Amanda Rishworth
Kingston · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“He contacted my office to let me know that this will make a huge difference to him and other young people in the retail workspace who now feel they can get ahead and start saving for a home. Tax cuts are also coming in on 1 July.”
“Of course, the Labor Party is the party of superannuation. We firmly believe that superannuation enables people to save for their retirement. It is a very important reform.”
“Yesterday was 1 July, and this was a really important day where a lot of cost-of-living help was provided by this government. Starting from 1 July, I'm really very pleased that workers that rely on the national minimum wage and national minimum award wages will have seen a boost to their wages.”
“We know that this government is backing not only a minimum wage rise but also tax cuts for workers. This government is delivering a fairer tax system for hardworking Australians. From today, over 14 million taxpayers will get a tax cut delivered by this Labor government.”
“I'd like to thank the member for Moreton for her question and for her years and years of standing up for working Australians in this place and before she came here. This Albanese Labor government is delivering real change for Australians with a range of cost-of-living measures coming in from today.”
“Our commitment to boost the minimum wage has been welcomed by workers like Bianca. Bianca is a retail worker, and she said, 'Getting this pay rise helps those in less fortunate situations like me.' This pay rise means that Raj, a support worker, can afford to buy a new bike for his son, which he has been asking for.”
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“And while those on the other side fight and bicker and argue, there's only one side of this parliament that's committed to working Australians, and that's the Albanese Labor government, and we'll get on with that job.”
“Our government is working hard to deliver for people like Thomas. I am asked: what could put at risk these pay increases? I want to be very clear. The biggest risk to working people's wages and jobs is those opposite. Just a few weeks ago, while the Leader of the Opposition was trying to deflect attention and save her job, she reignited the old Liberal Party industrial relations playbook by threatening to roll back the very reforms that were delivering better wages and conditions for working people. The Liberal and National parties haven't changed. They aren't listening, they have no ideas and, of course, they are just focused on themselves. The only job that the Leader of the Opposition cares about is her own job.”
“But this wasn't happening, and we had seen workers employed by labour hire receiving significantly less than other staff that they worked alongside. Well, our government has fixed this. It's been just a year since pay rises started to flow as a result of our same job, same pay changes. On Friday, I met with a group of flight attendants who, before our laws, were wearing the same uniform, doing the exact same job and getting paid $20,000 less than direct employees working alongside them. Our laws have fixed this, delivering fair pay for thousands of workers across a range of industries. Domestic flight attendant Thomas told me that, since these pay rises under the same job, same pay laws kicked in, he and his co-workers now have 'dignity' and 'equality', and he can now afford to take a holiday.”
“I thank the member for Corangamite for the question and also for her advocacy on behalf of working people right around this country. The Albanese government has delivered the most significant workplace relations reforms since the Fair Work Act was introduced and is delivering higher wages for Australian workers. Of course, as mentioned by the Treasurer, the latest ABS data released last week shows that, under the Albanese Labor government, we've seen the longest run of real wages growth in a decade. One policy delivering significant pay increases for hardworking Australians is our same job, same pay reforms. The Albanese Labor government introduced this change based on a very simple idea: if you're doing the same work, you deserve to be paid the same.”
“But the member for Kennedy does raise an issue that concerns all elected members of parliament. I would say that one thing that I'm always reminded of regularly is that the Australian public are not silly; they often can see through these smear campaigns and rhetoric, and I always put trust in the Australian people.”
“I also note that states and territories are in different stages of legislating this type of content in paid political communication, with my home state of South Australia being one of those with the most progress. The Australian Electoral Commission, one of the most trusted Commonwealth agencies, who have the primary task of running our federal elections, have made their views clear. The AEC have consistently given evidence that this is not an area of law that should be rushed or approached without careful consideration. This includes, of course, the question of who should be the authority and regulator of the content of truth and opinion. As the Commonwealth, we must consider the constitutionally implied freedom of political communication in any reform.”
“The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters considered this issue in its last term, resulting in the Special Minister of State introducing legislation for consideration, which contains a model to regulate and govern truth in political ads. There's an open invitation from the Special Minister of State for all members, including the member for Kennedy, and senators to meet with him to discuss this important reform. We know that regulating paid political communication and, indeed, more broadly, mis- and disinformation is a complex issue, with many members and senators having varied ideas, concerns and views on these types of pieces of legislation.”
“I'd like to thank the member for Kennedy for his question. One thing he did reference in his question was his long and distinguished public service. I would like to recognise the unveiling of his portrait today, which recognises that 50 years. I think we can all agree it is a striking portrait at that. Going to the member for Kennedy's question, as the Speaker has rightly pointed out, this is in the jurisdiction of Queensland state law. But I do agree with the member for Kennedy that truthful content in political communication is a genuine issue. It is an issue that has been examined by this parliament through several avenues.”
“A word of caution, though, for workers right across Australia: workers probably shouldn't put this public holiday in their diary just yet, because, according to a recent poll, even the Independent member for Wentworth is a more preferred Liberal leader than the member for Goldstein! But you never know; he might just be a little slow to get out of the gate, and we may see a Wilson government sometime in the future. But, of course, in all seriousness, it is incredibly disappointing that we see the coalition completely talking about themselves and which days they're going to have off. Is it going to be the member for Farrer, the member for Canning, the member for Hume or even the member for Goldstein that will lead this party? It's only our Labor government that will back Aussie workers.”
“Of course, this is not a new position for the shadow minister. In 2017 he voted against protecting Sunday penalty rates in the parliament. But it seems that, in the past few days, the shadow minister has had a change of heart. I noticed over the weekend that the shadow minister has a newfound love of public holidays. In fact, the shadow minister has declared on social media that, under a Wilson government, there will be a new public holiday on Melbourne Cup Day—primarily, it seems, to get him out of coming to parliament! I'm not sure if this is official Liberal Party policy, but I note it has been enthusiastically backed by Senator Hume. But I hope a policy of this nature will include protections for all workers—not just politicians, like he seems to advocate for.”
“I thank the member for Werriwa for that question. It has been nine weeks and four days since our legislation to protect penalty rates came into effect. This government took this action because, if you work on weekends and public holidays, you deserve penalty and overtime rates. If you are one of the almost 6,000 award-reliant workers working in Victoria today, our legislation has protected your penalty rates. The Albanese Labor government backs low-paid workers. I'm asked how this compares to other approaches. When our legislation was before the parliament, the coalition used every excuse to stand in the way of action to protect penalty rates. The shadow minister for employment did not miss an opportunity to criticise our protections of penalty rates. He claimed it does nothing for workers.”
“Priya's bill has sparked an outpouring of public support, like from Tammy, who wrote: 'I remember having to go back to work within six weeks after the loss of my baby daughter. I am so pleased that there has been the needed reform in this space.' While it's been heartening to see support across the parliament, it has been disappointing to see the efforts of a few who are trying to make this something that it's not. This morning, I got a message from Priya's mum, who reminded us all about what this bill is about. Priya's mum said: 'I want to sincerely thank every speaker who has supported this bill with such compassion, sensitivity and care. I am profoundly grateful to everyone who has embraced and supported this legacy of love.' No parent should have to go through what Priya's parents experienced, and that is why our government has acted.”
“Priya's mother explained that, after informing her employer her child had passed away, she lost access to her paid parental leave and had to negotiate to return to work while grieving the loss of the child. Priya's parents were determined to protect others from the same fate and began advocating for change. Our government listened, and we're making that change happen. Baby Priya's bill introduced a principle into the Fair Work Act that protects employer paid parental leave in the event a child is stillborn or dies. It brings these protections in line with government paid parental leave and unpaid leave arrangements. This bill only applies where there is a lack of clarity on an employee's leave if a child is stillborn or dies after birth.”
“I'd like to thank the member for Lalor for the question and for her advocacy for those parents who have suffered the devastating loss of a child. Experiencing stillbirth or the death of a child is an inconceivable tragedy, and, unfortunately for some parents, it becomes a too-real reality. The last thing any parent should have to deal with after grieving the loss of a child is the uncertainty around their employer paid parental leave. It is for those parents that our government has introduced the Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya's) Bill 2025, which passed through the House today. The bill is named after Priya, who heartbreakingly died when she was just six weeks old.”
“Employers and unions are united in what work needs to be done to make sure that our construction industry is as productive as possible. I thought I might go through some of the work that has been done under this government to actually address crime and corruption in the construction industry. I draw the House's attention firstly to a number of members—”
“I thank the shadow minister for his question. His question really goes to the role that our government has been playing in making sure that we have a construction industry that is free from corruption. Of course, this did not happen under those opposite, and I might give a few examples in a minute. What I will go to firstly is the National Construction Industry Forum, which is playing an incredibly important role in bringing unions, employers and government together on how we tackle this issue. Of course, I make no apologies for actually bringing people together to look at how we tackle these issues. I would invite the shadow minister to look at the taskforce report, which has been made public, and also look at the work that's being undertaken because—guess what?”
“There's Operation Rye, which was established to assess information and coordinate investigation of allegations related to the criminal offending of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union, and the AFP is chair of the joint agency working group. So, quite frankly, to suggest that our government is not doing anything when it comes to crime and corruption in the building industry—I can reassure this House that we have done more in our term in government than those on the other side. We are taking this seriously. The shadow minister might want to pretend he's in university politics, throwing around accusations; meanwhile, we are the adults in the room and will continue to be so. (Time expired)”
“The administration has commissioned leading independent corruption expert Geoffrey Watson to undertake multiple detailed investigations and has taken appropriate action based on those reports, referring many matters to regulators and law enforcement. In addition to the work that the administrator is taking, our regulators and law enforcement agencies are doing their job. The Fair Work Ombudsman is undertaking significant compliance and enforcement action in relation to misconduct in the construction industry by both unions and employers. As of 12 September 2025, the Fair Work Ombudsman is progressing 19 investigations in relation to multiple branches of the Construction and General Division of the CFMEU.”
“The administration has received over 500 complaints under its anonymous whistleblowing process, and it has been working very closely with the joint agency working group that consists of the Fair Work Ombudsman, Fair Work Commission, various police forces and other regulators in various jurisdictions. The administrator has also made specific referrals of criminal conduct to the Victorian and New South Wales police forces and referrals of contraventions of the industrial legislation to the regulatory agencies. The administration has established an integrity unit. It engages investigations and barristers to conduct inquiries into defined matters.”
“I thank the shadow minister for his question. From the outset, I reject the assertions that were in that question. But what might help him is for me to go through some of the actions that both the administrator and the regulators have taken during the 16 months that the administration has been in place. First, I would note that, as I previously said, the administrator's difficult work to date has been to remove or to accept the resignations of 60 staff, over two-thirds of whom were in leadership positions. Of course, the administrator has made it absolutely clear where the union stands on expectations of staff, and the new code of conduct has been very clear about what the consequences will be.”
“It is about getting the police to work together. It is about an administration that is so transparent it reports twice to the parliament every single year. It appoints investigations and tables those investigations or puts them on its website. It puts its financial records out for the world to see. This is the type of transparency we need. If those opposite think this is an easy task then they are naive. It has been demonstrated by the shadow minister, who today made some absolutely baseless claims about the administrator—a barrister with the standing of Mark Irving. It was absolutely a disgrace. While they on the other side might want to play politics with this issue, we take it seriously. We want to see a construction industry free from corruption. We are dedicated to the task and we will work until that task is done.”
“I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. Of course, if she had been following the debate as to why we were putting the CFMEU into administration, she would know that the strongest possible action you can take, in terms of transparency and ensuring that there is accountability, is to put the CFMEU into administration. We compare that to what the coalition did, which was stand up an ABCC which really was a toothless tiger. If we look at some of the incidents and allegations that are being exposed at the moment—they happened under the ABCC and, indeed, the coalition's watch. We on this side of the House are taking this issue of stamping out corruption in the construction industry with the seriousness and the dedication it deserves. It is about getting the regulators to work together.”
“He's made it absolutely clear where the union stands when it comes to gifts, organised crime, menacing behaviour and what the consequence will be. He has received more than 500 complaints through the anonymous whistleblowing website, which triages complaints, some of which are dealt with internally and many of which are referred to authorities. He is working with the joint agency working group that consists of the AFP, the Fair Work Commission and police forces across all jurisdictions. And he is doing his job. He is working very hard and has achieved more in 16 months than the ABCC did in the whole time it was— (Time expired)”
“I'd like to thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. I want to make a statement really clearly: the government has absolutely no tolerance for criminal conduct or misbehaviour in the building industry. That is why our government took the strongest possible action to put the CFMEU into administration. This is very difficult work. I have spoken with the administrator on numerous occasions about just how difficult this work is, and he is absolutely committed to cleaning out this union. I want to go through some of the work he has already been doing. He has taken significant steps to either remove or accept the resignation of over 60 staff, over two-thirds of whom were in leadership positions or organisers. He has developed a national code of conduct and a statement of expectations for all staff.”
“From 1 July this year, the minimum wage for award workers saw a 3.5 per cent increase. This decision followed our government's submission calling for an economically sustainable real-wage increase for Australia's award-reliant workers. This, of course, was ongoingly rejected by those opposite. We've protected the pay packets of those award-reliant workers who work weekends and unsociable hours by enshrining protections of their penalty rates in law. Under our government we've seen real wages grow, unemployment remaining at historically low levels and inflation coming down. While those opposite continue to be preoccupied by their own melodrama, which could rival T he Bold and the Beautiful , our government is focused on delivering for Australian workers and delivering for Australian people.”
“Wages grew by 3.4 per cent in the 12 months to the June quarter, representing a real wage increase of 1.3 per cent. That is the strongest annual real wages growth we have seen in five years, and we have seen the longest run of annual real wage growth at or above 0.7 per cent for a decade. Wage increases are even higher for those covered by enterprise bargaining agreements. The latest data revealed that approved agreements in the June quarter this year delivered an annual wage increase of 4.2 per cent. This is up from the 3.8 per cent recorded in the March quarter and above the average over the last five years. The private sector is leading the way with newly approved enterprise agreements in the most recent quarter, recording higher pay increases compared to approvals in the public sector.”
“I'd like to thank the member for Hasluck for her question and the hardworking advocacy she does on behalf of her constituency. Our government is committed to delivering cost-of-living relief for Australians, including by delivering real wage increases for our hardworking workers. Of course, getting wages moving is a core part of our government's agenda, with our workplace relations reforms designed to reinvigorate enterprise bargaining and get wages moving. These reforms were desperately needed after a decade of coalition government, which presided over low wages which they used to brag about as being part of a deliberate design feature of their economic policy. Well, our laws are now working. They are getting wages moving. We have now seen economy-wide annual real wage increases above inflation for the past seven quarters in a row.”
“It protects employer funded paid parental leave entitlements at one of the most difficult times a parent can face. In conclusion, I did want to again commend Priya's mum and dad for their advocacy and their hope to prevent parents in similar situations ever having to experience what they did in the future. They are making a difference to people's lives, and I would like to sincerely thank them and, of course, acknowledge Baby Priya as well. She made a profound impact on the lives of so many, and her impact will continue to be felt into the future. Once again, I commend the bill to the House. Debate adjourned.”
“The loss of a child is devastating. It has profound and long-lasting impacts on parents, families and communities. Australia is one of the safest places in the world for a baby to be born. But, tragically, stillbirths and child loss do happen. On an average day in Australia, more than six babies are stillborn and more than two die within the first year of their birth. In 2022, this resulted in over 3,000 families losing a child. This bill addresses a gap that some parents of these babies have fallen through. It gives employees and employers alike certainty in these tragic and emotional circumstances. It ensures managers do not have to make discretionary calls on whether a leave provision applies in difficult circumstances. It makes it easier to handle difficult situations in the most sensitive of times. This reform is vital.”
“Instead, it encourages employers and employees to continue negotiating clear, compassionate policies that address these situations. As a government, we recognise the benefits of paid parental leave. It encourages parents to retain a connection to the workforce. It also offers a wealth of benefits for employers—including better staff retention and the ability to attract a talented workforce. In recognition of these benefits, we have acted to strengthen the government's funded paid parental leave so parents now receive 24 weeks of government paid parental leave including superannuation contributions. This bill does not introduce any requirement to provide employer funded paid parental leave if it's not already provided. I would like to thank those employer representatives who have reached out to me to support this important reform.”
“The clarity this bill provides aligns with the clarity provided in existing unpaid parental leave entitlements, ensuring consistency across the workplace relations framework. It will not interfere when employers and employees bargain and agree conditions in good faith. The ability to bargain for pay and conditions above the safety net is central to our approach to workplace relations. It leads to mutually beneficial conditions for employers and employees and builds a constructive dialogue. As such, this bill will not interfere where it is clear that employers and employees have agreed what should occur if a child is stillborn or dies. For example, I'm aware that many employers offer express stillbirth leave entitlements, and this reform will not interfere with those entitlements.”
“Being able to work through such circumstances in a dignified and humane way depends on there being shared expectations by employers and employees about how these tragic situations are managed. As a government, we share this belief, and that is why we've acted to provide certainty in these circumstances. The bill introduces a new principle into the Fair Work Act. Unless employers and employees have expressly agreed otherwise, employer funded paid parental leave must not be cancelled because a child is stillborn or dies. Parents should be able to rely on their employer funded paid parental leave entitlements operating in a way that they would have expected on the basis of their terms of employment, regardless of the outcome of the pregnancy or birth. This bill ensures that.”
“Parents should have the certainty and time to grieve after the loss of a child. Their pain should not be compounded by uncertainty about whether or not they have to go back to work while they're recovering not only from the immense grief and trauma, but from childbirth itself, and the physical toll it takes on the body. They deserve the clarity about the impacts of such a tragic event on their financial position, providing one source of certainty as they cope with the loss of the future they had imagined with their child. Baby Priya's parents did not have that clarity or certainty and no parent should ever have to go through what they did. We know these are incredibly difficult circumstances for workers and managers to navigate.”
“I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The loss of a child is a tragedy. Parents shouldn't have to deal with the uncertainty about their employer-funded paid parental leave entitlements on top of that grief. This bill will ensure that there is greater clarity regarding employer-funded paid parental leave for parents dealing with the tragedy of a stillborn or death of a child. By providing this certainty, we hope to take some of the stress away from parents during an inconceivably difficult time. This bill is named after Baby Priya—who died when she was just six weeks old. And I wanted to acknowledge Baby Priya's mum and dad and grandparents in the gallery today. We thank you for your bravery, your advocacy and your passion to make sure that this happens to no other parent—of what you went through.”
“And, of course, our government is delivering tax cuts for every single worker in this country. While those on the other side continue to be distracted and divided, it is this Labor government that is committed to helping Australians earn more and keep more of what they earn.”
“In particular, enterprise agreements in the private sector led the growth in wages. Real wage increases delivered through enterprise bargaining are providing important cost-of-living relief for Aussie workers. In addition to enterprise bargaining, our government has a strong record of standing up for our lowest paid workers. In our government's most recent submission to the Annual Wage Review, we called for a real wage increase. And, from 1 July this year, minimum award wages increased by 3.5 per cent. Of course, over the term of this Labor government, minimum award wages have increased by $9,120 a year. This is real money in the pockets of our lowest paid workers. We have also, of course, legislated to protect penalty rates for those on the minimum-award safety net who rely on them as an essential part of their pay packet.”
“Importantly, the government's workplace relations reforms have reinvigorated enterprise bargaining, with a record high of 2.8 million employees now covered by enterprise agreements. This is the highest number of employees covered by agreements since bargaining first began, in 1991. Our government's workplace relations reforms have removed barriers to workplace bargaining, meaning better pay and job security for workers while helping businesses improve flexibility, productivity and staff retention. The most recent data shows that enterprise agreements are delivering real wage increases. The most recent data shows that the average annualised wage increase for agreements approved in the June quarter was 4.2 per cent—higher than the economy-wide wage increase of 3.4 per cent.”
“I'd like to thank the member for Melbourne for her question and her fierce advocacy for Australian workers. Since the Albanese Labor government came to office we have been working to get a better deal for Australian workers and to get wages moving. Of course, this was off the back of 10 long years of low wages as a deliberate design feature of the coalition's economic architecture. Our government has improved our workplace laws to deliver better wages and more-secure jobs, and now we're starting to see the benefit of our changes. Under the Albanese Labor government we are currently seeing the strongest rate of annual real wage growth in five years. Growth in real wages helps workers with the cost of living.”
“As a government, we will continue to focus on delivering for Australians and working Australians, because that's what Labor governments do.”
“Since we delivered these protections to penalty and overtime rates, I have met with many, many workers who say they can sleep more soundly at night because they know their penalty rates are protected. I met with Cassidy, who works in retail. She told me that she now feels confident that her penalty rates and overtime won't be taken away. These protections build on our record of delivering better outcomes for working Australians. Our government has delivered reforms that have boosted wages, have closed the gender pay gap and are creating more jobs. We're now seeing real wages grow, with real wages growing for seven consecutive quarters. More than 1.1 million jobs have been created under this government's watch, and we continue to experience historic record-low unemployment. Of course, the gender pay gap is at a record low.”
“The modern award safety net supports some of our lowest-paid workers. Workers who rely on penalty and overtime rates are more likely to be women, work part-time, be under the age of 35 and be employed on a casual basis. Retail worker Emily, who was expecting her first baby, said to me that penalty rates give her the room to be able to save for her little bubba and to help her move to make sure that her new family has a roof over its head. It's for workers like Emily and many others who rely on penalty and overtime rates that we made this commitment. I am proud that in the first three weeks of this term of the new parliament, we passed our law to protect penalty rates as a priority.”
“RISHWORTH (—) (): I thank the member for Leichhardt for that question and for his longstanding advocacy for working people in Far North Queensland. Isn't it great to have him join this side of the House? The Albanese Labor government went to the election with a commitment to protect penalty and overtime rates, and we are delivering. We made this commitment because there were cases under way at the Fair Work Commission that would allow, if successful, these entitlements to be stripped away from some of our lowest-paid workers. As a government, we will always back Aussie workers, including our low-paid workers, and, as a government, we refuse to sit by and see workers lose this critical part of their take-home pay. Penalty and overtime rates matter. They are a longstanding feature and a vital part of the modern award safety net.”
“Our government has also acted to protect award-reliant workers when they were faced with a real chance of losing their penalty rates. This, of course, is in clear contrast to the coalition, who, when in government, stood by and did nothing to protect penalty rates when they were taken away in 2017. Our government is committed to getting wages moving. We have recorded the strongest annual real wages growth in five years, and real wages have been growing for seven consecutive quarters. Since coming to government, Aussie workers are benefiting from an average of an additional $9,000 per year in their pay packets. This Labor government is delivering for working people. We're delivering to get wages moving and making sure Aussies are earning more.”
“The gender pay gap is now at a record low of 11.5 per cent, and working women are earning on average an additional $250 a week. Our Closing Loopholes changes have stopped the underpayment of labour-hire workers, and many are earning thousands of dollars more. We've delivered on our commitment to make a submission to the Fair Work Commission for a real wage increase for almost three million workers who rely on minimum award wages. And we've made a submission every single year since we've been in government. When this commitment was first made by our Prime Minister while in opposition, those opposite labelled it reckless. Well, this side of parliament does not view backing Aussie workers as reckless. Now, the lowest-paid workers on minimum wages are earning more than $175 per week on average more than when we came to government.”
“I'd like to thank the fabulous member for Deakin for his question. It was wonderful recently to visit with him essential workers in Eastland, where we got to hear about how important the government's policies are to them. Of course, the Albanese Labor government was elected on a commitment to get wages moving after a decade of deliberate wage suppression under those opposite. We have delivered significant changes to our workplace laws to deliver on our commitment to get wages moving. Our Secure Jobs, Better Pay changes have reinvigorated enterprise bargaining and put gender equality at the heart of our workplace laws. Of course, these changes are seeing more workers than ever before be covered by enterprise agreements, delivering real wage increases.”
“This was a significant decision and an example of the power of government and of the important role that government can play but also of the importance of partnership between the Premier of South Australia and our prime minister. It was brave to keep Whyalla steelworks going, not only because of the jobs it actually saves and the communities that it supports but also because of the sovereign capability that Whyalla brings to this country, and I would like to commend both the Prime Minister and the Premier for that. I give a big thankyou to a number of union members, including Josh Peak, Jordan Mumford, Nick Townsend, Jason Hall, Sam McIntosh and the broad labour movement. Of course, I'd better get in my husband, Tim, and Oscar and Percy. I couldn't do it without you.”
“I of course acknowledge Paul Erickson as well at the national secretariat. I would also like to particularly acknowledge the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister, through his leadership, really defined what it meant to be optimistic, to look to the future, to address people's concerns in a practical way and to also have an eye on the horizon. I'd just like to acknowledge and thank him for his leadership. Equally, I'd like to recognise our premier, Peter Malinauskas. Peter and the Prime Minister have worked incredibly well together, and nothing better represents that than the decision to keep the Whyalla steelworks going.”
“I had the privilege of starting to get to know many of the new Labor caucus before the election, as I visited their seats, and since the election. I feel so privileged to be working alongside so many of these new members. The acumen, the intelligence, the policy, the thoughtfulness, the energy—it is unbelievable. I feel so lucky that, for the next three years, I'll be working alongside so many talented people. And the diversity! From all walks of life, this is one of the most multicultural caucuses and governments ever. With women and men from all walks of life, it's an absolute privilege to be part of this new Labor government. I'd also like to acknowledge the leadership of Aemon Bourke, the state secretary in South Australia, who ran a great campaign in South Australia.”
“He's been absolutely dedicated and, with his leadership, he was able to put together such a strong campaign in a seat where there's not always the same attention as sometimes there is on a marginal seat. We were able to mount a really grassroots campaign. Jordon, your attention, your engagement with people and your commitment and loyalty to both the campaign and myself are desperately appreciated. I'd like to thank you very much for the work you've done for a long time for me, but also of course in the campaign. I would like to acknowledge the many members of parliament outside of South Australia—though obviously South Australians comes first—including the many, many new members and members returning to this place. I particularly wanted to reflect on the new Labor caucus.”
“They worked incredibly hard over the last term, and I am very grateful to them. I am also incredibly appreciative of my electorate staff. Electorate staff do, and I hear this over and over again, make an enormous difference. While I feel privileged to be let into people's lives, they are also let into people's lives, but they have to really spend a lot of time helping and assisting, and they make a difference every single day. They do change lives, and I think sometimes they're not recognised for that. To Angela Duigan, James Carter, Emma Kane, Lucy Nguyen and Eloise Atterton, a really, really big thank you. I also wanted to shout out Jordon O'Reilly, who's actually here today and who was my campaign manager. He has been with me for a while.”