Jerome Laxale
Bennelong · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“The interim report makes 13 recommendations in time for the government and the parliament to consider their implementation before the next federal election. The committee has recommended reviewing the thresholds under the significant third party and associated entity framework to capture coordinated involvement in elections at scale.”
“Many describe this assault by third parties identified in submissions to the committee, like the Plymouth Brethren and ADVANCE, as a fundamental disruption to the foundations of our free and fair voting process. This parliament cannot ignore this evidence.”
“On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, I present the committee's interim report incorporating dissenting reports entitled Inquiry into the conduct of the 2025 federal election . Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e).”
“These recommendations respond directly to the many accounts of overwhelming, unsafe and intimidatory experiences at polling places during the 2025 federal election in targeted electorates.”
“It is also considering universal voter access and the suitability of authorisation requirements, noting our rapidly changing communication technology. The inquiry is also looking at domestic interference in our electoral processes. There have been 360 submissions to the inquiry to date.”
“In order to protect the electoral process, the committee recommends that the matter of domestic interference be considered and addressed as a priority.”
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“Then there are more endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics treating more conditions, with the opening of 11 new clinics and ensuring all 33 clinics, including the one in Bennelong, are staffed to provide specialist support for menopause. Labor will always strengthen Medicare. In less than three years we've invested record amounts in bulk-billing; we've opened over 80 new Medicare urgent care clinics, including one in Top Ryde, open 8 am to 10 pm, seven days a week, fully bulk-billed; and we've saved Australians over $1 billion on the cost of their medicines. You just need to compare our approach on Medicare to that of the Liberals. It's in their DNA to oppose and attack Medicare, and it's ours to make it better and defend it.”
“Yesterday the government announced a $573.3 million investment in women's health to deliver more choice, lower costs and better health care for women. The package of measures includes the first PBS listing for new oral contraceptive pills in more than 30 years. Brands Yaz and Yasmin will go on the PBS, saving hundreds of dollars a year for over 50,000 women. It also includes the first PBS listing for new menopausal hormonal therapies in over 20 years. You've then got more choice, lower costs and better access to long-term contraceptives, with larger Medicare payments and more bulk-billing for IUDs and birth-control implants, saving around 300,000 women a year up to $400 in out-of-pocket costs.”
“The Liberals have promised huge cuts to services, but they won't tell Australians what they'll be till after the election. Well, that's not good enough. Their record gives us a good indication, though. The Leader of the Opposition's record as health minister speaks for itself. He froze Medicare rebates for six years. He cut $200 million from emergency departments. And of course he proposed a GP tax. He voted against cheaper medicines and tried to block 60-day prescriptions. And let's not forget: he cut $50 billion from public hospitals. I'll always work to protect and strengthen Medicare. I'll keep working to protect bulk-billing and expand our urgent care clinic network, because I believe health care is a right, not a privilege. The Leader of the Opposition, on the other hand, will do the opposite. They'll wreck Medicare.”
“Locals in Lane Cove, Chatswood and surrounds have told me how important access to quality, affordable health care is to them. They also need walk-in healthcare outside of business hours, because getting sick does not follow a schedule. They need bulk-billed doctors without being forced to visit overcrowded emergency rooms and have lengthy delays. That's why I'm calling for a Medicare urgent care clinic to service Lane Cove, Chatswood and surrounding areas. This clinic would support local hospitals like Royal North Shore, taking pressure off emergency departments, and provide bulk-billed care. With an election around the corner, it's important to compare and contrast approaches. Whilst Labor continues to invest in Medicare, the Liberals refuse to commit to keeping or expanding our urgent care clinics.”
“And you don't need to just listen to me. Here is some feedback I've received directly from locals. Becky said: 'We also used the urgent care at Top Ryde on Saturday. They were fantastic. The GP on duty started my husband on the correct treatment straightaway. Excellent care.' Nicky then summed it up, saying: 'I used urgent care last night at Ryde. How fantastic! I arrived at 8.45 pm and was seen by a nurse at 8.50 pm. By 9 pm I was sitting with a doctor and by 9.20 I was back at home with my care. Amazing!' This is what Labor governments do: we deliver services and we strengthen Medicare. These new urgent care clinics fill a gap in our health system and ensure that families get the care they need when they need it. But there's still more to do.”
“Bulk-billing has had an additional six million free GP visits nationwide in just 12 months, and, in New South Wales alone, 1.8 million more visits have been bulk-billed, easing the burden on families and pensioners. Importantly, it hasn't stopped there. We've also made medicines cheaper. Get this: Australians have saved over a billion dollars on prescriptions, with prices capped at $31.60 for PBS medicines and just $7.70 for pensioners. In Bennelong, families have saved $6.3 million, delivering real cost-of-living relief when it's needed most. And then, of course, we have our great Medicare urgent care clinics. The Top Ryde Medicare urgent care clinic has been an incredible success. It is taking pressure off our busy hospitals and providing an alternative that is free and open seven days a week, with extended hours of 8 am to 10 pm.”
“Even when Australians overwhelmingly supported Medicare, the Liberals tried to dismantle it. Fast forward to today, and Labor is once again working to strengthen Medicare. When we came to government in 2022, it had never been harder or more expensive to see a doctor. Bulk-billing was in freefall after a decade of coalition cuts, including their health minister's, the Leader of the Opposition's, six-year Medicare rebate freeze. In just under three years, we have turned this around. The 2023 budget delivered a record-breaking $6.1 billion investment in Medicare, including $3½ billion to triple the bulk-billing incentive—the largest boost in Medicare's history.”
“Two great things were born in 1983—Medicare and me. But don't worry: I'll stick to talking about Medicare. You see, we're both 41, and for 41 years Medicare has been providing quality universal health care to all Australians, no matter where they live or what they earn. Medicare is something we should all be incredibly proud of. But Medicare didn't just happen. It's something Labor has had to fight for and something we're still fighting for today. The Whitlam government first imagined it in 1971, and the Hawke government made it a reality. Ever since, Labor has stood strong to strengthen Medicare and to protect it from those who sought to tear it down. The Liberals opposed Medicare from the start, campaigning to scrap it for four elections in a row.”
“This makes me happy, and it makes me so proud to be an Australian. Our multiculturalism is a defining pillar of who we are. It's in our country's DNA. Our diverse communities and the way we celebrate one another's cultures and traditions do not weaken us; they strengthen us. Our multiculturalism enriches our lives, it makes our economy dynamic and it brings people together. Whether you're celebrating lunar new year, Diwali, Eid, Hanukkah, Nowruz, Christmas, Easter or Australia Day, these are all celebrations that do not compete with each other; they complement one another and they reflect the breadth and depth of our shared national identity. The House transcript was published up to 19:59 . The remainder of the transcript will be published on Thursday 6 February 2025 . The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mrs Archer ) took the chair at 09:30.”
“To top it all off, I had the privilege of welcoming the foreign minister to Bennelong on Sunday for a street walk and handing out, of course, red packets to the local community. And the celebrations aren't over yet. On Saturday 8 February we'll continue the lunar new year festivities at the City of Ryde's lunar new year celebration in Eastwood, on Eastwood oval. It's always a highlight on the local calendar, bringing together thousands of people to enjoy cultural performances, market stalls, traditional food, the best lion dance you will ever see and fireworks at the end. I certainly celebrate lunar new year every year, and I know more and more people in Bennelong, regardless of their background, are celebrating events like these together. Back home, restaurants are full, people are catching up and our town centres are buzzing.”
“At the Chatswood Year of the Snake Festival, thousands gathered to enjoy traditional performances, lion dances and cultural showcases that highlight the deep roots of our Asian Australian communities. At the Eastwood night markets lunar new year celebrations, we witnessed firsthand the strength of a multicultural society as people of all backgrounds came together to enjoy delicious food and entertainment, all while supporting our local business owners, who set up their markets to mark this special occasion. I also hosted my annual Bennelong multicultural leaders lunch, where local leaders came together to celebrate the new year, reflect on the contribution of our local Korean and Chinese Australian communities and discuss the importance of fostering a more inclusive and united future.”
“Special mentions also go to Mr David Archer ACM, from West Ryde, who was awarded the Australian Corrections Medal; and Mr Bernard Carlon PSM, from Denison East, who was awarded the Public Service Medal for his exceptional contributions to road safety and sustainability in New South Wales. Then, as mentioned, right after Australia Day we went straight into lunar new year celebrations. The Year of the Snake is upon us, the snake a symbol of wisdom, resilience and transformation. I'm honoured to share the joy and significance of these festivals with the House today. Lunar new year is a time of family, renewal and community, and this year was no exception. I had the privilege of attending several events showcasing our local area's vibrancy and diversity.”
“Ms Carmen Platt OAM, from Marsfield, was recognised for her exceptional service to the community through charitable organisations. Gold medal winner in Paris Ms Olivia Wunsch OAM, from North Ryde, was recognised for her achievements in sport. Mr Romualdas Cibas and his wife, Mrs Maritsa Cibas, from Huntleys Cove, were recognised for their outstanding service to the Australian Lithuanian community. Then we have Ms Penelope Margaret Gerstle OAM, from Northwood. She was honoured for her significant service to human rights, community health and people with disabilities. Mr James Rodgers OAM, of Lane Cove, was recognised for his service to primary and secondary education and to cricket.”
“We are so lucky to live in a country where we celebrate many events across many cultures, and from December to now we've had it all. Christmas rolled into New Year's and then, of course, Australia Day, and right now we are in the middle of lunar new year celebrations—all back to back, all a chance for friends and family to connect, and a time to reflect on and celebrate who we are and to dream about our future. Australia Day was a special time in Bennelong. I was able to attend back-to-back citizenship ceremonies in Lane Cove and then West Ryde, where I was joined by Premier Minns. It is always such an honour to welcome hundreds of new citizens to our big Australian family. It was also, of course, a day to celebrate our great Australians. In Bennelong we had five amazing Aussies who received the Medal of the Order of Australia.”
“Yes, banks should be held accountable, but telecommunications companies and, importantly, the companies behind social media, where most scams begin and end, absolutely have to step up, be part of this legislation and be held responsible by it. Here, we want to ensure we stand up for everyone's right to feel safe online, to trust the systems they rely on and to keep the money they've worked so hard to earn.”
“It supports intelligence-sharing between regulators, law enforcement and industry both here and overseas. It will ensure that Australia remains at the forefront of global efforts to disrupt scam models as they pop up across the world. At a global fraud summit earlier this year, Australia's approach was highlighted as a model for effective action. It builds on that recognition, ensuring that we continue to lead the way in protecting Australians. This legislation ultimately is about fairness. It's about ensuring the burden of scams doesn't fall solely on victims, and it's about making sure that every industry that profits from the digital economy also takes social responsibility to protect it. It's about holding everyone in the scam ecosystem accountable for their roles in preventing and responding to these crimes.”
“This legislation is about keeping Australians safe by ensuring the money they earn is protected from criminals and that, if they still fall foul of it, there are open and transparent rules on how to recoup lost money in circumstances that are outlined in this bill. To help people do that, extra funding has also been provided to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority to bolster their methods to help Australians recover lost funds. We know that scams aren't just an Australian problem; they're a global challenge. Criminal networks operate across borders, targeting victims worldwide. What we need to do is make sure that Australia is no longer a soft target for these criminals to exploit our most vulnerable Australians. This legislation positions Australia as a leader in the international fight against scams.”
“By creating a flexible framework that can adapt to include new sectors, it ensures a future government will not be caught off guard. I'd encourage all those who listen to this speech or read it at a later time to compare our approach to scams of that of the former government. Not much happened under the Liberals in regard to scams. Their approach was essentially to say to victims that they were on their own—that they should have been smarter, done better or not fallen victim to the work of sophisticated criminals. Well, that's not our approach. Where we see a need to help Australians and keep their money safe, we'll step in. This legislation shows that we're listening to Aussies who have asked us to protect them from criminals and to help them protect their money.”
“That's why this framework allows for other sectors, such as cryptocurrency platforms and online marketplaces, to be brought under its umbrella in the future. It ensures we can respond to emerging threats and stay one step ahead of the scammers. Cryptocurrency scams, for example, have become a significant concern. Australians have lost millions of dollars to fraudulent schemes involving digital currencies, which are often promoted through social media ads that, once again, appear legitimate. These scams exploit the excitement and confusion surrounding new technologies, making them particularly dangerous. By including provisions to expand the framework as needed, the legislation ensures we can address emerging threats without delay. The futureproof nature of the legislation is critical in an era when scammers are always evolving.”
“Since we've come to government we've opened the National Anti-Scam Centre and we've seen the first sustained reduction in scam losses in years—a 43 per cent decrease in scam losses in the final quarter of 2023 compared to the same period the year before. These results are promising, but they are just the beginning. This Scams Prevention Framework builds on these early successes, ensuring that we have the tools to continue driving down scam losses and protecting Australians. We're sending a message to these criminals that Australia is not the place to conduct your illegal business. This legislation is also forward-looking. It recognises that scammers are constantly adapting their methods, exploiting new technologies and finding new ways to deceive.”
“Focusing solely on banks ignores the critical role that the telecommunication sector and the social media sector play in perpetrating scams and also the role they need to play in preventing scams. This legislation deliberately takes a broader view, and that idea of shared responsibility underpins the framework. The banks will have to monitor suspicious transfers and strengthen their fraud detection systems, telecommunications providers must take proactive measures to block scam messages and calls, and digital platforms must crackdown on the spread of fake ads and fraudulent schemes. These are not optional actions—they are the fundamental obligations of this legislation. We want to take scams seriously, and we've done that since coming to government.”
“That's why this framework takes a holistic approach, requiring all sectors involved in the scam ecosystem to work together. Whether a telco blocks the scam call, a social media platform removes the fake ad or a bank stops a suspicious transfer, every part of the system has a role to play. This collaborative approach is essential because scammers don't respect boundaries between industries—they actually exploit them. Some, like the member for Goldstein, have argued for a mandatory reimbursement model like the one in the UK, where only the banks are required to compensate victims of scams. Where this legislation is better is that it puts all those involved on the hook. Scams don't start and end just with banks; they begin with fraudulent messages and deceptive advertising.”
“Civil penalties of up to $50 million will apply to the most egregious breaches, sending a clear message to everyone involved. Failing to protect consumers is not an option. For victims, this legislation provides clear pathways to seek redress. Regulated entities will be required to establish internal dispute resolution processes and participate in external schemes like the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. Victims will not have to navigate a confusing maze of responsibilities; they will have a single, straightforward process to get the help they need. This legislation also recognises that scams do not happen in isolation. They involve multiple touch points: a fraudulent text message, a fake social media ad, and that bank transfer.”
“This isn't just about reacting to scams as they occur; it's about preventing them from happening in the first place. It's about strengthening the systems that scammers exploit, whether that's the SMS service used to send fraudulent messages or spoof centre IDs, the social media platforms used to post fake ads—and we've all seen them—or the banking systems used to move stolen money. This legislation ensures that all known areas are covered and that every player is equally responsible for protecting people's money. What sets this framework apart is its enforceability. Industries have for too long been able to shirk responsibility with little consequence for their inaction. This legislation ensures that regulators have the tools they need to enforce compliance.”
“Protections have varied across industries, and, while some sectors have taken steps to improve, others have lagged behind. This piecemeal approach has left Australians vulnerable and has created an environment where scammers can operate willy-nilly. The inconsistencies in how industries respond to scams mean that whether or not you are protected can depend more on luck than any systemic safeguard. This legislation changes that. The Scams Prevention Framework introduced in the bill is the first economy-wide reforms designed to tackle scams comprehensively. It ensures that every sector scammers exploit—that is, banks, telecommunications providers and digital platforms—are all held to account equally. Under this framework, regulated entities will be required to take reasonable steps to prevent, detect, report, disrupt and respond to scams.”
“Behind each dollar lost are people dealing with the emotional distress, shame and even mental health challenges that arise from being deceived. The retiree who sees their financial security evaporate overnight is left questioning their judgement and wondering how they will make ends meet. The small-business owner who transfers funds to a scammer is facing not just financial hardship but also the weight of their staff's livelihoods. And the family who loses their savings is forced to navigate the heartbreak of rebuilding what was meant to be a foundation for the next generation. Scams do not just take money; they take trust. It's very important that we restore that trust. For years, the response to scams has been fragmented.”
“In 2023 alone, Australians lost $2.7 billion to scams. Behind every dollar stolen is a person, a family or a small business left to pick up the pieces. It's the retiree who loses their life savings through a fraudulent investment scheme. It's the small business owner unable to pay staff because they were tricked into sending lots of money to a fake supplier. It's the parent who thought they were securing their child's future, only to see their savings vanish. These are not hypothetical scenarios; they're real stories I've heard time and time again. These scams do not just take money; they take trust. They exploit the systems and institutions we all rely on. The numbers, while staggering, only tell part of the story.”
“Despite reporting his case to the bank and to the police, his funds remain unrecovered and he's left with no clear path forward. This legislation is for people like Amy and Sonny. It's for the Australians who have been let down by gaps in our system and who deserve better. It's for the communities, families and individuals who expect the government to do something to keep their money safe. There are thousands upon thousands of Australians who have played by the rules, who trusted the systems that they relied on and still found themselves targeted by sophisticated criminals. It's not just their financial stability that's shaken; it's their confidence, their peace of mind and, in many cases, their relationships with their family and friends and with the institutions they thought would protect them.”
“Amy from North Epping contacted my office after losing over $1,000 in what she thought was a safe transaction through a social media chat group. She acted quickly, filing a police report and notifying her bank within an hour, but was told that the recovery of her funds was unlikely. She expressed her frustration with the 10-day investigation period and the lack of immediate measures to halt fraudulent transfers. Then there's Sonny, who trusted a professional-looking offer to transfer over $80,000 into what he thought was a high-interest account at an established bank. Everything about the scam seemed legitimate, from the paperwork to the communication. It wasn't until he realised the fraud that he discovered the money was gone.”
“Fighting scams has been one of my personal priorities since I came to this place. I've got the privilege of serving on the House Economics Committee, and, through public inquiries, I've pushed for stronger protections for scam victims and demanded greater accountability from banks, telecommunications providers and digital platforms. In my time here, I've questioned the big banks directly on their inconsistent responses to scams and raised the need for a coordinated approach to tackle these crimes. When I sat down to write this speech, it made me reflect on the experiences that people in my electorate have shared and how they will be personally impacted by this legislation. I want to share two stories with you.”