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?”
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 ↗
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“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.”
Australian House of Representatives24 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives24 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives24 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives24 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives24 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives24 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives24 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives24 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives24 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives24 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives24 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives24 March 2026Source ↗
“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)”
Australian House of Representatives23 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives23 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives23 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives11 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives11 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives11 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives11 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives11 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives11 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives11 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives11 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives11 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives11 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives11 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives10 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives10 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives10 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives10 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives10 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives10 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives10 March 2026Source ↗
“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.”
Australian House of Representatives10 March 2026Source ↗
“When workers take long service leave, that money flows directly back into local economies, into the shops, small businesses, services and communities. This bill matters deeply for my electorate of Newcastle. We have a proud mining history. For generations, coalminers have powered the homes, built infrastructure and driven economic growth not just locally but nationally. Our region is indeed the largest regional economy in this country and that is in no small part to the efforts of the working men and women in the coal industry. While our region is diversifying ,as it needs to, and we're leading in many ways that transition to new energy industries, mining remains an important employer going forward with the abundance of critical minerals and high-tech metals that are still to come.”
Australian House of Representatives10 March 2026Source ↗
“At its core, this bill delivers certainty. It provides greater financial stability for the long service leave fund. It improves its governance and ensures entitlements earned by workers are properly protected. It also updates administrative arrangements so the scheme can continue to function efficiently and transparently with confidence for workers and employers alike. For coalminers, that means peace of mind. It means knowing that years of service will be honoured. It means knowing that, when the time comes to take long service leave to rest, recover, spend time with your family or care for the your own health or those around you, that entitlement will be there. And for the mining communities like those across the Hunter region, it means economic stability.”
Australian House of Representatives10 March 2026Source ↗
“It is a recognition of loyalty, endurance and years of hard—and often physically demanding—work. In the coalmining industry, where workers frequently move between employers while remaining in the same industry doing the same jobs, that portable long service leave is an essential part of their wellbeing. Without it, workers lose entitlements simply because the structure of their industry requires mobility, and this legislation makes sure that that does not happen. The coalmining industry long service leave scheme has existed for decades, underpinned by the simple principle that coalminers should not be penalised for the way that their industry operates. This bill strengthens that very principle and modernises the scheme to ensure it remains sustainable, fair and fit for purpose now and into the future.”
Australian House of Representatives10 March 2026Source ↗
“I rise this evening to lend my full support to the Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave) Legislation Amendment Bill 2025. This bill is about fairness, security and respect for the working people who have powered our nation for generations, the coalmining workforce. It is particularly significant for communities like mine in Newcastle, and indeed for the Hunter region, where coalmining has shaped not only our economy but also our identity for more than 200 years now. Indeed, it might be worth reminding the House that the very first export commodity to leave this country left Newcastle in 1799. It was coal on its way to India and that's been a really central part of our economy ever since. At the outset, on this bill, let me be very, very clear, long service leave is not a perk.”
Australian House of Representatives10 March 2026Source ↗
“I don't give up hope, though. This is an important bill. It's an important step forward, and I really appeal to members opposite to get on board and support these reforms.”
Australian House of Representatives4 March 2026Source ↗
“It seems like that's going to be the same again this time around, although I keep pleading that members opposite might reconsider. Rather than supporting workers and retirees, their instinct has been to protect tax concessions for those that are already doing very well, even at the expense of a stronger retirement system for ordinary Australians. When proposals were first mooted to address unjust super tax concessions, the opposition decried them as 'super big and super bad'. That's not because they were unfair. It's because the opposition feared that any measure that asks the wealthy to pay a fairer share would be too difficult a step. Even now, when the nation's super scheme has been modernised and protections strengthened for everyday workers, the opposition are digging in their heels rather than offering a constructive solution.”
Australian House of Representatives4 March 2026Source ↗
“Since then, Labor has consistently defended and strengthened super against attacks and attempts to water it down. And you can be sure we will forever do so. We've overseen the gradual increase of the super guarantee to 12 per cent, a historic boost that means everyday workers have put more away in their super accounts than at any other time in history. Now we're acting again, cracking down on unpaid super and strengthening the LISTO to ensure low-income workers are not left behind. This bill continues that commitment, strengthening a cornerstone of our social contract—superannuation—for the long term and for all Australians. It's also important to examine the alternative—the record from members opposite. For years, the coalition have opposed meaningful reform to superannuation that would improve fairness in the system.”
Australian House of Representatives4 March 2026Source ↗
“We've stood against calls from those opposite to see stagnant wages and no real improvement in living standards. Three consecutive increases to the minimum wage mean $9,000 going into the pockets of the lowest income earning people in Australia. That's a good thing. It was, of course, a Labor government that created superannuation. Under prime minister Paul Keating, Labor introduced compulsory superannuation, a reform that transformed retirement in this country and became one of the most significant economic and social achievements in modern Australian history. Before Labor acted, millions of Australians retired with little more than the age pension. Labor's vision was simple but profound: working Australians deserve dignity and independence in their retirement.”
Australian House of Representatives4 March 2026Source ↗
“It protects the principle that your retirement should be supported by your hard work and contributions, not reliant on an outdated system that allows special treatment for the most advantaged. For Newcastle's small and medium enterprises, reforms like payday super also offer clarity and fairness. Modernising rules that bring super payments into the rhythm of modern payroll is a change that boosts confidence and compliance. It's worth pausing to reflect on Labor's record on the economy, on wages and on the standard of living, because this bill does not exist in isolation. It sits within a broader coherent approach to strengthening the economy and supporting working families. Labor has unequivocally been supporting wage growth. We championed increases to the minimum wage and supported wage increases that help ensure that work pays.”
Australian House of Representatives4 March 2026Source ↗
“I've already articulated how many people are ripped off by the current scheme, and we need to do better. But I'm a very proud Novocastrian. It's a great community of workers, families, tradies, small-business owners, healthcare professionals, teachers, carers and retirees. Across Newcastle, superannuation matters deeply to these people. Many of my constituents work hard throughout their lives, contribute to our community and rightly expect that, when they retire, they will have a fair and secure nest egg. This bill delivers for everyday Novocastrians—for those workers—by strengthening protections, ensuring fairer tax rules and making sure that employer contributions are paid properly and on time.”
Australian House of Representatives4 March 2026Source ↗
“Reforms such as payday super will also make a real difference for women, ensuring that super gets paid at the same time as their wages, reducing that risk of unpaid or delayed contributions. That's a problem that particularly affects workers in sectors where women are strongly represented, including retail, hospitality, health and care services. You all have them in your electorates. Taken together, these reforms are practical steps towards narrowing the gender super gap and improving retirement security for Australian women. Most importantly, millions of Australians saving for retirement can be confident that our super system will continue to deliver on its fundamental purpose: a dignified retirement and reduced reliance on the aged-care pension. Why does this matter for Newcastle?”
Australian House of Representatives4 March 2026Source ↗
“They currently retire with about 25 per cent less superannuation than men in your electorates—and that's on average, that figure—reflecting the structural realities of the labour market, including lower average wages, higher rates of part-time work and time taken out of work for us to undertake caring responsibilities. That's the burden women carry. Measures like strengthening the low-income superannuation tax offset ensure that those low-income earners are not being penalised by that flat 15 per cent tax on super contributions, because women are more likely to fall into the low-income brackets or part-time roles. They will disproportionately benefit from this bill. It helps even up that unequal ledger that exits.”
Australian House of Representatives4 March 2026Source ↗
“I remain forever optimistic for hope and seeing people coming onto a unity ticket here in supporting those typically not-wealthy regional Australians that we represent in this chamber. It's those everyday workers who stand to benefit from this bill, with stronger protections in their super entitlements thanks to reforms like the payday super—a crackdown on unpaid super that costs Newcastle workers, as I've already said, $38.8 million every single year—and enhanced support for low-income workers through the expanded low-income superannuation tax offset. That's the benefit. If you've got women in your electorate, which I'm sure you have—women and carers—they are big beneficiaries of these reforms. Women will benefit significantly.”
Australian House of Representatives4 March 2026Source ↗
“Those days have ended, thank goodness. So who stands to benefit from this bill? Well, let me be very clear. This bill is not about penalising everyday Australians. The National Party in particular are going to want to note this. It's about strengthening outcomes for working people and ensuring that those wealthier Australians, many of whom are not living in your regions—I'm a regional seat holder. I know the income levels in my seat. I think that those people that you represent are disproportionately impacted by the current system of super, and they stand to benefit from the reforms here rather than the existing tax concessions that are disproportionately impacting people in your electorates. That is unfair for the vast majority of people that you represent.”
Australian House of Representatives4 March 2026Source ↗
“You can look up the data. I've given you the data for my electorate. You're going to have to explain to the thousands in your electorates why you vote against this bill. Nationally we know there are 3.3 million Australians missing out on some $5.7 billion in their legal super entitlements in any year. That is money workers earned, and it's money for women who already, as I've noted, retire with significantly less superannuation on average. Unpaid super can compound lifelong financial inequality, and that is why we're linking up initiatives like payday super. It's so critical that that reform is in place. We're ensuring that workers receive their super as part of their pay cycle so there is no more of this waiting three months, six months or nine months to figure out if your employer has been making contributions or not.”
Australian House of Representatives4 March 2026Source ↗
“Almost 22,000 workers in Newcastle—that is 27 per cent of workers in my electorate—were not paid their proper superannuation entitlements in 2022-23. That's the last lot of data we have. I want those 22,000 people to have that money in their pockets when they retire. They deserve every cent of it. We've got to fix this system so that they get their entitlements. If you were wondering what 22,000 workers missing out on super tallies up to, it's $38.8 million in unpaid super across Newcastle in just one year. That is why this bill is before this House. If you think that is just, you need to rethink your position. I would love to see members opposite supporting this bill, but it seems that's not going to be the case. I want you to think about all those workers in your electorates who are being ripped off. There are a lot of them.”
Australian House of Representatives4 March 2026Source ↗