Zoe McKenzie
Flinders · Liberal Party · Australia
“Wet lettuce. That is the official verdict on this government's attempt to prevent harm to Australian kids via social media regulation. 'Wet lettuce' were the exact words the eSafety Commissioner used to describe the reforms a month ago in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald.”
“Schedule 1 contains a large number of technical amendments across Commonwealth legislation, while schedule 2 repeals more than 100 obsolete amending acts that no longer have any operative effect.”
“They include amendments affecting the Criminal Code, veterans legislation, radio communications, the Midwife Professional Indemnity Scheme, marine safety legislation, family law, freedom of information and electoral legislation.”
“Too often we have seen legislation introduced in haste, legislation requiring significant correction after introduction or legislation producing unintended consequences because proper scrutiny was lacking. Australians expect better.”
“I rise to speak on the Statute Update Bill 2026. The coalition recognises the important role that the statute update legislation plays in maintaining the quality and integrity of the Commonwealth Statute Book. These bills have long been a feature of good legislative practice.”
“It strengthens parliamentary scrutiny, it improves transparency and it provides confidence that the legislation described as technical does not, inadvertently or otherwise, produce substantive legal change. Good lawmaking is not just about good drafting; it is about careful scrutiny.”
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“The passage of this bill would provide the Minister for Home Affairs with a new discretionary power to exempt such individuals where it is assessed that it is justifiable to do so, especially where they would otherwise be required to travel to and from Australia on a frequent basis simply in order to try to meet the existing obligations. The coalition recognises the practicality of this measure. It essence, it introduces improved flexibility for relatively exceptional circumstances. That said, we naturally expect that this new ministerial power will be exercised with appropriate care and caution and that necessary oversight measures will be put in place in order to prevent the potential for misappropriation or abuse.”
“Schedule 2 of this bill deals with a different though not entirely unrelated issue the physical residence requirement for aspiring Australian citizens. Currently, Australian citizenship law requires that individuals granted citizenship must be physically present in Australia for at least 180 days within the two years immediately following their conferral. That requirement makes sense in the overwhelming majority of cases, as it encourages genuine connection and integration into the Australian community. However, there are some circumstances in which the rule can be unreasonably restrictive and problematic—most notably for elite sportspeople, who regularly train and compete on foreign soil.”
“They will confirm that existing records remain valid and that future image collection will be legally sound and operationally consistent across agencies. On each of these grounds, the effects of the bill should be to strengthen the integrity of biometric matching, reduce the risk of administrative error and ensure that Australia's systems are compatible with the standards widely used internationally. It should complement other national initiatives such as the National Driver License Facial Recognition Solution—a system that, once operational, is meant to better integrate Commonwealth and state facial databases to improve information-sharing and establish additional protections against identity crime.”
“In the process, it is designed to make it more difficult for identity fraudsters and human traffickers to exploit emerging gaps in our existing framework. More specifically, the bill makes it clear that facial images used for identity verification can lawfully include the full face alone or the face together with parts of the neck and shoulders, depending on how the image is captured. This clarification is important because modern, automated systems such as airports SmartGates, kiosk check-ins and digital visa processing platforms often record cropped or variably framed images. Under the current law, that has created uncertainty about whether such images technically meet statutory requirements. These amendments should resolve that doubt.”
“A decade has passed since those reforms were legislated, and, unsurprisingly, biometric technology has advanced substantially during that time. Criminal networks involved in human trafficking, people smuggling and identity fraud are now more sophisticated than ever, and our verification systems must, accordingly, evolve just as quickly. The content of this bill essentially updates and refines parts of our laws to reflect those realities and imperatives. Foremost among the changes incorporated within the legislation are clarifications of what constitutes a lawful facial image under both the Migration Act and the Citizenship Act. By modernising these provisions, the bill brings Australian law into closer alignment with international biometric standards.”
“Of course, they also reflect the need for ongoing vigilance to return to Australia's migration and citizenship laws, not least in order to ensure they keep pace with technology and align with global best practice and that the administration of our borders and citizenship systems remains effective, secure and just. The biometric provisions in this bill are in large part a continuation of reforms that were first enacted by the former coalition government. More specifically, it was the coalition that, in 2015, legislated on the Migration Amendment (Strengthening Biometric Integrity) Bill. That landmark legislation established the very foundations of the biometric systems that now underpin Australia's border operations, including SmartGate automation and the broader facial recognition architecture in use at our airports.”
“Let me begin by saying that the coalition will support the passage of the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 2) Bill 2025. That is because, fundamentally, the content of the bill is aimed at doing two worthwhile things. The first is to modernise and clarify Australia's laws regarding the collection and use of biometric facial images under the Migration Act 1958 and the Australian Citizenship Act 2007. The second is to provide the Minister for Home Affairs with a new discretionary power to exempt certain individuals from meeting the physical residence requirement that ordinarily applies in the first two years after a citizenship application is made. These are relatively modest and pragmatic updates to existing laws, and, on the surface, they are likely to give expression to valuable improvements.”
“The physical and mental health benefits of sport are nearly endless—increased cardiovascular fitness, reduced risk of obesity, and reduced risk of developing high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Simply being in a community of mates where you can call on others to support you, especially in a world that's increasingly isolated and dependent on technology, plays a big role in combating mental health problems. I've been nagging the Minister for Sport here to support local infrastructure in my electorate and will continue to do so, particularly to fight for this endeavour on the southern Mornington Peninsula.”
“The lack of indoor space means that we miss out on hosting major sporting events that can bring substantial economic and social benefits to the southern peninsula region. It is time for all levels of government to get behind this idea, and I commend the association on the great work that it has already done with our local council. The southern peninsula deserves the same opportunities and infrastructure as every other community in Victoria, and I'll be working with my state MPs Sam Groth and Chris Crewther on commitments to support our sporting assets. My community punches well above its weight when it comes to participation in community sport. We have the fourth-highest rate of sport participation of all local government areas in Melbourne, at 20 per cent, according to VicHealth's S port participation in Victoria 2015-2022 report.”
“Our local basketball association wants to expand its modest facility at Dromana Secondary College with three new, fully-compliant indoor courts to meet the needs of its 3,000 members and 335 teams across all levels. Membership of the Southern Peninsula Basketball Association has grown by 41 per cent since 2021 alone. In the past year, female participation is up 18 per cent, and male participation is up seven per cent. How very good is that! This expanded facility would provide a much-needed all-weather space for a wide range of community sports—not just basketball but also netball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis and more. The lack of indoor sporting space is a bottleneck on sporting participation, limiting opportunities for our players, referees, coaches, volunteers and the broader community.”
“October is Mental Health Month, so I want to talk about something very important to the mental health of my community in the electorate of Flinders, and that is sport. Last week, I met with the amazing Dave Burt from Sport and Life Training. It's a not-for-profit health promotion organisation working in local sporting clubs to address the issues of mental health and wellbeing. SALT works with clubs across the peninsula to set young people up for success in every aspect of their life, using sport as a vehicle. Last week, I also met with the Southern Peninsula Basketball Association, who are keen to establish a southern peninsula powerhouse in this sport. Between 2000 and 2025, my region received no funding for indoor sports facilities. Over the same period, Frankston received $60 million; Ballarat, $29 million; and Whitehorse, $18 million.”
“AI is now well embedded in our world of work and our education system, but we are in real danger of generative AI preparing the curriculum, setting the exam, sitting the exam and marking the exam, without a whole lot of learning going on in between. Fields such as law, accounting, data entry, design and media, which thousands of Australians graduate in from our universities every year, are amongst the most exposed to AI disruption. Meanwhile, trades and technical roles, which are critical to our economy and far less susceptible to automation, are struggling to attract and retain apprentices. It is a fact that there are 107,000 fewer apprentices now than when this government came in— (Time expired)”
“So I asked the minister: What is being done to restore safe learning environments for teachers and students? What is he doing to fix the shortage of over 4,000 secondary teachers in 2025? As an immediate priority, what actions has he taken to lift literacy standards among boys? Finally, on the topic of ensuring the next generation is equipped for the future, our society is in the midst of a technological revolution led by AI. In the last parliament, the House Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training made a number of critical recommendations regarding the appropriate use of generative AI in the Australian education system. Disappointingly, the government has still not responded.”
“In year 9, only 82 per cent of boys meet the minimum writing standard in NAPLAN compared to 91 per cent of girls. This is a trend of declining literacy that I first raised in my maiden speech in this place three years ago. Boys are falling behind. Some 23 years ago my then boss, the Minister for Education, Science and Training, Brendan Nelson, hit the alarm button after the parliamentary report B oys : getting it right showed that fewer boys than girls completed high school, more girls were entering university, more boys were being suspended for disciplinary reasons, and literacy rates and numeracy rates for girls were much higher than they were for boys. Almost a quarter of a century later things are still worse for boys, not better.”
“How will the system work in practice to ensure that every educator is covered, checked and supported in the execution of the new accountabilities we have placed on their shoulders? Moving beyond early childhood, the shortage of qualified primary and secondary school teachers is placing immense pressure on Australian schools, students and teachers themselves. Teachers are leaving not just because of workload demands but also because of the difficulty in managing student behaviour. Out of 80 OECD countries, Australia ranks 71st when it comes to classroom discipline, and our results are tanking. Globally, we have failed in maths, science and reading. NAPLAN results show that one in 10 Australian students require additional support today. Our results are particularly concerning for boys.”
“Recent reports of child abuse have precipitated combined attention, work and progress across the political divide towards better outcomes for child safety in child care. The strengthening child safety and quality in ECEC reforms proposed at the minister's meeting in August are a step in the right direction, but the real test will be the actual implementation of measures to protect kids in child care and improve the quality of education and care. The coalition supports the government's direction in this, but key questions remain. For example, Minister, who will be paying for these improvements in the long term? Who is responsible for the delivery of each individual measure?”
“We also recognise the right of each family and, indeed, each student to choose what education modality is right for them. One size fits all does not produce optimum outcomes for either the students themselves or the systems we seek to oversee and improve. That choice is nowhere near as important as it is in the sphere of early learning. We believe Australian families should be able to make their own choices to best support their children and each family's needs and circumstances. I want to recognise the minister for much of the work he has been doing in relation to child safety in early education and care so far this term. I am grateful for the collaboration that has been on display in this place over recent months. That gratitude extends to his personal team and to his departmental team led by Secretary Tony Cook PSM.”
“I rise to speak on Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026 in relation to education. I'm slightly disappointed to see that we don't have the Minister for Education here. I was looking forward to a conversation. Nevertheless, one of the most important things we do in this place is set overarching principles for Australia's education system, from child care and early learning through to schooling, vocational and higher education, and postgraduate research. High-quality education builds knowledge, develops character, perspective, confidence and purpose, and enables individuals to meet their potential. The coalition's basic starting point is to recognise that each student is different and unique in needs, capability and aspiration, but that equal opportunity must be afforded to each student.”
“A representative for the CEO of Australia Post told me: 'We recognise that this closure will have an impact on the community. We ensure a thorough assessment takes place to ensure our services remain accessible and available for customers, and, in the case of the Rosebud Plaza post shop, the closest post offices are DDA compliant and accessible…'—blah, blah, blah. Although the government, at the end of the day, did not listen to my community's concerns, I am confident and hopeful this will make the government seriously think twice about closing essential services in my electorate. (Time expired)”
“Minister Wells acknowledged the closure's impact but brushed it off, advising that there had been a significant drop in foot traffic and that: 'Australia Post has assured me that there is sufficient capacity in the network to absorb the current 263 PO boxes leased and that the area is still well serviced with two alternative outlets within five kilometres.' That simply does not reflect the real-life experience of the Rosebud residents, who have emphasised to me how, especially over the holiday periods, the line will stretch well out the door. Australia Post's response was no better, hiding behind compliance and accessibility jargon while ignoring the practical reality. Locals will now face longer waits with fewer options.”
“On Friday, the Rosebud Plaza Post Office closed its doors for good—another piece of important community infrastructure in Flinders lost under the Albanese Labor government. Despite a petition signed by nearly 2,000 residents and strong local opposition, our community's concerns were ignored. My repeated inquiries of the minister and to Australia Post directly were met with bureaucratic platitudes rather than real answers.”
“With this treaty, the government has promised Nauru, 'We've got your back, both economically and security-wise, in exchange for loyalty.' Australia has been working to confirm its commitment to the region by signing numerous security and defence cooperation treaties, many with exclusivity clauses. The efficacy of that strategy is now being tested in Nauru.”
“If Nauru was willing to enter a generous deal with the China Rural Revitalisation and Development Corporation so soon after signing their own agreement with Australia—and, indeed, while concurrently negotiating a generous deal with the Minister for Home Affairs and his department—it raises some questions. Has Australia's support fallen short of expectations? Was communication lacking? And what does this mean for other deals between Australia and our South Pacific neighbours? Does it mean that they are wise to hedge their bets? In closing, Australia has few friends as close as our neighbours in the South Pacific region, in terms of both cultural and strategic interests, than our friends in Nauru.”
“What are the relevant ministers doing in response? At this point, that is equally unclear. More concerningly, how has the government allowed a potential breach of this treaty to occur when the ink has not yet dried on it? It would appear the government has been caught unawares, and they have not explained what significant actions, if any, they're taking to rectify it. Last week, the Minister for Home Affairs made a quick flight to Nauru to announce a $408 million immigration detention deal, seemingly without any coordination with this treaty's processes. This government's engagement with Nauru appears to lack crucial strategic clarity, and this uncertainty has opened the door to other Asia-Pacific players keen to test Australia's credibility as a reliable partner with Nauru.”
“Nonetheless, it was made very clear to us that the department only became aware of the announcement of the so-called investment proposal when it was published on the Nauruan government's website. The level of involvement, if any, that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Trade and Tourism, Minister for Pacific Island Affairs or Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs have had in relation to this matter remains entirely unclear. Unfortunately, 'unclear' seems to be the key word for circumstances surrounding this important treaty action. We are no wiser as to the status of the investment proposal, nor indeed of the character described as the China Rural Revitalisation and Development Corporation. Nor do we know how this investment proposal will impact this treaty between Nauru and Australia, particularly article 5.”
“The investment proposal, as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade chose to describe it in its testimony to our committee, was signed just weeks ago on, Monday 11 August 2025, and purports to span renewable energy, infrastructure, agriculture, transport, tourism, marine fisheries and sea infrastructure, and cultural exchange programs. In hearings before our committee last week, we explored whether a pre-emptive triggering and potential breach of article 5 of the treaty may have already occurred. The committee was reassured by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that they have made inquiries as to the nature of the investment proposal.”
“This agreement elevated the longstanding, close relationship between the two countries to a formal treaty level, with Australia committing significant financial assistance and Nauru offering strategic concessions in return. The treaty recognises Australia's strong interest in Nauru's future security and critical infrastructure arrangements with third parties under article 5 of the agreement, a provision aimed at ensuring balance and ongoing stability in the South Pacific region. However, the effectiveness of the treaty is already being brought under question following Nauru's apparent decision to enter into a socioeconomic development agreement valued at $1 billion with the hitherto unknown China Rural Revitalisation and Development Corporation.”
“This is the first inquiry of the treaties committee in the 48th Parliament, and our report makes two recommendations: to support both major treaty actions reviewed and to recommend that binding treaty actions be taken. However, as members can read in the report, the committee members raised concerns in the context of the prospective Nauru-Australia Treaty, which go to this government's attentiveness to mapping our relations with our South Pacific neighbours. Australia and Nauru entered this treaty in late 2024, establishing a comprehensive partnership encompassing economic support, banking services and security cooperation.”
“by leave—I rise to speak as deputy chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties on Report 227: Nauru-Australia Treaty ; Radio Regulations WRC-23 . Firstly, I'm very pleased to have been appointed deputy chair of this important committee, which inquiries into any treaty to which Australia has become a signatory. In this unstable global trade environment and challenging geopolitical context, our role as scrutineers on behalf of the Australian people has never been more important. I thank the committee chair, the member for Bendigo, and the secretariat for their able and quick work in assisting the committee, as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs officials, for their extensive appearance before the public hearing last week. I also thank all my fellow committee members for their consideration and collaboration on this report.”
“My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. Kevin, an 85-year-old, lives by himself in Mount Martha in my electorate and now needs further assistance to remain at home. Kevin registered to get an assessment for an aged-care package in March 2025, but his provider was told by the department that the department couldn't even get an assessment until 'early next year'.This is despite Kevin being told he's on the 'urgent' list. Is it really the minister's position that Australians like Kevin were the ones asking him to delay the delivery of 83,000 home-care packages?”
“'Yay!' I think, 'That's great!' The Mornington Peninsula has one of the highest rates of melanoma countrywide, and I thanked you, Labor, for this investment—until I read the fine print and realised it's got nothing to do with a new investment and everything to do with Labor's forced merger between Peninsula Health and Alfred Health to make Bayside Health. So, if Rosebud hospital is indeed here to stay, where is the $340 million needed to rebuild it? Right now, that hospital is in a perilous state. The doors are too small for modern hospital beds to navigate, maternity is closed, surgery is closed and the roof collapses from time to time. This is Labor once again making false promises to my community. Own it. Fix it. We have waited long enough.”
“I rise to raise the issue of the Rosebud Hospital on the southern Mornington Peninsula again. I have raised it before; I've raised it in the news, I've raised it with my local council, I've raised it with the state opposition and I've raised it with the state government—whose responsibility it is to rebuild it—repeatedly. I have some good news. Last week, Labor MLC Tom McIntosh stood in front of the hospital with a merry bunch of Labor supporters and friends to declare that the Rosebud Hospital is here to stay. He then went on to announce a new public melanoma clinic at Rosebud Hospital, where patients are now able to be seen and treated in the one appointment.”
“I thank the Victorian police for meeting regularly with me, our state MPs and, most importantly, the community face to face. Before I finish, I want to specially thank our Mornington Peninsula local area commander, Inspector Terry Rowlands, for his years of service and wish him well in his next role.”
“Anyone on a community Facebook group knows how often well-meaning locals share evidence of alleged vandalism and attempted crime in the hope of finding out who was involved. Today, home and shop CCTV has become a vital tool for both preventing and solving criminal cases. At the 2025 election, the coalition pledged $500,000 to deliver a youth crime diversion program across the Mornington Peninsula. The funding would go to community run programs that aim to strengthen youth engagement, encourage school attendance, expand employment pathways and foster community cohesion. Unfortunately, it was a commitment that went unmatched by Labor. Once again, it is only the coalition who will take crime seriously on the Mornington Peninsula.”
“He now faces multiple charges, including the recruiting of a child for criminal activity, supplying drugs to a child, burglary, theft and more. This is exactly what happens when well-intentioned changes create perverse incentives. Criminals simply use under-age children to do their dirty work, knowing those kids won't face consequences. During the last parliamentary break, I attended a neighbourhood policing forum at Hastings Bowling Club, where the room was full of locals deeply concerned about youth crime and aggravated home burglaries. Police briefed us on the work being done to target known youth offenders, an issue felt particularly sharply in our community. Crime looks different on the peninsula, and so does our response.”
“After months of pressure from the state opposition, including my local Liberal colleagues Mornington MP Chris Crewther and Nepean MP Sam Groth, the Labor government has finally caved to community calls to fix our broken bail laws. But Labor's so-called reforms still miss the mark. Under the Allan Labor government, significant crimes like burglary and robbery are not even classified as serious offences under the bail act, meaning repeat offenders face the lowest level test when applying for bail. The state Labor government's misguided decision to lift the age of criminal responsibility to 12, after backing down from 14, has created real problems on the peninsula. Just last week, a man was charged after allegedly recruiting children to commit crimes across the peninsula region.”
“I congratulate you, Deputy Speaker Boyce, on your elevation to the Speaker's panel. Crime has been rising fast on the Mornington Peninsula over the last year. Data from the Crime Statistics Agency for the year ending March 2025 shows total offences are up by 22 per cent, thefts of motor vehicles are up by 51 per cent, and breaches of family violence orders are up by 42 per cent. Behind every number is a real person. Many of these people attended the community safety roundtable I held in Somerville with the member for La Trobe earlier this year. Much of the blame lies at the feet of the state Labor government's weak bail laws.”
“But, when governments make big undertakings to our community, locals deserve to see them delivered where and how they were promised or at least to be consulted on such a significant change. Somerville has high need. Indeed 33.2 per cent of Somerville residents have one or more long-term health conditions compared with just 27.4 per cent Victoria-wide. It is an area that's experiencing rapid urban growth, with 20,000 people now calling the township home. Last Friday, Health Minister Mark Butler put out a press release reiterating the plan to establish an urgent care clinic in Somerville. The health minister insists the clinic is still coming, and that's good, but why does the tender point elsewhere, and what are the possible proponents supposed to do? Are they supposed to trust the minister's press release or the tender documents?”
“I rise today to speak about the Medicare urgent care clinic announced by the Albanese government in the March budget to be located in my electorate of Flinders, in Somerville, but which has now apparently shifted to Hastings without any consultation. A recently published open tender from the South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network makes this clear. They're seeking a site on the Mornington Peninsula with a preference for Hastings. I do welcome this much-needed investment in our area from this government, and I have a long list of items which I constantly raise with government ministers. Hastings is well deserving of greater medical facilities. It's a 15-minute drive from Somerville and 30 minutes from Frankston Hospital.”
“I've been running what I like to call 'democracy class' in schools right across my electorate for years, and I've seen firsthand the untapped passion for civics in our classrooms. Questions from grade 5 and grade 6 students are fascinating, full of curiosity and compassion and ideas for our nation's future. Last week, I visited Dromana Secondary College and spoke to kids between years 7 and 12, and I was blown away by their interest and most especially their passion for public policy and political life. To these students and many others like them, I say expressions of interest are now open. If you're a young person who'll be 16 or 17 this time next year, this is your time.”
“Today I was thrilled to join my colleagues across the parliamentary spectrum to launch the National Youth Parliament for 2026. Anyone who follows my social media channels in my electorate knows that there is no more enthusiastic supporter of civics education than me. The program we launched today at midday will bring 150 high school students, one from every electorate, to Canberra for five days to step into our shoes, learning how bills are drafted, debated and passed into law. The need for such a program is clear. In the most recent National Assessment Program report on civics and citizenship, only 43 per cent of year 6 students were found to be at or above the proficient standard, and, more concerningly, only 28 per cent of year 10 students met the proficient standard.”
“Coming to Canberra and standing in the shoes of your parliamentarian is an extraordinary opportunity to shape the way we think and to drive your country to greater prosperity.”
“I have been involved in earlier youth parliaments, both with the Speaker and with the Y. Now they are brought together to provide one powerhouse of civics education. One student will come here and stand in my shoes. I put up a video about it today, with all the different shoes I have in my office; you can pick a pair to wear. It will be deeply important for the right person to express interest and to know that you will come here, stand in our shoes and represent Flinders, as I do—but with the view of a 15- or 16-year-old—and tell us what we need to understand. The world in which you are growing up is completely different from the one in which we've grown up. Technology has an impact on how you see the world and, indeed, how you will prosper, advance and contribute to the world ahead of you.”
“It helps young people test claims made by political actors against the knowledge they have about how government works and engage in debate with more evidence and more respect for each other, as well as for us as politicians. For young Mornington Peninsula residents especially, these classes I've been running turn democracy from something distant and misunderstood into something real, relevant and easily applicable. The lesson from these classes is simple: you have a choice and a vote, and what you do with it matters. At the end of the day, democracy isn't a spectator sport. It requires citizens, including our youngest and newest voters, to engage with it, and that begins in the classroom. To that may I add my personal congratulations to the Speaker for the initiative that he announced today, which is the National Youth Parliament 2026.”
“I would love to express my interest in being involved with this initiative, as I believe it would be a valuable opportunity for students to engage with government and community matters more actively. Although I am coming to the conclusion on my secondary schooling, I would like to continue being active in my community and school. I think it would valuable to run such a forum at Dromana College, annually or biannually to further the recognition of youth voice in government settings. I would love to hear your thoughts on this matter too. Thank you again for making the effort to come and speak with us despite your busy schedule, it meant a lot to our school community and to me personally. In a time when misinformation spreads much faster than the truth, civics education is our best defence.”
“I was particularly impressed by the way you engaged with our questions; your thoughtful and clear responses stood out to me, especially when compared to how politicians are often perceived and several other politicians that I have spoke to in our community. Although I do not usually follow politics very closely, I found myself genuinely interested in the discussion. Your visit has encouraged me to pay closer attention to these issues and to think more deeply about the role government plays in daily life. Thank you for answering my question about sourcing reliable information in a very technology-heavy world. I was also excited to hear about your idea of beginning a youth forum to hear from students and other young people on the peninsula.”
“There's a real untapped passion for civics and a genuine curiosity about how the laws that shape our lives are made. Recently, after speaking with a class, I received an email from one of the students. The student's words reminded me of why this work matters so much and why I'm determined to bring non-partisan, practical lessons on how government works to as many young people in Flinders as I can. Here's how that email went: I would like to extend a very sincere thank you for visiting us to speak about the Australian government and for taking time to answer our questions. I am sure you will receive an email from our College Council President, but I wanted to take the opportunity to personally send you a note of appreciation.”
“Many don't realise, for example, that states run things like health and education for the most part, while the federal government looks after defence, foreign affairs, social services like pensions and veteran support, and controls the tax system, which allows the federal government to play a role in enabling funding in traditional state domains. In Flinders we are lucky to have so many schools that do allow their students to hear from and question their local members of parliament about all things democracy and Australia's political system. I've been running what I like to call democracy classes in schools—primary and secondary, government and independent—around my electorate, inspired by a visit of the Speaker some time ago when he joined me at Crib Point primary. What I've found is striking.”
“Civics and citizenship might be in the national curriculum, but in many schools across the country these barely get a look-in. In the most recent National Assessment Program report from 2024 on civics and citizenship, only 43 per cent of year 6 students were found to be at or above the proficient standard and, more concerningly, only 28 per cent of year 10 students met the proficient standard. In short, most Australians—kids and adults alike—don't have a solid grasp of how our system of government actually works.”
“The Financial Services Council estimates that about half a million people will hit the cap in their lifetime. It's not just today's retirees caught in this blatant cash grab but many thousands of Australians who'll be swept up in the years ahead, especially in my electorate of Flinders. Australians are industrious; they are ingenious, particularly our young people. Now, those who exercise self-reliance, save diligently and invest in the futures of their families will be punished. Labor's super tax hits assets that haven't even been realised, dollars that haven't even been made, potentially forcing the taxpayer to liquidate assets to foot Labor's bill. If Labor thinks they can get away with taxing theoretical profit before even a dollar has been made, you know there's more to come. When Labor runs out of money, they go after yours.”