Rob Mitchell
McEwen · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“As family, friends and our community gather at Hidden Valley right now, I rise to acknowledge the passing of my dear friend Jeremy Scrivens, co-founder of Love in Action in Wallan.”
“Through Love in Action, Jeremy and Sue quietly and humbly supported those facing hardship across the community. His loss will be felt by many. His family—Sue, Sarah, Michael and Ruby—have all lost a devoted husband, father and grandfather.”
“Don was a founding member of the committee for the Woodend Winter Arts Festival and played an essential role in the establishment of the words and ideas event, attracting big thinkers like Barry Jones, Don Watson and David Marr. Let me tell you, it was always a challenge to speak after one of those three.”
“I rise today to acknowledge the passing of a remarkable member of our community, Mr Don Drummond of Woodend. Don and his late wife, Sheila, were founding members of the re-established Woodend ALP branch in 2004. They welcomed members into their home with great hospitality, mulled wine and lively conversation.”
“But sadly this behaviour was becoming increasingly widespread, in part because DVA's allied health arrangements were uncapped, which allowed these businesses to claim much more for services that some veterans didn't need. So the government is making an adjustment to a $5,000 amount rather than a visit based calculation.”
“Those who need the care will get the care. It is very simple. By removing overservicing, we are restoring integrity to the system. Importantly, by doing this we increase the fees that will be paid to allied health professionals by $169 million. That means it's easier for veterans to access health care without being taken advantage of.”
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“This is a very important day for our broader nation and what's happening with the defence royal commission. We know that people who are in our Defence Force and their families are so important. We owe a lot to them, and we can never say thanks enough. It's important that, when we bring people into the ADF, we make sure that they are looked after. We make sure that they get everything they need. Particularly on finishing their service, we should make sure that the right thing is done by them. We know that this has been an issue in the past. We know that veterans went through a long period of time during the former government where at one stage over a thousand claims were sitting on the minister desk unopened. We know that veterans came to us saying that the problem they were having was with DVA in the previous government.”
“To Tess Baster and, of course, to my family: Lisa and the two greatest hander-outerers on prepoll day, my grandkids, Ava and Lacey. They did a wonderful job, keeping tally of who took the pamphlets and who didn't. It was great to have both of them out there. It really warms your heart to see, and it was just great to have those two kids there. And, of course, thank you to Hawker Britton, who just never let us down. With that, as I said, I'm very thankful for this opportunity again to be here, and I won't waste a day.”
“To the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Treasurer, the Minister for Trade and Tourism and Special Minister of State, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government—I think Catherine King has almost got her own place out there, she's been out so often—the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Minister for Sport and the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care: thank you for your support and being part of this special time we had. And a special shout-out goes to Senator Jana Stewart, who was an absolute rock during the prepolling. To former minister Stephen Conroy—a great mate, a great sounding board—for the frank and fearless bits of advice you get from him.”
“I thank local supporters including Graeme Newman from the Diamond Creek Men's Shed; Michelle Kneale from Northern Pride Netball Association, an amazing lady; Michelle at Romsey Neighbourhood House, who does a fantastic, champion job; and a man who I would say, in all honesty, is one of the greatest human beings I've ever met in my life, and that's Jeremy Scrivens from Love in Action. He is an amazing human. He's going through a rough time, but we're backing him. I thank Neal Langborne from the Wallan Football Netball Club, a great mate and someone who's always there to tell you, right or wrong, what you're doing and do it in a forthright way. I really appreciate that.”
“I want to also give special thanks to a man who I openly call my brother, Avtar, and to Diego, Casey, Jan Mapleston, Margo Clarke, John Benson, John Frearson and Terry Larkins, who's been the chair of our FEA for a long, long time and is the Yoda of our communities. He is an amazing person. I thank my mate Simon Furey, Kobe Hay, Hailey Emmins, Jarrod Lappin, Kerry Pastras, the HACSU volunteers and all the branch members and supporters in our community that just deliver these things. They make you want to get up in the morning and do your best. They're just great people.”
“We are a great collective of people that work with one goal, and that's to service our community. Thank you to Adam, Cath, Ged, Gareth, Jeni, Sasha, Ella, Gaweshi, Kate—who came out from UK Labour to help and be part of it, and an absolute legend she was—Spiro, Dylan and Carmel—who is just a great sounding board for advice. Thank you to Paul Erickson, Jen Light, Jett Fogarty and Gabriella Dawson. What a team they are! I thank the unions: the TWU, of which I've been proud to be a member for 25 years, and the RTBU, who offered great support and help in sounding out with our multicultural communities. Thank you to Ged for doing all the coordinating—the 215 volunteers, the 282 shifts at prepolls and the 70 scrutineers that it takes to do these things.”
“Our record investment is more than just bitumen and bridges; it's about delivering opportunities safely and responsibly to our communities. We are delivering the change the communities in McEwen need. Communities have waited for far too long for government to see them and understand their needs. Just in closing, as is traditional and to make sure I get home safely and get that support, I want to talk about the supporters and the help that we got from all those people who contributed to the win in McEwen. I may get the chocolates of being here and delivering this speech, but I know that, without the many, many thousands of people who get in behind us, it doesn't happen, and it's so important that we acknowledge some of those. I know I'm going to miss people, and I apologise for that. But I want to thank my team that I have in my office.”
“We're delivering a 30 per cent discount on home batteries to make better use of solar panels and permanently cut power bills. This, the vision of Labor, is clear. We are the party of growth, and growth is a big factor at home too. We sit in Melbourne's northern growth corridor, smack bang in the middle, and we need to be ahead of the curve. We know every day the effects of what the Liberal government neglected over nine years. Like other periurban regions across the nation, our communities have a shifting set of needs. What we need from government today is different from what we needed 20 years ago, and I guarantee it's different to what we'll need in 20 years time. But now we're not just catching up; we're building for the future.”
“We are helping families with children in early education get ahead by scrapping the childcare activity test and replacing it with a three-day guarantee for subsidised care each week, as well as building 160 new childcare centres over four years. We are delivering cleaner, cheaper renewable energy, and it's so important for the future of our nation that we do this and get to net zero. And you've got to ask a question: if you just got the biggest thumping in your life against a side that is supporting net zero, why the hell would you go and scrap it? It makes no sense, but that's okay; we're not going to give them any tips. I think the Liberal and National parties can deal with their own shrinking base themselves. But we are delivering this cheaper, cleaner energy because it's so important.”
“We're committed to building 100,000 homes exclusively for first home buyers, expanding the Help to Buy scheme and providing incentives of $10,000 for building apprentices to boost the workforce and tackle the critical workforce shortage we have. We're ensuring education is available and affordable by making a further 20 per cent cut to student debt, raising the income threshold and capping the indexation rate. That ensures that HELP debts cannot grow faster than wages. It's so important for young people wanting to buy their first home. In addition, we're making fee-free TAFE a key feature of our national vocational education and training system. This will come by funding 100,000 fee-free TAFE places a year from 2027 and fully funding public schools to make sure no child gets left behind.”
“It was really enlightening to sit there and listen to a great bunch of locals who came and talked about women's health issues and the problems they face. I was pleased that they allowed me to stay in the room to listen to it. It really showed what has been neglected for a long time. It's important to have a direct focus on women's health, like we do with men's health through our special envoy for men's health, the member for Hunter, Dan Repacholi. These things are important to make sure that the focus is strong and consistent and that we deliver results. One of the other things that we're proud of in one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation—we're always battling up there in the top couple—is getting more people into homes through the five per cent deposit scheme for first home buyers.”
“We're continuing to provide cost-of-living assistance with energy bill relief for households and small businesses, tax cuts for every taxpayer and cheaper medicines. We're committed to a stronger Medicare, in which nine out of 10 GP visits will be bulk-billed by the end of the decade, and an expanded network of urgent care clinics, including the one in Diamond Creek, to take pressure off our hospital emergency departments. We know that Northern Hospital Epping has the busiest emergency department in Australia. The more that we can do to keep people from clogging up that system, the better. We're slashing the prices of PBS listed medicines and boosting funding for women's health, which is so important. I want to thank Assistant Minister Ged Kearney, who came out and held a women's health forum with me.”
“Our communities delivered a swing to the ALP in this election, which is so important. It showed the faith and the trust they have in us to deliver what we said we will do. I think that was borne out right across the electorate. That was part of my journey to get back here, and now there is a lot of work to do. I look at the future of our nation, and it looks bright. It's a privilege to be in the largest ALP caucus since Federation. I just joked about the fact that, at the first caucus meeting, it was so unusual to find that there weren't enough chairs. Luckily, there was a room down the other end that we could borrow some from because that was fairly empty. In this term, our government is committed to doing a range of things.”
“Predictably, and thankfully, the people of McEwen saw straight through them. I've always been proud to be a local living and working in the electorate that I get to represent. It's something that I think is important. You make sure that you're down at the shops like everyone else, you drive the same roads, your kids go to the same school—all these things are just so important to what we do. What the Liberals had to offer was a deceitful candidate who was prepared to spend tens of thousands of dollars on advertising but, predictably, failed to listen to the needs of our communities or understand them, because he wasn't one of us. We were proud to fend off the multi-failed blow-in, and we had the confidence of the people in our prime minister, Anthony Albanese.”
“Senator Stewart was very forthright with the Liberal Party in explaining that that was not on. We can't have people who are coming to vote for the first time being forced to tears as they try to exercise their right. It's just not on. As a member of parliament, I find it concerning that the use of groups such as the Brethren can have a direct impact on the integrity of our democratic process. These groups, with their insular and highly controlled nature, can be used to manipulate the political process in ways that are not transparent or representative of the broader electorate. I would absolutely recommend that this matter be looked into by the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters and any other authority which has jurisdiction on election interference by these so-called third parties.”
“The feedback we received from locals was they did not appreciate being accosted as they made their way into the polling place just to have their say. The presence of the Brethren didn't end at the pre-poll. On election day it was worse, with many of our volunteers subjected to the aggressive methods of these thugs as they harassed people while handing out for the Liberal Party. It's bad enough with Liberals not being honest, but these parasites were openly and deliberately lying to people. One thing that really struck me was at the pre-poll we had a young female, a first-time voter still in her school uniform. By the time she got to the front of the election queue, she was crying because she had all these people just surrounding her and badgering her all the way through. Luckily, we had Senator Jana Stewart with us.”
“These were people that were bussed in to do their work for the party they hoped would deliver a quid pro quo. The question has to be asked, 'What did the Liberal Party promise these people to make them come out in such an aggressive, bullying manner?' As in many other places across the nation, the Exclusive Brethren descended on the towns of Gisborne and Wandong for pre-poll. Surprisingly enough, they didn't do the Liberal candidate any favours. With at least 20 of these so-called volunteers there on any given day, they turned the task of people choosing to exercise their democratic right at a pre-poll into a gauntlet to be run, with in-your-face, pushy behaviour and by deliberately blocking people trying to get in.”
“McEwen, for some reason, seems to be a magnet for cashed-up, parachuted candidates. It's a tradition with the Liberal Party. For better or worse, though, our local communities have not forgotten the nine years of squibbed promises and failure to deliver by those opposite. At this election, it was hard to forget them. One thing that did stand out for me at this election was the abundance of volunteers in blue T-shirts, especially at pre-poll and on election day. But these blue T-shirts weren't being worn by diehard, true believers of the Liberal Party. No, sadly for democracy, those people are almost extinct. They were being worn by members of a third party group trying to use their resources to change the outcome of a democratic election—and I'm not talking about locals here.”
“Projects like these are game changers; they make our lives safer and easier while delivering important economic outcomes for communities. In May 2022, the Australian people voted for change. In May 2025, the Australian people voted for positivity and growth. They voted for Australian values: fairness, aspiration, opportunity for all—the values that drive our Labor government. However, nothing good comes easy, and any reflection on my journey back to this place would be incomplete without the story of the last election. We know that every election is tough. When you're in one of the seats most targeted by the opposition, you know it gets even tougher. But we prevailed. We prevailed in a situation where we had these blow-in candidates come in with deep, deep pockets, spending a lot of money and making promises they could never keep.”
“There's funding of $90 million for Watson Street ramps to the Hume Highway at Wallan, with works kicking off later this year. This is a long-awaited project, a project that was neglected under the previous government. But as soon as we got into government we started the move to get funding in place for planning, and now we see it happening. I know there are going to be many people giving a sigh of relief when the works start. Yan Yean Road stage 2 is now well progressed towards commencement. These are things that need to be done in growing communities to help people get around and to make it easier and a lot safer to get to and from work. We can see that from the recently completed Bridge Inn Road upgrades.”
“When you've got primary schools on both sides of the freeway, sometimes it can take 45 minutes to travel those three kays from one school to the other. This gives a second exit out, which will be great for growing communities but also in times of need. We are duplicating Donnybrook Road at Kalkallo, from around Cloverton onto the freeway; adding a new bridge; removing the roundabout; and putting traffic lights in. Again, having governments working together is so important, and we're partnered with the state government in that to make the lives of so many people so much better. Then there are the upgrades at Greenhill Reserve in Wallan and the works at Wellington Street and Darraweit Road—that's just only naming a few of the many different road projects that we've been doing across our communities.”
“I just spoke to the mayor upstairs, and we're getting reading for a fantastic summer. There's also the Hilltop splash park in Mernda, which is something we've promised: somewhere that's free where families can take kids on hot days and have a great bit of fun. When we announced this we partnered with the state government and Whittlesea Council to develop the $3 million park, with new swings and nature rides and other great things for families to do, close to home—and importantly, as I said, at a time when dollars are tight, it's free. This is something I think will be sensational when it's delivered around October. We are also sealing Old Sydney Road in Beveridge. Beveridge is an area that has struggled, with one entrance in and one entrance out.”
“The government supported locals through this time as they dealt with change and with damage to their homes and to their lives. We invested $7.1 million for the Johnson Road estate in Mernda through our housing support fund to help the city of Whittlesea to meet the growing residential demand. We are delivering on our major commitments, which is something that has been dear to me from day one: to always make sure I deliver what I promise. We secured $900 million for Camerons Lane Interchange and the Beveridge Intermodal Precinct, and I'm pleased to see that the planning is well underway with the state government delivering this project. We are commencing stage 2 of the Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct, in cooperation with Macedon Ranges Shire. And works are well underway with the $1.5 million investment in the Diamond Creek Pool upgrade.”
“In the past three years there has been a lot of change and growth in McEwen. We have seen a series of major grants. We secured $1 million to expand the Diamond Creek Mens Shed. We'll deliver the space to expand their operations, supporting the mental and physical wellbeing of men in our community. It's a success measured in mateship, in conversations that would have gone unheard. It's also a chance to talk about their health and wellbeing and a great opportunity for them to have those conversations comfortably and talk about things that we don't normally like to talk about. But it's important that we do that, and it removes the isolation for many people in our towns. In 2022 we secured disaster relief funding after the Darraweit Guim floods.”
“In May 2022 Australia voted for change, after nine years of stagnation, rorts, rip-offs and scandals under those opposite. I'm proud to report that this change has been seen across our towns and our communities in McEwen. Over the past three years we saw essential programs expand their reach in the communities, be that in health, education, cost-of-living support or, importantly, roads and infrastructure. I point that out because one of biggest challenges we face is the road infrastructure in our communities. Under the coalition, our state, which is 25 per cent of Australia's population, received only seven per cent of infrastructure spending. I'm glad to report that Victoria is now receiving the funding it deserves to maintain and develop our state road network, and our communities see these benefits happening.”
“On 3 May this year I was given the great honour of being returned to this place by the people of McEwen. And as I've said before, in every one of these addresses, I pledge to work day and night to fulfil my commitments to them. I pledge to do all that's within my power and the power of this government to make our lives better. I will always bring their interests to this place and give our communities a seat at the table. It's a great privilege and honour to have this job. In Canberra we each speak with the voice of more than 100,000 people, and we act in their interests. We have spent the past three years in government listening hard and laying the foundations for our nation for the next three years. We see those foundations everywhere in McEwen.”
“It's such a pleasure to be able to catch up with local people, to see these things in action firsthand and to see the great work they're doing for our community.”
“I was down there with my good friend Mary-Anne Thomas, the member for Macedon and Victorian health minister, as we chatted with Jack about what's going on and acknowledge the VFA, the Victorian Fisheries Authority, for their support in getting this done by stocking Lauriston Reservoir last year to make sure there was trout there to catch. All it takes, sometimes, for these things to really happen is someone with a bit of passion, a bit of fire in their belly and a great desire to get things done. It's great work by Jack to be able to do this. It's an exciting time for us to be at home—to be spending time in local communities, travelling around to different groups and seeing all these little cogs that make our community tick.”
“On 6 September, another Fishing for Mental Health Day will take place at Kyneton, at Lauriston Reservoir. It's now an annual event for locals to get together, have a great day outdoors and promote mental health. There are even prizes for the biggest catch and smallest catch of the day, as well as for the best joke—which I can sadly say I never win. Apparently, my dad jokes are not funny to anyone bar me, but that's okay. I won't take it to heart! I'm proud to be able to contribute towards this sort of special occasion by sponsoring all the bait purchases. Local Jack Bamford is a man who we should really sit down and listen to, for his journey from where he's been to where he's got to, to able to put this together for everyone to enjoy, is a remarkable one. His commitment to this event is second to none.”
“I want to extend my appreciation to Maria Jory and Shaun Fitzpatrick for their hard work and dedication in pushing this along to make sure that the jumper is a true reflection of Diamond Creek, by getting a local artist to do the design that includes Diamond Creek—the hills, the trees and everything about the local area. I think it's important that these sorts of things happen for our communities, because it's people like Shaun and Maria and the rest of the crew down there who really sustain the heart and soul of the clubs in local communities, which are so important for all of us. I can't wait to see the Creekers come out in the special occasion colours. I know the boys were rapt seeing the jumpers last week; it was great fun. Also, I want to celebrate an important local initiative that is taking place in our region next week.”
“It'd be interesting to know which way the member for Capricornia went on that pineapple stuff! Over the last few weeks, it's been a pleasure to go to some of the recipients of the Stronger Communities Program grants in McEwen. I'm proud to say that, under the Albanese Labor government, we're supporting groups that are making a real difference in our communities. First of all, at the Diamond Creek Football Netball Club, $18,000 has been put towards NAIDOC jumpers and netball dresses. The jumpers will be worn at the Sir Doug Nicholls Round each year. Apart from looking great, they serve the very important purposes of strengthening the club's connection to the local Indigenous community and growing an understanding of the Indigenous connection to the great game of AFL.”
“We fast-tracked our support for tradies to get more people building homes and getting into the housing sector. We've also delivered more homes for defence veterans, and we've done the work that is about unlocking the opportunities for young people to get a new home, without relying on, as those opposite said, getting your parents to fund you or getting a better job. We know times are hard, but it's our government that is standing up consistently for Australians and making sure that every opportunity there is to get into your own home is being done courtesy of us. This $43 billion plan is not just about the dollars but about making lives better for families, making lives better for younger and older people, and giving them the safety and security that they need to deliver a better future for themselves.”
“When it comes to affordable housing, Australians know they can rely on the Albanese Labor government to deliver homes for more people. It's not our government that said in 2017, 'If you want to buy a house, get rich parents.' It wasn't our government that said, 'If you want to buy a house, get a better job.' No, it was our government that said to young Australians, 'We want to help you get into your first home,' and we've done so through our five per cent deposit scheme. Nearly 1,300 people in McEwen have benefited from this, and we know that, right across the country, more Australians will get access to that Australian dream of owning their own home because this government actually went out and supported Australians. We went out and said that we need to get more homes for people fleeing domestic violence.”
“It is a culture where speaking up is a sign of strength, not weakness; where men and boys are told not to tough it out but that they're not alone. Help is available if someone listens. This government's investment in mental health is more than about services; it's about a future where no man suffers in silence and no family is left to grieve alone.”
“Group settings like this foster mateship, conversation and peer support—key factors that are so important in mental health. Jack's work in this space is making a real difference for men in our community. And there's Peter Patterson, at CTI, who developed, on his own property, a little cabin and a lake—again, thanks to Fisheries Victoria, we stocked some fish in there—where he takes veterans and first responders to meet, sit by the campfire and just relax, away from the world. They sit there, talk with professionals and get the support and help they need. This is an amazing thing he's done, and it's something that shows we can look at things outside the box and see where the opportunities are to bring the best results.”
“In McEwen, the work of Romsey local Jack Bamford is a prime example. Jack is the founder of Fishing for Mental Health events held at Lauriston Reservoir. These events blend angling, nature and community to support men's health and wellbeing. I'm proud to report I've taken part in these events—not that my fishing's been much chop!—and I've seen the impacts they have. They offer a chance for blokes to get together, step away from stress, get out in nature and connect with others over a simple activity. Fishing is calming; it promotes being in the moment and a sense of reflection, and small wins that build confidence. We worked with Fisheries Victoria to ensure stocked fish, and, with growing participation, these events model how simple activities can have a meaningful impact.”
“Men's Shed plays a huge part in improving the health and wellbeing of men in our community and are the perfect place to get the message out that men's health is a priority for the Albanese Labor government. Men's Shed are about more than just building things. They're about connection, community and better health outcomes for blokes. For too long, many men have put off seeing a doctor or talking to someone when they're struggling. We need to change that. Men's Shed provide a safe and familiar space where men can open up, check in with each other and access the information and support they need. The funding is about backing the incredible work that's already happening and making sure every man, no matter where they live, has a place to belong and someone looking out for them. Support at the grassroots level is critical.”
“We are strengthening Medicare and delivering $32 million in dedicated initiatives focused on supporting men and boys, including the $11.3 million for Movember to train 60,000 primary healthcare workers across the country and to encourage men to take the first step—visit your doctor. And it includes the $20.7 million for grassroots mental health programs—support where it's needed most—including funding for men's sheds, the Ahead of the Game initiative, Healthy Male and the Danny Frawley Centre, all of which are doing life-changing and life-saving work in our communities today. As co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Men's Sheds—something I hold very, very dearly—I have seen firsthand the impact that invaluable places of connection has in supporting men's mental health and fighting isolation.”
“Too many are battling with mental and physical health behind closed doors, often feeling unable to speak up or seek help. Outdated stereotypes about masculinity continue to cast a long shadow, stopping men from reaching out when they need it the most. The silence can be deadly. Suicide remains the leading cause of death for Australian men aged 18 to 44. That is a heartbreaking reality, and it's a national emergency that we must face with urgency and compassion. I'm proud to be a part of a government, the Albanese Labor government, that is taking action, not just with slogans but with serious, targeted investment in men's health.”
“I rise to support this motion—it's not a bill; it's a motion—of the member for Hunter and to speak on an issue that is of national importance: men's health, particularly the mental health and wellbeing of men and boys. I speak today not just as a member of parliament but as a father, grandfather, uncle, brother, mate and someone who, like many of us here, has known the pain of losing someone far too soon and has dealt with the ongoing consequences of that. Every day, across this country, too many men are struggling in silence. They show up to work. They'll pick up the kids. They'll crack a joke at the pub, but, behind all that, they're hurting. They carry burdens that no-one sees, and the saddest part is that they're often told, 'Suck it up,' and they have to carry it alone.”
“Road investment is an investment into the people that travel over them, and Labor is delivering the fair share that's been required. It is clear these projects will save lives, save time and unlock the economic growth that we need. It's more than bitumen bridges; it's about delivering opportunity, safety and balance to communities that have waited for so long. As we travel into this new parliament I want to reaffirm my faith in the Albanese Labor government's vision in infrastructure across our community. For everyone, including the single mum who has to get up early, they know that they're going to be able to drive their kids to school safely and get there on time. House adjourned at 19:59”
“Traffic islands will clearly demarcate boundaries, saving drivers and pedestrians alike, particularly around Doreen Primary School. It doesn't stop there. The old Sydney Road bitumen program means that we've now got two entrances into and exits out of Beveridge. We're saving people, sometimes, 45 minutes each way, getting into and out of Beveridge. As this town has grown, no infrastructure was built around it. Then there's the intersection of Donnybrook Road and Mitchell Street, stage 2 of the Yan Yean Road project and all of these other projects that go on and on. Darraweit Guim Road and Wellington Street—wherever you look, we're seeing roadworks being done in our community. Part of Victoria is being brought up to speed with the rest of the nation.”
“We've heard a lot about it—we've heard a lot of 'Oh, yes, it's been fully funded'—but only one thing never happened. Money was never delivered. In fact, as we know, former minister Alan Tudge left our community high and dry. As Wallan grows these roads need to nurture growth instead of choking development and leaving regional Australians behind. It's not just about the future; it's also about protecting people right now. Doctors Gully Road in Doreen has a legacy marked by accidents. As an electorate, every time a parent is called to come down to the scene of a crash we are reminded of the change that wasn't made. Under the Albanese Labor government we are seeing the measures that we have waited so long for come to fruition. Anti-slip asphalt will be laid down, protecting drivers from skidding on slippery roads.”
“Similarly, we have committed $90 million to the Watson Street upgrade and much-needed off-ramps on the Hume Highway. For years commuters had to accept early mornings and late nights as part of living in Wallan. There was one road in and one road out. We were promised that this was to be fixed in 2019 by the former Morrison government, but we learnt very quickly, within 12 months, that that was part of the car park rort scheme, and it never eventuated. Rural workers and our community workers suffer because of this busy bottleneck. The community of Wallan deserves better—better sleep at night, better time spent with their kids and better quality of life on the whole. That's why we have always been committed—in fact, Labor has been the only party that has gone to the elections committing to the Wallan off-ramps.”
“The Camerons Lane Interchange and the northern intermodal project will see $900 million directed at a critical link in the chain that connects Melbourne's northern growth corridor. By better connecting the Hume Highway to the community around Beveridge, a fast-developing suburb gets an equal opportunity where people can live and work in the region. Regionally, it is a necessary step in the right direction. It's necessary because it brings jobs to our region and it brings business. Nationally, it has benefits that reach right across Australia. This will help realise the northern intermodal freight precinct. We are supporting the double-stack container services for freight trains up and down the east coast—the foundations for a cheaper, faster supply chain, lowering costs for Australian businesses and families.”
“Successive governments from the other side failed to fund the development needed by regional communities in McEwen. With Liberal governments unwilling to give Victoria more than seven per cent of infrastructure funding, despite us making up 25 per cent of the population, it seemed the biggest congestion we had for a decade was getting money out of Canberra. I'm glad to report that since the election of the Albanese Labor government that tide has turned. More than a billion dollars in federal road funding is now being delivered across the electorate—transformative commitments that will shape the region for decades to come. The projects funded today become the foundations of tomorrow for McEwen, and those foundations for our communities are strong.”
“Tonight I want to speak about something that is very important to our community: Labor's commitment to infrastructure in communities across McEwen. These are essential commitments to our community. Failing to deliver commitments like these affects everyone. It affects everyone from the single mum who has to get up an hour earlier to go to work to those who are travelling to go and see sport or friends and those that get caught and blocked on the highway because there's no other exit to get off. Failing to do these things also affects the kids who have to see a note on the kitchen table instead of mum around there in the morning. For too long Victoria was short-changed by coalition governments. For nine years our rural roads crumbled and traffic piled up.”
“It's been interesting to listen to the whingeing and the complaining in this debate. I had to listen to the member for Cowper, who came in wanting to talk about veterans. As he scurries out the door, let me remind the member for Cowper, who might want to listen for once. Don't come in here and say veterans should be above politics when your own minister resigned because your government—”
“Here, Queensland businesses that design and manufacture food and beverages can use the food pilot plant to develop and test new products that are Safe Food Queensland accredited.”
“The committee made several recommendations to take advantage of these opportunities, including a food innovation precinct, protection for native flora, the identification of skill shortages in the industry and support for automation technologies. I'd like to thank all those who contributed to the inquiry, particularly the many businesses and organisations that hosted the committee at various sites across the country. These experiences provided valuable evidence of the realities facing the sector. For instance, the committee visited the Health and Food Sciences Precinct at Coopers Plains in Queensland. The precinct hosts 150 scientists from Queensland's Department of Primary Industries, the CSIRO and the University of Queensland through the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation.”