Ted O'Brien
Fairfax · Liberal Party · Australia
“My question goes to the Prime Minister. Over recent weeks, shots have been fired at an Australian Border Force vessel from an illegal boat. We've seen the biggest seizure of cocaine in Australia's history, with police believing the drugs were imported by sea.”
“Too many businesses on the Sunshine Coast are closing. A local business is far more than just a business; it is the sponsor of local footy clubs. They're the ones who pay the salaries to local employees. They're the ones who do the hard work. Behind all the shopfronts we might see across the Sunshine Coast lies a personal story.”
“This is what is happening to local communities right across this country, and this government is showing absolute disregard for small business. It's why, on 8 July, I will host an 'Understanding the Budget' forum, so local businesses on the Sunshine Coast in my area of Fairfax can understand what the Labor Party is doing to them.”
“Australia is drifting. That is the conclusion from the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia's 2026 State of the nation report. Productivity, investment and innovation are going backwards. Knowledge, skills and workforce are going backwards.”
“They lie awake at night not knowing if they can make payroll. They do not know if their employees will have enough money to put food on the table for their own families. This is symptomatic of a decline of our national economy, felt on the ground at home in my communities.”
“You do not make an economy more competitive by taking away opportunities for entrepreneurs. You do not make an economy more competitive by treating profit making as a sin. If this government was so sure about increasing taxes, it should have had the courage to take it to the Australian people at last year's election. (Time expired)”
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“My question goes to the Prime Minister. Over recent weeks, shots have been fired at an Australian Border Force vessel from an illegal boat. We've seen the biggest seizure of cocaine in Australia's history, with police believing the drugs were imported by sea. And we've had 12 more illegal arrivals in Far North Queensland, who managed to have a frothy at the pub before authorities detained them. Why is the Albanese government so weak in protecting Australia's borders?”
“This is what is happening to local communities right across this country, and this government is showing absolute disregard for small business. It's why, on 8 July, I will host an 'Understanding the Budget' forum, so local businesses on the Sunshine Coast in my area of Fairfax can understand what the Labor Party is doing to them. It will be held at the 10 Toes Brewery. To shift to a different topic: to the Sunshine Coast athletes who are heading to the Commonwealth Games, I assure you that you do not go into that stadium alone. You have a community that's absolutely backing you. Those athletes have done it tough. They've worked every single morning, getting out of bed when everyone else was sleeping. They avoided parties so they could get fit for the games. I want to tell you that we are already proud of you.”
“They lie awake at night not knowing if they can make payroll. They do not know if their employees will have enough money to put food on the table for their own families. This is symptomatic of a decline of our national economy, felt on the ground at home in my communities. And then came the Labor Party's last budget—a budget presented at a time of a cost-of-living crisis, where we have the highest level of insolvencies ever seen in this country, and it is a budget that penalises small business. Is it any wonder we are seeing local businesses close their doors? In my own suburb, you walk down that that strip in Buderim and you see businesses closing. I've heard in the last two weeks of three more businesses with shopfronts all going to close.”
“Too many businesses on the Sunshine Coast are closing. A local business is far more than just a business; it is the sponsor of local footy clubs. They're the ones who pay the salaries to local employees. They're the ones who do the hard work. Behind all the shopfronts we might see across the Sunshine Coast lies a personal story. It's often the story of an entrepreneur who had an idea. It's the story of somebody who put their own money at risk to back themselves. It's the story, often, of a family who are trying to pay their own way and get their kids through school so that they can ensure their kids have a future. The story of local business is very much a personal one. Every single morning there are people right across the Sunshine Coast who are fretting because they don't know if their businesses can survive.”
“You do not make an economy more competitive by taking away opportunities for entrepreneurs. You do not make an economy more competitive by treating profit making as a sin. If this government was so sure about increasing taxes, it should have had the courage to take it to the Australian people at last year's election. (Time expired)”
“Australia is drifting. That is the conclusion from the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia's 2026 State of the nation report. Productivity, investment and innovation are going backwards. Knowledge, skills and workforce are going backwards. Australia is becoming a less competitive nation, and we know that because our standard of living has dropped more than any other advanced economy. What is the Albanese government's answer to these problems? It's to increase personal income taxes to the highest levels in Australian history and to increase tax on capital to the highest level in the world. To the economic illiterates on the government benches, can I tell you this? You do not make an economy more competitive by penalising those who invest.”
“That is why the coalition has put forward a different plan, a plan that includes capping net overseas migration to new builds. It is why we are also planning on introducing a $5 billion housing infrastructure fund to pay for things like sewerage, water and power connections, unlocking around 400,000 new homes. It's also why we are looking at simplifying the National Construction Code, which could result in the cost of building a new home reducing by up to $70,000. This isn't just about building and construction, it's about lives, and it's about homes. That's why the coalition's approach will work.”
“They can't afford to live there anymore. Families are being uprooted, and this is causing an enormous amount of problems not just in my part of the world but right across the country. There are two alternate ways to deal with this. The Labor way and the Liberal-National coalition way under the Labor way. This housing crisis will get worse under the coalition way. It will be fixed. The difference is this: Labor's plan is to decrease supply and increase demand. The coalition's approach is to increase supply but decrease demand. The difference, therefore, is a bigger, wider gap in the availability of houses but a shrinking of that gap under the coalition. We've seen it in Labor's budget. It says in black and white that, under their new taxation regime, 35,000 fewer homes will be built and rent will go up.”
“Every Australian deserves a roof over their head. Every Australian deserves a place they can call home. It's more than just shelter from the elements, the weather and whatnot. A home is about safety. It's one's sanctuary, one's castle. It's about dignity. It's about hope. It's about allowing individuals to pursue whatever else it is they wish to pursue in life. But Australia is currently amidst a housing crisis. Our population has now hit 28 million people, and the truth is we just cannot house them. This is having a direct impact on the lives of so many Australians. I see it in my own electorate of Fairfax. I see it from Coolum to Kenilworth. I see it from Bli Bli to Buderim. There are not just people living on the street; there are people who are now packing their bags because the shortage of houses is pushing prices up.”
“This puts the obligation on us to ensure that we are building infrastructure ahead of the population curve, and that is precisely what we need to continue to do with the money that we have secured. Whether it be the member for Wide Bay, the member for Fisher, me, or us working as a team, we need to keep building infrastructure for our region, because it is bursting at the seams. As we head to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we're going to see more and more people come to the Sunshine Coast. They're predicting around 200,000 more residents over the next 20 years, so we have to keep on top of this. I'll end with this. What we see with this rail project is a 'team Sunshine Coast' effort—not just local federal MPs and a state government but Jeff Addison. I take my hat off to you, mate. Thank you.”
“Of course, they dragged the chain for many, many years until finally, in October 2024, the Crisafulli government was elected. The mighty fine minister Brent Mickelberg then took over the portfolio, and action then began. So, last week we saw the release of the stage 1 detailed design, and now we can see the rail being upgraded. Here we're talking about a much-needed duplication between Beerburrum and Beerwah. We're talking about new bridges and removal of crossings. We are talking about upgrades to park-and-ride areas, including one in Nambour. This is critical, because the Sunshine Coast is probably Australia's largest-growing regional area—outside capital city areas. Much as we debate in this place the enormous growth of Australia's population in recent years due to the migration issue, the Sunshine Coast has exploded in population.”
“The member for Fisher, the member for Wide Bay and I have fought and fought to ensure we get money for the Bruce Highway, we get money for the rail line, and we have delivered, because we love getting stuff done. If you work as a team you can fight. The reason I'm talking about this tonight is that last week I was delighted when the Queensland state LNP government released the detailed design for stage 1 of that upgrade, which is referred to as B2N: the Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade. It took a long time to get to where we are, but that was because at the time we were dealing with the Palaszczuk state government in Queensland. It came down to federal MPs—on a state asset—to fight to secure funding, to force the hand of the state government.”
“I wanted to back him in on his campaign as a real rail advocate. If I fast forward, I was fortunate enough to be elected, some time later, as the local federal MP. I was absolutely determined to be good to my word to Jeff Addison that we had to fight to upgrade that North Coast rail line, and fight we did—dog to a bone stuff. Within two or three months, I think, I had a petition of over 5,000 people working together, hand in glove, with the member for Fisher. We fought for that rail upgrade and we won $390 million in that first term as local MPs. It shows you that, if you're prepared to fight for your local community, you can get stuff done.”
“If I'm not mistaken, it would have been about a dozen years ago—I believe it was at the Palmwoods pub—we had an LNP branch meeting. Those branch meetings are pretty action-packed meetings. After that meeting I was on the side of the street and I struck up a conversation with a fellow by the name of Jeff Addison. Jeff—a local bloke, a terrific fellow—commuted to Brisbane every single day on the rail and he educated me on the dire situation of the North Coast rail line. I thought he was onto something. Rarely have I met somebody with a mind like an encyclopaedia when it comes to rail, but that's Jeff Addison, so I took the time to get fully educated. I remember sitting down with him. He spread all the documents on the floor, and I got my head around the problems with that rail line.”
“It is why we are committing to axe Labor's toxic taxes, and it is why we are guaranteeing the Australian people that we will ensure personal income tax cuts are delivered.”
“I want hardworking Australians to take more home in their pay packet every fortnight. I want hardworking Australians to see every dollar in that pay packet go further. I want hardworking Australians to pay fewer of those dollars to Canberra to be spent by government, rather than by those Australians themselves. You see, the less money you pay in tax, the more you have to pay for things that you think are important. It allows families to have that holiday they deserve. It allows families to live in the home they want to call their own. It allows families to pay for the kids to go to school, to go to camp, to play sports and do activities. Lower taxes allow families to plan for the future and build a nest egg for them and their loved ones. This is why the coalition talks about the need to restore the standard of living.”
“You don't help working families build for their future by driving up income taxes. You don't help small businesses by whacking a big tax on the distribution of their assets. You don't build a nation by tearing down the pioneers and the entrepreneurs.”
“The government's budget reveals a lack of judgement, a misreading of the times and an absence of practical wisdom. If Labor were to accept some advice, I would offer this. You don't restore trust in government by breaking promises. You don't make the life of individuals better by making government bigger. You don't solve a cost-of-living crisis by raising taxes. You don't solve a housing crisis by increasing rents and building fewer homes. You don't create a more productive economy by penalising those who invest. You don't make young people wealthy by making their parents poorer. You don't aid future generations by denying them the benefits enjoyed by previous generations. You don't support people creating a nest egg for their loved ones by introducing a death tax. You don't create a more dynamic economy by punishing those who take risks.”
“When I started a fundraising campaign only three months ago, I had no idea that we would have already raised nearly $27,000 today, enough to keep this bus operating. I want to say a very big thank you to the Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre, whose asset it is. I want to say thank you to the volunteers, ably led by Leonie, and also in particular to the Harry Cohney Charitable Foundation for their enormous contribution of $15,000. Let's keep working together, Nambour.”
“Volunteers, I believe, are the happiest and most fulfilled people on the planet, and that's because they give of themselves to others. To all volunteers on the Sunshine Coast, to all volunteers in the seat of Fairfax, can I say thank you. Thank you for your generosity and for your service. I also want to today say a very big thank you to the people of Nambour and the people of the Sunshine Coast because we now have enough money to keep the Sunny Coast Sleeper operating in the town of Nambour for at least another 18 months, through until the end of 2027. The sleeper bus, of course, is a bus with nine sleeping pods for those who would otherwise be homeless. How have we been able to make this happen? Well, the community came together. This has been a complete community effort.”
“It is volunteers that hold our community together. Last week, I was delighted to host the 2026 Fairfax Volunteer Awards ceremony. I want to congratulate Sylvia Whiting, Myshell Hyde, Birte Spencer, Janine Smith, Tony Brown, Debbie Day, Karen Martin, Mitchell Lenord, Carolyn Neville, Leonie Wilcox, Saxon Cracknell, Peter Cooper, Kimberley Teillet-Meunier, Jenny McKay, Craig McMillan, Peter Lloyd, Nita Claire Lester, Graeme White, Diana Fuller, Ian McGrath, Val Morey, Graham Tamblyn, Jeremy Foster, Katija Wilkinson, Rob Sims, Amanda O'Donnell, Tony Northey, Chloe Lynn Rounds, Tania Stevenson and Anthony Waring. I also congratulate the Community Group Achievement Award winners: the Coolum Beach Meals on Wheels and Coastal Caring Clowns.”
“The sleeper is a bus that has nine sleeping pods, which allows those people who are homeless to have a safe, secure night's sleep in the bus. But, of course, ensuring that the bus is operating doesn't come free, which is why I launched a crowdfunding campaign to ensure that we can have enough funding to keep that bus in Nambour. I'm delighted to say that we have now reached $10,000, because everyday Sunshine Coast residents recognise, if they just give $15, that's enough to cover one night of safe sleep for somebody who otherwise would be on the street. So thank you very much to the community. By working together, we can keep tackling tough challenges like homelessness.”
“They, like many of us, are deeply patriotic, and they too believe in the Aussie flag. As rents rise, interest rates go up and people are finding life just harder to live, we're seeing some Australians go not right to the edge of financial stability but beyond it. One of the worst consequences of such a cost-of-living crisis is homelessness. Even in my beautiful part of the world on the Sunshine Coast, we are seeing more and more people becoming homeless. This is something, of course, that every tier of government has a responsibility to act upon, but so too do we, as everyday Australians. I pay tribute to the community on the Sunshine Coast, who have swung in behind an initiative to get the Sunny Coast Sleeper to the town of Nambour.”
“To love our flag is to love our country. Australians aren't a people who go for the pomp and ceremony like so many nations do, but that doesn't mean that we aren't deeply patriotic. Recently, I've seen that patriotism with younger Australians as they rally around the Aussie flag. I've had the great privilege of visiting some of the schools in my electorate recently. I want to say a very big thankyou to the Kenilworth state school, to St John's College, to Mountain Creek State School and also to the Good Samaritan in Bli Bli for welcoming me as we've been able to talk about the importance of the Australian flag. When you talk to these young students, you realise they have not only a very keen sense of Australian history but a very clear vision of Australia's future.”
“The increase in penalties will address this and align the telecommunications penalty framework to those in the energy and banking sectors, competition legislation and Australian consumer law. Thus, the coalition will support the bill. At the end of the day, it will strengthen consumer protection, streamline enforcement activity and provide greater visibility of operators in the market.”
“Notably, the Australian Telecommunications Alliance, which represents the telecommunications industry, has been calling for these reforms since 2023. Finally, the bill will increase penalties issued to providers for breaches of industry codes and standards from $250,000 to $10 million. The revised penalty framework will allow penalties to be based on the value of the benefit obtained from the breach of conduct or the turnover of the provider, allowing for penalties greater than $10 million should it be deemed appropriate. The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network, the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission have long advocated for civil penalty reform to ensure penalties for breaches of codes and standards reflect the severity of the breach and the harm caused.”
“Since the start of 2024, ACMA has issued 10 directions to comply with reducing scam calls and SMS code, but none of these resulted in a financial penalty to providers, because of the two-step process. The changes in this bill will strengthen ACMA's powers and the speed at which they can use them, to provide even greater protection for consumers and ensure we have responsible operators in our telecommunications sector. The bill will make compliance with industry codes mandatory, removing the requirement for a two-step process before ACMA can take enforcement action. There'll be no more warning shots, ensuring more immediate action can be taken for breaches of the code. I will note, given much scrutiny of the telecommunications sector over recent years, that this is a change the sector itself has called for.”
“For example, there were seven notices issued to providers in 2024 for breaches of the emergency call database rules. These rules require the telco providers to keep a person's telephone number and address updated so that, when the number calls triple zero, emergency services—police, fire or ambulance—are deployed to the correct address at the first moment. Adherence to this code is vital. People's lives quite literally depend on it. The requirement to monitor and report suspected scams is another important one. If telcos aren't adhering to the code, the impact on people, financially, psychologically and emotionally, is significant. In 2024, phone scam had the highest overall losses of scam types, with more than $107 million lost by nearly 2,200 people.”
“Currently, part 6 of the act says: Compliance with an industry code is voluntary unless the ACMA directs a particular participant in the telecommunications industry … to comply with the code. This phrasing has led to a misconception that compliance with industry codes is voluntary. As the explanatory memorandum to the bill states, while code compliance is technically voluntary, after ACMA issues a direction to comply or a formal warning to a provider, it can then take enforcement action if the provider continues the noncompliance. Since January 2024, ACMA has issued 19 formal warnings, one remedial direction, 16 directions to comply, four enforceable undertakings and infringement notices totalling close to $16 million. Some of these breaches relate to people's safety, which is of the highest priority.”
“The telecommunications industry has a co-regulation model by which industry is responsible for the preparation of codes, which are then submitted to ACMA for registration. Once a code is registered with ACMA in force, the code must be complied with by the sector. In practice, what has been established under the act is a two-step enforcement process. If there is a complaint or wrongdoing, or a breach of industry code, ACMA will direct or provide a provider to comply. They will send that direction to the provider, essentially issuing a warning for them to correct their behaviour and do the right thing. Should they not, ACMA's enforcement powers will then become available. This enforcement action can include penalties through the Federal Court, enforceable undertakings or the issuing of an infringement notice.”
“These arrangements are similar to those in the energy sector, where the Australian Energy Regulator, the AER, has the power to exclude operators from the market where there is a risk to consumers. As part of the scheme, providers will also be required to report all cybersecurity incidents. Where there is a cyber breach, the appropriate bodies must be notified and remedial action must be taken and taken swiftly. Full visibility of all telecommunications operators will also ensure ACMA can target compliance and enforcement activities and, where necessary, take appropriate action. Schedule 2 of the bill amends the Telecommunications Act to make registered industry codes directly enforceable by ACMA.”
“Given the bill strengthens consumer protections, streamlines enforcement and provides greater visibility of operators in the market, it will receive support from the coalition. The new carriage service provider registration scheme will ensure that all telecommunication providers apply to the Australian Communications and Media Authority for registration to operate in Australia. This will provide the ACMA, as the regulator for the sector, with visibility of all operators in the Australian market, of which there are estimated to be 1,500. This will ensure ACMA is able to educate, monitor and, where necessary, take swift enforcement action for breaches of any codes or standards. Should providers breach their obligations or pose a risk to consumers, ACMA will have the ability to cancel their registration to operate.”
“There was a day when telecommunications was considered a luxury. Certainly, in the modern world, it is an essential service. Indeed, it underpins everything we do—from the lives we live to the work we do, what we learn and how we engage with each other. That gives rise, of course, to the importance of consumer protections. When it comes to the Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2025 that is before the House today, it's noteworthy that this bill will create a register of carriage service providers, enable the direct enforcement of industry codes, amend the existing two-step process for the application of penalty amounts for infringement notices and increase the maximum penalty amount for breaches of the codes from $250,000 to $10 million.”
“If the Prime Minister wants to blame the Australian people, I suggest he goes and eyeballs the farmers who don't know if they can sow this year's crop and tell them that it's their fault. Tell the tradies who can't fill up their ute that it's their fault. Tell the mums and dads who are struggling to pay for the fuel to get the kids to school that it's their fault. Alternatively, Prime Minister, start taking responsibility.”
“The conflict in Iran is certainly bringing the most acute consequences of Australia's energy crisis to the fore. But let us make no mistake: the energy crisis now facing Australia did not happen overnight and it is not due to the crisis in Iran alone. This has been building for four long years under this Labor government—four years of failure of energy policy. We have had the energy minister, with the blessing of the Prime Minister, calling on the end to all fossil fuels. Now they're hitting the phones wanting more fossil fuels. In true form, though, this government has taken no responsibility. They have pointed the finger to blame someone else. And who are they blaming? The Australian people.”
“I wish to note for the House that the coalition, despite supporting the government in the passage of this bill through the House, has put forward eight questions to the minister, and the minister has chosen to not answer any of those questions. I think that is notable. I ask the minister if he will be prepared to commit to respond to me in writing at a later date in response to those eight questions.”
“Seven, can the government confirm whether the visa integrity risks it now seeks to mitigate by way of this bill were risks to which Australia has been exposed since the September 7 October 2023, with the arrival of thousands of Gazans? Eight, how would the powers contained in this bill have provided additional safeguards in managing risks that the large influx of people from Gaza over recent years may have given rise to? Again, the coalition is supporting the government in the passage of this legislation through the House. However, this legislation does give rise to at least those eight questions, on which I look forward to hearing the minister's response.”
“Four, did the department advise the government at any stage that additional powers, such as those now proposed in this bill, might be required to manage the migration risks arising from that conflict? Five, evidence from estimates also confirmed that 26 visas granted to Palestinian nationals were cancelled during the same period, with 18 cancellations involving an element of national security concern, although some were later revoked. Can the government explain how those cases were identified and managed? Six, given it is likely that these laws, if introduced earlier, may have prevented thousands of Gazans entering Australia over the last 2½ years, what action is the government taking where these Gazans have either sought to overstay their visas or attempted to change their visa arrangements?”
“One, at Senate estimates last month, officials confirmed that 6,957 visa grants were made to Palestinian nationals between November 2023 and November 2025. Given that volume of visa grants during a period of international conflict, can the government explain why it did not seek legislative powers of the kind contained in this bill earlier? Two, given the government now believes it requires a mechanism to suspend the effect of offshore visas during international crises, why was such a mechanism not pursued when thousands of visas were being granted during the Gaza conflict? Three, officials also confirmed that more than 2,300 Palestinian visa holders were present in Australia at various points in 2025, including 2,306 at the end of November. Did the government conduct any risk assessment regarding visa compliance outcomes for that cohort?”
“Thus, let me make a few broad comments about immigration policy and then ask the minister at the table some questions. Firstly, when it comes to Australia's immigration system, you see an enormous difference between the coalition's and Labor's approach. Under this government we have seen, unfortunately, the numbers of people coming to Australia being too high, the standards too low and a failure to shut the door to people who do not share Australian values. It's also conspicuous that legislation of this sort was not brought forward at an earlier date in response to another conflict, again in the Middle East—that is, of Gaza following the Hamas-led attacks on 7 October 2023. This leads me to these questions.”
“The conflict in Iran has inspired the government to bring forward this legislation. When it comes to that conflict, what we have seen in Australia is a very high degree of bipartisanship. In backing the actions of the United States and Israel we have seen bipartisan support. In the deployment of ADF assets and resources, we have seen bipartisan support. When it comes to the issuing of humanitarian visas for members of the Iranian women's football team, we have seen bipartisan support. In the amendments to the migration laws of this country, being put forward today by virtue of this legislation, again, we see bipartisan support. With that said, the legislation before the House, while inspired by the conflict in Iran, is not contained and relevant only to the conflict in Iran.”
“We will continue to support measures that protect the integrity of the visa system while holding the government to account for its failure to properly manage migration settings overall. Question agreed to, Mr Wilkie dissenting. Bill read a second time. Debate adjourned.”
“The coalition has, of course, always argued that Australia's migration system must be well managed, orderly and sustainable, and measures that strengthen system integrity are sensible and will be supported. However, this legislation also highlights a broader issue, that being Labor's overall record on immigration management, which has been deeply concerning. Under Labor, migration numbers have been too high and standards too low, placing pressure on housing infrastructure and vitally important public services. While targeted integrity measures like those in this bill are welcome, they cannot substitute for the strong overall migration management that Australia needs. The coalition has consistently called for a migration program that balances economic needs with community capacity and strong integrity safeguards.”
“The bill provides the government with additional tools to temporarily restrict the arrival of certain classes of temporary visa holders where circumstances overseas create a risk that people may not depart Australia when their visas expire. These powers are designed to protect the integrity and sustainability of Australia's migration system, particularly where international events increase the risk of visa overstays. In particular, the bill allows the minister to make an arrival control determination, which can temporarily suspend the effect of certain temporary visas for people outside Australia, where it is in the national interest. These determinations are time limited and subject to reporting requirements, ensuring that they remain targeted and transparent.”
“I thank the assistant minister. I want to note that the responsible shadow minister, Senator Duniam, has received a verbal briefing from the government. I note too that he has received a draft of the legislation. This legislation does have the coalition's in-principle support. I note that there will be a Senate inquiry this evening, which will inform the final position taken by the coalition, but we do not see any major hurdles. Thus, today we will be supporting the passage of the bill through the House. This bill, the Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Bill 2026, contains reasonable measures to strengthen the integrity of Australia's migration system.”
“There is nothing more important in this country than not only lifting people's standard of living but protecting their way of life. That is what the opposition is prioritising.”
“As the Leader of the Opposition has already made crystal clear, the example of the ISIS brides sees the government outsource decision-making and actions. That is not leadership; it's an abdication of responsibility. It is a sad indication of the direction this country is going, as everyday Australians see their way of life eroded. It is a lack of leadership. The responsible minister has said, on public record, that he has been actively doing nothing. Doing nothing is no excuse. That is not an example of leadership; it is an example of cowardice. It is why this bill deserves the support of the entire house—both chambers. Why? Because Australia is worth fighting for and because Australian values are worth fighting for. We need leadership in this country, not cowardice.”
“It is why you hear from the Leader of the Opposition the importance of protecting Australians' way of life—because the Prime Minister is leaving Australians vulnerable and their way of life under attack. This bill that we are proposing is also a direct response to the ISIS brides. This cohort of people, the adults of which, made a decision already. They chose violence over peace. They chose ISIS over Australia. They chose an extreme ideology over a common set of values which unite our country. And because this government claims to know nothing, do nothing, yet again, it's the opposition who takes the lead. What you see in this proposed legislation is the leadership that should be provided by this government.”
“Those values are values of freedom, of equality, of a fair go—Liberal values, which are Australian values. These are the values which have been under attack under the Albanese government. In many ways, people have suggested that values are embedded in a people's culture. There's only one thing that can shift the dial on culture. It's not a strategy. It's not kind words. It's leadership. History has proven such. Only leadership has the capacity to move the dial on culture. What we have seen sorely lacking over the last almost four years now has been moral clarity in the leadership of this country. This is why we have seen, through the bill the coalition is putting forward, the coalition stepping up where the government has stepped back.”
“I second the motion. A means by which we protect the way of life of everyday Australians is to seek greater national unity. Under this government, Australians' way of life has been under attack, not protected. Under this government, Australians themselves have been divided and not united. The more that Australia diversifies as a country, the more important a common set of values is to ensure that we have unity. We know that Australians come from every part of the world. They bring with them their own histories, their own ethnicities, their own food, their own way of talking, their own way of walking and whatever else. The one thing that unites the Australian people today, and even more importantly moving forward, is a common set of values.”