Peter Khalil
Wills · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“Nationally, I think it's important to note that we've delivered multiple tax cuts, more bulk billing, five per cent deposits for people's first home, expanded parental leave and early education, free TAFE, 20 per cent off HECS and so much more.”
“We've backed local arts, schools, sports clubs and community organisations through all of the different federal government investments, grants and election commitments, which have been so critically important for those communities. In the environment, we've revitalised sections of Moonee Ponds Creek, which is the border of my electorate.”
“It was 10 years ago today that I had the great privilege of being elected as a member of Wills. In my first speech, I said that I was elected by the people of Wills to serve them and to make a difference in their lives. That sounds simple, but it is a really important commitment and promise.”
“It's one of the great privileges of my time in this place. In my first speech, I warned that we must beware of the demagogues and charlatans who take advantage of the disaffected and angry in our society and direct that anger towards minorities and refugees to stir up their own political ends. Sadly, that warning still pertains today.”
“But the fact is that 2.7 million businesses and 98 per cent of all businesses will be eligible for generous capital gains tax concessions. Why? Because these reforms are all about helping businesses invest, innovate and grow. That is because they are the backbone of our economy. We know that.”
“If you're a new business, if you're a startup, if you've got an idea and you want to transform that idea into something productive for the economy, we're making sure that we help unlock investors through those tax incentives to change that culture so people are willing and incentivised to invest in those new small businesses.”
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“We've had a quarter of a century, now, of a tax system that has encouraged the misallocation of investment and resources in our economy, and we've had a 2½ decade productivity problem in our economy as well. It may be that, on the other side of the aisle, it's all too hard—it's just too difficult to make those hard decisions to try and make sure that we have a better future. But we want to encourage people to make investments, because there are good economic outcomes, not just good tax outcomes, that flow from that. That's why the government has cut taxes for workers five times and in three different ways—that's what we've done. We cut taxes in our first term. There was another tax cut in July, and another one the July after that.”
“This is a government that has, I think, been characterised by the fact that it has made hard decisions. We make the hard decisions. We're making the hard decisions because, effectively, they're the right decisions to make. You see that in the debate around this year's budget, and in our record of delivery over a period of time, because we are focused on helping workers, we're focused on helping first home buyers and we're focused on helping small businesses, so that more Australians can earn more and keep more of what they earn and also get into the housing market and get ahead. The tax package is pro aspiration, pro worker and pro investment. And that is very good. It is very good for my incredibly diverse and aspirational community in my electorate of Wills.”
“It's no easy task to go through that experience and then speak about it many years later. Their lives have been shaped by pain, by injustice and by all that occurred to them at such a young age. It's so difficult to cope with at any age, but for them to go through this experience as children is horrific. Many of us here are parents, but even any of us who are not parents would all probably agree, very clearly, that no children should ever have to experience a suffering that so many victims and survivors have had to face. This parliament, I think, is doing a good thing in reaffirming our responsibility to ensure that those voices are heard, that the injustices that they experienced at some level are addressed with some measure of justice and that the failures that have occurred in the past are never repeated.”
“We can, however, legislate reforms here in this place to ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes feel the full enforcement of the law, because those who seek to harm children should know that this government and this parliament will not stop until survivors get the justice they deserve. This bill is about aligning our financial and legal systems with—in effect—our values in many respects. These are values that say perpetrators must be held accountable and that the victims and the survivors deserve not only recognition and acknowledgement of their pain and understanding but also meaningful support and redress. So we stand in this parliament today—I think both sides of the House do—to demonstrate that recognition of the courage shown by so many survivors who've spoken out about the abuse that they have endured as children.”
“Engaging with these stakeholders is critical to ensure it is delivering on its intent and whether barriers remain that need to be removed. The reforms enclosed within this bill will make a real difference in the lives of victims and survivors. They cannot wipe away the pain and the trauma, but they will make a difference. The ability to provide new avenues for enforcement and financial compensation will allow for a greater chance of achieving some measure of justice for the survivors. Our government can't—no government can—reverse the harm that has been experienced by these victims-survivors. No-one can do that. Survivors of child sexual abuse have gone through a horrific experience. We can't reverse that.”
“That is why this bill should be understood as a significant and necessary foundation for more work that needs to be done. It lays the groundwork for potential future reforms, because enclosed within these reforms is a framework that can be built upon in the future. This ensures the critical measure of being able to review these reforms after their implementation. We should and will remain engaged in our policies to ensure that they are making a tangible impact on those that they affect. That's why the review mechanisms enclosed in this bill allow our government the opportunity to assess whether victims and survivors are genuinely benefiting and whether additional changes are required. The legislation will continue to be informed by voices of survivors, advocates, legal experts and practitioners.”
“This bill is our government's way of recognising the deep and lasting pain that victims do endure and trying, in an important way, to redress some of that pain. Under our government, no victim of child sexual abuse should have to endure the risk of financial insecurity due to the lasting effects of the abuse that they suffered. Our government is committed to protecting our most innocent and vulnerable citizens and holding those who seek to do them harm accountable. As a parliament, we must recognise that the impacts of child sexual abuse are enduring. They're complex. They're profound. Our response must be equally serious, sustained and centred on those who have been harmed. Importantly, we will continue to listen and improve and build upon these laws.”
“It risks perpetuating a cycle where the burden continues to fall on those who were harmed, rather than those who caused the harm. Child sexual abuse crimes often leave deep and lifelong impacts that extend far beyond the period of abuse itself, and that trauma does not end when the abuse ends. For many victims and survivors, it is something they must navigate every single day, too often in silence and without the adequate support that they need. Some survivors face barriers to stable employment and financial security, meaning the harm they experience is not only deeply emotional and psychological but very material as well. For those who seek the pursuit of justice, they must then relive the painful experiences they went through from their abuser as part of that process.”
“Importantly, this schedule ensures that compensation debts do not simply disappear through bankruptcy. By allowing these debts to survive bankruptcy proceedings, we are reinforcing a clear and necessary message: financial manoeuvring must not override the legal and the moral responsibility. Bankruptcy should not be a refuge from accountability for such serious harm. These changes will apply not only to future bankruptcies but also to those currently in progress. That's significant because it recognises that there are survivors right now, today, who are being denied justice under the existing framework. When offenders retain substantial retirement savings while victims struggle financially, often as a direct consequence of the abuse they've suffered, it really undermines confidence in the justice system.”
“This bill seeks to amend the Taxation Administration Act 1953 and other relevant Commonwealth acts to allow victims and survivors of child sexual abuse to apply for a court order for the release of certain amounts from a perpetrator's superannuation interests. Under these reforms, where a court ordered compensation debt remains unpaid after 12 months, victims and survivors will be able to seek access through a court order to certain superannuation contributions made by the offender. This includes additional personal and salary sacrifice contributions, which have previously been used as a vehicle to shield assets from enforcement. This is a very practical and targeted step. It also introduces a mechanism to ensure that perpetrators cannot simply wait out their obligations while their financial position remains protected.”
“According to the Department of the Treasury, there have been many such cases where offenders who are either subject to or anticipating criminal proceedings have made large voluntary personal contributions to their superannuation to avoid having to pay the compensation, and this has allowed the offender to shield their assets from those compensation claims. Obviously, this cannot continue, and the Albanese Labor government has introduced this bill to shut this loophole for good, ensuring that those who have suffered so horribly from abuse are no longer blocked from the compensation they deserve.”
“It is also about meaningful redress, and the survivors law will provide meaningful redress for victims. There are three avenues, as I mentioned earlier, in the manner in which victims are paid compensation. It includes state and territory compensation schemes, where the state or territory, rather than the offender, pays the compensation to the victim. There's compensation or reparation orders handed down as part of the sentencing process in a criminal proceeding, or there is a civil action pursued by the victim against the offender for damages. None of these options, however, allow the victim to access any financial compensation through the perpetrator's superannuation.”
“But what people might not know is that a loophole actually exists in existing legislation that has meant that the perpetrators have been able to shield their assets in their superannuation, which effectively leaves victims and survivors without the compensation that they are owed and that has been determined that they should be paid. This bill, the survivors law, closes that loophole for good. It allows victims and survivors to seek access to a perpetrator's superannuation to satisfy unpaid compensation orders where a criminal conviction has been made. The bill really goes to a very simple but fundamental principle: that perpetrators of child sexual abuse should not be able to hide behind financial structures to avoid accountability for their crimes. Justice is not only about conviction.”
“The Albanese Labor government understands— it's a truism, I guess—that you do get the best policy outcomes when you meaningfully engage with the people that the policy is actually for. That's why have listened to and continue to listen to survivors of child sexual abuse and advocates, who have long called for stronger accountability for perpetrators and improved justice outcomes. Many people might not know, but convicted perpetrators of child sexual abuse in Australia can be ordered to pay financial compensation to their victims. There are multiple ways that that is done through court orders and so on, at the state level as well, and I'll run through those.”
“Labor is the party of Medicare. Labor will always strengthen Medicare, and only Labor is taking real action to ease the cost of living for families through Medicare. Lastly, I want to give a quick shout out to the Coburg Cycling Club, who celebrated their 130th anniversary last week. It's such an impressive milestone. It's one of the oldest continuous clubs in the world for cycling. It's the sixth oldest running in the world and the second oldest in Australia. The history is not just part of the club; it's part of Melbourne's history. It's an interest of mine too as Assistant Minister for Defence, because 86 club members served Australia in the First World War. Sadly, 16 never returned home. The club has produced elite riders. Some have competed in the Olympics and the Tour de France. Happy birthday, Coburg Cycling Club.”
“You don't need an appointment. You just walk in when you need it, and you don't need your credit card—all you need is your Medicare card because appointments are completely free. Speaking of our investments in Medicare, 55 per cent of GP practices in my electorate of Wills are now fully bulk billing. That's not 55 per cent of GPs; that's 55 per cent of GP practices fully bulk billing. As the Prime Minister said when he came to my electorate of Wills last weekend, there's a reason the Medicare card is green and gold. It's because it's one of the great Australian institutions. It speaks to Australian values of getting a fair go, and that's what Medicare urgent care clinics are about as well. That's why our government has strengthened Medicare by expanding bulk-billing incentives so that nine out of 10 GP visits will be bulk-billed by 2030.”
“The investment in Medicare, the investment in bulk-billing and the investment in these Medicare urgent care clinics is going to be remembered and acknowledged for generations. When I speak to people on Sydney Road—out the front of my office there—and tell them about the clinic, their eyes light up. They say: 'This is fantastic! We need this. We don't have one in this area.' That's why I fought so hard to get it opened in Coburg. Being able to get this kind of non-life-threatening but urgent care late at night or on the weekends is a must for the community. For those in my community who might be watching this online or reading the transcript—I'm not sure how many read the Hansard anymore—here's the info to remember: the Coburg Medicare urgent care clinic is open seven days a week, 365 days a year, from 8 am to 10 pm.”
“Last week we opened a brand new Medicare urgent care clinic in Coburg, so it's exciting for our constituents. This is what we're here for: to serve and to make sure that our constituents have a better life. I'm pleased to say it's already having great reviews. We've heard from a local dad who took his daughter into the clinic to assist with anaphylaxis, and he let my office know that they received fantastic urgent care—exactly what we want to hear. Opening a Medicare urgent care clinic in Coburg was a key commitment I made to my community ahead of the last election, and it's fantastic to know that the incredible team of staff are already providing top-level care. This is one of the legacy pieces of the Albanese Labor government, and the impact it has on local communities is enormous.”
“It's important that the messaging to Australians, the responsibility that you have as members of parliament, is not encouraging people to panic buy in your commentary like the Leader of the Opposition has in some of the statements he's made. It's actually to take the responsible position and say to Australians: 'This is what's happening; these are the facts. The fuel supply is intact; it's coming through. We've increased the number of cargo ships, and all you need to do is buy the fuel that you need for you and your family and not fill up jerry cans.'”
“She said, 'Why is he doing that?' I wanted to make a partisan point and say, 'Because some of those in our parliament are encouraging people to panic buy in this way. It's not necessary, mum. You just fill up with what you need.' Most Australians just need to fill up with what they need. It's not necessary, Mum. You just fill up with what you need. Most Australians just need to fill up with what they need. There is plenty of fuel supply. This is an issue around demand. It's an issue around getting the message across to the bloke at the petrol station who, selfishly, in front of a pensioner, is filling up five jerry cans and not thinking about the community around them.”
“For context, it takes about a month for oil to leave the Middle East and make its way through the Strait of Hormuz to Asian countries like Singapore that refine the crude into petrol. Then it's shipped to Australia, it gets trucked to your local petrol stations and it makes its way to the bowser and into your car. It takes more than a month for all of that to occur. Given this context only started four weeks ago, what we're dealing with, factually, is an increase in demand. The bulk of the issues we're dealing with have been caused by spikes in demand. Demand for petrol has doubled due to—well, the best way I can describe it is this. My mum called me the other day, and she was upset. She said she went to the petrol station to fill up her car, and the bloke in front of her filled up his car and then filled up five jerry cans.”
“That's significant. That's a fact, and it has an ongoing impact on people's lives. However, I can say that it's a fact as well that Australia's oil imports have been fairly robust in this context—very robust, in fact. I'll take the interjection because it's just a fact that, even though those on that side made a big song and dance about six out of 81 shipments of oil being cancelled in the past month—as was stated in question time by the minister, and I'll repeat it and point it out—all six of those have been replaced. In fact, as the minister informed the House today, in addition to replacing those six cancelled shipments, three cargo ships over and above the normal contracted deliveries for April and May are going to be added to the fuel supply. It's a fact that we're dealing with an issue around demand. Why is that?”
“I was really hopeful that maybe I would hear some facts or some perspective from the member for Gippsland in this MPI rather than personal pot shots or partisan political points, but maybe I was being too hopeful. I'm going to try to address some of the facts in relation to this MPI that they've raised. It is a fact that Australians are following the events in the Middle East, and they're seeing and feeling the consequences of this. Australians have been feeling the pressure at the pump over the last few weeks, and that's going to continue because, the longer this conflict in the Middle East goes on, the more significant the impact will be on the global economy and on the Australian economy. This is being felt around the world. That's just a fact. The fact is that 20 per cent of the world's oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz.”
“This is politics that makes a difference. It's political action through this parliament, through this democracy and through our representation of our communities that make a difference to their lives. I'm pleased to have been able to speak on the appropriation bill. People might not think it's a very exciting bill to talk about, but it makes a difference to people in our community. Debate interrupted.”
“So it's fantastic to see these projects come to fruition through those commitments through this appropriations bill. I am so pleased for the community members that are going to benefit from this for generations to come. As I said at the start of this speech, serving your community is the best part of the job. It's the best part of the job when you do something for them that is tangible, real and makes a difference to their lives. All of us here, on whichever side we sit, especially those in parties that can form government, would agree that local MPs can actually do something for their community, and that's a wonderful thing in politics. There's a lot of cynicism around politics. People talk about playing politics. Well, let's play some more politics in a positive way, because this is positive politics.”
“I'm so excited by so many of these projects because what they do is really work with community to actually deliver on the things that make a difference to them, whether it's in sports, in the environment or in transportation, like linear parklands—which, incidentally, I forgot to mention, is the longest cycling track in the Southern Hemisphere, which is quite remarkable. These are projects that make a huge difference. These projects come from the advocacy of the people that live there—the needs that they understand. They come to us, being local members of parliament and being able to engage with them, and then we deliver through this place. There's a lot of cynicism around politics, but we're able to achieve these things because we form a government, and a Labor government cares about the people that we represent.”
“Just as one example, I was pleased to support the Central Pontian Association with an elevator for the elderly members. They're on Sydney Road at the Pontiaki Estia club. That is really appreciated by the community. The appropriations bill allows us to deliver. This is why it's so important. It allows delivery to the community. The Albanese government is investing in local communities like mine in my electorate of Wills. That's the way that the Labor government does this. It actually cares about the community. It makes sure that we deliver for them and make a difference to their lives.”
“As soon as it was announced, with the redistribution, that Carlton North, Fitzroy North and Princes Hill were moved into my electorate of Wills from the then Greens held electorate of Melbourne, the Yarra City Council and the local community really came to see me about the needs that they have and that we could actually deliver if we were to form government. That's why that was such a powerful community campaign, because of the needs that they had for the linear parklands that they'd been asking for for a long time. Obviously, being in government and being able to deliver that made all the difference to that community, and it's great that that's going ahead. We also did a lot of work supporting multicultural communities in my electorate. It's one of the most diverse electorates in Melbourne.”
“It's not like you're in the city at all. People catch up with their loved ones. They do their walks. They work on the conservation of the creek. There's a real community atmosphere with respect to supporting that part of Melbourne, so it was fantastic to be able to announce that. It means a lot that we can actually do this at the local level. I also announced—and this goes to transportation—$3.7 million to upgrade linear parklands in the south of my electorate. That will upgrade all the sports and play precincts there and will also allow all-abilities play for the community. That was a true community campaign.”
“We announced funding, and we're going to invest that funding into the revitalisation of Merri Creek. Merri Creek is a very important urban waterway that pretty much borders my electorate with the neighbouring electorate of Maribyrnong—sorry, the neighbouring electorate of Cooper. Moonee Ponds Creek is on the other side. It's so important for the community because people enjoy what is, effectively, all this native flora and fauna right in the middle of an urban centre. It's quite remarkable, and it's so important for the kids, and for adults as well, to be able to engage and experience that. This funding is really there to help increase the vegetation, improve the stormwater retention and enhance the overall ecological health of the creek. It's loved by locals. If you go for a walk down there, it's beautiful.”
“He was also a selector for the cricket team there in the twenties and thirties. That's how old the stand is. The great John Curtin was there. It was great to see some of the cricket and footy memorabilia over the generations and the connections and the friendships that continue to occur through the sporting clubs that participate there. I'm really proud of this government for the investments that we're making in these historic community spaces, which will make such a difference for generations to come. But it's not just sport. The other aspect that I'm very passionate about in the community is the environment. We worked very hard to advocate and to be able to announce an investment of $1.9 million to invest in the green spaces and urban waterways that are so important for our communities.”
“It's really important that there's safety and accessibility of the grounds to ensure that people have the best experience and to support the local sporting legends—all the juniors and seniors and the weekend warriors that get out there as well—because of that connection that is formed, that bond that is formed. I took the Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles, down there when we made the announcement. We tried to have a bit of a kick of the footy. That was fun. He saw firsthand how much this means to the local community. It was extra special going down into the clubrooms because there's a bit of history at this oval. The great John Curtin, the great Labor prime minister in World War II, actually played Victorian Football Association, VFA, footy for Brunswick on that oval.”
“There's a tennis club nearby as well. We're making the oval fit for purpose for generations to come by renovating what is a historic oval. It's the AR Glenn Grandstand, which is currently unsafe for use. If you went there, you wouldn't want to stand under it. It looks pretty dangerous. It needs to be renovated and fixed up. We're also putting funding towards lighting upgrades to support night games at the oval. The Gillon Oval sees hundreds and hundreds—thousands—of community members turn out for games every weekend. The community uses it on training nights as well.”
“It brings people together from so many different backgrounds. It ensures that young girls and boys—there are boys that play netball—have the ability to be physically healthy and have really good mental health outcomes through the socialisation, teamwork, culture and team atmosphere. It is doing so much good for the local community, and I pay great respect to Jade and Grace and everyone there at the club who have done such a terrific job. They really deserve this investment. We are investing in local sports because it's not just about the sport itself; it's about what it does for the community all around. That's why we're also investing $3.3 million into the redevelopment of Gillon Oval in Brunswick. I made that announcement with the local community there—the local football club, the local cricket club and the other clubs that are there.”
“They have gone over and above in supporting women and girls from very diverse backgrounds who usually don't play sports or play netball to come together through one of Australia's most cherished sports, which is netball. I've been to the club many times during their weeknight training sessions. I've even had a crack myself. I'm not very good, but, aside from my subpar netball skills, what I heard directly from the players, the volunteers and the parents is how much this commitment means to them, how much it will mean for the future development of the club and how much it means for the community that they're able to continue to do their training, rain or shine. It provides stability for the players and the club, knowing that they can continue to do that. It's more than just a sporting club; it's part of our community.”
“I'm not sure if that's the right rehabilitation—it might have caused other forms of trauma and the need for other medical attention—but she was home and able to recuperate because of the Medicare urgent care clinic's great care for people. This is just one of the many ways that the Albanese Labor government is delivering for my community in Wills. Another one that I'm very passionate about is the commitment we made to a local sports club in my electorate, because this club really makes the community great in many ways. It's the Fawkner Netball Club. We are investing $4.5 million to repave the courts and build overhead coverings. This club is really a pillar of my community. It was formed a number of years ago, around the same time that I was first elected.”
“Just walk in and show your Medicare card. I spoke to a local constituent recently in Brunswick West. Her name was Sarah, and she told me about the fantastic care that she received at another Medicare urgent care clinic that she had to travel to because we didn't yet have one in our electorate. She slipped in her kitchen and was left with a cut that definitely needed urgent attention. She arrived at that Medicare urgent care clinic, showed her Medicare card, took a seat and was seen within 15 minutes. Within the hour she was stitched up, back home and on bed rest. She told me that she caught up on MAF S .”
“It is as a member of a party of government that I can actually follow through on commitments and we can all follow through on the commitments that we make to our communities and deliver for those communities, not just talking about it but actually making a real difference to their lives every day. For instance, last year I announced that a re-elected Albanese Labor government would fund a brand new Medicare urgent care clinic in Coburg. Well, I'm very pleased to report that the construction is well underway at 444 Sydney Road in Coburg, and we are very close to the opening day. As we know and have heard, the Medicare urgent care clinics—and this one in Coburg—will provide urgent but non-life-threatening care for things like burns, breaks and cuts. They're going to be open late and on weekends with no appointment necessary.”
“It is a great honour to be the member for Wills in Melbourne's northern suburbs because of the people who choose to live, work and be there play there every day. The opportunity to serve them, to deliver for the community, both nationally and locally, is by far the best part of the job. Appropriations bills like this are how we actually deliver to our local community. From Fawkner to Fitzroy, from Pascoe Vale to Princes Hill and from Carlton North to Coburg North, our government, the Albanese Labor government, is continuing to deliver for my electorate of Wills in every budget that we deliver.”
“It places the onus on digital platforms to proactively keep Australians safe by preventing online harms and taking reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harms on their platforms and services. With this ban, our government has ensured that 4.7 million social media accounts have been deactivated for those who are under 16, and that is a good thing for those young people—to go out into the world and have other experiences.”
“I wanted to hear these students' experience and how the government's ban has affected them. We had a Q&A with the girls, and it was quite remarkable. They had such pertinent and important questions to ask, and a discussion around the digital duty of care ensued. One of the points that was made—quite rightly, I think—was the importance of that duty of care, particularly for girls, and we talked about how they can report to the eSafety Commissioner if they've experienced any abuse or harmful content online. The eSafety Commissioner has reported that over seven in 10 young Australians have seen content online that they shouldn't have been exposed to. That is why the digital duty of care was recommended as part of the independent statutory review of the Online Safety Act 2021.”
“Many of them had lost family members over the 47 years of resistance. I think it's important for all of us to show solidarity to the Iranian diaspora, who have suffered for so long and been so brave in many respects. The regime has put the jackboot on the neck of Iranians for decades. It's reported that in January some 36,000 Iranian protesters, who were standing up for freedom and democracy, were massacred—slaughtered by their own government. The people here in Australia deserve and require our solidarity and our support, and that's what we gave them on Saturday night. Also locally, I had the pleasure of hosting the Minister for Communications, Anika Wells, in my electorate. We went to Pascoe Vale Girls College to speak with a classroom of year 7, 8 and 9 students, who were obviously impacted by the social media ban.”
“On Saturday night I attended the Radio Neshat Persian Awards. It was a celebration and commemoration of Iranian Australian excellence across the Australian community, in community service, science, technology, cinema, entrepreneurship and many other areas. Of course, it coincided with the first strikes in Iran, so it was an exceedingly strange evening. While it was a celebration of the contribution that Iranian Australians have made—and rightly so—there was much anxiety. Many of the people in the room, from the diaspora community here, had friends and family in Iran. They were concerned for them, but, at the same time, they were also hopeful that this might be a significant shift and the beginning of the end of the violent Islamic Republic regime, which has been so oppressive to them and their families.”
“Over the weekend I was pleased to attend two fantastic events representing the multicultural fabric of my electorate. I visited the Masjid Ar-Rahman Mosque open day in Fawkner, part of the Islamic Council of Victoria's initiative of 30 mosques being opened across the state. It is a great initiative to build social cohesion, break down some barriers and engage in conversation with local community members. Masjid Ar-Rahman in Fawkner in my electorate is a very important place. It has more than 2,000 families living in and around Fawkner. I want to thank Dr Mahabubur Mollah and Masjid ar-Rahman for your service to the community and for welcoming me on the day.”
“So Wills is the place to live or to visit if you love the arts. That's why I'm so pleased to see Creative Australia award 23 grants to artists in my community of Wills in their latest funding round. This includes funding for Triple R, a not-for-profit community radio station, one of the best local radio stations—I've been on there—and funding to musicians like Stella Donnelly and Mindy Meng Wang. It also includes funding for local theatre companies, local visual artists and local writers and funding to help Australian artists in my electorate to take their works to the international stage. One thing that artists across Wills and across Australia know is that it's only the Labor government that actually cares about supporting Australian artists. I encourage our colleagues to visit Wills and enjoy some of the arts on offer.”
“And it's going to take a lot of pressure off the local hospital emergency departments. In comparison, the opposition, when they were last in government, tried to end bulk-billing with a GP tax. They froze Medicare rebates for six years and stripped billions out of Medicare. Only Labor strengthens Medicare and only Labor delivers in my electorate of Wills and across Australia. This might be controversial, but there is no better electorate in the country than Wills, my electorate, when it comes to, specifically, the arts. Why do I say that? Well, it is because of the arts facilities in my electorate, including Balam Balam Place, to which our government contributed $1 million towards construction. There are 8,000 people in my electorate employed in the cultural and creative occupations.”
“Our government, the Albanese government, promised a Medicare urgent care clinic for Coburg in my electorate at the election, and now we are delivering on our promise. In the coming weeks the Coburg Medicare urgent care clinic, on 444 Sydney Road, is going to open. It's going to be open seven days a week. It's going to have extended hours on the weekend, and all you need is your Medicare card, not your credit card. So if the member from Wagga injures himself playing footy and he's in Melbourne at the time, he can come and get some urgent medical care for his non-life-threatening condition. He'll be welcome. This is going to help. But, more importantly, it's going to help our locals. It's going to help the constituents I represent in my electorate to get the care they need closer to home.”
“Even when we might disagree, there are threads that bind us together and make up the society that we cherish so much. He left an extraordinary legacy of dedication, service and foresight, and he will be remembered for his service by not just those in the Labor Party but all of us in this place. I think his spirit lives on in many respects through not only many of my South Australian colleagues but all of us in the party and all of us in this place. It was an absolute pleasure to engage with him and for him to give some time to me and advice to me over the many, many years from the beginning of my political career. I'm sure he was a great mentor to so many South Australian politicians in this place as well. It is so sad to see him go, but he left us with something very, very special, and we'll carry that flame on for him.”
“Apparently the Greeks invented democracy. I think that's true and he handed it down. Nick certainly was someone who was proud of his Greek heritage and proud of the fact that democracy sprung from his homeland. He carried that torch with great courage and compassion throughout his political career. He understood that Australians and Australia should be proud and confident in our differences, and we should recognise that we are multifaith, multiethnic society—one that he helped build. It's not just about tolerating others, it's about those democratic values and the democratic participation that he loved so much. It's about social responsibility in doing things for others and contributing. It's about the shared values that bind us together.”
“Nick stood up courageously and compassionately to do what was right, despite what was, at the time, a very high political risk. It would have been much easier for Bob and Nick to just fold, go with the polls and go with the loud voices that were, at the time, sowing that fear and division. But, they said, 'No, we are going to stand up and do what is right morally, ethically and politically.' People give politics a bad rap, but when you take political actions like this, the way that Nick did, that is I think the core element of politics—the ability to engage in that public space to make decisions that make a difference to people's lives around us. Nick very much symbolised but also practically delivered on that idea of political action. We know he's of Greek background. He would have claimed to be the holder of the flame of democracy.”