Justine Elliot
Richmond · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“I'm very pleased to rise on this matter of public importance. I, like others on our side, do find it very bizarre that the opposition have put this forward because we all remember when the Liberals and Nationals were in government. We all remember the extent of all their cuts—”
“I rise today to speak in support of the establishment of the Parliamentary Friends of Crime Stoppers. Earlier this week, I joined my fellow co-chairs, the member for Cowper and the member for Fowler, at the launch of this new parliamentary friends group.”
“At a time when criminal activity continues to evolve from organised crime to cyber related offences and scams, fostering stronger cooperation between communities and law enforcement has never been more important. The true value that Crime Stoppers delivers is absolutely significant.”
“Community safety is something that has been very important to me throughout my entire career. Before entering parliament, I served as a frontline police officer, and, during that time, I saw firsthand how vital information from the public can be in helping police investigate crime, prevent harm and protect our communities.”
“That represents thousands of pieces of information that may otherwise not have reached authorities. The report also identified more than $131 million in avoided harm associated with illicit drugs, more than $50 million in avoided costs linked to reoffending and more than $32 million in law enforcement efficiency gains.”
“Behind every statistic is a person who saw something, heard something or knew something and decided to do something about it. That decision can help prevent harm, protect a victim, disrupt criminal activity or support an investigation.”
The complete record
Every one of 257 lines we hold for Justine Elliot, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 1 of 6.
“I'm very pleased to rise on this matter of public importance. I, like others on our side, do find it very bizarre that the opposition have put this forward because we all remember when the Liberals and Nationals were in government. We all remember the extent of all their cuts—”
“I want to thank Crime Stoppers for their ongoing work and dedication, and I encourage all Australians to continue supporting this important organisation and its mission of creating safer communities through partnership, trust and community action.”
“Behind every statistic is a person who saw something, heard something or knew something and decided to do something about it. That decision can help prevent harm, protect a victim, disrupt criminal activity or support an investigation. I look forward to working constructively with colleagues from right across the parliament alongside Crime Stoppers Australia and our law enforcement partners to support informed discussion on emerging crime trends, community safety challenges and the role that every Australian can play in making our communities safer. The number for Crime Stoppers is 1800333000, or you can of course go online. If it's an emergency, always just call triple zero.”
“That represents thousands of pieces of information that may otherwise not have reached authorities. The report also identified more than $131 million in avoided harm associated with illicit drugs, more than $50 million in avoided costs linked to reoffending and more than $32 million in law enforcement efficiency gains. These are substantial benefits for governments, communities and taxpayers alike. They represent fewer victims of crime, fewer repeat offenders and safer neighbourhoods across our country. Significantly, the report found that Crime Stoppers contributes to almost 3,000 arrests nationally and supports the seizure of approximately $30 million worth of illicit drugs. Behind each of these outcomes is information provided by a member of the public who chose to act.”
“At a time when criminal activity continues to evolve from organised crime to cyber related offences and scams, fostering stronger cooperation between communities and law enforcement has never been more important. The true value that Crime Stoppers delivers is absolutely significant. Its recently released independent economic and social impact report found that Crime Stoppers generates more than $216 million in value for Australia each year and returns more than $11 for every dollar invested. That value is not theoretical. It reflects real-world outcomes that reduce harm, improve public safety and reduce pressure on policing, justice and community services. Perhaps even more importantly, the report found that almost 45,000 reports would not have been made without Crime Stoppers.”
“Of course, the establishment of the Parliamentary Friends of Crime Stoppers provides an important opportunity for members and senators from across the political spectrum to strengthen awareness of community safety issues and better understand the important role that Crime Stoppers plays in helping police solve, prevent and disrupt crime across the nation. Community safety is not a partisan issue. It's something that affects every Australian. The bipartisan nature of this parliamentary friends group reflects a shared commitment to safer communities and stronger partnerships between the public, law enforcement agencies and government.”
“One of the most effective tools we have in supporting law enforcement is community engagement. As Crime Stoppers Australia chair Ian Stewart highlighted at the launch event, Crime Stoppers was built on the fundamental principle of empowering people to safely and anonymously share information that helps protect their local communities, families and friends. Today, Crime Stoppers has become one of Australia's most recognised and trusted community safety organisations. It serves as a unique bridge between the public and law enforcement, enabling information to reach the right authorities whilst protecting the anonymity of those who choose to come forward.”
“Community safety is something that has been very important to me throughout my entire career. Before entering parliament, I served as a frontline police officer, and, during that time, I saw firsthand how vital information from the public can be in helping police investigate crime, prevent harm and protect our communities. Time and time again, I witnessed investigations progress because an ordinary member of the public chose to come forward with information. Sometimes, it was a seemingly small detail. Sometimes, it was information that helped identify an offender, locate a missing person, recover stolen property or prevent further harm from occurring. Those experiences reinforced a simple truth—community safety is strongest when communities and law enforcement work together.”
“I rise today to speak in support of the establishment of the Parliamentary Friends of Crime Stoppers. Earlier this week, I joined my fellow co-chairs, the member for Cowper and the member for Fowler, at the launch of this new parliamentary friends group. I'd like to acknowledge my co-chairs for their commitment to this really important bipartisan initiative. I'd also like to acknowledge and thank Dr Ian Stewart AO, APM, chair of Crime Stoppers Australia, along with the Crime Stoppers representatives from across the country who joined us at the launch. The creation of this new parliamentary friends group represents a really important milestone in strengthening the partnership between parliament, law enforcement agencies and the Australian community in our shared pursuit of safer communities.”
“My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. How is the Albanese Labor government ensuring that young people in regional communities can get into the housing market and own a home of their own, and what's standing in the way?”
“Soon after the actual location was determined to be 145 Wharf Street, Tweed Heads, a temporary hub was opened whilst the final renovations and improvements were underway for the hub. We're all very much looking forward to the opening, and it will be a great event. I understand that RSL Lifecare and the hub are also planning a free community open day, and I encourage locals to come along and see firsthand the services that are being provided to our local veterans. I'm very much looking forward to seeing the final renovations that they have done. They're just putting in so much time and commitment to get this hub right to provide those services. This project is one that I'm very proud of. As I said, I've committed to delivering this. I have promised, committed and delivered the Tweed Heads veterans and families hub.”
“I also want to thank the Minister for Veterans' Affairs for attending one of those consultations in Tweed Heads and listening firsthand to local veterans. I also thank the minister for visiting again when it was announced that RSL Lifecare was the successful tenderer for the project. The business case outlined the operational and management plans for the new hub tailored to the precise needs of our local veteran community. Having veterans' support and services accessible locally is so important in improving the health, wellbeing and economic outcomes of those who bravely served our nation. We are incredibly fortunate in my area to have a very large ex-service population with more than 20,000 veterans and their families, including many older veterans and war widows as well.”
“The Albanese Labor government has invested more than $5 million to deliver the veterans and families hub in Tweed Heads, and the government throughout this process worked in close partnership with RSL Lifecare Veterans Services, RSL New South Wales and all of our local RSLs as well. In terms of the design and consultation, initially, there was a $50,000 grant from the government to RSL Lifecare Veterans Services to begin a business case for the veterans and families hub in the Tweed. Locally, we had extensive consultation with RSLs throughout the New South Wales North Coast and some of those from over the border in South-East Queensland. I want to thank all of those that attended and contributed. Their insights were valuable.”
“I'm very pleased to rise today to speak about the veterans and families hub in my electorate of Richmond. What's really exciting is that the hub is having its official opening very soon. Delivering this hub was one of my key election commitments from the 2022 election, and locals know they can always count on me to deliver for them. This is a project that I really wanted to see in my region as it's so vital that we provide support to veterans and their families and deliver that important support for those who've served our nation. It has always been an absolute commitment of mine and of this government.”
“That's why the measures in our latest budget were specifically designed to address many of those issues, particularly the tax reform around capital gains tax and negative gearing. The changes that were made were well overdue. We need to help people get into their first home. At the same time, we continue to keep delivering assistance for education, for Medicare, for all of those cost-of-living measures that Australians rely on. It's only Labor that can deliver for Australians, and only Labor that can deliver for working Australians.”
“The budget particularly strengthened Medicare, a vital issue within the community, because Labor's focus is all about delivering for Australians. The Nationals and the Liberals are all about dividing Australians and following One Nation and copying One Nation. But we in the Albanese Labor government remain firmly focused on delivering for Australians. Whether it's tax reform, whether it's housing affordability, whether it's strengthening Medicare, our focus is on Australians and what they need, not the divisive politics, particularly that which we see from the National Party as they chase One Nation down that road. We will remain committed to listening and talking to Australians and delivering for them, particularly when it comes to cost of living relief because we know that people are doing it tough.”
“The measure of a political movement is not the anger it can generate. It's whether people's lives are better because of it. When Australians look at One Nation's record on workers' rights, workplace safety and economic fairness, they will see a movement that talks tough but votes against those very interests of ordinary working people time and time again. When they see the coalition increasingly borrowing from that agenda, Australians will rightly ask, 'Who is actually standing up for workers?' Well, the answer to that is very simple, and it is Labor. Labor is the only party that consistently stands up for workers' rights. We always have been and we always will be. We're committed to ensuring that Australians can access the services that they need. That was seen in the budget that we brought down.”
“And that political opportunism comes at a cost because every time mainstream parties legitimise extremism, they drag public debate further away from practical solutions. Australians do not need more outrage politics. They need secure jobs, affordable housing, reliable health care and quality education. They need energy policies that create jobs while addressing climate change and they need workplaces where people are safe and treated fairly. Labor will always stand up for workers. We're proud of that tradition. We're proud to be the party that introduced Medicare, mandated employer funded superannuation and delivered paid parental leave. We're proud to be the party that supports collective bargaining and stronger workplace rights. And we're proud to stand against those who seek to divide Australians for their own political gain.”
“And the coalition's increasing alignment with One Nation rhetoric puts those protections at even greater risk. The coalition now faces a choice. Will they remain a party of mainstream economic responsibility and democratic stability, or will they continue chasing the politics of grievance and divisions? Australians are noticing the shift. They see coalition figures amplifying conspiracy theories. They see attacks on multiculturalism and migration. They see inflammatory rhetoric designed to create anger rather than solutions, and they see an opposition increasingly willing to legitimise One Nation's worldview in pursuit of votes. That is not leadership. That is political opportunism.”
“Let's put the slogans to one side and look at One Nation's real agenda, revealed in their parliamentary voting history. One Nation have voted no to the right to disconnect; no to same job, same pay; no to making industrial manslaughter a crime; no to making it easier for casuals to become permanent; no to better rights for gig economy workers; no to better rights to keep transport workers safe; no to more rights for workplace delegates; and no to banning pay secrecy. And the list goes on. The One Nation voting list goes on. This is a party that has repeatedly voted against measures designed to strengthen workers rights, lift wages and improve job security across the economy. Every time parties like One Nation attack workplace protections, they weaken the systems that save lives.”
“Well, Labor reject all of those kinds of politics. We believe Australians are stronger when we are united. And we know the real pressures on working families are not caused by the kinds of culture war distractions promoted by One Nation. They are caused by stagnant wages, insecure jobs, housing stress, rising costs and years of neglect from the conservative governments. I would like to speak specifically about workplace safety. Every Australian worker has a right to return home safely at the end of the day. That should not be controversial. But workplace safety laws exist for a reason, because history teaches us what happens when profit is placed ahead of people. Every protection in our workplace was won because workers fought hard for it. None of these protections were handed down voluntarily by corporations. They were fought for.”
“And now the coalition is walking down exactly the same road. We're seeing a coalition opposition that increasingly borrows not just the language of One Nation, but it's political strategy. That is a strategy aimed at dividing Australians, creating scapegoats, attacking institutions, undermining trust and stirring cultural resentment. Instead of talking about wages, it is talking about fear. Instead of talking about productivity, it talks about culture wars. Instead of talking about housing affordability and health care and cost-of-living relief, it copies the outrage machine. Why? Because it thinks it is politically easier. Whenever conservative parties run out of ideas, they turn to division. That's the oldest political trick in the book: keep ordinary people fighting each other so that nobody notices who is really benefiting.”
“They have criticised workplace regulation while workers continue to die on construction sites, in warehouses, on farms and in factories. And they have opposed reforms designed to improve job security and strengthen collective bargaining. But Australians know better than that. We know prosperity is built from the middle out, not from the top down. One Nation likes to portray itself as the party of battlers, but voting records matter more than slogans. When workers needed stronger protections against insecure work, where was One Nation then? When Australians fought for fair wage increases, where was One Nation then? When Labor moved to strengthen industrial relations protections and close loopholes that allowed labour hire exploitation and the undercutting of wages, where was One Nation then? They were standing against working Australians.”
“Let us remember what the Albanese Labor government believes. We believe a person who goes to work deserves to come home safely. We believe workers deserve secure jobs, fair pay, penalty rates, sick leave and protection from exploitation. We believe unions are not the enemy; they are the reason Australians have weekends, annual leave, superannuation, workplace safety laws and decent wages. In contrast, again and again One Nation has voted against those very important protections. When legislation has come before this parliament to strengthen workplace rights, improve industrial protections or support workers against wage theft and exploitation, One Nation have sided with the big end of town rather than ordinary Australians. They have attacked unions while saying very little about corporate wage theft.”
“That's why today we must talk plainly about One Nation, because behind the slogans, outrage, fear campaigns and divisions there is a very clear pattern in a voting record that consistently undermines workers rights, workplace safety and the wages and conditions that Australian families rely on. And what should concern every Australian even more is that the coalition are increasingly chasing One Nation down that very path. Instead of rejecting extremism and division, the coalition have chosen imitation. They see One Nation's rhetoric as a political strategy to copy rather than as a dangerous force to confront. In doing so, they are abandoning the mainstream values that generations of Australians built this country on, values of fairness, decency, solidarity and the belief that every worker deserves dignity and protection on the job.”
“Coalition leaders of previous decades understood that leadership requires responsibility and restraint, and while political contests were robust they were not driven by the kind of grievance politics, divisive rhetoric and culture-war campaigning that has increasingly emerged with the coalition's attempts to court voters drawn towards One Nation's agenda. Australians deserve much better than this. They deserve leaders who stand up for working people, not politicians who wrap themselves in the flag whilst voting against the interests of the very Australians they claim to represent.”
“I rise in this grievance debate to address the demise of Australia's second-oldest political party, the National Party of Australia. It's indeed a sad day when the party of Tim Fischer, Doug Anthony and John Anderson is reduced to desperately chasing votes from One Nation. Before the rise of One Nation both the Liberals and Nationals were focused on traditional, conservative values while being economically responsible and supporting our democratic institutions. While Labor and I, many times in this place, strongly disagreed with many coalition policies there was still a broad bipartisan respect for parliamentary standards, multiculturalism and Australia's postwar consensus that social cohesion and economic opportunity should go hand in hand.”
“We want to build an economy that's stronger, fairer and, really importantly, more resilient to the many global shocks that we have seen. We're building that economy not just for today but for future generations of Australians, particularly through our housing reforms to ensure there's an even playing field for younger Australians. And the response to this has been overwhelming because young people have had so many difficulties in accessing housing. This is a government that acts right across the board in terms of providing support now and building for future generations.”
“In this budget we are delivering cost-of-living relief without losing sight of productivity, housing supply, energy security or that really important intergenerational fairness. This budget invests in workers, backs small businesses and strengthens Medicare. One of the biggest issues in my electorate is accessing healthcare. We've seen more than 30 GP clinics that are now fully bulk-billing. It's making a huge difference to locals. This budget also supports vulnerable Australians and really, at the end of it, also helps more people achieve the security of their own home, because we want to build an economy that works for everyone, no matter where you live. Particularly for areas like mine in regional Australia, this budget really provides a lot of assistance.”
“This budget recognises the absolute pressures that Australians are facing today while also taking on the long-term challenges that have, in fact, been ignored for too long, particularly when it came to housing. We saw the previous government just ignore the housing crisis, and it built up worse and worse for years. Since day one, since we've been in government, we've invested a massive amount in all areas of housing. Whether it's that five per cent deposit or whether it's making these important reforms, plus our massive investment in social and affordable housing and massive building right across the country, we are absolutely committed to making sure that Australians—particularly young Australians—can access homeownership.”
“We've also got more than $180 million in this budget to make the child support scheme safer and fairer, helping to ensure single parents and their kids get the support they need. Also in the budget is more than $27 million to reduce prices for essential groceries across remote Australia. Right across the country, wherever that need is, we have really addressed this with this budget. This really is a Labor budget built for resilience in incredibly uncertain times and incredibly uncertain global times, yet at the same time we are reforming for the future and particularly addressing that intergenerational equity that we've spoken about and that people raise all the time. We've done that through our reforms with negative gearing and the capital gains tax.”
“It's anticipated this change will slash compliance costs for small businesses by around $32 million a year, saving more than 350,000 hours on record-keeping. It will deliver around $890 million in cashflow support over the next five years. There's so much more in this budget providing assistance to Australians right across the board. There are so many measures that we have, particularly the indexation of many social security payments and more than $3 billion for aged care, including more beds and more packages. We know how vital this is, particularly in my electorate and the large number of senior Australians that we have. This is an issue and we've responded to that with more beds and more packages.”
“This will put downward pressure on domestic prices while shielding our market from global price volatility and making us more resilient to any potential supply shortfalls. As in all budgets, we're backing businesses. We're backing small businesses with this budget, we know that the key to higher wages and higher living standards is lifting productivity, and small businesses and start-ups are an important part of that. This budget contains $3.5 billion in new measures aimed at lowering taxes for businesses, increasing cash flow and supporting growth to boost investment. New measures include making the $20,000 instant asset write-off permanent, which will give businesses more certainty and allow them to invest in themselves with confidence.”
“We also secured more than a billion litres of extra fuel from March to June by relaxing the minimum stockholding obligation, underwriting additional cargoes and adjusting fuel standards, and now we're focused on building up reserves for the future and ensuring Australia's energy sovereignty. In this budget we saw our government establish a $3.2 billion government controlled Australian Fuel Security Reserve, and increase Australia's diesel and jet fuel reserves to 50 days. It's so vitally important that we do that. We're also taking action to secure more gas for Australian homes and businesses through a domestic gas reservation scheme. This scheme will require gas exporters to supply around 20 per cent of exports to the Australian market.”
“We're investing $5.9 billion in this budget to list new medicines on the PBS, including treatments for cystic fibrosis, chronic kidney disease, some cancers and many more. Since July 2022, our government has funded over 430 new or amended PBS medicines. When it comes to cheaper medicines, across my region we've had more than 2.6 million scripts for cheaper medicines that have been filled. That's making a huge difference to so many people in my region. Earlier this year, our government took immediate and effective action following the outbreak of the crisis in the Middle East and the absolute disruption of the global fuel supply. We cut the fuel excise by more than half, reduced the heavy-vehicle road user charge to zero for three months and doubled penalties for major breaches of consumer laws.”
“In this budget, we've committed $1.8 billion over five years and more than $500 million ongoing to make urgent care clinics permanent—a great initiative. These clinics provide fully bulk-billed and accessible care, taking pressure off hospitals and making life easier for so many Australians who use these services. In my electorate of Richmond, more than 5,400 people have visited the Tweed Heads Medicare urgent care clinic since it opened in December last year, delivering vital reform for access to health care for locals. As part of this budget, we're also delivering a landmark $25 billion in additional funding for state and territory hospitals, to reach a record $220.3 billion over five years.”
“The local infrastructure fund will support up to 65,000 more homes over 10 years, and reforms to cut red tape have the potential to support tens of thousands of additional homes, as well as reducing regulation costs by up to $3 billion a year. This brings the value of our Homes for Australia Plan to more than $47 billion—a massive investment. We're also committing $59.4 million of funding to community housing providers to help secure social housing for more than 4,000 eligible young people at risk of homelessness. Very importantly, in this budget, we did as we always do—strengthen Medicare and deliver better health outcomes—because we're committed to delivering on all of our plans, like cheaper medicines, a stronger Medicare, more bulk-billing, more doctors and nurses and more urgent care clinics.”
“The budget, really importantly, also includes an investment of a further $2 billion in a new local infrastructure fund for enabling infrastructure. Enabling infrastructure refers to roads, water, power and other systems required for all these housing projects to go ahead. This funding will be provided to local governments and our state utility providers responsible for this infrastructure. Access to the fund will require state based reforms to improve productivity in the housing sector. This means faster and simpler approvals, freeing up more land to build new homes and the delivery of a consistent National Construction Code.”
“We're also limiting negative gearing for residential properties to new builds that add to the supply of housing that we desperately need. For properties purchased after 12 May 2026, negative gearing can be used until 2027-28. For all existing investments made before 12 May 2026, negative gearing arrangements will remain absolutely unchanged. These changes to the tax system will help around 75,000 Australians get into the market over the next decade. This is the equivalent to reversing around a decade of decline in Australia's homeownership rate. All of these changes, when combined with our other massive housing reforms in the budget, will boost supply of housing by another 30,000 homes over 10 years, which are all desperately needed.”
“We're replacing the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount with inflation adjusted indexation to restore the taxation of real gains. We're also establishing a minimum tax rate of 30 per cent on realised gains. Importantly, income support recipients, including pensioners, will be exempt from the minimum rate. These changes apply from 1 July 2027 to all assets except new builds, where both new and old arrangements will be available to choose from. Any gains made up to 1 July 2027 will be treated under the old rules. We know that early-stage and startup businesses, particularly in the tech sector, have unique features, and further consultations are being undertaken with stakeholders to clarify the details for implementations for these kinds of businesses.”
“This will make the tax system fairer and more sustainable by aligning tax paid by trusts more closely with the income tax rates paid by the vast majority of Australians. Importantly, primary production income earned through discretionary trusts will remain exempt, recognising the unique income volatility and seasonal nature of farming businesses. In this budget we're creating a fairer system for first home buyers and future generations. Our reforms are about helping more Australians buy a home, encouraging investment in new housing supply and helping to fund new tax cuts for workers. Fixing the tax treatment of capital gains is necessary so that it operates as originally intended, by helping to ensure investment flows to where it's most productive.”
“The $1,000 instant tax deduction will allow workers to deduct up to $1,000 from their taxable income without having to keep receipts. What a big difference that will make. These measures all build on the legislated tax cuts starting in July 2026 and July 2027. The combined benefit to an Australian worker on average earnings from our three tax cuts, new tax offset and instant tax deduction will be up to $2,816 from 2027-28. We're also making changes to ensure more equal and sustainable treatment between workers earning a living from wages and those with income from assets held in trusts. Currently, discretionary trusts allow some Australians, often high-wealth individuals and families, to plan their tax affairs in ways that aren't available to most people. From 2028-29, a minimum 30 per cent tax rate will apply to discretionary trusts.”
“Every working Australian will benefit from the $250 working Australians tax offset, along with the $1,000 instant tax deduction. The working Australians tax offset will begin to apply for income earned from work for the second half of 2027 and will automatically reduce workers' tax liability for the 2027-28 income year. It will lift the effective tax-free threshold for eligible workers by almost $1,800. This is the largest permanent increase to the effective tax-free threshold since 2012-13. This new offset will provide responsible cost-of-living relief and help make the tax system much fairer for workers. It will help Australian workers to keep more of what they earn, incentivise participation for lower income workers and, very importantly, help with the cost of living.”
“This is an ambitious Labor budget because the Albanese Labor government is committed to building resilience, bolstering the economy and delivering for businesses, first home buyers and future generations of Australians. The budget's about more cost-of-living relief, more Medicare, more aged care and more housing. The budget contains the most significant tax reform package in more than a quarter of a century. This package of tax reform and tax relief is about making our economy work in the interests of more Australians, more Australian businesses and all those future generations. It's a package that's pro aspiration, pro worker and pro investment. The budget delivers a new and permanent tax cut for Australian workers.”
“We can't just ignore this problem and the impact that it's having on Australians, particularly young people with aspirations of homeownership. So we are taking action and overhauling the rules for negative gearing and capital gains tax. These changes have been carefully designed to help more Australians into homes and encourage the kind of market activity that leads to more supply. We're also making other very important changes to Australia's tax system. The package of tax reform and relief in this budget will reduce the tax burden for over 13 million workers, support 75,000 more homeowners into the housing market, deliver over $3.5 billion in new measures to lower taxes for businesses and reduce compliance costs by $540 million a year.”
“I rise today to speak in support of the debate on the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027 and related bills. This Labor budget is focused on relief, resilience and reform that delivers for all Australians. That's why this budget is delivering more tax cuts, a stronger Medicare and a fair go at homeownership. It's delivering more cost-of-living relief and helping build an economy that works for more people. We know that people are doing it really tough right now. Cost-of-living pressures have been compounded by the conflict in the Middle East, while at the same time we face longstanding challenges when it comes to productivity, intergenerational equity and access to housing. Over the past two decades, house prices have risen by around 400 per cent, and incomes have not kept pace.”
“My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. How is the Albanese Labor government supporting the aviation industry to keep communities connected?”
“Bill and Frank did so without hesitation because they believed in service over self. That is a legacy worthy of our deepest respect and gratitude. The courage, dedication and selflessness of these two brave heroes must always be remembered. Our community stands united in grief with the survivors, the families and the friends affected and with our dedicated local marine rescue volunteers, who have been devastated by this tragic event. I also pay tribute to the extraordinary bravery of all emergency service personnel who responded to this horrific incident with courage and compassion. My heart breaks for everyone impacted, especially the loved ones of those involved. May they rest in eternal peace.”
“I rise today on behalf of my community whose hearts are breaking right now following the recent tragedy in Ballina. Early last week, a crew of six marine rescue volunteers went out in difficult and dark conditions, answering the call to assist a vessel in distress. They did what emergency service volunteers and personnel across the north coast and across the country do every single day: they put the safety of others before their own. Tragically, local heroes and marine rescue volunteers Bill Ewen and Frank Petsch made the ultimate sacrifice and died during the rescue. And the sailor they'd gone to rescue, Matthew Clayton, also died, after his boat struck the South Ballina breakwall. It takes a remarkable kind of person to head into dangerous conditions to help others seeking safety.”
“It endures in so many artists whose careers she supported and advanced, the institutions she helped to transform and the stories that continue to be told with honesty and pride. To Rhoda's family, I extend my deepest condolences. I acknowledge your loss and honour the life that has meant so much to many. May Rhoda Roberts rest in peace, and may her legacy continue to guide and inspire future generations.”