Alison Byrnes's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
Jonceski, Mr Ljupco (Luch) | Condolences | House debates
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...
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 the Gong, and he never missed an opportunity to ask how things were going there, what was happening in the community and how people were travelling back home. That genuine interest in people's lives beyond this building was part of what made him so very special. He often asked me about my predecessors Sharon Bird and Stephen Martin and spoke warmly about them. Sharon Bird shared this with me: It was always such a pleasure to come back to Canberra and be greeted by his friendly smile, chat about the Gong and enjoy his little jokes. Stephen Martin, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives described Luch as 'a champion person, a true gentlemen, friendly but efficient in all my close working relationships with during my parliamentary career and even on those occasions I returned to Canberra'. Those words reflect how deeply Luch was valued across generations of members in this place. Like the Speaker, I shared familiar exchanges with Loochy in the attendants room near the chamber, where we bantered about who would get the lectern, who would get the water. He would insist on doing it. I would say, 'Loochy, I'm going to do it,' and that he could relax. He would say no, that he was going to do it, every time. It was said lightly, but it reflected his very deep sense of responsibility and his pride in his work. Luch loved this place and he loved the people who worked within it. He was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word, not because of formality but because he looked for ways to help others, to treat everyone with respect and to do his job well and without fuss. His passing has left a real void in this parliament, and I really did not want to walk into the attendants room at the start of this year and not see him here and not get a chance to banter about who gets the lectern. His legacy lives on in the memories, the kindness and the care that he showed to generations of members of staff and of visitors. On behalf of all of us, I extend my heartfelt sympathy to Luch's family. May he rest in peace.
Labor Government: Health Care | Adjournment | House debates
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...
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 improving access to affordable health care is part of Labor's DNA. We created Medicare, and we have fought for years to protect and to strengthen it. The Albanese Labor government has made the single biggest investment in Medicare history, with our $8.5 billion package to deliver more bulk-billing and more doctors across the country. From 1 November last year, for the first time, bulk-billing incentives will be paid to GPs for every patient they bulk-bill, supporting GPs and reducing costs and barriers for patients. In my electorate of Cunningham, we now have 24 fully bulk-billing clinics, 14 of which were mixed billing before our changes were announced. That means we now have nearly 2½ times more bulk-billing clinics in my electorate alone, thanks to the Albanese Labor government's investment. Clinics like the Corrimal Medical & Dental Centre and King Street Dental & Medical in Warrawong have told me what a difference this is making for their doctors and their patients. Corrimal Medical & Dental Centre switched away from bulk-billing a few years ago, due to increasing overhead costs to their GPs, and they have proudly switched back thanks to this investment that is backing the hard work that they do. No-one wants to see their patients avoiding a check-up because they can't afford it or, worse, ending up in hospital because they didn't get early intervention by their GP. King Street Dental & Medical estimates that the switch to fully bulk-billing will see 17,000 additional patient visits each year delivered with no out-of-pocket costs. This has taken real dedication from every doctor at the practices that have signed up, and I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every GP in our community for the work that you do every day. But that's not all. From 1 January, we have reduced the maximum cost of all PBS listed medicines to only $25 and frozen the cost for concession card holders at $7.75. Medicines have not been this cheap for more than 20 years, and this is on top of our 60-day dispensing and the lowering of the PBS safety net threshold. We've launched 1800MEDICARE, a new advice and out-of-hours Medicare telehealth service, which has already been accessed by tens of thousands of Australians since its launch on 1 January. And we've introduced the new Medicare mental health check-in so that all Australians can access free digital mental health support without the need for a GP referral. Our government is committed to supporting our community with access to more affordable health care.
Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
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...
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 the Bondi attack, I joined the member for Wollongong, the member for Macarthur, the member for Reid, Waverley mayor Will Nemesh and many mayors from across New South Wales, as well as thousands of others, to lay flowers at the Bondi pavilion. People from all faiths, all backgrounds and all walks of life gathered in their shared grief and their shared determination to ensure that this is never repeated. I was also joined by young members of the Jewish community Pnina Hagege, Zac Morris and Ellie Zilberman, who came to pay their respects, as well as Kath Cummins. I wanted to acknowledge their presence, their resolve and their kindness. I also acknowledge the leadership of the Muslim community in engaging constructively and respectfully with government since the events at Bondi. The president of the Omar Mosque in Gwynneville has long put community unity above hate, noting that, when it came to these Bondi attacks, 'These were sick individuals who did this.' Syrian born Ahmed al-Ahmed is one of the heroes of Bondi. He put his life at risk to save other people in his community. His bravery was simply awe inspiring. I unequivocally condemn the actions of the perpetrators at Bondi, and I condemn antisemitism, hatred and racism in all its forms. We cannot allow more hate to be the response to this act of hate. We cannot allow extremism to be responded to with further extremist behaviour. This attack has struck at the core of our beliefs. Acts of such immense and intense hatred are aimed at dividing us and driving a wedge between us—in this case, based on religion. But it has not. It has united our community, firstly, in shock and grief but now in a steely determination that similar incidents are not repeated against any group or at any gathering. Over the last month, we have seen both the best and the worst of humanity, but the best elements of us have consistently risen to guide us. I hope to see others continue to put kindness and unity above division. We must do all that we can so that this event is not repeated in Australia. The theme of our national day of mourning on Thursday, as requested by Rabbi Ulman, will be 'Light Will Win—A Gathering of Unity and Remembrance'. We must use light to guide us from this dark period, and we must use light to help us stamp out hate in all its forms in all parts of our community. I again give my deepest condolences to the friends, families and communities of the victims of this senseless attack. May this tragedy help guide us to a better, more cohesive and more respectful Australia.
Richardson, Hon. Graham Frederick, AO | Condolences | House debates
I move: That further proceedings be conducted in the House. Question agreed to.
Housing | Questions without Notice | House debates
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...
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?
Cunningham Electorate: Omar Mosque | Statements by Members | House debates
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...
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.
VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
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...
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 controls and integrity safeguards in order to protect students' personal information. These protections and safeguards will continue. It is also important to note that there will be no change to the way students apply for or receive these loans. We have invested $42.2 million over four years from 1 July 2023 to build a modernised VET student loans IT system that further strengthens the department's administration of the VET Student Loans program. From the start of 2026, VET student loans will be underpinned by a new, modern assessment and payment system—just one of the ways we are improving government processes and efficiencies to help businesses and the Australian people. As I said at the beginning, vocational education changes lives. It is so incredibly important, and, to be frank, without it we would lose workers from a whole range of critical industries that keep this country moving. The Albanese Labor government believe in TAFE, and we believe in vocational education. We will always invest in TAFE because we understand the hugely significant role that it plays in our community, and that's why we have worked hard to make TAFE free for over 685,000 students across Australia since 2023. That includes more than 50,000 childcare workers, more than 73,000 care economy workers, more than 11,000 construction workers and more than 10,000 clean energy workers with certificates III and IV in electrotechnology, electrician, plumbing and services, just to name a few. In the Illawarra alone, between January 2024 and June 2025, 4,781 people benefited from free TAFE. How incredible is that? Just recently I was so excited to join the Minister for Skills and Training—along with the New South Wales Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education; the member for Keira; and the member for Wollongong—to officially launch the brand-new renewable energy training facility at Wollongong TAFE, funded with $2.5 million from the Australian government that I was delighted to secure under the TAFE Technology Fund. These mobile training units will bring renewable energy education and career engagement programs directly to students in regional communities like the Illawarra. We had so much fun trying out all of the fantastic equipment—cycling to power household appliances, virtual reality welding, tracking electricity consumption across Australia and so much more. The project includes a mobile community engagement truck featuring virtual reality experiences and interactive displays that showcase renewable energy concepts and career pathways; a mobile training truck providing hands-on experience with wind turbine, solar and electric vehicle components, aligned to TAFE NSW qualifications; and two dual-purpose shipping containers that double as mobile classrooms, fitted with renewable energy systems, battery storage and interactive learning tools. It was a collaboration with the University of Wollongong through the Energy Futures Skills Centre—another amazing centre that we have invested $10 million in—to create the clean energy workforce of the future. It was impeccably designed by Australian company Exhibition Studios and their incredible team, with special mention to Karl Meyer, Meagan O'Neill and Matthew Riley—with all jobs remaining here in Australia. I want to also acknowledge the incredible work of Professor Ty Christopher, Director of the Energy Futures Network at the University of Wollongong. Without Ty's passion, incredible knowledge and dedication to a better energy future, none of this would be possible. I know that in the Illawarra we absolutely must be training the workers of the future—preparing the workforce and our community for the energy transition that we must have. It's already here. It has already started. There are plenty of jobs already being created in the Illawarra as we carve out a spot for ourselves as a clean energy powerhouse. I am sure that these mobile training units will play a key role in that future. I also want to touch briefly on another exciting announcement to come out of the Energy Futures Skills Centre just last week—the launch of the Energy Futures Zone at the Science Space, located at the University of Wollongong Innovation Campus. I could not have been more excited to open this new space on Thursday last week, along with the vice-chancellor of the University of Wollongong, Max Lu. No run-of-the mill cutting of ribbon for us—we got to open the zone with a liquid nitrogen science experiment, which I have to say is probably one of the most fun openings that I have ever done. There are zones to learn, zones to practise skills and zones to get excited about the job possibilities of the future, all in an interactive environment for everyone aged five to 105. Working in partnership with the TAFE units and with the broader Energy Futures Skills Centre which will open next year is how we will ensure that the Illawarra is ready, skilled and available to supply the workforce we need tomorrow and in the future. It's something I am so proud to deliver for our community because I know this is absolutely going to transform our local economy and the lives of so many young people who will gain the essential skills and knowledge that they need. The renewable energy training facility is not all we are doing to invest in Wollongong TAFE. The Illawarra is home to a thriving advanced manufacturing industry that is innovating and growing locally, nationally and internationally. We've got BlueScope, of course—the backbone of the Illawarra for 50 years. We've also got newer innovators like Hysata, Gravitas Technologies, Sicona Battery Technologies and so many more that are working to ensure that Australia and the world have the tools and the technology for our future. These companies are expanding, they are innovating and they need a workforce pool that they can call on—a workforce with the skills to really contribute to these growing industries. That's why I am also really excited that the Albanese Labor government has invested $23.53 million, matched by the New South Wales government, to develop the Illawarra Heavy Industry Manufacturing Centre of Excellence. This centre of excellence will focus on traditional and renewable manufacturing to support the development of a skilled workforce that can meet the demands of new technologies and rising automation. It will provide targeted training in traditional and renewable heavy industry manufacturing for the defence and transport sectors. It will also integrate emerging technologies and automation into training, equipping students for work in digital, electrical and robotic manufacturing. It will also deliver microskills and microcredentials to upskill current workers. It is amazing that we will have, based in the Illawarra, one of only three of these centres of excellence. It is not just one piece that will help our economy transition from a coal based workforce to the new clean energy market. It is all of these pieces together, combined with real investment in industries and in the companies that are doing that work. They are being given the signals that the Illawarra is serious about playing a significant role in that transition. Young people are excited about the jobs that the clean energy transition is providing and will provide. They want to be a part of it because they see it as their future, and local companies see that too. We're backing them in with our Future Made in Australia policies, including the Industry Growth Program, which is helping local companies like Gravitas Technologies scale their innovation and bring it to the world market. We believe in the transition. We believe in the jobs and opportunities that it can provide, and we are backing it with world-class education and training. Free TAFE and VET loans put this within the reach of everyone in our community and tells them that this future is possible for them and they can fulfil that dream to be part of this new revolution. We are also backing apprentices—supporting and encouraging businesses to invest in the education of our future workforce. As of December 2024, the electorate of Cunningham had 2,790 apprentices. Our government is investing in apprentices because we know how important they are for our economy and how important they are for growing skills. Apprenticeships support businesses. They put young people on a viable career pathway and they ensure that we have the skilled workforce we need for the future. We're doubling the level of support for apprentices who finish a trade in the residential housing sector and in the clean energy sector, providing them with a $10,000 incentive payment under the Key Apprenticeship Program. The program provides eligible apprentices with $10,000 in incentive payments, on top of their wages over the life of their apprenticeship, to work in housing construction and in over 40 different energy careers. We've also increased the living-away-from-home allowance from 1 July this year to help apprentices who are struggling with the cost of relocating to undertake their apprenticeship. Investing in apprentices means we will have more tradies, which means more homes can be built today, tomorrow and in the future, and it encourages more people into the sectors that are playing a crucial role in transitioning our economy to net zero and supporting our aspiration for a future made in Australia. Eligible apprenticeships include designing and constructing; hydroelectricity; solar and battery installations; electric vehicle maintenance; and more. This is great news for young people, and it is great news for the future of our country. I am so excited to see what the future will hold. I have been a big support of renewable energy because I can see the potential. I can see the opportunities that it holds, particularly in regional areas like ours. Net zero is the future. It has to be, and it will be. I want to see the Illawarra embrace it, because the reality is that we embrace it or we miss out. These jobs will be created, and we want them to be created right in the Illawarra. We want those jobs for our kids as well as for those workers in fossil fuel industries that are facing huge challenges and changes ahead. There is opportunity, and, as a government, it is our job to make sure that we are putting support into the right places to allow community and industry to move in the direction that we need them to. That starts with vocational education. It must be affordable, it must be accessible, and it must be fit for purpose. That is what I see as the common denominator across all of these areas I have just outlined—affordable vocational education using state-of-the-art equipment in the regions, local and accessible to anyone who wants to embrace it. I am a proud supporter of TAFE and a proud backer of vocational education. I am pleased to see this bill supporting the mechanisms that allow young people to access VET loans while securing their information, and I really want to thank the Minister for Skills and Training for not only his work on this bill but his commitment to affordable and accessible vocational education. It was a pleasure to have him in Wollongong just recently, and I look forward to welcoming him back soon. I also want to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all of our hardworking TAFE and vocational education teachers. The work that you do is so valued and so valuable. Lastly I want to acknowledge all of those businesses who are taking on apprentices, investing in their education and their future. I want you all to know that you are making a difference in someone's life and giving them the key to their future. The Albanese Labor government will continue doing all we can to support business, support students and support our community by investing in TAFE, investing in the jobs of the future and creating a future made in Australia. I commend the bill to the House.
Mental Health | Private Members' Business | House debates
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...
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-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy delivered by trained professionals via phone or video. And we are boosting the mental health workforce, with more than 4,000 psychology scholarships, internships and training places. Just recently, I was delighted to welcome the Special Envoy for Men's Health to my electorate for the Healthier Illawarra Men's luncheon. This annual event, in partnership with the St George Illawarra Dragons, is going from strength to strength in its support for men's mental health. This year's luncheon had a stellar line up, with former cricketing legend Lord Ian Botham; Gotcha4Life founder, Gus Worland; and TV personality Karl Stefanovic rounding out the panel. All of these men have a proven track record in breaking down barriers for men's mental health, sharing their stories to show that resilience and mateship matter. I congratulate Healthier Illawarra Men on a fantastic sold-out event raising funds for local men's health initiatives. Thank you to everyone who came along and to the wonderful panel, including the member for Hunter, Dan Repacholi, for your honest and inspiring contributions. I also took the special envoy to meet with the local group The Fathering Project to hear the stories of Corey and Dave. Both of these brave men shared how this program has changed their lives and the lives of their kids, giving them renewed purpose and connection. Healthy, happy, engaged dads are good for kids and good for communities, and I really want to thank case coordinator Tim, CEO Kati and growth manager Emma for their absolutely invaluable work. During his visit, the MCCI's Burmese men's group gave the special envoy and me a lovely welcome to their meeting in Cringila. This group speaks three different languages, and they come together in their beautiful garden, lovingly cultivated by Ple Reh to foster that sense of community and belonging. A big thank you to Chris Lacey and all of the MCCI team for inviting us along. Lastly, I want to acknowledge a few of the other incredible local organisations that are working to improve the mental health and wellbeing of our community. There is the Raising the Bar Foundation, run by Lachie Stevens, with initiatives like Walk With Us Kokoda and Healthier Hospitality. Lachie also runs the Barstool Brothers at His Boy Elroy, helping local men to create connection and find avenues for help. There's also Talk2MeBro, founded by Jack Brown and Kristy Simpson after the tragic death of Matt Simpson, working to put an end to male suicide. I also recently met with Melissa Abu-Gazaleh, the founder of the Top Blokes Foundation, which is breaking down the stigma around mental health, particularly for young men. I put on a 10-kilogram vest for an interesting walk and talk with Darcy to help Lift the Load. We've also got Women Illawarra, SAHSSI, Better Births Illawarra and the Illawarra Women's Health Centre supporting women and mothers experiencing trauma and domestic violence. These amazing organisations and so many more are working hard every single day to improve the mental health of local people. Thank you to everyone across government and beyond who is helping to change the lives of so many. We will keep doing everything we can to ensure our community can access the mental health support they need.
Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
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...
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 that our future is made in Australia. We believe in our core that our future must start at home. That is not just manufacturing and goods exports but also our cultural exports, and we simply cannot guarantee the future of Australian cultural exports without protecting them through content requirements. We have Australian content requirements on free-to-air television and on pay television, protecting Australian cultural identity and Australian jobs. The growth of streaming services over the past few years has been huge and it is important they be subject to the same requirements for the same reason—to protect our stories and to ensure that we see ourselves represented in arts and culture. This guarantee means there will be Australian stories on all screens. In my electorate of Cunningham in the Illawarra. we are proving ourselves to be a big drawcard when it comes to content creation. If I have one message for the streaming companies it is: the Illawarra is open for business and we have it all. We are a short helicopter ride from Sydney, as we saw with Elton John, who proved this when he flew in and out of WIN Stadium for his amazing concert a few short years ago. From memory, it took him about 20 minutes—a very short commute, if you ask me. We have the most picturesque coastline you could imagine. Our famous Seacliff Bridge has featured in advertisements and television shows multiple times, showcasing one aspect of what makes our coastline so beautiful—where the mountains meet the sea—as beautiful a picture as you can get. And Hollywood has already started to discover our wonderful recipe. This year alone we have seen two famous and recognisable faces come to Wollongong to make their latest Hollywood blockbusters. In February the incredible Russell Crowe was spotted in Wollongong Harbour filming his movie The Beast in Me with a famous Australian line-up that included Daniel MacPherson, Luke Hemsworth and Amy Shark. Russell has felt the Illawarra magic before, filming Poker Face in Kiama and Gerringong in 2022 as well. Then, in April, the small and very quirky and arty town of Port Kembla was absolutely abuzz. The original Baywatch girl, Pamela Anderson herself, was filming on Wentworth Street. The film, Place to Be, used the Servo as its set—a fantastic local bar and live music venue that is also committed to giving local Australian artists a platform. Port Kembla was also the set for Stan's series Exposure in 2023 and featured in the BBC's mystery series Return to Paradise last year. Another famous Hollywood movie, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, was filmed in multiple spots across the Illawarra, including in the old Helensburgh Tunnel, a spot many local people would have instantly recognised in the film. At the time, Screen Illawarra's Kingston Anderson said that the production was 'probably the largest feature film to be shot in Australia'. That happened in my hometown. There's not much that gets more thrilling than that. We have so much potential—as you know, Deputy Speaker Freelander—not just for Hollywood but for locally made content as well. Our very own Yael Stone, of Orange Is the New Black fame, filmed her recent Paramount Plus series, One Night, in the northern suburbs of the Illawarra, with many instantly recognisable landmarks, like the famous Scarborough pub, the Sea Cliff Bridge, local train stations and more. In the series, Yael's character, Hat, does what many locals do—commutes to the city on the train everyday to get to work. It was actually at Thirroul train station where I met Yael for the very first time during the 2022 election campaign. This is a piece of our community's reality—a small, but important, feature of this drama series. Produced by the company of Screen Illawarra patron Ian Collie, Easy Tiger Productions, the film employed lots of locals and helped project our beautiful coastline onto screens worldwide. The film, Over, is a community driven production which has a cast and crew entirely made up of Illawarra artists. It was filmed across Wollongong and last year it won Best Commissioned Film at the Creative Wollongong Short Film Festival. In yet another exciting development in 2025 that has really seen our region hit some high notes for Australian film, it took out the Specsavers Award for Best Australian Comedy Short Film at Flickerfest 2025. How great is that? These are just some examples. There simply is not enough time to celebrate all the amazing productions that have come out of Wollongong in the last few years. A lot of these opportunities have been thanks to the incredible hard work of Screen Illawarra, which has been tireless in its effort to pitch our region to the screen industry. Earlier this year Screen Illawarra took a delegation of industry representatives from Warner Bros, Disney and the BBC on a tour of our coastline, visiting local attractions like Bald Hill, Symbio Wildlife Park, BlueScope and more. I have been speaking regularly with Screen Illawarra about ways that our government can help support them to grow this blossoming market. I look forward to seeing so many more exciting exports coming to a streamer near you very soon. There are lots of exciting possibilities being worked on—I'll say that much—and I can't wait to see what is next. I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge and thank the chair of Screen Illawarra, Nick Bolton, and all of his team for their outstanding advocacy and genuine hard work in getting the Illawarra to where it is today and where it will be tomorrow. Our region is so lucky to have you fighting for us, seeing our potential and helping to make that a reality. Thank you. It is not just film and television where our government is demonstrating our commitment to local Australian artists. Just last week I was so privileged to get to attend the ARIA Awards—our national night to celebrate everything Australian music. I owe a huge thanks to the Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, for helping me to get there, for one very exciting reason. For the very first time, the ARIA Awards had a brand new category of Best Music Festival, and Wollongong's Yours and Owls was nominated. We could not have been prouder of our guys getting this national recognition, and I just had to be there with them to celebrate that. They may have been pipped at the post by Laneway Festival, but that does not diminish the incredible achievement it was to make it into that category in its inaugural year. Congratulations to Adam, Balunn, Ben and all their team on this mighty achievement. What made the night even more exciting was that, while I was there, I got the news that Yours and Owls had been awarded $250,000 under the Revive Live program—so I got to tell Adam this exciting news face to face while we waited for the announcement of their award nomination. Revive Live is supporting our live music industry, keeping venues open, keeping festivals entertaining fans and keeping Australian music alive. It was such a great moment to give Adam that news, and I am so pleased to be supporting Yours and Owls with original Australian artist fees, marketing, production and accessibility costs. I mentioned the servo earlier where Pamela Anderson was filming. Once again, I was delighted to provide them with $75,000 under Revive Live. We're also giving $33,832 to La La La's, another local live music venue which is helping to promote local artists and ensuring Australian music is enjoyed by fans in the Illawarra. Since the Revive Live program began this year, we have delivered over $650,000 to help support local artists and venues. I will keep doing everything I can to champion Australian music, our talented Australian artists and the venues that celebrate them. I once again highlight the strong dedication our government has to protecting Australia's culture, protecting Australian content and ensuring we don't lose valuable jobs and revenue to overseas markets. I give a special mention here to the Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, and the Minister for Communications, Anika Wells, for their dedication to making these content requirements law. We have a clear and defined purpose to create a future made in Australia. It's not a tagline. It's not just a motto. It is a guiding principle we are following through, with real policy and real funding to ensure it happens. This has real and tangible benefits for Australian communities, particularly in regions like the Illawarra. We have already been big winners here. We have everything you could ever need for a production. We've got the vistas, we've got the proximity to a large city and we've got the talent. I recently went on a tour of Disney Studios in Moore Park. I wasn't surprised to learn that a significant portion of their workers live in the Illawarra, particularly in the animation field. That's a workforce ready to go for the next major Hollywood—or, hopefully, Australian—production. Big stars like Russell Crowe and Pamela Anderson know it. Companies like Disney and Warner Brothers have seen the potential. Our government will do everything we can to create the environment that attracts investment in Australian products and Australian people. It's just one more notch for a future made in Australia. I say to anyone thinking about the next big Australian film or series: come and knock on our door. We're ready and the Illawarra is open for business. You will not regret spending your time in the mighty Illawarra. I commend the bill to the House.
Health Care | Questions without Notice | House debates
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?...
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?
BlueScope | Statements by Members | House debates
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...
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.
Janssen, Mr Wyn | Statements by Members | House debates
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...
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.
Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
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...
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 story with the Treasurer to let him know the impact the cost of beer was having on groups of pensioners in my electorate, because this is absolutely not an isolated group of blokes. That social interaction is so important to so many people across Australia. One of the best texts I have ever received from my good friend the Treasurer was to let me know that we were freezing the beer excise. I knew straightaway that there was a group of blokes down at Thirroul bowlo who would be cheering. I want to thank the Treasurer not only for listening to this story but for taking it seriously and taking action—just one more piece of cost-of-living support from the Albanese government. This is what these bills are about—a targeted, measured change to pause indexation on draught beer excise and excise-equivalent customs duties for two years. For 40 years, beer excise indexation hasn't changed, with two annual excise increases in line with CPI each year. The pressure on small businesses has been growing. Pubs, clubs and breweries are part of what makes Australian culture. They bring us together, and in some cases they hold us together during good times and bad. In the regions in particular, they are community hubs, and they are important for our economy. The measure applies only to containers between eight and 48 litres, those commonly used in pubs and clubs, and containers over 48 litres, used in larger hospitality venues, helping to ensure this is targeted at keeping operating costs stable for our hospitality venues while maintaining our broader alcohol excise framework. This is sensible, practical and responsible, and that is what our government is about. In my work as co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Brewing, I have worked closely with the Brewers Association of Australia. A 100 per cent member funded association, they have worked hard, along with the Australian Hotels Association and others, to see this issue given the attention that it deserves, and they have worked with the government on a practical solution. Around 10,000 hospitality venues across Australia will directly benefit from this change. Around 75 per cent of those are small businesses, and small businesses have been doing it tough. Across the supply chain, the brewing industry contributes $17 billion every year to our economy—that's agriculture, transport, logistics, hospitality, retail and tourism—and it creates about 100,000 full-time-equivalent jobs. In fact, there are 6,591 full-time-equivalent jobs linked directly to brewing. In New South Wales alone, brewing supports more than 28,000 full-time-equivalent jobs across the supply chain and adds around $4.2 million to our economy. It's significant. Without support, jobs are at risk, communities are at risk and the economy will be left worse off. These bills also support Australian brewers, particularly those small and independent producers supplying draught beer to local venues. The government has announced tax relief for Australia's distillers, brewers and wine producers. Currently, brewers and distillers get a full remission of any excise paid, up to $350,000 each year. We will increase the excise remission cap to $400,000 for all eligible manufacturers, and we will also increase the wine equalisation tax producer rebate cap to $400,000 from 1 July 2026. In my electorate in the Illawarra, I know this is going to make a huge difference, because this local industry is absolutely booming. Independent breweries alone contribute $1.18 million to the Australian economy every year. Back home, the Illawarra Brewing Company started brewing local beer in 2011, taking over from the Five Islands Brewing Company, which began in 2001. At the time, it was the only one—a small father-and-son outfit run by Garry and Dave McGrath that supplied beer to the Illawarra Brewery, a popular local venue. In 2012, they won five awards at the Australian International Beer Awards, and they became the first pioneers of craft beer in the Illawarra. Flash forward to 2025, and now we have eight local brewing companies: Resin Brewing, the Barrel Shepherd, Principle Brewing, Reub Goldberg Brewing, Dusty Lizard Brewing, Five Barrel Brewing, First Light Brewing Co and Seeker Brewing. We also have the South Coast Ale Trail and the Wollongong Brewers Association—local companies banding together to change the face of beer in Wollongong and to catapult this booming local industry. And it's working. Local bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants are getting on board, fighting to become stockists of locally made beer. And it is really good beer, at that. Seeker Brewing in Unanderra took home six silver and two bronze medals at this year's Australian International Beer Awards—their latest haul in an impressive line-up of awards, having won multiple golds in 2022 and 2023. Their specialty, hop-focused brewing, makes them one of the country's top producers in this style. Five Barrel Brewing was the Illawarra's second brewery, and it was named the state's best new brewery in 2016. Five Barrel is owned by Phillip O'Shea and his sister Lucy Timpano, with help from their parents and other family members as well, making Five Barrel a true family organisation. Since 2016, they have kept moving to greater and greater heights. Following in the footsteps of Dave McGrath from the Illawarra Brewing Company, Phil and Lucy wanted to turn the Gong from a VB town to a craft beer town, and I think you could say they've had a lot of success. Local brewers are focusing on shifting attitudes to drinking from drink-to-drink culture to drink-to-enjoy culture, by educating patrons on what craft beer is all about. In an exciting new venture, the Bus of Hoppiness rolls into town this coming weekend—a bus tour on a travelling loop of five local breweries: Seeker, Five Barrel, First Light, Dusty Lizard and Principle, helping to shepherd beer lovers and novices alike around the Illawarra's exciting craft beer culture, all thanks to the new Wollongong Brewers Association. I think this is the other important point: that craft beer is actually about doing beer differently—doing it responsibly and doing it for enjoyment. They are a community helping and supporting each other to give the Illawarra just one more reason to be the best region in Australia. And I certainly agree with that. That is why I am so thrilled that the Albanese government is supporting this industry. We are also supporting businesses, like the Headlands hotel, the Illawarra Hotel, Howlin' Wolf Bar, the Prince, His Boy Elroy, Steamers Bar and Grill and so many others, who are getting on board and stocking local Illawarra beers on tap, because supporting small businesses and supporting local people to deal with the cost of living is No. 1 on our priority list. Manufacturing, hospitality, tourism—they run the regions, they feed our national economy, and they are vital. We want to support our small local brewers to compete against the large multinational producers. We want to ensure that our beer and hospitality market has diversity and healthy competition. We're keeping it measured, we're keeping it responsible and we are keeping it in line with what will help these important small businesses right now, protecting the jobs that they create, protecting the economic value they drive and protecting our Australian culture, by responsibly enjoying our pubs and clubs—just like that lovely gentleman and his mates down at the Thirroul bowlo. I am proud to be part of a government that knows our values, knows what is important to protect and knows what can be adjusted for the benefit of all Australians. I will keep doing what I can to ensure that local voices are heard in these important conversations. I will keep doing what I can to ensure our local beer industry can continue to thrive. We have so many people employed in manufacturing. I will keep doing what I can to support my community with real and impactful cost-of-living relief, just like we have done by investing in Medicare, making home solar batteries 30 per cent cheaper, cutting student debt by 20 per cent, increasing the minimum wage, increasing the super guarantee and paid parental leave, boosting the pension, cutting taxes, cutting energy bills and helping more people to be able to afford a home. Always, we have given cost-of-living relief to local people. All of this support has been done at the same time that headline inflation has come down, our economy has stabilised, unemployment has been low and real wages have grown. It is sensible economic management by a government that knows which levers to press and when, balancing support of our community with support of our economy. Our plan is working, and we will keep at it. Again, I want to thank the Treasurer and the Assistant Treasurer for these bills. I want to thank all of those industry bodies that worked constructively with us through this process. I'm looking forward to another term as co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Brewing. I'll again be working closely with the Brewers Association of Australia, the Independent Brewers Association, my co-chair, the member for Nicholls, as we keep bringing the spotlight on Australia's brewing and live music industries to the Australian parliament. I encourage everyone who hasn't yet tasted the amazing craft beer that the Illawarra has to offer to come and visit the South Coast Ale Trail. You won't be disappointed. I commend this bill to the House.
Youth Voice in Parliament | Constituency Statements | House debates
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...
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 students about how to start and run a business and the benefits of doing so. Being able to run a business at a young age is a major life advantage. Operating a business can improve young Australian's skills like how to treat and serve customers, how to handle money, budget earnings and outgoing costs and eventually profit, at a young age. This could open up new career opportunities, provide experience, improve life skills and make you generally more employable when leaving school. Support youth business—teach entrepreneurship early, build brighter futures. Well done Audrey on such an interesting take on supporting young entrepreneurs. I want to thank everybody who took part in this year's Raise Our Voice in Parliament campaign and acknowledge the work of the Raise Our Voice Australia team.
Telecommunications | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
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...
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 happen again. We've introduced the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Triple Zero Custodian and Emergency Calling Powers) Bill 2025. This critical bill will immediately strengthen government oversight of the triple 0 system. It enshrines the Triple Zero Custodian framework into law and gives ACMA powers to act quickly and decisively. It also gives government the ability to step in during outages. As the minister has said, we have announced six key points to make sure the triple 0 system is as resilient and safe as it can be. We've introduced that legislation. We're introducing real-time reporting of outages to ACMA and to emergency services so that everyone can know when these outages are happening and take steps to address them straightaway. Telcos will also now be required to test triple 0 during upgrades and maintenance, and there will be new requirements to fully ensure that triple 0 calls will go through to another network—something the law already requires. We will make sure they meet it. Additionally, there will now be mandatory improvement plans after triple 0 outages, and the new custodian will issue additional performance requirements to telcos, through ACMA, within six months of these new laws. This is decisive action. This is tough action. This will make sure that Australians can be confident that triple 0 will be there for them when they need it. Minister Wells has worked hard on this. She has worked fast on this. Our government is taking the action that we need to right now. Under these laws, ACMA will have new statutory powers to issue binding directions to carriers, carriage service providers and emergency call persons. It will be able to mandate specific actions and it will ensure that all stakeholders are informed as soon as possible to ensure a coordinated response. I reiterate: this is a failing of Optus. The law already required that triple 0 calls not fail, and Optus has let our community down. Under the new laws, telcos will face significant consequences—as they should—if they don't act as they must, if they don't provide the information that they must during an outage. We take this seriously, and this new bill demonstrates that. I would encourage those opposite to stop playing political games and get on board with what our government has done. Fast, strong and effective action to protect all Australians. That's what we will continue to do because that's what all Australians deserve.
Nicholson, Dr Aunty Barbara, South Coast Portuguese Association, Gravitas Technologies | Adjournment | House debates
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...
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, Aunty Barb, and thank you for everything that you've done and continue to do for our community. I am so lucky to have the South Coast Portuguese Association in the Illawarra, who are celebrating 50 years of service to our region. For half a century this association has brought together generations of Portuguese Australians living in the Illawarra to honour their heritage, share their culture and support one another. They have created an incredible place where traditions are passed down, language is preserved and community truly feels like family. I was proud to arrange a signed certificate from the Prime Minister to mark this really important occasion and acknowledge the association's outstanding contribution to our region. The Portuguese community has added so much to the Illawarra's multicultural identity, from the vibrant colours of traditional clothing to the incredible food, music, dancing and stories passed down through generations. This 50-year milestone is a testament to the dedication and generosity of countless volunteers, committee members and families who have kept the Portuguese culture alive. Among them are current president Jorge Ferreira, secretary Patricia Laranjeira and former president Joe Alves, who this year completed his 27th World's Greatest Shave and has collectively raised over $338,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation. To everyone involved, past and present, thank you for your dedication and contribution. Congratulations on a remarkable 50 years, and here's to many more. Right now in Coniston, a local company is turning innovation into opportunity and showing what a future made in Australia really looks like. I was proud to join the team at Gravitas Technologies in July to officially turn the first sod on their new facility right in the heart of the Illawarra. Gravitas is at the cutting edge of critical minerals processing. Their team has created an incredibly innovative material called Vulloy that's built to perform in extreme heat and tough environments. It has real potential in industries like defence, aerospace and green steel. The Albanese Labor government has supported Gravitas with $1.5 million under the Industry Growth Program to build a facility that will help boost our sovereign capability, strengthen supply chains and create highly skilled local jobs. This is what the Future Made in Australia agenda is all about: backing Australian ideas, investing in regional jobs and putting local manufacturing back on the map. I want to congratulate Sam, Charlie, Shane, Danny and the entire Gravitas team for the incredible work that they've put in to reach this point. They're building more than just a facility; they're helping to build the future of advanced manufacturing in this country.
Vietnam War | Constituency Statements | House debates
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...
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 families who live with it every day. Veterans, families, cadets, scouts, emergency services and local organisations all stood side-by-side on Sunday, and I thank the Corrimal Rangers Football Club, the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia Illawarra sub-branch, the Corrimal RSL Club, the Corrimal RSL sub-branch, Corrimal Fire & Rescue 269, the New South Wales Police Force, the 1st Bulli Scout Group, the 1st Russell Vale Scout Group, Scouts New South Wales and the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society Aviation Museum at Albion Park. They all came together on the day, and each played an important role in ensuring the commemoration was safe, respectful and memorable. I also acknowledge the Vietnamese community in Wollongong for their leadership on the day and for their ongoing work in recognising their heroes and building remembrance in our region.
Cunningham Electorate: Multiculturalism | Statements by Members | House debates
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...
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)
Women's Health | Questions without Notice | House debates
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?
Secure Jobs, Better Pay Review | Private Members' Business | House debates
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...
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, improve workplace conditions and protections and boost bargaining to restore fairness and integrity to the fair work institutions, and it's working. The final report of the independent panel conducting the statutory review of the secure jobs, better pay act has found that these changes are delivering for workers. As this motion notes, the review found coverage of collective bargaining has increased markedly. Real wages and workers' economic circumstances are improving. 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. This is real and tangible change in the lives of average working Australians. Since our legislation passed in December 2022, employment has risen by more than 879,000 jobs, reaching a record high in July 2025. As at June 2024, the number of small businesses had also grown by 2.7 per cent since the same time in 2023. When you support workers you also support business, and that's the truth. We promised we would get wages moving and we have delivered on that promise. We have delivered pay rises for those on the minimum wage. We've delivered pay rises for those working in aged care and in child care. In June 2025, we saw the seventh consecutive increase in annual wages growth, with the wage price index rising by 3.4 per cent on the previous year. Hardworking Australians doing the work that is keeping our economy moving deserve to be paid fairly. We also know that this country has had a real problem with the gender pay gap for far too long. Labor promised to turn that around. We promised we would take action to bring this down, and now the gender pay gap is at its equal lowest on record. That is what happens when you put these issues at the heart of what you do, when you decide that supporting workers must come first and that supporting women to be paid fairly must come first. It changes lives, and that is what we have done. One of the other things we aimed to do, which I know was important in my electorate, was close the labour hire loophole. The Illawarra has a proud mining history. Our community was built on the back of our local coalminers, and theirs was just one of the industries being exploited by labour hire loopholes that we have now closed. These were loopholes that saw people doing the same job but for less pay. It saw local workers missing out on hours, missing out on doing their job, because corporations thought they could get someone else to do it cheaper. Since our legislation came into effect, we have seen more than 5,000 labour hire workers receive pay increases, and that's a direct result of the changes that the Albanese Labor government made. A fair day's pay for a fair day's work—that's what Australians deserve and that's what they are getting out of an Albanese Labor government. The Illawarra also has a world-class university which brings a high volume of students and those wanting to work casual and flexible hours. When I spoke on the closing-loopholes legislation, I told the story of Ashleigh, a local student struggling to pay bills who had created a yellow pages of exploitation. It was a very sad state of affairs—a laundry list of underpayment, power imbalance and businesses trying to scam the system. Students took matters into their own hands to name and shame those behaving badly. Our review has shown that enterprise agreements are at an all-time high and Australians are earning more and keeping more of what they earn. I am proud to be part of a government delivering for workers and supporting local businesses at the same time.