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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“Importantly, 55 per cent of these beneficiaries will be women, reflecting the reality that women are more likely to be in lower paid and part-time work and therefore more exposed to inequalities in the super system. Strengthening the LISTO is a very practical step towards closing the gender super gap. Third, this bill forms part of a broader effort to fix structural problems in the super system, including unpaid super. I've heard some members opposite talking about super being their constituents' money, and in many respects this is true. A lot of my constituents have had their money stolen from them in the form of unpaid super. That is a problem in my electorate, and it has been for some time. We need a remedy.”
Australian House of Representatives4 March 2026Source ↗
“This is the basis of our taxation system. Second, the LISTO is an automatic tax rebate paid into the super accounts of low-income earners to offset some or all of the tax paid on their super contributions, which are taxed at a flat rate of 15 per cent. Because of changes in tax brackets and increases in the superannuation guarantee, some low-income earners are now paying more tax on their super than on their take-home pay. That is plainly unfair. Schedule 4 of this bill lifts the income thresholds from $37,000 to $45,000 and increases the minimum rebate from $500 to $810. In Newcastle alone this will boost the super of more than 8,200 low-income earners, delivering around $3.2 million per year into super accounts across my electorate.”
Australian House of Representatives4 March 2026Source ↗
“It ensures savings for retirement so that millions of Australians do not enter old age solely dependent on the age pension. It underpins retirement security and reduces future pressure on governments and taxpayers. But the system is not perfect, and the bill before us responds to some clear problems and imbalances that have emerged over time. First, it recognises that the tax concessions in superannuation have been unjustly skewed towards those who are already wealthy. This reform, by introducing a fairer tax structure on very large super balances, particularly through what is known as division 296, ensures that people with exceptionally large super savings pay their fair share. It targets concessions on balances above the $3 million and $10 million thresholds, with tax rates that reflect capacity to pay.”
Australian House of Representatives4 March 2026Source ↗
“I rise to speak in support of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Building a Stronger and Fairer Super System) Bill 2026 and the Superannuation (Building a Stronger and Fairer Super System) Imposition Bill 2026. This legislation is about strengthening what is one of Australia's most important social institutions, our superannuation system. It's about fairness, boosting retirement savings for everyday Australians, closing loopholes that benefit the very wealthy and addressing structural inequalities that have left, in particular, many women retiring with significantly less super than they should have. This bill is a substantial piece of reform and one that reflects core Labor values—fairness, equity and opportunity. Why does this bill matter? Australia's superannuation system is rightly regarded as world leading.”
Australian House of Representatives4 March 2026Source ↗
“The Speaker has received a message from the Senate acquainting the House with the appointment of senators to certain joint committees. As the list of appointments is a lengthy one, I do not propose to read the list to the House, but details will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings .”
Australian House of Representatives3 March 2026Source ↗
“The debate on the second reading of the bill having been closed by the Attorney-General speaking in reply, the question is that this bill be now read a second time. Question agreed to. Bill read a second time.”
Australian House of Representatives3 March 2026Source ↗
“My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. How's the Albanese Labor government supporting Australians to balance their work and care responsibilities? How does this approach compare to other approaches?”
Australian House of Representatives3 March 2026Source ↗
“They trained with courage and commitment and on that day, in dangerous and unpredictable conditions, endured an experience that stayed with them for the rest of their lives. Today, fewer than 10 of those surviving servicemen remain with us. Thanks to the work of local historian Jacob Ure, who documented the survivors' accounts, these stories will be preserved. On 8 March, the remaining survivors will gather to honour those who were lost and those who served alongside them. It is fitting that this parliament recognises the service, resilience and mateship of this unit. To the surviving national servicemen: we thank you, we see you and we honour your memory. Lest we forget.”
Australian House of Representatives2 March 2026Source ↗
“I rise today to acknowledge a little-known but deeply significant chapter in our region's history: the 1954 Stockton Bight disaster. On 8 March 1954, during a routine national service training exercise, 184 young servicemen were involved in an operation that ended in tragedy. Three lives were lost. It was a moment that profoundly affected all who were there. A convoy of 20 amphibious vehicles was travelling from Camp Shortland to Morna Point for a routine landing exercise, but, as they crossed the Stockton Bight, conditions deteriorated rapidly. Heavy seas overwhelmed the convoy and eight vehicles sank. Three young men lost their lives. These were Australians who had answered their country's call to national service.”
Australian House of Representatives2 March 2026Source ↗
“I commend everybody involved in that revival of the Regal Cinema. I say thank you. The reopening of the Regal and the Tower Cinemas is a terrific success story. It's rekindled our community's love for cinema and indeed our passion for the preservation, conservation and continued use of these very important historic venues.”
Australian House of Representatives11 February 2026Source ↗
“Together, these cinemas show that even in the age of streaming platforms and digital isolation, people continue to seek out places to come together and share in their stories and culture. Independent cinema plays a vital role in our communities. They support local jobs, provide spaces for Australian and independent films and strengthen the social fabric of our suburbs. They are places of connection where people gather not just to watch a film but to participate in community life. The reopening of the Regal Cinema is a powerful reminder that when local people invest in local places, communities thrive. I congratulate Jo Smith and George Merryman and those extraordinary friends of the Regal who have long fought to reinvigorate a 1930s cinema to make sure that it is still a purposeful building today.”
Australian House of Representatives11 February 2026Source ↗
“Restoring a local cinema is no small undertaking. It requires belief in community, confidence in local culture and a willingness to invest in something that delivers far more than a financial return. Jo and George and their extraordinary team of volunteers have done exactly that, and the people of Birmingham Gardens and, indeed, Newcastle, more broadly, are better for it. What makes this moment particularly significant is that it forms part of a broader resurgence of independent cinema in our region. Only recently, the opening of the Tower Cinemas in King Street, Newcastle, was celebrated—another locally driven independent venture that demonstrates the enduring value of shared cultural experiences.”
Australian House of Representatives11 February 2026Source ↗
“I rise to celebrate a significant moment for my community in Newcastle—the reopening of the Regal Cinema in Birmingham Gardens. The Regal is more than bricks and mortar. For decades, it's been a place where stories have been shared, friendships formed and community life strengthened. That's why the closure of this cultural heart of our city was so deeply felt by local residents. For many years since, I've been proud to stand alongside hundreds of cinema-loving Novocastrians campaigning to see the Regal restored, refusing to let this much loved venue be lost to history. That's why its reopening is such an important achievement and one worthy of recognition in this place. I want to acknowledge Jo Smith and George Merryman and the remarkable friends of the Regal whose commitment, vision and hard work have brought the Regal back to life.”
Australian House of Representatives11 February 2026Source ↗
“In the face of health challenges later in life, Paul made the deeply personal decision to access voluntary assisted dying—a choice he spoke about with courage and clarity, guided by his values of dignity and self-determination. His passing reminds us of the importance of compassion not just in how we live but in how we support people at the end of life. We remember Paul as a storyteller, a champion of community and a thoughtful, generous human whose legacy will endure in the people he inspired and the places he helped protect. Vale, Paul Scott.”
Australian House of Representatives11 February 2026Source ↗
“I rise to pay tribute to a much-loved local identity, Paul Scott, who passed away last month. I extend my deepest condolences to his beloved daughters, Emma-Jane and Grace; his partner, Victoria; and his friends, his colleagues and countless members of our community who mourn his loss. Paul was a true Novocastrian in every sense—a passionate advocate for our region's heritage, a trusted voice in our local media and a guiding mentor for students and young people who benefited from his insights and generosity of spirit. His work to protect and celebrate community institutions from Surfest through to our historic Newcastle Post Office helped shape the cultural fabric of Newcastle and gave voice to the pride that all Novocastrians feel about our city.”
Australian House of Representatives11 February 2026Source ↗
“[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 9 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. Notices — continued 8 MR HUSIC: To move: That this House: (1) notes that the Government is taking strong action to protect Australian consumers and ensure fairer markets by: (a) banning unfair trading practices economy wide that cost Australians time and money; (b) ending dodgy subscription traps by ensuring that consumers get clear information upfront, timely reminders before free trials end, and a cancellation process that is just as easy as signing up; (c) ending drip pricing by requiring businesses to display the full transaction costs upfront ensuring consumers know exactly what they are paying for; (d) strengthening consumer guarantees so Australians get products that work, repairs that are fair, and refunds they are entitled to; (e) banning supermarket price gouging from l July 2026 to prohibit very large retailers from charging excessive prices; (f) cracking down on shrinkflation, so companies cannot disguise price increases by reducing package sizes while charging the same, or more; (g) making unit pricing clearer and more consistent, backed by penalties for non-compliance, so consumers can spot real value at a glance and are not misled by tricky labels; and (h) consulting on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's recommendations to boost transparency on prices, promotions and loyalty programs at supermarkets, making it easier for Australians to assess value for money; and (2) supports this comprehensive consumer protection agenda designed to deliver fairer prices, more competition, and a better deal for Australians.”
Australian House of Representatives11 February 2026Source ↗
“Notices — continued 7 MR M SMITH: To move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the significant role of air travel and air freight in keeping regional communities connected; (2) commends the commitment of the Government to support air travel through regional Australia through: (a) supporting the conclusion and purchase of Rex Airlines through a commercial loan of $60 million and the restructuring of $108 million in existing debt to keep regional air routes running during the voluntary administration process; (b) an additional $50 million over three years in the 2024-25 budget to extend the Regional Airstrip Upgrade program; (c) the extension of the Regional Airports Program for three years with an additional $40 million for competitive grant funding in the 2024-25 budget; and (d) the establishment of the $5 million Regional and Remote Airport Support Program for local government and regional and remote airports impacted by the Rex Airlines voluntary administration; and (3) recognises the ongoing commitment of the Government to representing regional Australians and investing in the services they deserve.”
Australian House of Representatives11 February 2026Source ↗
“Orders of the day 1 SMALL AND FAMILY BUSINESSES: Resumption of debate ( from 24 November 2025 ) on the motion of Mr T Wilson—That this House: (1) notes that small and family business insolvencies have exploded since the election of the Government, as its policies crush confidence and drive businesses to close; (2) recognises that: (a) the Government's industrial relations changes have replaced flexibility and fairness with confusion and compliance; (b) the Government's energy policies have driven up power bills for shops, cafes, workshops and family enterprises; and (c) small and family business are being forced to work longer hours for less return, while competing against government-subsidised sectors and ever increasing compliance costs; (3) further notes that the voices of small and family businesses have been drowned out by union and big-corporate interests within the Government's decision making; (4) condemns the Government for abandoning small and family businesses by: (a) ignoring calls for tax relief and simpler regulation; (b) pursuing workplace laws that punish entrepreneurship and flexibility; and (c) failing to provide a clear pathway for small businesses to grow and employ more Australians; and (1) affirms that the Opposition stands with small and family businesses who back themselves, create jobs and keep communities strong.”
Australian House of Representatives11 February 2026Source ↗
“Items for Federation Chamber (4.45 pm to 7.30 pm) PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS Notices — continued 6 MR GOSLING: To move: That this House: (1) affirms the significance on the recent signing of the Australia-Indonesia Treaty on Common Security, also known as the Jakarta Treaty 2026; (2) notes this treaty reflects: (a) the close friendship, partnership and deep trust between Australia and Indonesia and our leaders under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership; and (b) a major extension of the cooperation between Australia and Indonesia, for the benefit of our shared security and that of the region; and (3) acknowledges Indonesia's strong economic growth represents an enormous opportunity for Australian businesses and investors, which the Government is working to realise including through Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 .”
Australian House of Representatives11 February 2026Source ↗
“5 MR T WILSON: To move: That this House: (1) notes that small and family businesses are being harmed by a rise in e-shoplifting, or chargeback theft, where goods are delivered, but the big banks are illegitimately processing refunds; (2) calls: (a) on the Government and the big banks to urgently examine chargeback theft and its impact on small businesses; (b) for the establishment of an urgent parliamentary inquiry into e-shoplifting through chargebacks; and (c) on the Minister for Small Business to demonstrate action the Government has taken to support small and family businesses; and (3) recognises the need for banks, card schemes and payment platforms to introduce fair, evidence-based chargeback processes that protect small businesses from chargeback theft.”
Australian House of Representatives11 February 2026Source ↗
“4 MR LAXALE: To move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the Government's Key Apprenticeship Program (KAP) is delivering real outcomes, with over 11,400 housing apprentice commencements in the first six months; (2) commends the Government for prioritising apprentices to build more houses through providing $10,000 incentive payments for apprentices in housing construction trades in instalments across the apprenticeship to support commencements and completions; (3) recognises the Government's other measures to support apprentices, including increasing the allowance for apprentices living away from home for the first time in more than 20 years, while also doubling support for employers hiring apprentices with a disability; (4) supports these measures as vital steps towards building a skilled workforce and addressing the worst skills shortage in 50 years which was left unaddressed by the previous Government; and (5) further recognises that the National Centre for Vocational Education Research data shows there were 22 per cent more apprentices in training within the construction sector at 30 June 2025 compared to 30 June 2019.”
Australian House of Representatives11 February 2026Source ↗
“3 MR CHESTER: To move: That this House: (1) acknowledges: (a) the Australian War Memorial (AWM) was built to recognise the service and sacrifice of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel following the Great War; (b) the role of the AWM has grown to encompass all ADF service including major conflicts, peacekeeping missions, humanitarian aid and disaster relief; (c) the AWM combines a shrine, a world-class museum, and an extensive archive; and (d) its mission is leading remembrance and understanding of Australia's wartime experience; (2) notes that: (a) the former Government committed to a major redevelopment of the AWM with early construction work commencing in 2020 and scheduled for completion in 2028; and (b) the key reason for the former Government funding the redevelopment of the AWM was to provide additional exhibition space to tell the stories of contemporary service in the ADF in a timely and appropriate manner; and (3) urges the Government to ensure the independent AWM Council remains true to its mission without political interference.”
Australian House of Representatives11 February 2026Source ↗
“Items for Federation Chamber (11 am to 1.30 pm) PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS Notices 1 MS LE: To move: That this House: (1) acknowledges that: (a) Australians are still battling a cost of living crisis, with many low and middle income families already unable to absorb surging mortgages, rent, energy bills and everyday essentials as annual inflation sits at about 3.8 per cent, above the Reserve Bank's two to three per cent target band; (b) the higher than expected inflation outcome has increased the likelihood of a further cash rate rise next month, which would push already stretched households to the brink, forcing many to choose between meeting their mortgage, paying the rent or covering basic necessities; and (c) high mortgage stress electorates such as the electoral division of Fowler, where many families are on low and modest incomes and have little to no financial buffer, are among the hardest hit by the combination of higher prices, higher interest rates and shrinking household budgets; and (2) calls on the Government to ensure that any policies it introduces tackle the roots of cost of living, does not further exacerbate inflation rates and that it works with, and not against, the Reserve Bank's efforts to bring inflation back to target.”
Australian House of Representatives11 February 2026Source ↗
“I present report No. 7 of the Selection Committee, relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private members' business on Monday 2 March. The report will be printed in the Hansard for today, and the committee's deliberations will appear on tomorrow's Notice Paper . Copies of the report have been placed on the table. The report read as follows— Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and of private Members' business 1. The Committee met in private session on Tuesday, 10 February 2026. 2.”
Australian House of Representatives11 February 2026Source ↗
“You know your communities will thank you for it, and I ask that you look into your deepest conscience and see if you can't bring yourselves to support a bill in the national interest.”
Australian House of Representatives10 February 2026Source ↗
“There is not a single First Nations organisation, advocacy group or community not calling for this bill. You do a grave disservice to each and every one of them by opposing this bill. This is a bill that will establish a permanent, independent advocate for children who have too often been unheard,. It strengthens accountabilities across government and systems; it reflects Labor's commitment to partnership, reform and long-term change; and it affirms a simple but powerful principle—that every child in Australia deserves safety, dignity, opportunity and a voice. That's why I commend this bill to the House. That's why I ask members of the opposition and members of the crossbench to lean in and support this bill.”
Australian House of Representatives10 February 2026Source ↗
“While this bill cannot undo the past, it represents a commitment to doing better and to ensuring that future generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are supported, that they're protected and that they're heard. It's recognition that structural change is required to prevent the repetition of past failures. Deputy Speaker Scrymgour, I don't need to tell you how important this legislation is. I heard your speech, and I know your work and your lifelong commitment to ensuring the protection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. But the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Bill 2026 represents a decisive step forward. That anyone would oppose this is beyond me. I really implore those members opposite to rethink their position here.”
Australian House of Representatives10 February 2026Source ↗
“When Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children thrive, communities are stronger, economies are stronger and our nation is stronger. Investing in children's wellbeing reduces long-term costs associated with poor health, disengagement from education and involvement in the justice system. But, more importantly, it reflects our values as a nation. This bill affirms that First Nations children are not an afterthought; they are absolutely central to our future. There is also a moral responsibility at the heart of this legislation. Australia's history includes policies that caused profound harm to Aboriginal families and children. The impacts of those policies continue to be felt today.”
Australian House of Representatives10 February 2026Source ↗
“This bill is about moving beyond short-term responses to long-term solutions. Some may argue—as, indeed, we've heard tonight—that this bill creates another layer of governance. But this commission is not about duplication. It is about coordination and accountability. It does not replace existing services or agencies; it strengthens them by identifying gaps, highlighting best practice and driving reform where systems are failing. Others may suggest that a targeted focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children is unnecessary, but the evidence clearly shows that outcomes are not equal, and equity demands a targeted response. Treating unequal outcomes with identical solutions does not deliver fairness; it entrenches disadvantage. This bill recognises that principle. This legislation is in the national interest.”
Australian House of Representatives10 February 2026Source ↗
“It is the result of extensive engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak bodies, with child and family organisations and with advocates who have long called for a national mechanism focused specifically on children and young people. This bill is not symbolic; it is practical structural reform. It's important to acknowledge why this legislation is necessary. Australia has no shortage of reports, inquiries and recommendations concerning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. What has too often been missing is sustained implementation and accountability. Without a permanent national body, attention shifts, priorities change and momentum is lost. The national commission addresses that gap. It ensures continuity. It ensures expertise. It ensures that progress, or lack thereof, is visible and measurable over time.”
Australian House of Representatives10 February 2026Source ↗
“This bill reflects Labor's longstanding commitment to improving outcomes for First Nations people through partnerships, respect and action. The Albanese Labor government has placed Closing the Gap at the centre of its agenda, recognising that genuine progress requires shared responsibility across all levels of government. We have strengthened the investment in early childhood education and care, recognising that the earliest years are critical to lifelong outcomes. We've supported community controlled organisations because Aboriginal led services deliver better, more culturally appropriate outcomes. And we have prioritised listening, ensuring that policy is informed by First Nations voices rather than imposed without consultation. The establishment of this national commission builds on that record.”
Australian House of Representatives10 February 2026Source ↗
“Aboriginal families in my region engage every day with child protection, education, health and justice systems that are shaped by national laws, national standards and national policy settings. What happens at the national level directly affects outcomes on the ground, and that's why this bill matters to Newcastle. By strengthening national oversight, advocacy and accountability, it also strengthens the systems that are operating locally. It ensures that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Newcastle benefit from a strong national advocate who can elevate local concerns, support local voices and drive change where systems are falling short. It reinforces the principle that children's wellbeing should never be a postcode lottery and that, when disparities exist, they demand national leadership alongside strong local action.”
Australian House of Representatives10 February 2026Source ↗
“This parliament has a responsibility not only to create policies but to create mechanisms that hold systems to account when those policies fail. The national commission is such a mechanism. I represent the electorate of Newcastle, a region with a very strong and proud Aboriginal community. The Awabakal and Worimi peoples have cared for those beautiful lands that I get to live on now for more than 65,000 years, and their continued contribution is fundamental to Newcastle's identity and community life today. But the challenges facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children nationally are not abstract. They are experienced locally by families in Newcastle and across the Hunter, and every single member in this House would say the same if they were to remain true to their heart and representation.”
Australian House of Representatives10 February 2026Source ↗
“Importantly, it will elevate the voices of children and young people themselves, making sure that their lived experience inform policy development, service delivery and legislative reform. We hear from this debate tonight just how critical it is to ensure those voices are heard. Independence is a defining feature of this bill. The commission will operate independently of government, as it should, with the authority to speak openly, as it should. It will investigate systemic problems and make recommendations without fear or favour. And that is how it should be. That independence matters. It ensures credibility, it ensures transparency and it ensures that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people are not silenced by political convenience or bureaucratic inertia.”
Australian House of Representatives10 February 2026Source ↗
“By establishing a national commission with a clear legislative mandate, this parliament is responding to that call and recognising that First Nations children and young people deserve nothing less. The national commission will have a clear and focused purpose. It will promote and protect the rights and interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. It will examine systemic issues affecting their wellbeing across areas such as child protection, health, education, housing and youth justice. And it will conduct inquiries, provide advice, make recommendations to governments and institutions and report publicly on progress and failures. It's an accountability measure for all of us as well.”
Australian House of Representatives10 February 2026Source ↗
“They are the product of systems that have too often been designed without these children at their centre—systems that fail to properly recognise culture, family, community and self-determination as strengths. That is why the establishment of a national commission matters so deeply and why this legislation has such strong support from those working at the front line. More than 70 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations across Australia, advocates, service providers and peak bodies have united behind this reform. They are calling for a legislated, independent national advocate with the authority to drive systemic change, not simply observe it.”
Australian House of Representatives10 February 2026Source ↗
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people continue to face high and persistent levels of disadvantage. We have heard speaker after speaker talk about the fact that First Nations kids are 11 times as likely to be in out-of-home care and 27 times as likely to be in youth detention as non-Indigenous children. Nobody could seriously suggest that that is okay. The idea that we do nothing is negligent, and that's the kindest word I could bring to the debate this evening. They're also more likely, of course, to experience developmental vulnerability and poorer health and education outcomes, and these outcomes are not the result of individual failure. I think that is the point that we're trying to make here.”
Australian House of Representatives10 February 2026Source ↗
“Children depend on those of us who stand here and try to give voice to their concerns, to their futures and to their desires and aspirations. The establishment of a permanent, independent national commission dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people is a longstanding call from First Nations leaders, communities and organisations, and this bill answers that call. So it is unbelievable for me to hear the opposition say they're not supporting this bill. I have lived in the member for Durack's electorate. I know the communities she represents, and the fact that she could not support this bill will be deeply hurtful. I can assure her of that. The scale and urgency of the systemic failures facing First Nations children and young people are profound, and we need to acknowledge that very much upfront.”
Australian House of Representatives10 February 2026Source ↗
“It speaks directly to our responsibility as parliament to protect the rights, wellbeing and futures of First Nations children and young people, the first children of this country. This bill recognises a fundamental truth: that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children continue to experience disproportionate disadvantage but, more than that, that there are harms and systemic failures that we know of. We must acknowledge that, and addressing those outcomes requires much more than goodwill or practical good deeds. We are talking about structural, systemic inequalities and failures. It requires enduring structures, accountability and a national commitment to listening to the voices of children themselves. This parliament doesn't have voices of children.”
Australian House of Representatives10 February 2026Source ↗
“I rise to speak in very strong support of the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Bill 2026. I just listened to the member for Durack's contribution, and I'm really struggling. How anyone stands in this House—knowing everything that we do and on the eve of a Closing the gap report that's going to remind us again of the work that still needs to be done—to speak against a bill that is to protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children is gobsmacking. I speak to the rest of the Australian community, who are trying to understand this debate that is happening in this House tonight. I want you to be assured that this is a very significant and necessary piece of legislation.”
Australian House of Representatives10 February 2026Source ↗
“Parliament has a responsibility to speak clearly when human rights are under attack, and today I am pleased that this chamber chooses to stand together in unity and with purpose. This is important.”
Australian House of Representatives9 February 2026Source ↗
“Dianna shared with me stories of loss, fear and resilience. She introduced me to those who have lost loved ones, sons, daughters, siblings and best friends—taken by a regime determined to silence dissent and conceal their deadly crackdown on protesters and other dissidents. These conversations are ones I will never forget. To the Iranian community in Newcastle and across the country, and, indeed, the citizens of Iran, I say this: you are not alone. Your voices are heard in this parliament, and your grief, your anger and your hope matter. Australia stands with you. We stand with the women of Iran who refuse to be erased. We stand with the protesters who risk everything for freedom, and we stand with those who have lost loved ones but continue to speak their names.”
Australian House of Representatives9 February 2026Source ↗
“Australia will never tolerate foreign intimidation, extremism or terror, and when our values and security are challenged we respond decisively. Collectively, the actions of the Australian government matter, and they bring home the threat of state sponsored terrorism and malicious foreign interference for all Australians to see. On 27 January I attended a candlelight vigil in Civic Park, Newcastle, to mourn the thousands of innocent lives lost to the brutality of the Iranian regime. I stood alongside members of our local Iranian community—people who carry immense grief, trauma and courage with them every day. The vigil was deeply moving, solemn and powerful and marked a quiet strength and an unyielding demand for justice. I acknowledge Diana Abdollahi, who invited me to attend the vigil.”
Australian House of Representatives9 February 2026Source ↗
“The government has also taken the significant step of expelling the Iranian Ambassador to Australia, and we have consistently and forcefully raised our concerns with Iran about its human rights abuses, its destabilising actions in the Middle East and its foreign interference here in Australia. The decision to expel the ambassador followed deeply disturbing revelations by the Australian Federal Police that Iran had directed on at least two occasions antisemitic attacks on Australian soil. Those attacks were thwarted, but let's be clear that agents of Iran dared to plan a violent attack in our country. That behaviour represents a profound breach of trust, a direct threat to Australian sovereignty and an affront to the safety of our people.”
Australian House of Representatives9 February 2026Source ↗
“Families are left grieving loved ones who dare to speak out. Australia has been clear eyed and resolute in our response to these shocking abuses of human rights. The Australian government has stood shoulder to shoulder with the international community in calling for the protection of rights of Iranian citizens. We have used every appropriate diplomatic and multilateral forum to condemn Iran's actions and to demand accountability for those responsible, and we will continue to do so. Importantly, we have strengthened Australia's autonomous sanctions framework so that we can directly target individuals and entities involved in oppression. Since 2022, Australia has sanctioned more than 220 Iranian-linked persons and entities, including more than 100 officials and organisations linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.”
Australian House of Representatives9 February 2026Source ↗
“I rise to support this important motion moved by my friend and colleague the member for Menzies, and I thank him for bringing the human rights catastrophe in Iran to the attention of this chamber. What we are witnessing in Iran is not an isolated or fleeting crisis. It's a sustained and systemic assault on fundamental human rights. Iranian citizens continue to face brutal repression for the simple act of demanding dignity, freedom and equality. Since the death of Mahsa Amini in custody in 2022, the Iranian regime has responded to peaceful protests with violence, mass arrests, draconian detention, torture and executions. Women are persecuted, beaten and imprisoned for resisting compulsory veiling laws. Protesters are crushed by a regime that rules through fear, arbitrary detention and force.”
Australian House of Representatives9 February 2026Source ↗
“They were giving up paid work in order to become a great social worker in our community. So this paid Commonwealth prac payment system is a real game changer for those students, mostly women, doing these professions. It was really energising to hear their stories and their optimism. And that's exactly why Labor is committed to backing students and investing in our future workforce. House adjourned at 20 : 01”
Australian House of Representatives3 February 2026Source ↗
“Let's not forget those students now studying teaching, nursing, midwifery or social work. They were telling me how thrilled they were about now being able to be paid while undertaking those mandatory placements as part of their degree program. These students do essential, demanding and often full-time work for their placements in order to qualify for professions that our communities desperatelyneed, and so paying these students during placement is about fairness. It's about dignity. It's about making sure that cost isn't a barrier to becoming a teacher, a nurse, a midwife or a social worker. And I can tell you that those social workers, who we desperately need many more of in our communities, especially now, were doing 1,000 hours of unpaid work in order to get their degree. Think about that.”
Australian House of Representatives3 February 2026Source ↗
“I love going out to O-Week events at the University of Newcastle, and last week I did just that. There was real excitement and energy amongst the students on campus. One thing kept coming up again and again, and that was student debt relief. It's good to have that word 'relief' at the end of that sentence. Returning students told me just what it meant to have their student debts cut last year. Labor cut 20 per cent off all student debt, and let's not forget that this is not just for university students. Every TAFE student that accumulated one of these debts, every apprentice and everyone under the VET schemes all stood to benefit from this scheme, delivering real relief for people in my electorate. More than 25,000 Novocastrians had 20 per cent cut off their student debt, and what relief that brought!”
Australian House of Representatives3 February 2026Source ↗
“It's good news for our energy system, and it's great news for the environment. Home batteries help households store the solar energy they generate through the day and then use it whenever they need it, not just when the sun is shining. This is lowering bills and giving families more control over their energy use. Home batteries are also strengthening the grid by reducing pressure during all those peak times, making our energy system more reliable and resilient. And, of course, they play a critical role in cutting emissions by helping us to use more clean, renewable energy. This is a practical climate action that delivers real benefits to everyday Australians right now, with lower bills, increased reliability of the grid and a cleaner energy future.”
Australian House of Representatives3 February 2026Source ↗