Kristy McBain
Eden-Monaro · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“I move: That in accordance with section 5 of the Parliament Act 1974 , the House approve the following proposal for work in the Parliamentary Zone, which was presented to the House on 22 June 2026, namely: Commemoration of Nangar (Jimmy Clements) and Ooloogan (George John Noble).”
“This piece will be located on the lawns opposite Old Parliament House in a setting purpose-built to suit the sculptures. Works are intended to be completed by May 2027 to align with events to mark the centenary of Old Parliament House. A design and construction team has been selected to deliver the commemoration.”
“These two men, well into their 80s at the time, had walked barefoot from the Brungle Aboriginal mission across the Brindabella Range—a multiday trek of some 150 kilometres—to attend the opening. On arrival, they were nearly evicted for their lack of appropriate attire.”
“I thank the member for Lingiari. She's a fierce advocate for her community, and her community has been severely impacted by floods and cyclones. Thank you for all the time you've spent with me in my office speaking about that.”
“I saw firsthand the impacts on our communities, from Harcourt in Victoria and Dolphin Sands in Tassie to Julia Creek in Queensland and Katherine in the NT—homes and livestock lost, businesses closed and major infrastructure damaged. And, tragically, we lost community members, including first responders.”
“They play a critical and trusted role providing services in our communities, and we know our communities rely on those. The Albanese government has a longstanding commitment to local councils, and our budget reaffirms that.”
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“More Australians now have mobile devices than have landlines, so it's important that as government and as parliament we ask the telcos to make sure that they are providing universal services to mobile phones. We want to make sure Australians are better connected through these laws. It will require our national carriers—Telstra, Optus and TPG—to provide access to SMS and voice coverage for Australians nationwide—almost anywhere you can see the sky. That's incredibly important not only in my own electorate of Eden-Monaro but in every electorate. Whether you're in a national park, on a hiking trail or out on a farm, outdoor coverage needs to be more accessible. These changes are expected to add five million square kilometres of basic outdoor SMS and voice coverage across the country. That, to me, is a game changer.”
“But they also have an obligation to provide services to every community across the country, and this is one way that our government wants to hold those telcos to account, to say, 'You need to do better and you need to do better for every Australian, not just Australians in our cities.' That's why today I'm rising to speak in support of the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation—because it establishes a new framework to create this obligation. It complements the existing universal service obligation, which applies to fixed voice services and payphones—which are also incredibly important right across our community—but this is a significant and important reform that will bring mobile services within that universal services framework.”
“I think everyone in this House can agree that mobile service requirements across regional communities are very, very different than they are across metropolitan communities. I would hope it's the will of every person in this place—and, indeed the other place—that we work on something that actually delivers consistent change, that delivers priority to people in disaster-prone communities, that delivers productivity to our regional communities. That's why sometimes it's so gobsmacking to hear contributions like what we just heard, which was: there is a problem, but we don't want you to fix it in this way. There is no doubt in my mind that our telco providers are beholden to their shareholders. They are for-profit organisations.”
“I attended a humble but mighty public school. But, by my rough calculations, that's a $14,994,000 mistake. As I said, numbers matter in this place. I heard the member for Hume described as a numbers man this morning. Jeez, I hope he gets his numbers right this time.”
“The previous coalition government made reckless commitments that councils couldn't deliver—and we know of the colour coded spreadsheets for grant programs for everything from connectivity to infrastructure. Who could forget that doozy of regional grants being given to the North Sydney pool, which I don't think is open yet. As a former local mayor, I know how important it is to have productive relationships with all levels of government, and I take a very different approach to those opposite. We know that, when those opposite were in government, the member for Hume was forced to apologise to the Lord Mayor of Sydney after claiming she'd driven up carbon emissions by spending $15 million on travel. It turned out the councillors had only spent close to $6,000. I'm no Rhodes scholar, and I didn't study economics at Oxford.”
“Those opposite froze indexation on financial assistance grants when they were in government, ripping nearly a billion dollars out of the sector. In contrast, we are doubling the Roads to Recovery Program, delivering a billion dollars annually to support councils across the country. We've increased road black spot funding to $150 million a year, meaning more money for those dangerous sections of our local roads, and we're delivering our new $200 million Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, with tranche 3 announced just last week. Most importantly, we're delivering transparent grant programs available to every council across the country, from Growing Regions and Thriving Suburbs to the Regional and Urban Precincts and Partnerships programs.”
“I thank the member for Barton for the question because, before she arrived here, she was a councillor at Georges River Council, and she knows how important it is to fully fund local councils so that they can support our local communities. Our government strongly supports a sustainable local government sector because we know that a strong and sustainable local government sector supports our communities to thrive. Numbers matter, and those opposite are painfully aware of that. We on this side of the House are focused on different numbers, numbers that matter to the lives of Australians—like $3.4 billion of direct investment in local government this year through financial assistance grants, ensuring councils have access to funds to deliver the services communities rely on.”
“While we're focused on health care and the access that we have in our regions, those opposite are still focused on themselves.”
“Just recently, I joined my local healthcare professionals at the launch of the Bega valley urgent care clinic—one of 123 urgent care clinics that have opened, with 40 of those being in regional, rural and remote areas. So, if you have a nasty spill on your bike or in a party room, you can just pop over to your local urgent care clinic. They'll patch you up. They might pat you on the head. They'll say: 'Fantastic. Great move. Well done, insert name here.' Not only are we investing in Medicare; we're investing in more places for doctors to train in rural and regional communities, making it easier for people to see a bulk-billing doctor. This year, 2,100 junior doctors are starting their training as GPs or rural generalists. That is 500 more than the intake under those opposite.”
“From Burnie in Braddon to Saint Georges Basin in Gilmore, there are more GPs bulk-billing in our regions than ever before, because your postcode shouldn't determine your access to health care. I'm proud that the Labor government is helping more people in our regions access urgent care when they need it. In just three months, the bulk-billing rate for Australians has jumped to 81.4 per cent nationwide. It's the largest quarterly jump in 20 years. Bulk-billing rates are up 6.4 per cent in our regional areas, 5.5 per cent in rural communities. There's been an increase in GP bulk-billing in every state and territory across the country. Medicare urgent care clinics are critical to improving health outcomes in our regions. More than two million Australians have already received free urgent care at Medicare urgent care clinics.”
“Thank you to the member for Braddon for the question. Her advocacy on health care across Tasmania is legendary. The winter Olympics may be on in Italy at the moment, but there are green and gold signs popping up all over regional Australia because the government is strengthening Medicare, because, when you're sick, seeing a doctor shouldn't be a struggle. The Albanese government is laser focused on improving access to health care for people across regional Australia. We're doing this by encouraging more GPs to bulk-bill and by opening Medicare urgent care clinics around the country. Since the Albanese government expanded the bulk-billing incentive on 1 November, Australians can now access over 3,400 Medicare bulk-billing clinics across the country.”
“And I'm sure it's going to be a habit that's hard to shake for many of us, because Luch was the very best of us. He was a friend to a lot of people. He was a genuinely good man. He cared for others, and he's going to be really missed in this place. My sincere condolences to his family and friends and to the many members of the Macedonian community, of which Luch was a really, really proud member. These halls will not be the same without you, but we are forever indebted to your memory. Vale, Luch.”
“There was his daily quip to the Speaker of the House at the opening of parliament every day: 'Let's do this, Mr Speaker.' He was comfortable speaking with prime ministers, with opposition leaders and with members from all political persuasions, and he helped each and every person in this building. His work here was diligent. He was diligent in his job because he had a deep respect for the institution that he served and he had an existential belief in the proper running of our democracy. Luch, it was a privilege to be your local member. It's something I'll always cherish. A couple of weeks ago, in that extraordinary sitting of parliament, I'm sure I wasn't alone when I came in and was looking around and found it quite weird that he wasn't actually in the chamber.”
“He served parliament and its members for four decades, always with a smile on his face and always bringing a bit of fun and humour to a place that can be short on it a lot of the time. He'd offer you water and he'd say, 'It's on the House.' He'd greet me every single sitting day with, 'How's my local member today?' He'd sneak in a chocolate, and he'd do so from within the sleeve of his coat, and he'd always chat to me about his beloved Queanbeyan City Football Club. He'd ask for his birthday card and his Christmas cards to be delivered personally, and I always obliged. It's been really interesting talking to so many other people across this building, because everyone has a personal story or a connection with Luch just like that.”
“It's with great sadness that I rise here today to pay my condolences to our Luch. No-one in this place does their job alone, especially in Parliament House. Some of us are lucky enough to spend enough time in this place to get to know a lot of people behind the scenes—and I say 'behind the scenes' but, for all of us, Luke stood out. He was someone who had the heart and soul of our parliament really close to his heart. He was ever the professional. He carried out his role with pride and with really good humour, and he was a big personality. He was a friendly face who cared deeply. When I learned of his passing, it came as a shock, and I know it came as a shock to many people across this parliament—both elected officials and all of the people who work in this building. He was someone who was so full of life—Luch Jonceski from Jerrabomberra.”
“Finally, I'll give a quick shout out to the Terry Campese Foundation. The former Raiders captain and New South Wales and Australian representative created a foundation to mentor youth at risk in our local community. It's major fundraiser every year is a Special Forces challenge, which ADF personnel do in their private time. About a dozen recruits have already raised over $200,000 to support youth at risk. Last year, they built a school in Tonga with those youth. I look forward to seeing what the foundation will do this year. (Time expired)”
“Country shows and ag field days are much more than a great day out; they are the heart of regional communities. I want to encourage everyone in this place to take your families and to support a country show. In fact, if any members of parliament are here for the weekend, Nimmitabel is only an hour and a half down the road, so come down and have a look. You can get a full list of New South Wales country shows on the AgShows NSW website. There will be shows across Eden-Monaro in February and March, including the 150th anniversary of the Bega Show at the end of February this year. Showgrounds are always buzzing with competitors, volunteers, judges, sponsors, families and communities coming together to celebrate the very best of regional life. So, from Cobargo to Bega, Goulburn to Bombala, I'd love to see you there.”
“Backpack Bed for Homeless founder and CEO, Tony Clark, said, 'Darcy's amazing fundraising efforts have resulted in almost $50,000 in taxpayer savings for the Canberra and Queanbeyan communities.' These backpack beds are a great comfort for people that are living on the streets or sleeping rough and have helped to improve the dignity, health, sleep and warmth for people across our communities. It is an honour to have young constituents like Darcy in the electorate of Eden-Monaro, so a big congratulations to Darcy. I'd like to give a plug to one of my favourite times of the year. Country shows have kicked off right across the mighty Eden-Monaro. We're in the midst of the 2026 country show season, which kicked off with Pambula and Candelo in January and will continue with the Nimmitabel show this weekend.”
“I rise to congratulate eight-year-old Darcy Uttley from Googong who is a true local hero. Darcy is a scout, and he's been raising money to buy bedding and shelter for the homeless in our community to earn his Creating a Better World badge. His amazing fundraising efforts have earned him the Australia Day Hero 2026 Young Person of the Year Award by the national charity Backpack Bed for Homeless. The charity gives out awards every year, but, this Australia Day, Darcy was the only person to receive this honour. Other awards went to organisations such as schools and businesses. Darcy raised over $2,000 for the charity by selling Play-Doh and holding lolly guessing competitions. The amount raised equated to 15 backpack beds for the homeless in the area, which have been distributed by the Salvation Army.”
“We are delivering in programs across all portfolios to help regional Australians with health, with housing and with education, from home batteries to cheaper child care to more home-care packages. We're delivering $10,000 payments to assist housing apprentices with cost-of-living pressures while ensuring Australia gets the workforce it needs to build more homes across our country. We've waived HECS debts for doctors and nurse practitioners working in our regional communities, to attract them outside of our big cities, while those opposite have waved goodbye to one another. We're delivering cheaper medicines from 1 January this year. Our plan is to make the biggest cut to the cost of medicines on the PBS—”
“I thank the member for Lingiari for her question. If we want to see what delivery in regional and remote Australia looks like, we need look no further than the member for Lingiari. She does such an amazing job representing her communities, and our thoughts are with communities that may be impacted by the Daly River flood, which is coming soon. I'm proud to be part of a government that's delivering for our regions. We're investing billions of dollars in remote, rural and regional Australia whilst those opposite are investing in self-interest. Just yesterday I joined colleagues to announce the Regional and Remote Airport Support Program, providing financial relief to regional councils who were impacted when Rex Airlines went into voluntary administration—and while those opposite were exercising voluntary self-destruction.”
“Our commitment is to continue to work with all levels of government and local communities to see this recovery tail through. We stand ready, willing and able to support as we can, when we can.”
“We have enacted over $330 million in those state-Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements already. However, we recognise that the state and the local councils are best placed to identify the type and the level of assistance that is going to be required following this disaster, in accordance with their responsibilities for disaster management. The Albanese government will continue to work really closely with the Allan Labor government, and with local councils and local communities in particular, to understand where supports and assistance is going to be needed into the future, and our government stands ready, willing and able to assist when those support packages come forward. We know that recovery isn't a straight line. It's not going to be a speedy process.”
“I heard very clearly from them their desire to see the Ruffy community centre rebuilt, which they lovingly referred to as the TCC. We will continue to work with your community on those things. I also heard really clearly from Strathbogie and Murrindindi shire council members about the need to make sure that infrastructure is built back more resilient and that we work on those community cohesion projects together into the future. As the member knows, the Prime Minister announced another package of supports—$158 million going to things like extended power outages for businesses, clean-up support for community members, temporary accommodation, rebates for people who need to clean out water tanks, and mental health support in particular. We'll continue to extend support where it's needed, and we'll work with the Victorian government on that.”
“I thank the member for Indi for her question, and I acknowledge her community is going through a particularly tough time at this point in time. A lot of Victorians have been impacted by bushfires that have burnt through over 415,000 hectares across Victoria, and it's had a major impact on communities right across that place. Can I again thank the member for Indi and the member for Nicholls for inviting me into their local communities. It is really important in this role to hear firsthand from communities about what they're going to need not only in the short term but also in the medium and long term. Can I thank, in particular, the members in Ruffy who I met. I said the other day that they were so worried about their local environment, let alone their own homes.”
“We're delivering $10,000 payments to housing apprentices to make sure that we are incentivising people to take up those roles. We know it's required. When we came to government in 2022, the largest skills gap ever inherited by any government on record was ours because those opposite didn't invest in TAFE or universities.”
“I've already had a number of people contact my office who used the service over the weekend for the first time. Strengthening Medicare and making health care more accessible and affordable should be the job of all of us, but we know it's only the government that ever invests in Medicare here. Whether it's home batteries, cheaper child care or home-care packages, we have to make sure we invest in them. Those opposite might call those things reckless spending, but they make a difference to every Australian's life—whether you live in metropolitan Australia or you're part of the one-third of Aussies who live outside metropolitan Australia. We know how important it is to make sure that we're getting more tradies into our system. I know firsthand—my husband's a tradie and my dad was a tradie.”
“The last time it was that price was in 2004, when the coalition was actually a party that came together and agreed on things. We're investing more in bulk-billing doctors. We want to see more people go to a doctor and be bulk billed. We've invested in Medicare urgent care clinics, which is a massive game changer across our communities. They are free, timely and high-quality care that thousands of Australians are getting. Over 120 urgent care clinics have opened, with 39 of those in regional, rural and remote areas. Last weekend, the latest Medicare urgent care clinic to open was in the heart of Bega, in Eden-Monaro. It's at 61 Carp Street, Bega. It's open now, with extended hours, seven days a week. There is no need for an appointment. You can walk in and get the service.”
“I'm proud to be a part of a government that is not only focusing on important issues like regional aviation but also talking about investing billions in remote, rural and regional Australia and investing in talking about the things that matter to the people who live there instead of talking about ourselves and little else. We know people are under pressure, and we know there is more that needs to be done. It'd be great if that was the focus of every member of this parliament at this point in time, but we know it's not. We're supporting real wages to grow. We're delivering tax cuts for every taxpayer, including another tax cut in July. We're delivering cheaper medicine, as I said. On 1 January this year we saw the largest ever cut to the cost of medicines in the history of the PBS. We're taking the price of medicines back to $25.”
“We're getting on with the real world and real life for many Australians. Today the member for Maranoa was in the media again talking about how his party might or might not get back together with the Liberal Party. I'm a bit over it, to be honest. I don't care. We're getting on with the issue of delivering for Australians across the country. I was in the media this morning talking with the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the member for Leichardt and the member for Braddon about how we can help regional and remote councils with support after the Rex administration. We're getting on with the job. We announced $5 million to help those regional and rural councils impacted by the Rex administration because we focused on what's in front of us.”
“What matters right now is good education for our kids.' Those things matter, and, on this side of the House, those things matter so much that we vote on them and we put money towards them. We don't talk about doctor shortages in our regions because we do things about it. Do you know how we do that? We waive HECS fees for doctors and nurse practitioners when they come out to rural and remote Australia for five years. We've waived HECS fees to make sure that young people can actually get into the housing market. We've created five per cent deposits for first home buyers, and that's working in our regions. More 17,000 across our regions have got into their first home because of the policies of this government. We're not talking about backroom deals. We're not talking about media opportunities.”
“Those opposite voted against that, against real cost-of-living measures. We voted on energy bill relief. They voted against that. We voted to reduce PBS medicine prices. They voted against that. When we talk about people being driven by ideology, perhaps it's time those on the opposition benches actually had a think about that, because what you are doing is continually voting on ideology rather than talking about what matters to the Australian people. What matters to the Australian people is that this place comes together at times and puts politics aside and says: 'What matters right now is how we get energy prices down. What matters right now is how we get PBS medicines cheaper. What matters right now is how we get more bulk-billing doctors.”
“It's a real pleasure to be able to stand here today and talk about the cost-of-living measures that we, on this side of the House, are voting for. It's almost ironic to hear the Leader of the National Party say that if we were in touch with the Australian people we would do better. Perhaps, if they were in touch with the Australian people, they'd stop talking about themselves and actually focus on what people sent you here to do. They sent you here, and they didn't ask you to hold up a pamphlet. They didn't ask you to talk about backroom deals on media outlets. They asked you to come here and talk about what matters to them, and what matters to them is how governments respond when people are in crisis. That's exactly what we've done. We voted to cap gas prices. We voted to cap electricity prices.”
“We know that the three levels of government have to work collaboratively together for the benefit of our local communities, and we'll continue to do that.”
“The disaster recovery allowance is income support up to 13 weeks, which is now available in 23 local government areas as well as the Lake Mountain Alpine Resort. I want Victorians to know this: we stand with you and we'll continue to support you. I give a big thankyou and a shout-out to the thousands of workers and volunteers from all over Australia, as well as New Zealand and Canada, who have been supporting firefighting efforts in Victoria. Of course, we're not out of the high-risk weather season yet; heatwave conditions may have eased, but conditions can turn really quickly. Please listen to local authorities, follow the advice of our emergency services and continue to look out for family, friends and neighbours who may be doing it tough. As a nation, we have learned a lot since the Black Summer bushfires.”
“This latest funding package includes funding for clean-up, business support and advice; funding to rebuild the Harcourt cooperative cool store that I visited with the Prime Minister and the member for Bendigo; repairs to public land and waterways; temporary accommodation; power outage payments for businesses; rebates to repair water tanks; and mental health support. This expanded funding package is about delivering practical and respectful support that helps communities begin to rebuild with confidence. On top of that, we've got federal government payments available, including the disaster recovery payment, available to eligible residents in 57 locations. It's a one-off payment to support community members who have been most affected in this disaster.”
“Residents in Ruffy told us that they were worried about the local environment, including the impact on waterways, despite losing their own homes. I met with both Strathbogie and Murrindindi shire councils in their council chambers, who reiterated the importance of building back better after a natural disaster. Through our Commonwealth-state disaster recovery funding arrangements, we've now committed over $330 million in response to the Victorian bushfires. This includes $158 million, which the Prime Minister announced at the state control centre last week.”
“I thank the member for Bendigo for her question. As she knows and as many people across the House and the country know, it's been a terrible start for many communities across Victoria. We've seen bushfires across the state, most recently across the greater Otways. I was in Colac last week, where I attended the Incident Control Centre to understand the impacts of the Carlisle River blaze. I spent time in Castlemaine, Yarck, Alexandra, Euroa, Ruffy and Harcourt over the past few weeks, meeting with emergency services, local councils, businesses and, most importantly, community members. I'd like to thank the member for Indi and the member for Nicholls, who were on the ground with me to hear directly from locals about the best way that we can aid in their recovery.”
“We will continue to work closely with the Queensland and Victorian governments on any further assistance that may be required, and our communities will stand behind those that need their support the most.”
“I travelled to some of the worst-impacted areas with the Prime Minister and the Treasurer in early January, where we announced emergency fodder drops, primary producer grants and $11½ million for critical repairs to the Cloncurry airport. In Julia Creek, I met grazier Jake Webster, who was helping coordinate fodder drops not only for his own property but for those of his neighbours as well. From talking to locals on the ground in Julia Creek, in Cloncurry, in Clermont and in Richmond it was clear that, whilst these are resilient communities who look out for each other, they need our support too. So I'm proud that we've been able to do that through our disaster recovery funding arrangements activated in 13 local government areas and our disaster recovery allowance activated in 11 local government areas.”
“It was a real privilege to meet with emergency service personnel along with the Prime Minister—many of them, volunteers who have been battling bushfires and putting themselves in harm's way to support others. And I know I speak for all Australians when I say: we cannot thank you enough. As devastating as fires are, we know that floods are impacting our country too. In December, we saw monsoonal rain across north and north-west Queensland. One man lost his life in floodwaters, and our thoughts are with his family and friends too. Whilst it's too early to determine the full scale of the flooding disaster, it's already clear that losses are going to be significant, with reports stock losses could exceed 50,000. To date, more than $66 million of support has been activated through our Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.”
“The national aerial firefighting fleet has been active across Victoria and other parts of the country as well, and so far we have committed more than $77 million under our joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, including $75,000 to primary producers, as well as a range of concessional loans, personal hardship payments and a range of other grants. The Australian government disaster recovery payment has been made available in 47 locations across Victoria to support those people most impacted, and the disaster recovery allowance, which is up to 13 weeks of income support, is available now in 18 local government areas, as well as the Lake Mountain Alpine Resort, to assist those who have lost income.”
“I thank the member for Bendigo for her question. I've been with her in her electorate the last couple of weeks, visiting the fireground and speaking with impacted community members about their experiences, and I want to thank her for her work in supporting the community in the aftermath and what will be a long recovery to come. The last few weeks have brought severe weather to large parts of our country. The bushfires in Victoria have been absolutely heartbreaking for many, and our thoughts are with those that have been impacted by those severe fires, including the family and friends of the man who died in the Longwood bushfire. Whilst assessments are continuing, we currently have 1,300 structures, including 400 homes, that have been damaged or destroyed, and stock losses of up to 20,000.”
“They helped stop the bleeding, they helped protect young ones from the attack and they undoubtedly saved lives, and it's these stories that show who we really are as a nation—the caring and compassionate ones, the people who are always ready to lend a hand to someone in need. We must now come together as a nation, because we cannot let this evil tarnish our country and our iconic Bondi Beach. Today we remember and we grieve together. Although I cannot imagine the grief felt by our Australian Jewish community, I say to them: you don't carry this alone. This parliament stands with you and this nation stands with you, and we will stand with you into the future.”
“They ran into a situation that many have been trained for but should never have to endure, because on that day they were also met with violence. Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert and Constable Scott Dyson were both injured in the line of duty. Of course, they aren't the only ones who will bear the scars from what occurred on 14 December. Forty people were injured that day, many while carrying out incredible acts of bravery—people like Ahmed al-Ahmed, who was just nearby having a coffee and ran towards the danger, and local lifeguards, students and ordinary Australians who ran into the park to help people.”
“But now we must take action when something this abhorrent occurs on our shores, and I urge all parliamentarians to come together to take that action: to shut down hate preachers, to tighten our visa laws and to do whatever we must so that antisemitism and hate don't fester in our communities—practical support, changes in our laws and enacting reviews that help us understand what happened in our beautiful country. We must learn from this, and we must do better. We can't allow hate and division to permeate our community, and it is up to each of us to call it out when we see it, in person or online, in workplaces, in schools and in our communities. I believe social media and tech giants have a lot to answer for in this space. I want to acknowledge the first responders who attended Bondi that day.”
“It was an attack on our people and what we hold sacred: our right to gather to celebrate our faith with loved ones wherever we are. In the days following the Bondi attack, I was proud to play a small role, as Minister for Emergency Management, in delivering support to assist victims, their families and small businesses who were impacted on that day. It was the first time that our disaster recovery funding arrangements were activated for a terrorist attack, and I hope it will be the last.”
“I offer my sincere condolences to the families of Matilda; Boris and Sofia Gurman; Rabbi Eli Schlanger; Edith Brutman; Boris Tetleroyd; Adam Smyth; Marika Pogany; Peter Meagher; Dan Elkayam; Tibor Weitzen; Reuven Morrison; Rabbi Yaakov Levitan; Alexander Kleytman; and Tania Tretiak. Their absence is felt deeply, and we will not forget them. That day, they should have been safe. They should have been celebrating their faith together by the water, enjoying the start of Hanukkah, a holy day on the Jewish calendar, the beginning of an eight-day celebration representing resilience, light and positivity—an ancient tradition in an Australian iconic setting. It should have been a peaceful event, and instead that peace was shattered. This was an attack on our Jewish community and on the Australian way of life.”
“I rise today to add my voice to the messages of condolence for the victims of the antisemitic terror attack we saw in Bondi on 14 December. The community of Eden-Monaro stands with you and will continue to stand with those whose lives were irrevocably changed on that day. No-one should have to endure what happened on that day. There is no place in our country for this kind of hatred, bigotry or extremism that led to these events at Bondi Beach, and my heart breaks for the 15 innocent people who lost their lives that day and for their families, their friends and their communities, who will never stop mourning them.”
“I'm proud to be part of a government that is delivering real cost-of-living relief to Australians, including those in my electorate, and I want to thank all those hospitality workers, small-business owners, pubs and clubs, and boards of directors who have spoken with me about what a difference this pause in excise will make for their businesses over the next two years.”