Madeleine King's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
I join with the Prime Minister and other members in offering my condolences to the family and friends of the 15 innocent people who were shot to death at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025 because...
I join with the Prime Minister and other members in offering my condolences to the family and friends of the 15 innocent people who were shot to death at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025 because they were Jewish. I would also like to give my deep thanks and pay tribute to the police, paramedics, health workers, surf lifesavers and brave members of the public who responded immediately to the Bondi terror attack. Many ran towards the danger, to save lives and to disrupt the killers, in acts of humanity and courage which we will always remember. We all hope we would be able to show such bravery if ever called upon. Survivors of the shooting will be forever traumatised, physically and psychologically. The ripples of such trauma will affect so many people for a very long time, likely forever. Families and friends of the dead will never be the same. Australia won't be the same. I think the grief is boundless. Wielding guns, two violent men with a hatred of Jews carried out these terrorist murders in an act of evil that is hard to imagine, yet many in the Jewish community feared that this is exactly what could happen as antisemitic words, acts and violent attacks increased in Australia over recent years. The killing of Jews attending a peaceful beach-side Hanukkah celebration is our nation's worst terrorist attack and the worst attack on Jewish people anywhere in the world since the horrific attacks carried out by Hamas in Israel on 7 October 2023. The mass murder at Bondi Beach is not only a tragedy; it is much more than that. It is an outrage and an affront to the Jewish community and to all of us. The two murderous men were driven by homegrown hate—a hatred of Jewish people and the state of Israel. This antisemitic hate flourished here at home, in Australia, and the murderers pursued their hate unhindered until ordinary people put themselves in the firing line and died to save others at dusk on 14 December. I believe we need to undertake a serious period of self-reflection, both individually and collectively, on how our communities and institutions can better stand against hate and racism—parliament, of course, but also all of the organisations within which we work to progress political agendas, and other organisations and agencies that operate in civil society. What could we and the institutions we work with and within do to better promote pluralistic values to ensure there is greater understanding of the strength in diversity? How can we better stand up for the Australian values of fairness, inclusion and openness, which also must include calling out comments and actions that spread hate against our Jewish community? Words have meaning, and now there are so many platforms to share words that hold and promote hate. I think we should think of some of those words and phrases and social media posts and slogans on banners at protests as if they are the bricks thrown through the shop windows and the fire bombs thrown at synagogues, all seeking to terrify and intimidate Jewish people. Jewish people must be safe in Australia. There cannot be a false equivalence drawn between difficult and emotive political and policy challenges and our obligation to call out the antisemites among us. That has always been the case, but it is even more pressing now in the aftermath of the mass-murder of innocent Jewish people at Bondi Beach. We must always remember that a 10-year-old girl called Matilda was shot in a park by the beach for being a Jew. This will be to our eternal shame, and we must never forget. It should tell us something about the longevity and depth of antisemitism in this country that, year after year, we keep building up security around Jewish schools and synagogues and meeting places. Because of the risk to their lives, this effort must continue, but if we don't identify and address the underlying causes of the hatred, and put a stop to their proliferation, we condemn our Jewish communities to always being separate and not being safe. That's not fair, and that is not the Australia we love. There have been mistakes and missteps. I have made mistakes and missteps. The days and years behind us cannot be changed, but the days before us are yet to be written, and what we do next as individuals and as a nation will be of vital importance to Australia's future as a country of peace that welcomes diversity and rejects entirely the hatred of Jewish people—indeed, an Australia that rejects hatred entirely. I conclude where I began, by expressing my deep sorrow and condolences to the friends and families of all those who were killed and injured on one of the darkest days in Australia's history. I thank the House.
Fossil Fuel Industry | Questions without Notice | House debates
I thank the member for Mackellar for her question and I refer to the contents of that question. As the member would be aware, the government is undertaking a review of the gas market. The intent...
I thank the member for Mackellar for her question and I refer to the contents of that question. As the member would be aware, the government is undertaking a review of the gas market. The intent of this review is to carefully examine how our gas policies work for our economy as part of the all-important energy transition, which I know the member supports, unlike those opposite. The review is examining the effectiveness and coherence of existing regulatory mechanisms to identify improvements, with the aim of creating a long-term, stable regulatory environment. The Minister for Climate Change and Energy and I have been working closely on this for some time. It is nearing its conclusion, and we will speak more about that in due course. It is helpful, to answer your question, to go through the guiding principles around the review: to secure supply of gas for Australians—a very important objective—to support the transition to net zero; and that Australia will remain a reliable trading partner, supporting energy security in countries like Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and of course the Republic of Korea as well. In relation to KOGAS and Gladstone LNG, I would note that KOGAS is a co-owner of GLNG and, indeed, has invested a billion dollars into the Queensland economy to build that facility. The arrangements you speak about expire in 2031, and all I can say about those arrangements is that whatever arrangements occur at that time will have to meet the obligations and requirements under Australian law.
Smyth, Dr Erica, AC, Donaldson, Mr John | Constituency Statements | House debates
It is with deep sadness that I record in parliament the passing of Dr Erica Smyth, AC. Erica was a great Western Australian who leaves an indelible mark on the resources sector of Australia....
It is with deep sadness that I record in parliament the passing of Dr Erica Smyth, AC. Erica was a great Western Australian who leaves an indelible mark on the resources sector of Australia. Erica was one of the original geologists, and the first female geologist, who helped uncover the vast Western Australian iron ore deposits of Newman that would eventually underpin, to this day, Australia's national economy. She was a trailblazer for women in the resources sector. Raised in Geraldton, her first job was cleaning crayfish tails on her school holidays. After completing a science degree at the University of Western Australia, she began her career in the seventies as an exploration geologist across the Pilbara. For seven years she was the principal geologist for what is now the world's biggest mining company, BHP, the big Australian. Later in her career she moved to senior roles at Woodside, where she became a vital part of the effort to grow Australia's gas exports to the region, providing the energy security the region needs. Her contribution to the resources sector was recognised by a lifetime achievement award in 2010 from the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA. She was the first woman to be acknowledged in this manner. It says a lot about Erica that she had bestowed upon her Australia's highest honour, the Companion of the Order of Australia, for her contribution to the mining industry, to science and to charities. A diabetic whose life was saved by the Royal Flying Doctor Service, she donated her time and service to the RFDS as a non-executive director. She was on countless boards including the board of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, based at UWA, an institution I'm very proud to have had a longstanding relationship with. I first met Erica when I was at the university, where we both had started as members of the UWA senate. Erica was an established leader in the resources industry, and I was just an undergraduate. My then undergraduate colleagues and I learnt so much from Erica and continued to do so throughout our careers. A mentor and a friend, she was an inspiration and leaves a great legacy. My sincere condolences go to her loved ones. I would also like to mark the passing of John Donaldson, a dedicated member of the Rockingham-Safety Bay branch of the Australian Labor Party. John had worked tirelessly on state and federal Labor Party campaigns since the fifties. He campaigned for Kim Beazley senior, Kim Beazley junior, Gary Gray, Alan Carpenter, Mark McGowan, Roger Cook and, of course, for me. I'm very grateful for his contribution to my campaign. He poured his heart and soul into local campaigning. Labor depends on good, hard-working people just like John to fight local campaigns to get into government to support working people. He will be dearly missed, and it was my great honour and pleasure to be at his 100th birthday celebration recently at Gracehaven Aged Care in Rockingham. I want to thank the family for inviting me, and I want to pass on my condolences to his daughter, Denise, who is another much-valued member of my branch. My condolences to all who loved John.
Northern Australia; Reference to Federation Chamber | Ministerial Statements | House debates
by leave—I move: That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate. Question agreed to.
Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 | Questions without Notice | House debates
As I said before, I am more than happy to speak about critical minerals. What we have observed, in this place, is how important the reforms to the EPBC Act will be for critical minerals and rare...
As I said before, I am more than happy to speak about critical minerals. What we have observed, in this place, is how important the reforms to the EPBC Act will be for critical minerals and rare earths projects. They will be important for the framework agreement that the Prime Minister signed with President Trump just a couple of weeks ago when we were together in Washington. It's this Labor government and these backbenchers on this side that are working towards implementing that framework and getting environmental protection legislation that works for the environment—'Heaven forbid!' those opposite—but also works for industry and for the community. And what do those opposite do? They do absolutely nothing. They don't want to talk about it. They don't want to help the resources sector. They sure don't want to help the environment. You go back to your communities and ask them what they think. We will represent your communities, because you are clearly not doing it. We will work in the interests of the Australian people, while you just vacillate in your division and chaos for as long as you choose to. (Time expired)
Those opposite can interject all they want. They have referred to 'unhinged backbenchers'. Well, I can tell you where I can see them. I only need to look straight ahead, but you might need to...
Those opposite can interject all they want. They have referred to 'unhinged backbenchers'. Well, I can tell you where I can see them. I only need to look straight ahead, but you might need to look behind you. I might, then, reflect on the backbench of our party. It's a fine backbench. Each and every single one of these people behind me represents a Labor government that is working for the resources sector of this country, that is working for the critical minerals sector of this country, that is working to achieve the legislative drive of this country and this government, under this Prime Minister, to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Every single one of these people is working together in the interests of this country. Right around the country, whether it be Western Australia or Queensland, or every place in between, they know what is good for this country, because they work for this country. They listen to their communities, unlike those opposite, who just listen to one another, as we well know. All we see in the newspapers, from day to day, is what the next argument is. You come into this chamber and ask me about the critical minerals sector and about the critical minerals strategy of this government. Let's have a look at yours. The last time I looked at the critical minerals strategy issued by the opposition when they were in government in 2022—
Thank you for that question. It's an interesting one—no doubt about it. I'm always pleased to be asked about the critical minerals sector of this country. I'm also really pleased to be...
Thank you for that question. It's an interesting one—no doubt about it. I'm always pleased to be asked about the critical minerals sector of this country. I'm also really pleased to be asked about how Premier Roger Cook and I, and this government, are on a unity ticket with the development of critical minerals in this country.
Critical and Strategic Minerals Industry | Questions without Notice | House debates
I thank the member for Bullwinkel for her fine question. She understand that Australia's resources sector is central to the net zero transition not only of this country but of the world. The...
I thank the member for Bullwinkel for her fine question. She understand that Australia's resources sector is central to the net zero transition not only of this country but of the world. The global clean energy transition simply doesn't happen without Australia's resources and critical minerals, and that's whether it is the solar rays or the wind turbines powering homes and cities around the world, or indeed those powering the resources sector. The resources sector get this. They know of the need to support net zero and the reliable energy which it will provide. Take, for instance, Liontown's Kathleen Valley lithium project, an underground lithium mine in the northern goldfields—87 per cent powered by renewable energy. Just next door, nearby to the north, the Bellevue gold mine has hit 100 per cent renewable power—an underground gold mine in the northern goldfields. It also hit net zero power by the August just passed. That is a remarkable achievement for the resources sector, and it sets a new benchmark of green energy powering this sector in this country. The transition to net zero by 2050 represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Australia's resources sector, and this government's policies will bring in—and is bringing in—the private capital and investment, creating thousands of new jobs and driving growth in our regions. I'm asked about other proposals. Well, there is the proposal to cling to the $600 billion nuclear fantasy that was comprehensively rejected by Australian voters at the last election. Those opposite also continue to oppose the production tax credit incentive for critical minerals, and now they are walking away from net zero all together. To paraphrase one observer from Western Australia, only a mug would walk away from net zero. I could quote the WA leader of the Liberals, Basil Zempilas, in full: Only a mug would not heed the lessons of two elections back to back. To walk away, to suddenly decide, 'Oh, I know best. Don't worry about what the election results said.' That was the WA Liberal leader, Basil Zempilas. Now we see in Western Australia, the strongest resources state in this country, clear bipartisan support from the Liberals and the Labor government to support net zero. It really is quite a thing that those opposite decide to reject net zero and, therefore, reject what the resources sector knows is best for this country, what this government on this side has legislated for while mad division and chaos will see the Nationals squabble with the Liberals. Obviously, the split is coming; we can't wait to see it. Good luck to you on that. Meanwhile, this government will get on with delivering jobs across the regions for this country. (Time expired)
Western Australia: Local Government Elections, Goldsworthy Veterans and Families Centre | Constituency Statements | House debates
Local councils play a vital role in supporting local communities across Australia. I want to congratulate the newly elected mayor of the City of Rockingham, Lorna Buchan. Lorna has served as the...
Local councils play a vital role in supporting local communities across Australia. I want to congratulate the newly elected mayor of the City of Rockingham, Lorna Buchan. Lorna has served as the city's deputy mayor for the last two years and has been a councillor for the Comet Bay Ward in Secret Harbour since 2019. I also want to congratulate the three newly elected councillors to the City of Rockingham: Dylan Mbano, in Baldivis; Ryan Robertson, in the Rockingham/Safety Bay Ward; and David Rudman, also in the Comet Bay Ward. I particularly want to congratulate Robert Schmidt, who was re-elected with a majority of the primary vote in the Comet Bay Ward, and has also been elected the deputy mayor of Rockingham. Congratulations to you all. I want to acknowledge the tireless work of outgoing Rockingham mayor, Deb Hamblin. I thank her for her years of service as councillor, deputy mayor and mayor and for the commitment that she has shown to my home town. I particularly want to commend Deb for her support of Rockingham's role in the AUKUS partnership and the opportunities it will bring to our local community. My best wishes also go to outgoing councillors Caroline Hume and Brett Wormall for their tremendous contributions to our beautiful city. And in the City of Kwinana to the north, I want to congratulate newly elected councillor Balian Miller. Balian is 18 years old and the youngest councillor ever elected to the City of Kwinana. My sincere congratulations also go to the three re-elected councillors Erin Sergeant, Matthew Rowse and Barry Winmar. Barry was also re-elected as the deputy mayor, and will bring years of important experience to that role. I want to thank the dedication and service of retiring councillor Sue Kearney and wish her all the best. The City of Kwinana has an unprecedented opportunity for economic growth and development at its doorstep. I look forward to working with the City of Kwinana and Mayor Peter Feasey, and all the councillors, and I hope to continue delivering positive outcomes for the community. I want to thank all those candidates who stood in the local government elections recently, particularly in Rockingham and Kwinana, but also right across WA. It is an important step, and shows your commitment to the community. I'm really pleased that the new veterans and families hub in Brand will officially be known as the Goldsworthy Veterans and Families Centre in honour of Lieutenant Commander Leon Goldsworthy, who is Australia's most decorated naval officer of the Second World War. I want to thank Lieutenant Colonel Duncan Anderson, the state President of RSL WA, Stephen Barton, the CEO, and Janine Gardner. They have led the project to find a site for this really important hub. I want to thank the Minister for Veteran's Affairs, Matt Keogh, and his team for their work in delivering the hub. It will provide support for more than 4,000 veterans in Rockingham, as well as veterans and families living across the southern metropolitan region. It's important for Rockingham, it's important for Brand and, of course, it's important to all those vets.
Resources Industry | Questions without Notice | House debates
I thank the member for Leichhardt for his question. He knows, like the Albanese Labor government knows, that a strong resources sector is vital for regional communities and for Australia's...
I thank the member for Leichhardt for his question. He knows, like the Albanese Labor government knows, that a strong resources sector is vital for regional communities and for Australia's economic future. That's why we're backing projects that not only deliver jobs today but set us up for the industries of tomorrow. The road to net zero runs through Australia's resources sector. Through our critical minerals resources, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity for new Australian resources projects to underpin the global transition—that's right, the global transition—to net zero. The Albanese Labor government supports net zero emissions by 2050, which, of course, stands in stark contrast to the utter circus that is the coalition's failed climate policy—and that's on top of 22 failed energy policies, four of which they came up with in 14 days not that long ago. The chaos and division of those opposite would make energy more expensive and more unreliable. It would absolutely kill investment in this country. It is those opposite that are the threat to our resources sector in this country—have no doubt about it. Meanwhile, this government, the Albanese Labor government, is getting on with the job of delivering a strong resources sector that is backing in new jobs and new investment in our regions. We are backing the critical minerals and rare earths sector through our $17 billion production tax incentive. That is the biggest government investment in an Australian resources sector in this nation's history. And those opposite voted against it—let everyone remember that. But, on this side, we know that every dollar invested in critical minerals and resources helps to scale up projects and bring more jobs to our regions, more apprenticeships and more opportunities for small business right around our regional communities. This government is backing important, strategic rare earths projects. Take, for example, in Alice Springs, the great Arafura Nolans rare earths project. This government has invested significantly in that project, but we don't invest alone. Alongside us are credit agencies from the governments of Canada, the Republic of Korea, Germany and of course the United States of America. And why are they backing it? Because it is an important geostrategic project of global significance. But for the people of Alice Springs, what does it mean? It will support 600 construction jobs, with 350 new ongoing roles in Alice Springs. That is of vital importance for a town like Alice. While those opposite squabble and squawk about their various energy policies, their various climate policies, this government continues to represent. We will deliver for the regions while those opposite pretend to represent the regions. We are serious about backing the resources sector of this country, while those only pretend to. (Time expired)
Mining Industry: Critical Minerals Strategy | Questions without Notice | House debates
I thank the member for Moore for his question. The need to diversify supply chains of critical minerals and rare earths is a global challenge. Our great island continent holds in its geology the...
I thank the member for Moore for his question. The need to diversify supply chains of critical minerals and rare earths is a global challenge. Our great island continent holds in its geology the elements of the periodic table we need for the modern technology we rely on, for the green energy production we need for our energy security and to reduce emissions, and for the technology that ensures our national security and our national defence. This government is stepping up to lead on critical minerals supply chains globally. Under the leadership of this Prime Minister, this government has invested $28 billion into an industry of global significance. Prime Minister Albanese and this government are leading efforts across the G7, the G20 and the Quad, and also bilaterally, to diversify global supply. I was delighted to be alongside the Minister for Industry and Innovation in Washington to witness our Prime Minister and the President of the United States agree the historic critical minerals framework. This Australia-US framework is now the model for all US engagement around the world, and together we are leading the way. It is an $8 billion pipeline of critical minerals projects that will bring more stable, more secure jobs to Australians right around this country. No Prime Minister has done more than this Prime Minister to boost the resources sector of this nation. In Canada last week, I was delighted to represent Australia at a meeting of G7 ministers in Toronto, where I discussed with G7 counterparts the implementation of a critical minerals production alliance, a collaboration between the G7 nations to diversify global critical minerals supply. There are three factors that get Australia a seat at the table of a G7 meeting of ministers. Firstly, it's our commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. Secondly, it's our commitment to environmental protection. Thirdly, very importantly, it's our commitment to the sustainable production of critical minerals and rare earth elements, and changing the supply-chain monopoly. This government is committed to all three of those factors. Those opposite are committed to absolutely none of them. I was delighted to also sign a joint declaration on the sidelines, a declaration of intent with Canada to deepen our links with them and our collaboration on critical minerals and rare earths. I also witnessed a heads of agreement between Ucore, Wyloo and Hastings to link offtake to the Yangibana rare earths project, another critical project that will go to diversifying our supply chains. This government has done the hard work to develop policy in critical minerals and rare earths, and we will continue to do this work to ensure the future of the critical minerals sector and the critical minerals and rare earths processing industry of this country.
United States-Australia Framework for Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths | Questions without Notice | House debates
I thank the member for Hunter for his excellent question. Last week I was honoured to be in the cabinet room of the White House to witness our prime minister and the President of the United...
I thank the member for Hunter for his excellent question. Last week I was honoured to be in the cabinet room of the White House to witness our prime minister and the President of the United States of America sign the landmark critical minerals framework agreement between Australia and the United States. This historic agreement positions Australia alongside our friends in the US in a global effort to reduce dependency on unstable supply chains and to safeguard the technologies that keep our economies and our democracies strong. The framework agreement directly strengthens the investment in Australia's critical minerals sector by providing an architecture for Australian producers to access US financing. The agreement mobilises billions of dollars in financing in Australia and America to turbocharge a $13 billion pipeline of projects across Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales and the Northern Territory. There will be more to come; this is just the beginning. What does that mean for ordinary Australians? It means more jobs. It means more jobs for more Australians in the resources sector. This framework recognises critical minerals for what they are—not just commodities but strategic assets essential to the national security of Australia and the United States of America. By partnering with the US we're positioning our critical minerals industry at the centre of global efforts to develop secure, resilient supply chains for the technologies that power modern defence and clean energy systems. I want to be really clear. The US-Australia critical minerals framework did not emerge overnight. From the very day the Albanese Labor government came to power four years ago, we have sought to grow the critical minerals and rare earth elements mining and processing sector. The Albanese Labor government has made the single largest investment in the Australian resources sector of any government. There's the Critical Minerals Production Tax Incentive of $17 billion; the Critical Minerals Facility now at $5 billion; and Resourcing Australia's Prosperity, which will allow Geoscience Australia to supercharge our exploration capabilities—that's a $3 billion investment. The NAIF has invested $735 million in critical minerals projects, and we are implementing a $1.2 billion Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve. This is the work we have been doing since day one so that when we got to the White House on Monday, with the Prime Minister sitting alongside the President, we were able to deliver for the Americans and for the Australian people and jobs in resources. It is indisputable. No government has done more than the Albanese Labor government for the resources sector and the critical minerals and rare earth elements mining and processing sector of this country.
Address-in-Reply | Governor-General's Speech | House debates
It remains a great privilege today—as it was just over nine years ago, when I was first elected to be here in the Australian parliament—to be re-elected as the member for Brand in...
It remains a great privilege today—as it was just over nine years ago, when I was first elected to be here in the Australian parliament—to be re-elected as the member for Brand in this 48th Parliament. I'm deeply honoured that the community I was born in, grew up in and live in have chosen to elect me for a fourth time to represent them and the wider community of Western Australia. As many know, I was born in Calista at the Kwinana Maternity Hospital that was built for the community that emerged to build and then support the extraordinary Kwinana industrial precinct, which has been integral to the WA economy since it was created in the fifties and remains to this day. I've spent much of my life in Shoalwater and Rockingham and I'm very honoured to represent my hometown here. In March this year, Western Australians also expressed their strong support for my friend and member for Kwinana, Premier Roger Cook, and elected him and his government for another term. I want to congratulate the state MLAs in the Brand electorate—Magenta Marshall, Reece Whitby, Paul Papalia and Premier Cook himself—and I look forward to working with each of them over the coming term on continuing to build our community together. And, at the opposite end of the Perth metropolitan area, I want to congratulate my good friend and WA Labor president, Lorna Clarke MLA, who is the newly elected member for Butler. It's fair to say federal Labor and WA have come a long way since I was first elected in 2016. On the eve of my first election, the Australian Labor Party held just three Western Australia seats in this federal parliament. After 2 July 2016, Labor held five seats in WA. In 2022, that number increased again to nine seats, and, after the recent 2025 election, Labor now holds 11 of the 16 seats in Western Australia. That support is founded on a great many things, such as trust in our government to deliver on our promises, to deal with the unexpected challenges that inevitably arise and to implement policies that reflect the concerns and needs of the community. But it is also due, in large part, to the hard work of great candidates, their teams of volunteers and supporters and the commitment of their families. I want to acknowledge Trish Cook, the first member for Bullwinkel; Tom French, the new member for Moore; Ellie Whiteaker, our new WA senator; Tania Lawrence, the member for Hasluck; Tracey Roberts, the member for Pearce; Patrick Gorman, the member for Perth; Zaneta Mascarenhas, the member for Swan; and Sam Lim, the member for Tangney. I also want to acknowledge those I was first elected with in 2016—Matt Keogh, the member for Burt; Anne Aly, the member for Cowan; and Josh Wilson, the member for Fremantle. I also want to congratulate Senator Varun Ghosh on his first election to the Senate after his appointment in February 2024. I also want to congratulate Senator Sue Lines on being elected once again as the President of the Senate. I want to make a very special acknowledgement to Senator Glenn Sterle, an extraordinary advocate for northern Australia who has served WA for 20 years in the other place. I see him regularly in the Kimberley and the Pilbara doing great things, representing the long-haulage truckies that make this country tick and helping out the communities by personally driving many thousands of kilometres to deliver donated mattresses and other goods for those who need it in the north. I want to congratulate all new members and senators. I've enjoyed the many and varied first speeches of the new parliamentarians. There are far too many new MPs and senators to mention, and I look forward to getting to know you all better as we serve together in this great place. I do want to make a very special mention of one returning member of the House, and that's the wonderful member for Pearce, Tracey Roberts. During the election campaign, Tracey bravely shared some of the serious health challenges she is facing, but even a diagnosis of multiple system atrophy, as well as an injured ankle, couldn't stop her from engaging with the community she has worked for over two decades. The member for Pearce just kept on working hard and reaching out to people because that's who she is. The people of Pearce re-elected her with confidence. They know she puts her community first. And it's also because she has delivered so much in just one term as the first ever Labor member for Pearce. But no campaign is fought alone, so I'd like to thank all of the amazing staff and volunteers who stood by Tracey and have supported her throughout her campaign, including, of course, her very lovely husband, Pete. The member for Pearce's return to this House is a victory for her community and for compassion in politics. I'm immensely proud to call the member for Pearce a friend, and I really look forward to continuing our work together in WA. I want to extend my thanks to the trade union movement supporting my campaign and all of my campaigns, including Ben Harris from the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association, Tim 'Smoky' Dawson from the Transport Workers Union of Australia and all the great members of the Australian Workers' Union. Many of you work in the resources sector and, like my dad, work in the Kwinana industrial area. A division having been called in the House of Representatives— Sitting suspended from 17:53 to 18:07 In continuation, I also thank delegates from the Mining and Energy Union, the AMWU and the MUA, all of whom engage productively in all areas of policy. I want to thank Sally McManus and the ACTU for their support. The union movement has always stood up for working people by fighting for fair pay and safe workplaces. I welcome their engagement on policy development just as I welcome the participation of industry and the wider community. As the Prime Minister has noted, families often pay a high price for the long absences, travel and demands of us as elected representatives in this place. Those absences are often greater for MPs and senators from Western Australia, and, indeed, for my friend from the Northern Territory the member for Solomon and those from other areas that are a long way from Canberra. I take this opportunity to pass on my thanks to my husband, Jamie, for his constant support during the campaign and throughout my parliamentary career. I don't think it is possible to serve in this place without the support of family and friends, and I would like to take a few moments to talk a little about some people who have been very important to me and supportive of me as the member for Brand. Toward the end of May, shortly before her 94th birthday, we said our final farewells to a wonderful woman, Adelphe King. Adelphe is my husband's stepmother. She married Walter King and raised Jamie and his sister and brothers from a very young age after the loss of their mother. I'm enormously grateful to Adelphe for being so welcoming to me as part of the remarkable and joyful extended King family over 25 years ago. Adelphe and Walter were fixtures of the historic town of York, the oldest inland town in Western Australia. They were both conservationists and environmentalists in the true sense of the word and volunteered extensively at the local tourist centre. A few months ago I attended a memorial for Adelphe at the Holy Trinity Church in York, where she and Walter had been parishioners and volunteers for many, many years. It was a wonderful, joyful and very full memorial. It says much about how highly regarded Adelphe King was in York that her contribution, and that of Walter, to the restoration of the riverbank landscape of Avon River has been acknowledged by a charming memorial by the well-known waterway. Thank you so much, Adelphe, for all your support over the years for the whole of the extended King family. It is something of an indulgence to speak here about a constituent that you are related to. All of us who serve here know that so many of the people in each of our constituencies all around the country are worthy of tribute—the salt-of-the-earth, hardworking, caring people who make our communities what they are. One of these people was Diana Morris. Diana was a pioneer of Rockingham and Shoalwater Bay, having lived there since 1959, and she was also my mum. After finishing up on a very rainy Anzac Day a couple of years ago, I got a text from our next-door neighbours Bob and Dorothy saying that Mum had had a fall and been taken to Rockingham General Hospital, and that is where we had our last conversation. She died peacefully two days later in the wonderful care of the staff at Royal Perth Hospital, just over the road from St Mary's Cathedral, where she and my dad, John Morris, were married in 1959. This is my very belated thanks to all the doctors, nurses, paramedics and other staff at the Rockingham emergency department and at the Royal Perth Hospital for their care of our mum and of me and my brothers, Matthew, John and Peter, and our sister, Rebecca, in those moments when we, quite frankly, didn't quite understand what was happening and we had to make some very serious decisions as a family about our mum. Our health workers deal with these very intensely emotional and painful moments every single day, and there are the police officers and other workers who assist the coroner and assist families like ours who have to identify a loved one. We don't much think about all of those jobs that happen until we run into them, usually in the midst of some pretty serious grief, and I want to thank them all for what they do for our entire community. I personally want to thank those strangers who helped our Morris family in the last week of April and into early May in 2023. Diana Morris had an interesting start in life. She was born in 1936; her name then was Diana Pizer. She was raised by her mother, Hannah Pizer, known as Peggy, and her grandparents Thomas and Mary Ann Pizer. In the very conservative Perth of the 1930s and 1940s, it wasn't socially acceptable to have a child without being married, so Mum was raised in the belief that her father had died in the war. That was not true, but it was a kind lie so that Diana had something to say that wouldn't draw scorn and judgement at school when she was asked. When Mum was born, there was pressure for Peggy Pizer to give up her baby for adoption, but my nan did not do that. Her parents and her sister supported Peggy and gave her and Mum all the love and help they needed to stay together and make a really courageous choice for the times, in spite of those societal expectations. Much has changed since then, and that is a very good thing. These were not good old days when women and families had to go through such sad subterfuges to remain a family. Diana and John Morris built a home together in Shoalwater, and it was in this home that they raised a family. Mum lived there from 1959 until she died in 2023. She would remind me that she was the first in her family to own her own home. Her mother lived with us, and her grandparents retired from the Goldfields to social housing in West Perth, where my mum grew up. It goes to show, I think, that homeownership has not always been a matter of course for many working families in this country. We talk a lot about the importance of homeownership, and it is really important, but for many in Australia the dream of homeownership is only, maybe, one generation old and heading into its second generation, and it cannot be taken for granted. John and Diana were both pioneers of Rockingham, having lived there since the fifties. I often refer to my mother's shop, her family drapery and haberdashery on Railway Terrace at Rockingham Beach. My office now is literally five doors up the road. Mum and Peggy worked together in that shop, The Family Traders, for a number of years. It was a much-loved meeting place for many women in the community. There was always lots of chatter and lots of laughs. It's been over 30 years since Mum and Dad retired and sold The Family Traders, and for a long time the shop itself has not been there, but locals still mention it fondly as part of their memory of old Rockingham. Like so many retirees Diana volunteered in the community for many years. Diana, with her great friend Faye Winter, volunteered at Meals on Wheels for what seems like forever, delivering meals to those who needed it at their homes. She only stopped when her knees could no longer help her get in and out of the delivery van. I think of all the volunteers across all of our communities and reflect that, without volunteers in our communities doing all manner of things, we would not have the fine communities and support that we all need. Mum and Dad's home in Shoalwater has been a place that all of our family have returned to again and again for over 60 years—us, our partners, our families, my nieces and nephews, their partners and their children, and, of course, all of the very many Morris dogs. I was really fortunate that my mum was able to travel here to the parliament to see me sworn in as the member for Brand in 2016 and then as a minister in 2022. She was an integral part of three campaigns, and, as I noted when I spoke at her memorial, I really lost a superb campaign asset in 2023. Diana Morris loved coming here to share in the excitement of these events and the work of the parliament. She was a fine Australian. She will be missed by many, but in particular me. Many members and senators lose loved ones while serving in this parliament, and some of those losses are so much more tragic and heart-wrenching than the natural order of things of a parent passing. While the public often—indeed, usually—see this place as the height of contest and debate, it is also remarkably kind in the manner in which colleagues from all quarters offer their sympathies and kind affections in those very sad moments. So I thank all of those colleagues who wrote to me, or simply spoke to me about it, after my mum died a couple of years ago. It means an awful lot. I'm sorry if I never responded, but I remember each and every one of your kind wishes. I also want to thank my ministerial office and my electorate office staff, who kept the wheels turning and provided enormous support for me and Jamie at a very challenging time in my life. They're really good, hardworking people. They care for the community. They care for the policy that we work on in this place. They care for our nation and for ensuring it is well placed into the future. I thank them for their commitment to me as an individual—and, I guess, as their boss but I hope as a work colleague—and for helping me out. I am sure that's the same for many of us here that have experienced such loss. We really rely on our teams; they're very good people. I want to take a moment to acknowledge some of the retiring Labor members that I had the really great good fortune to work with in past parliaments. These all retired at the election: Linda Burney, the former minister for indigenous affairs; Brendan O'Connor, the former minister for skills and training; Bill Shorten, the former minister for the NDIS and government services and the Leader of the Labor Party when I was elected in 2016; Stephen Jones, the former assistant treasurer and minister for financial services; Maria Vamvakinou, the former member for Calwell; Brian Mitchell, the former member for Lyons; Graham Perrett, who was a wonderful friend and a great travel companion when we went on some committee trips together; and the now retired senator Louise Pratt. I would like to pay a special tribute to Louise in mentioning her. She was first elected in 2007, lost her seat in 2013 and was re-elected again in 2016—you've got to say something for her persistence! Throughout her life and parliamentary career, Louise has been an incredibly strong advocate for the rights of the LGBTQI community. Her tireless work has left a positive impact on the lives of all Australians. It has been a privilege to work alongside Louise in standing up for Western Australians here in Canberra. Her retirement marks the end of a remarkable parliamentary career, defined by tireless advocacy and passion, and I wish her and all her family the best. Bec has been by her side for many years now, and I remember their wedding—I think it was up in Broome—and their lovely young son, Jasper. I wish them well in her retirement. I just want to reflect once more for a few moments on the election itself. As we all know, politics is a team sport, and nobody who makes it to this place has done it alone. I've spoken about how families support each of us here, and it takes a really great and dedicated team to get any candidate elected. So I want to give my deep thanks and lasting gratitude to the team who supported me, not only in the campaign but throughout my time in parliament. To all those volunteers across Brand: I want to thank you. To the supporters and branch members who keep turning out time and time again, not only to our great branch meetings but also at the polling booths and at the prepoll: your commitment and unwavering support across the campaign was truly special, particularly since it was only two months after the WA state election. I want to thank you each for your doorknocking and letterboxing and your efforts at prepoll and on election day. And, of course, I mentioned my electorate staff and ministerial staff earlier in the context of supporting me through a personal moment, but their remarkable work in the campaign, especially that of my electorate office, was truly very special. I thank you all for that. The dedication and tireless work over the past three years of my ministerial staff were invaluable in developing policy that has really put this government in an excellent place to be able to develop further policy and implement it for the benefit of the Australian people. They're very hardworking people, very smart people, thoughtful people and, of course, very kind and generous people. And I thank them for it. In my last couple of minutes, I want to reflect on the remarkable new members of this parliament, and there are a lot of new members, which is a really amazing thing. They have made incredibly varied speeches. They have a diversity of backgrounds—and I mean members across the chamber and in the Senate as well. Traditionally, when I've spoken on the address-in-reply, I've mentioned all the new Labor members and gone through their speech, but, quite frankly, there are too many now, and I can't do that this time. But I really look forward to meeting you and engaging in my portfolio responsibilities of resources and northern Australia. As a Western Australian, I'm very familiar with the resources sector. That might not be the same experience for others in different states. I look forward to talking with each of our new members about the resources sector—how it contributes to our economy, how it contributes to our livelihoods and how it goes towards the greater benefit of the nation. I also want to thank the new members for their great enthusiasm and for the work I know they'll do in the coming term. To conclude, I want to thank the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. He was a great leader for us, as the party leader, when in opposition and again, as Prime Minister, in the last term and now this term. His commitment to my home state is remarkable. As Western Australian members, we could not have hoped for more. I think he goes to Perth more than I go to Perth, and I'm about an hour's drive south of Perth, so that is saying something. The Western Australian people take his commitment very seriously, and I look forward to serving another term under the leadership of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. I thank the house.
Migration | Questions without Notice | House debates
Thank you, Prime Minister. The member for Kennedy referred to a resources reservation policy, and I'm happy to discuss that briefly. There are now many calls across many parts of the community...
Thank you, Prime Minister. The member for Kennedy referred to a resources reservation policy, and I'm happy to discuss that briefly. There are now many calls across many parts of the community for reservations of gas, in particular. This is something brought on by industrial users and manufacturers. Indeed, even those opposite have announced a reservation policy of their own—a great change from when they failed to support the Western Australian reservation policy, which has proved enormously successful for the price of gas and access to gas in Western Australia. At the moment, the government has reviewed the gas market regulations. There is a consultation paper out, and there have been many submissions to it. One of the concepts we put forward as a government was around a framework to ensure that domestic supply is secured for the east coast. Another part of our resources reservation policy goes to the Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve, which is about building up a national asset to make sure that we not only have a supply of critical minerals but also are a reliable supplier of critical minerals and rare earths to our partners right around the world. It will allow us to work with our partners, together, against disruptions and from a position of real strength. I look forward to the member for Kennedy's support for that reserve. I note that those opposite were very quick to dismiss the reserve and, indeed, oppose it, which is quite unusual, given they support a gas reserve but not a critical minerals reserve. That might go to some of the confusion opposite between gas and critical minerals—as we know, they have named gas as a critical mineral in the past. I hope they won't do that again. I thank the member for Kennedy for his question.
Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility; Reference to Federation Chamber | Ministerial Statements | House debates
Brand Electorate: Stronger Communities | Constituency Statements | House debates
Today I would like to congratulate organisations in my electorate of Brand for receiving funding from this government under our Stronger Communities program. I want to congratulate the Seaside...
Today I would like to congratulate organisations in my electorate of Brand for receiving funding from this government under our Stronger Communities program. I want to congratulate the Seaside Camp for Children at Point Peron, who were awarded $10,000. Formerly known as the Alfred Hines Seaside Camp, this is the first camp to offer camps, getaways and respite for young people with disabilities. The camp has served the community for more than 65 years, and it will use the funds to improve wheelchair access and enable all kids to have a really great time by the beach. Thank you for the work you do at the seaside camp. Congratulations also to Calista Primary School P&C, who received $20,000. That will fund upgraded playground facilities, including new climbing frames and shade structures. It's a wonderful little school, and this investment will create safer and more enjoyable areas for the kids in this great Kwinana school to play and have fun. I look forward to having a visit—although I must say I probably won't be doing the climbing! I also want to congratulate Marine Rescue Rockingham, who received $10,000 under the Stronger Communities Program. This funding will enable them to enhance their rescue capabilities by purchasing a state-of-the-art water drone—it's called the Dolphin; I've seen it myself—and a life-size and apparently life-weight manikin for training purposes. Marine Rescue Rockingham do a really fantastic job. About 90 volunteers form boat crews, radio operators and administrative support working 24/7 all year round to ensure local boaties and fishers get some help if they run into trouble. Rockingham and the suburbs around it are some of the areas with the highest boat ownership in Western Australia, and, with an amazing coastline, a lot of people get out on the water. I really want to thank Marine Rescue Rockingham for what they do. I went along to their volunteer thankyou dinner last Saturday, and I want to join in congratulating all the award winners, the life members and all the volunteers for their achievements. Thank you for always, as they say at Marine Rescue, standing by. The WA Police and Community Youth Centre in Rockingham has received a grant to deliver a project that supports and celebrates Whadjuk Noongar culture. It's a vital organisation that will empower young people and provide social benefits to the wider community. The CREW in Rockingham has received $9,000. They do remarkable work across Brand, with over 100 regular volunteers providing food and clothing to about 700 people a week. That's going to help them purchase solar panels to support the financial viability of the organisation by bringing down their power prices. The White Knights Baldivis Cricket Club has also got some funding, nearly $7,000, for installing publicly accessible, fully monitored defibrillators which will be available 24/7. This is crucial life-saving equipment for both the club and the wider community out at the Baldivis sporting hub, which is a great place for the community to gather.
No-one has forgotten about how they opposed production tax credits, which are the single biggest investment in the critical minerals and rare earths industry in this country. It will drive our...
No-one has forgotten about how they opposed production tax credits, which are the single biggest investment in the critical minerals and rare earths industry in this country. It will drive our national security, energy independence and resources independence, and those opposite opposed it all the way. (Time expired)
I thank the member for Bullwinkel for her terrific question. Australia has all the critical minerals the world needs to reach net zero and all the rare earths we need for our national security....
I thank the member for Bullwinkel for her terrific question. Australia has all the critical minerals the world needs to reach net zero and all the rare earths we need for our national security. The Albanese Labor government is committed to creating new jobs by boosting the all-important critical minerals industry. We want to mine, process, concentrate and refine more critical minerals and rare earths here in Australia, and we're making that happen every single day in this place and around the country. We've introduced $17 billion of production tax credits for critical minerals to process more here and create thousands of jobs in the process. One of the proposals that might threaten that is the opposition's continuing opposition to production tax credits. We've invested $3.4 billion in resourcing Australia's prosperity so that Geoscience Australia can keeping accumulating the all-important precompetitive data for industry. Combined with contributions from the Critical Minerals Facility, Export Finance Australia and the National Reconstruction Fund, it adds up to a $28 billion investment in the future of Australia's resources sector, which will create new jobs and new opportunities. No government has done more for the resources industry than the Albanese Labor government. I'll turn to the NAIF for a moment. The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility has invested $735 million in critical minerals projects across northern Australia, including Alpha HPA's high-purity alumina project in Gladstone, Arafura's project in Alice Springs in the NT, Element 25's Butcherbird manganese project in the Pilbara, the Thunderbird mineral sands project in the Kimberley and the Pilbara Minerals lithium project in Port Hedland. All of these projects will add up to jobs in the north. The NAIF has also supported great projects like BCI Minerals's Mardie salt project and the Perdaman urea project in the Pilbara, which will produce fertiliser for our farmers. I was asked about proposals that might threaten the resources sector and, therefore, the critical minerals industry. I've got one proposal that I've heard of, and it was made in April this year. It was about making gas a critical mineral. Yes, that's what those opposite proposed. Way back in April, they wanted to make gas a critical mineral. Of course, it can't be because it's not a mineral. Those opposite might have thought that everyone forgot about that little thought bubble. We absolutely did not. I tell you what no-one has forgotten about—