Dan Repacholi's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
Milano Cortina Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games | Statements | House debates
Guess what? Tomorrow is the start of the Winter Olympics, a global celebration of athleticism, courage and—in some cases—an impressive willingness to throw yourself down an icy...
Guess what? Tomorrow is the start of the Winter Olympics, a global celebration of athleticism, courage and—in some cases—an impressive willingness to throw yourself down an icy mountain at terrifying speeds. As somebody who's had the privilege of representing Australia at the Olympic Games, I feel uniquely qualified to speak on this matter. Admittedly, my Olympic experience involved nice hot summer days rather than snowflakes. The closest I've been to winter sports is grabbing a beer out of an ice filled esky. But once an Olympian, always an Olympian. The Winter Olympics remind us of what makes sport so special: years of training for moments that last seconds, pushing through the pain, doubt and occasional crash—all for the chance to wear the green and gold and make Australia proud. Let's be honest: any Australian who chooses to compete in winter sports deserves an extra bit of respect. We are a country better known for beaches than for blizzards, and most of our athletes learn their craft a very long way from home. That takes grit, determination and a level of stubbornness that we can all admire. To our Australian Winter Olympic team: we are incredibly proud of all of you. Whether you bring home a medal or memories, you carry the hopes of all Australians. I'm not going to say good luck, because luck is for those who haven't put in the hard yards. Stay safe, and remember that, no matter how cold it gets, Australia is fully behind you. Enjoy it.
Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
I rise today to speak in support of the Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025. I do so as the member for Hunter but also in my role as the Special Envoy...
I rise today to speak in support of the Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025. I do so as the member for Hunter but also in my role as the Special Envoy for Men's Health. And I want to be very clear from the outset: this bill is not just about workforce reform, it's not just about scope of practice and it's not just about legislation. This bill is about access, it's about prevention and it's about saving lives—particularly the lives of men who too often fall through the cracks of our health system. When we talk about men's health in this place, we have to start with the uncomfortable truth: men are less likely to seek help. Men are more likely to delay care. Men are more likely to put things off until something becomes serious or, sometimes, until it's, unfortunately, too late. We see it in all the statistics. Men die younger than women. Men have higher rates of suicide. Men are more likely to present late with chronic diseases. And men in regional and outer metropolitan areas like the Hunter face even greater barriers to timely care. That is the context in which this bill matters. The legislation enables appropriately trained and endorsed registered nurses to prescribe certain medications under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, or the PBS. It allows those prescriptions to attract a Commonwealth subsidy and it ensures appropriate oversight through the Professional Services Review scheme. That might sound technical, but, in the real world, the impacts are very simple. It means people can get the medicines they need when they need them and without unnecessary delays. From a men's health perspective, this is critical. I cannot tell you how many blokes I've spoken to that say the same thing to me. They know something is wrong, they know they need help but they can't get in to see a GP for a couple of weeks. Or they live in a town where there is no access to a GP and they're not taking new patients. Or they're juggling shift work, caring responsibilities and cost pressures, and they, unfortunately, are putting themselves last. So they wait and they wait, and their condition gets worse. This bill helps break that cycle. By allowing designated registered nurse prescribers to work their full scope of practice, we expand the front door to the health system. We reduce the bottlenecks. We get people treated earlier and we keep them out of hospital. This is good health policy and it's good for men's health policy as well. Men are more likely to present to a health service in crisis rather than earlier. That is true for mental health, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and many other conditions. Early access to treatment and medication can be the difference between management and emergency. In communities like mine, nurses are often the first point of contact in primary care clinics, in aged care, in mental health settings, in Aboriginal community controlled health services and in hospitals supporting discharge and following up with care. Giving those nurses the ability to prescribe within a structured, regulated and collaborative framework means patients are not left waiting. It means continual care of these patients and it means better outcomes. This bill gives and delivers on an election commitment by the Albanese Labor government to implement scope-of-practice reforms for nurses and midwives. It aligns with unleashing the potential of our health workforce review, and it reflects years of consultation and careful planning. This certainly is not rushed reform; this is considered reform. Health ministers approved a new national registration standard in December 2024. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia has set clear education and endorsement requirements. The first cohort of designated registered nurse prescribers is expected to begin prescribing from July 2026—only a few months away. This is a staged, safe and sensible approach, and I want to be very clear about something else: this reform does not replace doctors, it does not undermine GPs and it does not compromise anybody's safety. Designated registered nurse prescribers will practice in partnership with authorised health practitioners under active prescribing arrangements. There is oversight, there is accountability and there are clear boundaries around what medicines can be prescribed. This is about team based care, and it's exactly where modern health systems need to go. From a men's health perspective, multidisciplinary care is essential. Men often present with complex needs; physical health, mental health, work related injuries, substance use and chronic disease all intersect. Having nurses able to prescribe within their scope means fewer handovers, fewer appointments and fewer opportunities for men to disengage from care altogether. That matters because every extra barrier is a chance for someone to walk away. I want to speak specifically about regional and outer metropolitan Australia. In the Hunter, access to care can vary dramatically depending on where you live. Some towns have very good coverage, and others struggle. GP shortages are real, wait times are real and pressures on emergency departments are constant. This bill helps relieve that pressure. By enabling nurses to prescribe PBS subsidised medicines in primary care, aged care, disability services, mental health settings and hospitals, we make better use of the workforce we already have. This is just common sense. This bill also supports continual care for men leaving hospital. Too often, men are discharged with instructions to see their GP and follow up with prescriptions and follow-up care. Unfortunately, that follow-up care doesn't always happen—or it happens too late. Allowing nurse prescribers to support discharge planning and outpatient management reduces readmissions and improves adherence to treatment. From a men's health perspective, this is crucial and definitely needed. Men are less likely to follow up, less likely to attend multiple appointments and, unfortunately, more likely to fall out of the system. This bill helps close that gap. I also want to speak about prevention. Prevention sits at the very heart of men's health. Too often, our health system is built to respond when something has already gone wrong—when a bloke turns up in the emergency department with chest pain, when diabetes has progressed too far or when mental health distress has reached its crisis point. That is not a failure of individuals; it's a failure of access. If we want to improve men's health outcomes, we have to intervene earlier. We have to make it easier to have that first conversation, easier to get that first prescription and easier to start treatment before the problem becomes an absolute catastrophe. This bill is going to do exactly that. This bill helps that the whole way along. When a man walks into a clinic, an aged-care service, a mental health service or a community health setting and speaks to a nurse, that interaction should not end with them needing to come back later, needing to book somewhere else or needing to have a conversation with three or four other people. Every extra step increases the risk that nothing is going to happen at all. Designated registered nurse prescribers mean that, when a man finally reaches out, the system can respond in real time. That matters more often than we would like to admit. In men's health, timing is absolutely everything. We know men are more likely to delay care. We know men are more likely to minimise their symptoms and not actually tell the GP or the nurse practitioner exactly what's wrong with them. We know that men are more likely to disengage if the system feels too complicated or too slow. This bill reduces friction in the system. It also supports better management of chronic disease, which disproportionately affects men. Conditions like heart disease, diabetes, respiratory illness and musculoskeletal injuries—it's a tough word to say, that one—are more common in men, particularly in men who have worked in physically demanding industries. These are often not one-off issues. They require ongoing care, medication management and regular follow-ups. Nurses already play a crucial role in that care. Allowing them to prescribe within their scope strengthens community and also strengthens the consistency of males seeing and reaching out for this help. From a men's health perspective, having continual care matters because men are less likely to attend multiple providers. They want clear advice, clear plans and clear next steps. This reform supports that. I also want to speak directly about men working shift work and non-standard hours. In industries like mining, manufacturing, transport and construction, shift work is the norm. Accessing a GP during business hours is quite often difficult, and men are left choosing between their health and their pay. Nurses are often available outside traditional GP hours, particularly in community clinics, hospitals and residential care settings. Giving them prescribing authority ensures that working men are not disadvantaged by the hours they keep. This is an equity issue. This bill also supports older men, particularly those transitioning into aged care or receiving community based support. Older men often have complex medical needs. They may struggle with mobility or transport or have cognitive decline. Delays in prescribing or renewing medications can have serious consequences to all of these people. Designated registered nurse prescribers working in aged care and community settings will help ensure continuity, reduce medication errors and improve quality of life. From a men's health lens, dignity in ageing matters. Access to timely care matters. This reform supports both. I also want to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, who experience significantly poorer health outcomes and lower life expectancies. Nurses play a crucial role in Aboriginal community controlled health services. Enabling nurse prescribing within culturally safe, community led models of care supports better access and much better trust. Men are more likely to engage in health services they trust. This reform strengthens those services. Mental health must also remain front of mind. As the Special Envoy for Men's Health, I cannot speak about access or care without speaking about suicide prevention. Men make up the overwhelming majority of suicide deaths in this country. We know that many of those men had contact with the health system in the months before they died. The problem was not that they did not seek help. The problem was that the help did not always move quickly enough for them. Designated registered nurse prescribers in mental health settings can support timely intervention, medication continuity and follow-up. They can help keep men engaged during critical periods of their lives. This saves lives. I want to be very clear. This reform is not about lowering standards. It is about modernising them. The nurses who prescribe under this framework will be highly trained, endorsed against national standards and subject to oversight and review. This is safe, evidence based reform that aligns with international best practice. Other health systems have successfully implemented similar models. The evidence shows improved access, high patient satisfaction and no compromise to safety. Australia should not lag behind. This bill is also about valuing our healthcare workforce. Nurses are highly skilled professionals. Allowing them to work their full scope is not only efficient but also respectful. From a men's health perspective, a confident, empowered workforce means better care. It means clinicians who can act decisively when a man finally asks for help. I often say that we cannot fix men's health outcomes by telling men to do better alone. We must fix the system. This bill is system reform. It recognises how men actually use health services and reduces barriers. It improves access, and it supports early intervention. It strengthens Medicare, it strengthens primary care and it strengthens outcomes for men all across this country, especially in regional and outer metropolitan communities like the Hunter. This is why reform matters, and that's why I'm proud to support this bill. I commend this bill to the House.
Cost of Living | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
Here we go again—another day, another MPI from the Nationals, claiming the sky is falling in, families are failing and somehow it's all Labor's fault. It is the same script and the same...
Here we go again—another day, another MPI from the Nationals, claiming the sky is falling in, families are failing and somehow it's all Labor's fault. It is the same script and the same scare lines from the same people who had nine long years to fix things and chose not to. The truth is that this MPI is not about helping regional Australia. It's about distracting from the Nationals' own record of neglect, of turning up to the regions at election time, taking photos in hi-vis and then disappearing when the hard work needed to be done. When the Nationals were in government, regional Australia did not get relief; it got ripped off. They left us with inflation at 6.1 per cent and rising. They left bigger deficits, no savings and debt heading completely in the wrong direction. They went to the last election with a plan for even more debt and higher taxes to pay for a nuclear fantasy that would drive up power prices and kill jobs in our regions. That is the reality they don't want to talk about. Now, are people doing it tough? Yes. There is no doubt about that at all, and the Labor government has never pretended otherwise. The difference is that this government is actually doing something about it. We are not pointing fingers, not talking Australia or Australians down but getting on with the job of governing in difficult global conditions. We are delivering cost-of-living relief that is responsible, targeted and fair and tax cuts for every Australian taxpayer—three rounds of them. The first are already flowing, with even more to come. From July next year, lower income and middle income earners will pay less tax and, from the year after, even less again. That is real money back into people's pockets week after week. There are cheaper medicines, with PBS scripts capped at $25, the lowest price in two decades, and frozen for pensioners and concession card holders at $7.70. That makes a real difference in regions, where chronic illness is higher and access to healthcare has become much harder. A stronger Medicare with more bulk-billing, more urgent care clinics and more doctors and nurses where people actually live—these are not promises but actual delivery. Cheaper child care, energy bill relief, a $40 increase to JobSeeker, higher rent assistance and a 20 per cent cut to student debt—these are policies those opposite all voted against, by the way. And, while we're doing all of that, we also have done what the Nationals never managed to do, which is actually fix the budget. There have been two surpluses, a smaller deficit and debt going down, not up, and we are over $233 billion better off than what we inherited, with more than $114 billion in savings found. That's not reckless. That's actually responsible. The IMF says our fiscal strategy is effective. The OECD says we have tightened policy, but apparently the Nationals know better than the world's leading economic institutions. What really sticks in the throat is the hypocrisy. The Nationals like to pretend they are the guardians of the regions, but where were they when regional manufacturers were hollowed out? Where were they when power prices went through the roof? Where were they when wages flatlined, apprenticeships were cut and regional health services were stretched to breaking point? They were silent or, worse, they were just complacent. This government is backing regions with real investment, like investment in roads, like the Singleton and Muswellbrook bypass; energy; skills; health care; and local jobs. We're backing fee-free TAFE so young people don't have to leave town to get the training they need. We're backing apprentices, local industry, the energy sector, mining and critical minerals. All these create jobs in places like the Hunter instead of shutting the gates and walking away. We're doing in partnership with communities, unions, local councils and industries, because lasting change only works when the regions are actually part of the plan. The Nationals don't have a plan for regional Australia's future. They have nostalgia and fear—fear of change, fear of progress, fear that, if the regions succeed under Labor, people might remember who actually delivered for regional Australia. Australians can see what this MPI is all about: the same old boring attack from a party that talks big about the bush but failed when it mattered most.
Myuna Colliery | Statements by Members | House debates
I rise today to stand with the workers of Myuna Colliery, their families and the Lake Macquarie community being treated as a throwaway item by Origin Energy. For more than three years, I've stood...
I rise today to stand with the workers of Myuna Colliery, their families and the Lake Macquarie community being treated as a throwaway item by Origin Energy. For more than three years, I've stood with the Mining and Energy Union, demanding that Origin do the right thing. For more than three years, Origin has stalled and dodged responsibilities. Let's be clear about what's actually happening here. Myuna Colliery was built for one purpose: to supply coal to Eraring Power Station. There is no alternative market for them. Origin has locked in Eraring's operation until at least 2029. They are generating power. They are selling electricity. They are making huge profits. Yet they refuse to guarantee the local jobs that make the operation possible. Around 300 direct jobs at Myuna are now on the line, along with over 1,000 jobs and more across the supply chain, not because a mine has failed but because Origin is playing corporate games. This is not the energy transition. This is not inevitable. This is a deliberate commercial decision, shifting risk onto workers, families and the community. Yesterday's short-term offer was a spin, not a solution. It provides no certainty. If Origin keeps Eraring running, it must take responsibility and commit to a genuine long term coal supply agreement. The Hunter has powered New South Wales for generations. The least Origin could do is power these jobs into the future. Sign a deal, and do it now.
Hunter Electorate: Awards and Honours | Constituency Statements | House debates
I rise today to recognise some truly outstanding Aussies from the Cessnock and Singleton local government areas whose service, generosity and leadership remind us what community spirit really...
I rise today to recognise some truly outstanding Aussies from the Cessnock and Singleton local government areas whose service, generosity and leadership remind us what community spirit really looks like in the Hunter. In the Cessnock LGA, the 2026 Citizen of the Year award has been presented to Tracey Skene, and it is richly deserved too. Through her tireless work with not-for-profit organisation Kiray Putjung, Tracey has created safe, welcoming and culturally strong spaces for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the region. Her leadership in organising cultural and healing camps, workshops and support programs has provided guidance, connection and opportunity for personal growth for many in our community. Tracey has also played a central role in developing Cessnock's annual NAIDOC celebrations, helping to build understanding, pride and respect for Aboriginal culture across the broader community. Her strengths and connections preserve cultural heritage and ensure people feel seen, heard and supported. Cessnock award recipients reflect the breadth of the community and the spirit of our region. Senior Citizen of the Year Janece Harrison continues to give back with quiet determination. Thank you for what you do. Young Citizen of the Year Taylee Short has made a remarkable contribution through her volunteering and community involvement, giving her time to local events, youth activities and community support initiatives. Taylee's willingness to step up, help others and lead by example shows that community service has a strong future in Cessnock. I also want to acknowledge the team at Nulkaba Parkrun, the Community Event of the Year. I duck in there occasionally. I don't do so well, but I do get there. I acknowledge Castiel Martin for the Environment Award; Valerie Randall for the Heritage Award; and the many Community Award recipients, including Cessnock Women's Connect, Pastor Amanda Francis, Happy Paws Happy Hearts Hunter, Patricia Maybury, Charlie McLennan, Colleen Payne and Vicki Steep. I turn to the Singleton Citizen of the Year. Tim Merrick embodies service in the truest sense. For 16 years, Tim has volunteered with the New South Wales State Emergency Service while working full time as a teacher at Singleton High. His leadership during the floods and emergencies across New South Wales, his courage in life-saving rescues and his commitment to mentoring others have made a lasting impact on the community and community safety and resilience. Singleton's Young Achiever of the Year, Layla Korff, represents the next generation of leaders. Through her longstanding involvement with the Girl Guides, community events and youth mentoring. Layla has created inclusive spaces where young people can build confidence, skills and a sense of belonging. These award recipients remind us that strong communities are built by people who show up, look out for one another and give time without exception. Cessnock and Singleton should be incredibly proud of all of you that are involved in this. Thank you very much, and thank you for what you do for our communities.
Health Care | Questions without Notice | House debates
My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering cheaper medicines for all Australians and making life-changing medicines available on the...
My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering cheaper medicines for all Australians and making life-changing medicines available on the PBS? Why is this so important after a decade of cuts and neglect?
Media | Statements by Members | House debates
Regional media matters because local stories matter. For more than 60 years, NBN News has been part of the fabric of the Hunter. It's been through floods, fires, factory openings, factory...
Regional media matters because local stories matter. For more than 60 years, NBN News has been part of the fabric of the Hunter. It's been through floods, fires, factory openings, factory closures, footy grand finals, school achievements and community heartbreaks. It's how the people see themselves reflected on the screens all around the Hunter. So it's encouraging to see regional media being invested in. The recent purchase of NBN News by WIN Network is a reminder that local broadcasting still has value. But investment must come with a clear commitment that local content must stay local. People across the Hunter are rightly concerned about what change might mean. They don't want a scaled-back service, they don't want stories replaced with content from somewhere else and they certainly don't want to lose the hour-long local bulletin that has kept communities informed for generations. Regional media isn't a nice-to-have; it's essential. It holds decision-makers to account. It tells the stories that won't make it onto capital city news, and it gives people confidence that what matters in their towns, their streets and their workplaces actually counts. Keeping strong locally-produced news alive means backing local journalists, backing local camera operators and backing local voices. If we care about strong regions, we must care about strong regional media and we must make sure it stays truly local.
Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
On 14 December, 15 innocent people were murdered at Bondi Beach. They were mums and dads, sons and daughters, friends and neighbours, who had gathered to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, a...
On 14 December, 15 innocent people were murdered at Bondi Beach. They were mums and dads, sons and daughters, friends and neighbours, who had gathered to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, a moment of faith, family and light, and instead they were met with violence and hate. To their families and loved ones, I offer my deepest condolences. No words can ever ease your grief. No speech could undo what has been taken from you, but today this parliament and this nation stand with you in sorrow and in solidarity, united in mourning and remembrance. What happened at Bondi was not random; it was deliberate. It was an act of pure terrorism, and it was targeted at Australia's Jewish community. We must say that clearly. We must not soften it, and we must not look away. Antisemitism is pure evil. It has no place in Australia, not in our streets, our schools, our workplaces, our places of worship or our politics. We condemn it without hesitation and without condition. The attack at Bondi has left deep scars not only on those who were injured but on everyone who witnessed the horror of that night. Men, women and children will carry that trauma for a long time, and some will carry that for the rest of their lives. They deserve our care, our support and our understanding not just in the days after this tragedy but in the months and years that follow, as healing takes time, and support must endure. In the midst of this horror we saw extraordinary courage. We honour the police officers who ran towards danger. We honour the first responders, healthcare workers and surf lifesavers who acted with calm, skill and determination to save lives. Their actions mattered. Their professionalism mattered. Because of them, lives were saved and families were spared unbearable losses. We also honour everyday Australians who showed incredible bravery—people who stepped up and stepped in to help strangers, shield others and try to save lives at great personal risk to themselves. Some were wounded, and some were killed while protecting others. They are heroes—not because they wore a uniform but because they acted with compassion and courage when it mattered most, in moments of fear and uncertainty. This tragedy has forced many Jewish Australians to ask a very painful question: am I safe here? Am I safe here in Australia? No Australian should ever have to ask that because of who they are, how they pray or the traditions they pass on to their children. When people feel the need to hide their faith or avoid gatherings out of fear, this is not freedom. This is not the Australia that we believe in, and this is not acceptable. Confronting antisemitism is not the job for one community alone; it is a responsibility for all of us—governments, institutions, leaders and everyday Australians. Silence allows hate to grow, and calling it out, stopping it and standing up to it are how we push back. This motion also affirms the right of every Jewish Australian to live, work, worship and learn in peace and safety, to gather without fear, to practise their faith openly and to participate fully in the Australian way of life. Jewish Australians have made a profound contribution to this country across business, medicine, science, culture, education and public life. Australia is stronger when every community feels safe, respected and valued. This is not about politics; it is all about values. It's about the kind of country we want our children to grow up in—one where difference is respected, not feared, where disagreement never turns into dehumanisation and where violence is never excused. This moment demands unity that refuses hatred—unity that says violence will never win and unity that meets fear with courage and division with decency. Australians are at our best when we look out for one another, stand up for our neighbours and choose fairness and kindness over fear and cruelty. The answer to hatred is not more hatred. It's resolve in the face of fear. It's decency when division is easy. And it's action, not words alone. Today we remember the 15 lives stolen. We honour those who helped. We stand with those who are hurting. And we recommit ourselves to confronting hatred wherever it appears, together as Australians.
My question is for the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. What has the Albanese Labor government done to repair and rebuild our aged-care workforce? Why was this necessary?
Mental Health Month | Statements on Significant Matters | House debates
I rise today to speak about Mental Health Month and, in particular, the mental health of Australian men. This is an issue that cuts across every part of our society. It affects every community,...
I rise today to speak about Mental Health Month and, in particular, the mental health of Australian men. This is an issue that cuts across every part of our society. It affects every community, every workplace and every family. No matter where you live, what work you do or what your background is, every community in this country has men who are doing it tough, often without saying a word. The truth is simple, and it's also very confronting: Australian men are struggling with their mental health, and too often they are struggling in silence and also in isolation. Last year alone, 2,529 Australian men died by suicide. That is more than three-quarters of all suicides in our nation. For men aged 15 to 44, suicide remains the leading cause of death. It's ahead of accidents, it's ahead of diseases and it's ahead of anything else. It's an enormous and preventable loss that should give us all the time to pause and reflect on these horrifying statistics, because behind each and every one of those numbers is a real life—a father, a son, a brother, a mate, a co-worker, a neighbour. When a man dies by suicide, it never just affects one person. Families carry that grief for years and years. Children grow up without their dads. Partners lose the person they planned a life with. Mates feel shock, guilt and heartbreak. Communities feel the loss deeply, often for generations. Despite this enormous burden, men remain far more likely not to seek any help. Only around one-third of men experiencing a mental health condition saw a health professional last year. Many waited weeks or even months before reaching out and, tragically, some never reached out at all. Part of the challenge is that men often show signs of mental ill health in ways that can easily be misunderstood. For many men, poor mental health does not always include or look like sadness. It may come out as anger, frustration, disengagement, drinking more than usual, withdrawing from mates, losing interest in activities once enjoyed and loved, changes in behaviour at work, or physical symptoms such as headaches, insomnia and ongoing stomach pain. These signs can easily be overlooked—not because people don't care but because men themselves have grown up believing they should hide emotions, suppress vulnerability and simply soldier on. For generations, Australian men have been taught, directly and indirectly, that expressing emotion is a weakness, that asking for help is embarrassing and that suffering in silence is the strong thing to do. This old stereotype is costing lives in this country. The risks are even higher in male dominated industries such as construction, mining, transport, agriculture, emergency services, defence and fly-in fly-out work. These industries come with long hours, isolation, physical strain, high-pressure environments and irregular shifts that disrupt routines and relationships. Many men in these sectors feel significant pressure to push through and avoid being seen as a burden or a problem. I've spoken to miners who work two weeks on and one week off and feel completely disconnected from their families. I've spoken to farmers who carry enormous financial pressures and the weight of generational expectations. I've spoken to tradies who will not mention how they're feeling on site because they do not want to make things awkward on site. These experiences are real, and they are far more common than many people realise. This is why addressing men's mental health requires a whole lot of community effort and why the Australian government continues to invest significantly in mental health services, prevention and support. This year, around $7.8 billion is supporting mental health services, suicide prevention initiatives, digital programs and growth of a strong mental health workforce. Through Strengthening Medicare, more than $1 billion is helping Australians—especially young people—access support earlier and more easily. That includes expanding bulk-billing incentives, more affordable psychology and support that meets people where they are. Importantly, these programs are designed specifically for men because we know that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work. The Men's Table gives men a safe, structured and confidential place to talk openly with other men. MATES in Construction, MATES in Energy and MATES in Manufacturing provide practical support for workers in high-risk industries. These programs save lives not just by offering professional help but by building cultures where it is normal to check in on your mates. Dads in Distress assists separated fathers who often feel isolated and unsure of where to turn. DadBooster provides online support for new fathers navigating the huge transition into parenthood. SMS4dads, developed by the University of Newcastle, sends out simple but powerful messages to new dads, reminding them they are not alone and providing guidance during the early and often overwhelming months of fatherhood. For First Nations men, who face suicide rates around three times higher than non-Indigenous men, culturally safe services like Brother to Brother and 13YARN are absolutely vital. These services are run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. They recognise the importance of culture, community and connection in healing. The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy is designed with strong community leadership, supports long term change and local self-determined solutions. As important as funding and programs are, they alone cannot overcome the biggest barrier which is, unfortunately, stigma—stigma around mental health, stigma around seeking help, stigma around what it means to be a man. Too many men still believe that asking for support shows weakness. Too many fear being judged. Too many think they'll be letting their families down if they admit they are struggling. But, in truth, speaking up is a sign of strength and a sign of responsibility and courage. Every Australian can play a part in breaking down that stigma. Movember promotes a simple and effective method called ALEC—ask, listen, encourage action and check in. Ask a mate how he is really going. Listen carefully without rushing to fix or judge. Encourage action such as talking to a GP, calling a support service or opening up to somebody close. Check in again later because one conversation is just the beginning, not the end. These small moments all matter. These conversations save lives. Workplaces can do even more by encouraging open discussions, providing mental health training, offering flexible work arrangements, building supportive environments and promoting early intervention. Employers can help reduce risk and create healthy cultures. Workplaces that value mental health do not just protect workers; they build stronger, safer and more productive teams. Communities also play a powerful role. When men feel connected to family, friends, culture or community, they are healthier and safer. When men feel isolated, unconnected or ashamed, their risks increase significantly. Strengthening social connection through sport, volunteering, culture, clubs, Men's Sheds or community groups is often one of the most effective ways to protect men's wellbeing. Men themselves can also take practical steps to protect their mental health—sleeping well, eating well, staying active, limiting alcohol, spending more time with mates, reconnecting with hobbies, reaching out early when something feels wrong and getting help to build resilience, balance and wellbeing. But when things get tough, support is always available. Lifeline, Beyond Blue, Men's Line, the Suicide Call Back Service, 13YARN, Kids Helpline and headspace are ready to assist at any hour for any reason. These services provide confidential and non-judgemental support, and we need to make sure we keep getting people to reach out to them. Mental Health Month is not just a date on the calendar. It is something that should be looked at every day of the week, and I urge every male out there to make sure you are looking after your health and your mental health as best as you can because mental health and physical health go hand in hand. If we're struggling, we need to be talking to our GPs. Get out, and see your GP. Do yourself a favour on your birthday—book in an appointment with your GP. Make it normal to see them. Get a blood test, and talk about your mental health. If you are struggling, reach out because help is available. Please make sure you do it, and remember it's not weak to speak.
Mental Health | Statements by Members | House debates
Too many Australians are dying in silence, and we need to be honest about the scale of this crisis. Every day, seven men take their own lives. Every year, more than 2½ thousand families get...
Too many Australians are dying in silence, and we need to be honest about the scale of this crisis. Every day, seven men take their own lives. Every year, more than 2½ thousand families get that knock on the door that changes their world forever. This isn't just a statistic; it's a national emergency. Today, on the lawns of Parliament House, that reality was laid bare: 2,550 empty shoes were lined up on the grass, each shoe representing a man or a boy we lost in just one year—no names, no faces, just silence, a silence that speaks louder than any speech delivered in this place. The Zerosuicide community awareness program, alongside Dads4Kids, brought together community advocates, frontline workers, lived experience speakers and parliamentarians across two days to confront this crisis head on. Through remembrance walks, ribbon tying and deeply personal stories, they remind us that suicide is not inevitable, but preventing it takes all of us. Zerosuicide's messages are simple but powerful: connections save lives, early support saves lives, and a system that refuses to let people fall through the cracks saves lives. I want to especially acknowledge Paul Withall and his incredible team for their leadership and the tireless work that they do. Your courage in bringing these stories, these shoes and this message to the nation ensures that the men we lost are not forgotten and that those still struggling are not left behind. Thank you very much, Paulo, for what you do. Keep up the great work.
VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
I'm really proud to stand here today to speak about the VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025. It might sound like a mouthful, but it is a simple, commonsense fix that makes sure...
I'm really proud to stand here today to speak about the VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025. It might sound like a mouthful, but it is a simple, commonsense fix that makes sure our vocational education and training loan system works the way it was supposed to. This bill is about making sure students and training providers have certainty. It's about cleaning up the technical issues in the law so that everything's being done to help students get their training loans properly and lawfully. It's about making sure our system continues to be safe, secure and fair. Now, this isn't one of those flashy bills that gets all the headlines. It doesn't come with a big new announcement or a big funding package, but it is still important because, when you're dealing with something as serious as people's education and personal information, you've got to make sure the system is rock solid. If you're a student taking out a VET student loan, you want to know your personal details are protected. If you're a training provider, you want to know that your rules are being followed and that you're following them. And if you're a taxpayer, you want to know that the system is fair, transparent and being managed correctly. That's exactly what this bill delivers. To understand what this bill does, it helps people to look back at how the system started. Back in 2008, the government introduced a scheme called VET FEE-HELP. It gave vocational education students access to income-contingent loans, meaning they could study now and pay later when they were earning enough. It was supposed to be a good thing, and it ran under the Higher Education Support Act 2003, the same law that runs student loans for university students. Under that old scheme, training providers were allowed to handle students' tax file numbers, or TFNs, because they was needed to set up the loans and link them to the students' Australian Tax Office accounts. But, as we all remember, that scheme went badly off the rails. A handful of dodgy private providers took advantage of this system, signing people up for useless courses, offering free laptops and fake incentives and pocketing millions in taxpayers' dollars. The victims were often everyday Aussies—people on low incomes, people trying to upskill and get back into the workforce, young people who were just starting out and people in rural and regional areas like mine in the Hunter who just wanted a fair go. The system lost trust, and the students lost out. In 2017, the government replaced VET FEE-HELP with the VET Student Loans program. It was a complete overhaul. It brought in a whole new act, the Vet Student Loans Act 2016, with stricter rules, tighter controls and better protection for students and taxpayers. It weeded out the bad operators, made sure only quality providers could access the scheme and brought back a bit of faith in the vocational training system. But there was one small detail that slipped through the cracks. When the new act was written, it didn't clearly say that VET student loan providers were authorised to handle students' tax file numbers. The old system allowed it. The new one didn't mention it, but the IT system and the processes that linked the loans to the tax system stayed the same. That has meant that, since 2017, providers have still been collecting and using TFNs while students applied for VET student loans, because you can't set up a student loan without a tax file number. It's what allows repayments to happen through the tax system once a student starts earning enough. The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations picked up on this issue during a review. They realised that, while providers had been doing everything right in practice, the law hadn't kept up. There is no clear legal wording that allowed them to handle those TFNs under the VET Student Loan Act. So this bill fixes that problem. It retrospectively authorises approved VET student loans providers to have handled students' tax file numbers since the program began on 1 January 2017. It also covers government officials and agencies that were involved in administrating those loans, like the department, the Commissioner of Taxation and other Commonwealth officers. In simple terms, the bill says that what providers and officials did to help students access VET loans was lawful. It gives everyone certainty and protects them from any potential legal issues that could have come up because of a small gap in the law. It's important to point out that this bill doesn't give providers any new powers. It doesn't let them collect or use tax file numbers in the future. In fact, it does the opposite. In 2025, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations updated the IT systems used to run the Vet Student Loans program. Those updates mean that, from September 2025, providers no longer needed to handle a tax file number at all. The system now automatically and securely transfers that information between the student and the government systems. The TFN is masked so providers can't see it, store it or use it. This bill isn't about giving more access; it's about closing the gaps and strengthening privacy. It makes sure everything that's been done since 2007 is lawful and everything going forward is even more secure. Some people might hear the word retrospective and think, 'Hang on, what's going on here?' Retrospective laws should always be used carefully, and they should only ever be used to fix something that needs to be fixed and not to change the rules after the fact. That's what's happening here. This bill doesn't change anyone's rights. It doesn't remove any protections. It doesn't let anyone off the hook. What it does, though, is confirm that everything that's already been done under the VET Student Loans program has been done properly and lawfully. It gives certainty to students, providers and the government. It's worth noting that, since the program started in 2017, there haven't been any complaints from students about how tax file numbers were handled. There's been no evidence of misuse or privacy breaches. That's because the system has always had strong protections in place. Approved providers have to go through a detailed approval process before they can even offer VET student loans. Their directors and senior staff are checked to make sure they're fit and proper people to run a training business. They have to meet ongoing compliance requirements. If they misuse personal information, or fail to protect it, they face serious civil and criminal penalties. They also have to notify the department if there's ever a data breach. These rules have been there since day one, and they're staying in place. Nothing in this bill weakens them. It just makes sense that everything is now legally watertight and in line with how systems operate. When we talk about fixing systems like this, it's about more than just tidying up paperwork. It's about trust. It's about showing that government is paying attention, that we're fixing the things that need to be fixed and that we're not afraid to clean up problems that have been sitting there for years. We all remember what went wrong under the old VET FEE-HELP system. There were rorts. There were scams, and huge amounts of taxpayer dollars were wasted. People were signing up to courses they didn't even know they were in. Some of the stories were absolutely heartbreaking. Labor fixed that mess by replacing it with a better, stronger and more transparent system, and we've continued to make sure it keeps improving. This bill is part of that work. It's not about rewriting the rules; it's about confirming that the existing rules have been followed and are solid and lawful. It gives students confidence that their personal information was handled properly. It gives providers confidence that they've done the right thing. And it gives the public confidence that the VET student loan system is being managed with integrity. Every year, thousands of Australians rely on vocational education and training to build better lives for themselves. They're the people training to be electricians, mechanics, childcare workers, aged-care workers, chefs, welders, boilermakers and hospitality staff, or maybe even fitters like me. They're the backbone of this country and the people that keep things running. In regions like mine, across the Hunter, vocational training is a huge lifeline. It's how people get their start. It's how industries find skilled workers, and it's how local communities keep growing. When we make sure the system behind that training is strong and fair, we're investing in those people. The Albanese Labor government has been clear that we're backing skills and training. We've delivered hundreds of thousands of fee-free TAFE places so that cost isn't a barrier for people who want to study. We've worked with the states and territories on a new National Skills Agreement that puts TAFE right at the heart of the system. We're investing in modern training facilities and better equipment. We're rebuilding trust in vocational education because we know how vital it is for Australia's future workforce, and this bill is part of that story. It's a small fix but a hugely important one. It's about making sure the system works as it should behind the scenes, so students and providers can focus on what really matters: learning, training and building a future. It's also worth noting that this bill doesn't cost anything. It doesn't change the way students apply for their loans. The Electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form, or eCAF, will keep working exactly the same way as it does now. The difference now is that, behind the scenes, everything is properly aligned between the IT systems and the legislation. This bill also protects the integrity of government officers who were doing their jobs in good faith. It makes sure that officials in the department, or the tax office, who helped process these loans weren't unknowingly breaching the law because of a gap in some wording. It provides legal certainty and peace of mind that everyone was operating properly. And I want to make something else clear: Commonwealth officers are bound by the same standards and laws as always. They must continue to follow the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act and the Public Service Act. Nothing in this bill changes those obligations for any of them. In summary, this bill fixes a problem identified in the administration of the VET Student Loans Program. It aligns the legislation with how the system is actually meant to be operated. It provides retrospective authorisation that providers and officials are protected. It strengthens privacy protections. It doesn't change the way students apply. It doesn't give anyone any new powers. And it gives confidence and certainty to everyone involved. This is good, practical government. It's what happens when you pay attention, listen to the experts and take the time to fix the small things that keep the system running smoothly. The VET Student Loans Program is an important part of Australia's education system. It helps people to get skilled, find work and build a better life. It deserves to operate on strong, clear and lawful foundations. And that's exactly what this bill delivers. Investing in skills is one of the smartest things a government can do. It builds our workforce, it supports small local business as well as large business in this country, it gives people pride and purpose, and it helps communities like mine in the Hunter to thrive. We want every Australian, no matter where they live or what their background is, to have the chance to study, train and succeed. The VET Student Loans Program helps make that possible, and this bill makes sure it will continue to run properly and securely. While it may look like a small technical measure, it has huge impacts. It keeps the system strong, it protects students, it reassures providers and it ensures that the law reflects what is happening in the real world. That is why I'm proud to support the VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025. It's another step in strengthening our training system, backing Australian students and doing what good governments should do: fix problems properly and make things work better. I commend the bill to the House.
Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
I've got a few more to run in for the member for Bruce. This bill gives pubs breathing room, it helps them manage costs and it makes it less likely that price rises get passed on to customers....
I've got a few more to run in for the member for Bruce. This bill gives pubs breathing room, it helps them manage costs and it makes it less likely that price rises get passed on to customers. That's good for small business, good for workers and good for anyone who enjoys an affordable drink at their local. This is what good government looks like: listening, understanding and acting. When I first raised this issue with the Treasurer, I told him what I was hearing on the ground from everyday Aussies around the Hunter and around the pubs in Cessnock, Singleton and Greta. I said: 'Mate, when I walk into one of those pubs in Cessnock, Toronto, Morisset, Greta, Lake Macquarie or Weston—there are so many to choose from because we do have a few pubs—I see the same thing. Small-business owners are doing everything they can to keep the prices fair, to keep locals coming through the doors and to keep staff in work. But, every time that indexation clock ticks over, they're the ones paying the price.' I said: 'Let's take a bit of pressure off. Let's show some common sense.' And he listened, which is good. Earlier this year, the Assistant Treasurer moved a motion in this House to freeze beer tax. I do like a nice, ice-cold beer, but I can tell you that the one I had in August when this freeze came in was one of the coldest beers I've had, cause I knew—do you know what it was? It was a Stone & Wood and it was delicious. I really enjoyed it. I followed it up with a Carlton Draught and had a good, enjoyable time with a few of my mates knowing that that price was not going to go up with indexation for two years. Motions like that are great for signalling intent, but, to make it law, you need legislation. That's why we're here today—to make sure we're getting this legislation right. And that's why we're talking about this. This is a government putting action behind the chat and behind the talk. Some people might ask, 'Why not just cut the beer tax permanently?' I definitely get where they're coming from, but there has to be a balance, and that's why we've designed these measures very carefully. They're targeted at draught beer because we know pubs and clubs are at the heart of our local communities, and that's why we're supporting them so much in this space. This bill gives our pubs, our clubs and our breweries two years of stability to make sure that they are looked after. It supports regional economies, strengthens tourism and recognises the cultural and social importance of a beer at a local pub. It's good for business, it's good for jobs and, I can tell you, it's bloody good for communities as well. Sorry, Deputy Speaker Claydon—it's very good for communities as well. Having a beer in the Hunter or anywhere else in Australia shouldn't be something that we can't enjoy without worrying about the taxman taking a bigger sip every six months. We get to keep that sip for ourselves now. This bill shows that we're listening, it shows that we understand the pressures on small businesses and it shows that government can act with common sense and compassion along the way. I'd like to go through a few more of the fantastic venues in the Hunter where I really enjoy having a beer: the Aussie in Cessnock, the Hotel Cessnock, Harrigan's, Peden's, the Valley Brewhouse, Wollombi Tavern—Dr Jurd's Jungle Juice at Wollombi Tavern is famous, Deputy Speaker Claydon, and I'm sure you've heard of it as well. It is a great place to go. There's also the Horse & Jockey in Singleton, the Singleton Diggers, Club Singleton—it's a good place to be—the Lake Macquarie Hotel. There are so many great pubs all around the fantastic Hunter. The Toronto Hotel has one of the best views that you'll see. It looks over beautiful Lake Macquarie, the largest saltwater lake in the Southern Hemisphere. It is an absolute pleasure to have a beer there with a view like that. I have many more pubs to go through. But, honestly, this is great for the community, great for the Hunter and great for Australia. So I proudly support this bill. I know the people of the Hunter will raise a glass to this. I look forward to raising a glass with you all in the near future. Cheers!
We're going good. We're going very well.
There's one thing you learn quickly as the member for Hunter: it's that a good conversation usually starts over a beer. Not in the office, not in a formal meeting—you're standing at the bar...
There's one thing you learn quickly as the member for Hunter: it's that a good conversation usually starts over a beer. Not in the office, not in a formal meeting—you're standing at the bar of one of our fantastic pubs and clubs right here in the Hunter. Whether it's the Bellbird Hotel, the Aussie in Cessnock, the Horse and Jockey in Singo, the Morisset Hotel down in Lake Mac, the Kurri Kurri Bowling Club or the Western Workers—that's where you hear what people are really thinking. I've had hundreds of chats in those places, with publicans, bar staff, brewers and locals just trying to relax after a good long week at work. One thing that comes up time and time again is that the cost of everything just keeps going up. That includes the cost of pulling a beautiful beer. When I talk to the publicans and club managers, they tell me the same thing: the twice-yearly indexation on beer excise is killing them. Every February and every August, prices go up and they have to make a call. Either they absorb it and cop the hit, or they pass it on and risk losing the punters. That's why the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 matters. It's not about fancy economics or Canberra jargon. It's about keeping the doors open in pubs, keeping people in jobs and giving locals a fair go. When you live in the Hunter, you know how important the local pub is. It's more than just a place to go grab a cold one. It's where fundraisers are held, where footy teams celebrate, where mates catch up after a shift and where communities come together. In Branxton I've been to raffles that have raised thousands and thousands of dollars for local kids. In Kurri I've seen the pubs chip in to sporting clubs when the season's gone a fraction over budget. In Toronto I've met the bar staff who know every customer by name and know who's doing it tough. But running a pub or club isn't easy. Costs are going up everywhere: power, wages, insurance, supply. Every six months the tax on beer quietly ticks up again because of automatic indexation. I don't know too many small-business owners who can plan properly when government keeps moving the goalposts twice a year. It's very hard to plan around. That's why I lobbied the Treasurer hard to take a good look at this. I said, 'Mate, it's time to give our pubs, clubs, breweries and other locals a bit of certainty.' Having a beer in the Hunter is something most of us enjoy responsibly. This twice-yearly automatic tax hike just isn't working. It's time we find a better way of doing things. The Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 and the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 do something simple but really, really important. They pause the automatic CPI indexation of excise and excise-equivalent customs duty rates on draught beer for two years, straight away, from 1 August 2025. It's already happened. We've already been seeing this in the Hunter. The punters have been enjoying it and saving a little bit on their beer as well. Here's what that means in plain English for people all around the country. Right now, beer tax automatically goes up twice a year, in February and August, in line with inflation. That's what's called indexation. When inflation goes up, so does the tax. Under this bill, we hit pause on that process for two whole years, so the scheduled increases in August 2025, February 2026, August 2026 and February 2027 will not happen. The rates stay the same through the whole period. When indexation resumes in August 2027, it doesn't jump to where it would have been if those hikes had continued. It starts from the frozen rate that we're on right now. That means a permanent reduction in the tax path—a long-term benefit, not just a short-term fix. This measure is targeted and sensible. It applies to beer being poured from kegs, the eight-litre to 48-litre containers connected to taps in pubs, clubs and bars. It also applies to the big-boy kegs: the 50-litre kegs rolled into hotels and hospitality venues every single day of the week. It doesn't apply to bottled or canned beer. This is all about draught beer that's served over the counter in your local. That's the beer that supports around 10,000 hospitality venues across this beautiful country of ours. About three-quarters of them are small businesses—family run and community backed—and roughly 160,000 workers depend on those venues, from bar staff and cleaners to suppliers and delivery drivers. These are real people and real jobs in every community across the country. By freezing indexation, we're keeping the tax component of a pint, a schooie and, if you're in Victoria, a pot or maybe a little seven—you get them in Victoria as well—stable for two years. I'll just grab a couple of other pages here. We've got a bit more time going on here.
Men's Mental Health | Private Members' Business | House debates
I move: That this House: (1) recognises that men's mental health remains one of the most pressing and under-discussed health challenges in Australia; (2) notes that every day, an average of seven...
I move: That this House: (1) recognises that men's mental health remains one of the most pressing and under-discussed health challenges in Australia; (2) notes that every day, an average of seven Australian men take their own lives, lives that could have been saved with earlier support and connection; (3) acknowledges the ongoing stigma that too often stops men from reaching out for help when they are struggling; (4) calls on all levels of government, business, and community leaders to continue promoting awareness campaigns, education, and workplace initiatives that make it clear that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness; (5) encourages men everywhere to check in on their mates, their workmates, and themselves and to make use of the great services available; and (6) affirms that mental health is not just an individual issue but a community one, and that when men are supported to speak up and seek help, families and communities right across Australia are stronger for it. Deputy Speaker Lawrence, before I begin, you might be wondering why I'm standing here today in what is probably the brightest and boldest suit parliament has ever seen. I want to assure you that I didn't lose a bet and I'm not on my way to a fancy dress party. I'm wearing this TradeMutt and TIACS suit because it's designed to do exactly what it's done all day. It makes people stop, it makes them look and, most importantly, it makes them talk. This suit is part of a movement called TIACS, which stands for This Is A Conversation Starter. Today I'm proud to wear it so we can start a very important conversation about men's mental health. TIACS was created by two tradies, Dan and Ed, who are here today, who lost a mate to suicide. They wanted to make sure other men did not slip through the cracks, so they built something simple and practical. TIACS is a free mental health support service for tradies, truckies, miners, farmers, apprentices, hospo workers and, really, anybody doing it tough. They offer free counselling by phone and text from qualified mental health professionals. There are no waiting lists, no referrals, no costs and, most important of all, no judgement. A bloke can be in a ute, in the smoko shed or at home, and they can reach out straightaway. The number is printed on their gear, so help is right there in front of them, and many are using it—they really are. TIACS has had more than 50,000 conversations. That's 50,000 moments where somebody chose to talk instead of staying silent. This is what saving lives really looks like. The motion we are debating today recognises that men's mental health is one of Australia's biggest health challenges. Every day we lose an average of seven men to suicide, and that's seven families that are shattered, seven communities that are carrying a loss that should have never happened. Too many men feel they have to tough things out and sort things out alone. As many as two in three avoid getting help because of old ideas about what strength looks like. We know where that leads. We see it in hospitals. We see it in relationships and in funerals that come far too soon. I know what it feels like to hit rock bottom because I've been there myself. When I missed the 2000 Olympics and 2002 Commonwealth Games teams, it knocked me harder than I expected. I questioned my self-identity, my confidence and my future in the sport I loved. When I missed out on the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the struggles came back again. I was lucky enough to have people who pushed me and talked to me and talked me through and pulled me through those tough times. That's why services like TIACS are so important. They speak the language of everyday workers and make asking for help feel normal. TIACS proves that when support is simple and safe men will reach out, and TIACS proves that every single day of the week. The Albanese Labor government is committed to improving men's health as well. We are investing $7.8 billion in mental health and suicide prevention from 2025 to 2026. We're expanding free support, strengthening digital care and making Medicare easier to access. We also have the National Men's Health Strategy guiding long-term action to help men live healthier lives and live longer. On top of that, we are delivering targeted programs like support for men's sheds and mental health programs in sporting clubs. We have also brought in the role that I'm in, the Special Envoy for Men's Health, and I couldn't be prouder about this government bringing something like that in. But government cannot do this all alone. We need workplaces, clubs and communities looking out for each other. We need men to know that reaching out is strength. So today I want every Aussie bloke out there to hear this clearly. You do not need to wait. You do not need a referral. If you are struggling, please, please reach out. Call TIACS. Text TIACS. Talk to somebody who understands. And, if you notice a mate acting differently, check in on him. Ask him how he's going. You don't need to say anything fancy. Just be there. Have a conversation. When men get help, families and communities get stronger. That's why I'm wearing this suit today—not to stand out, because I already do, but to really start a conversation. TIACS does that every day and saves lives because of it. I want to thank Ed, Dan and Jess from TradeMutt; Sue and the team at TIACS; and the tailors—Sam and the team at Urbbana. I commend this motion to the House.
Ethnic Religious Minorities | Private Members' Business | House debates
I second the motion and reserve my right to speak.
Men's Health | Statements by Members | House debates
I never thought I'd come into the parliament and talk about semen, but here we are, and I'm thrilled to rise to the occasion because, while it's a topic that gets a few giggles, it's actually one...
I never thought I'd come into the parliament and talk about semen, but here we are, and I'm thrilled to rise to the occasion because, while it's a topic that gets a few giggles, it's actually one that we need to take far more seriously, preferably before things go flaccid on us as a nation. Right now, one in six couples needs help to start a family. Even though male factors are involved about half of the time, blokes have somehow managed to dodge this for decades—but not anymore, because in Newcastle we have an absolutely world-class team turning this whole field around. And, yes, they really are the masters of the reproductive arts. I'm talking about Leanne Murray, Geoff De lulliis, Rich Kahl, Eddie O'Reilly, Neredah Goodwin and Dr John Schjenken—researchers who are genuinely leading the world in understanding sperm health, environmental impacts and what actually makes a healthy baby. They are tackling everything from heat stress, PFAS, diet, stress and all the things that can shrink a bloke's—chances! Their work means earlier advice, better IVF outcomes and fewer couples going through the heartbreak of not being able to get pregnant. Here's the big message. Male reproductive health isn't a joke, but, if a few cheeky lines from us helps get young blokes paying attention, then I'm more than happy to have them keep coming. To the team at Newcastle: keep up the hard work and make sure our swimmers get to that goal. Cheers.
Yes, for those wondering, I am wearing a very bright trademarked TIAC suit. No, your television is not broken and, yes, your eyes will recover. But I am wearing this loud get-up for a loud...
Yes, for those wondering, I am wearing a very bright trademarked TIAC suit. No, your television is not broken and, yes, your eyes will recover. But I am wearing this loud get-up for a loud reason: to start conversations about men's health and men's mental health because too many blokes are suffering in silence. Australia has some of the healthiest men in the world, who also happen to be world-class at avoiding the doctor. Sixty per cent of blokes wait more than a week to get checked and one-third wait over one month. We service our cars every 12 months or every 10,000 kilometres, but try getting a bloke to book a GP appointment—good luck. The stats are no joke: seven men per day die by suicide; 40 per cent more men die from cardiovascular disease than women. More than 3,500 men lose their lives to prostate cancer every year, one of the most treatable cancers if we get on top of it early. In male-dominated industries like the construction and mining workforces across Newcastle and the Hunter, the mental health risks skyrocket and yet nearly one-quarter of men say they would not seek help from anyone. So if a loud suit like this can start one conversation, nudge one mate to speak up or get one bloke through a tough patch, I will happily look like a hi-vis packet of skittles in this House any day of the year. Let's keep on talking. Let's keep blokes alive. Thank you to Dan and Ed up in the gallery. Thank you for what you do for men's health.
Hunter Electorate: Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards, Hunter Academy of Sport | Constituency Statements | House debates
I had the pleasure of attending this year's Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards, a night that celebrates the people and the businesses that keep our community moving. These are locals who...
I had the pleasure of attending this year's Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards, a night that celebrates the people and the businesses that keep our community moving. These are locals who are open early, who close late and who back our region every single day, creating jobs, supporting families and helping our towns thrive. A shout-out to this year's winners: the outstanding employee award went to Jade Gray from Flying Colours Education; outstanding young business leader was awarded to Quyen Nguyen from Dental Folk; outstanding business leader went to Peter Haynes from Northern New South Wales Football—well done, Haynesy; outstanding visitor experience was awarded to Matt Hall Racing; employer of choice went to Move About Therapy Services Warners Bay; excellence in innovation went to Fire Response; excellence in sustainability went to Northern New South Wales Football; outstanding new business went to Showtime Kayaking; excellence and diversity and inclusion went to Dynamic Business Technologies; outstanding community organisation went again to Northern New South Wales Football—they cleaned up that night; excellence in micro business went to Psyborg; excellence in small business went to Yard Kings Brewing—and it is beautiful beer, may I say; excellence in large business went to Agility Professional Tree Service; Origin Energy's people's choice award went to 8 at Trinity—congratulations to Keith and Natalie; and the big one, business of the year, went to the amazing Matt Hall Racing. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists. It's groups like you that keep the Hunter what it is. Thank you. Speaking of local pride, it's not just our businesses that are kicking goals. The same drive and determination we see in local entrepreneurs can also be found in our young athletes. I want to recognise some outstanding young sports stars from the Hunter, recently celebrated by the Hunter Academy of Sport. Every year, the academy's Athlete of the Year and Rising Star awards shine a light on the next generation of talent in our region. This year's recipients show exactly why the Hunter has such a proud sporting reputation. Firstly, Zac West from Cessnock has been turning heads in Aussie Rules footy. His attitude and commitment to the game are a credit to his club and the community. Then there's Addyson Kirby, also from Cessnock, making her mark in basketball. Her drive and leadership on the court inspires her teammates and other young women in sport. Ameka Melmeth from Cameron Park is another talent rising extremely fast in basketball. Her work ethic and skill are on show, and she will go a long, long way. Finally, we have Lleythan Jenkinson from Kilaben Bay. He's proving himself one to watch in tennis. His achievements already speak volumes about where his future might take him. I say to the Hunter Academy of Sport, the coaches, the parents and volunteers, thank you very much. Behind every athlete is a team that gives their time, energy and encouragement. None of this happens without you. Thank you.