Shayne Neumann
Blair · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“The new service will be built at Rosewood State School to help local families avoid the double drop-off in the morning—and in the afternoon, I might add—and help students to make a smoother transition to school.”
“It builds on our landmark schools funding agreement with the Queensland government to provide a record $2.8 billion in additional Commonwealth funding to Queensland state schools over the next 10 years, all tied to reforms to lift education standards.”
“The second capital upgrade involved $850,000 for a new custom amenities block at Linville State School, a little country school in the northern Somerset region, which has delivered modern facilities to ensure students' health and safety needs are met.”
“Labor is the party of education. The Albanese Labor government is building the education infrastructure we need in my electorate and building a better and fairer education system from preschool to tertiary.”
“An upgrade to the Mount Crosby interchange on the Warrego Highway is critical to the lives, lifestyle and livelihoods of the people of Ipswich. Last night, I was appalled to hear media reports that the Queensland LNP government is proposing in this week's budget to cut funding for the Mount Crosby interchange in my electorate.”
“I remember being in this House, in this parliament, when the coalition voted against the natural disaster funding, much of which was going to local councils in Queensland. It cost $11 billion of taxpayers' funding to rebuild Queensland after the 2011 floods.”
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“We have made a commitment not to continue the northern leg of the Inland Rail project from Parkes in New South Wales to Queensland. Last week, the government announced it would only prioritise the construction of the southern leg from Beveridge in Victoria to Parkes in New South Wales by the end of 2027. The planning work north of that in rural areas will continue on, but there's important work that we need to do in terms of rail, and we've given the money—as I outlined earlier in my speech—to the ARTC and put an emphasis on freight. In 2013, we provided $1 billion for planning work on Inland Rail. Who wouldn't like the idea of taking trucks off road and reducing carbon emissions? But the coalition government came to power, and they allocated $9 billion, off budget, and said, 'Thank you very much.”
“This is absolutely crucial, and we're supporting fully bulk-billing practices across the area. In my electorate alone we've seen an increase of 12 to 30 bulk-billing practices. We're investing in public hospitals and making sure that there's a $25 billion Commonwealth investment in public hospitals. This is so critical in regional towns like Rockhampton and Townsville and Mackay and Bundaberg and Hervey Bay. It's absolutely critical in my home state of Queensland. We dedicated $500 million to local enabling infrastructure and regional Australia—the power, the roads, the drains. These are all crucial for new housing and we're working with local government across that space. I want to speak about the Inland Rail.”
“As I said earlier, the Albanese government is committed to making sure people in regional and rural areas are not disadvantaged in terms of health care. We're making that more accessible. The Medicare urgent care clinics—we're investing $580 million to keep them permanent and free. There are 137 clinics providing accessible urgent care services across the country, and 47 are supporting communities in regional, rural and remote Australia. We're making them permanent, as I said. In my local community, there are nearly 37,000 visits to the clinic, the Ipswich Medicare urgent care clinic, which opened in August 2023. On top of that, in regional areas, people have had access to cheaper scripts. For example, in my electorate, people have got nearly 3.1 million cheaper scripts under Labor's cheaper medicines policy.”
“We're providing $500 million to build on the successful Active Transport Fund. It will provide active transport options, like walking and cycling, and will make our cities and regions more vibrant places in which to live. This budget also provides support to keep Australians moving through current fuel disruptions while investing in long-term productivity and resilience in the transport industry. When it comes to the cost of living in regional Australia, not much bites more than the cost of fuel, and there's no doubt regional Australia has been hit the hardest by the impacts of the global fuel shortage. That's why our comprehensive $14.8 billion plan to secure more fuel, to strengthen supply chains, to build resilience and to take the sting out of prices is so incredibly important for regional communities.”
“I want to highlight our commitment of an additional $750 million for further rounds of our flagship programs, the Growing Regions Program and the Thriving Suburbs Program, which brings our total investment since 2022 to $1.7 billion. The government is creating a new $2 billion local infrastructure fund under the Housing Support Program, with $500 million being dedicated to local enabling infrastructure in regional Australia. I can tell you, Deputy Speaker, there are stakeholders and organisations in my community chomping at the bit to get access to some of that money. There's $22.5 million to deliver round 10 of the Stronger Communities Program, which builds on more than 18,000 projects that have already been delivered to benefit local communities—many in the regions.”
“We're also supporting productivity and resilience upgrades in our national freight rail network with a $1.75 billion investment, which will bring the Australian Rail Track Corporation's network investment to nearly $2.8 billion. I'll have more to say on Inland Rail and the ARTC shortly. This government is absolutely committed to making sure that we support not only local governments but also local communities. We continue to invest in local communities by providing grant funding, which will make our suburbs and regions even better places to live. This includes bringing forward 80 per cent—that is, $2.9 billion—of the 2026-27 financial grants entitlement to local government and providing funding for the delivery of infrastructure that meets the needs of our cities and regions.”
“During a period of global uncertainty we're building on infrastructure with investment in responsible projects that boost productivity, deliver safer and faster freight and support connected housing. The budget will see new investment to support new and existing projects across every state and territory. In my home state of Queensland, there's an $812.5 million investment to deliver stage 2 of the Bruce Highway—Gateway Motorway to Dohles Rocks Road—which will build on the $758.4 million investment into stage 1, which will connect Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast regions north of Brisbane. In Western Australia, there's a $552 million investment to deliver the first stages of road upgrades to strengthen supply chain resilience, support housing supply and improve productivity in the defence and critical minerals industries.”
“It is absolutely vital that we support regional Australia, and that's what this government is doing in this budget. We are backing regional Australia. We're delivering on cost-of-living relief, health care and housing, because every postcode is critical in this country. We're delivering the transport and community infrastructure that regional Australians need. As part of our $120 billion, 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline this budget will see a total of $12.1 billion in new investments across the infrastructure, transport and regional development portfolio, with $10.3 billion for transport infrastructure projects, $976 million for transport and $803 million for community infrastructure.”
“The Albanese government is committed to regional Australia. Its sustainability, its prosperity and its resilience are critical to the Australian economy. Over the past four budgets, 560 regional initiatives have been brought forward by this government, and this is crucial to regional Australia. Accessibility, connectivity and equity of service are crucial to nearly one-third of Australians who live in regional and rural areas. Complex challenges are experienced by those living in rural and regional areas in relation to fuel and food security; climate change; the tyranny of distance, which impacts people's health; educational opportunities, which disadvantages young people; and job creation, which is always a big issue for young people in rural and regional areas on farms and in country towns.”
“They reduce harm. They improve transparency. They modernise mental health responses. And they ensure the Defence Force Discipline Act reflects the standard expected in contemporary Australia. I thank the minister for bringing forward these critical reforms. I want to thank the many stakeholders, experts, ADF personnel and the veterans community for their input into these reforms—and the royal commissioner and, in many cases, the brave victims-survivors of abuse in the ADF for courageously sharing their lived experiences to inform these changes. This is a careful, comprehensive and essential response to the findings of the royal commission. It supports the wellbeing of our defence personnel. It strengthens the integrity of the military disciplinary framework and upholds our expectations of fairness and accountability.”
“Importantly, the facility has been co-designed with veterans and families to ensure support and social connection that lines up with the needs of the local veterans community, and will liaise with local subbranches and wounded heroes who do mighty work in crisis support in our local area and nationally. We have more than 10,000 veterans and families living in Ipswich and the surrounding area in addition to 5,000, and more, ADF personnel stationed at RAAF Base Amberley. The Ipswich veterans and family hub will provide tailored mental health and wellbeing services. And just like in this bill, it's all part of the Albanese government's urgent focus on responding to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. In conclusion, the reforms in this bill strengthen trust in the military justice system.”
“This all goes to show the Albanese government is committed to delivering for current and former ADF personnel and their families. I know this from my own electorate. I was very proud to secure a $5.4 million commitment at the 2022 federal election for a new Ipswich veteran and family hub. This is part of the Albanese government's $46.7 million commitment to establish eight new veterans and families hubs across the country to ensure that more veterans and families can access support closer to home. Now that hub, which is nearly ready to be opened, will be operated by RSL Queensland and co-located with the Mates4Mates centre in West Ipswich. It was great to have the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and the Minister for Defence Personnel come to announce the final location in August last year.”
“Finally, last night's budget highlighted a number of really important things that the Albanese Labor government is doing while making historic investments in defence personnel and veterans. We continue to deliver on the government's response. There's an allocation of $770 million in additional funding to deliver on the royal commission's recommendations. This includes $169.7 million in funding for five years, from 1 July 2027, to increase fees for allied health providers and the largest investment in allied health fees for veterans in more than 20 years. The budget provides $29.8 million to support the establishment of a National Veterans Data Asset and $16.6 million for the Defence and Veterans Service Commission to conduct an independent inquiry from the middle of 2026 into military sexual violence in the ADF.”
“Make no mistake we are committed to addressing sexual misconduct and discrimination in the ADF and ensuring that members who have experienced mistreatment during their service receive all the support they need. It was the former Labor government, under Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard, that initiated the Defence Abuse Response Taskforce in response to sexual misconduct within the ADF. As a result of this report, the Defence Force Ombudsman's role was expanded to include an abuse-reporting function. It was that former Labor government that undertook a review by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, which led to the establishment of the ADF's Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Office. We have a proud record in this space, during the years of Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard, of taking action.”
“It seems extraordinary that we have to do this now. It should have always been there. The bill implements a number of other reform recommendations, including stronger protections over disclosure of sensitive material during discipline investigations. It implements a whole range of recommendations in that space. I want to make it clear that, on this side, we condemn sexual abuse and harassment in the workplace wherever it occurs. When Labor called for a royal commission into Defence and veteran suicide in opposition, and when the former government finally announced one, we called for it to cover the issue of abuse of female Defence personnel. It was pleasing that the royal commission made a number of recommendations in this area, and we are grateful for it.”
“Generally, the higher the rank, the more serious the consequence for contravention. The royal commission stated—and I think it's really worth quoting—'A well-functioning military justice system is essential for Defence to maintain good order and effective operational control.' It's a Defence matter. It really is a Defence capability and national security issue. The royal commission went on to say this: 'It is equally crucial to the mental health and wellbeing of Australian Defence Force members.' This bill also allows the Minister for Defence to issue guidelines to the Director of Military Prosecutions, and the approach aligns with section 8 of the Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1983—a similar power to the Attorney-General's to issue directions and guidelines to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.”
“The royal commission found that Defence Force members with underlying mental health issues may be more likely to be involved with the military justice system and that such involvement is a risk factor for suicide. How didn't we know that? We knew that in the civilian criminal justice systems in our country, and it took us till a royal commission for this to come to light. This was always the case. In criminal and civilian systems and in our courts, this was always the case. The overall effect of these measures is to give effect to necessary reforms to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for both victims and accused Defence members and reduce the risk of suicide and suicidality. Before imposing any punishment, a member's rank and the seriousness of their disciplinary contravention or offence must be considered.”
“Those who had previously had to hide and had pride—and I use that word deliberately—in their service will have that accurately reflected in their service record as well. Additionally, the bill amends the offence of malingering to remove stigmatised and pejorative language, and provide for the reporting of certain service offences for inclusion in civilian criminal history records. At its heart, the bill amends the Defence Force Discipline Act by making amendments which implement these recommendations. They're about enhancing the treatment of members engaged in the discipline system by modernising mental health provisions. We have changed enormously in terms of our understanding of mental health in the last generation.”
“These changes will allow Defence personnel who are convicted of offences purely on the basis of consensual homosexual activity apply to have these convictions extinguished. The effect of this extinguishment will be to prevent disclosure of that conviction or information relating to it by other people. Families of Defence members, including those of deceased veterans, can apply under this scheme on behalf of their loved ones. These changes are an overdue, restorative legal change to help lessen the detriment associated with and the stigma imposed by former homophobic attitudes and practices reflected in such convictions. We should always be proud of those who serve our nation, regardless of their sexual identity and proclivities. With these changes to enable expungement of convictions, this will no longer be a crime.”
“These recommendations are about strengthening workplace protections during sexual misconduct investigations, sentencing and recording convictions for perpetrators of military sexual violence and reforming court martial governance. The royal commission noted that involvement in the military justice system, whether as a victim or as an accused, can itself be a factor for suicide. It highlighted the pressing need for improving workplace protections, modernising sentencing practices, reporting and recording serious offences consistently with civilian jurisdictions, and more modern management of mental impairment in disciplinary proceedings. Nearly 34 years ago, in November 1992, Prime Minister Paul Keating declared homosexual men and women would no longer be banned from serving in the Australian Defence Force.”
“We've been working to implement them as quickly as possible, and I want to commend the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel for his strong response in implementing those recommendations. The royal commission dedicated a whole volume to sexual violence and unacceptable behaviour in military justice. The legislation before us today makes a significant step towards implementing those recommendations. It responds to concerns about fairness, transparency, mental health treatment, timeliness and complexity within the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982. The reforms are, as I said, about modernising the system, and they are very important. The bill directly implements recommendations 18, 20, 23 and 63 and gives effect to recommendation 34.”
“A backbench revolt, the pressure of Labor and the extraordinary campaign by brave mothers—like Julie-Ann Finney, Karen Bird and Nikki Jamieson, who all tragically lost their sons to suicide—together with so many other people are what forced the Morrison government into this royal commission. We have a 100-year opportunity to fix our broken veteran support system. The royal commission did a mighty job, and I want to commend the commission for it. They delivered their final report in September 2024 and made 122 recommendations. We've accepted, overwhelmingly, the majority of those recommendations. We've agreed or agreed in principle to 104 recommendations.”
“It's all about protecting people and aligning with Australia's community expectations and contemporary expectations in terms of social issues. The bill, as I said, has its genesis in the recommendations. It's worth remembering that the coalition did everything they possibly could to avoid a royal commission. They even announced a half baked national commissioner for defence and veteran suicide prevention and claimed it was bigger and better than a royal commission. It was simply a marketing exercise to placate the grieving families and block their demands for a proper and independent investigation into these tragic deaths.”
“This bill represents one of the most significant reforms to the Australian military justice system in decades, and it delivers on those recommendations. It comes on top of lots of work done by the current Labor government. The royal commission came about, and the Morrison government was dragged, kicking and screaming, by the grieving mothers and families of people who had died by suicide. Whether it was the findings of coronial inquests, anecdotal evidence or personal experience, it was obvious that we needed a royal commission, and Labor called for it and pushed hard while in the opposition. We certainly did when I was the shadow minister. The reforms contained in this bill are comprehensive and collectively modernise our system.”
“That's what the member for Calare offered and threatened when he was not on the crossbench and when he was the minister responsible. We had to rebuild the department—500 frontline personnel processing claims—and promised, when we came to government, the funding of hundreds of millions of dollars towards this process. Why? Because all of this contributed to the tragedy of mental health problems, depression, suicidal ideation and indeed suicide. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has said that between 1997 and 2023 1,840 ADF, ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen died by suicide. That's 1,840 too many. This bill implements and responds to the recommendations of the royal commission in part.”
“I'm very pleased to speak on this bill: the Defence Force Discipline Amendment (RCDVS Implementation and Related Measures No. 1) Bill 2026. There are few areas of governance where the Morrison government did worse than in veterans affairs and defence personnel. I don't believe for a minute it was through inequity; I think it was plain incompetence due to outsourcing, underfunding of the department responsible and labour hiring. There were far too few people on the front line of claims processing. Waiting times, backlog of claims—these were words used all the time in the department and amongst the veterans community. Imagine a minister for veterans affairs and defence personnel threatening to resign on the eve of the budget because of the incompetence and underfunding of his own department by his own government.”
“When their homes are inundated, those showgrounds provide places of refuge and relief. I want to thank the sponsors, exhibitors and volunteers who assist in all of the country's shows in my electorate. The talent, skills and abilities—from showing cattle and horses to quilting, painting, crafts and crocheting—are all there on display. These local shows and their volunteers are the lifeblood of country communities. I am so pleased to represent a vibrant rural and regional electorate in South-East Queensland.”
“As well as being used for annual shows, showgrounds are often used as community gathering points during emergency situations and as venues for other events and local festivals, which is why I advocated for and secured funding over the years for buildings in Kilcoy, toilets and sheds in Lowood and lighting at Toogoolawah at all their showgrounds. This is why I was so pleased to secure a 2022 election commitment of $6 million to upgrade the Ipswich Showgrounds, which includes $4.5 million for general upgrades and $1.5 million from the government's Disaster Ready Fund to improve amenities, such as showers and toilets, for use by residents during emergencies. During floods, showgrounds provide emergency accommodation for local residents, including local residents who are cut off from other country towns.”
“Regional communities depend on shows to reconnect with neighbours, build relationships, exchange knowledge and support local businesses. They provide a great way for me to keep connected with my local constituents by having information stalls. I'm having stalls at each and every country show. At Ipswich Show, once again this year, I'll be with the state member for Ipswich West, Wendy Bourne, for three days. I'm proud to support many of the country's shows, for example, by sponsoring prizes at the Toogoolawah show, poultry prizes at the Rosewood, Marburg and Lowood shows and the primary school art prizes at Rosewood. I'm delighted to donate hampers for raffles and print programs for some of the country shows, like the Kilcoy show, and I've done that for a number of years.”
“The annual country show season in my electorate of Blair is kicking off with the Ipswich Show in mid-May. We're blessed to have seven country shows in Blair and the City of Ipswich, in country towns like Rosewood, Marburg, Lowood, Esk, Toogoolawah and Kilcoy. The show society movement is the biggest volunteer movement in Australia. Country shows contribute more than $1 billion to the Australian economy every year. Agricultural shows play a vital role in the fabric of regional Australia, including in my electorate, which takes in the rural parts of Ipswich and the rural Somerset region. They provide significant social and economic benefits to regional communities and agricultural industries. In an electorate like mine, which spans urban and rural areas, they help bridge the divide between city and country.”
“Given the improved offers we've received from the Europeans, the timing and the need to send a message together that we still believe in free trade over protectionism, now was the time to sign this agreement. And here's the rub: the trade agreement the Europeans have just signed with India has no agricultural access at all. No future agreement that the EU enters into will achieve that agricultural access, so this is a good agreement.”
“This agreement provides guaranteed preferential access for 35,000 tonnes, more than eight times the current export, in a market we've been largely locked out of for the last 30 years. People would take years and years to be able to eat an Australian steak. As part of the agreement, there is an ability to go back to see if we can increase volumes and get a better outcome in the future. For sheepmeat, the agreement allows for nearly 31,000 tonnes, or five times our current market access. Where are the NFF on this? They should be supporting this agreement, not criticising it. Overwhelmingly, this is a good deal for Australia, and agriculture has come out in support of it. Ninety-five per cent of the industry supports it. Ultimately, the government has made a balanced judgement and a national interest assessment of the deal in its totality.”
“The agreement provides greater opportunities for suppliers, investors and professionals. That's critical as well. It's worth noting that our growing relationship with Europe extends beyond trade and investment. Last week, the government also announced the signing of the new Australia-European Union Security and Defence Partnership, which will strengthen cooperation across the defence industry, maritime security and cybersecurity as well as countering terrorism and disinformation. I note that those opposite and some industry groups have been critical of the beef and sheepmeat quotas in the agreement, so I want to point out a few facts. When we were elected in 2022, beef exports in total were worth $9 billion. They're now $18 billion, or double that, and growing. Last year, our beef exports to the EU were 4,000 tonnes.”
“It's good for my home state, with more Australian beef and sheepmeat produced by Queenslanders destined for European supermarkets. Local beef farmers in my electorate will benefit from greater opportunities. Two of the country's biggest meat processors, JBS Dinmore in Ipswich and Kilcoy Global Foods based in Kilcoy and Coominya, in the Somerset Region, have the opportunity for more market access to the EU. These businesses employ thousands of people in my electorate, and now there's greater opportunity. This is a hard-fought agreement which will benefit Australian consumers and businesses and provide more choice in goods and services at cheaper prices, including important inputs for our manufacturing and primary industry sectors. The services sector will also benefit. It's worth nearly $10 billion to the Australian economy.”
“This world's a pretty unpredictable place at the moment, and the best way to navigate it is with those who have like-minded attitudes and with middle partners like the European Union and the countries that make it up. That's why, last year, the government committed to stepping up our cooperation with the EU. This is a comprehensive, balanced, commercially meaningful agreement that will reduce costs for Australian consumers, open up new markets—those opposite can't deny that—to Australian producers and diversify our trade. It's a win-win. It removes tariffs on key Australian exports, including wine, seafood and horticulture. It means our clean, green, high-quality Australian produce, including beef, lamb, dairy, rice and sugar, will have access to consumers in the European market.”
“We've signed a landmark, once-in-a-generation trade agreement with the European Union, the world's second-largest economy. Where's the Liberal and National parties' trade nationalism? Where's their 'team Australia' they used to give us lectures about when they were in government? They are over there whingeing and carping and moaning. The Australia-EU trade agreement will lower trade and investment barriers between Australia and the EU, a massive $30 trillion economy with around 450 million people. It's a terrific outcome. It's worth $10 billion for the Australian economy on an annual basis. Of course, our relationship with Europe is grounded in a shared belief in democratic institutions, human rights and inclusive societies.”
“I thank the member for Hunter for this important motion and acknowledge his strong commitment to the regions and to our farmers and producers not only in the Hunter but across Australia. We've been in power for four years. The coalition was in power for four years before that during the negotiations. It couldn't land this agreement. So it's petty and mean spirited that the coalition continue to whine and moan and carp and whinge about this agreement when, if they had landed this agreement, the new Jerusalem would have been achieved. Valhalla has arrived, heaven on earth is here—if they had landed this agreement. But of course they're whingeing and moaning and carping. This is so typical of the Liberal and National parties when Labor does trade agreements.”
“We're backing our truck drivers to get a fair go, so costs can be shared fairly through the supply chain. These two pieces of legislation today come on top of all the action we've undertaken in relation to addressing affordability and security. There's not one idea from those opposite, not one single thing that they've come up with to support the industry and consumers. Not one single thing has been offered by those opposite—nothing. Where's their plan? They've got no plan once again—an opposition bereft of ideas. They were in 2022, all through the last parliament under the member for Dickson, and they continued under member for Farrer and continue under the current opposition leader.”
“Under the Fair Work Act, the Fair Work Commission can require transport clients, including retailers, mining companies and manufacturers, to offer fair contract terms, ensuring that truckies and transport operators are paid enough to cover the cost of fuel. But currently that minimum of six months is required for a contract chain order. Our amendment will remove that waiting time, and the industry and the union support it. But those opposite—we wait to see whether they'll support this legislation. This is about more support for truck drivers who keep the country going. During COVID, we saw the benefit of the trucking industry—those in transport, warehouse, logistics and retail. They are absolutely vital. These new powers will ensure that truckies are paid fairer and on time, and it will help cover the high cost of fuel at the moment.”
“That's no excuse to jack up prices and rip off Australians. The Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill is important as well. It allows the government to amend the Fair Work Act to allow truckies and road transport businesses to make an emergency application for a contract chain order to deal with the current spike in fuel prices caused by the war in the Middle East. I wonder whether the coalition is going to vote against what the Trucking Association says and vote against what the Transport Workers' Union says. What are they going to do today? It's going to be really interesting to see how they vote. Are they on the side of the consumers, those with cars? Are they on the side of the transport industry, the truck drivers who get the food and groceries into our stores each and every day?”
“I think the member for Mitchell should come back. I want to bring back Alex. I think he'd be a better Manager of Opposition Business. The legislation before the chamber is really important for Australian consumers because no new ideas and no constructive suggestions have happened from those opposite on the fuel issues and the challenges we're facing from the war in the Middle East—nothing from those opposite, just whinging and moaning and carping all the time. The conflict overseas has had an impact, and it's not an excuse to rip off Australians at service stations and at bowsers. It is simply not. We need to clamp down. I'm pleased the ACCC, in March this year, investigated a number of companies in relation to this issue. We need these higher penalties for petrol companies who do the wrong thing. That's why we're doing what we're doing.”
“Lionel Murphy, as Attorney-General, set up the Trade Practices Commission, which was the predecessor of the ACCC. During nearly a decade in government, those opposite did nothing about penalties for cartel behaviour. We came in and what did we do? We introduced a penalty of $10 million, and then we increased it to $50 million. We did that, and the coalition government did nothing. Now we're going to double it to $100 million, and the coalition government, until this morning, weren't sure whether they were going to support it. Now, by the way, in this omnishambles of a coalition opposition—they've changed the leader, but there's still a mess. Even this morning we could it see with the way they voted. They didn't have a clue what they were doing. No-one was more embarrassed than the member for Wannon.”
“I'm pleased to speak in support of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for the ACCC Enforcement) Bill and the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026. In a list of issues which the Liberal and National parties really hate, I think No. 1 would be unions, No. 2 would be Medicare and No. 3 would be the transport industry. They really can't stand the transport industry. They've never supported good legislation in the transport industry. The legislation we have before the chamber today adds to the great history of Labor governments. It was the Whitlam government in 1974 that brought in trade practices legislation for the first time. Nothing was done during the 23 years of inertia of Menzies and the subsequent prime ministers of the Liberal and National parties—nothing! We brought in trade practices legislation in 1974.”
“My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. How is the Albanese Labor government supporting truck drivers and road transport businesses to get a fair go, given the impact of the conflict in the Middle East?”
“So it's a bit rich for the member for McPherson to bring this motion and for those opposite to talk about cost-of-living relief when they have opposed it. It is only Labor that stands up for Middle Australia, it's only Labor that stands up for pensioners and it's only Labor that stands up for the working people of this country.”
“Are those the kinds of cuts the Liberal and National parties want to make? I reckon that's exactly what they want to do. When they're in opposition, they're nice and bland and vanilla, and they say, 'Trust us; we believe in Medicare; we believe in public education; we believe in public hospitals,' and when they get into power they do what they did in the 2014 budget. We've got some new members here, by the way, who must have political amnesia, because they stood for political parties—the Liberal National Party and the Liberal Party in South Australia—as candidates, backing in exactly what they did in opposition in the last parliament, exactly what they did in government under Abbott and Turnbull and Morrison. Now, since they've been sitting on the opposition benches, they've voted against relief for people again and again and again.”
“The Liberal and National parties have opposed superannuation increases every step of the way and then froze the increases when, of course, Tony Abbott was the Prime Minister. Again and again and again, they opposed relief for working-class people and pensioners. They opposed, for example, the rental assistance that we provided for people who needed it—increasing in the last few budgets. They opposed it. They voted against it again and again, each and every time. By the way, when their former illustrious leader Sussan Ley, the member for Farrer, talked about TAFE, they said, 'Unless you actually pay for things, you don't really appreciate them.' Of course, in their first budget when they were in last, they cut $80 billion on education and health expenditure. Are those the kinds of cuts you want to make?”
“In addition to that, the Liberal and National parties are the parties of higher taxation. They were the ones who increased the government expenditure to debt ratio. Since John Howard and Scott Morrison, the Liberal and National parties have told the Australian public to believe what I say, not what I do. When they get into power, they splurge money again and again and again. We were the ones, by the way, that provided two budget surpluses. They promised—Joe Hockey, the shadow Treasurer—promised that they would have a surplus each and every year of their rule. In nine years, they didn't produce one surplus. It says 'to support people and dignified retirement' in the fifth paragraph here of this motion.”
“They opposed cheaper child care. They opposed 60-day scripts. They opposed 25-day scripts for non-concessional income earners. They opposed $7.70 for concessional income earners, with scripts frozen until 2030. They opposed, by the way, the $45 billion Homes for Australia plan to deliver 1.2 million houses. They opposed the Medicare urgent care clinics, and they were going to close them. They opposed the mental health urgent care clinics as well. Again and again and again, they opposed cost-of-living relief. They voted against it in parliament. They had policies at the last election that were going to increase the debt and deficit. That was their policy. They haven't identified in this debate one example of money that we have spent that they wouldn't have matched as well.”
“It takes a bit of chutzpah to come in here. These are the people who wasted $20 billion on JobKeeper—paying money, by the way, to companies that made money and whose profits went up. They wasted $20.9 billion in the last year alone, I might add, on outsourcing up to a third of the Public Service to consultants. That's what was found when independently assessed. Then, of course, who can forget the $21 million spent on the COVID app, where only 17 people were identified as close contacts? They splurged money left, right and centre and left us with a trillion dollars of debt, and then, by the way, in the last paragraph, call on the government to take urgent action to address the cost-of-living crisis. They opposed student debt reduction. They opposed free TAFE. They opposed energy bill relief. They opposed tax cuts.”