care and our paid parental leave, which is vitally important. After a wasted decade under the Liberals and Nationals, now in opposition, here we have Labor, who are working hard every day for Australians.
I mentioned before how in the Senate we currently have the Liberals and Nationals teaming up with the Greens, trying to delay our very critical safety net bill. This is vitally important. The strengthening the safety net bill delivers $9.5 billion in targeted cost-of-living relief to more than two million Australians who need that help now. Our safety net bill incorporates our increases to JobSeeker, Commonwealth rent assistance, and parenting payment single, all announced in the budget. But the thing is that the safety net bill must pass this sitting in order to ensure the increase to payments can be in place by 20 September. It must pass. These games and delays must end. Delays to the passage of this bill will impact more than two million Australians who are desperately waiting for these increases.
The bill includes extending eligibility for parenting payment single by increasing the cut-off age from eight to 14, which will provide direct relief to 57,000 single parents, predominantly women; a 15 per cent increase in the maximum rates of Commonwealth rent assistance for 1.1 million households; and a $40 per fortnight increase for working-age and student payments, including JobSeeker and youth allowance, helping 1.1 million Australians. As we said at the time, this increase would be combined with an increase from indexation for those payments. As we have highlighted, we've calculated this change. It means that a single person on JobSeeker with no dependents will actually receive an increase of $56 a fortnight. In addition, this very important bill expands eligibility for the existing higher rate of JobSeeker to single recipients aged 55 and over who've been on income support for nine or more continuous months—that's down from 60 years.
The bill, so importantly, includes a measure expanding eligibility for parenting payment single to parents with their youngest child under 14. We know how tough it can be for single parents, and that's why it's so important to have this passed. We announced in the budget those increases to the maximum rates of Commonwealth rental assistance. It's an increase of 15 per cent—the highest increase in 30 years—which will also be indexed. That will make a huge difference. But all of this can only happen if they stop playing games in the Senate. This is vitally important. These people need this absolutely important cost-of-living relief. Instead we just see them playing more games with it.
We've heard the Liberals and Nationals saying that they're opposed to having this increase in JobSeeker and youth allowance—absolutely appalling. Here they are saying they want to make savings from this bill. This is the party that racked up $1 trillion of debt, but now they want to take savings from the most vulnerable. And yet again they're saying they want to vote against cost-of-living relief for people who are really doing it tough. As I said, they voted against the energy relief in December, and it's looking like they'll be doing the same with JobSeeker.
They've put forward their policy, the income-free area they are putting forward. It would do nothing for the 77 per cent of jobseekers who don't access the income-free area at all. I think that's another thought bubble by them. What they should be doing is getting on board and supporting our legislation so we can make sure that that really important support flows through as soon as possible to those people who desperately need it. Can I also make a point that ACOSS put out a statement today calling on the parliament to pass the strengthening the safety net bill without further delay, to deliver the increases to income supports to people desperately in need, so they should absolutely be doing that.
Of course, when it comes to delaying or blocking support for vulnerable Australians, we've seen the Liberals and Nationals teaming up with the Greens—yet again they've done that—to block our $10 billion housing fund for Australians in need. Remember, this is 30,000 new social and affordable rental homes in that fund in the first five years, including 4,000 homes for women and children fleeing domestic violence or women at risk of homelessness. These are houses that could have started being built now or even earlier, when we wanted to get that bill through. Yet again and again they delay it. It's shameful that the Liberals are doing it, it's shameful that the Nationals are doing it and it's shameful that the Greens are doing it as well. The costs of delay make it so much worse.
We on this side of the House have been approached by so many people in all of our areas across the country and so many different housing groups who are saying, 'We desperately need to have that here,' and we say, 'Yes we do, and these people are blocking it.' We have particularly highlighted the hypocrisy of the Greens, who may talk about the need for more social and affordable housing, but what do they do when they get in here? They're not supporting it. Every day they stop it makes it harder for those Australians who desperately need to have access to social and affordable housing. So I call upon them to pass it. It's vitally important.
When it comes to cost-of-living relief, the Labor Party is the only party that actually addresses the concerns of everyday Australians with our entire suite of measures—whether it's about electricity, bill relief, cheaper child care, paid parental leave or cheaper medicines—because we listen and we stand by the side of everyday Australians who need the support of the Labor Party. We are delivering for them.
]]>This is on top of the whole suite of measures that we have right across the board, from that massive investment to assisting households to enable them to take up the many benefits of renewable energy, particularly in terms of reducing their power prices. We're doing that because ours is a government that is committed to transitioning to renewable energy. We are, of course, at the same time also providing important cost-of-living relief for Australian families, because we do understand how difficult it is at the moment, particularly with power bills, and we do have our energy relief plan, which is very targeted.
Part of the suite of measures which we have brought in means supporting households, small businesses and community facilities to utilise renewable energy by providing them with incentives which lessen their power bills. All of these initiatives working together are so incredibly important, and the cost-of-living measures that we've introduced are vitally important at this time.
We have a very strong commitment to all of these measures. Particularly when we look at that in contrast to the Liberals and Nationals, it's a very big difference. We saw a decade of inaction when they were in government, and all we've seen them do in opposition is vote to make power bills higher for families and refuse to support action that will actually assist families. That's why our action in government, investing in longer term plans to get cleaner, cheaper energy to all Australians, has been vitally important, and we do that because we believe in the absolute potential of renewable energy. We know it's so important. It's also something the country voted for. People wanted to see action on climate change. They wanted to see more initiatives across the board to deliver more effective renewable energy. I would also add that, in regions like mine, this action is so important for the great economic potential and jobs growth it brings. This is an issue that we feel incredibly passionate about.
I'm very proud of all the action we've taken. We've legislated Australia's target of a 43 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050. We've supercharged the offshore wind industry and delivered the $20 billion Rewiring the Nation investment to decarbonise our grid and to take us to 82 per cent renewables by 2030. We've put a whole range of measures in place. There's also been so much other action in our recent budget. There's the $1 billion to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to turbocharge financing options for household energy upgrades, to upgrade homes with battery-ready solar PV, modern appliances and other improvements. This will help more than 100,000 households lower their energy bills. There's the $300 million to support upgrades to social housing and the $310 million for the Small Business Energy Incentive, which supports more efficient use of energy. There's also the $100 million for the Community Energy Upgrades Fund to co-fund upgrades with local councils so they can be more energy efficient in all the wonderful services that our local councils provide. There's been an incredibly positive response from all of our councils in relation to this particular initiative. This whole suite of measures is about giving Australians a choice to take actions that will suit their homes and their businesses to reduce their energy bills. This is on top of other initiatives, like our rollout of community batteries and helping Australians buy cheaper, cleaner electric vehicles.
There's a whole range of measures that we've brought in since we've been in government, particularly because we know how important it is after the decade of inaction by the previous government. The Liberals and Nationals failed to take action when it came to investing in renewables and failed to take action when it came to addressing climate change. Look at their record. We saw 20 failed energy policies when they were in government. It seemed every other week they were rolling out another policy, each of which failed and had nothing in it. They've voted down every initiative we've put forward to create energy relief.
There has been one policy they've brought up whilst in opposition: nuclear, yet again. That's all we hear from them. Here we go! It's their only approach to energy relief. In my community and in many communities, people are completely opposed to nuclear. They've said that many times, and they're opposed to it for many reasons. One is that we know it is far too dangerous and far too expensive, yet those opposite keep rolling out this idea. They have no other plans and no other initiatives after a decade of inaction. There are many reasons why nuclear power would be bad for our country, particularly the cost. The fact is that even a small modular reactor would cost a massive $5 billion to build. They'd need at least 80 of those around Australia, so it would be incredibly expensive. I'd really like to know where the Liberal and National parties plan to put all these nuclear reactors. We know they need to be near water, which is one of the reasons communities like mine are very much opposed to nuclear. Essentially, this is the only policy we've heard from the Liberals and Nationals of late, and they have rejected all of the really proactive policies that we've put forward. I can tell you the community is opposed to nuclear, yet those opposite keep rolling out the same old idea.
What is so disappointing is that during the wasted decade of inaction they could've been investing in the cheapest form of energy, in renewables. They could've been doing that the entire time. Imagine how much further along we would be if we'd had that decade of investment, but they didn't do that. It's taken a Labor government to do that, and we are very proud of all the actions that we've taken. So many communities that have suffered over many years, particularly rural and regional communities, now have the opportunity to unlock their economic potential and jobs growth because of that investment.
Action on climate change is something we are absolutely committed to. We've made that commitment for many years and have taken it to many elections. We are following through and we're very proud we're following through on this very comprehensive set of measures in terms of our investments there—from households to councils, providing a huge investment in supercharging our renewable capacity as well as providing, at the moment, important relief for those people who are struggling with their power bills. We are delivering on that commitment because we're really focused on transforming Australia's economy to a low-carbon economy. But we know that it takes a massive investment to do that, and that is something that we are doing. We really need to make sure that our country is positioned to become a renewable energy superpower. You can see in our budget all of the commitments that we made to save Australians money on energy bills and to invest in nation building new industries.
And we need to be making sure that all those communities and households are getting all of the assistance that they can. I mentioned before some of those programs that will absolutely assist households, small businesses and as many in our community, through our local councils, get those really important energy upgrades. At that level it's so vitally important that we have ongoing investment. There has been a really positive response to our plans in terms of what we've announced. Many small businesses have spoken to me about it—many households as well. And, as I say, many councils are really pleased that we are doing that at that real grassroots level to assist people. You need to provide the incentives for people to do that. You have to have the commitment and provide the incentives, and we have been doing that in our budget and doing that very proudly. So there is a lot of opportunities moving forward, and a lot of people are very positive about that.
In addition to those targeted household rebates, which are so vitally important, providing energy bill relief, our recent budget is funding a whole range of plans to ensure that those households and communities can take advantage of the savings from smarter energy use. It's all part of ensuring the nation is absolutely ready and prepared to capitalise on this global boom in clean energy investment. As a government, we're incredibly proud of that, and I know there are many who share our commitment to this as well. We will, obviously, keep working together to that aim in terms of ensuring that we can totally embrace all the renewable energy opportunities right throughout our nation into the future.
It's important for our economic future. It's important in addressing climate change. It's very important in addressing our power bills as well. There are a whole range of initiatives, and they are ones that those of us in the Albanese Labor government are incredibly proud of—all the action we are taking to date.
]]>We did this through our budget and through our budget measures. It was a responsible budget. Despite inheriting that trillion dollars of debt from the previous government, we have rightly provided very much needed cost-of-living initiatives. We were able to provide over $14 billion of cost-of-living initiatives, and they have made a difference and will be making a difference to the lives of so many people, particularly in tripling the bulk-billing rebates for GPs so many more people can access a doctor. It's such an important issue. I know in my electorate, where we have a large number of senior Australians, it makes such a difference as they regularly have to access their doctor and have difficulties. We have addressed that major cost-of-living concern.
Another initiative provides cheaper child care. It's such an important initiative for so many reasons—for the children to access child care and for the parents, predominantly women, to be able to go back and engage in the workforce, which is very good for our economy as well. There have been many calls for all these measures.
Other initiatives provide cheaper medicines, which are so vitally important, and assistance with power bills. Then, of course, there are all of the measures in this bill as well. This is a whole suite of measures to assist with cost-of-living issues at the moment.
We can only have these measures in place and deliver that funding with responsible economic management. We have to have that to deliver those funds to make sure we can increase these social safety nets. Yes, budgets are about making tough choices, but we know it's important to deliver this support for the most vulnerable Australians. Remember, many of these measures had not been addressed over the past decade with the previous government, because it takes a Labor government to be able to balance the budget whilst also providing support for vulnerable Australians.
There are many aspects of this bill that are very important in terms of strengthening the social safety net. Indeed, as I have said, one of the Labor Party's core values lies in providing that support for the most vulnerable in our community. Our social safety net, along with Medicare, stands as a strong foundation for our society, all built by us, by Labor governments. It offers very important assistance to those who are facing financial hardships or unforeseen challenges in their lives. It should be there for people when they need it, and it's therefore our responsibility as a government to strengthen this vital support system whenever we can. We have made sure we have done that through our responsible budget measures.
The amendments proposed in this bill are both comprehensive and wide-ranging, addressing key areas of concern within our social safety net. One of the central provisions of the bill is the increase in working-age and student payments. Again, this is a major issue that I speak to many people about in my electorate of Richmond on the New South Wales North Coast. It is one that they have raised with me on many occasions, as is the need to increase it. We brought up this issue many times when we were in opposition, and we didn't see any support from the now opposition when they were in government in terms of these measures. What we have seen in this budget are changes to payments such as JobSeeker, youth allowance, parenting payment partnered, Austudy, Abstudy, disability support pension, and youth and special benefit. What those changes will mean is a $40 per fortnight increase, commencing from 20 September 2023.
I know that these measures and these increases are ones that many Australians have called for for a very long period of time. We have made these increases within the context of our budget framework, and within our economic framework as well—our responsible budget. These increases are targeted at helping those Australians who are doing it tough. Indeed, whilst these increases are modest, they are important for those individuals and families who rely on these important payments. Importantly, these increases are specifically targeted at individuals who are facing financial adversity. They acknowledge the real struggles faced by countless Australians who are on the lowest incomes. It's also important to note the automatic indexation of these payments, which will reflect changes in the cost of living.
By providing these increases, I think we really do send a message to the Australian community about the values of our government. We have listened to them about needing to increase those supports. This increase will provide essential assistance to approximately 1.1 million people, offering more assistance for them. In my electorate of Richmond alone, this increase will support more than 7,000 people who need it the most across that entire range of payments that I listed. When we look at the impact of this increase in numbers, combined with the indexation changes over the past year, the base rate of the JobSeeker payment will have had a 14 per cent increase since May 2022. This translates to over $90 more in the pockets of recipients every fortnight, resulting in over $2,300 of additional support each year. This boost in that income is for those individuals and families needing assistance with the rising cost of living.
Another really important aspect of this bill in our budget was extending the eligibility for the higher single rate of JobSeeker for older Australians. This bill extends that eligibility for the higher single rate of JobSeeker to single recipients aged 55 and over who have been on income support for nine or more continuous months. This expansion recognises the very unique challenges faced by older Australians in the workforce, including age discrimination and, often, health related obstacles. This is particularly the case for older women. This extension is also an acknowledgement of their many valuable skills, their knowledge and their experience whilst looking to address some of the additional barriers they encounter when seeking employment. With this extension, approximately 52,000 Australians aged 55 to 59 will receive an increase of $92.10 per fortnight, providing greater financial support to them. In my electorate, this higher rate, which already applies to those aged 60 and over, will now support an additional 370 people aged between 55 and 59.
Another important aspect of this bill is expanding eligibility for the parenting payment single. This is very important. We know that single parents face immense challenges as they balance caring responsibilities with work or study commitments. They're often unable to get to those study commitments or work commitments because of the nature of parenting, and these challenges don't disappear when their child turns eight. In fact, as children grow older, the demands of parenting can alter, but those challenges are ever present, and ever time consuming as well. By expanding the eligibility for the parenting payment single to parents with a youngest child who is under 14, this does give those parents greater capacity to take on more paid work, to perhaps pursue other opportunities for professional development and to work towards a better future for themselves and their children. This change will positively impact over 50,000 single parents, providing then with at least an extra $176.90 per fortnight. I am really proud to be part of a government that is delivering this much-needed boost. This will be making a huge difference for those 450 eligible single parents in my electorate on the New South Wales North Coast. I think that this increase recognises those very unique challenges that single parents have.
A really important aspect of this bill is increasing Commonwealth rent assistance, an issue where many people in the community have called for an increase, because housing affordability is such a huge issue that affects countless Australians across the nation. Again, in my area, housing, homelessness and rent are an absolute crisis, particularly with our devastating floods that we had last year. They have added to the situation, making it extremely difficult. We also understand that rising rents are placing a huge burden on individuals and families struggling to keep a roof over their heads.
We have a whole suite of measures that we are putting forward in terms of addressing the housing situation. In this case, this bill acknowledges the pressing need for support in the rental market and it includes a significant increase in Commonwealth rent assistance—indeed, the largest increase in over 30 years. For those who have already reached the maximum amount of assistance, we're proposing a 15 per cent increase in their payment. This injection of support amounts to an average increase of approximately $24 per fortnight for over 1.1 million households. That boost will provide assistance for many of those individuals and families who we know are struggling to meet their rental obligations.
In my electorate, more than 6,000 people will benefit from this increase. I know how important it is. Many people have raised with me the fact that there hasn't been an increase in rent assistance for such a long period of time. When we examine the impact of this increase, we see that, since May 2022, the maximum amount of rent assistance for JobSeeker payment recipients who are single and living on their own will have increased by 24 per cent, which is a marked increase in that assistance. It does represent an additional $35 every fortnight, assisting many of those people who are doing it tough.
As we know, one of the biggest issues is addressing the housing, homelessness and rent crisis, and this government has a suite of measures. In fact, we have some in the Senate right now, and I implore those opposite—the Liberals, Nationals and Greens—to stop locking our $10 billion housing bill that will provide social and affordable housing for Australians who desperately need it, providing 4,000 homes for women and children fleeing domestic violence. I implore those opposite to think about those people that need these homes the most and actually pass the bill. It is disgraceful that many of them—particularly the Greens—are adamant about blocking it when there are desperate people who need to access affordable housing right now.
In conclusion, as a Labor government we make no apologies at all for being committed to our absolute belief in the strength and importance of providing all of the strong safety nets that people need. We do that in the context of responsible budget management. We can do both. We need to have the responsible budget management to provide the funds for of these increases which were never made under the previous government. I think this bill highlights our values as a Labor government to provide a range of measures to assist those millions of Australians who really are doing it tough in the current climate. We understand that because every day in our communities we speak to these people about the difficulties they face. This is what Labor governments stand for. We have a proud history of delivering major reforms that assist many Australians, particularly those vulnerable Australians that need assistance. In this case, that's exactly what the Albanese-Labor government delivering on.
I do want to recognise impacts that this bill will have on the lives of millions of Australians and, indeed, tens of thousands in my electorate, as I've outlined throughout this speech. Many will be assisted, particularly with those increases in JobSeeker and those other payments, particularly with the increase in rental assistance, providing greater support for older Australians too. Right across the board, we are addressing so many of these concerns about which nothing has happened for so long, but this is what Labor governments do. We address many of these issues in the context of responsible economic management.
By supporting this bill, we will have power to make a genuine difference in the lives of millions of Australians, to assist them at a time of greatest need, when we do have many cost-of-living pressures, and ensuring that those most vulnerable Australians are actually getting greater support. We are very proud in the context of our budget to have had such a major package—more than $10 billion—in terms of cost-of-living relief, whether that's accessing GPs, cheaper medicines, providing support for power bills or cheaper child care, and all of these social net significant changes will assist millions of Australians. I commend the bill to the House.
]]>That's why in the lead-up to the election last year, Labor committed to our $10 billion housing fund. We were elected on this platform to deliver this vital housing reform. But it's being blocked by the Greens in this parliament, and that's disgraceful. They go out and talk about housing. Here's their opportunity to do something about it, and they refuse to. This is a big warning to our community that they can never ever risk supporting the Greens political party because they're blocking affordable housing for people on the North Coast who need it. The fact is that the Greens are teaming up with the Liberals, the Nationals and One Nation—all of them—to block our multibillion dollar efforts to fix the nation's housing crisis. Look at the contrast here. On one side you have Labor, the teals and Independents all fighting to fix this crisis; on the other side, the Greens, the Liberals, the Nationals and One Nation are all opposing it. It is disgraceful.
Our housing fund is the biggest investment in social and affordable housing in over a decade. It is massive. Because the Greens refuse to support this legislation, they're directly delaying 30,000 people getting access to social and affordable housing. That includes 4,000 women fleeing domestic and family violence. It is absolutely shameful. While so many people in my area are living in their cars because they can't find decent housing, the Greens are just playing politics here in the federal parliament.
And, as the Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, I hear from so many people who need to have this bill passed, who need to have these houses built. I hear every day from members in my community who are appalled that parties in our parliament, including the Greens, are doing this to them, playing these political games. In response to that, I've launched a petition calling on the Greens to stop blocking affordable housing on the North Coast.
When we look at the Greens, they have a disgraceful history in teaming up with the Liberals and Nationals. We all remember, in 2009, when they teamed up with them to block the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. And then, in 2015, they teamed up again with the Liberals and Nationals to limit access to the age pension. And now, in 2023, they're stopping locals accessing housing they desperately need. In contrast to all of these games we constantly see from the Greens, I'm really proud to be my community's strong voice in this parliament fighting for them. I have always done that, and I will continue to do that. I call upon locals to please sign this petition. The Greens need to hear it. They need to stop teaming up with the Liberals and Nationals, and on an issue like this, where people have nowhere to live, it is absolutely disgraceful. They should be ashamed of themselves, because our community needs housing now.
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