Carina Garland
Chisholm · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“Having seen them again last week, I can say the students of St Roch's are absolutely leaders. They debated whether video games should be an official sport, if plastic packaging on all food items should be banned, whether museums should return ancient artefacts to countries of origin and whether smartwatches should be banned in the classro…”
“We're also clarifying the CFMEU administrator's biannual financial reporting requirements, which currently require a report effectively immediately at the conclusion of a given financial year. In this bill, we're also committed to ensuring truckies get a fair go.”
“This government is giving them the tools to do just that, and I'm really proud to be able to represent so many bright young people in this place. Just last week, I had the great pleasure of visiting St Roch's Catholic Primary School in Glen Iris as a guest adjudicator for their year 6 civics and citizenship debating competition.”
“The intention here is to ensure that more truck drivers can access our quick and easy process to challenge an unfair contract in the Fair Work Commission.”
“It's important to highlight that our reforms are essential in ensuring that our workplace relations framework continues to be fit for purpose, continues to deliver fairer wages and secure jobs not just in my electorate of Chisholm but right across Australia.”
“We know that secure jobs drive participation in communities. I spoke about this in my very first speech—that, when people have certainty over hours and wages, they can make commitments to their local communities. They can put down roots. They can know that on their weekends they'll have time to give to their local sporting clubs.”
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“Women's full-time ordinary earnings have increased by more than $290 a week since May 2022. Australia's global ranking for gender equality has risen dramatically from 43rd in 2022 to 13th today. Those outcomes did not happen by accident. Those outcomes came about through deliberate decisions, ones directly informed by women around the table in our government and in our communities. These deliberate decisions include those like cheaper child care, expanding paid parental leave, backing pay rises for aged-care workers and early childhood educators, and making gender equality an object of the Fair Work Act. For too long women's work was undervalued.”
“It was the Hawke Labor government that introduced the world's first Women's Budget Statement in the 1980s, and it was the Albanese Labor government that restored it in 2022, because we understand that budgets are not gender neutral. The decisions made in this chamber shape the lives of Australians differently, and good governments must recognise that reality. We have a caucus made up of a majority of women, one that is reflective of Australia and our communities, and that's why our government introduced gender-responsive budgeting, ensuring that gender equality is considered in budget decisions and embedded at the centre of economic policy. The results are already being seen. Women's labour-force participation reached a record high in 2025. The gender pay gap has fallen to an historic low of 11.5 per cent.”
“I'm really pleased to be able to speak on the 2026-27 Women's Budget Statement, which is a statement that reflects not only a set of policies but also a vision for the kind of country we want Australia to be—that is, a country where women are safer, where women are healthier, where women are paid fairly, valued properly, and given every opportunity to participate fully in our economy and thrive in our society. We know that when women do well, Australia does well, and that is exactly why the Albanese Labor government has made gender equality a central issue to our government and a core economic priority. As the Women's Budget Statement says, creating greater opportunity for women is central to building a stronger, more productive and more resilient nation. Labor has a proud history here.”
“My question is to the Prime Minister. How is the Albanese Labor government's budget delivering reforms to housing policy that are pro aspiration and pro supply? Why is this important, and are there any alternatives?”
“We are not pulling away the ladder of aspiration like those opposite seek to do. We're extending aspiration to more people. We're delivering real relief for working Australians right now, including with more tax cuts from 1 July this year for every single Australian taxpayer. We're strengthening Medicare; we're making free urgent care clinics a permanent part of Medicare. When we were elected, we said we wanted to build a better future to ensure that no-one was held back or left behind, and, through this budget, we are continuing that important work.”
“We're already delivering five per cent deposits for first home buyers, and we're building 100,000 homes set aside specifically for them. We have 415 Australians in my community of Chisholm who've bought a house under this scheme, and I congratulate them on buying their first home. I do wonder what those opposite—what the member for Goldstein—would have to say to those people who've been able to use our government's policies to set themselves and their families up for the future. We're also undertaking Australia's biggest ever housing build—1.2 million homes, including 55,000 social and affordable homes. We're getting those homes built faster by funding the essential infrastructure people need while training more tradies through free TAFE and supporting apprentices with a $10,000 incentive.”
“We are actually trying to make the system fairer, to put more homes into our communities so that people can live near their families, near their loved ones and near their jobs; can start small businesses; and can dream of a future. Investors will still be able to access concessions by investing in new housing, adding supply to the market. We know that will mean more houses will be built, there will be more supply in the market, and, again, there will be more opportunity for younger Australians to finally get a fair opportunity at homeownership. We're not interested in protecting a system that hasn't been working for people. Aspiration in this country should belong to everybody. It should belong to a teacher, it should belong to a nurse, it should belong to an apprentice, and it should belong to a small-business owner.”
“They're being priced out by those who are backed by tax breaks, and the current combination of negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount has been giving investors an advantage over Australians who are really trying very hard to buy a home to live in for themselves and their families—to build a good life. Our government, with the Minister for Housing, is acting responsibly and trying to help Australians put a roof over their heads—to have a dream for themselves and their families for the future. We're limiting negative gearing for future investments so that it can only be used for new builds that add to housing supply. We're hearing a lot of misinformation, frankly, from those opposite.”
“Under those opposite, Australians suffered three terms of government without a housing minister, and, over nine years, less than 400 social and affordable homes were built—only 373, to be precise. Governments are not elected to protect broken systems. Governments are elected to respond to the challenges that are in front of them, and Australians know the housing market is not working fairly. Young Australians know it, renters know it, families trying to save for a deposit know it, my community knows it, and this side of the House knows it. Right now, first home buyers are being priced out of the market.”
“I want to also thank our very hardworking Broadcasting staff here in the House of Representatives. I find it quite unfortunate that someone who does seek to become Treasurer of this country and who brought this motion to the House today is seemingly promoting misinformation and appears quite ignorant of the history of his own party. I want to thank the assistant minister for providing some really important historical context for this debate today. If anyone is operating in bad faith when it comes to aspiration, it is those opposite right now. Our budget is all about helping with the cost of living, strengthening Medicare and giving Australians a fair go at buying their own home. We are encouraging aspiration and opportunity.”
“Through countless fundraising efforts, the club has now raised more than $240,000. Two weeks ago alone, an outstanding $30,000 was raised. And no Wattle Park pink day would be complete without Fairlie's famous yo-yo biscuits. This year, Fairlie made 1,075 bags—more than 19,000 biscuits—all sold to help support this important cause. The day reflected the very best of our community, and I congratulate everybody involved for a terrific day.”
“I want to recognise the extraordinary efforts of the Wattle Park football club and the community behind this year's Wattle Park 'pink day' in support of breast cancer research. Breast cancer is a far-reaching disease that does not discriminate, and it has touched many of us in one way or another. From May 2016, following the passing of Cathy Davis in 2015 after her courageous battle with breast cancer, for the past 11 years the club has hosted its annual ladies luncheon and fundraising day, an event built on compassion, resilience and community spirit. Cathy was the much-loved wife of former club president Glen Davis, and the mother of Harry, Sam and Michael Davis—all deeply connected to the club. What began as a tribute to Cathy has become a powerful community movement supporting families facing breast cancer.”
“We understand the importance of ensuring Australian stories continue to thrive in schools, libraries, homes and communities right across the country, and we understand that supporting authors and publishers is an absolute investment in Australia's cultural and economic future. This is thoughtful legislation. It is practical and it is necessary reform. It strengthens an important system that has supported Australian creators for decades, and it ensures the system remains effective, modern and sustainable for decades to come. I look forward to reading many more Australian stories and learning more about this wonderful country of ours through reading. I commend the bills to the House.”
“Governments and parliaments have a responsibility not only to support economic growth and infrastructure but also to support the cultural institutions and creative industries that enrich our national life and make life worth living. A stronger Australia is not only measured in economic terms; it's measured by the strength of our ideas, our stories, our education and our cultural confidence. The core of this bill ensures that Australian creators are recognised, modernising our lending rights framework for the future and reinforcing the principle that creative work deserves real respect and fair compensation. The Albanese Labor government understands the importance of backing Australian creators.”
“I think that Australian stories are really worth fighting for. For all of us, they're worth fighting for, but this is especially important for young people growing up in regional communities, multicultural communities and First Nations communities, for whom the connection, identity and understanding we build are so significant. We know that public libraries and school libraries play an enormous role in making access to experiences, information and culture possible, so this legislation is fairly balanced in recognising the importance of public access to books and the importance of properly supporting the people who create them.”
“It's also really important to understand your own country through the eyes of someone who has a different experience of Australia. Again, that is really important for social cohesion. Every time I visit a school or early learning centre, the optimism and curiosity of our youngest Australians really excite me as a community representative, and I always try and take the time to read stories and share in finding out what books young people are interested in. Recently, I visited the Bambini Early Learning Centre in my electorate, and I got to read Wombat St ew , which is one of my old favourites from when I was a very young person. It really does teach us about creativity, resourcefulness and Australian life. It's wonderful when reading these books to see young people learn in real time.”
“It was recognition that Australian culture does not simply happen by accident; it requires investment and support. It requires governments willing to value creative work as an essential part of national life. More than 50 years later, that remains the case, as it did then, because culture is not a luxury; it is an essential part of who we are as a nation. Through democratic institutions such as libraries, we are able to access culture in really meaningful ways right across communities in Australia. There's something profoundly important about a young Australian picking up a book and seeing themselves reflected in its pages—seeing their community, seeing the way they live their lives, hearing languages and reading about experiences that feel familiar to them.”
“For many authors, illustrators, translators, editors and publishers, these payments are not simply a bonus; they are a reliable and meaningful source of income which helps creators continue their work and helps keep books in publication, which is really important, so that we can continue to enjoy these stories and this knowledge. These payments help ensure Australian stories continue to be written, published and shared with future generations. It's also really important, I think, to reflect on the origins of these schemes and the intent of these schemes. In 1974, Prime Minister Gough Whitlam approved the Public Lending Right Scheme with a clear and principled vision of fairness. He was, of course, a great champion of the arts.”
“I think that figure really demonstrates the economic reality facing many creators in this country. Whilst writing is of course incredibly valuable work, both socially and culturally, it's not always valued in the same way financially. It's not always secure work, financially. We know this legislation will not solve every challenge facing Australian authors, but it is one of the concrete things we can do as a government to provide meaningful support. We know that every bit of support matters. In the 2024-25 financial year alone, more than 17,000 payments were made to eligible Australian creators and publishers through these schemes and totalled $28 million. That is significant.”
“There's another important principle that lies at the heart of this legislation, which is that creative work has incredible value. An author's creativity is their property, and when that work is used through a public library loan or within an educational setting it's entirely reasonable and right that the creator receives payment. We would not expect other workers to provide their labour for free simply because the public benefits from it. Creative workers deserve that same respect and deserve to be seen as workers, and their labour should be valued. Not every person, of course, who writes a book seeks to become a full-time author. We know that. Many writers balance their creative work with other jobs and responsibilities. But it is telling that the average income for an Australian writer in 2021-22 was reportedly just $16,100.”
“We know that Australians increasingly borrow ebooks and audiobooks alongside traditionally printed works. Digital collections are now a normal part of our libraries and educational institutions, and they make it easier for a lot of people to access books and reading. Through Revive, our national cultural policy, the Albanese government has invested in modernising lending rights so that creators are recognised and compensated for the use of their works across these contemporary formats. This bill secures those reforms into legislation and provides a modern framework for the future. It ensures that lending rights schemes continue to adapt alongside technological change while continuing to support Australian creators and strengthen our cultural life.”
“We should be very proud of our libraries here, in Australia. I think it is really fair and reasonable that when works are borrowed thousands of times through libraries the people responsible for creating those works do receive compensation for their contributions, and that's what this bill seeks to do. This bill brings the public lending right and educational lending right schemes into a single contemporary legislative framework. It replaces the Public Lending Right Act 1985 and ensures that these important programs remain fit for purpose in a rapidly changing world, where we consume books and literature in different ways. The existing schemes have served Australia really well for decades, but we know that the way we access books has changed significantly since the 1980s. As we evolve, our laws need to follow suit.”
“Sir Redmond Barry helped establish the State Library Victoria and in fact lived where my electorate now is, on the Syndal Estate. My office is just over the road from Syndal train station, which is of course named after his estate. But his legacy is not just about the names of places in our community. It's about the wonderful local institutions, like libraries, that we're all able to access. I can't think of many libraries in my electorate that I haven't spent time in as a school student or a university student, or since. I used the space to read, to study and to learn. It is amazing what libraries offer to all of us. They're places where every Australian, regardless of income or background, can access literature, education and information and can connect with others through book clubs and other community groups.”
“In my very first speech in this place I spoke about the importance of valuing culture and ensuring that this was something that the government saw as a priority, and I'm really pleased that our government does see this as a priority. For a long time public and educational lending rights have existed to ensure that Australian creators and publishers are fairly paid when their books are made available through public and educational libraries. They recognise something which is really important, which is that access to books should never come at the expense of the people who create them. I think this is a good moment to reflect on how important libraries are as one of the great democratic institutions in this country.”
“Whether it is in the area of health research, environmental science, economics, education, Indigenous history or social policy, as well as fiction of course, authors make an extraordinary contribution to our national landscape. Australian writers help define our culture by telling local stories in local voices. These are stories about our suburbs, our regions, our environment, our workplaces, our schools and our communities. They are stories that Australians can see themselves in and can understand the history of our nation through. These things really matter. If Australians don't tell Australian stories, the stories will disappear. We all have, in this place, a responsibility to back Australian stories and creativity where we can.”
“Behind everyone of these stories is a creator, a person who has dedicated years of work, research, creativity and persistence to producing something of real value for the Australian public to enjoy. Australian authors pay a fundamental and often undervalued role in our society. Before entering this place, I studied literature, including Australian literature, at university. I worked as an academic and as a researcher, and I know how important authors are. Without authors, without people willing to dedicate themselves to knowledge, evidence, storytelling and scholarship—this is not just about fiction work here; we're talking about Australian non-fiction too—our society would be profoundly different. Australian authors inform public debate, often provoke public debate. Australian authors inform government and inform policy.”
“I think of The Getting of Wisdom , My Brilliant Career , Playing Beatie Bow and Robin Klein's Penny Pollard books. I think of Hazel Edwards, who lives in my electorate, and her book There's a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake . I think of the Mary Poppins stories written by an Australian author, Pamela Lyndon Travers. I think of the work by friends of mine, including my dear friend Chloe Wilson who's just launched her first fiction work The Thornbacks . These Australian stories really matter. They amplify our experiences and preserve our voices, making sure that the world takes note of our voices and our stories. Stories challenge us, educate us and inspire us. Literature has a great power to help us understand the world as seen through the eyes of another. When we talk about social cohesion, this is really, really important.”
“I love books, I love libraries, and I love Australian stories. I am one of the chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Books and Reading, and I am so proud to be part of a Labor government that backs Australian stories, libraries and authors every step of the way. This bill, Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Bill 2026, is an important step in recognising and supporting Australian creators and publishers who are committed to telling, preserving and amplifying important stories. Australian stories really matter. They reflect who we are and they help shape who we become, and they've certainly shaped me. I wouldn't be who I am without Australian books and stories. I think of some of my favourites like Looking for Alibrandi , which is incredibly important to an Australian Italian person like myself.”
“To any victims-survivors watching this debate today: the message from the government and the parliament is clear. We hear you, we believe you and we are committed to ensuring our systems deliver accountability and justice. I commend the bill to the House.”
“I believe this place is at its absolute best when we work together to deliver meaningful reform for those in our communities who need it most. I do want to acknowledge the bipartisan and crossbench support that has been expressed for this legislation, because protecting children and supporting victims-survivors should never be a partisan issue. The reforms before us today are about basic fairness, about justice, about accountability and about ensuring the law reflects community expectations. At the heart of this bill is a very simple idea: if a court has ordered compensation for a survivor of child sexual abuse, convicted perpetrators should not be able to shield their wealth while refusing to pay. I think this is fair and long overdue.”
“We've listened to the many Australians who believe that perpetrators should not be able to exploit legal and financial loopholes to escape accountability and to deny people justice. I want to thank very deeply those in my community of Chisholm who've taken the time to contact me and speak to me about this very important issue. Importantly, our government has also committed to reviewing the operation of these laws, after full commencement, to ensure that they are operating effectively for victims-survivors. This is really important, because this legislation should not be viewed as the end of the conversation. Instead, it is a significant step forward and establishes an important foundation. But we must continue listening to survivors and looking for opportunities to improve outcomes and strengthen justice at every juncture.”
“Yet survivors and advocates continued to push for change because they believed future survivors deserved a better system. And because of their advocacy, because of their courage, our government is acting. I want to acknowledge, too, the organisations that have campaigned tirelessly for reform in this area—organisations like Bravehearts, the Grace Tame Foundation, Fighters Against Child Abuse Australia, the Carly Ryan Foundation and Super for Survivors. These organisations, alongside survivors and advocates, have played a vital role in bringing these issues to national attention, and their advocacy has made a real difference. Our government has listened to what these organisations and survivors have had to say.”
“That matters greatly, because there are survivors right now who have been denied justice under the existing framework; there are survivors who have waited years for compensation that was lawfully ordered by the courts. This legislation recognises their experiences and seeks to address those existing inequities. These reforms did not emerge in isolation. They are the product of years of incredible, courageous advocacy from survivors, families and organisations determined to improve a system that has too often failed victims-survivors. I want to acknowledge the extraordinary courage of, and to deeply thank, the survivors who have spoken publicly about their experiences. That bravery cannot be overstated. Coming forward is never easy. Reliving trauma in public is never easy.”
“This bill also introduces important amendments to the Bankruptcy Act 1966. These amendments will ensure compensation debts owed to victims-survivors survive bankruptcy. That's a critical part of what we're putting before the House today. Bankruptcy should never become a refuge from accountability for perpetrators of child sexual abuse. Financial manoeuvring must never override moral and legal responsibility, and these reforms ensure offenders cannot simply walk away from debts owed to survivors through bankruptcy processes. Another important feature of this legislation is that it applies not only prospectively but also to historical compensation orders that remain legally enforceable.”
“It's about ensuring that victims-survivors are not left carrying the burden alone while perpetrators continue to benefit from protected assets. Justice often means more than just securing a conviction. It's about ensuring meaningful redress. What message does it send when a perpetrator can accumulate significant savings while refusing to pay compensation ordered by a court? What message does that send to survivors who have already endured so much? By not closing this loophole, we undermine confidence in the justice system. What has happened before compounds trauma. It perpetuates unfairness. It's wrong. It needs to change. This bill seeks to restore balance. Our reforms say very clearly that our financial systems must align with our values, and our values demand justice and accountability.”
“This is a really practical, targeted measure and, most importantly, it is a reform designed to deliver meaningful outcomes for survivors. We know child sexual abuse causes profound and lifelong harm. Its impact extends across every aspect of a person's life. It affects mental health, physical wellbeing, relationships, educational outcomes, employment and financial security. For many victims-survivors, the trauma does not end when the abuse ends. It's carried on for years and often decades. Too many people face ongoing barriers to stable work and economic security as a direct consequence of the abuse they suffered as children. So this issue before the House is not simply about financial compensation; it's about recognition and accountability.”
“This means that justice is incomplete. This means that justice is not delivered. This can no longer be the case. This bill closes that loophole. The bill establishes a very clear principle that convicted perpetrators of child sexual abuse cannot use the superannuation system as a shield against accountability. Under these reforms, victims-survivors will be able to apply for a court order to access additional or salary-sacrificed superannuation contributions made by the offender where a related compensation order remains unpaid after 12 months. Importantly, victims-survivors will also be able to apply to the Australian Taxation Office with appropriate safeguards to identify whether eligible superannuation exists before seeking that court order.”
“We will always stand with victims-survivors. I will always stand with victims-survivors. For far too long, there has been a deeply unfair loophole in our system, a loophole that has allowed convicted child sexual abusers to shield assets in superannuation accounts while refusing or avoiding paying court ordered compensation to victims-survivors. That loophole has caused immense distress and frustration for survivors. After enduring unimaginable and horrendous abuse, after showing the incredible courage to come forward, after participating in deeply traumatic legal proceedings and after securing a compensation order through the judicial system, too many survivors are left facing the devastating reality of the offender still refusing to pay. They have to face the reality that the assets of the offender remain protected.”
“The Albanese Labor government is committed to standing with victims-survivors, and I want to thank all victims-survivors and advocates for their work in informing this Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) Bill 2026. We are committed to ensuring our legal and financial systems work in the interests of justice, not in the interest of offenders seeking to evade responsibility. That's exactly what this legislation does. It works in the interests of justice. This is an important and overdue reform. It is a reform grounded in justice, accountability and dignity for victims-survivors of child sexual abuse. It is a reform that says clearly and unequivocally that perpetrators of these abhorrent crimes should never be able to hide behind financial loopholes to avoid paying compensation owed to those they have harmed.”
“My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. With the war in the Middle East disrupting global supply chains, how has the Albanese Labor government acted to strengthen Australia's fuel security?”
“I know that my community expects a government that takes responsibility—a government that steps up in times of challenge and delivers, not a government that just promises. What we've seen this month demonstrates exactly that. That's what our government is focused on doing. I really can't wait to be back in my community of Chisholm though, after a long month here in Canberra, and I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very safe and very happy Easter, particularly those communities of faith for whom this is a very important celebration. For all of those workers who will be working over Easter, you absolutely deserve your penalty rates, and I will always work my hardest to protect those.”
“We are making commonsense reforms and listening to advocates, and we are building a cleaner, more resilient energy system. There are a number of other measures we've taken over the last month that we've been here in Canberra, including taking important steps to protect Australians from discrimination based on their genetic information. Through reforms to strengthen genetic testing in life insurance, we are ensuring that Australians can access vital medical testing without fear that it will be used against them, because no-one should have to choose between their health and their financial security. This is what our communities expect of us—to stand here every day we're in Canberra and fight for good outcomes for them.”
“That means 1,667 households in my community of Chisholm are getting cheaper energy through the uptake of the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. This means families can store cheap solar energy during the day and use it at night, cutting their power bills. It also benefits the entire system, reducing pressure on the energy grid and making our network more resilient. Australians know that investing in clean energy is not just good for the environment; it's good for their wallets. Across every single one of the initiatives I've outlined this afternoon there is a common thread, which is that our government is focused on practical outcomes. Our government is helping Australians manage the cost of living, backing workers with fair pay, strengthening our economy through trade, supporting women and families and securing retirement incomes.”
“We've made child care cheaper and we're extending paid parental leave to six months. For the first time, too, we are paying superannuation on that paid parental leave. We've delivered the largest ever women's health package and made record investments to end gender based violence. Progress for women does not happen by accident. It happens by choice, and our government has made that choice. That's largely been informed, too, by the fact that we have a majority female government and we have different voices sitting around the table. We're able to make these kinds of decisions. The Albanese Labor government is building a more sustainable and affordable energy future. New data this month shows that, with our 30 per cent discount, Australians have installed 250,000 home batteries.”
“We've also taken action to ensure Australians can retire with dignity. We have boosted superannuation savings for 1.3 million Australians, especially low-income workers, who need it most. This reform reduces tax on super contributions and delivers fairer outcomes, particularly for women, who make up more than half of low-income earners. Every single Australian deserves a secure retirement, and our reforms will ensure that everybody is able to have a dignified and secure retirement. This month marked International Women's Day, and I am proud to stand as part of a government that is delivering real progress for women. We've helped close the gender pay gap to record lows. We've expanded access to the single parent payment, knowing that it often tends to be women who take on single parenting responsibilities.”
“The Albanese Labor government is delivering tax cuts this year and next so that Australians can keep more of what they earn. We're also making medicines cheaper, we're expanding bulk-billing and we're providing targeted cost-of-living relief without fuelling inflation. That's what responsible government looks like. We're also delivering for Australia's future. This month we strengthened our economic ties with Europe through a new trade agreement. This will contribute $10 billion annually to our economy. That means more Australian products reaching European markets, more opportunities for Australian businesses and more jobs here at home. And it means cheaper European products at the checkout for Australian consumers. When we open doors for Australian exporters, we create opportunities for Australian workers.”
“The National Employment Standards govern the minimum entitlements that all Australian workers can access. We've heard from the Fair Work Ombudsman and the department of workplace relations as we determine whether the National Employment Standards are still fit for purpose in 2026, 16 years since they were first implemented. To do that, we need to meet workers where they are. That means holding hearings right across the country, not just here in Canberra, to get direct evidence from people with different perspectives and experiences. This will include employers, industry workers, academics and other stakeholder groups right across the country. I'm very excited this important work is underway and I really want to thank everybody who's taken the time to submit their thoughts to the inquiry.”
“And we've done this responsibly, supporting wage growth while keeping inflation on a downward path and respecting the independence of the Fair Work Commission, because economic management is about helping people today while securing stability for tomorrow. I will never forget standing alongside the now prime minister in the 2022 election campaign when he was asked a question on whether he supported a wage increase for the lowest paid workers in this country, and he said, 'Absolutely.' And he's been absolutely committed, as we all have been in this government, to looking out for the lowest paid workers in the country ever since. On that theme, I am Chair of the Employment, Workplace Relations, Skills and Training Committee, and we've begun our inquiry into the National Employment Standards.”
“Our government will always stand up for consumers. While we're standing up for consumers, we're also backing Australian workers. This month we've supported a real wage increase for around 2.7 million minimum wage and award reliant workers. These are the Australians who keep our economy moving—people who are often in lower paid roles, often working fewer hours, and people who tend to get hit hardest by cost-of-living pressures. Since coming to office, our support for real wage growth has already delivered over $9,000 in cumulative increases for minimum wage workers. That's real money back into the pockets of working Australians.”
“Inflation has stretched family budgets, and every Australian feels it when they fill up their car, drop the kids off at school, pay their bills or do their weekly shop. So we've acted. We've halved the fuel excise for three months to make petrol and diesel cheaper right now. We've released 20 per cent of Australia's fuel reserves to stabilise supply. We've temporarily adjusted fuel standards to keep more fuel flowing. We've appointed a national fuel supply taskforce coordinator to ensure coordination across the country. Australians deserve relief when they need it most. We've doubled penalties for petrol companies engaging in price gouging because there is simply no excuse for exploiting Australians, especially during a crisis. That's not the way we do things here; that's not the Australian way.”