Joanne Ryan
Lalor · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“I understand how difficult it is for those opposite. Having voted in support of this legislation, they've seen their vote overturned by their Senate colleagues. I understand that they're disappointed.”
“It's a four-page document that does two clear things. It gives the eSafety Commissioner something she has asked for. She has asked for a law that will allow her to compel documents in her investigation as to why big tech companies are not complying with the laws set by this country, set by this House and the other place.”
“These silos create delays and delays can mean claims held up, care interrupted, families unsupported and risks unseen. The failure this bill confronts is not a lack of courage from those who served but a lack of connection in the systems built to support them.”
“The Albanese government agreed or agreed in principle to 104 recommendations, and, significantly, this bill implements 15 recommendations and supports a further 20.”
“Schedule 1 of this bill strengthens information sharing to improve wellbeing, health and safety outcomes for Defence members and to limit the risk. The royal commission found that defence and veterans systems hold critical information but that information has too often been fragmented, delayed or unavailable when needed.”
“It is 1 July today, and that means pay rises for three million workers around this country and tax cuts for all Australian workers. This is good news for my community. And you know what else is good news in my community?”
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“This is a problem that has occurred with our growth and with neglect from the former federal government, with them not finding it in their hearts or their purse to support our growing community. This has meant that, as the houses have come, people have used the existing roads to get to the freeway. They're crossing a rail line on an ancient part of the road to get through a new suburb again and onto the M1 freeway. This has meant that on the return journey we have people on the M1 exit and drive in the emergency lane for kilometres. Well, that stops now. It stopped with our election. It stopped when state government took our funds and started work immediately.”
“The Labor Party in opposition committed $57 million to the Ison Road Overpass in the 2016 and 2019 election campaigns, and, having won government in 2022, delivered 50 per cent of funding to see it built. I stand here proud to say that that section is complete. It is complete, and the state and local governments are now completing the road from the foot of the bridge to Wests Road. This is a transport corridor that will see the people in our growing community travel, rather than through the heart of Werribee, around the edge onto the M1. The federal government has also honoured its commitment announced last year for $125 million to upgrade the main road and M1 interchange, and works are underway, with temporary lights being constructed now, as a priority, to see people exit the freeway safely on their way home from work.”
“It's really important because it was past time for the Commonwealth to support this burgeoning part of the world after a decade of neglect from the former government and its three prime ministers who ignored our needs and left us supporting government with our contributions but with little in return. I speak of major infrastructure and transport. The former government made not a single contribution to a major infrastructure project in the electorate of Lalor in over a decade in office, despite commitments from me across three elections to start the Wyndham Ring Road. It is a priority for local government, it's a priority for state government and, pleasingly, now it has federal support to see it completed.”
“I say with absolute conviction that in Lalor we are building the Australia of the future, but we are not there yet. There is still work to be done. As Lalor and the city of Wyndham transition from a growth corridor to a maturing city, the needs of our community are also changing. Infrastructure, services, education and planning must keep pace. We must continue to build that future now. That is why I continue to advocate fiercely for roads, schools, child care, health services, aged care, education and public transport. We have already seen incredible investment in Lalor under the Albanese Labor government.”
“But that's not just because of it's difference or it's diversity; it's because at the core of it there's an aspiration—an aspiration about what this country can be, an aspiration about where we might end this journey with a truly, truly global country in the South Pacific and what that will mean for the world. We will be a beacon for how we can live together, for how we can plan together, for how we can create communities across our country and across the world where people's race, ethnicity, colour, gender—where diversity is celebrated everywhere, not just in the schools in my electorate but across our great country and across the globe. Deputy Speaker, I believe you're about to call time on my contribution at the moment. I will give that time and look forward to returning to my address-in-reply speech at a later hour.”
“Our vibrant places of worship, sport, education, food and businesses, our schools and our shopping centres, our sporting fields and our recreation areas, and our workplaces and our growing restaurant scene all reflect the broader world. We in Lalor are truly a global community. With that comes extraordinary opportunity and, yes, some challenges, but nothing that will ultimately impede us from making the most of our promising future. I know that those words can be shared in every electorate across this country because we are building a new, modern Australia reflective of the globe and everything that that means. I walk into classrooms in my electorate, and I'm so proud to see the multiculturalism reflected back at me.”
“I know that's something that 30 years ago, when we passed affirmative action laws at a national conference, those women who were on the floor that day fighting so hard for gender equality would be so, so proud to see us all take our places in this chamber today. To continue, I know that in my electorate, from the Werribee South farms to the burgeoning new housing estates in Manor Lakes and Mambourin, from the long-established communities of Werribee and Hoppers Crossing to the communities growing around our newest schools in Tarneit, we are a community of consolidating and deepening connections, finding our collective voice. We're a thriving snapshot of modern Australia, with multiple languages spoken.”
“I know that people in my community at home, when they see this speech, will be warmed by the numbers in this chamber—not just by the numbers but by the diversity that's reflected in this chamber—because this chamber is starting look a lot like my electorate, just quietly. And I know it's looking a lot like the member for Gellibrand's electorate and a lot like the member for Gorton's electorate. In fact, it's starting to look like electorates across our country. Obviously we've got more work to do, but we're really pleased—and I know that there's a minister behind me who's really pleased—to see us as a majority government with a majority of women members.”
“To all of those across the country who worked so hard: your belief in our collective mission not just keeps my drive alive but drives all of us on this side of the House to be the responsible second-term Labor government set to deliver on our commitments to support people in this cost-of-living crisis and support them to ensure that they can keep the roofs over the heads of their families, keep food on the table and, more importantly, keep themselves healthy through our commitments to Medicare. It is an absolute pleasure to be in a chamber full of some recently elected Labor MPs who believe in this collective mission as well.”
“I want to thank them and those who join us today to hear from the member for Gorton, who helped on that campaign. I want to thank the people who worked across the country to see the re-election of the Albanese Labor government. I offer my deepest gratitude and, I know, the gratitude of all who sit on this side of the House. Thank you for the early mornings, the late nights, the phone banking, the doorknocking, the letterboxing and for standing with me in the typical Melbourne elements of the rain, the wind and the sunshine—often in the same hour—at prepoll.”
“Deputy Speaker, could I begin by congratulating you on again being the Deputy Speaker of this House, for this term. I rise, newly re-elected, with deep gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose to represent the people of Lalor for another term in this place. I want to begin by thanking the people of Lalor for placing their trust in me once again and assuring them that, again, I feel the weight of responsibility and the privilege of service. I will obviously be called shortly to make way, to cede, for my good friend the new member for Gorton in her first speech. But, before that, I want to pay tribute to the volunteers, supporters and campaign workers who worked tirelessly to support my re-election and the return of the Albanese Labor government.”
“Under the member for Oxley's speakership, I'm pleased to say that this commitment to civics education will now be extended even further through the creation of a National Youth Parliament—the first of its kind at a federal level. That he is also the brother of a public school teacher is a welcome and fitting bonus. Members, while it is with some hesitation that I'll no longer have a Milton to sit beside in the Labor caucus meetings, I wholeheartedly commend the member for Oxley to the chair of this House. The Clerk: Member for Kennedy, we need to conclude the election of a Speaker before you have a chance to speak. Is the motion seconded?”
“The member for Oxley's tireless efforts in this area have strengthened the health of our democracy at a time when democratic institutions are being tested around the world. During the 47th Parliament, the Speaker visited more than 160 schools across more than 70 electorates, including the amazing Iramoo Primary School in Wyndham Vale in my own community. With a replica mace in hand, or perhaps carrying one of the flags that fly above this building, the member for Oxley brings the values of our democracy into local classrooms, and 70-plus MPs now know that, in at least one class in one school in their electorate, there is a settled opinion from young locals on whether pineapple belongs on pizza.”
“As Speaker in the 47th Parliament, the member for Oxley also worked to open up the parliament to the public through improved education programs, the welcoming of charities and organisations in the building to showcase their work, and, yes, his high-quality Instagram reels. The member for Oxley has been committed to giving the Australian people greater insight into the life and work of their parliament, the people's house and the behind-the-scenes workers, whom the member for Oxley calls 'the beating heart of Australia's most visited building'. He has shared it all. Above all else, the Parliament in Schools program stands out as one of his most significant contributions. As a former educator and now parliamentarian, I understand deeply the importance of civics education.”
“This is evident not only in his deep understanding of the standing orders and House of Representatives Practice , or in the way he clearly and respectfully explains matters of procedure to members, but also in how he has drawn on his time on that committee, particularly during our inquiry into question time, to inform his conduct in the chair. The member for Oxley has taken the feedback we received from the public about how parliament's 'Hollywood hour' should function. His approach to question time reflects a genuine effort to ensure it better serves the public interest.”
“As members would be aware, the whip's office is located just outside the members' entrance to the Speaker's office, and nothing illustrates the member for Oxley's approach to the speakership more clearly than the daily sight of MPs from the coalition, the Greens and the crossbench freely wandering into the Speaker's office. They'd do so with some comfort and receive the welcome that would be extended to the lifelong friends that the member for Oxley has made throughout his journey in the Labor Party. In my time as a member of this House, I can say with confidence that this was a unique aspect of the speakership. I can also attest to the member for Oxley's experience when we served together on the Standing Committee on Procedure.”
“I move: That the honourable member for Oxley do take the Chair of this House as Speaker. Clerk, there is no better member of this House to take the chair of Speaker than the member for Oxley. While there are many stories I could share, and some, I dare say, I should not, nothing demonstrates why the member for Oxley should be the Speaker of this House in the 48th Parliament more than his outstanding record in the 47th. The member for Oxley was a speaker for all members of the House of Representatives, extending the same opportunities, fairness and, yes, even leniency to every member, regardless of political affiliation or position—although I suspect the former member for Moreton may have a word or two to say about the leniency part!”
“That's why we've supported pay rises for the poorest in our community and made sure that our aged-care workers, nurses and carers and our childcare workers all got a pay increase across this first term in our government. You can trust Labor to support everyone, not just some people in our community.”
“To my Christian community, to those who are observing Easter, I wish you a happy Holy Week. I wish you well. Whether you spend Easter in religious observation or with family and friends on the long weekend, I want to wish everybody in my community a very happy Easter. I want everyone to stay safe over that long weekend. I want to ensure that everyone in our community understands what the upcoming election means for them—the difference between an Albanese Labor government and a Liberal government. The difference is that a Labor government cares about every Australian. We want to ensure that every Australian earns more and keeps more of what they earn, and that's why we've introduced the tax cuts.”
“We've also ensured wage increases. It's why we've gone further in this budget, with more tax cuts for every taxpayer, more energy bill relief for every local household and more funding to further strengthen Medicare to make it free to see the doctor, and a 20 per cent reduction for all student debt if we're re-elected. Today, we found out that the Liberals will legislate to increase income tax for every Australian if they win in the election. There is no doubt in my mind that we need to return the Albanese Labor government. In my community of Lalor, we are home to many faiths, cultures and languages. Our community's diversity is what makes us strong. I want to wish my Muslim community all the best for those who have been observing the holy month of Ramadan and very happy Eid. Eid Mubarak!”
“I was born and raised in the electorate I serve. I have lived my entire life there, and I always have and always will fight for my community. That's why I'm proud that our federal Labor government has managed to get inflation going down, wages going up and unemployment staying low, which has resulted in the first lower interest rate. I believe that addressing the cost-of-living pressures facing locals is our No. 1 priority. It has been since I was elected and the Labor government was elected, and that's why we've delivered tax cuts for every taxpayer, cheaper child care for around 8,000 local families, energy bill relief for every household and HECS-HELP relief for 18,000 locals with student debt. We've expanded paid parental leave, we've increased rental assistance by 40 per cent, and we've provided cheaper medicines.”
“I could not believe that when they ripped it away from families in my electorate when we came in in in 2013. I can't believe they are going to argue against it now. I can't believe the National Party members can come in here and argue against it. Seriously, if I think about families doing it tough in the regions and the pressures they might be under, and the littlest Australians are in that kitchen when the bills that can't be paid come in and are stuck on the fridge, or pushed to the back of the bridge to be forgotten, and the chaos begins because the pressure is on, because the stresses are on. If you add alcoholism and drug abuse into that family, that child needs this measure. They need to be in a calm environment for some part of their day, and their parents do too.”
“I have taught in low socioeconomic areas and kids at risk my whole professional life, and, I can tell you, the first thing I as a principal told new teachers in my school was, 'You might find you have some kids in your classroom that are a little bit disruptive. Let me give you a tip: don't raise your voice, because the chances are they hear that all the time and it does not have any impact. Do you know what you do? You lower your voice and you drop to your knees so you can look the child in the eye and be that comforting adult.' That is what happens in early education and child care for kids who need to know that they are safe in the world. I can't tell you the difference this could make to some of the children in my community's lives. I support this measure. I can't believe those opposite will not support this measure.”
“That is why I stand absolutely and firmly supportive of this bill, and that is why I reject the arguments of those opposite, who so often in this place argue, 'Well, if I can't have the nice things, no-one can.' Put simply, that what they are arguing. They want to suggest that this is about terrible mothers who are off to Pilates. For goodness sake, what year is it? Where are you from? What year is it? Why does it have to be about, 'Well, we only pay for this. Families need it, but only if women are working.' This is not about women; this is about families and this is about children. This measure is specifically about creating access for vulnerable children from vulnerable homes to ensure that they are getting the early education they need.”
“I remember the families who came to see me when the activity test was brought in who were sad that their child was excluded from early education, from that calm environment, from that learning, from that opportunity to socialise with other children, from the preparation that was going to set them up for life. We know, everyone in this place knows—the research has been in for decades—how important early education is. We know it can be the difference between success and failure for children. We know it can be the difference between success and failure for us as a society, so why on earth would we not create a system where our most vulnerable children have universal access as a right, access to learning as early as we can give it to them? Why on earth would we not do that?”
“Being an educator, I understand that sometimes children come from chaotic homes and I understand the power of them having a safe place, a calm environment, that allows them to learn to socialise and prepares them for more education. I understand that for children who are coming from spaces where they feel threatened all the time because of noise, because of chaos, because people are under pressure, that three-day access to early education and child care could set that child up on a different path than the one they would have if this measure did not exist. It really is that simple.”
“I rise today in support of this legislation, the Early Childhood Education and Care (Three Day Guarantee) Bill 2025. Like the member for Bendigo, I was here when the former Liberal government removed universal access and implemented their terrible activity test. And, like the member for Bendigo, I will be incredibly disappointed if and when those opposite do as they say they're going to do and oppose the measures in this bill. I understand the power of education. I understand how important it is for us to get to universal education and I understand how important this three-day guarantee is for families, and, not just for families, I know how important this three-day guarantee is for our youngest Australians across our country.”
“Also, not only have we reinstated that priority area, in government, those opposite delivered MRI Medicare rebated licences to Geelong, which already had them, while ignoring Wyndham and the whole of the west of Melbourne, which didn't have any until you got to Sunshine. This government has fixed that. In 2025 we will have a local MRI rebated licence, followed by a second one in 2026. This government is delivering. We've tripled the bulk-billing incentive. We've opened 87 urgent care clinics across the country; there is one in Werribee. Those opposite, if given the opportunity, will decimate health care, decimate Medicare and decimate hospital funding, and do the small things that cut into our capacity to offer universal health care. It is something we on this side are very proud of and something Australians rely on.”
“The current Leader of the Opposition is responsible for that, followed up by the former prime minister and then health minister, Scott Morrison, extending that freeze for two years. They actively undermined our world-renowned universal healthcare system. They tried to Americanise our system and they would do it again. Don't take my word for it. We've seen it; they've got form. But locally, those opposite did something I will find always hard to forgive. They cut Wyndham out of the priority area for the training of international doctors to Australian registration. This led to a 30 per cent reduction in GPs in my community. This side of government has reinstated that priority area, and we've seen the number of GPs rise in response in this first term. We've introduced cheaper medicines. We've done half a billion dollars for women's health.”
“Thank you to all those who alerted me to the congestion issues. I'm pleased to be part of a government that has heard that and is going to be part of delivering that solution. The other thing I want to talk about tonight is to put context around what the Labor Albanese government has been doing in health. Let's just go through what that context is. We know those opposite need to find $600 billion, supposedly, for their nuclear fantasy, and we know that they're talking about cutting $350 billion out of the budget if they win government. I know they once famously said 'no cuts to health' before they cut $50 billion from hospitals, from national partnerships. I know they tried to introduce a GP tax, and we beat that back from opposition. So, in response, they froze the Medicare levy for four years.”
“I want to thank all the members of the community who contacted me over the past 12 months to alert me to the danger that's been happening as people have been banking up in the emergency lane because Geelong traffic has the right of way there, so this modernisation will work for the first half of the Wyndham link to make sure the Ison Road traffic can move quickly through. I can't stress how much we need to get that work started to ensure the safety of locals. We also announced a $47.15 million commitment to untangle a very complex intersection on Ballan Road, Greens Road and McGrath Road, which is currently a large roundabout. It will get traffic lights and a modernisation, as well as some care and concern about the people riding and pedestrians using the area as well—both great announcements. I am really proud.”
“Life in a growth corridor is often complex. There are challenges and there are great opportunities. One of the challenges of life in a growth corridor is keeping up with infrastructure. That's why I was so pleased to stand with Minister Catherine King to announce a $125 million funding for the M1 and Werribee main road interchange. This will see the redevelopment of an 80-year-old interchange turned into a double-lane bridge, which will relieve people trying to get off the M1 to return to their homes in Wyndham Vale and Manor Lakes, past the Werribee exit. It's an extraordinary thing to have the privilege to make those announcements.”
“There is no such thing as a free lunch—everybody in the world knows that—but those opposite think that the Australian taxpayer, on top of the pain they're in, should pay for these things. Not only are they pretty much a policy-free vacuum; they're certainly a costings-free vacuum, given how long it took them to tell us how much the nuclear fantasy was going to cost. I came in in 2013. I remember former prime minister Tony Abbott preaching, the night before the election—no cuts to health, no cuts to education, no cuts to the SBS or ABC, no cuts to pensions. I was here while they endeavoured to cut them all. Every single measure was on the chopping block in that cruel 2014 budget. So those opposite have form and Australians are awake to them.”
“Let's face it—I heard it said today that perhaps they don't want to see interest rate cuts happen. Perhaps that's not what they want, because they seem to like that Australians are in pain. Let me tell you that we've heard a lot today too, and a lot across this week, about the $600 billion nuclear fantasy that they want to fund through taxpayer dollars. They're not talking about private investment here; they're talking about money from the Australian public's pockets. We've heard about the $350 billion of cuts they're going to find—their conjecture, not mine. They've said they're going to cut $350 billion. The latest thought bubble is the $10 billion for bosses' lunches, paid for by the taxpayer.”
“This is the soft landing that we would hope for and that economists would hope for. This is a Labor soft landing, because it is being done without driving unemployment. Inflation has come down without people across the country losing their jobs. Inflation has come down while we've grown jobs. Inflation has come down while we've grown people's pay packets, with increases to the minimum wage and with a 15 per cent pay rise for care economy workers. These are important things. They're really important in my community. And those opposite have voted against them. They've voted against supporting students. They voted against tax cuts for all Australians. Can you believe that? They voted against it. They voted against the energy rebate. They voted against cheaper child care. They voted against cheaper medicines.”
“We know that we've worked hard on this side. We know there's still work to be done. We know people are still hurting. But we've made substantial progress on inflation. Wages are growing again, unemployment is low and we've seen the creation of 1.1 million jobs in one term of government, four out of five of which are in the private sector. These are things that Australians need to understand. They need to understand the hard work that's happened and some of the positive results from that. Average unemployment, under this Albanese government, is lower than under any other government of the past 50 years. We have unemployment at four per cent. Some would argue that that's full employment. It's the first time in 50 years that Australia has had unemployment at four per cent or better at the same time as inflation has been below three per cent.”
“It's a pleasure to join my colleagues today for this matter of public importance because the cost of living is a critical issue across the country, a critical issue in my community and a critical issue in the electorate of Lalor. I appreciate following the Chief Opposition Whip, who spent his first two minutes on a list of how much things had increased in cost—none of which I'm in a position to refute. But I ask the question, after seeing this big long list from those opposite about increases to costs for households: why did they vote against every cost-of-living measure introduced by this government to support families across the nation? That's the question. Why do they know how much everything has gone up by but choose not to act and support people so they can pay those bills? That's the ultimate question.”
“I declare that, unless otherwise ordered, the following bills stand referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration: (1) Customs Amendment (Expedited Seizure and Disposal of Engineered Stone) Bill 2024 and (2) Electricity Infrastructure Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 at the adjournment of the debate on the motion for the second reading of the bill.”
“If I have to hear from one more male member in this place about how they know about schools (a) because their mum was a teacher or (b) because they went to a school, well—as a profession, we'd like to be valued for the work we do, for the training we did, for the on-the-job training we did, for the perpetual learning that we committed to on the first day we walked into a school. I didn't bring your family into it.”
“It also means that I can go to the My School website and I can see right now where independent schools in this country are being funded by the Commonwealth more than state schools are being funded by the state. That's the legacy of a coalition government. That is the legacy of a coalition government. So, for those who are listening in at home, just know that those opposite don't value education; those opposite want to criticise teachers. They want to criticise society. They don't understand the complexities of teaching at all. They want to talk about social media impacting our classrooms.”
“For the second part, I just want to make sure everybody understands the hypocrisy to mention the funding programs and the funding agreements when those opposite, when in government, dashed the hopes of a generation of teachers, dashed their hopes that their work was finally going to be valued by a Commonwealth government, because they stopped the movement of Gonski. They told people, through their actions, that education is not valued in this country. In fact, what they did was cap the Commonwealth contribution to the SRS for state schools across the country to 20 per cent. But they didn't put a cap on private schools. Like the member for Nicholls, I have been principal for a day since I've become an MP; unlike him, I was a principal for a lot longer than that. That means I understand the funding models.”
“Perhaps you'd like to read a newspaper, or perhaps you could go to Minister Clare and ask for a briefing. The Victorian deal is signed. He Victorian deal is signed, and every Victorian state school will be funded by the Commonwealth to 25 per cent of SRS, member for Nicholls. But you're a Victorian, and you want to talk about Victorian schools, so let's start there—let's start somewhere else. This really has more front than Myers—to bring this here to the federal parliament of Australia. The Commonwealth assists in funding schools but does not run a school; states run schools.”
“I'd like to begin my remarks by thanking all the teachers who showed up in classrooms today across this country. I'd like to particularly thank the graduate teachers who went to work today and had a bit of a tough day but who'll be back again tomorrow with a smile on their faces and a welcome for every student as they enter their classroom. Teaching is really complex. School leadership's really complex, and I'm glad that the member for Nicholls, in his one day as principal for a day, learned so much about the education system. I'm so glad that he wants us to use evidence based things in our schools and yet he came here with no evidence for most of the assertions that he just made! Seriously, it was riddled with errors. Where are the state negotiations up to, member for Nicholls?”
“Fee-free TAFE is unlocking opportunity in the suburbs around this country, and in no suburb is it more important than in mine in outer-west Victoria.”
“In an aspirational community like mine, where people are really aspiring to get that degree and get that masters—in the city of Wyndham, we have the highest number of PhDs per head, next to Carlton, coming out of places like Point Cook, Williams Landing, Tarneit and Truganina, where our new and emerging communities are very aspiring. What we've done there is we've capped the HELP indexation rate, which is already reducing the cost to students. And, if elected, we will take 20 per cent off HECS debts across the country. That leaves me with 26 seconds to give a shout-out to fee-free TAFE. What a difference this is making in communities like mine for people who want to retrain or for young people who are looking to find the thing that they want to do but who don't think they're destined for university.”
“Well, the Labor government's commitment means that Victorian schoolchildren will get their SRS based funding in every state school in Victoria. That is great news for communities like mine, where people really value education and really value what's happening with their young person and how they're developing in that space. This funding is focused on excellence, equity and improving wellbeing for learning. Some of it supports student wellbeing and promotes a strong and sustainable workforce. Attracting skilled people into our classrooms is critically important. The last piece is TAFE and vocational education in the higher education space.”
“What my community now knows is that the Gonski review found three critical things. The first thing that Gonski found—and that people need to understand—is that there was very, very little fat in the state education system across this country. It was a lean financial machine and still is. The second thing the review found was that need based funding works and is required, and, of course, that's rolling through. The third thing Gonski found was the secret sauce—what's called the Schooling Resource Standard. In school terms, I'd say, as an ex-principal, SRS is: what is the magic funding number where, if every student in a state school was funded to that minimum standard, we know we could provide everything our students need?”
“This means that we will attract quality people to this workforce. We will maintain and retain experienced workers in early education and child care. It goes to our commitment— A division having been called in the House of Representatives— Sitting suspended from 18:10 to 18:30 This federal Labor government's commitment to education can also be underlined by the school funding that has just been announced. I'm talking about the national partnership agreement that's just been signed with the state of Victoria, which means an estimated $2.5 billion in additional Commonwealth funding to all Victorian public schools over the next 10 years. This is critically important for communities like mine with many, many families and thousands upon thousands of school children.”
“That is why it is so important. This Labor government has got their backs, from our littlest Australians to our most aspirational students at university. They've got the backs of the families who live in the city of Wyndham. We have 10,800 families with students in early education or child care in the seat of Lawler. The latest data shows that families across Australia have saved up to $2,768 since the Cheaper Child Care subsidies came into effect in July 2023. This is cost-of-living relief, but it also goes to this government's commitment to quality education and support for families. We're supporting the workforce who deliver this quality education and care, investing $3.6 billion to support a 15 per cent wage increase over two years for early childhood education workers across the country.”
“I move: That this House: (1) notes that the Government is delivering: (a) cheaper child care and boosting wages for early childhood educators; (b) record needs-based funding for schools across the country; (c) free TAFE; (d) more opportunities for more Australians from the outer-suburbs and the bush to go to university; and (e) student debt relief; and (2) acknowledges that investing in the education and skills of young Australians is a key component of building Australia's future. Building Wyndham's future begins with investing in education. As a local educator of 27 years, I know this more than most. It is in a Labor government's DNA to ensure that every Australian child has the best opportunity to reach their potential, to develop their thinking, to develop their capacities and to go on to make a contribution to our country.”