Andrew Willcox
Dawson · Liberal National Party · Australia
“I recently was honoured to visit the wonderful Domenica in the Burdekin, who celebrated her 100th birthday. To hear her deeply moving story of her arrival in Australia as a nine-year-old was amazing.”
“We all know Whitehaven, the best beach in the world, was completely robbed, but we'll let them off the hook this time with a cheeky warning. If you head further down south in Dawson to Yalboroo in the Mackay region, you can find Hold It Flats, which took out a well-deserved second place for the best camping and four-wheel-drive spot.”
“In our local businesses where you can get warmed up, Mal's Pies and Pastries in Oonoonba took out silver, fuelling an army of tradies for 30 years with beaut pies while also backing our community.”
“As a former tomato farmer, I know firsthand that the agricultural sector would be completely lost without the visas that allow international workers to fill critical gaps. Without them, crops would literally rot on the ground.”
“Giving a family a $5 weekly tax cut when their mortgage has skyrocketed by thousands of dollars is like tossing a glass of water onto a roaring bushfire. By continually fuelling government spending, the Albanese Labor government continues to stoke the inflation fire. Let's be real; $5 in this economy doesn't even cover a cup of coffee.”
“Under the Albanese Labor government, this delicate balance has collapsed into chaos. Labor's migration numbers have been far too high, and the entry standards have been far too low. The government allows unmanageable numbers to flood our capital cities, putting immense pressure on housing and infrastructure.”
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“We all know Whitehaven, the best beach in the world, was completely robbed, but we'll let them off the hook this time with a cheeky warning. If you head further down south in Dawson to Yalboroo in the Mackay region, you can find Hold It Flats, which took out a well-deserved second place for the best camping and four-wheel-drive spot. They have proven what locals already know: we have the most spectacular backyard in Queensland. These awards show what happens when local legends roll up their sleeves and put their heart and soul into our communities. From our beaches to our main streets, the future is exceptionally bright up our way, because, when it comes to excellence in enterprise, our local establishments outshine them all. Congratulations to all our local champions. You set the gold standard for what makes Dawson a great place.”
“In our local businesses where you can get warmed up, Mal's Pies and Pastries in Oonoonba took out silver, fuelling an army of tradies for 30 years with beaut pies while also backing our community. Back in Bowen, Meraki Whitsundays took out second place for the best café, serving up world-class brews and yummy tucker to satisfy the strongest tummy grumbles. Down at Bowen's marina, Bird's Fish Bar snagged second place for the best fish and chips, serving the freshest coral trout right on the water's edge, and, down the road, Deb's Hair & Beauty in Proserpine secured an incredible second place for the best hairdresser and barber in Queensland—a magnificent result for longstanding local favourite. The judges did give us a bit of a chuckle, awarding the world-famous Whitehaven Beach third place. Third place? They're dreaming!”
“There is an old saying up our way that the sunshine grows everything bigger and better. Our region has always been blessed with natural beauty, but the real gold in Dawson is the talent and grit of our people. When 75,000 Queenslanders voted in the state government's All the Best awards, they gave our local businesses right across Dawson a well-deserved moment in the sun. Taking out the No. 1 crown as the absolute best florist in the entire state is our very own Fiorella Florals. in my home town of Bowen. To Lily and the team at Fiorella, where you can walk in for a bunch of flowers and walk out with a beautiful bouquet, a coffee and a New York-style cookie: thank you for bringing so much colour, flavour and blooming elegance to the heart of Bowen.”
“We must return balance and integrity to our borders, ensuring that migration once again serves to build a stronger, safer and more prosperous Australia. After all, Australia is the best country on Earth.”
“The coalition believes in an immigration system where we judge people not by where they come from but by how they respect our laws, how they share our values and how they want to contribute to our country. Australian values are not complicated. They are freedom, respect, fairness, equality of opportunity, the rule of law, democracy and a fair go for all. The coalition's migration plan will put these distinct values back at the absolute centre of our laws, enshrining compliance with the Australian value statement as a universal visa condition. Our policy will strengthen our social cohesion by requiring integration, shut the door on those who abuse the system and show a permanent red light to these radicals.”
“Under the Albanese Labor government, this delicate balance has collapsed into chaos. Labor's migration numbers have been far too high, and the entry standards have been far too low. The government allows unmanageable numbers to flood our capital cities, putting immense pressure on housing and infrastructure. Visa applications for skilled professionals who actually want to contribute to our economy are taking far too long to be processed, trapped and clogged in bureaucracy. The coalition rejects Labor's version of multiculturalism, which sees different people held to different standards because of their cultural background. This approach is exactly how we ended up with antisemitic hate on our suburban streets, ugly protests on the Harbour Bridge and radical sympathisers allowed back into our communities.”
“As a former tomato farmer, I know firsthand that the agricultural sector would be completely lost without the visas that allow international workers to fill critical gaps. Without them, crops would literally rot on the ground. In particular, the Vietnamese workers we employed on our farm were some of the most industrious, respectful and resilient people I've ever known. They came to Dawson for a genuine opportunity, never for a handout, and they earned every single dollar through sheer hard work. This is a success story of Australian multiculturalism, but it only works when it is backed by a willingness to integrate and belong. We welcome people to share this culture with us, but they must adapt to Australia's laws and our way of life. We should never bend or alter our laws or our democracy or our values to suit others.”
“I recently was honoured to visit the wonderful Domenica in the Burdekin, who celebrated her 100th birthday. To hear her deeply moving story of her arrival in Australia as a nine-year-old was amazing. From sleeping in cane farm stables, walking four miles to school and not speaking a word of English, this remarkable woman built a wonderful life. The Burdekin was built on the shoulders of resilient pioneers just like her. In Mackay, the Maltese community have shaped our history with rich and enduring spirit. I was pleased to attend the unveiling of the Maltese Corner statues in the Mackay CBD, a magnificent tribute to three life-size bronze figures of Sam Bezzina, Emanuel Camilleri and John Vassallo. Many of these families still farm sugarcane today, while others have built mighty businesses that form the backbone of our regional economy.”
“I rise today to speak on a matter that goes to the very heart of who we are as a nation: our migration system. When managed with care and vision, migration doesn't just grow an economy; it truly enriches our nation. It weaves new threads into our national fabric, bringing fresh ideas, vibrant entertainment, incredible food and the vital skills that our industries desperately need to survive. We see this rich heritage displayed proudly right across the electorate of Dawson. In the southern suburbs of Townsville, the Tamil community has become a pillar of the healthcare system. Many are dedicated doctors, including the wonderful paediatrician who assisted with my very first grandchild. You cannot look at the story of Ayr without celebrating the vibrant Italian culture that helped build it.”
“My question is to the Prime Minister. A flat white costs $2 more today than it did in 2022, when Labor came to power. The government's 70c a day tax cut won't even cover the increase, let alone the coffee itself. Prime Minister, why does Labor keep making Australians pay more?”
“It would be a tax cut that gets bigger every year by keeping pace with inflation, beating bracket creep and scaling up to over $1,000 a year by year 4. This is how you put real money back in the family budget—where it belongs. Our wider economic plan will drive the cost of living down. The coalition will restore Australia's standard of living and will protect the Australian way of life.”
“Giving a family a $5 weekly tax cut when their mortgage has skyrocketed by thousands of dollars is like tossing a glass of water onto a roaring bushfire. By continually fuelling government spending, the Albanese Labor government continues to stoke the inflation fire. Let's be real; $5 in this economy doesn't even cover a cup of coffee. Everything is going up. At a conservative estimate, the cost of living for an average family is up by more than $300 per week. Slapping a $5 bandaid onto a $300 bullet wound and expecting a round of applause for it—well, that's not a policy to be proud of. The coalition's tax-back guarantee automatically scales up with inflation, protecting hard-earned wages. At the current rate of inflation, our tax-back guarantee would see a typical worker be around $400 a year better off.”
“It's how we get our products to market, and it's how we get our supplies up from the city. It is in an atrocious state. The Albanese Labor government promised money to go towards it, but we're yet to see it. There's a little bit of money for maintenance—which is a little bit cosmetic, like putting lipstick on a pig—but we want to see some real money, some real investment in the Bruce Highway to keep the people in my electorate safe.”
“When the weeds seed, all the seeds blow next door, and you end up with them back on your farm. The pigs don't just stay in that property. They don't understand that we've got a yellow line around it, so they'll decide to go next door and wreck everything else. The policy simply doesn't work. I'm also concerned about manufacturing in this country and the safeguard mechanism. The safeguard mechanism is basically a carbon tax 2.0, and it is killing all our industries. And what happens to sovereign capability when you kill all the industries in the country? We are then more reliant on our inputs than ever. If COVID has taught us anything, it's that we need to be able to do more things in this country for our own sovereign capability. With the bit of time left, I want to talk about the Bruce Highway. The Bruce Highway is our main arterial.”
“These farmers need to be looked after with the fuel excise, because big tractors, cane harvesters and other cane machinery do not run on fresh air and sunshine. The other thing that needs to be looked at with the excise is our volunteers—people who look after Meals on Wheels, who volunteer their time as well as their fuel. Something needs to be done for them as well. The other big issue I have is the EPBC Act. I have farmers in my area who have what we call white X land. They'd been entitled to clear that land, but the new rules say they can't clear it; it's got to be locked up. For those opposite, I just need you to understand: locking up good agricultural land—or locking up any form of land—simply does not work. All it does is build up pests and diseases, because the pests don't get the memo.”
“So not only is the Labor government attacking the young people; they're also attacking our pensioners and our older people. It's clear that they want to tax from the cradle to the grave. There's nothing surer. I've never seen something that those opposite don't want to tax. But we on this side of the House all know that the more you tax things the less of them you get. And the fuel excise has just been cut, so now it's 16c. That is harder for rural and regional people. People in my electorate don't have all the trams or the buses. They can't jump on public transport; they have to drive. So, again, disproportionately, rural people are worse off with these increases in fuel prices. And we're the engine room. Our cane farmers are already doing it tough with input costs—for fertiliser, for fuel, which have gone through the roof.”
“I think these fine men and women should be looked after. What about the housing—the five per cent deposit? I'll tell you a little bit about that. It's actually forced housing prices up, so people are going to pay more for their house. It also means they haven't got as much in their deposit, so, when times change or there's a decline, they could end up with negative equity in their property. This housing policy is an absolute disaster. What about the widow tax, hidden in the budget papers? If, unfortunately, someone gets separated or divorced, or someone dies, they will lose their provisions of capital gains and negative gearing. That's been grandfathered. That was hidden in the papers. And private health care for over-65s: this Albanese Labor government has slashed the rebate for the over-65s.”
“These fine men and women have put their bodies on the line, put their lives on the line, for this country. When they went overseas or when they put the uniform on they signed a blank cheque. They were prepared to pay for their life and pay for it in blood. Yet now, when they come back, their allied health has been capped at $5,000. I think that's atrocious. I've had veterans in my community come up to me and say, 'Andrew, $5,000 will only last me three months; what am I supposed to do for the rest?' I think that's a very good question. What concerns me the most is that these fine men and women who put their bodies and lives on the line for our country might then have to sacrifice their physiotherapy for their mental health. They might have to sacrifice having the physio, to be able to get around, so that they can go to their psychiatrist.”
“All the while, under the Albanese Labor government, inflation's going through the roof. We're seeing the price of food go up, insurance go up, gas go up, electricity go up, mortgages go up. Now, they haven't gone up just a small amount. Grocery prices have gone up over 15 per cent; insurance prices, 37 per cent; gas prices, 38 per cent; electricity prices, 40 per cent; and mortgages, well, they just keep going up and up and up, so it's harder and harder for young people to get ahead. And these are the aspirational classes. These are the people that will look after us, will pay their taxes into the future. They will look after us. Another segment that has been totally destroyed in this budget is the veterans, with the $5,000 cap on allied health. I don't know how those opposite sleep at night knowing they've done that.”
“Young people in my electorate come up to me and say, 'Andrew, we want to get a house but we can't afford a deposit at the present point in time, so we're going to invest in some shares or some cryptocurrency or some Bitcoin or something like that so we can actually get a higher return and can then afford a deposit.' But now, due to the capital gains, they're going to lose half of that opportunity, so it's going to make it harder for them to get that deposit. Negative gearing is another double whammy. For somebody investing in a house, a rental property, who then can't negative gear it will have to put those extra costs onto the rent, so the rent will go up. So for young people who have just been slipped the capital gains, now negative gearing is going to hurt them, making it harder and harder for young people to get ahead.”
“It's also full of broken promises. Remember the Prime Minister said before the election—50 times, I might add, not just a slip of the tongue—that no, there ae going to be no changes to capital gains tax, no changes to negative gearing, no changes to trusts and yet, here we are, in this budget, changes to capital gains, changes to negative gearing and changes to trusts. It is a direct assault on young people. People of my vintage have had all those tools for wealth creation but they have now been taken away by this cruel Albanese Labor government.”
“I'm very pleased to speak at the grievance debate today because, let me tell you, there's a lot to grieve about. Australians are hurting. People are doing it tough, and the people in my electorate of Dawson are seeing their standard of living declining. We're also seeing that the Albanese Labor government are totally devoid of responsibility. They have no plan to get this country back on track. Everybody knows, after four years of Labor, they are all worse off. And what has the answer been? It has been to bring in a new budget that's high in toxic taxes, high in spending. There's actually $77 billion more of taxes in this budget. It's the highest-taxing budget in history. Let that marinate for a short period of time. It's typical of Labor—when they run out of their money, they come after yours. Let's have a look at the budget in detail.”
“You do not build a fair country by making our seniors poorer, and you certainly do not build a strong economy by penalising the people who have worked hard to achieve self-reliance. This budget tells older Australians that their lifetime of effort does not matter.”
“Restricting financial independence, these changes penalise older Australians who've worked hard to maintain self-sufficient, independent funding for their aged care. The hidden trap is the inflation. We're living in a Labor created cost-of-living crisis. With inflation, everything has gone up. Groceries have gone up, insurance has gone up, and mortgages have gone up. Every single thing that those opposite do is creating a bigger cost for people, and the most affected are our elderly. This budget strikes a cruel blow to anyone over the age of 65. It's a calculated assault on financial independence, and it's happened during the worst time this country has ever seen.”
“Completely removing the longstanding capital gains discount heavily penalises regional small-business owners and retired farmers who have spent a lifetime building an asset to fund their own retirement. A lot of these people haven't had the resources to put money into super. Their farm was their super. By destroying the nest egg, decades of physical labour and early morning work has been treated like a sudden windfall, with the tax office taking a massive bite out of independent savings that were meant to create wealth in these people's twilight years. The changes to trust income attack self-funded retirees. Changes to discretionary and family trusts directly harm self-funded retirees who utilise these legal structures to manage steady retirement income.”
“This will drive vulnerable patients back into the public system, placing immense pressure on struggling regional hospitals. And we certainly know that regional hospitals are already at breaking point. The cruellest blow of all is the allied health cap for our veterans. The government has slapped a rigid $5,000 annual cap on allied health services for veterans, including physiotherapy, podiatry and occupational therapy. That's an insult to their service. Our aged veterans did not put a cap on their service when they stood up for Australia. This government has no right to put a cap on their medical care. In this budget, those opposite have abolished the 50 per cent CGT, capital gains tax, discount.”
“Under the new rules, the simple administrative act of updating a property deed due to the death of a lifelong partner strips away the grandfathered protections. This is a financial penalty on grief. The moment an asset changes to a surviving spouse's name alone, their capital gains tax discounts vanish, triggering a massive unplanned tax bill during a period of deep personal trauma. To add insult to injury, the private health insurance rebate has been slashed. The budget systematically reduces the private health insurance rebate for anyone over the age of 65, breaking a decades-old promise to look after seniors on fixed incomes. This will exacerbate the hospital crisis, forcing seniors off private cover through artificial premium spikes.”
“I rise today to speak for a proud generation of Australians who have shamelessly been targeted by this hapless Albanese Labor government. They are our seniors, our retirees and our pensioners. These are the people who built our nation, worked hard, paid their taxes and sacrificed for decades so they could enjoy a secure retirement. They were promised certainty in their twilight years, but instead they've been handed a brutal betrayal of a budget. This Albanese Labor government has looked at the hard-earned savings of older Australians and treated them like a cash cow to fund its reckless spending. When Labor run out of money, they come after yours. Hidden in the budget papers is the widow's tax, the title transfer trap.”
“And, in a move that will be a significant boost to Dawson, 25 per cent of these infrastructure flows will be locked into directly supporting regional Australia. It is time to return the wealth back to the regions that actually fuel, feed and power this nation.”
“It is a classic chicken-and-egg issue; we need more sea freight for the cost to come down, and that is exactly where a forward-thinking government should step in and assist. Getting heavy trucks off the road makes the Bruce even safer for everyone and provides a necessary space to finally get on top of its shocking condition, with real investment in proper duplication. This government must stop offshoring our security and start backing the regions that power this nation. The coalition has a real plan to change this through the Future Generations Fund. Under this plan, 80c in every single dollar of resource tax windfalls will be banked safely, creating a permanent nest egg for our nation. This fund will be used to pay down debt and invest heavily in nation-building infrastructure.”
“Australia is a wealthy nation, and the resource towns of Mackay and Townsville should be absolutely prospering with the immense wealth that is created on their very doorstep. Instead of relying on unstable foreign supply chains, it is time to dig, drill and lower every bill. There must be a drive to drill for domestic oil and a serious look at coal-to-liquid conversion technology. There is plenty of brown coal sitting in Victoria that cannot be exported, but it is perfect for creating reliable domestic energy and synthetic diesel right here at home. Local supply chains must be unlocked. Both Mackay and Townsville have excellent port facilities, so let's use them to take the heavy pressure off the Bruce Highway by increasing ocean freight.”
“The recent Future Townsville event put a spotlight on a glaring truth and exposed some deeply critical topics facing our region. The reality is that there is no real investment in protecting North Queensland, and if a conflict breaks out our shipping lines could be completely cut off in a matter of days. This government has no way to protect them, with its lack of defence funding. When you look at the very true strategic vulnerability, it isn't a lack of ammunition; it is liquid fuel. The fact is that 50 per cent of all imports into Australia are liquid fuel. Think about that; Australia would completely stop without diesel. If a conflict hits our northern waters and cuts off those supply lines, we are around a month away from absolute anarchy.”
“This disaster funding cut represents a massive betrayal of Queensland, where 74 out of the 77 local government areas were formally disaster declared following recent cyclones. For every natural disaster event, a small regional council is now required to pay $130,000 upfront. That is not fair, and it needs to change.”
“In its latest stunt, the Albanese government recently announced a massive overhaul to the disaster recovery arrangements, the DRFA, reducing the Commonwealth funding share to a split of fifty-fifty with state and territory governments. This is a huge loss in particular for Queensland councils. Under the historical model, the federal government picked up approximately 64 per cent, capping out at 75 per cent, of the major infrastructure costs. Shifting to a fifty-fifty model strips millions out of disaster recovery budgets and pushes the financial burden directly onto the state and the local ratepayers—just another example of 'when Labor runs out of their money, they come after yours'.”
“To add insult to injury, the latest federal budget has slashed financial assistance grants to just 0.49 per cent of Commonwealth tax revenue, down from 0.51 per cent. This financial assistance grant is so important to local councils because it's untied funding, so the councils get to determine what is the best use for that money. Let me tell you, they use it very, very wisely. The Albanese Labor government has completely defunded and eliminated the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program. This has been used for priority local roads and priority infrastructure programs. They've also made cuts to the Regional Precincts and Partnerships program and the Urban Precincts and Partnerships program.”
“I can guarantee the Prime Minister that there are many more people in this place who have done a heck of a lot more for local government than he ever will. This Labor government doesn't back local councils; it abandons them. We're talking about the exact same prime minister who just slashed the federal government's contribution to disaster funding, of all things. The uncomfortable truth is that local government receives only three per cent of all tax revenue—that's derived from rates, fees and charges—the state receives around 16 per cent and the feds receive a whopping 81 per cent, mainly through income tax. Yet despite only receiving three per cent of tax revenue, local governments are forced to manage 33 per cent of all public infrastructure assets. How is that fair?”
“You couldn't get a good drink of water. Your bin couldn't get emptied. You couldn't go to the bathroom. Councils maintain the parks, the gardens and the sporting fields that our families rely on, and they manage libraries, halls, civic centres and cultural hubs. Councils maintain the very essential services that our community cannot do without. The Prime Minister then went on to say: No-one has done more for local government in this House than me. The audacity of that statement is staggering. The member for Parkes, who presented this motion, served as Mayor of the Gunnedah Shire in New South Wales for eight years before entering federal parliament. I spent 10 years in local government, four years as a councillor and six years as Mayor of the Whitsundays.”
“I'm pleased to second this motion supporting local government. After all, local government is the level of government closest to the people, but I believe many in this place have completely forgotten this. Earlier today in the House of Representatives, during question time, in response to a question asked by the member for Fowler, the Prime Minister said: This isn't a council. This is a serious parliament … This just goes to show how out of touch the Prime Minister really is. Does the Prime Minister realise it's local councils who actually do the heavy lifting? They build and maintain tens of thousands of kilometres of rural roads and local roads. They provide the vital sewerage, water and waste management services. Can you imagine if there were no sewer, if there were no water, if there were no waste?”
“It is because of people like him that this brigade has grown to 30 volunteers—absolute proof that in Alligator Creek community spirit spreads a lot faster than any wildfire. But the heat is still on, and Nome needs more hands on deck. It is time we answer the call for people that answer ours. These volunteers are on call for emergencies that they hope will never come. Let's make sure that these local heroes, who are there for us each and every day, never stand alone.”
“Picture the moment the emergency pager starts beeping at two in the morning. Somewhere in Alligator Creek, near Townsville, a rural firey is pulling on their boots to protect a neighbour in need. You can train someone to handle a high-pressure hose, but you cannot train the heart it takes to run towards a blazing fire front when the natural instinct is to run away. Last week, I joined the Nome District Rural Fire Brigade for their community information day and was handed a hose by one of the volunteer firefighters, Lachlan. Talking to him and fellow local firies Callum, Tyson and Joshua, I instantly saw their dedication. Having grown up on cattle and cane properties, Lachlan's practical firefighting knowledge was a spark that had him smouldering long before he commenced training.”
“We're going to be energy agnostic—whatever is the cheapest that is generated and delivered to the business, to the manufacturer, to the industry and to the household. It's better because we're not going to allow solar panels on good-quality agricultural land; we're not going to allow the 28,000 kilometres of poles and wires. And it's going to be fairer because we're still going to cut emissions, but we're going to do it in line with other OECD countries. We're going to scrap the safeguard mechanism, which is actually just a carbon tax 2.0 that's upsetting every one of our heavy emitters. Folks, we can do better, and the Labor government needs to do better.”
“Capital is portable, so, when international companies are looking at where they are going to invest, we need to make sure that they come to Australia and we need to make sure that we have the settings right so they can bring manufacturing to this country. The coalition has a sensible energy plan. We will scrap net zero. The net zero fantasy is destroying industry in Australia and is bankrupting manufacturing all while making Australians poorer and dropping our living standards. The coalition has a cheaper, better, fairer plan. It's cheaper because we're going to keep our existing coal-fired power stations running longer, and coal fired is the cheapest way of making an electron.”
“What we need to enhance manufacturing in this country is abundant, cheap, reliable energy, energy that is available 24/7, not just when the sun shines or the wind blows. When heavy industry are casting something, whether it be copper, zinc or whatever it is, they might have molten liquid there at around 1,000 degrees. With intermittent, unreliable energy, if that stops, then all of a sudden everything stops. It's not molten anymore. It goes back to solids, creating a massive problem. The manufacturing industry is also capital intensive, so you need to be able to run the industry 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Otherwise, it simply doesn't stack up. You cannot do that with renewable energy, even backed up by batteries.”
“When you increase productivity, you can actually increase people's wages; you could pay higher wages. The coalition is supportive of paying higher wages as long as you get the productivity. But all these changes are energy intensive. Energy is the manufacturing industry. Energy is the economy. And it's fair to say that Labor is certainly failing in the energy policy sphere. When I travel around talking to and, more importantly, listening to manufacturers, they tell me that the No. 1 issue, the No. 1 problem, that manufacturers face in this country is energy costs, including fuel. Electricity costs under the Labor government have gone up 40 per cent; gas has skyrocketed. Manufacturers can't compete with their overseas competitors.”
“Australia has, over decades, all but lost the manufacturing industry, and the current Labor government are determined to kill off the rest. Australia has lost the manufacturing industry due to higher wages, low productivity, excessive red and green tape, inflexible IR laws and high energy costs. Under the Albanese Labor government, none of these things are getting any better. We have the engineers and the tradies, the best and brightest people that can design, produce, scale up and manufacture in this country, and we don't have to suffer through this continual decline. You can't make things like cars or do any complex engineering feats without the simple processes of making the small things, and the coalition has a plan. With computers, AI and robotics we can increase productivity.”
“I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) Australian manufacturing: (i) has undergone significant transformation over the past few decades; (ii) is a hub for research and development, capital investment and innovative businesses and products; and (iii) is our sixth largest industry, producing $137 billion of value-added output and employs 930,000 people; (b) Australian manufacturers can design, produce, and scale high-tech, high-value goods using cutting-edge processes, a skilled workforce, and integrated supply chains but we must be focused on building an advanced manufacturing capability for our country; (c) if we want a prosperous and secure Australia, we must prioritise domestic production and unleash our own energy resources to reduce the crippling energy costs and provide the reliable, firm base load power that our manufacturers need to be competitive; and (d) the fight to save Australian manufacturing and reclaim our national sovereignty must enable our local industries to challenge the policies that have left our country vulnerable to foreign imports and skyrocketing costs; and (2) acknowledges that: (a) regional industry is not seeking a handout, but a level playing field; (b) without immediate policy intervention to address the energy disparity and the lack of import quality standards, the region risks permanent industrial decline; and (c) Australia needs a National Import Quality Taskforce to stop sub-standard foreign dumping, offering royalty discounts for companies that procure 100 per cent Australian-made items, and overhauling the 'Australian Made' logo fees so local workshops are not charged a premium just to tell the world where their goods were built.”
“He told me that the only day he gets thanked for his service is Anzac Day, and he feels that people only say that because they get a day off work. But what has hurt him more is that this allied health cap feels like a sickening kick in the guts from a government who cares more about ISIS brides than our own soldiers—like our veterans that spent decades fighting to overcome how they were treated when they first came home. We promised we would never abandon a generation of heroes like that again. Yet that is what Labor is doing. When these men and women signed up, they gave the country a blank cheque with their lives. They did not limit their sacrifice, and Labor should not limit their recovery. Labor must stop treating the DVA gold card like a coupon. It is a sacred promise, and these heroes have earned every single cent.”
“These essential treatments are not discretionary extras. They are what keep our wounded veterans functioning daily. I saw the human cost of this policy last week in Townsville, Australia's largest garrison city. As I saw the pain on the faces of the veterans who live in my electorate, I gained an understanding of how this ambush has assaulted their faith in this Labor government. On the night of the State of Origin, right before Queensland thrashed New South Wales, the local pub wasn't just full of footy fans; it was packed with veterans who came specifically to voice their disgust at this policy. One proud gentleman stood before me and said the words that should haunt every member in this chamber.”
“There's a dangerous disconnect between Labor balancing its budget on a spreadsheet and veterans paying the price in blood. Through shrapnel tearing flesh, the concussive shock waves of roadside bombs and the agonising torment of combat trauma, the men and women who sign up to defend our nation do not cap their sacrifice. Yet this Labor government has capped their health care by slapping a $5,000 annual cap on DVA funded allied health treatments. Labor is giving with a teaspoon and taking with a shovel. They are boasting about raising fees for providers, but, because each appointment now costs more, this cap means that a veteran's entitlement evaporates twice as fast. It's a double-edged sword that cuts into our ex-service men and women, forcing them to decide whether their physical wounds or their mental scars need treating first.”
“This debate is no longer just about tobacco regulation; it's about community safety, economic sanity and the rule of law.”