Carol Berry's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
Kena, Ms Jenny, Lawler, Aunty Lindy, Gibb, Ms Barbara | Adjournment | House debates
I rise today to recognise the extraordinary contribution made by Jenny Kena to the community of Robertson, a beautiful village in the Southern Highlands region within my electorate. In 2025,...
I rise today to recognise the extraordinary contribution made by Jenny Kena to the community of Robertson, a beautiful village in the Southern Highlands region within my electorate. In 2025, Jenny was named the Wingecarribee Citizen of the Year, and she has performed her role admirably over the past 12 months. Jenny is widely admired and respected for her integrity and character, as well as her hard work in the local community. For over 20 years, Jenny has been a very active member of her community in Robertson. She played a key role in founding CTC Robertson in 2004. CTC Robertson is a not-for-profit organisation that enriches the local community through arts, education and social programs. The initials 'CTC' represent the organisation's three core areas of focus: community, technology and creativity. Jenny has not only been CTC's president for the past 14 years, but her enthusiasm and drive have been critical to the organisation establishing itself as a thriving community hub. Her dedication has been essential to CTC becoming a vital space for education and connection and is an extremely valuable community asset. Jenny also writes for the Robertson News and Robertson E-News, manages the village website and represents CTC on the Robertson Community Association. I thank Jenny Kena today in the Australian parliament for making such a longstanding and valuable contribution to her community. I rise today to recognise an incredible woman from my electorate of Whitlam, Aunty Lindy Lawler, an Aboriginal elder, Yuin woman, community leader and survivor of the stolen generations. Aunty Lindy is highly respected across the Illawarra for her inspiring qualities of strength and resilience and her generous work in the community supporting organisations such as the Illawarra Women's Health Centre, Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service, Shellharbour Council, the United Koori Social Club and the Wollongong Cultural Centre. This important work covers so many areas, including mental health, cultural education and mentorship. I was honoured to be at the Shellharbour Civic Centre when Aunty Lindy received an Outstanding Contribution to Reconciliation award, at the 2025 regional NAIDOC awards, for her tireless advocacy, creating spaces for young Aboriginal people and promoting education and healing within the Illawarra community. Aunty Lindy was also recognised and awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Educational Achievement by an Aboriginal Community Member at the 19th annual Nanga Mai Awards, in 2024. Aunty Lindy has endured great hardship in her life, enduring emotional turmoil and abuse after she and her twin sister were stolen from their parents when they were only five months old. Aunty Lindy and her identical twin sister were born in David Berry Memorial Hospital, at Berry, on the New South Wales South Coast, in December 1958. In May 1959, their parents were told to take the twins back to the hospital for a check-up, and, when they returned, the girls were gone. When they were 18, the sisters were able to meet their mother for the first time. Aunty Lindy never got to meet her father. Aunty Lindy has demonstrated extraordinary resilience and dedication to community healing. Aunty Lindy is widely loved and admired, and, on behalf of the Whitlam electorate, I thank her for her leadership and her service to our community. I also rise today to recognise Barbara Gibb, a highly valued member of the Warilla and Shellharbour communities. For the past 25 years, Barb, as she's known, has worked as a volunteer with Assist Shellharbour, managing the Born Again Boutique and op shop in Warilla. Born Again Boutique opened in 1998, providing a place where people in the community can have access to clean, preloved and affordable clothing and goods. Many items can be purchased for just a few dollars, and Born Again Boutique is popular and has a great reputation. Barb looks after every aspect of the boutique's day-to-day functioning, including sorting donations, organising tip runs, maintaining cleanliness, supervising volunteers and liaising with partnering organisations, and she volunteers 40 hours a week. Importantly, Barb doesn't just manage the store; she's cultivated a space of connection, care and community, and she's achieved this through her integrity and compassion. She remembers people's names, their stories and what they're going through in life. She takes time to check in on customers and community members, offering a kind word, a cup of tea, a message of support or a reminder that they're not alone. I had the great pleasure of visiting Born Again Boutique a few weeks ago and meeting Barb and her wonderful team of volunteers. I thank Barb for her 25 years of service to her community and for doing this with such warmth, compassion and generosity of spirit.
Housing | Questions without Notice | House debates
My question is to the Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Cities. How is the Albanese Labor government providing more opportunities and delivering for first home...
My question is to the Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Cities. How is the Albanese Labor government providing more opportunities and delivering for first home buyers? What other approaches to housing has the government been asked to consider?
Clay, Ms Narelle | Statements by Members | House debates
I rise today to recognise Narelle Clay, the outstanding CEO of Southern Youth and Family Services, an organisation that has had a transformative impact on the lives of many people in my...
I rise today to recognise Narelle Clay, the outstanding CEO of Southern Youth and Family Services, an organisation that has had a transformative impact on the lives of many people in my electorate and across southern New South Wales. Narelle has spent her entire career supporting vulnerable people in our community, and she's incredibly passionate about social justice. Narelle was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in 2005 for 'distinguished service to the community in the areas of direct service delivery and advocacy for vulnerable people'. In 2017 she received a premier's award for public service. Narelle has held many leadership roles, including President of the Australian Services Union, New South Wales and ACT; and chair of Homelessness Australia. Last week I had the pleasure of joining Narelle and several of my parliamentary colleagues, including the Minister for Social Services, at the Southern Youth and Family Services awards night in Warilla, which is in my electorate of Whitlam. In particular, the organisation's accommodation service in Warilla provides transitional housing to people aged between 18 and 23, supporting their move to independence and improving their chances of completing education, accessing training and gaining employment. We heard wonderful accounts of how this service—one of many offered by Southern Youth and Family Services—has changed lives. I thank and congratulate Narelle, an extraordinary leader who I've admired for many years, and all those involved with Southern Youth and Family Services for the life-changing work they do for our community.
Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025, National Environmental Protection Agency Bill 2025, Environment Information Australia Bill 2025, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Customs Charges Imposition) Bill 2025, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Excise Charges Imposition) Bill 2025, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (General Charges Imposition) Bill 2025, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Restoration Charge Imposition) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
I was extremely fortunate to grow up in the magnificent Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. During my childhood I spent countless hours with my parents and sisters bushwalking, camping or just being...
I was extremely fortunate to grow up in the magnificent Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. During my childhood I spent countless hours with my parents and sisters bushwalking, camping or just being outdoors in nature. These experiences cultivated in me a lifelong love of nature and a deep desire to protect it. Australia's national parks, rivers, creeks, beaches, forests and incredible wildlife and landscapes are so unique and breathtakingly beautiful. It's never been so important for us to act swiftly to protect our natural environment, and I've heard from thousands of people in my electorate asking our government to act decisively to protect nature for current and future generations. Labor has delivered all of Australia's major environmental reforms. This includes the establishment of Landcare, saving the Franklin River, protecting the Daintree and Kakadu, protecting the Great Barrier and Ningaloo reefs, building the largest network of marine parks in the world and taking meaningful action to address climate change. As the member for Whitlam, I'm particularly proud of Gough Whitlam's legacy in relation to environmental conservation. The Whitlam government was one of the first governments in the world to support and ratify the World Heritage convention in 1974. This was a seminal moment which confirmed the role of the Commonwealth government in protecting the immense natural and cultural heritage of Australia. Whitlam recognised that protecting the environment was part of a global responsibility that required courage and leadership on the part of the federal government. This leadership role was confirmed when the Hawke government stopped the damming of the Franklin River in Tasmania in 1983. This was a defining environmental decision that cemented Australia's commitment to safeguarding wild rivers and World Heritage landscapes. This landmark decision also set an important precedent for the leadership of the federal government regarding environmental protection and enshrined in the Australian consciousness that some places are too precious to lose. Since Gough Whitlam—and for every Labor prime minister since—protecting the environment has been core to Labor's promise, and we owe gratitude to these former leaders for their foresight and courage. I'm therefore proud to be part of the Albanese Labor government and to have the opportunity to speak in support of the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 and the suite of amendments to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Five years ago, Professor Graeme Samuel AC delivered his independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act to the then minister for the environment, Sussan Ley. This review concluded that our national environmental law is fundamentally broken and outdated and that it's failing both the environment and business. Professor Samuel laid out a blueprint for reform, and this package is faithful to the review's recommendations. It is not a case of choosing one or the other, the environment or the economy; we can deliver for both. These reforms are underpinned by three key pillars: (1) stronger environmental protection and restoration, (2) improved productivity through more efficient and robust project approvals and (3) greater accountability and transparency in decision-making. The first pillar, stronger environmental protection and restoration, includes the creation of a new ministerial power to make national environmental standards. These standards were the centrepiece of the Samuel review, and they set the boundaries for decisions to ensure they deliver improved environmental outcomes. Importantly, they also provide certainty and guidance for business by setting clear and enforceable expectations and uplifting the quality and consistency of decision-making. The Samuel review stressed that reforms to the law must not just protect our precious natural environment but also restore it. That's why, under these reforms, projects will be required to avoid, mitigate and repair damage to protected matters wherever possible. Any residual, significant impacts on nationally protected matters must be fully offset to achieve a net gain for the environment. This is an important improvement on the existing policy of no net loss. The reforms will also clearly outline in legislation what is an unacceptable impact on the environment. The new definition of 'unacceptable impact' is specific to each protected matter. This will set clear and upfront criteria for impacts that cannot be approved unless the project meets the national interest test. It will increase transparency, consistency and certainty of decisions and provide a safeguard against impacts that cause the irreversible loss of Australia's biodiversity and heritage. There will be higher penalties for the most significant breaches of environmental law as well as environment protection orders for use in urgent circumstances to prevent and respond to major contraventions of the law. Overall, the reforms under the first pillar deliver more protection for the environment and, importantly, also focus on restoration and recovery. The second pillar underpinning these reforms relates to productivity and efficiency. The system requires navigation of multiple assessment and approval processes across federal, state and territory jurisdictions. This creates lengthy delays while delivering no benefit for the environment. Central to the Samuel review were recommendations around reducing duplication between state and territory processes and Commonwealth processes, and this package of reforms seeks to improve the operation of bilateral agreements with states and territories, making the framework more responsive to change and more durable in the long term. Another way in which productivity will be boosted is through a new streamlined assessment pathway. This significantly reduces the assessment timeframe for proponents who provide sufficient information upfront and design their proposals in line with the environmental requirements and other requirements of these reforms. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has calculated that the streamlined assessment pathway reforms alone will deliver annual savings of at least half a billion dollars and potentially up to $7 billion to the national economy. The bills before the House adopt Professor Samuel's recommendation that the EPBC Act should include a specific power to be used in rare circumstances that are in the national interest for one minister to make a decision that is inconsistent with the national environmental standards. Any such decision would be accompanied by a statement of reasons which includes the environmental implications of the decision. The third and final pillar of this package enshrines greater accountability and transparency in environmental decision-making. The key to achieving this outcome is the establishment of Australia's first national environmental protection agency. This will be a proud Labor legacy, delivering on our election commitment. The new National Environmental Protection Agency will be a strong, independent regulator with a clear focus on ensuring better compliance with and stronger enforcement of Australia's new environmental laws. The reforms also introduce new emissions disclosure requirements that require major emitting project proponents to disclose estimates of scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions as part of gaining federal environmental approval. Proponents will be required to disclose their plans to reduce those emissions and explain how those measures are consistent with government laws and policies. Since winning government in 2022, the Albanese government has passed strong laws to enforce big polluters to cut emissions so Australia gets to net zero carbon pollution by 2050. We've committed to 82 per cent renewable energy electricity by 2030 and approved 111 renewable energy projects, producing enough electricity to power more than 13 million homes. We've protected an extra 95 million hectares of Australian ocean and bush and expanded marine parks around Macquarie Island as well as the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands, increasing the proportion of Australia's marine waters under protection to 52 per cent. We've invested over $600 million to better protect our threatened plants and animals and tackle feral animals and weeds that are devastating our native species. And we've increased funding for national parks and Indigenous rangers. Under the Albanese government, renewable energy generation has reached new Australian records, up in volume by around 30 per cent since we came to government and reaching 46 per cent of the national market at the end of 2024. Last month, around half of all electricity in the national grid came from renewable sources, the highest monthly rate on record. On 11 October, for part of the day, nearly 80 per cent of electricity was generated by renewables. We are making strong progress to deliver 82 per cent renewable electricity by 2030, driven by our Capacity Investment Scheme, our Rewiring the Nation Fund and our Cheaper Home Batteries Program. I've outlined just the highlights of the Albanese government's environmental achievements. The Environmental Protection Reform Bill, combined with a range of amendments to the EPBC Act, will build on this legacy by delivering reforms that benefit both the environment and business. These reforms incorporate a balanced package featuring: (1) stronger environment protection and restoration laws that won't just deliver better protections for our environment but restore and regenerate these special places for future generations; (2) more efficient and robust project assessments and approvals that allow us to better respond and deliver on national priorities, like the renewable energy transition, a Future Made in Australia, and the housing we need; and (3) greater accountability and transparency in decision-making to give all Australians confidence in these laws. These reforms are long overdue. They're in the national interest and they are firmly in the spirit of the Samuel review. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build on Labor's legacy by reasserting the federal government's leadership role in protecting our shared heritage and placing the protection of the environment at the centre of our decision-making, not just for our generation but for generations to come. I commend this package of reforms to the House.
WorldSkills Australia, Reading Friends Australia | Constituency Statements | House debates
I rise today to congratulate Archie Wilkinson, an apprentice plumber in my electorate who won a gold medal at the WorldSkills Australia National Championships in Brisbane earlier this year. These...
I rise today to congratulate Archie Wilkinson, an apprentice plumber in my electorate who won a gold medal at the WorldSkills Australia National Championships in Brisbane earlier this year. These championships celebrate and showcase vocational excellence, and this year's competition featured over 600 apprentices, trainees and students, who competed over three days across more than 60 skills categories, including Archie's chosen field of plumbing. Following his gold medal in Brisbane, Archie was one of 39 apprentices selected for the WorldSkills Australia national training squad. This is the first step towards gaining a place on the Australian team, the Skillaroos, that will compete against more than 60 other countries at the 48th WorldSkills competition in Shanghai in September next year. In September this year, Archie joined his training squad teammates on a visit to Parliament House, where he met the Minister for Skills and Training and also the Prime Minister. The Australian government proudly supports the WorldSkills program, which plays a vital role in encouraging young Australians to pursue skills based careers. Archie Wilkinson studied at TAFE in Goulburn and is now employed by Graham Isedale Plumbing in Mittagong, which is in the Southern Highlands region within my electorate. I congratulate Archie on all he has achieved so far, and I wish him all the best as he trains to gain selection for the Skillaroos. I also rise today to recognise Reading Friends Australia, a not-for-profit organisation that encapsulates two things I am passionate about: education and community spirit. I'm proud to say that Reading Friends Australia is based in my electorate of Whitlam and that it organises scores of volunteers to assist children at 25 schools across New South Wales to practise reading. Reading Friends Australia trains volunteers and works with each school to tailor its service to suit the individual students at that school. Recent research has found that one in three children in Australia struggle to read well. Reading Friends Australia try to address this problem and, since 2019, they have been working hard to improve the reading skills of Australian children. All this is powered by volunteers. Helping children improve their reading to increase their confidence and enable them to reach their full potential is an extremely valuable contribution on the part of these generous volunteers. Learning to read well is not only valuable for self-esteem; it's critical to future education, training and employment. Earlier this month I had the great pleasure of meeting Luciana De Michiel, the founder of Reading Friends Australia, as well as several volunteers. I was delighted to be able to listen to children practise their reading and to see how rewarding this was for both the children and the volunteers involved. I commend all those involved with Reading Friends Australia for making such a valuable contribution to our community and our future.
Whitlam Electorate: Tourism | Statements by Members | House debates
I rise to acknowledge and celebrate one of Shellharbour's most treasured businesses: Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour. If you've seen the stunning waters of Lake Illawarra, you will know...
I rise to acknowledge and celebrate one of Shellharbour's most treasured businesses: Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour. If you've seen the stunning waters of Lake Illawarra, you will know what makes this experience so special. Behind this highly successful business is the passion and energy of its owner and head instructor, Bec Dunning . Bec's dedication to sharing the joy of stand up paddle boarding with both locals and visitors alike has built not just a thriving business but a vibrant community on the water. Her commitment to excellence was recognised when Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour was named a finalist in the New South Wales Tourism Awards in the adventure tourism category, an achievement that shines the spotlight not only on Bec's business but also on Shellharbour as a visited destination. Bec is a wonderful advocate for our region. Bec was the driving force behind the successful Shellharbour Stand Up Paddle Boarding Festival, which was on this weekend at the beach at Warilla Beach and Reddall Reserve. Last month she won the open women's title as well as her third over-40 title at the Australian Stand Up Paddle Boarding Championships. Bec is such a dynamic person and such an asset to the Shellharbour region. I congratulate Bec on her success, as well as everyone who makes Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour such an inspiring part of our community.
Economy | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
I am one of those members that represents a regional community. Just this morning we announced that we are investing $1 million to address potholes and drainage in a road at Bass...
I am one of those members that represents a regional community. Just this morning we announced that we are investing $1 million to address potholes and drainage in a road at Bass Point—which is a jewel in the crown of our community, not only for locals but for the visitor economy. So I wonder: is that to be considered an investment, or a spending spree? The federal government cares about reducing cost-of-living pressures on individuals and families across Australia. More than that, we have taken practical steps to reduce those pressures. To begin, we've reduced personal income tax rates for Australians on lower incomes, and further tax cuts are coming. These are tax cuts that the opposition opposed. Of course, the opposition is good at one thing; it's good at opposing. We have taken practical steps to reduce the tax burden on people who have lower incomes, because Labor cares about ensuring people on lower incomes keep more of what they earn. In relation to energy prices, we have been working hard to address the burden of energy costs, because we acknowledge that for many households and small businesses this remains a significant pressure. The federal government has extended the national energy bill relief program, offering every household and around one million small businesses automatic electricity bill rebates. Beyond rebates, important structural reforms relating to energy are underway in the transition to renewable energy. The Australian Energy Market Commission projects that, with a coordinated transition to renewables and electrification, households could reduce their energy spending significantly over the next decade. With the transition to renewable energy, our government aims to create jobs, reduce pressure on energy bills, and lower emissions. These steps combine immediate relief with the longer-term structural reform of the energy system, which will be good for the environment and will reduce energy bill costs for Australians. Regarding unemployment, average unemployment under the Albanese Labor government is the lowest of any government in 50 years. Our government has adopted a comprehensive approach aimed at not just lowering the unemployment rate but also addressing underemployment and labour market underutilisation. Our national employment rate is at historically low levels. However, there remains untapped potential within our labour market, and we are working to ensure that we are reducing barriers to work, increasing skills, supporting transitions to work, and ensuring secure, fairly paid jobs. These efforts are designed to deepen labour force participation, reduce underemployment and promote economic activity, thereby strengthening household income, reducing welfare dependency and contributing to cost-of-living relief. The Albanese Labor government has employed a range of strategies to reduce cost-of-living pressures for Australians. Notably, in the area of health care, where many Australians experience significant cost pressures, we are making record investments in bulk-billing. Our investment will deliver an additional 18 million bulk-billed GP visits a year. This investment, as well as our reductions in the cost of medicines under the PBS and our investment in urgent care clinics, is designed to reduce cost pressures on individuals and families. On top of that, as I mentioned, our government has cut taxes so that Australians can keep more of their earnings. We've subsidised energy bills, and we're reforming the energy system so that households will have lower power bills over time. We've supported economic conditions for lower interest rates through economic stability and labour market policies. We've supported lower unemployment rates and better labour market outcomes, recognising that secure work is one of the best ways to relieve cost-of-living pressures. More than 1.1 million jobs have been created since we came to office. That is stronger jobs growth than in any advanced economy. In terms of supporting individuals and families with cost-of-living pressures, it should be acknowledged that no measure works in isolation. The macroeconomic environment, global energy markets, inflation and structural change all exert force on household budgets. But our government has made cost-of-living relief a priority, as reflected in our healthcare reforms, our energy bill relief and the tax cuts we have delivered. We are managing the economy in the interests of all Australians, and this continues to be our focus.
Southern Highlands Community Hospice | Statements by Members | House debates
I rise today to recognise the Southern Highlands Community Hospice, a charitable organisation that provides hospice and palliative care services for the Southern Highlands community. The...
I rise today to recognise the Southern Highlands Community Hospice, a charitable organisation that provides hospice and palliative care services for the Southern Highlands community. The volunteers who deliver these services on behalf on the Southern Highlands Community Hospice do so with great care and compassion. Last month I was lucky enough to meet many of these volunteers and hear firsthand about the wonderful work they do. Southern Highlands Community Hospice provides funding for accommodation and medical costs for end-of-life patients without private health care; additional palliative care nursing, carer support and associated equipment hire costs for those choosing to die at home; one-off payments to fund medical equipment for palliative care patients to optimise their quality of life; and additional palliative care nursing at two aged-care facilities. The hospice also provides funding for palliative medications; specially trained palliative care volunteers to support residents in aged-care facilities; a free biography service which documents a person's memories, which is a beautiful service; and end-of-life planning and bereavement counselling services. These services are highly valued by the community. The sense of care and concern for people at what is often a vulnerable or lonely time of life is an incredibly generous gesture on the part of volunteers. I sincerely thank all those associated with the Southern Highlands Community Hospice for the extremely valuable and important work they do for the community.
Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide | Statements on Significant Matters | House debates
I have a strong personal interest in this issue. My maternal grandfather fought in the Borneo campaign towards the end of World War II, an operation conducted to liberate British North Borneo, as...
I have a strong personal interest in this issue. My maternal grandfather fought in the Borneo campaign towards the end of World War II, an operation conducted to liberate British North Borneo, as it was then called, from occupation by Japanese forces. My great uncle also served in World War II, including as part of the Kokoda campaign fought in Papua New Guinea. For both these men, particularly my grandfather, the scars left by those experiences affected them and their broader families for the rest of their lives. Tragically, the pain and anguish my relatives suffered, mostly in silence, after they returned home was similar to the internal battles faced by so many other veterans. In more recent times we have recognised that we have a duty to support the mental health and wellbeing of our defence and veteran community. The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was established in 2021, and I note the substantial contribution of Senator Lambie, who joined with us to secure its establishment. The royal commission heard from thousands of current and former defence members and families—importantly, this included the families of those who were not there to speak for themselves. These stories were frequently heartbreaking. It was clear that systems were broken and not enough was being done to support our personnel both during and after their service. The royal commission released an interim report in August 2022, and this contained a list of urgent recommendations. I am pleased to say that the Labor government acted on all of them. We have cleared the unallocated compensation claims backlog, which included 41,000 cases that had been waiting to be actioned. We have ensured that new claims are now being looked at by someone in the Department of Veterans' Affairs within 14 days of being submitted. We are making good progress speeding up the system, with new liability claims under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 being processed in around 100 days. We engaged with a range of stakeholders, and after hundreds of discussions we were able to pass the Veterans' Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Act 2024 in February this year. This legislation simplifies the complex veteran composition system that too often causes confusion and frustration, and which was identified by royal commission as a contributor to suicidality amongst veterans. The new legislation means that all veterans' claims will be assessed for compensation and rehabilitation under a single piece of legislation that will be simpler to use and faster to process. In September last year the royal commission released its final report with 122 recommendations. Within three months, the Albanese Labor government agreed or agreed in principle to 104 of those recommendations, and we are committed to conducting further work on the other recommendations. In December 2024 we established the royal commission implementation taskforce to oversee the development of comprehensive and considered advice on implementing the response to the royal commission. Significantly, this taskforce sits within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The royal commission recommended that the most significant action the government could take to address defence and veteran suicide was to establish a new statutory oversight body with a dedicated and sustained focus on suicide prevention. We have taken action to establish this as a priority. The new Defence and Veterans' Services Commission will be up and running by the end of this month. It will provide independent oversight and evidence based advice to drive system reform to improve suicide prevention and wellbeing outcomes for the defence and veteran community. In addition, this government has announced $44.5 million in funding over four years for the Defence and Veterans' Services Commission, and we are currently recruiting the inaugural Defence and Veterans' Services Commissioner. The commissioner will have significant independent investigative powers into veterans' supports and progress on implementation of the royal commission's recommendations. This appointment will drive systemic change and champion the wellbeing of serving and ex-serving ADF members across government and the ex-service community. We will also introduce standalone legislation for the Defence and Veterans' Services Commission to ensure its independence and enhance oversight of its implementation. The royal commission identified a need for a holistic approach to wellbeing when supporting defence personnel, veterans and families. Today we have released the Defence and Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Department of Defence have been working together since 2023 to develop the strategy, together with the mental health and wellbeing action plan and the suicide prevention action plan. The strategy complements the Defence and Veteran Family Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030, and the Veteran Transition Strategy. These are all key foundational documents for the new wellbeing agency. The strategy unites Defence and the Department of Veterans' Affairs to foster a culture of wellbeing and mental health care. I note that we've provided $4.5 million to the Department of Veterans' Affairs to commence a codesign and consultation process with the veteran community on both the wellbeing agency and an ex-service organisation peak body. A national roadshow has been held throughout this year, and more than 600 people have been consulted. We are now working to finalise the wellbeing agency operating model so that it can be established by the middle of next year. Another important initiative being pursued by the Department of Defence includes a range of preventive measures to minimise exposure to activities with a link to brain injury. Defence is working closely with the Department of Veterans' Affairs to establish a brain injury program to improve prevention, early detection and treatment pathways for current and former ADF members with neurocognitive issues. The royal commission highlighted disturbing failures in the treatment of women across defence and veterans systems. These failures need to be acknowledged with honesty and addressed with urgency. The Albanese government is committed to addressing these failures through the development of the Women Veterans Strategy, a comprehensive plan to ensure both current and former serving personnel are valued and properly supported at every stage of their service and transition to civilian life. This strategy will, either directly or indirectly, implement 52 royal commission recommendations and is being shaped by the voices of the women who have served. It will address core areas such as health care, mental health, financial security, housing and family support, all through a gender informed lens. I note that recommendation 15 has been implemented through an updated central policy on sexual misconduct, which now provides clearer and more consistent guidance for commanders and managers. It outlines when to engage the Joint Military Police unit and how to determine whether conduct may constitute a criminal offence and introduces structured return to work protocols for those who may be impacted by misconduct. Defence is also reviewing and updating key frameworks, including the Defence complaints and resolutions manual, to ensure definitions of sexual offences and reporting pathways are clearly articulated and in line with equivalent civilian provisions. Importantly, ADF prosecution councils are now required to invite impact statements to be considered by a service tribunal during sentencing, aligning military practice with longstanding procedures in civilian courts. In November last year, the Chief of the Defence Force issued a directive that commanders and managers must now consider suspension from duty and involuntary separation of members alleged to have engaged in serious misconduct, including sexual offences, sexual harassment, intimate image abuse and stalking. Overall, these reforms send a clear message that sexual misconduct has no place in our Defence Force. There must be a culture that does not tolerate abuse, that acts decisively when harm occurs and that places the dignity and safety of all members at the centre of our actions. One year after the final report was released, we've made good progress, but we are fully aware there is more important work to do. We want to deliver the most comprehensive reforms ever undertaken in Australia to reform the systems, processes and culture to support defence personnel and veterans and their families. The Albanese Labor government will continue to act on the royal commission's recommendations as quickly as we can.
Illawarra Light Railway Museum, Bowral & District Art Society: 75th Anniversary | Constituency Statements | House debates
I rise today to recognise the volunteers who operate the Illawarra Light Railway Museum, which is located at Albion Park in the electorate of Whitlam. A huge crowd attended the opening of the...
I rise today to recognise the volunteers who operate the Illawarra Light Railway Museum, which is located at Albion Park in the electorate of Whitlam. A huge crowd attended the opening of the museum on 10 November 1984, and four decades later it attracts an extraordinary 40,000 visitors each year. These visitors come to see the wide range of historic light railway locomotives on exhibition, including some powered by steam, as well as passenger cars and other rolling stock. There is also the 1890 Yallah Railway Station building, which stood on the Illawarra main line between Dapto and Albion Park before it was close to traffic in 1974, and a 1915 signal box from Otford, which was closed in 1985 due to electrification of the Illawarra line. The Ken McCarthy Museum, named after the museum's foundation chairman, features a fascinating collection of photographs, artefacts and memorabilia. Visitors can enjoy a miniature train ride and, on allocated days, can experience a slice of history by taking a steam- or diesel-driven journey on the museum's own narrow gauge track. I was delighted to visit the Illawarra Light Railway Museum in June and discovered its volunteers are passionate about educating the public in relation to the role of both steam engines and other mechanical devices in light railway operations and industry in general and the use of railways and tramways in the Illawarra Region, in particular. In today's fast paced world, I congratulate these volunteers for preserving this important part of our history while educating and entertaining tens of thousands of visitors each year. I rise today to pay tribute to the Bowral & District Art Society, which recently celebrated an extraordinary milestone: its 75th anniversary. The organisation was founded in 1950 as the Berrima District Art Society and held its early meetings in the Country Women's Association rooms in Moss Vale and then Berrima Courthouse before moving, in 1970, to its current premises in Bowral, thanks to the generosity of the Bent family. The name was changed from Berrima District Art Society to Bowral & District Art Society in 2006 and has been known as Bowral Art Gallery since 2016. However, the gallery's contribution to the committee extends far beyond Berrima and Bowral. It's valued by all villages and towns in the Southern Highlands. Bowral Art Gallery provides a much-loved space for the community to view works of art, and, just as importantly, it supports, nurtures and inspires both established and emerging local artists. I recently visited the gallery and learnt that this not-for-profit organisation has over 500 members, that it holds over 30 exhibitions each year and that hundreds of art students develop their practice annually by learning from over 30 tutors.
Taxation | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
I'm pleased to have this opportunity to speak about one of the most important challenges facing our nation—ensuring our economy and our tax system are fair and that we deliver the...
I'm pleased to have this opportunity to speak about one of the most important challenges facing our nation—ensuring our economy and our tax system are fair and that we deliver the opportunity to flourish for all Australians, particularly young people, both now and into the future. There's no-one better placed than our current leadership team of the Prime Minister and the Treasurer, as well as the broader Labor government, to ensure our economy and our tax system deliver for all Australians, particularly young people. The foundational principle that drives the Australian Labor Party is the concept of fairness. The Prime Minister has humble beginnings, with his roots in housing commission, as does my family. And, when you come from humble beginnings, you don't forget it. You understand the importance of leaving no-one behind, because you have direct experience of being at risk of being left behind. Social justice is a reality; it's not just a concept. The Albanese Labor government is deeply committed to ensuring our economy works for everyone, especially for young people. Due to this government's good management, our economy is in a strong position: annual real wages have been growing for seven consecutive quarters; the economy continues to expand; interest rates have been cut three times in six months; more than 1.1 million jobs have been created since we came to government; the average unemployment rate is the lowest of any Australian government in 50 years; the budget position has improved by more than $207 billion; and we've found more than $100 billion in savings, while our predecessors had none in their last budget. When it comes to tax, this government has a clear agenda. We are delivering three tax cuts for every single Australian taxpayer—one last year, one next year and another the year after. Labor's tax cuts benefit 14 million Australians. We are working hard to make things easier for all Australians. Eight important changes come into effect from 1 July, including an increase to minimum and award wages for 2.9 million Australians, an increase to minimum required super, more paid parental leave, more help with energy bills and more help for people to get into a construction trade. Our focus on the future for our young people leaves the coalition far behind, as they continue to debate within themselves whether climate change needs drastic action—something which our young people understand acutely, because it will have a direct and dramatic impact on their future. Labor is focused on delivering real outcomes for all Australians, especially our young people, and that's why we've delivered on our commitment to cut student debt. Australians around the country will have an average of $5,000 wiped off their HECS debt, and that includes 15,000 people in my electorate of Whitlam. We're also delivering on our promise to make it as easy as possible for young people to build or buy their own home. That is why, from 1 October, all first home buyers will have access to our five per cent deposit scheme. For the average first home buyer, access to this scheme will cut years off the time it takes to save a deposit and will save tens of thousands of dollars on lenders mortgage insurance. The Albanese Labor government understands the challenge that exists within our economy around intergenerational equity. We understand the principle that each generation should have equal opportunities, responsibilities and access to resources. Australia, like many advanced economies, is undergoing significant demographic, economic and social change. We are living longer, birthrates are declining and the structure of our workforce is evolving. This is creating growing pressure on public services, such as health care, aged care and social security, while the tax base that funds these services is shrinking in relative terms. And, while we will need to continue to rely in part on immigration to ensure we can meet the needs of our economy and our workforce, the coalition feeds the lie that immigration presents a problem for our economy and that immigration is causing our housing crisis, which it is not. Fifty per cent of all Australians have a parent that was born overseas, but the coalition is always willing to play the race card to sell down the river Australians who've migrated to this country or who have parents who migrated to this country, despite the fact that this is a reality for so many of us. The coalition is completely out of touch with modern Australia, and that is why they were trounced at the last election. Intergenerational equity is a core focus for this government. It isn't just a policy principle; it's a moral obligation. It means asking not just what we can afford now but what kind of legacy we're leaving behind. Labor will ensure that Australia's tax system and our broader economy reflect the values of fairness, sustainability and shared responsibility, not just for this generation but for those yet to come.
Health Care | Questions without Notice | House debates
My question is to the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories. How is the Albanese Labor government improving the lives and health of people living in regional and...
My question is to the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories. How is the Albanese Labor government improving the lives and health of people living in regional and rural Australia?
Health Care | Statements by Members | House debates
I'm delighted to highlight the ways in which the Albanese Labor government is strengthening Medicare in my electorate of Whitlam and also across the country. Our legislation to make cheaper...
I'm delighted to highlight the ways in which the Albanese Labor government is strengthening Medicare in my electorate of Whitlam and also across the country. Our legislation to make cheaper medicines even cheaper cuts more than 20 per cent from the maximum cost of PBS medicines, and this will save Australians over $200 million each year. This builds on other actions taken by this government over the past three years to deliver cost-of-living relief through cheaper medicines. I'm proud to report that, since winning government in 2022, Labor's cheaper medicines initiatives have saved the people in the Whitlam electorate a substantial $12.6 million. The people of Whitlam are also benefiting from Labor's Medicare urgent care clinics, which are open for extended hours seven days a week with no appointment needed. Importantly, all patients at these urgent care clinics are fully bulk-billed, which means they receive care for free. A Medicare urgent care clinic opened in Dapto last year, and last week we launched the tender process for a second urgent care clinic in Whitlam, in Shellharbour. So far, 90 Medicare urgent care clinics have opened across Australia, with more than 1.8 million presentations since the first sites opened in June 2023. The success of these clinics is taking pressure off our hospitals, which means hospital staff can spend more time on life-threatening emergencies. I'm proud to serve in this government, which is making the largest investment in Medicare since it was created four decades ago, and this includes delivering cheaper medicines and more urgent care clinics.
Oceans | Statements by Members | House debates
One of the jewels in the electorate of Whitlam is The Farm at Killalea, which has been named the best beach in New South Wales and the second-best beach in Australia. This extraordinary place was...
One of the jewels in the electorate of Whitlam is The Farm at Killalea, which has been named the best beach in New South Wales and the second-best beach in Australia. This extraordinary place was protected by the local community, and was also where I learnt to surf, an experience that has only deepened my love of the ocean. Australia's beaches are iconic and form an important part of our national identity. Oceans are a vital life-support system for our planet, producing 50 to 80 per cent of the world's oxygen and acting as a significant carbon sink. I'm therefore delighted and honoured to be the co-chair of Parliamentary Friends of Oceans and Sustainable Development. This group will provide a platform for politicians from all parties, including independents, to engage with key issues affecting Australia's oceans. I am proud of the Albanese government's achievements when it comes to protecting our oceans. We've substantially expanded our marine parks so that over 50 per cent of Australia's oceans are now under protection. Australia now protects more ocean than any other country. Australia is a world leader in ocean protection, working domestically and with our Pacific and Indian Ocean neighbours to protect this precious and incredibly important shared resource. Our oceans support hundreds of thousands of species of marine life. We need to protect our oceans from plastic waste, pollution and overfishing to ensure we look after these amazing environments for our future generations. I look forward to working with my colleagues who've joined Parliamentary Friends of Oceans to ensure we continue to take action to protect this incredibly valuable resource for our nation.
Albion Park Football Club | Statements by Members | House debates
I rise today to congratulate Albion Park Football Club on achieving a wonderful milestone: its 50th anniversary. The club was small when it was established in 1975 by Neil Young, Robert Musgrove...
I rise today to congratulate Albion Park Football Club on achieving a wonderful milestone: its 50th anniversary. The club was small when it was established in 1975 by Neil Young, Robert Musgrove and John Synott, but it grew significantly during the 1980s as the local population increased, and this growth has continued into the 21st century. Today, Albion Park Football Club has more than 900 registered players, and it makes a valuable contribution to our community. Other sports may receive more television coverage, but football is the most widely played team sport in Australia and is enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. I note that Albion Park Football Club has contributed to the youth careers of two Socceroos, Luke Wilkshire and Stephen Laybutt, as well as the current Matilda's megastar, Caitlin Foord. The club has won numerous trophies since its first silverware in 1990. I would like to make special mention of the extraordinary success of the senior women's teams during the 2010s, including state cups and champion of champions titles. Last month, I had the pleasure of attending the gala dinner held to celebrate this golden anniversary. The club has gone from strength to strength over half a century, and it has a bright future. The culture of the club is wonderful and a credit to all involved. I congratulate the hardworking, long-serving current president, Simon Sciberras, and all the volunteers who've contributed to making this great community club so fantastic over the last 50 years.
Housing Australia Investment Mandate Amendment (Delivering on Our 2025 Election Commitment) Direction 2025; Consideration | Documents | House debates
The great Australian dream of owning your own home crystallised in the decades after World War II. There was a construction boom following the end of the war, with new suburbs and towns created...
The great Australian dream of owning your own home crystallised in the decades after World War II. There was a construction boom following the end of the war, with new suburbs and towns created to cater for returning servicemen and the growing number of migrants—and there was also a baby boom. My grandfather fought in Borneo in the Second World War, and my family were the beneficiaries of this construction boom for returning servicemen, moving into their Housing Commission home in Dundas Valley in the New South Wales western suburbs, where my mother was raised. At this time there were plenty of jobs, and homeownership was not just a dream for many; it was a tangible reality. By 1966, homeownership in Australia hit its peak of 73 per cent. Homeownership has become increasingly more difficult to achieve over the past 50 years, particularly in recent decades; however, it remains a major goal for many Australians. The Albanese Labor government is helping more Australians realise this dream of homeownership by launching five per cent deposits for all first home buyers early, on 1 October 2025 instead of next year. Under these changes, all first home buyers will have access, with no caps on places and no income limits. We are doing this by expanding the Home Guarantee Scheme. The Home Guarantee Scheme involves the Albanese government guaranteeing a portion of a first home buyer's home loan so they can purchase with a lower deposit and not pay lenders mortgage insurance. The fact that these first home buyers will not have to pay lenders mortgage insurance should not be underestimated. Lenders mortgage insurance is insurance that a lender takes out to insure itself against the risk of not recovering the outstanding loan balance if a borrower is unable to meet their loan payments and the property is sold for less than the outstanding loan balance. Lenders mortgage insurance is usually required if a borrower does not have a 20 per cent deposit, which is the case for a substantial number of first home buyers. Lenders mortgage insurance protects the lender but the costs are passed on to the borrower and this is usually added on to the loan. For the average first home buyer, the Albanese Labor government's expanded Home Guarantee Scheme will save tens of thousands of dollars in lenders mortgage insurance. In the first year alone, first home buyers using the scheme are expected to avoid around $1.5 billion in potential mortgage insurance costs. As I mentioned, an important change to the scheme is that all first home buyers will have access to it. There will no longer be any income limits. Currently, the caps that apply to the first home buyers under this scheme are $125,000 for individuals or a combined $200,000 for joint applicants. Removing these caps will open up the opportunity for homeownership for many more Australians. Furthermore, the property price caps under the scheme will be increased in line with average house prices, therefore providing first home buyers with access to a greater variety of homes. In capital cities and regional centres in my state of New South Wales, the property price cap will increase from $900,000 to $1.5 million, while in other parts of New South Wales the cap will rise from $750,000 to $800,000. The median home price in Australia today is $844,000 and five per cent of that is $42,000. The last time $42,000 covered the 20 per cent deposit for a median home was in 2002. Just to take us back to 2002, that was the year in which Queen Elizabeth II visited Australia as part of her golden jubilee world tour, Ansett Australia stopped flying after 66 years of operation and Steven Bradbury became a national icon by winning Australia's first gold medal at the Winter Olympics. This was also the year that Kath and Kim premiered on the ABC. To bring us back to 2025, the Albanese Labor government's expanded Home Guarantee Scheme will mean a first home buyer can purchase a $1 million home with a $50,000 deposit. First home buyers could save up to 10 years on the time it takes to save for a deposit, saving about $42,000 in mortgage insurance, and could pay up to $350,000 towards their own loan instead of paying rent. Importantly, the government has consulted with industry and will direct Housing Australia to promote the diversity of lenders who offer the scheme, giving first home buyers greater choice to buy a home through smaller, customer owned and regional banks. Since coming to office in 2022, Labor has helped over 180,000 first home buyers get a home of their own with a lower deposit, and the expanded scheme will help hundreds of thousands more Australians. It's important to note that the Home Guarantee Scheme is just one part of the Albanese Labor government's broader, $43 billion housing agenda that is focused on building more homes, getting more Australians into homeownership and getting a better deal for renters. In its first term, this government began investing $43 billion in housing—eight times more than the coalition invested over a whole decade. It introduced a build-to-rent scheme that will help deliver 80,000 new rentals across the country, giving Australians more rental security. We've worked with states and territories to make renting fairer, with stronger protections for tenants. As a result, most states have now banned no-grounds evictions and put minimum standards in place. We've delivered a 45 per cent increase in Commonwealth rent assistance, the biggest back-to-back increase in more than 30 years, helping over one million low-income Australian households pay the rent. We've made strong progress in delivering 55,000 social and affordable rental homes for the Australians who need it most. We've invested a record $1.2 billion into building new crisis and transitional accommodation to ensure that at-risk groups—including older women, younger Australians and those fleeing family and domestic violence—will have access to safe and stable housing. We've facilitated the training of more tradies through Labor's fee-free TAFE, and we've provided $10,000 incentive payments for apprentices in construction. In addition to expanding the Home Guarantee Scheme, the re-elected Albanese government is committed to investing $10 billion to build up to 100,000 homes reserved only for first home buyers, with no competition from property investors. We're implementing our Help to Buy shared-equity scheme, which involves the Commonwealth government pitching in up to 40 per cent of the upfront cost of a home, making it easier for a first home buyer to purchase a home with a smaller mortgage. We're delivering a $54 million targeted investment in advanced manufacturing of prefabricated and modular home construction. We're providing $120 million from the National Productivity Fund to incentivise states to remove red tape and help more homes be built faster, and we're investing $78 million to fast-track the qualification of 6,000 tradies to help build more homes across Australia. This is a very impressive program of work. The expansion of the Home Guarantee Scheme will help many more Australians believe in the great Australian dream of homeownership, just like my grandparents and parents experienced. For all the reasons I've spoken about, I strongly support the minister's statement relating to five per cent deposits for all first home buyers.
National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
To begin with, I do need to address some of the comments made by the member for Macpherson. I challenge the idea that consistent performance on the part of the coalition has been there in...
To begin with, I do need to address some of the comments made by the member for Macpherson. I challenge the idea that consistent performance on the part of the coalition has been there in relation to the defence of the PBS and the defence of public health. Only the Labor Party has consistently defended public health and consistently defended the PBS. In fact, we introduced the PBS. I think it's important that we recognise that the Australian public likewise understands and believes in the Australian Labor Party's commitment to public health. That's why we were backed in at the last election. I support the National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025 because it reinforces the Albanese government's record of making cheaper medicines even cheaper. It delivers on a commitment we made before the 2025 election. Specifically, this bill reduces the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme general patient co-payment from $31.60 to $25 from 1 January next year. The last time PBS medicines cost no more than $25 was more than two decades ago, in 2004, and a lot has happened in those 21 years. It's sobering to realise that 2004 was the year that a young Harvard university student Mark Zuckerberg first launched an idea he called 'the Facebook' from his dormitory. The launch of the iPhone was still three years away. 2004 was the year that the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement was signed, Jetstar took its first flight, Ian Thorpe led Australia's record gold medal tally at the Athens Olympics and Tasmania's Mary Donaldson married Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark. Remarkably, it was also the year my colleague in the upper house, Senator Charlotte Walker, was born. Surely that can't be true, and it makes us all feel very old! By making cheaper medicines even cheaper, Labor is further easing the cost-of-living challenges facing so many Australians. This cut of more than 20 per cent to the maximum cost of PBS medicines will save Australians over $200 million each year. Importantly, it builds on other action we have taken over the past three years to deliver cost-of-living relief through cheaper medicines. This includes the largest cut to the cost of medicines in the history of the PBS, with the maximum cost of a general script falling from $42.50 to $30, a change that has already saved patients over $770 million; a 25 per cent reduction in the scripts a concessional patient must fill before the PBS safety net kicks in, delivering 73 million additional free scripts and saving pensioners over half a billion dollars; 60-day prescriptions, saving time and money for millions of Australians with ongoing health conditions; and freezing the cost of PBS medicines, with co-payments, for the first time in 25 years, not rising with inflation. Overall, since winning government in 2022, Labor's cheaper medicines initiatives have saved people in Whitlam a substantial $12.6 million. It is important to point out that pensioners and concession card holders will continue to benefit from the freeze to the cost of their PBS medicines, with the cost frozen at the current level of $7.7 until 2030. Also, all medicines that pharmacies are able to discount today can continue to be discounted even when the co-payment is cut to $25. Like the battle to establish Medicare, which was introduced as Medibank by the Whitlam government in 1975 and was eroded and then dissolved entirely by the 1981 Fraser government before being reinstated as the Medicare we know today by the Hawke government in 1984, the history of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme involves Labor governments fighting for equitable access for ordinary Australians. Eighty-one years ago, towards the end of World War II, John Curtin's government introduced legislation for a pharmaceutical benefits scheme. The main driver was for all Australians—not just the few who could afford them—to have access to the growing number of wonderful antibiotic drugs. The proposed legislation provided that any Australian resident would be entitled to be given medicine at no charge if they presented to a pharmacist a prescription written by a registered medical practitioner on an official government form. The pharmacist would be reimbursed by the government. An expert committee would determine a list of approved medications to ensure quality and effectiveness. It sounds like an excellent idea, right? However, doctors strongly opposed the scheme, and so did Labor's conservative political opponents. The doctors feared the legislation was part of a broader government agenda to interfere with their work and curb their pricing power. Interestingly, the organisation that represented Australian doctors at the time was called the British Medical Association. The body did not become the Australian Medical Association until 1962. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Act 1944 was passed by parliament, and the list of approved medications was printed. But, in 1945, the Victorian branch of the British Medical Association challenged the legislation in the High Court of Australia. The doctors argued that the Commonwealth did not have the power to spend money on the provision of medicines, and the High Court agreed. This High Court decision prompted a referendum in 1946 to amend the Constitution to allow for Commonwealth provision of pharmaceutical benefits, among other things. The referendum was passed, making it one of only eight successful referendums of the 45 that have been put to Australians since Federation. John Curtin died at the Lodge while in office in July 1945, and Ben Chifley led Labor to re-election in 1946. So it was Chifley's government that, following the 1946 referendum, introduced an amended Pharmaceutical Benefits Act in 1947. But the British Medical Association continued its campaign against it. They did offer to allow a limited range of drugs to be prescribed under the PBS, but the government rejected that offer. Furthermore, the government decided to impose fines on doctors who didn't use official prescription forms. The doctors challenged this in the High Court, and they were successful once again. The British Medical Association estimated that, in 1949, five years after the Curtin government's first attempt to introduce a pharmaceutical benefits scheme, only 157 out of 7,000 practising Australian doctors ever cooperated with it. Australian doctors, unfortunately, had successfully torpedoed Labor's efforts to introduce a PBS. Labor lost the 1949 election, and the new Menzies government settled for a reduced, safety-net PBS, which recognised a limited number of life-saving and disease-preventing drugs. However, the development of an increasing number of new drugs introduced in the 1950s meant that this was clearly inadequate. In 1960, 16 years after Curtin introduced the concept, the PBS finally became a comprehensive scheme. It included a patient contribution, or co-payment, of five shillings, or 50c in today's decimal language. I believe that John Curtin, the original proponent of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, would be proud of the Albanese Labor government's achievements in ensuring Australians have equitable access to medicines. And this is only one element of this government's focus on the health of all Australians, particularly through strengthening Medicare. The achievements of the Albanese government's first term include tripling the bulk-billing incentive so that people who need to see their GP most often can—pensioners, concession card holders and families with children; restoring bulk-billing for 11 million Australians, creating an additional six million bulk-billed GP visits; opening 87 bulk-billed Medicare urgent care clinics, making it easier for Australians to get the urgent treatment they need free of charge while taking pressure off our hospitals; establishing a network of 61 free Medicare mental health centres; establishing 22 endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics to help Australian women with endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome get the care they need; and boosting hospital funding by $1.7 billion, delivering more money for public hospitals in every state and territory. Following these achievements in health during its first term, the re-elected Albanese government has committed to further benefitting the health of Australians by delivering an additional 18 million bulk-billed GP visits every year so that Australians can see a bulk-billing GP. This is the single largest investment in Medicare's history. We're opening 50 more Medicare urgent care clinics—including a clinic in Shellharbour, in my electorate of Whitlam—in addition to the 87 opened in our first term, meaning that four out of five Australians will live within a 20-minute drive from a Medicare urgent care clinic. We're growing the health workforce to deliver more doctors and nurses than ever before, with the largest GP training program in Australia's history and hundreds of scholarships for nurses and midwives to extend their skills and qualifications. We're investing more than $790 million in women's health, including making contraceptives cheaper and funding more treatments for menopause. We're opening an additional 11 endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics, bringing the total to 33, and extending their focus to also provide specialist support for menopause and perimenopause. We're investing in free mental health support for Australian parents through another eight perinatal mental health centres around the country. We're backing men's health, including investing $20.7 million for grassroots initiatives in community settings and taking pressure off hospitals with the launch of 1800MEDICARE, a free nationwide 24/7 health service line that provides after-hours advice and an after-hours GP telehealth service. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is a key component of the Commonwealth's investment in Australia's health system. The Albanese Labor government has shown its commitment to this system by investing $23.5 billion to strengthen Medicare since its 2022-23 budget. The National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill delivers on a commitment we made prior to the 2025 election. It builds on our earlier actions to deliver cheaper medicines and help ease cost-of-living challenges, and it contributes to further strengthening Medicare. That benefits all Australians. Making medicines cheaper is a tangible way we are helping with the cost of living. In my work with community organisations and in my electorate, I see the impact that health expenses can have on individuals and families. When I was the CEO of the Illawarra Women's Health Centre, in particular, I met many women, particularly older women, who were struggling with the cost of medicines. When speaking with people within my electorate of Whitlam, I know how much of a difference reducing the costs of medicines can make. Australians are understandably proud of the PBS, and we're prepared to defend it. It is a very practical way that Labor is delivering on reducing the cost of living, particularly for those who need it the most. Under these changes, four out of five PBS medicines will become cheaper because of our government's $689 million investment. To recap, this bill builds on action we've already taken to deliver cost-of-living relief through cheaper medicines, including more free and cheaper medicines sooner, with a 25 per cent reduction in the number of scripts a concessional patient must fill before the PBS safety net kicks in; the largest cut to the cost of medicines in the history of the PBS, with the maximum cost of a general script falling to $30 from $42.50; 60-day prescriptions, saving time and money for millions of Australians with an ongoing health condition; and freezing the cost of PBS medicines, with co-payments for all Australians not rising with inflation for the first time in 25 years. Importantly, all medicines that pharmacies can discount today can continue to be discounted once the co-payment is cut to $25. The legislation includes specific provisions to protect the availability of discounting. Cheaper medicines are good for the hip pocket of Australians and good for their health. Through this bill, the Albanese government is delivering cheaper medicines and a stronger Medicare, and I commend this bill to the House.
Historical Aircraft Restoration Society | Statements by Members | House debates
I rise today to recognise the outstanding work carried out in my electorate by volunteers at the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society, which is known by the acronym HARS. HARS is a...
I rise today to recognise the outstanding work carried out in my electorate by volunteers at the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society, which is known by the acronym HARS. HARS is a not-for-profit organisation that operates an aviation museum as well as the Australian Aviation Hall of Fame at Shellharbour Airport. The society was established in 1979, and its mission is to recover and, where possible, restore to flying condition aircraft or types of aircraft that have played a significant part in Australian aviation history, in both civil and military arenas. I visited the museum in May and found it enthralling. I discovered that over 50 aircraft are currently on display, with about 20 of them still airworthy. HARS' aviation museum has won a number of international awards, and its global reputation was epitomised when John Travolta, a pilot and aviation buff since he was a boy, donated his vintage Boeing 707 painted in Qantas livery to the museum. Remarkably, the museum is open every day of the year except Christmas Day, and I once again say this is done entirely by volunteers. I congratulate and applaud the hundreds of volunteer engineers, pilots and aviation enthusiasts at HARS' aviation museum, who conduct their work with great professionalism and pride. They do this not just to pursue their passion but to preserve and celebrate Australia's extraordinary aviation history for both current and future generations.
Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025, Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
I rise to speak in support of the Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025 and, alongside it, the Universities Accord...
I rise to speak in support of the Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025 and, alongside it, the Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2025. We are debating legislation shaped by the stories of students and staff who have endured the unthinkable in places that should serve as safe harbours of learning and growth. Over the last several years, evidence has shown that gender based violence—specifically, sexual harassment and violence—continues to occur in higher education settings at unacceptable rates. Unfortunately, many students and staff don't know where to seek support or make a formal complaint to their tertiary education provider, and those who do are too often dissatisfied with the process. This is all very concerning for parents and friends of students who are worried about what their loved ones may experience during their tertiary education years. This should not be the case. Students should be able to prepare eagerly for higher education and embrace everything campus life has to offer whilst knowing they are safe and supported. At the start of each semester, students are warned about drink spiking at O-week events and told how to stay safe at campus parties and what support services are available to them. They receive training from universities on consent and how to recognise dangerous situations and safely intervene. The onus has been placed on students time and time again to keep themselves safe. I am pleased that this bill shifts some of the accountability and responsibility to ensure safe environments onto institutions and providers of services to students. Stamping out gender based violence is everyone's business and requires a zero-tolerance approach in every context. It is in that spirit that I rise to support this bill, as it recognises the problem that we collectively face and proposes concrete action to address it. This bill is not just another piece of legislation; it is a bold step in our national journey towards ending gender based violence, especially in higher education. This bill will ensure that higher education providers prioritise safety, proactively strengthen prevention efforts and improve the response to gender based violence. It will hold them to account for their performance in responding to these issues, including, importantly, in student accommodation. The introduction of this legislation is a key measure of the Action Plan Addressing Gender-based Violence in Higher Education agreed to by all education ministers in February last year. This government has already been responding to this plan through the establishment of the National Student Ombudsman, which commenced earlier this year. With strong powers to investigate complaints made against a university, it is a national first that will actively ensure that students' concerns are heard and acted upon. The ombudsman is just the beginning, however. Over the last several years, evidence has shown that gender based violence—specifically, sexual violence and harassment—continues to occur in higher education communities at significant rates. For too long, universities have been blind spots in our fight against gender based violence. They are places where sexual assault and harassment go underreported, where survivors feel silenced and where institutional responses are inadequate. A 2024 report from the University of Sydney revealed 231 staff and students had reported sexual misconduct in a single year, with students making up 73 per cent of reports. Yet most victims chose not to proceed with investigations, citing fears of being retraumatised and a lack of trust in existing processes. Legislative reform must accompany social reform, as we are witnessing within the community. Across the country, students have held vigils and rallies organised to respond to this important issue that has impacted too many young lives. Students should not be left to themselves to carry this responsibility to prompt action, and it's timely for parliament to respond. These are our students, our future educators, innovators, business owners, workers and leaders. Their education should not be derailed by harassment or violence, and their safety must be non-negotiable. What this bill does is both deliberate and decisive. Firstly, it establishes a national higher education code, which will empower the minister to set national standards and requirements for preventing and responding to gender based violence. Secondly, it makes compliance mandatory for all higher education providers registered under the Higher Education Support Act 2003. Institutions must align with the national code to maintain their approved status. Additionally, providers must also develop a gender equality action plan and gender impact assessments and provide evidence based education and training on the factors that drive and contribute to gender based violence. Thirdly, it creates robust regulatory enforcement mechanisms. The secretary of the Department of Education, through a dedicated specialist gender based violence unit, will monitor compliance with powers including civil penalties, enforceable undertakings, infringement notices and injunctions. The secretary will also be able to disclose information to the public about a provider's compliance with the code. Fourthly, the bill imposes national standards across seven key domains: leadership and governance, safe environments and systems, knowledge and capability, safety and support, safe processes, data and impact, and student accommodation. Fifthly, it introduces accountability at the highest level. Vice-Chancellors and CEOs will be directly responsible for compliance and required to report every six months to their governing body. The gender based violence unit will publish annual operational and performance reports to both houses of parliament. Sixthly, it builds on existing work through the National Student Ombudsman and the broader Action Plan Addressing Gender-based Violence in Higher Education, a multi-pronged strategy agreed to by education ministers, outlining seven actions to transform sector culture. The new national code is at the heart of this legislation. With the goal to ensure study, work, social and living environments are safe, respectable and inclusive for staff and students, it will draw a line in the sand against university mismanagement and failures to respond. Every student and staff member deserves to learn and work without fear. Educational institutions must be sanctuaries for the development of knowledge. There must be proper complaint systems in place that provide safety and security for affected students. In their most vulnerable moments, these students must feel there are measures in place that will respond to their needs and deliver the response they rightly deserve. Survivors must be heard, supported and empowered. This bill ensures survivors will not be left to drift in processes that do not deliver outcomes. It ensures victims-survivors receive timely and expert responses from their institutions. This legislation will provide a pathway to justice for survivors while pursuing the end of gender based violence. Institutional leaders will be expected to actively lead change. Vice-Chancellors and CEOs will be expected to confront these issues head on. This bill ensures that addressing the crisis of gender based violence in higher institutions becomes a priority for governing bodies. Importantly, this bill is built upon consultations with students, victim-survivor advocates, gender based violence experts, the higher education sector, student accommodation providers and a range of other government agencies. This legislation also aligns with our national plans and international commitments, including the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032. A new, specialist, gender based violence unit will be established within the Department of Education to monitor and enforce the new national code. This will collectively reduce systemic issues and proactively create safer environments within affected institutions. This issue demands our continuing focus, and that is why the national code will require higher education institutions to provide annual data on gender based violence so that this parliament and future parliaments, along with the public, can remain informed on trends and performance. This ensures our continued attention to this matter. Further, it ensures increased data transparency and scrutiny which allow for adjustments and responses where necessary. This is not about red tape; it's about leadership. Universities already commit to excellence and will now also ensure the same commitment to safety. A whole-of-organisation approach will embed prevention at every level. True change requires accountability, and this legislation's civil penalties and enforceable undertakings ensure that we move from symbolic gestures to actual transformation. To the supporters who fought for these changes to be implemented for so long: I thank you. I commend you for your time, your passion and your energy. I'm proud to be part of a government that listened and committed to delivering actual change for students. After extensive consultation and listening to those affected by the changes, the Albanese Labor government is pursuing these reforms to make a real difference for all students pursuing higher education. We must act now in the interest of the safety of our students. Students and staff are supportive of these changes alongside other associated stakeholders. In the spirit of Labor values, safety, equality and fairness, I urge this House to support the Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025. Let us ensure our universities become places where students and staff thrive always, free from fear, fully supported and pursuing their futures in a safe environment.
Whitlam Electorate: Renewable Energy, Albanese Government: Renewable Energy | Constituency Statements | House debates
Today I would like to highlight two outstanding clean energy initiatives in the electorate of Whitlam. The first is the recently launched Illawarra Clean Energy Roadmap, which was commissioned by...
Today I would like to highlight two outstanding clean energy initiatives in the electorate of Whitlam. The first is the recently launched Illawarra Clean Energy Roadmap, which was commissioned by Business Illawarra and delivered in partnership with the University of Wollongong's Energy Futures Network as well as a dozen other government and industry collaborators. The roadmap outlines a strategy for the Illawarra to be Australia's leading clean energy hub by 2050 through the delivery of renewable energy, green hydrogen and advanced manufacturing. The Illawarra is strongly positioned to deliver the strategy because it has been designated a renewable energy zone, it has a strong industrial base with a skilled workforce, it has key infrastructure, including established rail links and a deep-water port, and there is real industry demand for renewable energy solutions. The economic opportunity that will flow from the Illawarra Clean Energy Roadmap is substantial, with the potential to generate more than 15,000 local jobs and inject more than $10 billion into the New South Wales economy. The second initiative I would like to highlight was launched last year in the Southern Highlands by WinZero, or Wingecarribee Net Zero Emissions. WinZero's virtual energy network is a community-led initiative that connects local solar energy generators with their neighbours, including small businesses, allowing the sharing of excess solar power within the community. This benefits both the solar producers, who want to sell their surplus energy at a fair price and those households and businesses that don't have solar panels but would like to purchase local clean energy. The Southern Highlands trial has been so successful that Deakin University is leading a new study to see if the scope can be widened to the entire national electricity market. I applaud all those involved in both of these initiatives to make such a valuable contribution to Australia's transition to renewable energy. I'm honoured to have been appointed to the Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water, and I look forward to working closely with my parliamentary colleagues to continue this important work. In its first term the Albanese Labor government approved a record number of renewable energy projects—enough to power more than 10 million homes—and enshrined emissions targets in law, with a target of net zero emissions by 2050. The re-elected Albanese Labor government is committed to delivering more clean and reliable renewable energy, and getting our energy grid to 82 per cent renewables by 2030. Australia boasts the highest rate of rooftop solar in the world, and this government's $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program will help to bring down the cost of a typical battery by about 30 per cent. It is seeing more than 15,000 households add storage to their homes as more Australians embrace renewable energy. I am proud of the significant progress being made by Australians, including the two clean energy initiatives I've highlighted in the electorate of Whitlam. (Time expired)