Jo Briskey's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
type: channel
language: en-gb
creator: OpenAustralia.org, mprss.php script
date: 2026-02-05T22:06:04+00:00
items: Housing | Adjournment | House debates
items: Education | Statements | House debates
items: Translating and Interpreting Services Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
items: Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Mental Health Month | Statements on Significant Matters | House debates
items: Housing Australia Future Fund | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Maribyrnong Electorate: Health Care | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Maribyrnong Electorate: Disaster and Emergency Management | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Maribyrnong Electorate | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: g105.1
items: Early Childhood Education | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Albanese Government | Private Members' Business | House debates
items: World Teachers Day | Statements by Members | House debates
items: International Relations | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Aged Care | Statements by Members | House debates

Housing | Adjournment | House debates
type: item
description: Access to safe, secure and affordable housing is one of the most fundamental foundations of a fair society. It is not simply about shelter but about dignity, stability, opportunity and wellbeing....
encoded: Access to safe, secure and affordable housing is one of the most fundamental foundations of a fair society. It is not simply about shelter but about dignity, stability, opportunity and wellbeing. When people have a secure place to call home, children can focus on learning. Parents can focus on work and caring, and individuals can plan for the future with confidence. When housing is unstable or out of reach, it affects every part of our life—health, education, employment and mental wellbeing. We know there is a housing crisis in this country. For too many, particularly young Australians, they have found themselves locked out of the market. Rents have risen. Supply has fallen. And for many the dream of homeownership has felt increasingly distant. This is why this government has an ambitious housing agenda, the most ambitious that we've seen for generations. It is why we see housing as one of our central priorities—investing in social and affordable housing, boosting supply, working with the states and territories on planning reform and recognising housing as essential national infrastructure. Through the Labor government's Housing Australia Future Fund, we are delivering thousands of new homes across the country, with more than 5,000 social and affordable homes completed or underway and more than 25,000 in construction and planning. This is part of our broader commitment to deliver 55,000 social and affordable homes for the Australians who need them most. A roof over your head should never be a privilege. It should be an expectation for all Australians. Locally, I'm proud to see the Albanese government backing major projects that will deliver—and are already delivering—new social and affordable homes in Melbourne's north-west. In December of last year, I welcomed Minister O'Neil to Kensington in the southern part of my electorate to see firsthand the successful completion of a new housing project as part of the Swift Walk redevelopment. This massive injection of housi…
date: 2026-02-05T16:55:00+00:00

Education | Statements | House debates
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description: Like many families across Maribyrnong and across the nation, my family is well and truly back into the rhythm of the new year. Gweny is beaming with excitement, having started high school, and...
encoded: Like many families across Maribyrnong and across the nation, my family is well and truly back into the rhythm of the new year. Gweny is beaming with excitement, having started high school, and Margot is already telling me how much she loves her new grade 4 teacher. But, like households everywhere, we're back to the busy mornings and to the juggle. I want my community, in that juggle, to know this: every day that I come into this chamber, this Labor government and I are firmly focused on you, making sure you and your family get the support that you deserve. This is because we are united and focused on delivery while those opposite remain focused on themselves. The opportunity of education is a deeply held value in our government. It starts in early childhood. It's why we're making early education more affordable and accessible with our three-day guarantee. We are focused on easing the cost of living and giving every kid the best start in life. But it doesn't stop there. We are also delivering historic, record funding for our public schools—providing more support for students and better resourcing for classrooms and backing our incredible teachers. Labor delivers because education is fairness, it's opportunity, and it's about building a stronger future for Maribyrnong and our country. While we are focused on easing the pressure on families in Maribyrnong and across the nation, those opposite remain hopelessly divided. My community of Maribyrnong, let me tell you this: our focus is different. Our focus is on you.
date: 2026-02-05T13:52:00+00:00

Translating and Interpreting Services Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
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description: Following the horrific terrorist attack in Bondi, the Prime Minister observed that we take pride in the fact our country is enriched by both the world's oldest continuous culture and people of...
encoded: Following the horrific terrorist attack in Bondi, the Prime Minister observed that we take pride in the fact our country is enriched by both the world's oldest continuous culture and people of every background and tradition, who have enriched our nation with their hard work and their aspiration. That statement speaks to the enduring strength of Australia as a multicultural nation. But pride in our diversity must be matched by the systems that ensure inclusion in practice, not just in principle. This legislation gives effect to that responsibility. It affirms that linguistic background does not diminish a person's belonging, their contribution or their place in Australian society. By providing clear statutory support for translating and interpreting services, the bill ensures multicultural communities can access government essential services and civic life on an equitable basis, reinforcing social cohesion and enabling continued contribution to our nation's prosperity and unity. The Translating and Interpreting Services Bill 2025 goes to the heart of who we are as a nation. It's about fairness. It's about dignity. Australia is one of the most successful multicultural nations on the planet, and that success has never been accidental. It is the result of deliberate choices made generation after generation to ensure people are not locked out of opportunity simply because English is not their first language. This bill provides a clear and enduring statutory framework for the essential services delivered by TIS National—services that have quietly but profoundly supported Australians for more than 75 years. While the legislation is technical in parts, its purpose is deeply human. It is about ensuring a grandmother can understand her doctor, a new arrival can speak to Centrelink without fear or confusion, a parent can engage with their child's school and someone calling triple zero in a moment of crisis can be understood and helped without delay. This bill sends a clear and…
date: 2026-02-04T18:00:00+00:00

Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
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description: Indeed—and our member for Bullwinkel! Nurses are often the first clinicians people see and the ones who stay with patients throughout their care. They work in our GP clinics, hospitals,...
encoded: Indeed—and our member for Bullwinkel! Nurses are often the first clinicians people see and the ones who stay with patients throughout their care. They work in our GP clinics, hospitals, aged-care homes, community health services and mental health settings, building relationships, providing continuity and delivering care with skill and compassion. I'd like to take this opportunity to recognise some amazing nurses who looked after my daughter Gwenevieve when, in the final week of school holidays just a couple of weeks ago, she had to have her appendix taken out. The nurses at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne were incredible, keeping Gweny calm and in good spirits whilst recognising how scary this procedure was for her and helping her to take the medicine that she needed, sometimes with much protest. My heartfelt thanks to every single nurse, doctor and healthcare professional who helped to support Gwenevieve and who looked after us and our entire family when we were there a couple of weeks ago. This bill recognises that many registered nurses already have advanced training and expertise and, with the right education and safeguards, can effectively and safely take on an expanded prescribing role. The national registration standard—endorsement for scheduled medicines, designated registered nurse prescriber—was approved by the health ministers in December 2024 and came into effect in September 2025. It sets out clear, rigorous requirements that registered nurses must meet and attain to maintain endorsement. The first cohort of designated registered nurse prescribers is expected to complete their education, receive endorsement and begin prescribing by 26 July. This is reform done properly, grounded in evidence, education and professional standards. Designated registered nurse prescribing is based on partnership, with nurse prescribers practising in collaboration with authorised health practitioners under active prescribing agreements. That collaborative approach…
date: 2026-02-04T18:55:00+00:00

Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
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description: At the last election, we made a clear commitment to the Australian people not only to strengthen Medicare but to ensure that, after almost a decade of cuts and chaos from those opposite,...
encoded: At the last election, we made a clear commitment to the Australian people not only to strengthen Medicare but to ensure that, after almost a decade of cuts and chaos from those opposite, Australia would have a healthcare system that's accessible and responsive and truly works for the people who rely on it. At the heart of that system is our health workforce, the frontline workers who dedicate their lives to caring for us, our families and our communities when people need them the most. They are the backbone of our healthcare system, and the strength of Medicare depends on our ability to support and enable them to deliver the best possible care. Whilst the Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025 directly affects the work of registered nurses, it is fundamentally about everyday Australians—people who find themselves unwell, caring for a loved one or trying to navigate a system that often feels complex, slow and difficult precisely at the moment when they need support the most. This legislation is about making our health system work fairer and better where we need it to work. It is about ensuring people can access safe, affordable medicines without unnecessary delay, and it is about empowering our health workforce to work to its full potential so patients receive timely, high-quality care. The Albanese Labor government also made a clear commitment to prioritise scope-of-practice reforms for health professionals. We did so because we know our health system is under pressure, with growing demand, workforce shortages and communities rightly calling for care to be more flexible, more efficient and more centred on their needs. This bill delivers on that commitment. It is practical, sensible reform that strengthens Medicare by modernising how care is delivered and ensuring highly trained health professionals are able to contribute fully within their scope of practice. It recognises that the challenges facing our health system cannot be…
date: 2026-02-04T18:55:00+00:00

Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
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description: On behalf of my family and my community of Maribyrnong, I rise to contribute and share, as others have done, my deepest sympathies and sadness. On the early evening of Sunday 14 December, I was...
encoded: On behalf of my family and my community of Maribyrnong, I rise to contribute and share, as others have done, my deepest sympathies and sadness. On the early evening of Sunday 14 December, I was at home with my two girls, Gweny and Margot. I was introducing them to one of my favourite movies, The Sound of Music. It was an ordinary, gentle Sunday summer evening. And then the news broke. As the details became clear about what was unfolding at Bondi, that iconic, much-loved place, like all of us I was shocked, devastated and reeling. People who had been at the beach, celebrating their faith, gathered with friends and family, were suddenly confronted by bullets, by indiscriminate violence and by hatred directed at them because of who they were—because they were Jewish. This abhorrent act of violent antisemitic terrorism is the very antithesis of who we are as a nation, and yet it happened. But, even in the darkest moments, we also saw the very best of Australia. We saw the extraordinary bravery. We saw compassion. We saw people run towards danger to help strangers. To the first responders, to the active bystanders, to Ahmed al-Ahmed—whose courageous act in disarming one of the attackers saved countless lives—and to every person who helped, comforted, shielded others, stayed and cared for the injured: thank you. There was an outpouring of solidarity right across our country for the victims and their families and for all Jewish Australians, who, in the wake of this attack, continue to carry the weight and fear of rising antisemitism. These acts of courage and kindness speak directly to who we are. They remind us of the Australia we strive to be. The following Saturday, my family and I travelled to Sydney to attend the funeral of my husband's grandmother, who had passed away the same day as the attack. After the funeral, Ravi and I felt it was important to go to Bondi to pay our respects, to stand with others and to acknowledge the horror of what had occurred. It was a deep…
date: 2026-01-19T15:43:00+00:00

Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
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description: Maribyrnong is known for many things—iconic sporting venues, historic shopping strips and long-established suburbs that have helped shape Melbourne's identity for well over a century. With...
encoded: Maribyrnong is known for many things—iconic sporting venues, historic shopping strips and long-established suburbs that have helped shape Melbourne's identity for well over a century. With such strong foundations, it's no surprise that our electorate is also home to many of Melbourne's most popular pubs and hospitality venues. In suburbs across Maribyrnong the local pub isn't just somewhere to grab a drink; it's the beating heart of the neighbourhood. It's where people come together, celebrate wins big and small, decompress after long days, share laughter and look after one another. That's why these bills, the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 and the Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, which put a simple, sensible two-year pause on draught beer excise indexation, are so welcome. This keeps the tax on the keg steady and stops the price of a pint from creeping up when people are already struggling with cost of living everywhere else. And, importantly, it backs in the pubs, clubs, brewers and hospitality workers that are such a big part of life in my electorate. This is a measure people can genuinely feel in their weekly routines, in the budgets of local families and in the life of their sports clubs and community groups, who rely on their local venues as meeting places and social hubs. Let me paint a picture. If you're in Essendon on a Friday arvo you'll see locals piling into the Linc or the Royal after work. In Ascot Vale you've got punters catching up at the Union or the recently re-opened Laurel. In Kensington the Melbourne Cup crowd may be long gone for the year but the Doutta Galla Hotel is still buzzing and full of character. Up in Gladstone Park the family run Gladstone Park Hotel remains the go-to spot for birthdays, knock-offs, community raffles—you name it. These aren't just iconic local pubs; they're community gathering places that double as dining rooms, meeting spaces, live music venues, sports hubs and unofficial community…
date: 2025-11-27T11:25:00+00:00

Mental Health Month | Statements on Significant Matters | House debates
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description: October was Mental Health Month—a time to remind ourselves that mental health touches every part of our lives. It's a part of every family, friendship and community. This year's theme,...
encoded: October was Mental Health Month—a time to remind ourselves that mental health touches every part of our lives. It's a part of every family, friendship and community. This year's theme, Taking Steps on Your Wellbeing Journey, is such an important reminder that mental health isn't about one big moment. It's about the small steps we take, the conversations we start, the habits we build and the support we reach out for along the way. Those steps look different to different people. For some, it's finally talking to a mate. For others, it's showing up at a men's shed, calling for help from Lifeline or accessing services like headspace. Every step counts and every step forward deserves to be recognised. We all know someone who has struggled—a friend, a colleague, a neighbour or perhaps even ourselves. For too long, mental health has been seriously stigmatised. The reality is that mental health is health. It deserves the same care, attention and compassion we give to every other part of our wellbeing. Mental Health Month is about starting conversations. More importantly, it's about continuing them. It's about building communities where people feel supported all year round—where taking the first step, or the next one, is seen as an act of strength. Recently I visited two fantastic men's sheds in my community, at Strathmore and Moonee Ponds. They are two remarkable groups that are supporting men's mental health. Men's sheds are more than workshops. They are places of belonging where conversations happen naturally over the workbench, and friendships are formed with shared purpose. For too many men, especially older men, loneliness can creep in silently. Work ends, routines change, loved ones are lost and suddenly the days get quieter. Social isolation is a major risk factor for poor mental health, and men's sheds tackle that head-on. They offer connection, purpose and mateship, often in ways that feel natural and safe. I'm proud that the Albanese Labor government continues to …
date: 2025-11-26T12:53:00+00:00

Housing Australia Future Fund | Questions without Notice | House debates
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description: My question is to the Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Cities. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering more homes for more Australians, and are there any risks to the government's work?
encoded: My question is to the Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Cities. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering more homes for more Australians, and are there any risks to the government's work?
date: 2025-11-25T14:52:00+00:00

Maribyrnong Electorate: Health Care | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: Only weeks ago and with almost no notice, community health provider cohealth announced it would close its general practice services, including in Kensington in my community. This decision came...
encoded: Only weeks ago and with almost no notice, community health provider cohealth announced it would close its general practice services, including in Kensington in my community. This decision came with no consultation, with little transparency and with little regard for the impact on patients, staff and the broader community. From that moment, my office, alongside residents, acted quickly and with purpose. My simple focus was unwavering: standing up for the Kensington community and ensuring no-one was left without the health care that they depend on. When cohealth first announced the closures, residents were understandably shocked and distressed. This is a service the community helped build. It is a service they are fiercely protective of, and they made it clear that they would fight for it. I brought their concern straight here to Canberra and I made it clear that our community deserved better than a shutdown, and we won. This didn't happen by accident. It happened because the community refused to be silent. Residents organised, healthcare workers and unions stood up, and together we were a voice that could not be ignored by cohealth. As a result of that advocacy, the Albanese Labor government has stepped in with funding to keep the GP services operating until next year. We've also secured an independent review—something that I pushed for from day one—to deliver transparency, accountability and, importantly, the long-term delivery of GP services for this area. The work is not done, but I'll keep standing up with locals, holding cohealth to account and pushing to secure sustainable primary health care in Kensington.
date: 2025-11-25T13:41:00+00:00

Maribyrnong Electorate: Disaster and Emergency Management | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: For too long, residents in Kensington Banks and along the lower Maribyrnong River have lived with the stress and uncertainty caused by increasingly severe flooding and the absence of a clear...
encoded: For too long, residents in Kensington Banks and along the lower Maribyrnong River have lived with the stress and uncertainty caused by increasingly severe flooding and the absence of a clear long-term plan for mitigation. Since entering this parliament I've made it my priority to bring my community's voice into this chamber, because locals in Kensington and Ascot Vale deserve action, not excuses, on flood preparedness and public safety. That uncertainty has also affected the value and insurability of homes, leaving Kensington Banks residents carrying the burden of not knowing whether their properties would remain protected or financially secure into the future. That's why I'm pleased to report that, following a strong and sustained advocacy from me and my community, the Albanese Labor government has committed more than $700,000 to progress the lower Maribyrnong flood mitigation study, with matched contributions from the Victorian government and local councils. This is more than a technical exercise. It's the foundation of a transparent, evidence based plan to protect lives, homes and neighbourhoods. This study will assess infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions, setting out the potential long-term protections we may need as severe weather events become more frequent. This progress is also a testament to the persistence of the Kensington community, who have long called for accountability and focus. I've ensured their voices have been heard throughout this process. There is still a long way to go, but the message to my community is clear. Your voice is being heard, and this government is acting. I will continue to work closely with the residents, agencies and all levels of government to ensure that this next phase achieves meaningful results. (Time expired)
date: 2025-11-24T16:04:00+00:00

Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
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description: Straight to the pool room—that's right! These stories, from the playrooms to the prison yards and from the outback to the suburban backyard, are not small. They are Australia on full...
encoded: Straight to the pool room—that's right! These stories, from the playrooms to the prison yards and from the outback to the suburban backyard, are not small. They are Australia on full display: unpolished, heartfelt, hilarious and brave. They remind us why this legislation matters, because the world wants more of us. When we back Australian storytellers, we're funding not just art but identity, community and pride, the things that turn our country into a culture. This bill delivers a key commitment from our national cultural policy, Revive. Revive is our road map for rebuilding and empowering Australian culture, because creativity isn't a side project; it's part of our national identity. It's about putting Australian stories front and centre again. It's about saying our voices matter just as much as the big Hollywood blockbusters, and it's about ensuring that our screen industry, one of the most dynamic and creative in the world, continues to grow, thrive and inspire. This bill puts us back in charge of our cultural future. For decades, our free-to-air broadcasters have carried the Aussie flag, meeting content quotas and giving us generations of icons: the foxy ladies from Fountain Gate, the loveable chaos of the Proudmans and those unforgettable neighbours on Ramsay Street. Then streaming came along—shiny, global, irresistible—and our proud Aussie rules of storytelling didn't follow. Suddenly, Australians were watching more than ever, yet less of it was being made at home. This is exactly what this bill fixes. We're telling the streaming giants, 'If you're operating in Australia and cashing in on the Australian audiences, then it's your turn to create the next Aussie classic.' Fair's fair. This is about a level playing field. The same expectations that built our local screen legends should now apply to the platforms dominating every screen on every device. Australia's screen industry is nothing short of extraordinary. We have actors, writers, directors and technician…
date: 2025-11-24T16:43:00+00:00

Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
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description: What an exciting day for Australian storytelling. Today, we're talking about something Australians do better than anyone else—telling our own stories in our own voices and on our own...
encoded: What an exciting day for Australian storytelling. Today, we're talking about something Australians do better than anyone else—telling our own stories in our own voices and on our own screens. The Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill 2025 is about celebrating who we are, what we value and how we see ourselves in the world. In 2025, we're not just watching television anymore; we're streaming on our phones, tablets, laptops and smart TVs. The way we watch has changed, but one thing hasn't: Australians still want to see Australian stories—stories that sound like us, look like us, make us laugh, make us think and make us proud. That's exactly what this bill does. It guarantees that, no matter what screen you watch, there will always be a place for Australian stories. Under this bill, streaming services with more than a million Australian subscribers, like the big players of Netflix, Disney, Prime and others, will be required to invest at least 10 per cent of their total program spend, or 7.5 per cent of their revenue, into Australian stories—dramas, children's programs, documentaries, arts and educational content. This is about more homegrown productions that capture our humour, our heart, our contradictions and our community spirit. This is about more jobs for Australian crews, writers, actors, editors, camera operators and designers, and it means audiences everywhere, from Essendon to Alice Springs, can continue to see Australia on screen. Our stories are important. When we see ourselves on screen, we understand each other better. We see the beauty and chaos of our country reflected back, and that creates connection. Let's be honest. Australian content isn't just about entertainment; it's identity. It's how we see ourselves, how we laugh at ourselves and how we introduce ourselves to the world. Take Blueyit's not just a show for kids; it's a love letter to modern Australian life…
date: 2025-11-24T16:43:00+00:00

Maribyrnong Electorate | Constituency Statements | House debates
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description: I'd like to begin by recognising two fantastic constituents of mine, Tommy and his neighbour Mark, who are making a real difference for stroke in childhood. Tommy's stroke journey began at just...
encoded: I'd like to begin by recognising two fantastic constituents of mine, Tommy and his neighbour Mark, who are making a real difference for stroke in childhood. Tommy's stroke journey began at just 12 years old, when he experienced a stroke. From that experience, he set himself an ambitious target, an ambitious goal, looking to reach the four points of Australia to raise funds and awareness for childhood stroke survivors and to support research into stroke onset, an area that has long been understudied. Completing the journey in stages, and finishing in 2023, Tommy overcame enormous challenges along the way, including pandemic disruptions and a serious accident when he was hit by a car, breaking his pelvis. With running now limited, cycling has become the focus of his future endeavours, including a smaller ride—'3 Points/Taking on Tassie'. Together, these efforts have raised $155,000 for the Stroke Foundation. Looking ahead, the upcoming ride, Howlong to Canberra, aims to coincide with Childhood Stroke Awareness Week, connecting directly with politicians and stakeholders to advocate for the 85 per cent of childhood stroke survivors living with lifelong impacts. Stories like Tommy's are a reminder of the resilience and determination that exists in our community, qualities that are equally evident in our young people. And in that spirit, I want to congratulate all our year 12 students across Maribyrnong, who are fast approaching the end of their 13 years of hard work and dedication. Finishing school is a major achievement, reflecting the perseverance, commitment and effort that these students have shown over the years. I'd also like to acknowledge their parents, guardians and families whose support has been essential in helping students reach this point. Your guidance, encouragement and care have made all the difference. As students prepare for their final exams, I wish them every success. These exams are an important step, but they are not the final destination. They are…
date: 2025-11-04T16:20:00+00:00

g105.1
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title: 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
description: That may very well be in my speech, Deputy Speaker. Every day in Maribyrnong, you can see what's worth fighting for: the river, winding through our suburbs; the creeks, alive with birdlife; and...
encoded: That may very well be in my speech, Deputy Speaker. Every day in Maribyrnong, you can see what's worth fighting for: the river, winding through our suburbs; the creeks, alive with birdlife; and the volunteers who spend their weekends planting trees and restoring country. That's what this reform is about—protecting the places we love while building a stronger, cleaner, fairer future. This legislation is a turning point for our environment, for our economy and for the kind of Australia we want to build. This reform is about more than paperwork and process; it's about whether our kids will still hear the birdsong in our suburbs, still swim in the clean rivers and still walk through forests that haven't been lost to short-term thinking. The Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 is our chance to get it right—to build a system that protects nature, supports jobs and drives the clean energy future we owe to the next generation. Together with the National Environmental Protection Agency Bill 2025, the Environment Information Australia Bill 2025 and the restoration and charges bills, this is the most ambitious environmental reform in decades—a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset, which puts protection and progress on the same page, because that's what Labor does. We don't sit on the sidelines, we don't wait for perfection and we don't just talk about change; we make it happen. We're the party that saved the Franklin, protected the Daintree, expanded Kakadu and created the world's largest network of marine parks. We're the party that acted on climate when others said it could wait. And we're doing it again—rebuilding Australia's environmental laws to deliver real protection, real jobs and real accountability, not for hashtags or headlines but because it's the right thing to do—because our country deserves better. The truth is our existing environmental laws are broken. The independent Samuel review, commissioned in 2020, found what communities, conservationists and in…
date: 2025-11-04T18:20:00+00:00

Early Childhood Education | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: In December the second instalment of Labor's historic 15 per cent pay rise for early childhood educators will land, with the final five per cent boost arriving just in time for Christmas. This is...
encoded: In December the second instalment of Labor's historic 15 per cent pay rise for early childhood educators will land, with the final five per cent boost arriving just in time for Christmas. This is a proud moment for the Albanese Labor government and an even prouder moment for the thousands of educators, overwhelmingly women, who have given so much for their sector. We know that a properly paid and respected workforce is the foundation for safe, high-quality early education and care. When we value educators properly, with fair pay and secure work, we keep skilled, passionate professionals in the sector, and that stability means better outcomes for children and families right across Australia. I want to pay tribute to the incredible delegates and members of the United Workers Union, who have fought hard for this. They stood up, organised and never gave up, because they believe in the work they do, which deserves respect and recognition. This win belongs to them. In recent months I've had the privilege of visiting Goodstart Early Learning centres in Moonee Ponds and Brunswick West. I've seen firsthand the dedication of educators helping children to learn and grow and build confidence every day. These are the people shaping our next generation. They deserve a government on their side, and that's exactly what they have. Through Labor's reforms, including our landmark three-day guarantee, we're making early childhood education and care more affordable, accessible and fair. When we invest in our educators, we invest in our children, our families and our future.
date: 2025-11-04T13:40:00+00:00

Albanese Government | Private Members' Business | House debates
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description: Today does mark six months since the re-election of the Albanese Labor government—six months of action, six months of delivery, six months of putting Australians first. And let me tell you,...
encoded: Today does mark six months since the re-election of the Albanese Labor government—six months of action, six months of delivery, six months of putting Australians first. And let me tell you, we have not wasted a single second. From day one, we promised results, not rhetoric. We said the first law we'd pass in this parliament would be to cut student debt by 20 per cent, and we did. Over three million Australians now save an average of $5,500. That's real money in people's pockets. That's a nurse being able to save for a first home. That's a young professional finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. That's Labor getting on with the job, while the coalition hangs by a thread. We know life is still tough for many Australians. Families are juggling household bills, parents are working long hours, young people are worried about their future. That's why Labor is acting where it matters most. We've made medicines cheaper, boosted the minimum wage, protected penalty rates and expanded paid parental leave. This is about fairness. This is about dignity. This is about giving Australians the security that they deserve. Health care is no different. Every Australian should be able to see their doctor when they need to, without worrying about the cost. That's why we've made the single largest investment into Medicare in its history. We are opening 50 new urgent care clinics on top of the 87 that are already servicing our communities. Families can take their kids to see a doctor when they need it and they can get the care that they need quickly without having to seek help in an ED. Mental health is also no longer an afterthought. We're opening 31 new and upgraded Medicare mental health centres, expanding Headspace services and training more professionals to meet demand. And, in Maribyrnong, young people will soon have access to a Headspace service in Moonee Valley—a place to be heard, a place to get support and a place to know they're not alone. For younger Australians dre…
date: 2025-11-03T19:13:00+00:00

World Teachers Day | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: Last week we celebrated World Teachers Day, a moment to recognise the people who give so much to our communities. I recognise the teachers of my two daughters, Gwenevieve and Margot, who are in...
encoded: Last week we celebrated World Teachers Day, a moment to recognise the people who give so much to our communities. I recognise the teachers of my two daughters, Gwenevieve and Margot, who are in the gallery today. Since being elected in May, I've had the privilege of visiting schools right across Maribyrnong, visiting principals, teachers and support staff, who go above and beyond every day. What stands out in every school is the genuine care that they have for their students. Whether it's finding new ways to engage a class, staying late to plan lessons or supporting a child who's struggling, teachers never stop giving. They do it because they care deeply about their students, their families and their communities. We also know that dedication isn't enough on its own. Teachers deserve the right support, the right resources and the right opportunities to do their best work in the classroom every day. That's why the Albanese Labor government is putting every public school in Australia on a path to full and fair funding through our 10-year Better and Fairer Schools Agreement. We're lifting the Commonwealth's contribution to every public school so they have the resources they need not just to keep up but to get ahead and to give every child the opportunity to succeed. This $407.5 million investment over the next four years, and more than $7.2 billion over the next decade, is tied to practical, evidence based reforms that will deliver for our schools and, most importantly, for our wonderful students.
date: 2025-11-03T16:31:00+00:00

International Relations | Questions without Notice | House debates
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description: My question is to the Prime Minister. How have the Prime Minister's recent international meetings advanced Australia's national interest? And why is it important for Australian jobs, trade and...
encoded: My question is to the Prime Minister. How have the Prime Minister's recent international meetings advanced Australia's national interest? And why is it important for Australian jobs, trade and industry at home?
date: 2025-11-03T14:08:00+00:00

Aged Care | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: How we look after each other says everything we are as a nation. This weekend marks not only the largest investment in Medicare in its history; 1 November kicks off another key milestone in our...
encoded: How we look after each other says everything we are as a nation. This weekend marks not only the largest investment in Medicare in its history; 1 November kicks off another key milestone in our government's historic and landmark aged-care reforms. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and pay tribute to those who show up every day to support and care for our older Australians, our aged-care workers. Yesterday I had the great privilege of meeting with some incredible aged-care workers and delegates of their union, United Workers Union. Lobang, Ainura, Maddy, Rosemary and Liz spoke of their dedication to the residents that they care for. To that dedication is their staunch advocacy for their profession, having the time to care and resources they need to do their job well, and I congratulate them for their advocacy. It is with immense pride that I can continue to advocate for them in this role, for the aged-care workers across my electorate and, importantly, of course, for those who rely on them, their care and their work, so that they can age with dignity and respect. Whether it's delivering greater access to bulk-billing GPs, delivering cheaper medicines, our investment in mental health, our world-leading social media reforms, protecting the mental wellbeing of our young people or investing in the incredible people who look after and care for our older Australians, this government is proudly demonstrating our commitment to the care and wellbeing of our nation.
date: 2025-10-30T13:46:00+00:00