Melissa McIntosh
Lindsay · Liberal Party · Australia
“The working homeless are one of our country's most worrying trends. When a working mother escapes violence only to trade fear inside her home for fear inside a parked car with her children, we should all be asking how Australia has come to this.”
“They told me they have women living in cars while waiting for transitional accommodation, women that are working jobs, women trying to keep their children safe and women doing everything right yet unable to secure a rental property because the market is simply too tight.”
“In my own electorate of Lindsay, the number of people sleeping rough in the Penrith local government area has increased by over 30 per cent in just one year. For every person counted sleeping rough, there are many more living in cars, couch surfing or remaining in unsafe situations because they simply have nowhere else to go.”
“More than four million Australians live in poverty, rents have soared, childcare costs continue to rise, and homeownership is slipping further out of reach. Mortgage arrears have risen by 6.8 per cent over the past year, while credit card arrears among Gen Z have surged by almost 29 per cent.”
“OzHarvest's latest frontline report reveals more than 350,000 people are seeking food relief every month, while more than 74,000 are being turned away because services cannot keep up with demand.”
“It cuts me to the core to hear the Penrith Women's Health Centre say that around 10 per cent of their clients are now working homeless. These are women fleeing violence, often with little more than the clothes on their back. Last year alone, the centre supported 750 women escaping violence in their homes.”
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“If we get this right, we give every child a chance to thrive. If we get it wrong, the consequences are lifelong. Debate adjourned.”
“As the shadow minister, I support reforms that strengthen the sustainability of the NDIS, but not at the expense of vulnerable children and their families. Families deserve to know exactly how this program will work and how support will be delivered in real, practical terms. They deserve to know what this means for their child. Of particular concern, under these changes, funding and support plans for NDIS participants will be generated by a computer program with little to no discretion for staff to intervene. That means a significant reduction in human judgement in decisions that profoundly impact people's lives. For families already under pressure, that uncertainty is not just frustrating, it is frightening. Families need clarity, they need confidence, and they need a system that works with them, not against them.”
“As experts have pointed out, this responsibility will fall heavily on teachers and early childhood educators, many of whom want to help but simply do not have the resources, the training nor the time. We already know how fragile inclusion is in our schools. Data from Children and Young People with Disability Australia shows that 60 per cent of parents report their child with disability has been bullied, a 10 per cent increase since 2022. More than half say their child has been excluded from excursions or camps, and almost one in three report restrictive practices such as restraint or seclusion. This is the reality families are navigating. It is critical that the Albanese government gets this right.”
“Data provided to the Senate showed that 30 per cent of reassessed plans between May and October last year had their funding reduced by an average of 22½ per cent. Appeals are rising sharply at the Administrative Review Tribunal, where the agency running the NDIS spent $60 million on external lawyers last financial year to fight participants. Some people fighting the bureaucracy have reportedly died waiting for an outcome on their case. This is not just a policy issue; it is a human one, and it does not stop with the NDIS. From 2027, children under eight with mild to moderate autism or developmental delays will no longer enter the scheme. Instead, they will rely on schools, early childhood centres, Medicare and community services.”
“That means mums, dads and grandparents already exhausted from caring for a child with disability may now be forced to fight through even more bureaucracy just to retain the support their child relies on. We must also acknowledge that the concept of moderate autism is itself contested by people with lived experience and advocacy groups. At the same time, we are seeing increased reliance on automated systems to allocate funding. The government says the program will bring consistency, but for many families it is creating uncertainty and fear. As the member for Lindsay in Western Sydney, I hear these concerns every single week. Families speak about delays and cuts to NDIS plans, providers taking advantage of vulnerable participants and plans being reduced by decision-makers with little understanding of disability.”
“When Labor first announced Thriving Kids, it made clear that the NDIS eligibility would change, with only children experiencing the most acute developmental delay remaining on the scheme. Instead, children aged eight and under with delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs will be supported outside the NDIS. What does this mean for families? Following Labor's announcement of the program, Children and Young People with Disability Australia surveyed 1,535 parents, carers and young people. Of those, nearly four in five—or 79 per cent—said the rollout was too rushed and risked children with disability falling through the cracks. Families are right to be concerned. From 1 January 2028, these changes will apply to children aged eight and under, with even those already on the NDIS subject to reassessment.”
“Australian families are right to be concerned about the Albanese government's Thriving Kids program. As shadow minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and shadow minister families and social services I'm hearing these concerns directly, and they cannot be ignored. Labor's program, designed to direct children with autism away from the $50 billion a year National Disability Insurance Scheme, is already raising serious concerns for many families across Australia. To date, only two jurisdictions—South Australia and the Northern Territory—have agreed to the program. This is despite the Prime Minister stating it had been committed to at National Cabinet. This new $4 billion Thriving Kids program was due to commence by 1 July this year, but the start date has already been pushed back to October.”
“My question is to the Prime Minister. According to the New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, around one-third of the ISIS sympathisers Labor is returning home will settle in New South Wales. Will any of these ISIS sympathisers settle in the Prime Minister's electorate of Grayndler, or will they all settle in Western Sydney?”
“According to ABS figures, in 2024-25, caring for children was the most common reason that women who wanted a job were unavailable to start within four weeks. This was higher for mothers with children under 15 years. We need child care that works for real life, so parents aren't forced to choose between their children and their livelihoods. As the member for Lindsay and as the shadow minister for women, the shadow minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the shadow minister for families and social services, I'm seeing firsthand how these pressures are impacting Australians. As their representative, I'll continue to fight for policies that recognise their struggle, respect their effort, restore hope and give them choice, because surviving should not be the benchmark in Australia; thriving should be.”
“But what they're getting are declining living standards. It's not just numbers on a spreadsheet. It's a carer in Lindsay staying up past midnight to complete forms after a full day of unpaid care. It's a retiree worrying about medical bills while waiting for an age pension or healthcare-card application to be processed. It's a family budgeting down to the last dollar because one administrative decision has tipped them into debt. We need to back small businesses like Simon's and Jen's, who I mentioned earlier, so they don't get drowned in costs that are rising and in red tape. We need to increase housing supply so families are not competing for too few homes. We need to ensure child care is accessible, affordable and flexible and that parents have choice.”
“Young families who moved to Western Sydney to build a future are now questioning whether that future is secure. When I speak to people in Lindsay, they do not talk about abstract economic theory. They talk about their power bill, their insurance premium, their next interest or mortgage repayment, their interest rate hikes and pulling their kids out of after-school sports because it just isn't an option anymore. They talk about whether they can afford to fill up their car and still buy groceries. They talk about being carers and then being forced to fight bureaucracy just to retain the payment that keeps food on the table. They talk about the fear of a payment being paused or cancelled—not because they have done the wrong thing, but because the system is complex and unforgiving. They are asking for stability. They are asking for fairness.”
“Forty-two per cent could not afford child care or preschool. Forty-three per cent could not afford essentials for their infant—baby formula, nappies, a cot or a pram. Let that sink in. People are borrowing just to eat, just to keep the lights on and just to get to work. Housing stress is now the norm, not the exception. More than seven in 10 are spending over 30 per cent of their income on housing. What does that mean for families, for women trying to return to work and for households that are already stretched to breaking point? In a country as prosperous as Australia, that should trouble every single one of us. In my electorate of Lindsay, we are seeing firsthand the pressure that rapid growth, rising mortgages, rent increases and utility costs are placing on families.”
“They are doing everything right, and yet they are barely keeping their heads above water. Under this Labor government, living standards have declined. Australia has experienced the largest fall in real household disposable income in the developed world. Families are earning, but they are not getting ahead. Wages are being swallowed by rising mortgage repayments, higher rents, soaring energy bills and grocery costs that seem to climb every single week. The Red shield report 2025 from the Salvation Army paints a sobering picture of what Australians are experiencing. Ninety per cent of the Salvos' emergency relief recipients said that the cost of living remains a constant strain, with more than one in three resorting to buy-now pay-later schemes just to cover essentials like food, utilities, medicines and transport.”
“'Struggling to survive'—that is how too many people in my community, and people right across this country, describe their lives right now. Last week I heard that message firsthand when I welcomed our new leader, Angus Taylor, to Lindsay. We met with Simon and Jen from Screaming Beans, who are hardworking, proud and determined small-business owners doing everything they can to stay afloat. Between them, the couple is working around the clock just to keep their doors open—not to get ahead, not to build wealth, not to take holidays, but simply to stay afloat. Simon and Jen are not an isolated case. They are representative of so many families and small-business owners right across Lindsay and across Australia—people who get up early, work late, pay their staff, pay their taxes, support local suppliers and sponsor the local footy team.”
“Australians deserve a government that manages transitions competently and transparently. Communications policy is about trust, it is about safety, it is about equity. Australians should never have to wonder whether their call will go through, and, as I said, over the last few months and throughout the past year, tragically, Australians did die when they weren't able to make those triple zero calls when they needed them the most. We must have high standards when it comes to communications policy, and we must have standards that the government actually meets. That is the standard against which this bill and this government's record will ultimately be judged.”
“Satellite directed device services are constrained by coverage footprints, capacity, handset compatibility and commercial agreements. This bill must ensure that improved access to communications is delivered in a way that ensures it is cost-effective and competitive. The coalition believes in expanding connectivity. We believe in embracing new technology. We believe in satellite services and that they can play a big role in bringing change and bridging the digital divide. But we also believe in doing the hard work of getting the framework right. This bill deserves proper inquiry, proper interrogation and detailed scrutiny of definitions, enforcement mechanisms, pricing structures, spectrum allocation and device compatibility. Regional Australia deserves better than slogans.”
“Recent revelations about device compatibility and emergency access only compound those concerns. When Australians dial triple zero, they expect it to work. There is no margin for error. There is no tolerance for 'almost'. Yet we have seen a pattern of reactive management by this government, rather than proactive oversight. The government's response to communications challenges has too often been announcement driven rather than delivery driven. Grand promises are made, expectations are raised, the detail is left unresolved. That is why this bill needs to be examined in detail. The government sales pitch for the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation has suggested that Australians will be able to make a call or send a text from anywhere that they can see the sky, but that is not the whole story.”
“Most concerning of all are the continuing implications for emergency calls. Late last year, around 70 additional devices were detected as incompatible with the network following the 3G shutdown. Tragically, two Australians passed away after their devices could not connect to triple zero. Since then, further devices have been detected as incompatible. This is not a minor administration error; it is systemic failure. It underscores the central point: communications policy is not abstract; it is real world stuff and it has real-life consequences. The problems have not stopped there. Australians have endured significant triple zero outages in recent years. The Senate inquiry into those outages reveal troubling evidence about government shortcomings.”
“The botched 3G shutdown is a case study in poor oversight and poor planning. The transition away from 3G networks was always going to be complex. It required coordination between carriers, manufacturers, regulators and emergency services. It required rigorous testing of device capability and clear communication to consumers. Instead, what we saw was confusion, late identification of incompatible devices and Australians forced to replace handsets at significant cost. Hundreds of device models were found to be incompatible. Many consumers only discovered the problem when their device stopped working. As the coalition has repeatedly highlighted, warnings were raised and not adequately acted upon. Consumers were left scrambling, businesses were interrupted, vulnerable Australians were exposed.”
“Putting lives in danger and placing an unfair cost burden on people to replace their handsets in a cost-of-living crisis cannot happen again. An obligation that works only for the latest premium handsets is not an equitable obligation. We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past. Genuine reform must take account of the rapid evolution of technology while safeguarding those on older devices. It must be cost-effective for customers and for taxpayers. It must strengthen, not weaken, competition. And it must be subject to proper parliamentary inquiry so that these questions are answered before unrealistic expectations are set. It is impossible to discuss communications policy without addressing the Albanese government's record. Australians have been repeatedly let-down on communications under this government.”
“Only newer handsets have this capability. Many Australians, particularly in regional and remote areas, hold on to older devices for longer periods of time. Many people hang on to their old device as a back-up in case the new one breaks, or they pass it on to their kids or their parents. This presents a real and clear danger if we have devices that aren't compatible with the technology. We saw the result of this very thing with the closure of the 3G network. Too many people across Australia had their devices rendered completely useless and had to buy new handsets that they could not afford. People couldn't contact emergency services when they needed help. This unintended consequence of government changes must not be allowed to happen again.”
“Under this model, low-Earth-orbit providers such as SpaceX or Amazon would not be subject to the same obligations or pricing controls as domestic carriers. This raises questions about consumer cost and market competitiveness not addressed in this bill. There is also the question of spectrum. To operate effectively, dedicated spectrum will be required. It remains unclear what arrangements are in place to dedicate this spectrum and who will wear the costs. That brings us to one of the most critical issues: devices—your mobile phone handset. Devices must be designed and manufactured to comply with those operating requirements, particularly to ensure that Australians can contact emergency services. Most devices currently in the market are not configured to utilise direct-to-device satellite technology.”
“Without clarity, compliance becomes uncertain and enforcement becomes difficult. There are no penalties specified for breaches of delivery. There is no clear pathway for the regulator to challenge whether telcos are delivering what is required of them. The timetable for delivery by the end of 2027 also appears ambitious, given that large-scale direct-to-device satellite services are not yet fully deployed in Australia. Legislating technology before it exists at scale risks embedding unrealistic expectations and unintended consequences. Some stakeholders have raised concerns that the onus for delivery sits with the telecommunications operators, not with the satellite infrastructure providers on whom they will depend.”
“We have consistently invested in mobile black spot programs, regional connectivity measures and infrastructure that improves resilience. We believe Australians should not be disadvantaged because of their postcode. Connectivity equity is a core principle. In concept, extending a framework to outdoor mobile coverage for voice and text is a very worthy and necessary goal, but measures to give effect to this goal must work. They must genuinely expand coverage, and they must do this in a practical, reliable and affordable way. But significant questions still need to be answered. The bill would require major carriers to ensure that mobile coverage is reasonably available outdoors to all people in Australia on an equitable basis, but the legislation contains no clear definition of what 'reasonably available' or 'equitable basis' actually mean.”
“People travel enormous distances for work, for family, for freight and for tourism. Truck drivers traverse thousands of kilometres across the Nullarbor and through the outback. Farmers operate across properties that stretch further than some European countries. Grey nomads, young families and seasonal workers move through regions where coverage remains patchy or non-existent. In those environments, communication is about safety and about dignity. Regional Australians have long felt the frustration of black spots that linger year after year. They know what it is like to climb onto the roof of a ute to get just one bar of signal. They know what it means to lose service just when it matters most. The coalition has always understood that reality.”
“The opposition has long supported the objective of improving connectivity for Australians, particularly those who live, work and travel beyond the boundaries of our major cities. It is why we introduced the landmark Black Spot Program, after Labor declined to invest in improved connectivity in the regions. Communications is not an optional extra in modern Australia. It is core infrastructure—economic infrastructure, social infrastructure and safety infrastructure. For families in metropolitan areas, mobile access is part of daily convenience. For regional, rural and remote Australians, it is something far more fundamental. It is the ability to call for help on a remote highway. It is the difference between a safe trip home and being stranded without assistance. Australia is not a small, compact nation; it is a continent.”
“I rise to speak on the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025, and I move: That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words: "whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House is of the opinion that the bill: (1) does not provide sufficient certainty that universal outdoor mobile connectivity for voice and SMS services will be delivered to all Australians within the requisite timeframe, particularly for those living in regional, rural and remote Australia; (2) places a vague and uncertain obligation on telecommunications carriers to provide "reasonable access" to outdoor mobile connectivity on an "equitable basis"; (3) legislates the use of technologies such as voice to satellite before it either exists at scale or is commercially available, fuelling uncertainty and raising false hope particularly for Australians living or working in regional Australia; (4) does not account for the fact that many handset devices in the Australian market will not be compatible with the technology required to access universal outdoor mobile connectivity; (5) does not include express obligations in relation to universal access to triple zero emergency voice calls and SMS messages which is crucial for the health and safety of all Australians; and (6) should be referred to the Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for inquiry, given the degree of uncertainty and cost implications for consumers, so that public submissions which will inform potential amendments to the bill can be properly considered".”
“Australian women must have timely and affordable access to health advice and check-ups, particularly if they are managing debilitating conditions like menopause and endometriosis or undertaking the important journey of starting a family. Getting access to cheaper medicines is only one part of ensuring women can get the care they need. We want to ensure that women across Australia can access care that not only is affordable but also understands their experience and needs. We will continue to hold the government to account for delays, for delivery failures and for rising costs that are undermining access to care for Australian women. Australian women deserve a health system that works for them at every stage of their life.”
“We do not want to see this government's mismanagement of the PBS result in Australian women waiting longer than necessary for access to potentially life-changing care. The coalition also remains concerned that, under the Albanese government, it has never been harder or more expensive for Australian women to access critical primary care. Patients are now paying more than $50 on average out of pocket to see a GP under Labor's cost-of-living crisis, the highest out-of-pocket costs in Medicare's history. In Lindsay, only 51 per cent of GP clinics bulk-bill, despite what the health minister claims, which means that for many women the question is no longer whether they should see a doctor but whether they can afford to.”
“We welcome the fact that Australian women have accessed more affordable scripts for new contraceptives, therapies and treatments listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme over the past 12 months. But we urge the government to ensure that they are continuing the coalition's longstanding policy of listing all medicines and treatments that have been recommended by PBAC on the PBS and to do so in a timely manner. It must be noted that the Albanese government waited more than 12 months to finally progress a recommendation for Ryeqo, an important treatment for endo, and to list this potentially life-changing medication on the PBS. It was simply not good enough to leave women suffering from endometriosis waiting for more than a year for affordable access to this medication after it had been recommended for listing.”
“Women in my community face barriers when it comes to getting timely treatment for chronic conditions and navigating a health system that can feel hard to access, especially for women from culturally diverse backgrounds or those doing it tough. Local research from Western Sydney University shows these gaps clearly. While services across Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, including Nepean Hospital, do vital work for women, demand is high and access is becoming harder. One of the things that stands out for me in Western Sydney is that only 29 per cent of women eligible for cervical cancer screening are getting screened. This is against the national benchmark of 70 per cent.”
“Prior to the last election, the coalition announced that we would match this important women's health package, including measures to enhance menopause care for women through the new Medicare rebate, expand health professional training, develop national clinical guidelines and increase funding for endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics. Whether it is helping women who live with chronic health conditions like endo, supporting women through menopause or helping families on their fertility journey, we are committed to getting the policy settings right and we know this must be above politics. In Lindsay, in my community and right across Western Sydney, these issues are very real.”
“In May 2022, in line with that strategy, the coalition announced our historic investment for endometriosis, which led to the establishment of Australia's first endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics. It would be remiss of me to not acknowledge two former colleagues—Nola Marino, the member for Forrest; and Nicolle Flint, the member for Boothby—who spearheaded the push through the last parliament to secure the commitment to establish these historic clinics. We welcome the government's decision to expand on this work with 11 new endometriosis clinics.”
“I rise to speak on the motion, noting that it has been 12 months since the commencement of the bipartisan women's health package. This is a package that had the support of both major parties in this place and that built on the significant work undertaken by the former coalition government to improve health outcomes for Australian women. The coalition supported the package, which is an expansion of the historic commitments we made in government to support women's health. Women's health has always been a priority for the coalition, which is why we launched the National Women's Health Strategy 2020-2030 to improve long-term health outcomes for women and girls.”
“The response has been to spend, spend and spend some more, fuelling inflationary pressure rather than tackling it, pushing more money into the economy without addressing the root cause of price increases. Australians did not vote for repeated economic pain. They want real leadership, targeted relief on essentials, genuine support for small businesses and a plan to bring skyrocketing inflation down without wrecking household budgets. This cost-of-living crisis demands more than spin; it demands real answers, and the Albanese Labor government have shown time and time again they just don't have any.”
“Record levels of small business insolvencies are being reported, with thousands folding—not because of global forces beyond our control, but because persistent inflation and higher costs have made it impossible for them to continue. In New South Wales alone, the 2024-25 financial year shows a record 7,643 businesses were forced into insolvency, marking a 26.2 per cent increase in just one year. In the 12 months to December 2025, more than 6,200 New South Wales based businesses entered insolvencies. These closures have resulted in job losses, high levels of stress and anxiety, and residents lining up in record numbers at food banks, including in my electorate. We see it every single day. And what is the Albanese Labor government doing?”
“Many Aussies are already struggling day to day; this is one more struggle to endure.' Brett, from Penrith, says it simply: 'There is no money left after the mortgage, bills and groceries are paid for.' Maree sums up the sentiment of so many across south Penrith: 'Cost of living is hitting the roof.' And Rozlane from Cambridge Park lays out the bare crush of rising costs: 'Grocery costs have doubled and utility costs are ridiculous. In addition to the mortgage being double due to interest rates, private health is also ridiculous.' These are not isolated voices. These are hardworking Australians who are feeling the overwhelming impact of rising prices, rising rates and stagnant wage growth. Small businesses are not immune.”
“Today Australians are facing a cost-of-living crisis that is squeezing families, driving small businesses to the brink and undermining confidence in our economy. Last week mortgage holders felt the pain as interest rates were lifted for the 13th time since the Albanese Labor government took office. For many Australians, including in my electorate of Lindsay, this is no abstract economic number; it is severe hardship. My constituents have consistently been contacting me with stories of how hard they are doing it. Michelle from Glenmore Park put it plainly: 'Both my husband and I work full time, and we still somehow will need to find the extra money. Likely this means we'll miss out. It's stressful. It's just another hit to our budget.”
“My question is to the Prime Minister. Western Sydney mum Kate has told the ABC that her family are now having to rely on a community pantry to make ends meet, saying she has 'relied pretty heavily on them in the past couple of years'. Meanwhile, last year the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spent $17,930 on a Kylie Minogue impersonator at a Wellington food festival. Prime Minister, when Australians are tightening their belts, why can't this Labor government?”
“My question is to the Prime Minister. A senior member of the Prime Minister's cabinet, the Minister for Social Services and member for Sydney, today refused to specifically condemn Grace Tame's conduct at a Sydney rally where Tame chanted a vile antisemitic slur. Will the Prime Minister today show leadership, disassociate himself from these words and unequivocally condemn this disgusting display of antisemitism by the former Australian of the Year?”
“On behalf of the Lindsay community, I wish to offer our sincere appreciation and congratulations. Thank you both for your years of service, volunteer work, countless hours of dedication and unwavering commitment to bettering the lives of the Lindsay community. Your achievements are a source of inspiration to many across our community, and we are profoundly grateful for the lasting impact you've made.”
“Most notably, Michael was a handyman at The Haven, which is a local charity that provides crisis accommodation for women and children escaping domestic violence. John Lackey was also one of the incredible Lindsay locals to receive this prestigious award. He was recognised for his service to the community of Penrith, including his longstanding involvement with local arts and cultural organisations. Formerly, he was the director of Penrith Performing and Visual Arts, from 2006 to 2022 and the director and treasurer of Penrith Regional Gallery. His work has helped strengthen Penrith's cultural landscape by ensuring arts experiences are accessible and vibrant. This award is an acknowledgement from the entire nation that the service of these two individuals this year is noticed and it matters.”
“Michael Allen, a respected resident of Regentville, has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in recognition of his outstanding service to the community through a lifetime of voluntary and charitable work. Michael has dedicated most of his life to helping others and ensuring there is support available to our most vulnerable. Currently, he is the chair of our local community housing provider, Link Wentworth, an organisation I worked for prior to entering politics. He also spent many years serving on boards and committees, working in our community on literacy at a foundation for people that have a disability and working with some of our Aboriginal communities across the electorate.”
“People in my community of Lindsay love Australia Day. They celebrate it. We have a great time making sure that we acknowledge our neighbours and celebrate loving our country. Part of that is, of course, celebrating the Australians that are on the Australia Day Honours List. It is really wonderful that this year there were two Lindsay locals who received the Medal of the Order of Australia. This is a deeply respected national honour that recognises, as we know, Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service and commitment to their communities. Being awarded the OAM is a significant tribute, reflecting values Australians hold dear: service, generosity and making a meaningful impact on the lives of others. The award highlights and acknowledges selflessness and a deep commitment to our community.”
“They're asking for a government that understands the pressures they face and acts and gets on the ground and can see what's happening. They want leadership that is focused on outcomes, not announcements. They deserve a government that recognises the toll that these failures are taking on Australian households, and they're just not getting it from this government. The people of Lindsay won't be ignored. They've got pretty loud voices, and they elected me to be their representative in this place. I'll keep fighting for them because they deserve better from their government. I'll ensure that this parliament is aware of the government's failings and what they're not doing for the community of Lindsay.”
“Whether it is in regard to the cost of living and telling Australians they've never had it better or whether it's saying that kids are now safer online, the PR exercise is very different to the reality that Australian families are facing. I think we all want to keep families safe. We all want to keep kids safe online, and we all want Australians and their families to have a better life. But the headline policy that looks strong in theory is collapsing for this government. The people of Lindsay—and, I think, all across the country—are not asking for miracles; they're just asking for competence in their government, and they're asking for honesty. The Albanese Labor government campaigned on transparency and people are getting anything but from this government.”
“In fact, the Prime Minister said, 'Success is a national conversation.' Well, that is not keeping young people safe online. We know that the age verification systems underpinning this ban are deeply flawed. The technology being relied on does not adequately verify age nor identity. It can be easily bypassed. In some cases, facial scans are not meaningfully checked against the user details at all, and, as recently reported, fathers have even been using their own faces for their daughter's accounts and they're not marrying up. Kids are just getting through. The government is saying 4.7 million accounts have been deactivated, but there's no transparency about these figures, how they are calculated or whether kids are in fact offline. This is just another example of the government spinning a story that is not the reality.”
“And yet, as these pressures rise, you will not hear a plan of action from the government; you'll hear more excuses, more spin and more deflection—it's something they're very good at. The pattern of failure does not stop at their lack of action to address the cost of living. It extends to the government's approach to all sorts of issues, including in my portfolio area and online safety—most notably, its much-publicised social media ban for children under 16. This policy was announced with significant fanfare. It was presented as a decisive, world-leading reform designed to protect young Australians from online harm. Parents were told that it would provide reassurance and safety for our youngest Australians, but it's no surprise to anyone that the Albanese Labor government has failed in its execution.”
“This is not reality right now. Australians, as I said, were promised that their power bills would be cut by $275. Instead, they've received higher bills and a price increase of 21½ per cent. Some people in my community are paying over $1,000 more for their power bills than what was promised by the government. They were promised that interest rates would be lower and would stabilise. Instead, families are bracing, as I said, for another rate rise. For everyday Australians, a rate rise is deeply personal. After today I'll be hearing from my community about whether families can remain in their homes, whether small businesses can survive, and whether young Australians can plan for their future.”
“Nearly four years on, after this Labor government was elected on a broken promise to ease the cost of living—you can't deny that—inflation has remained high; interest rates have continued to rise, which I'm sure we're going to see again this afternoon; and household budgets are under greater strain, leaving less money in Australian pockets. Australians are losing confidence, and they are most definitely losing patience. They're getting angry at this government. The Treasurer has sought to deflect responsibility, continually pointing to global conditions and inherited challenges, but all that Australians want is real action. They want to be able to afford their bills. They want to be able to put food on the table. They want to be able to send their kids to afternoon sport and have a bit of leftover money for the weekend.”