Jerome Laxale's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
Intelligence and Security Joint Committee; Report | Committees | House debates
On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, I present the committee's Advisory report on the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 2)...
On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, I present the committee's Advisory report on the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025: also reporting on Review of Division 3 ofPart III of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 (compulsory questioning powers). Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e). by leave—On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, I present the committee's Advisory report on the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025. This report also completes and reports on the committee's review of ASIO's compulsory questioning powers under the ASIO Act, which was commenced in the previous parliament, and draws on the evidence provided to that review. ASIO's compulsory questioning powers have been reviewed multiple times since their commencement in 2003. The minimal use of the questioning warrant provisions in recent years means there are limited examples of use against which the operation and effectiveness of the powers can be assessed. Nevertheless, the committee considered the experience of ASIO with the provisions to date and concerns about the powers raised by submitters. The committee's combined review then considered amendments to those powers proposed in the ASIO Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025. The committee has concluded, as it did in 2018, that ASIO's compulsory questioning powers are necessary. The powers were originally granted in recognition of the fact that ASIO had no ability to question an individual who would not engage voluntarily, and, in the context of the heightened risk of terrorism following the events of 11 September 2001, without the questioning warrant regime, this gap in ASIO's intelligence collection capabilities would still exist. The rapidly changing and increasingly complex security threat facing Australia today is a powerful signal to the committee that ASIO's ability to question persons who may hold valuable national security intelligence, whether willing or not, must remain in the law. Nevertheless, the committee remains cognisant that compulsory questioning is an extraordinary power for an intelligence agency to have and is therefore pleased that ASIO is using these powers sparingly and judiciously. The committee does not accept the argument made by some that infrequent use of the regime by ASIO shows that it's not needed. In fact, the committee hopes that these continue to be powers ASIO rarely needs to invoke. The committee is satisfied that the compulsory questioning framework is necessary and also largely fit for purpose and therefore endorses the proposal in the bill to repeal provision for the periodic sunsetting of the powers. This will make the powers permanent, subject to any future amendment or repeal by the parliament. The committee's report makes four recommendations to further strengthen safeguards and accountability in relation to the granting and use of the powers and their oversight by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security. With the entrenchment of the compulsory questioning powers, regular review, including parliamentary oversight by the committee is more important than ever. As per the proposed amendment in part I of the bill, the committee considers that it is appropriate for the committee to undertake another statutory review within three years of the commencement of the amendments. The report recommends that, subject to the committee's recommendation, ASIO Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025 be passed by the parliament. I commend the report to the House.
Hunters Hill High School | Statements | House debates
From the classrooms of Hunters Hill to the bright lights of Hollywood—that is quite a journey. Just a few weeks ago, one of Bennelong's very own, Rose Byrne, took home a Golden Globe for...
From the classrooms of Hunters Hill to the bright lights of Hollywood—that is quite a journey. Just a few weeks ago, one of Bennelong's very own, Rose Byrne, took home a Golden Globe for her latest film, winning best female actor for her role in the film If I Had Legs I'd Kick You. It was a remarkable achievement and one the whole community and country can be proud of. But, before the red carpets and award nights, Rose was a student at Hunters Hill High School. She won't be the last local student to go on and do great things, because Hunters Hill High School has now been named a partner school in the New South Wales government's High Potential and Gifted Education Policy, which supports high-potential students in 33 public high schools across the state, sharing in $100 million worth of upgrades. That will mean real investment in the school. They'll be getting upgraded and additional drama spaces and a stage, upgraded and additional art rooms, a photography room, two music rooms, upgrades to science, tech, engineering and maths rooms and food tech spaces as well. This program recognises that potential shows up in different ways, whether that's creative, academic, physical or social and emotional. It's another example of how the Albanese Labor government and the Minns Labor government are working together to improve public education right across the country. Congratulations, Rose and Hunters Hill High School.
Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
When this government was elected in 2022 and then re-elected in 2025, Australians made it clear that they wanted Medicare—the entire system—to be strengthened, not just protected but...
When this government was elected in 2022 and then re-elected in 2025, Australians made it clear that they wanted Medicare—the entire system—to be strengthened, not just protected but made to work better in practice. Of course, they were responding to nine years of Liberal neglect of Medicare, where the Medicare rebate was frozen for six long years by the former leader of the opposition and the current Leader of the Opposition. Left alone, the cost of medicines at the pharmacy would have reached $50 without Labor's intervention. Bulk-billing clinics were harder and harder to find. People elected us to reform Medicare and to reverse that neglect because Medicare is something that people rely on every single day. In my electorate of Bennelong, strengthening Medicare has meant real and measurable change. It has meant millions of dollars saved on cheaper medicines and visits to a bulk-billed doctor for local families and retirees, providing real cost-of-living relief. We hear a lot of that term and this is real progress in families' budgets, where they're not spending as much on pharmaceutical medicines, where they're not spending as much to go and see a doctor. It has meant more people being able to see their doctor, being able to look after their health without reaching for their credit card, without punching a hole in that weekly or fortnightly pay packet, and it's meant real cost-of-living relief delivered through a health system that people trust and that Australians expect to have their back. Since coming to government, our cheaper medicines reforms alone have saved billions of dollars nationally and, as I said, millions in my electorate. The cost of PBS medicines on 1 January dropped to $25, the lowest it's been since 2004. As I said earlier, had we not come to government in 2022 and incrementally reduced that cost, medicine today without Labor's intervention would have been close to $50 in out-of-pocket costs. Today it's half of that—$25 for people to get the medicines they need. Pensioners and concession card holders continue to pay no more than $7.70. A few years ago we froze that for five years. Ask any pharmacist about this, about what our investments in Medicare have meant. Katrina from Blenheim Road Pharmacy, Rebecca from Eastwood Pharmacy, and George from Boronia Park and Gladesville pharmacies have all told me that these changes delivered by a Labor government that cares about Medicare meant that families haven't had to pick and choose what medicines they need to provide for their kids or provide for themselves. People used to go up and say, 'Well, I can't afford $42 this week across three medicines. Can you tell me which one I can skip?' Or they would say, 'My kids need some more medicine this week. I'm going to go without for the next fortnight.' That's all but gone now, because Labor has halved the cost of prescription medicines at pharmacies. But it's not just about cheaper medicine or more bulk-billing; we're committed to reforming this Labor creation—Medicare—created in 1984. It's about reforming the system so it's fit for purpose today and is ready for the future of health care. It's about how easily people can access care and how smoothly the system works when they need to access care. Even with these reforms, people still tell me there are moments where the system gets in its own way, where they're seeing a qualified health professional, receiving appropriate care but yet still facing unnecessary delays, unnecessary appointments or avoidable inconvenience. That's exactly the kind of friction that our long-term health reform agenda is designed to address, and this bill is designed to reduce that friction. It builds on the work we've been doing to make Medicare more accessible, more flexible and better aligned with how care is actually delivered in a community like mine in Bennelong. The Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025 is very important. It makes a targeted, practical change to the way medicines are accessed under the PBS. It amends the National Health Act of 1953 to allow designated registered nurses to prescribe certain medicines that are subsidised through the PBS. It also ensures that, when those medicines are prescribed, patients can access the same PBS subsidy that they would otherwise receive if those medicines were prescribed by a doctor. This isn't a broad rewrite of Medicare. It's not a change to who oversees primary care. It doesn't replace the role of doctors, particularly at initial prescription, but what it does is remove a barrier that no longer reflects how health care needs to be delivered on the ground. It gives easier access to medicines in a streamlined and more cost-effective way, not only for the system and the taxpayer but also for family budgets, meaning you don't need to go see a doctor to get a script for certain medicines. You'll be able to see a nurse to get that done—a huge change. This change is needed because, in suburbs in Bennelong like mine, the demand for primary care continues to grow. Suburbs like Ryde, Lane Cove, Eastwood and Macquarie Park are all seeing general population growth because—let's face it—it's a great place to live, I've got to say, in Bennelong and some of those suburbs. We see a growth in population, and we also have an ageing population, so people need more access to primary care, when, as we've heard, there are constraints in the supply of qualified people to provide it. Registered nurses are ready to serve more. They already play a critical role in access to primary care and aged care and in community health settings. In many cases, patients are already receiving appropriate care from these very highly trained nurses, but they still need an additional appointment or referral just to access a prescription. In 2026, I don't think that makes sense anymore. This bill will reduce that duplication. This reform will remove another friction point for people accessing primary care. It means that this care can be delivered more efficiently and without compromising safety standards. For older residents, it means fewer appointments at the doctor, less back and forth. Travelling to and from a doctor can be of concern for some of our older residents. This will help them with that. For working families, it means quicker access to treatment without having to take time off work, without eating into an already packed weekend. It means those families can get quicker access to the medicines they need. This is a careful and deliberate reform. Only registered nurses who meet strict education, training and endorsement requirements will be authorised to prescribe. Prescribing will occur under a national registration standard, approved by health ministers, which is now in effect. Nurses will only prescribe within their scope of practice, clinical setting and level of competence. Prescribing services provided by nurse prescribers will be subject to existing professional oversight arrangements. These safeguards are important because they ensure prescribing is appropriate, evidence based and consistent with PBS requirements. The first nurse prescribers are expected to commence from July this year, following the completion of required education and training, because we understand that patient safety remains central to this reform, just as it is across every form of Medicare supported care. Australians should and can have confidence that the same standards will apply regardless of which health professional is providing this care and which health professional is prescribing these medicines. This bill is not an isolated reform. This is a deliberate next step in the agenda that the government has to strengthen Medicare, things we've been doing progressively since we were elected in 2022. Rightly, we started by tackling affordability, cutting the cost of medicines and easing pressure on household budgets. We backed that up by expanding bulk-billed care, tripling the incentive for concession card holders and children under 16 and then making sure that tripled incentive was available to every Australian with a Medicare card. That's seen real results. Since 1 November last year, we've gone from nine bulk-billing practices in Bennelong to 14 bulk-billing practices in Bennelong, and we expect more to follow in 2026, meaning that more families, the elderly and other residents of Bennelong can access free bulk-billed care right across the community. We've invested in Medicare urgent care clinics. Overdelivering on our promise to do 50, we have hit over 100 open right across the country—importantly, one in Top Ryde and one in Chatswood, promised and delivered by this government. We've expanded access to Medicare mental health centres so people can get the support they need without long waits or complex referrals through the mental health network. The Ryde mental health centre is now under construction and is expected to open in the first half of this year. This is what strengthening Medicare is all about. It's about making sure that our system works, that it's fit for purpose in 2026 and that it's set up for the future. It's a system that should work for patients and for the clinicians delivering care. It's about getting people the right care in the right place at the right time. And in Bennelong, just like right across the country, those investments are making a huge difference, taking pressure off emergency departments with our urgent care clinics' open extended hours from 8 am to 10 pm in most cases; giving locals more options for free care through more bulk-billing; through the passage of this legislation, making it easier for people to get prescription medicine; and, of course, making that prescription medicine cheaper. The future will put pressure on Medicare, and we need to make sure that our entire health system can respond to what will be challenges in our health system. Australians are living longer. More people are managing chronic and complex conditions, and demand on primary care will continue to rise. We can see that happening. Instead of cutting funding from Medicare, instead of neglecting Medicare, instead of freezing rebates like the Liberals and Nationals did for nine years with the same warnings we're getting now, we're setting up Medicare to ensure that it can deliver the care that Australians expect, just having that green and gold Medicare card. We'll continue to remove unnecessary barriers to help ensure that the system remains responsive and sustainable, particularly for growing communities like mine in Bennelong. And this will mean fewer delays. It'll mean better use of our health workforce, and it will give us a Medicare system that works the way people expect it to. The health legislation amendment bill is a practical continuation of the reforms that we've been putting in place since 2022, and I commend the bill to the House.
Hunters Hill Probus Club | Statements by Members | House debates
Today, I am eager to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the Hunters Hill Probus Club, the first and oldest Probus club in the country that is right in the heart of Bennelong. Their inaugural...
Today, I am eager to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the Hunters Hill Probus Club, the first and oldest Probus club in the country that is right in the heart of Bennelong. Their inaugural meeting was held on 3 February 1976, and, 50 years later, Hunters Hill Probus Club is thriving as it fosters wellbeing, inclusion and connection right across Australia. Probus remains a non-for-profit institution run by members for its members. Probus club memberships are open to retirees, semi-retirees and those soon to enter retirement. Through activities, programs and social initiatives that solidify community relationships, Probus ensures that Australians of all walks of life can maintain a healthy, active and stimulating lifestyle as they age. Starting at Hunters Hill, they now have over 1,400 clubs across Australia and New Zealand, and over half a million members have been involved since 1976. I'm so proud that all of that started right in the heart of Bennelong. This week, on 3 February, the club celebrated its 50th birthday, and attending were Michael Ransom, chairman of Probus; Josephine McBride, who is the current president of the Hunters Hill Club; the local mayor; and my predecessor, former prime minister John Howard. Unfortunately, due to parliamentary commitments, I couldn't be there, but thank you to Hunters Hill Probus Club for all that you do.
On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, I present the committee's report entitled Review of administration and expenditure No. 23 (2023-24)—Australian...
On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, I present the committee's report entitled Review of administration and expenditure No. 23 (2023-24)—Australian intelligence agencies. Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e). by leave—This annual review is undertaken in accordance with the committee's statutory responsibilities under the Intelligence Services Act 2001. It examines the administration, expenditure and financial statements of the six agencies that make up Australia's National Intelligence Community, the NIC—ASIO, ASIS, AGO, DIO, ASD and the Office of National Intelligence. The committee's review is part of a strict oversight and accountability framework within which these agencies operate. Their public reporting is necessarily limited to protect sensitive capabilities and operations, so this annual parliamentary review is an important mechanism by which the parliament receives assurance on these agencies' governance, resource stewardship and administration. The committee sought evidence on each agency's performance against its objectives, its budget situation and the health and integrity of its financial statements. This included examination of strategic priorities, organisational governance, risk management practices, workforce capability, security arrangements and major ICT and information-sharing initiatives. Submissions also covered the impact of the legislative changes on agency operations, workforce pressures in specialist fields, recruitment and retention challenges, and the coordination of intelligence activities across the NIC. The committee received detailed material from all six intelligence agencies as well as from the Australian National Audit Office and the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security. Classified hearings assisted the committee in discharging its obligations while ensuring national security was maintained. The report highlights the sustained high tempo at which intelligence agencies continue to operate and the importance of ensuring that administrative systems, governance structures and financial management remain robust. The committee notes the ongoing modernisation efforts across the NIC, including work to strengthen shared systems, enhance ICT platforms and uplift workforce capability in response to emerging national security challenges. Although much of the committee's work understandably occurs in classified settings, the outcomes reflected in this report demonstrate that the parliament, through the committee, continues to exercise strong bipartisan oversight of intelligence administration and expenditure. This oversight is essential to maintaining public trust in agencies whose work, by necessity, is largely unseen. The committee thanks all agencies, officials and oversight bodies for their cooperation throughout this review. Their engagement supports not only the committee's work but the broader accountability framework that underpins the operation of Australia's intelligence community. I commend the report to the House.
Energy | Questions without Notice | House debates
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How is the Albanese Labor government getting on with the job of building cleaner, cheaper energy? Why is focusing on the needs of...
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How is the Albanese Labor government getting on with the job of building cleaner, cheaper energy? Why is focusing on the needs of Australian families important, and what are the risks to delivering the reliable, fair and modern energy grid Australians deserve?
Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
I rise today to speak in support of the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026. I do so not just as a member of this government but as a local MP who...
I rise today to speak in support of the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026. I do so not just as a member of this government but as a local MP who has seen at close range what hate is and what hate does to members of my community. Bennelong is one of the most multicultural electorates in the country. It's a community where people of different faiths, cultures and backgrounds live side by side and contribute to our shared Australian story. But, despite our diversity and despite our prosperity, hate emerges from time to time. These laws today are designed to target that hate, because when hate and extremism emerge in a community like mine, they are felt immediately. They divide my community, and they make communities feel unsafe. Over recent years, I've spoken directly with Jewish Australians in Bennelong who are feeling increasingly unsafe in ways they never expected to feel in this country. Parents have spoken about their children being targeted. Young people have spoken about hiding their identity, and students have spoken about feeling isolated and unsupported. This reality must be named clearly. Antisemitism is not vague. It is specific, it is persistent and it causes real harm. Yesterday, members of parliament from all sides named that hate clearly in this House. I'll single out a contribution from my friend and neighbour the member for Berowra, who spoke very powerfully about the need to confront these threats head-on. On many elements of his speech, I agree with him. Taking on Nazis and Islamic fundamentalists is something this parliament must do with conviction and with haste, and that is what this law intends to do. Even in Bennelong—beautiful, diverse and safe Bennelong—we have seen the real-world impact of hateful activities. Too regularly, white supremacist material finds its way into local letterboxes. Too often people in my community, where I live and raise my family, are targeted not because of chance but because of what they look like and what they believe in. In Marsfield more than half of the residents speak a language other than English at home. In Eastwood nearly half of the community identifies as having Chinese heritage. The vile material they receive is not distributed to persuade or debate; it is distributed to threaten, to signal that they are not welcome in their own home. That is how organised hate operates. It seeks to fracture social cohesion by creating fear across communities, normalising division and emboldening those who thrive on hate. This is where the real risk lies. Hate cannot be allowed to organise, because it will be normalised. The more it becomes organised the more it becomes visible, and when that happens it's not institutions that absorb the damage; it is people. Hate does not begin with violence, but all violence begins with hate. On 14 December last year, Australia was forced to confront the reality of hate-inspired Islamic extremist violence, when the deadliest terrorist attack on our soil occurred at Bondi Beach. It's a place associated with everyday life, community and joy, and it became the site of a devastating loss. That moment shattered any lingering belief that this kind of violence and hate could not happen here. Disgustingly, in the days and weeks following Bondi, more hate was distributed in my community of Bennelong—again, material designed to threaten and divide. It was redacted and shared on our local Love Gladesville group, and I'm so proud that my local community called it out. Sara said, 'These views are not welcome in my home or my country.' Aiden said that these groups are 'an enemy of peace'. Martin hit the nail on the head when he said, 'We need to send a very strong message that their BS and lies are not tolerated and these dropkicks are not welcome in our community.' To Martin, Sara and Aiden: this bill is that strong message. This legislation strengthens penalties for those who incite hatred and violence. It provides law enforcement with clearer tools to intervene earlier. It criminalises organised hate groups that exist to radicalise, recruit and intimidate. It holds leaders and authority figures to account when they abuse positions of trust to spread hate, and it recognises and criminalises the serious harm caused when adults deliberately radicalise children. I support this legislation, as should everyone in this place.
Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
On behalf of Bennelong, I express my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the terror attack at Bondi late last year. Their loss is immeasurable...
On behalf of Bennelong, I express my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the terror attack at Bondi late last year. Their loss is immeasurable and their grief is something no words in this place can ease. I want those impacted to know that they are not alone and that their loss and trauma is recognised and mourned in this place, in Bennelong, and right across the country. The lives lost were sons and daughters, partners, friends, community leaders and colleagues. Fifteen lives were lost: people with routines, plans and futures that were cruelly taken away from them in an instant by a despicable act of terror and hate. As I come into this place today, I know I am carrying more than my own words. I'm carrying the voices of people right across my community, in Bennelong, who have reached out to me over the last four weeks, sharing their sadness, their shock, their anger and their disbelief that this tragedy could happen here in Australia. Over recent weeks, I've spent time with our community in Bennelong, who, like all of us, are trying to make sense of what has happened. People have spoken to me about fear for their families, about the shock of seeing such violence occur in our suburbs and about the weight that they have been carrying since 14 December. For many in the Jewish Australian community, it has compounded existing fears and anxieties and reinforced legitimate concerns about antisemitism and personal safety. This reality needs to be acknowledged openly and plainly. Antisemitism must be called out and condemned wherever it appears. Further, hatred directed at people because of who they are—their race, their religion, their gender or their sexuality—has no place in Australia and mustn't be allowed to fester in our communities. The response of this parliament, both from the government and the opposition, must be to root this hate out and pass laws to eradicate it. I'd like to thank the members of Bennelong's local Jewish community and the leaders and members of North Shore Temple Emanuel. Since October 7, they've shared with me their stories of exhaustion and worry. They've spoken about a deep sense of grief and sadness but also about a feeling that this attack in Bondi did not come as a shock to them. For many in the Jewish community, concerns about safety and targeting have been raised for a long time, and there's a strong sense that the seriousness of those concerns has not been understood or heard. That sense of fear was made real at Bondi on 14 December. Just 20 minutes away, local families from my community in Bennelong were in St Ives; they were gathered to celebrate Chanukah on the Green at the same time as the attack in Bondi. Children and families there were placed into lockdown, frightened and uncertain about what was happening in Sydney. What I've heard for a while, but even more since Bondi, is a clear message: that living in fear should not be normal and Australia can no longer accept that the Jewish community need to live this way. One member of Bennelong's local Jewish community put it to me in a way that has struck a chord. He said to me, 'My wife and I have two children, who are now adults, who we had to take through security to kindergarten, to school and to synagogue. Now we have grandchildren, and we are doing the same with them—only the security required has increased, not decreased.' To say this is disheartening is an understatement. As a country, as local communities and as this parliament, we have to smash that reality, which has existed for too long in this country. Antisemitism has to stop. I'll advocate for and support laws designed to stop it. In moments like this, the way communities respond matters. I've seen people reach out quietly to one another across faiths, backgrounds and beliefs to offer support and reassurance. I've also seen that solidarity expressed in simple meaningful ways. In Bennelong, in the days after the attack, a community gathered for a Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony and, throughout Hanukkah, kept the Canopy screen at Lane Cove illuminated with the candles of the menorah. We had the lovely show of support by households across my community putting a lit candle in their front windows. The great Australian instinct to stand together is one of our greatest strengths. It's how our communities endure loss and overcome adversity. It is also how this parliament should respond—with unity and dignity in honour of those precious lives lost.
Taxation | Questions without Notice | House debates
My question is to the Treasurer. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering tax relief for Australian workers? And how does that compare to other approaches?
Lane Cove West Public School | Statements by Members | House debates
I'd like to acknowledge the extraordinary generosity, commitment and community spirit displayed by the students, staff and families of Lane Cove West Public School. It gives me great pleasure to...
I'd like to acknowledge the extraordinary generosity, commitment and community spirit displayed by the students, staff and families of Lane Cove West Public School. It gives me great pleasure to inform the House that this wonderful school community has raised an outstanding $32,969 for the Heart Foundation through this year's Jump Rope for Heart program, making them the school with the second-highest amount of fundraising in the country. This is not just a great achievement; it's a powerful example of how young people can step up and support a cause that touches so many Australian families. I'd like to give a special shout-out to the school's top fundraiser, Charlotte Shanahan, who raised a remarkable $2,305 all on her own. Charlotte's effort wasn't just about skipping ropes. She did it in honour of her grandfather, the late John Shanahan, a much-loved Lane Cove local who, sadly, passed away from congestive heart failure. Charlotte's determination to support heart health in his name shows maturity and compassion well beyond her years. Her family and our entire community should be very proud of her. Of course, these results don't happen without strong leadership. I'd like to acknowledge Miss Amelia Richards for coordinating this event so successfully and acting principal Mrs Roslyn Gee for fostering a school environment where kids are supported to step up and make a real difference. Well done, Lane Cove West Public School.
Le Marche French Market, Jacobson, Mr Kevin George (Col Joye), OAM | Constituency Statements | House debates
I rise today to acknowledge an outstanding achievement by a much-loved market and a much-loved person in our community, Le Marche French Market and its founder, Solveig Coulon. Last night, at the...
I rise today to acknowledge an outstanding achievement by a much-loved market and a much-loved person in our community, Le Marche French Market and its founder, Solveig Coulon. Last night, at the French embassy in Canberra, Le Marche was awarded the French-Australian Excellence Award for Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Events. It is national recognition of the contribution this market has made to Australia's cultural life. It is an honour that they have well and truly earned. For those who haven't had the pleasure of visiting it, Le Marche hosts its Sydney market at Woolwich Dock in Hunters Hill. What they've created down there is remarkable. It's not simply a farmers' market; it's a celebration of French culture, creativity and community spirit. Thousands of locals flock to Hunters Hill throughout the year to experience a slice of France—its flavours, its artisans, its music and its warmth. As the chair of the Parliamentary Friends of France group, I've had the privilege of seeing firsthand how cultural events just like this strengthen the relationship between our two nations. Le Marche has become one of Sydney's most vibrant examples of that friendship in action. Solveig's leadership has been central to this success. Her determination, her years of hard work and her deep commitment to community building have created something very unique, and we are so blessed to have it in Bennelong. I congratulate Solveig and the entire Le Marche team for their wonderful recognition last night, and for their commitment to the enduring friendship between Australia and France. I also rise today to acknowledge the life and legacy of Col Joye, a music pioneer, a household name and—for us in Bennelong—a much-loved local from Woolwich. Col was one of the first greats of Australian rock-and-roll. In the late fifties and sixties, his warm voice and cheerful stage presence helped shape a new sound and a new confidence for our country. In 1959, his hit 'Oh Yeah, Uh Huh' became the very first No. 1 single by an Australian pop artist—an achievement that opened doors for many who followed. But Col's story wasn't just about chart success. He gave young artists, including the Bee Gees, opportunities, and he worked behind the scenes to strengthen Australia's music industry. He was recognised with an Order of Australia for his contribution to entertainment, and his generosity continued later in life when he donated more than a thousand pieces of memorabilia to the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia—preserving our cultural history for generations. Col Joye showed us that Australian artists could make their mark on the world stage. He brought joy to millions, inspired countless musicians and carried himself with warmth and humility. We remember him not only as a pioneer of Australian music but as a valued member of the Bennelong community. May his legacy continue to inspire.
Bennelong Electorate: Medicare | Statements by Members | House debates
It's been nearly a month since Medicare's super Saturday, and it's been a bumper month of bulk-billing in Bennelong. Super Saturday, of course, was 1 November, when Labor's $8.5 billion...
It's been nearly a month since Medicare's super Saturday, and it's been a bumper month of bulk-billing in Bennelong. Super Saturday, of course, was 1 November, when Labor's $8.5 billion investment into bulk-billing came into force. And get this—in October, Healthdirect showed that Bennelong had nine fully bulk-billing practices, and today I can report to the House that we now have 14 fully bulk-billing practices in Bennelong. From Eastwood to West Ryde, Marsfield to Macquarie Park, Medicare card holders in Bennelong are now even more able to see their doctor without a fee. In exciting news, many of these 14 clinics made the switch from fee-paying to fully bulk-billing. Here is one example. In October, the Myhealth clinic at Top Ryde charged a $35 gap fee for patients to see a GP, but, because of our record investments into Medicare, they went fully bulk-billing from 1 November. Since then, they've seen 6,000 patients who didn't have to pay a fee to see their GP; they were all fully bulk-billed. Under the Liberals, bulk-billing was on life support. They froze rebates and slashed billions of dollars from hospitals. As Kendrick Lamar would say, those Liberals—they not like us. Labor created Medicare, Labor protects Medicare and Labor will always strengthen Medicare.
Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
I am happy to. We've got the Eastwood Hotel, the Bizzo, Moko, Ryedales Tavern, West Ryde Hotel and the Royal Hotel in Ryde. We've got Club Ryde, the Ubar, the Ranch, the Governor, North Ryde RSL,...
I am happy to. We've got the Eastwood Hotel, the Bizzo, Moko, Ryedales Tavern, West Ryde Hotel and the Royal Hotel in Ryde. We've got Club Ryde, the Ubar, the Ranch, the Governor, North Ryde RSL, the Sawdust Hotel, Hunters Hill Hotel, Bayview Gladesville, the Woolwich Pier Hotel, the Longueville Hotel, the Diddy, Gladesville RSL, the Lane Cove Bowling and Recreational Club—I missed that one, but it's just in the list there for you, Assistant Minister—the Alcott and the Deckhouse. This is good policy for good local businesses. I'd encourage all in this House to support this bill. Then, once that excise freeze comes through, from 1 August 2025, go and celebrate with your community down at your local pub and club.
And, yes, I have had an election party there, too! I'll take that interjection. We've got Ryedales Tavern in West Ryde, right opposite the station, where I know people drop in to have a beer...
And, yes, I have had an election party there, too! I'll take that interjection. We've got Ryedales Tavern in West Ryde, right opposite the station, where I know people drop in to have a beer after work and meet with their mates. We've got West Ryde Hotel. It used to be called Mary's. They do a great job. They've got a great venue out the back that community groups can hire for free at their local pub. We've got the Royal Hotel in Ryde, right in the centre near the bus stop. I know that a lot of tradies go there after work to catch up with their mates and have a cold beer. We've got the Ubar at the university. I'm way too old to go to the Ubar now. That's one that I absolutely avoid, but I'm sure they do a great business. We've got the people at the Ranch, who do a great job supporting local sporting clubs. They've hosted a function or two of mine, bringing our community together. They do a fantastic job. The Governor recently hosted a great forum for Labor for Housing actually as well as one of the candidate forms run by the local business chamber. They provide a community service as well. North Ryde RSL do great things. They host sporting clubs up there—a lot of sporting clubs are run under the North Ryde RSL banner. You've got the Sawdust Hotel in Gladesville. The Hunters Hill Hotel is a real meeting point for the local community, and it was only a few days ago that the local community from Hunters Hill and nearby St Joseph's College met there after a really tragic event. They went to the Hunters Hill Hotel to celebrate the life of a young man who lost his life too soon. They were able to gather there and commemorate together. There is the Bayview in Gladesville. I was there the other week playing trivia and came third. It's a great local venue to connect with local communities. We've got the Woolwich Pier Hotel—a great place to have a lunch and meet with mates. I'm going to go through each one here, so I have a few minutes left. I'm going to go through each one, and I have a few more minutes to go before the member for Hunter. We've got the Longueville Hotel, a really great establishment in the middle of Lane Cove. The Diddy hosts great trivia as well—a shout-out to Thomas Shanahan who used to run the trivia up there—and you can get a good meal. I know a lot of locals from Longueville who go up there and have a great time. Gladesville RSL have just done a big renovation and support the local gymnastics club over there. We've got the Alcott and the Deckhouse down on Woolwich Pier. These are businesses connected to our community, and this bill is about supporting them. It is helping our local pubs and clubs—
I rise in strong support of these bills, the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 and the associated bill. For so many Australians, including my community of Bennelong, the local pub...
I rise in strong support of these bills, the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 and the associated bill. For so many Australians, including my community of Bennelong, the local pub or club isn't just a business; it's a place where people gather after work, it's where communities come together, it's where members of parliament like myself hold our events, it's where families meet, it's where sporting teams celebrate or commiserate and it's where local musicians get their start. In many suburban pockets across the country and in regional towns as well, the pub is the social anchor for communities right across Australia. It keeps people connected, it provides jobs for local hospo workers, it supports local charities and it sponsors local sporting clubs. And when local venues are under pressure, as they have been for a while now, the community feels it. That's why this legislation matters. It's not just economic policy; it's community policy. Our hospitality sector has been riding wave after wave of pressure and a pandemic that hit venues harder than almost any other industry. They had supply chain shocks. They had rising input costs, from energy to transport to ingredients to labour, during the pandemic. Today, an automatic excise indexation that exists in high-inflation years hits small businesses right in the margins. For a small pub or club, another automatic jump in the excise can mean the difference between that little bit of extra margin in hiring another worker or cutting back their hours, and between keeping the price of a pint stable and having to raise prices again on customers who are already feeling it. These aren't abstract pressures; these are day-to-day realities for thousands of family owned venues across the country. We heard this, we listened and we acted, because publicans, brewers and small businesses that operate at these venues asked for relief—and this is precisely what these bills deliver. The bills will pause the automatic increase in excise on draught beer for two years, starting 1 August 2025. It will apply to kegs and containers used in pubs and clubs that are between eight and 48 litres. This is targeted and is designed to support venues where people go out and recreate, venues that support draught beer, helping to manage their costs and facilitate jobs in our local communities, all while keeping prices steady. It's a practical step to help local venues stay successful and be the place, and continue to be the place, where communities come together. There are around 10,000 hospitality venues that stand to benefit from this two-year pause. About 75 per cent of those hotels and clubs are small family-run businesses. As someone who comes from a small-business background—not in the pub or club sector—I'm proud that this government is making this part of our policy offering to them. It is support for small businesses right across the country. Small businesses employ local people. They support local footy clubs, they host charity days and they give young people their first job. In total, 160,000 Australians work in hospo and brewing sectors—and that is all connected to beer. This measure gives those small venues a bit of breathing space to stabilise, to plan, to reinvest and to keep their staff on. In Bennelong, where many hospitality businesses operate on tight margins, certainty matters. It matters to the workers behind the bar, to the chefs in the kitchen and to the restaurants that are also businesses within businesses that operate out of these clubs. The more people who come to these pubs and clubs the better it is for them. Just to show how connected to our community these pubs and clubs are, I'd like to give a shout-out to some of the amazing venues in Bennelong: the Eastwood Hotel, who have recently signed up to sponsor the Eastwood Rugby Club down the road; the Bizzo, which hosts the Eastwood Chamber of Commerce; and Moko Eastwood, which runs a great trivia night.
Medicare | Private Members' Business | House debates
This motion is yet another example and attempt by those opposite to pretend that Medicare magically started declining the moment they left office, the moment Australians elected the Albanese...
This motion is yet another example and attempt by those opposite to pretend that Medicare magically started declining the moment they left office, the moment Australians elected the Albanese Labor government to fix it. Australians deserve honesty. Bulk-billing is under pressure today because the coalition froze the Medicare rebate for six years and because the bulk-billing system was neglected for a decade by those opposite. Every GP in Bennelong knows it. Every patient who struggles to get an appointment knows it. Everyone who continues to pay a gap fee knows it. What we on this side of the House won't do is let the opposite rewrite history to cover their own neglect. The biggest driver of rising GP costs wasn't the Albanese Labor government; it was the coalition locking Medicare rebate freezes for six straight years—zero indexation, zero increases, zero support for GPs. Australians, particularly those in Bennelong, aren't buying this weak attempt from the coalition to deflect from their responsibility, and neither is this parliament. We were elected in 2022 and again in 2025 to strengthen Medicare. Medicare was created by Labor, protected by Labor and strengthen by Labor. We've invested $8½ billion to turn around the bulk-billing decline and expand universal access, that real, Australian value of affordable and accessible health care. We tripled the bulk-billing incentive in 2023, the largest investment in bulk-billing at the time, and it worked. There were 6½ extra bulk-billed visits across the country. Bulk-billing was up 3.2 percentage points nationally and 2½ per cent in New South Wales. That policy was directed at concession card holders and under-16s. On 1 November 2025, we extended that incentive to every Medicare card presentation at the GP. We've expanded incentives so that practices who exclusively bulk-bill get a bonus 12½ per cent payment when they do so. This rewards the clinics that are doing the right thing and makes it financially viable for the doctors to bulk-bill again. The accumulation of all these policies basically reverses the cuts to Medicare handed down by the Liberals and the former ministers for health, Dutton and Ley. This policy is working. Already, 1,000 practices across the country have indicated they'll become 100 per cent bulk-billing clinics. This is on top of the 1,600 bulk-billing clinics that exist today. It's working. You reverse the trend by making bulk-billing pay doctors properly, not by freezing rebates for six years. A GP city practice that fully bulk-bills will now earn over $5,300 more than a mixed billing GP. In regional areas, the benefit is almost $24,000 more per year. In Bennelong, we've seen this policy from 1 November deliver results. Before the reforms, less than 24 per cent of GP practices bulk-billed consistently. Now we've had four clinics shift from no bulk-billing or mixed bulk-billing to fully bulk-billed practices. This is just in one electorate. Eastwood Medical Centre, Kang Nam Surgery, Eastwood Specialist Centre and Myhealth Top Ryde have all moved from mixed or no bulk-billing to fully bulk-billed clinics. That means hundreds of families in Bennelong can now see their GP with just their Medicare card. This builds on our network of urgent care clinics, which have bulk-billed since their inception. Well over 87 urgent care clinics have been delivered. They are not only providing fee-free care but also keeping people out of emergency departments. We expect more clinics across the country to make the very sound decision to bulk-bill all their patients. They know that when they do, they get to see more patients and deliver more care to the community. Compare our record of record investments in bulk-billing to the coalition's record of a six-year rebate freeze, zero indexation for GPS and zero structural reform. And they come into this place and they complain. Tell them they're dreaming.
Small Business | Private Members' Business | House debates
Anyone who has spent time in or around a small business knows the truth: the pressures are real, the hours are long and the loads on families are heavy. Small-business stress doesn't stay in the...
Anyone who has spent time in or around a small business knows the truth: the pressures are real, the hours are long and the loads on families are heavy. Small-business stress doesn't stay in the shop. It follows owners home. It affects sleep, relationships and, too often, mental health. I know this because, before coming into this place, I ran a small business for 25 years, working in the family business before making the move to federal parliament. I know the stress exists. This reality deserves honesty and respect, and yet here we are debating a motion that takes those real pressures and tries to turn them into a political punchline. We heard some of those political punchlines from the member for Dawson—all fear, no solutions. Small businesses deserve better than these fear campaigns and slogans that the opposition roll out when it comes to small business. They deserve practical support, calm leadership and serious policy, and that is exactly what this government is delivering for small business. In Bennelong, I speak to small-business owners every week, from cafes in Gladesville navigating high merchant service costs for accepting digital payments to family restaurants in Eastwood juggling staffing to big and small tech companies in Macquarie Park struggling to find trained and skilled workers. None of these businesses I speak to are asking for the political theatre that we're seeing from those opposite. They're asking for certainty, for practical support and for government to have their backs through what is a tough economic cycle. And that's what we're doing. Nearly one million small businesses have now accessed targeted energy bill relief—up to $800 in support—since the last budget. Small businesses around the country have accessed our small business energy efficiency grants, upgrading technology in their business just like the IGA supermarket in Epping, who upgraded their equipment to save 30 per cent on their energy costs, or AustGrade Swim School at Top Ryde, who got new pool covers to trap heat from their swimming pools to save on their energy costs too. We've got Labor's instant asset write-off giving businesses the confidence to invest and help with their cash flow. Our payment times reforms are making sure small businesses get paid faster and reliably. Our digital and cyber programs are helping small businesses navigate a really tricky policy area with the Small Business Cyber Resilience Service and the Cyber Wardens program as well. Our campaign to end surcharges and to reduce costs for small businesses just for accepting digital payments will deliver tangible savings to small businesses across the country. Now, if you read this motion, you see that the Liberals want us to believe that small businesses are being abandoned, but the facts are very different. They tell a very different story. There are 2.66 million small businesses operating in Australia today. They contribute nearly $600 billion to our economy and employ over five million Australians. While the opposition wants to pretend that the pandemic, global inflation and geopolitical uncertainty never happened or haven't had an impact, this government has been doing the real work to help small businesses recover and rebuild. If the opposition were serious about supporting small businesses, they would have been supporting the practical steps of this government or putting up their own solutions themselves. Let's be very clear on their record here. Energy bill relief was opposed by the opposition; tax cuts for 1.5 million sole traders were opposed by the opposition; better payment times were delivered by Labor and ignored for a decade by those opposite; Labor's instant asset write-off a couple of years ago was held up in the Senate for months and months and months, providing uncertainty for businesses across the country; and who knows where they stand on reducing merchant and payments costs for small businesses accepting digital payments. When the opposition claim small businesses have been abandoned, they mean that they've opposed the very measures that this government has put out to support small business—and it won't stop there. We'll continue to have the back of small businesses across the country.
Bennelong Electorate: Sport | Adjournment | House debates
I rise today to celebrate three outstanding sports clubs right across my electorate of Bennelong. I'd first like to welcome home the Ryde Dragon Boat Club's Auroras, who represented Australia at...
I rise today to celebrate three outstanding sports clubs right across my electorate of Bennelong. I'd first like to welcome home the Ryde Dragon Boat Club's Auroras, who represented Australia at the 17th World Dragon Boat Racing Championships in Germany recently. Seventeen young individuals engaged in a rigorous training schedule, which they managed alongside school, work and interpersonal commitments. This year, the championships were the largest ever, with 4,000 athletes from 33 countries. Almost all of the Ryde Dragon Boat Club's Auroras who were competing achieved a bronze, silver or gold medal, with some participants being as young as 16. And this was a club that only started during COVID—a young club, sending athletes across the world, winning gold, silver and bronze for Australia. Congratulations to them. It's so important to recognise that these events, and all this training and this travel, cannot happen without the dedication of families, volunteers and staff, including head coach George Dimech and chair Corina Wotherspoon, so a massive shout-out to them. And it doesn't stop there. I can let the House know that the Lane Cove Swim Club, based at the Lane Cove aquatic centre, was recently named Club of the Year in the metropolitan category by Swimming New South Wales. This 2025 accolade comes hot on the heels of their huge win in 2024, where they were crowned Australian swim club of the year. Whilst these are outstanding testaments to the club's extraordinary approach, they come as no surprise. The Lane Cove Swim Club has grown exponentially since COVID and has quickly become the largest club in New South Wales and the third-largest swim club in Australia. The club has produced champions who personify the bright future of swimming, like national medallists Eliza Damian and Harrison Reid. President Joshua Baker, who led his team to its accolades, was asked how the club achieved its feats, and he said that they're not there for the widespread fame and fortune; he said they are inextricably linked to their community—and Lane Cove is a fantastic community, which I am now so lucky to represent. There's no doubt about that link, because inclusivity is paramount to their club. They cater for any swimmer, from babies to the elderly. All Lane Cove residents are given an opportunity to stay active. Mr Baker recently shared with me the story of Samantha Pratt, who has lived a story of inspiration, dedication and come-back. Supported by the New South Wales Institute of Sport Para Unit and head coach Jacob Curcio, Samantha followed a hiatus from swimming with spectacular performances at the 2025 Australian Short Course Championships, claiming a gold and a silver medal. I couldn't be more proud of the Lane Cove swimming club, as both a model sports club and a leader in community engagement—from those who just want to dip their toe in and give swimming a go for a bit of exercise, to those who do it competitively. Another great community club is the Eastwood Rugby Club—the Woodies. And didn't they have a great season in 2025? The Woodies club is built on excellence and development and young talent. It's a club with a very strong connection to Eastwood and Bennelong. The Woodies are renowned for fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging, which is essential to making sure that our young local athletes stay active and are supported. For years, the club has been actively investing in the development of their players, and this year it has met with great results on the field. At the junior level, both the under-15 and under-17 teams reached their respective finals, with the under-15s crowned state sevens champions at Mudgee. Their success was guided by coach Matt Gonzalez, an Australian Olympic sevens representative. And there was the big one: the Woodies celebrated winning the Colin Caird Shield, the club's first premiership in a decade. This was a true team effort, right across the club, led by coach Graeme Harrison and captain and clubman of the year Ben Rosada, who also celebrated his 150th game for the Woodies earlier this season. Lachie Shelley is another remarkable young talent, who finished as the top try-scorer across the Shute Shield competition. I'll also give a shout-out to those in the women's rugby program at the Woodies, who have continued to build momentum and grow. They are currently preparing for the Dubai sevens. The Ryde Dragon Boat Club, Lane Cove Swim Club and Eastwood Rugby Club have embodied the spirit of Bennelong brilliantly. As their MP, I'm determined to continue to represent them and back them, because I know they back our local community. The House transcript was published up to 20:00 . The remainder of the transcript will be published progressively as it is completed. The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Lawrence): took the chair at 09:30
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How is the Albanese Labor government focused on delivering the benefits of renewable energy to Australian families? Why is focusing...
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How is the Albanese Labor government focused on delivering the benefits of renewable energy to Australian families? Why is focusing on the needs of Australians so important, and what are the risks to affordable and reliable energy?