Jodie Belyea's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
Dunkley Electorate: Men's Health, Dunkley Electorate: Housing | Adjournment | House debates
Before entering this place as an MP, I spent three decades working in the community sector learning how real and lasting change is created when people come together with shared purpose. That...
Before entering this place as an MP, I spent three decades working in the community sector learning how real and lasting change is created when people come together with shared purpose. That experience shapes everything I do as the member for Dunkley. I know that the strongest solutions are built from the ground up through listening, partnership and genuine collective impact. Social challenges are never simple. They are interconnected, embedded locally and felt every day by families, workers, young people and older residents alike. Meaningful change starts by engaging the people who live these realities: residents, organisations, community leaders, local businesses and those whose lived experience guides us toward the truth of what is needed. Two of the most pressing issues facing the Dunkley community are men's health and wellbeing, and housing. These matters are not abstract policy debates. They shape daily life, dignity and opportunity. As the member for Dunkley, I feel a deep responsibility to create the spaces where our community can come together, share openly and design real, practical solutions. That's why I convened the Dunkley Men's Health and Wellbeing Forum, a place based response grounded in genuine community need. The forum brought together men and boys aged 16 and over from across Dunkley for an open, honest conversation about men's health and wellbeing issues. This workshop was facilitated by the Man Cave, supported by Movember, and the Frankston Dolphins football club. Around 70 men and boys and community organisations attended. What emerged was extraordinary honesty, hope, vulnerability and a willingness to share. My son, Flynn, spoke courageously about growing up as a young man today, the pressure to be perfect, the constant comparison and the weight of social media. His words reminded us that young men want to talk—often, they just need a safe space to begin. We also heard from the Special Envoy for Men's Health, the member for Hunter, who spoke powerfully about mental health, body image, prostate cancer and the courage it takes to ask for help in a society that still tells men to tough it out. What struck me most was the connection in the room; teenagers sitting beside retirees, everyone speaking without judgement or bravado. From this forum grew a tangible outcome: a commitment to establish the Dunkley Men's Health Network, focused on connection, prevention and strengthening the support systems that help men in Dunkley thrive. Housing remains one of the most complex challenges of our time, but any lasting solution must be informed by local reality. That is why I brought together representatives from all levels of government: community housing providers, developers, universities, landlords, service providers and investors—people with the insight and influence to help drive meaningful change. What emerged was rare—genuine alignment across sectors. Participants recognise the scale of the housing crisis and share a determination to collaborate on diverse, place based solutions. We identified that Dunkley already has many preconditions for success, from redevelopment opportunities and strategic planning frameworks to strong local demand, driven by education, health and workforce growth. Federal initiatives such as the National Housing Infrastructure Fund were acknowledged as critical tools to unlock progress. When I was first elected, I wasn't entirely sure how best to translate my community experience in this role. I am now absolutely clear: my responsibility as the member for Dunkley is to listen deeply, understand needs and opportunities, and bring people together to create solutions to the complex challenges we face locally and nationally. As our challenges grow more complex, so must our collaboration. The future we want depends on relationships, shared purpose and the courage to work together, even across the aisle. In Dunkley we have that courage. We have that determination. We have capacity to come together and lead. The strength of a community is not measured by the challenges it faces, but by the way in which it comes together to overcome them.
Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
Across the 47th parliament and, now, the 48th parliament, this government has been bringing back to life our health system after a decade of neglect, investing in Medicare urgent care clinics,...
Across the 47th parliament and, now, the 48th parliament, this government has been bringing back to life our health system after a decade of neglect, investing in Medicare urgent care clinics, like the one in Dunkley, and in bulk-billing, capping the costs of PBS medicines and a range of other initiatives like prac placement support for midwives and nurses. Today, I support another initiative—the Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025. It's another additional step to ensuring we improve and provide holistic and efficient access to health care in this country. This bill is a practical, sensible and forward-looking reform, one that puts patients first, strengthens Medicare and recognises the vital role nurses play in delivering high-quality care across the country. At its heart, the legislation is about access—access to care, access to medicines and access to a health system that works for people when and where they need it. This bill amends two key pieces of Commonwealth legislation—the National Health Act of 1953 and the Health Insurance Act of 1973—to allow suitably qualified and endorsed registered nurses to become authorised prescribers under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and to ensure their prescribing services are appropriately overseen under the Professional Services Review Scheme. These are measured and necessary changes, and they are long overdue. Australians know that our healthcare system is under pressure. Demand is increasing, the population is ageing and too many people, particularly in primary care, aged care and fast-growing outer metropolitan and regional communities like Dunkley, are struggling to access timely treatment and affordable medicines. The Albanese Labor government was re-elected with a clear mandate to act, and at the 2025 election we committed to prioritising scope-of-practice reforms for nurses and midwives so health professionals can work to their full potential and patients can get the care they need without unnecessary delay. This bill is a direct delivery on that commitment. It recognises what nurses have long demonstrated in practice—that with the right education, endorsement and safeguards registered nurses can safely, effectively and appropriately prescribe certain medicines as part of a collaborative healthcare team. Importantly, this legislation does not lower standards. It does not cut corners, and it does not compromise patient safety and care. Instead, it builds on rigorous national regulation and professional oversight. In December 2024, Commonwealth, state and territory health ministers approved a new registration standard under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009: the Endorsement for scheduled medicines—designated registered nurse prescriber. This nationally consistent standard ensures that only suitably qualified registered nurses who have completed approved education and met strict professional requirements can become designated registered nurse prescribers. The first cohort of these nurses is expected to complete their education, receive endorsement and begin prescribing medicines from July this year. This bill ensures that the Commonwealth legislative framework is ready to support that transition. Without these amendments, prescriptions written by designated registered nurse prescribers could not be subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. That would create unnecessary barriers for patients and undermine the very purpose of the reform. By amending the National Health Act 1953, this bill allows registered nurses who are endorsed against the new registration standard to be recognised as authorised prescribers for certain PBS medicines, ensuring patients can access affordable, subsidised treatments in a timely manner. And, by amending the Health Insurance Act 1973, this bill appropriately includes registered nurses within the Professional Services Review Scheme, providing the same accountability and oversight that already applies to other healthcare professionals who prescribe under Medicare. This is good governance, it is responsible reform and it ensures public confidence in the system. Designated registered nurse prescribers align squarely with the intent of Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce Review. That landmark review made it clear that Australia must better utilise the skills and expertise of its health workforce if we are to meet current and future demand. It called for reforms that enable health professionals to work to their full scope of practice, reduce duplication and improve access for patients. This bill does exactly that. It enables safe, timely and effective prescribing by registered nurses, particularly in settings where access to medical practitioners can be limited, such as regional settings, primary care clinics, aged-care services and community health settings. For patients, this can mean fewer delays, fewer appointments and more streamlined care. It can mean getting a prescription at the point of care rather than waiting days or weeks for another consultation—helping people to get better sooner. It can mean better continuity of care, especially for people with chronic conditions who are already receiving ongoing support from nursing professionals they know and trust. This reform is not about replacing doctors. It's about complementing and strengthening a multidisciplinary approach to care at a time when there are workforce shortages. It's about making the best use of all health professionals—working together, each within their competence and scope—to deliver better outcomes for patients. It is also important to note that this reform is being progressed in partnership with states and territories. Health ministers across jurisdictions have already approved the national registration standard, and states and territories are now amending their own legislation to enable designated registered nurse prescribing within their health systems. This cooperative approach reflects the seriousness of the reform and the shared commitment across governments to modernise our health workforce. The Albanese Labor government understands that a strong Medicare system depends on a strong workforce. That is why we are backing nurses not just with words but with real reforms that recognise their skills, expand their opportunities and support them to deliver quality care. This bill is another way we are delivering on our commitment to strengthen Medicare and improve access to affordable health care for all Australians. For the community of Dunkley, the benefits of this reform are very real and very local. Dunkley is a growing and diverse community with increasing demand for health services across primary care, aged care and community health. Too many people in the community know what it's like to wait for too long for an appointment, travel further than they should or delay treatment because local services are stretched. By enabling designated nurse practitioner prescribers to work to their full scope of practice, this bill will help ease pressure on local health services and doctors and improve access to timely care right here in Dunkley. It means nurses already providing care in general practice, community clinics and aged-care facilities can help patients access the medicines they need more quickly and more efficiently. This reform builds on the Albanese Labor government's broader health package—our comprehensive plan to strengthen Medicare, invest in our health workforce and deliver better access to care for communities like mine. It sits alongside our record investments in Medicare, primary care and hospitals, and alongside our commitment to modernise the way health care is delivered to meet the growing needs of the population. The broader healthcare package includes the opening of the new Peninsula University Hospital, a transformational investment in health care for the Dunkley community and the broader Melbourne south-east. This world-class facility will expand capacity, improve emergency and specialist care, and support a growing workforce of skilled healthcare professionals. Ensuring nurses at Peninsula University Hospital and across the Dunkley community are supported by contemporary scope-of-practice reforms is essential to making the investment deliver to its full potential. Modern infrastructure must be matched with modern workforce settings. This bill helps ensure our local health infrastructure, workforce and policy settings work together so the people of Dunkley get the accessible, high-quality health care they deserve. More broadly, this legislation ensures that, when designated nurse prescribers begin practising from July 2026, the Commonwealth framework will be ready to support them and, more importantly, to support their patients. Australians should be able to get the medicines they need when they need them without unnecessary hurdles or extra costs. They should be able to rely on a health system that is modern, flexible and responsive to their needs, and they should know that their government is willing to reform outdated systems to deliver better outcomes for the population. This bill does exactly that. It is sensible, it is evidence based and it is focused squarely on patients. I commend the Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025 to the House and urge all members to support this important step in strengthening our health system for all Australians.
Cost of Living | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
Deputy Speaker Scrymgour, what can I say? The assertion from those opposite that the Albanese Labor government is doing nothing to help Australians couldn't be further from the truth. It is...
Deputy Speaker Scrymgour, what can I say? The assertion from those opposite that the Albanese Labor government is doing nothing to help Australians couldn't be further from the truth. It is ludicrous. If I were to ask those opposite for a list of their achievements for the people of Australia in their 10 years in government, that list would have nothing on it. They should know better. They have repeatedly voted against meaningful measures to ease pressure on households. We understand, however, that people are doing it tough, and we know that there is more for us to do. That is why in 2025 we delivered a responsible budget with the cost of living front and centre. The claim we are reckless is something that they should know a lot about because of the division and the disarray that we are seeing blow up across the aisle. Yesterday the Reserve Bank governor stated: … governments … have a job … to provide services and infrastructure … and at the same time … make sure that they contribute to bringing inflation down … The Reserve Bank governor also stated: … the government at the moment seems— very— focused on what they need to do to continue the fight against inflation … We have delivered so much. We've had a $325 energy rebate to ease power bills. We've introduced a $300 per week paid prac placement for nursing staff, midwives, teachers and social workers, recognising that essential workers deserve support, not hardship. We have wiped $3 billion from HECS debt, benefiting more than three million Australians, including 18,000 people from Dunkley. Our No. 1 focus is helping Australians with the cost of living today and tomorrow and building a stronger future. Last year we delivered tax cuts for every taxpayer, with another one coming in July. We secured pay rises for minimum and award wage workers. We expanded paid parental leave to 24 weeks and ensured superannuation is now paid while parents take government leave. We've provided an additional $150 discount on power bills for every household and around one million small businesses and introduced a 30 per cent discount on home batteries to permanently cut energy costs. I can't wait to have mine installed very soon. We expanded bulk-billing, and we froze draft beer excise indexation for two years. From 1 January we've delivered the biggest cut to PBS medicines in history. Medicines are costing $25 or less for those with a healthcare card. This is going to save Australians more than $200 million a year, making medicines the cheapest they have been in more than two decades. When it comes to health, the difference between the two sides of this chamber are stark. The opposite gutted bulk-billing when they were in government. We have spent the last three years and now this term rebuilding it. We are investing $8.5 billion to deliver 18 million additional bulk-billed GP visits a year. We are investing more than $790 million in women's health and $11.3 million in men's health. The member for Hunter is very happy about that. We are investing in mental health, and that includes $1.2 million into Headspace Frankston, recognising that 43 per cent of Australians will unfortunately experience challenges during their lifetime. We know skills and training are essential for easing cost pressures and for building our future workforce, so we have delivered the paid prac placement and free-fee TAFE with more than 355,000 fee-free places. There is no better example of Labor's delivery than in Dunkley. More than $112 million has been committed to local infrastructure, from roads and parks, mental health services, support for local artists to the $1.1 billion Peninsula University Hospital. Last year, just before Christmas, I joined Minister Rishworth to open the Brotherhood of Saint Laurence Thrive Hub, supporting young people into employment.
Cost of Living | Questions without Notice | House debates
My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering cost-of-living relief to Australian workers, and what could put workers'...
My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering cost-of-living relief to Australian workers, and what could put workers' wages at risk?
Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
I stand in this parliament today, alongside 150 colleagues from all sides of politics, to offer my deepest condolences and to express my sorrow for those devastated by the Bondi terrorist attack...
I stand in this parliament today, alongside 150 colleagues from all sides of politics, to offer my deepest condolences and to express my sorrow for those devastated by the Bondi terrorist attack on 14 December and for the tragic loss of 15 innocent lives and the injuries to 41 civilians. It has been 36 days since Hanukkah. The festival of lights was darkened by an attack of terrorism on our shores, an attack fuelled by antisemitic ideology, hate and violence. The grief and anguish of those who lost loved ones and the deep wound inflicted on Jewish people, the Jewish community and Jewish culture in Australia are immeasurable. We are a country in mourning. I cannot claim to fully comprehend the pain of profound loss, and the anger or the fear that comes from being targeted because of one's culture, one's faith or one's identity in this manner. But I can acknowledge it and I can honour it. As the representative of Dunkley, I stand in solidarity with those carrying the weight of the profound grief that comes from losing beloved family members and friends, religious leaders and community members. I stand with the Bondi community, the Jewish community and my Jewish family members, friends and colleagues. To those on the ground on 14 December, the first responders—the police, medical staff, lifesavers and bystanders who bravely put their lives at risk as they ran into gunfire, protected children and lent a hand to support those who were injured: thank you. You are national heroes. Despite the terror you felt at the time, you demonstrated the very best of the Australian spirit. As a person of faith, in times of profound sorrow and loss I return to my faith and values to help guide me. This morning, at the opening of parliament, we recited the Lord's Prayer. In that moment I was reminded of the responsibility and compassion that we must anchor our work in as representatives of the people. I was reminded of our responsibility as Australians to respect one another. This week in parliament we will consider legislation on hate speech, extremism and gun laws—measures aimed at combating antisemitism and strengthening social cohesion in this country. Hatred and violence based on race, religion and identity have no place in Australia. Those of us in this parliament, representing our country, have a choice. We have an opportunity to reclaim the light from darkness in honour of those who lost their lives and those who will hold the trauma of the Bondi attack with them for the rest of their lives. May the memories of those we have tragically lost guide our deliberations this week, bringing us together in unity, committed to the care, protection and safety of Jewish people and to social cohesion. If Australia is to remain a nation that believes in a fair go for all, we must work together as a parliament, leading the way, role-modelling inclusion and respect. That is my commitment. On the national day of mourning, this Thursday, 22 January, may we as a nation honour those who lost their lives, by standing together, stronger, kinder and more united as a country and as a people, unwavering in our solidarity that no act of terror could ever hope to break. That light will prevail over dark. I commend this motion to the House.
Mental Health Month | Statements on Significant Matters | House debates
To my fellow colleague Dan Repacholi, the member for Hunter and the Special Envoy for Men's Health—November marks Mental Health Month, a time where we pause, reflect and confront one of the...
To my fellow colleague Dan Repacholi, the member for Hunter and the Special Envoy for Men's Health—November marks Mental Health Month, a time where we pause, reflect and confront one of the most pervasive and often unseen challenges affecting Australians today. We know that 42.9 per cent of Australians aged 16 to 85 have experienced a mental health issue. That's nearly half of us, half of our families, our workplaces and our communities. This is not an issue that sits at the fringes of society. It touches almost everyone's home in the country. In 2024 alone 3,307 Australians died by suicide. That is nine people, a sporting team worth of lives, lost every single day. Behind every one of those numbers is a family with an empty seat at the dinner table, a school with a chair that will never be filled and a workplace hoping for a colleague who will not walk back through those doors. More than seven million Australians are close to someone who has died by suicide or attempted to take their own life. By the age of 25, one in two young people will have been personally affected. These are not statistics. These are stories. These are families. These are lives. Mental health shapes every aspect of a person's life. It determines whether they can finish school, maintain relationships, secure stable housing, keep a job or imagine a future they feel hopeful about. Australia is in the midst of a suicide crisis, and for too long, for too many years, the responsibility for navigating a fragmented system has fallen on those already struggling. My commitment to mental health does not come from theory or politics. It comes from lived experience and from more than 20 years working alongside young people, families and frontline workers in the community sector—at Anglicare, at Family Life and with the Women's Spirit Project. I saw both the extraordinary strength people possess and the pain that arises when they reach for help and find long waiting lists, confusion or even silence. I have sat with young people exhausted from carrying burdens they didn't have the words for or felt too ashamed to mention. I've spoken with parents about their desperate need to help their children but not knowing how to navigate the system. I have worked shoulder to shoulder with frontline workers, youth workers, counsellors, case managers—people who show up every day and give everything, despite feeling overwhelmed. And I grew up in a family that faced its own challenges. I know what trauma feels like, what recovery requires and what it means when someone steps in early and believes in you before you slip too far through the cracks. These experiences shaped who I am and my being here now. They shaped the way I listen, advocate and fight for reform, and they taught me two truths that guide every decision I make: early intervention saves lives, and community support changes them. When a young person gets help at 14 instead of 24, their life changes. When a family is supported, not judged, their hope grows. When a community wraps around someone, their chance of surviving and thriving increases. This is why mental health is deeply personal to me and why I will always use my voice to push for the change our communities need. I am proud to stand as part of the Albanese Labor government, with my colleague the member for Hunter—a government acting with urgency, compassion and a focus on early intervention. Since coming to office, we have invested $2.4 billion in mental health and suicide prevention. This includes $225 million for 31 new or upgraded Medicare mental health hubs, $500 million for 20 youth specialist care centres, $90 million to train more than 1,200 mental health professionals and $200 million to upgrade or expand 58 headspace centres, including $1.2 million for a headspace in Dunkley. This investment means young people in Dunkley will no longer face months-long waiting lists. It means more early intervention, more crisis support and more services delivered close to home. While these investments are significant, they are the beginning, not the end, of building a stronger, fairer, more accessible mental health system. One of the most meaningful moments for me this year was hosting the Dunkley Men's Health and Wellbeing Forum with the Special Envoy for Men's Health, the member for Hunter, on 12 November. Around 70 men, boys and organisations joined us, supported by the Man Cave, Movember and the Frankston Dolphins football club. It was a room filled with honesty and hope. It was also special for my family. My husband, Dave, and our son, Flynn, emceed the event. Flynn spoke with courage about growing up as a young man today—the pressure to be perfect, the weight of expectation and comparison, the pull of social media. His openness reminded us that young men want to talk; they just need safe places to do so. The member for Hunter shared important insights about prostate health, body image, mental health and the courage required to ask for help in a society that tells men to tough it out. What stayed with me most was the willingness of men—teenagers and retirees—to speak with honesty and vulnerability. There was no bravado or judgement—just connection. From that night, that event, came something powerful—a commitment to form a Dunkley men's health network, a community led initiative dedicated to connection and prevention, and to ensuring no man or boy feels they must face hardship alone. I will continue supporting this work wholeheartedly. A week later I attended the Governor-General's residence for an International Men's Day event recognising the Man Cave, an organisation with deep roots in Dunkley. Their first program was delivered at Frankston High School in 2014. Ten years on, they have supported more than 100,000 boys and young men across Australia. Their work builds emotional literacy, resilience, respect and healthy masculinity. It challenges outdated ideas that tell boys to stay silent or suppress emotions. Mental health cannot be solved by government alone. Leadership matters and investment matters, but mental health is ultimately a shared responsibility. We need to keep listening to young people, families, frontline workers and people with lived experience. We need systems built on early intervention, not shame, and genuine accessibility for all. I'm proud of the steps we are taking nationally and locally, but the work is far from finished. Every life touched by mental ill-health matters. Every family grieving a suicide matters. Every young person searching for hope matters. I will continue to work every day to ensure our community is seen, heard and supported and to ensure that our mental health system reflects the dignity every person deserves. Sitting suspended from 13:31 to 16:01
Mental Health, Housing | Constituency Statements | House debates
The Dunkley community is disproportionately impacted by suicide, with rates higher than the state average, particularly for men. This issue is close to my heart, which is why I recently invited...
The Dunkley community is disproportionately impacted by suicide, with rates higher than the state average, particularly for men. This issue is close to my heart, which is why I recently invited Dan Repacholi, the Special Envoy for Men's Health, to the electorate. Dan's day in Dunkley began at Monterey Secondary College, where he spoke with year 9 and 10 boys about healthy masculinities, the influence of social media and their views on the upcoming social media ban. We then visited Chisholm TAFE to meet electrical apprentices and discuss the physical and mental challenges they face, the strategies they use to manage them and the importance of regular check-ups with their GP. The opportunities reinforced how essential it is to create safe spaces for men and boys to speak openly about their experiences with mental health and wellbeing. We concluded the day with the Dunkley Men's Health and Wellbeing Forum, attended by 70 men, students and representatives from 14 men's organisations. The event was supported by the Man Cave, Movember and the Frankston Dolphins football club. My husband and my son, Dave and Flynn, emceed the event, with Flynn reflecting on the pressures facing young men, and the expectations and the reality that comparison can be detrimental to mental health and wellbeing in young men. Dan spoke about key health issues, including prostate cancer, body image, the importance of regular health check-ups and asking for help when you need it. Participants also heard about current research and local initiatives identifying what is working, emerging issues and the next steps our community can take. Activities throughout the event ensured the voices of men and boys were genuinely heard. It was heartening to see attendees commit to forming a Dunkley men's health network. Last Friday I hosted Minister O'Neil's special envoy Josh Burns, Minister Kilkenny and Minister Shing at the Dunkley Housing Forum. I thank the Frankston City Council and the Committee for Frankston & Mornington Peninsula for their strong support of this forum. The forum brought together housing providers, funding bodies, investors and builders to explore practical pathways to address Dunkley's housing supply challenges. Together we examined the needs, barriers and opportunities to delivering housing stock, including more social and affordable homes. As the federal member for Dunkley, I will continue bringing organisations together to collaborate and deliver outcomes that meet communities' needs now and into the future.
Gender Based Violence | Statements by Members | House debates
Yesterday marked the start of the 16 days of activism and renewed our commitment to eliminating violence against women and girls. I want to acknowledge victims-survivors and honour those we have...
Yesterday marked the start of the 16 days of activism and renewed our commitment to eliminating violence against women and girls. I want to acknowledge victims-survivors and honour those we have lost to family and domestic violence, including the 74 women taken from us this year. Ending gender based violence is a core priority for this government. We have invested $4 billion to address violence against women. Yesterday, we announced an additional $40 million for 1800RESPECT, which has experienced an extraordinary 3,000 per cent increase in calls for help. Family violence is an important issue for me and for the Dunkley community. Frankston continues to record some of the highest rates of family violence in the state and is home to agencies that support women, men, young people and children. I recognise the remarkable dedication of all these agencies and staff. To Anglicare, Family Life, Good Shepherd, OzChild, VACCA and the Salvation Army: thank you for your tireless work in our community. I also want to acknowledge Big hART and Project O, who visited parliament on Monday to present the documentary It Starts With Us. The voices of Bailey and Xiao reinforce the need for prevention programs that help young people to find their voice, tell their stories and recover from domestic and family violence.
The e-petitions being presented cover a range of topics including social media minimum age, immigration, family law, the National Disability Insurance Agency and digital ID. I am pleased to...
The e-petitions being presented cover a range of topics including social media minimum age, immigration, family law, the National Disability Insurance Agency and digital ID. I am pleased to inform the House that the c ommittee also certified 18 new e-petitions at its last meeting. These e-petitions are now collecting signatures on the e-petitions website. Since the beginning of the 48 th Parliament, the c ommittee has assessed over 800 petitions. This has been a tremendous undertaking, and I thank my fellow c ommittee members for their collegiate approach. I look forward to updating the House further on the work of the petitions committee .
I present the following 15 ministerial responses to petitions previously presented:
Presentation | Petitions | House debates
I present the following 50 e-petitions:
Petitions Committee; Report | Committees | House debates
I present the fifth report of the Petitions Committee for the 48th Parliament: The report read as follows— HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PETITIONS COMMITTEE REPORT No. 05 Petitions and...
I present the fifth report of the Petitions Committee for the 48th Parliament: The report read as follows— HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PETITIONS COMMITTEE REPORT No. 05 Petitions and Ministerial Responses 24 November 2025 MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE Chair Ms Jodie Belyea MP Deputy Chair Mr Leon Rebello MP Mr Cameron Caldwell MP Ms Emma Comer MP Ms Trish Cook MP Mr Rowan Holzberger MP Mr Llew O'Brien MP Ms Tracey Roberts MP This committee is supported by staff of the Department of the House of Representatives Report summarising the petitions and ministerial responses being presented. The committee met in private session in the 48th Parliament on 7 October and 4 November 2025. 1. The committee resolved to present the following 50 petitions in accordance with standing order 207: Petitions certified on 7 October 2025 From 5 petitioners—requesting appointment of an independent commission to oversee veterans' entitlements (EN8183) From 30 petitioners—requesting restriction on banana imports from overseas to protect local production (EN8184) From 44 petitioners—requesting lowering of the voting age to sixteen (EN8187) From 219 petitioners—requesting reversal of social media age limit restrictions (EN8189) From 17 petitioners—requesting qualified tribunal members to clarify evidence in veterans' reviews (EN8190) From 70 petitioners—requesting national standards for self-defence rights in the home (EN8191) From 40 petitioners—requesting recognition of alternative housing options outside of current construction standards (EN8192) From 12 petitioners—requesting increase or removal of word limits for petitions to the House of Representatives (EN8193) From 227 petitioners—requesting prohibition of religious laws and compounds inconsistent with Australian law (EN8197) From 1 petitioner—requesting support for Cambodian refugees (EN8198) From 86 petitioners—requesting introduction of mandatory drug and alcohol testing for parliamentarians (EN8235) From 332 petitioners—requesting a motion of no confidence in the government (EN8303) From 10 petitioners—requesting mandatory ingredient labelling for all food producers (EN8413) From 100 petitioners—requesting construction of a connector road to divert industrial traffic near Moorabbin Airport (EN8415) From 225 petitioners—requesting legislation to ensure acceptance of cash payments (EN8416) From 79 petitioners—requesting an official invitation to the President of the United States (EN8418) From 99 petitioners—requesting suspension of immigration (EN8423) From 13 petitioners—requesting protection of key industries from privatisation and support for local ownership (EN8424) From 58 petitioners—requesting removal of restrictions on nuclear power generation (EN8425) From 1190 petitioners—requesting independent review and reform of family law and court practices (EN8427) From 35 petitioners—requesting protection of consumer ownership and digital data rights (EN8428) From 881 petitioners—requesting mandatory recording of all communications between the National Disability Insurance Agency and participants (EN8429) From 154 petitioners—requesting inclusion of dental care in Medicare (EN8430) From 65 petitioners—requesting review of the operations of the eSafety Commissioner (EN8431) From 11 petitioners—requesting establishment of a day of remembrance for victims of violence (EN8432) From 1504 petitioners—requesting reconsideration of medal eligibility for Cyclone Tracy responders (EN8433) From 210 petitioners—requesting reversal of social media age limit restrictions (EN8434) From 85 petitioners—requesting a national framework to fund free public primary education for children regardless of visa status (EN8435) From 58 petitioners—requesting withdrawal from international defence agreements (EN8436) From 16 petitioners—requesting urgent action to address housing and governance issues at Cummeragunja (EN8437) From 25 petitioners—requesting a ban on import and sale of carbon acid batteries containing lead (EN8440) From 33 petitioners—requesting reduction of taxes on tobacco and alcohol (EN8444) From 39 petitioners—requesting an increase in Centrelink advance payments (EN8445) From 29 petitioners—requesting enforcement of attendance requirements for international students (EN8447) From 23 petitioners—requesting support for the case of Dr Osama Al-Hasani (EN8452) From 305 petitioners—requesting suspension of immigration (EN8455) From 127 petitioners—requesting action on digital identification systems (EN8456) From 56 petitioners—requesting action on online safety legislation (EN8457) From 7 petitioners—requesting support services for Iraqi refugees in Australia (EN8459) From 217 petitioners—requesting action on digital identification and digital currency systems (EN8462) From 47 petitioners—requesting support for domestic car manufacturing (EN8463) From 352 petitioners—requesting action on digital identification legislation (EN8464) From 38266 petitioners—requesting action on digital identification (EN8467) From 69 petitioners—requesting compulsory employer superannuation contributions for employees under eighteen years of age (EN8468) From 1289 petitioners—requesting action on digital identification legislation (EN8469) From 29 petitioners—requesting support for Iraqi families seeking humanitarian visas (EN8470) From 56 petitioners—requesting prioritisation of humanitarian visa applications for Iraqi families (EN8471) From 54 petitioners—requesting introduction of a carbon emissions tax (EN8473) From 14 petitioners—requesting implementation of a debt reduction policy (EN8476) From 59 petitioners—requesting mandatory country of origin labelling for cut flowers (EN8477) 2. The following 15 ministerial responses to petitions were received. Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 4 November 2025 From the Treasurer to a petition regarding income tax settings (EN4454) From the Treasurer to a petition requesting a compulsory savings mechanism for high income earners (EN5242) From the Treasurer to a petition requesting tax relief for low to middle income earners (EN5557) From the Treasurer to a petition requesting the implementation of a tax on plastic (EN6590) From the Treasurer to a petition requesting an increase in the goods and services tax threshold (EN6673) From the Treasurer to a petition requesting Steve Irwin be depicted on the Australian $5 banknote (EN7063) From the Treasurer to a petition requesting the inclusion of Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) holders in the benefits and concessions for first home buyers (EN7079) From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting that family law transcripts be made accessible (EN7162) From the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship to a petition requesting asylum for members of the LGBTIQ+ community from the United States (EN7163) From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting an inquiry into gender bias in family law (EN7179) From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting a publicly accessible national database for convicted animal abusers (EN7230) From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting the President of the United States be banned from visiting Australia (EN7254) From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting the condemnation of all acts of violence against religious and ethnic minorities in Syria (EN7286) From the Attorney-General to a petition regarding family and domestic violence (EN7318) From the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship to a petition regarding Ministerial Direction No. 105 (EN7341) Ms Jodie Belyea MP Chair — Petitions Committee
Of the e-petitions being presented, two attained over 100,000 signatures, which is a testament to public engagement in this democratic process. Of these two petitions, one addressed an issue of...
Of the e-petitions being presented, two attained over 100,000 signatures, which is a testament to public engagement in this democratic process. Of these two petitions, one addressed an issue of significant national importance—domestic violence. The over 100,000 signatures to this petition showed strong public engagement and appetite for action on this issue, with petitioners requesting the establishment of a national framework for a domestic violence disclosure scheme. I am pleased to inform the House that the committee also certified 70 new e-petitions at its last meeting. These e-petitions are now collecting signatures on the e-petitions website. I look forward to updating the House further on the work of the Petitions Committee at the next sitting week.
I present the following nine ministerial responses to petitions previously presented:
I present the following 106 e-petitions and one paper petition:
I present the fourth report of the Petitions Committee for the 48th Parliament. The report read as follows— HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PETITIONS COMMITTEE REPORT No. 04 Petitions and...
I present the fourth report of the Petitions Committee for the 48th Parliament. The report read as follows— HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PETITIONS COMMITTEE REPORT No. 04 Petitions and Ministerial Responses 03 November 2025 MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE Chair Ms Jodie Belyea MP Deputy Chair Mr Leon Rebello MP Mr Cameron Caldwell MP Ms Emma Comer MP Ms Trish Cook MP Mr Rowan Holzberger MP Mr Llew O'Brien MP Ms Tracey Roberts MP This committee is supported by staff of the Department of the House of Representatives Report summarising the petitions and ministerial responses being presented. The committee met in private session in the 48th Parliament on 23 September and 28 October 2025. 1. The committee resolved to present the following 107 petitions in accordance with standing order 207: Petitions certified on 23 September 2025 From 106 petitioners—requesting prohibition of wind farms in native forests and review of environmental impacts (EN7769) From 56 petitioners—requesting reforms to family law processes to protect victims of domestic violence (EN7831) From 84 petitioners—requesting sanctions and legal measures in response to alleged war crimes in Gaza (EN7850) From 32 petitioners—requesting removal of the Goods and Services Tax Act 1999 (EN7874) From 54 petitioners—requesting upgrades to weather radars to withstand extreme conditions (EN7878) From 64 petitioners—requesting changes to address housing affordability and supply (EN7879) From 8 petitioners—requesting legislation to prohibit the use and distribution of online gaming cheat software (EN7880) From 78 petitioners—requesting the Australian Government not recognise the State of Palestine (EN7881) From 8 petitioners—requesting taxes on fast food companies contributing to obesity (EN7888) From 72 petitioners—requesting repeal of the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 and development of alternative online safety policies (EN7889) From 115 petitioners—requesting a vote of no confidence in the current government (EN7892) From 19 petitioners—requesting additional property taxes on unoccupied residential land (EN7894) From 20 petitioners—requesting clarification that antisemitism definitions do not restrict reasonable free speech on Palestinian issues (EN7895) From 33 petitioners—requesting funding for the Salvation Army's Red Shield Defence Services (EN7897) From 61 petitioners—requesting review of the Migration Agents Capstone Assessment fee (EN7900) From 21 petitioners—requesting reform of the Child Support Scheme to strengthen enforcement and penalties for non-payment (EN7901) From 52 petitioners—requesting recognition and action to address targeted attacks on Syrian minorities (EN7902) From 19 petitioners—requesting implementation of direct blood donation policies (EN7903) From 54 petitioners—requesting legislation to prohibit burning the Australian National Flag (EN7906) From 19 petitioners—requesting amendment of the Bankruptcy Act 1966 to support victims of serious violent crime (EN7907) From 4 petitioners—requesting legislation to ensure net neutrality for online businesses (EN7908) From 6 petitioners—requesting adoption of term limits for laws (EN7911) From 21 petitioners—requesting legislative changes to limit compulsory workplace shutdowns (EN7912) From 62 petitioners—requesting sanctions and legal measures in response to alleged war crimes in Gaza (EN7913) From 30 petitioners—requesting actions to establish a formal bill of rights (EN7915) From 29 petitioners—requesting clarification regarding proposed National Disability Insurance Scheme reforms (EN7916) From 3 petitioners—requesting bulk billing for pensioners at regional public hospitals (EN7919) From 146 petitioners—requesting rejection of any proposal to introduce inheritance taxes (EN7921) From 11 petitioners—requesting amendment of the Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 to extend mortgage salary packaging to teachers (EN7922) From 31 petitioners—regarding the Australian Government's response to the conflict in Gaza (EN7926) From 24 petitioners—requesting an exemption for YouTube in the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024(EN7927) From 43 petitioners—requesting abolition of penalty interest and late fees in Australian Tax Office debt recovery (EN7929) From 32 petitioners—requesting measures to ensure international companies pay fair tax on revenue (EN7930) From 29 petitioners—requesting legislation to establish a right to erasure of personal data (EN7931) From 7 petitioners—requesting establishment of freedom of movement between Australia and New Zealand (EN8041) From 13 petitioners—requesting review of English language testing visa requirements (EN8042) From 7 petitioners—requesting amendment of National Youth Parliament age requirements to include older secondary students (EN8044) From 746 petitioners—requesting revocation of recognition of the State of Palestine (EN8046) From 10504 petitioners—requesting expulsion of the Israeli ambassador and recall of the Australian ambassador to Israel (EN8047) From 98 petitioners—requesting a motion of no confidence (EN8050) From 392 petitioners—requesting changes to immigration policy (EN8051) From 7 petitioners—requesting legislation to allow importation of exotic parrots with quarantine (EN8052) From 7 petitioners—requesting changes to social media age limit restrictions (EN8054) From 6 petitioners—requesting national consultation and referendum on an Australian republic (EN8059) From 15 petitioners—requesting consultation on transition to a republic (EN8060) From 3 petitioners—regarding free university education (EN8062) From 5 petitioners—regarding human rights (EN8065) From 6 petitioners—requesting re-establishment of the Department of National Development (EN8067) From 22 petitioners—requesting reversal of the decision to close Revesby Post Office (EN8068) From 808 petitioners—regarding the legitimacy of elections in Myanmar (EN8072) From 16 petitioners—requesting creation of an alternative investment and retirement fund vehicle (EN8073) From 26 petitioners—requesting recognition of Western Australia Country Health Service nurses for the National Medal (EN8075) From 349 petitioners—requesting consideration of the mechanisms to remove elected leaders and action on cost of living (EN8078) From 29 petitioners—requesting consideration of deportation of an individual (EN8081) From 46 petitioners—requesting declaration of all neo-Nazi groups as terrorist organisations (EN8082) From 8 petitioners—requesting consideration of measures to address the presence of neo-Nazi groups in Australia (EN8085) From 106 petitioners—requesting rejection of proposed amendments to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (EN8086) From 53 petitioners—requesting consideration of the pension age and retirement policy (EN8087) From 2 petitioners—requesting introduction of a bidding mechanism for property disputes (EN8091) From 1311 petitioners—requesting review of nurse practitioner telehealth services (EN8092) From 29 petitioners—requesting consideration of establishing a bill of rights (EN8096) From 9 petitioners—requesting review of farmland prices and measures to improve affordability (EN8098) From 4 petitioners—requesting support for the rare earth minerals industry (EN8099) From 78 petitioners—requesting expansion of the definition of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation (EN8101) From 31 petitioners—requesting six months minimum parental leave for both parents (EN8102) From 56 petitioners—requesting legislative amendments to enable revocation of citizenship for violent extremist conduct (EN8104) From 361 petitioners—requesting legislation to criminalise burning of the Australian National Flag (EN8107) From 160538 petitioners—requesting consideration of a motion of no confidence in the government (EN8108) From 5750 petitioners—requesting prioritisation of Iraqi humanitarian visa applications from Türkiye (EN8110) From 37 petitioners—requesting laws prohibiting racially divisive language by elected representatives (EN8112) From 44 petitioners—requesting legislation for a domestic priority test for overseas expenditure (EN8113) From 311 petitioners—requesting legislative review related to home defence (EN8114) From 65 petitioners—requesting establishment of a sovereign wealth fund for resource royalties (EN8119) From 25 petitioners—requesting limitations on negative gearing (EN8120) From 272 petitioners—requesting legislation requiring all residential property listings to include a sale price or price range (EN8121) From 9 petitioners—regarding cancellation of overseas health cover policies (EN8127) From 288 petitioners—requesting inclusion of freedom of speech and freedom of the press in the Constitution (EN8128) From 248 petitioners—requesting review of the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (EN8130) From 42 petitioners—requesting changes to family law relating to custody arrangements (EN8131) From 14 petitioners—requesting legislation to make burning the Australian Aboriginal Flag a criminal offence (EN8133) From 2877 petitioners—requesting a motion of no confidence related to the leadership of the Prime Minister (EN8137) From 54 petitioners—requesting changes to voting federal elections (EN8138) From 76 petitioners—requesting actions to address vacant and neglected properties (EN8139) From 140 petitioners—requesting withdrawal of federal funding for the construction of Victoria Park stadium (EN8141) From 6 petitioners—requesting implementation of pause functions on social media platforms (EN8142) From 5 petitioners—requesting condemnation of violence in Nepal (EN8144) From 11 petitioners—requesting consideration of travel bans against individuals alleged to have contributed to violence in Nepal (EN8146) From 275 petitioners—requesting legislation for a referendum on a new constitutional preamble recognising First Australians (EN8147) From 16 petitioners—requesting actions to prohibit vilification of communities by elected representatives (EN8148) From 24 petitioners—requesting consideration of lowering the electoral voting age to sixteen (EN8150) From 5088 petitioners—requesting a motion of no confidence in the government (EN8151) From 1310 petitioners—requesting clear labelling of fresh produce treated with pesticides (EN8153) From 367 petitioners—requesting abolition of the eSafety Commissioner's office and establishment of an independent advisory council (EN8155) From 81 petitioners—requesting actions to prevent social media platforms from storing user identity documents (EN8157) From 39 petitioners—requesting consideration of international standards and protections for the rights of Indigenous peoples (EN8158) From 79 petitioners—requesting prohibition of the collection of digital identification data (EN8159) From 11 petitioners—requesting recognition of the actions of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran (EN8161) From 1155 petitioners—requesting consideration of policies regarding the return of individuals linked to overseas conflicts (EN8170) From 91 petitioners—requesting consideration of public information about the use and effects of certain vaccines (EN8172) From 277 petitioners—requesting action be taken against individuals involved with the Robodebt Scheme (EN8173) From 56 petitioners—requesting diplomatic action for the release of Dr Ahmadreza Djalali (EN8174) From 29 petitioners—requesting regulation of airport retail pricing (EN8176) From 112245 petitioners—requesting establishment of a national framework for domestic violence disclosure laws (EN8178) From 1613 petitioners—requesting reconsideration of social media age limit restrictions (EN8179) From 111 petitioners—requesting consideration of funding for a trial of a community-based income program in North-West Tasmania (EN8180) From 337 petitioners—requesting funding for adolescent inpatient mental health beds in Albury-Wodonga (EN8181) Petitions certified on 28 October 2025 From 1363 petitioners—requesting support for healthcare programs and a single site hospital in Albury-Wodonga (PN0645) 2. The following 9 ministerial responses to petitions were received. Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 28 October 2025 From the Minister for Health and Aging to a petition requesting an increase in intensive treatment capacity for eating disorders in South Australia (EN7187) From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting that freedom of speech and freedom of the press be enshrined in the Australian Constitution (EN7210) From the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to a petition requesting that weighted blankets and toys be recognised as assistive technology under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (EN7247) From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting reforms to the training of assistance dogs and a public education campaign on their access rights (EN7271) From the Minister for Health and Aging to a petition requesting free reusable period products for school students (EN7320) From the Minister for Health and Aging to a petition requesting fully bulk billed services for women with pelvic pain (EN7322) From the Minister for Health and Aging to a petition requesting that nirsevimab be added to the National Immunisation Schedule or made accessible via private prescription (EN7337) From the Minister for Health and Aging to a petition requesting continued support for the Suicide Prevention Research Fund (PN0638) From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting that Australian Government publicly reaffirm its support for the principles of the International Criminal Court (PN0640) Ms Jodie Belyea MP Chair — Petitions Committee
Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence | Statements by Members | House debates
This morning I sat in the chamber and listened to Minister Plibersek's announcement about the inquiry into domestic, family and sexual violence related suicide. As she spoke, my lived experience...
This morning I sat in the chamber and listened to Minister Plibersek's announcement about the inquiry into domestic, family and sexual violence related suicide. As she spoke, my lived experience of domestic violence, stalking and predatory behaviour quickly rose to surface. It triggered memories of a time in my 20s when I contemplated suicide in order to flee the fear associated with domestic violence—violence that had me trapped mentally and physically because of stalking and violent behaviour requiring me to move residence five times. At that time talking about domestic or family violence was taboo. There were limited services. The shame of this experience meant that I kept it in the closet. My lived experience informed my career with Family Life and Anglicare in Victoria, working in the family violence sector and then founding the Women's Spirit Project. The Women's Spirit Project supports women dealing with trauma to recover and heal. I welcome this inquiry and use my voice and my lived experience to highlight the importance of recovery programs for women, men, young people and children—programs that enable victims to survive and thrive and not choose suicide as an option.
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
I rise today in strong support of the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No.2) Bill 2025. It is a long-overdue reform package that will bring greater fairness,...
I rise today in strong support of the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No.2) Bill 2025. It is a long-overdue reform package that will bring greater fairness, clarity and compassion to the way we manage social security debt in Australia. With this bill the Albanese Labor government is delivering on its commitment to create a fairer and more efficient social security system—one that does not punish people unfairly, one that acknowledges past administrative errors and one that recognises the real-world complexities Australians face in their everyday lives. This bill delivers three reforms: it resolves the longstanding issue of income apportionment, it improves debt management through increased small debt waivers and it strengthens protections for victims-survivors through special circumstances debt waivers, particularly in cases of financial abuse and coercive control. One of the most significant and longstanding issues this bill addresses is income apportionment. Between 1991 and 2020 Services Australia used a method known as income apportionment to determine eligibility and debt levels for income support recipients who also earn wages. When pay slips did not show clear daily earnings, officials distributed that income across multiple Centrelink fortnights to estimate the entitlement. While this approach may have been well intentioned at the time, the full Federal Court's decision in the Chaplin case made it clear that the practice was inconsistent with the legislation as it stood. It was, simply put, legally flawed. The Albanese Labor government has never used income apportionment, but, as the government responsible for restoring integrity to our social security system, we are taking decisive action to correct this legacy issue fairly, transparently and compassionately. This bill will retrospectively validate the practice of income apportionment, not to conceal past mistakes but to prevent the reopening of millions of old cases, many of which are decades old and already repaid. Recalculating these debts would cause unnecessary distress, create administrative chaos and divert vital resources away from frontline services that Australians rely on today. To ensure fairness, the bill also establishes the Income Apportionment Resolution Scheme, recognising that some Australians may have repaid debts that were incorrectly calculated and deserve to be compensated. The scheme will cover debts incurred from 1 September 2003 to 6 December 2020, the period when income apportionment was most clearly inconsistent with the law. Affected individuals will be eligible for a resolution payment of up to $600, depending on the size of their debt. Applications are expected to open from January 2026, once this legislation is passed. To assist people through this process, Economic Justice Australia and ACOSS will each receive $400,000 in funding to provide support and guidance. The scale of this reform cannot be understated. Around 5.5 million debts, held by approximately three million Australians and valued at $4.4 billion, may have been impacted by income apportionment. Because of limitations in historical records, identifying each case individually would be impossible without immense cost and distress. This legislation provides a fair, practical and compassionate way forward, acknowledging the flaws of the past, offering meaningful redress and ensuring legal certainty into the future. The second major reform in this bill brings long-overdue common sense and fairness to the way we handle small debts. The current small debt waiver threshold, as low as $50, has not changed since the early 1990s. At that time, social security payments were significantly lower. Since then, those payments have tripled in value, yet the definition of 'small debt' has remained frozen in time. This bill will raise the small debt waiver threshold to $250, establishing a single, standardised limit that replaces the current fragmented range of $50 to $200. Importantly, it will also be indexed annually in July in line with the consumer price index, ensuring that the threshold keeps pace with modern economic realities. This is not just a technical change; it is a reform that will make a real difference in people's lives. In my community of Dunkley, many constituents have shared their experience of being pursued over small but stressful debts—debts that often arose through honest mistakes and cost more to recover than they were worth. This reform will mean that, in 2025-26, around 1.2 million undetermined debts will be waived or never raised. Nearly half of the existing backlog of undetermined debts will be cleared, and public resources will be redirected to supporting people, not chasing trivial amounts. We are not abandoning fiscal responsibility; we are strengthening it. Existing fraud safeguards remain firmly in place, but we are also recognising that most Australians engage with the social security system in good faith and that small administrative errors should not result in unnecessary hardship. This reform restores proportion, fairness and dignity to the system. The third reform is the most personally significant for many Australians. This bill strengthens the special circumstances debt waiver, empowering Services Australia to waive debts incurred as a result of financial abuse, coercion or family and domestic violence—an issue that goes to the heart of some of the experiences of many families, women and children in Dunkley. Before entering parliament, I worked for 15 years in domestic and family violence services with Anglicare and Family Life in south-east Victoria. I met women who could not leave abusive relationships because they were financially trapped. I met women who stayed because they simply did not have the means to support both themselves and their children. Financial abuse and coercive control are not abstract concepts; they are deliberate, devastating forms of manipulation and control designed to trap, punish and disempower. In many cases, victims-survivors have been forced to provide false information to Services Australia under threat or intimidation. Until now, they were still held responsible for those debts even though the actions were not truly their own. This bill changes that. It empowers decision-makers to consider the full circumstances that led to a person's situation, including whether they were acting under coercion or control. This reform delivers on our election commitment to embed safety in Commonwealth systems, implements key recommendations from the 2024 for parliamentary inquiry into financial abuse, and supports the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032. Let me be absolutely clear: victims-survivors should never be held accountable for debts incurred through abuse. This bill enshrines that principle in law. And while this is a major step forward, our work does not end there. The government is continuing to consult on future reforms to ensure that perpetrators, not victims-survivors, are held financially accountable for debts that arise from abuse. The Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025 is a landmark reform, one that restores fairness, integrity and compassion to our social service security system. It delivers clarity and compensation through the Income Apportionment Resolution Scheme, fairness through a modernised small debt waiver system, and protection and justice for victims-survivors of financial abuse. This bill reflects the values that underpin good government: integrity, fairness, compassion and responsibility. It recognises past mistakes, strengthens future processes and puts people, not bureaucracy, at the heart of social security policy. This is a good policy, it is fair policy and it is the right policy. I commend the bill to the House.
Superannuation | Questions without Notice | House debates
My question is to the Treasurer. How is the Albanese Labor government helping Australians earn more, keep more of what they earn and retire with more? What other approaches is the government...
My question is to the Treasurer. How is the Albanese Labor government helping Australians earn more, keep more of what they earn and retire with more? What other approaches is the government being asked to consider?
Women's Health | Statements by Members | House debates
The 48th Parliament, a parliament where 55 per cent of the caucus are women, demonstrates that, when women have a seat at the table, we are able to get things done that support all Australians....
The 48th Parliament, a parliament where 55 per cent of the caucus are women, demonstrates that, when women have a seat at the table, we are able to get things done that support all Australians. Today I gathered with women from the federal parliament to celebrate that, on 1 November, a range of medications that support women's reproductive health will be listed on the PBS. In addition to increasing access to reproductive health medications, the federal government has established 33 women's health clinics. Just two weeks ago I was pleased to visit the Young Street medical clinic, operated by ForHealth, to celebrate the reintroduction of this clinic as a fully bulk-billed clinic open seven days a week. This clinic ensures Dunkley residents can access health care when they need it. Since becoming fully bulk-billing on 18 August, the clinic has had 7,500 bulk-billed appointments, saving the local community $270,000. This clinic also operates Evoca Women's Health clinic, which provides reproductive health support to women. I am proud the Albanese Labor government is investing $8.5 billion into more bulk-billing, and it's heartening to see that the Young Street medical clinic is doing its bit to ensure my community get the care they deserve when they need it.