Tony Pasin
Barker · Liberal Party · Australia
“But the truth is that, in the modern age, if you want to share and communicate with your constituency, or if you're in business and you want to share and communicate with customers, if you're not on a digital platform then you're missing out.”
“I feel a little like an imposter talking on this bill. Many of my colleagues who know me know that I'm probably best described as a Luddite. Even as a Luddite, in this role one has to be across the role of online presences.”
“But it is important that we understand that, as positive as experiences can be in the digital online environment, there are also substantial risks. Like others, I've read of very tragic circumstances. I've had constituents, parents, come to me concerned about the way algorithms are seeking to lock young people in.”
“I've got to say that, during question time, I do sometimes turn off as the Prime Minister is preening his feathers, giving us the 'never had it better' speech, luxuriating in his hubris.”
“It's true to say that today's an important day. It's a day when our nation turns an important page. I do, just as an aside, have to query why those opposite would spend the majority of their contributions obsessing over the Liberal Party on such an important day—on a day when they could be talking about what those opposite are actually ac…”
“Labor's cuts will not reduce demand for health care; they will simply shift more Australians from private health to the public system. That means greater pressure on public hospitals and health services that are already under strain. I want to conclude with another email from a constituent.”
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“I'd particularly like to recognise the diversity of contributions represented in this year's list, from volunteers who've dedicated years to helping their community to those who have a necessary role and duty in the emergency services and as active members of the correctional services of this nation. Each recipient has left a legacy far greater than themselves. These honours provide a chance to reflect on the incredible potential that lies within each town and each street across my electorate of Barker. I'm constantly humbled by the calibre of people that call the electorate of Barker home, people who see a need and step in, who give their time generously and who make our local area a better place to live, work and raise a family.”
“I rise today with great pride and admiration to acknowledge and congratulate a number of outstanding individuals who were acknowledged in the King's Birthday 2025 Honours List. These awards are among the highest form of recognition in our country, celebrating exceptional service, leadership and dedication across a wide range of fields, from community service to health, education and emergency services. Among this year's recipients are individuals whose quiet commitment over many years has uplifted lives and strengthened the fabric of our community. Their contributions often go unheralded, yet they are deeply felt. These honours serve not only to recognise their personal achievements but also to reflect the values we cherish as a nation—compassion, perseverance and that can-do spirit.”
“In response to this crisis, a crisis impacting 1,400 vulnerable South Australians living with a disability, we see two very different approaches. On the one hand, we have prime minister in waiting, Premier Peter Malinauskas, acting decisively to provide a $15 million lifeline to Bedford, and, on the other, we have the federal minister for health, South Australian Mark Butler, flatfooted and non-committal, presumably unable to secure approval for a similar package from Prime Minister Albanese. It's little wonder South Australian Labor members and candidates were desperate for Malinauskas's image, not that of the Prime Minister, to appear on their promotional material at the recent election. It's so sad that this has happened in the shadows of the inspirational first speech of the member for Dickson.”
“I rise today concerned for families in Barker following the announcement last week that the Bedford Group was forced to enter voluntary administration. Bedford is a vital social enterprise operating across 22 sites in South Australia. In Mount Gambier, Bedford supports approximately 200 workers with a disability working in manufacturing, recycling, hospitality and grounds maintenance. Despite solid assets, Bedford has recorded significant losses in recent years. In light of these challenges, Bedford's plan to diversify the business has failed to generate anticipated revenues as quickly as the Bedford board had hoped, hence the difficult choice to enter voluntary administration. But here's where things get interesting.”
“As a bloke who has lived most of his life, if not all of his life, in the city, he got it. I expect he got it because there were people like me knocking on his door—and the member for New England and others. We may have been an annoyance, but something got through because there were successive rounds of the Mobile Black Spot Program, a program that he himself developed—and a program that those opposite, by the way, cut and underfunded.”
“You heard the member for New England saying that we don't want a world in which our heavily populated areas, our metropolitan centres, are serviced by our national telcos, while those of us who live in the bush have to rely on alternative forms of technology—Starlink and these other things. People are moving in that direction via necessity, but it's also broadening another gap, and that's the disadvantage gap, because those alternative forms of technology are much more expensive and are available to fewer and fewer individuals in an economic sense. I'm really pleased that the member for Bradfield is here, because, I've got to say, over the term of the former coalition government he served for much of that period as the minister for telecommunications.”
“For metropolitan constituents, it might be difficult to believe, but the single most inquired about issue in my electorate offices day in, day out over the course of more than a decade has been mobile phone connectivity. That dichotomy, sadly, is growing in our country as telcos focus their efforts on providing greater speeds and better reliability—effectively, better services—for those people that live in the heavily populated parts of our country while they turn their back on those people that live in rural, regional and remote Australia. So that gap is broadening day by day.”
“I commend these remarkable individuals and the legacy they're building for future generations of their fellow Australians, and I thank them for the enormous contribution each and every one of them made to strengthen our community and uphold our Australian values. To them I say: thank you for your dedication. You continue to inspire me and, indeed, others. May we follow in your footsteps, contributing to a fairer, a stronger and, most importantly, a united Australia.”
“These people include Dr David Mills AM, who was honoured for significant service to medicine through international development and rural and remote health education; Mr David Botting, who was honoured for services to agriculture and the community of Millicent; Mrs Wendy Gambling, who was honoured for services to netball as an administrator; Mrs Cheryle Pedler, who was honoured for services to community through a range of roles and organisations; Mr Peter Squires, who was honoured for services to community history; Mr Alfred Wilkinson, who was honoured for service to the communities of the Fleurieu Peninsula and Barossa Valley; and, finally, Mr Matthew Staples, who was honoured for distinguished service as a correctional services member.”
“We all share a stake in this nation's future. We all have a responsibility to each other and to future generations to preserve our way of life and to build on the great Australian success story that is founded in unity. To this end, to those formally recognised on Australia Day for their contribution to their local community and our nation, I say thank you. Thank you for the enormous contribution each of you has made to strengthen our community and uphold our Australian values. With seven out of 732 honours and awards going to people in the electorate of Barker, it's fair to say we're punching above our weight. I often speak in this place about the amazing people that make the communities in my part of the world amongst the greatest in the nation.”
“I stand with great pride and admiration to join in celebrating the exceptional achievements of those who have been included on the Australia Day honours list. These honours are a symbol of high distinction, awarded to those whose contribution to community and to country have made a long-lasting and significant impact. They're an acknowledgement of great service to others and a devotion to the betterment of the society around them. After all, that's what it takes to make this Australian nation—a nation of freedom and opportunity even in tough times. As Australians, we strive to better ourselves while supporting others. Mateship is an intrinsic part of Australian society. Aussies have each other's backs. It is the sense of community, shared experience, mutual respect and unconditional assistance that sets us apart.”
“We can't see the delays that we saw after 2022; otherwise, we will be back here asking for further grant funding to deliver this outcome.”
“In the lead up to the 2022 federal election, I was honoured to provide a commitment $1.8 million to make this childcare facility a reality. I acknowledge those opposite who matched the pledge—to their credit. Disappointingly, Labor's funding didn't eventuate until mid last year, and along came a new hurdle. Costs had massively increased in the interim. So there was the need for another funding application. I'm so pleased that the group of hardworking volunteers in Kingston, working to bring an expanded childcare service to a reality, will receive a grant of $3.5 million. It's a massive win, and I welcome it. That being said, we must see action immediately because it's now handed to the South Australian state Labor government.”
“That's because this side of the chamber understands that investing in our regions ensures that those regions will continue to be the powerhouses of our economy and the vibrant communities that are the lifeblood of our nation. Finally, I don't know how many times I've stood in this chamber and talked about Kingston child care. It has been a lot. They have been in desperate need of a childcare facility for almost half a century. In 2019, the council and community formed an official working party to tackle the issue because it was impacting the economic fabric of the whole region. After deciding the only way to solve the problem was a purpose-built centre, there was planning and costings to obtain funding from both the state and the federal governments.”
“It's blatantly obvious that Labor is more interested in playing politics and prioritising states and seats that the Prime Minister is desperate to hold on to and win in the upcoming election. In stark contrast, an elected coalition government will lean back into and support Aussie farmers. Under an elected coalition government, $7.5 million of federal funding would be made available to this project moving forward. That would benefit the Limestone Coast community and the wider agricultural industry. It would make sure the transformation project takes place, including improving animal welfare and occupational health and safety.”
“Labor has actively undermined and sometimes outright blocked economic development opportunities in regional industries like forestry, fishing, farming and manufacturing. Regional Australia and our nation, more broadly, are missing out on billions of dollars due to Labor's hostile regional policies. The importance of the Mount Gambier and District Saleyards Transformation Project is one such example. It is a project that was shamefully disregarded by the Albanese Labor government not once but twice, or three times if you include the cancellation of round 6 for the Building Better Regions Fund. Labor consistently fails to appreciate the enormous contribution our farmers make to local communities, our national economy and the global food task.”
“This funding will support the exceptional work being done to honour those who served as well as providing a space for the whole of the Kapunda community to come and show pride in their community. If elected, a Dutton-led coalition government will strengthen local communities and create safer, cohesive societies, and it will get Australians back on track. The Mount Gambier and District Saleyards Transformation Project has the potential to boost economic activity in the Limestone Coast and support the livestock industry at a time when the Albanese Labor government is making life for our farmers harder and harder. In fact, life is harder for all regional Australians under Labor.”
“Last week, I joined volunteers at the Soldiers Memorial Gardens in Kapunda. Those gardens were officially opened in 1923 and have been an important place for the Kapunda community over the ensuing century. I'm pleased that I was able to announce last week that an elected coalition government would deliver funding of $65,000 to progress the rejuvenation and restoration of this important community space, providing the project with a much needed funding boost. Dutton Park is a revered community space, and the volunteers who have been quietly but steadfastly working to restore the Soldiers Memorial Gardens should be commended for their dedication and for their commitment.”
“It's important for safety along the Sturt Highway corridor and instrumental in working towards the duplication of the Sturt Highway, which carries vehicles between New South Wales and Adelaide or further west to Perth. This work at Truro is also vital for plans to get heavy vehicles off the South Eastern Freeway and out of the suburbs of Adelaide. If we want to grow this nation's economy, improve productivity and safety on our freight routes, and address the road safety crisis that is unfolding under Labor, we need those opposite to stop playing politics with roads. Those opposite have wasted a full term in government with no plans for South Australia's wider freight network. All I've seen from those opposite over 2½ years is putting votes in front of road safety and road investment decisions.”
“In 2021, the former coalition government committed to funding the first step of the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass. Under the former state Liberal and coalition government South Australia was put on a trajectory to improve productivity and safety by building the Truro freight route, while a number of strategic planning and business cases got underway towards developing a high-productivity freight network. Since 2022, those opposite have cut, cancelled or delayed almost $30 billion in infrastructure funding, including funding for the critical Truro freight route, just months before shovels were set to hit the ground. For my community in Barker, the Truro freight route is incredibly important.”
“We were building what was needed for the safe and productive movement of goods and to ensure people got home to their loved ones safely. We need to take the politics out of road investment decisions and focus instead on evidence and transparency. It's time to get Australia's roads back on track.”
“The program uses assessment tools used in around 130 countries to target investment and reduce death and injury. It beggars belief that, at a time when this country is experiencing the worst road safety statistics since 1966, we've got an Albanese-led Labor government more focused on holding onto key seats—and indeed his keys to the Lodge—than investing in infrastructure projects that will save lives. The government infrastructure investment decision is short sighted and based on politics rather than evidence; Australia's productivity has been put on hold and community safety compromised as a result. In contrast, the former coalition government set us on the trajectory of increased investment in road infrastructure.”
“When there exists a $3 billion road maintenance backlog in South Australia—not to mention the funding needed for pivotal future-proofing infrastructure projects, such as the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass and the duplication of major freight routes, such as the Augusta, Sturt and Dukes Highways—we need leadership that thinks beyond saving the political skin of the current member for Boothby. The South Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport refuses to release the outcomes of the Australian road safety program, AusRAP, the five-star rating system, through the FOI process, despite state and territory governments agreeing in 2024 to end years of secrecy by publishing a range of data, including AusRAP data, on the federal government's National Road Safety Data Hub.”
“I'll leave others in this chamber to talk about their experience in their jurisdictions but let me take you to South Australia. South Australia has a road network of 23,000 kilometres, but Labor only seems concerned about those roads that fall within the very tight boundary of the electorate of Boothby, which is 115 square kilometres. The federal and state Labor governments recently announced a $30 million infrastructure investment in Brighton Road. The investment follows $200 million to remove the tram level crossing at Morphett Road. Unfortunately for South Australian road users, federal and state Labor government infrastructure investment decisions don't seem to be based on the science or the data around road safety but rather on the political needs of Louise Miller-Frost.”
“We need better insight into the safety issues on our roads to ensure that road safety initiatives and infrastructure funding are being directed where needed and to address the road safety crisis, not the political crisis unfolding with those opposite. The Albanese government cut, cancelled or delayed more than $27.9 billion—it bears repeating: $27.9 billion—in infrastructure funding in its first 2½ years of government. Of course, we don't need to go over the 90-day review process, which felt like 90 months, but, in any event, it caused significant delays and resulted in lifesaving projects being cut, cancelled or delayed. The result of the review cancelled important infrastructure projects and diverted funding from those projects to Labor's pet projects in marginal seats.”
“The Australian road toll continues to track in the wrong direction. As you've just heard, the annual fatality rate per 100,000 head of population is 4.8. Our national bipartisan target—a national target we've all subscribed to—is 2.0. At the end of 2024, Australia's 12-month road toll was 18.5 per cent higher than when the strategy began in 2021. That's higher than when we as a nation committed to putting this statistic on a downward trajectory, close to 20 per cent higher. The continual rise in road fatalities reiterates the need for national leadership on road safety and the crisis facing the nation. But, sadly, Labor is failing Australians on efficiency, on productivity and, most tragically, on the safety of our roads.”
“I move: That this House: (1) notes that 1,300 lives were lost on Australian roads in 2024; (2) recognises that: (a) this is the highest road toll since 2012; and (b) the national road toll has risen each of the past four years, a situation not seen since 1966, or before the introduction of compulsory seat belts; (3) acknowledges that the annual fatality rate per 100,000 head of population is now 4.8, well over double the National Road Safety target of 2.0; and (4) calls on the Government to take action on the road safety crisis that is now killing more than 100 Australians every month and hospitalising 100 Australians every day. This is now a full-blown crisis. To have the most dangerous roads and commensurate statistics since 1966 tells you that last year was the most deadly year on our roads since 1966.”