HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · FORMER

Sharon Claydon

Newcastle · Australian Labor Party · Australia

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

“That was not an easy decision back then. We know what happened. We know the litigious nature of big tobacco and big tech, and that's why this is so damn critical right now. That is why every parent in Australia is asking: 'How can this be happening?”
Australian House of Representatives2 July 2026Source ↗

“They knew that this was going to be a challenging moment for the Australian parliament. They knew it full well. They knew the arguments they were having every day at their kitchen tables and in their lounge rooms about kids spending so much time doomscrolling. But they also knew it wasn't the fault of their kids.”
Australian House of Representatives2 July 2026Source ↗

“Colleagues fondly remember Julia's vibrant personality, her loyalty and the lasting impression she left on those fortunate enough to work alongside her. On behalf of members and staff who were privileged to work alongside Julia, I want to put on record our sincere gratitude for her remarkable service spanning more than three decades.”
Australian House of Representatives2 July 2026Source ↗

“I rise today to honour the life and service of Julia Morris and to extend my deepest condolences to her daughter, Mollie; her parents, Allan and Anne; her brother, James; and all of her friends, family and colleagues. Julia passed away last month after a five-year battle with breast cancer.”
Australian House of Representatives2 July 2026Source ↗

“That's the very legislation that we need to hold big tech to account—to make sure that kids are not left fending for themselves against these giants that have never, ever displayed an intention to change their business model and to do the right thing, which has constantly been asked of them.”
Australian House of Representatives2 July 2026Source ↗

“These are parents that lost their kids. These were kids who were victims of addictive design features in social media that led to self-harm, extreme levels of anxiety, depression, eating disorders, body image harm, cyberbullying, misogyny, radicalisation and mis- and disinformation.”
Australian House of Representatives2 July 2026Source ↗

The complete record

553 lines on record for Sharon Claydon, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, without an account. Most recent 500 lines shown. Search to find more. Page 2 of 10.

This is not an official version of House of Representatives proceedings. It reproduces the published record and links to it; the official version is the one House of Representatives publishes.

“7 MR CONAGHAN: To move—That this House: (1) notes the: (a) Government's decisions in the 2026-27 budget which fail to adequately support Australia's veterans and their families; and (b) introduction of a $5,000 cap on allied health services, which places significant limits on veterans' access to essential rehabilitation, mental health and ongoing care; (2) acknowledges that many veterans rely on ongoing and specialised allied health support, and that imposing a cap on these services will place many veterans at risk of delaying treatment and worsening health outcomes; (3) further notes with concern the lack of targeted funding and support for families of veterans, despite their critical role in caregiving, recovery and long-term wellbeing; (4) recognises that veteran families often experience emotional, financial and social pressures which are not adequately addressed in the budget; (5) condemns the defunding and discontinuation of veteran support and education programs, which have provided essential services including mental health support, transition programs, community connection and education programs; and (6) calls on the Government to immediately scrap these decisions and commit to properly funding services and programs to ensure veterans and their families receive the support, respect and care they deserve.”
Australian House of Representatives3 June 2026Source ↗
“Items for Federation Chamber (4.45 pm to 7.30 pm) PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS Notices—continued 6 MS MASCARENHAS: To move—That this House: (1) commends the Government for its ongoing commitment to improving road safety for vulnerable road users and fostering more connected, liveable communities through continued investment in active transport infrastructure; (2) notes that the 2026-27 budget delivers an additional $500 million for the Active Transport Fund, bringing the total investment in active transport infrastructure to $600 million, with $50 million to be made available each year for the next ten years to support the construction of new and upgraded walking and cycling infrastructure across Australia; (3) acknowledges the success of the first round of the Active Transport Fund, which delivered $100 million for safer, connected and accessible transport infrastructure projects, including walking and cycling pathways in communities across the country; (4) recognises that the first round of the fund supported 81 projects across all states and territories, helping local councils and state and territory governments improve active transport connections to schools, workplaces, services and recreational areas; (5) further notes that projects funded through the Active Transport Fund improve road safety outcomes for vulnerable road users by separating cyclists and pedestrians from traffic and encouraging greater uptake of active transport; and (6) highlights that the Active Transport Fund supports the Government's broader objectives of reducing transport emissions, improving public health outcomes, easing congestion and creating safer, more connected and sustainable urban and regional communities.”
Australian House of Representatives3 June 2026Source ↗
“5 MS ALDRED: To move—That this House notes that: (1) superannuation belongs to Australians for their retirement, and as such death benefit and other payouts should be processed without delay by superannuation companies; (2) in March last year, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) announced it was taking legal action against one of Australia's largest industry funds over delayed processing of nearly 7,000 death benefit claims, according to proceedings filed in the Federal Court; (3) ASIC's media release said the superannuation giant was taking between 'four months and four years' to payout death benefits; (4) back in 2023, complaints to the ombudsman about delays in releasing super to a surviving spouse or other beneficiaries more than tripled; and (5) in January 2025, the Government announced plans to introduce mandatory service standards for superannuation funds, in response to a growing public backlash against the industry, particularly over its poor handling of death benefits, yet more than a year later, there has been no further progress.”
Australian House of Representatives3 June 2026Source ↗
“4 MS BYRNES: To move—That this House: (1) acknowledges that the Government has taken decisive action to support Australians into cheaper to run cars through the Treasury Laws Amendment (Electric Car Discount) Act 2022 and the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard Act 2024 ; (2) notes that as a result: (a) the share of new vehicles sold that are electric or plug-in hybrid has grown from under 2 per cent in April 2022 to 27.5 per cent in April 2026, equivalent to 515 Australians buying an electric vehicle (EV) every day, compared with just 29 a day four years ago; (b) the total number of EV models available in Australia has nearly tripled over the past three and a half years, with models available under $40,000 growing from just 2 to more than 10; (c) nearly half of all new light vehicles sold in April 2026 were electric, plug-in hybrid or hybrid, up from just one in ten in April 2022; (3) welcomes the Government's commitment to build on this progress by reforming the fringe benefits tax exemption for electric vehicles, continuing to put cheaper to run cars within reach of more Australian families; and (4) acknowledges that it is because the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard has succeeded in bringing more affordable EVs to market that the Government is now able to focus its EV tax cut on those affordable models.”
Australian House of Representatives3 June 2026Source ↗
“3 MS SHARKIE: To move—That this House: (1) recognises that: (a) the Australian grape and wine sector is a major contributor to Australia's economy and to rural and regional communities; (b) the wine industry contributes $51.3 billion to the Australian economy, providing more than 203,390 direct and indirect full and part-time jobs; (c) Australia has 65 wine regions with more than 2,000 winemakers and more than 5,000 wine grape growers; and (d) wine production is critical in many regional communities, supporting supply-chain businesses, tourism, hospitality and exports; (2) acknowledges that: (a) the wine industry is in structural distress; (b) in 2024-25 production exceeded sales by 52 million litres; (c) this imbalance is not temporary due to reductions in both domestic and global wine consumption, with the International Organisation of Wine confirming that global wine consumption has fallen to its lowest level since 1961; (d) the global wine market is forecast to shrink by 8 per cent over the next five years, a decline equivalent to 1.5 billion litres of lost consumption, or more than four times Australia's annual production; and (e) the global crisis is having local human consequences, for growers, winemakers, families and communities; and (3) calls on the Government to: (a) support Australian Grape and Wine Incorporated in its $139.25 million proposal over three years to rationalise supply and restore viability of the industry; (b) support a Wine Business Viability and Transition program to ensure orderly supply adjustment, reduce structural oversupply, and assist growers and winemakers who wish to transition from the sector to do so with dignity; and (c) focus on growing demand and rebuilding markets.”
Australian House of Representatives3 June 2026Source ↗
“2 MR WILLCOX: To move—That this House: (1) notes that: (a) Australian manufacturing: (i) has undergone significant transformation over the past few decades; (ii) is a hub for research and development, capital investment and innovative businesses and products; (iii) is our sixth largest industry, producing $137 billion of value-added output and employs 930,000 people; (b) Australian manufacturers can design, produce, and scale high-tech, high-value goods using cutting-edge processes, a skilled workforce, and integrated supply chains but we must be focused on building an advanced manufacturing capability for our country; (c) if we want a prosperous and secure Australia, we must prioritise domestic production and unleash our own energy resources to reduce the crippling energy costs and provide the reliable, firm base load power that our manufacturers need to be competitive; and (d) the fight to save Australian manufacturing and reclaim our national sovereignty must enable our local industries to challenge the policies that have left our country vulnerable to foreign imports and skyrocketing costs; and .”
Australian House of Representatives3 June 2026Source ↗
“) Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142. 4 MR ABDO: To move—That this House: (1) notes that: (a) the dignity of work is a foundational value for the Government; (b) the Government is embarking on the biggest reforms to employment services in 30 years to overhaul the one-size-fits-all approach and help more Australians into jobs; (c) all Australians that access these services should receive meaningful support to help them move towards suitable work; and (d) reforming Australia's employment services system is critical to ensuring more Australians find and keep work; and (2) acknowledges the Government's advocacy for an economically sustainable real wage increase for minimum wage and award-reliant workers.”
Australian House of Representatives3 June 2026Source ↗
“11 Committee and delegation business and private Members' business 3 June 2026 MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE Chair Hon M Dick Speaker Members Ms J Ryan MP (Chief Government Whip) Mr C Caldwell MP (Chief Opposition Whip) Ms M Aldred MP Ms A Byrnes MP Ms K Chaney Ms L Chesters MP Ms M Landry MP Ms Z Mascarenhas MP Ms T Roberts MP Ms R Sharkie MP Ms S Sitou MP Mr B Small MP Ms A Urquhart MP Ms S Claydon MP, Deputy Speaker This committee is supported by staff of the Department of the House of Representatives Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and of private Members' business 1. The Committee met in private session on Tuesday, 2 June 2026. 2.”
Australian House of Representatives3 June 2026Source ↗
“On behalf of the Speaker, I present report No. 11 of the Selection Committee relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business, private members' business and referral of bills to committees on Monday, 22 June 2026. The report will be printed in today's Hansard and the committee's determinations will appear on tomorrow's Notice Paper . Copies of the report have been placed on the table. The report read as follows— HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SELECTION COMMITTEE REPORT No.”
Australian House of Representatives3 June 2026Source ↗
“It sends a powerful message that Newcastle is a city where everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and proud to be themselves. Events like Newcastle Pride also play an important role in supporting local tourism, hospitality and small businesses, bringing people together from across the region and indeed across Australia. To everyone involved with Newcastle Pride, thank you for helping make our city more inclusive, more compassionate and definitely more colourful.”
Australian House of Representatives2 June 2026Source ↗
“Recently, Newcastle Pride was awarded Best Event or Festival by the Newcastle Tourism Industry Group, a well-deserved recognition for an event that has become a vibrant celebration of diversity, community and belonging in our region. Adding to this success, Newcastle Pride was also named runner up for Most Fabulous Stall at Sydney Mardi Gras Fair day, one of the biggest and most iconic celebrations of the LGBTQIA+ pride in the country. These achievements are a testament to the dedication of volunteers, organisers, performers and community members who work tirelessly to make Newcastle Pride such a welcoming and joyful event. Newcastle Pride is much more than a festival. It's a celebration of visibility, acceptance and equality.”
Australian House of Representatives2 June 2026Source ↗
“Whether it's our world-class port, growing clean energy industries, university, tourism sector or small businesses on local main streets, Business Hunter has championed the people and industries that keep our region strong. Importantly, this anniversary is a chance not only to reflect on the past but also to look to the future. The Hunter is helping to lead Australia's economic transformation, and organisations like Business Hunter will continue to play a vital role in ensuring our region seizes every opportunity ahead. I congratulate Business Hunter on this remarkable achievement and thank all those past and present who have contributed to its enduring success over the past 140 years. I want to congratulate Newcastle Pride on two outstanding achievements that showcase the strength, creativity and inclusivity of our city.”
Australian House of Representatives2 June 2026Source ↗
“I want to celebrate an extraordinary milestone: 140 years of Business Hunter. Since 1886, Business Hunter has been the driving force for industry, enterprise and economic growth across our region. From supporting local manufacturers and small businesses to advocating for major infrastructure and investment, Business Hunter has helped shape Newcastle and the Hunter into the thriving, dynamic region we know today. Over 140 years, our economy has evolved dramatically. Industries have changed, communities have grown and new challenges have emerged. But, through it all, Business Hunter has remained a steadfast voice for local businesses and local jobs. The Hunter has long been a region defined by hard work, innovation and resilience.”
Australian House of Representatives2 June 2026Source ↗
“My question is to the Assistant Treasurer. How will the Albanese Labor government's new tax reforms deliver a fairer and simpler tax system that supports workers, investments and younger Australians, and why has the government chosen this approach over any others?”
Australian House of Representatives2 June 2026Source ↗
“Whether it's strengthening Medicare, making medicines cheaper, expanding mental health care, supporting older Australians or investing in cleaner, cheaper energy—these are reforms designed to improve people's lives. They are reforms grounded in fairness, grounded in opportunity and grounded in the belief that no Australian should be left behind. That's what this government is delivering, and that's why these investments matter so deeply to communities like Newcastle and the Hunter.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“Labor understands that the transition to clean energy is not just an environmental policy. It's an economic policy, a cost-of-living policy and an industry policy. For regions like Newcastle and the Hunter, it's also a jobs policy because our region has always powered Australia. From coal and steel to clean energy and advanced manufacturing, Newcastle has never been afraid of hard work or big transitions. Under Labor, Newcastle and the Hunter will continue to play a central role in Australia's economic future. The measures I've spoken of today are united by a simple principle. Labor believes government should make life better for ordinary Australians—not harder, not more expensive and not more uncertain. Government should not be dragging us back to the last century.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“This is about sharing the benefits of Australia's renewable energy success more fairly, and it's part of Labor's broader plan to deliver cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy. It's important. The evidence is already coming through. Just yesterday, new figures showed that Australia has hit 50 per cent renewable energy and we're leading the world in battery deployment. This record renewable energy generation is helping drive power prices down. Across New South Wales, my home state, household electricity prices are forecast to fall by another 3.4 per cent with even bigger reductions for small businesses—up to 20.9 per cent reductions for small businesses in rural New South Wales. That matters enormously for families and local businesses doing it tough.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“That's exactly what Labor is doing, and one of the practical ways Labor is doing this is through the Solar Share Offer, helping households benefit from cheaper, cleaner energy. This is about making sure Australians can benefit from the massive growth in renewable energy even if they don't own rooftop solar themselves. The idea is simple: during the middle of the day, when solar energy generation is high and electricity is abundant, households can access periods of free daytime power, and this means that families can run their dishwashers, their washing machines, dryers, hot water systems, electric charge, electric car chargers and other appliances during those hours where you're getting free electricity and save money on those bills.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“It means more opportunity, more fairness and more confidence that hard work can lead to security. Labor knows that there is no single fix to the housing challenge, which has been built up over many decades, but we know also that doing nothing is not an option, and that's why this government is tackling the problem from every angle, boosting supply, investing in infrastructure, supporting affordable housing and reforming the tax system so it works for the next generation, not just the last one. Homeownership should still be part of the Australian dream. And now I want to turn to another issue that affects every household every day: energy bills. Australians want lower power prices, they want reliability and they want a government prepared to invest in the future rather than argue about the past.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“We're increasing housing supply, we're building more homes we are supporting renters and, importantly, we're delivering tax reforms now that create a fairer and more efficient system that actually helps first home buyers compete. Young Australians should not feel like the system is stacked against them when they are trying to buy their first home, and these reforms are about restoring balance, about making sure that the dream of homeownership is not reserved for those with wealth behind them but remains achievable for teachers, nurses, tradies, retail workers and young families. For first home buyers, this matters. It means a system that works better for the people trying to get into the market, not just for the people who are already deeply invested in it.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“Australia is also facing another challenge that goes right to the heart of cost of living, and that's housing affordability. For too many young people, homeownership has felt further and further out of their reach. People who work hard, saving hard and doing everything right have felt that they've been locked out of the market. This government understands that frustration. Indeed, it's not just a frustration of younger people, as important as that is. Their parents—indeed, sometimes their grandparents—are coming to me sharing that frustration, worry and concern about their children or their grandchildren not having the same kind of opportunities that they've had in life. It's really exactly the reason why Labor's pulling every lever available to us as a Commonwealth government to make homeownership a reality again.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“Labor also believes that Australians deserve dignity as they age. Older Australians built this country. They raised families, worked hard, paid taxes, volunteered in their communities and helped shape the nation that we are today. They deserve respect and, after a decade of neglect in aged care, Labor got to work. We put nurses back into nursing homes. We've delivered the biggest aged-care reforms in a generation and we're now building on them with more home-care packages, more aged-care beds and more choice for older Australians and their families. If older Australians want to stay at home for longer—and many do—they should be supported to do so safely and independently. We listened to concerns around dignity in care and we're delivering reforms that put people first.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“They are practical, they improve lives and they restore dignity. They send a message that women's health matters. Mental health matters too. After years where Australians struggled to access support, Labor is rebuilding mental health care backed by Medicare. We are investing more than $1 billion into mental health services. We're opening 92 Medicare mental health centres across Australia, including one in Charlestown. We're upgrading the Newcastle headspace into a headspace Plus service and, through the Medicare mental health check in, Australians can access free therapy and support from their home, because mental healthcare should not be available only to those who can afford expensive private treatments. Every Australian deserves support when they need it, and every parent deserves to know that their child can get help early.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“One of the areas where this government is driving the most significant change is around women's health. For far too long women's pain has been dismissed. Conditions went undiagnosed. Essential treatments were unaffordable. Women were just told to put up with it or that it really wasn't that bad. This government has said, 'Enough,' and that is why Labor delivered the biggest investment in women's health in Australia's history. We've opened 33 endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics across the country. For the first time in more than 30 years new contraceptive pills have been added to the PBS. We've reduced the cost of menopause and endometriosis medicines to just $25 a script. We expanded bulk-billing for long-term contraceptives like IUDs, saving women up to $400. These reforms are not symbolic.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“That's $3 million sitting in people's pockets that they wouldn't have otherwise had. This is real cost-of-living relief. It means that someone managing diabetes, heart disease, asthma or chronic pain can save hundreds of dollars a year. It means older Australians are not forced to choose between groceries, medicines, petrol and rent. That is the difference Labor governments make. We're continuing to modernise Medicare for the way Australians live today. Through 1800MEDICARE, Australians can access free 24-hour telehealth advice and care right from their own home. For regional communities, busy families and people who cannot easily travel, that service is incredibly important. Health care should not stop at the door of a clinic. It should meet Australians where they are.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“While we're expanding access, we're also strengthening the backbone of our healthcare system—our public hospitals. Labor has delivered an extra $25 billion into public hospital funding. That funding matters in communities like Newcastle. It supports frontline workers. It helps reduce pressure on emergency departments, and it helps hospitals deliver the care Australians deserve. We also know that affordable health care means more affordable medicines. There is not much point in getting a prescription if you can't afford to fill it. That is why Labor cut the maximum cost of medicines on the PBS to just $25 a script and only $7.70 for concession card holders. In my community of Newcastle there's been almost $3 million that people have saved in cheaper medicines administered since those changes were brought in.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“These clinics are changing lives. Across Australia 136 urgent care clinics have opened their doors. In our own community almost 30,000 Novocastrians have already visited the Charlestown clinic since it opened in November 2024. Think about what that means. It means that nearly 30,000 people got urgent medical attention free of charge, without having to sit for hours in an emergency department. But it's not just the convenience of not sitting in the department that's important. It's the fact that we don't want people who need primary health care presenting at a tertiary health institution like a hospital. Nearly 30,000 people have received free care close to their homes. That's nearly 30,000 people who avoided the stress of unnecessary hospital visits. This is practical reform. That is what investment in health care looks like.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“For too many Novocastrians, seeing a GP had become harder and more expensive. Bulk-billing rates had been in decline for years. People were putting off appointments because they simply could not afford them. The Labor government stepped in because universal health care is not something you should allow to slowly disappear. It is something you fight for. In this budget we are delivering six new, fully bulk-billing clinics across Newcastle, the Hunter and Central Coast regions. That means more families are able to see a doctor without worrying about the bill at the end of the appointment, more pensioners getting care earlier and more people being able to take sick children to the GP before conditions worsen. That's what Medicare is supposed to do, and we are not stopping there. We've made Medicare urgent care clinics permanent.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“When Australians talk about cost of living, they want to know if they can afford to see a doctor, if they can afford to fill a prescription, access mental health assistance, age with dignity, put a roof over their heads, keep the lights on and pay the bills. And that is why this Labor government's priorities matter. We stand for strengthening Medicare, strengthening public hospitals, making medicines cheaper, supporting older Australians, investing in mental health and building a cleaner energy future that lowers bills for all Australians, and that's what we are delivering. Labor believes all you need to access health care is your Medicare card, not your credit card. That's why we delivered the single largest investment into Medicare in Australian history through our bulk-billing reforms.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“That's what is at stake—protecting inclusion, protecting dignity, protecting opportunity and protecting the future of the NDIS itself—and that is why we must work together to protect and strengthen it for today and for those generations to come. I think Australia is a compassionate society. I think they want to see this parliament come together in ways that ensure that the NDIS delivers on the promise it makes to the people—to Australians that live with disability each and every day, no matter where they live.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“I know there are going to be temptations to make political comments across this chamber, but I really do urge people to be thoughtful and respectful in the contributions they make in this debate—both in this House and in the other place, when it happens there. The NDIS is bigger than politics. It must be bigger than politics. It represents our national values. It reflects the kind of country we want Australia to be—a country where people are included and not excluded, a country where dignity matters, a country where fairness matters, a country where every Australian has the opportunity to participate fully in community life.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“Participants know that, because they want this scheme to be the very best it can be, and they want to ensure that the services being delivered are absolutely focused on their leading full, meaningful, purposeful lives. So I say the greatest threat would be ignoring the problems that we know are in place for the NDIS. You don't get to ignore those problems until confidence is so badly eroded in the public arena that we don't have an opportunity to do meaningful reform work. The greatest threat, as I said, would be allowing waste, fraud or poor governance to undermine that public confidence and support. The public does support the NDIS. It is one of Australia's proudest social achievements, and the greatest betrayal would be failing to preserve the scheme for future generations of Australians with disability.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“We cannot, we don't get to, preserve the social licence of the NDIS—and that's a collective task of everybody in this parliament—unless Australians continue to see the scheme as fair, compassionate and effective. Labor understands that because Labor has always believed in the NDIS. Labor created it, Labor built it, and Labor is taking responsibility to ensure it remains strong not just for today but for all those generations into the future. That's what responsible government looks like; it's the task before us, because the greatest threat to the NDIS right now is no reform. Despite the anxiety that some participants are feeling about change—understandably so, as I just said—there is no greater threat to the NDIS scheme that they're relying upon than a zero-reform agenda. That would be a diabolical outcome right now.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“These are not unreasonable asks, because, for many Australians, the NDIS is not just a government program; it's an essential part of everyday life. Families rely on it. Communities rely on it. Participants rely on it. That's why the consultation matters, that's why implementation matters, and that's why the voices of Australians with disability must remain central to every stage of reform. We cannot talk about people with disability without listening to people with disability, and learning to listen in respectful ways is important. I hope that is a lesson that all of us in the chamber learn as we debate these reforms going forward. Words matter, and respectful debate is always encouraged.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“Both processes made it clear that, if we want the NDIS to remain strong into the future, improvements are necessary. That includes strengthening governance, improving consistency, rebuilding trust and ensuring participants remain at the centre of decision-making. In Newcastle, I know many people in the disability community are anxious about the proposed changes. I have met with participants, advocates and organisations, including the Community Disability Alliance Hunter, about their concerns. They've sat and spoken to me and the minister on these issues. People do want assurance, they want clarity, and they want confidence that reforms will not come at the expense of support—that these reforms will prioritise participant wellbeing, choice and uncompromised access to care.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“Australians want to know that the scheme is fair. They want to know that the supports are going to those who need them the most. They want to know that the safeguards are strong, and they want to know that the system is focused on delivering meaningful outcomes for participants. Of course, the NDIS participants themselves want the scheme to be the very best it can be. They are literally depending on it. Responsible reform is not about walking away from the NDIS. It's about ensuring we protect it way into the future. It's about strengthening it. It's about preserving one of the greatest social reforms our nation has ever seen. Importantly, these reforms build on the recommendations of the independent NDIS Review and the disability royal commission.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“That's where our attention must be focused because every dollar lost to fraud or poor-quality providers is a dollar diverted away from Australians who genuinely need support. If public confidence in the integrity and sustainability of the scheme is undermined over time, that places the long-term future of the NDIS at risk, and none of us should want to see that. The Albanese Labor government supports the NDIS unequivocally. We believe in it, we defend it and we are determined to ensure it survives and thrives for future generations. That means ensuring the scheme remains sustainable not only financially but also socially and politically. The long-term success of the NDIS depends on maintaining the trust and confidence of the Australian people. It's about ensuring we honour the contract and agreement between all our citizens.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“The overwhelming majority of people who rely on the NDIS are simply seeking the supports they need to live their lives with dignity and independence. That should never be forgotten in this debate. We must reject any narrative that seeks to stigmatise Australians with disability or portray participants as responsible for broader challenges within the system, because that would fundamentally betray the values on which the NDIS was built. The challenges facing the scheme have far more to do with rapid growth, inconsistencies in administration, gaps in oversight, poor planning processes and, in some cases, exploitation and fraud by unscrupulous operators seeking to profit from vulnerable people.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“The NDIS represents a promise between Australians, a promise that we will look after one another, a promise that disability should never mean exclusion and a promise that every Australian deserves the chance to live a full and meaningful life. Maintaining that social licence also means ensuring the scheme remains strong, trusted and sustainable for generations to come. Supporting the NDIS means being honest about the challenges it faces. Protecting the NDIS means ensuring it remains sustainable, fair and focused on delivering the best outcomes for participants, and that's why reform matters. I want to say very clearly that people with disability are not to blame for the pressures facing this scheme.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“I've heard stories of people being able to move into more independent living arrangements, to reconnect with communities and to participate in local sporting clubs, pursue creative passions and build friendships and social connections that many of us take for granted. These stories matter because, when we talk about the NDIS, we are talking about human dignity. We are talking about people having the opportunity to live with greater independence, confidence and security. We are talking about inclusion. We are talking about fairness. That's why maintaining public confidence in, and the social licence of, the NDIS is important. Australians overwhelmingly support the NDIS because they understand its values. They understand that supporting Australians with disability is not only the right thing to do; it strengthens all of us as a nation.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“In Newcastle this is not an abstract policy debate; this is personal. It's about real people, real families and real lives. I've met parents whose children are thriving because they finally have access to therapies and supports that allow them to participate at school and in the community. I've spoken with young people with disability who have gained confidence, independence and pathways into employment because the NDIS gave them opportunities that simply did not exist before. I've met carers who tell me that for the first time in years they no longer feel completely alone in carrying the burden of care. They love their kids, but it's hard work.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“It reflects the very best of the Australian character: fairness, compassion and the belief that no-one should be left behind. In my community of Newcastle, we understand that better than most. Newcastle was one of the original NDIS trial sites. Our region helped shape the national rollout of the scheme. More than 10,000 people were participating in our region. Long before the NDIS became a national institution, people in Newcastle were helping demonstrate what was possible when Australians with disability were given the support they deserved, and that is something our city is deeply proud of. Today, thousands of Novocastrians rely on the NDIS directly, whether it's participants, families, carers or advocates. Thousands more rely on the jobs and the economic opportunities created through the disability care sector.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“It has supported pathways into employment, education, sport, the arts and community life. It has allowed people to live more independently and with greater choice and control over their futures. And it has provided reassurance and support to families and carers who for too long carried overwhelming responsibilities alone. The NDIS has not only changed lives; it has changed our country. It's one of Australia's great human rights achievements. It has strengthened our understanding of inclusion, it has challenged outdated assumptions about disability and it has reaffirmed something fundamental about Australia: every person deserves the opportunity to participate fully in society. That's why the NDIS should be a point of enormous national pride.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“It represented a fundamental shift in how our nation understood disability, not through a lens of charity or limitation but through a belief in dignity, capability, inclusion and rights. For the first time, Australians with disability were placed at the centre of decisions about their own lives. Labor created the NDIS based on a simple but powerful principle: disability should never be a barrier to living a full and meaningful life. Over the past decade we've seen the extraordinary impact of that Labor vision. The NDIS has helped Australians with disability access therapies, equipment, care and supports that have transformed lives. It has enabled children to participate more fully at school. It has helped young people build confidence and independence.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“I rise today to speak on the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026. The National Disability Insurance Scheme is one of the most important social reforms in modern Australian history. It has changed Australia for the better. Before the NDIS, too many Australians with disability and their families were left to navigate a fragmented, crisis driven system that depended far too heavily on luck, postcode and personal circumstance. Families were forced to fight endlessly for support. Parents carried enormous burdens alone. Too many Australians with disability were excluded from opportunities that many of us take for granted. The creation of the NDIS changed that.”
Australian House of Representatives27 May 2026Source ↗
“This web app is designed to strengthen the capability of frontline workers supporting victims-survivors of domestic and family violence. Developed through a partnership with the Hunter Domestic and Family Violence Consortium, WorkVentures and the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, it was launched at the Newcastle Museum just last week. The Hunter Domestic and Family Violence Consortium is a unique collaboration of specialist domestic family violence and homeless non-government services in the Hunter, including Family Support Newcastle, Got Your Back Sista, Jenny's Place, Wariga Ngurra, and Nova for Women and Children. This work before us is urgent. It needs to be long term. It requires governments to lead but all of us to change. All of us need to keep this at the front and centre of our lives.”
Australian House of Representatives25 May 2026Source ↗
“The Supporting Outreach Healthcare pilot delivers multidisciplinary primary care clinics directly into refuge accommodation across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Maitland. The Hope in Healing project, funded through the Medical Research Future Fund, will help identify and respond to one of the hidden impacts of domestic and family violence: traumatic brain injury. Local screening by a local service found that more than 80 per cent of women, young people and children who've experienced potential head injury do not seek medical help. This is deeply concerning, and it shows why this work is so important. I also want to acknowledge another important local project: the digital trauma informed T ech nology F acilitated A buse P laybook .”
Australian House of Representatives25 May 2026Source ↗
“It is focused on what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have asked for: culturally safe, community led, trauma informed responses that support safety, healing and long-term change. It's backed by $218.3 million over four years, including support for Aboriginal community controlled organisations to deliver specialist family, domestic and sexual violence services. In my own community of Newcastle we know how important these services are to meet women and children where they are. I was very pleased to support recent investments in innovative domestic, family and sexual violence health programs in my community, like the Supporting Outreach Healthcare pilot and the Hope in Healing project.”
Australian House of Representatives25 May 2026Source ↗
“We're investing in emergency and transitional accommodation because women and children cannot leave violence if they have nowhere safe to. We are also strengthening frontline services, including through the 500 Workers Initiative, and reforming systems that, all too often, have been weaponized by perpetrators, such as the child support allowance. A critical part of this national work is Our Ways, Strong Ways, Our Voices, Australia's first dedicated national plan for ending family, domestic and sexual violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children. This plan has been driven by the lived experience, leadership and advocacy of First Nations women, children, families, communities and organisations.”
Australian House of Representatives25 May 2026Source ↗
“It recognises that this work must happen across the whole system—prevention, early intervention, response, recovery and healing—and this government is implementing that plan. We have invested more than any other Commonwealth government in Australia's history to address violence against women and children—more than $4 billion across frontline services, prevention, housing, legal assistance, behaviour change programs, support for children and financial assistance for women escaping violence. We've legislated 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave, and we've made the leaving violence payment permanent, providing up to $5,000 in financial support alongside safety planning for women leaving violence.”
Australian House of Representatives25 May 2026Source ↗

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