Tania Lawrence
Hasluck · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“There are no wild brumbies in Hasluck. We do, however, have a really fine equestrian community, including being home to the State Equestrian Centre, Yarrada Farm Riding School and Magic Millions. I grew up in York surrounded by animals, including horses, which I deeply love.”
“These programs use a vaccine known as PZP that is delivered to the mares, often by remote darting, and works by preventing fertilisation without affecting the animal's natural hormones or behaviour. It doesn't remove the horses from the landscape, and it doesn't break up the herds.”
“Every person in Hasluck who's ever been to one of our three fabulous urgent care clinics, in Morley, Ellenbrook and Midland, knows they have already demonstrated their value and worth—and just to give you a sense of the numbers, 38,000 have already visited the clinic in Morley, 32,000 in Midland, and just over 6,000 our recently opened cl…”
“Alpine peatlands, waterways and native species habitats are being degraded. These are places that simply cannot withstand that level of pressure. So, yes, action is required. Doing nothing is not an option, but how we act matters just as much as whether we act at all.”
“West of here is Hasluck, and what matters to my community in Hasluck is making sure that we deliver. I'm absolutely proud, under the Albanese Labor government, to be their representative and to deliver on what they need.”
“There are also ground based culling approaches that, where necessary, can be conducted under stricter welfare conditions and oversight, significantly reducing the distress associated with aerial methods. This is a complex challenge. It does require coordination.”
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“There are also ground based culling approaches that, where necessary, can be conducted under stricter welfare conditions and oversight, significantly reducing the distress associated with aerial methods. This is a complex challenge. It does require coordination. We must protect our national parks, but we must do it in a way that reflects who we are so that 'a final glimpse reveals, on a dim and distant hillside, the wild horses racing yet with the man of the Snowy River at their heels'.”
“These programs use a vaccine known as PZP that is delivered to the mares, often by remote darting, and works by preventing fertilisation without affecting the animal's natural hormones or behaviour. It doesn't remove the horses from the landscape, and it doesn't break up the herds. It simply slows population growth over time by reducing the numbers of foals born each season. Programs in parts of the US have demonstrated that, when applied consistently to a sufficient proportion of mares, fertility control can significantly reduce birth rates and help stabilise populations in a humane and non-lethal way. It's not a silver bullet, and it does require effort, coordination and a long-term investment, but it shows that there are practical models that put animal welfare at the centre of population management.”
“Alpine peatlands, waterways and native species habitats are being degraded. These are places that simply cannot withstand that level of pressure. So, yes, action is required. Doing nothing is not an option, but how we act matters just as much as whether we act at all. I do not support the use of aerial culling from helicopters, and we cannot ask Australians to accept a solution that is fundamentally viewed as inhumane. There are alternatives, and we should be pursuing them with seriousness and urgency. Fertility control measures used successfully in places like the United States offer long-term population management without resorting to lethal methods.”
“There are no wild brumbies in Hasluck. We do, however, have a really fine equestrian community, including being home to the State Equestrian Centre, Yarrada Farm Riding School and Magic Millions. I grew up in York surrounded by animals, including horses, which I deeply love. When people see brumbies in our alpine regions, they don't just see an introduced species or a feral problem. They see a symbol, a piece of folklore and a connection to our history. Put simply, people care about the feral horses in a way that they might not care about foxes, rabbits or pigs. Our relationship with the horse goes back thousands of years and is inextricably interwoven with civilisation itself. Nonetheless, we must acknowledge that the unmanaged feral horse populations are causing significant environmental damage in some of our most fragile ecosystems.”
“It may well be 3,000 kilometres west of here, but I know what matters, and I know what the Labor government has the ability to deliver, because we listen and then we act. I will always stand and advocate for my community and ensure that they get what they deserve.”
“Every person in Hasluck who's ever been to one of our three fabulous urgent care clinics, in Morley, Ellenbrook and Midland, knows they have already demonstrated their value and worth—and just to give you a sense of the numbers, 38,000 have already visited the clinic in Morley, 32,000 in Midland, and just over 6,000 our recently opened clinic in Ellenbrook—and today they know that they will always be there, because Labor is making them permanent. This is an example that shows that I know what matters to my community. Whenever I'm there, I know where I am—unlike the Leader of the Opposition, who, when he was in Hasluck the other week, didn't have a clue where he was when he was asked.”
“West of here is Hasluck, and what matters to my community in Hasluck is making sure that we deliver. I'm absolutely proud, under the Albanese Labor government, to be their representative and to deliver on what they need. Every day is special, but today is especially so because, from today, people in Hasluck—all 85,000 of my taxpayers—are going to get a tax cut, and their super will now be paid whenever they get paid. From today, every new mum in Hasluck is going to get paid parental leave for six months, and superannuation is also going to be paid on top of that.”
“For communities like mine in Hasluck, that principle matters, be it running a small business or dealing with cost-of-living pressures. This bill might deal in tariff schedules and technical amendments—I'm sure no-one is going to read these speeches—but it has a real impact that is tangible. It means fewer forms for small business, more opportunity for international oriented manufacturers in Hazelmere and fewer costs passed on to families at the checkout. It is a clearer, more efficient trade system that supports jobs and growth, and it's also a reminder that economic policy and international solidarity can, and should, sit side by side. I support the bill, which, as I said, is another way in which we are making life easier for all Australians.”
“Every cent she raises from her little tiny stall goes directly back to the families in Ukraine. These gestures, from the very local level to businesses more broadly, all see the value we're speaking to through this bill. It reflects both our economic interests and our humanitarian values. Finally, there are a number of technical amendments, particularly in relation to goods under agreements such as the Peru-Australia Free Trade Agreement. These changes remove provisions that have already fulfilled their purpose, ensuring that the legislation remains clear, streamlined and fit for purpose. This reflects a broader theme keeping our laws up to date and eliminating unnecessary complexity. When I speak in this place, I often return to a simple principle— that we, as a government, should make things easier for people, not harder.”
“At the same time, the bill continues concessional tariff treatment for goods from Ukraine, extending duty-free access for a further period. That ensures Ukraine can continue to participate in international trade while under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. For me and for many in Hasluck, these measures resonate deeply. Our community is diverse. It is multicultural. It includes families with strong connections to Europe, including those affected directly by the conflict in Ukraine. I will mention a lovely elderly woman who attends the Bassendean markets, for every session that is held. She stands there not with an elaborate stall but simply with a tiny trestle table, selling the gorgeous honey cake that is famous in Ukraine. She serves it up by slice and people eagerly purchase it.”
“That aligns with what I've said in this place before—that good economic policy is not just about big announcements; it is about removing friction and making it easier for businesses to do business. That is exactly what this bill does. The bill also addresses issues that go beyond economics and speaks directly to our geopolitical views. It extends the temporary additional duty applied to goods from Russia and Belarus. That measure was introduced in response to the invasion of Ukraine, and it remains part of the international community's broader response. As I say, it's not simply about tariffs; it's about standing with like-minded nations in defence of sovereignty and in support of the rules based international order. It sends a message.”
“Whether it's a family run business in Midland bringing in homewares, a beauty supplier in Ellenbrook sourcing personal products or a small distributor dealing in everyday goods, these businesses don't have compliance teams; they have owners who are already wearing 10 hats. They've told me consistently that time spent dealing with unnecessary paperwork is time they don't get to then spend on growing their business. When we simplify tariffs, we're not just adjusting a schedule and legislation; we're freeing up time and reducing costs for real businesses in our community. We should also be clear about the economic intent. By removing these low-value, high-complexity tariffs, we are streamlining Australia's trade framework and reducing compliance burdens across the board.”
“It means businesses are already spending time and money just to get to what is effectively a zero rate—in fact, I think it costs the government more than what they collect to administer. This bill cuts through that inefficiency by permanently setting the duty rate to 'free' for around 500 tariff classifications. In doing so, it simplifies the system and it removes the need for businesses to navigate complex admin processes just to achieve an outcome that's already the norm. That might sound technical, but in Hasluck I hear from retailers and importers—we just had a recent delegation of distilleries head to Hong Kong, and they have gone to Singapore in the past. This matters because it reduces that admin burden they would otherwise face.”
“This is absolutely more than trade flows; it's about securing Australia's place in the next generation of global economic partnerships. When we talk about aligning tariffs and our values, we're also talking about ensuring that our domestic settings complement the work that we're actually doing internationally, be it through these agreements, partnerships or strategic engagement. In that way, our businesses can fully take advantage of the opportunities. One of the most significant elements of this tariffs bill is the abolition of what we call 'nuisance tariffs'. These are tariffs that, on paper, sit at around five per cent but in practice are often avoided through concessions or free trade agreements.”
“At the same time, we've secured new opportunities beyond traditional trade agreements, including Australia's association with the European Union's Horizon Europe program—the EU's flagship research and innovation fund of 93.5 billion euros—which gives Australian businesses, researchers and industries direct access to one of the most significant pools of global investment and collaboration seen anywhere in the world. We're also seeing new opportunities emerge from our engagement with partners beyond our traditional markets. Our work with the EU in improving pathways for Australian participation in European funding programs and investment frameworks opens the door for Australian businesses, researchers and industry to access that significant pool of capital and collaboration.”
“Across Western Australia, particularly in a growing electorate like mine in Hasluck, it matters for local jobs, for small and medium enterprises and for future growth. Since coming to office in May 2022, the Albanese government has driven a renewed trade agenda, bringing into force the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement and more recently the Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement while advancing, of course, the landmark free trade agreement with the European Union and strengthening our engagement through regional agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.”
“We've seen that most clearly through the work of the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Minister Don Farrell, whose efforts to restore and expand Australia's trade relationships have delivered real benefits for Australian exporters and, importantly, for jobs in communities like mine in Hasluck. From rebuilding access to critical markets to advancing new trade opportunities, this government is determined to ensure that Australian businesses aren't left behind but, instead, are positioned to compete and succeed. These agreements and renewed partnerships are not abstract achievements either. They do translate into opportunity. They mean stronger demand for Australian goods, more certainty for exporters and a more stable environment for investment.”
“We're removing unnecessary red tape, aligning rates across agreements and ensuring our laws keep pace with the way in which we want to see trade work. That matters because, for communities like mine in Hasluck, trade policy isn't abstract. It shows up in the cost of living, it shows up in the viability of small businesses and it shows up in whether our local economy can grow and compete. This modernisation of our tariff system is part of a broader agenda of the Albanese government—one that we've been pursuing by recognising that trade policy must be proactive, strategic and grounded in the realities of a changing global economy.”
“I thank the member for ceding the floor to me for this occasion. I rise to speak in support of the Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals) Bill (No. 1) 2026. This is obviously a practical, targeted bill. It's not likely one that will grab any headlines, but it does some deeply important things—it makes life easier for Australian businesses, supports Australian households and ensures that our trade settings actually reflect both our economic interests and our values. At its core, this legislation amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to effect a number of tariff changes already progressed through proposals considered by this House. What it means in plain terms is that we are modernising our tariff system.”
“My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. How is the Albanese Labor government working with our wildlife and agricultural industries, along with state and territory governments, to help respond to the detection of H5 bird flu in Western Australia?”
“We've ensured that three days of subsidised early education is guaranteed and that childcare workers themselves are paid according to the absolute worth that they carry and the importance that they have for the children in our world—with a 15 per cent pay rise. We now have public schools being fully resource funded to 100 per cent, which was a promise from the Gonski period, and it's taken Labor to deliver on that. In TAFE, most of the courses that are being offered at the North Metropolitan TAFE in Midland are free, and Labor has now made that a permanent feature. Then we have study hubs. We have a study hub out in Ellenbrook that's about to celebrate its first anniversary—a huge success again.”
“One thing that I've witnessed in coming to the parliament is that, whilst talent is spread evenly, opportunity is not. From the moment that I was elected, I have absolutely stood by my community to ensure that they get the same opportunities, regardless of which postcode they are in, that our inner-city counterparts have. Being periurban, a little bit out of the metro area, certainly has seen some shortfalls in the past, but thanks to Labor, both federal and state, we are absolutely catching up. Around education, in particular, it's really noticeable. We have done some transformational programs and initiatives under the Australian Labor government, kicking off with early education.”
“We have committed $355 million to upgrading the St John of God hospital, which is going to include neonatal, new ICU and more beds, of course, ensuring that people across my electorate of Hasluck get the health opportunities that they need In housing, it's a big story. I won't have the time to get through it all, but I just want to highlight 539 homes that are going to be social, affordable homes built around train precincts—Woodbridge, Bassendean and Ellenbrook. These are beautiful homes. Already, the construction has started, and they will be built in no time. We've got the five per cent housing deposit and Help to Buy. We've got shared-equity options, we're building 100,000 homes just for first home buyers and we've got massive investments in last-mile infrastructure.”
“We know that's a big concern for families right across my electorate, so to have a bulk-billing—no referral is even needed—Medicare mental health clinic in Midland is absolutely sensational. In fact, 25,000 people have already presented there, and that means they're getting the care and the attention that is needed to ensure that their mental health is prioritised and that it doesn't escalate into any further concerns, because they're getting the treatment that they need. To round out on health, we've got the St John of God hospital, an absolutely brilliant service that supports a massively big catchment.”
“We have, of course, also delivered on our commitment to $25 scripts. This has meant that 2,583,000 people in Hasluck have saved enormous amounts of money, because they have benefited from the $25 capped scripts—and that's $40 million across Western Australia. On bulk-billing clinics, I welcome the fact that the Walter Road East GP clinic, Egerton Drive, Swan Valley Medical, Alpha Omega Family Practice, Woodlake Village, the Ellen Stirling Medical Centre—all these clinics are coming on board thanks to our commitment to and our delivery of tripling the bulk-billing incentive. Bulk-billing is a fundamental, core part of Medicare, and it's fantastic to see that more and more clinics are opening to be fully bulk-billed for all patients. Then there's mental health.”
“Just like our valiant Socceroos, this Albanese government is kicking goals, and in Hasluck that means health, it means housing and it means opportunity. In Hasluck, we have now committed to and delivered on the three urgent care clinics: we have one in Midland, one in Morley and one in Ellenbrook. That means, for constituents in Hasluck, no-one is further than 20 minutes from urgent care, and already 70,000 presentations have been made at these urgent care clinics, which naturally takes the pressure off our emergency departments. For a young kid at the DOS who sprains their ankle, they can go and get treated at Ellenbrook—they can get an X-ray done; they can get the treatment that's needed—rather than diverting all the way down to Midland to be treated at emergency there.”
“We've also got Medicare mental health clinics, ensuring that people will be able to get access to the mental health care they need as well.”
“And, with the changes from the budget, we're going to be achieving reforms that allow for negative gearing to be presently grandfathered but then applicable only to new investment properties, again, ensuring that the existing housing stock is available to Australians. Then, on health, I'm so fortunate. In Hasluck, I committed to delivering and have now delivered three urgent care clinics, so anyone in Hasluck is 20 minutes from an urgent care clinic—Midland, Ellenbrook and Morley. There have been over 70,000 presentations since opening already. That has taken the pressure off our hospital in Midland. This is making real change for families to be able to see a doctor completely free, and not just for physical medical purposes.”
“Labor believes security starts with a home, and peace of mind starts with health care. We are delivering social and affordable homes—539 homes in Hasluck alone. They're all around precincts like Midland Train Station, Woodbridge, Bassendean and Ellenbrook, ensuring that people can afford to live where they work and socialise and shop. Then we've got the schemes that are already being actively taken up, such as the five per cent deposit, which covers mortgage insurance as well, to help young home buyers get into their first home. We're committing 100,000 homes just to first home buyers, so investors need to step back.”
“Through reforms to the tax system, we are changing the incentives that shape the housing market so that more investments go into new housing supply and more Australians have the opportunity to own their own home. It's structural reform that makes housing more attainable over time. That is the real story of the 2026 budget. My question for the minister is: how many of these cost-of-living measures that I've mentioned does the minister think would have been enacted if we'd seen a coalition government of the Liberals, Nationals and One Nation?”
“But cost of living relief is not just about tax relief and fair pay. It's also about everyday services that we all rely on and whether those services cost too much. This is why the 2026 budget continues our major investments in Medicare, making permanent the network of Medicare urgent care clinics across the country and ensuring Australians can access free urgent care close to home without a long wait in a hospital emergency department; expanding bulk billing so that more Australians can see a GP for free, because access to healthcare, of course, should depend only on your Medicare card, not your credit card; and making medicines cheaper. Australians with chronic conditions are seeing real savings every year.”
“We're also introducing a new tax offset—the working Australians tax offset—which will provide additional relief for workers on top of the existing tax cuts. Taken together, these reforms are about something fundamental: making sure work pays and that Australians are rewarded for their effort. Part of making work pay is making sure people actually receive what they have earned when they've earned it. This is why our reforms to superannuation, including the move to payday super, are so important. By requiring employers to pay super at the same time as wages, we are closing the gap where too many Australians, particularly women and lower paid workers, miss out on the super that they're entitled to. It means stronger balances over a lifetime, fewer losses due to noncompliance and greater financial security in retirement.”
“That builds on the changes already delivered in 2024— A division having been called in the House of Representatives— Sitting suspended from 11:26 to 11:47 That builds on the changes already delivered in 2024 and continues the pathway to a fairer, more sustainable system. And what does that mean in practice? It means middle-income Australians—teachers, tradies, nurses—see more in their pay packet without needing to apply for anything or navigate complicated systems. And we are further simplifying the system as well. From this financial year, Australians will be able to claim a standard $1,000 tax deduction for work expenses, reducing red tape, cutting compliance costs and putting more money back into people's pockets.”
“In 2023 we delivered targeted relief: energy rebates, cheaper medicines and increases to support payments. In 2024 we broadened that relief: tax cuts for every taxpayer, more help with energy bills and additional support for renters. In 2025 we built on that again with a second round of tax relief, major investments in Medicare and further reductions in the cost of medicines and student debt. And in 2026 we are locking that progress in with reforms in this budget that make a lasting difference to people's take-home pay, their healthcare costs and their long-term opportunities. At the centre of the 2026 budget is tax relief, which continues a multi-year plan to ensure Australians keep more of what they earn. From 1 July the lowest marginal tax rate is reduced again to 15 per cent.”
“The 2026 budget builds on the cost-of-living relief we've already delivered—practical, responsible support that recognises Australians have been under real pressure and that the government has a role to help, while keeping inflation in check and planning for the future, because we know that the cost of living is not a single problem with a single solution. It is what families feel when they fill up the car, when they pay the power bill, when they take their kids to the doctor and when they try to get ahead at work and keep more of what they earn. We know this, and the evidence that we know this is now enshrined in legislation. In 2022 we began the work. We cleaned up the budget we inherited and put in place the foundations for responsible cost-of-living relief while inflation was rising and global pressures were intensifying.”
“This is not a budget that chooses the easy path. As the Treasurer put it, it is about choosing the hard road of reforms while supporting Australians through difficult times. I commend the bill to the House.”
“We know that that is taking the pressure off homes where people are looking to upskill, re-skill or gain an education beyond school, which is now also fully resource funded. But I want to bring my thoughts to a conclusion around this. This is a budget that is shaped by difficult global circumstances but guided by clear values. It is about resilience in the face of uncertainty. It is about reform where reform is needed and it is about ensuring that fairness remains at the centre of our economic choices. For Hasluck, that means practical outcomes, better access to health care for families in Midland, Lockridge and Ellenbrook, stronger educational opportunities for students in our local schools, secure jobs and growing businesses in Hazelmere and Bayswater, and a more realistic pathway to homeownership for the next generation.”
“Because if we look at what we've achieved so far, which is a better deal for ordinary Australians in housing and health care, jobs and wages, and education, it is well worth while to ask how much of it would simply not exist under a coalition government run by the member for Hume and Senator Hanson, both of whom have opposed all of these policies and continue to oppose them. The Liberal-National-One Nation three-headed dog is no friend of Australian workers. There's much more to talk about on education, jobs and skills, and training, because we've made so many more investments in fields where we've got pathways for paid placements through university. We've got free TAFE.”
“Of course, the Liberals caused the unsustainable problems with capital gains tax and negative gearing, and there's no way in the world they were ever going to fix them. In the tradition of 'I'm alright, Jack', they would have let the situation continue until it broke irrevocably. But the Labor Party knows that good policy doesn't just happen. Good policy is built on principles, and it builds on its own success. When we on this side talk about a fair go, we mean a fair go for everyone, not just those born with a silver spoon in their mouths or those who manage to become best buddies with a billionaire.”
“The roads, the power and the essential services are the very things that have enabled the growth corridor in my electorate of Hasluck to be so successful, particularly for the growing areas around Ellenbrook and the Swan valley, where new housing developments are dependent upon the infrastructure being put in place. The reforms to support first home buyers matter deeply because, for many people in Hasluck, the issue's not just saving the deposit; it is competing in a market that's been stacked against them. This budget begins to rebalance that. It does not promise an overnight fix, but it does take responsible steps to make housing more accessible, more affordable and more attainable over time.”
“Young people are wondering whether they will ever be able to afford a home in the communities that they grew up in. The Treasurer did not shy away from this challenge. He described Australia's housing challenge as longstanding and acknowledged the pressures it is placing on young workers and families, and this budget responds with seriousness. It lifts total investment in housing to record levels, and focuses on increasing supply, because, without more homes, the problem does not get easier. This investment is enabling infrastructure.”
“They played to the gallery and they were wrong. Life went on, and, for millions of Australians—including, no doubt, some members opposite—life was changed for the better. Cheaper medicines, more bulk-billing and Medicare urgent care clinics—all reducing costs, reducing stress and making people healthier right across Hasluck. If there's one issue raised with me more than any other, it's housing. My electorate is quite unusual. I have one of the growth corridors that are really driving new investments in housing. People in Brabham, in Dayton and all the way through to Ellenbrook are generally in a lot of new housing estates, but there are a lot of other suburbs surrounding them—Aranda, Caversham and Beechboro—where there are more established homes, and people are struggling to afford to buy into those suburbs.”
“If they have a concession, then they find the maximum cost capped at $7.70, and that is now locked in until 2030. And most of them don't need to visit the doctor to get a script or the pharmacy to fill it as often as they did before, because we introduced 60-day scripts. My constituents and millions around the country are saving time, energy, money and bother because of that reform, which kicked in in 2023. But remember the palaver from those opposite over that change. The coalition had been advised to bring in 60-day scripts in 2018, but the pharmacy industry got in their ear, and they folded. When we took up the recommendation, the Liberals and the Nationals saw an opportunity to score a few points. They wheeled out all sorts of reasons why the sun wouldn't shine in the morning if we made that change.”
“This is not just a statistic. This is a policy success, and I commend the government and Minister Butler for their commitment and their delivery. Another legacy Labor program is the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. The PBS was a child of the Chifley government and part of that government's vision of a fairer society that has become a cornerstone of Australian universal health care. The Albanese government has directly reduced out-of-pocket healthcare costs for tens of thousands of people in Hasluck and for millions of Australians by implementing the largest cuts and reforms in the 78-year history of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. When people in my electorate fill a prescription now, they find the maximum cost capped at $25.”
“The fact that the only card you need is your Medicare card means that no-one needs to worry about whether they can afford the health care they or their children need. Medicare is a legacy Labor program, an institution that embodies the Aussies' fair go in health. The Albanese government's investments in Medicare since 2022 have seen bulk-billing rates rise significantly across the country, and Hasluck is no exception. The national bulk-billing rate for the January-May quarter this year was 81.9 per cent, an increase of 4.6 per cent on the same period just a year ago. And what does this mean? It means that accessing the doctor is easier in a cost-of-living crisis, and it means that people in South Guildford and Brabham and Brigadoon who need to see a doctor are seeing a doctor, not putting it off because times are tight.”
“When a parent in Ellenbrook needs urgent care for a sick child or when an older resident in Bassendean is managing a chronic condition, what matters is not abstract policy but whether they can see a doctor quickly, afford their medication and avoid a trip to an already crowded emergency department. The continued rollout and permanent funding of Medicare urgent care clinics is making a real difference. I can now stand anywhere in my electorate and be less than half an hour from a Medicare urgent care clinic, with clinics at Rudloc Road in Morley, North Street in Midland and, now, on Coolamon Boulevard in Ellenbrook. These don't just take the pressure off the local emergency department in Midland; they give the people of Hasluck peace of mind and alternatives to assist them, their children and their loved ones quickly and safely.”
“This budget chooses to respond with resilience, with reform and, most importantly, with fairness. Nowhere is that more important than in communities all over Australia, like mine in Hasluck. At its heart, this is a Labor budget because it invests in the things that matter most to people's lives, starting with health care. The Treasurer made clear that there is more Medicare in this budget, alongside record investments in hospitals and cheaper medicines. Behind those national figures are real stories in local communities. In Hasluck, families rely on our public hospital care and on the primary care that is close to home.”
“I support this ambitious, responsible and reforming budget. In his second reading speech, the Treasurer described this as 'the most important and ambitious budget in decades', one shaped by global uncertainty but grounded in confidence about Australia's future. That is the right starting point, because this budget is being delivered at a time when the world feels unstable. The global oil shock, rising costs and uncertainty abroad are putting pressure on households here at home. I know, from speaking to people at their doors in my electorate of Hasluck, that people can feel rattled. They are feeling uneasy. Some of them, understandably, are turning to extreme, unhelpful and policy-bereft parties for answers. As the Treasurer made clear, we did not choose these global challenges, but how we respond to them is within our control.”
“Finally, I remind advisers to members and ministers that the roped off gallery areas may be accessed through the doors adjacent to the galleries only, not through the doors reserved for members, and they must not intrude onto the floor of the Federation Chamber at any time or seek the attention of a member or minister by calling out. Education Portfolio Proposed expenditure, $2,799,424,000”
“Each minister and member will have up to five minutes to speak each time they are called, but they may wish to speak for a shorter time. Ministers may wish to speak first and make an introductory statement when debate on their portfolio begins, but that is a matter for them to decide. The terms of the resolution provide dates and times after which the questions on each portfolio will be put if debate does not conclude earlier. To avoid confusion when these times are reached, a member who is speaking will be allowed to continue their remarks, but chairs are obligated to put the question immediately at the conclusion of that member's speech, and no further debate will be permitted.”