Lisa Chesters
Bendigo · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“As I said, they are unique and quite often can fall through the cracks of the very large organisation that is known as the CFA, but in my meeting with them I was impressed by their dedication to what they do. They get together. They train.”
“I'd also like to pay tribute and honour to the late Don Drummond. Don and I first met many, many years ago, before I was the federal member for Bendigo, back when Woodend was in the Bendigo electorate. Don passed away recently. Even though Woodend hasn't been in Bendigo for a long time, he had kept in touch.”
“I rise to give a special shout-out to Oscar 1 CFA. The Oscar 1 CFA is quite a unique CFA volunteer unit in Bendigo. Its focus is on mine rescue. Like many old mining regions, Bendigo is littered with empty mine shafts. When people start to renovate, one may open up out in the Whipstick Forest or many of our other forests.”
“Before it was a thing in Labor, he always started branch meetings with a welcome to country and a value statement—the commitment to the burning light, as he said. Someone of great intellect and always a great ear, he was someone who was a true believer. Vale, Don. You will be missed.”
“On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, I present the committee's R eport 233 : agreement on the social security between Australia and the Oriental Public of Uruguay . Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e). I ask leave of the House to make a short statement in connection with the report.”
“And while we'd all been to the War Memorial prior to that particular event, during that visit we heard why they wanted to build purpose built galleries. They wanted to recognise the contribution of our peacekeepers, to help tell the story of our soldiers and our ADF personnel who were deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq.”
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“These are the words and the thoughts. Thank you, my friend, for sharing them at such a difficult time. Far too many families all over Australia are struggling to share the words with their children about why they were suddenly shocked and withdrawn in what should be a very happy time in a family—sharing faith, sharing culture and sharing a connection to their religion, something we should all have the opportunity to celebrate freely and openly in this country. In the days that followed the attack, my good friend and Jewish leader, Howard Nathan, reached out and asked that we all remember our local Jewish community, small but mighty, in Kyneton, Castlemaine and the wider Bendigo electorate and the need to acknowledge the shock and despair that they were going through. He was right; he is right.”
“Like so many in this place, I rise to speak on the motion moved by the Prime Minister, a condolence motion for the victims of the Bondi antisemitic terror attack that occurred late last year in December. A text message that I received from somebody in my community reads: Thank you for reaching out Lisa. I've been so distressed by the news. My Sydney family is all safe thankfully but the community is reeling. When we lit candles last night the girls were so happy and I could not find words to explain why I was suddenly so shocked and withdrawn. Good to see gun law reforms being tackled immediately. It's mind boggling that one of them had a license to possess long arm rifles. I'm saddened but not surprised by the surge of anti-immigration rhetoric I genuinely believe we are safest when all minorities are safe.”
“The amendments extend the treaty's operation until 2029. The committee recommends the ratification of the major and minor treaty actions examined in this report. Finally, on behalf of the committee members, I would like to thank the secretariat for their work and efforts in 2025. It has been a big year for the committee. We wish them a safe and happy Christmas. On behalf of the committee, I commend this report to the House.”
“The committee would also like to thank the government departments for their role in facilitating the treaty amendments and the organisations that shared their knowledge on pandemic science at the public hearing. We would also like to thank the public for their strong engagement with this inquiry. The inquiry was marked by robust debate—a cornerstone of our democracy, where different perspectives can be heard and tested. The report also contains one minor treaty action, which is an amendment to the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006. The treaty provides a framework for the cooperation between tropical timber production and timber-consuming countries, balancing the economic benefits of timber trade with the urgent need for more sustainable forest management and conservation.”
“Any data Australia shares with the World Health Organization will be entirely at Australia's discretion and will comply fully with our own data protection regulations. There is no compulsion for member states to provide personal health records or data about individual citizens. Australia will also retain full discretion over how and when it will make any financial contributions to the World Health Organization or developing countries during future pandemics. Australia already has a strong health system in place. The real benefit of these amendments lies in helping other countries strengthen their capacity to detect and respond to health threats early. This global cooperation ultimately safeguards Australia and Australians and reduces the risk of future pandemics.”
“During the inquiry process, the committee found that the legal framework and operational realities of the amended regulations would not allow the World Health Organization to override Australia's sovereignty and democratic processes. I repeat: what was being proposed would not impact on our sovereign capability or sovereignty in any way. For example, under the amendments, all countries will continue to make their own decisions regarding health policies, and public health and safety measures, such as border closures and the use of masks and vaccines, will still remain the decision of individual member states. This is international law and further enshrined in article 3 of the regulations. The committee also found that that the amendments will not compromise Australia's data privacy protections.”
“A number of submissions to the inquiry raised concerns regarding the amendments' impact on Australian sovereignty, the privacy and security of Australian data, and the potential financial obligations that may be imposed upon Australia. At the public hearing in October, the committee heard from representatives of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, who addressed these concerns head-on. The committee considered the views of the representatives from the Australian Medical Professionals' Society and Australians for Science and Freedom and expert advice from pandemic scientists at the Australian Institute for Infectious Disease. The committee heard from all sides.”
“The amendments also expand the definition and scope of the core capacities required of World Health Organization member states, which will facilitate, for example, measures to combat misinformation and disinformation and improve access to essential health products for developing countries. The amendments also aim to strengthen the global health architecture, which will promote faster, more coordinated international responses and reduce the risk of future pandemics. The inquiry received over 300 unique submissions. The inquiry also received four campaign submissions organised by advocacy groups which together consisted of over 14,000 submissions. I want to acknowledge the work of the secretariat in processing all of these submissions.”
“These regulations were first adopted in 1969 and have been revised several times, with the current framework being adopted in 2005 and amended in 2014 and again in 2022. The current amendments are designed to address lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. The committee found that the amendments to the treaty are aimed at strengthening global preparedness for future pandemics. The amendments will allow the World Health Organization to respond to future pandemics more swiftly and effectively, through a number of mechanisms. One is a new pandemic emergency declaration mechanism which will improve early warnings and elevate global attention to emerging health threats.”
“On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties I present Report 230 : a mendments to the International Health Regulations 2005 , incorporating a dissenting report. Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e). by leave—I rise today to make a statement on the report of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties in regard to one major treaty action, the amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005), and to one minor treaty action, the amendment to the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006. The amendments to the International Health Regulations update a treaty that was previously agreed to by all World Health Organization member states, including Australia.”
“We're committed to investing in the airports as needed and to ensuring that people in the regions have the same access to aviation travel as the rest of the country.”
“It is four times larger than the previous building, making for a more comfortable check-in and a more comfortable arrival. What was also invested from our government through round 4 of the Regional Airports Program was safety upgrades to allow the planes to park overnight, allowing Qantas more flexibility for flights. We've also funded in round 4 of this same fund, the Regional Airports Program, upgrades to the Kyneton Airport—$413,500 towards extending and resealing the runway to ensure that not only recreational aircraft are able to use the space but it becomes a critical staging space during those bushfire emergencies. I have to acknowledge the work of the club secretary, Sophie, and her dedication towards this fund. Labor is committee to the regions.”
“Not only did people not have to battle the traffic to Melbourne or parking at Melbourne Airport; it opened up business opportunity—the ability for people to travel from Bendigo to Sydney and Sydney to the world, a popular flight route being Bendigo-Sydney, Sydney-Queensland, and the opportunity for people who are in those jobs to live in Bendigo and commute for weekly work—but equally encouraged business to come to Bendigo. Further to this investment we secured to upgrade the airport, we've increased investment through the Labor state and federal government. There's $4.5 million from our government to upgrade the new terminal. The terminal expansion is open and is receiving more passengers daily to the airport. Now, through this upgrade and Qantas's investment, we are able to receive larger planes.”
“In Bendigo, prior to the election in 2013, the runway in our electorate was so run down that there was fear that it could not be used during critical emergencies like bushfire season or in medical emergencies. I do acknowledge that, after a long campaign locally with the local government, we were able to secure funding from the previous Liberal-National government to upgrade the runway. That did allow and encourage Qantas to start opening up flights from Sydney to Bendigo. It was a game changer for our town.”
“We have lots of regional seats now in the Labor Party, and it is because of that that we have continued to support regional aviation. I'd like to put on record the investment into my own electorate, the electorate of Bendigo. The Albanese Labor government, representing more regional electorates, understands how critical our regional airlines are to connecting people. The distance between Cairns and Brisbane is the distance between Brisbane and Melbourne. That is the geographical distance that the member for Leichhardt has to ensure is covered, like we have in other regions. Even in Victoria, where distance is smaller, we still make sure there are investments in our regional airlines.”
“It was an extraordinary admission there by the previous speaker that, yes, the Labor Party now represents more regional seats in this parliament than the National Party. If we're going to start counting regional seats based upon land mass, then I'd suggest he go back and read the Constitution, because, for as long as we've had a federal parliament, it's been the number of people that live in a seat that determines the size of the electorate and how many seats we have. That is what has changed in this parliament. We didn't say 'the number of rural seats'. We didn't say 'land mass'. We said the Labor Party now represents more regional seats in this parliament than the National Party, from Leichhardt in the north and Lingiari across, in fact, most of the Northern Territory to Franklin in the south. Bendigo, Ballarat—you name it.”
“My question is to the Prime Minister. What are some of the ways that the Albanese Labor government is delivering for Australians and making a positive difference to their lives? Are there any risks to delivering that agenda?”
“The committee found a range of goods and trades that would benefit directly from flights under the proposed agreements. Cargo holds for international passenger aircraft are well suited for transporting goods of high value that are time sensitive. Cut flowers are an example of trade between Australia and Colombia, as well as beef exports to Peru.”
“The agreements will allow airlines from each country to set up offices in other countries, to sell and promote their flights, and to use local services and staff. Airlines can also handle their own ground operations or offer ground services to others, as long as safety rules are followed. Importantly, the airlines must be given fair chance to access airport slots and be treated no less favourably than other airlines. At a public hearing held in October, the committee heard from representatives from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The committee explored the value of these agreements, noting the strong education links between Australia, Saudi Arabia, Peru and Colombia.”
“Australia maintains friendly and cooperative relationships with Saudi Arabia, Colombia and Peru underpinned by trade, education and shared international commitments. Saudi Arabia is a key partner through the G20 membership and growing tourism links, including the introduction of a new e-visa for Australian travellers. With Peru, Australia engages across the mining, agriculture, education and tourism sectors, supporting the Peru-Australia Free Trade Agreement. Australia and Colombia have enjoyed diplomatic relations since 1975, collaborating on a range of issues of mutual interest, including energy, infrastructure, education and transnational crime. The agreements are expected to build on these bilateral relationships, delivering benefits to Australian travellers and businesses, particularly in tourism, education and the airport sector.”
“On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, I present the committee's report entitled Report 229: a ir s ervice a greements: Saudi Arabia, Colombia and Peru . Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e). by leave—Today I rise to make a statement on the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties's report into three treaty actions that establish the air service agreements between Australia and the Republic of Colombia, Australia and Peru, and Australia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These agreements provide the legal framework for airlines to operate between Australia and each of these countries, including provisions for safety, security, regulation, compliance and commercial arrangements. These agreements mark the first treaty-level air service relationships between Australia and these three countries.”
“It's great for mental health, it's great for better community, it's great for sportsmanship and it's great for giving young people opportunities. Congratulations to everyone who has been successful, and to those who will be successful in the future.”
“To be good at swimming in an electorate like Bendigo is phenomenal. It's cold for huge chunks of the year in our electorate—it was snowing in Maldon on Monday, just to demonstrate how cold it can get—so to have that commitment to get up on those cold mornings and to do your swim training is phenomenal. Matthew is actually from one of the newest parts of the electorate that came in at the last redistribution, Pyalong. Again, he's overcoming the tyranny of distance just to get to training. Congratulations to Matthew and Zarah. The opportunity to participate in local sport is big in regional electorates. Whether it be football, netball, some of the more engaged sports like basketball or dancesport or lawn bowls, there are a myriad of opportunities for young people to engage.”
“As I said at the event, rarely are our young sporting champs brilliant once; quite often they are brilliant over and over again. At the ceremony I also acknowledged the dedication and commitment from family—quite often mum and dad driving them down the Calder to do the training required for them to compete. I'd like to give a special mention to young superstars like Harriet Caldwell, who is doing great things in wheelchair basketball. Not only is she achieving at that elite level but she is also a para sports star. Congratulations, Harriet, on what you are doing not just for your sport, for your community, but for young people with disability. You are an inspiration. I also wish to give a special shout-out to our swimming sports stars and champions, Matthew Skewes and Zarah Reynolds.”
“One of the joys of this job for all local MPs is to recognise our local sporting champions with Local Sporting Champions scholarships and grants that come from the federal government. It has existed for quite a number of years now to support young people in their pursuit of sport. In my electorate, being a regional electorate, people can receive a grant of between $600 and $950, depending on how far they have to travel and where they are travelling to. Like many regional electorates, Bendigo is blessed with many successful young people in a variety of sports. I'm pleased to stand here today to say that at our most recent award ceremony we recognised seven successful recipients from round 1 of the 2025-26 sports grants. Some of them have previously been acknowledged as well.”
“The question now is that the amendment moved by the honourable member for Curtin be agreed to: That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words: "the House declines to give the bill a second reading, and calls for an independent review of the Freedom of Information Act 1982, with terms of reference to provide recommendations on how best to: (1) encourage greater proactive disclosure of information to the public, and thus reduce the need for formal freedom of information requests; (2) maximise accessibility, transparency and efficiency for genuine and lawful freedom of information requests, including through setting an appropriate fee structure; (3) improve the timeliness of dealing with freedom of information requests, including review processes; (4) ensure that exemptions to disclosure requirements do not go further than is required for good government; (5) create a robust system for the resourcing, training, auditing, and oversight of authorised officers responsible for freedom of information decisions; (6) manage vexatious and frivolous requests; (7) address the potential impact of artificial intelligence, both to improve freedom of information processing and to mitigate the impact of its use in generating vexatious and frivolous requests; and (8) provide structural support for public servants to provide frank, honest, timely and evidence-based advice".”
“Currently, $55 million for the latest round, round 8, of the Black Spot Program is under assessment. We will improve coverage, as opposed to what those opposite did, with $50 million to improve telecommunications programs for our regional roads. Round 3 of the connectivity programs just awarded 274 projects. We've had successful rounds of the Farm Connectivity Program. The list goes on. Then we get to what we're also doing, and it is our government, a Labor government, delivering this: the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation. It is this government, a Labor government, that will make this a requirement—not the Liberals and not the Nationals in the nine years they had in government, but a Labor government. Watch this space: outdoor mobile obligation under us.”
“They are not genuinely interested in improving telecommunications in the regions. All they want to do is throw mud and throw stones. We on this side of the House accept that it is a long-term challenge, and we are working to build the coverage. We genuinely believe on this side of the House that, regardless of where you live, you should have access to telecommunications. Our vision is absolutely clear: it is making Australia the most connected continent in the world, and we acknowledge we have a lot of work to do. That is why we're getting on with doing it. There is $1.1 billion going into the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia. We are not going to let the telcos dictate to us where the investment will be. We want to see everybody having access to those devices, because that's how a lot of us access our lives.”
“This was a 2022 election commitment, which we are halfway through doing. It's been a longstanding concern of people in the regions that the telco coverage maps do not reflect the experience of mobile users. Every member in the regions has experienced this. We ourselves have experienced this. The map says we've got coverage out in Tarnagulla, but, when you get there, the coverage isn't there. The map says you have coverage in Tooborac, but, when you get there, it isn't there. Part of that is because each telco has its own metrics—its own way of measuring it. We are proposing to standardise it. We want to see all the telcos using the same set of measures. Those opposite are opposed to it. They say it's more red tape for the telcos. They want their cake and to eat it too.”
“Those opposite are criticising a roundtable, but I say to those opposite: you're so opposed to regulation, but this is what you need if you want to regulate a market to deliver service to everybody. The markets don't like to go to the regions. They need to build a tower, but if there aren't the customers, they're not going to build it. This is what telcos tell them and tell us all the time. The market isn't going to build a tower in Metcalfe in my electorate. There aren't the customers to sustain that investment. They turn around and say: 'What are you going to do?' The program doesn't work. It's clunky. This is why we've had roundtables—to bring people together to ask: What are the lessons? How can we make the market kinder? How can we adapt the market to deliver the services that we need? This is also why we committed to an audit.”
“That was the last time we had reliable communications in this country, with every house having a copper landline, as was the technology of the day. We lost the ability to control the market back when it was privatised under the Nationals and the Liberals during the Howard government. What we have today is a patchwork market, which those opposite failed to do anything about in their nine years of government. Round after round of their Mobile Black Spot Program went through the Audit Office, which found it did not genuinely increase coverage for regional areas. In electorates like mine, a regional electorate, we might get one each term of the previous government. This did little or nothing to improve the coverage in my electorate.”
“It's another sitting week and we have yet another negative motion being put forward by the member for Mallee. It's become a regular occurrence that the member for Mallee puts forward negativity after negativity. This is a bit of a rehash of an old motion that has no insight into and is no reflection on what her colleagues did when they were ministers and in government. Let's just remind those opposite that privatisation and being market driven is now the reality for our telecommunications. If you want to switch back to a government owned service, that is going to take a lot of money. Those opposite may also forget that it was the Howard government that, with T1, T2 and T3, effectively privatised our telecommunications.”
“My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. How is the Albanese Labor government strengthening Medicare in the regions? Why is this so important after a decade of cuts and neglect?”
“My children particularly love the circus element, the bush dancing opportunities and, of course, the face-painting. When you walk through the town you're greeted by street performers. It's a great opportunity for local small businesses and cafes, which are bustling, as well as the many country pubs. These festivals thrive in regional Victoria, and it is the season for it. That's why I'm also proud that our government is sponsoring and supporting so many festivals through Regional Arts Victoria and through the festivals stream. Congratulations once again to all involved in the Maldon Folk Festival.”
“I'm pleased to stand today to congratulate the Maldon Folk Festival, which celebrated its 50th festival this weekend just been. To Pam and the amazing team of volunteers: congratulations on a fantastic festival, it being the 50th. Recently the group received a $3,000 federal government volunteer grant towards putting on this year's festival. This funding went towards IT equipment as well as other needs for volunteers. For those who haven't been to Maldon during the Maldon Folk Festival, it is one of those weekends when this town becomes alive. In every community space there is a group performing. This year the headline acts included the Bushwackers, Gina Jeffreys and Claymore, not to mention a little bit of folk, blues, jazz and Celtic. It's a festival that the whole family can be involved in.”
“It will ensure that every dollar they've earnt in their super will be there when they retire. It will make it easier for business to be able to pay on time and equal the playing field, disrupting the way in which the dodgy ones use it as part of their business model to phoenix. In construction, cleaning, security and other service based industries, it is real. I'm proud to be part of a government that is making this reform happen, and I am ready and willing to work with our local small businesses to make sure they're aware of the changes they need to make to ensure they're ready for this. We can make this happen so it is a win-win for all. Ultimately, it's good for workers, it's good for businesses and it's good for the future.”
“She continues to try to get justice for her brother—even though he has, sadly, passed away—because it is money that he earned as part of his wages. He never got that money because it was deferred. If this had been in place from the inception of super, then Meryl may have never had to go through this. Her brother may have been able to enjoy his retirement with his retirement savings, through super, that he would have earned. Meryl and her brother are just one example of the countless cases that we have all seen come through unpaid super and the impact it has on people's lives and their retirements. Then there are the hundreds of thousands of other people who have just written it off: 'It doesn't matter; I've written it off. I can't cry over what I can't fix.' This reform will be a game changer for workers.”
“I'm reminded, as I stand in this debate, of all the heartbreaking cases that have come into my office and into all of our offices. People ask, 'I realised too late I didn't get paid my super; what can I do?' Standing in this place, I have to acknowledge Meryl Birch. She and her brother first came to see me when I first got elected. Her's is a legacy case that goes back to the previous two federal members for Bendigo. They knew her brother wasn't being paid super. They tried to pursue it, to get the money owed to her brother, and it never came. They went through the ATO, and they pursued the business. When the business eventually went bankrupt, they tried to get the money any way they could. It never came.”
“The updated super guarantee charge includes national earnings, administrative uplift and choice loading as well as a number of other ways to help ensure that employers pay on time. As I said before, this isn't just a great advancement and support for employees, to make sure that they get what they're owed. For those industries where wages are a big part of competition, it helps to ensure an equal playing field so employers who are doing the right thing are not disadvantaged in the market because of employers doing the wrong thing. It's something that's quite often forgotten in this debate. They think it's about employees versus employers, but it's not. It's about employees and good employers having the opportunity to compete in a fair playing field on the very fundamental that is their wages. This is what they've earned.”
“Even with all the advances in technology, where we're at today, this is still happening. This bill will change that. This bill will ensure that super, for the first time since its creation, will be paid on payday. From 21 July 2026, employers will be required to pay super guarantee contributions on the same day as wages. The changes will make it easier for businesses, easier for employees, and easier for the ATO to detect missing payments earlier—before debts become unrecoverable and before some businesses are unable to pay. The legislation also updates the super guarantee charge, which is the penalty employers face if they fail to pay super on time. Under the new framework, the super guarantee charge will apply for each payday an employer fails to pay super in full and on time.”
“One of the reasons I got actively involved in the union movement was that I was one of those young workers at university who didn't get paid their super. I was being paid cash, and I said: 'Hey, this isn't right. I've got a pay slip here, but there's no super on it.' It was only when I started to ask questions that I discovered I actually wasn't being paid properly. There was something really dodgy going on with my pay slip. I got sacked because I was a casual worker, and I brought that up. But the bar didn't want to have a bar of it. So that was one of the reasons why I started to get actively involved in my union. I was one of those young workers who said: 'I should be getting pay slips. I've got this dodgy thing that doesn't look like a pay slip. Where's my super?' That is the experience of far too many young people.”
“Like so many others, I started working at 14 and nine months—legitimately, of course. I worked in my family's businesses. When you're working in a family business, it's a little bit of pocket money for those hours that you do when you're in the truck helping your dad with the deliveries or helping with the till. But I was 14 and nine months when I got my first job, and it was early days. My generation, the people now in their 40s and 30s, will have a working life of super when they retire. Technically, for when it is planned, we should have enough to retire on. But far too many people in their 30s and 40s missed out on those early days of super because we didn't have the system set up. It was paid quarterly, and not all businesses did the right thing and put it aside. And there was the phoenixing that I talked about.”
“But, most importantly, apart from helping to create fair competition in those industries so businesses can compete against businesses on quality, not on the fact that you'll rip off super from your employees, those employees who've done that hard work and who might have been paid their weekly, fortnightly or monthly wages will also know that their super is being paid. Since the creation of super, far too many people in our history have missed out on super, and many people in this place have shared those stories. Quite often it was when they were younger and they worked in hospitality or in a retail business, in those early days—and in those early days of super too. Quite often, when I'm talking to people in my electorate, I talk about my generation being the generation of super.”
“The workers would lose their super. Through the Fair Entitlement Guarantee and, before that, GEERS, we would try to manage payment of what they were owed. The ATO, of course, would miss out on payments, and whilst, quite often, through the federal government-backed scheme, we could recover annual leave, they lost their sick leave and they lost their super. It was just accepted that you would not get that super. This changes that. It catches out those businesses early and it will help break that phoenixing model that exists. It will be a game changer for those service based industries, such as cleaning and security and so many others, where wages are a critical part of the competitive tender.”
“Those who will not like this bill are those businesses who are doing the wrong thing, undermining all of us, undermining the businesses doing the right thing and ripping off their workers—the ones who build that into their business model: the phoenixers, the people who will go and undercut or underquote another small business because they bank on never having to pay their super bill. Before coming to this place, my background was working for the United Workers Union, in their cleaning and security divisions. Time and time again we saw dodgy cleaning companies and security companies undercutting someone who did the right thing by their workers—paid them properly—and then phoenixing at the point when the ATO chased them for unpaid super. Those workers would lose their jobs. The company would go into bankruptcy and would phoenix.”
“Cash flow with small business has always been king, and the ability to manage cash flow is critical, so I can understand why some small businesses, that are so focused on the day-to-day running of their business and delivering the goods and services, can sometimes get caught out with that super bill. Have they put enough aside? That is why this reform will help them. The Australian tax office and the Treasurer have already committed to supporting businesses to adapt to this system and manage their super. There will be a way in place, working with chambers of commerce and with the ATO, to ensure small businesses can transition to this system.”
“It will ensure that they earn on their savings but also ensure that employers have the ability to manage cash flow. I know those opposite like to claim that people in Labor don't understand small business. It is just a falsehood. We do, many people on this side of the House being small business owners themselves or having close connections with families through small business. I myself grew up in a family of small business. I can remember the work my parents did managing cash flow in the running of their small businesses, a second-hand furniture business and then a holiday hire company.”
“The majority of businesses do the right thing and pay super on time. Advancement of technology has made it so much easier for our small businesses. The ATO already supports businesses using the Single Touch Payroll data system to ensure workers are paid super on time. This is how the ATO will enforce the legislation that is before us. What we are proposing in this legislation is that, from 1 July 2026, employers will be required to pay superannuation guarantee contributions on the same day as wages instead of quarterly, aligning, for the first time, your regular pay with your regular super payment. Employers must ensure that contributions are received by an employees' super fund within seven days of payday. This change will make it easier for employees to track their super.”
“Along the way, some in business in Australia have not accepted that super is not their money but their employees' money. Many, many years ago, this parliament, with the support of industry and the trade union movement, agreed to set up the superannuation industry. Today, it is worth billions upon billions of dollars, safeguarding savings for Australian workers for their retirement. It was founded on that fundamental principle: super is employees' pay. They defer collecting it, and it is kept in safeguard by superannuation accounts until they retire, but essentially it is their pay. They have earnt it. As I stated at the beginning, the majority of businesses do the right thing. I acknowledge that. They put the pay aside and pay super. All of us in this place receive super on time, as do employees of the Parliamentary Service.”
“The Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation) Bill 2025 has been a long time coming for people on my side of politics. This bill is common sense. This bill will be welcome news to all Australian workers. For businesses doing the right thing: keep doing what you're doing. This bill will have minimal impact on you, because it's not about you, the businesses that pay their employees super on time. This is about giving tools to the employers that might get a bit caught up and accidentally not pay on time, or the employers or businesses for whom not paying super on time has become part of their business model or who are unable to pay super on time. It is a fact in this country that far too many workers go without super.”