Alice Jordan-Baird's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
type: channel
language: en-gb
creator: OpenAustralia.org, mprss.php script
date: 2026-02-05T22:06:05+00:00
items: International Women's Day | Statements | House debates
items: Translating and Interpreting Services Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Education | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Economy | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
items: Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
items: Energy | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
items: Environment | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Vocational Education and Training | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Attard, Ms Emily, Westvale Community Centre Men's Shed | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Low-Income Superannuation Tax Offset | Motions | House debates
items: VICSES Aintree Unit | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Workplace Relations | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya's) Bill 2025 | Adjournment | House debates
items: Hasluck Electorate: Community Events | Adjournment | House debates
items: VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates

International Women's Day | Statements | House debates
type: item
description: Purple is the colour of International Women's Day. It was used in the women's suffrage movement. It's a symbol of dignity and justice, and it's a motif in the artistic expression of women, from...
encoded: Purple is the colour of International Women's Day. It was used in the women's suffrage movement. It's a symbol of dignity and justice, and it's a motif in the artistic expression of women, from Gwen Harwood's 'The Violets' to Taylor Swift's 'Lavender Haze'. It's a symbol of women's empowerment, and that's why we wear purple with pride on this side of the House. We're a government which lifts women up, which recognises the very real ways that women are still held back in our society and makes real change to remove these obstacles. It's why we've brought in paid prac so that women in female-dominated fields are paid during their placements. It's why we've expanded the Leaving Violence Program. It's why we've brought in cheaper child care and the three-day childcare guarantee. It's why we've secured a 15 per cent pay rise for early childhood educators, and it's why we're paying super on paid parental leave. You won't see much colour on that side of the House. Those opposite save their true colours for backroom deals—deals amongst men to undermine female leaders—and for reminding Australia, as the member for Longman did so eloquently, that women prefer hairdressing and men prefer maths. That's who they are. But it's not who we are. I'm so proud to be part of a Labor caucus that is 57 per cent women and to be part of a government that reflects modern Australia and which is making concrete change for the women of our country. That's why we wear purple today.
date: 2026-02-05T13:56:00+00:00

Translating and Interpreting Services Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I rise today to speak in support of the Translating and Interpreting Services Bill 2025. This bill is about supporting our multicultural community. It's about making sure that members of our...
encoded: I rise today to speak in support of the Translating and Interpreting Services Bill 2025. This bill is about supporting our multicultural community. It's about making sure that members of our multicultural community are looked after. It's about strengthening an important and successful service, and ensuring that, when we look to the future, we see one where every single member of our multicultural community is taken care of. Australia's multicultural diversity is so important to who we are; it's so important to my community, where cultural festivals and local establishments bring people together; and it's so important to our country. We're living in a time when social cohesion is more important than ever—social cohesion or having respect and care for each other or celebrating both the things that make us different and the things that make us the same. This bill is about continuing our care for multicultural communities. It's about meeting them where they're at, ensuring that they can always access key services and supporting them to participate fully in the economic and social life of our country. This bill will establish a statutory framework for the translating and interpreting services provided by TIS National within the Department of Home Affairs. If enacted, the proposed legislation will ensure clear and enduring statutory support for TIS National. It won't change the way in which the services of TIS National are provided or funded. Rather, it will simply provide a clear legislative framework for the services, providing certainty and ensuring their continued availability to support our community into the future. With this bill, we're protecting the important services that TIS National provide to people with limited English language proficiency and ensuring that, no matter their level of English proficiency, every member of our community can access key services and support. TIS National is a translation and interpreting service operated within the Department of H…
date: 2026-02-04T18:34:00+00:00

Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I rise to speak in support of the Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025, brought forward by the Minister for Financial Services, and I commend him for doing so. We live in a...
encoded: I rise to speak in support of the Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025, brought forward by the Minister for Financial Services, and I commend him for doing so. We live in a digitised world. We've seen these developments, and we've lived them. I remember getting my sister's hand-me-down LG flip phone. My first experiences on the internet and social media were ranking my top friends on Myspace, joining Facebook in early secondary school and my first smartphone. Right now, we're experiencing the AI revolution. We've seen technology develop leaps and bounds over the last few decades. In financial markets, it's no different. Digital assets are reshaping finance right across the globe. We've seen the digitisation of assets—cryptocurrencies, virtual currencies and central bank digital currencies. We're interacting with blockchain technology, the decentralisation of banks as intermediaries and tokens that represent real-world assets such as property and bonds being traded instantaneously. It has picked up globally, and we're seeing it in Australia too. Last year, the Independent Reserve's cryptocurrency index report reported that approximately 6.2 million Australian adults now own or have owned cryptocurrency. That's 31 per cent of the adult Australian population. Digital finance is unlocking new ways to invest, trade and transfer wealth, with faster settlement and lower costs. Right across the world, central banks are exploring digital currencies, and global institutions are experimenting with tokenised securities. This is all great. It's unlocking capital market and bringing new investments. But the problem here—and there is a problem—is that the digitisation of assets and currency has emerged without regulation. Put simply, financial markets and the way people hold and exchange value have changed, but our laws have not. The legislation has not kept up, and we need it to because without clear rules there are risks. We're talking about a high volatil…
date: 2026-02-04T13:06:00+00:00

Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I rise to speak in support of the Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025 brought forward by the Minister for Health and Ageing, and I commend him for...
encoded: I rise to speak in support of the Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025 brought forward by the Minister for Health and Ageing, and I commend him for doing so. This bill is about making it easier for Australians to access the prescription medicine they need. It's about lightening the load for hospital emergency departments and GPs. It's about empowering our highly skilled, highly educated workforce of registered nurses to do what they were trained to do. It's about equitable access to health care for all Australians, including those managing chronic diseases and health conditions and those living in regional, rural and remote areas, who feel issues with access to health care even more keenly. This bill is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to the Albanese Labor government delivering on our commitment to make sure that health care is affordable and accessible for every Australian and that, for Australians with a chronic health condition, looking after their health is easier and more manageable. It's a practical bill which mobilises our existing workforce of registered nurses to deliver timely, affordable and accessible prescriptions and delivers for all Australians. With this bill, we amend the National Health Act 1953 to allow a registered nurse endorsed against the registration standard to prescribe certain medicines that can be supplied under the PBS and attract Commonwealth subsidy. We also amend the Health Insurance Act 1973 to include registered nurses, enabling review of the provision of their prescribing services by the Professional Services Review Scheme. This bill will allow registered nurses to prescribe medicines under the PBS, and the medicines able to be prescribed under the PBS will be considered by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, or PBAC. With this legislation, registered nurses will be empowered to deliver high-quality care directly to people in the community. For those who …
date: 2026-02-04T19:08:00+00:00

Education | Questions without Notice | House debates
type: item
description: My question is to the Minister for Education. As students across the country head back to school, what is the Albanese Labor government doing to ensure Australian kids get the best start...
encoded: My question is to the Minister for Education. As students across the country head back to school, what is the Albanese Labor government doing to ensure Australian kids get the best start possible? Why is it so important to deliver, rather than divide, on school education?
date: 2026-02-04T14:36:00+00:00

Economy | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
type: item
description: I want to thank the Leader of the Opposition for this fantastic opportunity to talk about the important measures the Albanese Labor government has taken to ease the cost of living for families...
encoded: I want to thank the Leader of the Opposition for this fantastic opportunity to talk about the important measures the Albanese Labor government has taken to ease the cost of living for families right around the country. We have spent this entire term in government focused on the needs of the Australian community, delivering for all Australians. The Liberals and the Nationals—the 'no-alition'—on the other hand have spent their entire time in opposition focused on themselves and their own political infighting. If those opposite want to talk about failure, they should be focusing on the failure of their own coalition. There have been so many break-ups, reshuffles, get-back-togethers and will-they-won't-theys that I'm not even sure who's on the front bench any more. Seriously, I cannot handle another seating plan. If the new season of Married at First Sighttanks, channel 9 has some new material to draw from right across this chamber. Those opposite want to talk about Labor's cost-of-living relief. Sure—I'd be more than happy to oblige. The Albanese Labor government is delivering real cost-of-living relief for all Australians. As the member for Gorton, I've spoken to many members of my community about the cost of living—young people struggling to get into the housing market, people on pensions struggling to make ends meet when they pay their bills, a generation saddled with student debt. People are doing it tough; there's no doubt about that. That's exactly why we've introduced the five per cent deposit scheme and expanded eligibility to all first home buyers, so more people can break into the housing market. In my own electorate of Gorton, Labor's expanded home guarantee scheme has meant more than 1,800 people have been able to buy their first home. That's real change for real families. And we're building more homes. In Labor's last term in government, we built 500,000 homes, and we're delivering more than 21,000 new social and affordable homes right across the country t…
date: 2026-02-03T16:40:00+00:00

Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
type: item
description: I rise to speak on the Prime Minister's condolence motion this afternoon and, like my many colleagues before me, express my deepest sympathies for the families and loved ones of the 15 innocent...
encoded: I rise to speak on the Prime Minister's condolence motion this afternoon and, like my many colleagues before me, express my deepest sympathies for the families and loved ones of the 15 innocent people murdered at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025—15 innocent lives lost: Boris and Sofia, Rabbi Schlanger, Dan, Peter, Alexander, Reuven, Rabbi Levitan, Tibor, Marika, Edith, Boris, Adam, Tanya and darling Matilda. To these families, the Bondi community and the entire country: we mourn with you, and we commit to doing everything we can to prevent something like this from ever happening again. This is a dark moment for our nation. This horrific act of terrorism on Jewish Australians was an attack on every single Australian. There is no place for this antisemitism, hatred, violence and terrorism in our country. Australia is braver than those who seek to make us afraid. I cannot express enough gratitude for those who risked their lives in aiding the victims, including members of the local lifesaving clubs; frontline responders such as New South Wales police and New South Wales ambulance and healthcare workers; and community groups such as Community Safety Group and Hatzolah. I want to repeat a statement made by the New South Wales Premier, Chris Minns, that members of the New South Wales police force, including two who were left in critical care, were shot in the front and not in the back. When our Australia was tested, our selfless public service ran towards the violence—risking their own lives to save others. That is the true meaning of public service. And then there's the heroism of everyday Australians, the men and women who responded at the scene: those who ran towards danger and those who comforted and protected others. Those like Ahmed al-Ahmed, who tackled the gunman and wrestled the gun out of his hand. Despite being shot twice, he kept going and, in doing so, saved the lives of countless people. Or like Jessica or 14-year-old Chaya, who each shielded toddlers they ha…
date: 2026-01-19T14:38:00+00:00

Energy | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
type: item
description: I'm really excited to speak on today's MPI. What interesting rhetoric we've heard in this chamber today! If the opposition thinks that leading the global transition to clean energy means that the...
encoded: I'm really excited to speak on today's MPI. What interesting rhetoric we've heard in this chamber today! If the opposition thinks that leading the global transition to clean energy means that the Minister for Climate Change and Energy is only working part-time in his role, it clearly has no concept of what preparing Australia for the future and securing lower energy prices for the long term actually entails. We know that the coalition is not interested in preparing Australia for the future. They made that abundantly clear when they dumped net zero, against every piece of expert advice and even against consistent findings that included the cost of transmission and storage renewables being the cheapest form of new energy generation. We knew it when they were responsible for a three per cent reduction in Australia's emissions over nine years of government. We knew it when they said they'd solved the clean energy transition and then proposed to spend billions of taxpayer dollars on bringing nuclear energy to Australia. We know that they're not interested in doing what it takes to secure Australia's future. Otherwise, they wouldn't be objecting to Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy doing his job of not only representing Australia's interest in energy and climate at the highest level but grasping a rare opportunity to lead the discussion and help write the rules at COP31. This side of the House understands that reducing energy prices at home and tackling climate change is not something Australia can do on its own. In fact, the only people who think global energy decisions have nothing to do with Australian bills are those opposite. They don't realise that the energy situation we're in is a global issue. I applaud the Minister for Climate Change and Energy for going above and beyond in his advocacy for Australia's interests in energy and climate. We on this side of the House have always supported advocacy for Australia's best interests on the world stage. W…
date: 2025-11-27T16:51:00+00:00

Environment | Questions without Notice | House debates
type: item
description: My question is to the Prime Minister. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering stronger environmental laws that benefit our economy and protect Australia's unique natural environment? What...
encoded: My question is to the Prime Minister. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering stronger environmental laws that benefit our economy and protect Australia's unique natural environment? What have been the obstacles to reform?
date: 2025-11-27T14:07:00+00:00

Vocational Education and Training | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: Whether it's a buzz or beep, over the next two weeks more than three million Aussies will be getting a notification to say their student debt has been cut by 20 per cent. Wiping 20 per cent off...
encoded: Whether it's a buzz or beep, over the next two weeks more than three million Aussies will be getting a notification to say their student debt has been cut by 20 per cent. Wiping 20 per cent off every student's debt was the first piece of legislation this Labor government introduced into parliament this year, and in the next few weeks millions of Australians will see that reduction when they log into their myGov. This is about lifting the burden for Australians with student debt, including HECS debt, VET student loans, Australian apprenticeship support loans, student start-up loans and other student loans. This will help people in my own family and more than 26,000 people in my electorate of Gorton who have student debt. These might be young people starting their apprenticeships, or they could be people who finished their bachelor or masters degrees a long time ago but who still have a debt that lingers. It will cut more than $500 million from VET student loans and Australian apprenticeship support loan balances, giving VET students a leg-up when they enter the workforce. After the 20 per cent reduction is applied, people will receive a text or email letting them know this has happened—no applications, no forms, just real cost-of-living relief. This is about intergenerational fairness, making sure every generation can experience the benefits of an affordable education. At the end of the day, everyone deserves a good-quality education, no matter where they live.
date: 2025-11-27T13:52:00+00:00

Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: getting real cost-of-living relief to Australians is not a priority for those opposite. It's we on this side of the House who are delivering tangible cost-of-living relief. When it comes to...
encoded: getting real cost-of-living relief to Australians is not a priority for those opposite. It's we on this side of the House who are delivering tangible cost-of-living relief. When it comes to bringing down the cost of living for Australians, every bit counts. On this side of the House, we're leaving no stone unturned to accomplish this goal. It's been our mission in this term of government, and we'll continue to act decisively to ensure that nobody is held back or left behind—not Australian people and not Australian businesses. The cost of living cannot be allowed to compromise Australians' ability to keep connected and make treasured memories. After all, pubs, clubs and breweries are special places. It's where I met the person I'm married to today. It's where we find community, stay connected and celebrate life. The bill before us shows that our government isn't just talking; we are acting. We are proving that practical policies can make a tangible difference in everyday life. I couldn't be prouder to stand with my government, which truly cares about its people. With this two-year pause on indexation of draught beer excise and excise-equivalent customs duty, the Albanese Labor government is standing up for Australia's pubs, clubs, brewers and hospitality workers. We understand that local pubs, clubs and breweries are not just businesses but community institutions that bring people together, provide employment and help keep economies strong. We're also standing up for Australians, who deserve to grab a beer with family and friends without worrying about the cost. I commend this bill to the House, I thank the Assistant Treasurer for introducing it, and I thank all of the speakers who are supporting it.
date: 2025-11-27T12:38:00+00:00

Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I rise today to speak in support of the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 and the associated bill. It's an absolute honour to follow my friend the member for McNamara, who I know...
encoded: I rise today to speak in support of the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 and the associated bill. It's an absolute honour to follow my friend the member for McNamara, who I know is a huge advocate for publicans and small businesses in his electorate and, like me, enjoys a pint every once in awhile as well. Pubs, clubs and breweries are part of our social fabric and our Australian identity. They bring people together, they keep communities thriving and they support jobs right across the country. Australia has a long history of backing local brewers and the hospitality workers who keep our pubs running. In 2025 the Albanese Labor government is stepping up again, because that's what good governments do: they back local industry, they reduce pressure on household budgets and they keep our communities connected and strong. I'm proud to stand in this House and support a bill that delivers real cost-of-living relief, strengthens a key Australian industry and gives local pubs and the people who support them a fair go. This bill is a practical measure. It freezes the draught beer excise for local pubs and gathering spaces. In doing so, it reduces the cost of beer for consumers and businesses alike. Whether your preferred measure is a schooner or a pint, this side of the House is keeping beer affordable. The amendments in this bill are simple, targeted and fair. They support an industry that matters to communities, families and workers right across the nation and cut cost-of-living pressures, delivering real relief to Australians and their businesses. The Albanese Labor government is determined in its goal to do just this, to make sure that Australians and their businesses get real relief for financial pressures. On this side of the House, we know that cost of living affects all areas of life. Yes, it's about the number at the bottom of your energy bill, how much it costs to see a doctor when you're sick and how much student debt you still have to pay, which i…
date: 2025-11-27T12:38:00+00:00

Attard, Ms Emily, Westvale Community Centre Men's Shed | Constituency Statements | House debates
type: item
description: I rise today to honour Emily Attard, a Caroline Springs local and the founder and managing director of Specialist Hoops, a truly transformative basketball program operating across several...
encoded: I rise today to honour Emily Attard, a Caroline Springs local and the founder and managing director of Specialist Hoops, a truly transformative basketball program operating across several locations in Melbourne's western suburbs. What began in 2017, when Emily was only 16 years old, has grown eight years later into a vibrant community that bridges the gap in inclusion for people with physical and intellectual disabilities. As a young referee, Emily witnessed firsthand the barriers faced by children with disability—unable to play a full game due to a lack of inclusive opportunities and facing pushback on playing while wearing noise-cancelling headphones. Motivated by what she witnessed and a game she loved, she founded Specialist Hoops to create a safe space not just for children but for adults, too, to play sport, to belong and to grow. But, more importantly, Specialist Hoops has matured into a community, a place where participants can develop skills but also friendships, self-confidence and a strong sense of belonging. Emily's vision doesn't stop at inclusion for its own sake. She's created pathways for higher performance too, with some Specialist Hoops players now training weekly for state level tryouts and others now in mainstream basketball teams. What Emily has built is a powerful example of grassroots leadership, identifying a need, building a solution and growing something that matters deeply. Her work ensures that no-one is left behind not just in sport but in community. I congratulate Emily Attard, her team, her volunteers and the Specialist Hoops community for eight years of dedication, growth and genuine inclusion. Today I would also like to recognise the Westvale Men's Shed in Kings Park for its inspiring commitment to community inclusion not just for men but for women too. While the shed offers traditional social and woodworking sessions for men, every Tuesday they run a women's shed woodworking program free of charge. Last week I was fortunate enough t…
date: 2025-11-26T09:33:00+00:00

Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I rise to speak in support of the Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Bill 2025, put forward by the Minister for Home Affairs, and I commend him for doing so. I'm not sure about...
encoded: I rise to speak in support of the Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Bill 2025, put forward by the Minister for Home Affairs, and I commend him for doing so. I'm not sure about the member for New England's frankly confusing and somewhat offensive comments before me. He, like his party, wants to continue creating friction and heat in multicultural communities across our nation. But I am honoured to follow my friend the amazing member for Barton and commend her for her dedication to protecting the rights of migrants through her work as an employment lawyer and every day in her role in this parliament. At its core, this amendment bill is about the value that migrants bring to our nation—a nation shaped by generations of migrants who came to Australia in search of opportunity and a better future. From the Sydney Opera House to the West Gate Bridge, the very bridge that connects my community in Melbourne's western suburbs to the city, it's migrants that built the Australia we all enjoy today. The contributions migrants have made to this country have often come with great sacrifice. For too long, migrating to Australia to work has meant low wages, few protections and an uncertain future. In a country where, apart from our First Nations brothers and sisters, we all have migrant ancestry, where even today almost half of us have a parent born overseas, the fact that migrant workers have not been adequately protected and have been subjected to exploitation, coercion and wage theft is shameful. Our government does not tolerate the exploitation of migrant workers. I'm a proud member of the Transport Workers' Union and I'm thrilled to say that, after years of campaigning, the TWU, supported by legislation passed by our government last term, has struck a deal with Uber Eats and DoorDash. These companies will provide workers with minimum pay rates, injury insurance and protection against unfair dismissal by algorithms. Migrants make a huge contribution to the gi…
date: 2025-11-26T18:20:00+00:00

Low-Income Superannuation Tax Offset | Motions | House debates
type: item
description: I move: That this House: (1) notes that the reforms to the low-income superannuation tax offset (LISTO) the Treasurer announced on 13 October 2025 will: (a) increase the LISTO by $310 to $810;...
encoded: I move: That this House: (1) notes that the reforms to the low-income superannuation tax offset (LISTO) the Treasurer announced on 13 October 2025 will: (a) increase the LISTO by $310 to $810; and (b) raise the eligibility threshold from $37,000 to $45,000; (2) acknowledges that these reforms will deliver a more secure retirement for 1.3 million Australians, of which around 60 per cent are women, with the total number of Australians eligible for LISTO increasing to 3.1 million; (3) takes note of the legislation currently before the Parliament that ensures superannuation is paid on time to help more Australians get the secure retirement they need and deserve; and (4) further acknowledges that only the current Government will protect Australians' superannuation because of our commitment for Australians to earn more, keep more of what they earn, and to retire with more as well. This motion goes to the reforms of the low-income superannuation tax offset, or LISTO that the Treasurer announced in October this year. These reforms will deliver a more secure retirement for 1.3 million Australians, of which around 60 per cent are women, with the total number of Australians eligible for the LISTO increasing to 3.1 million. Only the Albanese Labor government will protect Australian superannuation, because of our commitment that Australians earn more, keep more of what they earn and retire with more. I'm really pleased to move the motion before the House today, recognising the significant impact this reform will have for people across Australia and in my electorate of Gorton. Low-income workers are too often undervalued in our society—retail workers, hospitality workers, administrative assistants, cleaners, disability and aged-care workers, and farm workers. They put food on our table, care for our loved ones, and keep our workspaces, schools and community facilities clean. These are people who have worked their whole lives in service of our community, and it's not fair that thi…
date: 2025-11-24T16:46:00+00:00

VICSES Aintree Unit | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: I rise to acknowledge the outstanding service of the Aintree SES unit and its dedicated volunteers. After more than two years of leading the unit through its establishment in Melbourne's outer...
encoded: I rise to acknowledge the outstanding service of the Aintree SES unit and its dedicated volunteers. After more than two years of leading the unit through its establishment in Melbourne's outer west, Micah Spedding has officially passed the torch to Alex Setterfield, who will now serve as the new unit controller. When Micah first took on this role, the unit was little more than a patch of land. Through his tireless effort, commitment and countless volunteer hours, it has grown into a thriving and fully operational service, proudly serving the people of Aintree and surrounding communities in times of emergency. In addition to responding during times of crisis, the Aintree SES has become a visible and trusted presence at many local community events, promoting storm preparedness, raising awareness of flood risks and ensuring families know how to stay safe when severe weather strikes. I extend my sincere thanks to Micah for his exemplary leadership and to all SES volunteers who give so generously of their time to help others. I also congratulate Alex on his appointment and wish him every success as he leads the unit into its next chapter. Alex is an outstanding member of our local community. Together with his partner, Tanya, he has been determined to see the unit thrive and recruit more volunteers. I'm proud to commend the dedicated men and women of the Victorian State Emergency Service who keep our community safe.
date: 2025-11-24T16:41:00+00:00

Workplace Relations | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: I rise to speak in solidarity with female rail, tram and bus workers all over the country. The Rail, Tram and Bus Union's recent report shows us the uncomfortable truth. Women's health is...
encoded: I rise to speak in solidarity with female rail, tram and bus workers all over the country. The Rail, Tram and Bus Union's recent report shows us the uncomfortable truth. Women's health is suffering because of a lack of access to workplace toilet and sanitary facilities. The report shows that, horrifyingly, 73 per cent of female transport workers have suffered health issues because they were not able to access toilets or sanitary bins. Women are forced to carry their used period products all day because there's nowhere to dispose of them. Women are being told by their managers that not having access to adequate facilities is just part of working in the industry. This is unacceptable, and it should concern all workers. This isn't just a matter of comfort; it's a matter of safety. When women are forced to use inappropriate facilities, they are put in unsafe situations. This should never be acceptable as an adequate working environment. The RTBU national office is calling for a mandatory national standard for all transport workers, to guarantee them access to safe, clean and private toilets. I'd like to thank the RTBU for bringing such an important topic to light. I'd also like to give a shout-out to the mighty Transport Workers' Union, who also represent transport workers across the country. I was proud to stand in solidarity with the TWU and the SDA at their recent protest at Amazon in Ravenhall. These workers are fighting for better pay and conditions, and it's time for Amazon to pay up. (Time expired)
date: 2025-11-24T13:52:00+00:00

Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya's) Bill 2025 | Adjournment | House debates
type: item
description: I rise today to speak on a really important bill that was recently passed in this parliament in memory of little Baby Priya. Heartbreakingly, Baby Priya lived to just 42 days old. Instead of...
encoded: I rise today to speak on a really important bill that was recently passed in this parliament in memory of little Baby Priya. Heartbreakingly, Baby Priya lived to just 42 days old. Instead of having the freedom to grieve her baby's death during this difficult time, Priya's mum faced distressing negotiations with her employer about a return to work she hadn't planned for. I don't have firsthand experience of childbirth and losing a baby at the same time, but I do know grief. Grief can be overwhelming, paralysing and raw. Some days, it is truly debilitating. For pregnancies that reach 20 weeks, one in every 135 will end in stillbirth. Baby Priya's bill introduces a new principle into the Fair Work Act to protect families during the most difficult time of their lives. This bill means that, unless employers and employees have expressly agreed otherwise, employer funded paid parental leave cannot be cancelled if a child is stillborn or passes away. This is for the six babies who are stillborn in Australia every day and the more than 2,000 families each year who face this loss and heartbreak. It means parents can rely on their paid parental leave entitlements regardless of the outcome of the pregnancy or birth. This bill is about dignity, it's about compassion and, from a legislative perspective, it's about defining a grey area of the law and giving families financial security at a time when they need it most, because, even if a person experiencing the loss of a child does have supportive employers, those employers do not have a defined category of leave to give them. It's not bereavement leave. It's not annual leave. What do you call it? This bill provides clarity for parents, employers and the whole workplace. It sets out shared expectations so that these moments can be handled with dignity and compassion. It leads to mutually beneficial conditions for both employers and employees, and it builds trust and dialogue in workplaces. The clarity this bill provides aligns with…
date: 2025-11-06T16:45:00+00:00

Hasluck Electorate: Community Events | Adjournment | House debates
type: item
description: Hear, hear!
encoded: Hear, hear!
date: 2025-11-06T16:35:00+00:00

VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I rise today to speak in support of the VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025 put forward by the Minister for Skills and Training, and I commend him for doing so. To build...
encoded: I rise today to speak in support of the VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025 put forward by the Minister for Skills and Training, and I commend him for doing so. To build Australia's future, we need vocational education and training. We need VET to solve big national challenges in the labour market. There's no doubt we have a need for greater housing supply, for more workers in early education and aged care and for skilled technical workers to support the transition to net zero. That's right—net zero. That's because we on this side of the House actually believe in climate change and we want to prepare our country for a changing climate. If we as a country are going to rise to these challenges, we need to ensure that the VET programs that support us are as strong as possible, that VET is accessible to people regardless of their means and that the programs supporting VET have the social licence to operate. Our work in this space started by putting TAFE back at the heart of Australia's vocational education and training sector. We did this because TAFE is vital for the next generation of skilled workers. For too long, students studied courses or undertook training that did not lead to secure jobs or the skills that employers need. Jobs and Skills Australia is the body established by this government to provide independent advice on workforce skills and training needs. This group quickly identified that we must address the disconnect between what students are studying now and where jobs and skills of the future will be. Since then, we have undertaken a massive piece of work to strengthen vocational education and training in Australia and to ensure that students are studying and training in the skills that will be vital for our future. This bill is another step in our broader efforts to ensure that Australia is equipped with the skilled workforce we will need for the future. The bill before us is about ensuring that the VET Student Loans Act and the adminis…
date: 2025-11-05T18:29:00+00:00