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 rise to speak about two soldiers, a sister, a mother and father, and a surgeon. On Saturday the Sergeant Matthew Locke MG Charity Shield match was played in Matt's home town of Bellingen, New South Wales. Matt was a distinguished SAS veteran of Timor-Leste, Iraq and Afghanistan. He was awarded the Medal for Gallantry and was killed in action, while serving our nation. This event in his memory is run by his sister Debbie, who is an absolute legend, and, through her leadership, the charity has delivered five kindergartens in Timor-Leste and provided vital support for veterans. On Sunday, the second Jack Fitzgibbon Cup was played between the parliamentary rugby team, the Wombats, and a 2nd Commando Regiment team.”
“However, the longer this war goes on, the worse the impacts will be. So we are acting now to prepare and shield Australians from the worst effects of this conflict. It may be on the other side of the world, but it is going to impact Australia. We know that. We acknowledge it. We're working with the states and territories to ensure that Australians have fuel at a price that continues to be as low as possible.”
“The Albanese Labor government is delivering lower fuel prices for Territorians. The Australian government will halve the fuel excise on petrol and diesel for three months, cutting the cost of fuel by about 26.3 cents per litre and reducing the cost of a 65 litre tank of fuel by about $19. We've also reduced the heavy vehicle road user charge to zero for three months to help truckies continue their vital work for our Northern Territory and for our nation. Also, the next scheduled increase in the heavy vehicle road user charge will be deferred for another six months. The ACCC will continue to monitor fuel prices to ensure that the lower excise rate is fully passed on at the bowser. Australia's fuel supply outlook remains secure in the near term because of the actions that our government has taken.”
“To have that engagement with the students and young people and flexible learning models, the youth hub will work with young people from 10 to 17. There will be scope for families to become involved. If there's a young person that attends a youth engagement hub, they may bring younger siblings in. It will engage with the families. Providing a safe and engaging space for children and young people is so important, linking them to support services where needed and linking those families in, as I said, and encouraging them to also engage with our young people.”
“But we are where we are. The Northern Territory government must deliver on this objective of supporting our young people with the required funding and services as a matter of priority. The federal government funding is still there for the build, but we've wasted a lot of time. I will move on, but the original plan was for a dedicated, fit-for-purpose facility with safe indoor and outdoor spaces and long opening hours to better service the needs of young people in our community. And, as I said, we would have been able to open it about now. We need a dedicated permanent structure to deliver the opportunity for young people, the hub model, with the co-location of NT government agencies and non-government agencies that deliver those youth services. A one-stop youth engagement hub is exactly what we need. It is still some time away.”
“It was a shovel-ready site. But then came the NT government election. Enter the CLP NT government. On the basis of a shonky petition, they decided to move the youth engagement hub, even though it was shovel ready. The petition was a sham and wasn't reflective of the community that that these young people lived in. Shameful! It was all counter to the stakeholder engagement report that was commissioned previously. I'm talking about 450 stakeholders. The aim, of course, of the youth hub is to improve the wellbeing of our youth, and it will also help to reduce youth offending rates, which has been and continues to be a major issue for the local community. The shame of this was that the Casuarina fire station site was shovel ready, and we could have been opening it about now instead of starting a new process, 18 months later, all over again.”
“A key element of the concept for this location was the interest from the Casuarina Square's owners, Sentinel, to provide internships and traineeships at the retail areas for those young people. That would allow them to engage effectively with appropriate supports but also be within walking distance of those employment opportunities. A consultation process was undertaken for the model of care of these young people and the design of the site. That was all done and developed. The Darwin Men's Shed was at the old Casuarina fire station at the time. I made a commitment for a million dollars, and they were moved to a temporary site to allow the old Casuarina fire station to be razed to the ground—it was full of asbestos—so that the site could be prepared for the building of the youth engagement hub. Everything was in place.”
“I spoke last week in this place about the Northern Territory government finally announcing a tender process for a youth engagement hub at a new location in Leanyer in Darwin. We announced the youth engagement hub as an election commitment in 2022, almost four years ago. Ever since the Youth Shack at Casuarina closed, there had been a great need for a place that young people could drop in to hang out, to play some sport and to connect with mentors and services. Working with the then Territory Labor government, after significant consultation, a site was selected at the old Casuarina fire station. This site was chosen due to its centrality, including its proximity to the Casuarina Square shopping centre and bus services, as well as youth mental health services such as headspace, in areas where young people live and study and work.”
“It has been welcomed by people like Luis Espinoza at HIA NT, who is one of those stakeholders in my electorate that I want to thank for their advocacy, as well as Ruth Palmer from the Property Council. I thank all Territorians for their support of that policy.”
“That is a result of listening to Territorians, particularly those people that I represent in Darwin and Palmerston, and reflecting what they need to achieve the Australian dream and the Territory dream. This change brings the NT in line with the other states, as I mentioned, but it makes sure that our cap is aligned with the realities of our market. It gives homebuyers in Darwin, Palmerston, the rural area and Greater Darwin more choice. Hundreds more Territorians will be able to get into homeownership years sooner because of this change, and it'll also save them tens of thousands of dollars on lender's mortgage insurance. The five per cent deposit scheme has already helped more than 1,800 people in the Northern Territory move into their first home since we came into government.”
“We need a lot more stock than that in the Territory, but 150 are on the way there. We have also provided support for more first home buyers from Darwin to get into homeownership by increasing the property price cap for the five per cent home deposit scheme. I thank all of those stakeholders in Darwin and Palmerston and the greater rural area there, where we have now got a two price cap system, as they do in the states, to take account of the higher price of purchasing a house in Darwin. From 1 July 2026, around the Territory it's going to be still at the $600,000 mark, which reflects that market, but for Greater Darwin, we've increased that cap to $750,000.”
“We are working with states and territories to implement real and substantial planning reforms, and we are scaling up modern methods of construction, such as the modular housing piece, which has got real potential to be a big game changer. Home building is turning around, with new home start-ups at 11.6 per cent, an increase on this time last year. The National Housing Supply and Affordability Council have recently released their quarterly report, showing that the National Housing Accord is delivering early results of solid growth in housing supply and improving construction conditions across Australia throughout the first five quarters of the accord period. So we're back in the game of building more social and affordable housing, with over 150 homes on the way in the Territory under the Housing Australia Future Fund.”
“Real progress is being made right across the country and in the Northern Territory. When it comes to home building, we have a very ambitious target of 1.2 million homes, and I believe in ambitious targets. It's something that we're getting after. There will be people saying that we're not doing enough, but, when you consider that in the whole time of the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison government—in just one year, we've built more social and affordable homes than they did over nine years or so. We are doing the work that needs to be done by cutting red tape, delivering new infrastructure and training more tradies—the people that actually build the homes—right across the country.”
“As those listening may or may not realise, those opposite—the coalition—were in government for nine years and were an absolute joke when it came to housing, not just social and affordable housing but all housing measures. They didn't even have a minister for housing at the get-go. What is so disgraceful about that is that it is such a life-defining challenge for so many Australians. I'll speak from the point of view of the people that I represent in the Territory. We are tackling it in a way that is increasing supply—that's exactly what we need—through a $45 billion comprehensive, multifaceted plan. That is focused on three things: (1) building more homes—the supply I just talked about—(2) making it easier to purchase a home, and (3) making it better for renters as well.”
“And, now that we have entered Holy Week, please consider a donation to Project Compassion so that Caritas can continue its work for Australians and for humanity. This is the heart of Caritas—bringing light to dark places and being grounded in dignity, solidarity and hope. Caritas and Project Compassion show us that transformation is possible whenever we stand together. So this Easter may hope, faith and love reign.”
“These are challenging times for many people in our communities around our country, in our regions and around the world, so thank God for great organisations, like Caritas Australia. It is a Catholic NGO that offers practical, hopeful solutions in the face of conflict, climate change and poverty, including in the Northern Territory. Through Project Compassion, which is one of Australia's largest annual charitable appeals, more than 1,700 schools and 1,200 parishes walk alongside those in need each Lent. They unite against poverty and empower communities to build safer, more hopeful futures. During this Easter, at my parish, St Mary's cathedral, our Agape Youth group has held very successful fundraising events for Project Compassion. Well done to them.”
“It felt like a fitting reflection during the week of International Women's Day, with people coming together to support women and a new generation of health professionals who are stepping forward with skill, compassion and care. It is just one more example of how Charles Darwin University students and graduates are adding value to our community, not only in Darwin, Palmerston and Greater Darwin but also throughout the Northern Territory. I thank all the educators at Charles Darwin University who are doing so much to bring forward a new generation of health professionals who are more likely to stay in our beautiful Northern Territory.”
“The Albanese government's policies are working, with international student numbers on a more sustainable path and regions benefiting the most. This week I heard a story that has really stayed with me. I learned about the important role that CDU midwifery students and graduates are playing in supporting women across the Territory. Many newly arrived families in Darwin did not yet have access to Medicare supported services for pre- and post-natal care. Through their clinical placements, our students are helping to fill this vital gap, supporting women in an incredibly important time in their lives and contributing to better health outcomes for mums and babies.”
“The Territory's strong performance stands out against national trends, which shows the government's policies are working to moderate overall student numbers nationally, while sharing the benefits more fairly with regional areas like us in the Top End. The Northern Territory is the biggest winner and additional places have been allocated to universities like Charles Darwin University that have demonstrated efforts on key government priorities: new student housing, engagement with South-East Asia and market diversification. The government made tough decisions to safeguard the integrity and long-term sustainability of Australia's world-class international education sector and to share the benefits more fairly with every state and territory and, in particular, the regions.”
“I have great news. The latest international student data shows that Charles Darwin University in the electorate of Solomon is powering ahead when it comes to the fastest-growing destination for international students in Australia. This confirms that the Territory is, as the greatest beneficiary of the Albanese Labor government's policies, to share the benefits of international education equally across Australia. Department of Education November 2025 year-to-date data show that international student commencements reflecting new students in the Territory have increased by 20 per cent, rising from 2,282 in 2024 to 2,743 in 2025—a 20 per cent lift. The Territory has outpaced every other state and territory since 2019, with a 41 per cent increase to 2025.”
“When it comes to our fairer fuel bill and doubling penalties for ACCC enforcement, it is essential that, in order to support our trucking companies and in order to support everyday Territorians and everyday Aussies, these companies are held to account, and maximising the fines will provide an effective disincentive. Despite what some opposite have said, there have been huge fines handed out to petrol companies that have done the wrong thing, and that will continue and be much harsher now.”
“We've tasked the ACCC to ramp up fuel price monitoring and issue on-the-spot fines. We've engaged with international partners to keep supply flowing. We've convened the National Cabinet with states and territories. We've appointed a national fuel supply taskforce coordinator. We've engaged with the states and territories on supply and distribution, including holding a special energy ministers meeting; activating the National Coordination Mechanism, which has already met twice; and convening the National Oil Supplies Emergency Committee six times. We're also unlocking $2 million in financial counselling funding for impacted farmers and changing the law in order to make it easier for Australia's refineries to access government funding when they run at a loss.”
“There is a high likelihood that some transport operators will be forced into administration or bankruptcy— without the sort of action that is required to make sure that people are doing the right thing. We're calling on the Liberals and Nationals to vote for this bill that will legislate higher penalties for petrol companies that do the wrong thing by transport operators and by all Australians. This is on top of all the other action we're taking to address fuel affordability and security. We have introduced new laws to double penalties for petrol companies that are price gouging, which this bill has been discussing as well. We've begun the release of 20 per cent of Australia's fuel reserves. We've changed petrol standards temporarily to get more fuel flowing and changed diesel standards so Australia's refineries can supply more diesel.”
“Currently, a minimum of six months is required for a contract chain order, and our amendment will remove that wait time, so truckies and transport operators aren't left to worry about managing rising costs on their own. I want to provide some context on the importance of retailers, wholesalers and everyone doing the right thing. Louise Bilato, Executive Officer of the Northern Territory Road Transport Association, said: A sizeable portion of the NT's road transport fleet is comprised of owner-drivers and small trucking businesses. These family businesses are already experiencing financial strain and their financial circumstances will worsen in the next month as they are forced to pay exorbitant prices for diesel.”
“With global uncertainty leading to significant impacts on our transport industry, our government is taking practical action to support the truckies and transport operators who keep the Australian economy moving. The government will amend the Fair Work Act to allow truckies and road transport businesses to make an emergency application for a contract chain order to deal with the current spike in fuel prices caused by the war in the Middle East, and, under the Fair Work Act, the Fair Work Commission can require transport clients, including retailers, mining companies and manufacturers, to offer fair contract terms, ensuring that truckies and transport operators are paid enough to cover the cost of fuel.”
“Our government, the Albanese government, has introduced new legislation to help consumers get a fair go at the petrol pump, with bigger penalties for misconduct, including in the fuel sector. The conflict, the war currently overseas, shouldn't be an excuse for profiteering from Australians. We have to support our truckies, and we won't cop big corporates treating Australian consumers like mugs. The Albanese government is helping Australia's trucking industry manage the impacts of the war in the Middle East, ensuring truckies and transport operators are better protected from fuel price rises. We want to change the law so that the Fair Work Commission can demand that companies pay truckies fairly when fuel prices spike.”
“Our government, the Albanese government, will continue to work with our partners to ensure we're doing everything we can to shield Australians from the worst of the challenges coming from the Middle East and ensure that truckies and transport operators are better protected from fuel price rises. Government amendments to the Fair Work Act will allow truckies and road transport businesses to make an emergency application for a contract chain order to deal with the current spike in fuel prices caused by the war in the Middle East. Our government is looking at every practical option to shield Australians and businesses from the worst effects of this current crisis.”
“We're getting more fuels into the Australian market by temporarily amending some of the fuel standards. We're working closely with industry and the states, as well as the territories, to ensure this fuel gets to where it's needed most, particularly regional communities. This is a global challenge, and Australia's international relationships have never been more important. We have reaffirmed our commitment with Singapore to strengthen energy security, to support the flow of essential goods, including petroleum oils, such as diesel, and liquefied natural gas, between our two countries and to notify and consult each other on any disruptions with ramifications on the trade of energy.”
“Across the board, the Albanese government has been working through and planning for the impacts of this crisis and protecting Australians from the worst of this global challenge. Some key measures include that we have empowered the ACCC to protect motorists from unfair price rises as well as to watch airlines and airfares and to watch grocery prices. We've launched an enforcement investigation into allegations of anticompetitive conduct by each of the major fuel suppliers—Ampol, BP, Mobil and Viva—and are investigating reports around independent wholesalers and distributors that service regional and rural Australia. We've boosted fuel supply by releasing 20 per cent of the baseline minimum stockholding obligation for petrol and diesel, and that is helping with supply.”
“For Territorians, that means that no appointment is necessary at Palmerston and the soon-to-be-open urgent care clinic in Darwin, as well as the other urgent care clinics in the Northern Territory. There's been the biggest cut to the cost of medicines in the history of the PBS. All PBS medicines will be $25 or less and, for concession card holders, just $7.70. And that helps with the cost of living. We understand that all Australians are following the events in the Middle East closely and are feeling the consequences here at home. Our government is looking at every practical measure required to shield our nation and the household budgets of Australians from the worst of this global uncertainty, ensuring our regional communities and the services that all Australians rely on can continue to access the fuel that they need.”
“There are $10,000 bonuses for housing apprentices; 30 per cent off home batteries to permanently cut power bills; and paid pracs for all nursing, teaching, social work and midwifery students—helping with the cost of living. There's record hospital funding for Territory hospitals. We've expanded five per cent deposits to all first home buyers, there are pay rises for child-care and aged-care workers and we've expanded bulk-billing. For Territorians, people in my electorate of Darwin and Palmerston, 70 per cent of GP practices are now registered as Medicare bulk- billing practices. We're cutting student debt by 20 per cent. There's free urgent care in the Medicare clinics.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak about the Albanese Labor government governing and delivering for all Australians. We are continuing to build on delivering cost-of-living relief for Australians as our No. 1 priority, while working to set Australia up for the long term. It is powerful, I think, to list just some of the measures the Albanese Labor government is delivering for cost-of-living relief for Territorians and Australians. There are tax cuts for every taxpayer, including another tax cut in July this year, and pay rises for all minimum and award wage workers—there are those words 'every' and 'all'. Paid parental leave has been expanded to 24 weeks, on the way to 26 weeks, with super now paid on all government paid parental leave.”
“That's why we have also cut student debt, cut the cost of PBS medicines, delivered the largest investment in bulk-billing in Medicare's history, cut 30 per cent off home batteries to lower power bills, supported apprentices with a $10,000 bonus and introduced paid prac for nursing, teaching, social work and midwifery students. While we're focused on delivering cost-of-living relief, the Liberals and Nationals—those opposite—are still focused on themselves. They have not changed. Labor is delivering; the Albanese Labor government is delivering. The Liberals—those on that side—are completely divided, and Australians deserve better.”
“Today marks 12 months since the Albanese Labor government announced our cost-of-living top-up tax cuts for 14 million Australians. We want Australians to earn more and to keep more of what they earn. Tomorrow marks 12 months since the coalition voted against these tax cuts in this House, a decision made by the Leader of the Opposition as shadow Treasurer. 'Great job, well done Angus.' Our government's tax policy is cutting income taxes for every working Australian this year and next year. Helping Australians with the cost of living is our No. 1 priority while building a better future for all Australians.”
“I want to thank the owner of Casuarina Square, Warren Ebert, who was fully supportive of the youth engagement hub being adjacent to the Casuarina shopping centre. But I want to put on the record the shonky decision made by the NT government and their inaction over 18 months, which let down our young people, particularly those in the northern suburbs. As opposed to these delays in providing services for young Territorians, the Albanese Labor government is delivering effective programs on the ground for young Territorians. I was proud to be at the opening of one of those, directly funded by the NT government with other partners, providing direct support for young adolescent boys in the suburb of Palmerston. I look forward to the youth engagement hub opening for young Territorians.”
“Again, that's a piddling amount of people, and I suspect that the petition was simply sent out to the CLP distribution or membership list. It was an absolute travesty, after all that work. This was a shovel-ready site where the Casuarina Square owners were going to provide internships and traineeships in retail at the Casuarina Square shopping centre for those young people, engaging effectively within walking distance. It was all scrapped. After 18 months of nothing in the time since, they're now saying they're going to build something or reach out through a tender process. That is a shame. The CLP NT government have let down young people in the Territory and, by extension, the whole of the northern suburbs.”
“In preparation for the construction process, the men's shed was moved to a temporary site before the construction of the youth engagement hub could begin. Funding was allocated to the Darwin Men's Shed for their new site at Marrara. The fire station was removed, the site was made ready for development of the youth engagement hub—and then nothing. The incoming CLP government has moved the location based on a shonky and small petition to parliament. This petition was not reflective of the community in the local area where the youth engagement hub was going to be. Over 50 per cent of the only 90 signatories weren't even from the local area; they were from Palmerston and the rural area. And only 16 per cent of the signatories were from the surrounding suburbs.”
“We announced a youth engagement hub as an election commitment in 2022. We were working with the then Territory Labor government, and a site was chosen at the old Casuarina fire station on Dripstone Road after significant consultation. Ever since the Youth Shack Backpackers at Casuarina closed in 2021, there has been a great need for a place for young people in our community to drop in and access support and connection. The fire station site was chosen due to its centrality, including proximity to the large Casuarina shopping centre, bus services, mental health services such as headspace and areas where young people not only live but study and work. A detailed consultation process was undertaken and designs developed for that site.”
“We are delivering $40 million each to upgrade the Victoria and Barkly highways and $100 million for the Buntine Highway, all impacted, and $60.3 million to strengthen and widen the Carpentaria Highway. In 2025, we committed a further $200 million to upgrade the Stuart Highway, which, unfortunately, again was cut during these weather events. We're investing $2.8 billion in NT infrastructure over the next decade, and there's more to come as recovery work continues. Recovery doesn't happen overnight, and no-one is pretending it will. But Territorians can rest assured that the federal government is with them for the long haul. I note this week the Northern Territory government finally announced the start of a tender process for a youth engagement hub at a new location in the suburb of Leanyer.”
“The National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, NCCTRC, coordinates the Australian government funded capability established to ensure Australia's preparedness for and response to both domestic and international health emergencies. The NCCTRC has been funded by the Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing since 2004, established after the 2002 Bali bombings. It maintains Australia's deployable health emergency response capability through the AUSMAT program. I want to thank, through Dr Len Notaras, the director, the entire team for their excellent work. The federal government is also helping with infrastructure—and no-one is pretending it's a small job. The Australian government is making solid investments.”
“The field hospital will deliver a 20-bed emergency department and primary health service, including acute care and resuscitation capability, a one-bed maternity delivery suite to support urgent birthing needs, an on-site medical laboratory and radiology services including portable imaging. Up to 25 clinical and support staff will operate the facility to ensure continuous service delivery. A further 20-bed inpatient unit supporting both adult and paediatric patients has also opened, providing additional surge capacity during this period of significant health service disruption. AUSMAT personnel can remain deployed in Katherine for up to 28 days, ensuring sustained support to the community as recovery efforts continue.”
“I give a shout-out to all the ADF personnel and emergency response teams and all the local community volunteers who have helped during the evacuation process, which was as smooth and well managed as it could be given the challenging conditions. I also recognise the opening of an Australian medical assistance team. AUSMAT field hospital in East Katherine, delivering critical health services during the disruption of the Katherine Hospital due to the flooding. The AUSMAT field hospital is operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring Katherine residents maintain access to emergency and essential healthcare while normal hospital operations are disrupted.”
“On top of that, the Australian government disaster recovery payment is also available across Katherine and communities including Nauiyu, Palumpa, Beswick, Berry Springs and Darwin River, with $1,000 per adult and $400 per child for those directly impacted by this weather event. It's expanding to Daly River and Lansdowne from today. If you have lost some or all of your income because of this disaster, you may also be able to access the Australian government's disaster recovery allowance. And this is alongside the ADF assisted evacuations from Numbulwar on the east coast of Arnhem Land as well as personnel from RAAF Base Tindal on the ground in Katherine helping out with the clean up and recovery.”
“Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, as well as my friend and colleague Marion Scrymgour MP, the member for Lingiari, have spread out right across the affected communities, working side-by-side with locals and helping to drive the recovery. We've rolled out real support for Territorians doing it tough through jointly funded federal and Northern Territory government payments that are providing up to $1,537 per family in immediate relief, up to $1,160 for temporary accommodation and up to $8,843 to repair and replace essential household items. Unfortunately, that is going to be needed by many Territorians.”
“(): These floods have hit the Northern Territory hard, capped off by Tropical Cyclone Narelle over the weekend, which brought more rain. The federal government has been supporting Territorians on the ground from the start. The federal minister for emergency management, Kristy McBain MP, the member for Eden-Monaro, has been to the Top End and the Territory multiple times, and not just for this flood event in Katherine and surrounds but earlier this year as well. And the federal assistant minister for regional development, Senator Anthony Chisholm, was in the NT last week.”
“We are investing so we have more cheap, fast, safe solar energy available in our homes by day or by night when and where it's needed. I'm proud that this government is investing in Territorians and Australians.”
“Nearly 700 residents have taken up the government's offer of support to have a 30 per cent discount on the cost of a home battery, saving them up to $2,300 per annum. Under Appropriation Bill (No. 3), the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will receive around $2.9 billion, predominantly to continue their support for the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. After having been expanded to $7.2 billion over four years, an increase from the initial $2.3 billion, this program is expected to see more than two million Australians install a battery by 2030. This should deliver around 40 gigawatt hours of capacity, increasing expected capacity fourfold. I'll say again that this government is investing—investing in the sustainable generation of solar energy, investing to help Australians cut their energy bills.”
“We're investing in putting roofs over the heads of people who can call those roofs their own. We're investing in having places for people to call home—places in which they can raise their families and make memories with their loved ones. In the time remaining, I want to talk about home batteries. The Albanese Labor government is helping more households, small businesses and community groups bring down their energy bills for good through sensible changes to expand and secure the sustainability of our Cheaper Home Batteries Program. Territorians in greater numbers every day, every week are cutting their energy bills by installing cheaper home batteries and using them to store all that Territory sunshine, all that Territory gold. Darwin residents are installing batteries at double the rate of residents in Melbourne.”
“Housing and home ownership is a challenge in my home of greater Darwin, as it is everywhere, so we announced support for more first home buyers from Darwin to get into home ownership by increasing the property price cap for the five per cent home deposit scheme. On 1 July this year, two price caps will now operate in the Northern Territory. The one for the greater Darwin region, where home ownership is set generally at a higher mean than the rest of the Territory, will now be $750,000. For the rest of the Northern Territory, it will be set at $600,000. The five per cent deposit scheme has already helped more than 1,800 Territorians move into their first home since we came into government. I say again: we are investing in our national security and defence, in our health and wellbeing, and in our housing.”
“This is making a real difference in the lives of Australians and Territorians. People should be able to get the medicines they and their families need without the need to make difficult choices. I say again: we are investing. These are investments in the health security of our community. We are investing in the health and welfare of Australians. We are investing in a health system that actually works for Territorians and for Australians. We are investing in making health services more accessible to people who need them. Furthermore, this investment is also delivering cost-of-living relief for Australians, as I just mentioned. This appropriation bill gives $325 million to the Treasury to provide loans to Housing Australia to support social and affordable housing projects as part of the Housing Australia Future Fund.”