Jason Wood
La Trobe · Liberal Party · Australia
“'My word is my bond' is a phrase never to be used again in Australia, and we can thank the Prime Minister for that, as, when he was asked 50 times prior to the election, 'Will there be changes to capital gains tax or negative gearing?' he kept on saying no. He even belittled the media when he was asked that question.”
“Then Labor got in, and they cancelled all the funding, which is really upsetting for those local residents. The other one I was very passionate about was Wellington Road. Going from Clematis down to Lysterfield Road, Wellington Road is very important.”
“Also, under the former Liberal government, we upgraded dangerous intersections across Latrobe—this was brought to me in particular by Cardinia Shire Council, and I give them their credit—between McGregor Road, and going further down, Cardinia Road. As I mentioned, those were very important upgrades along there.”
“One of the things I'm hearing from small business and people who put trust in the Prime Minister when he made comments like 'my word is my bond' is that they took him at face value when it came to not changing capital gains tax or unit trusts. This actually really hurts a lot of people. A lot of tradies have established a trust.”
“They were advised to set up a trust through their small business. It could be a landscaping business, it could be a post office—whatever it is. They've already gone once to get advice on what's occurring with the government's changes. Now we're seeing all these changes the government's made again. Obviously, they're copping a backlash.”
“Again, it's those smaller, dangerous intersections we've upgraded. The Officer South ramps have now been completed. But one of the projects, very disappointingly, was stopped by the Albanese government when it came into power.”
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“However, while we celebrate the success of the PALM scheme, we must also confront the challenges that have emerged under the Labor government which threaten its effectiveness. In 2023 Labor imposed a minimum requirement that PALM workers must be guaranteed 30 paid hours every week. This decision totally disregards the seasonal and weather-dependent nature of farm work. Forcing a flat minimum of 30 hours per week every week was simply not workable. Industry bodies warned the government that this was inflexible and would cause employers to walk away. Unfortunately, this is exactly what happened. The number of PALM workers in agriculture fell by a whopping 20 per cent in just a little over a year, threatening the sustainability of the scheme.”
“It supports families, strengthens communities and lifts entire economies. According to data published last year, $212 million in remittances and superannuation flowed back to Pacific nations and Timor-Leste from long-term PALM workers, which is absolutely fantastic for their communities. Short-term workers remit on average $1,061 a month to their families, which has proven critical in supporting the livelihoods of those workers and, in particular, their families. The economic benefits to Australia are substantial too. According to the Australia Institute brief published in September 2024, approximately 31,000 PALM workers in Australia contributed nearly $1 billion to our economy through living expenses and taxes.”
“Introduced in April 2022 by the Morrison coalition government—and I acknowledge the former minister, the member for Riverina, for the great work he did in this space—the PALM scheme replaced earlier programs, the Seasonal Worker Program and the Pacific Labour Scheme, and in doing so it brought together the best of both worlds: economic opportunity for our Pacific neighbours and a reliable workforce for Australian employers. This scheme is truly a win-win for both Australia and our Pacific family. Australian businesses benefit from the productivity and dependability of the PALM workers. Meanwhile, the Pacific and Timor-Leste nations gain valuable skills and, importantly, income, which they send back to their families through remittance. This money is critically important to these communities.”
“I rise to speak today in support of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme, known to many as the PALM scheme, which has been a significant and positive force in supporting Australia's regional and rural employers and building stronger relationships with our Pacific island neighbours and Timor-Leste. The PALM scheme is a significant bipartisan initiative. It allows Australian employers, particularly those in rural and regional areas, to access a reliable pool of workers from nine Pacific island nations and Timor-Leste.”
“I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the establishment and ongoing implementation of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, a significant bipartisan initiative designed to address chronic workforce shortages in regional and rural Australia; (2) recognises the role of the former Government in consolidating the Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme into the unified PALM scheme in 2021, streamlining Pacific labour mobility and enhancing regional cooperation; (3) notes that the PALM scheme provides a vital workforce for Australian farmers, growers, food processors, and regional businesses, particularly in horticulture, meat processing and essential services—sectors that face ongoing labour constraints; (4) further recognises the mutual benefits of the PALM scheme, delivering reliable employment and remittance opportunities to workers from nine Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste, while strengthening Australia's diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties with our Pacific family; and (5) affirms Australia's responsibility as a regional partner, upholding its moral and regional leadership responsibility as a trusted partner in Pacific development.”
“What made this event truly special was the leadership of the CGAI Junior Committee—children aged between 10 and 16 years who took charge of organising this wonderful event. Again, I commend the Cardinia Gujarati Association—such a vibrant community in my electorate of La Trobe. Again, I wish everyone a happy Onam and a happy Janmashtami and Ganesh Utsav.”
“Once again, I commend the members of Berwick Ayalkoottam for their initiatives, support and celebration of our amazing Australian Malayalam community, and I wish everyone a joyful Onam. I also had the great privilege of attending the Cardinia Gujarati Association—and namaste to all of them. They held the Janmashtami and Ganesh Utsav celebrations in Pakenham. I thank Brijal, who's a great friend as well as the trustee, and all the committee members, for putting on such a magnificent event. Janmashtami marks the birth of Sri Krishna, who symbolises knowledge and wisdom. Ganesh Utsav celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesh, the embodiment of new beginnings, prosperity and good fortune. Both festivals hold great significance for our wonderful Australian Hindu community, and I extend my heartfelt wishes to all those celebrating.”
“It celebrates Kerala's rich cultural heritage and brings families together to honour the legendary King Mahabali, who again showed up on this great occasion. I've had the privilege of attending many Onam celebrations over the years and have always been moved by the traditional performances and the spirit of unity, as well as their friendship. Berwick Ayalkoottam, funded in 2008 by eight families, now represents more than 160 families and nearly 500 members from Berwick and the surrounding suburbs, and they put on a magnificent event. With more than 80,000 Malayalam speakers in Australia, the contributions of our Malayalam community continue to enrich our nation.”
“I recently had the honour of attending two vibrant cultural celebrations reflecting the rich diversity and community spirit of my electorate of La Trobe. Namaskaram! On Saturday I joined the Berwick Malayalam community for their Onam 2025 celebrations. I extend my sincere thanks to: Jose P Mathew, the Berwick Ayalkoottam committee's president; Ancy Aby, vice-president; Lalson Mathews, secretary; Unnimaya Febin, joint secretary; Midhun Francis, treasurer; and committee members Sajith Varkey, Jotsna Jose, Deon Boby and Sarath Purushothaman, as well as the entire Berwick Ayalkoottam team for organising such a fantastic and colourful event. Onam is one of the most cherished festivals of our Malayalam community.”
“Since 2011, correspondent banking relationships in the south Pacific have fallen by 60 per cent, so it's so important Australia steps in and does its role there. The opposition are supportive, and we will not oppose the bill, but it should go to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee. There are questions that need to be asked. There is uncapped appropriation—no maximum dollar limit. There's no end date—the guarantee power is open ended. There is limited clarity on how the future guarantees will be managed. Why is there no limit. Why is there no sunset clause, and what oversight will apply to future guarantees? Again, to all the Pacific islands, we, as one, are supporting you.”
“As I was saying before, in the former government we had a great respect for our Pacific neighbours, and that contribution, whether it be from security or aid, has always been important. I know the ANZ Bank announced in March 2025 that they would be one of the first recipients of the Pacific Banking guarantee of a maximum of $2 billion. The 10-year bank guarantee supported its operations in the region. As I said, we think that is very important. ANZ will be paying an undisclosed annual fee to the government for the guarantee, but exactly how it will go hasn't been made public. Many Pacific countries depend on correspondent banking, where larger banks like ANZ help local banks process payments and currency exchange.”
“Clearly, definitions are needed specifying the types of risk and exposures to be covered and outlining objective criteria eligibility to reduce the uncertainty risk of future disputes—as examples, tying guarantees to measurable commitments by banks, maintaining service standards, investing in digital banking improvement, supporting financial inclusion and capacity-building initiatives should be looked at. Banks should be encouraged to work with regional partners, as I've said before, and harmonise regulation and explore sustainable market based alternatives so the guarantees to bridge to longer term solutions are not permanent subsidies. For example, work in Bank South Pacific, because I think that will be a good way to go forward.”
“While this offers negotiating flexibility, it also raises transparency and fiscal oversight issues, potentially exposing Australian taxpayers to unknowing risk. Remember: this is Australian taxpayers' money. The bill and its mandatory materials lack clarity on several fronts, including the definition of low-risk exposures to be guaranteed. Treasury says that financial risk is low and that the future guarantees will be time-limited and capped, but there is nothing in the bill that requires that. There is limited clarity on how future guarantees will be managed. The process for dispute resolution between banks and the government currently has no explicit mechanism in the bill for parliamentary oversight or regulatory review of the guarantees and their impact.”
“Understandably, market conditions have made the Pacific region commercially challenging for banks and resulted in the de-risking and withdrawal of banking relationships, threatening access to basic financial services for many Pacific communities. If Australian banks withdraw, others will fill the void with alternative financial networks that may lack transparency or fall outside the regulatory standards. That's why it is so important for Australia to be the good neighbour and good friend—not only for security but also for social reasons and supporting our Pacific neighbours. While the bill's intention is worthy, several concerns deserve attention. The bill creates a special appropriation from the consolidated revenue fund that is unlimited in scope and time.”
“We heard the minister rightly talk about the PALM program. That's something where those from the Pacific islands come and work in Australia. It could be in aged care. It could be in agriculture. The money they raise goes back to the families back home. The coalition strongly supports the intention of the bill. We have concerns about how it's been drafted—as I said, further examination by the Senate Economics Legislation Committee would be important. Can I just say one thing having previously been a member of government: we always think we've got it right and we're doing the right thing, but there are always unintended consequences, and I think that, in a good democracy, that should be played out to hear from those who may be impacted to come up with what could be a better outcome for all those involved.”
“The coalition strongly supports the continuing commitment to the Pacific that began with early governments trying to address contemporary strategic and economic challenges. We know those challenges in the area, and I do acknowledge the work the government is doing. This should be an area with a bipartisan approach because it's in the interests of all Australians. This bill empowers the government to guarantee Australian bank operations in the Pacific using the consolidated revenue fund to provide financial backing should Australian banks in the Pacific face significant risk or default. The aim is not merely to secure continued bank operations but to maintain vital financial links for the Pacific island countries to the global financial system, especially for remittance, aid and trade.”
“It is one of the largest employers, with 4,600 employees. One of the points I'd like to make is that we want to make sure their voices are heard. When it comes to remote areas in the Pacific, that's where, I've been advised, the Bank South Pacific does a lot of good work on the ground. When we had the situation where, in COVID times, money was given back to Red Cross, where they supported other organisations providing funding—we just want to make sure we don't, as a country, do the wrong thing by the Bank South Pacific. With the best of intentions, I think the bill needs to be examined further. The Liberal-National coalition's track record in the Pacific has always been pragmatic: an infrastructure led engagement combining geopolitical interests with development goals.”
“When it comes to this bill, the Pacific Banking Guarantee Bill 2025, we definitely support the bill in principle. We support the intentions of the bill. However, we believe it needs to go to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee because there are questions which need to be answered in regard to it. One of the first things I will talk about is that the local bank over there in the South Pacific, the Bank South Pacific, is ASX listed. I met with a number of the executives the other day, and they gave me a bit of a rundown of what they do. I will just go through it here. Ninety-seven per cent of the BSP is owned by the South Pacific, making it the fundamental driver of the region's prosperity. The PNG government owns 22 per cent of South Pacific superannuation funds and is the largest shareholder in the BSP, with 36 per cent.”
“I thank the minister for his eagerness to support our great friends in the Pacific. I know his intentions are well and truly for the right reasons. It is the same on the side of the House; I acknowledge the member for Riverina, the former shadow minister for international development and the Pacific, who I know will be speaking after me. I make the point that the previous government never neglected our Pacific neighbours; in actual fact, it delivered a record $2.7 billion in Pacific support in 2021-22 across aid infrastructure, health and security. We became the first and only country with diplomatic posts in every Pacific Islands Forum nation, and we expanded regional security through the $2 billion Pacific Marine Security Program, including the delivery of the Guardian class patrol boat—something so important for our region.”
“Parents are contacting me all the time saying, 'When is work going to start?' When I visit the hospital, the nurses and the doctors are under so much pressure and stress. They want this emergency department for children to be up and running. It is an absolute crying shame and disgraceful that the Labor government of Victoria hasn't got Casey Hospital emergency department for children up and running. It is in one of the fastest-growing areas in Australia. It needs this emergency department for children; it needed it six years ago. It needs work to urgently start— (Time expired )”
“At a time of emergency, when you go to the hospital you want to make sure you're seen quickly, especially if it's your child. Back in 2019 my own daughter, Jasmine, had an anaphylactic reaction, and they took her to Casey Hospital. I was amazed by how many people were waiting in the emergency department. The great news back in 2019 was that funding was announced under the former health minister Greg Hunt for an emergency department specifically for children. The state Labor government agreed to this, and yet we've had delays since 2020. It was delayed in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and, guess what, again in 2025. When it comes to a children's emergency department at Casey Hospital, the whole project is still delayed.”
“For example, Labor cut the funding for regional youth support services in Gosford, New South Wales which helped 3,000 young people and achieved a 25 per cent reduction in crime and an 85 per cent reduction in recidivism. Former member for Robertson Lucy Wicks initiated this program. Now it has been cut, but well done to Lucy, who's standing up for the people of Robertson to have this program recommitted. Under the Liberals, we committed $120 million. This Prime Minister should be condemned for allowing youth crime to go untouched across the nation. (Time expired)”
“Youth crime is out of control under Labor, with no consequences for violent crimes. Labor's way of weak bail laws and raising the age of criminal responsibility makes the problem worse. Instead of stringent bail laws, Labor allows violent youth to receive multiple bails for serious crimes. A Dutton-led government would work with the states to deliver strong laws and tackle knife crime. Under Labor, youth gangs post assault videos on social media. A Dutton-led government would punish those posting these videos, removing their criminal glory. Early intervention is crucial to prevent young people from engaging in crime, yet Prime Minister Albanese cut $50 million from high-risk-youth programs, leaving kids and families helpless.”
“These laws introduce new offences for threatening force or violence. Again, in finishing, my heart goes out to the Jewish community, which has been targeted. Hopefully these laws will go smoothly through parliament and police will actually use them to prosecute those people who are committing crimes against the Jewish community.”
“These changes seek to lower the threshold for criminality for those who urge violence against individuals or groups. Instead of proving that a person 'intended' for violence occur, police now only need to prove that the person was 'reckless'. Can I just say, as a former police officer, that words are key when you have 'must' and 'shall' and 'could'. It is a much higher threshold for the police to prove that the person actually intended for the violence to occur. Now it will be 'reckless'—whether they knew their actions could lead to violence—which obviously makes it a lot easier for police to prosecute. These laws, as currently drafted, remove the good faith defence for those urging violence. This too is a welcome move because you cannot urge someone to engage in acts of violence in good faith.”
“We have existing offences in division 80 of the Criminal Code that should have been used to stop the spark of antisemitism. Existing offences in division 80 of the Criminal Code make it an offence to urge violence against an individual or group on the basis of race, religion and the like. They make it an offence to advocate terrorism or genocide. For months, the coalition has been calling for these laws to be used, especially the opposition leader, who has been so strong in his support of the Jewish community. We, on this side, have been saying that the existing offences should be tested and those preaching antisemitism should be taken before the courts. Let the courts decide it, and, if there is an issue with the legislation, we can change or amend the legislation in parliament. We welcome the belated changes.”
“As the shadow minister for multicultural affairs, I want to point out that the swastika is actually an ancient and sacred symbol of peace and good fortune for Buddhist, Hindu, Jain and other faith communities. The Nazi symbol targeting the Jewish community is the Nazi symbol of hatred, the hakenkreuz. We have to be very clear about that. The hakenkreuz is a symbol of the Nazi Party, which committed, as we know, the most heinous crimes against humanity, particularly against the Jewish people. Using this hate symbol to intimidate and spread messages of antisemitism and intolerance towards a community in Australia is totally unacceptable and must be prosecuted. This bill is intended to help mitigate some of the government's failures.”
“Questions were raised to the Prime Minister about whether he was briefed by ASIO and law enforcement and on what day, or whether he did not want to know about it. This is an exceptionally serious matter which could have ended up as Australia's worst terrorist attack. On 21 January, a childcare centre was set alight and graffitied in Sydney's west. On 29 January, a home next to Mount Sinai College in Maroubra, Sydney, was sprayed with antisemitic graffiti. These incidents have caused significant concern and distress for all of our Jewish community. Can I say again, the Prime Minister should have been very strong on this right from very the start, instead of trying to walk on two sides of the road at the same time. The one point I want to make is that the Nazi symbol targeting the Jewish community has been misconceived as the swastika.”
“We've just had this roll-on of awful attacks against the Jewish people. On 10 January, Allawah synagogue in Sydney's south-west was graffitied with the Nazi hakenkreuz symbol. On 11 January, there was the graffitiing and attempted arson of Newtown Synagogue in Sydney's west. On 11 January, cars were vandalised and graffitied in Sydney. On 16 January, a federal taskforce made its first arrest, charging a man for allegedly making death threats and vandalism. On 17 January, cars were torched and a building formerly owned by a Jewish community leader was vandalised. I'm a former police officer, and it is clear that these attacks are rolling on every couple of days now. The big one was on 19 January 2025. A caravan containing explosives was found in Dural, Sydney.”
“On 25 May 2024, Mount Scopus Memorial College in Melbourne, Australia's largest Jewish school, was graffitied. On 13 October, there was antisemitic graffiti on a Jewish bakery in Sydney, with a note left for the owners reading, 'Be careful.' On 21 November, cars were torched—and this is where the violence really started to happen—and buildings were vandalised in Sydney's east, an area with a large Jewish population. On 6 December, Adass Israel Synagogue was firebombed in Melbourne. This was obviously a terrorist attack. This has now got to the stage of causing mass fear in the Jewish community, where they're targeting their faith and going right after them. On 5 January 2025, a man was charged for allegedly threatening worshippers near the Chabad North Shore synagogue in northern Sydney.”
“Basically, as Israeli Australians were mourning, they were getting racially abused in our streets outside our famous Sydney Opera House. It then went on to universities, where we had protestors take over campuses. In May 2024, students staged protests at Deakin University, Monash University and the University of Melbourne calling for universities to cut ties with companies linked to Israel, and they sat there. Can I just say, I spoke to a number of Muslim students who were very much intimidated themselves because they felt that the university protests had been infiltrated by others with the view of spreading hatred against the Jewish community. The following are some of the antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne since October 2024.”
“He didn't condemn the antisemitic attacks and ensure that offenders faced legal consequences for saying the most awful things about the Jewish community just days after the awful terrorist attack, and we'll call it that, in Israel. There are laws in Australia that he could have directed the AFP and law enforcement agencies to use. The Prime Minister has failed to acknowledge how serious the situation was. He could have used existing laws under division 80 of the Criminal Code against urging violence against groups defined by race or religion, but they weren't used. As I mentioned, two days after this awful attack in Israel, on 9 October, there was a pro-Palestinian protest march from the Sydney Town Hall to the Sydney Opera House. This is where the awful chanting against the Jews happened. I obviously won't repeat what was said.”
“The 7 October attacks are the single greatest loss of Jewish lives on any day since the Holocaust. Jewish businesses, homes, cars and synagogues in Australia have been targeted, and the spread of antisemitism in Australia after 7 October has just been relentless, especially in recent months. It started with those demonstrations. Can I say not everyone's attending those demonstrations for violent means, but sadly they attracted a number of people who were motivated in that way. Obviously, when we've got these violent protests and we have Greens members of parliament attending those—why on earth would you go to a violent demonstration in Melbourne with this awful behaviour? It goes back, again, to Prime Minister Albanese, the leader of the Labor Party. He didn't take decisive action right from the start.”
“Rather than stamping out antisemitism right from the start and really showing strong leadership in calling it out, especially when it started at the Opera House in New South Wales—sadly, that hasn't taken place. We're a country that prides itself on treating people equally regardless of faith or background, which is so important. It's a core national value. Antisemitism is a direct rejection of that value and of being Australian. Hamas is a Palestinian armed group and political movement in the Gaza Strip. We should never forget—and again, I didn't hear the Greens leader say this—why this awful situation has happened. It goes back to 7 October 2023, when Israel was attacked, with Hamas killing around 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages, of which we're now seeing some of the remainder being released.”
“First of all, I must take up the Greens leader and member for Melbourne when it comes to some of his colleagues who've been really revving up the crowds and going to violent protests in Melbourne, which, sadly, have been very much against the Jewish community. They are now basically calling for peace and harmony when the Greens leader himself and his Greens colleagues voted so many times against motions supporting the Jewish people in Australia and condemning Hamas. All of a sudden—I think because of election results in Queensland and also some council results—the Greens have realised, 'We might just want to get out there and support the Jewish community a tiny bit.' The Criminal Code Amendment (Hate Crimes) Bill 2024 is necessary because of repeated failures of the Albanese government—in particular when it comes to the Prime Minister.”
“You can't forget Labor's immigration chaos, which has seen record-breaking migration fuelling the housing crisis. No. 8, you can't leave out Labor's release from detention of 215 dangerous, foreign born criminals. And guess what? The minister in charge then got promoted by the Prime Minister. Go figure that one. And, back in 2022, the PM promised life would be easier under him. Well, it's not. We can't afford three more years of this weak Labor government and weak Labor Prime Minister.”
“I wish to highlight 10 of Labor's massive fails. In fact, there have been hundreds of failures by this Albanese Labor government. No.1, they wasted 18 months of government and $500 million on their failed Voice campaign while ignoring the cost of living. No. 2 is the out-of-control spending that's fuelling inflation and keeping prices high. Even the RBA has acknowledged the homegrown inflation problem. Under Labor, we've had 12 interest rate hikes. The PM promised we'd actually have mortgage relief; that hasn't happened. The PM promised 97 times to reduce energy bills by $275. Instead, they've risen by a thousand dollars. No. 5, their weakness has allowed antisemitism to flourish in Australia. I feel so sorry for the Jewish community, under Labor. Sadly, 27,000 businesses have become insolvent under Labor.”