Libby Coker
Corangamite · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“Well, it's finally open. After years of planning, investment and construction, the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre is now welcoming visitors. While it's on Geelong's waterfront, the benefits won't stop there.”
“Participants and their families deserve confidence that the workers entering their homes and providing essential supports are appropriately trained, properly supported and accountable.”
“That's what makes this project so important. It's an investment that strengthens Geelong as the gateway to everything my part of Victoria has to offer, and it's already delivered 1,400 jobs, with more to come. It builds on the work we're doing across the Bellarine and Surf Coast to support growing communities.”
“It should be noted that, throughout this inquiry, the committee made clear that choice and control are the foundation of the NDIS, and they must remain at the centre of any reform. During this inquiry, the committee heard from people with disability, families, advocates, providers and experts.”
“The NDIS was built on trust—trust that participants would receive the right supports, trust that providers would act in the best interests of the people they support and trust that public funding would be used for its intended purpose. As the scheme has grown, the risks facing it have also evolved.”
“This includes a greater focus on fraud prevention and detection, stronger oversight of providers, improved collaboration between agencies and reform to better protect participants. During the committee's inquiry, what was highlighted was the importance of such continued work.”
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“For more than one million low-income Australians, we are also raising the Medicare levy threshold to provide further relief. Energy rebates will continue, with $1.8 billion more invested in this budget. Every household and one million small businesses will benefit, cutting another $150 from bills this year. The Albanese government is ensuring energy companies pass on cheaper deals and discounts so families get the value they deserve. After a decade of stagnation, real wages have now risen for five consecutive quarters. This is good news. It is a core Labor principle that workers share in our nation's prosperity, and what better way to do this than through wages that add to our productivity?”
“This budget also invests in scholarships for nurses and midwives, supporting the next generation of health professionals in our region. Importantly, it delivers record investments in women's health, from contraception access to endometriosis clinics and to menopause support. For too long, women's health was underfunded, undervalued and too often ignored. This budget says clearly that women's health matters. This is a budget designed to keep the pressure off families today while building opportunity for tomorrow. The No. 1 concern for Australians right now is the cost of living. That is why this budget delivers responsible, targeted relief. Tax cuts are front and centre. Every Australian taxpayer will receive a tax cut this year and next. For the average earner, that means an extra $2,548 in their pocket, around $50 a week extra.”
“This budget delivers the single largest investment in Medicare since its creation—$8.5 billion to lift bulk-billing, build our health workforce and expand access to urgent care. It funds another 50 Medicare urgent care clinics, building on the 87 already open. One of these clinics will be in my electorate of Corangamite in Torquay. It has been so much welcomed, and I look forward to standing with my community when the doors open. Just last week, I'm proud to say the tender process kicked off for the provider to be selected for the clinic. The Torquay urgent care clinic will expand access to health care on the Surf Coast, ensuring locals can get urgent care close to home without long wait times in emergency. I'm proud that Torquay on the Surf Coast will soon get a mental health prevention hub.”
“For Corangamite, that means opportunity—opportunity in renewable energy projects on the Surf Coast, opportunity in advanced manufacturing in Geelong, opportunity in construction, in care, in teaching and in all the sectors crying out for skilled workers. It also means investment in the infrastructure that keeps our community strong—local roads, rail connections and community facilities that bring people together. From Armstrong Creek to Torquay, from Waurn Ponds to Ocean Grove and from Leopold to Clifton Springs in my electorate, communities are growing, and they need the infrastructure to match. This budget makes sure that growth in regional communities like mine is recognised and is supported in a sustainable and responsible way that looks to the future.”
“In my electorate of Corangamite, I've spoken with parents who tell me that cheaper child care has made a real difference to their lives. I've met apprentices at the Gordon Institute of TAFE who are embracing free TAFE and proud to be the first in their family to take up a trade. I've spoken with pensioners in Waurn Ponds who have felt the real difference of hundreds of dollars off their power bills. These are not lines in a budget paper; they are lives being made easier. This budget also looks forward. It invests in the industries that will power our future—clean energy, advanced manufacturing, defence capability and skills. It is a plan to make more things here, to back Australian ingenuity and to create secure, well-paid jobs in our regions.”
“But Australians knew better. They knew that government could and should help. They knew that budgets should serve people, not the other way around. Now, after a wasted decade, that is exactly what this budget delivers. It acts on needs and supports Australians to get ahead. This budget builds on the foundation laid in our last term: cheaper child care so parents, especially mums, can work more, earn more and get ahead; free TAFE so thousands of Australians can train for jobs that are in demand now and in the future; energy bill relief so households and small businesses can breathe easier; and tax cuts for every taxpayer, because, in tough times, every dollar counts. These are not abstract measures; they are practical steps that ease financial pressure and expand opportunity.”
“Our budget repays hard work, nourishes aspiration and creates opportunity. That's why I stand today to support this enabling legislation—legislation that underpins our reform agenda and recognises the challenges Australians are facing, cost-of-living pressures, the uncertainty of global events and the need for stability at home. It responds to these challenges with proactive policy and investment in sectors such as housing, health, infrastructure, energy, skills, training and multiculturalism with funding to underpin reform. For years, Australians have carried the weight of a coalition government that told them simply 'ride it out'—a government that shrugged its shoulders as prices climbed and wages stagnated and a government that told renters to just buy a house and told families struggling with power bills that nothing could be done.”
“It recognises the unique challenges of delivering care across our continent, and it ensures the scheme can continue to be fair to participants, to taxpayers and to the workforce who deliver the care. So, I will continue to stand with participants, families and providers to ensure the scheme continues to thrive.”
“This is a program that must endure. It is worth fighting for. I recognise that the NDIA is committed to this goal. I also acknowledge that the agency has stated that it seeks to close the gaps as part of this review. The agency has said that no other comparable scheme compensates therapists for travel in the way the NDIS does. Under Veterans' Affairs, an exercise physiologist may get a kilometre allowance, but only where the distance exceeds 10 kilometres and there is no closer provider. Therapists under TAC, Comcare and the Lifetime Support Authority cannot claim for travel at all. By contrast, under the NDIS, providers can still claim up to 50 per cent of the therapy rate for travel time—that's about $90 an hour—and, in remote and very remote areas, providers will still get 40 to 50 per cent loadings. This is a significant support.”
“After raising these concerns with the NDIA directly, I note the agency has been engaging with providers on the annual pricing review, and I certainly urge the agency to do more consultation with these providers in the lead up to next year's review. Of course, the NDIA is in a difficult position after a decade of the former coalition government's neglect of the scheme, and we know gaps in the scheme have been exploited by some bad providers. They would schedule inefficient travel, stringing out journeys so they could pocket more of a participant's budget, and that is not acceptable. It's bad for people with disability. It's bad for Australians, whose trust in the scheme is already fragile. We need to strengthen trust, and we need to close the gaps. If people lose faith in the scheme, they will lose faith in its future.”
“I see the passionate providers. I know how much they care. Their work is not easy. Occupational therapists, speech pathologists, support workers and plan managers—too often these people do not get the thanks they deserve. So today I do want to thank them, because, despite the headlines about rorters and fraudsters, I know that the vast majority of providers are good people doing good work. But many of these providers have raised concerns directly with me about the NDIA's recent annual pricing review, and I acknowledge these concerns. They deserve to be heard. The reality is that some providers have said they want more consultation with the NDIA.”
“And it has been delivering on that promise every day since. I have met participants who now live independently for the first time, parents who tell me the scheme has given their children the chance to learn to work and to belong, and older Australians who never thought they would see such support in their lifetime. That is the NDIS at its best. But we also know the scheme is not without flaws, and we must keep working to strengthen it, because we know it is profoundly life-changing. We also know the scheme relies on social licence and families, providers, advocates and the disability sector working together to get the best outcomes for people with disability. As Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS and as an MP in the Geelong region, the birthplace of the NDIA, my office and I often speak with the NDIS sector.”
“Disability can affect any one of us: a brother, a sister, a neighbour, a work colleague—someone we hold dear. And it can happen at any time. What we know is that one in six Australians live with a disability. It touches us all. And that is why Labor created the NDIS more than a decade ago. The NDIS was and is groundbreaking, and it has been life-changing for so many people across our nation. At its heart, the scheme represents the best of who we are as Australians. Looking out for each other and supporting those who need it most—that is what the NDIS is all about. When we introduced the National Disability Insurance Scheme some 12 years ago, it carried a profound promise to value people with disability, not measure their price in a budget, and to see the whole person, not just their impairment.”
“We're committed to continuing to provide Australians with these pathways and continuing to invest in our VET system, in TAFE Centres of Excellence, in free TAFE and in apprenticeships, so that every Australian has the chance to explore all the options, reach their potential and contribute to a stronger, fairer and more prosperous nation. Skills mean fairness. Skills mean dignity. Skills bring opportunity. That is what this week is all about, that is what our government is delivering and that is what I will continue to fight for on behalf of the people of my electorate of Corangamite. Congratulations to all the staff and students at Gordon TAFE—enjoy this week and go well.”
“National Skills Week is a reminder that learning never stops, that opportunity must always be available and that respect for every pathway is fundamental to fairness. It is a week to celebrate the people making this possible: our apprentices, trainees, TAFE students and skilled workers. They are not only building their lives; they are building and caring for our communities. The theme of this year's Skills Week, 'Explore ALL the options', captures the spirit of what our government is delivering. Every pathway, every course, every apprenticeship and every TAFE place is an opportunity to build a better life for individuals, families and communities.”
“Strong foundation skills—literacy, numeracy, digital capability and the ability to adapt to technologies like AI—are critical to ensuring that everyone can participate fully in work, education and the broader community. In December 2024, in partnership with states and territories, we finalised the National Foundation Skills Strategy 2025-2035. This sets out a vision for adult learners to access quality training that builds confidence, capability and lifelong opportunity. In closing, I'd like to say that my region has always been built on skills—from the workshops in Marshall and Moolap, to the care workers supporting our ageing communities, to the tradies building homes in Armstrong Creek and Mount Duneed. These are the people who keep our region strong. These are the people who will continue to make our nation so special.”
“It's about individuals, about addressing skills shortages and about building a strong, productive and prosperous economy. As part of our work to make this a reality, our government signed the groundbreaking National Skills Agreement with states and territories in 2023. This historic deal unlocks up to $34 billion in joint investment to strengthen and modernise vocational education and training, with TAFE at its centre. As part of this agreement, 12 TAFE Centres of Excellence are being established to deliver the skills our economy urgently needs. These centres are taking shape in areas including housing and construction, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, electric vehicles and heavy industry. They give Australians the opportunity to gain skills in areas where they can make a real difference to our communities and to our nation.”
“In its first month alone, the housing stream of this program saw almost 1,300 apprentice sign-ups, with the top three occupations being carpenters, electricians and plumbers—all essential to building the homes Australia needs. We do recognise that this is a monumental task. When the Albanese government was elected in 2022, Australia faced the worst skills shortage in 50 years. So meeting this challenge must be a high priority for our minister. We know that nine out of 10 new jobs will require post-year-12 training, and around half of these will come through a vocational pathway. That's why the Albanese government is committed to transforming the VET sector—restoring it to its rightful place alongside universities as a foundation for rewarding, well-paid employment. It's why we're supporting VET.”
“The impact is enormous, with over 84,000 VET participants aged 45 54—it's interesting that those VET participants are stepping in at an older age—along with 40,000 who are aged over 55. We also know that women comprise 62 per cent of free TAFE enrolments. We are also backing in apprentices. We're making available pre-apprenticeship courses through free TAFE because evidence shows that it boosts completion rates. Our Key Apprenticeship Program in energy and housing has been designed with course completions in mind too—a $10,000 incentive paid in instalments, recognising the importance of cost-of-living support across the whole of an apprenticeship.”
“That is why the Albanese government is backing in our VET sector: it gives people opportunity, skills and a profession and contributes to a better future for our region and the nation. It's why we've made free TAFE permanent, guaranteeing at least 100,000 fee-free places every year from 2027, because cost should not be a barrier to training. Through free TAFE, we are extending opportunities by removing the barriers of cost, gender, location or background that too often keep people out. With $1.5 billion committed to free TAFE and VET places, we are ensuring vocational education is available to Australians at every stage of life. Since free TAFE was introduced, more than 650,000 Australians have enrolled, and 170 courses have already been completed.”
“I recently visited the Gordon with our minister, Minister Giles. We met with nursing students who are preparing to enter vital roles in aged care, showing the important pathways that vocational education provides for both young people and mature-aged learners. There are so many fantastic local stories at the Gordon. Will, from Torquay, is one of them. While still at school, Will began a school based apprenticeship. He continued his studies, earned an income and learned his trade alongside his dad. Today, Will is in his second year of his apprenticeship and setting himself up for a strong future in the construction industry. Will's story shows what is possible when learning is accessible, affordable and respected.”
“Happy National Skills Week. This week is about celebrating the power of skills and training to change lives, open doors and build stronger communities across our nations. The 2025 theme is 'Explore All the Options', and that's exactly what the Albanese government and our Minister for Skills and Training are supporting—options, opportunities and pathways for every Australian to build their future and contribute to our economy. In my electorate of Corangamite in Victoria, I have seen firsthand the difference TAFE and apprenticeships make. They give people a start, help workers retrain and upskill, and ensure local businesses have the skilled workers we need to thrive. At Gordon TAFE in my region, many lives are transformed, thanks to the dedication of the staff and teachers who make it such a special place to learn and grow.”
“Finally, a special acknowledgement to Lee Hubbard, my former Chief of Staff, on his retirement from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation. Lee's lifelong dedication to the Labor movement is a legacy we all admire. In closing, Australians faced a clear choice on 3 May—unity or division; optimism or grievance; progress or the politics of the past. They chose unity. They chose courage. They chose a government that will stand with them to build a stronger, fairer and more inclusive future. It's my privilege to help shape that future alongside my communities, one rooted in the values of fairness, decency and hope. Australians have placed their trust in us, and it is our duty, it is my duty, to honour that trust every single day.”
“To Senator Jess Walsh, Senator Lisa Darmanin, Ged Kearney, Andrew Giles, Catherine King, Senator Wong, Brendan O'Connor, Lisa Neville and my state colleagues Alison Marchant, Gayle Tierney and Christine Couzens—thank you. And of course the Prime Minister, who, during a frenetic election campaign, took time to stand with me and my communities—you are an amazing, visionary leader. To my staff—Brenda, Moshi, Ellie, Grace, Nathan, Julian and my Chief of Staff Kylie Rawson—your commitment, compassion, friendship and resilience are unmatched. Whether helping with visa applications, Centrelink issues or local government advocacy, you go above and beyond every day to help constituents in my electorate. It's so important we do that.”
“I'd like to thank Maddie, Atticus, Lottie and Alfonso for their tireless work. I'd also like to thank Paul Erikson. To the Australian union movement, particularly the Australian Services Union and the United Workers Union—you are the engine room of Labor values. Your fight for fairness inspires us all. I'm deeply grateful to my parliamentary colleagues, who stood with me on the pre-poll line and in the community. To my friend and electoral neighbour, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, thank you for your wisdom, your wise counsel and your support. Together, we share the immense privilege of representing the broader Geelong region. Your support throughout the campaign was invaluable.”
“Our government continues to call for a ceasefire, as well as the release of hostages and the genuine advancement of a two-state solution. Let me be clear: Israel has the right to exist, and Palestinians have a right to statehood. I am proud that Australia has joined our international partners in calling for this to occur. Recognition must come, not as a gesture but as a genuine step towards peace. It is the right thing to do and the fair thing to do, and fairness is at the heart of what we stand for as Australians. None of the work that we do in this place would be possible without the people who put in the long hours behind the scenes. To our grassroots volunteers, thank you. I would not be here but for your passion and your commitment to Labor values. You know who you are. Your friendships matter so much to me—thank you.”
“That is why Labor's investment in housing is so critical, and it's why our announcement this week to fast-track the five per cent home deposit scheme is such a game changer for people across my electorate. This is not only an economic reform; it is a social reform that underpins security and dignity for every Australian, and it's part of a broader agenda to build 1.2 million homes in the next five years. As we build at home, we must also continue to stand up for Australian values on the world stage. I want to acknowledge the work of our foreign minister and the Prime Minister for their measured leadership on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The scenes from Gaza are horrific: children starving, families displaced and hospitals overwhelmed.”
“Labor is also delivering infrastructure that shapes our communities and sets us up for the future. In my electorate, that means funding Stage Two of the Barwon Heads Road Upgrade, a new Medicare urgent care clinic in Torquay, a Medicare mental health prevention hub also in Torquay, and significant sporting infrastructure in Leopold, Drysdale, Grovedale, Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove. These projects are not just about roads, buildings, football and netball facilities; they're about connection, opportunity and care. They're about creating spaces where young people can thrive, where families can access urgent care and where local communities can come together. Of course, at the heart of building stronger communities for the future is housing. Young families in Armstrong Creek want the chance to buy their first home close to work and schools.”
“We have already cut student debt by 20 per cent for university and TAFE graduates; increased the HECS repayment threshold from $56,000 to $67,000, allowing people to earn more before repaying; reduced the cost of medicines on the PBS to $25 from January next year; made free TAFE permanent and nationally accessible; and expanded marine protected areas to more than 50 per cent. And we're not stopping there. We are undertaking the biggest investment in Medicare since its inception, rolling out more bulk-billing and giving Australians better access to primary care without out-of-pocket costs. We've expanded paid parental leave to 26 weeks by mid next year. And we're including superannuation, because having a child shouldn't come at the expense of a woman's retirement.”
“I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the Minister for Skills and Training, who is driving reform in this space. In my region the clean energy transition is not an abstract debate. It represents jobs being created in wind and solar, in building new transmission and in advanced manufacturing that underpins it all. Local apprentices and workers are wiring solar panels, laying transmission lines, installing subsidised batteries in homes and businesses, and welding the infrastructure that will power our future. When people in Corangamite look ahead they can see a future of secure, well-paid jobs. That is what the Albanese Labor government is determined to deliver. And this term of government is about delivery.”
“Like Medicare and superannuation, the NDIS is a symbol of what we can achieve when we prioritise fairness, dignity and opportunity for all. It represents the very best of who we are as Australians. If there is one thing that comes up again and again across my electorate it is the opportunity to get a good job and to learn new skills. That's why free TAFE has been an absolute game changer. I have met students who never thought tertiary education was for them, young people who left school early, parents retraining after time at home with kids, and workers who've lost jobs in old industries. Free TAFE opens doors. It is a pathway into areas we desperately need workers in, like nursing, aged care, disability support, early childhood education, clean energy, construction and advanced manufacturing.”
“And it has given people with disability choice, control and dignity. But in recent years that trust has been shaken. Our government is absolutely committed to restoring that trust and to ensuring that the scheme delivers on its promise to Australians with disability and their families. This is a monumental task, but it is one that, together with the disability community, our government is committed to tackling. That's why I'm deeply honoured to have been reappointed chair of the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS. I take this responsibility seriously. Along with my friend and colleague Senator Jenny McAllister, the Minister for the NDIS, and Minister Mark Butler, I'm committed to working alongside my committee to help rebuild the confidence of participants and their families in the scheme.”
“When a student at Armstrong Creek explains the meaning of preferential voting to their peers, when a group of year 12s in Drysdale debate whether the voting age should be lowered, or when students grasp that numbers in the chamber matter, that their vote matters—these lightbulb moments show that democracy is not static; it is dynamic, it is alive, it is contested, and it must be strengthened. Teachers have told me that students come away from these sessions with a changed perspective and a sense that politics is not something that happens 'up there', here in Canberra, but is something they can influence. They do have power. This is how trust can be rebuilt. Trust must also be restored in one of our most important social programs, the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The NDIS changes lives. It is a Labor reform.”
“His leadership and promotion of civic engagement and the initiative of the National Youth Parliament is exceptional. He knows as I do that rebuilding trust in our democratic institutions starts with education. Too many Australians feel disconnected from the mechanisms that govern their lives. When young people feel politics is a separate entity to them, irrelevant from their daily lives, when misinformation spreads faster than facts and when cynicism replaces trust and respect, that is when democracy falters. I have seen firsthand the difference that civics education can make.”
“I also believe we need to look at the number of volunteers who stand for a party or a representative. This needs to be considered. We do not need 12 people or 20 people to be handing out for one candidate. I wholeheartedly encourage the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters to include these issues in its inquiry into the 2025 election. Our democracy is robust, but it's not unbreakable. It must be protected. That's why I've invested time and energy into strengthening civic education across my electorate. For the past three years, I've led a democracy-in-schools program, visiting schools and working with students to better understand how our system works. As a former teacher, I love going into schools, and my work is inspired by our Speaker, whom I congratulate on his reappointment.”
“Australians have the right to know, and they have the right to vote without being harassed. My communities also endured a signage war. The signage war that played out at Corangamite was relentless. Signs were removed and vandalised. Illegal signs were erected and deliberately replaced within hours. These were dirty tricks. They were attacks on democracy and on integrity. Beyond integrity, there was an environmental question too. Thousands of plastic corflutes and wraparound bunting are now destined for landfill. It is wasteful, it is costly, and it undermines the credibility of politics when communities see our streets turned into advertising battlegrounds. It's time to modernise the way we conduct elections. We must address the overuse of plastic corflutes and bunting and seriously consider these environmental and democratic costs.”
“At prepoll voting centres in Torquay and Drysdale, groups of up to 10 to 12 volunteers linked to the Exclusive Brethren and supporting the Liberal Party encircled me—literally. They stood in a diamond formation, blocking me from speaking to voters. Every step I took was mirrored by them. At times, it was an ugly, coordinated performance. This experience wasn't mine alone. Candidates from the Greens, Legalise Cannabis and an Independent all came forward with similar stories shared publicly on ABC 774. I want to thank the ABC for enabling the discussion and bringing attention to this unacceptable behaviour. We need frank and fearless media to provide unbiased and robust reporting. I must say: why was the Liberal Party backed by the Exclusive Brethren in such numbers? What was offered in return?”
“You have believed in me and backed me in with sound advice and strong principles of compassion, inclusion and respect for others. I could not stand here without you. I also want to take a moment to sincerely thank every person who participated in the election. Whether you voted, cooked snags at a local fundraiser, handed out how-to-vote cards or worked tirelessly for the Australian Electoral Commission, your efforts make our democratic process possible. Our democracy rests on those quiet acts of service, those hours volunteered and those ballots carefully counted late into the night. But I cannot stand here today without addressing the conduct of the election campaign, particularly in my electorate. While elections should be a celebration of our democracy, too often this one felt like a contest of intimidation.”
“My commitment is clear: I will always be there for you, because that is what matters most to your representative. It is the foundation on which I will fight every day in this place. But, as every member in this place knows, taking on that fight is not possible in isolation. Behind every public moment there's a private foundation—our families. To my husband, Hugh; my daughters, Issy and Lily; my siblings, Marty, Stephen and Janet; and my mum Fran: thank you. You've been with me throughout my journey as a quirky, inquisitive kid who became a teacher, a journalist, a business owner, a councillor, a Surf Coast mayor, a candidate for state parliament and as your member for Corangamite. Through wins and losses, through long days and even longer nights, you've kept me grounded.”
“Local businesses in Waurn Ponds and Drysdale talked about how free TAFE is opening the doors of opportunity for workers to pursue new career paths and about our investment in the local infrastructure their communities need and deserve. Labor's first term of government and our recent election campaign offered practical, compassionate, forward-thinking policies that deliver for Australians—from strengthening Medicare and making free TAFE permanent, to cutting student debt and investing in housing, emissions reduction and energy bill relief. We put forward a plan that resonated with voters because it responded to Australians' concerns and aspirations. Of course, there are people in my electorate of Corangamite who did not vote for me.”
“On 3 May my communities made their priorities heard for the future. They voted for a government that will continue to tackle cost-of-living pressures, act decisively on climate change, deliver world-class services in health and in education, and ensure that we are a nation where everyone gets a fair go. In Corangamite these issues were at the heart of every conversation I had. These issues are grounded in lived realities. Families told me how the cheaper childcare subsidies have changed their lives. Pensioners shared their enthusiasm for our cheaper medicines policy. Young people spoke to me on the prepoll line about how our cuts to student debt will mean they get ahead. Women spoke of Labor's focus on gender equity and our strong women's health policy that reduces costs for essential medications.”
“We are one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation and, while we have seen much change, our character remains—the character shaped in the swell of Bells Beach; forged in the old factories of Grovedale, Marshall, and Moolap; and nurtured by the farms and schools stretching from Torquay through to Queenscliff. This is who we are. We are resilient, caring, compassionate and creative. We love our unique natural environment: the sharp red cliffs of Jan Juc, the sweeping grasslands of the Bellarine, and the rolling hinterland yellow gums that stretch from Armstrong Creek to Point Addis. Together we share a commitment to protecting our unique natural environment and our ocean. We look out for one another and, like all Australians, we value fairness. Together, we are determined to make a positive difference.”
“I'd like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people, and pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging, and to the First Nations people of my region, the Wadawurrung. It is my great honour to stand here as the elected representative for Corangamite for the third time. I thank the people of my region for placing their faith in me. That trust I carry with me every single day. It drives me to work hard on behalf of my communities—communities that are diverse, thriving and resilient. From the Surf Coast to the Bellarine, from Geelong to Armstrong Creek, my region is growing rapidly.”
“This one change alone will save families thousands upon thousands of dollars and give them security, stability and hope for the future. Already, so many people across my region have been able to buy their first home through the Home Guarantee Scheme, and, from October, even more Australians will share in that opportunity. Opportunity is at the heart of our $43 billion Homes for Australia plan, the most significant investment in housing in decades. We are building more social and affordable homes, supporting build to rent and unlocking supply right across the country. Put simply, it's what Australians deserve—security, stability, hope for the future and a place to call home.”
“Owning a home—a place to raise a family, put down roots and be part of the community—has always been at the heart of the Australian dream. This is despite Australians enduring a decade of coalition governments that advised all young people to rely on their parents to buy a home. This approach failed a generation of Australians who simply wanted a fair go—a place to call home. Australians deserve better. They now have a Labor government that listens, that understands the real challenges families are facing and that is taking action to help make the dream of homeownership achievable once again. From 1 October, first home buyers will be able to buy a home with just a five per cent deposit and without having to pay lenders mortgage insurance.”
“My question is to the Minister for Social Services. How is the Albanese Labor government helping to ease cost-of-living pressures for Australians and tackle challenges in the Social Services portfolio?”
“The Albanese government promised to strengthen paid parental leave, and we're delivering it in full and on time, because we believe that, when you support families, children get the best start in life and our nation is stronger.”
“It levels the playing field, and it goes to the value of fairness, a value shared by all Australians. It's a value that underpins the Albanese government's broader plan to help Australians get ahead. We have made child care cheaper so returning to work is easier and more affordable. We've lifted wages and supported secure jobs because family budgets depend on a decent pay. We've invested in Medicare because health should never be a luxury. In closing, Labor's agenda—and our Paid Parental Leave scheme in particular—means more time, more money, or super, more flexibility and more families supported. But, more than that, it's a statement about who we are: a nation that values families and cares for our youngest Australians, and a government that backs parents.”
“The Liberals' costings at the last election showed cuts in paid parental leave, and, when we recall the member for Goldstein dismissing the scheme as—and I quote—'very bad' and declaring, 'It is not my choice that women have children,' those comments go to values. On this side of the chamber, we are clear: children are the greatest gift, families deserve respect and support, and governments should be there to back them in. Paid parental leave also benefits business. When parents can take time at home and then return to work with confidence, businesses keep skills and our economy keeps talent. Paying super also narrows the retirement gap. Expanding leave lifts retention. Flexibility helps mums and dads take time too. This is not a handout; this is a helping hand.”
“Parents can now take leave together to care for a newborn—it makes sense—and more families are eligible thanks to higher thresholds. These are game-changing reforms. In short, they mean more time, more money, more super, more flexibility, more support and, importantly, less stress for families. In my electorate, I recently spoke to a young couple who told me how the extra weeks of leave meant that they could both be at home when their child arrived early. 'It's been an absolute godsend,' they said. At a recent market, another mum said the superannuation change would help to build her retirement savings. These are the real stories behind the policy—a policy that is designed to support families and give children the best start in life. Let us remember that none of this was guaranteed.”