Alison Byrnes's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
type: channel
language: en-gb
creator: OpenAustralia.org, mprss.php script
date: 2026-02-05T22:06:04+00:00
items: Jonceski, Mr Ljupco (Luch) | Condolences | House debates
items: Labor Government: Health Care | Adjournment | House debates
items: Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
items: Richardson, Hon. Graham Frederick, AO | Condolences | House debates
items: Housing | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Cunningham Electorate: Omar Mosque | Statements by Members | House debates
items: VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Mental Health | Private Members' Business | House debates
items: Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Health Care | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: BlueScope | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Janssen, Mr Wyn | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Youth Voice in Parliament | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Telecommunications | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
items: Nicholson, Dr Aunty Barbara, South Coast Portuguese Association, Gravitas Technologies | Adjournment | House debates
items: Vietnam War | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Cunningham Electorate: Multiculturalism | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Women's Health | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Secure Jobs, Better Pay Review | Private Members' Business | House debates

Jonceski, Mr Ljupco (Luch) | Condolences | House debates
type: item
description: I rise today to pay my respects to Ljupco Jonceski, known to all of us simply as Luch, and to extend my deepest condolences to his family. It is an honour to speak about a man who meant so much...
encoded: I rise today to pay my respects to Ljupco Jonceski, known to all of us simply as Luch, and to extend my deepest condolences to his family. It is an honour to speak about a man who meant so much to this place and to the people within it. When we returned to this place at the start of the year, many of us felt Luch's absence immediately. In a place that is defined by change, by elections and by people coming and going, Luch was a constant. He was always here, always ready and always doing his job with care, dignity and good humour. Luch served this parliament for over four decades, and he did so with an extraordinary sense of pride in the institution. As the Prime Minister noted, his story is deeply connected to this building itself. From working in Old Parliament House to labouring on the construction of this parliament to then serving here as a parliamentary attendant, Luch quite literally helped build and sustain the people's house, and that is a legacy that very few can claim. What set Luch apart, however, was not just his long service, but the way he treated people. He treated everyone equally, regardless of seniority, portfolio or party. He just had an instinctive understanding of procedure and ceremony, and he carried out his duties with efficiency, courtesy and warmth. He managed to be both highly professional and genuinely kind, and that combination earned him respect across the chamber. Many members will remember moments of nerves or pressure when Luch would quietly appear with a glass of water. You never had to ask; he had already noticed. It was a small gesture, but one that captured his thoughtfulness and his attention to others. He understood that this place can be demanding, and he took it upon himself to look after people in practical and very human ways. For me, Luch was a familiar presence over a very long time. I had known Loochy for 35 years. During my time here as a staffer and as an MP, he would always ask me about my home in Wollongong. He loved…
date: 2026-02-05T12:24:00+00:00

Labor Government: Health Care | Adjournment | House debates
type: item
description: I am pleased to rise today to talk about some of the incredible progress that the Albanese Labor government has made in delivering our promises of cheaper health care for all Australians. We...
encoded: I am pleased to rise today to talk about some of the incredible progress that the Albanese Labor government has made in delivering our promises of cheaper health care for all Australians. We promised cheaper medicines, more bulk-billing and better access to mental health support, and we're delivering them all. As a government, we believe that access to quality health care should not depend on your bank balance. So just last week we reached a landmark agreement to deliver record funding for public hospitals. We are delivering an additional $25 billion to the states and territories over the next five years, bringing our total investment in public hospitals across Australia to $219.6 billion. This is three times more in additional funding for public hospitals than under the last five-year agreement. Additional funding support for public hospitals from the Australian government will improve care, will cut wait times and will help to address ambulance ramping. I know that health ministers right across the country have worked incredibly hard to reach this record deal, and I'd like to acknowledge the work of Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler and New South Wales minister for health, the member for Keira, Ryan Park for their strong determination and dedication to improving outcomes for patients right across New South Wales. In my electorate of Cunningham in the Illawarra, bed block at Wollongong Hospital is a massive issue, as Minister Park is well aware. This money will go a long way towards alleviating some of that pressure while we continue the hard work of delivering better access to aged care across our region, something that I am working on very closely with the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. I was delighted to deliver more than $17.4 million in funding to the Illawarra Retirement Trust to upgrade its Marco Polo aged-care centre in Unanderra. This will deliver an additional 48 residential aged-care beds for the Illawarra by 2027. Our dedication to improvi…
date: 2026-02-05T16:35:00+00:00

Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
type: item
description: I rise today to acknowledge the profound loss and the sadness of the Cunningham community following the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on Sunday 14 December at the Chanukah by the Sea...
encoded: I rise today to acknowledge the profound loss and the sadness of the Cunningham community following the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on Sunday 14 December at the Chanukah by the Sea event. On that horrific evening, 15 innocent lives were taken, and our country has been left shaken and reeling. I give my sincere and heartfelt condolences to all of those who lost a loved one and whose lives have been changed forever. Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights, a festival with a message of optimism and hope. When reflecting on the events of that night, I focus on the acts that truly demonstrate the Australian spirit: the bravery of ordinary Australians—of our first responders, paid and volunteered, who put themselves in danger to help and protect others. We saw people running towards danger, stepping in front of a gunman because maybe they could stop him, calling out warnings and sheltering total strangers—people putting kindness and caring for others first. That is what being Australian truly means. One week after the Bondi attack, on the national day of reflection, I attended the lighting of the menorah with the Jewish community of Wollongong, along with local leaders from all faiths and backgrounds—Nepalese, Indian, Vietnamese Buddhist monks and a First Nations pastor—as well as members of the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra, the Salvation Army, the member for Whitlam, the member for Wollongong, the deputy lord mayor and local councillors, Wollongong local area commander Superintendent Karen Cook, local police and many other members of our community. We stood together as one with our Jewish community, as Rabbi Menachem Aron spread a message of love, light and kindness. It was a display of solidarity and of shared grief, demonstrating that we will not allow hate to define who we are or how we gather. I want to thank Dr Yoke Berry from the Wollongong Jewish community for her strength and her kindness in the face of this terrible event. Days after th…
date: 2026-01-19T15:08:00+00:00

Richardson, Hon. Graham Frederick, AO | Condolences | House debates
type: item
description: I move: That further proceedings be conducted in the House. Question agreed to.
encoded: I move: That further proceedings be conducted in the House. Question agreed to.
date: 2025-11-27T11:05:00+00:00

Housing | Questions without Notice | House debates
type: item
description: My question is to the Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Cities. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to build more houses for Australians? Are there any...
encoded: My question is to the Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Cities. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to build more houses for Australians? Are there any risks to the delivery of these homes?
date: 2025-11-27T14:33:00+00:00

Cunningham Electorate: Omar Mosque | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: On Saturday 25 October our community was given a special treat: a look inside our brand-new, beautiful Omar Mosque in Gwynneville. The mosque was 10 years in the making, and it is now open thanks...
encoded: On Saturday 25 October our community was given a special treat: a look inside our brand-new, beautiful Omar Mosque in Gwynneville. The mosque was 10 years in the making, and it is now open thanks to the kind and generous contributions of the Illawarra Islamic community. Walking into the mosque is a real treat, with its absolutely magnificent brass coloured chandeliers inside the domes that are a nod to our steel history. I was so delighted to see a fantastic turnout of community members of all backgrounds who came along to see inside this grand, new building and learn more about what happens inside. It was a true display of community unity and spirit. Everyone who came was given a tour of the facility, and there was absolutely incredible food and entertainment for the whole family. The community had simply outgrown the original mosque, which had its own interesting history, having been used in the past by the Jewish and Christian communities. A new purpose-built facility was something that the Omar Mosque committee was really passionate about, and you could see how excited the whole community was to finally see it open. I was also pleased to have supported the mosque with $100,000 in federal funding for its security system. I want to thank Sheik Abdul Rahman Fattah and the Omar Mosque committee, including the founder of the AICC, Shafik Khan; Ziad Sultan; Khaled El Hage; Amad Badeir; and my good friends President Hussein Salem and Dr Munir Hussain.
date: 2025-11-26T13:31:00+00:00

VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I rise today in support of the VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025. I don't think it is possible to understate just how important vocational education is. To put it simply, it...
encoded: I rise today in support of the VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025. I don't think it is possible to understate just how important vocational education is. To put it simply, it changes lives, giving students career paths, helping them gain skills and confidence, and opening doors that might otherwise be closed to so many. It is also absolutely vital to ensure the effective running of our country. From tradies to childcare workers, from nurses to baristas and even graphic designers and HR workers, there are endless possibilities available through TAFE and private vocational education providers. The VET FEE-HELP scheme has helped to make these careers possible for so many people, deferring costs—the same as for the university system—and supporting students with income-contingent loans. Many could not go to TAFE without this. Education would simply be out of reach. So it is absolutely vital that the systems and processes that make this possible are fit for purpose and clear for all. The VET Student Loans legislation has been in place since 2017. During a review, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations identified an issue with how VET student loans were administered. The issue related to the handling of student tax file numbers and showed that there was no clear role for VET student loan providers to handle them. We are taking action to fix that today, and I am really pleased about that—applying the new rules retrospectively to ensure that there is continuity and clarity in how the law should be applied. At the same time, the department has been working on its back-end IT systems to mask tax file numbers and automate their transfer between relevant systems. This bill will make the previous handling of tax file numbers lawful while also making that unnecessary and restricted in the future, streamlining the process and ensuring that the loans can be administered properly. I want to stress that providers have always been subject to security con…
date: 2025-11-25T18:52:00+00:00

Mental Health | Private Members' Business | House debates
type: item
description: I move: That this House notes that: (1) October was Mental Health Month, and the Government is delivering more mental health services in the heart of communities; and (2) as part of the...
encoded: I move: That this House notes that: (1) October was Mental Health Month, and the Government is delivering more mental health services in the heart of communities; and (2) as part of the Government's plan to strengthen Medicare, the Government is building a national network of mental health support services across the lifespan, with more: (a) Perinatal Mental Health Centres for new and expectant parents; (b) Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs for children and families; (c) headspace services for young people; and (d) Medicare Mental Health Centres for adults. To mark Mental Health Month in October, I want to highlight some of the fantastic work being done to improve mental health supports in the Illawarra. The Albanese Labor government has invested $1.1 billion to deliver new and expanded free mental health services. This includes 31 new and upgraded Medicare mental health centres, which now total 91. The Wollongong Medicare Mental Health Hub opened in December 2023. This free walk-in service aims to improve access to and awareness of mental health care, especially for those who have not accessed support before. Provided by Stride Health, the hub has helped 200 people on more than 1,800 occasions of service since it opened, showing just how important these hubs are. We are also investing over $200 million towards new, upgraded and expanded headspace services. In another win for Wollongong, we're getting a headspace Plus, a new enhanced model of care providing additional staff and capability to support young people who are experiencing more complex and serious mental health issues. Operated by Grand Pacific Health, Wollongong headspace does an incredible job supporting local young people in our community, and I am so pleased that we are enhancing this vital local service. We're also creating the new Medicare Mental Health Check In from January next year, which is expected to support around 150,000 people each year with free digital mental health self-help tools and low-…
date: 2025-11-24T11:40:00+00:00

Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I am also proud to rise today in support of this Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill 2025. I am a...
encoded: I am also proud to rise today in support of this Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill 2025. I am a fierce advocate for celebrating and protecting Australian content and Australian artists in all their forms, so I was really pleased to have the opportunity to talk about the buzz happening in the Illawarra right now with some really exciting projects we have seen this year. Supporting Australian content is crucial, not only for the jobs and economic benefit that it gives supporting thousands of Australians every year and positioning Australia on the global stage but also for sharing our stories and for protecting our culture and way of life. Because while we share many similarities with places like the United Kingdom and the United States, there is something unique and special about Australia. Seeing that uniqueness represented on our screens is so important for cementing our own national identity, for us to know who we are, who our neighbours are and for fostering that shared sense of pride and understanding. You can't be what you can't see, and Australians need to see ourselves represented in the ever-growing streaming content that we consume every day. This bill introduces a requirement for streaming services to include a minimum level of Australian content on their platforms. Streamers with more than one million Australian subscribers will need to invest at least 10 per cent of their total expenditure on new Australian commissions or first-release acquisitions, or, alternatively, streaming providers can choose into invest 7.5 per cent of their gross Australian revenue. The eligible programs will be new local drama, children's shows, documentaries, arts and educational programs. This is part of the Albanese Labor government's commitment in Revive, our national cultural policy to set local content requirements on streaming services. Our government is committed to ensuring tha…
date: 2025-11-24T18:55:00+00:00

Health Care | Questions without Notice | House debates
type: item
description: My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. How is the Albanese Labor government's investment in Medicare urgent care clinics helping Australians to get urgent care when they need it?...
encoded: My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. How is the Albanese Labor government's investment in Medicare urgent care clinics helping Australians to get urgent care when they need it? How do urgent care clinics help strengthen Medicare after a decade of cuts and neglect?
date: 2025-11-06T14:51:00+00:00

BlueScope | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: Today, Australia's largest steelmaker, BlueScope, has announced the retirement of its CEO and managing director, Mark Vassella. For eight years, Mark has led BlueScope through a transformational...
encoded: Today, Australia's largest steelmaker, BlueScope, has announced the retirement of its CEO and managing director, Mark Vassella. For eight years, Mark has led BlueScope through a transformational period with integrity and a determination to redefine BlueScope's role in our community. Mark's leadership has helped change the face of local steelmaking. His admirable legacy includes a 14 per cent reduction in emissions intensity, a 25 per cent uplift in female workforce participation and a focus on First Nations inclusion. He led the $1.15 billion relining of the No. 6 blast furnace, improving environmental outcomes of local operations and creating jobs. He was instrumental in one of the biggest land transformation projects in the world, which will secure thousands more jobs in the long term, creating space for new industries and positioning Port Kembla on the world stage of innovation. BlueScope's impact on the Illawarra cannot be overstated; it's our biggest employer and a key player in Australia's critical manufacturing industry. I thank Mark for his passion and commitment to our community, and wish him well in the future. I also congratulate his successor, Tania Archibald, another demonstrated steel leader and BlueScope's first female CEO. We are fortunate to have effective and capable BlueScope leadership from individuals that value our community and the continued importance of Australian steelmaking in our clean-energy future. I am confident Tania will be another visionary leader.
date: 2025-11-05T13:43:00+00:00

Janssen, Mr Wyn | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: Mr Wyn Janssen has dedicated nearly three decades to improving aged-care services in our region, and he has just concluded his remarkable tenure as chair of Warrigal. Since joining the board in...
encoded: Mr Wyn Janssen has dedicated nearly three decades to improving aged-care services in our region, and he has just concluded his remarkable tenure as chair of Warrigal. Since joining the board in 1997, Wyn has transformed Warrigal into one of Australia's leading aged-care providers. Under his leadership, Warrigal has grown from serving 727 residents to supporting more than 4,500 older Australians through residential care, community villages, home services and social programs. The organisation expanded from 438 staff to over 2,000 employees and 525 volunteers, operating across the Illawarra, Southern Highlands, Queanbeyan and the ACT. Financially, Wyn guided Warrigal from a deficit position to a robust organisation, with revenues exceeding $335 million. His commitment to excellence has seen Warrigal recognised nationally, including as Employer of Choice for Women for nine consecutive years and twice as National Aged Care Provider of the Year. In 2024, Warrigal achieved a triple win at the Illawarra Business Awards, including as Business of the Year. Wyn's legacy is one of compassion, innovation and community service. His decades of voluntary leadership have improved the lives of thousands of older Australians and their families. I thank Wyn Janssen for his extraordinary contribution.
date: 2025-11-03T16:04:00+00:00

Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I am absolutely delighted to rise today in support of the Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, which accompanies the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025. I am really...
encoded: I am absolutely delighted to rise today in support of the Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, which accompanies the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025. I am really excited about this bill for so many reasons. As I'm the co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Brewing with my good friend, the member for Nicholls, it is probably not all that surprising. The Illawarra has a bustling and ever-expanding craft beer industry growing our tourism industry, delighting locals and visitors alike and working together to support the growing network of local brewers. But one of the big reasons is that this is a win for regional communities like mine in the Illawarra. I want to share a little story about why this bill excites me so much. Like so many of us here in this place, I spend many mornings standing at local train stations talking with commuters and local people about what matters most to them. There was one gentleman that really stood out to me. He used to drop in and see me when I was at Thirroul train station, one of our major commuting hubs, because he wanted to tell me how hard it had been getting together with his mates. This group of local blokes would get together on a Friday night down at the local bowlo in Thirroul. They are pensioners, and it was one of the treats they gave themselves, to have a bit of fun and keep in touch with each other—a group of blokes who really needed that weekly beer to check in on each other and keep them going for another week. But their beer was getting more and more expensive, and they were having to wind things back. Not everyone could come every week, and it was getting tougher to stay in touch. This might sound small, but, to this group of local Thirroul blokes, that Friday beer could not be important. I could see the impact it was having, and I was really grateful that this lovely gentleman was persistent in bringing this to my attention. So, when discussion about the beer excise came up, I shared this…
date: 2025-11-03T18:43:00+00:00

Youth Voice in Parliament | Constituency Statements | House debates
type: item
description: Today, I am reading speeches written by two young people in my electorate as part of the Raise Our Voice in Parliament campaign. The first one is: My name is Poppy. I'm 14 years old and my...
encoded: Today, I am reading speeches written by two young people in my electorate as part of the Raise Our Voice in Parliament campaign. The first one is: My name is Poppy. I'm 14 years old and my federal electorate is Cunningham. It is a human right to be confident that drugs and other treatments recommended by medical doctors are tested on groups representative of the entire population. Women experience many more accidental drug overdoses than men because recommended dosages are based on the average male body. Women are also at higher risk of unwarned adverse drug reactions because more men are tested than women in clinical drug trials. Women are at higher risk of serious and even fatal medical issues due to thoughtless exclusion from the drug development process, and are unable to trust prescribed drugs and other treatments. The Australian government can help correct this injustice by improving the National Health and Medical Research Council's and Therapeutic Goods Administration's approval of clinical trials through implementing more measures to ensure trials are representative of the entire Australian population. If this is enacted, women will be at a decreased risk of negative health effects from drugs and other treatments because they will be more informed of the correct dosages, possible adverse events, and even have access to drugs made specifically for women's health needs, ensuring safe healthcare for all Australians. Thank you so much, Poppy, for that thoughtful speech on such an important topic. My second one is from Audrey: Hi, I'm Audrey. I am 12 years old, and my electorate is Cunningham. I am the Business Manager, and founder of Sharkies Sharpening since 2021. It's a knife sharpening business. The experience of running a business has enabled me to become more confident, improve my communication with people, build resilience and gain a diverse range of general business skills. I believe that the government should initiate classes committed to teaching young…
date: 2025-10-30T10:27:00+00:00

Telecommunications | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
type: item
description: Our triple 0 system is an Australian staple and one that all of us have come to rely upon as a given, to be there when we need it. It's well known, it's trusted and it's essential. That's because...
encoded: Our triple 0 system is an Australian staple and one that all of us have come to rely upon as a given, to be there when we need it. It's well known, it's trusted and it's essential. That's because the triple 0 system saves lives, and that is why it is completely unacceptable to see that system fail during an outage of a telecommunications provider. This simply should not ever happen, and our government has been working hard to make sure that it doesn't. During the first Optus outage in September, 631 calls could not connect to triple 0, and this cost lives. That is completely devastating, and my heart goes out to those families who tragically lost a loved one. It should not have happened, and it is reprehensible. Then, just 10 days later, came another outage in my region. Nine calls to triple 0 did not go through thanks to the Optus outage in Dapto on 28 September, which was caused by an issue with an Optus mobile phone tower. We were lucky that there do not appear to have been any adverse outcomes for those callers, but that is by pure luck and chance, and we know how easily that can go the other way. One person, I understand, was forced to use someone else's phone to call for an ambulance, so clearly there were other services that could fill that gap, and that is the law. If an outage occurs, emergency calls must be redirected to alternative mobile towers. That is the responsibility of all telcos in Australia. So why weren't they? Already our government has directed the Australian Communications and Media Authority to investigate what happened to cause these failures. These were Optus's failures, and they are unacceptable. Every telco has a responsibility to ensure that Australians can connect to emergency services when they need to. Optus failed, and we will not only find out why but also hold them to account. The minister has been very clear that there will be consequences, and so there should be. In the meantime, we have taken action to ensure that this can't ha…
date: 2025-10-08T16:26:00+00:00

Nicholson, Dr Aunty Barbara, South Coast Portuguese Association, Gravitas Technologies | Adjournment | House debates
type: item
description: Since being re-elected in May I've had the privilege of attending a wide range of events across my electorate. Each of these moments reflects the rich culture, strong community and innovative...
encoded: Since being re-elected in May I've had the privilege of attending a wide range of events across my electorate. Each of these moments reflects the rich culture, strong community and innovative spirit that define the Illawarra. I would like to wish a very happy 90th birthday to an incredibly inspiring woman, Dr Aunty Barbara Nicholson. Earlier this month I had the pleasure of celebrating this milestone with Aunty Barb and many others whose lives have been touched by her extraordinary work. Aunty Barb is a proud Wadi Wadi elder whose lifelong dedication to education, storytelling and justice has left a lasting impact on the Illawarra and far beyond. She spent decades teaching at the University of Wollongong, sharing her deep knowledge of history, culture and law with generations of students. Through the Black Wallaby Project, she has empowered Aboriginal men and women in the justice system to express themselves through poetry and creative writing. This project has published over a dozen books, each filled with powerful and deeply personal work. It has earned national recognition, including a lifetime achievement award for First Nations literature. Not only this, but Aunty Barb has been a fierce campaigner for justice for First Nations Australians. She has been the driving force behind Link-Up, reuniting and supporting those affected by Australia's forced removal policies. She has shown a true commitment to tackling the overrepresentation of Indigenous Australians in the criminal justice system. In 2014, Aunty Barb received an honorary doctorate from the University of Wollongong, and in 2024 she was named Wollongong's Citizen of the Year and was the first Indigenous person to receive this honour. Despite these accolades, she always remains humble and is always focused on how she can continue to uplift others. Aunty Barb teaches us that strength comes from service, that education is a powerful tool for change and that every story matters. A very happy 90th birthday, Aunt…
date: 2025-09-04T13:15:00+00:00

Vietnam War | Constituency Statements | House debates
type: item
description: Over the weekend, I had the privilege of joining our community in Corrimal for a commemoration of the Vietnam War and to pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of our veterans. The arrival of...
encoded: Over the weekend, I had the privilege of joining our community in Corrimal for a commemoration of the Vietnam War and to pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of our veterans. The arrival of two iconic 'Huey' helicopters at the Corrimal Rangers football ground was one of the most powerful moments of the day. For veterans, their sound and sight brought back strong memories of their service. These helicopters were a constant presence in Vietnam, transporting troops, evacuating the wounded and supporting operations in dangerous conditions. Their landing reminded us of what so many went through and gave the community the chance to connect more directly with that history. This year marks 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War. It is an important milestone and one that asks us to pause, to remember and to honour the more than 60,000 Australians who served. They did so with bravery and commitment, in conditions that tested every part of them, yet, when they returned home, they did not always receive the recognition or the respect that they had earned. This commemoration also carried special significance for our region as it was the final event for the Vietnam Veterans Association of the Illawarra. For decades this organisation has been a voice for local veterans, providing mateship, advocacy and remembrance. Their contribution has been immense and, while this chapter closes, their legacy will continue through the Corrimal RSL sub-branch. We remember Warrant Officer Kevin 'Dasher' Wheatley, VC, MG. In Vietnam, when his mate was badly wounded, Dasher refused to leave him. He stayed at the cost of his own life. That decision remains one of the most powerful examples of Australian mateship and courage, and it is why he was awarded the Victoria Cross. It was an honour to acknowledge Dasher's wife Edna, his son George and their family, who have carried the weight of his sacrifice. Their story reminds us that service affects not only those who wear the uniform but also the …
date: 2025-09-04T09:57:00+00:00

Cunningham Electorate: Multiculturalism | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: This year we celebrate 50 years of the incredible work that the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra have done bringing people together. MCCI in 1975, with nine visionary community...
encoded: This year we celebrate 50 years of the incredible work that the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra have done bringing people together. MCCI in 1975, with nine visionary community leaders gathering to give migrants a voice, has grown into one of our region's most respected organisations. From those humble beginnings, MCCI has played a central role in our community, supporting people from CALD backgrounds right across the Illawarra, the Shoalhaven and now the ACT and Queanbeyan. Over the past five decades MCCI has provided essential services in aged care, youth programs, community development, cultural training and settlement support. They have been there for new arrivals, strongly supported by the Albanese Labor government with $321,000 through the Strong and Resilient Communities Activity and more than $4 million to deliver the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support program. During the election I also secured a $5 million commitment to establish a new regional multicultural community centre in the Illawarra, and I look forward to delivering on that commitment. With around 300 staff and volunteers, speaking more than 50 languages, MCCI proudly reflects the diversity and strength of our community. On this golden anniversary, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to CEO, Chris Lacey; Chair, Ken Habak OAM; the board; and every staff member and volunteer, past and present, who have (Time expired)
date: 2025-09-04T13:38:00+00:00

Women's Health | Questions without Notice | House debates
type: item
description: My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Women. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to deliver better choices, lower costs and better health care for women?
encoded: My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Women. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to deliver better choices, lower costs and better health care for women?
date: 2025-09-01T14:17:00+00:00

Secure Jobs, Better Pay Review | Private Members' Business | House debates
type: item
description: I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the final report of the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Review; (2) notes the report found the Government's workplace changes are already delivering for...
encoded: I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the final report of the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Review; (2) notes the report found the Government's workplace changes are already delivering for Australian workers, and that: (a) coverage of collective bargaining 'has increased markedly'; (b) real wages and workers' economic circumstances are improving; and (c) the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act represents a significant development aimed at improving outcomes for working women, including a reduction in the gender pay gap; (3) further notes recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics that showed: (a) a record number of Australians work; (b) since May 2022, employment had risen by 8.6 per cent, a higher rate of employment growth than all major advanced economies; (c) the gender pay gap is at the lowest ever level since records began; and (d) annual real wages have now grown for seven consecutive quarters under this Government; and (4) further acknowledges the Government's commitment for Australians to earn more and keep more of what they earn. The Albanese Labor government has worked hard over the last three years to turn around years of neglect and the degradation of workers' rights under the former Liberal government. At the core of Labor governments sits the ideal that workers' rights must be protected, that Australians should have secure jobs and that all workers should be paid fairly for the work that they do. This isn't just an ideal; this is something we have worked hard to enshrine in the law. In December 2022, our parliament passed the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill. We did this because, fundamentally, Australian workers had spent too long dealing with insecure work, with their wages held back. It was bad for local workers in my community like childcare workers, aged-care workers, those on the minimum wage—the list goes on. They had had it too tough for too long. Our legislation aimed to improve job security and gender equality, i…
date: 2025-09-01T10:44:00+00:00