Matt Thistlethwaite
Kingsford Smith · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“At the same time, the bill reduces unnecessary burden and simplifies the operation of the scheme. It reduces regulatory requirements for lower risk arrangements, including removing unnecessary approval steps for minor variations and renewals of arrangements that have already been assessed.”
“It expands our ability to manage risk, including by allowing conditions to be imposed on foreign arrangements both at the point of approval and during their operation. This provides a more flexible and proportionate response than outright refusal or cancellation.”
“It applies to state, territory and local governments and public universities, and requires notification, and in some cases approval of, arrangements with foreign entities, particularly foreign government departments, agencies and universities that lack independence in their governance.”
“I move: That this bill be now read a second time. Australia has long benefited from international engagement whether it be through education, cultural exchange, research collaboration or trade. These connections strengthen our economy, enrich our society, and extend our global influence.”
“In 2024, the government commissioned an independent review of the scheme led by Rosemary Huxtable. As part of the review, Ms Huxtable consulted widely across federal, state, territory and local governments and Australian universities to hear their views and their concerns about the operation and the structure of the scheme.”
“Its amendments would strengthen the scheme's framework by sharpening the focus on Australia's national interest and enhancing the tools available to manage risk. The bill will streamline the scheme's operation by simplifying processes and reducing administrative burden, particularly for lower risk arrangements.”
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“For the average wage earner, it will reduce their taxation by about $30,000 over the next decade. It's a great relief for younger workers into the future. I might point out that this is a policy that has been opposed by the opposition. At the moment, they are supporting higher taxes for younger workers and low- to middle-income workers in this country. We're not stopping there. We're also increasing the Medicare low-income threshold to ensure there is additional relief for younger Australians who are paying the Medicare levy. We're also making sure that our broader taxation system is much fairer and more responsive to the needs of the economy into the future and to the welfare of younger Australians. We're reforming the multinational taxation system.”
“Making the taxation system fairer, particularly the income tax system, is one of the priorities of our government. It was the principal policy that we took to last election. During our last term in office, we reduced the rate of income tax on all Australians to ensure that the tax system was fairer. We're following that up with two further income tax cuts—one this year and one next year, which will see the rate of taxation on the minimum level income threshold in Australia fall to 15 per cent. The greatest beneficiaries of that reform will be lower- to middle-income workers, the majority of whom would be younger Australians who are starting out in the labour market. This will be a great benefit for younger workers. It will return some of the bracket creep that has crept into the system over recent years.”
“That is putting an impost on the budget and, at same time, reducing the same number of taxpayers that are actually paying tax to fund those services. This is putting pressure on the welfare of younger generations of Australians. But this is something that our government is committed to addressing. We are acting to ensure that we make our taxation and welfare systems much fairer to produce more equitable outcomes for future generations. We're putting in place those policies to ensure greater intergenerational equity through our taxation system to ensure our children inherit a better quality of life through a fairer tax system, a more affordable housing market, a clean and safe environment through stronger action on climate change, a sustainable budget position and an affordable and fairer education system.”
“The obligation that we have as members of parliament is to ensure that we deliver better living standards for our kids and generations to come. That is our goal, and that is what we work towards every day as a government. But, over the last decade, that commitment and promise to the next generation has been under threat. Young Australians are facing increasing pressure from the cost of housing, they've inherited a massive debt from the previous coalition government in the wake of COVID, and the threat of climate change is eroding their quality of life. We have an ageing population, which means there are more people in our economy and our society who require aged care, the NDIS and hospital and health services.”
“Con said so eloquently that the heart of his work is about touching people's lives. Con is a true leader. He is very involved in the local Greek community, particularly through Saint Catherine's parish church, and he brings together many members of our community to ensure that those in need are fed, that they have clothing and that they get a touch of kindness in their hour of need. Congratulations and thank you, Con.”
“If you see a local police officer in your community, please take a moment, particularly at the moment, to thank them for their work. I was recently honoured to join Kingsford Smith local legend Con Theocharides for a night of volunteering with his organisation A Touch of Kindness in Sydney's Martin Place. Started by Con in 2022, A Touch of Kindness brings together community groups and volunteers to provide food and support for those who are homeless in the Sydney community. They do it every Wednesday night at Martin Place, where they feed the homeless. Unfortunately, the lines have been growing in recent years. The evening is filled with the spirit of generosity as donors and volunteers from all walks of life come together to offer a helping hand and a caring heart.”
“I want to congratulate Constable Luke Noakes for earning the 'Cop's Cop' award, as judged by his peers—a true testament to his commitment and the respect he has earned from them. I also congratulate Detective Sergeant Ryan Booker, who won the award for Leadership in Community Safety. I'd also like to extend heartfelt thanks to all our local police, who do a wonderful job, day in, day out, keeping our communities safe. They often encounter people at their lowest moments. The mental and emotional toll of their job cannot be overstated. Australians expect much from our police, asking them to be brave, fair and calm no matter the situation. Behind each officer is a support network of family and colleagues. We honour both those serving and those who've lost their lives in the line of duty.”
“It's been a tough week for police officers throughout the country, and we pay tribute to and offer commiserations to the families of the two police officers tragically killed in Victoria last week. That's why I want to highlight the great work of the Eastern Beaches Police Area Command in the area that I represent. They recently held their Police Area Command Awards to recognise and pay tribute to the great work of police throughout the country, particularly our local area command, who do their utmost to keep our community safe every year. Sharing the special evening were the Central Metropolitan Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna, and Detective Superintendent Paul Simpkins. The focus was on supporting police officers at every level.”
“Couple that with the decreases that we've already made to medicines and the fact that we're expanding Medicare—it's a good deal for more Australians, to help them with their cost of living. Much as I know you'd love to hear me continue to speak about the benefits of cheaper medicines, Deputy Speaker, I note that the Minister for Housing is in the chamber and it's now time for her parliamentary statement. Debate adjourned.”
“The increase in the rebate, particularly for pensioners and children, has ensured that there's more access to bulk-billing, and now we're extending that bulk-billing incentive to the rest of the population, so there'll be more incentive for GPs to bulk-bill their patients and more incentive for practices to ensure that all their GPs bulk-bill. That's why we continue to add new and expanded PBS listings to help support Australians who are facing severe health conditions. These new medicines on the expanded PBS bring real relief to Australians who are facing severe health conditions, including those with Parkinson's disease, neuroblastoma, endometrial cancer, cystic fibrosis and melanoma. So we are delivering on our commitment to make medicines cheaper so that all Australians benefit.”
“In January this year, we froze the cost of PBS medicines, with co-payments not rising with inflation for all Australians for the first time in 20 years. Our reforms have made a big difference in the community that I represent, with $11 million saved on medicines for people in Kingsford Smith. This bill includes further specific provisions to protect the availability of discounting. All medicines that pharmacies can discount today can continue to be discounted once the co-payment is cut to $25. It also builds on the reforms that we're making to Medicare more broadly.”
“The success is in the fact that inflation has fallen back down to the RBA's target band of two to three per cent both in headline and in real figures. This builds on the action that we're taking to deliver cost-of-living relief in health care more generally. In 2022, we delivered a greater range of free and cheaper medicines with a 25 per cent reduction in the number of scripts a concessional patient can fill before the PBS safety net kicks in. In January 2023, there was the largest cut to the cost of medicines in the history of the PBS, down to $30 from $42.50. In September 2023, 60-day prescriptions were introduced, saving time and money for millions of Australians with an ongoing health condition.”
“If you're a worker, you benefited from a tax cut and the energy bill rebate. If you're a student, you benefited from the cuts to HECS, the introduction of a prac payment, fee-free TAFE and other supports. If you're a pensioner or a senior in our community, you're benefitting from this as well as the energy bill relief that was provided by the rebate. Making medicines cheaper is a tangible way to really help people with their cost of living, particularly those who have some chronic health conditions that require medications on a weekly basis. These changes will make a big difference to household budgets, and, importantly, they won't add to inflation. That was the brief that we gave to the Department of the Treasury when we were formulating our cost-of-living relief: it can't add to inflation.”
“The National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025 will mean prescriptions on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, or the PBS, will cost Australians no more than $25 from 1 January next year. This is a more than 20 per cent cut to the maximum cost of PBS medicines, which will save Australians over $200 million each year. The last time that PBS medicines cost no more than $25 was back in 2004—21 years ago. It means that pensioners and concession card holders will continue to benefit from the freeze to the cost of PBS medicines, with the cost frozen at a level of $7.70 until 2030. That's another key cost-of-living measure delivered by the Albanese government. I mentioned earlier that our focus has been on the cost of living, but it's also been to support all Australians—not some Australians but all Australians.”
“The laser-like focus of the Albanese government over the past three years has been on providing cost-of-living relief for all Australians, and this National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025 delivers on a commitment that we made, in the lead-up to the last election, to make medicines even cheaper for all Australians. We know that, for many, the cost of health care can be a big impost on their household budget, and this bill is designed to ensure that, in particular, pensioners, seniors and people with chronic health conditions get the support that they deserve from the government with the cost of their medication. We already slashed the cost of medicines with, in 2023, the largest cut to the cost of medicines in the history of the PBS. We're now going even further with this bill.”
“Who could ever forget those iconic words of Norman May in calling the men's 4x100 medley relay; he uttered those immortal words—”
“For the 1980 team, to have that dream ripped away would have been heartbreaking and harrowing, particularly in circumstances beyond their control. In an unfair manner, sportspeople were asked to undertake a boycott but in other facets of society, most notably in the economy, we still continued to trade with Russia. It was fitting that those 1980 Olympians were welcomed home yesterday by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition here in the parliament. We thanked them for coming to Canberra, we thanked them for coming to parliament and, most importantly, we thanked them for representing our nation with pride and distinction at the 1980 Olympics. It was a tribute to their courage, to their conviction and to their hard work in representing Australia at that time. That team gave Australia one of its greatest Olympic moments ever.”
“I grew up in Maroubra. Like every kid growing up in Maroubra in the seventies and eighties, I learned to surf and swim. When I was swimming at Heffron Pool, the people that I idolised as a kid were a few lanes down, swimming under the tutelage of the great John Rodgers—the likes of Max Metzker, Ron McKeon, Graeme Brewer, Michelle Ford and Trevor Cracknell. I saw the gruelling sets they used to get put through by JR and how hard they trained for that one shot at representing their nation in the pinnacle of sport, the Olympics. I imagine it's the same for every Olympian in every sport they train for, day after day, month after month, year after year, waiting for the opportunity to fulfil their dream of representing their country at the Olympics.”
“We've listened, we've learned and we're working together on a Pacific led, Australian backed solution, and we will continue to elevate the voices of our Pacific neighbours on issues that matter most to them to ensure a stable and prosperous region into the future.”
“This guarantee will make our region safer and more stable and make sure loved ones, families and communities can continue to access their money. Australia is a respectful, reliable and transparent partner, responding to the Pacific region's needs and priorities. In uncertain times, Australia and the Pacific are counting on each other as we build a region that is a peaceful, stable and prosperous one. Australia, as the region's largest economic partner, is committed to working through the regional institutions that are in place, particularly the Pacific Islands Forum, towards our shared goals of stability and prosperity. Greater integration of our economy, particularly of our trading systems and business transactions, is making it easier for Pacific people in business to connect and investment to flow across the region.”
“This bill provides that stability and that guarantee for our Pacific neighbours in the wake of the uncertainty resulting from the reduction in banking services in the Pacific. This guarantee is not a subsidy. Banks will pay a fee for the guarantee, as they should, and provision of this guarantee is not about any individual country. It's about enhancing cooperation with our Pacific island neighbours and is responsible for low-risk measures to assist in securing Australia's banking commitment to the Pacific. We place a high priority on ensuring that the Pacific, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste remain connected to the global financial system, and we share the concerns of many of our regional neighbours.”
“Thankfully, the Rudd government acted quickly at the time when that risk began to materialise and provided a government backing of Australians' deposits through that period. That action by the Rudd government stabilised the Australian banking system, and it also stabilised our economy, which meant that the government could then go about the government support that was provided to ensure that Australians got through that difficult period. We got through in better shape than most OECD nations. We didn't have a recession; we had small changes in unemployment. We didn't have rampant inflation, and we were able to stabilise our economy. It demonstrates how important government guarantees are at moments of economic uncertainty.”
“Secure access to the global financial system and banking services is critical for economic growth, financial inclusion and overall stability. We know that this access can offer life-changing opportunities for families and, importantly, businesses and communities in our region. This bill allows the Commonwealth to offer support to eligible Australian banks to maintain their Pacific operations by providing a guarantee that transfers risk of default on low-risk exposures to the Commonwealth. The bill provides a special appropriation from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, allowing the Commonwealth to pay any valid claims for the full amount of any guarantee in a timely manner in the unlikely event of a default. We all remember the global financial crisis and how close Australia and many other developed nations came to a run on the banks.”
“When those banking services are at risk because of banks pulling out of the Pacific, Australia has an obligation to work with our partner nations in the Pacific to stabilise their banking services, and that's exactly what the Pacific Banking Guarantee Bill 2025 does. It's about ensuring that we are putting in place the measures to provide that confidence in the Pacific banking system. The continuing decline in access to cross-border banking services in the Pacific region and the reduction of Pacific operations by Australian banks are concerns shared by our government and by governments of our regional neighbours. The Pacific, unfortunately, has experienced the fastest withdrawal of correspondent banking relationships anywhere in the world. Over recent years, we have had some Australian banks reduce their Pacific operations.”
“The everyday but essential banking services people rely on are available through the guaranteed presence of Australian banks in nine countries. When Labor was last in government, I was the Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, so I travelled extensively throughout the Pacific. The one thing I noticed was that, despite the development challenges, most people in the Pacific had a mobile phone and most people in the Pacific used that mobile phone for a lot of their financial transactions, particularly their banking services, as many Australians do today as well. Access to those banking services is vitally important to their security, their livelihoods and their living standards.”
“And, for a small island nation with a limited export potential and a limited export capability, when you are exporting into a market and there are trade challenges, it can make a big difference to the viability of that business, that industry and, ultimately, that country's GDP. That's why we reiterated that point with our Pacific neighbours—that Australia won't be taking a retaliatory approach to the tariffs that have been placed on us by the United States, and we'll make sure that we guarantee the tariff-free access to Australia, particularly for our Pacific neighbours. We've partnered to better integrate our economy, making it easier for people to do business between the countries in which we live, work and study. Our support is focused on inclusive economic growth, sustainable infrastructure, jobs, skills and connectivity.”
“As the largest trading partner of many Pacific nations, we're supporting growing markets by reducing the barriers to trade and partnering with local businesses while continuing more than 40 years of tariff-free access into Australia. It was a point that we made on that trip, given what is going on in the international trading environment at the moment. It's having a dramatic effect on many Pacific nations. Some of those Pacific nations do have access into larger markets like the United States and are now facing tariffs on the products that they export to those markets.”
“It was my first trip as the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and it was a deliberate decision to go to the Pacific to reinforce the importance of that relationship to Australia and to demonstrate to our neighbours and friends how important the Pacific family is to Australia and how we understand the challenges that they are facing, particularly the challenge of dealing with climate change, which is an existential threat to many of those nations. As the Pacific's largest and most comprehensive development partner, our investments are designed to deliver transformative change to improve the lives and livelihoods of all Pacific peoples.”
“As a Pacific nation, Australia is a partner that the region can count on. We share an ocean and we also share a future. Australia is committed to supporting our regional neighbours, listening to Pacific priorities and delivering on our collective interests. Together, we're building a stronger Pacific family, upholding our common values so we can all make our own decisions as strong sovereign nations, free to grow and to live together peacefully. Our region is stronger together, and we're counting on each other to support the aspirations and wellbeing of our people. These are messages that came through in the trip that myself and the Foreign minister made recently, when we travelled to Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu.”
“The government has heard the calls from younger Australians about support for their educational aspirations and the challenges that they're facing with their cost of living. We heard that call; we put in place the policy; we took it to the election; we received a mandate; and now we are delivering that cost-of-living support for millions of younger Australians to ensure that they can aspire to the education that they want, aspire to the job that they hope to achieve, and make a valuable contribution to Australia moving forward.”
“It's now seen more than 650,000 enrolments across the country, with 170,000 of those courses already completed. From 1 January this year, the government also massively expanded the fee-free uni ready courses, which are life-changing courses that help more students from disadvantaged backgrounds get access to early support for education in the university sector. We're establishing an independent Australian tertiary education commission to drive reform of Australia's tertiary education sector. We're changing the way that universities are funded—that will start from 2026—which will help more people from outer suburbs and regions get a chance to go to university and provide them with the support that they need to complete their degrees.”
“It builds on significant reforms that we made to help students in the last period of government, when we wiped $3 billion of HELP debts and fixed the system so that indexation of HELP debts can never increase faster than wages. From 1 July this year the government established the Commonwealth Prac Payment to support about 68,000 eligible teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students whilst they're completing their compulsory practical training at university. They'll now start to receive that $320 payment whilst they're on practical placement—again, assisting those students to meet their cost-of-living pressures, ensuring that when they do have to take a break from the workforce they will still be able to earn and to pay their bills. We've locked fee-free TAFE into law.”
“UNSW, of course, leads the world in solar research, in quantum technology and, indeed, in AI and in other areas where there's some fantastic research going on. You can see the development of hydrogen fuel in UNSW, as well as the work that goes on at the Kirby Institute around the development of lifesaving treatments for many viruses and other diseases across the world. No matter where you live or how much your parents earn, we'll continue to ensure that the doors of education and opportunity are open for more Australians, not just at UNSW but at other great universities across the country. It's not just helping students from Randwick TAFE but also those from other great TAFEs throughout the country. This reform helps everyone repay student debts right now, and it delivers a better deal for every student in the three years ahead.”
“In addition to cutting student debts by 20 per cent, the legislation raises the minimum threshold for repayment, before students start making those repayments, from $54,435 to $67,000. So those payments will be reduced. For someone earning $70,000, that will reduce their minimum repayments by $1,300 a year. I'm fortunate to have the wonderful University of New South Wales in the electorate that I represent, and I'm a very proud alumnus of that great institution. It fills me with great pride to see the opportunities on offer at UNSW for students in our community and for those beyond Australia, and to hear of the positive impact on them from the education that they get. They're the ones making the future happen today.”
“It's backdated to 1 June and it will reduce the burden for many of those students, including those with HELP vocational education and training student loans, Australian apprenticeship support loans, student start-up loans and other student loans. I've been speaking to some students from Randwick TAFE in the community that I represent, and I know that costs can often be a barrier to Australians pursuing an apprenticeship or a qualification at a trade level. This bill will deliver cost-of-living relief to 280,000 students in the VET sector across the country, cutting half a billion dollars of student debt from that group alone. Our government is focusing on reducing the barriers to further study and training so that every Australian can get the skills they need for a secure, well-paid job.”
“But the Australian people made it clear on 3 May that they wanted cost-of-living support, and many parents wanted it for their kids. They want to ensure that their kids get access to education and that that education is affordable. This is what this bill does. We saw large increases in indexation associated with student debts in the wake of COVID because of the inflation spike that occurred throughout the world. That resulted in some unfair debts and some increases in debts for many Australian students, so we've responded by cutting their debt by 20 per cent and easing pressure for workers and students across the country. Someone in the community of Kingsford Smith with an average debt of $27,600 will see around $5,500 wiped from their outstanding HELP loans.”
“Many of them are younger Australians—who we've listened to—and we're now taking action by cutting their student debts by 20 per cent. It's a promise that we made in the election and we're now delivering it as a priority for this government. It will be the first piece of legislation that will pass this parliament. We know that the cost of living is important to Australians. That's why the major focus of our election policies was cost-of-living relief. This bill does just that, helping to wipe more than $16 billion in debt for more than three million Australians. We know that getting an education shouldn't mean a lifetime of debt. We also know that the coalition opposed this measure in the election campaign. I'm pleased to see that they've changed their mind, but they did call it 'terrible' and 'unfair'.”
“If there's one group of Australians that have had the rough end of the pineapple when it comes to the cost of living, it's young people. They've had increases in rent, increases in student debts and increases in their general cost-of-living expenses like every other Australian and they've really been struggling. That was the message that came through in the last period of the former parliament and, indeed, in the first period of this parliament. That's why the Albanese government reacted and put in place that commitment to reduce student debts by 20 per cent if we were elected and to make it a priority of this government upon returning to office. I'm proud that this Universities Accord bill will provide that real relief for millions of Australians.”
“When you hear those people speak, it's very easy, I think, to come to the conclusion that Australia and our future is in good hands. Finally, I pay tribute to my family: my beautiful wife and our four children, who I love and respect. I'm very proud of what they do and what they achieve, as well. I thank them for providing me with the support to continue to represent the wonderful community of Kingsford Smith.”
“That's why I was very pleased to be able to provide commitments to upgrade the Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club, during the course of this term of government, to multicultural organisations, like St Spyridon Orthodox Church, the Coogee Synagogue, and the Eastern Suburbs Islamic Welfare Services to upgrade their important facilities, in recognition of the important work that they do in social harmony in our community. I'm very fortunate to represent a multicultural community. I often express to that community that Australia's greatest strengths are our multiculturalism and our diversity, and we're starting to see that finally reflected in this, the 48th parliament. I want to pay tribute to the new members of parliament for their wonderful speeches, representing that multiculturalism and diversity.”
“I thank the people of Kingsford Smith for bestowing upon me the continuing honour of representing our wonderful community. I've lived in our community my entire life, and I'm very passionate about it, particularly the community organisations. I often say to people and people say to me, 'You're so lucky to represent that beautiful coastline, those wonderful beaches, Botany Bay and those green spaces.' I say, 'No, the best thing about the community I represented is the people, and the fact that we care for each other and we look after each other.' We are represented by many different community organisations: the local surf clubs, the local sporting clubs, the local multicultural community groups, the local churches and synagogues and the like.”
“We introduced a number of policies that represent that stronger action on climate change. The net zero by 2050 architecture, believe it or not—as if they haven't learned any of the lessons from the election—is now under threat thanks to the National Party. We will keep that architecture in place, and all of the policies that sit under it to deliver it, such as new vehicle emission standards; massive investments in solar and battery technology; the household battery program, as the minister outlined in question time today, delivering large increases in the number of people investing in batteries; a pathway to net zero, a pathway to a transition to a greener, cleaner future for our kids; but, most importantly, a pathway to ensure that we protect those beautiful marine resources into the future.”
“They were telling me on the weekend of a whale that came into Botany Bay with her calf just a few weeks ago to frolic and play around and of the delight that the local community had in seeing that representation of their community so visible in the precious Botany Bay. And it really hit home to me how important stronger action on climate change is and why I'm an advocate for ocean conservation. I'm very proud that the Albanese government, in our first term, have delivered the largest network of marine reserves of any nation in the world, to protect that sea country and that biodiversity in our the oceans. We've signed the high seas biodiversity treaty and, over the coming months, we will implement that legislation in the parliament to ensure that we do our bit as a nation to protect our precious oceans and their marine reserves.”
“The plan has been developed by the University of New South Wales, the Gamay Rangers, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the state and federal governments to ensure the protection of that precious resource, Gamay—or Botany Bay, as it's more regularly known—and the beautiful coastline along the Pacific Ocean. It's a very precious resource and something that's cherished by our local community. I pay tribute to Robert Cooley and all of the Gamay Rangers for their important work in putting this sea country plan together. The Gamay Rangers represents thousands of years of traditional care for country and for sea. The totem of the Bidjigal people, the local Indigenous community at La Perouse, is burriburri, the whale. The whale is sacred in their culture and their heritage, as represented by that migration.”
“Each year I go along for that census of whales. We're finding that each year the number of whales counted by volunteers on this particular day is increasing, and it's a wonderful sight to see. I see literally tens of whales every time I go to do this whale census with the local community. It's a salient reminder of the very precious nature of the coastline that I'm so fortunate and blessed to represent. During the election campaign I was very proud to help launch the Gamay sea country plan of the Gamay Rangers, the local Indigenous rangers.”
“We remember the Abbott government getting rid of all the architecture that was established to reduce emissions in Australia. Well, Australians are now paying the price of that inaction. Thankfully, the Australian people rejected that notion when it was espoused by the former member for Dickson, Peter Dutton, during the election campaign. The Australian people voted for stronger action on climate change, and that is exactly what the Albanese government is delivering. A few weeks ago I was fortunate to join local members from Greenpeace in my community. They do an annual whale survey along the outskirts of Cape Banks in my electorate. We did the survey at a place colloquially known as the 'humpback highway'. It's the place where whales are seen migrating from Antarctica to the north to have their babies, to calve; they return later on.”
“We all remember those images of locals coming together to sandbag and to get ready for the impending extreme weather that was coming during that difficult period for the Queensland community. It was a salient and sobering reminder of the threats of climate change and of the importance of governments taking this issue seriously, providing stronger action on climate change. Throughout the course of the last term I met so many Queenslanders, particularly in the north of Queensland, who simply cannot afford home insurance anymore; their homes are now uninsurable because of the risk of damage associated with climate change. Climate scientists were warning us of this 20 to 30 years ago. Yet you had the Abbott, Turnbull and Morrison governments that completely ignored the advice and cut back on action on climate change.”
“We've introduced a prac payment to ensure people undertaking nursing, teaching and social work degrees, who have to have a break from their studies to undertake a practical placement, don't lose income during that period. It will ensure that they can meet their cost-of-living commitments. Importantly, legislation was introduced by the Minister for Education last week to dramatically cut student debts by 20 per cent and to increase the repayment threshold to $67,000 from $54,000. These are policies that make a difference to the cost of living of young Australians. They're very popular policies, and we're very proud of them. The election campaign was delayed because of the effects of Cyclone Alfred.”
“But that legacy left by the Whitlam government around access to education still continues to this day, and we always get people saying, 'I vote Labor because Gough gave me the opportunity of an education when my family would never have been able to afford it.' It's in that vein and within that tradition that Labor continues such policies as fee-free TAFE, ensuring that anyone who wants to get a trade qualification in Australia can now do it free of charge, particularly given that we have skill shortages in a number of industries and we want to encourage more Australians to train for a trade and take up those opportunities.”
“I'm very proud that Professor Michelle Haber and her team at the Children's Cancer Institute are in our electorate, and I'm very proud of the work that they are doing that will continue, thanks to the investment made by the Albanese Labor government. Every election campaign, I get someone who comes up to me and says, 'I always vote Labor because Gough Whitlam gave me the opportunity of an education that I otherwise would not have got.' This year is the 50th anniversary of the dismissal of the Whitlam government. In shameful circumstances, a good government was cut short.”