Kerrynne Liddle's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
Albanese Government | Statements by Senators | Senate debates
With the rise in inflation and interest rates, the Labor government has again delivered Australians more poverty and more pain. There was no turning the corner, as they promised—another...
With the rise in inflation and interest rates, the Labor government has again delivered Australians more poverty and more pain. There was no turning the corner, as they promised—another failure in a long list of many broken promises fuelled by policies that just don't work. Labor's focus is not on dealing with their broken economic strategy but on deflection and denial. Right now they are searching for new ways to get their hands on more of your money. There's no reward for hard work in that. In their face right now are big challenges—more people on JobSeeker and more on youth allowance, and increasing numbers relying on income support. On inflation and interest rates, Australia has higher rates than every comparable country, the UK, the USA and Canada. We differ in that Australia is the only one of those going backwards too. As Liberals, we know energy is the economy and energy impacts everything. Our plan is leveraging from our assets—reducing emissions in a way that protects jobs and keeps the lights on, not the reckless race to net zero. After a record-breaking heatwave, the energy bill shock is coming, Australia. Brace yourself, especially those on fixed incomes and for my fellow South Aussies, who already pay the highest electricity prices in the country. The job of government is to keep Australians safe. Labor has tragically failed at that, and we all saw them dragged, kicking and screaming, to a royal commission to find out why. Small businesses are going out of business in record numbers. The usual signals of real trouble are being ignored by Labor because the reality is that they have no answers to a problem that is absolutely of their making.
Cost of Living | Adjournment | Senate debates
The skyrocketing increase in your household budget is about to get worse and you can blame Labor for that. Ever-increasing household bills, groceries, record residential property prices and...
The skyrocketing increase in your household budget is about to get worse and you can blame Labor for that. Ever-increasing household bills, groceries, record residential property prices and higher interest rates for everyone piles even more stress on ordinary Australians. The cost of just about everything—you've experienced it for yourself—has gone up under Labor. Inflation went up last week and is above the Reserve Bank target range. As expected, the announcement came today that interest rates are up too. The truth is that, when the Prime Minister told Australians the economy had turned a corner, it had not. Nothing could be further from the truth. Increasing inflation and increasing interest rates is a trend, and today it equates to a bad day for aspiring and existing homeowners—no matter how Labor tries to spin it. Those seeking to break into the housing market know their dream of homeownership is moving out of reach. For mortgage holders, the cost of your mortgage will go up, making it harder again to get ahead. Average mortgage holders are already paying around $21,000 per year more in interest than they were under the previous government. For those renting, this means the likelihood of experiencing even higher rent for longer. Labor would rather ignore these trends than deal with them. Productivity is down, undermining wages growth, business investment and long-term prosperity. There are more jobs, but most of them are in the public sector and paid for by your taxes. Labor's spending is growing, adding nearly $60 billion to the national credit card, and you can be assured that, when Labor need money, they'll come after yours. A new $60 billion budget black hole gets no explanation from the Albanese government other than to blame someone else—anyone else but them. It is Labor's economic policy failures that are driving your cost of living up, and it's getting worse for South Australians in my home state. We pay the highest electricity prices in the country, and it's now about to get worse, thanks to Labor. Labor in South Australia, and this Albanese government, have announced funding for housing in South Australia. But the Master Builders Association of SA responded with a simple question: 'Who is going to build them?' Master Builders SA CEO Will Frogley asked a fair question, but he hears, like we do, another announcement without the answer. The Albanese government is good at making promises but not at keeping them. We know that the number of apprentices completing training has nosedived under Labor. Yet, under the migration program, they are bringing in yoga instructors and hairdressers. What is needed is to count completions, not enrolments, across our training system and to look at ways to increase and incentivise older Australians to take up training. Labor is quick to talk up renewable energy and that mix in South Australia, but those in Adelaide pay more for power than those in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. It is Labor's reckless race to zero that is making it harder for ordinary Australians. The coalition's energy policy is about cheaper, more reliable energy, leveraging from our natural resources, while doing our fair share on emissions reduction. Running a small business in South Australia has never been harder than under the South Australian and federal Labor governments. The evidence is actually in. Business insolvencies are up in South Australia, as they are nationally. In South Australia, in 2022, there were 289 insolvencies. In 2025, that figure more than tripled to around 929. You can do the maths. In any language, that's just plain bad. Labor's hydrogen hoax proved to be a flop, allocating $600 million to the project with its promise of bringing cheaper power and economic growth. Instead, it just brought debt. Then there's this week's state and federal health announcement, with the promises of benefits for South Australia. But, again, that comes against the backdrop of their failed promise to fix ambulance ramping. They didn't deliver it. They said South Australian lives depended on it; they didn't deliver it. In fact, it's gotten worse. These many failures and broken promises are Labor's design on deliverables. Keeping it real is to be sceptical of Labor's rhetoric. Australia has experienced one of the largest declines in living standards in the developed world. This Labor government's bad economic policy is failing you, and you know it, because ordinary Australians are the ones working more for less. South Australia and this country deserve better. But Labor has no intention of delivering that and has no capacity or will to deliver that.
Perth: Attack | Motions | Senate debates
Let me begin by clearly and unambiguously stating that the Liberal Party condemns the attempted bombing on 26 January in Perth. Several of my colleagues and I condemned that immediately in the...
Let me begin by clearly and unambiguously stating that the Liberal Party condemns the attempted bombing on 26 January in Perth. Several of my colleagues and I condemned that immediately in the media after the improvised explosive device was hurled at those people who had gathered. It is appalling, and it's just luck that this wasn't much worse. Regardless, this event has caused so much pain and so much hurt, and it is abhorrent. There is of course no place for violence of this kind in Australia—not ever. We note the ongoing investigation by the Western Australia Police Force, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. We acknowledge the serious harm caused, and we express our solidarity with all those who were affected. We affirm this: this is an attack against Indigenous Australians. That's the appropriate term to use. It is an attack also against all Australians, and we must condemn it. Those propositions are not controversial. They should unite this chamber. Violence directed at people because of who they are is simply and categorically unacceptable. It must be condemned plainly, decisively and without qualification. Where the Liberal Party parts ways with this motion is its decision to go beyond that clear and necessary condemnation and instead prosecute arguments about Australia Day. This is not what this motion needs to be, and it is not what this motion requires. This attack is already being investigated as a potential terrorist attack. That is an investigation to be left to WA police, the AFP and ASIO. Those responsible should face the full force of the law through our police, our security agencies and our courts. That is the proper course. It is not appropriate to use an incident that remains under active investigation to retaliate, to reignite debates about 26 January or to ascribe broader political meaning before the facts are established. We condemn the attack. We stand against racism and violence. This motion is not a vehicle for prosecuting Australia Day and that debate. This is why we will ask that paragraphs (e) and (i) be put separately. Those provisions are politicising a vile attack that is still under active investigation. Australia Day is not the issue here. Any violence against Australians based on what they believe in is unacceptable, and this motion rightly condemns it. The Liberal Party stands with all those who have been affected, Indigenous or otherwise, and we affirm this parliament's recent condemnation of racially motivated hatred, acknowledging that this unambiguously includes racism directed at Indigenous Australians. I also move the amendment as circulated in my name. The amendment omits 'First Peoples' from paragraph (j) and replaces it with 'all Australians'. This is because violence and intimidation impact all Australians, not just Indigenous Australians. All people must be free to protest lawfully and peacefully without fear of harm, regardless of their views. No cause will ever be advanced by threatening or harming others. Australians can disagree respectfully, but violence will only deepen division. It is unacceptable. Everyone in this place should be working to bring people together, not to inflame tensions or excuse bad behaviour. The federal government has a duty to equally protect all people in this country from racism, discrimination, hate speech and the threat of racially motivated violence. The government must continue to take urgent action to address racism, discrimination, hate speech and violence in all its forms whenever it appears and wherever it appears. That is why the Liberal Party cannot support the singling out of Indigenous Australians in paragraph (j). This act of violence is about behaviour, not politics. Violence is wrong, no matter who commits it, when it is committed or why it is committed. Our focus must remain on safety, accountability and peaceful civic engagement. As I said previously, an attack on Indigenous Australians is an attack on all Australians. Australia is better than what we saw in Perth on 26 January. Disagreement must never turn into intimidation and violence. I seek leave to move the amendment as circulated in my name. Leave granted. I move: Amend paragraph (j) as follows: (j) calls for governments to continue to take urgent action to address racism, discrimination, hate speech and violence against all Australians.
Bondi Beach: Attack | Condolences | Senate debates
I stand to add my words and thoughts to those already conveyed here today. Today, the Australian parliament and this Senate gather in sorrow. We do so to honour lives stolen, to comfort families...
I stand to add my words and thoughts to those already conveyed here today. Today, the Australian parliament and this Senate gather in sorrow. We do so to honour lives stolen, to comfort families broken and to affirm the values that bind us as Australians—and to affirm our resolve that the future must be different. Bondi Beach is a place of sunlight and surf, of early morning swims, of late afternoon walks and of grandparents and families minding children while parents grab a coffee. It's a place of freedom. It's a place of joy. But the violence meted out to innocent Australians on 14 December 2025 is, sadly, now etched in our nation's history. This was violence aimed not only at individuals but at the heart of our way of life—at our communities, on all Australians and on Australia. This attack targeted the Jewish community and what they hold dear as they gathered for Chanukah by the Sea, a celebration of light, resilience and hope. What should have been a festival of joy was severed by hate, and that makes our grief deeper still. Our duty is remembrance. We mourn each of the 15 lives lost and the harm meted out to so many others. We hold in our hearts the injured, the traumatised and all who witnesses scenes no-one should ever have to see or hear. We also acknowledge the courage that rose above the sirens and the chaos, and the bravery, compassion and support of everyday Australians risking their own safety in the service of others: strangers helping strangers—police, paramedics and lifesavers securing the scene, treating the wounded and shepherding terrified people to safety. To the first responders, thank you. To the medical teams who worked through the night and the days following, to the counsellors who will work through many more nights and to the faith leaders who stood vigil and prayed with families, thank you. Your response reflects and represents the very best of our country. This attack targeted a community that has for generations contributed much to Australian life through business and medicine, the arts and academia, sport and philanthropy. The tragedy of the past two years has been the growing exclusion of Jewish Australians as contributors, leaders and participants in these areas and an all-too-underwhelming and silent response to that. Since October 2023, a life of heightened alertness increasingly grew to be one of alarm, and the evidence was clear as we saw parents quietly taking their children out of school uniforms to avoid identification, kindergartens requiring guards, and community centres and places of worship defaced and firebombed. These were not just stories; these were warnings. Soon after the attack, I attended a candlelight vigil in Adelaide at Hope in the Light in the city. It was another response to honour victims of this tragedy. At that vigil, South Australian rabbi Franklyn Salzman told us the brutal killing and injuring of Jewish members of the community was no surprise to Jewish people because of their lived experience of escalating hatred since 7 October 2023. Attendees at the vigil also heard from 92-year-old Holocaust survivor Andrew Steiner, a retired teacher and historian, who emphasised the urgent need for real, everlasting change. Mr Steiner reaffirmed to me the importance of education. Mr Steiner's life work, the Andrew Steiner Education Centre at the Adelaide Holocaust Museum in Wakefield Street, reopened just recently and welcomes visitors, volunteers and students. Mr Steiner's message is also one of determination: to be visible and unafraid, to gather and light candles and to remember and rebuild. We must stand shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish community with action that delivers outcomes. That is the Australia we believe in, one where hate finds no foothold and where differences are neither weaponised nor feared but honoured as part of our shared national tapestry. This morning I spoke to Rabbi Salzman, the South Australian rabbi, as he reflected on events since December and on the Australian parliament today. In his words: Violence against the Jewish community was something that we have been on edge and worried about for the past couple of years. The past few weeks have forced us to really evaluate what it looks like to be a Jewish person living in Australia. We want to be here, but we do not want to have to worry about what is happening in this country. We want to feel comfortable and safe gathering in public. We want to be able to be present and express the needs of our community. He said, unfortunately, in the past week, his community has received many unkind messages. He also fears that being public may also make them further targets. He said: Many parents are telling their children not to speak Hebrew outside their homes. What has happened was awful but unfortunately unsurprising. As a country we have an important task: to ensure that this never happens again by creating an environment where people can express differences of opinion and identity in a way that doesn't harm those around them. He wants to be able to express his Jewish faith without requiring security, fencing and other protections. He wants his congregation to be open but fears for its safety. In our great country, what Rabbi Salzman is asking for is fair, just and reasonable. Moments like this ask us: Who are we? What are we willing to defend? Where are we heading? Australia is a nation committed to freedom and a right to practice faith without intimidation. Our social contract demands that every Australian, every person who calls this country home and every visitor to these shores can walk on the beach, attend a service, gather for a festival and wear a symbol of faith without fear. That freedom is protected, too, by our laws, both state and federal, maintained by our institutions and sustained by our culture of mutual respect. It is freedom that is strengthened when we stand together. Every voice, every action, must unequivocally reject the structures of hate, whether whispered online or shouted in the street—those things that seek to threaten, demean or harm others. Whatever ideology fuels violence, as Australians, we name it, we confront it and we defeat it together through our laws and through our resolve. That is what it means to be Australian. The answer to this atrocity is to not retreat into corners; it is to reach right across them. As the Leader of the Opposition said: There is a pathway forward and a model of leadership and unity … In parliament, responsibility means ensuring our agencies have the tools they need and the clarity of purpose the public expects. It means not shying away from the truth. It means reviewing what went wrong, not to score points but to learn, to improve and to protect Australians from future harm. What matters most is that any process undertaken be thorough, independent and capable of looking honestly at root causes, institutional responses and the broader environment in which antisemitism and extremism takes hold. Our commitment should be simple: truth, accountability and practical recommendations delivered without prejudice. Hanukkah teaches that light can endure even against the odds. The candles lit after the attack were more than ritual; they were acts of defiance against despair. They told us that while violence can shatter it cannot define. Let us teach our children that courage is not only the bravery of first responders but also the quiet bravery of a child wearing a school uniform with pride, a parent walking into a festival without fear and a stranger stepping forward when someone is harassed on a bus. To the families who have lost loved ones: we grieve with you. We honour your loved ones by saying their names, by telling their stories and by building a country where such hatred finds no respect and no recruits, and where action makes a difference to people's lives. Your sorrow is now part of our national memory. Your courage, as you face the days, weeks, months and years ahead, is part of our national inspiration. But no-one thinks that the nation's duty ends when the headlines fade. It does not. It is an everyday thing, and we will keep faith with you. May the memories of those lost remain a blessing, may the wounded find comfort and strength, and may we turn sorrow into resolve, resolve into unity, and unity into the enduring light of the Australia we all love.
Albanese Government: South Australia | Statements by Senators | Senate debates
Well, we have 12 federal Labor parliamentarians who represent South Australia in this place, and they have let our great state down. There's the BOM failure, the algal bloom, your ever-rising...
Well, we have 12 federal Labor parliamentarians who represent South Australia in this place, and they have let our great state down. There's the BOM failure, the algal bloom, your ever-rising energy costs, new environmental legislation and the latest hit on inflation. In Port Pirie, locals were caught unawares this past weekend when hit by a tornado-like storm. The responsible minister in this place said, 'Don't look to the Albanese government.' Despite BOM's forecasting failure and the cost blowout from $4 million to $96 million for its website, somehow they think that is the fault of a previous federal government. It is a similar story for the devastating and ongoing algal bloom crisis. The Senate inquiry concluded the actions of the state and Commonwealth Labor governments were too little and too late. The Premier and the federal minister were slow to appreciate the risk to marine life, to businesses and industries and to coastal communities and too slow to respond and roll out financial assistance, leading to devastating consequences for those most affected. South Australians pay some of the highest costs for electricity in the country, yet this government is doubling down on its energy plans. It is the Albanese government's race to net zero that that will push your electricity bills up even further this summer. The coalition energy plan puts Australians first, prioritising affordability and a balanced energy mix while doing our fair share on reducing emissions. Labor continues to ignore the evidence. Inflation is up to 3.8 per cent, and South Australians are hit disproportionately hard because we are different to everywhere else. Energy is everything, just as energy is the economy, and this Labor government, including its members representing South Australia, is failing on all of it.
16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence | Statements by Senators | Senate debates
The annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence is underway. The human cost of violence in Australia is catastrophic, immeasurable and increasing. Since this time last year, 74 women...
The annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence is underway. The human cost of violence in Australia is catastrophic, immeasurable and increasing. Since this time last year, 74 women have been killed by an intimate partner, but many more are injured and impacted. The financial cost of family violence to this country is $32 billion a year. It remains the main driver of homelessness for women and children. Frontline services continue to turn away about a thousand people a day. The four Closing the Gap targets going in the wrong direction—adult incarceration, children in out-of-home care, suicide and children commencing school not developmentally on track—are fuelled by violence. Indigenous Australians are disproportionately represented in statistics, and multicultural groups remain largely invisible. It is a scourge that does not discriminate, though. It is an issue for everyone. In my home state of South Australia, family violence offences are up six per cent on last year. Our state royal commission provides recommendations, but the key here is not words but action delivering on the contribution of those significant consultations. Attending Rotary Foundation Australia's Purple Waves of Change at Moana Beach in South Australia on the weekend and Djirra's annual walk in Canberra focused attention on the impact on Indigenous women. It's clear the will exists; what we need to do is find more ways. It is work that must be supported by national coordination and consistency of approach, though recognising that there are local solutions, and having the courage to move past reviews and into implementation. The key lies in what Australians do every day and government being prepared do more of what the evidence says we should do more of and being brave about not doing what we know isn't working hard enough to change these statistics.
South Australia: Marine Environment | Statements by Senators | Senate debates
Although still open for business, some SA coastal communities remain captured by uncertainty in relation to the algal bloom. Fishers, seafood processors, tourism operators and small family...
Although still open for business, some SA coastal communities remain captured by uncertainty in relation to the algal bloom. Fishers, seafood processors, tourism operators and small family businesses are right to be disappointed in both the Albanese and Malinauskas governments for their slow, reactive and disorganised response. There is new news now from scientists who have identified a rarely recorded algal species likely responsible for the toxin production driving this prolonged event. I can't stress this enough: stay informed. The impacts are real and lasting, and Labor's response has fallen very, very short. One fisher holding more than eight tonnes of squid quota has not landed a single catch since April. Boats are tied up, and families are eating into savings. Tourism businesses have suffered booking cancellations, although those vouchers provide some relief. Researchers have requested $40 million over 10 years to monitor the Great Southern Reef and are still waiting for an answer. Our seafood is safe, world-class and tested. You can still buy local seafood from commercial retailers. Every plate of our world-class oysters, King George whiting and southern calamari sold supports everyone in some way, even those who don't work. Our coastal towns are open for business. SA communities are resilient and deserve our attention, not just when these types of issues force it. Sure, the cities need to be heard, but people in the regions, in rural areas and in remote communities who drive economic performance—and feed us—need attention too. This week in parliament, I've heard from stakeholders as diverse as credit unions, dentists and palliative care specialists who are frustrated by the lack of attention to those who live outside the capital cities. Having been born and raised in a regional area with ongoing regional interests, I will continue to pursue and raise issues in here that are relevant to you. The coalition will stand with you if you're in the regions and in the cities.
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | Senate debates
We must never forget that every dollar spent on social security is a dollar that is earned by someone else. It means that every measure, every amendment and every program cost must therefore be...
We must never forget that every dollar spent on social security is a dollar that is earned by someone else. It means that every measure, every amendment and every program cost must therefore be justified. It must be fair, sustainable and targeted to assist those in genuine need while preserving the integrity and future of the system itself. We also carry responsibility for future generations. The choices we make today about the structure and sustainability of our welfare system will determine the burden and opportunity inherited by Australians tomorrow. Income support should deliver a strong and sustainable safety net and encourage a path to employment for those who can work. Employment is the single most effective way to improve living standards for individuals and families. That conviction has long shaped our approach to social policy and continues to guide our priorities in opposition. These priorities are especially important in the midst of an enduring cost-of-living crisis driven by Labor's economic mismanagement at a time when households across Australia are struggling with rising costs and stagnant wages, and when the new working poor must decide between heating or cooling and eating. When in government, the coalition demonstrated disciplined and responsible economic management. We were able to deliver the largest permanent increase in the JobSeeker payment at that time, ensuring that there was a safety net for those in need. In April 2021 the coalition increased working-age payment rates, including JobSeeker, by $50 a fortnight. We also permanently increased the income-free area to $150 per fortnight, giving job seekers greater flexibility and incentive to take on work as they re-entered the workforce. During the height of the pandemic—one of the greatest economic and social challenges of our generation—the coalition government provided $32 billion in emergency payments to help Australians get through. This is the record of a coalition government that understood the balance between compassion and responsibility, between helping those who need help with targeted and timely responses and ensuring that the system remains fair to those who fund it. This bill's schedules amend a number of acts, including A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999, the Paid Parental Leave Act 2010, the Social Security Act 1991 and the Student Assistance Act 1973. These amendments in this bill have significant consequences for how social security payments are administered and how debts and undetermined debts are treated. The bill includes provisions providing clarity to income apportionment, a practice introduced under Labor. The bill seeks to do several things. It sets out preliminary and definitional matters as well as income apportionment method statements. It validates income apportionment as a method of apportioning employment income in relation to entitlement periods before 7 December 2020. It also clarifies the lawful methods of apportioning employment income when determining debts or rates of payment for periods before that date. It expands the instances in which the special circumstances waiver may be applied to waive debts incurred under the relevant acts. It increases the threshold for waiving a small debt of $250 and provides for that threshold to be indexed annually to the consumer price index. It provides a one-off waiver for the Commonwealth's right to recover small, undetermined debts worth less than $250 that are currently recorded in Services Australia's systems but are yet to be raised. Another significant measure is the establishment of the Income Apportionment Resolution Scheme. This scheme will provide resolution payments to people whose debts were affected by income apportionment between 20 September 2003 and 6 December 2020. The bill gives the minister power to determine matters relating to the scheme through legislative instrument and it provides for a new special appropriation to fund these resolution payments. Additionally, now the legislation allows for the minister responsible for the Australian Federal Police to issue a notice to the Minister for Social Services requiring the cessation of certain payments as well as concession cards in circumstances where a person is subject to an outstanding arrest warrant for a serious violent or sexual offence. Taxpayers should not fuel the means for people to evade the law. While these measures are important, they are not without concern. The first issue relates to the process by which this legislation has been developed. It appears that income apportionment measures have been informed by the Commonwealth Ombudsman's own-motion investigation and its recommendations, yet we're informed that there was no direct consultation with the Ombudsman in the development of the legislation. A reasonable person would think that, if the measures stem from the Ombudsman's own findings, it would be reasonable to expect from the government that they have engaged directly with that office to ensure the legislation aligns with those recommendations. You would think so, but, no, not for this government. Second, the timing of this bill raises serious questions. The government has waited until the tail end of the sitting calendar to bring this legislation forward. As a result, scrutiny has been rushed, with only a single day allocated for Senate committee examination. That Senate inquiry heard almost exclusively from social service advocacy groups and not-for-profit organisations. This narrow consultation raises legitimate concerns about how many voices the government actually listened to when preparing this bill. The Ombudsman, in its submission to the Senate inquiry, highlighted a serious omission—namely, that the issue of remediation for individuals who have been criminally convicted in relation to debts that were invalidly calculated using income apportionment is not addressed in the bill. That is not a minor point. It goes to the heart of fairness, accountability and justice. If the government acknowledges that income apportionment was used unlawfully for years then the question of how that impacts those who face prosecution or conviction as a result should not be left unanswered. Further, the bill leaves many operational details unresolved. It is not clear how the Income Apportionment Resolution Scheme will interact with the Scheme for Compensation for Detriment caused by Defective Administration, the longstanding framework for compensating individuals adversely affected by administrative errors. Much, it seems, is being left to legislative instruments, meaning that critical decisions about the design and implementation of the scheme will be made outside the direct scrutiny of the parliament. That is deeply concerning. Due to the absence of these essential details in the primary legislation, parliament's capacity to properly scrutinise the resolution scheme has been restricted by this Labor government—the same one that said it would govern with transparency. Once the delegated legislation is tabled, we will, of course, examine it. The government itself has belatedly recognised the flaws in its own work and been forced to amend its legislation with over 12 pages of amendments in the House of Representatives alone. This is yet more evidence that the bill was brought before parliament half-baked, without the necessary scrutiny or consultation and rushed through the legislative process. A responsible government would have taken the time to get this right. Instead, what we have seen is a series of reactive amendments and last-minute fixes. A feature of this government is to be focused on political expediency, it seems, rather than on good governance. Through its amendments to the bill in the House of Representatives, the government included an entire additional schedule. The public should know that there was no opportunity for these last-minute amendments to be scrutinised through the committee process. While we agree with the intent of the measures in schedule 5, the committee process is important to ensure that there are no unintended consequences and that the legislation is fit for purpose. It is entirely inappropriate that the amendments weren't put to scrutiny in the committee process. It was a coalition government that first announced it would crack down on offenders and criminals with outstanding warrants by withholding welfare payments. Under the measures announced by the then coalition government, the Commonwealth could suspend or cancel the welfare payments of individuals who had outstanding state and territory arrest warrants for indictable criminal offences. It was a commonsense measure that was scrapped by the Albanese government in its first budget, as a result of its spending audit. Now it is actually seeking to reintroduce it. The minister described this measure last week as 'commonsense' and 'in line with community expectations'. Why was this measure not viewed by this government as commonsense and in line with community expectations in October 2022 when they actually scrapped it? What has changed? Why was this schedule not included in the original legislation? I'm going to turn now to the special circumstances waiver. There are also unresolved questions about how the waiver will operate in practice because this bill provides little detail about the measures, procedures and thresholds that will guide Services Australia in deciding whether such circumstances exist. Without clear criteria, there is a real risk of inconsistent decision-making and unequal treatment of applicants. How will staff be supported to make informed and compassionate decisions? These are not academic questions; they go to the heart of how the law will affect real people. Minister Plibersek, in her second reading speech, said that existing safeguards would be strengthened to prevent manipulation of the waiver system. There is still little detail provided on what these strengthened safeguards will look like or how they will operate in practice to prevent misuse or manipulation of the social security safety net. The coalition will continue to engage constructively where possible. We acknowledge that this bill contains a number of technical amendments seeking to address long-standing administrative challenges within the social security system. However, we will also continue to hold the government to account for the way in which these measures are developed and implemented. The Australian people are entitled to transparency, accountability and assurance that their parliament is performing its role diligently. While the coalition will support this bill in the Senate today, we remain concerned about the absence of key operational details on the income apportionment resolution scheme within the primary legislation. The coalition will closely scrutinise and consider the legislative instrument establishing the resolution scheme once it is tabled. We expect the government to clearly explain how the scheme will operate in practice, how fairness will be upheld and how the integrity of the social security framework will be maintained. Every dollar spent through the social security system is a dollar earned by a hardworking Australian. It is our responsibility—in fact, it's our duty—to ensure that those dollars are spent wisely and with the integrity required so that they strengthen, not weaken, the foundations of our social security safety net, and that any instances of fraud and misuse are dealt with appropriately. Above all, our task in this place—in this parliament—is to ensure that Australia's welfare system continues to support those in genuine need. It must provide meaningful pathways to independence and remain sustainable for generations to come. That's what we need to ensure for the social security system. This is the coalition's enduring commitment to fairness, responsible governance and the integrity of Australia's social security system.
I rise today to speak on the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025. The coalition will support this bill in the Senate today; however, we hold...
I rise today to speak on the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025. The coalition will support this bill in the Senate today; however, we hold concerns about certain provisions that merit closer scrutiny. At all times, we must remember that Australia's social services safety net is among the most robust and generous in the world. This system does not sustain itself. It must be carefully managed and responsibly administered because it is funded by Australian taxpayers—by the men and women who work hard, take risks and shoulder the responsibility of supporting our social security system. Few countries in the world offer a social safety net as comprehensive as Australia's. It is something we can truly take pride in but also something we must safeguard and preserve. Our social security safety net is funded by those who pay taxes—small-business owners, primary producers and frontline workers, who keep our country running. They do so because of a belief in a fair go and that one day they might need that safety net too. It is sustained by those on the frontline—the nurses working through the night, the teachers shaping young minds and the police who put themselves in harm's way to keep us safe.
South Australia: Energy | Statements by Senators | Senate debates
We're still on South Australia too. Labor governments across the country are addicted to reckless spending. Do you want certainty? Well, know that, as the taxpaying public, you can be sure that,...
We're still on South Australia too. Labor governments across the country are addicted to reckless spending. Do you want certainty? Well, know that, as the taxpaying public, you can be sure that, when Labor runs out of money, they will come after yours. The $275? That's not coming. That's a lie. When you open up your next power bill, know that it is not your energy use that has likely gone up; it's Labor's spending that's driven up your cost. The pressure in homes and businesses and in organisations—Australians rely on them, but they'll be fixed not by subsidies, bailouts or even more red tape but by an energy plan that works. Labor's isn't it. Without a credible plan underpinned by principles of reliable energy, inflation will rise, as we saw this week when it crashed through the Reserve Bank's target band. With no change in the cash rate, mortgage holders get no relief from repayments. Some are paying $1,800 more. Are you trying to break into the housing market? You can blame Labor for your dream disintegrating. It is Labor's reckless spending that is running at more than four times the rate of the economy, and it's at its highest level outside of recession in nearly 40 years. Australians are paying 15 per cent more for food, 19 per cent more for housing and nearly 40 per cent more for electricity. In South Australia, we pay some of the highest prices in the country and we have the greatest proportion of renewables in a state's energy mix. Add to that the state's $500 million failed investment in the green hydrogen hoax. What is the key message for Labor? Energy is everything. Reliability and affordability are everything. Energy is not an experiment.
Northern Territory: Liquor Licensing | Adjournment | Senate debates
Last December the Northern Territory Liquor Commission granted a liquor licence to the Wadeye Community Club, the first in that community for more than 30 years. With a population of over 2,000...
Last December the Northern Territory Liquor Commission granted a liquor licence to the Wadeye Community Club, the first in that community for more than 30 years. With a population of over 2,000 people, Wadeye is one of Australia's largest remote Aboriginal communities, with a long history, sadly, of episodic alcohol fuelled violence and disorder. The decision has been made despite significant warning signs. The community club is on track to open soon. What I want to know is what, if anything, the Albanese Labor government has done to ensure that Wadeye does not descend into chaos when the club starts opening. There has been significant investment of taxpayer money in Wadeye. There are important questions I invite the Albanese government to answer. Did the government make a submission to the inquiry or just stand by and let it slide, like you did with the lifting of alcohol restrictions in 2022? Has the Albanese government provided a single cent of Commonwealth money, including in-kind support, towards the community club, given the investment in Wadeye? What has the Albanese government done to protect Commonwealth investment in programs in Wadeye to ensure Closing the Gap outcomes don't lurch even further backwards in the Northern Territory, or has it once again looked the other way? In the spirit of self-determination, the NT liquor commissioner recommended new and additional program supports related to alcohol addiction, family violence and school attendance. The Albanese government, which includes three NT parliamentarians, has had nearly three years to act on this advice, to plan, to coordinate and to protect specifically for that risk factor. But when real leadership is required, Labor tends to retreat to slogans and symbolism. A read of the decision would have anyone concerned, alarmed even, about risk mitigation for vulnerable people and public infrastructure. This is not alarmist; it is evidence. It is widely accepted that the Northern Territory is the key driver of the Closing the Gap targets for suicide, adult incarceration, children in out-of-home care and children commencing school developmentally on track getting worse. We've seen this story before. In 2023, the Albanese Labor government allowed alcohol restrictions across parts of the Northern Territory to lapse, cheered on by members of Territory Labor, who were actually in government at the time. The consequences were obvious and tragic. When you make decisions based on ideology, not evidence, that is what happens. The impact was immediate and devastating. Crime, violence and disorder surged everywhere, especially in Central Australia, with domestic violence assaults increasing 77 per cent month on month,. It was a public outcry that forced the government into a humiliating reversal and reinstatement of those restrictions, but the damage was already done. That experience should have taught the government that access to alcohol in vulnerable communities demands caution, preparation and accountability, but the story here will no doubt be one of complacency first and crisis later. Picking up the pieces in response, recovery and healing is not what anyone would wish to happen in Wadeye, but wishing and hoping does not make it so. The Liquor Commission recognised the likelihood that many townsfolk were too afraid to speak out publicly for fear of retribution. Only one brave local did. Labor talks big on community drive approaches and listening to voices, yet has it done consultation to ensure those voices are heard? I'd like to hear that. Did the government itself seek to be heard? I don't know. Nationally, Indigenous women are 33 times more likely to be hospitalised for family and domestic violence injuries than non-Indigenous women. We learned, with the end of the cashless debit card in those communities that wanted it, that it was women and children who were impacted the most. They are the ones who see violence in their homes, miss school, fail to thrive, come to the attention of police and grow up believing that chaos and fear are normal parts of life. You can't just simply shrug and say that this is a Territory matter, because taxpayers make significant investments in Wadeye. Imagine what the $450 million spent on the Voice referendum could have done. There was $350 million spent in Central Australia on repairing the destruction rather than on prevention and early intervention. Make no mistake, Labor makes a mess because it is distracted by ideology and announcements over action. In Wadeye, despite legitimate concerns, I hope the community club is successful, because the safety and wellbeing of the community and its people depend on it. Self-determination does not mean leaving communities to fend for themselves. Safety of the most vulnerable is crucial, not mopping up afterwards, but no amount of wishing and hoping will do that.
Racial Discrimination Act 1975: 50th Anniversary | Motions | Senate debates
The Racial Discrimination Act passed in 1975 and established legal protection against racial discrimination amidst a global push for civil rights and antidiscrimination laws. It passed with...
The Racial Discrimination Act passed in 1975 and established legal protection against racial discrimination amidst a global push for civil rights and antidiscrimination laws. It passed with bipartisan support. Equality before the law is a core Liberal value. We believe in individual rights and freedoms, including protection from discrimination, recognising the need to balance antidiscrimination protections with freedoms of speech and religion. The coalition has always focused on practical measures to address disadvantage, such as targeted programs in education, employment and health for Indigenous and migrant Australians and effective, meaningful, public awareness and education on issues of race and equality. We've supported the process of reconciliation. Legislation alone, though, cannot change attitudes or eliminate prejudice. In fact, what must also occur is doing things that do no further harm and that prevent it before it starts. Social and economic inclusion create opportunity, diminish difference and make a place in every corner, place and community based on equality of opportunity. Using legislation to assert rights is available to all citizens, but the advice should always be to prevent, to intervene early and to respond and behave in ways that do not result in the need to assert legal rights. The Labor government talks a big talk about social cohesion, yet it has stood by idly and has seen some of the most appalling antisemitic attacks on the Jewish community in Australian history. According to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, in the 12 months following 7 October 2023, there was a 316 per cent increase in antisemitic attacks. To ensure a fair and just community, we need to be always vigilant. The first job that this government focused on in its first term was the Voice to Parliament referendum. It was perhaps one of the most divisive periods in our history not just for Indigenous Australians but for all Australians, and it was not just about the proposition but also about how this government went about it. It pitted people against each other on the basis of race, giving special rights to a group of people above all others in our foundation document, the Australian Constitution. Prioritising symbolism over practical action does not change lives. Despite the Labor Party promulgating its own version of history, here are some facts. It is the Liberal Party that has taken practical action to address exclusion and division. In early 1967, the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders sent a delegation to meet with Liberal Prime Minister Harold Holt. They sought and received support for a referendum to remove words discriminating against Indigenous Australians from the Constitution. That was a Holt government. This included the removal of words from section 51. Later that month, the Australian parliament passed the coalition's Constitution Alteration (Aboriginals) 1967, ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders would be counted as part of the Australian population and that the parliament could make laws for them. The key difference between this successful process and the Albanese government's Voice referendum is that the coalition introduced clear legislation and then actively campaigned on it. These important reforms did not end with the Holt government. The Office of Aboriginal Affairs was established soon after Prime Minister Gorton to receive advice on issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Prime Minister John Howard introduced Indigenous protected areas in 1998. In 2019, the coalition government established the NIAA to lead and coordinate Indigenous policy across government. This approach is echoed by our support for a standalone estimates day, something the Albanese government got rid of. The previous coalition government introduced the groundbreaking Indigenous procurement policy to ensure greater opportunity in business to contradict those terrible stereotypes that sometimes persist. In the chamber this week, we saw the Greens make an issue about race when I don't believe race was even an issue. Race is not something to raise to shut down dissent. People are harmed, not helped, by that. Thanks to all those who have contributed to those over the last 50 years—lawmakers, community advocates and everyday Australians. Thanks to people like the late Neville Bonner, who first came into the Senate as a Liberal Senator in 1971 and said, 'I am a senator for all Australians, no matter their ethnicity, no matter their background or ancestry.' It's important we reflect on those words. Today, though, we recognise that there is still much more work to be done.
Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence | Statements by Senators | Senate debates
The main job of any government is to keep its people safe. Australia remains in the midst of a family and domestic violence epidemic, which is getting worse. New data released by the ABS...
The main job of any government is to keep its people safe. Australia remains in the midst of a family and domestic violence epidemic, which is getting worse. New data released by the ABS yesterday revealed that sexual assault rose 17 per cent across Australia between 2022 and 2024. Since 2021, the number of FDV related homicides and offences has risen from 106 to 175. Whatever the number, it's abhorrent. While the numbers are new, they should not be a surprise to anybody, least of all the Albanese government, given its carriage of the National Plan to End Violence Towards Women and Children and the so-called Rapid Review of Prevention Approaches. Community legal services still turn away more than 1,000 people every day. The $3.9 billion rapid review response announced last September didn't see the majority of funding flowing until 1 July this year to a sector desperate for action over announcements. The processing of crisis payments for prisoners on release has been three times faster than those for victims-survivors escaping violence. Add to that the greater access to alcohol, drugs and gambling with the removal of the cashless debit card and the lifting of alcohol restrictions in the Northern Territory. The ABS data said that, in 2024, the Northern Territory recorded its highest number of reported sexual assaults in over 30 years. Children are being targeted by organised offenders, while the nation is fragmented on solutions. Last week I hosted a panel facilitated by the National Children's Commissioner, Anne Hollonds, on child sexual exploitation and trafficking—a significant issue that largely remains hidden and that people remain uncomfortable talking about. I'm also co-convening a parliamentary friends group alongside Labor Senator Ghosh to drive meaningful conversations because so few people in this place immerse themselves in these issues—but they should.
Senate Estimates: Indigenous Affairs | Adjournment | Senate debates
I think one of the most troubling statistics is that five were on track and now there are only four. Guess which one is no longer on track? Sadly, it's baby birth weight. It's one of the data...
I think one of the most troubling statistics is that five were on track and now there are only four. Guess which one is no longer on track? Sadly, it's baby birth weight. It's one of the data points that you can accurately predict. Every one of those numbers represents lives, families and futures, and every one of those numbers that are going backwards are going backwards under Labor. There was ending the cashless debit card, the lifting of alcohol restrictions and then standing by and watching nine months before they were put in place and watching NAAJA collapse with its poor governance and doing absolutely nothing to intervene, even though a large proportion of its funding comes from the Commonwealth. People were anguishing in the Northern Territory without even having representation. That was disgusting, and it's factual. The disastrous situation of alcohol restrictions being lifted saw a 77 per cent increase in average monthly domestic violence assaults in Alice Springs, and Central Australia is still a long way from recovery, if ever. Taxpayers deserve to know and to be able to interrogate why $300 million poured into Central Australia has not delivered a better, safer Central Australia. It simply hasn't. You just need to walk down the street to see that. I've done it many times, and not for work; I've been there as a local and as a visitor. What are more reasons Labor did this? The AIHW health performance framework summary report says the Labor fuelled cost-of-living crisis has made things worse, especially in remote areas and in primary health care. It's got harder than ever. We should know more about that. There are the Indigenous organisations that have failed to file mandatory reports with ORIC, their regulator. How come ORIC seem to think that they need to defend that? Why is it that frontline services are still waiting for funds while bureaucracy holds back the cash? It was done in Katherine less than two weeks ago, and that's a serious situation for those people. With broken promises and lack of transparency, this is the most secretive government in living memory. The government claims that Indigenous issues will now be part of every day of estimates. What they don't say is what they've actually done to make this much better. It is not. The people who are going to lose out most are Indigenous Australians. (Time expired)
These are not small numbers and they've happened since 2022. Adult incarceration is up 3.5 per cent, preschool attendance is down 2.6 per cent and 1.2 per cent fewer children are starting school...
These are not small numbers and they've happened since 2022. Adult incarceration is up 3.5 per cent, preschool attendance is down 2.6 per cent and 1.2 per cent fewer children are starting school developmentally—
What we saw from the Albanese Labor government last week was nothing short of shameful. With the Greens at their side—yes, the Australian Greens—Labor slammed the door on...
What we saw from the Albanese Labor government last week was nothing short of shameful. With the Greens at their side—yes, the Australian Greens—Labor slammed the door on accountability by scrapping the standalone cross-portfolio Indigenous estimates hearing. For the first time in 17 years, this Senate has been denied opportunity for the scrutiny in this area that we've known for 17 years. More recently, this meant that the minister responsible for the portfolio was also at the table, always. Now that's changed. Despite what the Albanese government have claimed, this is not a question of scheduling; this is about silencing. Since coming into this parliament, my experience in asking questions in senate estimates is to get the runaround—being told, 'Not today; that's on Friday, cross-portfolio day,' and on Friday being told, 'No, not today; that was back on Tuesday,' or Wednesday. How many times did that happen? It was awful, and this is going to be worse. It was already the case that we had a truncated day, and Senator McCarthy, you know that; it was a truncated day. We were short on time, but this is about making the situation much worse. I'm going to look forward to you running around all week to try to get in front of every single committee to answer the questions about your portfolio. The latest Closing the Gap data tells us exactly why Labor wanted this hearing gone: because, under this government—and in the territory in which you live, Senator McCarthy—youth detention is up by 11 per cent; suicide is up by 9.4 per cent. These are not small numbers. This has happened since 2022.
Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, Aged Care (Accommodation Payment Security) Levy Amendment Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | Senate debates
I am in continuation. This is yet another broken promise by the Albanese government, and older Australians are paying the price wondering, waiting, worrying. Grandfathering arrangements protect...
I am in continuation. This is yet another broken promise by the Albanese government, and older Australians are paying the price wondering, waiting, worrying. Grandfathering arrangements protect those already on their aged-care journey because uncertainty is the last thing they need. The coalition fought hard during the passage of the Aged Care Bill 2024 for grandfathering arrangements. It's because of our persistent negotiations that Australians who are already in residential care, are on a home-care package or have been assessed and are waiting for a package will not see their arrangements change. This 'no worse off' principle is critical. It gives older Australians the certainty they deserve. The main bill provides a framework to ensure those protections are delivered. That is a coalition achievement, something we pushed for and we secured. The coalition has always stood up for hardworking Australians, particularly those who saved for their retirement. It's why we called for a lower taper rate on care contributions. We fought to protect retirees from unfair cost burdens and to hold Labor to account on its commitment to remain the majority funder of aged care. We also fought for the maintenance of a lifetime cap on contributions because Australians should know there is a limit to what they will be asked to pay for in care. Importantly, we opposed Labor's arbitrary caps on access to basic services like cleaning and gardening. Imposing limits in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis shows just how completely out of touch this government is. The main bill removes those ridiculous caps from the legislation. Labor, this delaying and your delay in home-care packages is a national crisis. Perhaps the most egregious outcome of Labor's incompetence is the impact on home care. The Albanese government promised but then failed to deliver 83,000 additional home-care packages from July 2025. They promised support to help older Australians to remain independent in their own homes. This is an example of another broken promise from the Albanese government. Right now, more than 87,000 older Australians are languishing on the waitlist. Under Labor, the list has almost tripled in just two years. Many older Australians have been waiting for more than a year for care they have already been assessed as needing. It's not just an administrative burden; it's a national crisis. Behind every number is a person—someone's parent or someone's grandparent—left without the support they need to live safely and with dignity, putting additional unnecessary, unfair pressure on vulnerable Australian families. Behind every number is a family struggling to do the best for their loved ones—often women or elderly partners who need to step in where the government has failed them. It would be different if Labor had just got this right from the start. The coalition condemns this neglect. Minister Rae must urgently deliver the promised packages and address the skyrocketing waitlist, because older Australians and families deserve better. As a proud South Australian, I must bring to this debate the sobering state of aged care in my home state. According to the Productivity Commission's latest report card, South Australia has recorded the longest wait times in the country for a federal aged-care bed. South Australians: this is more evidence you are an afterthought by this Albanese Labor government. Older South Australians are waiting an average of 253 days—that's more than eight months—to be placed in care. That is almost double the national average of 136 days and is 117 days more than the national average. We also have the highest rates in the country of hospital patient days used by people waiting for an aged-care bed, at 24.4 days. The national average is 13.2 days, which is an increase of 35 per cent in the last two years. And our state has 23 per cent fewer operational aged-care places per capita than when records first began. Data from earlier this year revealed that 253 patients stuck in metro hospitals are ready for discharge but are unable to move because they are waiting for a federal aged-care place. That's not just a statistic; that's a crisis. It means frail, elderly South Australians are spending months in hospital beds, away from familiar surroundings and away from the care environments they deserve. It also means hospital beds are being clogged, worsening the strain on the entire health system and adding to our record ambulance ramping crisis. This is the direct consequence of a federal Labor government that was not ready, not listening and not willing to take responsibility. How many South Australian lives have ended while they waited for Labor to get their act together? What about Indigenous Australians who need this care? We know they don't take up packages at the same rate as others. How many of them are being left stranded? We probably will never know. The coalition supports the passage of the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 because it is necessary to prevent further chaos in the aged-care sector. But, make no mistake, this legislation is proof of this government's failure. It proves Labor was not ready. It proves Labor misled Australians. And it proves Labor's refusal to accept coalition amendments during the debate on the Aged Care Act was nothing more than putting politics before people. The coalition will continue to fight for a fair deal for older Australians and their families. And yes, we will continue to demand that the rights and dignity of older Australians are placed at the heart of every reform decision. Australians deserve better. And South Australians: you deserve better. As a state and as some of the oldest people in the country, you deserved better from both Labor governments, and you don't deserve more excuses.
Indigenous Australians | Questions without Notice | Senate debates
Your binning of a standalone day focused on Indigenous Australians and the Murray-Darling Basin Plan matters is astounding at a time when you have shut your eyes and closed your ears on South...
Your binning of a standalone day focused on Indigenous Australians and the Murray-Darling Basin Plan matters is astounding at a time when you have shut your eyes and closed your ears on South Australia's algal bloom crisis and failed to act on Indigenous lives that are not improving. Does the Albanese government know what it's doing, and will the Minister for Indigenous Australians be at the table to answer questions regarding Indigenous matters when we ask them?
Well, 1,254 organisations failed to fulfil mandatory reporting requirements under regulator ORIC in the 2023-24 financial year. Noncompliance is a fairly good indicator that something's not...
Well, 1,254 organisations failed to fulfil mandatory reporting requirements under regulator ORIC in the 2023-24 financial year. Noncompliance is a fairly good indicator that something's not right. Recently, Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service was put under special administration for the second time in four years and joins the queue with so many others. Australians should know why your government and its bureaucrats didn't act on these matters earlier. What are you trying to hide?
LIDDLE () (): My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator McCarthy, and it is on Australians you have not delivered for. Since the Albanese government was elected in 2022,...
LIDDLE () (): My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator McCarthy, and it is on Australians you have not delivered for. Since the Albanese government was elected in 2022, six Closing the Gap outcomes have regressed. Youth detention is up 11 per cent, suicide is up 9.4 per cent, adult incarceration is up 3.5 per cent, preschool attendance is down 2.6 per cent and 1.2 per cent fewer children commencing school are developmentally 'on track'. With these terrible outcomes only getting worse under Labor, why has the government shut the door on accountability by removing a standalone day for cross-portfolio Indigenous matters at the next supplementary budget estimates?