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 ↗
The complete record
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“I rise today to acknowledge the solemn occasion of the 20th anniversary of the 2005 Bali bombings, a terrible act of terror that claimed 20 innocent lives, including three beloved members of our own Newcastle community: Jennifer Williamson, and Colin and Fiona Zwolinski. Their loss continues to be felt deeply by their families, their friends and, indeed, all of us who call Newcastle home. That's why Novocastrians gathered for a moving memorial service at Bar Beach last week to mark the 20th anniversary of the tragedy. Anniversaries such as this one remind us that grief does not always diminish with time.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“It's a bill that everybody in this parliament should be getting behind, and I absolutely commend this bill to the House and look forward to speaking on it at a later time. Debate adjourned.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“In short, the Centre for Disease Control will be the nucleus of public health leadership. It will be accountable, transparent and expert driven. So it'd be astonishing for anybody in this House to stand up and oppose this bill, to vote against such an important, critical, transformative legislative framework that will deliver good public health leadership and outcomes. I really call on members opposite to think carefully, to remember what it was like in this national parliament at a time when we needed to be able to pull all of those levers together. Let's not be caught next time there is a pandemic without a national body like the Centre for Disease Control. This is a time for this parliament to really show some good leadership from all sides and stand behind important public health initiatives in the national interest.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“This gap has hampered coordination across the state and territories, its limited agility in response and it's made central leadership in health and medical agencies less effective. If ever we needed an example of where we needed to have that kind of national leadership, it was during COVID. Those of us in the national parliament at the time remember very clearly the need for such leadership. Under this bill, the new Centre for Disease Control will have functions to collect, analyse and share critical public health information and data; advise and communicate with governments, health agencies and the public; develop and publish guidelines, statements and standards; conduct or commission awareness, education and prevention campaigns; and serve as a conduit for Australia's obligations under international health law.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“These are not mere housekeeping matters; they are important scaffolding upon which a trusted, effective and legally coherent centre for disease control will stand. Let us not lose sight of the ultimate goal here. The establishment of the standalone statutory Australian Centre for Disease Control is a transformational reform. It's one that a Labor government will very, very proudly stand up to defend in this parliament. Until now, Australia has lacked a truly national expert public health agency with clearly conferred powers and independence. Indeed, prior to this, Australia was the only OECD country without a centre for disease control style national body. Let me repeat that—Australia was the only OECD country not to have a centre for disease control style national body.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“So this bill ensures that the existing public health functions now in the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, under the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer or under other bodies are properly migrated to the Centre for Disease Control director-general; that the machinery-of-government changes proceed smoothly, with documents, records and responsibilities transferred in an orderly way, including preserving continuity of existing arrangements while the new agency is bedded in; that conflicting overlapping of legislation is reconciled; and that appropriate exemptions and protections are preserved—for example, in the Freedom of Information Act—so that protected information under the Centre for Disease Control bill is handled carefully.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“Without them, the legislative framework would be incomplete, roles and responsibilities would be unclear, statutory functions would remain stranded in legacy legislation and the transition to the new Centre for Disease Control would be chaotic.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“The lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic remain fresh in our minds, and the recommendations of the COVID-19 response inquiry are unequivocal. Australia must build institutional capacity and clarity in public health decision-making so that we are never again caught without a playbook. The inquiry noted several significant gaps in dataflows, in coordination across jurisdictions and in public trust. This consequential and transitional provisions bill is a key bridge between where we stand now and a more robust, resilient future. Some may regard this bill as a mere technical fix to the principal Australian Centre for Disease Control Bill, but, in fact, these supporting provisions that I just spoke of are utterly essential.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“It's a vital piece of foundational architecture that will underpin our nation's capacity to protect lives, manage public health risks and ensure that Australia is better prepared for the next pandemic or health emergency. And why wouldn't every government in Australia want to be on a path of continuous improvement? That is the ambition of the Albanese Labor government. It is true that the Morrison government didn't get everything right. I'm sure there are governments at all levels across Australia that have reflected on the time of the global pandemic, and it is precisely a centre for disease control which many experts from Australia asked for. I'll come to that a little bit later on. But let's begin by acknowledging that the time for complacency is well and truly over.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“We certainly won't be taking a lecture from the member for Goldstein on disease control in this country after that astonishingly rude outburst defaming all kinds of people and using parliamentary privilege to say what he wouldn't dare say outside of this chamber. But that's his style. I would like to really move to the substance of the bill before us, because, unlike the member for Goldstein, I will be relevant to the bill that is before the House this evening. I rise to speak in very strong support of the Australian Centre for Disease Control (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025. This is by no means a dry, technical bill.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“9 MS STANLEY: To move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and that Wednesday, 15 October 2025 marks Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day; and (b) this day acknowledges the shared loss experienced by parents, friends, and healthcare workers of babies lost through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death; (2) acknowledges: (a) that there is a significant impact on families who have lost a baby; (b) that every year 110,000 Australians experience a miscarriage, more than 2,000 experience stillbirth, and almost 700 lose a baby within the first 28 days; (c) that stillbirth occurrence is higher in Aboriginal and culturally diverse communities; and (d) all families who have experienced loss, either recently or over time; and (3) commends the Government for providing more than $40 million to organisations to support women and families following stillbirth, neonatal death or miscarriage.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“8 MS COFFEY: To move: That this House: (1) notes the: (a) Government has accepted the Climate Change Authority's independent advice and has set Australia's climate change target at a range of between 62 to 70 per cent on 2005 emissions; (b) release of the National Climate Risk Assessment, which found that no Australian community will be immune from climate risks that will be cascading, compounding and concurrent; and (c) release of the Department of the Treasury's modelling on 18 September, which found Australia's ambitious and achievable plan to reduce emissions will support continued economic growth, higher living standards and employment, including resulting 2.3 million more people being employed by 2035, and Australia's economy being up to $2 trillion worse off cumulatively by 2050 compared to a disorderly transition scenario; (2) recognises the Government is delivering on its promises which Australians voted for to act on climate change, upgrade our energy system and seize the economic opportunity before our nation; and (3) calls on the Opposition to leave the climate wars in the past, solve its internal divisions and join the rest of the Parliament in taking meaningful action on climate change.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“7 DR WEBSTER: To move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) a Royal Automobile Club of Victoria 'My Country Road' survey in July 2024 of over 7,000 Victorians saw 64 per cent of respondents identify potholes and poor road conditions as their top safety issue, up from 46 per cent in 2021; (b) a National Transport Research Organisation survey found 91 per cent of Victoria's 8,400 kilometre road network is rated poor or very poor; (c) the Audit Office of New South Wales identified in November 2024 that in the last available reporting year the estimated total replacement cost of council road assets across New South Wales was around $102 billion but in the same year local councils reported collective road asset maintenance expenditure of around $1 billion; (d) according to the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), local roads make up 77 per cent of Australia's road network by length, with 678,000 kilometres managed by local governments, only 39 per cent of which are sealed roads; (e) ALGA president Matt Burnett described the former Government's $3.25 billion Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program as a 'game-changer', adding that 'reinstating the LRCI Program will support every council, and more importantly, provide tangible benefits to every Australian community'.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“Notices — continued 6 MS BRISKEY: To move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the enormous changes that artificial intelligence (AI) will create for Australia and Australians; (2) welcomes the Government's commitment to ensuring that AI: (a) contributes positively to a Future Made in Australia; (b) delivers benefits to all Australians, not just a small number of individuals and businesses; and (c) is developed, deployed and used in a way that keeps Australians safe; and (3) recognises the work being led by the Government to ensure that Australians are ready to take advantage of AI, including, more than: (a) $47 million for the Next Generation Graduate program; (b) one million free 'introduction to AI' scholarships delivered from TAFE NSW to give Australians the fundamental skills to adopt and use AI; and (c) $17 million to create four AI Adopt Centres, which are supporting businesses across the country to use responsible AI enabled services to enhance their businesses.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“Items for Federation Chamber (4.45 pm to 7.30 pm) PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS Orders of the day — continued GOVERNMENT SPENDING: Resumption of debate on the motion of Mr Violi—That this House: (1) notes that: (a) the Government's spending will reach its highest level outside of recession since 1986; (b) since the Government came to office, it has added $100 billion to the national debt, set to breach $1 trillion this financial year and $1.2 trillion by the time of the next election; (c) the Government's new decisions since coming to office total a shocking $22 billion, and had the Government shown any fiscal discipline to find savings to fund the new commitments, the Government would be delivering a healthy surplus today; (d) we are spending $50,000 on interest every minute, which is money that cannot be spent on essential services; (e) the persistence in inflation has pushed out the prospect of further interest rate relief with markets now expecting it may be 'one and done', that is, for interest rates to remain at around 3.25 per cent indefinitely, little more than one rate cut lower than the current level; and (f) millions of Australian mortgage holders will have repayments on the average mortgage set to remain at $1,700 higher per month indefinitely under this Government than under the previous Government; and (2) calls on the Government to reintroduce the quantifiable fiscal rules that every recent government of either political persuasion has adopted, and to heed the calls of leading economists like former Treasury Secretary Ken Henry, and former Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Phillip Lowe, as well as leading international organisations like the International Monetary Fund to introduce such rules.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“Orders of the day MEDICARE: Resumption of debate on the motion of Ms J Ryan—That this House: (1) acknowledges the Government's commitment to strengthen Medicare, including $8.5 billion to deliver an additional 18 million bulk billed general practitioner (GP) visits each year, hundreds of nursing scholarships and thousands more doctors in the largest GP training program ever; (2) notes: (a) this measure has already seen practices around Australia become fully bulk billed, with nine out of ten GP visits expected to be bulk billed by 2030 and around 4,800 fully bulk billed practices, which is triple the current number; and (b) that while the Government is expanding access to bulk billing by expanding the bulk billing incentive, by contrast the Leader of the Opposition, as the Minister for Health: (i) never increased Medicare rebates, the only health minister in Australian history to do so; (ii) doubled-down on the then Government's $50 billion cut to hospitals; and (iii) continued the fight for the then Leader of the Opposition's GP tax; and (3) further acknowledges that only the current Government will strengthen Medicare.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“5 MR BUCHHOLZ: To move: That this House: (1) notes: (a) the National Centre for Vocational Education Research advises that there are 320,830 active apprentices and trainees in training, representing a drop of 107,320 apprentices and trainees in training compared to when the Opposition was last in office; (b) that new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released in September 2025 shows Australia's building approvals are collapsing, with total dwelling approvals down by 8.2 per cent and private sector apartment approvals down by 22 per cent; and (c) the critical link between the collapse in apprentice and trainee numbers and the shortage of skilled workers needed to address Australia's growing housing crisis, with fewer tradespeople available to build the homes Australians desperately need; (2) recognises that the housing crisis is being compounded by this failure in skills and training, leading to higher costs, longer delays, and fewer Australians able to achieve the dream of home ownership; (3) condemns the Government for failing to ensure an adequate pipeline of skilled workers to meet Australia's needs, and for overseeing a collapse in both apprentice numbers and housing approvals at a time when the nation can least afford it; and (4) calls on the Government to take immediate and urgent action to: (a) rebuild apprentice and trainee numbers across the economy, particularly in construction and housing trades; (b) work with industry and employers to support real pathways into skills and training; and (c) develop a credible strategy to ensure Australia has the skilled workforce required to meet current and future housing demand.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“4 MS LAWRENCE: To move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the Government's will make available an initial $12 billion towards the Henderson Defence Precinct to deliver continuous naval shipbuilding and an AUKUS presence in Western Australia, meaning: (a) record investments across shipbuilding and in AUKUS in the west; (b) support for approximately 10,000 direct jobs over the next two decades; (c) opportunities for small and medium sized businesses across the state and Australia; and (d) certainty for industry that will partner on the construction of infrastructure and facilities; and (2) notes that the Government continues to increase defence spending to record levels to deliver the capabilities Australia needs through measures like: (a) the arrival of the first two of 29 Apache attack helicopters; (b) $1.7 billion for a new fleet of autonomous maritime vehicles including Ghost Shark for the navy; (c) selection of the Mogami-class frigate as our new general purpose frigates; (d) boosting Australia's long-range strike capability with the Precision Strike Missiles and $2.12 billion in additional stocks of advanced medium-range missiles to strengthen Australia's air defence and aerial strike capability; and (e) $1.3 billion investment over the next ten years in counter-drone capabilities and technologies.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“3 MR CHESTER: To move: That this House: (1) acknowledges that: (a) some of Australia's leading forest scientists have acknowledged we have the knowledge, practical skills and regulatory framework to sustainably mange our native forests, including for timber harvesting on small, carefully targeted areas; (b) we have a world-class and sustainable native hardwood timber industry in Australia which delivers social, economic, cultural and environmental benefits for our nation; (c) timber industry workers provide invaluable skills and practical support to their communities during times of natural disasters, particularly bushfires; (d) banning native timber harvesting in Australia will result in more imported timber products, often sourced from countries with poorer environmental protocols; and (e) a sustainable native hardwood timber industry is part of the answer to reducing Australia's carbon emissions as timber products sequester carbon in our floorboards, furniture and other timber products; (2) notes that the Victorian and New South Wales state governments have made illogical decisions to ban native hardwood timber harvesting which is based on political science, not environmental science; and (3) urges the Government to: (a) recognise the sovereign capability to maintain a sustainable native hardwood timber industry is an issue of national importance because of the impact on house prices, supply chain considerations, carbon sequestration, biodiversity and community safety; (b) support a taxpayer-funded public information campaign to explain the importance of the native hardwood timber industry and dispel the myths perpetuated by environmental activists; and (c) resist any further attempts to ban the sustainable harvesting of native hardwood timber.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“2 MR BURNS: To move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the Government's commitment to help first home buyers realise their dream of ownership by: (a) bring forward the launch of the 5 per cent deposits scheme for all first home buyers to 1 October 2025, instead of next year; (b) expanding the 5 per cent deposits scheme with unlimited places and increased property price caps; (c) guaranteeing a portion of a first home buyer's home loan through the 5 per cent deposits scheme, so they can purchase with a lower deposit and avoid lenders' mortgage insurance; and (d) offering eligible single parent families with a saved 2 per cent deposit access to the Family Home Guarantee; and (2) notes that one hundred and eighty thousand Australians have already been helped into home ownership through the Government's housing policies.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“Items for Federation Chamber (11 am to 1.30 pm) PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS Notices 1 DR HAINES: To move: That this House: (1) recognises that: (a) 28 per cent of the Australian population live outside major cities; (b) people living in rural and remote areas have higher rates of hospitalisations, deaths and injury and also have poorer access to, and use of, primary health care services, than people living in major cities, yet investment in regional and rural health is falling behind leaving regional communities with outdated facilities, insufficient training places and healthcare students struggling to train locally; and (c) the lack of open, competitive and needs-based hospital infrastructure funds means regional and rural hospitals have no transparent, competitive Commonwealth funding pathways to build critical infrastructure to deliver health services for the growing border population into the future; (2) notes that premiers are calling for increased funding from the federal government for hospitals, including specifically for infrastructure; and (3) calls on the Government to establish a $2 billion Building Regional and Rural Hospitals Fund to provide competitive and needs-based investment for new buildings, equipment and planning, so health services in regional, rural and remote areas classified as MM2 and higher can apply for hospital infrastructure funding to meet the needs of their communities now and into the future.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“5 MR VIOLI: To move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) the Government's spending will reach its highest level outside of recession since 1986; (b) since the Government came to office, it has added $100 billion to the national debt, set to breach $1 trillion this financial year and $1.2 trillion by the time of the next election; (c) the Government's new decisions since coming to office total a shocking $22 billion, and had the Government shown any fiscal discipline to find savings to fund the new commitments, the Government would be delivering a healthy surplus today; (d) we are spending $50,000 on interest every minute, which is money that cannot be spent on essential services; (e) the persistence in inflation has pushed out the prospect of further interest rate relief with markets now expecting it may be 'one and done', that is, for interest rates to remain at around 3.25 per cent indefinitely, little more than one rate cut lower than the current level; and (f) millions of Australian mortgage holders will have repayments on the average mortgage set to remain at $1,700 higher per month indefinitely under this Government than under the previous Government; and (2) calls on the Government to reintroduce the quantifiable fiscal rules that every recent government of either political persuasion has adopted, and to heed the calls of leading economists like former Treasury Secretary Ken Henry, and former Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Phillip Lowe, as well as leading international organisations like the International Monetary Fund to introduce such rules.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“4 MR KATTER: To move: That this House: (1) acknowledges that: (a) the Australian banana industry: (i) is worth $1.3 billion to the Australian economy and is the dominant employer in northern Australia; and (ii) represents more than 540 growers and employs over 15,000 people; (b) Australia, being a continent which until the 1800s had no farming, remains free of many of the world's most devasting vegetation diseases, including Moko, Black Sigatoka, and Banana Freckle, however, these diseases are found throughout plantations in the Philippines causing widespread crop losses and often producing a flawed, largely inedible product; (c) these diseases will destroy Australia's banana industry and seriously damage our virgin, natural wonderland and threaten other food production activities; (d) the US Department of Labor, the Centre for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR), and the Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research (EILER) have all found significant instances of poor work conditions in banana plantations across the Philippines, including widespread child labour; (e) the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is currently considering an application to import bananas from the Philippines, and has advised that it will only consider the risk of disease; and (f) bad enough in itself, the application does not consider the need for imports, the disparity in environmental conditions, chemical usage, wages and the various other factors that fail to make free trade, fair trade; and (2) calls on the Government to take immediate and decisive action to protect Australia's banana industry by ensuring that the: (a) application to import bananas from the Philippines be rejected, due to: (i) unacceptable biosecurity risks that will create real danger to not only Australia's banana industry but also to Australia's virgin nature wonderland as Philippine banana imports will be the vector of a myriad of diseases including Black Sigatoka, Moko Disease and Banana Freckle; (ii) economic impact of decimating Australia's $1.3 billion banana industry, specifically considering the huge social and economic impact on communities where bananas are grown; (iii) devastating environmental impacts of bananas grown in the Philippines that have vastly different chemical and pesticide usage and lower overall environmental standards; (iv) the difference in cost of production including wages and working conditions, for example, the average wage of $50 per week in the Philippines verses $1,153.30 per week in Australia; and (v) significant evidence of child labour throughout Philippine banana plantations, as reported by the US Department of Labor, CTUHR and EILER, with studies indicating that 22.5 per cent of households in banana growing regions have a child working in banana plantations; (b) Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry immediately reject the import application as there is no overriding need nor demand for the imported product; and (c) Government immediately introduce legislation that acknowledges our other international obligations including, but not restricted to, slavery, child labour and other unfair working conditions and wages, and environmental impacts including pesticide and chemical usage.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“Notices — continued 3 MS J RYAN: To move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the Government's commitment to strengthen Medicare, including $8.5 billion to deliver an additional 18 million bulk billed general practitioner (GP) visits each year, hundreds of nursing scholarships and thousands more doctors in the largest GP training program ever; (2) notes: (a) this measure has already seen practices around Australia become fully bulk billed, with nine out of ten GP visits expected to be bulk billed by 2030 and around 4,800 fully bulk billed practices, which is triple the current number; and (b) that while the Government is expanding access to bulk billing by expanding the bulk billing incentive, by contrast the Leader of the Opposition, as the Minister for Health: (i) never increased Medicare rebates, the only health minister in Australian history to do so; (ii) doubled-down on the then Government's $50 billion cut to hospitals; and (iii) continued the fight for the then Leader of the Opposition's GP tax; and (3) further acknowledges that only the current Government will strengthen Medicare.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“On behalf of the Speaker, I present report No. 3 of the Selection Committee, relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private members' business on Monday 27 October 2025. The report will be printed in the Hansard for today, and the committee's determinations will appear on tomorrow's N otice P aper . 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, 7 October 2025. 2.”
Australian House of Representatives8 October 2025Source ↗
“If, for some reason, an adviser needs to seek the attention of members or ministers, we won't be tolerating calling out from the sidelines. There are attendants here that you can get messages to and from, or you can go across to the gallery and talk to your advisers yourselves; that's fine. Education Portfolio Proposed expenditure, $1,444,249,000”
Australian House of Representatives7 October 2025Source ↗
“To avoid confusion, when these times are reached, a member who is speaking will be allowed to continue their remarks, but chairs are obligated to put the question immediately at the conclusion of the member's speech, and no further debate will be permitted. Finally, I want to remind advisers to members and ministers who may be in the room in the roped-off gallery places that they must only be accessed through the doors adjacent to the gallery, not through the doors reserved for members, and that they may not intrude onto the floor of the Federation Chamber at any time. I want you all to understand this. This is exactly the same rule that operates in the other chamber. Nobody but elected members are on the floor debating at any time.”
Australian House of Representatives7 October 2025Source ↗
“Members are required to be relevant to the portfolio being examined, but there is no requirement for direct relevance to any questions asked. Given the time limits applied to each portfolio, it might be practical for ministers to respond to more than one speaker when they seek the call. Each minister and member will have up to five minutes to speak each time they are called, but they may wish to speak for a shorter time. Ministers may wish to speak first and make an introductory statement when the debate on their portfolio begins, but that is a matter for them to decide. Members will be aware of the terms of the resolution providing dates and times, after which the questions to agree to expenditure on each portfolio will be put, if debate does not conclude earlier.”
Australian House of Representatives7 October 2025Source ↗
“Before the Federation Chamber considers the first portfolio, I want to remind all members of the purpose of the consideration in detail stage and outline the way it is expected to proceed so that we are all on the same page. Earlier today, the House agreed to a resolution setting the order and timing for the consideration of portfolios. Any variation to this order and timing can only be made by a motion moved by a minister. Consideration in detail is the debate, and the call will be alternated between government and non-government members, as always. Even though this debate sometimes takes the form of questions and answers, this is not question time. Ministers and government backbench members will both be considered as speakers for the government's turn and should bear this in mind when they seek the call.”
Australian House of Representatives7 October 2025Source ↗
“Each morning on his walk to the local shops, Neil would call in on his neighbours, dropping off items that people needed, checking in and generally lifting community spirits wherever he visited. He gave so much of himself to others, especially to those in aged-care residences—which I know he visited for a number of decades, offering a friendly smile and a listening ear. Neil embodied the very best of community spirit. That's why I'm backing this petition. Every person who crosses the bridge at Carrington would be reminded of his remarkable contribution to the heart and soul of Carrington. I commend the organisers of this petition for their commitment to preserving Neil's legacy, and I encourage all members of our community to add their voices of support.”
Australian House of Representatives7 October 2025Source ↗
“I rise today to lend my very strong support to a community led campaign to formally name the Carrington Bridge in honour of the late Neil Pitt. Carrington Bridge is the gateway that connects this proud peninsula community to the rest of Newcastle. It's a vital part of Carrington's unique identity and the close-knit community spirit that bind its residents together. The proposal to name the Carrington Bridge after Neil Pitt is a fitting and enduring tribute to his life of selfless service. Neil was an extraordinary Novocastrian, a tireless volunteer, a passionate advocate and a deeply loved and well-respected member of the Carrington community. His passing has been felt profoundly by all who knew him.”
Australian House of Representatives7 October 2025Source ↗
“He gave so much of himself, even assisting in the aged-care homes, offering a listening ear and making sure that nobody was left aside or alone. Neil's passing is a great loss to all who knew him. We will remember him for his kindness, his service and his unwavering commitment to his community and to the Labor movement. My deepest condolences go to Neil's family and friends. To the Carrington community, who I know will be in deep mourning, he will be greatly missed, but his legacy will never be forgotten. Vale Neil Pitt.”
Australian House of Representatives4 September 2025Source ↗
“He was a character, a stalwart of the Labor Party and someone who always stood ready to help, no matter what. He supported me on every one of my election campaigns, and I was so very fortunate to spend time with Neil on Carrington booths at this last election—an opportunity for which I'm so grateful. His good humour, his generosity and his steadfast belief in community and the strength of community shone through in everything he did. Neil was deeply community minded. Every morning, he walked down to the local shops, stopping off to each household along the way, dropping off items that were needed, checking in to make sure people were alright, asking: 'Do you need a lift to the hospital? Have you got your medications?' That was Neil.”
Australian House of Representatives4 September 2025Source ↗
“The emerging leadership award went to Professor Matt Dun, one of Australia's leading brain cancer researchers. Matt's story is both heartbreaking and inspiring. After losing his two-year-old daughter, Josephine, to the most aggressive form of brain cancer, Matt pivoted his research from leukaemia to paediatric brain cancer. He has since led ground-breaking clinical trials to give children and families hope where there was none. To everyone at the University of Newcastle, our community thanks you for your exceptional work. I'd like to finish on a sad note but pay tribute to a very dear friend and much-loved member of our community, Neal Pitt. Sadly, this week, Newcastle Labor and the community of Carrington lost a true believer. Neil's warmth, loyalty and profound love for his community in Carrington will never be forgotten.”
Australian House of Representatives4 September 2025Source ↗
“I'd also like to give a shout-out to the University of Newcastle for their success at the Australian Financial Review higher education awards. These prestigious awards recognise the very best in higher education across the nation. The University of Newcastle claimed two of the eight categories, standing tall among 43 universities from across Australia. The Wollotuka Institute received the equity and access award for a decades-long commitment to Indigenous education. From humble beginnings in the 1980s with just four staff, Wollotuka now proudly serves a student body where five per cent identify as First Nations students. Wollotuka is a home away from home for so many, and its success is testament to the university's deep commitment to equity and excellence in higher education.”
Australian House of Representatives4 September 2025Source ↗
“Jess Plumsted has made history as Newcastle's first permanent female ferry master at the helm of the very ferry she once caught to school every day from Stockton. Jess followed her passion for the water from an early age. Starting as a deck hand at just 18, she worked her way up through the industry, before returning home to captain the Stockton ferry. Jess is breaking barriers in an industry that has long been male dominated, proving that opportunities on the water aren't just for blokes. She's not only steering a ferry; she's steering change, inspiring young women to follow careers they may never have considered. To Jess, thank you for showing everyone what is possible. Newcastle is very proud of you.”
Australian House of Representatives4 September 2025Source ↗
“The Speaker has received a letter from the honourable member for Berowra proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The Government's culture of secrecy. I call upon those honourable members who approve of the proposed discussion to rise in their places. More than the number of members required by the standing orders having risen in their places—”
Australian House of Representatives2 September 2025Source ↗
“We've restored bulk-billed telehealth psychiatry Medicare rebates so that Australians living outside metropolitan areas get equal access to clinical mental health support. We've expanded the mental health workforce with more than 4,000 psychology scholarships, internships and training places. From January next year, we're rolling out our new National Early Intervention Service, which will deliver free mental health phone and online support from trained professionals and is expected to support 150,000 people each year. These services will save lives, they will strengthen families and they will make our community a healthier and more compassionate place to live. Let's keep fighting for a future where help is simple, stigma free and affordable for everyone who needs it.”
Australian House of Representatives1 September 2025Source ↗
“We know how tough it has been for young people through COVID, with cost-of-living pressures and the day-to-day pressures of growing up. These investments are about breaking down barriers—barriers of cost, barriers of stigma and barriers of access—because mental health care should never depend on the size of your wallet or your postcode. Labor are stepping up because we believe every Australian deserves the right to high-quality mental health care close to home. That's why we've also committed to opening a network of 20 youth specialist care centres for young people with complex needs. We've established the Medicare mental health phone line and website, helping Australians to find a free service that is right for them. We've established perinatal mental health centres to provide support for new parents.”
Australian House of Representatives1 September 2025Source ↗
“This will provide fully bulk-billed, walk-in mental healthcare services—no referral and no cost. It means people can get help when they need it without worrying about how to pay for it. Importantly, Charlestown isn't the only one. This centre is part of a national network of 91 Medicare mental health centres, all providing free professional mental health care across the country. The centres are designed for people who need more than a GP but are not in crisis. They fill a critical gap in our system, ensuring help is there before people hit breaking point. On top of that, we've announced the expansion of Newcastle's headspace into a headspace Plus, a service designed specifically for young people aged 12 to 25 who need extra support.”
Australian House of Representatives1 September 2025Source ↗
“I am delighted to rise in support of this motion put forward by the fabulous member for Griffith. When it comes to mental health, we know there is no health without it. Every single one of us knows somebody—a friend, a colleague, a neighbour, a family member—who has struggled. For too long mental health has been treated as an afterthought, but under Labor that is changing. We know that access to affordable, timely mental health support can be life changing and lifesaving. That's why the Albanese Labor government is making the biggest investment in mental health care that Newcastle has ever seen. At the election, our government made a historic $1.1 billion commitment to deliver new and expanded mental health services. For Novocastrians, we're delivering a brand new Medicare mental health centre in Charlestown.”
Australian House of Representatives1 September 2025Source ↗
“My question's to the Minister for Social Services. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to better support victims and survivors of family and domestic violence, including in our social security system?”
Australian House of Representatives1 September 2025Source ↗
“While others block and delay, Labor builds. We build homes, we build communities, we build a better future, and we will keep doing that because every Australian deserves the security, stability and dignity of a place to call home. Debate adjourned.”
Australian House of Representatives1 September 2025Source ↗
“Already, Australians have used this scheme to buy their first home, and we are going further, expanding eligibility so even more people get to benefit. In Newcastle, more than 1,000 people have gotten the keys to their new homes so far. That's more families getting a start in the market. It's more young people being able to stay in the region they love. It means stronger, more vibrant communities. This is real action making a real difference right now. Owning your own home shouldn't be a privilege reserved for a few. It should be an achievable aspiration for anyone who works hard and plays by the rules. The five per cent deposit scheme is helping make that aspiration a reality. It's giving hope and opportunity to thousands of Australians, and it's part of Labor's bigger plan to fix housing in this country. While others talk, Labor acts.”
Australian House of Representatives1 September 2025Source ↗
“They delayed critical funding for social and affordable housing, because they wanted to grandstand instead of government. The Greens talked a big game on housing, but, when they had the chance to vote for more homes, they voted against it. They voted against $10 billion for social and affordable housing. That's 30,000 homes that they tried to block. And the Liberals—well, they spent a decade doing absolutely nothing on housing. They left a legacy of neglect, and that's what we are working hard to fix now. Australians deserve better than this. They deserve a government that rolls up its sleeves and gets things done, and that is exactly what Labor is doing. The five per cent deposit scheme is proof of what we can achieve when we focus on those practical solutions.”
Australian House of Representatives1 September 2025Source ↗
“That's the single biggest investment in social and affordable housing in more than a decade. We've boosted funding for homelessness services and increased rent assistance to help those who are doing it tough right now. And we've struck the National Housing Accord, an agreement between all levels of government, investors and the construction sector, to deliver 1.2 million well located homes over the next five years. These are serious reform measures. They're big, ambitious policies that will deliver real results, and they're backed by billions of dollars in investments from the Albanese Labor government. But here's the truth: every step of the way, the Liberals and the Greens have tried to stop this. They blocked the Housing Australia Future Fund for months, playing politics while Australians struggled to keep a roof over their head.”
Australian House of Representatives1 September 2025Source ↗
“This is about breaking down those barriers, giving people not a handout but a leg up, so they can take control of their future and build wealth for themselves and their families. In Newcastle, this means more young couples, more single parents and more key workers will be able to buy a home in the community they love, close to their families and close to their work. And that matters. This scheme is just one part of Labor's comprehensive plan to tackle Australia's housing crisis. We know there is no silver bullet, and that's why, through our $43 billion Homes for Australia program, we're investing right across the housing spectrum, from emergency accommodation to social housing, and from affordable rentals to home ownership. Through the Housing Australia Future Fund, we're building 30,000 new social and affordable homes.”
Australian House of Representatives1 September 2025Source ↗
“Importantly, it's targeted to those who need it most: Australians who have the income to service a mortgage but simply can't break through the barrier of saving for that massive deposit. With this expansion of the scheme, all first home buyers will now have access, with no caps on places or income limits. Property price caps will also rise in line with average house prices, providing access to a greater variety of homes. It means a first home buyer in Newcastle can purchase a $900,000 home with a $45,000 deposit. They could save up to 10 years off the time it takes to save for a deposit, save about $40,000 in mortgage insurance and pay up to $345,000 towards their loan instead of paying rent. In the first year alone, first home buyers using the scheme are expected to avoid around $1.5 billion in potential mortgage insurance costs.”
Australian House of Representatives1 September 2025Source ↗
“That means a 20 per cent deposit is $180,000—that's before we've even factored in stamp duty and other associated costs. How many people can realistically save that kind of money while paying rent, covering living costs and trying to get ahead? The answer is: not many. That's why this scheme is such a game changer. Under the current scheme, eligible first home buyers can purchase a home with as little as a five per cent deposit without having to fork out for costly lender's mortgage insurance. That's thousands of dollars saved upfront—money that stays in the pockets of people instead of going to the banks or insurers. It's a practical way to help first home buyers enter the market sooner and with less financial stress.”
Australian House of Representatives1 September 2025Source ↗
“I am honoured to be able to speak to this issue in strong support of the expansion of the five per cent deposit scheme—a practical, commonsense initiative that will make a real difference for Australians who have been locked out of the housing market. This scheme is, essentially, about fairness. It's about giving Australians—hardworking nurses, teachers, police officers, hospitality workers—a genuine shot at the great Australian dream of homeownership. For too many people, that dream has felt out of reach. Let's be honest. Saving a 20 per cent deposit in today's housing market is simply impossible for many Australians, particularly young people and families who are trying to buy that first home. In Newcastle the median house price is around $900,000.”
Australian House of Representatives1 September 2025Source ↗