Sharon Claydon
Newcastle · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“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?”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
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“We've strengthened emissions reduction mechanisms, invested in renewable energy and backed scientists and traditional owners to deliver real environmental conservation outcomes. This is what effective environmental leadership looks like. It's not slogans but decisions that stand up. They stand up in our communities. They're going to stand up in our courts. It puts us on a secure footing. In contrast, we've got members in this House who often opt to delay denial and go for short-term thinking. When science calls for urgency, they offer hesitation. When the moment demands action, they fall back on politics. Well, this bill is a test of whether we are serious about protecting our environment or content to just fall behind.”
“In Newcastle, my home town, the ocean is central to our way of life. From Stockton Beach to Nobbys Headland and all the way down to the gorgeous Glenrock Lagoon, from our ocean baths to the surfers up and down our coast, across to the whales, travelling the Humpback Highway every year, our connection to the sea runs deep. It shapes our identity. It supports local jobs. It underpins tourism and small business. When oceans suffer, so too do our communities. Labor has a strong record of environmental protection. We rejected the PEP11 exploration permit off the coast of Newcastle. Listening to both the science and the people of Newcastle, and since coming to office in 2022, Labor has protected more than 100 million hectares of land and sea.”
“The legislation before the House this evening will ratify the high seas treaty, embed it in Australian law and establish frameworks to regulate damaging activities like unregulated fishing, seabed mining and pollution. It will also support the creation of marine protected areas where ecosystems are most at risk, guided by science and international cooperation. The stakes could not be higher. Without action, we face collapsing fish stocks, disrupted carbon cycles and irreversible damage to marine ecosystems we are only just beginning to understand now. For Australia, an island nation and steward of extraordinary marine environments, inaction is not neutral. It's a choice that actively accelerates the degradation of ecosystems. It's a choice against our climate goals, our regional leadership and future generations.”
“I am delighted to raise my voice in strong support of the High Seas Biodiversity Bill 2026 that speaks not just to policy but to purpose. This is about leadership—leadership that respects science, leadership that values our natural world and leadership that acts with urgency, because the decisions we make now will echo for generations. At its core, this bill enables Australia to protect biodiversity beyond our national waters and across the vast, fragile ecosystems of the high seas. And these oceans cover more than half the Earth's surface. They regulate our climate, sustain global fisheries and support extraordinary life, yet they remain amongst the least protected.”
“It's happening on our beaches, in our surf clubs, in our communities and in our sporting organisations. These are young lifesavers who are representing the very best of us, and they give me and, I know, all Novocastrians great confidence that our future is in very good hands.”
“I'm a very fortunate member of this parliament. I have six surf lifesaving clubs to represent, stretching from Stockton, Nobbys, Newcastle, Cooks Hill, Merewether to Dixon Park. They are all important contributors to our community, but Edith and Hamish are really exceptional examples of young people doing remarkable work. I note that Edith has already helped rescue a struggling swimmer during patrol and Hamish is continuing to dedicate himself to developing and building on his training and skills in protecting beachgoers. As I mentioned, these are not small contributions; these are real acts of service. They make a positive difference. What is so powerful about their stories is that they remind us that leadership doesn't have to wait till adulthood. It's happening right now.”
“Congratulations, again, to Karen Whitelaw on receipt of this highly regarded award. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the exceptional service of two young Novocastrians, Edith McNamara and Hamish Lawrence, who were recently recognised as the region's Junior Life Savers of the Year. While many teenagers are out enjoying their weekends, Edith and Hamish are out patrolling our beaches to prevent drownings and injuries. They're conducting rescues. They're providing first aid. They're setting up safe swimming zones between the red and yellow flags and educating the public on beach safety. They are making a profound contribution to the community, and they're part of a very long and proud tradition of surf lifesaving in Newcastle, a tradition that's built on volunteerism, responsibility and care for others.”
“The recent announcement of winners of the 2026 Newcastle Herald short story competition highlights the depth of creative talent in our region, and I would particularly like to congratulate this year's winner, Karen Whitelaw. Through her writing, Karen has demonstrated the power of storytelling to connect us, to reflect our shared experiences and to shine a light on the moments that define who we are. The competition invites local writers to transform everyday life into something meaningful and memorable: stories that reflect our community, our resilience and our creativity. Competitions like this are so important because they create space for voices to be heard, they encourage people to tell their stories, they build confidence in emerging writers and they remind us of the power of words to bring people together.”
“It represents the strength of arts education in our public schools. And I want to give his school a big shout-out. The Hunter School of the Performing Arts, in Broadmeadow, is nurturing lots of new, emerging young talent in our region. It also represents the support of families, teachers and mentors who are involved in nurturing those young people and their talents going forward. And it represents a community that believes in backing young people to dream big. Nicholas is not just representing himself; he's representing Newcastle, and we are incredibly proud of him. I want to recognise the storytellers in our community: those who capture the experiences, emotions and perspectives that make Newcastle unique.”
“I rise today to celebrate a remarkable young Novocastrian who is taking our city to the world stage. Nicholas Ridgeway, a talented 17-year-old dancer from Newcastle, has earned the opportunity to represent Australia at the World Dance Movement in Italy. This is an extraordinary achievement from a young person pursuing their passion. Nicholas's journey is one of dedication, discipline and courage. Like so many young people in our community, he has spent countless hours training, refining his craft and striving to be the very best he can be. And now that hard work has paid off—not just with personal success but with the chance to showcase Newcastle's creative talent on the international stage. What stands out about Nicholas's story is not just the achievement itself but what it represents.”
“Anniversaries like this give us an opportunity to pause and recognise the sometimes quiet but no less profound work being done in our communities every day. On behalf of a grateful community, thank you for your passion and commitment to making a positive difference each and every day.”
“It is important to acknowledge the founder, Melissa Histon, whose compassion, determination and leadership helped turn a grassroots idea into a vital organisation supporting women across Newcastle, the Hunter and beyond. Her vision and the hard work of the board, staff, volunteers, advocates and supporters who have stood alongside her has changed lives. Through practical assistance, mentoring, financial support and simply standing beside women when they need it most, Got Your Back Sista has helped hundreds of women rebuild their lives with dignity, safety and hope. Behind this work is an extraordinary community of volunteers, supporters and advocates who believe that no woman should have to face violence alone. The courage of the women who reach out for help and the dedication of those who support them is nothing short of inspiring.”
“It's about the volunteers who arrive before sunrise to help run events. It's about the families who gather on the sand to watch the next generation of surfers take to the waves. It's about local businesses, community groups and sponsors who come together each year to make it happen. Surfest has helped put Newcastle firmly on the global surfing map, showcasing our beaches, our lifestyle and our love for the ocean. But, just as importantly, it's helped nurture young talent and inspire thousands of people to get in the water and have a go. I also want to acknowledge a remarkable milestone for our community, the 10th anniversary of Got Your Back Sista. For the past decade, Got Your Back Sista has provided life-changing support for women and children escaping family and domestic violence.”
“Today I rise to acknowledge two major milestones in my community of Newcastle. This year marks 40 years of Surfest, an event that has become synonymous with Newcastle, our surfing culture and spectacular beaches. What began in 1985 as our local surfing competition has grown into the largest surfing festival in the Southern Hemisphere. I especially want to acknowledge the vision of Surfest founder, Warren Smith, whose passion and hard work helped build something truly lasting for our city. His legacy is seen not only in the event itself but also in the generations of surfers, volunteers and supporters who have carried it forward. For four decades, Surfest has welcomed surfers from across Australia and indeed around the globe to our shores. But Surfest is much more than an elite competition.”
“For the City of Newcastle, this $46 million is more than just a number; it's a reflection of the Albanese Labor government's confidence in our city and its future. It's about backing the people of Newcastle, supporting local jobs, and making sure that our region continues to be a great place to live, work and raise a family. And I do want to tell you this, Deputy Speaker Buchholz: we are not done. We have great ambitions for Newcastle and the Hunter region, and I know that I and all our colleagues on this side of the House will work hard each and every day to make sure that regions like Newcastle and the Hunter, which contribute so much to the prosperity of the state of New South Wales and indeed our nation, will continue to do so for generations to come.”
“From improved streetscapes to upgraded footpaths and public spaces, this funding is helping to create places where people want to gather, shop and spend time. And it's those small, everyday improvements that matter just as much—safer footpaths, better accessibility for people with disability, more welcoming public spaces for families. These are investments that deliver an improved quality of life. This is what Labor governments do. They are the kinds of investments we want to make into communities, with the kinds of partnerships that we typically foster and help across this nation with local governments. This is the way we have constructive relations across all levels of government to deliver for our communities. We're delivering the infrastructure that supports growth while helping our cities remain liveable spaces.”
“This is funding that people can see and use in their everyday lives. It's going into critical road upgrades to ease congestion, to improve safety and to keep our city moving. It's upgrading local sporting fields and community facilities so that our kids have better places to train, play and compete so local clubs can continue to thrive. We're investing in disaster resilience, making sure our region is better prepared for the challenges that we know come with a changing climate. That means strengthening infrastructure, reducing risk and helping protect homes, businesses and livelihoods. Importantly, we're also backing the revitalisation of our local town centres because we know that strong, vibrant neighbourhoods are the heart of a connected community.”
“We're not only continuing that work on the M1 extension to Raymond Terrace but also on the Newcastle Inner City Bypass ,with the finish line now in sight for both projects, so stay tuned. These are city-shaping investments that will take the pressure off local roads, improve freight efficiency and make those daily commutes faster and safer for everybody across our region. It's a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful investments are indeed the practical ones, the ones that make everyday life easier. It's another example of this Albanese Labor government working to get things done. Across our city, the Albanese Labor government is delivering on real, tangible investments, with more than $46 million directly going into the City of Newcastle to make our community stronger, safer and better connected.”
“The reopening of Hexham Street and the restoration of the full 80 kilometres per hour speed limit might not make national headlines, but for the 50,000 locals who use that stretch of road every day it matters. Hexham is a critical gateway into Newcastle and the Hunter. It carries freight and commuters and it connects communities. The completion of this project has improved safety, reduced congestion and restored confidence for people who rely on that corridor, as I said, each and every day, and the job is not stopping there. Progress is continuing on the M1 extension through to Raymond Terrace, and I know my good parliamentary neighbour and electorate neighbour, the member for Paterson, is very pleased about that progress.”
“It's a place where First Nations art and storytelling are honoured and elevated, a place where contemporary voices sit alongside those historic works and a place where young people can experience worlds beyond their own and maybe even imagine their own art hanging there one day. The expansion has created jobs, of course, during the construction phase. It's boosted local contractors, and it will drive tourism and visitation in our region for decades to come. More importantly, it gives our community space to gather, to reflect and to experience other worlds and experiences through art. Labor understands that infrastructure is not just about roads and rail; it's also cultural institutions and community spaces, places that enrich our lives and strengthen social cohesion. Once again, Labor is delivering.”
“Labor understands that building the future is not only about infrastructure; it's about people, it's about skills and it's about giving communities like Newcastle the tools to seize those opportunities ahead. With construction now commenced on this important project at the University of Newcastle, this is exactly what we are doing. Delivering for Newcastle also means investing in our cultural heart. I recently had the privilege of speaking at the long-awaited reopening of the Newcastle Art Gallery. This revitalised gallery is much more than bricks and mortar. It's a statement about who we are as a city.”
“In other words, this is making sure that local people can gain the skills they need for the jobs that are being created in Newcastle and the Hunter. The transition to cleaner energy is not some distant idea; it is happening now. Our region should not just be watching it happen; we should, and indeed we will, lead it. The New Energy Skills Hub will help ensure Newcastle remains at the forefront of that transformation, linking education, training and industry all in one place. That collaboration between education, researchers and industry partners is what our community excels at. It will support the development of a highly skilled local workforce, strengthen our region's capability and help deliver the workers needed for those industries of the future.”
“If we're serious about the new energy future of Newcastle and the Hunter, we must also be serious about building the workforce that will power it, and that's why it is so exciting to see construction now underway on the New Energy Skills Hub at the University of Newcastle. This is exactly the kind of practical, forward-looking investment our region needs. It's a purpose built facility dedicated to helping train the next generation of workers for the new energy economy. It's a place where university, TAFE and public school students, alongside those studying in other training provider settings, have a very clear pathway to high-quality STEM education through access to hands-on learning, specialist equipment and direct industry engagement.”
“Newcastle's Kardinia Energy has received significant backing from the Albanese Labor government through the Industry Growth Program to accelerate the scale-up and commercialisation of its printed solar technology. This funding boost will help Kardinia scale production in Newcastle and has already seen its technology deployed in high-profile settings, including powering events like Coldplay's world tour, showcasing how Newcastle-made clean energy technology can support a big stage performance without relying on fossil fuels. These are exactly the types of projects that turn ideas into real jobs, solidifying Newcastle as a hub for clean energy innovation and manufacturing and giving local businesses the confidence to grow and compete on the global stage.”
“This upgrade more than doubles the lab's capacity for renewable technologies, allowing researchers and industry partners to simulate and validate how solar, batteries, electric vehicles and grid integration technologies can operate under real-world conditions, including advancing testing of grid faults, microgrids and vehicle-to-grid systems. This enhanced facility will help Australian innovators develop and commercialise clean energy solutions right in the heart of Newcastle and the Hunter region, strengthening our national capability as we transition to a cleaner, more resilient and more secure energy system. Alongside research infrastructure we're also backing Australian-made manufacturing.”
“But more than that, it means economic development for our city, it means jobs during construction, it means new industries and new housing opportunities and it means investment confidence. Let's be clear: this is happening because Labor made a choice. We choose to invest in nation-building infrastructure, we choose to back regional Australia, we choose to deliver and we are delivering. The same commitment to backing innovation and industry can be seen in the work being done in Newcastle to support clean energy research and manufacturing. Recently we officially opened a $3 million upgrade to the Renewable Energy Integration Facility at CSIRO Energy Centre, Newcastle.”
“For the first time in our nation's history there is a dedicated body tasked with turning high-speed rail from a concept into construction. The next stage of work between Newcastle and Sydney is now underway: detailed planning, corridor preservation, station precinct planning—the serious work that turns ambition into reality. For the people of Newcastle this is transformative. It means travel times of around one hour between Newcastle and Sydney. It means students can access greater education opportunities with ease. It means workers having access to job markets without uprooting their families. It means being able to travel to a concert, a sporting event or a business meeting and be home again on the same night.”
“I'm incredibly proud to be part of a government that is delivering for my community of Newcastle—delivering real projects, delivering real investment and delivering real opportunity because that is what Labor governments do: we build, we invest and we back communities for the long term, not just election cycles. Over recent months the people of Newcastle have seen that commitment in action—first, high-speed rail. For too long people have said that it would never happen, that it was a dream, that it was just a line in the map. But under the leadership of the Albanese Labor government high-speed rail is not just talk; it's moving into its next development phase. The establishment of the High Speed Rail Authority in 2023 marked a turning point.”
“He was also devoted to his beloved wife, Ludi, and their three children, David, Kath and Peter, and six grandchildren. In recent years, Bob cared for Ludi with endless love and compassion. I also want to honour the remarkable life of Barry Hoare, who recently passed away at the age of 98. Barry was a treasured lifelong member of Newcastle City branch and a true Labor stalwart. He was a staunch advocate for seniors and pensioners throughout his life and remain engaged for as long as his health allowed, always sharing stories from his working life, including his time as a train conductor and his memorable meeting with Gough Whitlam when cabinet travelled by rail to Newcastle. Vale, Bob and Barry. (Time expired)”
“I'd like to pay tribute to two steadfast members of our Labor family, Robert 'Bob' Ireland and Barry Hoare, whose lives were defined by service to our movement, to education and to their communities. Bob Ireland was born into a proud Labor family in Sydney in 1943, and his commitment to the Australian Labor Party began early, joining at just 17. In 2009, he was awarded life membership. Across decades of branch service, including many years at the Caringbah and Adamstown branches, where he served as president, Bob fully embodied Labor's values of solidarity, fairness and community. Bob also made an extraordinary contribution to education as a teacher, head teacher and principal and through his commitment to special education. He devoted his life to creating opportunities for young people.”
“I want to acknowledge the Member for Pearce. I understand that the Member for Pearce would like to present a copy of their speech for incorporation into Hansard in accordance with the resolution agreed to on 6 November 2025.”
“On the Saturday they ran a whole festival of events for women, and these events don't happen without a lot of volunteering and collective effort. Year after year, the committee helps create space for women to come together in solidarity, to celebrate achievements and to reflect on the struggles that remain. I want to also give a shout-out to the remarkable Timeless Textiles and the Wednesday Makers Group. I was so honoured to launch the Inspiring Women in Stitch exhibition. Thank you for your creativity, skills and ongoing connection and work in our community. Happy International Women's Day.”
“Of course, the story of International Women's Day has always belonged not just to the parliaments but to the movements. Over the weekend I was so proud to see that spirit alive and well in Newcastle. On Friday evening I joined the Hunter Workers Women's Committee's International Women's Day Dinner that they held at Club Charlestown. It was a wonderful night of solidarity, community and celebration. On Sunday morning I was proud to stand with our community again as many marched in the International Women's Day rally and march at Gregson Park in Hamilton. I want to put on record my sincere thanks for the Hunter Workers Women's Committee for the extraordinary amount of work that went into this entire weekend.”
“Finally we've got dedicated clinics where women can walk in with confidence and know they'll be heard, listened to and taken seriously—and that pain is not something they have to live with for the rest of their lives. These reforms matter. They matter because equality is not abstract. It's about whether a woman can afford to leave a violent relationship, whether she can return to work after having a child without being penalised for it, whether her work is properly valued, whether she can access the health care she needs, whether she can participate fully and safely in public life and whether the next generation of girls grows up with more freedom, more safety and more opportunity than the generation before. That's what real progress looks like—not just words but structural change.”
“We're demanding greater transparency and accountability on gender pay equity. We're reducing that really stubborn gender pay gap in Australia. It's down to 11.5 per cent now, but that is still too much. That's still too big a gap. It's the lowest it's ever been in Australia, which is shocking. There is a lot of hard work still to be done on that front. We've made some major new investments into women's health. I'm so proud of the work that's been done there, from better access to contraception and menopause care to more support for women dealing with endometriosis and pelvic pain. For too long, women were just told that it's a woman's lot, and we've seen the sometimes catastrophic results of that really poor understanding of endometriosis and pelvic pain.”
“We're building on those strong foundations from the last term with further expansion of paid parental leave, including paying superannuation for the first time ever on government paid parental leave. When I tell young women that they don't get paid superannuation—well, they didn't get superannuation on their paid parental leave until now, thanks to the Labor government—they are horrified. They had no idea of this inequity that exists, but it is a critical part of why there is profound inequality in the retirement incomes of Australian men and women. Every time women took a break from the workforce, they were being penalised not just by the lack of employer contributions but by no super being paid on their parental leave, even if it was paid by the government or their employer at the time.”
“That's been the focus of our term of government: having a policy focus that strengthens workplace rights, delivers on the 10 day paid family and domestic violence leave, expands paid parental leave, improves job security and wages, increases transparency around the gender pay gap and puts women's economic equality back where it belongs, at the centre of national policy. Making sure that women have economic security, that there's an equitable arrangement in terms of workplace rights, parental leave rights and the gender pay gap, ensures that our national policy reflects the reality, which is that we want to see women being able to participate fully as productive members of our economy and our society. In this term, that work will continue.”
“That's the hard policy work we did to come to government: talking with Australian women in the regions across Australia and making sure we were crafting policy that spoke to the lives of Australian women. We've strengthened workplace rights. We've delivered on the 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave. It's a matter that is a huge issue in all of our electorates. This is not something that is peculiar to Labor women's interests; we know that family and domestic violence is a scourge and it occurs throughout our communities, in every economic band within our communities and in all geographical locations.”
“I think, if anything is to be learnt from the 30-year journey of the Australian Labor Party—I say this with kindness and sincerity to the Nationals member sitting opposite me—there are really important lessons about how you generate an environment within your party rooms and party structures to ensure that women are equal partners. It's a hard road. I don't underestimate it. I know that it's something that occupies the minds of all women in parliament. Wherever we can lend support to ensure that more women are getting a seat at the table, in whatever party room they stand in, that's a good thing. Over the last term, Labor delivered on a lot of reforms that are making a huge difference now to women's lives.”
“I sit with my sisters, my Labor sisters here—the member for Melbourne and the member for Cunningham—and, indeed, a sister from the National Party, the member for Lyne, and we're all beneficiaries of the hard work that was done in the Australian Labor Party and the wider Labor movement. Today, we sit in Australia's first ever majority female government and Australia's first ever majority female cabinet. I do want to stress that. I have a lot of young women that come and talk to me about entering politics, and I actively encourage them to do so. But I really emphasise the point that, with some things, you've got to be in it for the long haul. There are no quick fixes for a lot of the structural inequalities that continue to exist in Australia.”
“That's why I am so proud to be part of the Albanese Labor government that has made gender equality a central feature of all our thinking. It's not just a matter of policy, as important as that is; it's a priority and a fundamental principle for every one of us in the Australian Labor Party. I need only point to the very long journey that was establishing affirmative action within the Australian Labor Party, a journey that I've been part of for more than 30 years. Now I get to stand off the back of all that hard work we did for three decades, where women stood up in our party rooms and demanded equality and an equal seat at the table.”
“It's with great pleasure that I rise in the House today to mark International Women's Day 2026 and to celebrate the women of Newcastle, in particular, but also of the Hunter and of our nation who continue to organise, lead, care, create, advocate and fight for an equal Australia. International Women's Day is always a moment to reflect on how far women have come but also, to be honest, on how far we still have to go. Progress does not happen by accident. There's a lot of careful design in making incremental change towards equality in Australia. Progress happens because women organise for it, it happens because unions fight for it, it happens because communities demand it, and it happens because governments might choose to act.”
“I repeat: it delivers fairness; it delivers security; and it delivers, most importantly, respect for working people in Australia. Labor's got a proud history of backing workers. We're proud to stand with the coalminers in Newcastle, in the Hunter—indeed, across Australia—and we're proud to support legislation that honours their contribution and protects their future. And, for those reasons, I commend this bill to the House.”
“I want to take a brief moment to acknowledge the coalminers across Newcastle and the Hunter who have shared their experiences and concerns with me over many years, specifically with regard to the vital importance of coalmining industry long service leave. You have made it very clear how important this long service leave is to your wellbeing and to your families and to our communities at large, and this parliament has the responsibility to listen to those voices. So I'd urge all members in this House to look beyond the temptation to bunker-in to those political camps and trenches, to those convenient slogans, and to batting away on what forms of energy you want to back or don't back, and to think about bringing your focus to what this legislation delivers.”
“This bill also reflects Labor's broader approach to industrial relations, one based on balance, cooperation and respect. Rather than tearing down institutions, we strengthen them. Rather than driving a race to the bottom, we want to see those standards lift. And rather than leaving workers to fend for themselves, we want to legislate to protect them. That's exactly what the Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave) Legislation Amendment Bill does. It strengthens an important scheme. It protects hard-earned entitlements. And it delivers certainty to workers, employers and communities alike.”
“As Australia transitions to a cleaner energy future it is essential that we do not repeat the mistakes of the past. Workers must not be treated as disposable. Communities must not be abandoned. Entitlements must not be eroded. Supporting coalminers' long service leave is part of ensuring that the transition is fair and orderly, not chaotic or cruel. It says that, while industries evolve, our commitment to working people does not waver. For Newcastle and the Hunter, this legislation provides reassurance. It provides local workers who have given decades to an industry that has underpinned our region's prosperity and powered our nation. It ensures that their entitlements are secure and it reinforces the principle that fairness at work is not negotiable.”
“They're quick to use miners as political props. But when it comes to delivering real protections, like secure entitlements and properly funded schemes, they have constantly failed to deliver. Labor, on the other hand, backs workers with legislation, not slogans. This bill is a perfect example of that difference. It is careful, responsible reform that has been developed with an understanding of the industry and with respect for the people who work in it. It balances the interests of workers and employers while keeping the long service leave scheme sustainable for the long term. It also sends a clear message to mining families across Newcastle and the Hunter: Labor sees you, Labor respects your contribution and Labor has your back.”
“Time and time again, when working people have needed their help, their protection, the opposition have been missing in action or, worse, actively undermining workers' rights. We have seen it in the attacks on penalty rates, which stripped incomes from some of the lowest-paid workers in this country. We saw it in the attempts to weaken collective bargaining and the undermining of unions—the very organisations that have fought to secure long service leave, safe workplaces and fair pay. And we saw it in nearly a decade of inaction on job security, during which insecure work skyrocketed and workers were left without basic protections. When it comes to coalmining communities, the opposition's record is particularly hollow. They are quick to turn up for the photo-op in hi-vis. We see it at every election cycle in our part of the world.”
“From annual leave to superannuation, from Medicare to paid parental leave, Labor has been the party that turns decent ideas into lasting protections. Portable long service schemes, including in coalmining, are part of that proud legacy. They exist because Labor understands that fairness must adapt to the realities of different industries, that one-size-fits-all models do not work in sectors like mining, where labour mobility is a huge feature, not a flaw. This bill continues that tradition. It's a practical reform that strengthens an existing scheme, responds to changing conditions and ensures that the long service leave scheme works as intended: first and foremost for workers. Labor's proud record stands in stark contrast to those opposite.”
“There is a future for all of those highly skilled mining men and women in this nation. Today there are thousands of families across the Hunter that still rely on the coal industry for their daily bread and butter, and they deserve the same protections and respect as every other worker in this country, and that's the ambition of a Labor government. This legislation recognises that reality. It does not pit workers up against the future. It does not deny the importance of economic transition. Instead, it says something very simple and very Labor—that workers who built this country should never be left behind. Labor has always understood that strong industries depend on strong workers, and strong workers depend on good strong-but-fair work conditions. Our movement was founded by working people organising for dignity, safety and security.”