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.”
The complete record
Every one of 494 lines we hold for Tania Lawrence, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 10.
“Before the Federation Chamber considers the first portfolio, I would like to remind all members of the purpose of the consideration in detail stage and outline the way that it is expected to proceed. On Thursday 28 May, the House agreed to a resolution setting the order and timing for the consideration of portfolios. Consideration in detail is a debate, and the call will be alternated between government and non-government members, as always. Even though this debate sometimes takes the format of questions and answers, this is not question time. Ministers and government backbench members will both be considered as speakers for the government's turn and should bear this in mind when they seek the call. Members are required to be relevant to the portfolio being examined, but there is no requirement for direct relevance to any questions asked.”
“I've also had occasions recently, particularly around Anzac Day, to visit a number of other high schools. The discipline in schools in the public system is something that the teachers should be proud of, and I thank them greatly.”
“This centre is able to support children from years 7 to 12 with moderate to profound disabilities. Every child—with talent, without talent and everything in between—is given the full opportunities to rise to the occasion. It's so special to see. In this particular context, Akeley Secondary College has a hydrotherapy pool. For children who are not able to play cricket and tennis and basketball, they're able to exercise and get full-body movement through hydrotherapy. It is something else! I am so proud that we are funding the public education system to be able to ensure opportunity is extended to every student in that school, and it absolutely is. It was remarkable to see. The community is proud of it, and I'm absolutely proud to support the funding to back them in.”
“That is making a difference: the principals, the teachers, the support staff talk to me about the difference that has made; and parents talk to me about the difference that it has made to their child. For example, recently I had the opportunity to visit Akeley Secondary College, and what a school that is! This is a school, from years 7 to 12, that provides opportunities for students, be it across ATAR or vocational training. In fact, they have a dedicated trade training centre where they are literally building houses. They do mini, scaled-down versions. It's super cute and practical; it's giving them the practical, valuable life skills they need to support the building of homes—amongst the many other trades and skills that they're learning there. In the same school, they have what is called an education support hub.”
“Talent is spread evenly, but opportunity is not. Quite rightly, the parents and teachers in my electorate of Hasluck absolutely expect me to fight for every opportunity that can be extended to the young people within my electorate of Hasluck, and it's a challenge I'm quite happy to rise to. As a graduate of the public school system myself, starting out in Lockridge Primary School and then continuing to York District High School and Northam Senior High School, I understand the value of, and the huge opportunities that come from, public education. It's one that I am absolutely proud to have backed in. That started with the Gonski recommendations, back in 2012, being implemented under the Albanese Labor government so that every public school is funded 100 per cent to the School Resource Standard.”
“My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. How is the Albanese government's record investment in defence delivering key capabilities for the Australian Defence Force, and how does this compare to alternative approaches?”
“Everything they do these days seems to be truly motivated solely by trying to climb out of that very deep hole that they're sitting in with One Nation. It's a hole that they dug themselves when they should have been writing policy. So they talk about backing small business, but they don't. We'll see the truth of it on Thursday.”
“As the Prime Minister stated in question time today, the $3½ billion in the budget is in new measures that lower taxes for business to encourage investment, including the instant asset write-off that I mentioned, the permanent loss carry back, help for start-ups, incentives for venture capital and better targeting of the R&D tax incentive. As I said, 90 per cent of the small businesses in Australia are eligible for existing concessions on capital gains, and they remain eligible today. That's 90 per cent of those 12,000 businesses in my electorate of Hasluck. The truth is that this MPI says more about the opposition than it does about this ambitious budget, because they're only offering the slogans, and they're joining in that sticky AI slop, instead of offering solutions.”
“These are not abstractions. These are my constituents, and they are asking for simple law reform and legislative reform changes for tax reform. They want stability. They want fairness, and they want a government that understands the pressures that they're under right now. This budget does exactly that. It provides cost-of-living relief for households, and that includes our fifth tax cut, which those opposite are likely not to support. That tax cut is, in effect, a pay rise for people working in those very businesses. That money can go towards the essentials, but it can also go to discretionary spend in those businesses. It supports economic growth by making it easier for businesses, and it helps them to invest and expand.”
“I also want to get to a little bit about what we've heard from those opposite and that really sticky AI slop that's out there. Around 90 per cent of small businesses will not be affected by the capital gains tax changes that are part of our reform agenda for this budget. The existing small business concessions will remain in place. If you've owned a business for 15 years and are retiring, for example, you can still pay zero capital gains. You can still reduce your gains by 50 per cent on active assets. You can still exclude up to $500,000 through the retirement exemption, and you can still defer CGT by reinvesting in another business asset. Those protections are still there. We talk about saving, investing and taking risks to take on a new business. As it was for me in setting up my business, so it is for the people across Hasluck.”
“Eligible small businesses—those with a turnover of under $10 million—can immediately deduct the cost of assets costing under $20,000 instead of waiting for years to claim depreciation. I know, when I established my distillery prior to entering this place, that that really mattered. Knowing that businesses can have that certainty over the long term because we're making it permanent is a significant step, and it means that that courier business in Hazelmere can invest also in new equipment, the local mechanic in Midland can upgrade the tools and the small logistics operator just near my office can improve productivity immediately. In my electorate alone, there are over 12,000 small businesses that are eligible for this measure.”
“This budget takes pressure off Australians now by building a stronger and more productive economy for the future. Hasluck actually provides a really great example because Hasluck is a community of small businesses—it's the Lonely Cafe in Midland, providing great service and the absolute best cheesy ham toastie sandwiches; it's Framous Picture Framing on the Great Eastern Highway, making everything look better; it's Claire at Precision Hair, who makes me look better; it's Cyclowest Radiopharmaceuticals in Bayswater who are investing in new technology; and it's the very many tradies in Brabham, building new housing, buying tools, upgrading equipment and taking on apprentices. This budget backs them in practically and directly. One of the most important measures for small business continued in this budget is the instant asset write-off.”
“After decades of inaction under the Liberal government, we now have a train line to Ellenbrook, and it is so well loved. As well, we've got a brand new station out to Midland, and, importantly, we've got community infrastructure around it. We have delivered a swimming pool that was promised, again, for decades under the Liberals. We have got a community hub, where community can come together and celebrate all things great about being in the community. We have absolutely extraordinary work being done now around environmental matters because that matters to my community too. Then there are the more practical things. We are going to be delivering our fifth tax cuts. Labor is listening. Labor is delivering. (Time expired)”
“One of the driving reasons why I ran in 2022 was to see that opportunity reached every part of my electorate of Hasluck. I walked thousands of streets and spoke to neighbours and community members who told me, whether they lived in Brabham or Ellenbrook or Aveley, that they wanted fair access to opportunity around health care, education, training and community infrastructure. I listened, the Albanese Labor government listened and we have delivered. We have now three urgent care clinics—in Ellenbrook, in Morley and in Midland—and with this budget they will be made permanent. We have cut medicines to $25 max, which is saving thousands of dollars for people across my community. We have been doing huge work around infrastructure.”
“He will reinstate the very measures that allowed housing to get out of control, because apparently fixing the system and giving young people a chance is the end of the world. 'We'll all be ruined!' shouts the member for Hume. But the opposition leader knows that we need to fix the system. The shadow Treasurer knows it, and they and their whole congregation should be voting for it. As the Prime Minister said, if you accept that the system isn't working, then you have to fix it. We are doing this. We are delivering housing for young Australians.”
“Back in the day of the Hawke government, Labor floated the dollar. The conservatives, following the balladeer John O'Brien, said, 'We'll all be rooned!' Labor introduced Medicare. Again, the coalition screeched, 'It'll be the end of the health system!' Labor introduced superannuation. They screamed, 'Business will never be able to afford it!' And they yelled, 'Superannuation! Isn't it just for rich people?' Now, years later, Labor is fixing housing. We're taking the steps to make housing more affordable for a whole generation of young people. We are fixing capital gains. We are fixing negative gearing. But the coalition—they're at it again. The opposition leader cries that, if re-elected in Hume, he will reverse the changes. He will cut the tax cuts.”
“When we talk about defence procurement cooperation, we're also talking about building resilience to complex threats, we're talking about opening new markets and new partnerships and we're talking about strengthening our industries that underpin our national capabilities. This is exactly what this opportunity presents. I commend the bill to the House as well.”
“There is a role for companies that operate outside of the defence industry to play in supporting local manufacturing. For example, in Bayswater, we see this capability in action with businesses like Cyclowest, a radiopharmaceutical manufacturing facility producing specialised medical isotopes for advanced diagnostic imaging and treatment. They are experts in handling radioactive materials safely and can assist with training and protocols for handling radioactive isotopes. There are many kinds of organisations that stand to benefit from this deeper engagement with European partners.”
“We also see the broader ecosystem across Western Australia, where more than 200 defence industry businesses contribute to our national capability, supported by world-class infrastructure and innovation. Companies like Composite Components are designing and manufacturing advanced carbon fibre and composite structure for high performance applications; companies like VEEM are producing advanced maritime components that not only strengthening Australia's sovereign defence capability but export expertise into our global supply chains; and organisations like the Australian Industry and Defence Network are helping connect small and medium-sized businesses into those supply chains, ensuring that that local capability can scale and collaborate. We have capacity in interesting places.”
“At Hofmann Engineering in Ashfield, the Minister for Defence and I have seen firsthand a multigenerational Western Australian company delivering world-class manufacturing capability, supporting defence, transport and industry sectors with highly specialised engineering skills. Firms such as Aerospace NDI in Bassendean specialise in highly technical inspection and testing services using non-destructive techniques to ensure the safety and reliability of critical aerospace and defence components. Together, these kinds of businesses represent exactly the capability that this partnership is designed to support: local expertise, connected to global collaboration.”
“Together, these agreements recognise that supply chains, technologies and industrial capacity are central to both our prosperity and our national security. I also want to talk about what it means at a local level. In communities like mine in Hasluck, these international partnerships translate into real opportunity. In Hasluck and across Western Australia, we have a strong and growing base of advanced manufacturing, engineering and defence related capability. When I visit local businesses, I see the kind of precision engineering and innovation that this partnership is designed to support.”
“It creates a new space security dialogue, acknowledging that the technologies we rely on, from communications to navigation, are now fundamental to both economic and national security. And, importantly, it opens up new defence procurement opportunities, strengthening cooperation between Australian and European industries and creating the pathways for shared capability development. This is what modern security looks like, not just defence capability in isolation but collaboration across industries, across technologies and across regions. That is reinforced by the broader Australia-EU relationship, including the recently concluded free trade agreement, because economic security and defence cooperation go hand in hand.”
“I thank the member for Sturt for the chance to celebrate the Australia-European Union Security and Defence Partnership. This agreement is important because it reflects a simple reality—that, in today's world, our security is interconnected and our response must be coordinated. This is a partnership that is not symbolic; it is practical and it is deliberately structured so. It establishes a framework to increase information sharing to counter global threats, to build the capacity to manage complex risks, and to strengthen resilience across both the Indo-Pacific and European regions. It commits Australia and the European Union to working together to combat online radicalisation and terrorism financing, recognising that security threats increasingly emerge in the digital domain just as much as in the physical one.”
“In Hasluck, people are doing the hard work—balancing budgets, making decisions and managing rising costs—and they deserve a system that is honest with them. This bill helps to deliver that. It reflects a growing international recognition that fairness must extend to the way choices are designed, not just the words on the page. It addresses real harm, it supports honest businesses and it restores fairness to the marketplace. In closing, I will echo CHOICE, which stated: The days of being mistreated by businesses nearly every time we transact online may finally be coming to an end. I thank the minister for his efforts, and I commend the bill to the House.”
“The Federal Trade Commission in the US concluded that companies are using digital design to trick or manipulate consumers into buying products or giving up their privacy. In Europe, a directive aims to achieve a high level of consumer protection by curbing unfair business practices. In the United Kingdom, too, new laws reflect that same principle. This bill brings those protections into Australian law. These reforms set a clear standard: businesses must not mislead through omission, manipulate through design or trap consumers through complexity. That standard is not radical; it is what Australians expect, and it is what other advanced economies are increasingly requiring. When markets are fair, people can trust them; when prices are clear, competition works; and, when consumers are respected, the economy works better for everyone.”
“Our marketplace has changed, and it continues to change. Commerce is increasingly digital. Decisions are made quickly, and businesses design systems that shape how consumers behave. People in my electorate are being rushed into decisions online through countdowns, prompts and pressures to act quickly. They are often faced with confusing choices and add-ons during transactions that make it difficult to understand what they are agreeing to. For those of my generation and older who didn't grow up as digital natives, it's harder still. Around the world, governments and regulators are recognising this shift and the need to take action. In the United States, there is action against these so-called dark patterns.”
“And, in Singapore, authorities have taken court action against businesses that enrolled consumers into subscriptions without proper consent. The principle is clear: joining should be easy, and leaving should be just as easy. This bill isn't just about fairness for consumers; it also creates a fairer playing field for businesses. Why should honest businesses in Morley and Midland—businesses who do the right thing—have to compete against online businesses that use nefarious means to trick consumers, when competitors appear cheaper simply because they don't disclose the full cost upfront? This bill says to the honest people running businesses in my electorate and all around the country: we have your back, we will take action and we will make it fairer for everyone. A modern economy requires modern protections.”
“Sometimes payments continue after cancellation should have been acknowledged and processed, and it can be hard to chase up those small amounts of money, so a lot of the time people just don't bother. A contract that can be entered into in seconds should not take hours of effort to exit. Again, we are seeing action internationally. In the United Kingdom, new laws will require clear information, reminder notices and simple cancellation processes. The UK consumer group Which stated that 'subscription traps can be costly and wreak havoc on finances that are already under strain'. In the European Union, consumers already have rights to clear subscription terms and cooling-off periods. In the United States, regulators are taking enforcement action against systems that are designed to make cancelling difficult.”
“In the United Kingdom and the United States regulators are already taking action against these practices, requiring businesses to show the full price up front and penalising those who hide their fees until the final step. This bill ensures that Australian consumers are given that same clarity. The same problem exists with subscription services, and here the issue is not just pricing; it is control. It's about whether consumers can leave and leave easily when they choose to. When people in Ellenbrook, Dayton or Hazelmere sign up to services online, they expect the process to be simple, and it often is. But cancelling is too often a completely different story, with multiple steps and unclear pathways and sometimes no obvious exit at all.”
“People in the Swan Valley, in Guildford, in Noranda, right now, booking flights or event tickets online or making purchases will often be finding that additional fees only appear at the very final stage, after they've already invested considerable time and effort into the process. We often feel locked up, having invested so much energy and time into the process already. There are only so many minutes in the day. As Minister Leigh said, it's often at the very last click. Consumer advocate CHOICE notes that 'having new charges thrown in right before you're prompted to pay has become an everyday annoyance in the consumer marketplace'. Of course, it is online, so it's not just happening here.”
“People in Ellenbrook, Midland and Bassendean want to know honestly and upfront what something will cost, and they don't want to be led up the digital garden path for an hour to find out what something will really cost or to cancel a subscription. This legislation deals with hidden costs and drip pricing. Australians expect something very simple: the price they see should be the price they pay. But too often that's not what is happening. The ACCC has warned that customers can be lured into purchases they would not otherwise have made when businesses display only part of the price up front and reveal the total cost only towards the end of the purchasing process. We've all been annoyed by this. It is the opposite of honesty and transparency. It is confusion.”
“When I'm out in my community—in Midland, in Ellenbrook, in Bassendean—people consistently raise the same issues: the cost of living, housing affordability, health, education and jobs. The reality is that many households are doing it tough. The great majority of residents in Hasluck are managing mortgages or rent, and those pressures continue to rise. What does this mean in practice? It means families are sitting at the kitchen table going through every expense. It means people are carefully checking their bank statements. It means people are making deliberate choices about what they can and what they can't afford. In that environment, every dollar matters and every decision matters.”
“At its core, the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026 is about something simple: honesty. It's about the honest treatment of consumers, honest prices presented up front and honest processes that allow Australians to organise their lives and their buying decisions easily and without tearing their hair out. In today's digital economy, the issue is not just about what things cost; it's about whether people are being dealt with honestly during the process. In communities like mine in Hasluck, that matters deeply. Hasluck people are not making abstract economic decisions. They're making real decisions under real time and money pressures.”
“The Midland Medicare Mental Health Kids Hub is one of 17 that are being delivered around the country, and this initiative, along with our Medicare mental health clinics and support for teens through headspace, is a testament to our government's commitment and genuine readiness to help meet the real needs of community in mental health, where you need only your Medicare card and not your credit card.”
“She mentioned that she was really impressed with how adroitly it is managed, with Parkerville Children and Youth Care in collaboration with Koya Aboriginal Corporation, Lifespan Psychology Centre, the Mental Illness Fellowship of Western Australia and Pregnancy to Parenthood. Parents, if you live within the City of Swan and your children need psychology, occupational therapy or counselling, or could perhaps benefit from participating in workshops, or whether you just need an additional connection to community services, I strongly urge you to access the kids hub to enhance the wellbeing of your children and your family.”
“To the little child who's been living with trauma, to the pre-teen who perhaps needs some coaching to help with their emotional regulation: the Midland Medicare Mental Health Kids Hub is there to help. This is a service I fought hard to secure for our community in Hasluck, and it's the very first of its kind in Western Australia. The Albanese government delivers on mental health needs. I opened the Medicare kids hub in Midland in January 2025, and just last week I visited the hub again, with the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, the Hon. Emma McBride—so completely impressed with our Midland facility.”
“My question is to the Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering on its commitment to implement a critical minerals strategic reserve to create secure jobs and to diversify our global supply chains?”
“This one does. It opens doors for exporters, for workers and for future industries. It ensures Australia remains outward-looking, competitive and connected in a changing world. And, for Hasluck, it delivers real opportunity where it matters most. So I say to the opposition: get on board and back in Australian businesses and interests. And to my German colleagues who are here in Australia this week, I thank you for your support. Our relationship continues to go from strength to strength.”
“This agreement strengthens ties with trusted partners and anchors Australia in a network of like-minded economies. It is, quite simply, about resilience. And yet, at a time when 27 European nations have come together to back this partnership, we see hesitation at home. Instead of matching that cooperation, the Liberals and the National Party have chosen to seed doubt and play politics over progress. In Hasluck, people expect better than that. They expect us to back our local industries in Hazelmere and Bayswater. They expect us to support our local growers and businesses in the Swan Valley. They expect us to land trade deals in their interests, as we have with the UK, with India, with the UAE and now with the EU, just to name a few. No trade deal is ever perfect, but the test is whether it advances Australia's national interest.”
“For Hasluck, it means lower tariffs, better access and a fairer shot at competing in a global market. It means Swan Valley growers can expand their reach, grow their businesses and invest in the future with greater confidence. And it's not just wine. Across agriculture—beef, sheep, meat, nuts, fruit, olive oil—Australian producers will benefit from the reduced barriers and expanded quotas. That translates directly into jobs, investments and stronger regional communities and economies, including Hasluck. But the significance of this agreement goes beyond economics. In a world of growing uncertainty, who we trade with matters. The European Union shares Australia's commitment to high standards on labour, on the environment and on the rule of law.”
“At a time when the global economy is becoming more fragmented, it is more important than ever for the government to take advantage of opportunities for growth and long-term partnerships. The trade agreement between Australia and the European Union is not just another deal. It is a strategic partnership with one of the world's largest and most stable markets, worth a staggering $10 billion a year for the Australian economy. Back home in Hasluck, this translates to opportunity, income and jobs for local businesses and local families. In the Swan Valley, we are home to generations of growers and winemakers who have built their livelihoods over decades. Pioneers like the Yukich family at Nikola Estate have been producing wine since 1929. This agreement removes barriers to allow them to export into Europe.”
“We have cut student debt, benefiting 16,000 students in my electorate of Hasluck, and cut the cost of TAFE with fee-free courses. We have supported apprentices with $10,000 bonuses and introduced paid prac for nursing, teaching, social work and midwifery students. We have cut the cost of PBS medicines. We have cut the cost of seeing a GP with the largest investment in bulk-billing, and we've opened Medicare urgent care clinics around the country and in Midland, Morley and Ellenbrook in Hasluck. We have cut the cost of home batteries by 30 per cent, lowering power bills. The intent of a government matters, and ours is simple: we want Australians to earn more and keep more— (Time expired)”
“We want Australians to earn more and keep more of what they earn. This is not a slogan; it is a statement of intent. It is an intent that drives the Albanese Labor government, holding its focus—where it needs to be—on the Australian people. Who could disagree with this intent? Those opposite. A year ago tomorrow, the coalition voted against tax cuts for Australian workers—a decision driven by the Leader of the Opposition, the then shadow Treasurer. Helping Australians with the cost of living is the Albanese Labor government's top priority. It is clearly not the coalition's priority. While the coalition committed themselves to increasing taxes, the Albanese Labor government cut the taxes of 14 million Australians—and we did not stop with tax cuts.”
“(): My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. What is the Albanese government doing to secure our fuel supply and support Australians during this fuel spike? What other approaches are there?”
“I was very proud to have my picture taken alongside these women. Our modern Defence Force cannot afford to draw from only part of the population; it needs the full range of talent, skills and experience available to it. The pipeline matters. Recruitment is strong. Early retention is improving. But command-track participation and senior representation are where the next gains must be made. So today we recognise more than a century of service. We recognise the women who have served when opportunities were limited and those serving today with far greater scope. To all the women who have served and continue to serve in the Australian Defence Force directly and those who work in support of their partners who are active members: your service is strengthening the Australian Defence Force, and I thank you.”
“These roles require judgement, discretion and a detailed understanding of how Defence operates at the highest level. They are often given to people who are expected to hold significant leadership roles and positions in the future. Alongside them I also met two of the most senior officers in the ADF, Lieutenant General Natasha Fox, AO CSC, Chief of Personnel, who is responsible for the workforce that underpins the entire Defence organisation, and Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, AM CSC DSM, Chief of Joint Capabilities, the first woman to lead a warfighting capability domain in the ADF. These are not modest achievements. They reflect a Defence Force that is beginning to shift at its most senior levels, something that has taken time and care to achieve and something we can all be proud of.”
“Earlier this year, at the last post ceremony marking the commencement of parliament, I had the opportunity to meet a number of women serving at the very centre of defence leadership. These are not symbolic roles; they are operational, high-trust positions supporting the most senior leaders in the ADF. They include Captain Olivia Bowman-Wall, serving as the aide-de-camp to the Chief of the Defence Force, Flight Lieutenant Ayah Khalid, the aide-de-camp to the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Lieutenant Geraldine Gray of the Royal Australian Navy, aide-de-camp to the Chief of Personnel, Lieutenant Millicent Nye, aide-de-camp to the Chief of Joint Capabilities, and Flight Lieutenant Leah Park, aide-de-camp to the Minister for Defence Industry.”
“Importantly, we're on track to increase women's participation further over the next decade, driven by our stronger recruitment and better retention strategies. The outstanding performance of our female officers is being recognised. Three were made members of the Order of Australia this year: Air Commodore Maria Brick, for her service in legal work and staff appointments; Group Captain Aleisha Broadhead, for her contributions to the F-35A Lightning II introduction and to air traffic management; and Wing Commander Nadia Harrison, for developing expeditionary cyberspace capabilities. And there were many more who were recognised for their professionalism and achievements.”
“In more recent times, Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel's story as the sole survivor of the 1942 Bangka Island massacre has become widely known and celebrated, and I join with the member for Bullwinkel's remarks about that extraordinary story and life of service. Today, women are engaged across all services and make up more than 25 per cent of new recruits each year. I personally joined the signals corps in the Australian Army Reserve, and back then was a time when women's roles were perhaps more limited. Notwithstanding that we were trained for combat, we invariably didn't have combat-facing roles to serve within. Since then, there's been real progress. All roles in the ADF have been open to women since 2016, serving across the land, the sea, the air, cyber and space.”
“I rise to support this motion and thank the member for Lyne for bringing it before the House. This motion matters because it recognises two things at once: first, the long service record by women in the Australian Defence Force and, second, the very deliberate reforms that are changing the shape of the force today. For more than a century, Australian women have served, initially in nursing support roles and often in a volunteer capacity and without recognition or equal opportunity. Australian author Miles Franklin was a volunteer orderly and cook with the Scottish Women's Hospital in Macedonia from 1917 to 1918, supporting the Serbian army during World War I, working at the Ostrovo field hospital under extremely difficult conditions, treating wounded soldiers and fighting the typhus epidemic.”