Luke Gosling
Solomon · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“Yesterday marked one year since the Albanese government's landmark $3.9 billion National Access to Justice Partnership 2025-30, the NAJP, commenced. It represented our government's largest investment in legal assistance.”
“I acknowledge and thank these local providers and the private sector practitioners supporting them for their professionalism, their expertise and their unwavering commitment.”
“The bill also modernises and clarifies the Defence health system framework by establishing a dedicated legislative basis for Defence health services, including clinical governance, health monitoring, quality assurance and improvement activities, enabling lawful, proportionate use of health data to improve health care, suicide prevention a…”
“Critically, the bill supports a more integrated approach across Defence, the Department of Veterans' Affairs and other portfolio agencies, including the new Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency that was launched this morning, and the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission that began last year.”
“Purposefully, we need members of this place and senators to take their responsibility to lower anxiety and to provide proper information. A division having been called in the House of Representatives— Sitting suspended from 13:03 to 13:12 We are making it so the DVA can operate better, with increased efficiency, to deliver a level of serv…”
“Our government is working at pace to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Acknowledging the national tragedy of veteran suicides, this government called for the establishment of the royal commission while we were in opposition, and we have supported the work of the royal commission since…”
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“I was honoured to attend and to speak at a celebration for Colin McDonald KC at Melaleuca Australia. We recognised his service and his contribution, particularly to the refugee community. Colin was the chair of Melaleuca for many years and has continued as a board member. I joined Darwin diocese Bishop Emeritus Eugene Hurley and Bishop Charles Gauci to acknowledge Colin's work at Melaleuca and across a range of fields in his distinguished legal career. Colin had an exceptional legal career, across courts up to the High Court. He worked against the death penalty across countries. He worked for youth diversion. He served as the chair of the Royal Darwin Hospital board. He was a champion for the arts, and continues to be—in particular, for First Nations and Indonesian art.”
“Tracy Village Cricket Club was the first club in the Darwin and districts league to adopt an action plan, demonstrating the leadership that local sporting clubs can provide. In the member for Lingiari's electorate, the Smith Family's Communities for Children program, which is in Katherine, is helping to bring the NO MORE message to this year's Katherine rodeo. As the pickup men at the rodeo remind us, 'We don't stand back and hope that our riders are safe; we step in and we act early.' That's a lesson for all of us in stamping out domestic violence.”
“I acknowledge the ongoing work of Charlie King and Rob Cross from CatholicCare NT and their NO MORE campaign, which is helping to build safer communities right across the Northern Territory. For many, many years, Charlie and the NO MORE team have delivered a simple but powerful message: preventing violence is everyone's responsibility. Through NO MORE action plans, organisations commit to practical steps that create safer workplaces and safer communities. I'm proud that my own electoral office has completed a NO MORE action plan. Over the weekend, I joined members of the Tracy Village Cricket Club, led by the excellent president, Mel Nixon, where players linked arms before their match as a visible commitment to respect and responsibility.”
“This week I was honoured to welcome the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, the Hon. Matthew Wale CBE, and his wife, Veronica, along with many members of his cabinet, off the plane at RAAF Fairbairn here in Canberra. I'm a big fan of all things Solomon. Our relationship with the Solomon Islands is an important one for Australia, and that relationship is growing. It was great to see the Prime Minister and his team here this week. Both our nations' prime ministers have committed to elevate the bilateral relationship, which is one based on mutual trust, respect and open dialogue, and we look forward to the comprehensive treaty to realise a shared vision for our partnership with the Solomon Islands. We are growing and strengthening our relationships in the Pacific, and we're very proud to be doing so, because it is important.”
“I'm proud to see the vibrant country that Timor-Leste has become, and I'm proud to be part of a federal Labor government that truly values our partners, like Timor-Leste, and our regional relationships. To all the ADF and AFP personnel and other federal government members who took part in the development of Timor and to the countless Australians who played a part in the story of the development of Timor-Leste during that time: your contribution to Timor-Leste is very much appreciated. As a token of Timor-Leste's gratitude for those ADF and AFP members, President Jose Ramos-Horta has expanded eligibility for the Timor-Leste Solidarity Medal. We have been proud, as a government, to approve the wearing of that medal by those who are newly eligible. Viva Timor-Leste!”
“I rise to mark 24 years of the restoration of the independence of Timor-Leste, which was achieved on 20 May. I was fortunate to join the Deputy Prime Minister in Dili, Timor-Leste a few weeks ago to celebrate with new and old friends alike. Back home in Darwin, the Portuguese and Timorese Social Club had a great celebration. I want to congratulate President Pedro Bernardino and Vice-President Germano Bernardino and the whole community, who came together to celebrate the 24th anniversary of that restoration. The evening was filled with traditional Timorese and Portuguese food, music, dancing and plenty of good conversations. My own ties and my family's ties to Timor-Leste run deep, having worked there, having served there in the military and having volunteered there for many years.”
“That's been really supported as well. We've already seen many hundreds of people, in just the first week alone of the Darwin urgent care clinic's opening, receive care for free when they need it. That's taking pressure off Royal Darwin Hospital, which is fantastic as well. At the same time, we're building a stronger budget with lower deficits and less debt, which is helping to take the pressure off inflation and build our fiscal buffers during this period of global uncertainty. I wouldn't expect those opposite to consider any of that, because they are quite incapable of understanding their own history, so here's a quick history lesson. The then prime minister, Malcolm Fraser, introduced income tax indexation in the 1976 budget reforms as a major economic reform to address bracket creep, and I'll continue this later on.”
“But our government is doing more. Better services like urgent care clinics are providing free health services when they're urgently needed by Territorians. Palmerston has been one of the best performing urgent care clinics in the country. We've recently opened in Darwin, and I want to acknowledge the health minister—who's in the chamber with us—for his support of Territorians. We've seen a massive uplift in the bulk-billing available to Territorians right across the Territory. We are making health care more affordable and more accessible, including making Medicare urgent care clinics a permanent feature of Australia's health system. We're also making medicines cheaper and making major record investments in our public hospitals. We also had the Deputy Prime Minister up in Darwin recently for the opening of the Darwin urgent care clinic.”
“We're helping more people into homeownership as well. We're reforming the tax system to support 75,000 more homeowners into the housing market and investing an extra $2 billion—with a 'b'—for enabling infrastructure to support up to 65,000 more homes and taking our Homes for Australia plan to over $47 billion. We are also helping to secure social housing for more than 4,000 eligible young people at risk of homelessness, with $59.4 million for the states and territories. I again call on the NT government to engage with the HAFF and in particular stage 3. Territorians are taking up in big numbers the five per cent deposit scheme. Already, 1,350 in Darwin and Palmerston have got on board that five per cent deposit scheme. We have recently increased that to include properties of up to $750,00 in the greater Darwin area.”
“This MPI gives those on this side, the Albanese Labor government, the opportunity to elaborate on how we are responsibly reducing taxes for working Australians and giving more Australians a chance to realise the dream of homeownership, earn more but, importantly, keep more of what they earn. Those opposite should get on board and back tax cuts for working Australians. This Labor government is rolling out tax cuts for every Australian taxpayer this year and next year and delivering new and permanent income tax cuts for every Australian worker through the $250 working Australians tax offset along with the $1,000 instant tax deduction. In just weeks from now—from 1 July, which happens to be Territory Day—130,000 Territory taxpayers will receive another tax cut on top of the tax relief this government has already delivered.”
“The shadow Treasurer has come into this place with his insane and irresponsible tax policy, and it comes with a massive price tag. It would be about $273 billion over the next nine years—big figure. It's no wonder that those opposite racked up a trillion dollars of Liberal debt over a decade when they were in government. What's even more amateur, and demonstrative of the ineptitude of those opposite, is that they haven't explained how on earth they would pay for it. Where will those cuts be to realise required offsets? The shadow Treasurer has been silent on this. It's absolutely crickets on that. But we know what the Leader of the Opposition is up to. He wants to rip benefits off taxpaying permanent residents, and that is shameful.”
“The average time from entry to exit is just 28 minutes—so good service quickly when Territorians need it. We've seen increasing word of mouth in response to the old question, 'How did you hear about the service?' Two people specifically mentioned they had heard about it from me speaking right here, so I'm happy to hear that. Pathways are also in place, with Danila Dilba Health Service, for urgent care for First Nations community members. Culturally appropriate care is still available there, of course. We're also delivering increased parental leave, which will go up to 130 days from 1 July, and cheaper medicines, of course.”
“The Albanese government's focus on strengthening Medicare has delivered both the Palmerston Medicare Urgent Care Clinic and now the Darwin Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, the latter of which opened last week. No appointments are required to get the urgent non-emergency bulk billed care that you need when you need it. It's extended hours, seven days a week, and it's taking the pressure off both the Royal Darwin Hospital and the Palmerston Regional Hospital. The MUCC in Darwin has now seen over 300 patients in just over a week, 48 per cent under the age of 15. Thirty-three per cent came with acute injuries and 67 per cent with illness related presentations. Fifty-seven per cent of patients said they would have gone to the emergency department, the ED, if not for the urgent care clinic.”
“This budget is about the aspiration of Australians trying to get ahead, and nowhere is that aspiration more important than in the housing market, where we have had so many young Australians who have had trouble getting into the housing market, often crowded out by professional property investors. Currently, negative gearing arrangements are grandfathered, and that will continue, but negative gearing remains for new builds, and that's great. That's great for supply. But the reforms in this budget will help young Australians by providing a fairer go at the Australian dream of homeownership. With our government's five per cent deposit scheme for first home buyers, more than 1,350 people in my electorate of Solomon have purchased their first home.”
“This federal budget is about the aspiration of everyday working Aussies. If you are trying to get into your own home, this is a budget for you. If you're a worker, you're receiving your fifth tax cut under this government because we want you to earn more and to keep more of what you earn. If you're a young person, this is a government for you, supporting you with free TAFE and less HECS debt. If you're a small business trying to get ahead and make an investment, this budget is for you, with a permanent instant asset write-off to help you grow your business.”
“My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. How are the Albanese Labor government's investments in bulk-billing and urgent care making it easier for Australians to see a doctor, after a decade of cuts and neglect?”
“That's combined with the federal Labor government's five per cent deposit scheme for first home buyers, which has helped 1,350 young people in the electorate of Solomon. That's young people in Darwin and Palmerston, first home buyers, 1,350, helped to purchase a home with that five per cent home deposit scheme. We're also helping with more tax cuts—two more tax cuts—a $250 Working Australians tax offset combined with an automatic $1,000 tax deduction. We're supporting Territorians and Australians.”
“This is a budget for aspiration. If you are a young Australian trying to get into a home, this is a budget for you. We know that housing prices have risen more than twice as fast as average incomes have. A lot of young people now need to go to the bank of mum and dad to buy a home, and obviously that's not available to everyone. But, even then, homeownership for young Territorians is in decline. The federal government's tax changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax will help more Australians get into the housing market. These changes are prospective. They'll support more first home buyers to enter the housing market over time. We are exempting new builds. These changes are part of a package of reforms that also include the Last Mile infrastructure for roads, water and power that will support increased housing supply.”
“About 35 per cent were acute injuries and about 65 per cent were non-acute illness. Importantly, 60 per cent of those patients said they would have gone to the Royal Darwin Hospital emergency department if the urgent care clinic wasn't open. We're really contributing to taking pressure off Royal Darwin and, at the same time, giving Territorians the care they need when and where they need it.”
“Our federal Labor government is delivering for the people of Australia. As promised, the Darwin Medicare Urgent Care Clinic opened on Monday. Following on from the massive success of the Palmerston Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, which has already seen over 37,000 treatments in the Top End of Australia, the Darwin Urgent Care Clinic is now open. No appointments are required to get the bulk-billed care that you need when you need it. The urgent care clinic has got extended hours and is operating seven days a week. The urgent care clinic on its first day on Monday cared for 35 Territorians. The first patient arrived at the centre just 20 minutes after opening and also right through to the close of the day. We saw about 40 per cent of those Territory patients being children under the age of 15, and they provided care for a range of conditions.”
“Territory women and families paying private health insurance were getting nothing for it in terms of maternity services. The NT government couldn't see the urgency, so I raised it again. I tell you: Territory women and families want to see some answers. Let's see a focus from this NT government on actually delivering, for Territorians, for Territory families and for Territory health care.”
“Let me set the record straight for Territorians. The Commonwealth is going to assist the NT government to upgrade Royal Darwin Hospital maternity services—the health minister, Mark Butler, has confirmed it to me personally—in the MYEFO, if not before that time. But, meanwhile, it fell to me to bring up the fact that, on the Darwin Private Hospital maternity services, the NT government had gone totally quiet. They hadn't said a word about them. They had dropped the ball completely on seeing that the Darwin Private Hospital returned private maternity services. I had to bring it up on Mix FM and get the focus back on that. Where was the plan from the NT government to restore full maternity services at Darwin Private Hospital?”
“In May, June, September and October of last year, 2025, there were ministerial correspondences between the NT government and the Commonwealth with one request from us every time: give us an appropriate, detailed, costed proposal. New South Wales did it, when the private maternity health services closed there, and the Commonwealth funded them. Tasmania did it—provided an appropriate and well-costed proposal: funded! These are competent governments—and, in Tasmania, that is a conservative government, I'm happy to say. These competent governments provided the information required when it was needed: funded, in collaboration with the Commonwealth. In February 2026, as the federal budget is being finalised, the CLP finally puts in an appropriate proposal, landing on the desk of the health minister.”
“If you have a look at the CLP NT government, they are dropping the ball left, right and centre, including on the delivery of maternity health services—and this needs some focus in my time remaining. The timeline of the NT government's mismanagement on the maternity ward for the private hospital speaks volumes about the government's ineptitude. In September 2024—yes, quite a way back now—the CLP NT government were told that the Darwin Private Hospital maternity service would be closed; Healthscope was going to close it. In February 2025, Healthscope made that public, and the CLP had to admit that they had known for months. In June 2025, the private maternity ward closed.”
“As a member of the federal government, I'm very proud to say that bulk-billing has increased in every state and territory, but, as a Territorian, I'm very proud that the NT has had the biggest increase in bulk-billing rates, which are now up to 90 per cent. That is the highest in the country. That is our federal government's record in helping Territorians with the cost of living, and that is an example of what it looks like to have a government that actually governs in the interests of its constituents—in the interests of Territorians and in the interests of Australians across the board. That's what a high performing federal government like ours, the Australian Labor government, does: we are governing and delivering.”
“There are now 23 fully bulk-billed GP practices in the electorate of Solomon—that's Darwin and Palmerston. That is up by 15 due to our changes to bulk-billing and Medicare. Across the Territory, 87 practices are registered as fully bulk-billing, and that is helping Territorians with the cost of living, by ensuring that they can get access to free health care when they need it. There have been more than 1.4 million cheaper scripts delivered in Solomon—in Darwin and Palmerston—and around two million across the Northern Territory. You don't have to pay to go to the doctor if you can't afford it, and you've got access to cheap PBS scripts.”
“That is the whole infrastructure budget of the NT from the Commonwealth, including $200 million for Stuart Highway upgrades and flood resilience works; $24 million for the Bagot Road intersections, to upgrade safety on some of Darwin's most dangerous roads; and $1.8 billion nationally to make Medicare urgent care clinics permanent. This week the Darwin Medicare Urgent Care Clinic opened. We're providing long-term certainty for all urgent care clinics in the Northern Territory. More than 116,000 bulk-billed visits have been delivered through the NT's Medicare urgent care clinics since 2023, with the Palmerston clinic in my electorate alone seeing over 37,000 visits. That's free health care in Palmerston and in Darwin right now. Our bulk-billing reforms are working.”
“No Commonwealth government in history has invested at this level into Territory health, but this budget delivers more: $95.5 million for remote primary healthcare services in the NT, because we believe that the geography of the NT mustn't determine the health outcomes of Territorians, and $66 million in 2026-27 as a one-time fixed funding amount to address the challenges that smaller jurisdictions like ours in the Northern Territory face in delivering health services. There is $2.7 billion committed to NT infrastructure.”
“We are committing an additional $741 million for NT public hospitals under the National Health Reform Agreement 2026-27 out to 2030-31. Total Commonwealth hospital funding reaches $3.5 billion over five years, and this funding will improve hospital waiting times, reduce ED crowding and free up hospital beds. This builds on the unprecedented 30 per cent increase in NT hospital funding we've delivered in this current 2025-26 financial year, which is a $560 million boost.”
“This is taxpayers' money—your money and Territory families' money—and the CLP government is sitting on its hands while the Territory needs to be laying the groundwork for growth. Unfortunately, this CLP government seems to be disorganised, disunited, inept and not able to understand the principles of ethical leadership, the drivers of economic growth or how to maximise our natural and human resources, which are abundant. Give Territorians a break, and get on with delivering. Our federal government, the Albanese federal government, is getting on with delivering for the Northern Territory. Have a look at what our Albanese Labor government is doing for the Territory and the contrast with the CLP. The difference could not be more stark. This federal budget delivers record investment into Territory health care.”
“Over their own forward estimates, the CLP government plans to invest even less in the Territory, with capital investment declining to a low of just $1.4 billion in financial year 29-30. This is a government with no vision for how to build our Territory, and it's plain as day in their own budget papers. Here's the context that makes that failure even more indefensible: 72 per cent of the CLP government's funding in the financial year 26-27 comes from the Commonwealth. Around 47 per cent of that funding is untied, meaning that they can spend it however they choose, and they are choosing not to invest it in the Territory's future. Contractors, tradies, suppliers and local employers all across the Northern Territory are asking the same questions: Where is the pipeline of work? Where is the plan?”
“Unfortunately, I have to report that the Northern Territory Country Liberal Party, or the CLP, is failing to deliver for Territorians. Have a think about this number: 376 million. That's a lot of money for a jurisdiction like ours, and that is how much the CLP Northern Territory government underspent on its own capital investment budget in 2025-26. They budgeted $2.1 billion. They only got $1.7 billion out the door. That's roads not built, businesses not supported, and health services not delivered. The Territory cannot afford this and cannot afford to stand still. I've read the 2026-27 NT budget papers so the Territorians didn't have to. The story they tell is appalling.”
“If you negatively geared a property before budget night, there's no change. You can still continue to do that. No problems. For future investment properties, it'll be for new builds, and that's good. That's good for our tradies, and that's good for people who want to invest in new properties. They can negatively gear those, no problems at all for those new builds. If there's one thing that Australians all agree on, it's that we're a fair country. We want to give young people a fair go, and that's what this budget is delivering.”
“On the weekend in Darwin and in Palmerston, I had plenty of conversations, particularly with young people—we're a very young jurisdiction—about the new rules for negative gearing and about our positive budget for young people's future to create a fairer playing field for those Territorians that have been locked out, that turn up to auctions and get crowded out time after time by property investors who want to do what many property investors have in the past, just like a former member for Solomon, from the other side of course, who had 14 investment properties while some young Territorians struggled to even get their own home. We're taking action to make it a fairer playing field. But I need to be clear because those on the opposite side of this chamber are pretty happy with the misinformation going around.”
“After playing NTFL senior footy at just 15 years old for Nightcliff, he was only the second Territorian to make the move direct to Victoria to play footy. He had a glittering career in AFL teams. Well done, Mago, and rest in peace, Neale Daniher.”
“As I rise, I've just received a note from my staff to say that the AFL legend and motor neurone disease campaigner Neale Daniher has passed, so I wanted to pass on my and my family's condolences to Neil's family. May he rest in peace. I proudly joined the Prime Minister and another AFL legend, Michael Long, at the Long Walk in Melbourne on Friday before the Essendon-Richmond Dreamtime game. In 2004, many years ago now, I walked from Melbourne towards Canberra with Longy to get First Nations issues back on the then federal government's agenda. Another Territorian legend, Michael 'Mago'—Magic—McLean, was recognised as this year's Sir Doug Nicholls Round honouree. This recognised Mago's 40-year impact on the game both on and off the field.”
“We're also making Medicare work better for women by delivering the services and specialist care which women have waited too long for. Medicare funded menopause health assessments began on 1 July last year and have already been accessed by more than 100,000 women, giving them the dedicated time and support they deserve at a critical stage in their lives. New Medicare items and higher rebates— (Time expired)”
“We are delivering the reform that women were denied for far too long: practical, affordable, evidence based care that improves women's lives. Since introducing the women's health package, more than 800,000 women have accessed over three million cheaper PBS prescriptions for contraceptives, for menopausal hormone therapies and for endometriosis treatments. This includes, but is not limited to, the first new contraceptive pill listed on the PBS in more than 30 years and the first new menopausal hormone therapies listed in over 20 years. As of January 2026, PBS scripts are just $25, and they are $7.70 for concession card holders, and these are the lowest medicine prices since 2004, over 20 years, giving Australian women more cost-of-living relief with the care that they need.”
“Clearly, something needed to be done, and that's why we delivered the Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis Clinic at Northside Health in 2023. That represented the end of a community engagement process in my electorate that I was proud to play a role in with Libby Schoch and with others in the Top End. Our federal Labor government is building an Australia-wide support system that previously did not exist. We now have a national network of 33 endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics across the country. These are improving access in regional and metropolitan communities. We are funding the development of Australia's first national clinical guidelines for perimenopause and menopause, ensuring consistent, national, evidence based care for women no matter where they live.”
“Libby and I held several events in Darwin and Palmerston, including roundtables, to hear directly from Territory women about their experiences and the challenges that they faced living with endometriosis but also to let them know that we were listening, that we would act and that they weren't alone. At those events, Territory women described their debilitating pain, the lack of community awareness around endometriosis and the way it impacted their lives—how it impacted their ability to participate in family activities, to exercise, to take part in work; the crippling financial impact of living with endo; the difficulty of accessing pain relief; and how they had even been accused of being drug seekers and the impacts this had on their mental and emotional wellbeing.”
“It is estimated to cost the Australian economy $6 billion annually. I acknowledge the former member for Canberra Gai Brodtmann and former member for Forrest Nola Marino, both of whom fought for years to raise awareness of endometriosis and the debilitating impact it has on women across Australia. Listening to their contributions in this place inspired me, a few years ago now, to consider how we can better support women suffering from endometriosis in Darwin, in Palmerston and in the Northern Territory. Through this journey I had the privilege of meeting Libby Schoch, an amazing Territorian and a sufferer of endo.”
“Labor's women's health package is driving more choice, lower costs and better care for women and girls right across our country. I'm particularly proud of our investment in endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics. The Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis Clinic at Northside Health in Coconut Grove, Darwin, is led by Dr Danielle Stewart and opened in September 2023. The multidisciplinary team there at Northside Health provide Territory women with access to the care that they need close to home. Endometriosis affects one in seven Australian women and has a devastating impact on the daily lives of sufferers. Women face an average seven-year delay in diagnosis, which can have a devastating effect on their daily lives. Pelvic pain is similarly complex and debilitating, with broader social and economic impacts.”
“No appointments are required to get the care that you and your family need, and it's running extended hours, seven days a week. This is on top of our support for bulk-billing, meaning that more Territorians can see a doctor for free. There are now 23 Medicare bulk-billing GP practices across Darwin and Palmerston, which is an increase of 15 clinics since we brought these changes in. Now, over 70 per cent of all local GP practices in Darwin and Palmerston are registered as Medicare bulk-billing practices.”
“The Albanese government's focus on strengthening Medicare has delivered on a range of commitments to benefit all Australians. For Territorians, I'm proud to say that today the Darwin urgent care clinic is open, following on from the runaway success of the Palmerston urgent care clinic, which has recorded over 37,000 visits since its opening. I visited the Darwin urgent care clinic last Thursday with the Deputy Prime Minister and saw firsthand the great work of Bernie Cummins and her team, and also the Aspire team, who were getting the clinic up and ready to open today. It'll take the pressure off the Royal Darwin Hospital—and it already is—by providing walk-in care for urgent, non-emergency medical needs. And, of course, it's bulk-billed.”
“There are Aboriginal communities that are located close to that road, with little public transport and safety infrastructure, so it's both the pedestrians and the drivers that become vulnerable. I met with the Menzies School of Health Research team last week to hear about the Roadmaps for NT project, funded by our government, which talks to Aboriginal community members in Darwin, service providers, policymakers and researchers to get more effective local road strategies, and I thank them for that work.”
“Last night's budget provided $24 million to upgrade major safety hotspots on Bagot Road in Darwin, in my electorate. This issue is very close to my heart, as someone who's very well aware that a road user is four times more likely to die in a road incident in the Northern Territory than in other parts of Australia, and I'm also the chair of our local blackspots committee. It's a very important issue. We all know the physical, mental and social impacts of road injuries and deaths, not only on the individual themselves but on their families and the whole community. Improving road safety is a challenging issue, particularly when it comes to pedestrians, as well, as is the case on Bagot Road.”
“My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. What action is the Albanese Labor government taking to protect Australians and to support the quarantine of passengers that have been affected by the hantavirus outbreak?”
“I also acknowledge the passing of Jocelyn Cull, a former president of our St Mary's Vinnies Conference and later the president of Vinnies NT. Jocelyn's compassion and service touched many lives. She was a fierce advocate for better housing, emergency relief and support services, particularly for Aboriginal communities who didn't have much but also for regional communities and for Territorians that are doing it tough. She helped shape Vinnies' housing and homelessness work in the Territory, and our thoughts and prayers are with Graeme and their young children. Vale.”
“I rise today to acknowledge the passing of two remarkable women—former senator Trish Crossin AM, and Jocelyn Cull—who both gave so much to our Northern Territory community. Trish Crossin was a true trailblazer: the first woman to represent the Northern Territory in this place, in the federal parliament, over in the Senate. From teaching in eastern Arnhem Land to serving as a senator, Trish dedicated her life to service. She cared deeply about fairness, equality and our Northern Territory community, and about making sure that the communities don't get forgotten. She was also a friend and mentor to me and she'll be deeply missed. My thoughts are with her husband, Mark, her children and her grandchildren. Vale, Trish Crossin.”
“I acknowledge the extraordinary grace of Jack's mum, Dianne, and his dad, our mate Joel Fitzgibbon, who attended this match honouring their son, who died during training. Funds raised support the Commando Welfare Trust. Finally, happy birthday to NT surgeon Paddy Bade. Paddy has saved many Territorians, but in 2008 he operated on President Jose Ramos-Horta after an attempted assassination, and in 2023 he saved the life of US Marine Corporal Travis Reyes following injuries sustained in an Osprey crash. To you all: my admiration and thanks for the service that you and your loved ones have provided to our grateful nation.”