Emma Comer'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: Cybersafety | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
items: Albanese Government | Adjournment | House debates
items: Queensland: Storms | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Albanese Government | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games | Private Members' Business | House debates
items: Repeal Net Zero Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Medicare | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: g121.1
items: Housing | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union | Private Members' Business | House debates
items: Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Medicare | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Raise Our Voice Australia | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Petrie Electorate: Volunteering | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Timber industry | Private Members' Business | House debates

Cybersafety | Questions without Notice | House debates
type: item
description: My question is to the Minister for Communications. What has been the impact of the Albanese Labor government's social media age restrictions so far, and how is this policy helping to protect...
encoded: My question is to the Minister for Communications. What has been the impact of the Albanese Labor government's social media age restrictions so far, and how is this policy helping to protect young Australians from the harm of social media?
date: 2026-02-03T15:06:00+00:00

Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
type: item
description: On 14 December 2025, 15 innocent people were murdered at Bondi Beach in an act of unspeakable violence. They were children, daughters, sons, parents, grandparents, friends, neighbours and...
encoded: On 14 December 2025, 15 innocent people were murdered at Bondi Beach in an act of unspeakable violence. They were children, daughters, sons, parents, grandparents, friends, neighbours and community leaders. I want to tender my heartfelt condolences to their families and loved ones, whose grief is beyond words. This was not a random act of violence. It was an act of terrorism deliberately targeting Jewish Australians as they gathered to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, the festival of light, and their faith. An occasion meant for joy, reflection and togetherness was shattered by hatred. We must be absolutely clear: antisemitism has no place in Australia. It is an evil that threatens the safety and dignity of our fellow Australians. This motion unequivocally condemns antisemitism, and I am proud to support it, but condemnation alone is not enough. Words must be matched with action. The Jewish community cannot face antisemitism alone. It is a problem every Australian needs to address, and it demands a strong response. In the midst of this despicable tragedy, there were also moments of extraordinary courage. We honour the police officers who ran towards danger, the lifeguards and first responders who acted with composure under unimaginable pressure and the healthcare workers who worked tirelessly to save lives. Their professionalism, skill and dedication embody the very best of public service. Because of them, lives were saved and families were spared even greater suffering. We also honour the heroes of Bondi, ordinary people who in an extraordinary moment chose courage over fear and compassion over self-preservation. These were not people trained for crisis or prepared for violence. They were everyday Australians who, when confronted with unimaginable danger, acted to protect others. Some ran towards those in need, offering first aid, comfort and shelter. Others placed themselves between the attacker and strangers they had never met. In the chaos and terror of th…
date: 2026-01-19T19:45:00+00:00

Albanese Government | Adjournment | House debates
type: item
description: The Labor government is delivering real change for Australians—not abstract promises, not slogans but concrete action that is actually directly improving the lives of locals in my...
encoded: The Labor government is delivering real change for Australians—not abstract promises, not slogans but concrete action that is actually directly improving the lives of locals in my community. For too long, young Australians have felt that the system has been stacked against them. They study hard, they do everything that's asked of them, yet they finish their degrees and walk straight into a lifetime of debt. That is why the Albanese Labor government introduced a major change that will make a significant difference. We are reducing student debt by 20 per cent. This is one of the most meaningful investments in young Australians in a generation. It is practical cost-of-living relief. It is acknowledgement that education should open doors, not close them. Very soon more than 22,000 locals in Petrie will be getting 20 per cent taken off of their student debt—no applications, no forms. You don't need to do anything. This is a one-off reduction that will be applied automatically by the Australian Taxation Office, and when the deduction is applied you'll get a text from the ATO letting you know. Labor promised to cut student debt, and now the Albanese Labor government is delivering. This is a game changer for more than three million Australians with a student debt. Labor believes in education. We believe it builds opportunity, equality and prosperity. Our 20 per cent reduction means that thousands of Australians will finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. It means that teachers, nurses, tradies, social workers and community workers will all be able to move forward in their lives without the growing financial burdens holding them back. At the same time, we are strengthening our commitment to protecting the Australian environment. Our country is home to some of the most unique ecosystems on the planet. But we have watched biodiversity decline, native species disappear, habitat destruction accelerate, and the ferocity of storms increase. This is why we are proud to be …
date: 2025-11-27T11:26:00+00:00

Queensland: Storms | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: I welcome the press gallery for joining me to hear about the Queensland storms. South East Queensland has once again been battered by severe storms, with destructive winds, heavy rain, hail the...
encoded: I welcome the press gallery for joining me to hear about the Queensland storms. South East Queensland has once again been battered by severe storms, with destructive winds, heavy rain, hail the size of cricket balls and widespread damage across our communities. In my electorate, families in Brisbane and Moreton Bay endured another intense night of wild weather. Thousands of homes and businesses remain without power, with some facing days of delays due to the scale of the damage. Local businesses have suffered enormous losses. Families are throwing out entire fridges and freezers of food, and schools and small businesses are being forced to close their doors. Disabled residents have been stuck in multistorey buildings without power. I know how stressful and exhausting this can be. I know many families are scared, frustrated and unsure when things will return to normal. Please take care around the damaged power lines, bridges, buildings and trees. My electorate office in the Deception Bay community hall is open for anyone who needs to charge their devices and access information. Assessments are being undertaken by the Queensland government to determine what payments locals who have been effected can apply for. We are supporting the Queensland government with the cost of providing relief and recovery assistance to communities through the jointly funded disaster recovery funding. Crews are working around the clock to restore power, reconnect communications services and clear debris. We will continue to back every affected household and business for as long as it takes. Queenslanders have always stood together through tough times and we will do so again. Stay safe everyone and merry Christmas.
date: 2025-11-27T13:42:00+00:00

Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: Every Australian who puts on a uniform of our nation makes a promise—a promise to serve, to protect and to sacrifice. In return, our nation makes a promise to them that their service will...
encoded: Every Australian who puts on a uniform of our nation makes a promise—a promise to serve, to protect and to sacrifice. In return, our nation makes a promise to them that their service will be honoured, their family supported and their wellbeing safeguarded for life. This promise is a responsibility this government takes with unwavering commitment. For too long, too many veterans and their families have been left struggling within a system that was meant to support them, a system that was complicated, confusing and slow and that too often added to their distress instead of easing it. We have heard their stories, we have listened to their frustrations and we have acted. Today, we are continuing that work. We continue this significant reform to how our nation supports veterans, reform that puts veterans and their families back at the centre of the system built for them. The Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Bill 2025 continues the Albanese Labor government's response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. It demonstrates, once again, our government's deep and enduring commitment to implementing a better and simpler veterans' entitlement system, one that ensures veterans and their families can access the support they need and deserve faster. For too long, the complexity of the veterans' entitlement system has been a source of frustration, confusion and delay for veterans and their loved ones. The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide interim report found that this complexity has been a contributing factor to distress and suicidality among our veteran community. That finding is heartbreaking, but it's also a call to action. When a person puts on the uniform of our nation, we make them a promise that their country will stand by them. That includes making the system designed to help them simple to navigate. That's why, in February this year, the Albanese Labor government passed the VETS Act. The VETS Act re…
date: 2025-11-26T12:14:00+00:00

Albanese Government | Questions without Notice | House debates
type: item
description: My question is to the Prime Minister. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering on its commitments to improve the lives of Australians?
encoded: My question is to the Prime Minister. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering on its commitments to improve the lives of Australians?
date: 2025-11-25T15:12:00+00:00

Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games | Private Members' Business | House debates
type: item
description: The countdown to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is well and truly underway. What we do between now and then will shape not only the success of the games themselves but the legacy...
encoded: The countdown to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is well and truly underway. What we do between now and then will shape not only the success of the games themselves but the legacy we leave for generations of Queenslanders. I'm proud to say that the Albanese government is meeting this moment with ambition, partnership and responsibility. We are delivering the largest contribution towards sporting infrastructure in Australian history. This once-in-a-generation investment is designed to ensure the Brisbane 2032 Games are world class, community focused and built to stand the test of time. Just like the Matildas, we're not going to stop 'til it's done. Our capped $3.4 billion commitment to the Games Venue Infrastructure Program has now been formally agreed with the Queensland government. Under our agreement, the Commonwealth and Queensland governments will work together to deliver 17 new or upgraded venues plus the construction for a new stadium. These projects stretch from Cairns in the Far North, through regional Queensland, right down to the Gold Coast. This will be a truly statewide Games with statewide benefits. Our joint funding will deliver the National Aquatic Centre, an expanded Queensland Tennis Centre, a new Toowoomba Equestrian Centre and a dedicated para sport centre in Chandler. We are supporting indoor sports centres in Logan and Moreton Bay, upgrades to the Sunshine Coast Stadium and major improvements to Barlow Park in Cairns. Thanks to our investment, procurement of these projects can now get under way, giving local industry certainty and creating jobs. Of course, this builds on the work we've already done, including our investments in the Redland Whitewater Centre, the Brisbane International Shooting Centre and the world-class Anna Meares Velodrome. These aren't just Olympic venues. These are community assets—places where kids can learn to swim, where clubs can train, where families can gather and where future champions will take their f…
date: 2025-11-24T12:16:00+00:00

Repeal Net Zero Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: It has now been endorsed by the members for Goldstein, Moncrieff and Berowra. It has been backed by Senators Hume, Kovacic and Bragg, which is confusing, seeing as Senator Bragg threatened to...
encoded: It has now been endorsed by the members for Goldstein, Moncrieff and Berowra. It has been backed by Senators Hume, Kovacic and Bragg, which is confusing, seeing as Senator Bragg threatened to quit the front bench if the Liberals dumped net zero. Does this mean there's a vacancy in the shadow cabinet? Is the member for Canning eyeing it off? The party that introduced net zero targets when last in government have now dumped them—but then stated they support the Paris Agreement—and the former cancels out the latter; it simply doesn't make sense. From the number of backflips on policy we witnessed during the election campaign and continue to see now, you'd think they're eyeing off the green and gold jerseys of the Australian Olympic gymnastics team! The party that once claimed the legacy of Menzies has now proudly transformed itself into the party of Barnaby Joyce. The coalition are opposed to net zero emissions, but they are committed to winning net zero seats. While they're busy trying to reinvent themselves—or, rather, regress themselves—here are the facts. The Albanese government is delivering a responsible, sensible and effective energy plan. We have delivered three rounds of targeted power bill relief, we capped gas prices when it mattered and we have invested heavily in cheap, clean renewable energy, and those opposite voted against every one of those measures. Every time we backed Australians, those opposite backed higher bills. And what happened when we took action? Wholesale electricity prices fell by a third in the last quarter, not by accident and not by chance but by this government acting when the opposition refused to. We want wholesale price drops to flow through to retail bills as fast as possible, and the experts warn that delays would do the opposite. The Australian Energy Market Commission reported that delaying renewable generation and transmission would put upward pressure on electricity bills. If you delay, you pay, and delay is exactly what the c…
date: 2025-11-24T10:28:00+00:00

Repeal Net Zero Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I begin by offering my congratulations to the member for New England because something remarkable has happened. Every single part of the bill he has dumped before this parliament, the Repeal Net...
encoded: I begin by offering my congratulations to the member for New England because something remarkable has happened. Every single part of the bill he has dumped before this parliament, the Repeal Net Zero Bill, is now official coalition policy. Every line, every sentence and every bold claim have all now been adopted by those opposite, which is truly remarkable, seeing as everyone opposite, except the member for New England, voted against debating on this private member's bill. Even the member for New England's seconder didn't want to have this debate.
date: 2025-11-24T10:28:00+00:00

Medicare | Constituency Statements | House debates
type: item
description: Regardless of your income, your postcode or your circumstances, you should be able to see a doctor when you need it. Labor is making this a reality with the largest-ever investment into Medicare....
encoded: Regardless of your income, your postcode or your circumstances, you should be able to see a doctor when you need it. Labor is making this a reality with the largest-ever investment into Medicare. When we came to government, Australians were facing the toughest health system pressures in decades. Too many families were being forced to choose between paying for groceries and paying to see a doctor. Our latest and largest Medicare investment is supporting doctors in the community to treat their patients for free. The Deception Bay doctors are the latest to become fully bulk-billed. They join many other 100 per cent bulk-billed practices in my community—Our Medical Home North Lakes, Woody Point Medical Centre, Clontarf Bridge Medical Centre, Best Health Medical Centre, Medical Zone Family Practice, Griffin Medical Centre and Deception Bay Family Medical Centre. These wonderful clinics are dedicated to providing affordable health care for their patients. But I know we need more. Our government is committed to making nine out of 10 GP visits bulk-billed by 2030. Our Medicare urgent care clinics are taking the pressure off hospitals and emergency departments. The clinic at Murrumba Downs has just reached 26,000 visits. Each one of those visits was 100 per cent free. We are also delivering on mental health, with 50 Medicare mental health facilities now open across the country. The Redcliffe Medicare Mental Health Centre is officially open and delivering locals free, confidential, walk-in mental health support. The Staying Deadly headspace will be opening its doors December this year. This will be the first headspace service in Australia designed by First Nations people for First Nations people, their families and their friends. Operated by the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health, the centre will offer culturally appropriate, community led support. I thank the assistant minister, Emma McBride, for her work on getting this essential facility into my community. Medicare is o…
date: 2025-11-06T11:09:00+00:00

Medicare | Constituency Statements | House debates
type: item
description: Deputy Speaker, I acknowledge your great work on the Speaker's panel so far.
encoded: Deputy Speaker, I acknowledge your great work on the Speaker's panel so far.
date: 2025-11-06T11:09:00+00:00

VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I'm proud to speak in strong support of the VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025. This bill goes to the heart of something that Labor believes in: building the skilled workforce...
encoded: I'm proud to speak in strong support of the VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025. This bill goes to the heart of something that Labor believes in: building the skilled workforce Australia needs now and into the future. The VET Student Loans program makes vocational education and training more accessible to Australians by providing opportunities for students to undertake a VET course and defer their tuition fees through an income-contingent loan. It's a system that gives Australians from all walks of life a chance to gain qualifications in high-demand fields, from engineering and project management to occupational trades like plumbing, carpentry and electrical work. This bill ensures the system remains fair, transparent and secure. Under the current law, students applying for a VET student loan must provide their tax file number. This is essential because, like university HECS style loans, repayments are made through the Australian tax system. The tax file number ensures that the student's loan details align with Australian Taxation Office records. However, due to a recent review of how VET student loans are administrated, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations identified a legislative grey area: the VET Student Loans Act 2016 did not explicitly authorise providers to handle tax file numbers, even though this has been a practical necessity since the beginning of this program. The department also identified that improvements could be made to better align legislation, IT systems and privacy safeguards. We have acted to fix that. Since early 2025, updates have been made to the department's IT systems. These updates now mask students' tax file numbers and automate the secure transfer of data between student interface and government systems. This means VSL providers no longer need to directly handle tax file numbers at all. The bill before the House today therefore does two things. It retrospectively authorises VSL providers' past handling of…
date: 2025-11-05T12:55:00+00:00

g121.1
type: item
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: Australia's biodiversity is one of the richest and most extraordinary on Earth. From our ancient rainforests and our vast deserts to our coastal wetlands and coral reefs, we are home to species...
encoded: Australia's biodiversity is one of the richest and most extraordinary on Earth. From our ancient rainforests and our vast deserts to our coastal wetlands and coral reefs, we are home to species and ecosystems found nowhere else. This diversity is not just a source of national pride but also the foundation of our national strength. Healthy ecosystems support our economy, our communities and our way of life. They filter our air and water and protect our coastlines from erosion. They provide the natural resources and services that sustain agriculture, tourism and industry, and, for many of us, keep a steady flow of water from our taps, whenever we need it—something that's often taken for granted. Without birds, and bees and insects transferring pollen from one plant to another, our crops would fail. Without wetlands filtering and storing water, our rivers would run dry. Without our riparian zones, urban and agricultural run-off would pollute our waterways, leading to algal blooms and species loss. Without forests absorbing carbon, our climate would be harsher and more volatile. Without forests, our climate is further dysregulated and our soils are poorer. These ecosystem services are the quiet workhorses of our economy. They save us billions of dollars every year by doing what no technology can fully replicate. Protecting them is not just good environmental policy; it is sound economic policy. We also know the benefit of natural spaces to our mental and physical health. Parks, trails and gardens give people places to connect with nature, to exercise and to find calm. They bring shade and lower the temperatures of our suburbs. They make our cities more liveable and resilient to heat. Our beaches are a quintessential part of our identity as Australians. Ensuring that we can continue to enjoy these spaces is vital. That is why restoring and protecting nature must go hand in hand with building homes and infrastructure for the future. That is the principle at the heart of t…
date: 2025-11-05T17:26:00+00:00

Housing | Questions without Notice | House debates
type: item
description: My question is to the Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Cities. How is the Albanese Labor government supporting first home buyers into their own homes sooner, and...
encoded: My question is to the Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Cities. How is the Albanese Labor government supporting first home buyers into their own homes sooner, and what other approaches to housing is the government being asked to consider?
date: 2025-11-04T15:01:00+00:00

Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union | Private Members' Business | House debates
type: item
description: Let's be absolutely clear. The Albanese Labor government does not tolerate corruption, criminality or violence in any part of the construction industry. Meaningful reform requires collective,...
encoded: Let's be absolutely clear. The Albanese Labor government does not tolerate corruption, criminality or violence in any part of the construction industry. Meaningful reform requires collective, ongoing efforts by all stakeholders. These problems are deeply embedded in the industry and have been decades in the making. They will not be solved overnight. The coalition and its failed and discredited ABCC utterly failed to deal with these problems. In fact, the appalling culture in the construction industry flourished under their watch. Multiple individuals involved in corruption, criminality and violence were allowed to retain their positions and continue their unlawful activities. Now, we are cleaning up the mess. Following multiple referrals from the Albanese Labor government, regulators and law enforcement agencies are now working in a coordinated manner through the joint agency working group to stamp out corruption and violence within the construction industry. These include the AFP, state and territory police forces, the Fair Work Commission's general manager, the Fair Work Ombudsman, ASIC, the ATO and AUSTRAC. We have also taken tangible action to address misconduct within the CFMEU's construction division by placing it under a scheme of administration for up to five years. This administration has achieved more progress in 15 months than the failed ABCC managed in a decade. So far, the administrator has: removed or accepted the resignation of more than 60 staff; developed a national code of conduct and statement of expectations for all staff; made absolutely clear where the union stands on gifts, organised crime and menacing behaviour and the consequences of breaching those standards; and established several inquiries into state branches of the CFMEU. The administrator, respected barrister Mark Irving KC, is undertaking complex and often dangerous work. He regularly acts on credible information received through a confidential whistleblower complaints process which h…
date: 2025-11-03T13:04:00+00:00

Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: The price of a cold beer has been rising, and our pubs and clubs are struggling. Labor always hops at the opportunity to support venues, workers and consumers. Local businesses poured their...
encoded: The price of a cold beer has been rising, and our pubs and clubs are struggling. Labor always hops at the opportunity to support venues, workers and consumers. Local businesses poured their hearts out, and, to help them get ahead, we've introduced a freeze in the draught beer excise. Just like the bubbles in a freshly poured beer, Labor is rising to the occasion. The Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 is not mid strength and frothy; it's full strength, perfect pour. This has been brewing for a while. Many venues are 'barley' surviving—forgive me! Much like the WA emu, we run at great speeds to support our hospitality industry. We give a XXXX about supporting small business. From the great northern Australia to Carlton to the Cascades in the bottom of Tassie, the draught beer excise will support everyone. The bill is 'lager' than life. Constant price hikes leave a 'bitters' taste in the mouth. We're helping with the cost of living whether you buy one beer or Tooheys. If you don't support this bill, you don't have a keg to stand on. But, at the end of the day, beauty is in the eye of the beer holder. Don't feel 'Coopered' up; get out there and support your local business. Quench your thirst with a hard-earned cold beer. In Queensland, the weather is heating up. As the temperatures rise, there is one thing on everyone's mind: a cold beer at the local pub. A beer culture has long been essential to the Australian social life, for catching up with mates, celebrations or a stop on the way home from work. The local pub or club is not just a place for drinking; it's part of our culture. Unfortunately, the price of a cold pint has been rapidly rising in the past years. The Albanese Labor government has introduced legislation to freeze indexation of excise and customs duty on draught beer for two years, a practical step that will deliver real relief for beer drinkers, brewers and local pubs right across Australia. This is a win for small business and supporting v…
date: 2025-11-03T17:56:00+00:00

Medicare | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: Labor built Medicare, and we'll always fight to strengthen it. When you're sick, seeing a doctor shouldn't be a struggle. That's why our government is delivering the single largest investment in...
encoded: Labor built Medicare, and we'll always fight to strengthen it. When you're sick, seeing a doctor shouldn't be a struggle. That's why our government is delivering the single largest investment in Medicare ever, expanding bulk-billing so more Australians can see a GP for free. For the first time, we're boosting payments to practices that bulk-bill every payment, helping deliver 18 million bulk-billed visits each year. From Saturday, locals in Deception Bay will be able to access fully bulk-billed care thanks to the Deception Bay doctors taking up these incentives. I'd like to thank this clinic for its commitment to providing the community with accessible health care. By 2030, nine in 10 GP visits will be bulk-billed. This means affordable and accessible for every Australian, right where they live. We're also delivering on mental health. Fifty new Medicare mental health centres are now open across the country. I spoke to the team at the new Redcliffe centre today, and they are thrilled by how many locals will now be able to access the health care that they need. Finally, I'm delighted to announce the Deception Bay Staying Deadly headspace centre will open in December this year. This will be the first headspace service in Australia designed for First Nations people, their families and their friends. Operated by the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health, this centre will offer culturally appropriate community led support. We're investing in your health, your community and your future so that every Australian can get the care they need when they need it.
date: 2025-10-30T13:49:00+00:00

Raise Our Voice Australia | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: Today I have the pleasure of reading visions of the future from 21-year-old Mia, as part of our Raise Our Voice campaign: As a child, I saw the government making true progress. It was progressive...
encoded: Today I have the pleasure of reading visions of the future from 21-year-old Mia, as part of our Raise Our Voice campaign: As a child, I saw the government making true progress. It was progressive policy, people-focused policy that allowed a kid born into an abusive and uncertain living situation to dream of bigger and better things. I was proud of my country because I knew as a whole, we were progressing towards a greater and brighter future for everyone. However, as I got older, I suppose my rose-tinted glasses were cracked slightly. When I was in high school, particularly in the pandemic period, the progressive policy appeared to falter. Decisions to increase the fees of certain degrees had me questioning my future. Perhaps attending a tertiary institution isn't a key step in breaking generational burdens for everyone- but for me, and many more it is. That is only one example of backwards policy changing my perspective, as a young person, of what my future will look like. Parties making shameful statements about my rights as a women, division over the rights of First Nations people, over the correct way to handle children who have turned to crime. It isn't the progressive Australia that lifted me up as a child. So, to the Government, I put this to you: please do not shy away from progressive policy. Do not go backwards in the ways we have seen our foreign neighbours regress. Australia was built on progress, innovation, and lifting up those who need it most. You never know, there just might be a little kid watching Question Time the way same I used to, dreaming up her future. And trust me. Her perception of her government's progression is everything. It is our future.
date: 2025-10-28T13:41:00+00:00

Petrie Electorate: Volunteering | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: I want to take a moment to recognise the incredible work of the Redcliffe Hospital Auxiliary, which is a group of dedicated volunteers who have been the quiet heroes of our hospital community for...
encoded: I want to take a moment to recognise the incredible work of the Redcliffe Hospital Auxiliary, which is a group of dedicated volunteers who have been the quiet heroes of our hospital community for decades. Last financial year the volunteers clocked up 1,596 volunteer hours at the gift shop, where they sell handmade goods, and almost 2,000 hours in the workroom undertaking various tasks to support the wards. These tireless volunteers have raised over $1 million under the dedicated leadership of President Liz Hancock. These funds go directly towards improving the care of hospital patients. Whether it's fundraising for vital equipment, supporting patients and families or bringing a friendly face to the wards, the auxiliary reminds me that the community spirit is alive and well in my community. Their generosity and hard work make a real, tangible difference in the lives of patients and staff every single day. At the recent Redcliffe Hospital Auxiliary AGM we heard from Kerry and the incredible team at Bright Bags. Bright Bags supports vulnerable children and young people in the Moreton Bay region and surrounds. They link with schools and child safety and foster care services to provide a range of bags filled with essential items and goodies to children in need. The way that Kerry speaks about spoiling these children simply because they deserve to be spoiled and loved is heartwarming. In one year alone Bright Bags delivered almost 4,000 bags to children in need. With Christmas around the corner Bright Bags is on track to deliver the much needed, much loved Christmas bags to even more children. I'm proud to support these incredible organisations.
date: 2025-10-27T16:07:00+00:00

Timber industry | Private Members' Business | House debates
type: item
description: Australia's forests are part of who we are. They tell a story of our continent—ancient, resilient, and rich in life. They sustain our wildlife, our soils and our water. They sustain...
encoded: Australia's forests are part of who we are. They tell a story of our continent—ancient, resilient, and rich in life. They sustain our wildlife, our soils and our water. They sustain communities right across regional Australia. A healthy forest means a healthy nation. That's why the Albanese Labor government stands unequivocally for a sustainable and innovative Australian forestry industry—one that protects our environment, strengthens our economy and provides secure, skilled jobs for regional Australians. We don't see forestry as a choice between jobs and the environment; we see it as a partnership between people, science and the land itself. Australia's forestry sector is a pillar of the regional economy, supporting over 51,000 direct jobs and contributing billions to the economy every single year. Our government is steadfast in its support for a sustainable and innovative Australian forestry industry, which includes both native forestry and plantations. Our approach is about balance: protecting the forests while managing the industry responsibly so they continue to provide the essential renewable materials Australians rely on every day. Because, when forestry is managed with care, when it is guided by evidence and long-term vision, it becomes one of the most powerful tools in regional prosperity and in environmental protection. This government has a clear, forward-looking plan for the future of forestry. We are backing the industry with record investment, supporting innovation, new skills and modern manufacturing that adds value right here at home. We're investing in the next generation of foresters, engineers and researchers through the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation, ensuring Australia remains at the forefront of sustainable timber science. This includes a landmark investment of $300 million to improve capacity, drive innovation and secure the jobs of the future in the forestry industry. We are building a workforce for the future through the F…
date: 2025-10-27T11:49:00+00:00